Jun 22, 2016; Omaha, NE, USA; Arizona Wildcats outfielder Jared Oliva (42) and outfielder Justin Behnke (4) and outfielder Zach Gibbons (23) celebrate the win against the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos in the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Arizona defeated UC Santa Barbara 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Omaha, Neb. – In what has been the lowest scoring College World Series through nine games, three runs was all Arizona needed to knock out UC Santa Barbara with a 3-0 victory. The Wildcats (46-22) got a stellar start from J.C. Cloney and earned a place in the semifinals with the win.
Cloney (6-4) kept the Gauchos off balance in his seven innings allowing only five hits while striking out two. UCSB (43-20-1) only got two runners to second base against Cloney all night. Cloney was replaced in the seventh, after giving up a lead off single by Cameron Ming, who was just as successful, inducing a double play on the first batter he faced. In total the Wildcats turned three double plays on the night.
The third inning was the only inning with something other than a zero on the scoreboard as the Wildcats got to UCSB starter Justin Kelly (2-1). Kelly was making only his second start of the year after missing most of the season with an injury.
Arizona put the first two men on base and Bobby Dalbec looked to give the Wildcats the lead with a deep drive to center, but a great leaping catch by Andrew Calica against the wall kept a run off the board. Arizona would not be denied its first run as Ryan Aguilar brought home Cody Ramer with a sacrifice fly. On the very next pitch Jared Oliva hit a line shot to the left field bullpen for his fourth home run of the season to give Arizona the 3-0 lead.
Kelly got out of the inning and was replaced by Trevor Bettencourt who kept the Arizona bats silent throwing five innings, only giving up one hit, while striking out seven of the 16 batters he faced.
Down to its last three outs of the season, UCSB got a leadoff double from Clay Fisher in the ninth. A walk to the next batter brought the tying run to the plate. Ming buckled down and struck out Austin Bush, JJ Muno and Dempsey Grover to end the game.
Arizona will take on Oklahoma State in the semifinals Friday at 2 p.m. Oklahoma State won the first matchup of these two teams in the CWS 1-0.
