OMAHA, Neb. – The LSU Tigers are once again the kings of college baseball. With a decisive performance in Omaha, LSU defeated Coastal Carolina to secure the 2025 Men’s College World Series national championship, marking the program’s eighth national title.
The Tigers clinched the championship by sweeping the best-of-three series against the Chanticleers, ending Coastal Carolina’s remarkable season and impressive 26-game winning streak that they carried into the finals.
Championship Series Recap: A Two-Game Sweep
Game 1: Anderson’s Historic Shutout
The series opened with a classic pitchers’ duel on Saturday night. LSU emerged victorious with a 1-0 win, thanks to a masterful performance on the mound. Lefty Kade Anderson delivered a historic complete-game shutout, allowing just a handful of hits over nine dominant innings. His outing was just the third complete-game shutout ever recorded in College World Series finals history.
The only run of the game came early, manufactured by the Tigers offense, and proved to be enough behind Anderson’s gem. Coastal Carolina’s starter, Cameron Flukey, also pitched well, but took the tough-luck loss.
Game 2: Tigers Clinch Title in Back-and-Forth Battle
The national championship was decided on Sunday afternoon in Game 2, a contest that featured more offense than the opener. Coastal Carolina initially took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning with a solo home run from Dean Mihos, the Chanticleers’ first long ball of the MCWS.
LSU quickly responded in the top of the third, tying the game at 1-1 on an RBI double from designated hitter Ethan Frey. The Tigers then broke the game open in the top of the fourth inning, exploding for four runs against Coastal Carolina ace Jacob Morrison and relief pitcher Hayden Johnson. Key hits included a two-RBI single from Chris Stanfield and another two-RBI single from Derek Curiel, giving LSU a commanding 5-1 lead.
Coastal Carolina showed resilience, cutting the deficit to 5-3 in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run homer by Wells Sykes. However, LSU’s pitching staff held strong, with starter Anthony Eyanson delivering a solid outing before handing the ball to the bullpen, notably Chase Shores, who threw pitches up to 101 mph to stifle the Chanticleers’ comeback attempt.
The game, and the national championship, ended dramatically in the bottom of the ninth inning when LSU turned a 4-6-3 double play, securing the 5-3 Game 2 victory and igniting the championship celebration.
Notably, Game 2 also saw Coastal Carolina head coach Kevin Schnall and first base coach Matt Schilling ejected in the first inning after arguing balls and strikes. Schnall received a two-game suspension for the start of the 2026 season as a result.
A Dynasty Reinforced: Significance of LSU’s Eighth Title
This 2025 championship marks the eighth Men’s College World Series title in LSU baseball history (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2009, 2023, 2025). This places the Tigers squarely in second place all-time for most MCWS championships, trailing only Southern California (12 titles).
The victory is also the second national championship for LSU under head coach Jay Johnson, coming just two years after their 2023 triumph. Johnson now becomes the fastest coach in NCAA history to win two College World Series titles at a single school, a testament to the rapid success he’s brought to Baton Rouge.
The win continues a dominant run for the Southeastern Conference, securing the league’s sixth consecutive MCWS national championship.
Individually, LSU’s success was highlighted by the performance of pitcher Kade Anderson, who was named the 2025 Men’s College World Series Most Outstanding Player for his standout pitching throughout the tournament, capped by his historic Game 1 shutout in the finals.
The Road to Omaha and Coastal Carolina’s Impressive Run
Both LSU and Coastal Carolina navigated a challenging path through the 64-team NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament field, winning their respective regional and super regional rounds to earn a coveted spot in the eight-team MCWS bracket in Omaha. Coastal Carolina’s journey was particularly impressive, as they entered the finals on the back of a program-record 56 wins and that monumental 26-game winning streak that captivated the college baseball world. This was only the Chanticleers’ second appearance in the MCWS, having won it all in their debut trip in 2016.
Celebrating in Omaha
Beyond the on-field heroics, LSU’s passionate fanbase once again made their presence felt in Omaha. The Tigers faithful dominated the unofficial Rocco’s Jell-O shot challenge, showcasing their unparalleled enthusiasm and support throughout the week, though not quite reaching their own record-setting total from 2023.
For LSU, the 2025 national championship culminates a season of dedication and hard work, cementing their position among the most storied programs in college baseball history and bringing the coveted title back to Baton Rouge.
