Thomas Hatch Dazzles in Oklahoma State’s CWS Victory Over UCSB

Oklahoma State opened the College World Series with a thrilling 1-0 victory over UC Santa Barbara. The Cowboys got the performance of a lifetime from Thomas Hatch who went the distance for the complete-game shutout.

That moment when you win your opening game at the @NCAACWS #okstate pic.twitter.com/ybGTgQOHro

— Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball) June 18, 2016

Hatch was outstanding in the biggest game he’s pitched in his life, extending his scoreless streak to 23 innings in the NCAA tournament. At this point I don’t even know what to say about Hatch, nobody can seem to hit him. On a day where the offense was limited, Hatch put the entire team on his back when it needed him most.

“How about Hatch? Hatch was the man,” Donnie Walton told the Tulsa World. “He’s done it all year. His composure was great. He was having trouble finding stuff at the beginning, but he’s such a competitor and he found it. A complete-game shutout.”

The last time Oklahoma State threw a shutout in the CWS—before Thomas Hatch today—was 1986. Current pitching coach Rob Walton threw it.

— Michael Lananna (@mlananna) June 18, 2016

The right-hander located his sinker with precision on both sides of the plate to induce 12 groundouts. Hatch also used his slider and changeup to miss bats leading to seven strikeouts in the game. Hatch was seemingly in control the entire game as he allowed just six hits in his nine frames.

“What an effort by him – a complete-game shutout in the College World Series,” Josh Holliday told the media after the win. “It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Hatch says he won't take any credit for the game, giving it to C Theroux & Rob Walton. Josh Holliday assures him he can take "some" credit

— Teddy Cahill (@tedcahill) June 18, 2016

Hatch traded blows with UCSB ace Shane Bieber who pitched excellent as well, but ended up earning the loss after his complete game effort. The only run that scored for OSU came in the fourth inning when Corey Hassel led off the inning with a single and would later score on a hit from Garrett Benge.

The Cowboys managed just six hits in the game, with leadoff man J.R. Davis being the only player with multiple hits. The Pokes 2-5 hitters registered a hit each with the bottom of the order not contributing anything.

After its victory over Miami, OSU will matchup with Arizona in the winner’s bracket on Monday. The Wildcats’ victory over No. 3 national seed was no small feat, but they burned their best arm in Nathan Bannister.

Arizona is popular underdog after knocking off Mississippi State in upset fashion during the super regionals. The Wildcats were widely-regarded as one of the best teams in the under-achieving West along with UCSB.

Watch highlights of #okstate win in #CWS opener, w/another dominant performance by @ThomasHatch27 leading the wayhttps://t.co/Fc77FMHPA9

— Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball) June 18, 2016

OSU avoids the top team in its side of the bracket with Miami losing and now will throw Tyler Buffett against the Wildcats. Buffett was been great in the tournament (14 IP, 2 ER) and has been the linchpin of the Cowboys success.

Bieber was a top-tier pitcher, but whoever Arizona throws on Monday will not be and hopefully that will lead to a better offensive performance. The recipe remains simple: get another solid start and you’ll likely get another victory.