It’s been a struggle this year for Jared Oliva. Entering the College World Series, the Arizona Wildcats outfielder was hitting just .236, and had a lowly on-base percentage of .284.
But that didn’t matter when he was presented with a big opportunity in his very first at bat in Omaha.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Oliva roped a 1-1 pitch by Michael Mediavilla down the right field line, scoring two runs.
"It was huge," Arizona head coach Jay Johnson said of the hit. "We try to stay a pitch at a time, an inning at a time, and the reality of it is it’s a little bit easier to do that when you’re playing with a lead.