OMAHA, NE ― Day 2 of the 2025 Men’s College World Series saw powerhouse LSU move into the winners bracket while mid-major darlings Murray State will face elimination against Arkansas.
The Tigers saw a strong start from Kade Anderson in a 4-1 win over the Razorbacks, while UCLA defeated the Racers, 6-4.
LSU and UCLA will face off on June 16 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN) for a spot in the semifinals, while Arkansas will face Murray State in the early game (2 p.m. ET, ESPN).
Here were the Day 2 winners and losers:
WINNERS
Bunting
Bunting has always been a bigger part of college baseball than MLB, but in a lower-scoring College World Series, teams have more frequently turned to the bunt. UCLA bunted twice in its victory, including one squeeze bunt by star shortstop Roch Cholowsky that got the Bruins a run.
Ironically, Bruins coach John Savage wasn’t too pleased with the play, even though it worked.
‘That was on his own,’ Savage said. ‘That was not us. I’m like, ‘Come on, Roch, what are we doing here?’ But … how can you blame a guy for playing baseball?’
Then, in the second game, with two on and one out, LSU’s Daniel Dickinson dropped down a perfect bunt single. The Tigers ultimately scored three runs in that inning.
Rocco’s Jello shots
Rocco’s, an Omaha bar most famous for its ‘Jello Shot Challenge,’ surely cheers for LSU every postseason. Tigers fans show up in droves and, known for their tailgating prowess, buy up plenty of Jell-O shots.
Now, LSU is guaranteed to be in Omaha through at least Tuesday and likely longer. That will surely net Rocco’s more cash − and Tigers fans more social media notoriety.
Freshmen
Think freshmen have become unimportant in the age of NIL and the transfer portal? Think again.
Both winning teams, UCLA and LSU, saw significant contributions from freshmen. The Tigers’ Derek Curiel had two of the biggest plate appearances of the game, coming back from down 0-2 to draw a walk in an eventual three-run second inning and hitting an RBI single for an insurance run in the eighth.
‘I think the first at-bat might have been one of the most under-noticed, most important at-bats in the game, where he fell down 0-2 to Zach Root, and fought his way back to put a runner in scoring position for the first time,’ LSU coach Jay Johnson said in the postgame press conference. ‘ … But I’m not surprised. Like I said, he was born to hit. His disposition, his demeanor is made for hitting with runners on base is made for playing in games like the College World Series.’
Several other freshmen pitchers contributed for multiple teams. The Tigers’ Casan Evans got the save with a scoreless ninth inning. UCLA’s Easton Hawk also picked up the save after Murray State chipped away at an early lead, striking out two in a perfect inning. Arkansas reliever Cole Gibler struck out three in one inning of work.
LOSERS
Home runs (again)
Day 1 in Omaha saw just one home run. But Day 2 featured teams with more offensive firepower, so perhaps the long ball would reappear?
Not so much.
Murray State and UCLA didn’t hit a single home run in their matchup and had three total extra-base hits, all doubles. Arkansas’ Reese Robinett went deep in game 2, the first no-doubt home run of the tournament.
Just two home runs have been hit so far in Omaha, and neither team that homered won its game.
Shoelaces
During the top of the fifth inning against LSU, Arkansas pitcher Gabe Gaeckle had to leave the mound and go into the dugout when his shoelace broke. Gaeckle threaded a new shoelace into his cleat and returned to the mound after a few minutes.
It certainly wasn’t a ringing endorsement of whoever made the shoelaces Gaeckle used, and it didn’t help that Steven Milam hit a single right afterward.
After that inning, Gaeckle changed out the other shoelace in the dugout.
Neutral fans
Many people in Omaha not supporting a specific team pulled for Murray State, as evidenced by the Rocco’s Jello Shot Challenge leaderboard. But the Racers will face elimination in their next game and they won’t have an easy matchup with Arkansas.
Those seeking hotel rooms in Omaha won’t be too happy with LSU’s win, either, as Tigers fans tend to be one of the largest groups in Omaha.
Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.