BATON ROUGE, La. – The road to Omaha continues as the No. 6 national seed LSU Tigers (46-15) prepare to host the West Virginia Mountaineers (44-14) in the Baton Rouge Super Regional at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. The best-of-three series will determine which team advances to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska.
Season Review: LSU Tigers
LSU entered the 2025 season with high expectations, boasting one of the most talented rosters in college baseball. The Tigers finished third in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with a 19-11 conference record, securing a top-six national seed in the NCAA Tournament. Led by head coach Jay Johnson, LSU showcased a dominant pitching staff and a powerful lineup throughout the season.
The Tigers’ pitching rotation has been anchored by Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, forming one of the best one-two punches in the country. Anderson, a sophomore left-hander, has amassed 156 strikeouts in 96 innings, while Eyanson has posted a 2.50 ERA in 93.2 innings. Offensively, Ethan Frey has been a standout performer, leading the team with a .359 batting average and 1.151 OPS. Luis Hernandez and Jared Jones have also provided crucial power, combining for over 30 home runs this season.
Season Review: West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia has enjoyed a historic season, setting a program record with 44 wins and capturing the Big 12 regular-season championship with a 19-9 conference record. Under first-year head coach Steve Sabins, the Mountaineers have demonstrated resilience and offensive firepower, making their second consecutive Super Regional appearance.
West Virginia’s lineup is fueled by Sam White, who leads the team with a .352 batting average and 43 runs scored, and Kyle West, who has launched 10 home runs while batting .347. The Mountaineers are aggressive on the base paths, ranking among the top 50 teams in stolen bases with 108. Their pitching staff has been bolstered by transfers Jack Kartsonas, Reese Bassinger, and Griffin Kirn, with Kirn leading the team in strikeouts (100 in 95 innings).
Regional Performance: LSU Tigers
LSU battled through the Baton Rouge Regional, overcoming adversity to secure its spot in the Super Regional. The Tigers opened with a 7-0 victory over Little Rock, followed by a 12-0 shutout against Dallas Baptist. However, Little Rock stunned LSU with a 10-4 upset, forcing a winner-take-all game on Monday night.
In the decisive game, LSU rallied from a 5-1 deficit, thanks to a dominant relief performance by Casan Evans, who struck out 12 batters over six innings. Ethan Frey delivered a clutch 4-for-4 performance, including a home run and a three-run double, leading LSU to a 10-6 victory and the regional championship.
Regional Performance: West Virginia Mountaineers
West Virginia emerged victorious in the Clemson Regional, showcasing its ability to battle back from deficits. The Mountaineers defeated Kentucky 4-3 in their opening game, followed by a 9-6 win over Clemson. In the regional final, West Virginia staged a dramatic comeback, rallying from a five-run deficit in the eighth inning to defeat Kentucky 13-12.
Armani Guzman was named the Regional’s Most Outstanding Player, finishing 8-for-12 with six RBIs, including a walk-off sacrifice fly and game-winning hits against Clemson and Kentucky. Logan Sauve, Brodie Kresser, and Griffin Kirn also earned All-Tournament honors for their contributions.
Key Players to Watch
LSU Tigers
- Kade Anderson (LHP) – 156 strikeouts, projected top-five MLB Draft pick.
- Anthony Eyanson (RHP) – 2.50 ERA, dominant postseason performer.
- Ethan Frey (DH) – .359 BA, 1.151 OPS, clutch hitter.
- Luis Hernandez (C) – Two home runs in regional final.
- Jared Jones (1B) – 20 home runs, power threat.
West Virginia Mountaineers
- Sam White (DH) – .352 BA, 43 runs, offensive catalyst.
- Kyle West (LF) – 10 home runs, .347 BA.
- Armani Guzman (INF) – Regional MVP, clutch performer.
- Griffin Kirn (LHP) – 100 strikeouts, ace of the staff.
- Reese Bassinger (RHP) – Five saves, reliable bullpen arm.
Super Regional Schedule
- Game 1: Saturday, June 7 – 1:00 p.m. CT (ESPN)
- Game 2: Sunday, June 8 – 5:00 p.m. CT (ESPN2)
- Game 3: Monday, June 9 – TBD (if necessary)
This matchup promises to be an electrifying showdown between two elite programs vying for a coveted spot in Omaha. Stay tuned for updates as LSU and West Virginia battle for College World Series glory.
AI Disclaimer
This post was generated with the assistance of AI technology to provide structured, well-cited information. All data has been sourced from publicly available reports and verified sources.
