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SPORTS FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2018 1B FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @EOSPORTS COLLEGE WORLD SERIES AP Photo/Nati Harnik Oregon State pitcher Kevin Abel reacts after getting out of a bases-loaded jam during the third inning of Game 3 against Arkansas in the NCAA College World Series. UNBELIEV-ABEL Kevin Abel pitches complete-game shutout, leads Oregon State to its third national title By ERIC OLSON Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. — Arkansas missed a chance to win the College World Series when a foul pop dropped between three infielders. Oregon State made the Razorbacks pay for it behind one of the best pitching performances in a title game. Freshman Kevin Abel threw a two-hitter for his record fourth vic- tory in the CWS, and Oregon State — a night after escaping on the ninth-in- ning, two-out foul ball fiasco — beat Arkansas 5-0 on Thursday night for its third title. Abel was the fourth pitcher in the CWS’ 71-year history to throw a shut- out in a title game, and the first to do it allowing so few hits. “Kept making pitches, kept get- ting outs,” Abel said. “I felt better as the game went on and just rode it out. I was going to give it everything I had. I really appreciate they let me go out there. It was a lot of fun.” He retired the last 20 batters, catch- ing Luke Bonfield looking at strike three on a 3-2 pitch to end it. Oregon State (55-12-1) capped a two-year run in which it won 111 of 130 games. “As soon as the last play was made, I just got goose bumps,” Trevor Lar- nach said. “Came in and ran, probably jumped the highest I’ve ever jumped. But that was a jump of joy. Last year left a salty taste in our mouth, and every single person on the team prob- ably remembers that. Ever since then, we were out to finish the job. We sure did finish.” On Wednesday, Arkansas failed to catch a two-out pop foul in the ninth inning that would have secured its first national title. The Beavers, down to their last strike, rallied to force the win- ner-take-all Game 3. “There was probably still that ‘What if?’ and disappointment. It’s human nature,” Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn said about the emotional hang- over. “We had a good hitters’ meeting, we let them sleep in, pregame was good. Seemed like they were locked in. But See OSU/2B AP Photo/Ted Kirk Oregon State players celebrate after winning the NCAA College World Series in Omaha, Neb., on Thursday with a 5-0 win over Arkansas in Game 3. 0 3 4 17 20 The amount of times the Arkan- sas Razorbacks were shutout this season, prior to Game 3. The number of NCAA baseball championships now won by OSU: 2006, 2007 and 2018. Freshman Kevin Abel is the first pitcher ever to win four games in the College World Series. Total hits in the College World Series for OSU catcher Adley Rutschman, a CWS record. The number of consecutive Arkansas batters that were re- tired by Abel to end the game. Sports shorts NFL suspends Bucs QB Winston for 3 games (AP) — Buccaneers quarter- back Jameis Winston has been sus- pended for the first three games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Winston says in a statement released on Facebook that the NFL informed him of their decision on Thursday. Winston says that “in the past 2½ years my life has been filled with experiences, opportunities and events that have helped me grow, mature and learn.” THIS DATE IN SPORTS English soccer star Wayne Rooney signs with DC United (AP) — Wayne Rooney is coming to Major League Soccer with D.C. United, the latest star to take his tal- ents across the pond to the United States. Rooney follows the lead of Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic and retired coun- tryman David Beckham by leav- ing Europe for MLS later in their careers. He signed a 3½ year des- ignated-player contract with D.C. United and is expected to make his debut July 14 when the team opens its new stadium in Southeast Washing- ton against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The 32-year-old Rooney is the all-time leading scorer for England’s national team and Manchester United in the Premier League. “It is fantastic to be joining D.C. United at such an exciting time in the club’s history,” Rooney said. 1958 — Brazil, led by Pele, beats Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to become the first team to win the World Cup outside its continent. The 17-year-old, coming off a hat-trick in Brazil’s 5-2 semifinal victory over France, scores twice in the final. His first and mem- orable goal comes in the 55th min- ute to put Brazil ahead 3-1. Pele con- trols the ball in the penalty area with his thigh, flips it over the head of the defender and smashes it past a help- less goalie. Pele seals the win with a headed goal in stoppage time. Contact us at 541-966-0838 or sports@eastoregonian.com
