Arkansas Vs. Tennessee Predictions & Preview: 2025 NCAA Baseball Tournament Super Regional

Image credit: Wehiwa Aloy (Photo Courtesy of Arkansas Athletics)

The 2025 NCAA baseball tournament super regional round is set to get underway on Friday, June 5.

To get ready, Baseball America presents the ultimate super regional guide with breakdowns of all 16 teams. Check out the full list of super regional previews here.

Arkansas Preview

Arkansas entered the postseason as Baseball America’s national title pick, and the Razorbacks wasted no time showing why. They dominated their regional, outscoring opponents 26-6 in a no-drama, three-game sweep that showcased exactly what makes this team dangerous: power, discipline and deep swing-and-miss pitching.

Offensively, Arkansas is one of the nation’s premier lineups. The Hogs entered the postseason top 10 nationally in home runs (110), slugging (.553) and wRC+ (127), while hitting .313 as a team (16th) with a .422 on-base percentage (19th). The group can slug for crooked innings but also plays station-to-station when needed, making them highly versatile.

The heart of the order is elite, as Wehiwa Aloy (.355/.445/.686, 20 HR, 64 RBI) and Kuhio Aloy (.335/.424/.579, 13 HR, 69 RBI) are as dangerous a duo as any in the country. Around them, Charles Davalan (.350/.432/.573), Logan Maxwell (.346/.455/.596), Ryder Helfrick (.329/.445/.647, 13 HR) and Cam Kozeal (.343/.391/.643, 15 HR) provide steady production and complementary pop. There’s no soft landing spot—Arkansas brings pressure through all nine.

On the mound, the Razorbacks own elite stuff and punch-out ability. They entered super regionals ranked fifth nationally in strikeout rate (28.9%), seventh in runs allowed per game (4.1), and top 10 in WHIP (1.24) and K-BB% (20.6%).

Zach Root (3.78 ERA, 85.2 IP, 113 K) is the rotation leader, commanding the zone and generating consistent swing-and-miss. Landon Beidelschies (4.92 ERA, 56.2 IP) has also performed well as a starter, as has Gage Wood. The bullpen is stacked: Gabe Gaeckle (4.77 ERA, 60.1 IP, 76 K), Dylan Carter (2.18 ERA, 33 IP), Will McEntire (2.59 ERA), Christian Foutch (3.48 ERA), and Aiden Jimenez (3.52 ERA; also starter-capable) all offer premium stuff.

Arkansas looks like an Omaha-caliber team in every phase, but the challenge ahead is clear: navigating a showdown with Tennessee. Still, the Hogs have all the tools—offensive firepower, elite swing-and-miss arms, and balance throughout the roster—to get through. They remain one of the most complete teams left standing.

Tennessee Preview

If there’s a team built to go toe-to-toe with a powerhouse like Arkansas, it’s this Tennessee group. The Volunteers bring a complete, balanced, and battle-tested roster into super regionals. The Vols combine elite stuff on the mound, prodigious power in the lineup and the kind of postseason edge that can’t be faked.

Liam Doyle is the quintessential postseason weapon. The lefthander was electric through the Knoxville Regional, throwing nine innings of one-run ball with 16 strikeouts to just three walks, including a 2.1-inning, perfect save in Game 7 that saw him touch triple digits with his unique fastball. His 158 strikeouts in 92 innings this season (2.84 ERA, .178 average against) underscore why he’ll be the most feared arm in this series. Marcus Phillips (3.71 ERA, 77.2 IP, 93 K) has proven a capable rotation complement, giving Tennessee a formidable one-two punch.

The bullpen is deep with weapons. Brandon Arvidson (4.34 ERA, .196 BAA), Dylan Loy (3.98 ERA, .168 BAA), Michael Sharman (3.18 ERA) and AJ Russell (3.52 ERA) are among the key arms who can shorten games and handle leverage spots. As a staff, Tennessee ranks second nationally in both strikeout rate (30.5%) and K-BB% (21.1%), with top 15 marks in WHIP, ERA and run prevention, making them clearly one of the nation’s nastiest pitching groups.

Offensively, the Vols are flat-out scary. They entered the regional round ranked third nationally in home runs (122), fifth in slugging (.558), and 10th in wRC+ (126). The power is real, but this isn’t an all-or-nothing group, as Tennessee pairs slug with strong on-base ability (.416 team OBP).

Andrew Fischer (.343/.507/.762, 24 HR, 64 RBI) leads the charge as one of the country’s top power bats. Gavin Kilen (.363/.447/.686, 15 HR) has been a steady force, while Dean Curley (.315/.437/.523), Hunter Ensley (.343/.433/.545) and Dalton Bargo (.282/.376/.579, 14 HR) provide depth and balance.

And then there’s the Vols’ intangible edge: swagger. This is a fiery, vocal team that leans into the postseason spotlight. The showmanship and chip-on-the-shoulder mentality play perfectly this time of year, giving Tennessee an added dimension.

Arkansas is a tall task, but Tennessee has the arsenal, lineup depth, and big-game makeup to match it. Expect fireworks in what should be one of the sport’s marquee super regional showdowns.