LSU has reclaimed the top spot in college baseball’s national rankings after an impressive series victory over Arkansas, marking their first time at No. 1 since their 2023 national championship run.
The Tigers, now 40-12 overall and 17-10 in SEC play, secured two out of three games against the Razorbacks at Alex Box Stadium, winning 5-4 in extra innings on Friday and 13-3 in a seven-inning run-rule game Saturday before dropping the finale 7-4 on Sunday.
LSU’s ascent to the top of both the D1Baseball and Baseball America polls showed the team’s depth and balance, a result of strategic roster building and development following a disappointing 2024 postseason.
Coach Jay Johnson praised his team’s effort, stating, “Our guys fought and competed well today and all weekend against a very good team”.
Pitching and offensive standouts
The Tigers’ pitching staff has been a driving force, ranking second nationally in strikeouts per nine innings (11.9) and tallying 586 strikeouts in 442 innings this season.
Junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson delivered a standout performance in Saturday’s win, throwing six scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts and allowing only five singles.
Over his last two starts, Eyanson has pitched 15 innings, given up just one run, and struck out 25 batters.
Sophomore outfielder Jake Brown was instrumental in the series, batting .625 (5-for-8) with two home runs and five RBI.
Brown’s two-homer, five-RBI performance on Saturday helped clinch the series, and his timely hitting sparked key rallies throughout the weekend.
Key contributors from Johnson’s elite transfer class, including Eyanson, Zac Cowan, and Conner Ware, have made immediate impacts.
Freshmen Derek Curiel and Casan Evans have also emerged as vital pieces, while returning stars like Kade Anderson and Jared Jones provide stability and production.
Jones ranks among SEC leaders in RBI, hits, and home runs, and Curiel is among the top in hits, doubles, and on-base percentage.
SEC race and tournament implications
With one conference weekend remaining, Texas leads the SEC at 20-7, followed by Arkansas at 18-9 and LSU at 17-10.
Barring a misstep at South Carolina, LSU is poised to enter the SEC Tournament as the No. 1 team in the national rankings and a strong contender for a top-eight national seed.
This season has seen six different teams hold the No. 1 ranking, all from the SEC, but LSU’s depth and balanced roster suggest they could have staying power as the postseason approaches.
As the Tigers prepare for their final regular-season series at South Carolina, they aim to maintain their momentum and solidify their position atop the college baseball world.
The Razorbacks, who are still in the race at No. 2 in the SEC regular season standings, will host a key final series against the Tennessee Volunteers.
The first game will start at 7 p.m. Thursday at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
