Baton Rouge Super Regional Preview

Battle for Omaha: LSU and West Virginia Clash in High-Stakes 2025 Super Regional

The road to Omaha is paved with grit, power, and passion, and this weekend in Baton Rouge, two teams with very different legacies will collide for a spot in the 2025 College World Series.

The LSU Tigers and the West Virginia Mountaineers are set to face off in the Baton Rouge Super Regional, a best-of-three series that begins Saturday, June 7, at Alex Box Stadium.

At stake: a ticket to college baseball’s grandest stage.

West Virginia: A Team Writing History

Across the diamond, West Virginia (44–14) arrives in Baton Rouge with a chip on its shoulder and a program-best season in tow.

The Mountaineers, led by first-year head coach Steve Sabins, are chasing their first-ever College World Series appearance. After a dominant showing in the Clemson Regional, where they knocked off the regional host and the top-seeded Clemson team, West Virginia proved it belongs on the national stage.

The Mountaineers are balanced and dangerous. Kyle West, one of the most dynamic players in the country, has been the heartbeat of the offense, batting over .340 while adding speed on the basepaths and a steady glove in the field. Outfielder Sam White and first baseman Grant Hussey provide the pop, combining for 30 home runs this season.

On the bump, West Virginia has leaned on right-hander Jack Kartsonas, who boasts a 6–3 record with a 2.94 ERA. The pitching staff doesn’t overwhelm with velocity, but it pounds the zone and limits mistakes, an approach that has served them well in the high-pressure moments of postseason play.

LSU: A Legacy Program with Championship Expectations

LSU enters this Super Regional with the weight of history and the firepower to match. The Tigers (46–15) have been dominant throughout 2025, carrying the momentum of a powerhouse program under the direction of head coach Jay Johnson.

With seven national championships already in the trophy case, including their most recent in 2023, the Tigers are no strangers to the pressure of June baseball.

LSU's offense has been one of the most explosive in the country. Anchoring the lineup is sophomore slugger Ethan Frey, who’s batting .359 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs. Alongside Frey, sophomore sensation Jake Brown has emerged as a clutch performer in the postseason, delivering key hits in the Baton Rouge Regional. Veterans like Josh Pearson and Jared Jones add depth and experience to an already lethal lineup.

On the mound, LSU’s rotation has stabilized behind breakout arms. Anthony Eyanson, the transfer from UC Santa Barbara, has been electric all season, posting a 10–2 record and holding opponents to a .209 batting average.

Left-hander Kade Anderson has complemented him well, delivering big outings in the SEC Tournament and Regional play.

The bullpen, led by closer true freshman Casan Evans, has proven it can handle the big moments. Coming into the last game of the Baton Rouge regional and delivering six innings, 12 strikeouts and one run with a new pitch count career high of 109.

What’s at Stake

This weekend's series represents two very different storylines converging.

LSU is the traditional titan trying to return to Omaha and add to its dynasty.

West Virginia is the underdog looking to rewrite history. Only one will punch a ticket to the College World Series.

The atmosphere in Baton Rouge promises to be electric. Alex Box Stadium will be packed with Tiger faithful, while Mountaineer fans hope to witness a monumental upset in a three-game series starting Saturday evening.