Date: Wednesday, June 18
Time: 6:00 PM CT
Location: Charles Schwab Field, Omaha, NE
TV: ESPN
The 2025 Menâs College World Series is heating up, and tonightâs elimination game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers promises fireworks. With both teams just a win or two away from the championship series, this SEC battle could go down as one of the most intense matchups in Omaha this year.
đ Recap: Arkansas 7, UCLA 3 â Razorbacks Stay Alive
Arkansas punched their ticket to tonightâs showdown by taking care of business Tuesday night, downing UCLA 7â3 in a do-or-die game. The Razorbacks came into the game with their backs against the wall, but delivered their best offensive performance of the College World Series so far.
Key highlights:
- Wehiwa Aloy was the star of the night. The sophomore sensation went 3-for-3, launching a towering two-run homer in the second inning and later smoking a triple into the gap to drive in another run. Aloy accounted for the teamâs first three RBIs and looked locked in all night.
- Zach Root responded after a shaky start against LSU earlier in the tournament. The lefty gave Arkansas five strong innings, scattering three hits while allowing just two earned runs and striking out five. His control and poise kept UCLAâs lineup quiet through the middle innings.
- Arkansas scored three in the first five innings, putting pressure on UCLAâs bullpen and never allowing them to settle in. In total, the Razorbacks racked up 10 hits and drew five walksâa balanced, patient approach that paid off.
The win not only kept Arkansasâ championship hopes alive but gave the team confidence and momentum heading into tonightâs high-stakes battle.
đŻ LSU: The Team to Beat So Far
LSU, meanwhile, has cruised through the winnerâs bracket. They opened their College World Series with a 4â1 win over Arkansas, then took down UCLA 9â5 in a rain-delayed contest to secure a spot in the bracket final.
The Tigers have looked balanced in all phases of the game:
- Offensively, LSU has been led by Jared Jones, Jake Brown, and Steven Milam, who have each had multi-hit performances and timely RBI knocks. The Tigers have scored 13 runs over their first two games, spreading the production throughout the lineup.
- Pitching-wise, theyâve used their staff effectively. In their first win over Arkansas, starter Kade Anderson threw seven innings of one-run ball.
- Defensively, LSU has been sharpâcommitting just no errors through their first two games.
Head coach Jay Johnson has this team dialed in, and the Tigers enter tonight needing just one more win to make the national championship series for the second time in three years.
âïž Matchup Preview: Arkansas vs. LSU â The Fifth Meeting This Year
This will be the fifth time Arkansas and LSU have met in 2025. LSU holds a 3â1 advantage so far, including their win in Omaha just days ago. That history adds even more fuel to the fire between these two SEC powerhouses.
đŁ Offense: Hot Bats Collide
Arkansas seems to be finding its groove offensively. Wehiwa Aloy, Logan Maxwell, and Brent Iredale have all come through with clutch hits in elimination games. If they can stay patient at the plate and extend at-bats, they could wear down LSUâs bullpen.
But LSUâs order is relentless. Milam, Curiel, and Ethan Frey form a dangerous core that punishes mistakes. Arkansas canât afford free passes or defensive lapses.
đ§ Coaching Chess Match
Expect a chess match between Dave Van Horn and Jay Johnson. Bullpen decisions will be key. If this game stays close into the late innings, whichever manager pushes the right buttons will have the edge.
đ By the Numbers
| Stat | Arkansas | LSU |
|---|---|---|
| Runs per game (CWS) | 4.7 | 6.5 |
| ERA (CWS) | 3.25 | 2.50 |
| Batting average | .274 | .282 |
| Head-to-head (2025) | 1â3 | 3â1 |
đź Prediction
This game is as close as they come. Arkansas is playing with urgency and confidence, while LSU has the benefit of rest and a deeper bullpen. The key matchup will be how Arkansas handles Cowan early, and whether the Razorbacksâ bullpen can hold up again under pressure.
Prediction:
Arkansas 7, LSU 4
Look for Arkansas to strike early and their bullpen to have more discipline to hold off the LSU hitters. LSU’s hitting is immaculate so contingent on the Arkansas bullpen and Dave Van Horn’s decisions, I think Arkansas will upset the Tigers this evening.
đș How to Watch
- Time: 6:00 PM CT
- Channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app or ESPN+
