The Tigers aren’t just celebrating — they’re reloading. With powerhouse coaching and all-star depth, another title run is already in motion…
LSU secured its second College World Series title in three years on Sunday with a 5–3 win over Coastal Carolina in Game 2, capping a dominant postseason run and reinforcing its place as a college baseball powerhouse under head coach Jay Johnson.
Starter Anthony Eyanson went 6⅓ innings before Chase Shores slammed the door with 2⅔ shutout innings, hitting 101 mph on the radar gun and striking out four to seal the Tigers’ eighth national championship.
The decisive moment came in the fourth inning when LSU broke a 1–1 tie with a four-run rally, highlighted by Chris Stanfield’s two-RBI single.
With the win, Johnson becomes the fastest coach to claim two national titles, doing so just four seasons into his LSU tenure after being hired in 2022. His formula — blending pitching depth, youthful reinforcements, and savvy use of the transfer portal — has proven nearly bulletproof, even in the face of significant roster churn.
As Baseball America aptly put it, Johnson is no longer chasing baseball immortality — he’s part of it:
Johnson became just the sixth head coach in the Super Regional Era to win multiple national titles, joining a pantheon that includes Jim Morris, Augie Garrido, Pat Casey, Ray Tanner and Tim Corbin. He is the only coach in the transfer portal era (since 2018) to win more than one. And he did it at a program with expectations so high, anything short of greatness can feel like failure.
That, more than anything, is what made this title different. It wasn’t a breakthrough. It was a confirmation.
“Something that I learned early on was to study the people that are the best at what they do,” Johnson said before the championship series.
He studied them. Now he sits among them.
That’s not to say there won’t be challenges — or a learning curve ahead. LSU is expected to lose several key contributors, including starter Kade Anderson, a projected MLB Draft pick, and Eyanson, who went 16–2 this season and struck out nine in the College World Series clincher. Multiple seniors are departing, and more exits via the transfer portal are anticipated.
Still, the 2026 outlook is strong.
On the Way In:
Two high-impact transfers — Kansas State’s Seth Dardar and High Point’s Brayden Simpson — are set to plug immediate holes. Catcher/DH Ethan Frey, who is draft-eligible, could return and solidify the heart of the order if he opts to stay.
Who’s Back:
Veterans Derek Curiel, Jake Brown, and Chris Stanfield return to lead the outfield and offense. On the mound, young arms like William Schmidt and Casan Evans are expected to step into bigger roles alongside returning bullpen assets Gavin Guidry and Zac Cowan.
Why LSU Remains Dangerous in 2026:
- Johnson’s System: He doesn’t just reload — he upgrades. The program is structured to handle turnover without missing a step.
- MLB Pipeline: LSU consistently churns out pro-ready talent, with players like Shores and Anderson leading this year’s crop.
- Balanced Depth: The roster blends experienced hitters with rising pitchers and proven transfer talent.
- Championship Culture: Winning in Omaha isn’t the goal — it’s the expectation.
Key Storylines to Watch:
- How effectively LSU leverages the portal post-title.
- The development and readiness of new arms to fill rotation gaps.
- Draft decisions by players like Frey that could shift the lineup’s shape.
- Early-season tests that will signal how quickly the roster gels.
For now, the Tigers head into 2026 not just as defending champions — but as the blueprint for building and sustaining a modern college baseball dynasty.
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