Andrew Nardi spins gem as Arizona baseball beats Cal, avoids sweep

Arizona baseball has usually needed a prolific offensive day to win games this season, but Sunday was the exception, thanks to a stellar outing by Andrew Nardi.

The junior left-hander tossed six scoreless innings as the Wildcats beat Cal 4-2 to avoid a series sweep. Nardi (3-3, 6.63 ERA) surrendered seven hits and three walks while striking out six.

Arizona (18-16, 6-9) provided some early run support when Austin Wells and Brandon Boissiere had RBI hits in the third inning.

Nardi, who threw 100 pitches, was relieved by Zach Sherman to begin the seventh and Cal immediately capitalized. Cameron Eden clubbed a one-out triple and was promptly driven in by Andrew Vaughn, who singled through the right side.

The next batter, Korey Lee, singled but Sherman induced a groundout before being relieved by Avery Weems, who escaped the jam with another groundout.

Arizona plated two runs in the eighth to create some breathing room when Matthew Dyer homered and Wells scored on a wild pitch after reaching base on balls.

UA centerfielder Donta Williams made a diving catch in the top half of the inning to prevent a leadoff extra-base hit.

WEB GEM! Donta Williams with the full layout grab in center to take away extra bases! @SportsCenter #SCTop10 pic.twitter.com/NBkZW5KwA2

— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) April 14, 2019

Eden homered off Weems in the ninth to cut UA’s lead to 4-2, and the tying run would come to the plate with two outs, but Weems recorded the final out without any damage done.

It was the first time all season that Arizona won a game while scoring less than seven runs. The Wildcats now head to Corvallis for a three-game series against No. 4 Oregon State, starting Thursday.

Postgame interviews (via Christian Mortensen)

Jay Johnson

Here is Arizona baseball head coach, Jay Johnson, after today’s 4-2 win over the California Golden Bears at Hi-Corbett.

Posted by AZ Desert Swarm on Sunday, April 14, 2019

Andrew Nardi and Brandon Boissiere

Here are Arizona baseball players, Andrew Nardi and Branden Boissiere, after today’s 4-2 victory over Cal at Hi-Corbett:

Posted by AZ Desert Swarm on Sunday, April 14, 2019

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