Arizona
Arizona baseball’s pitching hitting stride at perfect time
“Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher” — Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver
Arizona is headed into the NCAA Tournament on a 5-game win streak, its longest since March, and the biggest question mark entering the 2025 season has become its biggest strength.
The 2-1, 10-inning win over TCU in the Big 12 Tournament final marked the fourth consecutive game in which the Wildcats (39-18) allowed one run. That hadn’t happened for the UA since 1974, when it held seven consecutive opponents to one or fewer runs.
It’s been a collective effort, but Arizona’s starters have led the charge. Sophomore Owen Kramkowski, senior Raul Garayzar and freshman Smith Bailey have combined to allow three earned runs over their last 28 innings, translating to an 0.96 ERA.
Pitching was the big question mark for Arizona headed into this season. Gone were a trio of starters who combined to throw 272 innings before each getting taken in the 2024 MLB Draft, and in their place was a starting rotation that would feature two arms making their first career collegiate start.
For most of the 2025 season, though, Arizona’s pitching staff held its own. A deep bullpen took pressure off the starters to have to go too deep, and after back-to-back wins over TCU at Hi Corbett Field in early May the Wildcats’ ERA was a respectable 4.50, only slightly above the 4.46 mark from last year’s Pac-12 regular season and conference tournament champs.
But then came a 6-game stretch in which the UA pitching struggled mightily, starting with a 13-6 loss to TCU and continuing with a disappointing home series loss to last place Utah in which it allowed 28 runs. Then came a 13-4 loss at Houston, which was hitting .220 in Big 12 play.
Arizona’s ERA had surged to 5.07. That wasn’t going to cut it in the postseason, and if the losses kept piling up just making the NCAA Tournament might have been in jeopardy.
Then came a move by pitching coach Kevin Vance that changed everything.
Vance had already swapped his No. 1 and 2 starters, moving Kramkowski to the top spot and sliding redshirt sophomore Collin McKinney back. But McKinney, a transfer from Baylor, could not go deep in games due to too many walks and hit batters, and he lost his spot in the rotation for the final weekend of the regular season.
In his place was Garayzar, who had started a handful of midweek games but otherwise was used in relief. He made his first Big 12 start on May 16 at Houston, going 4.2 innings and allowing only four hits with one run in a 14-6 victory.
The next day Bailey, the first UA true freshman to make 15 or more starts since Kurt Heyer in 2010, had arguably the best outing of his career by going six in an 8-1 win to wrap up the regular season.
Kramkowski, who had a 2.70 ERA in April that included an 8.2-inning performance at ASU, had allowed 14 earned runs in 14.1 innings in three May starts before tossing six shutout frames against BYU in the Big 12 Tournament opener. Garayzar then followed with his own six scoreless innings in the semifinal win over West Virginia ahead of Bailey allowing a run in the first but nothing else over 5.1 innings in the conference title game.
Before the current win streak, Arizona’s starting pitchers had recorded four quality starts (six or more innings allowing three or fewer runs) and that had begun to tax the bullpen. Juniors Casey Hintz and Garrett Hicks, who have combined for 50 appearances and 86.1 innings, had lost their effectiveness and were getting hit hard. Hunter Alberini, Matthew Martinez, Eric Orloff and Julian Tonghini were good some outings, not so good the other, making it hard to get the ball to closer Tony Pluta.
But over the last five games the pen has been nails, and not getting overused has likely helped their cause. Over 18 innings they’ve allowed four earned runs, and in the Big 12 final the relievers combined for 4.2 scoreless frames with two hits, four strikeouts and no walks.
But as the Weaver quote reminds us, that can all change in a blink. Last year Arizona’s starters were lights out all season, including in the Pac-12 Tournament when Clark Candiotti threw seven innings of 1-run ball in the semifinals and Cam Walty went eight strong in the final.
A week later, as a regional host, Candiotti and Walty were tagged for 11 runs in 10 innings and the Wildcats went 0-2. Even the 1974 team can attest to how quickly things can go south, as that squad was 58-4 entering the NCAA tourney only to lose consecutive games at Northern Colorado.
The 1974 team finished with a team ERA of 2.07, best in school history, but allowed six runs in each regional game. That had only happened six times during the regular season.
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Former Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely has switched his congressional campaign from the East Valley to Arizona’s 1st Congressional District, joining a crowded Republican primary in Scottsdale.
The move comes after President Donald Trump endorsed former Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb in the Fifth Congressional District last month, sending Feely a message to run in a different district.
“After nearly a quarter century in professional football, I know that no player is more important than the well-being of the team,” Feely said in a statement released Friday. “In this moment, the best way I can serve our GOP team is to defend this crucial Republican seat.”
Feely joins businessman John Trobough, state lawmaker Joseph Chaplik and current Arizona Republican Party leader Gina Swoboda in the GOP primary. Swoboda has already secured Trump’s endorsement.
Political experts believe Feely’s move, following Trump’s advice, could lead to another situation where Trump endorses two candidates in the same race.
The First Congressional District seat opened when Congressman David Schweikert announced his run for governor. Republicans view the district as a must-win seat.
The winner of the Republican primary will face the winner of the Democratic primary in the general election. The district is one of two swing districts in Arizona that could determine which party controls the House.
Trump has previously endorsed multiple candidates in Arizona Republican primaries, including Rep. Andy Biggs and businesswoman Karrin Taylor Robson in the governor’s race.
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The blowout victory not only highlighted Arizona’s depth but also provided several standout individual performances that showed important signs of growth headed towards conference play. Here’s a closer look at the top three Wildcats from the game and how they powered the win.
1. Tanyuel Welch — Team Leader With a Big Night (18 Points)
Guard Tanyuel Welch led all scorers for Arizona with 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting a highly efficient performance that helped set the tone early and keep the Wildcats well ahead of Bellarmine throughout. Welch also knocked down 4-of-4 free throws, showing composure at the line, and contributed six rebounds and three assists while playing 24 minutes.
Impressively, she did all of this with just one turnover and one foul, illustrating her control and decision-making in a high-tempo game. Welch’s scoring came at all levels; attacking the rim, knocking down mid-range looks, and finishing in transition and her all-around playmaking and rebounding added yet another layer to a complete offensive night.
2. Noelani Cornfield — Playmaker and Versatile Contributor
Senior point guard Noelani Cornfield had another impactful outing in the win over Bellarmine. Cornfield recorded 15 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed two rebounds, and added five steals in just 25 minutes of action. Her stat line shows how she orchestrated the Wildcats’ offense while also creating havoc defensively.
Cornfield’s ability to distribute the ball was on full display as Arizona finished with 24 assists on 44 made field goals, a testament to their ball movement and unselfish play. Her high assist total helped keep the offense flowing and ensured that multiple Wildcats got open, high-percentage shots throughout the afternoon. Her defensive energy also led to easy transition opportunities, further fueling Arizona’s balanced scoring output.
3. Achol Magot — Efficient Frontcourt Scorer Off the Bench
Center Achol Magot delivered a career-high 10 points off the bench in just 14 minutes, going 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from the free-throw line. Her efficient scoring and physical presence inside helped complement Arizona’s guard play and gave the Wildcats consistent production inside the paint. Magot also contributed five rebounds and one assist while battling through foul trouble, showing a strong impact in limited minutes.
Her ability to score efficiently around the basket and contribute on the glass was an important part of Arizona’s depth, showing through. In a game where Arizona had six double-digit scorers, Magot’s contribution sealed her place as one of the night’s top performers.
Arizona Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs leads Republican U.S. Congressman Andy Biggs by double digits in the state’s gubernatorial race, shows a new poll conducted by NextGen Polling, which identifies as “right of center.”
Newsweek reached out to Biggs’ campaign via email on Thursday for comment.
Why It Matters
As a pivotal battleground state, Arizona’s political trends can potentially foreshadow national outcomes, with shifting demographics and voter priorities influencing both parties’ strategies.
The results could possibly play a critical role in the broader national landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms.
What To Know
In the poll, Hobbs captures 51 percent of the potential vote compared to Biggs’ 32 percent, with 7 percent of respondents choosing “other” and 9 percent undecided.
The survey was taken from December 15 to December 17 among 2,725 likely voters, with a 1.9 percent margin of error, according to NextGen’s press release.
The poll also shows that Biggs has 64 percent of the Republican vote while Hobbs carries 90 percent of Democrats’ support. Sixty-two percent of independents back Hobbs while 19 percent favor Biggs.
Against Republican candidate Karrin Taylor Robson, Hobbs has 51 percent of the potential vote compared to Robson’s 30 percent.
What People Are Saying
Gregg Pekau, managing partner at NextGenP, in the poll: “This is a very telling, and honestly shocking, survey that far exceeds anything we’ve seen regarding the 2026 general election for Governor. This should be a wakeup call to Republicans that we must unify and connect with voters beyond our party to win the Governor race in 2026. The good news is that there remains significant time to engage independent voters and rebuild support within the party’s base.”
Biggs, on X earlier this month: “Under Katie Hobbs, our state has seen:
-Job growth plummet
-Energy and gas prices skyrocket
-A blatant disregard for public safety and keeping our border secure
If we want to grow and keep people here, Arizona needs a Governor with a vision, not vetoes.”
Hobbs, on X in October: “Arizona: I’m running for re-election. Your stories of hard work, hope, and determination inspire me to keep moving our state forward. I’m ready to serve you for 4 more years and always put your family first. Let’s get to work.”
What Happens Next
As both parties intensify their field efforts and campaign spending, Arizona is expected to remain at the center of national attention in the 2026 midterm cycle.
Early survey leads may shift as campaigns develop and voters gain more information. Both major parties are expected to closely monitor voter attitudes as Arizona’s political landscape continues to evolve in the run-up to the elections.
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