Pitching continued to dominate the College World Series as Arizona shut out UC Santa Barbara to advance.
After a fairy tale trip to Omaha, the Gauchos are eliminated.
The Wildcats, meanwhile, can continue to have fun in Nebraska after the 3-0 victory Wednesday.
Arizona shortstop Louis Boyd had a great defensive effort. He helped turn three double plays, including a pair on tough plays like this.
Louis Boyd with the snag and throw... Ryan Aguilar with the STRETCH!
Arizona turns 2 in the 3rd. #CWS pic.twitter.com/d9Xayjc8Nd
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 22, 2016
The Wildcats got on the board with three runs in the third inning. UC Santa Barbara outfielder Andrew Calica made a nice catch on a Bobby Dalbec shot to center that kept the Wildcats scoreless.
Andrew Calica leaps and STEALS an extra-base hit from Arizona! #CWS pic.twitter.com/AIctxghrcI
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 23, 2016
But Ryan Aguilar followed with a sac fly and then Jared Oliva crushed a two-run home run.
? BOMBS AWAY!! ?
Jared Oliva blasts a 2-run HR to left and the Wildcats lead 3-0 in the 3rd. #CWS pic.twitter.com/7oP6JOhqOy
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 23, 2016
Oklahoma State "mascot" Utropolis, meanwhile, enjoyed the game from the stands. The Cowboys will play Arizona on Friday.
Just waiting to see who the next victim is! Can't wait for Friday! Poke fans better show out & show some love? #CWS pic.twitter.com/mqirRhJpom
— Utropolis (@utrop4pokes) June 23, 2016
The Wildcats, meanwhile, continued to hang on with tough pitching from starter J.C. Cloney. He went seven shutout innings before giving way to lefty reliever Cameron Ming.
That will do it for JC Cloney, who was outstanding tonight. Tosses 7 scoreless and leaves w/a man on 1st in the 8th. pic.twitter.com/6vG2hdPjUJ
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) June 23, 2016
The Gauchos needed a rally and had two runners on with no outs in the ninth leading to some late-game drama.
9th inning... down by 3... 2 on... Austin Bush up for the Gauchos! #CWS pic.twitter.com/UQJK6rVEiX
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 23, 2016
But Ming was able to complete the shutout to keep the Wildcats' hopes alive. The NCAA tweeted that there is no place like Omaha. Now Arizona can stay.
There’s no place like Omaha...#CWS pic.twitter.com/ohO5Dez62v
— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 23, 2016
