Murray State vs. UCLA: 2025 CWS Preview & Prediction
- — The 2025 Men’s College World Series kicks off Saturday with No.
- The winner will advance to face the winner of the Arkansas-LSU game, while the loser will face the loser of that game in an elimination match on June...
- Murray State (44-15), representing the Missouri Valley Conference, is the underdog story of the NCAA Tournament.
UCLA and Murray State clash in a pivotal 2025 College World Series opener! News Directory 3 delivers the inside track: The Bruins, lead by coach John Savage, are the favorites, but underdog Murray State, on its inaugural CWS run, aims to shock the world. This Saturday, June 14th, in Omaha, witness a David-vs-Goliath narrative unfold as the Racers look to upset a UCLA team hungry for its first title since 2013. The primarykeyword is “College World Series,” while the secondarykeyword reveals insights on the game’s dynamics. Can Murray State’s Cinderella story continue, or will UCLA’s pitching and experience prevail? Discover what’s next …
Bruins Face Racers in College World Series Opener
Updated June 13, 2025
Omaha, Neb. — The 2025 Men’s College World Series kicks off Saturday with No. 15 UCLA facing Murray State at Charles Schwab Field. The Murray State Racers, a No. 4 regional seed, are making their debut appearance in the College World Series against a nationally ranked UCLA Bruins team.
The game is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ESPN. The winner will advance to face the winner of the Arkansas-LSU game, while the loser will face the loser of that game in an elimination match on June 16.
Murray State (44-15), representing the Missouri Valley Conference, is the underdog story of the NCAA Tournament. They upset host Ole Miss twice in the Oxford Regional and then defeated Duke in a three-game series to secure their spot in Omaha. Luke Mistone’s eighth-inning home run in the deciding game propelled them to victory.
UCLA (47-16), representing the Big Ten, is making its sixth College World Series appearance and its first since winning the national title in 2013. The Bruins swept UTSA in the Los Angeles Super Regional. Head coach John Savage’s team boasts a strong pitching staff and disciplined hitting.
Key players for Murray State include Luke Mistone, Jonathan Hogart, who tied a program record with his 22nd home run, and Graham Kelham, a pivotal relief pitcher. For UCLA, the strength lies in their deep pitching staff and consistent lineup.
FanDuel Sportsbook favors UCLA with a -295 moneyline.Other predictions give UCLA a slight edge,with a 54% chance of winning.
While Murray State’s offense could keep the game close, UCLA’s pitching and experience make them the likely victor.
What’s next
A win for Murray State would be a historic achievement, marking their first College World Series victory. For UCLA, a win would set the stage for a deep tournament run.