Day 3 of the 2025 College World Series saw Coastal Carolina become the first team to reach the semifinals. The Chanticleers got strong pitching from Jacob Morrison and beat Oregon State 6-2. Louisville stayed in the tournament with an 8-3 win over Arizona. The Cardinals trailed 3-2 but scored six runs in the eighth inning to take control.
Louisville will face Oregon State in an elimination game on June 17 at 2 p.m. ET. The winner will move on to the semifinals but will need to beat Coastal Carolina twice to advance.
There were only three home runs on Day 3 — one by Arizona and two by Oregon State — but both teams lost their games. Louisville had just one extra-base hit, a double, while Coastal Carolina had two doubles. The Chanticleers used two sacrifice bunts, and Louisville had one sacrifice and a bunt hit. The Cardinals also stole three bases and capitalized on errors. This shows that small ball and smart play still matter in Omaha.
Mid-major teams rarely make deep runs in the College World Series. Before Coastal Carolina’s success, the last mid-major to reach the semifinals was also Coastal Carolina in 2016, when they won the championship. Fresno State and San Diego were the only other mid-majors to make the semifinals, both in 2008, with Fresno State winning the title. Coastal Carolina’s run reminds fans that mid-majors can still compete at a high level.
Paul Skenes, the former LSU pitcher and 2023 College World Series Most Outstanding Player, was a highlight even though his team is not playing this year. Reports say Skenes will attend LSU’s winners bracket game on June 16. ESPN compared Coastal Carolina’s Jacob Morrison to Skenes, showing both pitchers had six or more starts with one or fewer runs allowed in the last five seasons.
Defense is key at pitcher-friendly Charles Schwab Field, where mistakes cost teams dearly. Arizona made two errors, leading to four unearned runs during Louisville’s six-run eighth inning. The Wildcats had a throwing error on a routine play and a dropped ball during a rundown at home.
Oregon State also gave up four unearned runs after two errors. One error allowed Caden Bodine to reach base early, and another error wiped out a double play that led to one run scoring. A wild pitch followed, bringing in another run.
Umpires are mic’d during the College World Series to help fans hear calls. Some players did not realize this and were caught shouting expletives after tough at-bats, adding unexpected drama to the games.
Both Oregon State and Coastal Carolina baseball programs are led by former players, showing strong ties between players and their schools in the College World Series.
The old Pac-12 league sent three teams to Omaha, now spread across different conferences and one as an independent. Arizona has already been knocked out, and Oregon State faces elimination after losing to Coastal Carolina. UCLA remains in the winner’s bracket but faces a tough challenge against LSU.
Day 3 in Omaha showed how smart baseball and solid defense can lead to success. Coastal Carolina’s early semifinal spot is a sign of the team’s strength, while Louisville’s late rally keeps fans watching. Oregon State and Arizona will need to regroup quickly if they want to stay alive.
