Murray State Stuns College Baseball with Gritty CWS Run Against UCLA in Omaha
From regional underdog to national sensation, Murray State’s blue-collar magic meets UCLA’s powerhouse pedigree in a riveting College World Series opener.
Omaha, June 14: Murray State vs UCLA College World Series opener was never meant to be a marquee clash. But under the bright lights of Charles Schwab Field, the underdogs from Murray State University turned a supposed mismatch into one of the most emotionally charged contests of the 2025 tournament. As the Racers squared off against No. 15 UCLA, they brought not just bats and gloves—but an entire town’s belief and a storyline that refuses to fade.
The scoreboard might not tell the full story. But the hearts in Murray, Kentucky know: this is no fluke.
From Backroads to Brackets: Murray State’s Wild Journey
Back in March, even the boldest college baseball watchers wouldn’t have scribbled Murray State into Omaha predictions. Ranked at the bottom of their regional, the Racers were never supposed to make it this far. But fate, it seems, had other plans.
After falling to Duke in Game 1 of the Durham Super Regional, they came roaring back—taking two straight in dramatic fashion. Their bats came alive, their bullpen locked in, and in doing so, Murray State became just the fourth No. 4 regional seed to reach the College World Series.
At the heart of the story is head coach Dan Skirka, a former junior college catcher whose belief in overlooked players now feels prophetic. “You don’t win with flash,” he told reporters earlier this week. “You win with guys who don’t flinch.” And flinch they didn’t—not against Duke, and certainly not against the Bruins.
Patchwork Roster, Perfect Chemistry
This isn’t a team built on blue-chip recruits. It’s built on the castoffs, the passed-over, the kids who were told they weren’t big enough, fast enough, or sharp enough. Outfielder Jonathan Hogart, once sidelined at Louisiana Tech, nearly gave up the game before a call from Skirka reignited his fire.
Closer Graham Kelham wasn’t expected to be a star either. Now he’s become the ice-veined finisher for a team with a knack for late-inning drama. His final strikeout in Game 3 against Duke sealed Murray State’s trip to Omaha—and might go down as the defining moment in Racer baseball history.
What’s more remarkable? This team was assembled from 15 different states, most of them arriving via transfer. According to NCAA data, only three players are homegrown. Yet the chemistry is uncanny. “There’s not a bad apple here,” said third baseman Carson Garner. “We’d go to war for each other.”
Saturday’s Clash: A Heavyweight Bout in Disguise
From the opening pitch, the game had teeth. Nic Schutte, Murray State’s right-hander with an 11-6 record, struggled with command early. He issued back-to-back walks to start the game before a sharp single by UCLA’s Mulivai Levu loaded the bases. But Schutte, to his credit, wriggled out of the jam. A double-play ball ended the inning. The Racers erupted.
UCLA’s Michael Barnett, a freshman with a 12-1 record and postseason poise, had his own problems. Despite fanning two batters, he needed 27 pitches to get through the first. His fastball was tailing, but Murray State wasn’t biting. The Racers drew two walks, fouled off pitch after pitch. It wasn’t flashy. It was just smart, stubborn baseball.
Neither team broke through early, but the tempo suggested this was no mismatch. UCLA brought tradition and polish. Murray State brought chaos and belief.
The Weight of History on UCLA’s Shoulders
Make no mistake: UCLA came in with pedigree. This is their first College World Series appearance since 2013, a stretch that saw them win it all once and finish runner-up another year. Head coach John Savage knows what Omaha demands.
The Bruins steamrolled through regional play, outscoring opponents 50-16. Their lineup, led by Roch Cholowsky—the Big Ten’s Player of the Year and Brooks Wallace Award winner—has been one of the most balanced in the country. Yet on Saturday, it felt like they ran into a team that didn’t care about resumes.
Cholowsky, who usually commands the diamond with ease, seemed momentarily rattled by the energy the Racers brought. A bobbled grounder. A missed cue. Nothing glaring, just uncharacteristic slippage.
Home Town of 18,000, Backing Like a Nation
In Murray, Kentucky, the population could fit inside the stadium they’re now playing in. But the impact? Far bigger. The local paper printed bonus editions. Gas stations had signs that read “GO RACERS.” Watch parties spilled into parking lots. For a team that plays in a stadium with metal bleachers and a grounds crew made up of assistant coaches, this isn’t just a moment. It’s a movement.
The U.S. House of Representatives, via Congressman James Comer, even passed a commendation this week, celebrating the team’s unlikely run as “a triumph of team spirit, resilience, and small-town pride.”
A Tournament Unlike Any Other
The broader story of this year’s College World Series mirrors Murray State’s narrative. For the first time since 1999, none of the eight teams in Omaha had made the previous year’s field. Powerhouses like LSU, Arkansas, and Coastal Carolina may have the spotlight, but there’s no returning giant to dominate headlines. It’s anyone’s game—and Murray State knows it.
As SB Nation pointed out this week, teams like Fresno State (2008) and Oral Roberts (2023) have paved the way. The Racers aren’t just following that path. They’re plowing through it.
What’s Next: Stakes Rising Fast
The winner of Saturday’s bout faces the victor between Arkansas and LSU in Monday’s Game 8. The loser drops into the knockout lane. But for the Racers, the stakes have already been raised.
They’ve won games they weren’t supposed to win. They’ve played deeper into June than any Racer squad before them. And now, under the blinding lights of Omaha, they’re writing a chapter that no one will soon forget.
The scoreboard may keep ticking, but Murray State’s real victory is already sealed—in memory, in momentum, and in the magic of sport’s most unpredictable stage.
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A former college-level cricketer and lifelong sports enthusiast, Arun Upadhayay brings the heart of an athlete to the sharp eye of a journalist. With firsthand experience in competitive sports and a deep understanding of team dynamics, Arun covers everything from grassroots tournaments to high-stakes international showdowns. His reporting blends field-level grit with analytical precision, making him a trusted voice for sports fans across New Jersey and beyond.
