In one of the most anticipated matchups of the 2025 College World Series, the final opening round game between the LSU Tigers and the Arkansas Razorbacks. A rivalry renewed in the heartland of America with a leg up on winning a National Championship on the line. Once both teams won their Super Regionals, the excitement for Saturday night at Charles Schwab Field as the Tigers and Razorbacks battled for a fourth time this season. LSU looked to continue their dominance over the Razorbacks this season after taking two out of three in Baton Rouge a few weeks ago.

Almost as big as the game itself was the pitching matchup, as Kade Anderson of LSU would duel against Zach Root of Arkansas. Zach Root was off his game on Saturday night as Coach Dave Van Horn went to the bullpen after 1.2 innings after giving up two hits and three runs. Root’s outing on Saturday night against LSU was quite different from the Super Regional against Tennessee last weekend. Gabe Gaeckle would come in for a long relief stint to calm the waters while LSU bats struggled to hit Gaeckle. Gaeckle finished his night with two outs in the top half of the 8th with ten strikeouts and six complete innings. Kade Anderson finished his night after seven innings, giving up three hits and only one run while striking out seven Arkansas batters. Chase Shores would get the nod out of the bullpen in the 8th. Shores proceeded to strike out the next two Razorbacks, sending the game to the 9th inning with an LSU 4-1 lead over the Razorbacks. Casan Evans would come on to pitch in the bottom of the 9th with the simple task of recording the final three outs for LSU to secure an opening-round victory.

LSU would jump out to an early 3-0 lead over the Razorbacks in the top half of the second inning, forcing Coach Van Horn to pull Zach Root. Arkansas would get on the board in the bottom half of the 8th inning with a solo shot to right field off the bat of Reese Robinett to make it 3-1 Tigers after six innings. Derek Curiel would add a run to the board for LSU off a base hit that scored Steven Milam to make it 4-1 LSU.

LSU did what they had to do to win; Kade Anderson set the tone with pitching early on and never looked back as the Tigers took care of the Razorbacks, improving to 4-0 over Arkansas when playing in the College World Series.

LSU advances to the winner’s bracket, where they face UCLA on Monday night, while Arkansas faces elimination against Murray State on Monday afternoon.

Photo Credits- LSU Baseball on X