LSU baseball team experienced a dramatic turnaround in the College World Series, going from a humiliating 24-4 loss to Florida in Game 2 to winning the national title with an 18-4 victory over Florida in the third and deciding game of the finals. The victory marked LSU’s first national championship since 2009 and their seventh overall. The Tigers showed resilience throughout the tournament, fighting off elimination three times in bracket play.
In the final game, LSU erased an early 2-0 deficit and exploded for a six-run second inning. They continued to score runs and finished with the most runs ever in a title game since 1998. Their 14-run margin of victory was the largest in a final, and their 24 hits were the most in a College World Series game.
Thatcher Hurd pitched an outstanding game for LSU, allowing only two runs in the first inning and then retiring 18 of the next 21 batters. Riley Cooper and Gavin Guidry also contributed to the combined five-hitter. Cade Beloso, one of LSU’s players, mentioned that the team was determined to bounce back after their devastating loss and that nobody in the country could beat them that day.
LSU’s ace pitcher, Paul Skenes, who had been speculated to start the game, watched from the dugout as his teammates dominated on offense and Hurd shut down Florida’s hitters. Skenes was named the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series.
LSU’s achievement in winning the national championship in baseball adds to an impressive streak of success for SEC teams. With LSU’s victory, they join Mississippi, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt as four consecutive national champions from the SEC. This remarkable accomplishment highlights the dominance of SEC baseball and showcases the conference’s strength and competitiveness.
For LSU, the championship victory fulfilled a dream for their players, including Dylan Crews, who expressed his excitement and the long journey the team had undertaken to reach this pinnacle. The joy of holding the championship trophy and bringing it back to LSU was a momentous occasion for the team and their fans.
On the other hand, despite an impressive regular season and setting school records for wins and home runs, Florida was unable to carry over their momentum into the decisive game. Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan mentioned that the team seemed to be in a good place before the game, but issues with command on the mound and some walks and hit-by-pitches disrupted their performance. Jac Caglianone, Florida’s versatile player, struggled with his command for the second consecutive start, leading to his early exit from the game as a pitcher.
Despite falling short in the championship game, Florida’s accomplishments throughout the season should not be overshadowed. Winning the SEC regular-season title, securing the No. 2 national seed, and setting school records are significant achievements that reflect their overall strength as a team.
Overall, the SEC’s continued success in college baseball and LSU’s national championship victory demonstrate the high level of competition within the conference and the caliber of talent and coaching in SEC baseball programs.