Omaha, Nebraska – The crack of the bat, the roar of the crowd, the tension of a high-stakes College World Series matchup – all were momentarily silenced Monday night as Mother Nature asserted her dominance over Charles Schwab Field. The highly anticipated winner’s bracket game between the LSU Tigers and the UCLA Bruins was halted in the middle of the fourth inning, with LSU clinging to a hard-fought 5-3 lead, as severe thunderstorms swept through Omaha. This weather interruption sets the stage for a dramatic Tuesday morning resumption, promising more gripping NCAA baseball action.
The game, a pivotal contest in the 2025 College World Series bracket, started with an explosive exchange of blows. The UCLA Bruins, known for their tenacious play, wasted no time in making their mark. In the top of the first inning, they quickly jumped out to a commanding 3-0 lead, putting pressure on LSU’s starting pitcher, Anthony Eyanson. It was a statement start from the West Coast powerhouse, showing their intent to control the narrative in Omaha.
However, the resilient LSU Tigers, a perennial force in college baseball, swiftly demonstrated why they are considered one of the tournament favorites. Displaying their potent offense, they mounted an impressive four-run rally in the bottom of the very same inning. The highlight of this Tigers surge was a monstrous three-run home run by junior first baseman Jared Jones. His blast not only erased UCLA’s early advantage but propelled LSU into a 4-3 lead, sending the Tiger faithful into a frenzy despite the looming clouds. LSU then extended their lead in the third inning with an RBI single from senior catcher Luis Hernandez, making it 5-3 before the skies opened up.
As the rain intensified and lightning flashed across the Omaha skyline, the umpires had no choice but to suspend play, pulling both teams off the field and covering the mound with the familiar blue tarp. The decision, though necessary for player safety, left fans and players alike in a state of anticipation. For LSU, it meant holding onto their momentum through the night. For UCLA, it presented a chance to regroup and strategize for the morning’s restart.
The official word came late Monday evening: the game would resume on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at 10:03 a.m. CT (11:03 a.m. ET). This rescheduling has a ripple effect on the entire College World Series slate for Tuesday, pushing back other crucial matchups. The winner of this LSU-UCLA clash will advance deeper into the winner’s bracket, eyeing a path to the championship series. The loser, however, will face a daunting challenge: an elimination game later on Tuesday against the formidable Arkansas Razorbacks, who secured their spot with a 3-0 victory over Murray State.
This weather delay adds another layer of intrigue to an already thrilling College World Series. Both LSU and UCLA will need to manage the unique challenge of picking up a game mid-stream, with fresh arms potentially coming out of the bullpen and strategies needing quick adjustments. The mental fortitude of these young athletes will be tested as they prepare to finish what they started under the bright Omaha sun. Fans across the nation will be tuning in to see which team emerges victorious from this rain-interrupted showdown, continuing their pursuit of the ultimate college baseball glory.
