COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Bryce Bandilla and Nick Cunningham spent part of last year's NCAA regional on their backs, IV drips pumping much-needed saline into their dehydrated bodies.
This year, they'll be ready for the heat.
The Arizona Wildcats have been drinking extra water and Gatorade for the last three days in anticipation of today's NCAA regional opener against Seton Hall at Olsen Field, where temperatures are expected to hit 97 degrees. Team trainers have put an extra emphasis on hydration, hoping that days' worth of water and sodium consumption will counteract the heat and strength-sapping humidity.
"Just keep pounding water, Gatorade, Powerade, electrolytes, gator-lytes, all that stuff," catcher Jett Bandy said. "We can handle the heat - it's just as hot (in Tucson) on some days. But the humidity gets you; you feel like you walk into a wall when you walk off the field or off the plane."
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The heat and humidity was a major factor in last year's regional, held in Fort Worth. Bandilla overheated early in the series, done in by the heat and the long sleeves he had to wear to cover the cast on his throwing wrist. Cunningham went down shortly thereafter, exhausted from too much time in the open-air bullpen.
The UA's approach is half-practical, half-mental: Players said they won't use the heat - or even the idea of overheating - as an excuse for underperforming.
"Nobody's going to worry about the weather," outfielder Robert Refsnyder said. "The people who do are going to be the weak ones."
Wildcats' DH Garcia has déjà vu in Texas
Josh Garcia has some fond memories of Texas, and for good reason. The Wildcats' designated hitter caught fire in last year's regional, belting two home runs and a triple in his first two games. His two-run blast in the opener against Baylor helped spark Arizona to a 10-9 win.
"Going in, I've got that in the back of my mind," Garcia said. "I got hot last year; hopefully, I can turn it on again."
Today, Garcia will get another chance to tame Texas. The senior from Phoenix Brophy Prep will start over freshman Johnny Field, who has received most of the at-bats in the last month.
Garcia has started just 32 of Arizona's 55 games but leads the team with seven home runs. Fourteen of his 35 hits have gone for extra bases.
"Josh is an old guy, he's been in regionals," Lopez said. "This is when old guys have an advantage."
Gotta be Heyer
Coaches briefly considered saving ace Kurt Heyer and No. 2 starter Kyle Simon for games later in the weekend before erring on the side of caution. Heyer will start today, with Simon scheduled to pitch Saturday. The Wildcats would likely turn to Konner Wade, Tyler Hale or Vincent Littleman for Game 3, depending on the stakes.
Lopez, who has preached consistency all week, said he didn't want to alter the Wildcats' routine - even if it meant a possible strategic edge.
"We need to go out and do it like we've done it the last six weeks," Lopez said. "I didn't want to throw a wrinkle in it."
