OMAHA, Neb. — The highly anticipated Men’s College World Series winner’s bracket game between UCLA and LSU was suspended Monday night due to severe weather, forcing a dramatic pause with LSU holding a lead in the top of the fourth inning. Play is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning, giving UCLA a chance to mount a comeback.
The contest at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha was halted following an extended weather delay caused by thunderstorms and rain in the area. This marked the first weather delay of the 2025 College World Series, adding to LSU’s season total, which now stands at a remarkable 19 delays.
Game Halted by Severe Weather
At the time of the suspension, LSU was leading UCLA 5-3 in the top of the fourth inning, with UCLA set to bat. The grounds crew brought out the tarp during a nearly three-hour delay before the official announcement was made to postpone the remainder of the game until Tuesday.
According to NCAA protocols, if weather prevents a College World Series game from resuming by a certain time (reported as 11:00 p.m. local in Omaha), it is suspended and rescheduled for the following day. Severe thunderstorm warnings were active, noting potential for strong winds and hail, making continued play unsafe.
A Wild Start in Omaha
The game saw a high-octane beginning with a combined seven runs scored in the first inning — the most in the opening frame of any game in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
UCLA jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, scoring three consecutive runs in the top of the first. Roman Martin delivered an RBI double, followed by an RBI single from AJ Salgado. Payton Brennan’s grounder brought home another run, giving the Bruins the advantage. It was the 29th time this season UCLA had scored first; they held an impressive 27-1 record in previous such scenarios.
However, LSU quickly answered in the bottom half of the inning. After three straight singles, junior Jared Jones blasted a three-run home run, his 67th career homer (ranking third in LSU history), giving the Tigers a 4-3 lead before the first inning concluded. LSU extended their lead to 5-3 in the third inning on an RBI single by Luis Hernandez before the weather moved in.
What Happens Next?
The game is scheduled to resume at 8 a.m. PT / 11 a.m. ET on Tuesday, June 17, airing on ESPN.
The suspension offers the UCLA Bruins an unexpected opportunity to regroup after their early lead evaporated. For LSU, who had starter Anthony Eyanson settle down after the first inning, it’s a pause in momentum.
This is a crucial winner’s bracket game. The team that emerges victorious will advance directly to the College World Series semifinals. The team that loses will face off against Arkansas in an elimination game later on Tuesday. Arkansas secured their spot by defeating Murray State behind a historic no-hitter from pitcher Gage Wood earlier on Monday, the first CWS no-hitter since 1960.
The rescheduling of the LSU-UCLA game means other games planned for Tuesday will be pushed back to accommodate its completion, following NCAA rules for CWS scheduling. Fans holding tickets for the original Monday game will have them honored for the Tuesday resumption.
