LSU Baseball and No. 3 Arkansas Set for Rematch in College World Series Opener due to…

LSU Baseball and No. 3 Arkansas Set for Rematch in College World Series Opener

 

OMAHA, Neb. — When LSU and Arkansas square off in the opening round of the 2025 College World Series, it will mark the latest chapter in what has become one of college baseball’s fiercest and most compelling rivalries. Set for a Saturday night clash under the bright lights of Charles Schwab Field, the Tigers and Razorbacks are ready to battle once more — this time, with Omaha stakes and national glory on the line.

This isn’t just a rematch. It’s a collision of powerhouses, proud SEC programs with rosters full of MLB-bound talent, Hall of Fame-caliber coaches, and fanbases that travel as well as any in the sport. And while they’ve already met three times this season, with Arkansas taking two of three in Fayetteville back in April, the pressure and intensity of the CWS puts everything back on even ground.

 

Background: Familiar Foes on the Biggest Stage

 

LSU (44–19) enters Omaha with momentum on its side. After a rocky midseason stretch that had many questioning whether the Tigers would even make the postseason, head coach Jay Johnson’s squad caught fire at the right time. They stormed through the SEC Tournament, earned an at-large bid, and then dominated both the Chapel Hill Regional and the Gainesville Super Regional. Behind strong pitching and a suddenly red-hot offense, LSU is back in the College World Series for the second time in three years.

 

Arkansas (48–13), the No. 3 national seed, looked dominant all year. Dave Van Horn’s team won the SEC regular season title and breezed through the Fayetteville Regional. The Hogs then survived a gritty Super Regional against UC Irvine, showcasing their deep bullpen and clutch hitting. Now, they’re back in Omaha for the seventh time in Van Horn’s tenure, still chasing that elusive national championship.

 

The Razorbacks took two of three from LSU earlier this year, including a 12–3 blowout and a narrow 5–4 win. LSU’s lone win in the series came thanks to a walk-off single by slugger Jared Jones. But Omaha is different — and both teams know it.

Arkansas boasts one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country, led by junior ace Hagen Smith. A projected top-10 pick in the upcoming MLB Draft, Smith sports a 1.89 ERA and averages nearly 14 strikeouts per nine innings. Behind him, the Razorbacks feature power arms like Mason Molina and Brady Tygart, along with a shutdown bullpen anchored by Gage Wood.

 

LSU, meanwhile, has ridden the electric right arm of Luke Holman, who transferred from Alabama and has delivered ace-level performances down the stretch. Holman dazzled in the Super Regional with seven shutout innings against Florida. Freshman standout Cam Johnson and veteran Gavin Guidry add balance to the rotation, while closer Griffin Herring has been lights out in high-pressure situations.

Arkansas relies on a balanced lineup that includes power-hitting outfielder Kendall Diggs (17 HRs), leadoff sparkplug Peyton Stovall, and the ever-dangerous Jace Bohrofen. Their plate discipline and situational hitting are among the best in the country.

 

LSU counters with arguably the most potent lineup in the tournament. Dylan Crews may have moved on to MLB, but Tommy White (a.k.a. “Tommy Tanks”) has taken center stage, launching 23 homers this season. Paired with Jones, Tre’ Morgan, and freshman phenom Braden Montgomery, LSU can score in bunches.

 

Advantage: LSU — when they’re clicking, no lineup in the country is scarier.

 

Coaching

 

Jay Johnson led LSU to a national title in 2023 and is looking to add another ring to his resume. He’s known for his offensive acumen and recruiting chops, and his ability to steady the ship late in the season speaks volumes about his leadership.

 

Van Horn, one of the most respected coaches in the sport, has taken Arkansas to Omaha seven times and built a perennial contender. While the national title has eluded him, his teams are always prepared, mentally tough, and fundamentally sound.

1. Weather and Wind: Omaha is notorious for changing wind patterns. A strong wind blowing in could neutralize LSU’s power and give Arkansas’ pitching a bigger advantage.

 

 

2. Crowd Dynamics: LSU and Arkansas fans are both known to pack Omaha. Expect a raucous, SEC-heavy environment with both fanbases well-represented.

 

 

3. Freshmen Impact: Arkansas’s freshman shortstop Kendall George has quietly been a star in the postseason, while LSU’s Cam Johnson is emerging as a future ace. Young talent could tip the balance.

 

 

4. Bullpen Depth: In a high-leverage opener, managing arms and matchups will be critical. One mistake could determine who advances in the winner’s bracket.

The winner of this rematch advances in the winner’s bracket and gains a significant edge in the double-elimination format. A first-round victory in Omaha can often be the difference between a deep run and a short stay.

 

For Arkansas, the mission is clear: return to the national championship series and win it all. For LSU, it’s about proving that their midseason struggles are ancient history — and that they’re still kings of college baseball.

 

Beyond the stakes on the field, this is about pride. LSU and Arkansas don’t just want to win — they want to beat each other. These are two SEC heavyweights who’ve spent years trading blows in the postseason, and now, in the sport’s grandest arena, they meet again with everything on the line.

 

This game promises drama, fireworks, and elite-level baseball. Whether it’s the high-octane offenses, the pitching chess match, or the raucous atmosphere in Omaha, fans are in for a classic. For LSU and Arkansas, Saturday night won’t just be another game — it will be another chapter in a rivalry that only grows bigger with each meeting.

 

The College World Series is where legends are made, and this rematch is already shaping up to be one for the history books. Buckle up.