Latest news with #LSUBaseball
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former LSU outfielder Paxton Kling selected in MLB Draft's seventh round
Former LSU Baseball outfielder Paxton Kling was selected In the 2025 MLB Draft's seventh round on Monday. The Texas Rangers used the No. 205 overall pick to get him. Kling transferred to Penn State ahead of last season and became the everyday centerfielder. He earned second-team All-Region and first-team All-Big Ten honors. Kling has not officially announced his intention to turn pro, but given his selection in the seventh round, it's likely. In his junior year with the Nittany Lions, Kling led the team with a .358 batting average, 76 hits, and 63 runs. He finished the season on a 14-game hit streak and powered Penn State to two upset wins in the conference tournament. Kling started is collegiate career at LSU, donning the purple and gold for two years. He made 118 appearances with 61 starts and was a part of the 2023 national championship team as a freshman. Kling often appeared as a pinch runner in Baton Rouge. In 2024, he batted .250 with 54 hits and a .402 on-base percentage.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
LSU Baseball Loses Talented Outfield to Transfer Portal
LSU Baseball Loses Talented Outfield to Transfer Portal originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The LSU Tigers have lost Ashton Larson to the transfer portal. The Tigers just won the 2025 National Championship, but that doesn't make them immune from transfer portal losses. Ashton Larson, an LSU outfielder, announced on Monday that he is entering the transfer portal. LSU Tigers head coach Jay Johnson (3) walks to the dugout before the game against the UCLA Bruins at Charles Schwab Branscombe Larson ranked as the No. 13 OF and No. 78 overall prospect in his class by Perfect Game and was a 20th round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft, but decided to forgo the MLB and come to LSU. Advertisement In his freshman season, Larson saw a good bit of playing time. He appeared in 53 games, starting 40, and batted .298 (42-141) with nine doubles, three homers and 16 RBIs. In SEC play, he led the team in batting average (.337) and was named to the 2024 SEC All-Freshman Team. In 2025, LSU's outfield was very crowded with guys like Derek Curiel, Chris Stanfield, Josh Pearson and Jake Brown all fighting for starting spots. Larson became the odd man out. He appeared in 34 games, but only took 39 at bats compared to 141 as a freshman. He recorded 10 hits (.256 batting average) and two homers as a sophomore. With Pearson definitely leaving and Stanfield potentially heading to the MLB, it felt like Larson might have been able to stay and potentially start next year, but he decided to hit the portal and take his chances somewhere else. In a tweet on Monday morning, D1 Baseball's Kendall Rogers said he'd keep his eye on some Big 12 schools. Larson went to high school in Kansas, so Kansas and Kansas State could be two schools to watch in his recruitment. Advertisement Related: Former LSU Basketball Star Inks 125 Million Dollar Deal Related: Everything Angel Reese Said after Beating Los Angeles This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
30-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
LSU baseball outfielder enters transfer portal after two years with the Tigers
NEW TRANSFER: @LSUbaseball OF Ashton Larson, as expected, has entered the Transfer Portal. Larson had a limited role for #LSU this past season, but has tools and could flourish in an everyday role. Would keep an eye on a couple of #Big12 schools on this Former LSU Baseball outfielder Ashton Larson entered the transfer portal Monday, according to multiple reports. Larson spent two season in Baton Rouge and saw most of his time as a true freshman in 2024. He fell short of earning an every day role during LSU's national championship run, playing mostly as a late-game defensive substitution and pinch hitter. During his first season donning the purple and gold, Larson made 53 appearances with 40 starts. He batted .298 with 25 runs, 16 RBI, nine doubles and three home runs. He led the team in SEC play with a .337 batting average. In 2025, he batted .256 through 39 plate appearances with 10 hits and 12 RBI. Larson joined the program as the country's No. 23 outfielder and No. 78 overall, per Perfect Game. The outlet rated him the best prospect out of Kansas. The Overland Park native will most likely make a move within the power four. With outfielders Chris Stanfield, Jake Brown and Ethan Frey all expected to return for another season, it was unlikely that Larson would make the cut for a starting role.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Five takeaways from LSU baseball's win vs. Arkansas in College World Series
LSU baseball is on its way to the College World Series Final. Neither team had their ace on the mound, but we got a pitchers' duel anyway. LSU gave the ball to Zac Cowan to start, and Cowan delivered. In 5.1 innings, Cowan allowed just one run, struck out six, and didn't walk a single hitter. For much of the year, Cowan was among the best pitchers in the SEC, but he's struggled in the last month. Wednesday marked a return to form. Arkansas went with Landon Beidelschies, who pitched five innings, striking out nine and allowing just two runs. Advertisement Cowan and Beidelschies then gave way to the pens. LSU carried a 2-1 lead into the eighth inning, but Arkansas loaded the bases vs. LSU reliever Chase Shores. A chopper gave LSU the chance to get out of the inning. LSU got the out at second, but the ball got past Jared Jones, and two runs scored on the play to give Arkansas a 3-2 lead. Jones made up for the error in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game with a solo homer. We entered the ninth inning tied at 3-3. Arkansas kicked off a rally with a Reese Robinett single and followed it up with a Brent Iredale double. Justin Thomas took the lead back with a two-run single and made it 5-3 Razorbacks. Advertisement LSU responded in the bottom of the ninth. With two runners on, Arkansas LF Charles Davalan got a bad read on a Luis Hernandez line drive, and LSU tied the game at five. Moments later, Jared Jones ended the game with a walk-off single. It was LSU's second win over Arkansas in the last week after the Tigers kicked off their CWS run with a 4-1 victory vs. the Razorbacks last Saturday. Both games were low-scoring affairs, decided by the bullpens late. Jared Jones plays the hero with two clutch hits Jared Jones began his College World Series with as bad a game as a hitter could have, going 0-5 with five strikeouts in the first game vs. Arkansas. It was the low point of what's been an up-and-down postseason for the LSU first baseman. Advertisement But after the 0-5 performance, Jones woke up vs. UCLA with a home run, two hits, and four RBI. On Wednesday vs. Arkansas, Jones delivered in the biggest of ways. With LSU down a run in the eighth inning, Jones homered to right and tied the game. After Arkansas and LSU traded a couple of runs, Jones came to the plate in the ninth with a chance to win the game. He sent LSU to the CWS final with a walk-off single. With 64 career homers, Jones is one of the best sluggers in LSU history. His performance on Wednesday will be remembered for a long time. LSU keeps Eyanson fresh, pitching staff well-rested for finals The big question for LSU ahead of Wednesday's game: Would we see Anthony Eyanson? Advertisement The LSU starter only threw 48 pitches vs. UCLA on Monday before the game was suspended, forcing Eyanson to end his start early. With a day of rest, Eyanson was ready to go if needed on Wednesday. Some even thought he'd get the start. LSU got the win without deploying the star pitcher. That means Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, LSU's ace 1A and 1B, are both fresh for the final series. Had LSU lost on Wednesday, the Tigers would have had to play a game on Thursday. likely using Anderson, Eyanson, or both. That would have granted Coastal Carolina an extra day of rest. Winning on Wednesday -- not burning Eyanson in the process -- was key for LSU. Zac Cowan rolls for 5.1 innings It's easy to get caught up in the theatrics of the final innings, but don't forget about Zac Cowan's starting performance. I touched on this earlier, but Cowan needed a bounce-back performance after a month of struggles. Advertisement Cowan was a starter at Wofford, but his only previous start at LSU in 2025 was the regional final vs. Little Rock. That one didn't go well. Now on an even bigger stage, facing one of the nation's best lineups, Cowan delivered one of the best outings of his career. Cowan went 5.1 innings, and the only run surrendered was a solo homer carried out by the wind. Other than that, Cowan was flawless. He struck out six without issuing a walk and threw first pitch strikes to 18 of 21 batters. LSU was likely expecting two to three innings of work, but Cowan giving LSU 5.1 innings allowed Jay Johnson to work matchups later in the game and spare Eyanson. LSU did not walk one batter LSU's pitching staff did not walk a single batter on Wednesday. We mentioned Cowan's command, but the Tigers got more of the same from the bullpen. Advertisement Jaden Noot was first out of the pen. He threw a scoreless inning and eight of his 11 pitches were strikes. Chase Shores was next -- and he did allow three earned runs -- but command wasn't the problem for the big righty. Of Shores 35 pitches, 26 were strikes. Jacob Mayers was the last LSU pitcher in the game. Mayers, who has struggled to command the ball this year, was 7/9 when it came to throwing strikes. LSU limited traffic on the base paths all night. This gave the pitching staff room for error, and LSU took advantage, pitching aggressively. When Arkansas did get the rare hit, the damage was minimal thanks to LSU not issuing free passes. LSU overcomes errors on defense It wasn't the prettiest night for LSU's defense. Advertisement The biggest blemish came in the top of the eighth when the Tigers had a chance to end the inning on a double-play. Instead, the ball got past first basemen Jared Jones when LSU was looking for the second out and two Arkansas runners scored on the play, giving the Razorbacks the lead. At the time, this looked like a brutal mistake, but Arkansas' own defensive mistakes evened it out. Still, LSU committed three errors on the night. This isn't cause for concern just yet given how good the Tigers' defense has been in 2025, but LSU will want to tighten some things up for the final. This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five takeaways from LSU baseball's instant classic vs. Arkansas
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
See Shaquille O'Neal's message for Kade Anderson and Jay Johnson ahead of CWS final
Ahead of LSU baseball's opening contest for the College World Series final in Omaha, the team received a special message from an iconic Tiger. Former LSU men's basketball star Shaquille O'Neal stood next to head coach Matt McMahon to motivate the Tigers a day before their clash with Coastal Carolina inside Charles Schwab Stadium. Advertisement "Coach [Jay] Johnson, you know what you've got to do," O'Neal said. "LSU players, you know what you've got to do." The NBA legend then turned his attention to left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson, who will start on the bump against the Chanticleers. "Kade, I want you to look at that catcher and tell him no," O'Neal said. "Then tell him no again. Then I want you to get in that stand-up form, throw those strikes and bring home that championship." LSU has to feel good about its chances with Anderson on the mound. The lefty has emerged as one of the best pitchers in the country and is in the conversation to be the No. 1 overall pick in this Summer's MLB Draft. Anderson has a 3.44 ERA in 110 innings in 2025. He leads the nation in strikeouts. College World Series Final Schedule LSU, one of the top programs in the sport, is looking for its eighth national title. Here's the schedule for the 2025 College World Series final. Game 1, Saturday, June 21 The series will begin Saturday at 6 p.m. CT. LSU will be the home team and ace Kade Anderson is expected to get the start. The game will be broadcast on ESPN. Game 2, Sunday, June 22 Game 2 is set for 1:30 p.m. CT. LSU is expected to start Anthony Eyanson and be the visiting team. The game is scheduled to be broadcast on ABC. Game 3, Monday, June 23 If necessary, the squads will play a decisive Game 3 at 6:30 p.m. CT on Monday on ESPN. LSU's CWS final against Florida went to three games in 2023. This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Shaq has message for Kade Anderson ahead of College World Series final
