OMAHA, NEBRASKA – June 18, 2025 – In a contest that will be etched into the annals of College World Series lore, the LSU Tigers delivered a breathtaking, ninth-inning rally to stun the Arkansas Razorbacks 6-5, securing their place in the 2025 CWS Championship Series. What began as a pitcher’s duel morphed into an unforgettable clash of titans, culminating in a heart-stopping walk-off victory that left fans at Charles Schwab Field, and those watching nationwide, absolutely speechless.
The stage was set for a classic SEC showdown. LSU, having already bested the Razorbacks 4-1 earlier in the tournament, needed just one more win to advance. Arkansas, on the other hand, faced the daunting task of defeating their fierce rivals twice. For eight innings, the game was a tense, back-and-forth affair, with neither team truly seizing control.
Arkansas entered the bottom of the ninth inning with a seemingly comfortable 5-3 lead, just three outs away from forcing a decisive Bracket 2 final. Razorback faithful dared to dream, envisioning a chance to rewrite their CWS narrative. But baseball, as they say, is a game of inches, and sometimes, a game of unexpected bounces.
The Tigers’ improbable rally began with a single by Derek Curiel, followed by a walk to Ethan Frey. With one out and two runners on, Steven Milam hit a ground ball to Arkansas shortstop Wehiwa Aloy. In a moment that will forever haunt Razorbacks fans, Aloy opted to throw to third base for the force out, a decision that yielded only one out and left runners at first and second. The potential game-ending double play, which appeared within grasp, was tragically forgone.
The door, now ever so slightly ajar, swung wide open for LSU. Stepping to the plate was catcher Luis Hernandez, who scorched a line drive to left field. Arkansas left fielder Charles Davalan, seemingly with a bead on the ball, misjudged its trajectory, slipping as it took an agonizing bounce off his shoulder and into foul territory. The gaffe allowed both Curiel and Frey to race home, tying the game at 5-5 and sending the LSU dugout into a frenzy. The collective gasp from the Arkansas faithful was almost audible.
With the score knotted and the winning run on second, LSU’s hero of the night, first baseman Jared Jones, stepped into the batter’s box. Jones, who had already tied the game in the eighth inning with a solo home run, delivered the decisive blow. He laced a soft line drive up the middle that narrowly eluded the outstretched glove of Arkansas second baseman Cam Kozeal. The ball trickled into center field, allowing Hernandez to round third and slide safely into home, securing the 6-5 walk-off victory for the Tigers.
The scene that followed was pure College World Series magic. LSU players erupted from the dugout, piling onto Jones in a joyous celebration near second base, while the Razorbacks, crestfallen and stunned, could only watch in disbelief. For Arkansas, it was a gut-wrenching exit, a painful reminder of the thin line between triumph and heartbreak in Omaha.
This dramatic win sends LSU (51-15) to the 2025 College World Series Championship Series, where they will face the red-hot Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (56-11) in a best-of-three series beginning Saturday. The Tigers, seeking their second national championship in three seasons, have proven their mettle and resilience throughout this tournament. For the Razorbacks (50-15), a promising season ends in a scenario that will undoubtedly fuel their fire for next year.
The LSU-Arkansas semifinal was a testament to the unpredictable nature of baseball and the sheer emotional swings that only the College World Series can deliver. It was a game of heroes and heartbreaks, defensive miscues and clutch hits, ensuring its place as an instant classic in the storied history of collegiate baseball.
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