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Hogs drop championship game to Oregon State, 5-0

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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OMAHA, Neb. — For the second time in program history, Arkansas finished as a national runner-up after Thursday evening’s 5-0 loss to No. 3 Oregon State in Game 3 of the College World Series finals.

The finish equals the standard set by the 1979 team that was runner-up in the program’s first-ever trip to Omaha.

The Razorbacks’ appearance in the College World Series finals caps the program’s ninth trip to Omaha, and its fifth under coach Dave Van Horn.

Arkansas ends the season with a 48-21 record, good for the highest win total in the Van Horn era.

All-Tournament Team

Five Razorbacks were named to the 2018 College World Series All-Tournament Team. Arkansas was represented by senior Jared Gates, junior Blaine Knight, sophomore Dominic Fletcher and freshmen Heston Kjerstad and Casey Martin.

What DVH Said

“First, I’d like to thank the city of Omaha and this incredible tournament by the NCAA…was so well run. We’re so appreciative of everything you’ve done for us. Tonight, will be our 15th night in a hotel and it’s been a great experience to be here for so long.”

“I figured it would take eight or nine (runs) today and I thought we’d score some runs. I thought we’d break loose but they didn’t give us that opportunity. (Oregon State) pitched us extremely well for three days in a row so hat’s off to them. In a two-out-of-three series this week, they were the better team.”

The Hitting

Arkansas’ biggest scoring threat of the night came when the team loaded the bases with one out in the third.

Junior catcher Grant Koch led things off with a double off the wall in left field. After a walk to Eric Cole and infield single by Martin, the bags were full of Razorbacks.

However, Oregon State starter Kevin Abel got his team out of the jam with a strikeout and fly out to right field.

The Pitching

The Beavers jumped out to an early advantage with two runs in the first inning off redshirt sophomore Isaiah Campbell.

The relief trio of Jake Reindl (2.1 IP), Cody Scroggins (1.2 IP) and Kole Ramage (2.0 IP) allowed just two runs on five hits over the final six innings.

College World Series Finals | CWS Bracket
Oregon State wins series, 2-1

Tuesday, June 26
Game 1: No. 5 Arkansas 4, No. 3 Oregon State 1

Wednesday, June 27
Game 2: No. 3 Oregon State 5, No. 5 Arkansas 3

Thursday, June 28
Game 3: No. 3 Oregon State 5, No. 5 Arkansas 0

Photos from Hogs’ 5-0 loss to Oregon State on Thursday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Here are the best pictures from Oregon State’s national championship win over the Hogs on Thursday night in Omaha.

Color Guard leaving the field after the playing of the National Anthem before Arkansas and Oregon State’s game Thursday night. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Catcher Grant Koch leads pitchers Matt Cronin, Blaine Knight and Isaiah Campbell from the bullpen before the start of the game. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
ESPN’s Laura Rutledge was working between the dugouts with interviews and is in place prior to the start of the game, PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Hogs catcher Grant Koch can’t get the tag on Adley Rutschman as another Oregon State runner crosses the plate on their way to winning the national championship, 5-0. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Hogs shortstop Jax Biggers leaps high on a steal attempt by the Beavers, but can’t get the tag down in time. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Isaiah Campbell started on the mound and struggled at times early before yielding to Jake Reindl. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Arkansas freshman outfielder Heston Kjerstad runs in from the outfield at the end of an inning against Oregon State. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Hogs fans showed up in numbers in Omaha, but it wasn’t enough in the final game. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Carson Shaddy makes a throw from second during his last game as a Razorback in the national champinship final. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Hogs catcher Grant Koch in his final game behind the plate as a Razorback. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Koch rounds first base in one of the rare offensive moments for the Hogs in the national championship final. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Oregon State records the final out to seal the national championship with a 5-0 win. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
A disappointed Arkansas team looks on after losing to the Beavers, 5-0. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Oregon State has the ritualistic dogpile on the infield after winning the national championship over Arkansas on Thursday night. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL

Roundup from social media after Hogs’ title game loss

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Roundup from social media after Hogs’ title game loss

Reaction on social media to Arkansas’ 5-0 shutout loss in the College World Series final against Oregon State on Thursday night:

John Nabors ???????? on Twitter

John Nabors ???????? on Twitter

https://t.co/eL7mDgki2i

Kyle Deckelbaum on Twitter

Casey Martin stops to make a young fan’s night

Kyle Deckelbaum on Twitter

Wonderful scene as Hogs load the buses for the final time https://t.co/QizCLQJdAH

Darren McFadden on Twitter

GO HOGS FOREVER!!! Much respect !!!

Matt Zimmerman on Twitter

Congratulations to our Razorbacks. You brought us a whole lot of joy in 2018. Go Hogs Go FOREVER https://t.co/f7zFsTi7kp

Eric Sullivan on Twitter

Hogs locker room after loss #brotherhood @1037TheBuzz https://t.co/8Cm5JbY3LO

Hunter Yurachek on Twitter

Thank you to the thousands of Razorback fans who supported @RazorbackBSB throughout the 2018 season at Baum Stadium and here in Omaha. By far the best and most passionate fan base in the country. #WPS

Hunter Yurachek on Twitter

I could not be more proud of the @RazorbackBSB program and how each of these young men and Coach Van Horn and his staff represented the State of Arkansas during the 2018 season. What a ride they took us on as we ended an incredible season as the CWS National Runner-Up.

Barstool OmaHogs on Twitter

You’re with us or you’re against us. The line is clear. It’s always been. Those that are with us, We’ve proven it. We’ve proven we can get there. DVH is our guy. Mike is our guy. Chad is our guy. Hold your friends close and your enemies closer. We’re close.

Bo Mattingly on Twitter

Arkansas AD Hunter Yurachek hugs Carson Shaddy who walks out of dugout for last time as a Razorback.

Bo Mattingly on Twitter

Pretty tough 2nd place for DVH. So close. https://t.co/04214QvQ35

Tommy Craft on Twitter

It will take a moment to appreciate the greatness of this season, but a year like this will do plenty to grow the program. Even more players will want to come play, more donors will donate and more fans than ever are now Razorback Baseball Fans. Hell of a year guys!

Coach Justin Stepp on Twitter

Incredibly proud of how hard @RazorbackBSB played this whole season. We couldn’t be prouder of you all! People know about Arkansas and @ArkRazorbacks bc of you guys. #WPS

J.J. Meadors on Twitter

So Proud of @RazorbackBSB ! You guys represented the state well! #OmaHogs

Felix Jones 2 on Twitter

Great season @RazorbackBSB , could not be more proud of all you guys were able to accomplish. Once a Hog always a Hog! #WPS

Razorback Football on Twitter

What a ride. Congrats on an incredible season @RazorbackBSB! #WPS

SEC Network on Twitter

An amazing season comes to an end in Omaha. Nothing but respect for @RazorbackBSB.

McTelvin Agim on Twitter

WPS????????

Hogtoons on Twitter

omahogs Still a great season. Still a fan. Go Hogs!@SportsTalkwBo @AaronNolanNews @PigTrailNation

Barstool OmaHogs on Twitter

There are no words. There aren’t. We’ll talk about it for years. Decades. But we’re Hogs. We’re resilient. You can’t break us. You can try. You won’t succeed. Others have failed. We wake up tomorrow. We fight again. It’s the life we chose. WPS forever and forever WPS. ????

Arkansas Razorbacks on Twitter

Proud of you, @RazorbackBSB. An incredible season.

Southeastern Conference on Twitter

What a run. What a team. So proud of these #OmaHogs. https://t.co/dH7VIrJuHt

Ben Creighton on Twitter

I know it really sucks coming just 1 win short, especially in such heartbreaking fashion. But I will tip my cap to this Diamond Hogs team. It was an up and down year but, hands down, an exciting one with this run to Omaha. Hell of a year.

Pig Trail Nation on Twitter

Arkansas’ season has come to an end. https://t.co/ftdOyCOle2

John Nabors ???????? on Twitter

Stoernover. Reggie Fish. Foul ball.

Andrew Scaglione on Twitter

OmaHogs fall 5-0 to Oregon State. Beavers win their 3rd CWS. Let’s not pin the season on one misplayed foul ball. It’s part of the narrative, but not the whole story. Hogs went up against a superior foe and had 3 poor offensive games. That’s baseball.

Barrett Sallee on Twitter

What an unbelievable performance from Kevin Abel. That was unreal. #CWS

Gabe Richardson on Twitter

Damn ????????‍♂️

KARK 4 News on Twitter

HEARTBROKEN – but so PROUD of our team. Congrats on a fantastic season boys! #WPS ???? ⚾️

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Thursday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Thursday

Watch party set again for Baum Stadium tonight

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Baum Stadium will again host a free watch party Thursday night for Game 3 of the College World Series finals as the Razorbacks take on Oregon State at 5:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

Fans will enter through Gate B (on the third base side) at Baum Stadium beginning at 4:30 p.m.

Seating throughout the stadium will be first-come, first-serve and parking will be free. The Hog Pen will be closed for the event.

Light concessions will be available via cash only, but fans will be allowed to bring in food and beverages but no coolers or alcohol will be allowed inside the stadium.

Van Horn, players looking back on Hogs’ loss to Beavers

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn with players Luke Bonfield, Grant Koch and Carson Shaddy look back on the 5-3 loss to Oregon State that sets up game three for title.

Oregon State coach, players talk about win over Hogs

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Oregon State coach Pat Casey along with players Cadyn Grenier, Trevor Larnach and Adley Rutschman recap Wednesday night’s 5-3 win over Arkansas.

Pictures from Arkansas’ 5-3 loss to Oregon State

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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The best in pictures from Arkansas’ loss to Oregon State on Wednesday night in the second game of the College World Series finals in Omaha.

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn before Wednesday’s game in Omaha against the Beavers. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
The color guard on the field at TD Ameritrade for the National Anthem prior to the start of the Arkansas-Oregon State game. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Arkansas pitcher Kole Ramage came to the mound replacing Jake Reindl and kept the Beavers at bay. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Luke Bonfield hitting the ball during the Hogs’ 5-3 loss to Oregon State on Wednesday night. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Heston Kjerstad crosses the plate for the Razorbacks during the loss to Oregon State on Wednesday night. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Casey Martin slides across the plate for the Razorbacks during their game against Oregon State. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL
Grant Koch tosses the ball back to the mound as he heads to the dugout to end an inning in Arkansas’ loss to Oregon State. PHOTO BY JAMIE VARNELL

Oregon State rallies late to down Hogs, force third game

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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OMAHA, Neb. — Senior Luke Bonfield and Carson Shaddy each had two hits and an RBI Wednesday night for Arkansas, but Oregon State rallied in the ninth inning for a 5-3 win to force a decisive game three in the 2018 College World Series.

Thursday’s series finale is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch and will be televised on ESPN2.

Back and Forth

Oregon State scored runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 2-1 lead but the Razorbacks answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth to reclaim their advantage.

After being held without a hit since the second, Arkansas put together three-straight hits including an RBI single by Bonfield that brought freshman Casey Martin around from second to even the game.

Freshman Heston Kjerstad scored the go-ahead run on Shaddy’s RBI single to cap the rally.

The Razorbacks held on to the 3-2 lead until Oregon State put together its three-run ninth.

After giving up a walk to the lead off in the top of the ninth, sophomore Matt Cronin retired the next two hitters but the Beavers had the tying run on third base.

Oregon State went on to tie the game with a base hit through the left side and took the final lead with a two-run shot to right.

The Hitting

Shaddy turned in his 18th multi-hit performance of the season while Bonfield tallied his 13th multi-hit outing. Shaddy’s single in the fifth inning was Arkansas’ first two-strike hit during the College World Series.

The Pitching

Oregon State had just taken a 2-1 lead and the bases loaded with one out when freshman Kole Ramage entered to face the three and four spots in the Beavers’ lineup.

The righty pitched Arkansas out of the jam with a strikeout and ground ball to Jared Gates at first base. With runners on the corners and no outs in the sixth, Ramage got out of the jam unscathed with the help of a double play that he started by gloving a popped up bunt.

Junior Kacey Murphy got the start and was solid through 4.1 innings before being lifted with runners on first and second in the top of the fifth.

The Rogers native allowed two runs on six hits and struck out four Oregon State hitters without issuing a walk.

Game Note

Wednesday’s game was played in front of 25,580 which pushed the overall attendance over 300,000 for the 13th-consecutive year in Omaha.

College World Series Finals | CWS Bracket
Series tied 1-1

Tuesday, June 26
Game 1: No. 5 Arkansas 4, No. 3 Oregon State 1

Wednesday, June 27
Game 2: No. 3 Oregon State 5, No. 5 Arkansas 3

Thursday, June 28
Game 3: No. 5 Arkansas vs No. 3 Oregon State – 5:30 p.m. [ESPN2]

Immediate reaction on social media after Hogs’ loss

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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It didn’t take long for folks to start weighing in on social media after Oregon State’s comeback in the ninth inning crushed Arkansas fans.

Kirk Herbstreit on Twitter

How good is College Baseball? https://t.co/V09QXAjis4

https://twitter.com/ColemanESPN/status/1012183935319773184

Rawleigh III 22 on Twitter

Relax. Them boys gone be ready game 3! ????????????

Hjalte Froholdt on Twitter

Where’s the positivity and support that has carried us all year? Time to rally and go take this natty home! #omahogs #WPS

Cheyenne OGrady on Twitter

Man…. great game Hogs. I’m not a baseball fan by any means, but you guys are definitely giving me second thoughts! Let’s bring it home next game boys ! ✊????

Omahawgs going 4 the Natty on Twitter

DVH tried to stretch his work horse. Cronin is now not available for game 3. Another note: Cronin never pitches back to back days. But all that being said…We were one strike away from it. Now the bats have to find some life. Beavers offense is too good.

Blake Eddins on Twitter

Leaders on the team have to raise hell in the locker room and at the hotel get everybody ready to come out fired up & swinging tomorrow. That was brutal. But it’s not over.

Travis Haney on Twitter

People at home are (rightly) obesssing about the non-play that continued the game. ESPN makes minimal (no?) mention of it on postgame wrap. All about Beavs resilience. How is the disconnect that wide between viewers and game coverage?

Dusty Hannahs on Twitter

We’ll catch y’all tomorrow baby #wps #AllTheMarbles

Tommy Craft on Twitter

Sickening

Khalil Garland on Twitter

my nerves for Game 3 tomorrow. idk if i’m gone be able to handle it

NCAA Baseball on Twitter

AN INSTANT CLASSIC. Down to its final out… @BeaverBaseball forces Game Three in the #CWS Finals with an incredible rally, topping Arkansas 5-3! #CWS

John Nabors ???????? on Twitter

Final out of the CWS live from JJs on Dickson. https://t.co/HUJgdC0jtc

John Nabors ???????? on Twitter

There are no words. None.

Barrett Sallee on Twitter

Current Arkansas status. #CWS https://t.co/rBFMhXtqPg

A season with strange start could end with biggest prize

Andy Hodges
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In retrospect, we probably should have known Arkansas’ baseball season was going to be special back in the opener against Bucknell on February 16.

Shortstop Jax Biggers, the first batter of the season, got on base with a bunt single.

Yes, a bunt single kicked off the season. Nobody can remember that happening before.

Now, in Omaha, the Razorbacks could end the season with something they’ve never had — a national championship.

Considering the start, well, this really shouldn’t be surprising. Even the weather issues in Omaha the last couple of weeks can’t be that surprising. As Dave Van Horn has mentioned on a couple of occasions, this team has had weather issues all year.

This team has played in 60-degree weather one day, then in the 30’s the next day. Some games were colder than that.

As good as the Hogs were in Baum Stadium this year, they struggled just as much on the road. They were even swept in a road series against Mississippi State.

To be honest, this team has played better when folks were ready to throw up their hands during the season … and, yes, there were a few of those situations. Even after their three losses at home, the team always bounced back.

Van Horn knows it and he’s hoping to use that for tonight’s game.

“I just want them to come out tomorrow with the attitude that tomorrow is do or die,” he said after Tuesday night’s 4-1 win over Oregon State in the first game of the finals. “I think we play a little better that way.”

Winning that game one was strange all by itself. The Hogs had a big fifth inning that resembled several this year.

The opponent’s pitching gave Arkansas free passes via walks or hitting batters. At the plate, the Razorbacks were working the count deep. Then the other team screws something up in the field and the track meet is on.

We’ve seen that play out time and again this year.

“We put together one good inning, and they walked a couple people and got a couple of hits, hit a batter or two, and we felt like we left a couple runs out there, but it ended up holding up,” was how Van Horn summarized in his opening postgame remarks.

For a finals series that was supposed to feature a lot of hitting, the first game was the direct opposite. There wasn’t a single home run in the entire game.

That means tonight could be interesting for Hog fans. This team’s bats haven’t remained silent two games in a row very often.

If it does turn into one of those hitting festivals, Razorback fans could be celebrating late into the night with their first national championship in a major sport since 1994.

A championship season that started with a bunt.

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