They won their third national championship by defeating Arkansas in the 2018 College World Series. It was only the second time in College World Series history that a team won the championship after losing their first game of the tournament and the first game of the championship series. The first team to do that was the 2006 Oregon State Beavers.[3]
Season
On March 11, head coach Pat Casey was suspended by the NCAA for 4 games as a result of contact made on March 9 with third base umpire Mark Buchanan while disputing a check-swing call against a Cal State Fullerton batter. Casey was ejected following the contact and the game resulted in the Beavers' first loss of the season 3–5. Associate head coach Pat Bailey led the team during Casey's suspension.[4]
Entering into the final game of the regular season against UCLA Oregon State found itself 1⁄2 game behind Stanford for the Pac-12 crown. A win against UCLA coupled with a Stanford loss to Washington, who was also in contention for the league championship, would have given the Beavers their second straight Pac-12 championship.[5] Oregon State would go on to lose against UCLA and Stanford rallied to win against Washington to give them their first Pac-12 championship since 2004.[6]
In the postseason tournament the Beavers were selected as the #3 overall national seed, which guaranteed home field advantage for both the Regionals and Super Regionals. Only defending national champion Florida (#1) and Pac-12 champion Stanford (#2) were seeded higher.[7]
Statistics and accomplishments
Season
1st team to lead NCAA in win/loss percentage (.864) in back-to-back seasons since Southern University (.820) in 2001 and 2002
Program best record over two seasons 111–17–1 (.864)
16 PAC 12 series victories in a row - Began May 22, 2016, at USC, ended March 31, 2018, at Utah
Highest draft pick taken in school history - Rd 1 pick 4 - Nick Madrigal (record broken in 2019 with Adley Rutschman being taken #1 overall)
College World Series
CWS Record 5 doubles - Trevor Larnach
CWS Record 17 hits - Adley Rutchman
CWS Pitching Record 4–0 - Kevin Abel
CWS Pitching Record - 2–0 in Championship Series - Kevin Abel
CWS Pitching Record - 10 Innings 0 Runs in Championship Series - Kevin Abel
CWS Record Best Pitching Performance - Kevin Abel (Complete Game - 2 hits, 0 Runs)
CWS Record Best Hitting Duo - 32 Hits - Adley Rutchman (17), Trevor Larnach (15)
CWS Record - Best record in CWS Championship Matches 3–0 (Tied with Minnesota)
2nd Team to lose first game of CWS and CWS Finals and win the tournament (2006 Oregon State Beavers first team to accomplish this)
Oregon State played 8 out of 16 games in CWS
Oregon State scored 35 of 59 runs with 2 outs
Oregon State scored 28 of 59 runs in the 7th inning or later
Oregon State scored go-ahead winning runs in the 7th inning or later during 3 games (Washington 7th inning, North Carolina 8th inning, Arkansas 9th inning)
Shutout Arkansas in Championship Game, which was the first shutout for Arkansas in the 2018 season and the first time in 99 games
CWS Runs Per Inning
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
Total
6
6
10
2
6
1
10
11
7
59
CWS Runs Per Out
0 Outs
1 Out
2 Outs
Total
6
18
35
59
College World Series
Oregon State vs North Carolina (Game 1)
On June 16, 2018, Oregon State dropped the opening game of the CWS to North Carolina by a score of 8–6. Oregon State was first on the board when Trevor Larnach tripled in the bottom of the 1st to drive in leadoff batter Steven Kwan. The Tarheels matched the Beavers 1–1 in the 2nd, before taking a commanding 6–1 lead in the top of the 3rd. This marked the first time all season Oregon State gave up 6 runs in the first 3 innings. A controversial safe call at third base in the top of the 7th helped sustain The Tarheels inning, when Beavers' 3rd baseman Gretler appeared to tag Tarheels runner Martorano, but was ruled safe. Instant replay would say otherwise, but the call was non-reviewable. Martorano was driven in by the next batter, increasing the Tarheels lead to 7–4.
The game would go on record to be the longest game in CWS History at 4 hours, 21 minutes.
Only 10 previous teams have lost their opening game in the CWS and won the tournament.
This match-up was the third CWS where Oregon State and North Carolina have played each other. Oregon State eliminated North Carolina in all three match-ups, with a CWS record of 5–2.
Oregon State vs Washington (Game 5)
On June 18, 2018, Oregon State defeated the Washington Huskies in the first elimination game of the CWS by a score of 14–5. This marked the 4th meeting between the two conference rivals this season, with Oregon State leading the series 2–1. Washington took a 3–0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd, before giving up 4 runs and surrendering the lead in the top of the 5th. Washington was quick to respond, taking a 5–4 lead before a 4+1⁄2-hour rain delay in the top of the 6th. Washington walked in the tying run after play resumed in the 6th, and would be shutout for the remainder of the game. Lead-off hitter Steven Kwan injured his hamstring while at bat in the top of the 3rd inning. Kwan would sit out the majority of the College World Series, starting only the opening game of the finals against Arkansas.
This was the first ever CWS appearance for Washington.
Oregon State vs North Carolina (Game 9)
On June 20, 2018, Oregon State defeated the North Carolina Tarheels in an elimination game by a score of 11–6. The Beavers jumped out to an early 3–0 lead, before the Tarheels tied the game in the bottom of a 3rd with the assist of a controversial fair ball call. The hit drove in 2 runs and was deemed non-reviewable. Oregon State trailed 6–3 in the top of the 8th with 1 out, before Adley Rutchman crushed a base hit double to center field, driving in 3 runs to tie the game 6–6. The Beavers continued to pile on runs into the 8th inning, while shutting the Tarheels out for the remainder of the game.
This game marked the third time Oregon State eliminated North Carolina in the CWS. The previous two eliminations came in the championship series in 2006 and 2007.
Oregon State vs Mississippi St (Game 11) On June 22, 2018, Oregon State defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs by a score of 12–2. Mississippi State appeared to have the blessings of the College Baseball Gods throughout the tournament, staving off five elimination games before arriving in Omaha. Mississippi State quickly put up 1 run in the top of the 1st, and but failed to establish their presence for the remainder of the game. Oregon State went on a hitting frenzy with a barrage of runs in the 2nd and 7th inning. In the 7th inning, head coach Pat Casey sent his son, Joe Casey, to pinch hit for Tyler Malone. Casey dug a pitch out of the ground for a base hit over 2nd and his first CWS RBI.
Oregon State vs Mississippi St (Game 13) On June 23, 2018, Oregon State defeated the Mississippi State Bulldogs by a score of 5–2. The Beavers scored all 5 runs with 2 outs in the top of the 3rd, the final three runs coming on DH Tyler Malone's home run. The Bulldogs appeared to have regained favor of the College Baseball Gods with a last minute rally brewing in the bottom of the 9th, as Oregon State pitcher, Jake Mulholland, loaded the bases with a 5–2 lead and Jordan Westburg at bat. Westburg was fresh off a CWS Grand Slam against North Carolina, and was looking to become the first player ever to hit 2 CWS Grand Slams. Westburg blasted a grounder to shortstop Cadyn Grenier, which appeared to be glued to the inside of Grenier's glove, before finding its way to 2nd baseman Nick Madrigal for the final out.
The loss was the final game for Mississippi State interim head coach Gary Henderson, who led the Bulldogs on an improbable run to the CWS Semifinals. Gary Henderson won the 2018 National College Baseball Writers Association Coach of the Year and the 2018 Perfect Game/Rawlings Coach of the Year. Henderson gave a heartfelt speech in his final post game conference, as he appeared to know his days as a Bulldog were numbered. He was fired the next day, and replaced by Chris Lemonis out of Indiana.
Oregon State vs Arkansas (Game 14)
On June 26, 2018, the Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the Oregon State Beavers, 4–1, in the opening game of the CWS Finals. The CWS Finals were scheduled to begin on the previous day, but were delayed due to rain, giving Oregon State an extra day to rest their bullpen. This defeat marked Oregon State's first loss to an SEC team all season, and the first loss to an SEC team since losing game 2 of the CWS Semi-finals to LSU in 2017. The game was marred by a controversial interference call which lead to a double play and took a run off the board for the Beavers. Oregon State was unable to recover from the shift in momentum, going scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Oregon State is 1–2 in opening games of the CWS finals.
Trevor Larnach set the CWS Record for doubles in the tournament (5)
Oregon State vs Arkansas (Game 15)
On June 27, 2018, Oregon State defeated Arkansas 5–3 to even the series 1–1. Arkansas appeared in complete control of the game, and on their way to certain victory, when Arkansas missed a game winning pop-up foul ball off the bat of Cadyn Grenier in the top of the 9th. The ball fell between the first base line and the wall, with the first baseman, right fielder, and second baseman honing in on the game sealing pop-up. The second baseman, Carson Shaddy, bumped first baseman Jared Gates while running towards the ball, causing Gates to take his eye off the ball, Shaddy to overrun the ball, and right fielder Eric Cole to pull up. The ball landed foul between the 3 Arkansas players, giving Oregon State a second chance. Cadyn Grenier knocked in the game-tying run 2 pitches later. Trevor Larnach came to the plate with Arkansas still in shock, boasting the most home runs of the season for the Beavers, and hit a two-run shot over the head of Cole to win the game, 5–3.
Oregon State vs Arkansas (Game 16)
On June 28, 2018, Oregon State defeated Arkansas, 5–0, to win their third College World Series championship. Oregon State pitcher Kevin Abel worked himself into a jam in the top of the 3rd, loading the bases with one out against the Razorbacks, before going on to retire 20 batters in a row. Abel became the first pitcher to win four games in the CWS, and two games in the CWS Finals. He pitched only the 4th complete game shutout in a championship game, with the lowest hit total of those games (2). Oregon State catcher Adley Rutchman set the CWS hits record during this game, with 17 hits. Rutchman won the CWS Most Outstanding Player Award.
^ Collegiate Baseball ranks 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season. † NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season. * New poll was not released for this week so for comparison purposes the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.
Awards
College World Series
Adley Rutschman -College World Series Most Outstanding Player[14]
Two-time Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, Luke Heimlich, went undrafted for the second straight year. The Texas Rangers announced a month before the draft that they would not select the winningest pitcher in Oregon State history after it was revealed Heimlich pled guilty to sexually molesting a family member when he was 15.[24] Heimlich has since denied the allegations to which he pled guilty as a juvenile saying the guilty plea was "a decision me and my parents thought was the best option to move forward as a family."[25]
Patrick Michael Casey is an American college baseball coach who was the head coach for the Oregon State Beavers baseball team. He is best known for winning the 2006 College World Series for the Beavers' first-ever baseball National Championship. The following year, he led the Beavers to a repeat championship in the 2007 College World Series, the first unranked team in history to accomplish this feat. He retired from Oregon State after winning his third championship in the 2018 College World Series.
The 2007 NCAA Division I baseball tournament was held from June 1 to 24, 2007. Sixty-four NCAA Division I college baseball teams advanced to the post season tournament after having played through a regular season, and for some, a conference tournament.
The Oregon State Beavers baseball team represents Oregon State University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team participates in the Pac-12 Conference. They are currently coached by Mitch Canham and assistant coaches Ryan Gipson, Darwin Barney and Rich Dorman. They play home games in Goss Stadium at Coleman Field. The Beavers won the 2006, 2007 and 2018 College World Series to become the winningest collegiate baseball program in the Super Regionals era. In addition, the program has won 26 conference championships, qualified for 21 NCAA tournaments, and appeared in seven College World Series.
The University of Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and is coached by Dave Van Horn. The program started in 1897, and is in its 100th season of play in 2022. Arkansas is one of only four schools in the SEC to turn a profit from its baseball program in recent years, along with SEC Western division rivals LSU, Mississippi State and Ole Miss.
The Baylor Bears baseball team represents Baylor University in NCAA Division I college baseball. The team belongs to the Big 12 Conference and plays home games at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears are currently led by head coach Mitch Thompson, who was hired in 2022.
The 2010 South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team represented the University of South Carolina in the 2010 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Gamecocks played their home games in Carolina Stadium. The team was coached by Ray Tanner, who was in his fourteenth season at Carolina.
The 2012 NCAA Division I baseball tournament began on Friday, June 1, 2012 as part of the 2012 NCAA Division I baseball season. The 64 team double elimination tournament concluded with the 2012 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, starting on June 15 and ending on June 25.
Michael Thomas Conforto, nicknamed "Scooter", is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets.
Kainoa John Harrison is an American former professional baseball catcher and first baseman. He played college baseball for the Oregon State Beavers of Oregon State University.
Nicklaus Michael Madrigal is an American professional baseball second baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Chicago White Sox. He made his MLB debut in 2020.
The 2018 NCAA Division I baseball tournament began on Friday, June 1, 2018 as part of the 2018 NCAA Division I baseball season. The 64-team, double-elimination tournament concluded with the 2018 College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, starting on June 16 and ended on June 28. The Oregon State Beavers defeated the Arkansas Razorbacks in the best-of-three final series to win the championship.
The 2018 Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team represented the University of Arkansas in baseball at the Division I level in the NCAA for the 2018 NCAA Division I baseball season. They played their home games at Baum Stadium and are coached by Dave van Horn. They finished as the national runner-up after falling to Oregon State in three games at the 2018 College World Series.
Trevor John Ikaikaloa Larnach is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021.
Cadyn Thomas Grenier is an American former professional baseball shortstop. He played college baseball for the Oregon State Beavers, and played for the Baltimore Orioles organization from 2018 to 2023.
Adley Stan Rutschman is an American professional baseball catcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Oregon State Beavers. He was named the Pac-12 Conference Player of the Year in 2019. The Orioles selected Rutschman with the first overall selection in the 2019 MLB draft, and he signed for $8.1 million, at the time the highest MLB draft signing bonus ever. Rutschman made his MLB debut in 2022.
The 2019 Oregon State Beavers baseball team began the season as the defending national champion and represented Oregon State University in the 2019 NCAA Division I baseball season. Despite a successful season that saw them ranked as high as No. 1 and selected to host the first round of the 2019 NCAA Division I baseball tournament, the Beavers were eliminated from the first round of the Corvallis Regional.
The 2020 Oregon State Beavers baseball team represented Oregon State University in the 2020 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Beavers played their home games at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field and were members of the Pac-12 Conference. The team was coached by Mitch Canham in his 1st season at Oregon State after long-time head coach Pat Casey chose not to exercise an option to return following a year sabbatical. Canham is a former catcher for Oregon State and was a member of the 2006 and 2007 national championship teams. The season was indefinitely suspended after 14 games after the NCAA abruptly canceled all winter and spring season tournaments, including the College World Series, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. On March 14, 2020, the season officially came to an end after the Pac-12 athletic conference canceled the remainder of all scheduled spring sports competitions through the end of the academic year.
Cooper Austin Hjerpe is an American professional baseball pitcher in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. He was selected 22nd overall by the Cardinals in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft.
The 2023 Oregon State Beavers baseball team represented Oregon State University in the 2023 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Beavers played their home games at Goss Stadium at Coleman Field as members of the Pac-12 Conference. The team was led by Pat Casey Head Baseball Coach Mitch Canham in his fourth season at Oregon State.
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