College World Series: Arizona eliminates UC Santa Barbara

Jared Oliva homered for the first time in more than two months and JC Cloney pitched seven innings, leading Arizona to a 3-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara in a College World Series elimination game Wednesday night.

The Wildcats (46-22) will play Oklahoma State on Friday in the Bracket 1 final. They need to win that game and another Saturday against the Cowboys to reach next week’s best-of-three finals.

The Gauchos (43-20-1) were 1-2 in their first CWS appearance.

“The past month, I’ve become more developed as a hitter, and I try to stay relaxed and don’t do too much,” Oliva said.

“I stick to my game plan, and whatever happens happens. I got a good pitch to hit and got a good swing on it.”

Cloney (7-4) gave up five singles before turning the game over to Cameron Ming with a runner on base and no outs in the eighth inning.

The Gauchos threatened in the ninth inning after Clay Fisher doubled and Devon Gradford walked with no outs.

Ming struck out Austin Bush, JJ Muno and Dempsey Grover to end the game.

Arizona has given up two runs in three CWS games.

Santa Barbara senior left-hander Justin Kelly (2-1) gave up seven hits in three-plus innings.

Arizona scored its first run on a sacrifice fly, and Oliva followed with his fourth home run this season, and first since April 4, to make it 3-0.

Trevor Bettencourt settled things down for the Gauchos after Kyle Lewis singled leading off the fourth against Kelly.

Bettencourt retired 13 batters in a row, striking out a career-high seven, before Bobby Dalbec singled in the eighth inning.

“When people go home, they get emotional, and I promised myself I wouldn’t, but for these kids to get us here, to get this opportunity for our program, is unique,” Gauchos Coach Andrew Checketts said.