College World Series Race Heats Up as Coastal Carolina Shocks Auburn and SEC Giants Battle for Survival

The road to Omaha is paved with suspense, and this weekend’s NCAA Baseball Super Regionals served it in spades. From stunning upsets to emotional Game 3 deciders, the battle for the 2025 College World Series is officially a rollercoaster. Coastal Carolina became the first to punch their ticket, toppling No. 4 Auburn in back-to-back games, while heavyweight programs like Tennessee, Florida State, and North Carolina are being dragged into do-or-die clashes.

Coastal Carolina’s Comeback Journey
The Chanticleers’ return to Omaha for the first time since their historic 2016 title win sent shockwaves through the tournament. After edging Auburn 7-6 in a thrilling Game 1—highlighted by Caden Bodine’s extra-innings homer—Coastal sealed the deal with a 4-1 win. Walker Mitchell led the late-game rally with clutch RBIs, proving that experience and grit can overpower seeding and SEC muscle.

SEC Titans on Thin Ice
The Southeastern Conference, once boasting 13 tournament entrants, is now watching its dominance dwindle. Only LSU, Arkansas, and Tennessee remain, and the latter two are cannibalizing each other in a tense Fayetteville matchup. Arkansas leads after a tight 4-3 Game 1 win, powered by a Ryder Helfrick home run and dominant pitching from Zach Root. But Tennessee, the defending champions, aren’t going quietly.

Cardiac College Baseball in Chapel Hill and Louisville
Two more Game 3s promise fireworks on Sunday. North Carolina’s offensive explosion in Game 1 turned into heartbreak in Game 2 as Arizona clawed their way back to even the series. Meanwhile, in Louisville, Miami refused to fold after a Game 1 drubbing. Three-run bombs from Jake Ogden and Daniel Culvet were enough to keep the Hurricanes alive. Now both matchups are down to a single winner-takes-all clash for a ticket to Omaha.

Dark Horses Rising
Duke’s bid to return to the College World Series for the first time since 1961 is alive and well. Thanks to Kyle Johnson’s four RBIs and Owen Proksch’s solid pitching, the Blue Devils overcame an early deficit to beat Murray State 7-4. One more win and history could be made in Durham.

UCLA also sits one win away after taking down UTSA 5-2. With solid defense and Roman Martin’s timely triple, the Bruins are on the brink of their first MCWS appearance since 2013.

Grit in Corvallis and Baton Rouge
Florida State showed serious resilience against Oregon State to force a Game 3. A clutch RBI single and bases-loaded walk helped the Seminoles secure a 3-1 victory after falling just short in Game 1. A win Sunday would mark their second straight trip to Omaha.

LSU, meanwhile, used an unconventional mix of patience and power to overwhelm West Virginia 16-9. Despite fewer hits, the Tigers drew walks, took hit-by-pitches, and turned every inch of advantage into runs. One more win and they’re Omaha-bound.

Sunday Showdowns Await
With Game 3s looming in Corvallis, Chapel Hill, Louisville, and potentially Fayetteville, Sunday is set to be a baseball bonanza. Every pitch could be a dream realized or shattered. Fans across the country will be glued to screens as America’s pastime shows off its postseason drama at its best.