LSU defeats West Virginia, dogpiles after advancing to College World Series

The LSU baseball team is going to Omaha again. A 12-5 win over West Virginia on Sunday night was enough to wrap up the Baton Rouge Super Regional in style.

For a minute it looked like the Mountaineers might fight their way back into a contest that the Tigers blew open early. But only for a minute.

After West Virginia cut the lead to 6-4 in the fifth inning, LSU opened things back up in the top of the seventh inning. Aided by a pair of Mountaineers errors — a misplayed popup to shallow center and a throwing error to first base — the Tigers plated six runs in the top of the seventh inning.

By the time the frame had ended, LSU sported a 12-4 lead. Relief pitching did the rest, and the Tigers celebrated in style.

Ticket punched.#LSU is off to the College World Series for the 20th time. pic.twitter.com/T75ogAVP5P

— Glen West (@glenwest21) June 9, 2025

The Tigers pushed runs across in a handful of ways in the decisive frame. Center fielder Chris Stanfield started the scoring by hitting a single through the right side, bringing two runners home after LSU had loaded the bases.

A throwing error allowed another run to score, then Steven Milam brought home another run with a double to right field. He was one-upped moments later by a teammate.

Right fielder Jake Brown blasted an absolute towering shot to straightaway center field, scoring Milam and bringing home the fifth and sixth runs of the frame for the Tigers. That was all in the top of the seventh, but the eight-run cushion was plenty.

LSU had previously put itself in position to advance by winning an offensive slugfest in the first game. That one finished 16-9 in favor of the Tigers.

With the two wins, LSU returns to the College World Series for the first time since 2023, when the Tigers won the national championship. And with two ace starting pitchers and a lineup that is confident at the plate, the Tigers are as good a bet to win it all as any.