Before the collegiate sports calendar reaches its increasingly short summer hiatus, we put the bow on the 2024-25 academic year with the final NCAA championship event, the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
Those who look forward to this event on an annual basis are already familiar with the format. But for the uninitiated, the eight participants are split into four-team mini brackets who will compete in a double-elimination tournament similar to the earlier regionals. The two winners from each quartet will then meet in the best-of-three championship series starting next weekend.
This year’s field looks completely different than last year’s. All eight teams are new and just three of the eight national seeds made it through the super regionals. It shapes up to be a wild week where a national champion is determined.
Here’s a look at the matchups and schedule for the first day of games:
No. 13 Coastal Carolina (53-11) vs. Arizona (44-19)
TIME/TV: Friday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
Given the impressive numbers posted by its pitching staff, Coastal Carolina was perhaps underseeded at No. 13. The Chanticleers lead the CWS field in team ERA (3.21) and WHIP (1.19). Jacob Morrison and Cameron Flukey anchor the starting rotation, with closer Ryan Lynch leading an equally reliable relief crew. Coastal is also the hottest team in the field with a 23-game winning streak.
The Wildcats followed a similar blueprint to the Big 12 championship, surrendering few free passes and committing just 51 errors in the field all season. They do give up their share of hits, however, but excellent contact hitters like Mason White and Aaron Walton keep them in most games.
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No. 8 Oregon State (47-14-1) vs. Louisville (40-22)
TIME/TV: Friday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Beavers are as fundamentally sound as they come, entering the CWS with a healthy .409 on-base percentage and just 40 errors committed. They can mash a bit as well, as demonstrated by the home-run cycle they unleashed against Florida State in the clinching super regional contest. Aiva Arquette and Gavin Turley are usually involved in innings when a crooked number is posted.
The Cardinals finished in the middle of the crowded ACC pack but are now the league’s sole representative in Omaha. They don’t always get consistent results from the mound, but they steal more bases (155) than anyone else in the field. Lucas Moore and Zion Rose are the top thieves, with Eddie King Jr. often tasked with bringing them home.