𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗶𝘀: 𝗟𝗦𝗨 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝘆𝗽𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹

LSU Baseball: A Season of Uneven Brilliance Now Teeters on the Edge of Another Omaha Run

By all metrics, LSU baseball should be a puzzle that’s hard to figure out. Their performances have fluctuated, their offense has gone quiet at times, and their pitching depth raises legitimate concerns. And yet, here they are—just two wins away from punching another ticket to Omaha.

Despite the ups and downs, the Tigers arrive at their 13th home super regional with a 46-15 record—the exact same mark they had at this point last year, en route to the 2023 national championship. But while last year’s team often looked like a well-oiled machine, this season’s group has taken a more rugged path. Scrappy, tested, and occasionally underwhelming, LSU has been more human than juggernaut. Still, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

This team’s strength lies in its resilience—and it’s why they’re once again knocking on the door of college baseball’s biggest stage.

The Arms That Anchor the Tigers

Pitching has long been the backbone of successful postseason teams, and LSU has two aces who could carry them deep into June. Kade Anderson and Anthony Eyanson have been a lights-out duo all year, terrorizing opposing lineups and anchoring the rotation with authority. Statistically, they’re two of the top strikeout artists in the country, and their command and consistency give LSU the kind of foundation few teams can match.

Add in freshman sensation Casan Evans, and the Tigers boast one of the most dangerous three-headed monsters in the nation. In the regional round, that trio combined to allow just one earned run across 22⅓ innings—an ERA of 0.40. It’s hard to overstate how dominant that is, and it’s precisely why LSU is considered among the favorites to reach Omaha again.

Eyanson has also proven his versatility, sliding into relief when needed and notching critical saves in high-pressure moments. This staff has ice in its veins when it matters.

When the Bullpen Falters

However, not all is perfect on the mound. LSU’s bullpen remains the biggest question mark heading into the super regional against West Virginia. Outside the big three, the other arms have been far less reliable. In the regional round, eight other pitchers combined to surrender 14 earned runs in just 12⅔ innings—an ERA of 9.44.

Pitchers like Zac Cowan, DJ Primeaux, and Mavrick Rizy have shown flashes throughout the season, but consistency is lacking. If the series stretches to a decisive Game 3—or if the Tigers make it to Omaha and run into a gauntlet of games—they’ll need someone outside the primary trio to step up.

For now, the bullpen remains LSU’s biggest gamble.

A Recharged Offense

If pitching was LSU’s anchor last weekend, the offense was its sudden jolt of electricity. One of the biggest moves by head coach Jay Johnson was shifting Etan Frey up in the lineup to the No. 2 spot. The decision paid off immediately. Frey went 4-for-4 in the regional final with a home run, a bases-clearing double, another double, and two walks. It was a performance that changed the momentum of the game—and possibly LSU’s postseason fate.

Luis Hernandez also found his power stroke, belting two crucial home runs that helped LSU claw back into the game against Little Rock. These sparks are what make the Tigers dangerous: they may go quiet for stretches, but when they ignite, they burn hot and fast.

Steven Milam didn’t light up the stat sheet in the regional final, but his hard-hit balls show that he’s close to breaking out. His presence in the middle infield and his potential at the plate will be pivotal moving forward.

Jones: The Wild Card

Then there’s Tommy “Tank” Jones, a player whose power can flip a game in a heartbeat—but who has also struggled for weeks now. Since his clutch homer against Tennessee in late April, his batting average has dipped significantly, from .363 to .323. With the MLB Draft looming, it’s clear the pressure has crept in.

Still, his ninth-inning homer against Little Rock on Monday may have been the emotional lift he needed. Jones is a proven talent. If he finds his rhythm again, LSU becomes exponentially more dangerous.

Defensive Discipline

On the defensive side, LSU has been one of the most solid teams in the nation. Ranked ninth nationally with a .982 fielding percentage, the Tigers have been stingy in giving away extra bases. In four regional games, they committed just one error—a costly one by second baseman Daniel Dickinson, but an outlier in what has been a clean season defensively.

The infield has held its ground with poise, and catchers have kept runners honest. In tight postseason games, that discipline is worth its weight in gold.

Mental Toughness When It Matters

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of LSU’s regional performance wasn’t anything statistical. It was how they responded to adversity.

After a humbling 10-4 loss to Little Rock on Sunday, and then falling into a 5-1 hole early on Monday, the Tigers had every excuse to fold. But they didn’t. They clawed back, hit their way into the lead, and shut the door late.

That kind of response tells you everything about their mindset. Former LSU pitcher Doug Thompson, now part of the LSU radio team, said he never doubted the team would pull through. And he wasn’t alone.

LSU may have shown cracks, but they also revealed their character.

What’s Next

As they prepare to host West Virginia, LSU stands at a fascinating crossroads. On one hand, they are flawed—thin on pitching depth and occasionally streaky at the plate. But they’re also resilient, experienced, and capable of explosive performances.

Can the Tigers replicate the magic of 2023? Can their stars shine when the lights are brightest? Those questions will be answered soon enough, but if their recent play is any indication, LSU won’t be going down without a fight.