Florida State knocks off Razorbacks in opener at College World Series

OMAHA — Arkansas dropped a 1-0 heartbreaker to Florida State on Saturday in its first game of the 2019 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha.

After eight scoreless innings, Florida State edged out a run in the top of the ninth to take a 1-0 lead. FSU put two men on to open the frame via a hit-by-pitch and fielder’s choice with nobody out.

Matt Cronin took over on the mound for Cody Scroggins, who relieved starter Isaiah Campbell in the eighth, and the Seminoles moved the duo into scoring position with a successful sacrifice bunt from Matheu Nelson.

With one away, a pinch-hitting Cooper Swanson lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to push Florida State ahead 1-0.

Isaiah Campbell put on another masterful performance in his third College World Series game of his career on Saturday night. He totaled seven innings of shutout ball, allowing five hits and two walks, while striking out 10.

The double-digit punch out total broke his own school record for strikeouts in a CWS game, set last year against Florida (eight) on June 22.

It was the first loss to Florida State by the Razorbacks, as the two squads have met six in two school’s histories, all coming during postseason play.

The Razorbacks will take on Texas Tech on Monday at 1 p.m. on ESPN from TD Ameritrade Park in an elimination game.