Oregon State stuns Arkansas in ninth to force decisive Game 3 in College World Series

Jace Evans | USA TODAY

Oregon State was down to its final out – its final strike, even – in the ninth inning of Game 2 of the College World Series, trailing 3-2 in the game and having already dropped Game 1.

When Cadyn Grenier earlier sent a pop-up into foul territory on a 1-1 count, it appeared that Arkansas would be celebrating its first national title just seconds later.

But neither the first baseman, second baseman nor right fielder for the Razorbacks was able to make the play.

Grenier ripped a single to left off Matt Cronin three pitches later that scored Zach Clayton and tied Game 2 of the College World Series 3-3.

WHAT



JUST



HAPPENED pic.twitter.com/i4249Npuvr — NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 28, 2018

“As soon as you see the ball drop, you know you have another life,” Grenier said. “I needed to refocus and make the most of that extra life we got. That’s a gift.”

Three pitches after that, Trevor Larnach launched a two-run homer that gave the Beavers a stunning 5-3 lead.

"Not done" ESPN's cameras caught a member of Oregon State's team saying.

Indeed.

Game 3 on Thursday night will be winner-take-all, with Arkansas looking to bounce back for its first national title while Oregon State looks to win the College World Series for the first time since since 2007.

“You’ve got to move on,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. His team had been 44-0 this season when leading after eight innings.

“You can’t take it back. It’s over. Get your head up and start getting your mind right because it’s going to be tomorrow before you know it and we need to come out here and give ourselves a chance.”

Arkansas opened the scoring in the second inning as Jared Gates dashed home on a passed ball with two outs and the bases loaded. While pitcher Bryce Fehmel managed to get Oregon State got out of the jam of his own making by getting a pop-up out with the bases loaded again, he was chased after just two full innings.

Adley Rutschman tied the game back up at 1 on a homer in the fourth inning off Razorbacks starter Kacey Murphy.

Oregon State took its first lead of the night on an incredible bunt from Grenier – the Beavers' second of the frame – with the bases loaded in the fifth inning.

But the Beavers' lead was short-lived. In the bottom off the fifth inning, the Razorbacks were able to find gaps in left field, scoring the tying run on Luke Bonfield's single.

🔥😳 SPEED 😳🔥



Martin flies home from second to just beat the throw at the plate!#CWS | @RazorbackBSB pic.twitter.com/nR75HHimfg — NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) June 28, 2018

Carson Shaddy put Arkansas ahead 3-2 with a single of his own two batters later.

The bullpens then held runners off the board, until Oregon State's dramatics in the ninth inning.

“We were looking for something good to happen, and needed something good to happen” Oregon State coach Pat Casey said. “Our guys never gave in. So I think that that’s what created that opportunity for us to have something good happen.”

Contributing: Associated Press