Following a series sweep loss on the road in 2024, Jay Johnson and his Tigers have one thought on their mind as LSU prepares to host Tennessee in a three-game series this weekend.
These two teams last met in the 2024 SEC Championship game in Hoover, Alabama, a tightly contested battle that ended in a heartbreaking one-run loss for the Tigers.
The Tigers mounted a valiant battle in the bottom of the ninth inning and plated two runs, but the deficit was one too many, and the Volunteers would win 4-3 after Ashton Larson and Alex Milazzo both struck out swinging.
While both teams have reshaped their rosters since then, the competitive fire hasn’t gone anywhere. Players like Jared Jones, Steven Milam and Kade Anderson were all part of last year’s loss, and they certainly haven’t forgotten.
With both teams tied at 12–6 in SEC play, this series could be the difference between hosting a Super Regional or traveling for one.
The Tigers haven’t lost a series at Alex Box Stadium this year, and with postseason intensity ramping up, they’ll look to protect that streak in front of a packed home crowd.
Jared Jones faces Liam Doyle
LSU’s veteran slugger Jared Jones continues to anchor the top of the Tigers’ lineup, entering the weekend with 13 home runs and 55 RBIs. Him and the other hitters at the top of the LSU lineup battling Tennessee ace pitcher Liam Doyle – who has racked up 104 strikeouts with a 2.48 ERA – will be one of the weekend’s most compelling matchups.
Doyle has been instrumental in the Vols’ success this season, showcasing his dominance on the mound. It’s an MLB scout’s dream – a battle of future MLB talent on college baseball’s biggest stage.
LSU’s pitching depth vs. Tennessee’s explosive bats
LSU’s pitching staff has quietly evolved into one of the most complete units in the SEC. Kade Anderson, recently named to the Golden Spikes and National Pitcher of the Year watch lists, headlines the rotation with strikeout stuff that’s overwhelmed hitters all season.
Anthony Eyanson remains a workhorse, consistently delivering quality starts and approaching innings with poise.
And when the Tigers hand the ball to the bullpen, Zac Cowan and Casan Evans take over – a lights-out duo that’s made late-inning comebacks feel nearly impossible for opposing teams.
But their grit will be tested against a Tennessee lineup built to punish mistakes. The Volunteers rank near the top nationally in both slugging percentage and home runs, and they don’t need much room to change a game’s trajectory.
Andrew Fischer and Dean Curley have emerged as two of the SEC’s most dangerous power threats, capable of flipping a scoreboard with a single swing. If LSU’s arms want to prove they’re postseason-ready, it starts this weekend.
LSU still searching for Sunday stability
While LSU has proven it can set the tone early in weekend series, Sunday remains a lingering concern – especially in rubber match scenarios.
The Tigers have lost three of their last five Sunday games, and the pitching, particularly from projected Sunday starter Chase Shores, hasn’t consistently been at the level needed to close out high-stakes SEC series.
Shores, who returned to the mound this season after an injury-shortened 2023, has flashed potential but struggled with command and efficiency deep into outings.
In recent rubber matches, he’s been unable to keep opposing lineups in check long enough to give LSU’s offense a fighting chance. The result? Early deficits and overworked bullpens.
Against a team like Tennessee, which thrives on momentum and power late in games, LSU will need more than just grit on Sundays – they’ll need execution. Whether it’s Shores taking a step forward, a bullpen shuffle or a new look altogether, how the Tigers handle Game 3 could be the difference between a series win and another missed opportunity.
This weekend isn’t just another series – it’s a statement opportunity. For LSU, it’s a shot at redemption. For Tennessee, it’s a chance to prove a repeat is within reach. And for college baseball fans, it’s can’t-miss television.
If LSU can win the weekend, it can head into College Station with some confidence. The Tigers will face a Texas A&M team that has been heating up recently. But first, the Volunteers await.
