A 3-run first inning would help Arizona Baseball to a 5-1 victory over third-seeded Miami in the Cat's first game of the College World Series in front of a crowd of 25,715 at TD Ameritrade Park on Saturday.
Arizona (45-21) capitalized on a shaky start from left-hander Michael Mediavilla, who found himself in a two-out bases-loaded jam after walking one and hitting a pair of Wildcats. Mediavilla then walked Kyle Lewis, bringing home Cody Ramer who drew a walk to open the game. Jared Oliva added a two-run single to plate Zach Gibbons and J.J. Matijevic, who were each hit by pitches.
Arizona pitchers Nathan Bannister and Cameron Ming combined for 14 strikeouts and limited the Hurricanes to one run on nine hits. Bannister tied his career high with 11 strikeouts over seven innings, improving his record to 12-2 on the season.
Miami (50-13) pushed across its only run of the game on Christopher Barr’s single in the fourth inning, briefly making it a two-run game.
Arizona advances to winner bracket action against Oklahoma State, which defeated UC Santa Barbara 1-0 earlier today, on Monday, June 20. First pitch will be scheduled for 4:00 Tucson time and the Wildcats will be the home team. It will be televised on ESPN.
