LSU vs. Arkansas: 6 Game-Changing Moments from the Men’s College World Series

LSU and Arkansas delivered an unforgettable Omaha classic for baseball fans late Wednesday night, as the Tigers secured their spot in the Men’s College World Series championship finals for the second time in three years.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the pivotal moments in a game that saw five lead changes:

Top 4th

Up until the fourth inning, the SEC rivals had managed just four hits and eight strikeouts combined. However, Ryder Helfrick finally ignited the scoreboard, crushing a first-pitch curveball 417 feet to center field, giving Arkansas a 1-0 lead.

Bottom 6th

At this stage, Arkansas pitcher Landon Beidelschies was proving to be a challenge for the Tigers, allowing only two hits while striking out nine through five innings. But Ethan Frey changed the momentum by doubling on Beidelschies’ first pitch of the sixth, then hitting Steven Milam in the box, putting two runners on with no outs.

In response, Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn opted for a bullpen change after Milam reached base, bringing in Gabe Gaeckle, who had struck out 10 in six innings against the Tigers last Saturday. Gaeckle managed to record two outs before Van Horn made the strategic decision to intentionally walk Josh Pearson, loading the bases.

LSU head coach Jay Johnson then made a bold move, pinch-hitting Jake Brown with the bases loaded. The red-hot pinch hitter came through once more, slamming a single into the left field gap, bringing Frey and Milam home from second and third. Brown’s performance improved to 7-for-12 (.583) as a pinch hitter this season.

The Tigers took a 2-1 lead, with runners on first and third. Brown attempted to steal second on the next pitch but quickly reversed direction in an effort to get Pearson home before being tagged out. However, Cam Kozeal executed a remarkable diving play, tagging Brown just before Pearson could cross home plate.

Johnson challenged the ruling, but it was upheld, concluding the sixth inning.

Top 8th

With one out, the Razorbacks filled the bases, and a critical error shifted the momentum in favor of Arkansas.

Helfrick hit a grounder to third base, prompting the Tigers to attempt a double play. Charles Davalan crossed home plate from third, leveling the score, but first baseman Jared Jones mishandled the throw from second baseman Daniel Dickinson, allowing Wehiwa Aloy to score from second as the ball rolled past him.

The Razorbacks took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the eighth.

Bottom 8th

Jared Jones had struggled, going 0-4 with four strikeouts against Gabe Gaekle at the Men’s College World Series. However, in their matchup during the 8th inning, the first baseman finally found his rhythm, launching a fastball over the right-center field fence to equalize the game at 3-3.

Top 9th

With the game tied in the ninth inning, the Razorbacks drew on their past experiences, and their bats delivered. Nine-hole hitter Justin Thomas Jr. smashed a single through the left infield, bringing in runners from second and third, and giving Arkansas a 5-3 advantage.

The Razorbacks were now just three outs away from setting up a crucial elimination game on Thursday.

Bottom 9th

Pandemonium. Since the MCWS relocated to Charles Schwab Field in 2011, only four teams had managed to overcome a multi-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning. Now, there were five.

After a strikeout to start the inning, Derek Curiel ignited the chaos with a single, and a throwing error advanced him to second base. Arkansas pitcher Cole Gibler then walked Ethan Frey, putting two runners on base.

In the next at-bat, Steven Milam hit a ground ball directly to Wehiwa Aloy at shortstop, seemingly setting up a perfect double play to end the game. However, Aloy chose to go for the lead runner at third, keeping the Tigers alive in the game.

Luis Hernandez smashed a line drive to left during his next at-bat, which deflected off Charles Davalan’s shoulder and rolled into the left field corner, allowing Frey and Milam to score and equalize the game at 5-5. Hernandez made it to second base.

With two outs and the game tied, Jared Jones stepped back into the batter’s box with a runner on second. Facing a 2-1 count, Jones reached for a breaking ball outside, popping it up off the glove and over Cam Kozeal’s head at second base, bringing Hernandez home for the victory.

The crowd went wild as the Tigers celebrated their triumph deep in center field, clinching their place in the championship series this weekend against the Chanticleers.

This marked LSU’s sixth walk-off victory in MCWS history, tying them with Texas for the third-most ever, trailing only Oklahoma and Southern Cal, who have eight.