OMAHA — Arizona was hoping to get some payback Sunday at the College World Series in its rematch against Louisville.

Arizona Baseball's College World Series (CWS) run has come to an end in Omaha after losing to the Louisville Cardinals in an elimination game Sunday afternoon.

The first weekend of the 2025 College World Series is behind us, and this year's group is now down to seven teams.

Arizona was the first team to arrive in Omaha, landing on Tuesday after spending an extra day in North Carolina following a Super Regional that saw the Wildcats take advantage of a huge break to get back to the College World Series.

Arizona starter Smith Bailey held that 3-1 lead until the seventh inning, when Louisville led off with a Garret Pike double and bunt single from Neighbors. Bailey was relieved by Garrett Hicks, who allowed a sacrifice fly by Lucas Moore.

Garen Caulfield, one of two senior starters, talked about the late-season run Arizona made just to reach the CWS. The Wildcats lost to North Carolina 18-2 in the best-of-three super regional but bounced back to win 10-8 and 4-3 to earn a trip to Omaha.

The Wildcats lost the opener of the College World Series in a game full of quirks — a balk, fan interference, hits batsmen, and what Arizona coach Chip Hale called

Before the NCAA Baseball Tournament began, we asked our readers how well they thought Arizona would do. Considering the Wildcats had gone 0-2 in the previous two tourneys, it would be understandable if the expectations were low.