With a runner in scoring position, Oregon State Nelson Keljo delivered a finishing pitch to Kentucky Wildcat, Grant Smith. The ball deflected off of catcher Wilson Weber’s glove causing Nolan McCarthy to steal third easily.
McCarthy knew third wasn’t enough. The center fielder never stopped running and noticed a lapse in coverage at home, sliding in safely.
The Wildcats reclaimed the lead in the top of the seventh and never faltered another run. The Wildcats subdued the Beavers in their first meetings, closing the second game 3-2, and celebrating at home in front of 7,441 fans at Kentucky Proud Park.
McCarthy was responsible for all three runs, tallying two doubles and two RBIs.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment. Kentucky’s got a great team,” Oregon State head coach Mitch Canham said in a recorded press conference. “The way they’ve played all year long. They’re playing the small game. They’re playing the speed. They’re pitching the heck out of it. They neutralized a good offense.”
The small-ball plays weren’t the only thing that propelled the Wildcats to their first trip to the College World Series.
Wildcat pitchers contained the Beavers to three hits and struck out 25 batters.
Five of these strikeouts came with runners in scoring position in game 2, all ended with the Beaver batter watching the third strike fly by.
“It felt like we were always one hit away and kind of right on the edge of just blowing it open a few times,” sophomore Dallas Macias said.
The Beavers went 0-14 with runners in scoring position throughout the series. Their only runs came from two bases-loaded walks at the bottom of the fourth inning.
After Wildcat third baseman Mitchell Daly robbed Jabin Trosky of a double in the bottom of the ninth, the Beavers saw a glimmer of hope after a walk from Mason Guerra.
Following Guerra was the Golden Spikes Finalist and Oregon State home run leader, Travis Bazzana.
Calm and collected, Bazzana settled into the batter’s box and sent a screaming line drive to right field.
Pinch runner, Dawson Santana, ended up a third and Bazzana controversially remained at first after a collision with first baseman, Ryan Nicholson.
With two outs and two on, senior Micah McDowell stepped up to bat.
Three straight strikes from Johnny Hummell ended the Beavers’ record breaking season.
“(Bazzana and McDowell) are such huge parts of my career and everyone’s career,” sophomore Gavin Turley said. “And seeing it be the last pitch for them, last pitch we’re going to get to play with them, it was very emotional.”
Emotions coursed through the Beavers’ clubhouse as the team reflected on the leadership the upperclassmen had on the team.
“Coming up short like that and watching the other team celebrate, it’s just something that I think that we’ll be able to use to get us going more next year,” Macias said.
While the 2024 season has come to an earlier-than-expected end, Beaver baseball awaits a unique 2025 season.
The Beavers will be playing an independent schedule and have yet to finalize any games.
