In a thrilling display of resilience, the No. 9 LSU Tigers staged an intense late-inning comeback to defeat the No. 15 Alabama Crimson Tide 11-6 on Thursday night at Alex Box Stadium.
Trailing 5-4 until the seventh inning, LSU rallied with a seven-run surge to seize the lead and ultimately secure the win.
This victory emphasized a recurring theme in LSU’s 2025 season: the Tigers’ patterns of a late-game rally. Throughout the season, LSU has demonstrated a notable ability to overturn deficits in the final innings, showing both offensive firepower and bullpen consistency.
The Tigers have continued to consistently light up the bats, even when trying to play catch-up to other teams. A notable example occurred earlier this month when LSU overcame a 3-0 trailing against Nicholls State, scoring five runs in the seventh inning to clinch a 5-3 victory.
In a tightly contested game against Missouri, LSU edged out a 7-6 win, capitalizing on key hits and strategic plays in the latter innings.
Statistically, LSU’s late-inning success is evident. It was also seen against the University of Texas in a Game 1 win, with six combined runs from the fifth inning and on before they lost the rest of the series.
Besides those last-minute clutch wins, LSU has also seen a burst of energy, even in games that have come up short. Last weekend, in the unforgettable Auburn series, in Game 3, LSU had a scoreless first six innings until, in the seventh, something clicked to help them add four runs to the tally. Although short by one, the Tigers showed that infamous late-inning rally.
Looking back at the 2024 season, LSU’s tendency for late-inning comebacks was also evident.
In a memorable regional game against Wofford on May 31, the Tigers hit a combined three homers in the bottom of the eighth and ninth innings to achieve a comeback victory and continue their World Series hunt.
Jared Jones also contributed with a late seventh-inning homer to secure a 6-5 comeback win over Northwestern State.
The Tigers have outscored opponents by a significant margin in the sixth inning and beyond, putting their endurance and strategy to the test.
This pattern of late-game dominance boosts their win-loss record and helps their standing in the SEC.
LSU’s ability to perform under pressure as the back half of the season progresses will be a critical asset, especially given the Tigers’ continued road games.
Friday’s comeback win over Alabama is a testament to their resilience and determination, even after a questionable weekend against Auburn. These qualities will be essential in the challenging series ahead since the Tigers need some much-needed redemption.
With the first win of the series, LSU improves to 33-6 overall and 11-5 in SEC play, solidifying their position as a formidable contender in the conference.
The Tigers will likely maintain their momentum as they continue their series against Alabama this weekend, hoping to add some comfort heading into a series against Tennessee next weekend at Alex Box.
These instances highlight LSU’s consistent ability to perform under pressure and deliver clutch performances when it matters most, earning them the title of clutch city.
As the Tigers continue their 2025 World Series campaign, their late-inning skill remains a defining characteristic of their success and will be an asset heading into the postseason games.
