Tag: Jordan Thompson

Why this LSU baseball national title is more special than the rest

You can’t define this team with one play, which makes LSU’s title run all the better.

Championship runs are often boiled down to a single moment. One great play that stands out.

It’s shown over and over again on the stadium big board and finds its way into every preseason hype video until the end of time.

It comes naturally. You recognize it right away and say, “That was special.”

For LSU on its way to winning the 2023 College World Series, there wasn’t just one moment. You can’t define this team by one play or one player.

On the surface, it looks simple. The program with the most national titles in the last 30 years added another trophy to the case with a team led by the top two MLB draft prospects. Nothing about that is a Cinderella story. It’s LSU doing what LSU expects to do.

But it wasn’t that simple.

You can ask five LSU fans what their favorite moment from this College World Series was and you could get five different answers.

Maybe it’s Tre Morgan charging a bunt down the first-place line to throw a Wake Forest runner out at home and preserve a 0-0 tie in an elimination game. Or it’s [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] hitting a walk-off home run later that night.

It’s [autotag]Josh Pearson[/autotag] making a leaping grab in left, taking a walk-off hit away from the best player in the country not on LSU.

It’s [autotag]Ty Floyd[/autotag] punching out 17 batters for the best start of his career or [autotag]Cade Beloso[/autotag], the homegrown fourth-year senior, hitting the winning homer in extra innings.

Some might point to [autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag], who became a dominant force out of the bullpen, flipping the script on what we thought about that unit all year.

It’s [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag], who played the worst game of his life on Sunday only to be the spark on Monday.

It’s LSU facing rivals Oregon State, Tennessee and Florida over the last month and sending them all home, avenging losses of previous teams.

Nowhere in that did I mention [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] or [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag], two of the greatest players in LSU history who spearheaded the title run.

That’s why this one is so special. We watch sports for those individual moments. The ones that get the crowd stomping and make viewers at home leap off the couch.

Baseball, in particular, is built around this. It doesn’t have the unflinching momentum of a football game or the quick back and forth of a basketball game. Because of that, the biggest moments on a baseball field fall with even more thunder. Tension builds and builds until something special happens.

An LSU had a whole lot of special happenings in Omaha.

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CHAMPS AGAIN: Thatcher Hurd, record-setting offensive performance lead LSU to CWS national title win over Florida

The LSU Tigers just won their seventh national championship in school history!

What a difference a day makes.

One of the best traits a baseball player can have is a short memory. LSU got shellacked by the Gators in Game 2 of the College World Series final, but the Tigers not only turned the tables on Monday, but they also flipped the table over.

Game 3 wasn’t even close as LSU got everything it wanted in a dominating 18-4 win as LSU captured a national championship for the seventh time in program history.

For the first time in the series, Florida scored first with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first inning to give them an early lead. That would wind up being their only lead of the game.

[autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] put the Tigers on the board in the top of the second inning with an RBI single to cut the lead in half. A bases-loaded hit by pitch and a walk gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead, but LSU was not done in the inning. [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] and [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] both hit RBI singles to increase the lead to 6-2 LSU.

In the top of the fourth inning, LSU scored four more runs as Thompson hit an RBI single, [autotag]Josh Pearson[/autotag] hit a two-run homer, and [autotag]Cade Beloso[/autotag] hit an RBI single to make it 10-2 Tigers.

[autotag]Thatcher Hurd[/autotag]’s night was over after pitching 6 innings and giving up two runs on two hits, seven strikeouts, and two walks. The UCLA transfer was everything [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] and the Tigers needed him to be. In the top of the seventh, LSU scored again on a bases-loaded walk to increase the lead to 11-2. The Gators got that run back in the bottom of the inning with a solo shot of their own.

LSU scored three runs in the top of the eighth and four runs in the top of the ninth as Jobert capped off the scoring with a two-run homer to increase the lead to 18-4.

[autotag]Gavin Guidry[/autotag] got the final three outs in the ninth inning as the LSU Tigers won their seventh national championship in school history and the first under coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag].

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Florida take Game 2 of CWS final in blowout fashion, forces Game 3 against LSU on Monday

The Tigers couldn’t close out the series after an explosive performance from the Gators’ offense.

Sunday was not a fun day at the ballpark for the LSU Tigers.

The Tigers entered Game 2 of the College World Series final one win away from a national title, but after a blowout 24-4 loss to Florida, they’ll have to play a decisive Game 3 on Monday night.

Despite the lopsided result, the game started off well for LSU as the Tigers scored first in the bottom of the first inning on a [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] RBI double.

Florida tied it up with a solo homer in the top of the second before LSU scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 3-1 lead into the third inning. That is when everything went wrong. The Gators scored a couple of runs to tie the game and load the bases before [autotag]Gavin Guidry[/autotag] entered the game.

A [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] error gave Florida another chance and they capitalized with a grand slam to make it 7-3 Gators heading to the bottom of the third.

At that point, the route was on. LSU used a bevy of pitchers for the rest of the game as the Gators racked up 24 total runs and beat LSU 24-4. [autotag]Brayden Jobert[/autotag] hit a solo shot in the bottom of the ninth to give the Tigers their last run of the game.

The loss sets up a winner-take-all Game 3 on Monday night in Omaha.

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Wake Forest rallies to hand LSU its first loss in NCAA tournament

LSU will now play Tennessee in an elimination game on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.

LSU has played a lot of high-profile contests this season, but none have been as highly anticipated as the winners’ bracket matchup against No. 1 Wake Forest in the College World Series.

[autotag]Ty Floyd[/autotag] was on the mound as he looked to lead the Tigers to a 2-0 record in Omaha. Though LSU battled and led 2-0 for much of the game, a Wake Forest rally ultimately sealed a 3-2 win as LSU suffered its first loss of the entire NCAA tournament and now faces potential elimination on Tuesday.

LSU drew first blood in the top of the third inning when [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] hit an RBI single to score [autotag]Josh Pearson[/autotag] to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] followed that with an RBI triple to score White and extend the lead to 2-0.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Floyd was chased from the mound after Wake Forest loaded the bases. [autotag]Thatcher Hurd[/autotag] entered the game and was greeted with an RBI single to cut the lead to 2-1. [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] then executed a 6-3 double play for the first two outs of the inning, but a run scored to tie the game.

Hurd walked the next batter to load the bases again. He struck out the next hitter to stop the bleeding and keep the game tied. Floyd’s night was finished after pitching five innings and giving up two runs on two hits, 10 strikeouts, and four walks.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Wake Forest scored on an RBI single to give them a 3-2 lead. That’s all they would need as they retired LSU 1-2-3 in the ninth to win the game.

LSU will now play Tennessee in an elimination game on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT.

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LSU withstands Tennessee rally in CWS opener, will face No. 1 Wake Forest on Monday in winners’ bracket

LSU advances in the winners’ bracket to play Wake Forest on Monday! 

LSU’s first game of the College World Series was an SEC matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers as the Tigers looked to advance to the winners’ bracket to face Wake Forest.

A late rally from the Vols made things interesting, but LSU managed to hold on for a 6-3 win to set up a matchup against the Demon Deacons on Monday.

[autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] put the Tigers on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a solo homer to give LSU a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, LSU extended their lead to 2-0 after [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] hit an RBI groundout to the pitcher. In the bottom of the sixth inning, LSU tacked on two more runs thanks to a [autotag]Brayden Jobert[/autotag] RBI triple and an RBI single by [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] to give the Tigers a 4-0 lead.

 

In the bottom of the seventh inning, Morgan hit a sacrifice fly to score [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] to extend the lead to 5-0 Tigers. In the top of the eighth, the Vols struck back.

Tennessee scored three runs as an RBI single chased [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] from the game and [autotag]Gavin Guidry[/autotag] was greeted with a 2-run homer to cut the lead to 5-3 heading into the ninth inning.

Skenes’ day was finished after he pitched 7.2 innings and allowed two runs on five hits, 12 strikeouts, and a walk. [autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag] replaced Guidry to get the final out of the inning.

In the top of the ninth inning, Jobert got his third hit of the day as he tacked on another run via a solo homer to right field to make it 6-3.

Cooper stayed in to pitch in the bottom of the ninth inning. He sat down three of the four hitters he faced and the Tigers won 6-3.

LSU advances in the winners’ bracket to play Wake Forest on Monday night at 6 p.m. CT.

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LSU baseball lands transfer shortstop from South Carolina

Michael Braswell appeared in 105 games over the last two seasons, becoming a Freshman All-SEC selection in 2022.

The Tigers are still focused on winning a ring as they compete at the College World Series in Omaha this weekend, but coach [autotag]Jay Johnson[/autotag] is already working to ensure that LSU has a championship-caliber roster once again in 2024.

On Thursday, the Tigers picked up their first transfer portal commitment in former South Carolina shortstop [autotag]Michael Braswell[/autotag], who announced his commitment on his Twitter account.

Braswell is a sophomore from Mabelton, Georgia. He has appeared in 105 games over the last two seasons, and he was a Freshman All-SEC selection in 2022.

He saw his production dip a bit this spring. His batting average dropped from .284 to .255, though his on-base percentage rose slightly to .372. He currently has one home run, eight doubles and 23 RBI on the year.

With starting shortstop [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] likely heading to the draft, Braswell will have the chance to vie for an immediate starting spot in Baton Rouge.

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Omaha Bound: LSU sweeps Kentucky to advance to College World Series

The Tigers are heading to the CWS for the 19th time after a super regional sweep over the Wildcats.

The LSU Tigers are heading to the College World Series.

Coach Jay Johnson’s team beat Kentucky 8-3 in Game 2 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional on Sunday night to secure a series sweep and a spot in Omaha.

With a trip to the CWS on the line, it was up to [autotag]Ty Floyd[/autotag] to try and pull the Tigers through.

Kentucky drew first blood in the bottom of the first inning with a solo shot to give them a 1-0 lead before LSU tied it in the top of the second on an RBI fielder’s choice by [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag].

[autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] made one of the best plays all season in the bottom of the second inning when he made an incredible throw for out No. 2 in the inning.

In the top of the third, [autotag]Cade Beloso[/autotag] gave the Tigers their first lead of the game via a three-run homer to make the score 4-1. [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] followed that with an RBI single of his own to increase the lead to 5-1.

Kentucky chased Floyd from the mound in the bottom of the fourth inning after hitting two solo homers to cut the lead to 5-3. [autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag] was called on out of the bullpen to try and shut the Wildcats down. Cooper pitched two innings, allowing zero runs on two hits, two strikeouts, and a walk.

[autotag]Gavin Guidry[/autotag] entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning as he looked to go the rest of the way for the Tigers. In the top of the ninth inning, LSU got some more breathing room after [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] scored on a wild pitch and Crews hit a two-RBI double to extend the lead to 8-3.

Gavin Guidry stayed in the game and closed out the 8-3 victory, and now LSU will await either Tennessee or Southern Mississippi for its first game in Omaha.

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PHOTOS: Paul Skenes, explosive offense leads LSU past Kentucky in Game 1 of Baton Rouge Super Regionals

The Tigers can clinch a spot in Omaha on Sunday.

Though the prospect of baseball being played at Alex Box Stadium didn’t look great at times on Saturday, LSU ultimately took the field for Game 1 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional against Kentucky, and it couldn’t have gone better for coach Jay Johnson’s team.

Behind a gem of a performance from [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] in his final start at The Box, LSU won 14-0 against the Wildcats and will have a chance to clinch a spot in the College World Series in Omaha on Sunday.

Skenes pitched 7.2 shutout innings with nine strikeouts, while an electric outing from the offense did the rest. [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] and [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] each hit two home runs, while [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] and [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] both had one.

The Tigers will face Kentucky in Game 2 at 5 p.m. CT on Sunday with a spot in the CWS on the line. Here were the best photos from the late-night win on Saturday.

Bombs Away in Baton Rouge: LSU dominates Kentucky to take Game 1 of super regional

After a seven-hour wait due to the weather, LSU’s bats provided all of the electricity needed for a Game 1 win.

After a seven-hour wait due to the weather, LSU’s bats provided all of the electricity needed for a blowout, 14-0 Game 1 win on Saturday night over Kentucky in the first game of the Baton Rouge Super Regional.

[autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] got the Tigers started off on the right foot in the bottom of the first when he hit a solo shot to give LSU a 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the third inning, [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] hit a two-run shot and Morgan hit another solo shot to increase the lead to 4-0.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] joined the party with a solo shot of his own to increase the lead to 5-0.

In the bottom of the fifth, LSU blew the game wide open as they scored six more runs! [autotag]Josh Pearson[/autotag] hit a solo shot, Morgan got an RBI single, [autotag]Brayden Jobert[/autotag] was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Morgan scored on a wild pitch, and [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag] hit a two-RBI single to extend the lead to 11-0. In the bottom of the sixth, White hit his second tank of the night to give LSU a 12-0 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, LSU tacked on two more runs thanks to a Thompson RBI single and a sacrifice fly by [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] to extend the lead to 14-0. [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] night ended after 7.2 innings. He finished with zero runs allowed on four hits, nine strikeouts, and a walk.

With the win, LSU is now one win away from Omaha. Game 2 against Kentucky will be on Sunday at 5 p.m. CT.

SUPER SHOWING: LSU beats Oregon State to win Baton Rouge Regional, advance to super regional

LSU will host a super regional at Alex Box Stadium against either Kentucky or Indiana this weekend.

For the 16th time in program history, LSU is advancing to the super regionals after a 13-7 win over Oregon State in the Baton Rouge Regional final.

[autotag]Riley Cooper[/autotag] got the nod on the mound on Monday afternoon as LSU looked to punch its ticket to the Baton Rouge Super Regional. LSU would have to beat Oregon State just once in two games to make that happen.

The Tigers drew first blood in the top of the fourth inning when they scored four runs on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, a sacrifice fly by [autotag]Jordan Thompson[/autotag], and a two-RBI triple by [autotag]Josh Pearson[/autotag].

In the bottom of the fourth, the Beavers cut the lead in half with a two-run homer to cut the lead to 4-2. In the top of the fifth inning, LSU got those runs back as [autotag]Hayden Travinski[/autotag] and [autotag]Cade Beloso[/autotag] hit back-to-back homers for the second day in a row to increase the lead to 6-2.

In the top of the sixth inning, [autotag]Dylan Crews[/autotag] hit a Crews Missile off of the Tony Chachere sign in left-center field to increase the lead to 7-2. The Beavers struck again in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run shot to cut the lead to 7-4 after six innings.

In the top of the seventh, LSU put the game out of reach as the Tigers scored five more runs to make it 12-4 LSU after seven innings. [autotag]Gavin Dugas[/autotag] hit a homer, [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag] hit a two-RBI single, Crews scored on a wild pitch, and White scored on an RBI single by Travinski.

In the top of the ninth, LSU scored again on an RBI double by [autotag]Tre Morgan[/autotag] to make it 13-4. Oregon State was down to its final three outs of the season, and the Beavers scored a run to cut the lead to 13-7 but that is all they could manage as the Tigers secured a spot in the supers next weekend.

LSU will play the winner of the Lexington Regional between No. 12 Kentucky and Indiana in its super regional.

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