Oregon State catcher makes amazing diving catch of a bunt to start a double play

The Beavers’ left fielder followed that up with a huge diving catch.

The College World Series proper officially kicked off in Omaha on Saturday, and Oregon State drew Cal State Fullerton as their opponent in the opening early session. The Titans got up on the Beavers in the first half of the game, 5-1, with the help of a three-run bomb to left center and a two-run shot up the middle.

In the top of the sixth, Fullerton shortstop Timmy Richards, who hit the early home run, walked, then teammate Hank LoForte stepped up for a bunt to move him over.

Oregon State’s catcher Adley Rutschman also plays football for the Beavers in the fall. He’s a kicker, and he even managed to tackle Christian McCaffery on a kickoff last season. So we shouldn’t be too amazed at the athleticism on display here, notwithstanding all the equipment that Rutschman has to contend with.

So, make the catch, then throw the runner out at first. Done and done.

The batter immediately after LoForte, Taylor Bryant — who sports some wonderful facial hair — walked up next, and slapped a strong offering into the gap in left center. There the ball met with Oregon State left fielder Steven Kwan.

Consecutive web gems for the Beavs here. If Oregon State’s bats haven’t quite shown up yet, their defense is in full on tournament mode.

Oregon State plated four runs in the bottom of the sixth to tie things up at five all.