Thunder Tim back at the top of the TOTS' batting stats

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

Thunder Tim Tolson, above photo, is like the Energizer Bunny. He keeps on cranking out the hits and running the bases.

Tolson, 69 (he turns 70 in August!), led the 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers in hits during the month of March with 22 hits in 45 trips to the plate and was the RBI leader with 16. That's a hefty .489 batting average for the hard-hitting lefty who played in 12 of the 13 games.

Not far behind were a trio of players -- Reed Palmer (17 for 32, a .531 batting average in nine games), John Mathews (17 for 26, a .654 average in just eight games) and newcomer John Cooke, who played in 10 games and collected 17 hits in 32 at bats for a .531 batting average.

Other notables included Joe Opocensky (15 for 27, a .556 average in just seven games), Mike Dawson (15 for 26, a .577 average in 10 games), Bob Daliege (14 for 37, a .378 average in 10 games) and Sam Dean, who went 14 for 30 in eight games, a .467 batting average.

Ten players saw action on the mound during the month. Pete Maldonado logged the best record with three wins and only one loss. Dawson posted a 2-1 record, while Daliege and lefty Dennis Crowley finished the month with identical 2-2 won-loss records.

The TOTS are back in action on Friday, April 1. No foolin'!

The old-timers have no quit in them as 43 players ranging in age from 64 to 81 saw action. Winter visitor Dick Ducklow, 80, led the over-75 players with nine hits in 32 official trips to plate for a .250 average. Ducklow played in all 13 games and walked five times.

Way to go, TOTS!

Note: Remember TOTS: You can pick up a copy of the stats in the dugout at the scoring table.

Jerry Stitt to be guest speaker at TOTS' 2022 Luncheon/Awards Ceremony

 

Tucson Old Timers (TOTS)

60-and-over baseball

TOTS 2022 annual luncheon slated for April 21 at the Sonoran Stables Dance Hall

Guest speaker: Jerry Stitt (former Wildcat player and Wildcat assistant coach and head coach) 

Come on down!

The 60-and-over Tucson Old Timers (TOTS) have had to put their annual luncheon and award ceremonies on hold the past two years, due to the coronavirus.

But not anymore.

On Thursday --April 21 -- the TOTS and their friends and their family members will head for the pass and turn their baseball cleats in for a pair of boots and maybe a little dancin' as the organization, in its 55th season, will hold the event, beginning at 11:30 AM, inside the Sonoran Dance Hall, located at 4231  S. Pauline Lane.

The dance hall is located off Harrison Road, between Golf Links Road and Irvington (access off East Millmar Road).

Dirt parking will be adjacent to the horse stables.  Cowboy and cowgirl boots are optional. No one is going to boot you out if you have on dress shoes or sneakers!

The meal is being catered by the TOTS' own Greg Seader, who just happens to own Jethros Restaurant and Bar (Broadway and Camino Seco). A little plug for Mr. Seader is only fair. Main course options -- Herb Baked Chicken and a New York Strip Steak. Both will be served with green onion and cheese mashed potatoes, sautéed carrots and zucchini with dinner rolls.

That's plenty of food for a hungry cowboy or cowgirl...and plenty of grub for an old-time baseball player, too!

Guest speaker for the event will be Jerry Stitt (pictured above, back in his playing days, and below, as a Wildcat coach and head coach). Stitt was inducted into the Pima County Hall of Fame in 2002.

Stitt was involved in the University of Arizona baseball program for more than 27 years as a player, assistant coach and head coach. He mentored 59 position players that were drafted by major league teams and he helped Arizona win NCAA Division 1 championships in 1980 and 1986. As head coach, he led the Wildcats to back-to-back winning seasons from 1997-99.

Stitt was one of the finest baseball players in the University of Arizona's long and distinguished history in the sport. A first-team All-America centerfield in 1968 under Coach Frank Sancet, Jerry led the team in hitting with a .366 average. He also earned All Western Athletic Conference and all District 7 honors in 1967 and 1968.

As a senior, Jerry led the Cats in batting and steals. Following his senior season, Jerry was drafted in the 32nd round by the Cleveland Indians. He played in the Tribes' minor league system for three years before returning to Tucson to teach and coach.

One of the premier hitting coaches in baseball, Jerry joined the Arizona coaching staff in 1978. The offensive numbers Arizona put up during his tenure as a hitting coach were staggering. His first team in 1979 set three Six-Pac records for that season and Arizona posted the highest cumulative batting average among Pac-10 South schools in the 1900's.

In addition to his bachelor's degree in Education at UA , Jerry earned a master's in Education in 1973 and a doctoral degree in Education Administration in 1993. His doctoral dissertation presented the case for aligning athletic department goals and objectives with the educational and social mission of our universities.

Stitt continues to support the University of Arizona Baseball program and trains aspiring players.

The TOTS will announce the 2021 Sportsman of the Year and Most Valuable Player awards at the luncheon. 

Note: There will be no charge to members or their guest provided our number falls below 75 individuals. Should we exceed 75, the TOTS committee may elect a small fee to help cover the cost. There will be a signup sheet at the ball park or you can email Mike Dawson or Pete Peters. Please note the number in your party and if you will be bringing a dessert.

Bruins take 2 of 3 at Hi Corbett

 Arizona Wildcats Baseball

UCLA (15-8, 3-3) beat the Wildcats 7-3 today at Hi Corbett Field and take two of the three games this weekend as Arizona falls to 17-7 on the season and 6-3 in the Pac-12 Conference.

The Wildcats head for Phoenix on Tuesday to play a one-game matchup with Grand Canyon. The Antelopes are 16-9 and own a 19-3 win over the Wildcats at Hi Corbett on Feb. 22.

Daniel Susac and Tanner O'Tremba lead the Wildcats in hitting after 24 games -- Susac with 44 hits and a .407 average, while O'Tremba has collected 39 hits and owns a .406 average.

Wildcat note: (3-29-22) Arizona comes from behind to beat Grand Canyon, 5-3, on Tuesday. Home runs by Daniel Susac and Mac Bingham. Eric Orloff  (2-1) gets the win in relief as Arizona improves to 18-7.

Houston wins it, 72-60

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

NCAA Sweet Sixteen

Houston  72  Arizona  60

Houston knocked off the Arizona Wildcats 72-60 in San Antonio tonight to advance to the Elite Eight.

The Cougars (32-5) never trailed in this one and the Wildcats (33-4) head back to Tucson. Suddenly a great season comes to an abrupt ending. That's the way it goes in the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament. You keep on winning or you go home.

It's March Madness.

Dalen Terry led the Wildcats with 17 points, Bennedict Mathurin tossed in 15 and Christian Koloko added 10 points...and that was about it as the Wildcats shot just 33 percent from the field (18 for 54) and were out rebounded (37-35).

Houston takes on Villanova (29-7) Sunday in the South Region Final and the winner of that one will head for the Final Four.

So close for our Arizona Wildcats, but so far away.

Arizona (16-5, 5-1) face Bruins in 3-game series at Hi Corbett, March 25-27

 Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Following a three-game sweep of Pac-12 Conference foe Stanford last weekend and a non-conference loss on Wednesday, 12-7, to the New Mexico Lobos in Albuquerque, the Arizona Wildcats (16-5, 5-1) are back in action at Hi Corbett Field, March 25-27, against the UCLA Bruins.

The Bruins  (13-7, 1-2) won on Tuesday over Loyola-Marymount 9-5 and come to town with a 1-2 Pac-12 record, dropping a series to USC back on March 11-13. 

Tanner O'Tremba (.446) and Daniel Susac (.394)  are tied with the most hits after 21 games at 37 and Chase Davis is the home run leader with eight. O'Tremba owns the lead in RBI with 25, while Susac and Davis are tied with 23.

Wildcat Note: Game time on Friday and Saturday: 6 PM...Sunday: 12 PM.

Wildcats are heading for San Antonio

 Arizona Wildcats Basketball

The Road to the Final Four

Arizona 85  TCU 80

The Arizona Wildcats (33-3) are heading for San Antonio and the Sweet Sixteen.

Bennedict Mathurin and Christian Koloko combined for 58 points, 20 rebounds, three blocks and three steals as Arizona beat TCU in overtime 85-80 in San Diego tonight in the second round of the NCAA College Basketball Tournament.

Mathurin had a career-high 30 points, while Koloko finished with a career-high 28 points and 12 rebounds. 

Up next: Houston

Arizona strolls to win over Wright State

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament

First round -- San Diego, California

Arizona  87  Wright State  70

Christian Koloko scored 17 points, grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out six assists and had five blocks as Arizona (32-3) prevails in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in San Diego today with a 87-70 win over Wright State.

It wasn't perfect as Arizona committed 19 turnovers in the game, but fortunately Wright State failed to turn those turnovers into points and the Wildcats led at the half 42-31 and cruised the rest of the way with  Bennedict Mathurin finishing with 18 points, Dalen Terry added 16, Azuolas Tubelis chipped in 13 points, while Pelle Larsson came off the bench to score 11.

Justin Kier, starting in place of Kerr Krissa, scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds and finished with six assists. Arizona blocked nine shots and dished out a total of 21 assists, while shooting 55 percent from the field (33 of 60). The Wildcats canned 11 of 20 shots from long range.

One game in the books.

Way to go, Wildcats!

Davis, Turley homer in Wildcats win at Pacific

 Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Arizona  13  Pacific  4

Chase Davis hit his fifth homer of the season and Noah Turley hit his fourth round-tripper as Arizona improves to 13-4 with a 13-8 win over Pacific today in Stockton, California. Quinn Flanagan (2-1) picks up the win in relief with two scoreless innings.

Way to go, Wildcats!

San Diego-bound. Go, Wildcats!

 Arizona Wildcats Basketball

The Road to the Final Four

Top-seed Arizona vs winner of play-in-game (Bryant-Wright State) on Friday, 4:27 PM.

South Region: teams to beat in second round on Sunday -- No. 8 Seton Hall or No. 9 TCU

Teams lurking: No. 2 Villanova, No. 3 Tennessee, No. 4 Illinois, No. 5 Houston.

Wildcats win at Cal

 Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Wildcats win Pac-12 series opener, two games to one

Arizona capped off the third game of its first Pac-12 Conference series in Berkeley on Sunday with a 17-hit attack and 13-5 win over the California Golden Bears to improve to 12-4 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

The Wildcats lost the opener 9-8 on Friday and rebounded in Game 2 on Saturday with a 10-4 win, thanks, in part, to a three-run, opposite-field homer by Chase Davis in the seventh inning. Garrett Irvin (2-1) picked up the win with six innings of work with six strike outs. Tommy Spaine had three hits on Saturday and is batting a hefty .563 in six games with the Wildcats.

On Sunday, Dawson Netz gets the win with six innings of work to improve to 2-0, while catcher Daniel Susac (photo left) highlighted a nine-run first inning with two home runs to become the first Wildcat to hit two homers in an inning in 24 years.

Arizona heads for Stockton, California today for a one-game non-conference matchup with the Pacific Tigers. The Wildcats return home for a weekend series with Stanford at Hi Corbett Field, March 19-21. 

.

A road well traveled

I have traveled down the road above many times.

The view never changes. Of course, the clouds come and go. Sometimes, the stretch of highway ahead is not even there as my mind races…my thoughts always so far away…my troubles overtaking the beauty of it all.

We all have been down such roads in our lifetime. The journey allows us time to think. In my case, my mind is cluttered…maybe I can see my troubles more clearly…maybe not. Maybe my mind sees nothing more than a John Ford movie with John Wayne on horseback, galloping across the terrain…out to save the inhabitants on a wagon train, back in the 1880s.

I love a highway that talks to you. The echoes I hear on both sides of the road raises a peacefulness inside me that last for the short journey, north…or south, east or west.

I soon will come to my senses. Just ahead is a village. People are scurrying. Cars are pulling up to gas pumps. Suddenly, the sounds of life bring me back full circle.

I pull into the Golden Arch on the right side of the road. A Big Mac awaits.

I take a deep breath. I’m alive and well.

There are more roads ahead.

Block-Happy Arizona rolls to Pac-12 Tournament title

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Pac-12 Championship Tournament Game

T-Mobile Area -- Las Vegas, Nevada

Arizona 84 UCLA 76

Bring home the hardware!

Tucson is awaiting the return of the Wildcats...

Everything was going the Bruins way at the T--Mobile Arena in Las Vegas tonight...and then the 2nd-ranked Wildcats found another gear...the winning gear!

Arizona (31-3) wins the Pac-12 Tournament Championship with a come-from-behind 84-76 victory over UCLA behind another team effort, including 11 blocks, some highlight reel dunks and an outstanding performance from Bennedict Mathurin, who scored 27 points, dished out seven assists, with one block, one steal and four rebounds.

Down 53-41 at the 17:17 mark in the second half and with two starters -- Justin Kier and Pelle Larsson -- whistled for a combined eight fouls, things were going south for the Wildcats. 

And then things changed. 

Arizona out scores the Bruins 43-23 the rest of the way.

Mathurin takes over with a little help from his friends -- Dalen Terry (15 points, seven rebounds, seven assists), Christian Koloko (13 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks), Oumar Ballo (five rebounds, six blocks), Azuolas Tubelis (nine points, three rebounds), Larsson (eight points, six rebounds, three assists).

Kier, playing point guard in place of the injured Kerr Kriisa, logged just 12 minutes in the game, but finished with four points, a steal, two rebounds and two assists. Adama Bal saw nine minutes of action and hit two 3-pointers.

Way to go, Wildcats!

A gutsy comeback! A gutsy win!

And now it's on to the Big Dance as a No.1 seed!

 

UCLA vs. Arizona for all the marbles tonight in Las Vegas

 Arizona Wildcats Basketball

At the bewitching hour late last night UCLA (25-6) takes down USC, 69-59, setting up a showdown tonight in Las Vegas with Arizona for the Pac-12 Conference Tournament title.

Go, Wildcats!

All three teams will be heading for the Big Dance next week, but first things first: the showdown -- the Wildcats vs. the Bruins.

Arizona beats Colorado 82-72 to reach Pac-12 Conference Tourney final

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Pac-12 Tournament Semifinal

Arizona  82  Colorado  72

The 2nd-ranked Arizona Wildcats played without their point guard tonight and needed someone to step in and get the job done.

How about everyone?

Seven Wildcats scored eight points or more and five players combined for 14 assists as Arizona wore down the Buffaloes from the opening tip for a 82-72 semifinal win over Colorado at the Pac-12 Conference Tournament in Las Vegas.

Azuolas Tubelis set the tone with 18 first-half points and finished with 20 points on the night, along with 11 rebounds and two assists, while Justin Kier took over for Kerr Kriisa, who was stuck on the bench, in a boot, nursing a sprained ankle. Kier finished with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists in 32 grueling minutes on the court. 

Dalen Terry (photo above) contributed 12 points, while Bennedict Mathurin added 10 points and Oumar Ballo chipped in 10 points. Pelle Larsson added nine points, while Christian Koloko was a force underneath the bucket with eight points in his 30 hard-nosed minutes of playing time.

Arizona (30-3) shot 52 percent from the field (26 of 50), made 6 of 15 from long range and canned 24 of 25 free throws. The Wildcats out rebounded the Buffaloes 36-27.

A total team effort without Kriisa, who received a lot of love from the Arizona fans in attendance at the T-Mobile Arena as they all wore headbands similar to the one the flamboyant Arizona sharpshooter wears when he's in action on the court.

Tonight, Kriisa nervously sat on the bench and cheered on his teammates. Kriisa will hopefully be back in action next week at the NCAA Tournament. Time will tell. If not, chances are the headbands will resurface.

Kriisa has at least one more game to watch from the sidelines and that is tomorrow night at the T-Mobile Arena as his teammates play for the Pac-12 Conference Tourney title.

Go, Wildcats! 

Wildcats fight off Cardinal 84-80 to reach semifinals at Pac-12 Tournament

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Arizona  84  Stanford  80

Stanford hit 11 3-pointers and gave the 2nd-ranked Wildcats all they can handle, but Arizona escapes with an 84-80 win behind 24 points from Christian Koloko, 20 from Bennedict Mathurin and 10 points, five assists from point-guard Kerr Kriisa to win its quarterfinal game today in Las Vegas at the Pac-12 Conference Tournament.

Krissa left the game in pain with 1:06 left in the game after getting tangled up with Koloko. The gutsy field general was helped off the court and Krissa's teammates, his Pac-12 Coach of the Year Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona fans nervously await further word on the injury.

Arizona (29-3) plays at 6 PM on Friday against the winner of the Oregon-Colorado quarterfinal matchup, currently in progress. 

Wildcat Update: Colorado (21-10) beats Oregon 80-69  in the other quarterfinal and takes on Arizona in the Pac-12 tourney semifinals.

Arizona grabs 12-5 win over Lobos with 8-run 7th inning

 Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Arizona  12  New Mexico  5 

It's time for Pac-12 action for Arizona baseball.

In a final tuneup before the Wildcats head for California and a three-game series with the Golden Bears (March 11-13), Arizona rallies with eight runs in the seventh inning and go on to defeat New Mexico 12-5 last night at Hi Corbett Field.

Arizona improves to 10-3.

Catcher Daniel Susac homered for the Wildcats and drove in four runs, while third baseman Jack Grant also homered and drove in three runs. Shortstop Nik McLaughry had a great night from the leadoff spot with four hits and a walk in five plate appearances. Nik also scored three times and knocked in a run. Grant's homer was his first of the season.

Javyn Pimental pitched two innings, allowing no hits and no runs and picked up the win in relief of starter Anthony Susac, who pitched 5 1/3, allowing four earned runs and nine hits. 

The first game in Berkeley, California gets underway at 6:05 PM MST.

The Golden Bears are 6-6 on the season. California lost to Santa Clara 9-6 last night in Berkeley.

Arizona drops two games to Texas State

 Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Where is Texas State?

Marcos, Texas

Most famous graduate?

Lyndon Baines Johnson

A little history lesson from Bookemdanosports.

Well, the Bobcats are back in the news after capturing a three-game series from the Arizona Wildcats today at Hi Corbett Field.

The 11th-ranked Wildcats won 7-2 on Friday, lost to the Bobcats on Saturday 6-2, and a five-run 5th inning by Texas State today lifted the Bobcats to a 7-3 win as LBJ's alma mater left town with a 2-1 series' win over a ranked team and improved their season record to 10-2.

Arizona's bats were quiet for most of the series as the Wildcats now own a two-game losing streak and a 9-3 record. Tanner O'Tremba  went 5 for 11 in the series and drove in five runs for the Wildcats.

Texas State heads home to play No. 1 Texas on Tuesday, while Arizona regroups and entertains New Mexico (4-6) on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Photo: O'Tremba

2nd-ranked Arizona cruises in regular-season finale

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Arizona 89  California 61

Arizona (28-3, 18-2 Pac-12) cruised to an easy win in the Wildcats'  regular-season finale at McKale Center today with a 89-61 win over the California Golden Bears.

The Wildcats finish unbeaten at home -- a perfect 17-0, and set a  record for the most conference wins in a single season.

Coach Tommy Lloyd cleared the bench with six minutes left in the game. Oumar Ballo  (photo left) led all the players with 16 points, five rebounds and one assist. Ballo was a perfect 7 of 7 from the field and canned both free throw attempts.

The 2022 Pac-12 Champs cut down the nets after the game and the Wildcats' only senior, Justin Kier, logged 25 minutes today, with 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Bennedict Mathurin and Pelle Larsson also finished in double figures with 13 points apiece.

Now it's time for the postseason. Go, Wildcats!

Up next: The Pac-12 Conference Tournament in Las Vegas and then on to the Big Dance as a No 1. seed.

Wildcats remain unbeaten at McKale

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Arizona 81 Stanford 69

Stanford stayed with the 2nd-ranked Arizona Wildcats for 32 minutes.

But the final eight minutes was all Arizona as the Wildcats built a 15-point lead and cruised down the stretch for an 81-69 Pac-12 Conference win over the Stanford Cardinal tonight at the McKale Center.

Arizona remains unbeaten at home at 16-0 with one regular-season game remaining at McKale on Saturday.

The Cardinal hit nine 3-pointers and out rebounded the Wildcats 35-28, but the charity stripe belonged to Arizona. The Wildcats made  22 of 27 free throws, while the Cardinal went to the foul line nine times and made just two. Stanford committed 23 fouls -- most of those coming in the first half as the Cardinal managed a 39-37 lead.

It was the Mathurin-Koloko show tonight. Bennedict scored 24 points, while Christian picked up another double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Kerr Kriisa  dished out seven assists and scored seven points.

Mathurin made sure it was all Arizona down the stretch with a slam dunk at the 7:56 mark, a 3-pointer at 7:28 and another dunk at the 6:58 mark to give the Wildcats a 67-58 lead.

Arizona improves to 27-3 overall and 17-2 in the Pac-12 Conference.

Photo: Mathurin

 

 

A true walk-off win for Wildcats over Dixie State

 Arizona Wildcats Baseball

Arizona  2  Dixie State  1

Arizona upped its early-season record to 8-1 with a 2-1 walk-off win over Dixie State (4-4) last night at Hi Corbett Field. 

It wasn't a home run to win it, nor a single up the middle. Instead, Chase Davis stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th inning. Davis battled his way to a 3-2 count and then trotted to first with a walk as Nik McClaughry, who had singled earlier in the inning, scored from third base.

Quinn Flanagan started and pitched five solid innings, while striking out nine. Holden Christian hurled the final two innings and picked up the win. Catcher Daniel Susac continues to produce at the plate with a 3 for 5 night -- including a double and a triple.

Texas State comes to town on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Go, Wildcats!

Arizona Wildcats dunk their way to easy win over 16th-ranked USC

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

No. 2 Wildcats clinch Pac-12 title at USC 

Arizona scored 51 points, shot 55 percent from the field, dished out 12 assists and recorded seven dunks at the Galen Center tonight in front of a sell out crowd of over 10,000 hostile University of Southern California fans. 

And that was in the first half!

Arizona (26-3, 16-2) rolls over USC 91-71 and clinches the Pac-12 Conference title behind Bennedict Mathurin's 19 points, five rebounds, three steals and six assists.

And Mathurin wasn't a one-man show.

Kerr Kriisa was 5 of 13 from the field -- including four 3-pointers and finished the night with 18 points, while Justin Kier and Oumar Ballo came off the bench to combine for 23 points and 10 rebounds. Add to that another steady showing from Dalen Terry with an across-the-board stat sheet of 11 points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal.

Arizona wins its 17th Pac-12/10 conference title and returns home to McKale Center to finish out the 2022 regular season schedule with games against Stanford on Thursday and California on Saturday.

Way to go, Wildcats!