The small section of Florida State Seminoles fans hummed their war chants as the Oregon State Beavers fell 3-1 on Saturday night in game two of the super regionals at Goss Stadium.

Yet it didn’t start that way; the Beavs immediately started gnawing into FSU lefty pitcher Jamie Arnold, getting on the scoreboard first with a Wilson Weber single to drive in Aiva Arquette, which gave the Beavs a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

After taking the lead, it would be the only offense the Beavers were seemingly able to produce as Jamie Arnold settled in and delivered 6 ⅔  innings, giving up six hits and striking out nine Beavers.

“I felt like he (Jamie Arnold) got better as the game went on,” said FSU head coach Lincoln Jarrett. “I thought we threw a great game. The first inning, you would think with the stuff he was running out there, that would have been tough, but they seemed like they were on it, and I think he was able to navigate and get a little bit better.”

Accumulating 62 pitches through three innings wasn’t on the itinerary for Jamie Arnold as the Beavs kept providing constant pressure each inning, working the count and giving OSU hitters an opportunity to score. 

Not scoring came back to bite the Beavs as these failed opportunities would prove costly, as a single by Max Williams would score in Alex Lodise, tying the game 1-1 in the bottom of the third. Starting pitcher Ethan Kleinschmit would end up limiting the harm done by the Seminoles by retiring Myles Bailey.

The Seminoles’ efforts didn’t phase Kleinschmit, as he struck out eleven hitters through six innings, allowing only two hits and one run.

“I just go as every game the same. It’s just the game of baseball. I don’t really care who’s on the other side of the field, just go play the game,” said Kleinschmit.

An arms race was underway in Corvallis as both pitchers battled through adversity, finding themselves keeping their team within striking distance of Omaha. 

“Well, both guys, Kleinschmit and their guy, threw just fantastic. Both of them going at it. Attacking the hitters nonstop,” said head coach Mitch Canham on the pitcher’s duel that just occurred. 

FSU began knocking on the door in the bottom of the seventh as OSU relief pitcher Laif Palmer gave up a single to Gage Harrelson, breaking the scoring drought by allowing Brody DeLamiellure to cross home plate and give the Seminoles a 2-1 lead over the Beavers.

With runners on first and third, the Beavers needed to escape this jam if they wanted an opportunity to win this game. OSU pitcher Wyatt Queen entered the game and made quick work of Alex Lodise to end the threat.

In the bottom of the eighth, FSU continued applying pressure on OSU as a pair of singles by Williams and Cal Fisher, followed up by a walk from James Hankerson Jr., gave the Noles a bases-loaded opportunity. The slow bleed out continued as Queen walked hitter Jaxon West to provide the Noles with a 3-1 lead.

FSU pitcher Peyton Prescott shut the door on any Omaha hopes the Beavers had on Saturday in the ninth. Now, the Beavers will look to achieve their Omaha hopes on Sunday at 6 p.m. at Goss Stadium.  

“I know the guys; we didn’t even have to say anything after the game. The guys wanted to go out there and play again right now. No doubt we’re facing good pitching, our offense is highly capable, and I anticipate us being ready and to get out there and fight tomorrow,” said Canham.