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Pitching, defense take on bigger roles as Arizona baseball opens Chip Hale era

There was no better offense in college baseball last season than the one put out by Arizona, which led the nation in runs, doubles and triples and was fourth in batting average.

A large chunk of that production has moved on, though, either to the professional rankings or following former coach Jay Johnson to LSU. What remains is a solid offense, but one that may not be able to carry the Wildcats as much as it did in 2021 en route to the program’s 18th trip to the College World Series.

When the 2022 season begins Friday, against Kansas State at the State Farm College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas, how Arizona fares on the mound and in the field will be just as important as what it does at the plate.