Arizona Wins College World Series, Dethrones Two-Time Defending Champs

Arizona finished off an undefeated run through the College World Series, eventually getting past the defending champion, South Carolina, by a 4-1 score.  It was the Wildcats’ first title since 1986 and fourth overall.  South Carolina was looking to win their third championship in a row.

The Arizona pitching staff was great throughout the postseason and it continued in the deciding game.  James Farris went the first 7.2 innings giving up one run on two hits while striking out four batters.  Mathew Troupe went the last 1.1 innings giving up a hit for the win which was his sixth of the year.

Second baseman Trent Gilbert knocked in the first Arizona run in the top of the third inning on a groundout to second which scored Joseph Maggi.  Robert Refsnyder and Gilbert were the only players on either side to have multiple hits in the game.  Refsnyder was named the CWS Most Outstanding Player.

South Carolina tied the game in the seventh inning on a RBI groundout by Kyle Martin which scored Christian Walker.  Walker, LB Dantzler and Adam Matthews had the only hits for the Gamecocks.  Starting pitcher Michael Roth pitched well going 6.2 allowing just one run on three hits with three strikeouts.

Brandon Dixon broke the tie in the ninth inning with a double which was his first hit of the World Series.  Gilbert broke the game open with two more RBI’s with a two-out single.  All three runs in the ninth inning went against Matt Price. Price (5-5) threw 1.2 innings giving up three runs on three hits.

The Gamecocks made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth inning against Troupe when they loaded the bases with one out.  Left fielder Tanner English hit a line drive up the middle that was caught by Trent Gilbert who almost forced the runner out at second.  Grayson Greiner would fly out to right field to end the game.

The win was the first championship for Wildcats’ head coach, Andy Lopez, who came to Arizona in 2002 after stops at Florida, Pepperdine and Cal State Dominguez Hills.

CWS Championship – Game 1 Recap

Check out Raymond Mencke’s blog at www.sportissue.com. Also follow him on Twitter @RaymondMenckeJr,

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