OMAHA, Neb., Sporting Alert – Scores and results from the opening games at the 2016 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska, on Saturday.
Oklahoma State earned a narrow 1-0 win over UC Santa Barbara, while Arizona beat No. 3 Miami 5-1 in Game 2.
The Chicago Cubs’ third-round draft pick Thomas Hatch helped OSU shut out UC Santa Barbara with an impressive performance on the mound.
Hatch (9-2), who extended his shutout streak to 26 innings for the Cowboys, allowed five hits, walked one and struck out seven in his 112-pitch performance.
It was his fourth shutout of the season.
The game’s only run came when Oklahoma State third baseman Garrett Benge singled in the fourth inning.
OSU was winning its sixth straight in NCAA tournament this season, but this one was certainly the stingiest, and Cowboys head coach Josh Holliday praised his star pitcher for stepping up.
“Not the easiest game in the world to pitch, because the first game of the World Series has a little vibe and buzz about it to kick things off,” said OSU coach Josh Holliday said.
“He handled himself exceptionally well, and it’s a great way for us to start the tournament.”
Saturday’s win saw the improving Cowboys snapping a five-game losing streak at the College World Series.
Despite ending the contest as the losing pitcher, Santa Barbara starter Shane Bieber (12-4) was just as impressive as Hatch, after he limited the Cowboys to six base hits and struck out six in his 98-pitch performance.
Meanwhile, the win in Game 1 sees Oklahoma State advancing to play Arizona on Monday night.
The Gauchos (42-19-1), who are making their first College World Series, had their five-game win streak in NCAA tournaments this season snapped.
The CWS debutants will now play Miami (FL) in an elimination game on Monday.
“I thought our guys battled really well,” said UCSB head coach Andrew Checketts. “I thought they were in character early.
“Put some pressure on them a little bit offensively. I thought our at-bats early in the game were good.
“We couldn’t string them together or capitalize on any of them. And then once they scored the momentum changed a little bit.”
In Game 2 of Bracket 1 on Saturday, Arizona scored early runs and then controlled Miami’s offense to secure a convincing 5-1 victory at TD Ameritrade Park.
The Wildcats (45-21) capitalized on a shaky start from left-hander Michael Mediavilla to go 3-0 up in the first inning, before getting two more runs in the fifth inning to sink the third-seeded Hurricanes (50-13).
“It was huge,” coach Jay Johnson said of Oliva’s hit. “We try to stay a pitch at a time, an inning at a time.
“And the reality of it is it’s a little bit easier to do that when you’re playing with a lead.
“And we’ve been fortunate in four of the last five games against 45-whatever-win teams that we’ve been out in front, 2-0, 3-0, and that’s a credit to our players being prepared to play from the first pitch.”
College World Series
TD Ameritrade Park (Omaha, Nebraska)
Saturday, June 18
Oklahoma State 1, UC Santa Barbara 0 – Box Scores
Arizona 5, Miami 1 – Box Scores
