Razorbacks Ready for Omaha Battle: No. 3 Arkansas Set to Collide with LSU in Crucial College World Series Matchup

OMAHA, Neb. — The stakes couldn’t be higher, and the tension more electric. Tonight, the No. 3-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks take center stage in Omaha, charging into a pivotal College World Series clash with SEC rival LSU. For Arkansas, it’s not just another game—it’s a war for supremacy, a high-octane showdown against a familiar foe with everything on the line.

Arkansas has fought its way through a brutal schedule and postseason gauntlet to earn its spot on college baseball’s grandest stage. This marks the Razorbacks’ twelfth appearance in the College World Series, and their fourth under legendary head coach Dave Van Horn, who has built a culture of excellence and grit in Fayetteville. The Hogs didn’t just survive the regionals and super regionals—they dominated. After storming past Southeast Missouri State and Arizona in the Fayetteville Regional, they toppled a red-hot UC Irvine squad in a thrilling super regional series that showcased Arkansas’ elite pitching, relentless offense, and unshakable belief.

Now, they face an all-too-familiar opponent. LSU, one of the sport’s traditional powerhouses, brings with it not just talent, but history. The Tigers have met Arkansas numerous times over the years, including a heated regular season series earlier this spring that saw LSU take two out of three in Baton Rouge. That series left a sour taste in the mouths of Razorback fans and players alike—something Arkansas is determined to avenge under the bright lights of Omaha.

Smith, the ace left-hander with a blazing fastball and nasty slider, is expected to take the mound tonight. His performances throughout the postseason have been nothing short of dominant. Against Arizona in the regional final, Smith tossed seven shutout innings, striking out 11 and walking none—a vintage outing that cemented his status as one of the top arms in the country. His duel with LSU’s potent offense will be one of the night’s marquee storylines.

Offensively, Arkansas has found its groove at just the right time. Sluggers like Kendall Diggs, Caleb Cali, and Jared Wegner have delivered clutch hits in big moments, while speedsters such as Peyton Holt and Tavian Josenberger have applied pressure on the base paths. The Razorbacks’ lineup is deep, disciplined, and dangerous—a perfect blend of power and precision that can erupt at any time.

LSU, meanwhile, enters the game with its own share of momentum. Led by a dynamic duo of projected first-round MLB draft picks—outfielder Dylan Crews and pitcher Paul Skenes—the Tigers boast one of the most talented rosters in the tournament. Crews, the SEC Player of the Year, brings a lethal mix of power, speed, and defensive brilliance, while Skenes has baffled hitters with his overpowering fastball and pinpoint command.

Yet Arkansas has never been intimidated by star power. The Razorbacks pride themselves on playing team-first, resilient baseball, refusing to back down regardless of the opponent.

Tonight’s game isn’t just a test of talent—it’s a test of will. In a format where one loss can tilt the path toward elimination, every pitch, swing, and decision carries monumental weight. And with the eyes of the college baseball world fixed on Charles Schwab Field, the Hogs are embracing the spotlight.

For fans, it’s the kind of matchup dreams are made of: two SEC titans clashing with Omaha magic in the air. The Razorbacks are chasing their first national championship, and a victory over LSU would bring them one step closer to that long-coveted prize.