The excitement is reaching a fever pitch in Omaha, Nebraska, as the College World Series (CWS) has kicked off with its opening day of competition on June 13, 2025. A total of eight teams entered this prestigious tournament with hopes of claiming the national championship, and after the first day of play, No. 13 Coastal Carolina and No. 8 Oregon State have emerged victorious in their initial games.
The College World Series follows a double-elimination format, meaning that teams can still vie for the championship trophy even after a loss in their first game. As it stands, teams that did not win their opening games must now navigate the elimination bracket to keep their championship hopes alive, adding a layer of tension and urgency to the tournament.
This is how the current elimination bracket looks following Day 1: Arizona became the first team to be placed in the elimination bracket after a competitive match against Coastal Carolina, ending in a 7-4 defeat. The Wildcats had been neck-and-neck with the Chanticleers until the eighth inning, when a crucial RBI double by Wells Sykes pushed Coastal Carolina ahead, leading to further runs that sealed Arizona’s fate. Louisville also joined the elimination bracket after a heartbreaking loss to Oregon State, where Gavin Turley’s last-ditch walk-off double allowed the Beavers to triumph 4-3.
The results of the first day prompted the following teams to fall into the elimination bracket:
– Arizona (Lost Game 1 to No. 13 Coastal Carolina)
– Louisville (Lost Game 2 to No. 8 Oregon State)
– Murray State (Lost Game 3 to No. 15 UCLA)
– (3) Arkansas (Lost Game 4 to No. 6 LSU)
– Oregon State (Lost Game 6 to No. 13 Coastal Carolina)
Looking ahead, the elimination bracket games will commence on June 15, running through June 18, leading up to the semifinals of the CWS. This year’s schedule has marked crucial matchups, including Murray State facing off against Arkansas and Louisville going head-to-head with Oregon State.
ESPN will be broadcasting all elimination round games, providing fans with easy access to the action as teams battle for survival in hopes of making it to the championship series. With every game crucial, the next few days promise to deliver intense competition and unforgettable moments as teams fight for their chance at the title in Omaha.
Given the format and competitiveness of the CWS, there remains an atmosphere of hope for teams that have faced early setbacks. A comeback is always possible, making this tournament one of the most thrilling in college sports.