College World Series: day two
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The first Saturday of the 2025 College World Series is officially in the books. It was a packed house at Charles Schwab Field, featuring new fans and and some new teams in Omaha.
Murray State is the only team making their first appearance in this year’s CWS. It brought the Racer fan base all the way from Murray, Kentucky.
“It’s pretty surreal. It’s a bucket list item to want to get here,” said Aaron Walters, a Murray State fan. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
UCLA defeated Murray State 6-4 Saturday afternoon. The Bruins scored four runs in the third inning to lead 6-0 early, but the Racers fought their way back to make it a two run game late. UCLA’s Dean West was the only Bruin to record multiple hits, going 2-4 with two runs and an RBI.
Despite the loss for Murray State, Head Coach Dan Skirka is embracing the experience.
“It’s awesome. So happy these guys get to experience this,” Skirka said. “Obviously we didn’t come out victorious, but I was so proud of the fight they showed.”
UCLA’s Head Coach John Savage had high praise for the Racers.
“Obviously it was a hard fought win. Murray state is very very competitive,” said Savage. “They kept battling back.”
In the second game of the night, it was a clash of two top 10 SEC foes, Arkansas vs. LSU.
The Tigers showed their claws defeating the Razorbacks 4-1 Saturday night, led behind a stellar pitching performance by Sophomore lefty Kade Anderson.
Anderson finished with 7 IP, 7 k’s 3 H. Arkansas’s only run came in the seventh inning from a solo shot by Reese Robbinett.
The Razorbacks Head Coach gave credit to Anderson’s performance.
“We were feeling pretty good down 3-1, and we needed to score the next inning but we didn’t,” said Dave Van Horn. “Anderson is 11-1, cause he’s really good.”
LSU improves to 5-0 vs. Arkansas all time in the Men’s College World Series.
“Great win for our team,” said LSU Head Coach Jay Johnson. “Outstanding performance, it’s what we’ve been accustomed to in every opening night of every weekend this year.”
Murray State will face Arkansas in an elimination game Monday at 1 p.m.
LSU will play UCLA Monday at 6 p.m.
