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2012 College World Series Scores: Arizona Wildcats Clobber Missouri In Opening Game

The Arizona Wildcats kicked off their quest for a national championship in a big way on Friday night, knocking off the Missouri Tigers in front of a crowd of 5,086 at Hi Corbett Field. Despite a few early runs from the Tigers it was veteran pitcher Kurt Heyer who completely dominated the rest of the game as the 'Cats went on to claim a 15-3 blowout victory.

Arizona pounded out 20 hits on the evening, quite a few of which were indeed pounded into the ground and bounced over the Mizzou infielders. For a school that has such a strong softball tradition, it sure seemed like the UA hitters had taken notes on how to take advantage of a hard, fast infield in southern Arizona.

The two clubs scored two runs each in the first inning, and Missouri held a 3-2 lead after scratching across another run in the second.

The game was essentially ended in the fourth inning. Arizona used a few infield hits and bloopers to get runners on, and then belted what seemed like an endless barrage of doubles and triples into the spacious outfield in Tucson. A total of seven runs scored for the Wildcats in the fourth, and they added on three runs of insurance in the seventh and eighth innings.

Heyer did not allow a hit after the second inning. He tossed his 12 complete game of the season on 118 pitches, 77 of which were strikes. Heyer recorded seven strikeouts against a Mizzou lineup that was hot coming off a run at the Big 12 Tournament.

Arizona will now face Louisville in game four of the Tucson Regional on Saturday night. First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. assuming the earlier game, New Mexico St. vs. Mizzou, finishes without needing multiple extra innings.

For more on the College World Series be sure to check out SB Nation Arizona's StoryStream.