The Arkansas baseball team is set to face UCLA in a must-win elimination game on Tuesday evening as part of the College World Series. This matchup, scheduled for 6 p.m. at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, will see the Razorbacks (49-14) compete against the Bruins (48-17), with the victor advancing to take on LSU in the bracket final on Wednesday.
UCLA is coming off a challenging loss to LSU, falling 9-5 in a game that resumed after being suspended due to thunderstorms the previous night. The game returned to action with LSU leading 5-3 in the fourth inning, and LSU’s Casan Evans showcased strong pitching with 4 1/3 innings of work, allowing two runs and striking out five batters.
The matchup marks the first meeting between Arkansas and UCLA since 1999, where the Bruins previously swept a midweek series in Fayetteville. Tuesday’s game will spotlight two All-America shortstops: Wehiwa Aloy of Arkansas and Roch Cholowsky of UCLA. Both athletes were finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, awarded to the nation’s best college baseball player, while Cholowsky also won the Brooks Wallace Award for the most outstanding shortstop. Aloy is currently a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award.
Interestingly, UCLA had a successful journey leading up to this point, having tied for the Big Ten regular-season championship and making a strong showing in the tournament, including a notable win over Murray State in their opening game in Omaha. This recent performance is part of a larger narrative of competitiveness, as the Bruins entered the College World Series as the last undefeated team in the NCAA Tournament before their loss to LSU.
Note that the Arkansas-UCLA game is subject to scheduling changes, dependent on the outcome of the earlier game between Oregon State and Louisville, which has also been delayed due to weather conditions in the area. The forecast predicts a 50% chance of thunderstorms during the day, escalating to 70% at night, which could pose further challenges for the games on Tuesday.
As these teams gear up for what promises to be an exciting contest, baseball fans can look forward to high-stakes play and the impressive talent on display from both sides. This matchup serves as a reminder of the resilience and determination of the teams throughout the tournament, highlighting the essence of collegiate baseball.