What Is 2013 Arizona Wildcats baseball team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Arizona Wildcats baseball team represented the University of Arizona in the 2013 NCAA Division I baseball season, finishing with a 48–17 record and winning the College World Series championship. They defeated Mississippi State in the finals to claim their fourth national title in program history.

Key Facts

The team finished the season with a 48–17 overall record
They won the 2013 College World Series, defeating Mississippi State 4–1 in the final game
Head coach Andy Lopez led the team in his 12th season at Arizona
The Wildcats played their home games at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson
Arizona entered the NCAA tournament as the No. 3 national seed

Overview

The 2013 Arizona Wildcats baseball team competed in the NCAA Division I baseball season as members of the Pac-12 Conference. Coached by Andy Lopez, the team achieved one of the most successful seasons in program history by capturing the College World Series title.

Playing their home games at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson, Arizona, the Wildcats showcased a balanced blend of pitching strength and offensive consistency. Their championship run marked the program’s first national title since 1986 and fourth overall.

48–17 record: The team finished the season with 48 wins and 17 losses, including a 20–10 mark in Pac-12 conference play.
College World Series champions: Arizona won the national title by defeating Mississippi State in two games, including a 4–1 victory in the decisive Game 3.
Andy Lopez as head coach: In his 12th season, Lopez earned National Coach of the Year honors after leading the team to the championship.
Hi Corbett Field: The Wildcats played their home games at this historic 9,500-capacity stadium, which became their full-time home in 2012.

NCAA Tournament run:

How the Season Unfolded

The 2013 campaign was defined by resilience, strong pitching, and timely hitting across the postseason. The Wildcats overcame mid-season challenges to peak at the right time, culminating in a dominant College World Series performance.

Season start: The Wildcats opened the year ranked in the top 15 nationally and quickly climbed the rankings with a 15–3 start through February.
Pac-12 performance: They finished third in the conference with a 20–10 record, behind UCLA and Oregon, both also College World Series participants.
Tucson Regional: Arizona defeated UC Irvine, Long Beach State, and Louisville to win the regional and advance to the Super Regionals.
Tucson Super Regional: They swept LSU in two games, winning 7–3 and 5–3, to earn a trip to the College World Series.
College World Series: The Wildcats went 5–2 in Omaha, including wins over Oregon, Louisville, and two victories over Mississippi State.
Championship series: After splitting the first two games, Arizona won Game 3 decisively 4–1 behind Konner Wade’s complete-game performance.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of the 2013 Arizona Wildcats with other top College World Series teams highlights their balanced performance and postseason excellence.

Team	Overall Record	Conference Record	Postseason Result	Head Coach
Arizona (2013)	48–17	20–10	National Champions	Andy Lopez
Mississippi State	49–19	19–11	Runner-up	John Cohen
UCLA	48–14	21–10	College World Series	John Savage
Florida	51–18	20–10	Super Regional	Kevin O’Sullivan
Oregon State	45–18	18–12	Super Regional	Pat Casey

While Mississippi State had a slightly better regular-season record, Arizona’s superior performance in high-pressure games, especially in the CWS finals, proved decisive. Their pitching staff, led by Konner Wade and James Farris, maintained a 2.84 ERA in the postseason, one of the lowest in the tournament.

Why It Matters

The 2013 championship was a landmark achievement for Arizona baseball, revitalizing the program and setting a new standard for future teams. It also marked the end of an era, as head coach Andy Lopez retired two years later.

Program legacy: The title was Arizona’s fourth national championship, placing them among the elite programs in college baseball history.
Recruiting boost: Success in 2013 elevated the team’s national profile, helping attract higher-ranked recruiting classes in subsequent years.
Hi Corbett Field impact: The move from campus to Hi Corbett was validated by the team’s success, proving the venue could support championship-caliber play.
Andy Lopez’s legacy: The championship cemented Lopez’s status as one of college baseball’s top coaches, finishing his career with two CWS titles (Arizona, 2013; Pepperdine, 1992).
Player development: Several players, including catcher Joey Rickard and pitcher Konner Wade, went on to professional careers in MLB organizations.
Arizona athletics: The title was the first for any UA team since 1997, boosting morale across the university’s athletic department.

The 2013 season remains a high point in Arizona sports history, remembered for its underdog resilience, dominant pitching, and long-awaited return to the pinnacle of college baseball.