OMAHA, Neb. — Arkansas’ championship hopes took a hit Saturday night in Omaha, falling 4-1 to the LSU Tigers in front of 25,464 fans at Charles Schwab Field.
The loss drops Arkansas into the losers bracket at the 2025 College World Series, where they now face a must-win elimination game against Murray State.
LSU’s formula for victory was simple. They got dominant starting pitching and timely hitting.
Sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson delivered a masterclass on the mound, holding Arkansas to just three hits and two walks over seven innings.
“I just wanted to give my team a chance to win,” Anderson told reporters after the game. “It’s about staying focused, hitting my spots, and trusting my defense.”
Anderson, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2023, has emerged as one of the nation’s top pitchers, ranking second in the country with 133 strikeouts this season.
The Tigers struck early against Razorbacks starter Zach Root, who lasted just 1 2/3 innings, the shortest outing of his career.
Root’s troubles started in the second, when LSU loaded the bases on a pair of walks and a bunt single. Chris Stanfield’s RBI single opened the scoring, and Root then hit Michael Braswell to force in another run. A failed double play allowed Daniel Dickinson to score, giving LSU a 3-0 lead.
“We didn’t execute when we needed to,” Hogs coach Dave Van Horn admitted later. “In games like this, you can’t afford to give away outs.”
Arkansas clawed back in the sixth when sophomore Reese Robinett crushed a 386-foot solo home run to right, his fourth of the season and first since May 3.
“I just wanted to spark something for the team,” Robinett said. “Kade [Anderson] pitched a great game, but we believed we could get to him.”
Robinett, who has shown flashes of power throughout the year, finished with one of Arkansas’ three hits.
But LSU answered quickly. In the eighth, Steven Milam’s double that was misplayed by Razorbacks right fielder Logan Maxwell set up Derek Curiel’s RBI single, restoring the Tigers’ three-run cushion.
Hogs reliever Gabe Gaeckle was a bright spot, striking out 10 over six innings of relief and keeping the Razorbacks within striking distance.
LSU’s bullpen slammed the door in the late innings. Right-hander Chase Shores came on in the eighth and, flashing triple-digit velocity, struck out two Razorbacks to escape a jam. Closer Casan Evans finished it off in the ninth, recording his seventh save of the year.
Despite putting leadoff runners on in five separate innings, Arkansas couldn’t capitalize, twice grounding into double plays started by Braswell at third.
“We had chances,” said Van Horn. “Credit their pitching and defense. They made the plays when it mattered.”
The loss means Arkansas (48-14) must now win four straight games to reach the championship series, beginning with Murray State (44-16) on Monday.
A loss at any point would end their season. LSU (49-15) moves on to face UCLA in the winners bracket.
This is Arkansas’s 12th trip to the College World Series and their eighth under Van Horn. The Razorbacks have become a perennial Omaha presence but are still seeking their first national title. LSU, meanwhile, is chasing its eighth championship, having last won in 2023.
LSU coach Jay Johnson praised his team’s consistency.
“I’m very proud of our group. They keep showing up, competing, and playing to their capability against some of the best teams in the country,” Johnson said.
With the College World Series field wide open, Arkansas’s path now demands resilience, depth, and a bit of magic.
“We know what’s at stake,” Van Horn said. “This team won’t quit. We’ll be ready on Monday.”
First pitch for Arkansas vs. Murray State is set for 1 p.m. The winner stays alive in Omaha; the loser heads home.
