Eight teams, countless dreams: The 2025 College World Series features breakout stars, elite pitching, and unforgettable underdog journeys in Omaha.
It began in February, as it always does — hope blooming across 307 college campuses, gloves snapping in sun-drenched practice fields. Four months later, Omaha welcomes the final eight.
In a year that defied expectations and revived parity, the College World Series isn’t just a competition. It’s a celebration of possibility. The SEC, predictably powerful, sends Arkansas and LSU. But it’s the variety — Arizona, Coastal Carolina, Oregon State, Louisville, UCLA, and Murray State — that gives this tournament its heart.
Each team carries its own narrative. Each player, his own weight. Every pitch, every swing, will echo with legacy. Omaha doesn’t just crown champions. It reveals character.
Arizona and Coastal: Two Paths, One Dream
Arizona’s Chip Hale brings a different cadence to Omaha. Once a World Series-winning bench coach and former MLB manager, he’s now back where his own championship journey began — Tucson, 1986. This team, led by transfer standout Aaron Walton, plays with a mix of power and poise. Walton is the spark, tucked between Brendan Summerhill and Mason White in a potent lineup.
Across the diamond, Coastal Carolina arrives red-hot, winners of 23 straight. Their catcher, Caden Bodine, isn’t just calling games — he’s rewriting his draft story with every big swing. This isn’t a Cinderella ride. Coastal has done this before. In 2016, they shocked the sport. This year, they want more than memories. They want another moment.
Oregon State and Louisville: Rebuilding in the Shadows
No conference. No problem. Oregon State, a three-time national champion, roams alone after the Pac-12’s collapse. But solitude has only sharpened their focus. Shortstop Aiva Arquette is a towering presence in both stature and significance — a possible No. 1 overall draft pick with the pedigree and power to carry a team.
Hung the slider and Aiva Arquette parked it!
Live on B1G+ #GoBeavs pic.twitter.com/kXTwGqhr9Y
— Oregon State Baseball (@BeaverBaseball) May 10, 2025
On the other side, Louisville’s return marks the end of a long climb. Since 2019, head coach Dan McDonnell has been searching for footing in the age of NIL and the portal. This year, he found it. Behind catcher Zion Rose, the Cardinals have stormed past giants and now find themselves two wins from a title game. It’s not just about resilience — it’s about rewriting what’s possible in the new era of college baseball.
The Bruins and the Racers: Tradition vs. Tidal Wave
UCLA is back. Ten years after their last title, the Bruins return not by way of the portal, but through patience. Head coach John Savage doubled down on high school recruiting, and now, shortstop Roch Cholowsky leads a team built the old way. With 23 homers and top-tier defense, Cholowsky is this tournament’s human highlight.
Then there’s Murray State — the long shot. The Racers are just the fourth No. 4 seed to reach Omaha, a baseball version of a March Madness miracle. Closer Graham Kelham is a fireman and folk hero, locking down multi-inning saves with ice in his veins. They knocked out Ole Miss. Then Duke. Now, they believe they belong — because they do.
The SEC Power Clash: Razorbacks vs. Tigers
The lights may burn brightest when Arkansas and LSU meet on Saturday night. The Razorbacks, under Dave Van Horn, are chasing ghosts — this is their 12th CWS appearance, still without a title. In 2018, they were one out away. This year, with Charles Davalan setting the tone, they may have their best shot yet.
But standing in their way is LSU, just two years removed from a title. Gone are the faces of that 2023 squad, but the spirit remains. Lefty Kade Anderson headlines a new generation of Tigers, striking out 163 in just over 100 innings. This isn’t a rebuild — it’s a reload.
Not enough people are talking about Charles Davalanpic.twitter.com/Mg3YNerL7v
— Stephen Schoch (@bigdonkey47) April 9, 2025
In Omaha, Legacy Is Written in Dust and Dreams
There will be heroes. There will be heartbreak. There will be moments that live far beyond this June.
The 2025 Men’s College World Series isn’t just the final act of a season. It’s the beginning of lifelong stories. For some, it’s a launching pad to the pros. For others, it’s the last chapter written on a diamond.
But for all, Omaha is the same: a sacred ground where young men chase greatness under the Midwestern sky.
