OMAHA, Neb. โ Arizona has one more game to play, which means Wildcats coach Jay Johnson has one more pitching puzzle to solve.
After the UAโs 5-4 loss to Coastal Carolina in Game 2 of the College World Series finals Tuesday night, Johnson said that โeverybodyโs a possibilityโ for the winner-take-all Game 3 Wednesday.
Those possibilities include junior right-hander Bobby Dalbec, who threw 102 pitches on four daysโ rest in Arizonaโs bracket-clinching 5-1 victory over Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Dalbec has a 1.20 ERA and 18 strikeouts in 15 CWS innings. He declined comment on his availability for Wednesday.
The possibilities also include senior right-hander Nathan Bannister, who had to leave Fridayโs game against OSU because of a strained right forearm.
Bannister reported further improvement Tuesday, saying he played catch from 60 to 90 feet. He described his forearm issues as โnormal, end-of-the-season type stuff.โ Regarding his availability for Wednesday, Bannister said: โWeโll see.โ
Bannister is 3-0 with a 2.12 ERA in five postseason starts.
The one pitcher who wonโt go Wednesday is Kevin Ginkel. The junior right-hander threw 101 pitches Tuesday, allowing two runs (one earned) in seven innings.
โIโm happy with how I did tonight,โ Ginkel said. โBut not happy that we lost.โ
Coastal Carolina ace Andrew Beckwith warmed up during Tuesdayโs game but didnโt pitch, making him a candidate to start Wednesday. He threw 137 pitches in a complete-game win Friday.
Byrne โthrilledโ with Johnson, a hot name
With success comes interest from other programs.
Johnson has been linked to the opening at deep-pocketed Texas, which reassigned Augie Garrido on May 30.
Texas has been rebuffed by several high-profile coaches, and thatโs one of the reasons the search has lasted nearly a month. Another possible reason: Texas is waiting for the College World Series to end to gauge Johnsonโs interest.
Johnson signed a five-year contract with Arizona with an average base salary of $160,000. With additional income from Nike, plus a bat contract, Johnson is paid about $275,000 annually. He also has incentives for postseason achievements.
Arizona is willing to renegotiate Johnsonโs contract, UA athletic director Greg Byrne said.
โObviously, weโre thrilled with the job Jay and his staff have done here with University of Arizona baseball, and we want him to be our coach for a long time,โ Byrne said. โItโs a great reflection on him and our program and our university when people are talked about for other opportunities. But weโre going to make sure we do the right things to have him be here for a long time.โ
Byrne said he and Johnson would sit down and discuss his contract when the season is over.
Media reports in recent days have connected David Pierce of Tulane, Todd Whitting of Houston and Dan Heefner of Dallas Baptist to the Texas job.
Lineup changes
Johnson tinkered with his lineup Tuesday, with mixed results.
Johnson moved JJ Matijevic into the No. 3 hole, dropping RBI leader Ryan Aguilar to the cleanup spot. Matijevic went 0 for 5, striking out in his first three at-bats, including a failed sacrifice bunt. He left five runners on base.
Johnson also inserted senior left fielder Justin Behnke into the lineup for the first time since May 25. Behnke had been a regular through mid-May before becoming a late-inning defensive replacement. But with freshman Alfonso Rivas III struggling in the College World Series (1 for 15, seven strikeouts), Johnson turned to the veteran Behnke.
Behnke reached on a bunt single, stole a base and drove in a run. He also struck out with runners on second and third in the bottom of the fourth.
Inside pitch
- Coastal Carolina is 5-0 in elimination games during the 2016 postseason, including 4-0 at the College World Series.
- The Chanticleers lead the nation with 54 victories and are 50-1 when leading after eight innings.
- Dalbec went 2 for 3 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI. He had been 1 for 17 in the College World Series entering Tuesday.
- Zach Gibbons went 3 for 4. Heโs 13 for 27 in the College World Series and has yet to strike out.
- Leadoff man Cody Ramer reached base in his first at-bat for the fourth time in a row and for the fifth time in seven CWS games.
- Arizona allowed four earned runs Tuesday. The Wildcats had surrendered six earned runs in their first six CWS games.
