College Baseball Update

Arkansas scores two runs in the top of the 9th to take a 5-3 lead.  In the bottom of the 9th, LSU has runners on first and second with one out.  The LSU batter hits what appears to be a game-ending double play, but the Arkansas shortstop throws to third for the force out there.  That was strange, but Arkansas still leads 5-3 with two outs and runners on first and second.

The next batter is LSU catcher Luis Hernandez, who rips a liner to left.  But it's staying up and it should end the game.  Unfortunately for Arkansas, the left fielder has completely misread the ball.  He started back, then dodged in and tripped.  The ball bounces off of his glove and bounds away.  Two runs score and the game is TIED at 5-all.  The LSU fans are in ecstasies.  Arkansas (which is 0-5 against LSU in Omaha) looks stunned.  The batter ends up at second.

The next LSU batter is first baseman Jared Jones, who homered in the bottom of the 8th to tie the game at three.  The ESPN announcers unanimously want to walk Jones.  First base is open and a hit will end Arkansas' season.  The Razorbacks do not walk Jones.  At first, it appears that they are just going to throw him sliders out of the strike zone -- and the announcers, who are now quite worried about the mental state of the Arkansas fans -- can live with that.  But eventually, a pitch gets into the strike zone -- and Jones rips a liner toward center field.  A Razorback infielder is perfectly positioned, and he leaps up to make the catch -- but the ball tips off the very top of his glove and bounds into the outfield.  Hernandez trots home.  Arkansas, who could have ended the game with a double play -- and could have ended it again merely by catching a line drive that was hit straight at the left fielder -- is suddenly ELIMINATED.

The raw suffering of the Arkansas players and fans is so painful to watch on television that the announcers can't really celebrate LSU's comeback.  Instead, they reflect on how Arkansas managed to blow a two-run lead -- and the season -- in such a disastrous manner.

We all love sports, but sometimes they really hurt.  Arkansas will be back -- Arkansas always comes back.  But this game will leave a mark.

Meanwhile, LSU will play Coastal for the National Championship.