Broken records and thrilling moments headline college baseball's opening weekend

LSU routes Milwaukee behind massive fourth inning

No. 2 LSU put up eight runs in the fourth frame ahead of the 21-7 win over Milwaukee. 

Right fielder Jake Brown boasted two home runs on the day, one of which was a grand slam in the fifth that pushed the Tigers to the 21-run mark. 

Grand Slam O'Clock | SECN +

— LSU Baseball (@LSUbaseball)

Sophomore right-hander William Schmidt earned the win that clinched the series sweep after keeping the Panthers at bay with 9 strikeouts in four innings. 

UC San Diego takes down No. 1 UCLA

UC San Diego powered an 8-7 upset over No. 1 UCLA after a late surge to hand the Bruins their first loss of the season. 

The two were deadlocked at 3-3 entering the seventh before UCLA found a one-run edge from Mulivai Levu’s RBI single.

The back and forth battle continued in the eighth, when Gabe Camacho delivered a three-run knock to put the Spartans in front, only for the Bruins to answer and even the score at 6-6 once again. 

But that didn't last long as the top of the ninth saw Nick Costello blast a two-run homer to give UC Santa Barbara the final advantage. 

‼️NICK COSTELLO‼️

B1G+

— UC San Diego Baseball (@UCSDbsb)

Despite an RBI single from Levu in the ninth, the Spartans clinched the win over the top-ranked UCLA team in Los Angeles. 

Southern Miss WALKS it off

No. 20 Southern Miss escaped in a 6-5 walk-off win over UC Santa Barbara from a bases loaded walk. 

The Eagles were leading 4-2 until a two-run blast by UC Santa Barbara’s Cade Goldstein in the seventh that knotted things up. 

OUT OF HERE! | |

— Southern Miss Baseball (@SouthernMissBSB)

The two were locked again, 5-5, entering the bottom of the ninth. With the bases loaded from a single and two walks, Matthew Russo secured the Southern Miss win on a four-pitch free bag. 

The Eagles secured the series win with the walk-off over the Gauchos. 
 

The early slate of Sunday's college baseball games is coming to an end.

Here's what happened:

Oklahoma State upends No. 23 Vanderbilt

Oklahoma State handed No. 23 Vanderbilt its second loss of the season, exploding for 10 runs in the fifth and sixth innings combined to beat the Commodores 11-1 in the Shriners Children's College Showdown. 

The Cowboys pitching staff was lights out, mowing down Vanderbilt's lineup one-by-one. The right-handed trio of Ethan Lund, Noah Wech and Stromy Rhodes gave up two hits and struck out 13. Wech surrendered the only run, which was a Logan Johnstone's homer to right field in the seventh.

OSU centerfielder Kollin Ritchie capped off the weekend with a six-RBI game, hitting two home runs and a double. The second homer ended the contest due to run rule.

No doubt about it |

— OSU Cowboy Baseball (@OSUBaseball)

No. 22 Miami (Fla.) scores 15 runs in the fifth inning versus Lehigh

Opening weekend has featured some crazy scores and innings throughout the country. Make sure to add No. 22 Miami to the list. 

The Hurricanes routed Lehigh, 27-4, thanks to a 15-run fifth inning. It's the most runs scored in a single inning in program history.

Each player batted twice in the frame, while center fielder Michael Torres, who was replaced by Mason Greenhouse during the inning, technically had three at-bats. 13 different players got a hit and 12 finished with at least one RBI.

2025 SEC Freshman of the Year stars in debut

No. 3 Texas left-hander Dylan Volantis hasn't skipped a beat since his stellar rookie season down in Austin, making quick work of UC Davis in his season debut and the Longhorns' victory, 9-1.

He gave up just one hit and run in seven innings, striking out eight in the process. 

It will be exciting to see what he has in store for his sophomore campaign.

First weekend start for the '25 SEC Freshman of the year. 7 innings of 1 hit baseball 🔥

Dylan Volantis belongs in Friday night role

— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7)

The second day of the college baseball season was already at a disadvantage when trying to one-up Opening Day — a slate games filled with upsets, major plays and an NCAA record. 

Yet, the day was still successful, featuring its own exciting moments. 

We are about to sign off for the night, but don't worry, we'll be back tomorrow to wrap the opening weekend up. But before that, here's a quick run down of headlines from the day:

Michigan State takes series over No. 8 Louisville

Days after longtime coach Jake Boss was extended, Michigan State baseball gifted him a big present: the program's highest-ranked series win under since he became the head coach in 2008. 

The Spartans took down No. 8 Louisville, 13-4, a day after taking the series opener, 4-3. 

Right fielder Parker Picot was the main contributor, racking eight RBIs, the most by an MSU player in a single game since 2000.

Ranked teams win on walk-offs in extras

No. 9 Auburn and No. 11 North Carolina avoided upsets in celebratory fashion. 

Trailing 1-0 in the ninth inning to Youngstown State, the Tigers tied it up and won on a walk-off in the 10th. What was it? A walk-off wild pitch. 

WALK-OFF WILD PITCH‼️

— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball)

The Tar Heels' walk-off looked a lot different. 

After Indiana's shocking throwing error in the bottom of the ninth with two outs that allowed UNC to tie it at 3-3, North Carolina didn't look back. Specifically, catcher Macon Winslow didn't.

On a 1-2 count, the Duke transfer blasted a home run off the left field scoreboard to sweep the opening series against the Hoosiers.

CRAZY SCORES

Virginia 25, Wagner 10 (Game 2); Virginia 31, Wagner 8 (Game 3)

• The Cavaliers began coach Chris Pollard's tenure at Virginia on a high note, scoring 56 runs against Wagner in Saturday's doubleheader. The 31-8 victory in the final game of the series was a program record.

THE MOST RUNS SCORED IN PROGRAM HISTORY!!!!!!!

📺: ACCNX |

— Virginia Baseball (@UVABaseball)

No. 5 Georgia Tech 27, Bowling Green 4

• No. 5 Georgia Tech bulldozed Bowling Green in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, dominating 27-4. It's the most runs in a single game for the Yellow Jackets since 1994, and the 50 runs across the series is largest total versus a single opponent on opening weekend in program history.

No. 25 Texas A&M 23, Tennessee Tech 7

• The Aggies scored 17 runs in the first and fourth innings combined against Tennessee Tech, just about ending the contest heading into the fifth. Scoring 38 runs total between Friday and Saturday, it's the most by Texas A&M in the first two games of a series since 1946.

Towson 28, Norfolk State 4

• The fifth inning of Towson-Norfolk State's doubleheader on Saturday was a historic one, at least for Towson. The Tigers scored 15 runs, the most in a single inning in program history.

A few ranked teams' Saturday matchups have concluded. Check them out:

No. 11 North Carolina escapes upset, wins on walk-off home run in extras

Down to their final out and even with the ball in play, No. 11 North Carolina's winning odds against Indiana were slim: second baseman Lee Sowers hit a routine ground ball to second  with bases loaded. A throw to first would end the game.

But that throw by Landen Fry turned into a game-changing error for the Hoosiers, allowing two runs to score, tie it at 3-3 and give the Tar Heels new life. 

Bonus baseball at the Bosh 🤷‍♂️

— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels)

The miscue sent the contest into extras, and in the 11th inning, catcher Macon Winslow blasted the fourth pitch of his at-bat off the scoreboard located in left field to complete the comeback for UNC. 

Good morning, good afternoon, and GOOD NIGHT!

Welcome to Chapel Hill Macon Winslow 🫡

— Carolina Baseball (@DiamondHeels)

No. 12 Oregon State avoids 0-2 start with win over No. 24 Arizona

A low-scoring contest through the first five innings, No. 12 Oregon State and No. 24 Arizona's battle to evade a 0-2 start at the College Baseball Series in Surprise, AZ didn't heat up till late.

Combining for nine runs in the sixth and seventh, the Beavers outlasted the Wildcats, 7-6.

Arizona's big inning came first, building on its one run fifth with four more in the sixth. Heading into the final three innings, the Wildcats led 6-2, but it didn't hold for too much longer. Oregon State one-upped them with a five run frame, highlighted by right fielder Easton Talt's two-RBI single to right center, giving them the lead 6-5. 

— Oregon State Baseball (@BeaverBaseball)

Center fielder Nyan Hayes added an insurance run before inning ended, upping the Beavers' lead to 7-5.

Arizona nearly wiped away the deficit in the ninth, cutting it to 7-6 with one out and runners on first and second. However, the momentum died there, as both right fielder Andrew Cain and designated hitter Nate Novitske struck out to end the game.

No. 9 Auburn entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 1-0 against Youngstown State, nearing its first loss of the season.

That 'first loss' will have to come another day for the Tigers, who came back to beat the Penguins, 2-1, in extras in unexpected fashion: a walk-off wild pitch. 

WALK-OFF WILD PITCH‼️

— Auburn Baseball (@AuburnBaseball)

Center fielder Bristol Carter hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth to score the tying run. Youngstown State responded in the 10th with back-to-back singles to start the inning on right-hander Jett Johnson, but righty Ryan Heltzer came in and wiped out threat immediately, striking out three straight batters.

Carrying Heltzer's momentum to the plate, the Tigers first three batters loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning. Although Penguins right-hander Aidan English was able to get the next batter out, his wild pitch to designated hitter Lucas Steele on the next at-bat bounced away from his catcher Caleb Hadley to the back stop. 

Chase Fralick, who was on third, wasted no time, sliding into home to end the contest and hand Auburn the series victory.

The second day of the college baseball season hasn't disappointed, featuring more big moments and scores.

Check them out below:

Michigan State takes series over No. 8 Louisville 

The Spartans built on yesterday's season-opening win against No. 8 Louisville with an even greater one on Saturday, defeating the Cardinals 13-4 to take the road series. It is the highest-ranked series win under Coach Jake Boss, who has been in the position since July 2008.

The biggest difference between the two teams scoring wise was Michigan State's ability to produce with runners in scoring position. Tied 2-2 in the fourth inning, right fielder Parker Picot followed up first baseman Randy Seymour's RBI single with a grand slam to right field. MSU led 8-2 by the end of the inning. 

PARKER PICOT DOES IT AGAIN 🔥🔥

It's stop the count territory in Louisville

— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7)

Picot wasn't done just yet, blasting a three-run homer in the sixth, extending the Spartans' lead to 12-3. He's the first Michigan State player with eight RBIs in one game since Bob Malek in April 2000.

Louisville left 14 runners on base in the contest and went 2-10 with runners in scoring position. They will look to rebound in the series finale on Sunday.

No. 5 Georgia Tech, No. 25 Texas A&M light up opponents

The bats were on fire for No. 5 Georgia Tech and No. 25 Texas A&M on Saturday, combining for 49 runs.

The Aggies wasted no time getting down to business against Tennessee Tech, scoring nine runs in the first inning. They added a run in the second and third, and poured eight more in the fourth. First baseman Gavin Grahovac and left fielder Caden Sorrell each picked up four RBIs.

HOME RUN FOR CADEN SORRELL 💣 |

— Texas A&M Baseball (@AggieBaseball)

The Yellow Jackets had a quiet start at the plate against Bowling Green, not scoring in the first and second, but they exploded for 11 runs in the third. And once Pandora's box was opened, the Falcons struggled to close it. GT scored at least four runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh, headlined by right fielder Alex Hernandez's six RBI day.

They ended up winning 27-4.

Saturday was just part two of a major opening weekend for the two teams, who scored 26 total runs yesterday.

We're signing off for the night, but man, wasn't it an incredible Opening Day?

Upsets rained from across the country and must-see moments filled every social media timeline. But before we go, here's a recap of some of the most noteworthy 

Baylor's Tyce Armstrong ties NCAA record with THREE grand slams

Baylor's first baseman Tyce Armstrong mashed three grand slams in the Bears' 15-2 win over New Mexico State.

Yes that's right. Not one game or one team, one player.

It tied the NCAA record for grand slams in a single game, the second time since Louisville's Jim LaFountain in 1976.

👉 Read more about the redshirt senior's historic day 

La Salle pours 27 runs on UMES in first game since 2021

La Salle made the most out of its first game in five seasons, trouncing UMES 27-10, the second-most runs in program history. 

The Explorers scored 13 runs between the first and second innings, and 10 more between the third and fourth. Eleven players tallied at least one RBI. 

Two teams win on walk-off home run

Mercer and South Carolina each sent their fans home on a high note with walk-off home runs.

The Gamecocks designated hitter KJ Scobey capped off his 3-4 day at the plate with a solo shot to help South Carolina win 6-5 and take its double header against Northern Kentucky.

Mercer's Chris Katz sent his out over the right field wall, winning it for the Bears over Troy, 4-3.

Four big upsets

• Michigan State 4, No. 8 Louisville 3
• Michigan 5, No. 12 Oregon State 3
• UAB 9, No. 13 Florida 7
• Houston 8, No. 21 Wake Forest 2

Add No. 13 Florida to the list of ranked teams falling on Opening Day.

UAB stunned the Gators, 9-7, in 10 innings on the road, capitalizing on UF's errors in big moments. It marks the program's first ranked win since Apr. 1 of last year.

The first miscue came in the first inning with two outs when designated hitter Brady Waugh skied a pop up into the infield. Instead of being a routine play for first baseman Landon Stripling, it was the team's first error of the year, tipping off his glove and two runs scoring. 

Oh no... Florida gives up 2 in the 1st. UAB leads

— 11Point7 College Baseball (@11point7)

The Gators responded, though, plating two in the bottom half of the first and going jab-for-jab with the Blazer for innings on.

The third, and final error was even more costly, this time by right-hander Jackson Barberi, giving UAB runners on first and second with zero outs. The Blazers capitalized on it, scoring on a fielder's choice and ground out to third. 

HE'S IN THERE! BLAZERS LEAD!

— UAB Baseball (@UAB_Baseball)

Sensing the win in sight, UAB righty Riley Miller shut the door in the bottom half of the frame, surrendering zero hits.

No. 10 TCU picked up the first ranked versus ranked win of the college baseball season, outlasting No. 23 Vanderbilt, 5-4, at the Shriners Children College Showdown with the help of an untimely error.

The two teams were neck-and-neck entering the eighth, but everything changed just moments before the bottom half of the inning.

As the Commodores' right-hander Bryan England bounced off the mound emphatically on a dropped third strike with two outs to Horned Frogs third baseman Noah Franco, catcher Colin Barczi threw to first base for the final out of the frame. 

But Barczi's throw was off target, trickling into right field and allowing TCU's runners on second and third to score, giving the Horned Frogs a 5-3 lead.

FROGS LEAD 🫢 |

— TCU Baseball (@TCU_Baseball)

Vanderbilt got a run back in the ninth, but couldn't complete the rally. Barczi's error overshadowed his career day at the plate, hitting three solo home runs in the third, seventh and ninth.

Opening Day has gone by fast, and it has featured some incredible moments. 

Before the late games get going, here's some takeaways from the contests earlier in the day.

Michigan upsets No. 12 Oregon State at College Baseball Series

The Wolverines made headlines on last season's Opening Day, upsetting No. 2 Virginia at the Puerto Rico Challenge.

364 days later, they took another victim, beating No. 12 Oregon State, 5-3, at the College Baseball Series in Surprise, AZ. 

The two teams were tied 3-3 heading into the eighth when right fielder Evan Haegar hit a two out, two-RBI single to right field. A transfer from Alabama then Houston, the redshirt sophomore was the star of the day for Michigan, going 3-4 with four RBIs.

Evan Haeger has come up huge for today, his 2-run single T6 tied the game 3-3, another 2-run knock T8 gives Michigan a 5-3 lead as part of a 3-hit day

— Patrick Ebert (@PatrickEbert44)

The Beavers went 0-6 with a walk following Haegar's late-game single.

La Salle puts up 27 runs in first game since 2021

Opening Day meant a little more to La Salle than most. It was the first time the Explorers played a game since the 2021 season after their program was cut. 

Five seasons later, La Salle is back, playing UMES in a weekend series at home. And to kick things off, they beat the Hawks 27-10, the second-most runs in program history.

The Explorers scored 13 runs between the first and second innings, and 10 more between the third and fourth. 11 players tallied at least one RBI. 

Georgia Tech's Caleb Daniel hits inside-the-park-home run

The Yellow Jackets were one of college baseball's strongest teams at the plate last season, terrorizing the ACC one game at a time.

Left fielder Caleb Daniel reinforced that idea in his first at-bat of the season, smacking an inside-the-park-homer against Bowling Green of the college baseball campaign.

Caleb Daniel as your 8 hitter is crazy… first inside the park homer for GT since the ACC Tournament… so 4 games ago

— Monty Taylor (@Monty2740)

On a 2-0 count, Daniel blasted a ball to deep center. Racing back to make a play, center fielder Pauly Mancino leaped up to make the grab, but missed as the ball ricocheted off wall toward left center.

By the time left fielder Chase Chopin could throw the ball in, Daniel was sliding head first into home plate before the Falcons' relay made it.