Big 12 baseball championship score: Highlights from Arizona's win over TCU in extras
Arizona baseball couldn't get anything going offensively until the ninth inning, when a breakthrough finally came.
Andrew Cain came up huge as the leadoff hitter as the Wildcats were down to their final three outs, launching a solo home run over the right-field fence to tie the game at 1-1. Arizona then forced extra innings, prevailing in the 10th after Maddox Mihalakis' bloop single that scored Mason White from third base.
Arizona's pitching options each played huge roles in the win, as true freshman Smith Bailey got the start and allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts across 5 2/3 innings. Relievers Casey Hintz, Garrett Hicks and Tony Pluta then combined for two hits with four strikeouts and no earned runs in the remaining 4 1/3 innings.
Both teams will undoubtedly hear their names called on Monday's NCAA Tournament selection show, with Arizona hoping its Big 12 championship win can propel it into the regional host conversation.
Here were the highlights of Arizona's conference championship win over TCU on Saturday night:
TCU vs Arizona baseball live score, updates
This section will be updated.
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | F |
| Arizona | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| TCU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Arizona wins it
Arizona's offense comes up big late, and Tony Pluta shuts the door for the save in the bottom of the 10th. The win marks the Wildcats' second consecutive conference championship, after they won the Pac-12 title in 2024.
TCU down to final 3 outs
TCU, now trailing 2-1, gets out of the top of the 10th, but needs at least a run to keep playing at the Big 12 championship.
Here we go.
Arizona takes 2-1 lead in 10th inning
Arizona takes the lead for the first time tonight after Maddox Mihalakis hits a bloop single to right-center field to score shortstop Mason White.
TCU is turning to Cohen Feser, who's taking the ball from Braeden Sloan. Sloan finished the night with two earned runs on four hits with four strikeouts across 4 1/3 innings.
Big 12 championship game heading to extras
TCU can't walk it off in the bottom of the ninth, and the Big 12 championship game is heading to the 10th inning tied at 1-1.
Arizona ties it
All it took was one swing, as Andrew Cain launches a leadoff home run over the right-field fence to even the score at 1-1 in the top of the ninth inning. Can that be the momentum the Wildcats need offensively?
Arizona bats with last chance
Garrett Hicks enters for Arizona and puts up a zero, striking out one hitter. The Wildcats are down to their final three outs here in the top of the ninth inning.
TCU bullpen works its magic
TCU gets out of a jam yet again, as Braeden Sloan gets two groundouts and a strikeout to end the top of the eighth inning. Arizona is down to its last three outs, having yet to score.
Arizona with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs
The Wildcats are showing signs of life, as Aaron Walton draws a leadoff walk before Mason White ropes a single to put runners on first and second with no outs in the top of the seventh inning.
Wildcats still trail 1-0 but have a chance to scratch a run across here.
Arizona offense still sputtering
TCU reliever Braeden Sloan retires Arizona's 8-9-1 hitters in order, and the Wildcats are down to their last six outs after the top of the seventh inning.
Arizona has two hits as a team, as TCU's bullpen game approach has worked wonders so far.
Arizona calls to bullpen
Smith Bailey's night is over, after pitching 5 1/3 innings and allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts. The true freshman kept the Wildcats in it, and hands the ball over to right-hander Casey Hintz in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Hintz forces a 6-4-3 double play after getting his first batter he faced to groundout.
TCU turns to Braeden Sloan
Braeden Sloan enters for Gianluca Shinn and gets out of the sixth inning unscathed despite allowing hitting a batter.
TCU still leads 1-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth.
Smith Bailey cruising
Smith Bailey retires TCU's hitters in order again and puts up another zero in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bailey has allowed one run on three hits with five strikeouts through five innings.
Gianluca Shinn strikes out the side
Gianluca Shinn is quickly becoming the story of the Big 12 championship, as he picks up his seventh strikeout through 2 2/3 innings of work. TCU leads 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
Gianluca Shinn's consecutive strikeouts ends at 6
Gianluca Shinn strikes out the first two batters of the fifth inning, which mark his fifth and sixth strikeout in a row. He walks Brendan Summerhill, though, ending his strikeout streak at six.
Shinn has been nails in relief for the Horned Frogs.
Smith Bailey retires TCU in order
Smith Bailey is turning it up, as he quickly gets out of the fourth inning after a flyout and a pair of strikeouts. Bailey has allowed one run on three hits with five strikeouts so far.
Gianluca Shinn getting it done
How about TCU reliever Gianluca Shinn? Shinn strikes out the side and has struck out four consecutive batters. The left-hander's breaking ball is giving Arizona fits here.
TCU bats coming up in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Smith Bailey escapes jam
After allowing back-to-back baserunners, Arizona's Smith Bailey picks off Colton Griffin, who was attempting to steal third base. Bailey then got a flyout and a strikeout to end the third inning.
Both Arizona and TCU were able to fend off scoring chances in the third inning.
TCU with runners on 1st and 2nd and no outs
Colton Griffin hits a leadoff single before leadoff hitter Jack Bell bloops a single into left field, putting runners on first and second with no outs for TCU. The Horned Frogs are looking to extend their lead here in the bottom of the third inning.
Gianluca Shinn gets TCU out of jam
Left-hander Gianluca Shinn enters for Nate Stern, facing a bases-loaded jam with an out, and is able to get out of the inning after forcing a flyout by Mason White and striking out Arizona 4-hole hitter Adonys Guzman to end the frame.
Shinn delivers in a huge spot for the Horned Frogs.
Bases loaded for Arizona
Arizona loads the bases with one out in the top of the third inning after Nate Stern hits Aaron Walton with a pitch. TCU is going to make a pitching change as Wildcats 3-hole hitter Mason White, who has three home runs in the Big 12 tournament, is up to bat.
Arizona has a pair of singles, along with a strikeout and a hit by pitch in the third inning.
Smith Bailey settling in
After surrendering a run in the first inning, Arizona's Smith Bailey puts down TCU in order after earning a strikeout looking to end the second inning. Bailey is up to two strikeouts on the night.
Arizona retires in order
TCU's Nate Stern is off to a solid start against Arizona, as he sits down the Wildcats in order to start the second inning. Stern forced a pair of flyouts and a groundout.
TCU takes 1-0 lead
TCU's Noah Franco does his job, as he hits a groundball to the second baseman that scores Strosnider from third. The Horned Frogs take an early 1-0 lead.
TCU offense cooking early
TCU's Sawyer Strosnider draws a walk before Cole Cramer ropes a double down the left-field line to put Horned Frogs runners on second and third with one out. Arizona's Smith Bailey facing some early adversity in the bottom of the first inning.
Nate Stern efficient in 1st inning
Nate Stern works around an error by third baseman Jack Bell, forcing a trio of flyouts to get out of the top of the first inning. Horned Frogs 1-2-3 in lineup coming up to bat.
Big 12 championship game underway
TCU's Nate Stern fires the first pitch of the game, and we're underway at the Big 12 championship game in Arlington, Texas.
Arizona baseball lineup
- RF Brendan Summerhill
- CF Aaron Walton
- SS Mason White
- C Adonys Guzman
- 3B Maddox Mihalakis
- 2B Garen Caulfield
- LF Andrew Cain
- 1B Tommy Splaine
- DH Easton Breyfogle
Arizona going with true freshman right-hander Smith Bailey (2-3, 4.52 ERA) on the mound.
TCU baseball lineup
- 3B Jack Bell
- DH Sawyer Strosnider
- 1B Cole Cramer
- RF Noah Franco
- CF Chase Brunson
- C Nolan Traeger
- SS Anthony Silva
- Isaac Cadena
- 2B Colton Griffin
TCU is also starting a true freshman in right-hander Nate Stern (3-1, 1.53 ERA), who has only thrown 17 2/3 innings this season.
Big 12 baseball championship trophy
The Big 12 baseball championship trophy is out on the field pregame:
Big 12 baseball tournament bracket
Here's a look at how the full Big 12 baseball tournament bracket has unfolded, setting up Arizona vs. TCU:
What time does Big 12 baseball championship start?
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- Date: Saturday, May 24
- Location: Globe Life Field (Arlington, Texas)
The Big 12 baseball championship game between Arizona and TCU is set for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch on Saturday, May 24, at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
What TV channel is Big 12 baseball championship on today?
- TV channel: ESPNU
- Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo
The Big 12 baseball championship between TCU and Arizona will air on ESPNU. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a cable login), ESPN+, ESPN's subscription streaming service, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.