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Hatch, Oklahoma State top UC Santa Barbara 1-0 in CWS opener

Sports

June 19th, 2016 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Thomas Hatch threw a complete game, Garrett Benge singled in the only run in the fourth inning and Oklahoma State opened the College World Series with a 1-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara on Saturday. Hatch extended his shutout streak to 26 innings with his fourth complete game and third shutout of the season.

The Cowboys (42-20) will play Monday against Arizona. The Gauchos (42-19-1) will meet Miami, on Monday. Hatch (9-2), a third-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs, allowed five hits, walked one and struck out seven in his dazzling 112-pitch performance for the Cowboys, who are in the CWS for the first time since 1999.

Santa Barbara starter Shane Bieber (12-4) was just was just about as good as Hatch, limiting the Cowboys to six base hits. Three of them came in succession in the fourth inning, though, and produced Oklahoma State’s only run. Corey Hassel singled to left, Donnie Walton to right and Benge through the middle to make it 1-0. Bieber escaped further damage when Conor Costello lined into a double play and Dustin Williams flew out.