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USA Today
2 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Breaking down LSU baseball's path to the College World Series Final
Breaking down LSU baseball's path to the College World Series Final LSU baseball is on its way to Omaha and the College World Series for the 20th time in program history. The Tigers punched their ticket after sweeping West Virginia in the Baton Rouge Super Regional. For head coach Jay Johnson, this marks his second time leading LSU to Omaha. LSU won it all in Johnson's first go-round, beating Florida in the CWS Final. LSU is one of the top programs in the sport. It's won seven national titles and when the Tigers get to Omaha, they expect to win it. The standard is high in Baton Rouge. Johnson knows that. As of Tuesday, the only team with a better chance to win it all than LSU is Arkansas, according to BetMGM. While LSU is among the favorites, this is a tough field, and LSU didn't catch a favorable draw, meeting Arkansas in Game 1. Here's a look at what LSU baseball's path to the College World Series Final could be. College World Series Format The College World Series consists of two four-team double-elimination brackets. Together, each bracket forms the eight-team field. The winner of each bracket will meet in the final, which is a best of three series. How could this play out for LSU? There are six distinct paths LSU baseball could take before reaching the CWS final or getting eliminated. Let's start with the simple ones. Tigers win three straight and secure spot in final If LSU goes 3-0 in its first three games, the Tigers are in the final. This requires beating Arkansas in Game 4 before beating the winner of UCLA vs. Murray State in Game 8. Then, LSU has to beat whoever fights their way out of the losers' bracket. In this scenario, there's a chance it's a rematch vs. Arkansas. LSU loses two straight and goes home This is the scenario Tiger fans don't want to think about, but the quickest path to LSU's season ending is back-to-back losses to open the CWS. This means LSU loses to Arkansas in its opener and loses again to the loser of UCLA vs. Murray State. LSU wins opener, but drops second game Let's say LSU beats Arkansas and UCLA beats Murray State, but then LSU drops one to UCLA in Game 8. Then, LSU would play the winner of Arkansas and Murray State in an elimination game. If LSU wins that elimination game... If LSU stays alive and wins the elimination game, the Tigers are back facing the team they lost to in Game 8. From there, LSU has to beat that team twice to secure a spot in the CWS final. LSU goes 2-0, but drops Game 12 If LSU starts 2-0, beating Arkansas and then beating the winner of UCLA vs. Murray State, the Tigers are in a prime position for the CWS final. But if LSU loses Game 12, it sets up a winner-takes-all game to advance to the final. This scenario could lead to LSU facing Arkansas three times. LSU beats Arkansas and UCLA/Murray State, then Arkansas battles out of the losers' bracket for a rematch with LSU. If the Razorbacks get the best of the Tigers in round two, they meet again with a trip to the CWS final on the line. Put simply, LSU's path to the CWS final likely involves beating Arkansas at least twice. Of course, there's a scenario where Arkansas goes 0-2, but I wouldn't bet on that. LSU loses first game and fights out of the losers' bracket If LSU loses to Arkansas in Game 4, the Tigers will be in a hole, but it's not insurmountable. A loss in Game 4 sends LSU to face UCLA/Murray State in the losers' bracket in Game 7. If LSU wins that, the Tigers move on to face Game 8's loser in Game 10.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Meet the seven teams joining LSU baseball in Omaha for the College World Series
Meet the seven teams joining LSU baseball in Omaha for the College World Series We're days away from another College World Series beginning in Omaha, Nebraska. The event has been a staple on the summer sports calendar dating back to the first one in 1947. LSU baseball has grown familiar with Omaha over the years. After beating West Virginia in the Baton Rouge Super Regional on Sunday night, the Tigers earned a spot in the CWS for the 20th time in program history. Jay Johnson's squad won it all the last time they were here in 2023. The College World Series will feature eight teams, forming two double-elimination brackets. The winners of each bracket meet in the CWS final. The action gets underway on June 13 and a champion will be crowned on June 22 or 23. With Murray State beating Duke on Monday night, the CWS field is set. It's a balanced field with just about every pocket of the country represented. From Oregon State in the Pacific Northwest to Coastal Carolina in the South, here's a look at the eight teams set to compete in Omaha. Arizona Wildcats Arizona is the old stomping ground of current LSU head coach Jay Johnson. The program is one of the most decorated in the sport. This is the Wildcats' 19th trip to Omaha. Arizona has won four national titles, the last one coming in 2012. Oregon State Beavers Oregon State is heading to Omaha for the first time since 2018. The Beavers are making their eighth overall appearance and have three national titles. Arkansas Razorbacks LSU's first opponent in Omaha will be Arkansas. The Razorbacks are still looking to win their first national title but are making their 12th CWS appearance. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers Coastal Carolina is making its second trip to Omaha. The only time the Chants were here before, they won it all in 2016. CCU swept Auburn to punch its ticket. UCLA Bruins The Bruins are making their sixth trip to the CWS, but it's the first one since 2013. This is John Savage's fourth time leading UCLA to Omaha as head coach. LSU Tigers Jay Johnson led LSU to a national title in 2023 and after a one-year absence, the Tigers are returning to Omaha. This is LSU's 20th trip in program history. The Tigers have won seven national titles. Murray State Racers Murray State is in the midst of a Cinderella run. With the Racers' win over Duke, Murray State is on its way to the first College World Series in program history. Louisville Cardinals Louisville is slated to make its sixth College World Series appearance. This is the Cardinals' first trip since 2019. UL is yet to win a national title.
USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
LSU baseball's Steven Milam talks West Virginia win: 'I love the big moment'
LSU baseball's Steven Milam talks West Virginia win: 'I love the big moment' Steven Milam put LSU baseball on his back during the Baton Rouge Super Regional against West Virginia. Saturday and Sunday against the Mountaineers, the sophomore infielder made his plate appearances count. With a mix of power and patience at the plate, Milam finished the series with eight RBI and credits "getting back to the basics" for his success. "I love the big moment," Milam said. "I didn't play or help my team as much as I wanted to during the year and I had to step up to take pressure off the other guys. I feel like I've been able to do that." Milam put the Tigers up big with a grand slam in Saturday's fifth inning then stroked two doubles on Sunday. He finished with two walks in each game, bringing his on-base percentage to .395 for the year. "He went out there and competed his tail off and really did a good job," LSU first baseman Jared Jones said. "He was just himself this weekend and he did a great job for us and go the momentum in our dugout." The Tigers only hope Milam's success continues now that they claimed a berth in the College World Series and learned they will open against No. 3 seed Arkansas. "Our whole team is running great at bats one through nine," Milam said. "You can punch in 15 different guys, and we're going to beat you," Milam said. This wasn't Milam's first time appearing in a big moment. In the 2024 SEC Tournament, Milam delivered a big home run that was instrumental in LSU securing an NCAA Tournament appearance. "This is why you come to LSU."
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Where LSU baseball ranks in College World Series betting odds after super regional
Where LSU baseball ranks in College World Series betting odds after super regional LSU baseball is heading back to the College World Series after sweeping West Virginia in the Baton Rouge Super Regional. The Tigers secured their spot in Omaha after a 12-5 win in Game 2 on Sunday night. This marks LSU's 20th trip to the College World Series. The last appearance came in 2023, when LSU won it all after facing Florida in the finals. Now, LSU head coach Jay Johnson looks to win his second ring with the Tigers. The oddsmakers like LSU's chances. According to BetMGM, LSU is the title favorite with +220 odds to win it all. The Tigers are just ahead of Arkansas, which sits at +240. LSU and Arkansas won't have to wait long to meet. The Tigers and Razorbacks will face off in their CWS opener. That's a tough draw for both squads. The winner will be in prime position to make a run at the title, while the loser will have to navigate through a series of elimination games just to reach the CWS final.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Five takeaways from LSU baseball's super regional win vs. West Virginia
Five takeaways from LSU baseball's super regional win vs. West Virginia LSU baseball is headed to Omaha. After sweeping West Virginia in the Baton Rouge Super Regional, LSU punched a ticket to the College World Series. The Tigers erupted for 16 runs in Game 1 before plating 12 more in Game 2. It was just what we wanted to see from the LSU offense after the Tigers' bats were inconsistent at points this spring. Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson didn't pitch at the elite level they did in the regional, but both were good enough to get the wins. Anderson allowed six earned runs, but made it through seven innings in Game 1. Eyanson held WVU to three runs and struck out seven of the course of five innings in Game 2. Tigers' head coach Jay Johnson has now led LSU to Omaha in two of his four years in Baton Rouge. LSU's last CWS trip came in 2023, when the Tigers won it all with Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews. Before LSU continues its quest for another national title, here are five takeaways from LSU's Super Regional win. 1. LSU responded in the seventh inning LSU controlled the game early, scoring six runs in the first two innings. WVU began to stage a comeback. The Mountaineers scored three runs in the fourth and plated another in the fifth. Then, LSU had a response of its own. LSU scored six runs in the seventh inning, putting the game out of reach. It started with a two-run single off the bat of Chris Stanfield. Not long after, Derek Curiel scored on a throwing error. Steven Milam kept the rally going with an RBI double. Jake Brown capped it off with a two-run shot to center field. West Virginia had the momentum entering the seventh, and the Mountaineers were a couple of swings away from tying it up. Good teams respond like LSU did in the seventh. 2. Anderson and Eyanson were good enough Good pitchers find a way to do enough even when they don't have their best stuff. Neither Kade Anderson nor Anthony Eyanson had their best, but they combined to pitch 12 innings and both got the win. Anderson held WVU to one run through five innings, which allowed LSU to build a substantial lead. West Virginia put up some runs in the later innings, but Anderson hung in there and threw 109 pitches, keeping LSU's bullpen rested. On Sunday, Eyanson held WVU to three runs in five innings. Between the regional and the super regional, Eyanson allowed just three runs over 13.2 innings. LSU can't expect eight shutout innings from Anderson and Eyanson every night, but the Tigers proved they can win a different style of game vs. West Virginia. 3. Steven Milam was a star Steven Milam had ups and downs in the regular season, but he's been a star for LSU in the NCAA Tournament. He stayed hot vs. West Virginia. On Saturday, Milam came to the plate with LSU up 3-1 and the bases loaded. Milam put one in the bleachers to give LSU a 7-1 lead. Milam walked twice and scored two runs. On Sunday, Milam had two more extra-base hits with four RBI. Again, he walked twice and scored twice. If Milam is going to hit like this, it changes the outlook for LSU's lineup. It gives the Tigers another all-around bat in the middle of the lineup. "He will play baseball for a very long time if he takes the caliber of at-bats that he has," Jay Johnson said of Milam last weekend. 4. Potential emergence of Cooper Williams Aside from Casan Evans, LSU's bullpen has struggled in recent weeks. Even Zac Cowan has faltered after being one of the nation's most effective relievers for most of the year. LSU needed another bullpen arm to emerge -- it might just be Cooper Williams. Williams, a true freshman, was ranked as the No. 12 left-handed pitcher in the 2024 class by Perfect Game. He began his career without allowing an earned run in his first 12 appearances, but didn't see a ton of high leverage spots in the regular season. After LSU struggled to get outs last Sunday vs. Little Rock, Williams entered and pitched 3.2 scoreless innings. Then, a week later vs. West Virginia, Johnson called on Williams with the tying run at the plate. Williams delivered and gave LSU 2.2 innings, allowing just one run. That'll play. In 19.2 innings, Williams owns a 1.83 ERA this year. LSU will need a strong effort from the freshman in Omaha. 5. LSU looks like a complete team The Super Regional was LSU at its best. The Tigers have not played two straight complete games like vs. a quality opponent all year. Sure, the Tigers have found ways to win, but LSU was dominant in every phase of the game vs. the Mountaineers. This team is good enough to go all the way in Omaha. We had questions about the lineup entering the weekend. Those were answered. We know guys like Derek Curiel and Daniel Dickinson are going to produce, but when Milam, Brown, and Josh Pearson are showing off the power too, it's hard to find outs vs. this group. And Tiger fans should feel better about the bullpen now, too. LSU finished the regular season ranked No. 1 in the polls for a reason. When this squad plays to its potential, it's the best in the country.
