OMAHA, Neb. — Defense didn't win a championship for Arkansas on Tuesday, but it brought the Razorbacks to the doorstep of a title.
Arkansas made a number of strong plays in the field during its 4-1 win over Oregon State at TD Ameritrade Park. The Razorbacks took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three national championship series.
The defensive highlights for Arkansas included a back-handed stop by first baseman Jared Gates to turn a double play in the fourth inning that was aided by a runner's interference call; a diving catch by Gates in foul ground in the fifth; an outfield assist by Heston Kjerstad to second base in the seventh; and a bare-handed stop and throw by pitcher Barrett Loseke to retire the leadoff hitter in the eighth.