THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,444 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,444 MLB PLAYERS | 15,806 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Story | 6/26/2018

Opportunistic Hogs take Game 1

Nick Herfordt
Photo: Blaine Knight (Arkansas Communications)
 



2018 CWS Recaps: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | Day 8
2018 Honors: Vaughn leads '18 college awards | College All-Americans | Freshmen All-Americans

OMAHA, Neb. – The start to the 2018 College World Series finals had the pieces in place for what many had predicted could be a prolific scoring explosion. This despite TD Ameritrade’s ballyhooed propensity for low-scoring contests.

The finals presented a match up of two of the top offenses in the nation as both schools averaged well over seven runs per game this season and the two teams nearly compiled a thousand runs between them this spring. Arkansas has been batting .302 as a club and was tied for third in the county with 98 home runs. In fact, 36 percent of their run production (172 of 475) were generated via the long ball.

Not to be outdone, Oregon State had been hitting a third-in-the-nation .323, which not only was tops in the Pac 12 but was 33 points higher than any other team in the conference.

Of course both teams would have their aces on the mound in an attempt to extinguish each other’s incendiary bats, however, both arms were susceptible to generosity.

Despite Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich’s brilliance in the regular season, he had been battered about in Omaha. In his two appearances at the College World Series coming into Game 1, Heimlich allowed eight earned runs in five total innings while plunking three batters in the series opener alone. Arkansas’ Blaine Knight also has vulnerabilities despite his 13-0 record. Entering the game he had allowed 18 home runs, and with the run blowing out, the Beaver bats had the potential to add to their tally of 29 times they batted around in an inning.

Both pitchers started stunningly, with Heimlich and Knight each sitting down the other team’s lineup in order to start the game. However, in the second inning Knight wouldn’t be as fortunate.

Oregon State right fielder Trevor Larnach laced a ball down the right field line and advanced to second when the ball skirted to the wall. Knight rebounded to strike out out Adley Rutchman, who had been leading the CWS with 10 RBI, but the Arkansas junior starter ran into trouble once again against OSU’s designated hitter, Tyler Malone. Malone, who has menacingly hit three home runs while in Omaha, didn’t send another ball over the fence, but he was able to nub the ball into the void between the pitcher and shortstop to put runners on the corners via his infield hit.

Tenth-round draft pick Michael Gretler put the first run on the board with the next at-bat. He thwacked a 2-0 offering off the end of his bat up the middle, which somehow managed to out-avoid shortstop Jax Bigger’s outstretched mitt and bring in the first run. With two men on and only one out it didn’t bode well for Arkansas, but Knight resoundingly rebounded with a pair of strikeouts to end the inning and smother the scoring threat.

After a scoreless third inning, the fourth provided one of the most memorable moments in College World Series history.

Oregon State’s Trevor Larnach skied a ball to left which, 99 times out of a 100, if not more, would have been an uneventful lazy fly ball. However the sun blinded left fielder Heston Kjerstad who had no idea where the ball was. The ball landed behind him and bounded over the wall for a ground-rule double.

A line drive up the middle by catcher Adley Rutschman put the runners on the corners as the Beavers threatened to increase their lead. The next batter, Malone hit a ball feebly to Carson Shaddy at second base, which appeared to be a sure double play that would limit OSU’s overall scoring potential. However, shortstop Jax Biggers double-pumped his throw to first, which provided Malone the extra instant he needed to safely beat the ball to the base.

In a stunning twist of fate,  Rutschman, despite ducking under the relay throw to first, was called for interference, which not only removed Malone from first, but negated the run as Larnach was sent back to third. The next batter, third baseman Michael Gretler, struck out to end the inning, much to the furious dismay of Oregon State head coach Pat Casey who unquestionably didn’t agree with the momentum-changing call which occurred at second.

The inning ended with the Beavers maintaining their 1-0 lead.

While the call unquestionably adhered to the letter of the rule – Rule 8-4a: on any force play, the runner must slide on the ground before the base and in a direct line between the two bases… Penalty, with less than two outs, the batter runner, as well as the interfering runner shall be called out and no runners shall advance – the spirit of call was questioned by Casey after the game.

"Yeah, I don't agree with his explanation. It appeared Rutsch was doing everything he could to get out of the way. The ball left the guy's hand,” Casey lamented. “They weren't near one another, so I don't agree with the call … it did affect that inning. We had that run taken off the board right there, so that makes it tough. We've got a guy on first base with a two-run lead and one out.”

Up to the fifth, Heimlich had been dominant on the hill. His fastballs were precise and approaching triple digits, he had command of his slider and was seamlessly working side-to-side through the strike zone. That would soon change quickly and dramatically.

An innocent infield pop up started the inning and it appeared Heimlich would continue to dominate. Following a walk to second baseman Carson Shaddy, Jared Gates hopped one over the head over the outstretched arm of his first base counterpart, Zak Taylor, to put runners on the corners. Catcher Grant Koch singled through the right side to tie the game, 1-1.

That’s when the wheels completely fell off Heimlich’s wagon.

Heimlich plunked Biggers with a ferocious wild pitch that would’ve made Rick Vaughn envious. With the bases now loaded and Heimlich’s control rapidly going AWOL, a handful of Beaver relievers raced to the bullpen while Heimlich beaned another batter to gift Arkansas another run.

Without an available option ready to relieve him, Heimlich stayed on the mound. The next batter would’ve generated a much-needed out, but usually soft-handed second baseman Nick Madrigal juggled the ball on an apparent fielder’s choice which not only kept the bases loaded, but gifted the Razorbacks yet another run.

Christian Chamberlain was brought in to replace Heimlich, but he seemingly completed his warm-ups on the mound as he immediately issued a four-pitch walk that increased the lead to three. Fortunately for the Beavers he was able to quickly gain his composure and struck out the next two Arkansas batters to stop the bleeding.

Nevertheless, the damage was done. Arkansas had taken a 4-1 lead and that was all the effort they’d need to finish the game.

Knight was removed at the end of the sixth inning and his replacements were just as effective and fortuitous as he had been on the mound. Barrett Loseke and Matt Cronin earned the final nine outs by only allowing a pair of hits while striking out five.

While the most memorable on-the-field event was the interference play, which potentially turned the tide for Arkansas, the most meaning performance was that of Knight. Assuming it was his final appearance in a Razorback uniform, it was the pièce de résistance of a brilliant season in which he earned wins when facing four pitchers who were drafted in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft (Casey Mize, Auburn; Brady Singer, Florida; Ryan Rolison, Ole Miss and Jackson Kowar, Florida). Knight earned his 14th win of the season, throwing six innings while only allowing a single earned run on seven hits with six strikeouts.

“I just gave him a hug and he said thank you. It was pretty simple. He knew exactly what I meant,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said of Knight after the game. “But you know, it was kind of surreal knowing that that was the last time he's going to probably step on the mound for us. I mean, it is.”

While Knight’s season is likely over, his teammates’ is most certainly not. The Razorbacks will be looking to earn their first national title Wednesday when the two teams tangle once again in Omaha. If Oregon State wins, the two will play a deciding game on Thursday.
Give us your feedback
College | Rankings | 5/20/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: May 20
Nick Herfordt
Article Image
There is a reason the preseason pick to win it all rarely does. College baseball's postseason is a gauntlet — double elimination, best-of-three’s, then a full World Series format — and the team that looks unbeatable in February has to prove it again in May against opponents who have had just as long to get ready. Plenty of programs have entered the tournament as the obvious favorite and gone home early. It happens every year. Nobody should be shocked when it does. Top-ranked teams flaming out in regional weekends happens so many times it has become its own genre of schadenfreude Which makes this particular moment worth noting. The Perfect Game preseason picks to win the NAIA, NCAA Division II, and NCAA Division III national titles — Tennessee Wesleyan, UT Tyler, and the University of Lynchburg — are all still alive heading into the final rounds. All three...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 5/19/2026

Best of the Best Event Preview

Jheremy Brown
Article Image
In simplistic terms, the Best of The Best tournament is an absolute gauntlet as seemingly every game brings a playoff game atmosphere. Coaches must strategically map out their pitching to ensure they can get through Pool Play while also making sure they have arms to make a deep playoff run. Each and every age group is loaded with the best teams, composed of some of the best players that travel baseball has to offer. The 9u & 10u age groups will respectively have 9 out of the Top 10 Teams within the latest PG National Team Rankings participating in the event. At 9U, LTP-Reign will look to hold on to their #1 ranking but will have plenty of competition with the likes of ZT National Prospects and HTX-Wildcatters 9U looking to take over that #1 spot. In the 10u age group, Elevate National will look to fend off plenty of talent with #2 ranked Kaos National, East Cobb Astros and ZT...
Read More
College | Story | 5/19/2026

College Players of the Week: May 19

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
May 19th Perfect Game/Co-Players of the Week:  Carson Tinney, C, Texas  The Texas Longhorns just finished off another stellar regular season and are heading to Hoover for the SEC Conference Tournament as the No. 2 Seed this week.  To secure their 2nd place finish, they had to sweep Missouri at home last weekend and did so in large part to the power bat of Carson Tinney.  The 6-4/240 catcher from Castle Pines, CO transferred to Austin after two sensational seasons at Notre Dame and has thrived in his draft year.  In the 3-game set, Tinney collected 7 hits in 13 at-bats, scoring 5 runs, with a double, 3 home runs and he drove in 10 runs all told.  With some of the most prodigious power in the college game this year, Tinney is now slashing .321/.695/.473 with 10 doubles an incredible 20 home runs and 54 RBIs while playing in the most spacious ballpark in the...
Read More
College | Rankings | 5/18/2026

College Top 25: May 18

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
The regular season is behind us, and it is now tournament time and wow, is there a lot to still be decided.  We are a week away from the Field of 64 being announced and hosting opportunities, at-large bids, as well as automatic bids are there for the taking.  The UCLA Bruins (48-6) continue their stranglehold on the No. 1 spot in the land, finishing the regular season without losing a series all year.  ACC powers, UNC (43-10) and Georgia Tech (45-9) remain at No. 2 and No. 3 respectively and SEC regular season champs, the Georgia Bulldogs (43-12) stick at No. 4.  After that there was a small amount of shuffling within the Top 10 with No. 5 Texas (40-12), No. 6 West Virginia (37-13) and No. 7 FSU (38-16) moving ahead of now No. 8 Auburn (36-18) after they were the only team in this group to drop their weekend series.   No. 14 Florida (37-18) and No. 15...
Read More
High School | General | 5/18/2026

High School Notebook: May 18

Jordan Gates
Article Image
‘27 RHP Grant Slater (@BoydCoBaseball) gets his 1st start of the year (3rd appearance) as he works his way back. FB opened 89-92 w/ ride & was still up to 91 in the 5th (run rule), while touching 93 in the 3rd. CT worked in the mid 8s & breaking ball in mid 7s (sweep). Big summer… pic.twitter.com/w9EXl6Jmrx — Perfect Game Ohio Valley (@PG_OhioValley) May 8, 2026 Grant Slater, 2027, RHP, Boyd Co (KY) Slater made his full start of the year back on May 7th. He had appeared in a few games in relief roles prior as he has come back from a few injury bugs. The Alabama commit went five strong innings, in a complete game fashion (run rule), only allowed a couple hits, one walk, and struck out 13 batters. Slater is beginning to ramp up at the right time with postseason right around the corner. Slater’s fastball peaked at 93 mph a few times, held velocity in the...
Read More
High School | General | 5/14/2026

CPBL Showcase Scout Notes

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
Logan Cummins (‘26 ON) Silky op with big arm speed and projection. Shaky FB command early, 91-93 T94. CH is present plus, weapon vs both LH & RH hitters at 83-84. Good arm side depth to it. SL has some length to the mostly lateral action @ 77. #KState commit.#CPBLShowcaseWknd pic.twitter.com/7TdJ2neOv6 — Perfect Game International (@pg_int1) May 8, 2026 Logan Cummins (‘26 ON) Very intriguing athletic upside here, came out early a bit juiced up leading to inconsistent fastball command but settled in and started dotting. Ran the fastball up to 94 with running life. Changeup is ahead of the rest of the arsenal  in terms of quality, and has a parachuting arm side dive that gets frequent swings over the top. Slider is tight with varying length at its best it does have an extra gear to garner a late count whiff. Should fit nicely at Kansas State if he decides to...
Read More
College | Story | 5/14/2026

Coppy's Corner: May 14 POY Deep Dive

John Coppolella
Article Image
Each week I huddle with Vinnie Cervino and Craig Cozart  to discuss Top-25 rankings and Players of the Week. In Coppy’s Corner, I dive deeper into these Players of the Week, providing analysis from 20+ years working in baseball front offices at the highest level.   Player of the Week: Drew Burress – Georgia Tech  I love everything that Craig Cozart writes, and his piece on Burress is as good as it gets (link). Craig does a masterful job of showing us how Burress has (not arguably) the best career college performance of any current player. The body of work is consistent and impressive, and Burress has one of the highest floors in the 2026 MLB Draft with above average or better tools across the board.  I’m not going to do a deep dive on Burress’ numbers because there is no point: they are really good, everywhere. I would rather talk about...
Read More
College | Rankings | 5/13/2026

DII/DIII/NAIA Rankings Update: May 13

Nick Herfordt
Article Image
The college baseball postseason has arrived for NCAA Division II, Division III, and the NAIA, bringing with it the most intense stretch of the season. Conference tournaments have wrapped up, national brackets are taking shape, and teams across the country are shifting from regular season positioning to survival mode, where one bad inning can abruptly end a year’s worth of work. The NAIA Opening Round is already underway, and some programs could begin packing for the national finals as early as tomorrow. Across all three divisions, the postseason field is loaded with experienced clubs, dominant pitching staffs, and lineups capable of changing a game with one swing. Now, the focus turns from building résumés to advancing through regional play and chasing national championships. These antepenultimate rankings provide a final snapshot of where the divisions stand entering...
Read More
High School | Rankings | 5/13/2026

High School Top 50 Update: May 13

Tyler Russo
Article Image
Another week has passed by in the high school baseball season and with that, we have another edition of the National High School Top 50 to bring to you. Playoffs are rolling in southern states and we have reached the final 4 in some of them already. Each week we have new teams break in and this week is no different with three new faces inside the top-50.   The top remains almost identical to a week ago with the top-10 remaining the exact same with Venice (FL) leading the way as the No. 1 team in the nation. North Paulding (GA) swept Buford in an Elite 8 matchup in Georgia and move up a pair of spots to No. 12 in the country. Another big mover is St. Laurence (IL) who jumps nine spots to No. 13 and boast a 30-1 record on the year. Waxahachie (TX) continues to move up and are up nine spots this week to No. 32.   The three new teams inside the National Top 50 are Etowah...
Read More
College | Story | 5/12/2026

College Players of the Week: May 12

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
May 12th Perfect Game/Player of the Week:  Drew Burress, OF, Georgia Tech  It would be hard to come up with an award that Drew Burress, the 5-9/185 junior from Houston County, GA, hasn’t achieved throughout his All-American career for the Yellow Jackets.  From being named the Perfect Game Freshman of the Year in 2024, to being a semifinalist for the Dick Howser and Golden Spikes Award in 2025, it would be a challenge for a mere mortal to live up to the expectations.  Burress has done that and more as he etched his name in the record books last weekend when he tied Georgia Tech legend Jason Varitek’s record for career home runs.  Launching round-trippers in each of their 3-victories against ACC foe Duke, Burress brought his total to an incredible 57 over his three seasons in Atlanta.  For the weekend, he collected 6 hits in 12 at bats, scoring 6...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.