After Arkansas drops game 1 to LSU they’re faced with winning four games in four days to make it to the championship round.
Guests: Phil Elson
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 6-16-25
LSU Defeats Hogs 4-1; Razorbacks facing elimination at College World Series
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.
Jordan Anthony leaves Hogs to pursue pro track career with Adidas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will head into the 2025-26 season without one of their most electrifying athletes.
Jordan Anthony, a standout sprinter and wide receiver, announced Saturday that he will forgo his remaining college eligibility to pursue a professional track career, having already signed with Adidas.
Anthony, who transferred to the Razorbacks last year after stints at Kentucky and Texas A&M, made his decision public just one day after capturing the NCAA outdoor 100-meter title in Eugene, Ore.
He clocked a blistering 10.07 seconds to secure the win and helped the Hogs finish third in the team standings.
Anthony also placed fourth in the 200 meters (20.01) and anchored the Razorbacks’ 4×100-meter relay team to a bronze medal.
“Jordan’s a special athlete. He’s got a huge career ahead of him,” Arkansas men’s track coach Chris Bucknam said after the NCAA championships. “What a great competitor, in really a new sport for him that he hasn’t gone this deep [in] since he’s been in college. He did a phenomenal job. I’m really, really proud of him.”
Anthony’s path to professional track wasn’t always clear.
As a high schooler in Tylertown, Miss., he split his time between football and the track, bringing that dual-sport talent to the SEC.
At Kentucky, he was a promising wideout and relay sprinter, later making brief stops at Texas A&M and Arkansas before focusing on the Razorbacks’ track program.
His impact on the Razorbacks’ record books was immediate.
Anthony set school marks in the 100 meters (9.95) and 60 meters (6.47), and ranks second all-time for the Hogs in the outdoor 200 meters (19.93). He captured the 2024 indoor 60-meter NCAA title as well, cementing his place as one of the program’s fastest-ever athletes.
“Jordan has always been a worker, ever since his high school days,” said Tylertown High coach Marcus Rogers in an interview with the Clarion Ledger. “He’s never been satisfied, and I think that’s why he’s able to take this leap now.”
On the gridiron, Anthony’s contributions were modest but promising.
He appeared in 12 games for Arkansas last season, notching 8 receptions for 111 yards and a touchdown. He skipped spring football drills this year to focus on the outdoor track season, a decision that hinted at where his priorities were shifting.
In a heartfelt social media post, Anthony thanked the communities and coaches who helped shape him.
“I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the communities that helped shaped me. Thank you for accepting me, for welcoming me with open arms and for nurturing me through the many seasons of life.”
His move to sign with Adidas, announced in May, puts him alongside some of the world’s fastest athletes and sets the stage for professional meets across the globe.
Arkansas track has produced its share of Olympians and world champions, and Anthony now aims to add his name to that legacy. If he continues his current trajectory, he could contend for a spot on Team USA at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
NCAA athletes turning pro before exhausting eligibility is hardly new, especially after NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) reforms and growing commercial opportunities.
Yet Anthony’s case stands out for the sheer speed of his ascent and the rare crossover from Division I football to world-class track.
“He’s a generational athlete,” said veteran Arkansas track analyst Larry Foley for HawgSportsLive. “When you run sub-10 in the 100 and anchor a relay at this level, you’re in the conversation with the best. His choice to go pro is the right move at the right time.”
Anthony leaves Arkansas with records, championships, and a reputation for humility and work ethic.
“I’m just excited about his future,” Bucknam said. “That’s what it’s all about—elevating our athletes and getting them to the next level.”
As Anthony shifts his focus to the pro circuit, the Razorbacks will look to fill the void, but his impact on the program is secure. The next chapter of his career begins at full speed.
Former Razorback James McCann previewing College World Series
On 35th birthday, catcher who played in Hogs’ appearance in Omaha in 2009 looked at what he’s seen this year.
Former Razorbacks’ pitcher James Teague on what’s key in Omaha
Another strong performance from Zach Root on mound gets Hogs in really solid spot at College World Series.
Razorbacks add top transfer pitcher Ethan McElvain from Vanderbilt
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — Arkansas made a significant move in the 2025 transfer portal cycle, landing sophomore left-handed pitcher Ethan McElvain from Vanderbilt.
McElvain, a 6-foot-4 Tennessee native, brings both high-level SEC experience and considerable upside to a Razorbacks team looking to reload after a season of major roster turnover.
McElvain, who was ranked as the No. 8 overall transfer portal prospect and the No. 1 relief pitcher by 64Analytics, announced his commitment to Arkansas on Friday via social media.
His addition marks the second high-profile pitching commitment for the Razorbacks this week, following the arrival of right-hander Jackson Wells from Little Rock.
This move further cements Arkansas’ transfer class as one of the best in the nation—Baseball America recently ranked the Razorbacks’ portal haul No. 2 in the country, just behind LSU.
In 2025, McElvain appeared in 16 games for Vanderbilt, including five starts, and struck out 45 batters over 27.1 innings.
While he finished the year with a 7.24 ERA and a 2-3 record, his underlying numbers and late-season improvements have caught the attention of scouts and coaches alike.
After struggling with command early issuing 23 walks in his first nine outings, McElvain tightened up considerably, allowing just five walks in his last seven games and holding opponents scoreless in five of those appearances.
“I’m excited for a fresh start and to join a program with such a strong tradition and fan base,” McElvain said on Friday. “Coach [Dave] Van Horn’s track record with pitchers speaks for itself. I can’t wait to get to Fayetteville and get to work.”
The Razorbacks, under Van Horn, have consistently produced top-tier pitching talent, with several alumni moving on to professional baseball.
McElvain’s high school pedigree was well established before his college career.
He was considered the fifth-best left-handed pitching prospect nationally by Perfect Game and posted a 6-0 record with a 0.95 ERA during his senior year at Nolensville High School.
At Vanderbilt, his fastball has reached the low-90s, and scouts have praised his ability to generate swings and misses with a sharp breaking ball.
“He’s got the size, pitch mix, and upside that teams covet,” wrote Baseball Prospect Journal, projecting him as a possible early-round MLB Draft pick if he continues to develop.
For Arkansas, the addition of McElvain comes at a crucial time.
The Razorbacks have seen a wave of departures via the transfer portal this offseason, with as many as 24 players leaving since the regular season ended.
Van Horn and his staff have responded aggressively, signing 15 new players through the portal, with a clear focus on replenishing the pitching staff.
“Ethan’s talent is obvious, but what excites us most is his willingness to embrace a challenge and develop his game,” Van Horn said about McElvain’s decision. “We believe he can be an impact arm in our bullpen or rotation.”
The move also underscores a growing trend in college baseball with top programs like the HOGS and Vanderbilt increasingly rely on the transfer portal to stay competitive in the ever-shifting SEC landscape.
“I’m just grateful for the chance to compete in this environment and hopefully help Arkansas make a push for Omaha,” McElvain said.
With McElvain now set to don Razorback red, Arkansas fans have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season and about the program’s ability to attract elite talent from across the country.
Ruscin & Zach June 13
We are getting that college world series fever with the big game against LSU coming up on Saturday. Ruscin is tired of news anchors rooting for the local teams they really do not care about. Tye is live in Omaha with his plans for the week.
Razorbacks radio analyst Bubba Carpenter on College World Series
Hogs playing LSU first could set up a rematch in finals for Dave Van Horn’s first national championship in Omaha.
Brett Dolan on experience at Omaha for College World Series this weekend
Being a native of Iowa just over an hour away, familiar with the stadium and how Razorbacks-LSU interesting early game.
