Arizona’s hopes for hosting an NCAA Tournament regional are fading after the Wildcats lost their third straight game to Utah on Friday night. Big XII last-place Utah scored three runs in the first inning and never trailed to earn the win. Utah entered the weekend 18-25 overall, 5-19 in the Big XII and 1-11 on the road.
Arizona is competing for a bye into the quarterfinals of the Big XII Tournament. Only 1.5 games separate second-place Arizona State from sixth-place Kansas State on the penultimate weekend of the regular season. Arizona fell to 34-16 overall and 15-10 in the Big XII with the loss.
After an RBI single from Cameron Gurney, Kaden Carpenter hit a home run to get Utah off to a fast start. Core Jackson, who sparked Utah throughout the game, extended the Utes’ lead to 4-0 in the top of the third with an RBI single. Mason White hit the first of his two three-run HRs to cut the Arizona deficit to 4-3…