The Arizona Wildcats won their fourth College World Series title -- first since 1986 -- with a 4-1 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Wildcats won Game 1 on Sunday in this best-of-three series by a score of five to one.
This game was a 1-1 pitcher's duel up until the top of the ninth inning. Matt Price, who has been pitching since he relieved Michael Roth in the seventh inning, allowed a leadoff single to outfielder Robert Refsnyder. Price then induced an out on a Seth Mejias-Brean grounder, but Refsnyder advanced to second base. After Bobby Brown intentionally walked, Brandon Dixon doubled down the left field line -- barely -- to score Refsnyder, breaking the 1-1 tie.
Tyler Webb relieved price and struck out Riley Moore for the second out of the inning. However, Trent Gilbert plated his second and third RBI of the night with a single into right field.
Arizona left Matthew Troupe on the mound for the bottom of the ninth inning and got into early troubled with a single and a walk putting two men on with zero outs. He struck out the next batter he faced but then walked the bases loaded. Tanner English lined out to Gilbert at second base and that nearly wound up as a double play, but L.B. Dantzler returned to the plate before Gilbert was able to get the force out. Grayson Greiner popped out to right field to end the game.
The two starting pitchers were outstanding. Arizona's James Farris threw 7.2 innings of one-run ball while South Carolina's Michael Roth -- perhaps the greatest pitcher in Omaha history -- surrendered one run in 6.2 innings.
Arizona went 10-0 through the entire NCAA Baseball Tournament. South Carolina failed to win a third straight title in Omaha.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Denver. For a complete bracket, visit NCAA.com.
