Arkansas didn’t hit much in Game 1 of the College World Series finals, striking out 16 times, but
they sit on the cusp of their first national championship in baseball after beating Oregon State 4-1 Tuesday night.
Arkansas starter Blaine Knight (14-0) went six innings allowing seven hits with six strikeouts. Barrett Loseke and Matt Cronin combined to pitch three scoreless innings of relief.
Oregon State is in the same position it was in back in 2006 when it won its first title. The Beavers lost their CWS opener and lost Game 1 of the finals against North Carolina before winning the last two. They also are the first team since 2010 to make the finals after losing their first game in Omaha.
Game 2 is Wednesday. The winner of Game 1 has won 11 of the 15 finals since the best-of-three format began in 2003.
