No. 3 Arkansas Headed to College World Series After 11–4 Win Over No. 14 Tennessee…read

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No. 3 Arkansas Headed to College World Series After 11–4 Win Over No. 14 Tennessee…read more…

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 3 national‑seeded Arkansas Razorbacks punched their ticket back to Omaha, cruising to an 11–4 victory over No. 14 Tennessee in Game 2 of the Fayetteville Super Regional on Sunday, June 8, and sealing a dominant series sweep to advance to the 2025 College World Series .

Arkansas wasted no time seizing momentum. After a gritty 4–3 win in the series opener on Saturday, the Razorbacks exploded offensively in Game 2, delivering a power‑packed performance that featured a game‑altering grand slam and consistent production across the lineup.

🔥 Early Spark: Davalan’s Two‑Run Shot

The rally began in the top of the 3rd inning. Charles Davalan mashed a two‑run homer to right field that gave Arkansas a 2–0 lead and provided the early spark the team needed .

💥 Grand Slam Erupts in 4th

Arkansas took control of the game in the fourth inning. After a wild pitch—charged to Tennessee’s reliever Brayden Krenzel—sent Cam Kozeal home, Logan Maxwell stepped up in a big way. With the bases juiced, Maxwell smashed a towering grand slam into left field, catapulting the Razorbacks into a commanding 7–1 lead .

🙌 Extending the Lead in the 7th

The offense didn’t relent. In the top of the 7th, Wehiwa Aloy knocked in Maxwell with an RBI single to notch the 8th run, and Arkansas capitalized on Tennessee walks—four in succession, including two with the bases loaded—to score three additional runs, pushing the lead to a staggering 10–1 .

🛡️ Pitching Steadfast Despite Late Tennessee Rally

Arkansas starter Gage Wood delivered a solid 3.1 innings, allowing just one earned run on three hits. Reliever Cole Gibler followed with 2.2 scoreless innings and struck out four, earning the win . Coach Dave Van Horn then turned to a trio of bullpen arms to close the game. Closer Christian Foutch punched out two batters in the ninth, yielding a two‑run Tennessee homer from Jay Abernathy—too little, too late—to seal the 11–4 final .

📈 Broader Context: A Return to Omaha

This victory not only wrapped up Super Regional dominance but marked a milestone for Arkansas: their first return to the College World Series since 2022. The Razorbacks improved to 48–13 on the season, and a flawless 5–0 postseason record including regional play reaffirmed their status as one of the country’s elite programs .

Meanwhile, Tennessee finishes its promising 2025 season with a 46–19 mark. After an exhilarating run to the Super Regional, the Volunteers—the defending national champions in 2024—were unable to sustain momentum in Fayetteville and must now aim to return stronger in 2026 .

⛳ Looking Ahead: Omaha Bound

With this emphatic win, Arkansas now shifts its focus to Omaha’s iconic Charles Schwab Field. The Razorbacks are scheduled to begin play in the College World Series on Friday, June 13. As they prepare to face the nation’s top eight, their balanced offensive onslaught and reliable pitching offer cause for optimism among Razorback faithful.

For Arkansas, this marks not just a return, but a reinvigoration—proof that their 2025 squad possesses the power, depth, and poise to make another deep run on college baseball’s grandest stage.

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