SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Daniel Susac hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning for his second of the game, and fifth-seeded Arizona beat No. 4 seed Oregon 8-6 on Wednesday to open the inaugural Pac-12 Tournament.
Arizona (36-21) bounced back from getting swept in Eugene, Oregon, last weekend to advance to the winner’s bracket on Thursday.
Susac gave Arizona a 2-0 lead in the third inning with a solo shot for his 10th homer of the season. His 11th also went over the left-field wall for a three-run lead. He finished 3 for 4 with three RBIs.
Oregon’s Drew Cowley hit a deep shot into the gap in left-center field, scoring Colby Shade to score a run in the ninth. But Arizona reliever Trevor Long retired the next two batters for his sixth save of the season.
Eric Orloff (2-2) earned the win by ending a threat in the sixth with the final two outs.
Anthony Hall hit a three-run homer in the sixth to give Oregon (35-22) a 5-4 lead. The Wildcats answered with two runs in the seventh, taking a lead for good on Chase Davis’ sacrifice fly.
The Pac-12 previously awarded the regular-season champion with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, but opted to join the other power conferences with a postseason event this season.
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