UCLA and Murray State will both kick off their runs in the 2025 College World Series against each other on Saturday, June 14.
The Slipper Fits for the Murray State Racers
The Murray State Racers are the fourth-ever four-seed to get to the College World Series. They are the second one in three years, as Oral Roberts made it to Omaha in 2023.
Having played seven games already in the NCAA Tournament, the Racers have been tested by some great opponents. In the Oxford regional, they gained wins against Ole Miss and Georgia Tech.
Ole Miss was one of the best home run-hitting teams in the country, and Georgia Tech won the ACC regular season championship.
In the super regional round, Murray State remained on the road and defeated the Duke Blue Devils at Jack Coombs Field in Durham, N.C. In game two of that best-of-three series, the Racers put up 19 runs.
Murray State may be a mid-major from the Missouri Valley Conference. However, UCLA and other teams in the College World Series must remain mindful of the power hitting they do have.
Will Vierling, Dan Tauken, Carson Garner, and Jonathan Hogart are all in double figures for home runs this season.
Hogart leads the team with 22 long balls.
UCLA Looking to Continue Smooth Road Through the NCAA Tournament
UCLA has yet to lose in the NCAA Tournament. This undefeated journey began in the Los Angeles regional as they defeated Fresno State, Arizona State, and UC Irvine to advance.
In the two games against Fresno State and Arizona State, UCLA outscored those opponents 30-9.
The Bruins had to remain on their toes as they faced off against the UTSA Roadrunners in the Los Angeles super regional. In their two wins in this round, pitching was the key.
In game one, UCLA won 5-2 against UTSA. The Bruins gave up a run in both the first and second innings and then shut out the Roadrunners from there.
The UCLA starting pitcher, Michael Barnett, went six innings, and the bullpen was great in closing out the game. Relievers August Souza and Easton Hawk combined for four strikeouts in the final two innings.
The shut out pitching continued for the Bruins in the game two win that clinched a College World Series berth. UTSA lost 7-0 as they were held to just four hits.
In a combined effort from five pitchers, UCLA had nine strikeouts. Starting pitcher Landon Stump led the way with five strikeouts in his four innings of work.
A healthy mix of offense and pitching is what got UCLA to the College World Series on their undefeated run thus far through the NCAA Tournament.
The Bruins are in Omaha for the sixth time in program history and will attempt to chase down their second national championship.
Up Next
The Murray State Racers and UCLA Bruins will face off on Saturday, June 14.
The first pitch for this matchup at Charles Schwab Field is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT. The game can be watched on ESPN.
