Just as they are every year, the opening rounds of the College World Series were packed with action and unpredictability. After rain delays, upsets, and high powered offenses, only two teams remain in the fight for the 2018 National Title.

That fight will begin tonight as No. 3 Oregon State and No. 5 Arkansas play game one of the College World Series Finals, beginning at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Game two of this best of three series will take place tomorrow night at 7 p.m. and game three (if necessary) will be played on Wednesday, June 27 at 7 p.m. This will be the Razorbacks’ second ever appearance in the finals, while Oregon State has won two National Championships in their history (2006, 2007).

Oregon State has slugged their way to the finals as they averaged almost ten runs per game in their five preliminary College World Series games. The thirteen Baseball Factory alumni have also played key roles in their success thus far. Outfielder Trevor Larnach (2014 UA Southwest Championships) has been a large part of this explosive offense. According to the Oregon State baseball website, Larnach hit .416 with seven runs and seven RBIs, while starting in right field for all five College World Series games. Larnach was also one of three Oregon State players selected in the first round of the 2018 Major League Baseball draft.

Sophomore infielder Tyler Malone (2015 UA Southwest Championships) has thrived in a pinch hitter/designated hitter role during the Beavers’ playoff run. Malone hit .384 with two home runs, four runs and eight RBIs over the team’s College World Series stretch. Outfielder Jack Anderson (2012 National Tryout – Forest Grove, OR) has also done a stellar job rounding out the bottom of the Beaver lineup. He has posted a .352 batting average along with three runs and four RBIs of his own. In order to secure their third National Championship title, the Beavers need these Baseball Factory alums to continue performing at such a high level.

On the other side of the ball tonight will be the Arkansas Razorbacks. While Oregon State lost their first game in the preliminary College World Series round, the Razorbacks did not lose at all. This means that it only took them three games to clinch their spot in the College World Series finals. These three wins were capped off by defeating the reigning champion and number-one seeded Florida by a score of 5-2.

Twelve of the players on Arkansas’s roster are Baseball Factory alumni and they have been leading the Razorback offense as well. According to the Arkansas baseball website, Sophomore outfielder Dominic Fletcher (2013 and 2014 Under Armour Southwest Championships, 2014 Under Armour So Cal Classic) has put together a monster College World Series. Fletcher hit .571, drove in eight runs, smacked two home runs, and scored twice in just three games. In Arkansas’ second game of the tournament, Fletcher went 4-for-4 with four RBIs as he propelled the Razorbacks to a 7-4 win over Texas Tech.

Senior outfielder Luke Bonfield (2011 National Tryout – Trenton, NJ, 2011 Accelerated Hitting) put together a solid couple of games as well for Arkansas. Despite going 0-for-3 in the game against Texas Tech, Bonfield homered, had two RBIs, and scored twice in the Razorbacks’ first win over Texas. The designated hitter additionally finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs in the 5-2 win over Florida.

We look forward to seeing more of what our alumni do when this best-of-three series kicks off tonight. Good luck to the 25 remaining Factory alums who will look to call themselves champion.