Eight. It’s a number engrained into LSU Baseball history. Starting with Mikey Mahtook, Mason Katz, Alex Bregman and now Gavin Guidry. But Sunday afternoon in Omaha, LSU made number eight mean something a little different.
“Unbelievable. I’m so proud right now. It’s not to be taken for granted being here two years ago,” Jay Johnson said after his team’s 5-3 win. “That was special. Greatest night of my life. This is equal and maybe even tops in some ways.”
“It means everything. Being a part of that ’23 was special. But just to play a part in this run in Omaha was a dream come true. I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Chase Shores said.
The eighth National Title in LSU’s illustrious program history was anchored by the same thing that’s anchored them all year, dominance on the mound.
Starter Anthony Eyanson and bullpen arm Chase Shores, combining for 13 strikeouts and holding the Coastal Carolina offense to only three runs to bring the Tigers back to immortality.
“This is what I dreamed literally – throwing pitches, starting the game for the final game of the National Championship,” Starter Anthony Eyanson said. “Just super grateful for Coach Johnson giving me the opportunity, and thankful for God, obviously.”
“I was just trying to take it one pitch at a time. I just kept thinking about my teammates,” Chase Shores said. “Just really wanted to get the job done for them.”
After going down 1-0 in the second, LSU got some clutch hitting from Chris Stanfield, who gave the Tigers the lead during a four-run fourth inning, and the pitching would do the rest, winning LSU their eighth National Championship.
“When we went down 1-0, that’s really nothing for us because we know the whole game is ahead of us and we’ve got the best team,” center fielder Chris Stanfield said.
“Just coming here, knowing the main goal, playing at LSU there were already seven of them. So, why not get another,” Stanfield said.
Five of the 10 players that hit the field for LSU Sunday were new to the Tigers in 2025, and that collection of talent is something Jay Johnson prides himself on.
“We just hit on the right players that were 1,000 percent the right people. You can’t do that without all of that,” Johnson said. “I feel very lucky and fortunate that these dudes picked us. And what a season.”
As Jay Johnson says, the “68-game playoff” ended on the field of dreams that is Omaha, and the Tigers are heading home with a little more silverware in their suitcases.
