Murray State Secures Final Spot in 2025 College World Series

Murray State Secures Final Spot in 2025 College World Series

The highly anticipated roster for the 2025 College World Series has been finalized, with Murray State earning the last available spot after defeating Duke on Monday night. This victory is particularly notable as the Racers become the fourth No. 4 seed to reach Omaha since the NCAA Tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1999, following in the footsteps of Fresno State (2008), Stony Brook (2012), and Oral Roberts (2023). Of these teams, only Fresno State achieved the ultimate glory by clinching the national championship.

Competing out of the Missouri Valley Conference, Murray State joins a diverse lineup in Omaha that features two representatives from the Southeastern Conference (SEC) — Arkansas and LSU — along with one each from the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) (Louisville), Big 12 (Arizona), Big Ten (UCLA), and the Sun Belt Conference (Coastal Carolina). Additionally, the field includes one independent team, Oregon State.

• Friday Matchups:
• Arizona vs. Coastal Carolina - 2 p.m. (ET)
• Louisville vs. Oregon State - 7 p.m. (ET)
• Saturday Matchups:
• UCLA vs. Murray State - 2 p.m. (ET)
• LSU vs. Arkansas - 7 p.m. (ET)

In a surprising shift, just three of the eight national seeds and five of the top 16 overall were able to progress to the College World Series, highlighting an unexpected outcome compared to last year when five of eight national seeds and seven of 16 top seeds advanced. The national seeds moving forward include No. 3 Arkansas, No. 6 LSU, and No. 8 Oregon State. Additional top-16 seeds that will be competing are No. 13 Coastal Carolina and No. 15 UCLA.

It is noteworthy that the top-seeded teams—Vanderbilt, Texas, and Georgia—were unable to progress beyond the Regional round. Moreover, No. 4 seed Auburn and No. 5 seed North Carolina made early exits during the Super Regionals. Furthermore, this year does not feature a defending champion as Tennessee, the No. 14 seed, was eliminated by Arkansas, breaking the trend of repeat champions; the last duo to achieve consecutive championships was South Carolina in 2010 and 2011.

The 2025 field presents an entirely fresh lineup, with no returning teams from the previous year's College World Series, ultimately showcasing the unpredictable and competitive nature of college baseball.

Despite being a slight betting favorite, LSU's position over Arkansas is met with mixed predictions. Many argue that Arkansas, despite facing challenges late in the season—including a struggle of losing four out of five series—is the most well-rounded team in the tournament. Their lineup boasts a remarkable balance and power, with seven players each hitting at least 13 home runs. Furthermore, their pitching staff is regarded as one of the most deep and versatile in collegiate baseball.

As Arkansas prepares for its 12th trip to the College World Series, the anticipation is heightened; this season may finally see the long-standing quest for a national championship conclude, ending the drought for the Hogs.