Arizona Baseball loses College World Series by a controversial run

The unranked Arizona Baseball team lost to the Coastal Carolina team by one measly run by a score of 4-3. Heartbreaker.

Heartbreaking.

Possibly robbed of a tying run.

A catcher hit in the head with a bat.

Rain Delay.

How did that happen?

Had to turn off the TV, on my computer and my phone.

No excuses. Yes, there was an error, and yes the pitcher who threw eight strikeouts and had only four hits in 5.2 innings, also had four runs scored on him, not all earned. Coastal Carolina didn’t score again; all their scoring was accomplished in the sixth inning.

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All thoughts that come to mind after watching the other team pile on top of each other in glee.

Almost had a heart attack, it came down to two men on base and two outs, and a full count. Just one run away from tying the game, but it was not to happen.

Arizona Baseball and their fans are heartbroken today. Not only did we do anything we could at work to watch three games in the very early evening, and once during working hours, we watched our cats lose to a great Coastal Carolina. One of the hardest things about this

One of the most difficult things about this loss is that the winners are a team full of players who have a lot of heart and so it’s hard to hate them. They won, no matter what the umpires called, no matter what happened on the field, they won.

That said, ZonaZealots writers agreed, the umpire at home plate made an appalling call in Cody Ramer sliding in for a run that was he called an out. It was clear when you look at the film that he was safe.

Cody knew it, and the rest of us found out on replay. This being one of those types of plays that can change a whole game, and not reviewable is unfortunate. If the run had counted, then we would have gone to extra innings. You be the judge.

And it wasn’t just the run, it was the feeling the team got after they were robbed of the run. This could have started more momentum, we don’t know how much of an affect it had, but there was a moment where Bobbby Dalbec assured his teammate that all was okay. It was heartwarming.

We know, if the Cats could have brought in a couple of those stranded players on base, they could have also won. If Cesar Salazar wasn’t hit in the head with a bat, maybe the outcome may have been different. What’s the saying? If its and buts were candy and nuts…

This team has permanently engraved on our hearts and will go down in Arizona history. The saddest thing is the final championship game was so close. The best thing is, Arizona proved they were one of two of the best teams in the NCAA in 2016 when they were counted out by the announcers, and they bounced right back.

We hear from Michael Lev on Twitter that the Arizona players were a class act in the locker room when interviewed by reporters. Not surprised.

The teams in the finals were pretty even; the Cats lost by only one run twice after a valiant rally. So no reason for them to hang their heads, but of course it is hugely disappointing.

Maybe the media will wake up now or maybe not, but it is clear Coach Johnson, the Pac-12, and his Cats should be given even a tad more attention.

Next: College World Series – Arizona Baseball Photo Gallery

Thanks, Arizona Baseball, for all you do, for how hard you worked, for entertaining us, for giving us a reason to band together, and for all of your other talents! It has been fun getting to know you individually and as a team. Keep those Snaps coming! BEARDOWN!  We cannot wait for next season!