LSU Takes Game 1 of Championship Final

With winds blowing at 42 mph, the stage was set for Game 1 of the championship final between the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and the LSU Tigers. After a tense week in Omaha, the Chanticleers' 26-game win streak came to a halt after the Tigers took the win.

LSU, with Kade Anderson on the mound, for what was his final game in purple and gold, delivered a complete game shutout. It started out with a shaky performance, racking up five walks over the entire game.

“He’s the best pitcher in college baseball, and I am really proud of him,” says Jay Johnson. “The character, the toughness and the team-first attitude but I don’t think you can quantify how much of an impact he’s had cause it’s too great.”

With one out, a man on second, and a swing of the bat, Stevan Milam singled through the middle, making it the winning hit of the game. Derek Curiel, with fire under his feet, made it home to put LSU’s first and only run of the game on the board.

Just like that, Anderson came back on the mound with a roaring crowd backing him, showing every person watching exactly why he was made for the spotlight of the biggest outing of his career.

Before today, there was a portrait of this game, the toe-to-toe fight that the Tigers would have to put up in order to take down the Chanticleers’ winning streak. The difference is that there has not been a team Coastal has played of this caliber, but it has to be noted that this team did what was expected.

Playing small and aggressive ball, the Chanticleers swung early in the count, trying to squeeze every opportunity to get on base. Working fairly well, Coastal was able to get on base, but with the LSU offense getting home, it was impossible.

On third base, Michael Braswell made some of the most defining and saving plays of this game. With the quick mobility and hand coordination to get to Jared Jones, the outs racked themselves up to end innings quickly.

“I mean we have the best fanbase in the world, and it has been so great coming out here.” said Michael Braswell.

Just as quickly as this game started, the top of the ninth rolled around with a score still at 1-0, and Anderson took to the mound for the final time. After a strikeout, a groundout and then a final fly out put an end to the game.

The Tigers are now one final win to completing the race for an eighth national title win, and with a possibility of Anthony Eyanson on the mound, the Tiger faithful will pack the stands in purple and gold to see history being made.