That was, until LSU showed signs of life.

The No. 6 Tigers rallied from a two-run deficit to win 6-5 in the final frame, ending with a walk-off single from Jared Jones. The inning featured a plethora of mistakes by the Razorbacks, as Wehiwa Aloy turned down a potential inning-ending double play to get out a lead runner at third base, before Charles Davalan missed a potentially game-ending lineout in left field that resulted in two runs scoring to tie the game at 5-5 with two outs.

Jones put together a game for the ages, as he tied the game at 3-3 on a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth before walking it off in the bottom of the ninth.

LSU is heading back to the national championship series for the second time in three seasons. Arkansas falls just short of forcing a winner-take-all game on Thursday, June 19, for a spot in the national title series.

Here are the highlights from the Tigers’ 6-5 win to set up the national championship series against Coastal Carolina:

LSU vs Arkansas highlights: Watch the wild finish

LSU vs Arkansas baseball box score

LSU vs Arkansas baseball live updates

Jared Jones walks it off

Wow. Jared Jones comes up big again, as he singles to center field and scores Luis Hernandez from second base. LSU walks it off, taking a 6-5 win to head into the national championship for the second time in three years.

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LSU ties it

Luis Hernandez ropes a double to left field, which Charles Davalan appears to have a chance at, but he takes an awkward angle and dives before missing the catch.

Hernandez’s double drives in Ethan Frey and Steven Milam to tie the game at 5-5.

LSU with runners on

Derek Curiel singles and advances to second on an error before Ethan Frey walks, which puts LSU runners on first and second with one out. Curiel then gets thrown out at third on the fielder’s choice to Wehiwa Aloy, which allows Steven Milam to reach first base.

Arkansas turns to Cole Gibler

Freshman Cole Gibler, who has 56 strikeouts in 28⅔ innings this season, is coming in for the save opportunity. Arkansas is looking to force a winner-take-all game for a spot in the national championship series.

Arkansas takes 5-3 lead

Justin Thomas Jr. comes up big, as he ropes a two-run single to give Arkansas a 5-3 lead in the top of the ninth inning. Thomas swings at the first pitch thrown by Jacob Mayers, who just entered out of the bullpen.

What a moment for Thomas, who delivers perhaps the biggest hit of the season for the Razorbacks.

Brent Iredale doubles

Arkansas has runners on second and third with one out in the top of the ninth inning, after Reese Robinett singles and Brent Iredale doubles. Razorbacks are knocking at the door.

Arkansas escapes inning

Gabe Gaeckle gets out of the inning after striking out Daniel Dickinson. Arkansas and LSU are still tied at 3-3 heading into the ninth inning.

LSU puts runners on first and second

Josh Pearson singles before Jake Brown draws a two-out walk, putting LSU runners on first and second in the bottom of the eighth. Can the Tigers take the lead here and shut the door in the next frame?

Jared Jones ties it

Wow. Jared Jones crushes one 108.6 miles per hour to right-center field, tying the game at 3-3 for LSU with two outs. Jones stopped and stared at that one as he knew it was getting out of the yard.

LSU fans are going wild in Omaha.

Arkansas takes 3-2 lead

Helfrick hits a potential double play ball to the third baseman, but LSU only gets the out at second base as Arkansas brings in a run to tie the game at 2-2. Jared Jones then misses the throw on the double-play chance, which allows Wehiwa Aloy to score from second to give Arkansas a 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth inning.

Huge chain of events for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas loads bases

LSU’s Chase Shores allows two singles and hits a batter, which loads the bases for Arkansas. Huge spot for the Razorbacks in the top of the eighth inning with one out.

Gaeckle picks up 2 more strikeouts

Gabe Gaeckle has been dominant outside of the two-RBI single he allowed to Jake Brown in the bottom of the sixth inning, as he strikes out his second and third batter in relief in the bottom of the seventh inning.

LSU still leads 2-1 heading into the eighth inning.

Shores gets inning-ending strikeout

Chase Shores has elite stuff, and it’s showing tonight. He hits 101 miles per hour on his fastball before ending the inning with a strikeout on a nasty slider.

Chase Shores enters for Jaden Noot

Jaden Noot gets three outs and allows no hits but is now being replaced by right-hander Chase Shores. Shores has a 5.03 ERA in 59 innings this season but has a fastball that consistently hits triple digits on the radar gun.

LSU takes 2-1 lead

What a spot for Jake Brown, who ropes a two-RBI single that gives LSU a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. The pinch hitter comes up huge for the Tigers.

Bases loaded for LSU

Gabe Gaeckle strikes out Jared Jones before Arkansas opts to intentionally walk Josh Pearson with two outs to load the bases. LSU’s Jake Brown is pinch hitting in a huge spot here in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Sac bunt puts runners on second and third

LSU with a chance to get on the board here, as Luis Hernandez’s sacrifice bunt puts runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning with slugger Jared Jones coming up to bat.

Huge spot for Jones.

Landon Beidelschies slowing down

Landon Beidelschies allows a leadoff double before hitting Steven Milam with a pitch, and that’ll be the end of his night. LSU has runners on first and second with no outs in the bottom of the sixth inning with Gabe Gaeckle coming in relief.

Beidelschies’ final line: No runs on three hits and a walk with nine strikeouts across five innings.

Jaden Noot comes in for Zac Cowan

Zac Cowan strikes out Wehiwa Aloy and allows a single to Logan Maxwell, and that’ll end Cowan’s night. Jaden Noot is coming in to face Ryder Helfrick, who hit a home run off Cowan earlier in the game.

Cowan’s final line: One run on four hits with six strikeouts across 5⅓ innings.

Have a night, Landon Beidelschies

Landon Beidelschies gets through his fifth scoreless inning, striking out his eighth and ninth batters of the game. The left-hander is in the midst of his best start of the season at a crucial time, with his nine strikeouts marking a season high.

Zac Cowan retires Arkansas in order

Zac Cowan retires Arkansas in order in the top of the fifth inning, and the pitchers’ duel continues. Cowan has been nails outside of the solo home run he gave up in the fourth inning.

Beidelschies up to 7 strikeouts

What a showing so far for Landon Beidelschies, who tosses another scoreless frame in the bottom of the fourth inning, adding two more strikeouts to make his total seven on the night. Beidelschies has allowed two hits and a walk with no runs.

Zac Cowan responds after allowing home run

Zac Cowan gets two consecutive strikeouts after allowing the solo home run, then forces a foul out to Reese Robinett near first base.

Cowan has five strikeouts through four innings.

Arkansas takes 1-0 lead

Ryder Helfrick goes big fly, launching a 417-foot home run over the center-field wall to give Arkansas a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning. That ball was demolished at 107.6 miles per hour.

Pitchers’ duel through 3 innings

Landon Beidelschies strikes out the side, retiring LSU’s hitters in order to end the third inning. Beidelschies has four strikeouts in a row and five in the game so far, with his sliders especially working early.

Both pitchers came to throw tonight.

Zac Cowan with strong start

Zac Cowan retires Arkansas in order in the top of the third inning, striking out Wehiwa Aloy in the process. Cowan has three strikeouts through three innings.

Arkansas turns double play

LSU’s Jared Jones hits a leadoff single to start the bottom of the second inning, but Landon Beidelschies forces a ground ball that’s turned into a 6-4-3 double play for Arkansas.

Beidelschies then strikes out Michael Braswell III to end the second inning.

Coach’s challenge keeps 2nd inning alive

LSU appears to get out of the second inning, but Arkansas opts to challenge an inning-ending strikeout. The Razorbacks won the challenge, with umpires determining there was catcher interference on Brent Iredale.

Arkansas has runners on first and second with two outs for Justin Thomas Jr. in the top of the second inning.

Luis Hernandez strikes out to end inning

Luis Hernandez strikes out with two outs and a runner on third base to end the inning. Arkansas and LSU tied at 0-0 entering the second inning.

Derek Curiel rips leadoff double

LSU gets a runner in scoring position early, as leadoff hitter Derek Curiel ropes a double down the right-field line to get the bottom of the first inning started.

Steven Milam keeps Wehiwa Aloy off base

What a play by LSU shortstop Steven Milam, who fields a hard-hit ground ball from Wehiwa Aloy before making a strong throw to first base for the second out of the top of the first inning.

LSU-Arkansas is underway

Zac Cowan fires the first pitch of the game, and LSU-Arkansas at the CWS semifinals is underway.

LSU baseball lineup tonight

LF Derek Curiel
DH Ethan Frey
SS Steven Milam
C Luis Hernandez
1B Jared Jones
RF Josh Pearson
CF Chris Stanfield
2B Daniel Dickinson
3B Michael Braswell III

Arkansas baseball lineup tonight

LF Charles Davalan
SS Wehiwa Aloy
RF Logan Maxwell
C Ryder Helfrick
2B Cam Kozeal
DH Kuhio Aloy
1B Reese Robinett
3B Brent Iredale
CF Justin Thomas Jr.

LSU, Arkansas pitchers tonight

LSU: RHP Zac Cowan (3-3, 3.09 ERA)
Arkansas: LHP Landon Beidelschies (4-0, 4.92 ERA)

Zac Cowan, who has only made one start this season, will get the ball on Wednesday night in a game that might ask a lot of the Tigers’ bullpen. Landon Beidelschies, meanwhile, has 12 starts this season with a 4.92 ERA in 56 2/3 innings.

What time does LSU vs Arkansas baseball start?

Time: 7 p.m. ET
Date: Wednesday, June 18
Location: Charles Schwab Field Omaha (Omaha, Nebraska)

What TV channel is LSU vs Arkansas baseball on today?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN app, ESPN+, Fubo

LSU-Arkansas baseball in the CWS semifinals will air live on ESPN, and can be streamed on the ESPN app. Other streaming options include ESPN+, which requires a subscription, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

College World Series schedule

The College World Series started on June 13, and will run through either June 22 or June 23, based on if the national championship series requires an if-necessary game, which would fall on June 23.

College World Series: June 13-22/23
CWS finals: June 21-22/23

A former Kansas City Chiefs front office member is suing the franchise for tortious interference, race discrimination and retaliation.

Former NFL cornerback Ramzee Robinson worked for the Chiefs for the past nine years, most recently as the director of player engagement, according to a copy of the lawsuit obtained by USA TODAY.

In the lawsuit filed with the District Court for the Western District of Missouri, Robinson alleges that six days after working Super Bowl 59, he was called to his manager’s office and told that he had engaged in ‘conduct detrimental to the league.’ Robinson states this alleged conduct was attacking one of his direct reports. He alleges that his manager stated it was recorded on security cameras but refused to show him the video.

The lawsuit states the Chiefs terminated his employment on Feb. 15, 2025, and replaced him with the direct report he allegedly attacked.

The franchise has declined to comment on the lawsuit.

“We can’t comment because it’s an active legal matter,” Brad Gee, Chiefs vice president of football communications, told Pro Football Talk via text message. “But to be clear, the Chiefs do not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We look forward to the facts of this case coming to light.”

What you need to know about the lawsuit:

Chiefs lawsuit explainer

Robinson says the Chiefs used him as a ‘liaison to the players,’ meaning he was on-call for players ‘when they got in trouble, had family emergencies (death, injury, etc.), needed help with community engagement, or relocation,’ per the lawsuit.

The suit states he was involved in crisis management, locker room management, peer-to-peer relationships and player-to-coach mentorships. It also alleges that Robinson was on-site in New Orleans in February 2025 for the Chiefs’ game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59, serving in a variety of roles.

Six days later, he was terminated from his position.

Robinson alleges that the Chiefs pay different salaries to employees based on race. His example was a former Black female employee who resigned after the franchise refused to give her a pay increase. Her replacement, a white female employee, allegedly received a 60% higher salary.

Robinson also alleges that he was declined the opportunity to interview for a similar position with the Houston Texans months before his termination. That interview request came after Chiefs president Mark Donovan allegedly ‘pressured (Robinson) to renew his contract and claimed that the contract would offer him stability.’ That event is part of the reasoning for the retaliation count.

The tortious interference stems from the Chiefs not allowing Robinson to interview with the Texans.

Who is Ramzee Robinson?

Robinson was the final selection of the 2007 NFL Draft (No. 255 overall) to the Detroit Lions. He spent two seasons with the Lions and played in 19 total games. He split the 2009 season between the Eagles (three games) and Cleveland Browns (four games).

He was an offseason member of the Washington Commanders in 2010 before being cut during final roster cuts. After two seasons out of football, he tried a comeback with the Denver Broncos but was a final roster cut again in the 2012 offseason.

In 26 total games played, Robinson tallied 37 tackles, one pass defensed and one fumble recovery.

The Los Angeles Lakers, one of the most iconic and valuable franchises in the NBA, is going to have new majority ownership.

The Buss family, led by Jeanie Buss, has reached an agreement to sell a majority ownership stake to businessman Mark Walter, the CEO and founder of holding company TWG Global, for a $10 billion valuation, a person with knowledge of the agreement confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly disclose details of the agreement.

The sale breaks the record for the most expensive purchase agreement of a U.S. pro sports franchise in history.

The person also confirmed that Jeanie Buss, 63, will remain in her position as the governor of the Lakers in the short-term, a setup that accounts for estate planning for the family. This arrangement is similar to the one longtime Celtics managing partner Wyc Grousbeck arranged in the March 2025 sale of that franchise to William Chisholm.

The Celtics sold for a $6.1 billion valuation, which had set the record for a North American sports franchise.

Walter is also the chairman and controlling owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers and also has interests in the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, the Billie Jean Cup, the Cadillac Formula 1 team and the Professional Women’s Hockey League. Thanks to an investment he made in July 2021 in which he and business partner Todd Boehly acquired a 27% minority interest in the Lakers, Walter also was given the right of first refusal on the majority share of the Lakers, should the franchise become available for sale.

Former Lakers point guard and Hall of Famer Magic Johnson, who is also a member of the investment group Walter used to buy a controlling stake in the Dodgers, praised the move Wednesday, June 18, in a social media post.

“Laker fans should be estatic (sic),” Johnson wrote. “A few things I can tell you about Mark – he is driven by winning, excellence, and doing everything the right way. AND he will put in the resources needed to win! I can understand why Jeanie sold the team to Mark Walter because they are just alike – they are competitive people, l (sic) have big hearts, love to give back, and both prefer to be behind the scenes. This makes all the sense in the world. I am so so SO happy and excited for @Lakers fans all over the world!!”

Johnson added that Walter “is the best choice and will be the best caretaker” of the franchise.

The sale price actually dwarfed the team’s estimated valuation. According to Forbes, which publishes its annual list of valuations of sports franchises, the Lakers were ranked as the eighth-most valuable franchise in the world in 2024, valued at $7.1 billion.

Jerry Buss, the father of Jeanie, purchased the Lakers in 1979, and the family has had controlling ownership over the franchise since. The Lakers have won 18 NBA championships, second only to the Boston Celtics.

Jerry Buss died in February 2013, which prompted Jeanie, who had overseen the business side of the franchise, to take over as governor.

Tyrese Haliburton probably will be a ‘game-time decision’ for Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, putting the Indiana Pacers’ hopes of winning their first championship in jeopardy.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle gave the update in a radio interview on 107.5 The Fan on Wednesday, June 18. The news comes a day after Haliburton had an MRI on his right leg, a person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the injury.

‘He is going to be carefully evaluated over the next 36 hours and will likely be listed as questionable on the injury report and probably will be a game-time decision for Game 6,’ Carlisle said. ‘Everything is on the table.’

Haliburton went through Indiana’s entire 30-minute walkthrough, as well as a 25-minute film session. He confirmed during a news conference after the practice that he was diagnosed with a right calf strain.

The Pacers are facing an elimination game Thursday, June 19, against the Thunder and need Haliburton’s offense to have a chance at forcing a Game 7 in Oklahoma City. The Thunder easily won Game 5, 120-109, after Haliburton appeared to slip and injure his leg in the first quarter. OKC is seeking its second championship. The Thunder moved to OKC in 2008 from Seattle, where the franchise won the title in 1979 as the SuperSonics.

Carlisle said the Pacers do have to be prepared for the possibility Haliburton will not play. The Pacers went 4-5 this season in games which Haliburton did not appear. In such a case, Andrew Nembhard would likely move from shooting guard to point guard. In most cases this season when Haliburton did not play, Bennedict Mathurin moved into the starting lineup at shooting guard.

‘It’s pretty simple, we have to prepare for both,’ Carlisle said. ‘Today, when we meet with the team before we go on the floor and practice, is going to be more of a walkthrough at this point of the series. We’ll do a walkthrough, we’ll have some shooting. We’ll have some open practice the last 30 minutes with the media at the end, yeah, we have to prepare for two scenarios: one where he plays and one where he does not.’

Asked about how to handle rotations and minute counts, Carlisle stayed to the same line. ‘Everything is on the table,’ he said.

Haliburton is averaging 17.9 points and 9.1 assists per game in the playoffs. He’s hit game-winning or game-tying shots in four playoff comebacks for the Pacers to help them reach the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000 and the second in franchise history.

Haliburton fell while driving to the basket in the opening quarter of Game 5 and came up holding his right calf. He went to the locker room, but returned in the second quarter. He scored just four points and didn’t make a basket – both career playoff lows.

While it’s unclear how much – if at all – the leg injury is affecting his shooting, one thing is clear. The Pacers must have Haliburton’s offense to win the championship.

‘He’s not at a hundred percent,’ Carlisle said after Game 5. ‘It’s pretty clear, but I don’t think he’s going to miss the next game. We were concerned at halftime, and he insisted on playing.’

Haliburton was more forceful in his reply: ‘It’s the Finals, man. I’ve worked my whole life to be here and I want to be out there to compete. Help my teammates any way I can.

‘I was not great tonight by any means, but it’s not really a thought of mine to not play here. If I can walk, then I want to play. … Got to be ready to go for Game 6.’

Will Tyrese Haliburton play in NBA Finals Game 6?

Tyrese Haliburton and coach Rick Carlisle said after Game 5 that the Pacers guard would play. However, Carlisle also said they would monitor Haliburton and ‘evaluate everything with Tyrese.’ On Wednesday, June 18, Carlisle said it would be a ‘game-time decision.’

When will we know if Tyrese Haliburton is playing in NBA Finals Game 6?

The team could make a formal announcement any time, but the final injury report is due Thursday, June 19, by 5 p.m. ET.

When is NBA Finals Game 6?

The Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 on Thursday, June 19.

Where is NBA Finals Game 6?

The game is at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

What time is NBA Finals Game 6?

Game 6 is at 8:30 p.m. ET.

What channel is broadcasting NBA Finals Game 6?

ABC will carry Game 6.

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Donato, 29, could have become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, but instead chose to sign a deal through the 2028-29 season with Chicago.

Last season, Donato led the Blackhawks with a career-best 31 goals in 80 games. His 31 assists and 62 points were also career highs.

‘Ryan brings energy and competes hard every game, which has been a huge asset to our team over the last two seasons,’ Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. ‘He’s been a crucial part of our offense, andwe’re excited for Ryan to continue to make a difference in our lineup for the next four years.’

Donato, an eight-year veteran, has 43 goals in two seasons with the Blackhawks. He had never scored more than 31 points in a season until doubling that output last season.

Donato has 108 goals and 119 assists in 483 games with the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken and Blackhawks.

Rangers re-sign Matt Rempe

The New York Rangers and forward Matt Rempe agreed to terms on a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension.

Rempe, 22, had been scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 1.

Listed at 6-foot-9 and 255 pounds, Rempe recorded eight points (three goals, five assists), a plus-7 rating and 67 penalty minutes in 42 games this past season.

Rempe has totaled 10 points (four goals, six assists) and 138 penalty minutes in 59 career games since being selected by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL draft.

General manager of the year finalist Bill Zito hasn’t heard yet whether he has won the award, but he has plenty of hard work ahead that could determine whether he’s in the running again next year.

The Florida Panthers won their second consecutive Stanley Cup title on June 17, two weeks before NHL free agency opens up on July 1.

That gives Zito little time to work through the team’s list of significant pending unrestricted free agents. Last year, he got an eight-year deal done with Sam Reinhart (for less than $9 million a year) before free agency opened. That paid off when the forward scored seven goals in the Stanley Cup Final, including four goals in the clinching game.

This year’s list includes some key players. According to puckpedia, the Panthers have $19 million in cap space.

Here is what’s awaiting the Panthers and Edmonton Oilers during the offseason:

What’s next for the Florida Panthers?

The biggest free agent is Sam Bennett, 28, who won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP after scoring a league-best 15 goals. He had 51 points in 62 games during the Panthers’ three consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final. In addition to his scoring prowess, he plays with an edge and is sometimes accused of going over the line.

Brad Marchand, who came over in a shocking trade from the Boston Bruins, is also a pending UFA. The 37-year-old had six goals during the final, scoring on breakaways and spectacular moves. Panthers teammates and coach Paul Maurice raved about his attitude.

Pending UFA defenseman Aaron Ekblad, 29, has been key to the Panthers through the years since he was taken No. 1 overall in 2014. He’s on the top defense pairing with Gustav Forsling but missed 20 games with a PED suspension and another two for a playoff hit.

Other pending UFAs include Nate Schmidt, Tomas Nosek, Nico Sturm and backup goalie Vitek Vanecek. No. 1 goalie Sergei Bobrovsky is entering the final year of his contract, as is defenseman Niko Mikkola.

Core players Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Anton Lundell, Seth Jones, Forsling and Dmitry Kulikov are signed long-term, and Eetu Luostarinen and Evan Rodrigues have two years left on their contracts.

What’s next for the Edmonton Oilers?

The Oilers fell short for the second year in a row as the Panthers’ forechecking scheme frustrated them again.

They have $11 million in cap space as Leon Draisaitl’s extension kicks in and makes him the NHL’s highest-paid player. Connor McDavid, entering the last year of his contract and a potential free agent at the end of the season, is eligible to sign an extension as early as July 1, which should restore him atop the league’s salary structure. Or he can wait. An extension would take effect in 2026-27.

The Oilers have a long list of pending UFAs, including Connor Brown, 40-year-old Corey Perry, Trent Frederic, Kasperi Kapanen and John Klingberg..

Defenseman Evan Bouchard is a restricted free agent. He’s known for his offensive abilities but also had a playoff-high 41 giveaways.

Goalies Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard have one left on their contracts at a combined $3.6 million cap hit. Defensemen Mattias Ekholm, Jake Walman, Brett Kulak and Troy Stecher also have a year left on their deals.