On Day 5 of the 2024 College World Series, two more teams were eliminated as the semifinal matchups were finalized.
Louisville triumphed over Oregon State with a score of 7-6 in a thrilling contest where the Beavers rallied from a three-run deficit in the top of the ninth, only to lose their lead in the bottom of the inning. In the later game, Arkansas secured a 7-3 victory against UCLA. Earlier in the day, the Bruins had resumed a suspended game against LSU, which they lost 9-5.
The semifinals, starting June 18, will feature Arkansas going up against LSU and Coastal Carolina taking on Louisville. The Tigers and Chanticleers need just one win to move forward, while the Razorbacks and Cardinals must secure two victories to reach the championship series.
Here are the results:
WINNERS
Home runs (finally)
Home runs were scarce in Omaha’s early games, but on Day 5, the long ball had a greater effect. In the game versus UCLA, LSU’s Jared Jones hit a three-run home run that proved to be the game-winning hit (albeit the home run actually occurred the night before, when the game was halted due to rain). The Cardinals and Beavers both hit two home runs in Louisville’s elimination game against Oregon State. Then, Wehiwa Aloy hit a two-run homer for the Razorbacks in the nightcap between UCLA and Arkansas.
After hitting six home runs in the first eight games, Day 5 showcased five home runs.
The SEC
Since 2016, the SEC has consistently had at least one team in every Men’s College World Series final, with four of the last seven championship series featuring two SEC teams (excluding 2022, when Oklahoma, now an SEC member, participated as part of the Big 12).
However, the league has faced a challenging postseason. Although 13 teams qualified for the tournament, only four advanced to the super regionals, and two of those (Arkansas and Tennessee) faced off against each other. While two SEC teams reached Omaha, their placement on the same side of the bracket ensured that at least one non-SEC team would have a chance at the championship.
Currently, the SEC is assured of having a team competing against either Louisville or Coastal Carolina, with LSU and Arkansas in the semifinals. The league stands a strong chance of securing its sixth consecutive champion.
Wehiwa Aloy
The SEC Player of the Year has had a subdued performance in Omaha thus far. However, in the elimination game against fellow star shortstop Roch Cholowsky, Aloy delivered a solid performance, going 2-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs. He launched a two-run home run to the opposite field in the first inning, showcasing the power that has positioned him as a top MLB draft prospect.
LOSERS
Defense (again)
In the College World Series thus far, Oregon State has committed eight out of the 15 total errors. This proved costly for the Beavers, as a mistake on a sacrifice bunt led to the walk-off sacrifice fly that knocked them out of the tournament.
However, Oregon State was still in contention at that moment due to an error. In the top of the ninth inning, trailing by two runs with the bases loaded and one out, Louisville shortstop Alex Alicea mishandled a straightforward double-play ball, allowing two runs to cross the plate.
During the ninth inning of the Arkansas-UCLA matchup, the Razorbacks made two errors, both resulting in runs for the opposing team.
The West Coast
When the Pac-12 was still operational, it had been over thirty years since three teams from the league reached Omaha together. In the first season following the league’s disbandment, three former Pac-12 teams—Arizona, Oregon State, and UCLA—made it to the series.
Unfortunately, none of these teams advanced to the semifinals. Arizona was the first to be eliminated, unable to secure a victory in Omaha, while Oregon State and UCLA were both ousted on Day 5.
“A lot of good players in the West, a lot of good coaches on the West. I think it has a bright future,” UCLA coach John Savage said. “Bright future is maybe not the right word, because you look at the national championships and you look at the history of Omaha and West Coast teams. But things have changed. Everybody knows things have changed in terms of the facilities and the power. And the SEC clearly had a huge day, right, with Arkansas and LSU. But at the same time, you know, I think we can certainly build off this.”
