The highly anticipated opening day of the 2025 college baseball season kicked off with a bang, featuring intense invitational games that saw some thrilling upsets. In a day filled with dramatic comebacks and walk-off victories, teams got their seasons off to an exciting start.
No. 15 Clemson came from behind to beat No. 17 Oklahoma State 6-5 in Game 1 of the Shriners Children College Showdown. The Tigers capitalized on the Cowboys’ struggles with control, tacking on four runs and overcoming a four-run deficit. Meanwhile, No. 19 Texas faced off against Louisville in a thrilling walk-off win for the Cardinals. After a scoreless top half of the eighth inning, the “Cardiac Cardinals” responded with an answer, tying the game with one out before ultimately scoring two runs in the bottom of the tenth.
No. 5 Arkansas edged No. 1 Washington State 2-1 in an unpredictable affair, thanks to a sacrifice fly by third baseman Brent Iredale in the final inning. The Razorbacks had trailed for most of the contest but roared back with three batters loaded on the bases before securing the win.
No. 15 Clemson’s Aidan Knaak dealt early, striking out Oklahoma State’s first six batters, but his day was over after four runs were scored behind Avery Ortiz’s solo home run and right fielder Nolan Schubart’s double down the right field line.
The most surprising upset of the day came when No. 5 Arkansas walked off Washington State 2-1 in the tenth inning on a sacrifice fly by Ollie Obenour, after the Cougars had taken a 2-1 lead with just three batters remaining.
In another thrilling matchup, Louisville walked off No. 19 Texas with two runs in the bottom of the tenth, securing an early-season upset. With bases loaded and just a few outs away from going to extra innings, Lucas Moore hit the ball into left field to land the “Cardiac Cardinals” the win.
The day’s finale saw No. 17 Oklahoma State fall short against Clemson after a two-run seventh inning sealed the deal for the Tigers. The loss was Oklahoma State’s first of the season, setting up an intriguing rematch in Game 2.
As teams begin their seasons, fans can look forward to many more thrilling matchups and walk-off victories.
Source: https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2025-02-14/inside-park-hr-and-michigan-walking-no-2-virginia-headline-college-baseballs-opening