Arizona is off to a potent start at the plate, and no Wildcat is hitting the ball with more authority than junior center fielder Jared Oliva.
Oliva had three hits and five RBIs, including a three-run homer, in Arizona’s latest victory — a 12-5 triumph over McNeese State on Sunday at Hi Corbett Field. The Wildcat are 8-0 for the first time since 2007.
The talented Oliva began to touch his potential late last season, making the College World Series all-tournament team. He appears to be reaching it now.
The secret to his success? One huge factor is a slight tweak he made to his batting stance. The right-handed hitter realized that he was right-eye dominant. To give himself a better view of the ball, Oliva opened his stance slightly. He also cut down on the degree to which he turns his shoulders before swinging.
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As a result, Oliva is seeing the ball more clearly. He leads Arizona in doubles (seven), home runs (two), RBIs (13), total bases (31) and slugging percentage (.886) while batting .457.
“I’m not trying to do too much,” said Oliva, whose fourth-inning homer erased a 4-1 deficit. “I’m literally saying, ‘See the ball well, swing at a good pitch, I’ll let the results dictate themselves.’
“It’s all about the process. I’m 100 percent committed to my plan when I step to the plate.”
Oliva had two doubles in the decisive seven-run seventh inning — one leading off the frame, the other driving in the last two of Arizona’s six two-out runs. All three of his hits came with two strikes against right-handed pitchers.
“His discipline’s better; he’s not chasing out of the zone,” UA coach Jay Johnson said of Oliva, who is striking out once every 11.7 at-bats so far — compared to once every 4.8 at-bats last season.
“He’s recognizing pitches earlier, and that’s also helping him hit mistakes really well.
“If I’m a (scout), that’s the guy my eyes go to immediately with his tools. He’s starting to come into his own.”
Oliva isn’t doing it alone, of course. Arizona is hitting .378 as a team with a .477 on-base percentage and 40 extra-base hits. The Wildcats have scored at least eight runs in seven consecutive games.
The UA outscored McNeese State 41-14 in sweeping a four-game series. The Cowboys were 4-0 when the series began Thursday.
“You can’t ignore the offense — the consistent, quality at-bats,” Johnson said. “Strike-zone discipline. Still executing the bunting game, hit-and-run game at a high level. A lot of extra-base hits. There’s a lot of different ways we can score runs, which I like.”
McNeese State took the lead in every game, requiring Arizona to rally. Six of the Wildcats’ eight wins have featured a comeback from an early-inning deficit.
“We’ve had some rocky play, but we seem to pick each other up throughout the ballgame, especially late in the ballgame,” said junior Cameron Ming, who pitched 2ª shutout innings to close Sunday’s game and improve to 2-0.
“We have a lot of poise in the dugout, even when we’re down. We know how good we can be. Sometimes it’s just a matter of time until things click.”
Inside pitch
• Arizona shortstop Louis Boyd got hurt in the first inning and had to leave the game. Boyd landed hard after chasing a popup in shallow left field. He appeared to be favoring his left elbow or shoulder. Johnson said Boyd would be evaluated Monday.
• The 3-hour, 45-minute game was called after the top of the eighth because it encroached on McNeese State’s flight time.
• Alfonso Rivas III lasted only two-thirds of an inning, falling victim to poor defense for the second straight start. Rivas has allowed nine runs in 2ª innings, but only one earned run.
• Arizona faces the NC Dinos in an exhibition game at 3 p.m. Tuesday.
