In a pivotal matchup at the College World Series, Arkansas left-hander Landon Beidelschies is slated to start against LSU on Wednesday night. This will mark Beidelschies’ first start since May 11, where he faced LSU previously and went 2 innings, surrendering 3 runs and 4 hits. He has only seen limited action in relief since then, throwing a total of 2 1/3 innings against Tennessee and North Dakota State in the NCAA Regionals.
With a 4.92 ERA and 1.32 WHIP, Beidelschies helped lead Arkansas to a strong season, boasting a 4-0 record with the Razorbacks winning 10 of the 13 games he started. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn expressed a flexible approach to the pitching strategy, emphasizing the need to adapt as the game unfolds following their recent 7-3 win over UCLA.
The stakes are high for Arkansas (50-14), who must secure victories over LSU (50-15) in both Wednesday and Thursday’s games to advance to the championship series. Conversely, LSU only needs one win to move on, and they previously defeated Arkansas 4-1 in their first match-up of the tournament.
LSU, currently unbeaten in the CWS, faces some challenges of its own. A suspended game with UCLA extended their stay in the bracket, leading to key bullpen use in their subsequent 9-5 victory over the Bruins. Junior right-hander Zac Cowan will take the mound for the Tigers, making his second start of the season after a rough outing earlier in the Baton Rouge Regional.
Both teams display a promising dynamic as they prepare for this crucial confrontation, with Arkansas looking to even the score against a formidable LSU squad. The competition will not only be about skill but also strategy, as both coaches plan to be adaptable depending on the game’s progression.
This matchup presents a thrilling narrative of resilience and determination in the tournament, with both teams vying for a chance to etch their names into championship history.