Razorbacks Rise: Arkansas Crushes Defending Champs to Punch College World Series Ticket

With the energy of a team on a mission and the precision of champions-in-waiting, the Arkansas Razorbacks unleashed a thunderous performance on Sunday night, dismantling the reigning national champions in a no-doubt statement win to clinch their spot in the 2025 College World Series. It was a game that sent shockwaves through college baseball and reminded the nation: the Hogs are back, and they’re hungry.

At Baum-Walker Stadium, under a sky buzzing with anticipation and the deafening roar of a sold-out Razorback crowd, Arkansas didn’t just beat last year’s title winners — they dominated them. From the very first pitch, the Hogs imposed their will with ruthless efficiency, burying their opponents under an avalanche of power hitting, clutch pitching, and relentless hustle.

Arkansas wasted no time setting the tone. Lead-off man Jace Bohrofen crushed a 2-0 fastball deep into the right-field seats to give the Razorbacks a 1-0 lead before the crowd had even finished chanting “Woo Pig Sooie.” That solo blast ignited a fire that never went out. By the end of the third inning, Arkansas had built a commanding 6-0 lead behind a flurry of doubles, sacrifice flies, and smart base running that left the defending champs looking shell-shocked.

The Hogs didn’t just rely on big bats. They outplayed, outthought, and outlasted their opponent in every facet. And when the champs tried to rally, Arkansas ace Will McEntire slammed the door. The senior right-hander threw six rock-solid innings, allowing only two runs while striking out seven. Every time the opposing dugout tried to build momentum, McEntire silenced it with icy composure and razor-sharp command.

Every Razorback seemed to deliver a moment of magic. Slugger Kendall Diggs went 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs, including a bases-clearing double in the fourth that completely broke the game open. His teammates swarmed him at second base as the crowd erupted into a frenzy — it was the moment when the defending champs knew their reign was ending.

Veteran infielder Peyton Stovall also contributed mightily, turning in a highlight reel of dazzling defensive stops and timely hits. Meanwhile, sophomore catcher Hudson White called a masterful game behind the plate and added a towering home run of his own late in the contest.

This is the team we knew we could be,” head coach Dave Van Horn said afterward, his voice barely audible over the cheers. “We’ve battled all season for this. To do it against a team like that — that’s special. But we’re not done.”

The road to Omaha hasn’t been smooth for Arkansas. After a promising 2024 season was cut short by a heartbreaking Super Regional loss, the Razorbacks entered 2025 with a chip on their shoulder and fire in their hearts. That pain? It became purpose.

From Day 1 of this season, the Hogs played like a team possessed — combining elite talent with grit and chemistry. They rattled off a 44-15 record and stormed through the SEC with a vengeance, earning a top national seed in the tournament. And when the lights burned brightest, they delivered their best baseball.

What makes this win even sweeter is who they beat: the reigning national champs. The very program that hoisted the trophy Arkansas has long coveted. Sunday night’s thrashing wasn’t just a win — it was a reckoning.

With their victory, the Razorbacks secured their 12th College World Series berth in program history and their seventh under Coach Van Horn. But this trip to Omaha feels different. This time, the Razorbacks aren’t just another contender — they’re a juggernaut.

From top-tier pitching depth to a deep, balanced lineup, Arkansas checks every box. They’ve got experience. They’ve got swagger. And now, they’ve got momentum.

As the team gathered near the mound for a raucous celebration, “OmaHOGS” chants rang through the Fayetteville night. Players hugged, leapt, and waved their caps to a delirious crowd that had waited all season — maybe longer — for this moment. Fireworks lit the sky. Emotions overflowed.