Beavers return to a champions' welcome
![Fans celebrate with the Oregon State Univeristy baseball team at Goss Stadium in Corvallis on Friday, the day after the Beavers won the College World Series. [Collin Andrew/The Register-Guard] - registerguard.com](/gcdn/authoring/2018/06/30/NREG/ghows-DA-6fd135a9-aba6-3788-e053-0100007fc954-4343c801.jpeg?width=660&height=420&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
The Oregon State University baseball team made its triumphant return to Corvallis on Friday afternoon after winning the College World Series for the third time in school history.
The Beavers defeated Arkansas 5-0 in the decisive game Thursday night at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., behind a two-hit shutout from freshman pitcher Kevin Abel. Their victory tour included a stop at Pioneer Square in Portland before they made their way back to campus, greeting fans along Interstate 5 as they passed.
Waiting for the Beavers was a standing-room-only crowd of about 5,000 fans who packed Goss Stadium for a celebration. The Beavers rolled onto the field in stretch Hummer limousines with star second baseman Nick Madrigal clutching the national championship trophy. Coach Pat Casey, athletic director Scott Barnes and several players addressed the crowd.
"I want to thank you guys," Casey told the team. "You guys are the best club in America."
