As the summer sun rises on Omaha, Nebraska, college baseball fans from across the country turn their attention to the 2025 NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, culminating in the Men’s College World Series (MCWS). With the nation’s top collegiate programs vying for supremacy, this year’s tournament has already proven to be one of the most competitive and compelling in recent memory. From early bracket surprises to walk-off heroics, the road to the College World Series has delivered high-stakes drama and elite-level play.
A Look at the 2025 NCAA Baseball Bracket
The 64-team NCAA tournament bracket, released in late May, kicked off with regional play hosted by the top 16 national seeds. This year, powerhouse programs such as LSU, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest, and Texas once again found themselves among the top seeds. However, the bracket also featured several up-and-coming programs making noise, including UC Irvine and Indiana State, both of whom secured hosting rights for their regionals.
Each regional followed a double-elimination format, with the winners advancing to the Super Regionals. There, the 16 remaining teams were paired into eight best-of-three series to determine the final field heading to Omaha.
By mid-June, the eight teams that punched their tickets to the MCWS were:
1. LSU (SEC)
2. Wake Forest (ACC)
3. Arkansas (SEC)
4. Texas A&M (SEC)
5. Oregon State (Pac-12)
6. Tennessee (SEC)
7. North Carolina (ACC)
8. UC Irvine (Big West)
Notably, the SEC once again dominated the field, sending four teams to Omaha. This continued a trend of SEC dominance in recent years, with the conference producing national champions in multiple recent seasons.
College World Series Schedule and Format
The Men’s College World Series began on June 14, with two four-team brackets operating under a double-elimination format. The winners of each bracket would advance to the best-of-three finals beginning June 22, held at Charles Schwab Field Omaha.
Bracket 1 featured: LSU, Wake Forest, UC Irvine, and Tennessee
Bracket 2 included: Arkansas, Texas A&M, Oregon State, and North Carolina
Opening-round matchups provided immediate fireworks. LSU edged out UC Irvine in a tightly contested 4-3 win, while Tennessee stunned Wake Forest with a come-from-behind 6-5 victory in extra innings. In Bracket 2, Arkansas and Oregon State delivered a classic, with the Razorbacks winning 7-6 on a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th.
Standout Performances and Breakout Stars
The 2025 tournament has been defined not just by team efforts, but by the emergence of individual stars. LSU’s sophomore slugger Mason LeBlanc has been a force at the plate, hitting .438 with 3 home runs through the first four games of the MCWS. On the mound, Tennessee’s ace Ryan Calderon has dazzled scouts with his mid-90s fastball and pinpoint control, notching 14 strikeouts in a complete-game win over Wake Forest.
UC Irvine’s run to Omaha has been equally impressive, driven by their small-ball offense and stingy pitching staff. Though they dropped their opener, the Anteaters bounced back to eliminate Wake Forest behind the arm of junior pitcher Diego Ramirez, who threw eight scoreless innings in an elimination game.
Updated Scores and Remaining Schedule
As of May 27, several elimination games and bracket finals are still to be played. Here’s a snapshot of key scores and remaining schedule:
Recent Scores:
LSU 4, UC Irvine 3
Tennessee 6, Wake Forest 5 (10 innings)
Arkansas 7, Oregon State 6
Texas A&M 8, North Carolina 4
Wake Forest 9, UC Irvine 1 (UC Irvine eliminated)
Tennessee 5, LSU 2
Upcoming Games:
LSU vs. Wake Forest (Elimination Game – May 28)
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (Winner advances to MCWS Final – May 29)
Championship Series Game 1 – June 22
Championship Series Game 2 – June 23
Championship Series Game 3 (if necessary) – June 24
Eyes on the Championship
With Tennessee and Arkansas currently leading their respective brackets, a potential SEC showdown looms in the final. Both programs have history in Omaha but are hungry for a national title. Tennessee, in particular, is seeking its first national championship, while Arkansas is aiming to redeem its heartbreaking runner-up finish in 2018.
Meanwhile, LSU, a perennial powerhouse, is battling to stay alive and reclaim its place among the elite, while Wake Forest’s hopes rest on their explosive offense and veteran leadership.
As the field narrows, anticipation builds. The 2025 Men’s College World Series is shaping up to be a showcase of grit, talent, and unforgettable moments — exactly what fans have come to expect from college baseball’s biggest stage
