Another Late-Inning Collapse Sends Arkansas Home in Stunning College World Series Exit
The Arkansas Razorbacks’ postseason came to a dramatic and painful end in Omaha on Wednesday night, as a late-inning unraveling allowed the LSU Tigers to complete a stunning comeback, walking off the Hogs 6-5 and knocking them out of the College World Series. It was a game Arkansas seemingly had in hand—until everything came undone in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The No. 3 Razorbacks (50-15, 20-10 SEC) were just three outs away from pushing through another elimination game when defensive miscues and clutch hitting from No. 6 LSU (51-15, 19-11 SEC) stole the game and sent Arkansas packing. After a back-and-forth battle, it was LSU who stood tall at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, punching their ticket to the next round while Arkansas was left to reflect on what went wrong.
The Razorbacks had struck first in the fourth inning. Catcher Ryder Helfrick continued his strong postseason showing by belting a solo home run to center field—his 15th of the season—on the very first pitch of the inning. The blast traveled an impressive 417 feet with an exit velocity of 108 mph, giving Arkansas a 1-0 advantage.
For several innings, both sides’ pitching staff kept the offenses in check. That changed in the bottom of the sixth. LSU’s designated hitter Ethan Frey led off with a double, followed by a hit-by-pitch that prompted Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn to go to his bullpen, replacing starter Landon Beidelschies with reliever Gabe Gaeckle.
The Tigers capitalized on the opportunity. A sac bunt moved the runners into scoring position, and though Jared Jones struck out, Arkansas opted to intentionally walk LSU’s Josh Pearson, loading the bases. LSU pinch hitter Jake Brown then delivered a two-run single to left center, flipping the score 2-1 in favor of the Tigers.
Beidelschies had been effective until that point, pitching five innings with a career-high nine strikeouts. He allowed just two runs on three hits, throwing 78 pitches (52 for strikes), and hitting two batters.
Arkansas responded in the top of the eighth. Center fielder Justin Thomas Jr. opened with a single, but was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice. Shortstop Wehiwa Aloy followed with a single, and when Logan Maxwell was hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded. Helfrick hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring a run, and a throwing error allowed another runner to come home. Suddenly, Arkansas had the lead again, 3-2.
That lead was short-lived. In the bottom of the frame, LSU slugger Jared Jones hit a solo home run on the first pitch he saw, tying the game 3-3. The Tigers threatened further with a single and a walk, but Gaeckle escaped the jam with a big strikeout.
The ninth inning opened with hope for Arkansas. Kuhio Aloy grounded out, but Reese Robinett singled and Brent Iredale followed with a double to put runners on second and third with one out. LSU turned to Jacob Mayers out of the bullpen, but Thomas Jr. came up clutch again, delivering a two-run single to put the Razorbacks up 5-3. He advanced to second, then third on a strikeout and error, but Arkansas couldn’t tack on more runs—Aloy struck out looking to end the threat.
Now holding a 5-3 lead, Arkansas needed just three outs to survive. Van Horn turned to reliever Cole Gibler to close the game. He started strong by striking out the pinch hitter, but disaster soon followed.
A throwing error by Robinett at first allowed LSU’s Derek Curiel to reach second base. Frey then walked, and Steven Milam hit into a fielder’s choice that got Curiel at third for the second out. Arkansas was still one out away from advancing.
But Luis Hernandez delivered for LSU, doubling to left field on a ball that left fielder Charles Davalan misplayed, scoring both Frey and Milam to tie the game. With the score now even at 5-5, Arkansas made a pitching change, bringing in Aiden Jimenez to stop the bleeding.
Unfortunately for the Hogs, Jared Jones wasn’t finished. On a 1-2 pitch, Jones lined a ball up the middle that tipped off the glove of second baseman Camden Kozeal and dropped into center field. Hernandez scored easily, and just like that, Arkansas’ season was over in heartbreaking walk-off fashion.
It was the second straight ninth-inning collapse in Omaha for the Razorbacks, echoing painful postseason exits from years past. The team had 50 wins and a strong SEC record, but couldn’t hold on when it mattered most.
The offense had its chances, and the pitching staff did enough for most of the game, but errors and execution breakdowns in key moments proved too costly. Defensive miscues and untimely strikeouts turned what could have been a season-saving win into a bitter defeat.
Coach Van Horn, walking off the field in disbelief, now faces an offseason full of questions. While Arkansas once again proved they are a powerhouse program capable of competing with the best, the way this season ended will sting for a long time.
With key players likely headed to the MLB Draft and others aging out, the Razorbacks may look different next year. But for now, the sting of letting a lead slip away in the most critical inning of the year is what fans and players will remember.
From brilliant pitching to untimely fielding errors and missed opportunities, the 2025 College World Series run for Arkansas ends not with celebration, but with heartbreak. And as the LSU Tigers move on, Arkansas is left to wonder what could have been—if only they had held on for three more outs..
