Arkansas Takes Series Lead with Game 1 Win in 2018 College World Series

Arkansas is one win away from a national championship.

Blaine Knight threw six innings of one-run ball, and the Razorbacks broke out for a four-run fifth inning to earn a 4-1 victory over Oregon State in Game 1 of the 2018 College World Series.

Knight struck out six batters and allowed seven hits and one walk during a solid performance, holding the Beavers after giving up an RBI single to Michael Gretler in the second inning. Oregon State left seven runners on base.

The Razorbacks had just five hits but took advantage of their opportunities in the game-changing fifth. Grant Koch got things started with an RBI single that scored Carson Shaddy, and then Beavers starter Luke Heimlich hit two straight batters to plate another run. Casey Martin drove in another run on a fielder's choice, and Heimlich walked Heston Kjerstad for the Razorbacks' fourth run.

Heimlich, whose 2012 guilty plea at age 15 for molesting his six-year-old cousin has been a topic during Oregon State's CWS run for the second straight year, gave up four runs (three earned) in 4.1 innings. The lefty performed solidly outside the fifth inning when things fell apart; he gave up only three hits—none for extra bases—and two walks and struck out five.

Christian Chamberlain pitched the rest of the way for the Beavers, striking out 11 and giving up just two hits in 4.2 innings. Chamberlain had his own struggles with control—he walked five—but was nearly unhittable when he found the strike zone.

Barrett Loseke and Matt Cronin threw three innings of scoreless relief for Arkansas. Cronin recorded his 14th save of the season, a program record.

The Razorbacks will attempt to clinch the national championship Wednesday night in Omaha, Nebraska.