The Arizona Wildcats improve to 5-0 in elimination games with their 9-3 victory over the Oklahoma State Cowboys.
Arizona Wildcats Bats Come to Life
The Wildcats took control early, scoring one run in the first. With the run, the Wildcats snapped the Cowboys streak of 18 scoreless in at the College World Series. Oklahoma State had won their previous two College World Series games 1-0.
The Wildcats would add on two more runs in the second off Cowboys starter Jensen Elliott. Louis Boyd would score Cesar Salazar off a double and Zack Gibbons would hit an RBI single.
The Wildcats would tack on a run in the fourth without a hit as Gibbons delivered a sacrifice fly, scoring Salazar.
Oklahoma State would get on the board in the fourth. One run would come off the bat of designated hitter Conor Costello and another in way of a wild pitch.
Arizona added a pair of runs in the eight stretching the lead to 6-2. The Wildcats would tack on three more runs in the ninth making the score 9-2.
In the ninth, Oklahoma State would tack on a run on an RBI double by first baseman Andrew Rosa. The Cowboys would manage just four hits off of three Wildcats pitchers.
Trouble for Wildcats Pitching
With two outs in the bottom of the third inning, Arizona coaches and trainer would come to the mound to check on starter Nathan Bannister. He was taken out of the game after throwing a couple of warmup pitches. He was seen going to his forearm/elbow as he headed to the dugout. At that point of the game, Bannister had not allowed a run and struck out five.
Kevin Ginkel would come in to finish the third. Ginkel would stay in the game for the fourth inning, but struggled with his command ultimately surrendering Oklahoma State's first two runs.
Cameron Ming would be brought in for relief. Ming has been very solid this postseason, even earning the closing pitcher job. Ming would pitch the remaining five innings and retired the first nine batters he faced.
One More Time
Arizona and Oklahoma State will play each other one more time Saturday to decide who goes to the College World Series final. Oklahoma State will send ace Thomas Hatch to the mound. Arizona has yet to name a starter. Bobby Dalbec will likely get the call to start. The last outing for Dalbec came against Oklahoma State. Dalbec pitched eight strong innings, surrendering one run on five hits and struck out 12. Saturday’s game time will be chosen after the Coastal Carolina/TCU game has concluded.