LSU Athletic Communications
BATON ROUGE — LSU first baseman Jared Jones hit a two-out line-drive single that tipped the out-stretched glove of Arkansas’ second baseman to drive in catcher Luis Hernandez and give the Tigers a 6-5 walk-off victory over Arkansas on Wednesday night
LSU (51-15) advanced to face Coastal Carolina (56-11) in the best-of-three 2025 College World Series Championship Finals beginning Saturday at 6 p.m. CT.
It was the sixth College World Series walk-off win in the Tigers’ history.
After Arkansas broke a 3-3 tie with a pair of runs in the top of the ninth, the Tigers rallied against Razorbacks freshman pitcher Cole Gibler.
With one out, LSU outfielder Derek Curiel beat out an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error. After designated hitter Ethan Frey drew a 5-pitch walk, shortstop Steven Milam grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop, where Arkansas elected to take out Curiel at third base rather than attempt a double play.
With runners on first and second and two outs, Hernandez hit a line drive to left field that was misjudged by diving left fielder Charles Davalan. As the ball bounded off his back, Frey and Milam scored to tie the game.
Facing Razorbacks’ right-hand reliver Aiden Jimenez, Jones ripped a 2-1 pitch, 83 mile-per-hour pitch just over the reach of Cam Kozeal to allow Hernandez to score from second for the walk-off win.