Arizona sophomore Smith Bailey has been named the Big 12 Pitcher of the Week after an epic performance against Kansas State.
The UA right-hander struck out a career-high 15 batters against K-State on Saturday night. Bailey allowed only one hit and one walk over six shutout innings.
Arizona pitcher Smith Bailey (22) gives a yell after striking out the side, notching his 15th K and holding onto a one-run lead in the sixth inning against Kansas State on April 18, 2026, at Hi Corbett Field.
Bailey fanned 15 of the 21 batters he faced and at one point struck out seven consecutive hitters.
Baileys 15 strikeouts were the most by a Wildcat in at least 15 years and fell one short of the school record for punchouts by a single pitcher in a conference game.
Bailey lowered his season ERA to 4.23. He has a team-high 58 strikeouts in 55 innings.
Arizona (15-24, 6-12 Big 12) hosts BYU in a three-game series Thursday-Saturday at Hi Corbett Field.
Contact sports reporter/columnist Michael Lev at mlev@tucson.com. On X (Twitter): @michaeljlev. On Bluesky: @michaeljlev.bsky.social
Michael Lev
Sports Reporter/Columnist
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