Oregon State beats Arkansas to win College World Series

Oregon State beat Arkansas 5-0 in Game 3 of the College World Series Thursday night to win its third national title.

The Beavers played small ball to get the win, netting three of their runs off singles, with the other two coming off an error and a sacrifice fly.

Catcher Adley Rutschman led the way for the Beavers, going 3-for-4 and plating two of the runs. The sophomore was named Most Outstanding Player after breaking the College World Series record for hits with 17.

Beavers’ first baseman Zak Taylor went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Oregon State starting pitcher Kevin Abel tossed a two-hit complete game and struck out 10 in the win.

The victory comes 24 hours after the third-seeded Beavers (55-12-1) stormed back in Game 2 after being one out away from losing the series.

A misplayed popup in foul territory gave them another chance in that game and they responded with a game-tying single by shortstop Cadyn Grenier before right fielder Trevor Larnach hit what proved to be a game-winning home run.

Coach Pat Casey also led the Beavers to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007 and had them back in the College World Series for the second straight season.

The No. 1 seed in 2017, Oregon State was eliminated in the semifinals last year by eventual runner-up LSU.

Arkansas, which had won its first five games of the series before its Game 2 defeat, finishes the season with a record of 48-21.