OMAHA, Neb. – Nathan Bannister’s premature exit because of injury Friday will affect Arizona’s pitching plans Saturday.
Kevin Ginkel and Cameron Ming combined to pitch 6 1/3 innings out of the bullpen during the UA’s 9-3 victory over Oklahoma State in the College World Series. Ginkel conceivably could start in the bracket-deciding rematch against the Cowboys after throwing 28 pitches. But more likely, Wildcats coach Jay Johnson will turn to junior Bobby Dalbec.
Dalbec limited Oklahoma State to one run and struck out 12 in eight innings Monday, ending up on the wrong side of a 1-0 decision. Dalbec threw 122 pitches but said he’d be ready if Johnson tapped him.
“I’ll be good,” Dalbec said. “I got four days of rest. I played a couple of days (at third base) but didn’t have too many plays. I’ve been doing it all year, playing third two days before I pitch. I know how to take care of my arm and be ready for something like that.”
Johnson wasn’t prepared to name Dalbec the starter after Friday’s game. As far as formulating a pitching plan, Johnson said he would “do what I always do: Eat, sleep, live Arizona baseball, and we’re going to find a way.”
Johnson has the utmost confidence in Dalbec, who earned victories against Sam Houston State and Mississippi State earlier in the postseason.
“He’s a major-league pitcher,” Johnson said.
The Boston Red Sox selected Dalbec in the fourth round of the MLB draft as a third baseman. One round earlier, the Chicago Cubs took Oklahoma State ace Thomas Hatch, who will start for the Cowboys on Saturday. The junior right-hander is 9-2 with a 1.89 ERA and shut out UC Santa Barbara in the CWS opener.
“Momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher,” OSU coach Josh Holliday said. “We’ve got a pretty good one.”
Magnificent Ming
Ming continued his exceptional postseason with five innings of nearly flawless relief work. He ended up allowing one run, but only after left fielder Justin Behnke lost the would-be final out in the sun.
Ming has surrendered two earned runs in 16 1/3 postseason innings. The sophomore has allowed six hits and issued four walks while striking out 17 batters. He has four saves.
Bannister’s injury provided Ming with a little extra motivation Friday.
“Bannister is the captain of the pitching staff,” Ming said. “He grinds it out every time he goes out there and shows us how much he wants to win. It means a lot to every one of the pitchers. I look up to him a lot. When he came out of the game, I just wanted to give him and our team the best.”
Sore winner
Freshman catcher Cesar Salazar took a beating Friday. He got hit by foul tips three times — in the ankle, calf and knee. He also took a backswing off his left shoulder.
Although momentarily shaken up by those body blows when they happened, Salazar was buoyant after the game.
“I’m ready to roll tomorrow,” Salazar said. “Nothing bothers me. I feel great.”
Inside pitch
• Oklahoma State hadn’t allowed a run in the College World Series before surrendering nine to Arizona. OSU hadn’t yielded more than two runs in any postseason game this year before Friday. The Cowboys have scored five runs in three CWS games.
• UA right fielder Zach Gibbons had three hits Friday and leads Division I with 101. He’s batting .385.
• Salazar and Louis Boyd, who batted at the bottom of the order, entered Friday 1 for 15 in the CWS. They combined to go 3 for 5 with two walks, four runs scored and one RBI. Both also reached base after being hit by pitches.
• Bannister’s injury broke a streak of eight consecutive games in which Arizona starters had pitched at least seven innings at TD Ameritrade Park.
