Arkansas stars rise to the occasion against UCLA to set LSU rematch

Aloy, Root breakout to get another shot at the Tigers with in the national semifinal

Arkansas Razorbacks shortstop Wehiwa Aloy (9) circles the bases after hitting a home run against the UCLA Bruins during the first inning at Charles Schwab Field. / Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

OMAHA, Neb. — With its season on the line, Arkansas’ stars stepped up on both sides of the scorecard, this time a 7-3 win over the UCLA Bruins to keep its season alive.

"A great job by our pitchers tonight," coach Dave Van Horn said. "Zach Root threw 38 pitches a few days ago. Threw 87 tonight. Only gave up three hits. Didn't give up a run. Just did a tremendous job."

Shortstop Wehiwa Aloy drove in the first three runs with a two-run homer and an RBI triple to provide the offense,

Wehiwa Aloy. Best player in the country. pic.twitter.com/KfNIfY2uOw

— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB) June 17, 2025

Root, less than 72 hours after recording just five outs against LSU in the opening game, bounced back with five scoreless innings with five strikeouts.

"It felt great to go out there put my team in like a great chance to win," Root said. [Catcher] Ryder [Helfrick] called a really good game."

UCLA, acting as the road team, put the pressure on Root right away, loading the bases in the top of the first with one out. 

Root may have been experiencing deja vu, UCLA loaded the bases in a very similar way that LSU did in the second inning that derailed his first outing.

Left fielder Dean West led off the game with a single up the middle. Potential 2027 first-overall MLB Draft pick shortstop Roch Cholowsky blooped a hit to put the first two on.

UCLA Bruins shortstop Roch Cholowsky (1) throws to first base against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the third inning at Charles Schwab Field. / Steven Branscombe-Imagn Images

Third baseman Roman Martin worked an eight-pitch walk to load the bases with one out.

The result would be different, Aloy caught a knuckling line drive for the second out.

West continued to dance further and further down the line at third base as the inning continued before taking off for home on the first pitch. 

He had been 13-for-16 in stolen bases on the year, but Helfrick tagged him just before West got his fingers on the plate.

ROOT CAUGHT HIM STEALING HOME! pic.twitter.com/ur7vMaMILI

— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB) June 17, 2025

"He went out today and just proved why he's one of the best left-handed pitchers in the country," Van Horn said. "If we get to play long enough, maybe he'll get to pitch again."

The Arkansas offense wasted no time taking advantage of their opportunities after UCLA failed to take theirs. Aloy whacked a two-run homer to right in front of a Charles Davalan single. Both hits came with two strikes.

In the fifth, UCLA coach John Savage opted to pitch to Aloy with two outs and first base open. Aloy just missed his second homer by a few feet, instead settling for an RBI triple for an insurance run.

The pitching staff continued a string of dominance, albeit giving up the odd hit here and there. Dating back to the ninth inning of LSU, the staff put together 18 straight scoreless innings before UCLA scored three in the ninth.

UCLA had just four at-bats with runners in scoring position in the first eight innings.

Logan Maxwell added a two-run double in the seventh with two outs to apply the coupe de grace before the offense tacked on two more in the eighth.

The bats are BUZZIN now ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/K170AE9IsS

— Arkansas Baseball (@RazorbackBSB) June 18, 2025

Arkansas will now get another crack at LSU. The Hogs pitching staff is undoubtedly in a better place than it was when LSU beat the Hogs to start the College World Series.

Jimenez got six outs on 41 pitches before Will McEntire pitched the ninth.

The Razorbacks managed to set up the rematch with LSU using just four different pitchers.

The rematch between the Hogs and the Tigers is set for 6 p.m. Wednesday and will be broadcast on ESPN.

"You just have to pitch well against them and you've got to score," Van Horn said. "If we don't score, we'll be in trouble."

The Razorbacks will need to beat the Tigers twice in a row to advance to the finals. LSU is 3-1 on the season against Arkansas and 4-0 in the College World Series all time.

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