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College  | Story  | 6/18/2016

CWS Day 1: TDAP the Neutralizer

Mike Rooney     
Photo: OSU Athletics




2016 College World Series Preview


Hatch out-duels Bieber for Game 1 win

OMAHA, Neb. – We certainly learned some things in Game 1 of the 2016 College World Series – a game that saw both starters go the distance in Oklahoma State’s 1-0 win – but mostly we were reminded of what makes this event and this venue so special. Every year, stars assert themselves on this stage and this happened once again in the very first game.

Thomas Hatch and Shane Bieber are third- and fourth-round picks respectively and they reaffirmed our belief in the art of pitching over solitary velocity. Hatch stole the show with his complete game shutout but Bieber matched him pitch-for-pitch minus three consecutive singles given up in the bottom of the fourth inning. These two pitching clinicians combined to allow a scant 11 total hits.

Nervousness was another noticeable theme as Hatch and Bieber were clearly anxious in the first inning. This is the biggest stage any of these players have ever experienced and both arms showed uncharacteristic wildness in the opening frame. This anxiety didn't affect these two dynamite defensive clubs however and runs were at a premium.

Oklahoma State head coach Josh Holliday summed up this game in his opening comments following the game.

"So two excellent pitchers squaring off, pounding the strike zone and a high level baseball game to start the College World Series off,” Holliday said. “We feel fortunate to win and we are excited about just the effort that Thomas put out there. A lot of courage. It's not the easiest game in the world to pitch. The first game of the World Series has a little buzz and vibe about it to kick things off. So I thought he handled himself exceptionally well and it's a great win for us to get the tournament."

The side story may be considered an unfortunate one: TD Ameritrade Park (TDAP) the offensive dream crusher may be back. On a very hot day in Omaha, the traditional southerly wind blew in to home plate most of the game. Despite the home run surge seen in the NCAA Tournament thus far in 2016 (208 up to this point), it may be very difficult to get a ball out of this yard under these conditions. For example, Dustin Williams of Oklahoma State has 14 long balls on the year and two of his best efforts came up short in this game.

Here are two positives though: college position players are more physical than their contemporaries of the past five or so years. That is a direct result of the flat-seamed baseball allowing coaches to recruit physicality again. College Baseball’s re-found size and strength could give this ballpark a good fight.

The second positive is that this 1-0 game took two hours and 20 minutes to complete, which is exactly how long a well-played pitchers' duel should take. In summary, game one featured very good baseball taking place in Omaha, Nebraska …  yes and yes.


Pitching reigns supreme as Bannister weathers Hurricanes

Pitching reigned again in the nightcap as Arizona senior righthander Nathan Bannister struck out 11 Miami hitters over seven outstanding innings. Much like Thomas Hatch and Shane Bieber in game one, Bannister commanded the fastball at a high level throughout the game. More specifically, Bannister dominated the inner half of the strike zone with his fastball and used that to set up the rest of his arsenal.

Cameron Ming was called upon to finish the game and he did just that, allowing just one hit over the final two innings while striking out three more Hurricanes in the 5-1 victory.

“Earlier today we kind of set out a roadmap for what we need to do to be successful offensively defensively and from the mound,” Arizona head coach Jay Johnson said after the game. “Nathan took care of it from the mound. I thought he settled into the game really well against a really good offensive team, calmed his nerves early, found his spot and found his stride in the game offensively. That's a pitcher that hasn't lost much over the last two years.”

Johnson has installed an intricate and comprehensive system in the Wildcats position player group and it won the day in this game. Arizona utilized an advanced two-strike approach, timely hitting especially to the opposite field, two hit by pitch, two sacrifice bunts and their staple of aggressive baserunning to put the Miami offense in a hole that the Hurricanes could not overcome.  On top of that, Arizona even turned an extreme defensive shift into a line out double play.

And the Wildcats wasted no time getting on the board, jumping on Miami starter Michael Mediavilla early, as Jared Oliva provided the biggest hit, a two-run single as part of the team’s three-run first inning.

Arizona plays in a home park (Hi Corbett Field) that closely resembles TD Ameritrade Park and that familiarity was advantageous in this game. Arizona needs to stay in the winners' bracket to protect a thinner pitching staff, and with Bobby Dalbec ready to go in their Monday game with Oklahoma State, this sets up very well for the Wildcats.

“Unbelievable atmosphere out in the ballpark when you think about what it would be like or whatnot,” Coach Johnson said of the Omaha experience. “That was it. It was a great crowd. Exactly what we expected and anticipated."
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