LSU fans have waited in anticipation for April 25, 2025 since last June, when the Tennesee Volunteers took home the Men’s College World Series championship in Omaha.
Now, the No. 6 Volunteers have made the trip south to Baton Rouge to take on the Tigers in one of the most talked about SEC matchups of the entire season.
The fans who have waited 10 months for this series showed up in droves hours before first pitch with their family, friends and food hoping to bring the energy of a Saturday night in Death Valley to Alex Box on a Friday.
While some fans rushed to get into the Box, others took their time. Opting to forgo the ballpark franks for some homemade jambalaya and crawfish.
With the process of ballpark concessions on the rise, LSU Baseball fan Trevor Kennedy spoke about how having fun and cooking before the game with his friends takes the pressure off what can otherwise be a stressful experience.
“I want to make sure everyone has a good time, make sure we have enough food and drinks for everybody. If they don't have to worry about it, it makes it a lot nicer of an experience,” Kennedy said.
Tailgating is a huge LSU tradition during football season with tents and lawn chairs sprawled across campus on a home saturday. Some LSU fans hope that bringing that Death Valley energy into the Box is like adding another man on the field.
David Rhodus is an LSU superfan who tailgates often in the fall, even calling his group the “Krewe of Them Boyz”.
He doesn't bring out his krewe for baseball often but when he does, he hopes it creates an impact on the players.
“We circled this one when the schedule came out… it is all about trying to bring the elements of Tiger Stadium to the Box,” Rhodus said.
While many of the tailgates present on Friday night were put together by Purple and Gold faithful, one tent next to the Marucci Performance Center was rooting for more than just a Tiger win. They were rooting for their sons on the field.
Bill Pearson, father of Josh and John Pearson, helped organize a tailgate for family members of LSU Baseball players and their close friends. Ethan Frey’s dad prepared the Jambalaya.
In attendance was the parents and grandparents of Kade Anderson, and the father of LSU Baseball legend Dylan Crews.
“There’s a lot of family here. Everybody out here really is family,” Pearson said.
“The boys know we are out here too, we will save them some food for after the game so they can eat,” Pearson said.
As the Tigers prepare to face their toughest opponent yet, they will do so knowing their family and friends are in the stands, rooting for them to go all the way.
“I would love to go back to Omaha,” Anna Pearson, the mother of Josh and John Pearson said.
LSU Baseball fans have proven that for them, tailgating just means more. Fans will look to pack the stadium for all three games against the reigning national champions, hoping to take that title back in the summer.
