Arizona baseball: Dogged Dalbec makes ’em Miss.; Cats 1 win from Omaha

STARKVILLE, Miss. — Amid a throng of rabid, maroon-and-white-clad Mississippi State baseball fans, Bobby Dalbec was the fiercest bulldog in the building.

Pitching on short rest with a big heart and a devastating changeup, the Arizona junior shut down favored Bulldogs — and put the UA on the brink of returning to the College World Series.

Not even a suspiciously timed power outage could stop Dalbec and the Wildcats, who defeated the SEC champion Bulldogs 1-0 in front of 12,193 stunned spectators Friday at Dudy Noble Field.

“I knew he would respond extremely well,” UA coach Jay Johnson said. “That’s who he is. That’s who our team is.”

One more victory in the best-of-three Super Regional will send the Wildcats to Omaha, where they won the College World Series in their last appearance in 2012. Arizona (43-21) had to win three elimination games in the rain-delayed Lafayette Regional to get to this point.

“One of our strong suits is we don’t flinch,” Johnson said. “We played four games in 31 hours in the NCAA Tournament last weekend.”

Those happened Sunday and Monday. Dalbec won the first of the elimination games Sunday night. He returned to the mound on four days’ rest, which is less than what college pitchers usually get. Of course, Dalbec won’t be a collegian much longer.

His afternoon began with the news that the Boston Red Sox had selected him in the fourth round of the MLB draft. He found out from teammate Casey Bowman, who texted him. Dalbec’s family was following along from afar via MLB’s webcast and social media.

Dalbec then pitched 8º shutout innings against a lineup featuring six .300 hitters and one .400 hitter. He described the day as a “whirlwind.”

“It’s been pretty wild,” Dalbec said. “I didn’t know what was going to happen this morning. It ended up working out for me.

“I just did my thing on the mound. I just got ready, prepared, kept a narrow focus and got the job done.”

The 37-minute delay because of the power outage in the middle of the eighth inning tested Dalbec’s resolve. It came at the most inopportune time, as he had just retired 11 consecutive batters.

Dalbec did his best to stay loose and focused while waiting for the lights to come back on. No one would have blamed Johnson for taking Dalbec out at that point. But that thought never crossed Johnson’s mind.

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“There was no decision,” he said.

So Dalbec returned and nearly closed his own start. The UA’s leader in saves hit the first batter he faced in the eighth, Jack Kruger. Dalbec’s defense helped him get the next two outs. He struck out Jacob Robson to end the inning.

After consecutive strikeouts to start the bottom of the ninth, Dalbec surrendered a pair of singles. Johnson brought in left-hander Cameron Ming from the bullpen with runners on first and second. Ming struck out switch-hitting freshman Jake Mangum, who entered Friday hitting .418, on three pitches.

It was Ming’s second save in as many outings, but he derived just as much enjoyment from watching Dalbec deal.

“He’s had some performances like that before,” Ming said, “but this was probably the most fun I’ve had watching him.”

Dalbec doesn’t show much emotion. But he clearly was fired up on the field after the game.

After finishing an on-field media interview, Dalbec bro-hugged UA athletic director Greg Byrne. Johnson wanted some of that action too. He and Dalbec embraced. Johnson then playfully punched Dalbec in the chest.

“That kid’s a stud,” said UA designated hitter JJ Matijevic, who drove in the game’s lone run with an RBI double in the sixth inning.

“Every time he goes on the mound, we have a ton of confidence in him. Tonight’s performance, it’s up there. I’m just really proud of him. He stepped up really big for us.”

Dalbec had to outduel Mississippi State junior right-hander Dakota Hudson, whom the St. Louis Cardinals drafted at the end of the first round Thursday night.

Hudson kept the Wildcats scoreless through five innings, thanks largely to a wicked cutter. Matijevic struck out on a ball in the dirt in his first at-bat. He singled the next time. With Ryan Aguilar on first and two outs in the sixth, Matijevic looked for a pitch up and got it. The left-handed batter stroked it into the left-field corner.

Through splendid execution and sheer force of will, the Wildcats made it hold up. They now have the College World Series in their sights.

“That was a great college baseball game in an unbelievable environment,” Johnson said. “I am very proud of our team.”