A defensive blunder committed by Arkansas has temporarily cost them a national championship.
The Razorbacks were an out away from winning the College World Series on Wednesday night, but they misplayed a popup in foul territory, and the Oregon State Beavers capitalized on their newfound opportunity.
Cadyn Grenier was up with a runner on third and two outs with his team down 3-2 in the top of the 9th inning when he sent a 1-1 pitch down the right field line in foul territory. Three Arkansas players converged on the ball, but they couldn’t decide who would take it. It fell to give Grenier another opportunity.
Leaving this here pic.twitter.com/MkmRGgakga
— SEC Country (@SECcountry) June 28, 2018
The Oregon State shortstop capitalized on his extra life by driving a single to left to tie the game at three. The next batter up was Trevor Larnach, who smashed a 2-run home run to right to make it 5-3 in favor of Oregon State.
The Beavers were able to close out the game in the bottom of the 9th with a double-play to win it 5-3 and force a winner-take-all game in the best of three series.
Arkansas won the first game of the series on Tuesday night, so had they made the catch on the Grenier foul ball, they would have won the championship. Instead, the game heads to a deciding contest on Thursday.
Arkansas should have just let first baseman Jared Gates take the popup given his awesome catch on Tuesday.
