Charles Davalan couldn’t hide his emotions after his brutal blunder helped doom Arkansas in its semifinal loss to LSU in the College World Series.
His miscue allowed LSU to tie the game in the ninth inning Wednesday night in Omaha, Neb., when a trip to the College World Series championship was within touching distance for Arkansas.
An emotional Davalan crouched on the field after the game ended with a blank expression before he was later seen with tears streaming down his face.
A plethora of coaches and teammates consoled Davalan, a sophomore from Montreal, sharing long hugs and words of encouragement.
Davalan looked disconsolate through it all.
Arkansas led 5-3 with two outs and runners on first and second in the bottom of the ninth inning.
LSU’s Luis Hernandez hit a line drive to left field, and Davalan missed it.
He dove unsuccessfully, and the ball ricocheted off his body.
Two runs scored on the play to tie the game at 5-5.
“It was hit hard obviously, and it was hooking and sinking,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said of Davalan’s mistake. “It looked like Charles slipped taking off for it, and when he took off, he lost sight of it.”
Jared Jones, the next batter, then hit a line drive off second baseman Cam Kozeal’s glove to drive in the game-winning run.
Davalan recorded a .352./.440/.572 slash line this year with 14 homers, 60 RBIs and a 1.012 OPS.
He was named to the All-SEC First Team.
But his season ended in heartbreak.