Five takeaways from LSU baseball's College World Series win vs. UCLA

USA Today

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Five takeaways from LSU baseball's College World Series win vs. UCLA
In a game that spanned two days, LSU baseball beat UCLA on Tuesday and now the Tigers are one win away from a return to the College World Series final.
LSU vs. UCLA originally began on Tuesday night. But after three innings, a lengthy weather delay forced a suspension until Tuesday morning, where the game picked up in the top of the fourth inning.
Anthony Eyanson got the start on Monday night, but the weather cut his start short. Eyanson allowed three runs in the first inning before settling in and pitching scoreless frames in the second and third. LSU would have liked to get more from its star pitcher, but the rain had other plans.
When the game resumed on Tuesday, Jay Johnson went to Casan Evans, LSU's clear No. 3 arm. Evans delivered, pitching 4.1 innings, striking out five, and allowing just two runs. Evans allowed four hits, but didn't issue a single walk.
It was a good 24 hours for the LSU offense, too. The Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the first and scored again in the third on Monday. On Tuesday, LSU picked up right where it left off, scoring two runs in the fourth.
The Tigers added insurance late in the game to give the bullpen breathing room.
This was LSU's sixth all-time meeting with the Bruins, a series LSU now leads 4-2. Here are five takeaways from LSU baseball's win vs. UCLA.
1. LSU slugger Jared Jones comes up clutch
With UCLA leading early on Monday night, Jared Jones stepped to the plate with two runners on. Jones was coming off a 0-5 in LSU's win vs. Arkansas. Jones stayed back after LSU practice on Sunday to get in some extra work and have a one-on-one conversation with head coach Jay Johnson. It looked like that work paid off.
Jones muscled a ball over the right field wall and gave LSU the lead with a three-run homer.
When the game picked up on Tuesday, Jones was at it again. LSU's first baseman came up with a clutch RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to give LSU insurance.
Jones finished the game with two hits, four RBI, and a walk.
2. Casan Evans continues to emerge
Casan Evans is emerging as one of the best pitchers in the sport. The freshman righty has elite stuff. And in the NCAA Tournament, he's found a different gear.
Evans is far and away LSU's most reliable reliever. Jay Johnson faced a choice when the game resumed on Tuesday. Go right to Evans or save his arm for a potential double-header with Arkansas later on Tuesday?
Johnson decided it was best to do what it takes to get the win. That meant giving the ball to Evans.
Evans delivered, pitching 4.2 innings and allowing just two earned runs. He struck out five and didn't issue a walk. In 11.2 innings this postseason, Evans has allowed just three earned runs with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 18/3. The freshman has proven ready for the big moment and is an emerging star in college baseball.
3. Chase Shores continues to gain trust
With the bases loaded in the eighth inning and the go-ahead run at the plate, Jay Johnson turned to Chase Shores. The big righty began the year in LSU's rotation but was moved to the bullpen after inconsistent outings. Inconsistency followed Shores into the pen, but a light came on for Shores in the super regional.
Shores struck out three in 1.1 innings vs. West Virginia and delivered a scoreless inning vs. Arkansas. On Tuesday, all it took was one pitch for Shores to get out of the bases-loaded jam. In the ninth, Shores closed it out with a perfect inning.
LSU was always going to need a bullpen arm to step up. It takes more than three pitchers to win in Omaha. It looks like Shores is becoming LSU's next best high-leverage option behind Evans.
4. LSU put the ball in play
UCLA's pitching staff doesn't rely on strikeouts. LSU took advantage of that, only striking out seven times vs. the Bruins. When you put the ball in play, good things happen.
Look no further than Daniel Dickinson's bloop single in the seventh inning. Dickinson has struggled so far in Omaha, but he got just enough of a pitch for the ball to fall in right field, giving LSU another run.
LSU has been too reliant on the home run ball at times in 2025. That hasn't been the case in Omaha with the Tigers finding other ways to score. LSU is getting on base and putting the bat on the ball.
5. LSU avoids double-header
If LSU had lost, the Tigers would have played a double-header vs. Arkansas just hours later. The Razorbacks are arguably the most talented team in the tournament and are riding high after Gage Wood threw a no-hitter vs. Murray State on Monday.
With Anderson, Eyanson, and Evans all burned, LSU would have faced trouble vs. the Razorbacks on Tuesday. Especially with how fresh Arkansas' rotation is after Wood's complete game.
Now, LSU doesn't have to worry about that. UCLA gets the privilege of facing Arkansas on Tuesday night while LSU gets to rest.