2025 College World Series: Oregon State pitcher Kellan Oakes explodes in dugout following rough 9th inning vs. Louisville

Oregon State was brought back to life in the ninth inning against Louisville. Three runs plated to tie the game up and keep their chances at the 2025 College World Series alive. All the Beavers needed was a clean bottom half to extend the game to extra innings.

Kellan Oakes took the mound again after getting the final out of the eighth. He did not find much success as the bases were quickly loaded. Between a walk, catcher’s interference, and an error committed by Oakes on a bunt, Louisville was threatening.

Head coach Mitch Canham was forced to make a pitching change with the season on the line. Oakes made his way back to the dugout and was not too happy. He threw his glove and hat into the wall while letting out a few screams.

Kellan Oakes explodes in the dugout pic.twitter.com/y1uPI83P5P

— Jordan Dajani (@JordanDajani) June 17, 2025

Just a few batters later, Louisville secured the win with a walk-off victory. Jubilation came from the Cardinals’ dugout while Oregon State went through the agony of defeat. The season is now over for the Beavers, falling just short of winning the school’s fourth national championship.

Oakes has been a reliever all season for Oregon State. Tuesday marked his 20th appearance on the year and most of the time, results have been positive. Entering the Louisville game, Oakes had thrown 36.0 innings with an ERA of 3.75. A total of 47 opposing batters went down to an Oakes strikeout and only three home runs were given up.

Contact being made was not his issue from Charles Schwab Field. Oakes saw his walk total increase to 18 after the free pass to lead off the inning. And more brutal than anything, the fielding error that loaded the bases was the right-hander’s first of the season.

Oakes, or anybody else in the locker room, may not want to hear it but there is still plenty to celebrate with this year’s Oregon State team. They are not too far removed from the Pac-12 dissolving and spent the 2025 season as an independent. Earning a national seed was a massive accomplishment, even for a proud program.

Bouncing back next year is always a possibility as well. Oakes has one more year of eligibility remaining to play for Oregon State. His Tuesday performance may sit with him for a few months, given the stage. However, an opportunity to perform at college baseball’s biggest stage will surely come again.