2016 CWS Game 13 Recap: Arizona 5 Oklahoma State 1

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OMAHA, Neb. – A flurry of early runs and an outstanding outing from starting pitcher Bobby Dalbec led Arizona to a 5-1 victory over Oklahoma State Saturday afternoon at TD Ameritrade Park, becoming the first team to punch its ticket to the 2016 College World Series finals. The Wildcats never trailed the contest, plating all five of their runs within the first four innings.

Arizona (48-22) found its way onto the scoreboard in the first, snapping Oklahoma State starting pitcher Thomas Hatch’s scoreless-inning streak with the help of a couple of hits. Cody Ramer led off with a double, swiped third and scored on a Zach Gibbons groundout. It was the first run Hatch had allowed through 23.1 innings in four starts in the 2016 NCAA tournament. Wildcats’ centerfielder Jared Oliva tacked on a second run in the frame with a sacrifice fly to center to score first baseman Ryan Aguilar.

Leading 2-0, Arizona scored twice more in the second on two more hits. Kyle Lewis drew a leadoff walk and later scored on a Louis Boyd double down the line in left. Gibbons followed up with a two-out double to score Boyd and extend the Wildcats’ lead to 4-0.

Hatch (9-3) was chased two batters into third. The two-inning outing was his shortest of the season as Arizona forced the right-hander’s pitch count to 56. He exited after hitting a batter, allowing two walks and five hits – four for extra bases. Oklahoma State reliever Trey Cobb limited the Wildcats to a run in the fourth. Gibbons struck again with a single to left to score Boyd.

Arizona’s Dalbec (11-5) earned the win with a commanding performance on the hill. The right-hander tossed seven frames, striking out six and allowing just four hits. He walked two batters and retired 21 of 27 batters faced with 102 pitches. He retired Oklahoma State (43-22) in order in the second and fourth innings.

Dalbec’s lone hiccup came in the third inning. The Cowboys scored their only run of the afternoon following a leadoff single to right from Jon Littell. The left fielder came around to score courtesy a Corey Hassel double and J.R. Davis sacrifice fly.

Oklahoma State threatened in the top of the ninth on one out. Dustin Williams reached on a fielder’s choice and pinch hitter Andrew Rosa singled to board two runners, but Arizona left fielder Alfonso Rivas moved to the mound to record the final two outs and earn his third save of the season.

Arizona now awaits the outcome of the Game 14 matchup between Coastal Carolina and TCU to learn their opponent in the College World Series finals. The first game of the finals is scheduled for Monday, June 27 at 6 p.m. Central time and will be aired on ESPN.