Arkansas, Oregon State set for decisive Game 3

Denied a Game 2 win one out away from their first College World Series title, the Arkansas Razorbacks hope to recover Thursday.

The fifth-seeded Razorbacks (48-20) were leading No. 3 Oregon State 3-1 with two outs in the top of the ninth of Wednesday’s Game 2 when right fielder Eric Cole, first baseman Jared Gates and second baseman Carson Shaddy let a foul popup fall between them.

Given new life, Beavers’ shortstop Cadyn Grenier responded with a two-run single to tie the game. Right fielder Trevor Larnach then put Oregon State (54-12-1) up for good with a two-run home run off Arkansas closer Matt Cronin.

The 5-3 victory denied Arkansas the first national championship in program history, while keeping Oregon State’s hopes for its third title alive.

Arkansas won the first game of the best-of-three championship series 4-1 on Tuesday.

Wednesday’s loss was the first of the series for the Razorbacks, who had won four straight up to the Game 2 defeat, including seeing off defending champion and No. 1 seed Florida in the semifinals last Friday.

Game 3 will start at 6:30 p.m. ET Thursday at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Nebraska.