Diamondbacks battling to reach the .500 mark

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks (11-12) continue to claw their way back to the .500 mark, winning and losing some. They head for St. Louis and a three-game series at Busch Stadium on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. The Cardinals are having their own troubles and find themselves in last place in the NL Central with a 9-13 record.

Arizona is in third place in the NL West behind the LA Dodgers (13-11) and the San Diego Padres (12-12) but remains just 1 1/2 games back of Shohei Ohtani and Company.

Ketel Marte leads the Diamondbacks with a .330 batting average. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Marte are tied in home runs with five apiece, while Gurriel Jr. leads the club in RBI with 21. 

  

Walk-off Wildcats in first place in Pac-12 Conference race

 Arizona Wildcats Baseball

The Arizona Wildcats (24-14 overall, 13-5 in the Pac-12) head for Las Cruces Wednesday and a single non-conference game against the New Mexico State Aggies.

The Wildcats, who are becoming known lately as the Walk-off Wildcats may have their sights set on this weekend's three-game series in Seattle against Pac-12 Conference foe, the Washington Huskies. After all, Arizona has collected six walk-off wins this season, all of them coming in its last 10 home games and the Wildcats now sit atop the conference standings ahead of everyone.

Arizona can garner another series win in Seattle and better yet a sweep would be even better and allow them to remain the top dog in the conference heading into May.

The Wildcats' last sweep and last walk-off win occurred on Sunday at Hi Corbett when the hard-hitting Mason White singled in the game-winner against Washington State in the 11th inning for an 8-7 win.

Brendan Summerhill continues to lead the Wildcats in hitting with a .366 batting average (56 for 153 in 37 games), while White's 13 homers and 49 RBI leads the way in the power department. Cam Walty (6-1, 2.55 ERA), Clark Candiotti (4-1, 3.34 ERA), and Jackson Kent (3-1, 2.64 ERA) continue to be the top three main starters for the Wildcats.

Way to go, Wildcats! Go, get 'em in Las Cruces and Seattle.

A sign of the times...

I have spent eight decades in and out of dugouts.

Yes, the world has changed.

My advice to the young ballplayer out there with a Louisville Slugger draped over his or her shoulder:

Keep swinging! Stay between the lines. Stay focused. Give it your all. Await every pitch thrown at you. Smile. Take your cuts and remember if at first, you don't succeed, you'll have another at-bat, and when you connect at the plate and in life you will be so proud of yourself.

Don't do this...

Do this...

Celebrate and reach for the stars...

Gallen rights the ship at Chase with 5-0 shutout

 Arizona Diamondbacks

Zac Gallen (3-0) took care of business at Chase Field on Sunday as the Diamondbacks' ace hurled six strong innings, allowing four hits while striking out seven and walking just two batters as Arizona evened its record at 8-8 with a 5-0 shutout of the St. Louis Cardinals.

Arizona won 2 of the 3 games with Christian Walker collecting three of the Diamondbacks' seven hits on Sunday.

The Diamondbacks continue their homestand with another three games as they take on the Chicago Cubs on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday before heading to San Francisco and a four-game series with the Giants.

A beautiful Day at Hi Corbett Field

Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Arizona earned a sweep at Hi Corbett Field of Louisiana Tech on Sunday with a 5-2 win and picked up its 11th consecutive win this season to improve to 20-13. Starting pitcher Cam Walty (6-1) hurled seven strong innings, allowing just two runs while striking out eight batters.

Photos: A day at Hi Corbett -- A little bullpen action before the start of the game and some images depicting the history of the landmark baseball field. So many of the baseball greats have played between the lines at Hi Corbett Field.

Congrats to UConn: National Champs

NCAA National Championship 

Back-to-back titles for the Huskies

University of Connecticut won the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship with a 75-60 victory over Purdue tonight in Glendale, Arizona.

Tristen Newton scored 20 points, dished out seven assists, and won the MVP Award.

Purdue’s Zach Edey was the top scorer with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and two blocks.

Arizona Baseball: Wildcats rip Stanford, 12-1

Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Arizona closed out its four-game road trip with a non-conference 12-1 win at Stanford today. The Wildcats improved to 18-13 overall and remain 10-5 in Pac-12 play. Mason White highlighted the big win with two home runs and six RBI.

White leads the Wildcats with 13 home runs and 45 RBI.

Arizona returns home to Hi Corbett Field on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for a three-game non-conference series with Louisiana Tech.