OMAHA, NE ― Day 2 of the 2025 Men’s College World Series will get underway June 14 with the second half of the bracket beginning play.

In the afternoon game (2 p.m. ET, ESPN), Murray State will take on UCLA. In the nightcap (7 p.m. ET, ESPN), Arkansas will face LSU.

The game between the Tigers and Razorbacks is the only one among the Omaha openers featuring two teams that hosted a regional.

Saturday’s two losing teams will play an early game Monday in the losers bracket, while the winning teams will play Wednesday night for a spot in the semifinals.

Here are our predictions:

Murray State vs. UCLA

UCLA 9, Murray State 7

How’s this one for intrigue? UCLA hasn’t been to Omaha since its national title run in 2013 and Murray State is making its first trip ever. The Racers are the mid-major darlings who have proven near-impossible to put away. Their offense is a perfect fit for Charles Schwab Field, too.

But the Bruins, while lacking a true ace, have a trump card: arguably the best player in Omaha, shortstop Roch Cholowsky. He has the ability to take over any game, and that’s a powerful thing.

LSU vs. Arkansas

Arkansas 4, LSU 2

This matchup, which features a battle of aces (Zach Root vs. Kade Anderson), is the headliner of the Omaha slate. It’s easy to see either team coming away victorious, as LSU has better top-end pitching, but Arkansas has more depth and a better offense. The Tigers won the series when the two teams faced off earlier this season in Baton Rouge, but the bet is that the Razorbacks get a few more big hits.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

AI-assisted summary
• Murray State is making its first appearance in the Men’s College World Series.
• As a No. 4 seed, Murray State joins a select group of teams to reach the CWS, including 2008 national champion Fresno State.
• Murray State’s first opponent is UCLA in 2025 CWS.

OMAHA, NE ― Dan Skirka doesn’t actually cut the grass at Murray State’s home ballpark, as a viral social media post wrongly asserted, but the Racers’ coach has still done more with much less.

Murray State, making its fourth NCAA tournament appearance and first since 2003, is in the Men’s College World Series for the first time. The Racers stunned in the Oxford Regional, defeating Ole Miss and Georgia Tech, and then again in the Durham Super Regional, defeating Duke.

The No. 4 regional seed — the lowest possible entering the NCAA Tournament — will take on UCLA in their opening game of the CWS on June 14 (1 p.m. CT, ESPN) at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.

It’s rare for No. 4 seeds to reach Omaha — only three other teams have accomplished the feat — but it’s not unprecedented for those teams to make noise (most notably Fresno State, the 2008 national champion).

Here’s how bottom seeds have fared in the College World Series and how Murray State compares to the teams that made runs:

2008 Fresno State

The original mid-major Omaha darling, Fresno State made the most of its 2008 trip to the CWS by winning the whole thing.

The Bulldogs weren’t a traditional No. 4 seed, as expectations were high entering the season. They were ranked in two polls and picked to win the WAC in the preseason. The roster consisted of four eventual major leaguers. But despite the talent, they got off to an 8-12 start.

Fresno State still won the WAC regular season and conference titles, earning an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Bulldogs won a regional at Long Beach State and a super regional at No. 3 national seed Arizona State to advance to Omaha. Despite losing Game 1 of the championship series to Georgia, Fresno State won the final two games by a combined score of 25-11.

2012 Stony Brook

Led by future big leaguer Travis Jankowski, Stony Brook was the class of the America East. The Seawolves had a whopping 43-7 regular season record and swept the America East tournament. A team from that conference, typically one of the worst in Division I, had never advanced to Omaha. And Stony Brook didn’t have an easy route. The Seawolves were sent to a regional against Miami, and they waded through the losers’ bracket to win. Then they rallied to win a super regional against LSU despite dropping the first game in a 12-inning heartbreaker.

Stony Brook’s run in Omaha ended quickly, as the Seawolves lost to UCLA and Florida State and were the first team eliminated.

2023 Oral Roberts

After a so-so start to the season, Oral Roberts got hot at the right time. The Golden Eagles were 14-2 in April and 11-0 in May, and even after being assigned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, it was clear they were dangerous.

Oral Roberts went 3-0 in the Stillwater Regional, defeating Oklahoma State, Washington and Dallas Baptist. Like Stony Brook, the Golden Eagles won their super regional, against Oregon, despite losing Game 1.

Oral Roberts was competitive in Omaha, too. The Golden Eagles won their first game against TCU and played a one-run game against Florida. But they ran out of gas and fell in their second game with TCU to end their season.

How Murray State compares to previous CWS 4-seeds

Murray State wasn’t ranked preseason and likely won’t have as many major leaguers as the Fresno State team that won it all. But the Racers are more akin to the 2023 Oral Roberts team than the Stony Brook underdogs. Murray State was viewed as one of the strongest — if not the strongest — 4-seeds in the field, and while the Racers have never been on this stage, teams from the Missouri Valley Conference have a good track record. Indiana State and Evansville, the last two MVC champions, advanced to super regionals, and the Sycamores even hosted in 2023.

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X @aria_gerson.

The DC Defenders have made it to a spring football championship game for the second time in three seasons. They did so despite losing their coach six days before the 2025 UFL season.

Reggie Barlow left the Defenders less than a week before the 2025 season to take the coaching job at Tennessee State, which opened late in the offseason hiring cycle after Eddie George was hired for the same job at Bowling Green.

DC had to pivot quickly with just days remaining until their season opener against the three-time reigning champion Birmingham Stallions. They ultimately decided to promote quarterbacks coach Shannon Harris into the interim coaching role.

That decision delighted Harris’ long-time collaborator, Defenders offensive coordinator Fred Kaiss.

‘That’s who I thought deserved it,’ Kaiss told USA TODAY about Harris’ promotion. ‘I think that’s what this league is all about.’

Why Shannon Harris was ‘the guy’ to take over UFL’s Defenders

Kaiss has been witness to Harris’ growth throughout their 19-year history together. The 66-year-old used to view himself as the mentor to his long-time No. 1 assistant.

The tables haven’t yet turned in full, but in recent years, they have shifted.

‘There’s aspects of the game where he’s passed me,’ Kaiss said.

Despite Harris’ progression, the two still work collaboratively. Kaiss insists they are ‘always on the same page’ and that if you asked the two each to draw up 100 plays without consulting the other, 90 would be the same. That’s one of the perks of their two decades working together – and their decision to live together during the 2025 UFL season.

Their bond was also key in navigating DC’s early-season turbulence. The Defenders didn’t just lose Barlow to Tennessee State. Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams stepped down to join Barlow’s staff while offensive line coach Cody Crill took a job at North Texas in the weeks leading up to the season.

The Harris-Kaiss partnership also allowed the Defenders continuity while quickly achieving stability. They came with built-in chemistry, while the other notable replacements on staff – Brian Braswell, who played for Kaiss during his college days, and Blake Williams, son of Gregg Williams – were able to quickly integrate themselves into DC’s operation.

‘When you got other coaches around you that you trust, that makes the job much easier,’ Harris said. ‘Now, it just turns into knowing how to manage it all.’

Harris successfully managed those goals and expectations. He helped build upon the winning culture Barlow created – something for which Harris is careful not to take too much credit – while also instilling the idea the Defenders would be ‘a player-led football team’ in 2025, as quarterback Jordan Ta’amu described.

Harris’ ability to do so helped allow him to smoothly transition into the Defenders coaching job.

‘We just flowed with it,’ Harris explained of his elevation. ‘Everyone rallied around myself. The team rallied around each other, and it was kinda status quo from that standpoint.’

Because, in part, of that cohesion, the Defenders are playing for a UFL championship Saturday against the Michigan Panthers.

Kaiss, 66, acknowledged he would love to win that game not just for himself, but also for Harris.

‘I think I’ve had more stress on me this year than I have in a lot of years, and it’s mainly because I want this for him,’ Kaiss said. ‘I want to see him succeed. He deserves this. He’s a really good football coach.’

Regardless of the result, Kaiss is coming away with the conviction he was spot-on about Harris’ chances of succeeding as DC’s coach.

‘I believe he was the guy. I believe he was ready,’ Kaiss said. ‘He’s proven it without question.’

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen showed up to training camp with a new ring on his ringer — not a Super Bowl ring, but a wedding band following his nuptials to “Sinners” actress Hailee Steinfeld on May 31.

‘Got some hardware now, so good to go,’ Allen said at the Bills’ mandatory minicamp on Tuesday.

The couple, who went Instagram official in July 2024 after a year of speculation, is notoriously private about their relationship, so not many details about their Santa Barbara, California wedding have been shared, until now. Steinfeld offered fans an inside look into their big day by sharing memories and photos they ‘can’t stop thinking about’ in the latest issue of her ‘Beau Society’ newsletter.

‘As you know, I’m always somewhere in between wanting to share every detail and wanting to keep them close to my heart,’ Steinfeld wrote on Friday. ‘But Beau Society felt like the right place to share some of the love and magic that made up our wedding weekend.’

Here are four things we learned about Allen and Steinfeld’s wedding:

Breakfast for two with pancakes on the menu

The bride and groom are traditionally separated from each other ahead of the wedding, but Allen and Steinfeld moved the goalposts and opted for an intimate breakfast with just the two of them.

‘On the morning of our wedding, Josh and I met for breakfast just before 7,’ Steinfeld wrote. ‘I’m so glad we did that. I don’t think I could’ve gone the whole day without seeing him! We had a little spread, which included my favorite lemon ricotta pancakes.’

Josh Allen ‘stunned’ by Steinfeld’s wedding dress

Steinfeld walked down the aisle in a strapless ivory wedding dress designed and tailored by Tamara Ralph, which was ‘easily the most perfect gown I’ve ever put on my body,’ she said. Steinfeld accessorized her gown with a pair of long, sheer gloves, Mikimoto earrings and a sleek bun adorned with a French Chantilly lace veil. Steinfeld said she ‘stunned (Allen) when I got to the altar,’ but noted that her wedding day look almost didn’t happen.

‘We were on the tightest timeline. Six weeks before the wedding, my mom and I flew to Paris straight from the ‘Sinners’ premiere in London for the fitting,’ she revealed. ‘I really had to lean into the whole ‘trust the process’ thing and thank God for Rob, Mariel, Tamara, and her team for pulling it all together in time. On our wedding day, when I put on this dress, I actually lost my breath. I’ve never felt more like myselfand more beautiful.’

Allen donned a Tom Ford tuxedo that he paired with a pleated shirt and black cufflinks. ‘Josh looked like the man of every dream I’ve ever had,’ Steinfeld gushed.

As for the guests? Steinfeld said the dress code was ‘all-black black tie’ to seamlessly match their ‘very classic and bold’ theme. The wedding was also ‘a no-phone wedding,’ which was ‘one of the best decisions we made.’

They walked down the aisle to this classic song

Steinfeld ditched a wedding bouquet and instead walked down the aisle with one single crystal rose. She was accompanied by her father Peter Steinfeld, which she called an emotional moment.

‘I’m very proud of us. It became a running joke that we’d be crying too hard to walk straight,’ she said. ‘I just remember the walkup looked like a façade. Josh was standing under this huge structure; it was the most surreal thing I’d ever seen.’

After Allen and Steinfeld said ‘I do,’ the newlyweds exited the altar to Stevie Wonder’s “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours).’ They also got a round of applause, from the sky that is: ‘The coolest thing happened after we got married: We walked off the aisle … and it started thundering. No rain, just thunder and lightning. Magical.’

The bridal party jumped into the pool

Allen and Steinfeld hosted an underground after-party to comply with sound ordinances in the area. The party was decked out with a cigar bar, Angel Margarita, grilled cheese sandwiches and chocolate chip cookies served with shot glasses of milk. The party didn’t stop until around 3 a.m. and they ended it with a bang. The bridal party jumped into the pool (except Steinfeld, who was dressed in feathers) in their tuxedos and dresses.

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If the goal was to save the best for last then the schedule-makers at the College World Series did their job with the lineup on Day 2 of the event.

Friday’s action saw two of the five national remaining seeds take the field. Saturday’s nightcap that wraps up the initial matchup in the opening round will feature the top two teams, which also to be SEC rivals. No. 2 Arkansas is the highest seed remaining. The Razorbacks will face perennial power LSU, the No. 7 seed in the field. It’s a dream matchup that should be full of drama.

But before those teams meet, there’s also another chapter to add to the story of Murray State. The Racers are the fourth No. 4 seed to make the CWS. They’ll get a matchup with UCLA in the afternoon, and we’ll see if the slipper still fits Cinderella.

How will the games play out? We break down the matchups.

No. 15 UCLA (47-16) vs. Murray State (44-15)

Time/TV: Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN

After quieting Texas-San Antonio’s hot bats in the superregionals, the Bruins’ first challenge in Omaha is another high-scoring squad. Michael Barnett (12-1, 4. 09 ERA) will likely draw the assignment, but whoever climbs the hill can count on a solid defense behind him. UCLA leads the nation with 63 double plays turned, exactly one a game.

The Racers figure to get traffic on the bases, as they lead the Omaha field in total hits with 641 and sport a .309 team batting average.  Much of the power is supplied by Jonathan Hogart with 22 homers, while Dom Decker and Dustin Mercer set the table.

No. 3 Arkansas (48-13) vs. No. 6 LSU (48-15)

Time/TV: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN

This pairing might be viewed as an argument for reseeding the field, as pitting the highest-ranked survivors against each other in their first action in Omaha seems somewhat unbalanced. The Razorbacks, on paper at least, are the most complete squad here with the most home runs (124) as well as the nation’s best strikeout-to-walk ratio. Wehiwa Aloy leads the onslaught from the plate with 20 round-trippers, while Zach Root enters with 119 punchouts in 92.2 innings pitched.

It is worth noting, however, that LSU took a regular-season series from the Hogs in Baton Rouge in early May. The Tigers’ one-two punch of Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson also rack up their fair share of strikeouts, and Jared Jones paces a typically scary LSU batting order.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Oklahoma City Thunder had a comeback of their own.

Trailing for most of the game, looking exhausted and exasperated, and facing a 10-point deficit late in the third quarter, the Thunder found a spark in the nick of time.

Oklahoma City defeated the Indiana Pacers 111-104 in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, June 13, and evened the series at 2-2.

NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 15-foot baseline jumper with 2:23 left in the fourth quarter gave the Thunder a 104-103 lead, their first lead since late in the second quarter. Preceding that, Gilgeous-Alexander made a 3-pointer and Chet Holmgren had a key block.

Gilgeous-Alexander made two free throws giving the Thunder a 107-103 lead with 44 seconds left. Indiana’s Bennedict Mathurin missed three of four free throw attempts in the final 23.8 seconds.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 15 of OKC’s last 16 points in the final 4:38.

This back-and-forth series continues to deliver.

The Pacers’ offensive and defensive pressure stifled the Thunder for the first three quarters. But just as the Pacers keep playing until the final buzzer, the Thunder did the same in a game it looked like they would lose. Indiana took a 103-99 lead with 3:20 remaining in the fourth and didn’t make a field goal the rest of the game.

Oklahoma City had to overcome not only a deficit but its own poor shooting on 3-pointers (17.6%) and stagnant offense (10 assists on 37 made field goals).

Gilgeous-Alexander had a strange game in an odd victory for the Thunder – 35 points (10-for-10 on free throws), three rebounds and three steals but he did not have an assist. It was his 14th playoff game with at least 30 points.

‘We knew it (was a must-win) when we woke up this morning,’ Gilgeous-Alexander told ABC after the game.

Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams (27 points), Holmgren (14 points) and Alex Caruso (20 points) combined for 96 of the Thunder’s points.

The Pacers had another balanced scoring attack. Five players reached double figures in points led by Pascal Siakam’s 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists and five steals. Tyrese Haliburton had 18 points and seven assists, and reserve Obi Toppin contributed 17 points and seven rebounds.

Game 5 is Monday, June 16, in Oklahoma City (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC), and teams that win Game 5 of a 2-2 Finals win the series 74.2% of the time (23-8).

Both teams had little rest before Game 4. USA TODAY Sports provided the latest updates and highlights. See what you missed:

NBA Finals Game 4: Highlights

Final: Thunder 111, Pacers 104

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Lu Dort capitalized from the charity stripe and Oklahoma City came back from seven down in the fourth quarter to win Game 4 and knot the NBA Finals at 2-2. Game 5 is Monday, June 16, (8:30 p.m. ET, ABC) in Oklahoma City. — Heather Tucker

3Q: Pacers 87, Thunder 80

It had seemed that every time the Pacers went on a run and tried to pull away, the Thunder came right back. With a 3-1 deficit just 12 minutes away, Oklahoma City will have to prove that again, with the Pacers taking a seven-point lead into the fourth quarter.

The biggest difference of this game has been 3-point shooting. The Thunder, perhaps affected by tired legs, have made just 2 of their 14 attempts from beyond the arc, for a staggeringly low 14.3%.

Compare that to Indiana’s clip from deep, 11-of-28 (39.3%), giving the Pacers a +27 advantage on 3-point shots.

The Pacers have four players in double figures in scoring, with forward Obi Toppin’s 15 providing a massive lift off the bench. Toppin scored eight in the period, including a pair of 3s during a key runmidway through the period.

Pacers forward Pascal Siakam leads Indiana with 20 points, and also has seven rebounds, five assists and five steals.

The Thunder have appeared fatigued, and are shooting 44.4% overall from the field. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 20 points, Jalen Williams has 23 and Alex Caruso has 17 off the bench. Aside from that, the rest of the Thunder have just 20 points combined. — Lorenzo Reyes

Raptors superfan at Game 4 to support Pascal Siacam

INDIANAPOLIS — Raptors superfan Nav Bhatia is in attendance, supporting former Raptor Pascal Siakam who was part of Toronto’s 2019 championship team. — Jeff Zillgitt

Haliburton attempts first free throw of series before halftime

Tyrese Haliburton attempted his first free throw of the series with 28.3 seconds left in the second quarter, giving the Pacers a 60-57 lead at halftime of Game 3 of the NBA Finals.

Haliburton got on the board quickly, knocking down a 3-pointer in the opening minutes to give the Pacers an 11-6 lead over the Thunder with 9:23 remaining in the first quarter. Then, he experienced a scoring drought. 

Haliburton was held scoreless for over 20 minutes in the first half. He didn’t score again until there was 1:07 remaining in the second quarter.

He finished the first half with eight points, shooting 3-of-6 from the field and 1-of-3 from beyond the arc. He also added five assists and one steal. — Cydney Henderson and Jeff Zillgitt

Halftime: Pacers 60, Thunder 57

This is turning into a tight, back-and-forth game.

And with the potential of a commanding 3-1 lead hanging in the balance, the Indiana Pacers are carrying a modest, three-point lead into the half.

As they have all series, the Pacers are getting multiple contributions; all nine players who have stepped on the floor have scored at least three points, with forward Pascal Siakam (14) leading the way and Tyrese Haliburton scoring eight. He finally got his first free throw of the series in the second half.

In the first half, Indiana swung the ball and whipped it up and down the court, generating 15 assists on 21 made field goals.

For the Thunder, it has been more of a slog. NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has 12 points on 6-of-11 shooting, but he has recorded just two rebounds and failed to register an assist, steal or block. Oklahoma City forward Jalen Williams leads all players with 16 points.

One other interesting note, the Thunder have struggled significantly from 3, hitting just 1-of-10 from beyond the arc. The Pacers, meanwhile, started red hot from deep but cooled down, hitting 7-of-19 (36.8%) in the first half, to give them an 18-point edge from 3. — Lorenzo Reyes

Thunder guard Lu Dort called for flagrant foul

Just minutes after he was called for a flagrant level one foul, Pacers forward Obi Toppin was on the receiving end of one.

Perhaps in a move that was intended to send a message for Toppin’s hard foul on Thunder guard Alex Caruso, Oklahoma City guard Lu Dort swiped at Toppin during an attempted layup, making clear contact with Toppin’s head.

Toppin would split the free throws. — Lorenzo Reyes

Pacers forward Obi Toppin picks up flagrant foul

After a potential flagrant foul call wasn’t enforced upon review late in Game 3, one was called midway through Game 4.

During a breakaway layup attempt, Pacers forward Obi Toppin checked Thunder guard Alex Caruso, sending Caruso tumbling to the court. Thunder center Isaiah Hartenstein, in an attempt to protect his teammate, then confronted Toppin, who shoved Hartenstein.

Although the infraction was called as a common foul on the floor, upon review it was determined to be a flagrant level one, while Hartenstein and Toppin were given double technical fouls.

Caruso would hit both free throws. — Lorenzo Reyes

1Q: Pacers 35, Thunder 34

The Indiana Pacers punched first in Game 4, but the Oklahoma City Thunder responded.

After Indiana opened an early nine-point lead, the Thunder ripped off a quick 9-0 run midway through the first quarter to tighten the period. Through one, the Pacers are up by one, 35-34.

Pacers forward Pascal Siakam set the tone early, scoring 10 points on 3-of-5 shooting, though his defense — and his four steals — also gave Oklahoma City problems. The Pacers shot 55%, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range.

The Thunder doubled up Indiana in the paint, 16-8, as coach Mark Daigneault opted to return to his previous starting lineup that included Isaiah Hartenstein in a double-big unit. Forward Jalen Williams led all Thunder players with 12 points on 3-of-6 shooting, though he got to the line early, draining all six of his attempts there.

The Pacers are continuing to do a superb job of frustrating NBA Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, pressuring him constantly. He has just four points on 2-of-5 shooting and has not attempted a free throw. — Lorenzo Reyes

Caitlin Clark among famous faces at NBA Finals Game 4

Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever and former Pacers players Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose were among those in attendance at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Former NFL player Reggie Wayne, former NBA players Grant Hill and Charles Barkley and former Pacers Travis Best, Darnell Hillman, Detlef Schrempf, Austin Croshere, C.J. Watson, Haywoode Workman, Billy Keller, Dale Davis, Roy Hibbert, Metta World Peace, Jeff Foster, Brad Miller and Mark Jackson also came out.

Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few was in the crowd and former Indianapolis Colts player and media personality Pat McAfee was spotted. — Heather Tucker and Jeff Zillgitt

NBA Finals Game 4 tips off: Pacers off to hot start

The Indiana Pacers look like a team intent on taking a commanding 3-1 series lead in the NBA Finals.

Indiana stormed out of the gate Friday night, making four of its first five shots, including its first three tries from beyond the arc. The Pacers also continued their trend of pressuring Oklahoma City the entire length of the floor, something that appeared to grind the Thunder down in Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11.

In spite of the Pacers pressure, however, the Thunder opened the game reasonably well, shooting 42.9% from the floor on their seven attempts.

All five starters for the Pacers have scored at least three points, and Indiana has opened an early 20-12 lead through five minutes in the first quarter. — Jeff Zillgitt

What time is Thunder vs. Pacers game today?

The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 4 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET.

Where to watch Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers Game 4

• Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis, Indiana)
• TV: ABC
• Stream: Fubo, Sling TV

Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo

NBA Finals Game 4: Thunder starting lineup

• Jalen Williams
• Chet Holmgren
• Isaiah Hartenstein
• Lu Dort
• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

NBA Finals Game 4: Pacers starting lineup

• Pascal Siakam
• Aaron Nesmith
• Myles Turner
• Andrew Nembhard
• Tyrese Haliburton

Isaiah Hartenstein back in starting lineup

INDIANAPOLIS — Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault has made another change to his starting lineup – putting center Isaiah Hartenstein back into the starting lineup instead of guard Cason Wallace, who started the first three games in place of Hartenstein.

Chet Holmgren and Hartenstein, who started in the first three rounds of the playoffs, have played just 10 minutes together during the Finals, but the Thunder have outscored the Pacers 22-15 in that time. After the Pacers scored 50 points in the paint in Game 3, Daigneault is looking for more rim protection in Game 4.  — Jeff Zillgitt

NBA Finals Game 4: Thunder vs. Pacers injury update

There are no starters listed on the Game 4 injury report including Indiana guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was tremendous in Game 3 after walking with a limp following Game 2 and what he called “a lower leg thing.” Pacers coach Rick Carlisle said Pacers center Myles Turner wasn’t feeling well in Game 3. With a day between games, Carlisle said before Game 4 that Turner “seems to be better. But he’s going to play. As you say, he’s not on the injury report. I know he’s looking forward to getting back out there.”

Pacers backup forward Jarace Walker remains sidelined with a sprained right ankle. Carlisle said earlier in the series there’s hope he could return later in the Finals but that’s not guaranteed. — Jeff Zillgitt

How will the Thunder, SGA handle Indiana’s pressure defense?

INDIANAPOLIS — In Game 3, the Pacers “limited” MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to 24 points – six fewer than his playoff average of 30.1 – and forced him into six turnovers.

That is one aspect to watch in Game 4.

“I thought we were prepared for that,” Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said about 90 minutes before Game 4. “I thought we attacked it well for portions of the game. We had really good stretches. And didn’t attack it well enough for enough of the game. …

“We know they are going to pressure again. They’ve been pretty consistent with that. We think we have some solutions to that, but we got to go do it. We’ve got to have the will to have more force than they have pressure and physicality in the perimeter.” — Jeff Zillgitt

NBA 3-pointer reigns supreme for championship teams

The NBA’s 3-point shot has enemies.

Too many 3s, they say. The shot is ruining the game, they say.

And those critics of the 3-point shot found ammunition in the Eastern Conference semifinals of this season’s playoffs when the Boston Celtics attempted 60 3-pointers and missed 45 against the New York Knicks. The guffawing ignored the fact that Boston’s 3-point shooting was instrumental in its 2023-24 championship season and in its 61-21 record this season.

Regardless of your aesthetic view of how basketball should be played and what it should look like, the 3-point shot has turned divisive but remains vital to winning championships.

USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt takes a deeper look at this divisive shot.

Caitlin Clark plans to attend Game 4

Caitlin Clark, who has missed five WNBA games with the Indiana Fever with a quadricep injury, said she was planning to be at Game 4.

‘Hopefully they can finish it out in five, because I won’t be able to come to Game 6,’ Clark told Tony East, who publishes AllPacers and covers the Pacers and Fever.

Clark, who will return with the Fever against the New York Liberty on Saturday, June 14, has seemingly been a good luck charm. The Pacers are 8-0 in postseason games she has attended. ‒ Heather Tucker

NBA Finals Game 4 referees

• Scott Foster (18th Finals)
• Josh Tiven (sixth Finals)
• Sean Wright (second Finals)

Opinion: NBA wanted parity – and got it

If the NBA Finals matchup of the league’s 23rd and 27th-ranked media markets is supposed to spell doom for the league, it is a doom the NBA’s owners intentionally brought on themselves. 

While two glitz-free Midwestern cities in the Finals might not have the celebrity pull the NBA has largely enjoyed through its historically successful franchises, it was an inevitable outcome once the league designed a collective bargaining agreement that dismantled its traditional cycle of superteams and dynasties. 

Welcome to the new NBA, where championship windows are smaller, the life cycle of a roster is shorter and the number of teams that can win a title in any given year is beyond anything we’ve seen in our lifetimes. — Dan Wolken Read Wolken’s full column here.

Where is Game 4 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder?

The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis for Game 4 of the NBA Finals.

How many Finals have the Pacers won?

The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA Championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025).

How many Finals have the Thunder won?

The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA Championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. They have not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008.

Thunder vs. Pacers NBA Finals picks: USA TODAY staff predictions

USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder

Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA Today Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals

• Scooby Axson: Thunder in five
• Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six
• Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six
• Heather Tucker: Thunder in five
• James Williams: Thunder in six
• Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five

Thunder vs. Pacers predictions, expert picks for NBA Finals Game 4

USA TODAY: Most pick the Thunder in Game 4

• Scooby Axson: Pacers 118, Thunder 108
• Jordan Mendoza: Thunder 109, Pacers 102
• Cydney Henderson: Thunder 108, Pacers 106
• Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder 106, Pacers 97
• Heather Tucker: Thunder 103, Pacers 90
• James Williams: Pacers 110, Thunder 104
• Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 111, Pacers 99

Thunder vs. Pacers odds: Game 4

The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to even the series 2-2 with the Indiana Pacers in Game 4 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of afternoon of Friday, June 13):

• Spread: Thunder (-6.5)
• Moneyline: Thunder (-250); Pacers (+200)
• Over/under: 227.5

How to stream NBA Finals Game 4: Thunder vs. Pacers

Game 4 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users.

Thunder vs. Pacers Game 4 TV channel

The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC.

NBA Finals schedule: Pacers vs. Thunder

• Game 1, June 5: Pacers 111, Thunder 110
• Game 2, June 8: Thunder 123, Pacers 107
• Game 3, June 11: Pacers 116, Thunder 107
• Game 4, June 13: Thunder 111, Pacers 104
• Game 5, June 16: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
• Game 6, June 19: Thunder at Pacers | ABC, Fubo | 8:30 p.m.
• Game 7, June 22: Pacers at Thunder | ABC, Fubo | 8 p.m.*

All times Eastern; *-if necessary

NBA Championship odds

The Oklahoma City Thunder still remain the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, despite being down 2-1 entering Game 4, according to BetMGM (odds as of the afternoon of Friday, June 13):

• Series winner: Thunder (-250); Pacers (+200)

Updated NBA Finals MVP odds

Odds via BetMGM on Thursday, June 12

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-235)
• Tyrese Haliburton (+275)
• Pascal Siakam (+900)
• Jalen Williams (+8000)
• Chet Holmgren (+10000)
• Bennedict Mathurin (+10000)

NBA playoff bracket 

Eastern Conference finals 

• No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2

Western Conference finals 

• No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1

NBA Finals

• No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (Pacers lead series 2-1)

Opinion: Pacers bench steals Game 3

Indiana’s bench stole Game 3, helping the Pacers to a 116-107 victory against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday, June 11, pushing the Pacers to a 2-1 series lead.

A 10-year veteran, T.J. McConnell was a major part of a massive Pacers’ bench effort that reshaped the tone of the series, scoring 10 points, delivering five assists and collecting five steals.

Read more on the Indiana Pacers inspired Game 3 win via Jeff Zillgitt’s breakdown.

NBA Finals matchup: SGA vs. Haliburton

The 2025 NBA Finals is, in many ways, a celebration of the point guard.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and the Oklahoma City Thunder superstar, and Tyrese Haliburton, the pass-first point guard with a penchant in the clutch, are each franchise’s hope to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy.

Though they likely won’t match up directly all the time, the responsibility of guarding the other likely falling to more specialized defenders, Gilgeous-Alexander and Haliburton are reshaping the image of the point guard in the modern NBA.

USA TODAY’s Jeff Zillgitt and Lorenzo Reyes look at the Pacers and Thunder’s biggest stars.

NBA Finals: Complete Oklahoma City Thunder roster

• Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
• Chet Holmgren
• Jalen Williams
• Luguentz Dort
• Alex Caruso
• Isaiah Joe
• Cason Wallace
• Jaylin Williams
• Aaron Wiggins
• Kenrich Williams
• Isaiah Hartenstein
• Ousmane Diang
• Nikola Topic
• Ajay Mitchell
• Dillon Jones

NBA Finals: Complete Indiana Pacers roster

• Tyrese Haliburton
• Pascal Siakam
• Myles Turner
• Benedict Mathurin
• Obi Toppin
• Andrew Nebhard
• Aaron Nesmith
• T.J. McConnell
• Isaiah Jackson
• Jarace Walker
• Ben Sheppard
• Johnny Furphy
• James Johnson
• Thomas Bryant

2025 All-NBA team 

Oklahoma City Thunder guard and league Most Valuable Player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic were unanimous selections from a panel of 100 global reporters and broadcasters who cover the NBA voted on the squad. View the complete list. 

NBA champions by year

Winners over the last 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit NBA.com.

• 2023-24 — Boston Celtics 
• 2022-23 — Denver Nuggets
• 2021-22 — Golden State Warriors
• 2020-21 — Milwaukee Bucks 
• 2019-20 — Los Angeles Lakers 
• 2018-19 — Toronto Raptors 
• 2017-18 — Golden State Warriors 
• 2016-17 — Golden State Warriors 
• 2015-16 — Cleveland Cavaliers 
• 2014-15 — Golden State Warriors 
• 2013-14 — San Antonio Spurs 
• 2012-13 — Miami Heat 
• 2011-12 — Miami Heat 
• 2010-11 — Dallas Mavericks 
• 2009-10 — Los Angeles Lakers 
• 2008-09 — Los Angeles Lakers 
• 2007-08 — Boston Celtics
• 2006-07 — San Antonio Spurs 
• 2005-06 — Miami Heat 
• 2004-05 — San Antonio Spurs 

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Omaha magic arrived on Day 1 of the College World Series, and it is all thanks to Oregon State left fielder Gavin Turley.

Facing the first pitch of his at-bat in the bottom of the ninth inning with a runner on first, Turley laced a line drive down into the left field corner to score Aiva Arquette and give No. 8 Oregon State a 4-3 walk-off win against Louisville at the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.

It is the first walk-off win for the Beavers in their eight trips to the College World Series, according to the ESPN broadcast.

‘Trying to hit something hard. Hit something over the plate, ‘Turley told ESPN’s Kris Budden after the game. ‘Didn’t try to do too much, to be honest. Just put a good swing on the ball in the zone.

He added on the feel of his heartbeat after the walk-off: ‘It’s off the charts. Can’t believe I’m standing here. I’m still out of breath. That was awesome.’

Turley’s heroics in Omaha at Charles Schwab Field Omaha didn’t come without a wacky top of the ninth inning, which he played a factor into. Leading 3-1 going into the ninth inning, Turley attempted to make a diving catch on a live drive hit to him by Louisville left fielder Zion Rose. However, Turley misplayed the ball, allowing Rose to begin the inning with a lead-off triple.

Rose was then brought home one batter later by Tague Davis, who beat the shift with a single up the middle. Kamau Neighbors plated Alex Alicea to even the score at 3-3 on a single up the middle, after Alicea reached third on a two-error play by Arquette and Oregon State catcher Wilson Weber.

Earlier in the game, Turley set a new Oregon State single-postseason program record for most RBIs that his head coach, Mitch Canham, used to hold. Turley’s first RBI of the night came on a groundout to second that allowed Trent Caraway to come across home for the first run of the night.

The meeting between the Beavers and the Cardinals was the first since both teams met up in the 2013 College World Series, a game that Oregon State also won.

Next up for Oregon State will be No. 13 Coastal Carolina, which defeated Arizona 7-4 earlier in the day to extend its nation-leading 24-game win streak, on June 15 at 7 p.m. ET. A win against the Chanticleers would advance the Beavers to the CWS semifinals.

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In the lead-up to the 2025 U.S. Open, USGA CEO Mike Whan said that Oakmont Country Club will provide ‘golf’s toughest test.’ He wasn’t lying. The notoriously challenging course in Pennsylvania will soon officially claim its first victims, including a pair of former champions that represent LIV Golf.

Fourteen LIV golfers were in the field when the third major of the year teed off on Thursday, but seemingly less than half will remain after the cut is made. (The cut line was projected at 7-over when play was suspended Friday.)

Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau (+10) and 2016 U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson (+10), whose win came at Oakmont Country Club, are among the golfers that are likely done after 36 holes.

The U.S. Open remains the only major Phil Mickelson hasn’t won in his career and the title remains elusive; Mickelson sits at 8-over on the tournament. Mickelson, 54, has finished second at the U.S. Open a record six times.

The second round of the 2025 U.S. Open was suspended at 8:15 p.m. ET on Friday due to lighting in the area with a handful of golfers still on the course. The cut line won’t be finalized until the second round officially concludes Saturday. Play resumes at 7:30 a.m. ET.

If the cut line holds at 7-over, Jon Rahm and Brooks Koepka will be the only former U.S. Open champions from LIV still in contention. Rahm was crowned champion in 2021 after a win at Torrey Pines, while Koepka won back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 2017 and 2018 at Erin Hills and Shinnecock Hills, respectively.

Here’s a look at which LIV golfers made it into the weekend and who missed the cut:

Which LIV golfers will make the cut at the 2025 U.S. Open?

Six LIV golfers are likely remain in the field at the 2025 U.S. Open:

• Brooks Koepka: +2 (F)
• Tyrrell Hatton: +3 (F)
• Carlos Ortiz: +3 (F)
• Jon Rahm: +4 (F)
• Marc Leishman: +6 (F)
• Patrick Reed: +7 (F)

Which LIV golfers will miss the cut at the 2025 U.S. Open?

Eight LIV golfers likely won’t make the cut, which is projected at 7-over:

• Phil Mickelson: +8 (F)
• Cameron Smith: +8 (F)
• Jinichiro Kozuma: +9 (17)*
• Joaquin Niemann: +10 (F)
• Dustin Johnson: +10 (F)
• Bryson DeChambeau: +10 (F)
• José Luis Ballester Barrio: +12 (F)
• Richard Bland: +18 (F)

*Golfer was still on the course when second-round play was suspended Friday

How to watch 2025 U.S. Open: TV, streaming

Here’s the complete schedule for the 2025 U.S. Open: 

All times Eastern

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It will be an early start for 13 U.S. Open competitors, who will be asked to finish out the second round on Saturday, June 14.

The second round of the U.S. Open came to a halt Friday evening after rain poured down on Oakmont Country Club. Officials suspended play leaving more than a dozen golfers still out on the course.

After the second round is finalized, the third round is expected to continue with Sam Burns and J.J. Spaun at the top of the leaderboard.

Burns took over the top spot at 3-under-par after Spaun stumbled in the second round, surrendering the lead he produced in the first round. Burns moved up 32 spots after shooting an impressive 5-under-par in the second round. Spaun is sitting in second on the leaderboard at -2 after shooting notching a 2-over second round. Viktor Hovland (-1 for the tournament), Adam Scott (Even) and Ben Griffin (Even) round out the top five.

Here’s what to know for Day 3 of the U.S. Open on Saturday, June 14, including the start time and how to watch:

When will Round 2 of US Open finish?

Thirteen golfers were still on the course when the second round was suspended for inclement weather. All 13 had completed at least 16 holes, and each will pick up exactly where they left off on Saturday, June 14, beginning at 7:30 a.m. ET.

South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence, who is tied for sixth on the leaderboard at +1, is among the golfers that still need to complete the second round. Two other golfers – Chris Gotterup (+5 through 17) and Philip Barbaree, Jr. (+6 through 16) are hovering around the projected cut line of +7.

When will Round 3 of US Open begin?

The third round is scheduled to begin around 9 a.m. ET from the first tee. Round 3 will be played in groups of two, all starting from hole No. 1. Tee times will run to approximately 3:30 p.m. ET.

How to watch US Open on Saturday?

The 2025 U.S. Open is being broadcast by NBC and USA Network, with the two networks splitting coverage for the third and final rounds. All rounds of the U.S. Open will be live-streamed on Peacock, usopen.com, the USGA app and Fubo, which offers a free trial. Peacock will also broadcast U.S. Open All-Access, its whip-around style offering, for every round.

Third round: Saturday, June 14

• 12-8 p.m. on NBC, Fubo
• 10 a.m.-12 p.m. on USA Network, Fubo

Stream the U.S. Open on Fubo (free trial)

Oregon State baseball snapped a seven-year College World Series drought by winning the Corvallis Super Regional, and continued its ‘road warrior’ mentality with an opening win in Omaha.

The eighth-seeded Beavers won in style against Louisville, walking off the Cardinals after giving up a ninth-inning lead to close down Day 1 of the 2025 CWS from Charles Schwab Field Omaha.

Following three scoreless innings, Oregon State jumped on the board first with a two-run fourth inning that started with a Trent Caraway single and Aiva Arquette to put two runners on. Gavin Turley, the eventual hero of the game, drove in the first run with a groundout to second. One batter later, Wilson Weber drove in another run with an RBI single to get Oregon State up 2-0.

The teams then traded a run in the sixth inning, followed by two more scoreless innings. Louisville managed to tie the game in the top of the ninth inning after Turley failed to make a diving grab in left field instead of fielding a base hit. That allowed Zion Rose to triple, immediately putting a runner in scoring position, which he did after a Tague Davis single to left center.

Another set of errors then allowed Alex Alicea to advance to third base and easily score off a single from Kamau Neighbors to tie the game 3-3 and send the game to the bottom of the ninth.

Oregon State’s nightmare was short-lived, however, with Arquette singling to center in the second at-bat of the inning, immediately followed by a Turley double to deep left field to score Arquette all the way from first. With that, the Beavers avoided a late-game collapse and advanced to 1-0 in the CWS.

USA TODAY Sports provided updates, scores and highlights of Oregon State vs. Louisville at the College World Series. See them below:

Stream Oregon State-Louisville baseball with Fubo (free trial)

Oregon State vs Louisville baseball live score

This section will be updated during the game

Oregon State vs Louisville CWS live updates

This section will be updated closer to first pitch

Gavin Turley walks it off for Oregon State

Who else but Gavin Turley!

Turley lines one down the left field line to score Aiva Arquette from first for a walk-off double to defeat Louisville 4-3 at the College World Series.

Oregon State puts winning run on in ninth

Aiva Arquette smashes one into left center field for his third hit of the game. The game-winning run is now on base for the Beavers as Gavin Turley comes out to the plate with one out in the inning.

Oregon State gets out of jam

Louisville’s ninth inning rally comes to a close on a weak dribbler back to Kellen Oaks, who fires a fastball to first to retire Matt Klein. The Cardinals do their damage in the inning to keep the game going, as they tied the game on a hit up the middle from Kamau Neighbors after two costly errors from Oregon State.

The top of the lineup is coming up for the Beavers, who look to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth.

Louisville ties the game in ninth

A wacky top of the ninth inning in Omaha allows Louisville to tie the game at 3-3 on an RBI single up the middle from Kamau Neighbors.

The Cardinals were able to get a runner in scoring position at third after Alex Alicea reached on an error by Oregon State shortstop Aiva Arquette, who overthrew the play at first. Alicea then advanced to third on a throw into no-mans land by Wilson Weber.

Louisville has life for the first time tonight with the opportunity to take its first lead.

Wilson Weber throws out Tanner Shiver at second

A massive first out of the inning in the top of the ninth comes from Oregon State catcher Wilson Weber, as he throws out Louisville pinch runner Tanner Shiver at second.

Interesting decision there by Louisville to put the steal on with the tying run at first with no outs in the inning. During the umpire review, ESPN’s cameras showed Shiver saying he had a bad jump on the stolen base attempt.

Louisville gets within one of Oregon State

Here comes the Cards!

Tague Davis beats the shift with a single into right center field, allowing Zion Rose to score from third to make it a 3-2 Oregon State lead in the top of the ninth. A costly error from Gavin Turley comes to haunt the Beavers.

Zion Rose hits leads off triple in ninth

Zion Rose connects on the first pitch of the night from Kellan Oakes and it results in a leadoff triple after Oregon State left fielder Gavin Turley took the gamble and attempted to make the diving catch. A costly play there by Turley.

Kellan Oakes comes into pitch for Oregon State

The Beavers will go to Kellan Oakes for the final three outs in the top of the ninth.

Oregon State takes lead into ninth inning

Louisville reliever Jake Schweitzer catches Oregon runner Canon Reeder sleeping at first base for the pickoff. Nice quick tag by Tague Davis at first. Oregon State challenged the play but the call was confirmed.

The Beavers head into the ninth inning looking for the final three outs to pick up Win No. 1 in Omaha at the 2025 College World Series.

Louisville turns to Jake Schweitzer

Trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Louisville turns to Jake Schweitzer to relieve Justin West on the mound.

He enters the game with a 2.13 ERA on the season with 20 strikeouts.

Tague Davis makes snagging play at first

It’s 3-1 Oregon State going into the eighth inning.

Louisville strands two runners

Louisville knocked on the door in the seventh inning with two runners in scoring position but was unable to bring any of them home as Lucas Moore chases an off-speed pitch in the dirt from Wyatt Queen for the third out of the seventh. A nasty pitch by Queen to get himself out of the jam.

It’s stretch time in Omaha with Oregon State leading 3-1.

Oregon State’s Wyatt Queen flashes leather

Wyatt Queen doesn’t have much time to settle himself into the game, as he busts off the mound to make an impressive play at first to retire Zion Rose. A really nice PFP play by Queen to start his night on the mound, as he comes in relief of Eric Segura.

Oregon State leaves bases loaded

Tip your cap, Justin West.

The Cardinals’ southpaw escapes the bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning by getting back-to-back punch outs against Carson McEntire and Trent Caraway. Real nice piece of pitching by West to get out of the jam, particularly after giving up an unearned run on Alex Alicea’s error at shortstop.

A tough blow for Oregon State, which is now 1 for 7 with runners in scoring position. It’s 3-1 Beavers going into the seventh.

Oregon State extends lead on Louisville error

Justin West draws up exactly what he wanted, but Louisville shortstop Alex Alicea bobbles the ball on what would have been an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. Alicea’s error at short allows AJ Singer to score from third and keeps the bases loaded with one out for Oregon State. It’s now 3-1 Oregon State in the sixth inning.

Louisville turns to Justin West

Patrick Forbes’ night is done on the mound for Louisville after walking Jacob Krieg to load the bases with one out in the sixth inning. The Cardinals will now turn to left-hander Justin West.

Forbes was sharp for much of the night for the Cardinals as he struck out 10 through 5 1/3 innings. He is responsible for all three runners on base.

Oregon State knocking on door

The Beavers are knocking on the door in the bottom of the sixth inning after back-to-back one-out hits from AJ Singer and Tyce Peterson.

Louisville starter Patrick Forbes is nearing the 100-pitch mark on the mound. Oregon State is 1 for 4 with runners in scoring position.

Eric Segura gets out of jam

Eric Segura comes up big for Oregon State as he gets out of the jam. Facing runners on second and third with one out after throwing a pitch to the backstop, Segura answers back by getting Eddie King Jr. to strike out and Garret Pike to pop up in foul territory behind home plate to Wilson Weber.

Oregon State takes a 2-1 lead into the bottom of the sixth against Louisville.

Louisville gets on the board

Eric Segura gets Jake Munroe to roll one to shortstop but Aiva Arquette can’t come up with the ball, allowing Kamau Neighbors to score and Munroe to reach first.

It’s now 2-1 Oregon State in the top of the sixth.

Oregon State makes pitching change

Oregon State makes a surprising call to the bullpen as Dax Whiney hits a roadblock in the top of the sixth inning after Louisville puts two runners into scoring position with one out. It will be Eric Segura who is summoned from the bullpen for the Beavers.

Whitney cruised through his first four innings in his first CWS start before losing some gas in the last two. He finished the night with nine strikeouts.

Louisville building momentum on offense

The Cardinals have some life on offense for the first time on the night as Kamau Neighbors works a walk and Moore singles over the head of Aiva Arquette into left field.

Matt Klein would then advance both runners into scoring position with a groundout to first. Runners on second and third with one out for Louisville coming up in the sixth inning.

Oregon State strands two runners

Oregon State takes a 2-0 lead into the sixth inning vs. Louisville, but leaves two runners on base in the fifth.

Patrick Forbes has kept the Cardinals in the game after giving up two runs in the fourth inning, but Louisville is going to need some offense if it wants a shot at advancing in the winners’ bracket. Louisville has just two hits through the first five innings in Omaha.

Oregon State adds another run in fourth inning

The Beavers aren’t done scoring in the fourth inning.

Wilson Weber singles through the right side of the diamond, allowing Aiva Arquette to score from third. It’s 2-0 Oregon State over Louisville going into the fifth inning.

Oregon State takes early lead in fourth inning

Oregon State is the first to strike in Omaha, as Gavin Hurley hit one to shortstop for an RBI groundout.

The Beavers got the scoring going with back-to-back singles from Trent Caraway and Aiva Arquette. Both runners would then move up a base on a wild pitch to the backstop from Louisville pitcher Patrick Forbes. Turley’s RBI breaks Oregon State coach Mitch Canham’s program record for most RBIs in a single postseason. Canham was part of Oregon State’s back-to-back national championship teams in 2006 and 2007.

Louisville leaves two runners on

Dax Whitney gets himself out of his first jam of the night by getting Garret Pike to chase a 95 mph fastball for strike three and the third out of the inning.

After not getting through Whitney in the first three innings, Louisville had some momentum in the fourth with back-to-back two-out singles from Jake Munroe and Eddie King Jr. off Whitney. A missed opportunity for the Cardinals.

Jake Munroe breaks up Dax Whitney’s perfect game

Louisville third baseman Jake Munroe breaks up Dax Whitney’s perfect game attempt with a single through the left side of the field in the top of the fourth. It’s the first hit and baserunner of the night for the Cardinals.

Before giving up a two-out single to Munroe, Whitney was rolling for the Beavers on the mound as he struck out seven of his first 10 hitters while throwing 70% of his pitches for a strike.

Oregon State, Louisville scoreless after three innings

It’s all knotted up at 0-0 between Oregon State and Louisville after three innings in Omaha.

After two and a half innings with no baserunners, Oregon State first baseman Jacob Krieg was the game’s first runner after being hit by a pitch. Louisville first baseman Tague Davis, the son of former MLB catcher Ben Davis, then made a nice play at first base to complete the 4-6-3 double play to retire Krieg and Canon Reeder.

Dax Whitney strikes out side in second inning

Good morning, good afternoon, good night! Dax Whitney is feeling it on the mound as he strikes out the side in the top of the second inning. He has now struck out five of the first Louisville batters he has faced.

The Beavers’ freshman ace has done a nice job through the first two innings of mixing in his pitches during at-bats with speed and placement. It’s 0-0 between Oregon State and Louisville going into the home half of the second.

Oregon State, Louisville scoreless after first inning

Both teams go down in order 1-2-3 in their halves of the first inning. Oregon State pitcher Dax Whitney and Louisville pitcher Patrick Forbes each have a pair of strikeouts to start their nights on the bump.

Is the College World Series double elimination?

Yes, the College World Series is double elimination in bracket play until the start of the best-of-three CWS finals.

Each team starts at a 0-0 record and is guaranteed at least two tournament games. Similar to the regional tournament format, the winner continues in the winner’s bracket, while the loser fends off elimination until a winner emerges from the bracket.

If a team loses two games in either the double elimination or championship series portions of the CWS, they are eliminated.

Dax Whitney opens CWS career with back-to-back strikeouts

Not a bad first impression in Omaha for Oregon State freshman pitcher Dax Whitney, as he retires Lucas Moore and Matt Klein on back-to-back strikeouts.

Two outs in the top of the first inning for the Beavers.

Pregame

Eddie King Jr. NCAA baseball tournament stats

Louisville shortstop Eddie King Jr. has been on a tear in the postseason for the Cardinals — and is one of the reasons why they are back in Omaha.

In five NCAA baseball tournament games this season, King Jr. is hitting a scorching .545 at the plate with eight RBIs and three home runs. Entering the CWS, King Jr. is 20 for 36 (.556) over his last 10 games with six doubles, seven homers, 17 RBIs and 11 runs scored. He also took home Nashville Regional Most Valuable Player honors after hitting .500 with four RBIs in the three games.

Louisville starting lineup

Here’s Louisville’s starting lineup for its CWS game vs. Oregon State:

1. CF Lucas Moore
2. C Matt Klein
3. 3B Jake Munroe
4. DH Eddie King Jr.
5. RF Garret Pike
6. LF Zion Rose
7. 1B Tague Davis
8. SS Alex Alicea
9. 2B Kamau Neighbors

Patrick Forbes is starting on the mound for the Cardinals.

Oregon State starting lineup

Here’s Oregon State’s starting lineup for its CWS game vs. Louisville:

1. 3B Trent Caraway
2. SS Aiva Arquette
3. LF Gavin Turley
4. C Wilson Weber
5. 2B AJ Singer
6. DH Tyce Peterson
7. 1B Jacob King
8. CF Canon Reeder
9. RF Easton Talt

Dax Whitney is starting on the mound for the Beavers.

Oregon State, Louisville arrive at CWS

The Beavers and the Cardinals have arrived at Charles Schwab Field Omaha for their CWS game. It is the first time both teams are facing each other since the 2013 College World Series.

How did Louisville make College World Series?

The Cardinals’ appearance at the 2025 College World Series has come by way of catching some last-season fire.

Louisville began its road to Omaha by sweeping its way through the Nashville Regional, which included a second-round win over top overall seed Vanderbilt. The Cardinals would secure their first regional title since 2022 with a 6-0 shutout win over Wright State.

Dan McDonnell’s squad would then take two of three games in the Louisville Super Regional against their ACC foe, Miami. The Cardinals’ super regional win over the Hurricanes sent them back to Omaha for the sixth time in program history and the first time since 2019. 

How did Oregon State make College World Series?

The Beavers advanced to the College World Series for the first time since winning it all in 2018 by taking two of three games in the Corvallis Super Regional against No. 9 Florida State. Oregon State also played itself out of the ‘elimination bracket’ of the Corvallis Regional to advance out of the first weekend.

Oregon State’s appearance in Omaha is a bit of a historic one, as it comes as an independent. The Beavers are the first independent to make the eight-team CWS field since Miami in 2004.

Click here to read more on why Oregon State is competing as an independent.

What time does Oregon State vs Louisville baseball start?

• Date: June 13
• Time: 7 p.m. ET
• Where: Charles Schwab Field Omaha (Omaha, Neb.)

Oregon State and Louisville are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska in the opening round of the College World Series.

What TV channel is Oregon State vs Louisville baseball on today?

• TV channel: ESPN
• Streaming options: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

The CWS opening-round game between Oregon State and Louisville will air on ESPN. Mike Monaco (play-by-play), Kyle Peterson (analyst), Chris Burke (analyst) and Kris Budden (sideline reporter) will be on the call for ESPN.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a TV login), ESPN+ — ESPN’s subscription streaming service — and Fubo, the last of which carries ESPN and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Streaming Oregon State vs. Louisville baseball with ESPN+

Oregon State vs Louisville baseball predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, June 12

• Spread: Oregon State -1.5
• Over/under: 10.5
• Moneyline: Oregon State (-175) | Louisville (+135)

NCAA baseball schedule

The 2025 NCAA baseball tournament began on May 30 with the regional round of play. The tournament has since advanced to the super regionals, which began June 6 and will run no later than June 9. The College World Series is the final step of the postseason and began on June 13. It will run through June 22 or 23, depending on whether the championship series requires two or three games.

Here is more detailed look at the latest college baseball schedule and NCAA Tournament bracket update.

• Regional round: May 30-June 2
• Super Regional round: June 6-9
• College World Series: June 13-22/23
• CWS finals: June 21-22/23

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