Arizona earns 1st CWS Finals berth since 2012

Propelled by a seven-inning gem from right-hander Bobby Dalbec, the Arizona Wildcats sunk the Oklahoma State Cowboys, 5-1 at TD Ameritrade Park on Saturday to clinch a spot in the College World Series Finals for the first time since 2012.

After taking the loss Monday against the Cowboys despite allowing just one run while fanning 12 over eight innings, Dalbec got his redemption in Saturday's win-or-go-home matinee, surrendering just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six in seven innings.

Working with a comfortable lead for most of the afternoon thanks to two-run outbursts from Arizona's offense in each of the first two innings, Dalbec - who started at third base in Friday's 9-3 win - threw 68 of his 102 pitches for strikes and now boasts a 1.20 ERA through 15 innings in Omaha.

Zach Gibbons, the Wildcats' senior right fielder, led the charge offensively for the Arizona, driving in the game's first run with a first-inning groundout and finishing 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs.

With the victory, the Wildcats are set to make their eighth CWS Finals appearance in school history, where they'll take on Coastal Carolina, the winner of Saturday's do-or-die contest against the TCU Horned Frogs.