Bobby Dalbec pitched 8.2 shutout innings and Cameron Ming recorded the final out as the Arizona baseball team blanked Mississippi State 1-0 in the first game of the Super Regional in Starkville, Mississippi on Friday afternoon.

Dalbec, who was selected by the Boston Red Sox as a third baseman in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft earlier in the day, battled through command issues early in the game, but eventually found his stride and dominated a potent Bulldogs lineup.

RELATED: Arizona baseball: Wildcats win Lafayette Regional, advance to Super Regionals

He struck out nine batters, while allowing just five hits and two walks. A power outage in the bottom of the 8th inning caused a 37-minute delay at Dudy Noble Field, and put Dalbec’s pitching status in question in the late innings. Dalbec, however, returned to the game after the delay, retired the next two batters in the frame and then stayed on the mound for the 9th inning. 

Dalbec struck out the first two batters in the 9th, but then gave up a pair of two-out singles, prompting Arizona head coach Jay Johnson to put Ming into the game. The left-hander struck out the next batter on three pitches for the final out and Arizona’s lone run, courtesy of an RBI double by JJ Matijevic in the 6th inning, was all the Wildcats needed to take the the first game of the Super Regional.

The Wildcats outhit the Bulldogs 7-5 and Matijevic was the only player in the game to have multiple hits.

Dakota Hudson started for the Bulldogs and pitched 6.1 innings, allowing seven hits, a run, and a walk, while striking out six Wildcats.

The second game of the series will take place on Saturday, and it will be televised on ESPNU. The Wildcats can clinch a spot in the College World Series with a win, while a loss would force a deciding third game on Sunday.

The starting pitchers for Saturday’s contest have yet to be announced. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. 

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