9th-inning fielding gaffe keeps OSU alive

Beavers, Hogs to play Game 3 today

OMAHA, Neb. — Oregon State’s Trevor Larnach hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning after Arkansas blew a chance to lock up the national championship as the Beavers forced a third and final game in the College World Series finals with a 5-3 victory Wednesday night.

Cadyn Grenier singled in the tying run after three Arkansas fielders watched his foul ball drop between them. Larnach then launched his 19th homer of the season into the right-field bullpen to set off a wild celebration in the Beavers’ dugout.

The game, however, might be most remembered for the play the Razorbacks (48-20) didn’t make, one that would have given them their first national title in baseball.

Zach Clayton, who pinch ran for Zak Taylor after a walk leading off the ninth, was on third when Grenier came up to bat with two outs and the entire stadium on its feet.

On a 1-1 pitch from Matt Cronin (2-2), Grenier popped a high foul behind first base and toward the stands. There was plenty of room to make the catch, and second baseman Carson Shaddy, first baseman Jared Gates and right fielder Eric Cole converged. But no one called it, and it hit the ground, keeping the Beavers alive.

“I was running and didn’t hear anybody call it, and I overran it,” Shaddy said.

While the ball was in the air, Grenier said, he hoped it would flare off into the stands.

“I knew I hit it decently deep so it wasn’t going to be a routine pop foul catch,” he said. “It wasn’t. It landed in a spot between three guys, and it worked to our advantage.”

Cronin took a moment to compose himself, wiping his brow and adjusting his hat. His next pitch was way high and, after a foul ball, Grenier sent a drive into left field to score Clayton. Grenier pumped his fist as he ran to first and punched the air twice more when he rounded the base.

Kevin Abel (7-1) was the winner.

Shaddy had given Arkansas a 3-2 lead in the fifth, and Kole Ramage and Cronin turned back Oregon State threats in the sixth and eighth innings.