Arizona Vs Coastal Carolina ⚾ Friday the 13th at 11am ESPN

On June 13, 2025, the Arizona Wildcats (44-19) face the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (53-11) in a highly anticipated College World Series opener at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, reigniting a rivalry from their 2016 CWS Finals clash where Coastal claimed the national title. Arizona's offensive juggernaut, boasting a .286 team batting average and led by Garen Caulfield's 18 homers, will test Coastal's elite pitching staff, which ranks second nationally with a 3.29 ERA, driven by aces Jacob Morrison (2.19 ERA, 90.1 IP) and Cameron Flukey (3.12 ERA, 102 Ks). The Wildcats' recent heroics, including a comeback 4-3 win over No. 5 North Carolina sealed by Mason White's clutch eighth-inning single, show their knack for late-game drama. Meanwhile, Coastal rides a 23-game win streak, fresh off sweeping No. 4 Auburn, with Caden Bodine's extra-inning homer proving their clutch prowess. "It feels destined," Arizona's Mason White said of the rematch, hinting at the narrative weight of this showdown.

Coastal's pitching depth, with Riley Eikhoff (2.90 ERA) bolstering their rotation, contrasts with Arizona's reliance on resilient starters like Smith Bailey, who delivered a quality start in their Super Regional clincher despite a mid-game hiccup. The Chanticleers' lineup, featuring Blake Barthol's defensive heroics and timely hitting (.275 team BA), will challenge Arizona's bullpen, which struggled at times against UNC, allowing 8 runs in Game 2. Arizona's coach Chip Hale emphasized their fight: "Our guys never quit, no matter the deficit." Coastal's first-year coach Kevin Schnall countered, "We control games with our arms and seize big moments." With Arizona's 7-for-15 two-out hitting against UNC and Coastal's 24.7% strikeout rate, this game hinges on execution in high-pressure spots. Expect a chess match where Arizona's bats seek to crack Coastal's pitching fortress.



https://x.com/CWSOmaha/status/1932225107725885702?t=XZZ6Pi8mezQUWkGVTedcJQ&s=19

1 of only 8 teams, that's pretty darn cool!!...
BTFD!!...Lets Go Cats!!

https://x.com/ArizonaFBall/status/1933336266978046388?t=T_peY098I0FD5S0V5CcaYw&s=19

https://x.com/ArizonaBaseball/status/1933519483521675310?t=Tz7ARjWziMDGOqEq0GXgxw&s=19

Appears ole Chipper didn't go to the Closer when he should have. A shame in many ways to start this way, but a bounce back could be in play. Too bad that our closer will have to throw 40-50 pitches every game the rest of the way to even have a puncher's chance unless the Offense can produce a big lead where the pitching doesn't matter. What a squandered opportunity.

Coastal's bats chipped away at our staff all day. Singles fell and it finally cost us in the 8th.

It'll be a long road to recover but there's still a chance, as long as Louisville doesn't repeat their performance from earlier this season.

Wildcats will play in an elimination game on Sunday, June 15 at 11:00 a.m. MST on ESPN

On June 15, 2025, the Arizona Wildcats (44-19) face the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (54-11) in Game 2 of the College World Series at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, following Coastal Carolina's 7-4 win in Game 1 on June 13. The Wildcats, now in an elimination game after dropping the opener, need to overcome a Chanticleers team on a 24-game win streak. In Game 1, Coastal Carolina's Blake Barthol went 3-for-5 with two doubles, including a crucial two-run double in the eighth, while Arizona's Adonys Guzman led with three hits. Arizona's pitching faltered late, allowing four runs in the final three innings, and their bullpen, including NCBWA Stopper of the Year Tony Pluta, must tighten up against Coastal's offense, which has a nation-leading 170 hit-by-pitches this season. The game airs at 2 p.m. ET on ESPN, with Arizona's season on the line.

Key Matchup and Stakes for Arizona's Survival
Arizona, in its 19th CWS appearance, has a history of resilience, evidenced by their sweep of the Eugene Regional and back-to-back elimination game wins against No. 5 North Carolina in the Super Regional. However, Coastal Carolina's bullpen, led by Ryan Lynch (0.59 ERA, eight saves) and Dominick Carbone (2.59 ERA, five saves), proved dominant in Game 1, turning a double play to halt Arizona's ninth-inning rally. Coastal's starter Jacob Morrison, who threw six innings of one-run ball in the Auburn Super Regional, is likely to take the mound, while Arizona may counter with a pitcher like Clark Candiotti, who has yet to start in Omaha. The Wildcats, 16-9 when hitting home runs this season, rely on players like Mason White (.333, 1 HR in Game 1) to spark the offense. As +186 underdogs against Coastal's -245 moneyline, Arizona's 42.9% win probability hinges on capitalizing on early scoring chances to force a Game 3.


https://x.com/ArizonaBaseball/status/1934243848353370220?t=aVGUfH7p4ljR8FS43M0WcA&s=19