The LSU baseball team ended its remarkable season on a high note, securing the No. 1 spot in the country again. In a thrilling showdown against Florida, the Tigers emerged victorious with an 18-4 win in Game 3 of the Men’s College World Series final in Omaha, Nebraska. This triumph marked their seventh national championship in program history, reaffirming their status as a powerhouse in college baseball.
Although the Tigers faced a setback in Game 2, giving up a record-breaking 24 runs, they bounced back with incredible resilience in the winner-take-all game. The credit goes to starting pitcher Thatcher Hurd, who delivered a dominant performance on the mound. Hurd allowed only two hits in the first inning and struck out seven batters in six innings of work to earn the well-deserved win.
LSU’s offense was firing on all cylinders, overwhelming the Gators with an impressive 24 hits compared to their five. The Tigers showcased their depth and versatility, with every starting position player contributing at least one hit. After surrendering a two-run homer to Wyatt Langford in the bottom of the first, LSU quickly turned the tide in their favor. They exploded for six runs in the top of the second inning, forcing Florida to replace their starting pitcher, Jac Caglianone. The remarkable Caglianone had made a significant impact at the plate in the Gators’ Game 2 victory with two home runs and five RBI.
The Tigers’ offensive onslaught continued, adding four more runs in the top of the fourth. Notably, Josh Pearson blasted a two-run homer to right field, while catcher Alex Milazzo displayed his speed, scoring from first base on a single by Cade Beloso. Unfortunately, Milazzo suffered a leg injury during his run and had to be assisted off the field. Hayden Travinski stepped in as the replacement catcher for the remainder of the game.
In the seventh inning, LSU added another run through a bases-loaded walk to Travinski, but Florida’s Ty Evans countered with a solo home run in the bottom half of the inning. Undeterred, the Tigers piled on three more runs in the top of the eighth, while the Gators’ Cade Kurland hit a solo homer in the bottom of the frame.
Dylan Crews, LSU’s standout outfielder and the recipient of the 2023 Golden Spikes Award, concluded his remarkable season by reaching base in all 71 games. In the final match, Crews went 4-for-6 at the plate, contributing three runs to his team’s victory.
The Tigers’ offensive prowess persisted even in the ninth inning. With Crews leading off with a single, third baseman Tommy White (4-for-7 with three RBI) drove him in with a double. White crossed the plate on the double by Tre’ Morgan (3-for-6, three runs scored), and Brayden Jobert (4-for-7, three RBI) sealed the deal with a home run to right field, solidifying the final score.
This national championship win represents the culmination of a roller coaster end to the regular season for the Tigers. Despite starting as the preseason No. 1 team in the USA TODAY coaches poll and maintaining that position for the first ten weeks, LSU faced uncertainties after finishing the regular season with a 5-5 record and a 1-2 performance in the SEC tournament. However, as the No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, they regained their stride, sweeping the regional and super-regional rounds to secure their spot in Omaha. Overcoming the odds, LSU won three consecutive games to advance to the final round,
eliminating Tennessee and defeating Wake Forest twice.
With their seventh national championship, the LSU Tigers now stand alone in second place for the most titles in Division I baseball, surpassing Texas. They trail behind Southern California, which holds the record with 12 championships.
Adding to the celebration, LSU fans left Omaha victorious, breaking the Jell-O Shot Challenge record at Rocco’s Pizza and Cantina.
Men’s College World Series Winners:
2023: LSU
2022: Ole Miss
2021: Mississippi State
2020: Canceled due to COVID-19
2019: Vanderbilt
2018: Oregon State
2017: Florida
2016: Coastal Carolina
2015: Virginia
2014: Vanderbilt
2013: UCLA
2012: Arizona
2011: South Carolina
2010: South Carolina
2009: LSU
2008: Fresno State
2007: Oregon State
2006: Oregon State
2005: Texas
2004: Cal State Fullerton
2003: Rice
2002: Texas
2001: Miami (Fla.)
2000: LSU
1999: Miami (Fla.)
1998: USC
1997: LSU
1996: LSU
1995: Cal State Fullerton
1994: Oklahoma
1993: LSU
1992: Pepperdine
1991: LSU
1990: Georgia
1989: Wichita State
1988: Stanford
1987: Stanford
1986: Arizona
1985: Miami (Fla.)
1984: Cal State Fullerton
1983: Texas
1982: Miami (Fla.)
1981: Arizona State
1980: Arizona
1979: Cal State Fullerton
1978: USC
1977: Arizona State
1976: Arizona
1975: Texas
1974: USC
1973: USC
1972: USC
1971: USC
1970: USC
1969: Arizona State
1968: USC
1967: Arizona State
1966: Ohio State
1965: Arizona State
1964: Minnesota
1963: USC
1962: Michigan
1961: USC
1960: Minnesota
1959: Oklahoma State
1958: USC
1957: California
1956: Minnesota
1955: Wake Forest
1954: Missouri
1953: Michigan
1952: Holy Cross
1951: Oklahoma
1950: Texas
1949: Texas
1948: USC
1947: California
