The Arizona Wildcats join the Big 12 Conference in 2025, coming off winning the Pac-12 Championship in their final season with the league. The four-time national champions and 18-time College World Series participants look to bring the same level of consistent excellence they had as Pac-12 members in their new home.
Arizona begins its landmark campaign in the heart of Big 12 Country, with an opportunity to set a winning tone for 2025, at the Shriners Children’s College Baseball Showdown in Arlington, Texas. A talented Wildcats lineup joins other College World Series hopefuls, including Clemson in one of Arizona’s three matchups at Globe Life Field.
Arizona Shriners Children’s Baseball Showdown Schedule
- vs. Ole Miss – Friday, Feb. 14 at 4 p.m. ET
- vs. Clemson – Saturday, Feb. 15 at Noon ET
- vs. Louisville – Sunday, Feb. 16 at 11:30 a.m. ET
Names to Know
Garen Caulfield
Second baseman Garen Caulfield parlayed an All-Star performance in the 2023 Cape Cod League into an All-Pac-12 campaign in the 2024 college campaign. Caulfield hit .310 in 239 at-bats, homered five times, and drove in 42 runs.
He’s also a dependable glove in Arizona’s middle infield, improving his fielding percentage each of his seasons in Tucson with last season’s closing at .976. With his year-to-year growth, another step from Caulfield could result in a special senior season for the Sacramento native.
Christian Coppola
Rutgers transfer Christian Coppola joins a pitching staff undergoing almost wholesale changes from a year ago. Much of Arizona’s staff from the Pac-12 title-winning rotation is gone, leaving a spot open for the 6-foot-5 right-hander to step in as an immediate ace.
Coppola was an All-Big Ten Freshman in 2023, striking out 71 batters in 66 innings pitched, producing a 1.33 WHIP and 3.68 ERA. His numbers declined as a sophomore, but the hard-throwing righty has shown he has the stuff to be a reliable pillar. The Shriners Children’s College Showdown marks his first opportunity to make an impact as a Wildcat.
Tony Pluta
While Arizona does not return many arms, the Wildcats bring back a good one in right-hander Tony Pluta. Pluta operated out of the bullpen in 2024, maintaining a 3.07 ERA in his 29 1/3 innings of work.
Pluta struck out 21 while walking just two batters the entire year. He continued his outstanding relief pitching in the Cape Cod League, finishing with a 2.33 ERA in 19 1/3 innings with 14 strikeouts to garner All-Star honors.
Brendan Summerhill
Outfielder Brendan Summerhill has a big 2025 ahead of him. The Chicago native is coming off an All-Pac-12 season, is a preseason All-American, and is tabbed as a potential top-10 pick in the summer’s MLB draft.
Before Summerhill takes his talents to the pros, he has another spring to try to lead the Wildcats to Omaha.
Summerhill batted .324 in 2024 with 18 doubles and eight home runs. He drove in 59 runs and successfully stole seven bases. The multidimensional Summerhill stole 12 bases in just 24 games at the Cape Cod League, really showing off his speed on the base paths.
Summerhill’s range makes him an asset at the plate, on base, and out in the field. He’s a cornerstone for Arizona as it looks to lead the Big 12 Conference in its first year.
Mason White
The local standout Mason White powered Arizona to last season’s Pac-12 title, earning Most Valuable Player at the conference tournament. That crescendo capped a season in which White hit .305 — his second time clearing .300 in more than 200 at-bats during his time at Arizona — and knocked 19 home runs. He’s up to 29 in two seasons as a Wildcat.
The hard-hitting White is a preseason All-American and one of the most dangerous power hitters in the college game.
Arizona Shriners Children’s Classic Opponents
Clemson
One of the leading contenders to win a top-heavy Atlantic Coast Conference, Clemson begins its pursuit of a national championship at Globe Life Field. The Tigers boast a talented roster, headlined by potential No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Cannarella.
Louisville
A potential breakout team in 2025, Louisville might have the most to gain from a strong showing at the College Baseball Showdown. The Cardinals are brimming with prospective budding stars, most notably Zion Rose. The talented Rose has All-America ability.
Ole Miss
Gaining ground in the always-loaded Southeastern Conference is a difficult task. Ole Miss aims to set the foundation for a climb back near the top of the deepest conference in the nation when it faces a variety of top 25-ranked opponents at Globe Life Field. Among them is Arizona, which should be familiar with at least one Rebels standout: Luke Hill, a transfer from Wildcats rival Arizona State.
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