As the College World Series kicks off at Charles Schwab Field this weekend, echoes of the former Pac-12 era linger in the air. The event will see the return of Oregon State, UCLA, and Arizona, teams that have collectively secured eight out of the 29 national baseball championships claimed by the conference throughout its history.
“This is for the West,” affirmed UCLA coach John Savage, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
The Pac-12 nearly vanished in July of the previous year when ten of its members migrated to different conferences. However, it is set to be revitalized in July 2026, composed of holdovers Oregon State and Washington State, accompanied by five Mountain West Conference members and one from the West Coast Conference.
Currently, Oregon State, ranked eighth nationally with a record of 47-14-1, embarks on its journey as a baseball independent over two years. Faced with scheduling complexities, the team only hosted 19 regular-season games but managed to secure eight additional home games during the NCAA Tournament. They advanced impressively to the College World Series after emerging victoriously from the losers’ bracket in their regional, before defeating Florida State in a decisive three-game super regional.
UCLA, boasting a 47-16 record, celebrated as the Big Ten regular-season co-champion. The team reached the championship game of the conference tournament and remained undefeated in its regional, subsequently sweeping past UTSA in the super regional.
Meanwhile, Arizona, with a 44-19 tally, ranked fourth in the Big 12, captured victory in the conference tournament, and completed their regional journey undefeated in Eugene, Oregon. Though they stumbled against North Carolina with an 18-2 defeat, they recovered to win the series, culminating in an exciting 4-3 finish in the finale after overturning a late 3-1 deficit.
Unfortunately, Arizona State, Oregon, and Southern California, also former Pac-12 members, saw their journeys end prematurely at the regional level.
In the opening games, Arizona faces off against Coastal Carolina, maintaining an impressive 53-11 record, while Oregon State takes on Louisville, standing at 40-22. Subsequently, UCLA will match up against Murray State on Saturday afternoon, concluding with a showdown between LSU and Arkansas, who remain the only SEC representatives. LSU, led by coach Jay Johnson, finds a nostalgic frame in Omaha, with the coach rediscovering roots in a region that shaped his career. He’s no stranger to the competitive West Coast baseball scene, having previously guided Nevada and Arizona, including leading the Wildcats to the 2021 College World Series.
For Oregon State’s coach, Mitch Canham, the trip to Omaha rekindles memories of past triumphs when he played as a catcher for the 2006 and 2007 championship-winning teams. He described Omaha as ingrained in the Beavers’ spirit, eagerly anticipating the new experience with his current roster, save for Zak Taylor, who remains from the 2018 title-winning squad.
Meanwhile, Canon Reeder, a key player who delivered a pivotal three-run homer against Florida State, emphasized the unity and growth forged through a season spent predominantly on the road. “To be in the position where we are, you have to take a step back and appreciate what you’ve done and where we’ve come this season. Job’s not finished. There’s eight teams left and we want to be the last one standing,” Reeder remarked.
Arizona coach Chip Hale, reflecting on his fourth season at the helm, credited the Wildcat’s resilience through a challenging Big 12 debut. The team endured a shaky 0-3 start, achieved a stunning turnaround with 17 wins in 18 games, and overcame late-season hurdles.
The College World Series, a particularly nostalgic journey for Mason White, becomes a realization of childhood dreams molded by family history in Tucson. Being part of the current Wildcats squad, leading with a .332 batting average, 19 home runs, and 72 RBIs, White carries the legacy of his father, Ben White, and grandfather, Tim White, who both donned the Arizona jersey.
“To be a third-generation guy to go to Omaha, I’m the first one of my dad and grandpa to get to go,” White expressed, marking the journey as almost surreal, akin to living in a dream.