LSU vs. UCLA Baseball: A Storied History

The rivalry between the LSU Tigers and the UCLA Bruins in college baseball is a compelling narrative of two programs with rich traditions and national aspirations. Both universities have consistently been powerhouses in the sport, making their encounters high-stakes and memorable. This article delves into the history of LSU and UCLA baseball, highlighting their achievements, key figures, and significant matchups.

LSU Tigers: A Tradition of Excellence

The LSU Tigers baseball team represents Louisiana State University in NCAA Division I college baseball and participates in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers are one of the major powers of college baseball. The LSU baseball program has a storied history marked by numerous championships, legendary coaches, and a passionate fan base.

Early Years and Coaching Tenures

During the program's first 30 seasons, LSU had a total of 15 head coaches. No coach's tenure lasted longer than two seasons, with the exception of C. C. Stroud coached LSU from 1914 to 1921 and had an overall record of 73-58-5 (.595). In 1927, Harry Rabenhorst became head baseball coach and became the longest tenured head baseball coach in LSU history. Rabenhorst began his career at LSU in 1925 as the head coach of the men's basketball team and two years later, in 1927, he also added head baseball coach to his duties. As baseball coach, he won two SEC baseball titles and was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1939 and 1946. Rabenhorst coached the baseball team from 1927 until 1942 when he left to serve in World War II. When he returned, he again coached the baseball team from 1946 until 1956. He finished his baseball coaching career with a record of 220-226-3. In 1938, LSU's new baseball stadium, referred to as either LSU Diamond or LSU Varsity Baseball Field, opened. During Rabenhorst's absence serving in World War II, A. L. Swanson served as head coach from 1943 to 1945. Raymond "Ray" Didier was head coach at LSU for 7 seasons from 1957 to 1963. He had an overall record of 104-79-1 (.568). He coached the 1961 team to the SEC championship. From 1964 to 1983, LSU was led by three head coaches. From 1964 to 1965, Jim Waldrop coached LSU for two seasons and had a 17-24 (.415) record. Jim Smith was head coach for 13 seasons from 1966 to 1978. He finished with an overall record of 238-251 (.487). When he left LSU after the 1978 season, he had the most wins of any head coach in program history. His 1975 team won an SEC championship and was LSU's first NCAA tournament team.

The Skip Bertman Era: A Dynasty is Born

Skip Bertman's arrival marked a turning point for LSU baseball. In Bertman's second season, 1985, the Tigers qualified for postseason play for the first time in ten years. In his third season, LSU made its first appearance in the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, the first of 11 appearances during Bertman's 18-year career. Bertman's 1989 team returned to the postseason, an appearance that started a streak of 17 consecutive postseason appearances. The 1989 team defeated Texas A&M in a regional final to qualify for the College World Series. The 1991 Tigers with President George H. W. Bush in attendance, defeated Wichita State 6-3 to win LSU's first national championship.

National Championships and Memorable Moments

LSU has won seven baseball national championships (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2009, 2023), the second-most in NCAA history. The Tigers were an NCAA Tournament Top 8 National Seed for an NCAA-record six straight seasons (2012-17) and this season marks LSU's second Top 8 seed in the past three seasons. LSU was the No. 5 National Seed in 2023 and claimed the school's seventh CWS title. LSU is participating in its 20th College World Series and is just the seventh school in NCAA history to make 20 CWS appearances. LSU is the only school in the nation with 20 CWS berths in the past 40 seasons. The Tigers were led to 11 CWS by coach Skip Bertman (1986, '87, '89, '90, '91, '93, '94, '96, '97, '98 and 2000) including national titles in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000. Coach Smoke Laval directed LSU to the CWS in 2003 and 2004.

One of the most memorable moments in LSU baseball history came in 1996. In 1996, the Tigers entered the NCAA tournament on a two-game losing streak, after being eliminated from the SEC tournament by consecutive losses to Florida and Kentucky. However, based on the team's regular season performance, LSU was selected as one of the eight regional host sites for the NCAA tournament. The Tigers defeated Austin Peay, UNLV, and New Orleans before defeating Georgia Tech, 29-13, in the regional final. In the College World Series, the team defeated its first opponent, Wichita State, 9-8. LSU then faced Florida, which had beaten them three times in the regular season and once in the SEC Tournament, and won, 9-4. In the game, LSU defeated Miami, 9-8, on a walk-off home run by Warren Morris. In the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs and the tying run on third base, Morris hit a home run to right field off of Miami freshman Robbie Morrison.

LSU entered the 1997 season attempting to become the first team to win consecutive national championships since Stanford won championships in 1987 and 1988. In the South I Regional, LSU lost the winner's bracket final to South Alabama, meaning the team had to win three games within 24 hours in order to advance to the College World Series. The Tigers won a five-hour game against Long Beach State, 14-7 in 11 innings, in which Bertman was ejected in the eighth inning for arguing a balk call. There, the Tigers narrowly defeated Rice, but Larson's home run in the bottom of the seventh gave LSU a 5-4 victory.

In 1998, LSU hit 161 home runs. Eddy Furniss won the Dick Howser Trophy as the nation's most outstanding player and finished as the LSU and SEC all-time leader in home runs (80), RBI (308), hits (352), doubles (87) and total bases (689). The Tigers went undefeated in the South II Regional to reach the College World Series, seeking to become the first team to win three consecutive championships since USC won five consecutive from 1970 to 1974. LSU hit eight home runs in its first game in Omaha, defeating USC, 12-10, then hit six more in a 10-8 victory over SEC team Mississippi State.

In 2000, LSU's regular season record was 39-17, and the team went undefeated in the SEC tournament to earn the #2 National seed in the NCAA tournament. LSU won the Baton Rouge Regional in three games, outscoring opponents 45-4. LSU began play at the College World Series with a 13-5 win over Texas. In game two, LSU defeated USC, 10-4. In the championship game on June 17, Stanford held an early 5-2 lead, but LSU scored three runs in the eighth inning with two home runs. LSU reliever Trey Hodges did not allow a run in the top of the ninth, his fourth scoreless inning of the game. In the bottom of the ninth, LSU led the inning off with a single and a walk to bring Brad Cresse to the plate with two runners on base. Cresse, who was 1-12 in the CWS prior to the at bat, hit a line drive single into left field to score Ryan Theriot from second, giving LSU its fifth national championship in 10 years. LSU had 5 players named to the All-Tournament team- Blair Barbier, Mike Fontenot, Brad Hawpe, Hodges, and Theriot.

Skip Bertman led the Tigers to a 44-22-1 mark during his final season as head coach in 2001. Bertman won 870 games, seven SEC titles, and 11 CWS appearances. His jersey number, 15, is one of four numbers retired by LSU. LSU also renamed a part of South Stadium Drive, between Nicholson and River Road, Skip Bertman Drive in his honor. In June 2002, Bertman was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in January 2003. After the end of the 2001 season, Bertman became LSU's athletic director. During his tenure, LSU won six total national championships and two BCS National Titles.

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Post-Bertman Era: Maintaining Excellence

In anticipation of Bertman's retirement, Louisiana-Monroe coach Smoke Laval was brought on as an administrative assistant for the LSU baseball team in 2001 and succeeded Bertman as coach in 2002. Laval was returning to LSU where he served as an assistant coach under Bertman from 1984 to 1993. In 1993, Laval left LSU for ULM (then known as Northeast Louisiana). The expectations were lofty for Laval when he accepted the job as head coach at LSU. In his first year, Laval led the Tigers to a 44-22 record overall. The Tigers hosted a regional in Baton Rouge, which they won, and moved on to the Houston Super-Regional to face Rice, where their season ended. In 2003 and 2004, Laval would lead the Tigers to 45-22-1 and 46-19 overall record respectively. LSU would earn the No. 2 national seed in the 2003 tournament, and would host a super regional both years, meaning the road to Omaha went through Baton Rouge. LSU made the College World Series both years, but disappointed both years, posting an 0-2 record each year. In 2005, LSU struggled during the regular season despite a 40-22 record overall. The Tigers lost 12 games in SEC play and lost to Southern for only the second time in 41 tries. It was obvious that 2006 would be a critical year for Laval. However, that year would see LSU post a 35-24 mark overall, their worst since 1983. They also posted their first losing SEC record in 23 years and would miss the NCAA tournament for the first time in 18 years.

On June 28, 2006, Paul Mainieri was named the twenty-fifth head coach of LSU Baseball. Mainieri returned to Baton Rouge, where he began his career in college baseball 30 years earlier as a freshman at LSU in 1976. Mainieri finished his collegiate playing career at the University of New Orleans. Prior to his arrival at LSU, Mainieri coached St. Thomas University in Miami and the University of Notre Dame. In his first season at LSU, the Tigers posted a mark of 29-26-1. The season was full of ups and downs, with the Tigers winning four SEC series against Top 25 opponents, but struggling in non-conference play. In his second year, LSU was predicted to finish fifth in the SEC Western division by the SEC baseball coaches before the year started. Following an amazing turnaround, Coach Mainieri led LSU to the SEC Western Division championship with a conference record of 18-11-1, and the No. 2 seed in the 2008 SEC baseball tournament. The Tigers finished the regular season record at 39-16-1. The team won the 2008 SEC Tournament (held May 20-25 in Hoover, Alabama). By winning the SEC Tournament, LSU earned a 7th national seed in the NCAA tournament and extended the life of the old Alex Box Stadium as Baton Rouge hosted a regional bracket of the NCAA tournament. LSU swept the series, defeating Texas Southern (12-1) and Southern Miss (twice, 13-4 and 11-4) to win the regional bracket. As a result of the Regional, LSU and Baton Rouge earned a spot in the Super-Regional series, hosting UC-Irvine in the last three games to be played in the old Alex Box Stadium. In the 2008 College World Series, No. 7 LSU faced the No. 2 North Carolina Tarheels in the first round, losing 8-4. The Tigers, facing elimination in a game against the Rice Owls, won in dramatic fashion, 6-5, continuing their string of come-from-behind victories. On June 20, 2008, after a rain delay of nearly 24 hours, UNC and LSU resumed their elimination game matchup, resulting in a 7-3 loss for LSU. The team was defeated after giving up the only grand slam in the 2008 CWS in the top of the ninth inning.

The 2009 season was the first for LSU playing at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field. They started play at the College World Series and faced the Virginia Cavaliers in the first round, winning 9-5. In the winner's bracket game, LSU played the Arkansas Razorbacks and won by a score of 9-1. In a rematch, the Tigers beat the Razorbacks again by a score of 14-5, advancing to the CWS finals for the first time since 2000. They played against the Texas Longhorns in a best-of-three series for the title, and won Game 1, 7-6 in a dramatic comeback win in 11 innings. The Longhorns beat the Tigers in game 2, 5-1, to force a third and final game. The Tigers out-slugged the Longhorns 11-4 in game 3 to win their 6th National Championship and first since 2000.

Under Mainieri, the Tigers also played in the 2013 and 2015 College World Series. During the 2015 MLB draft, Alex Bregman was selected by the Houston Astros with the second pick of the draft. In 2017, LSU played Florida in a best-of-three series to determine the winner of the 2017 College World Series. Mainieri retired following LSU's 2021 super regional loss to SEC rival Tennessee at Knoxville.

Recent Seasons

The 2022 season saw the Tigers post a 40-22 overall record and a 3rd place finish in the SEC west. The team would suffer major losses such as sweeps to both Arkansas and eventual champion Ole Miss. The Tigers earned a berth at the Southern Miss Regional of the 2022 NCAA Division I baseball tournament, winning their first two games against Kennesaw St and regional host Southern Miss.

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The 2023 season saw notable transfers come in such as DH Tommy White of NC State and RHP Paul Skenes of Air Force. Ranked Preseason #1 by D1 Baseball, the Tigers would hold this spot for 13 weeks until series losses to both Auburn and Mississippi State. After a 1-2 appearance at the 2023 Southeastern Conference baseball tournament, LSU would earn #5 national seed and host a Regional for the first time since 2019. With sweeps of their regional and a Super Regional versus Kentucky the Tigers would earn their first CWS appearance since 2017. LSU would go on to win their bracket in dramatic fashion against the #1 ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the bottom of the 11th inning with a walkoff by Tommy White.

In 2024, Johnson coached LSU to the regional championship in Chapel Hill, North Carolina against the host, North Carolina, coming up just short in extra innings in the final game of the regional. In 2025, he was able to lead LSU back to the College World Series, marking its 20th appearance there, and another national championship with a win over Coastal Carolina in the championship series.

Alex Box Stadium and Fan Support

As of the 2018 baseball season, LSU has finished in the final college baseball total attendance rankings in 23 straight seasons. In 2013, LSU posted an NCAA-record total attendance figure of 473,298 in 43 games, which was 191,458 greater than second-place team Mississippi State (281,840). As of the 2018 baseball season, LSU finished No. 1 in the final average attendance rankings for the 22nd time in 23 years (Arkansas finished No. 1 in average attendance in 2007).

LSU introduced gold jerseys for the 1996 post-season. The Tigers went on to win their 3rd National Championship that year while wearing the gold jerseys in the championship game. The jerseys became part of LSU Baseball lore when with 2 outs and a runner on third base with LSU losing 8-7 in the bottom of the 9th inning, LSU's Warren Morris swung at the first pitch and lined the ball just inches over the right field fence for a game winning walk-off home run. This was his first home run of the season as he had missed 39 games with a broken bone in his hand. The jerseys became more ingrained in LSU lore when the Tigers also wore them during the 1997 post-season which resulted in another national championship, the program's 4th. Under head coach Paul Mainieri, the team wears the gold jerseys regularly on the third game of a three-game series, as well as during important tournament games.

The LSU Bat Girls are a support squad that contributes to the LSU Baseball program. The Bat Girls consist of 30 individuals who work in teams of 10 at all home games, post-season games and various charity events. The squad serves as hostesses at Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field and their responsibilities include selling game day programs, recovering foul balls, retrieving bats and helmets, answering fans questions, assisting with game day promotions and giveaways and checking on umpires.

Tailgating is found across campus with many fans tailgating in the same spot year after year. LSU has continually been ranked as the top tailgating location in the country. ESPN.com ranked LSU as the top tailgating destination in America. The Sporting News proclaimed "Saturday Night in Death Valley" and Tiger tailgating as the top tradition in college football. Sports Illustrated said, "When It Comes To Great Tailgating, Nothing Compares To LSU."

Recent Matchup: LSU vs. UCLA in the 2025 College World Series

The LSU Tigers opened the 2025 College World Series with a 4-1 win over No. 8 national seed UCLA Bruins at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Neb. LSU improved to 50-15 on the season, while UCLA dropped to 48-17. The Tigers have won 50 games in a season for the 15th time in their history, and for the second time in three seasons.

LSU erased an early 3-0 deficit to defeat UCLA, marking the ninth time in the Tigers’ CWS history they have won a game after trailing by three or more runs.

"I'm really proud of our players - the mindset piece, the disruption of the game last night because of weather," said LSU coach Jay Johnson. "I thought the response in the first inning, after giving up three runs, to come back and score four was very much in character for our team.

And that's what this tournament is at times. Had delays here, night games that ended up being day games the next day.

The game, started on Monday night, was suspended due to inclement weather and resumed Tuesday. LSU was scheduled to play Wednesday in the Bracket 2 final round versus either Arkansas or UCLA.

Key Moments and Performances

Evans (5-1) took the mound for LSU when the game resumed Tuesday at the top of the fourth inning. He fired 4.1 innings, limiting the Bruins in two runs on four hits with no walks and five strikeouts, firing 68 pitches.

"I love the tempo that Casan set today," Johnson said. "I thought he was outstanding, as he always is."

Right-hander Chase Shores picked up his first save of the season for LSU, as he worked the final 1.1 innings and retired all four batters he faced.

UCLA starting pitcher Landon Stump (6-2) was charged with the loss, as he surrendered five runs on four hits in 2.0 innings with two walks and no strikeouts.

LSU starting pitcher Anthony Eyanson pitched 3.0 innings on Monday night before the game was suspended, and he was charged with three runs on four hits with no walks and one strikeout.

UCLA struck for three runs in the top of the first inning Monday night as third baseman Roman Martin lined an RBI double, rightfielder AJ Salgado provided an run-scoring single and centerfielder Payton Brennan added an RBI groundout.

LSU responded with four runs in the bottom of the first as rightfielder Jake Brown smacked an RBI single, and Jones unloaded a three-run homer, his 21st dinger of the season.

The Tigers extended the lead to 5-3 in the third when catcher Luis Hernandez delivered a two-out RBI single.

LSU scored two run in the bottom of the fourth inning on Tuesday morning, as shortstop Steven Milam and rightfielder Jake Brown lined RBI singles.

The Tigers added a run in the seventh on an RBI single by second baseman Daniel Dickinson, increasing LSU’s advantage to 8-3.

UCLA, however, scored two runs in the eighth on a fielder’s choice groundout by centerfielder Payton Brennan and an RBI single by designated hitter Blake Balsz, narrowing the gap to 8-5.

Shores ended the Bruins rally with the bases loaded and two outs when he forced second baseman Phoenix Call to ground into a fielder’s choice.

An RBI single by Jones in the bottom of the eighth gave the Tigers an insurance run, and Shores retired the side in order in the ninth to end the game.

LSU's Strengths in 2025

LSU is 49-15 overall and the Tigers are the No. 6 National Seed in the NCAA Tournament. LSU is ranked No. 1 in the nation by Baseball America, and No. 3 by D1 Baseball and USA Today in their most recent polls.

The LSU pitching staff enters Monday’s game versus UCLA ranked in the Top 10 in the nation in three major statistical categories - the Tigers are No. 4 in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (11.8), No. 6 in hits allowed per nine innings (7.27) and No. 7 in earned run average (3.67).

LSU is No. 5 in the SEC in team batting average (.297), and the Tigers are No. 2 in the league in on-base percentage (.412), No. 2 in doubles (130), No. 3 in runs scored (515) and No. 3 in hits (633). The LSU pitching staff is No. 1 in the SEC in opponent batting average (.219), No. 2 in the league in strikeouts (720) and No. 3 in earned run average (3.67).

Sophomore left-hander Kade Anderson, a 2025 Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy semifinalist, is No. 1 in the nation in strikeouts this season with 170. He is also No. 7 in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (14.24) and No. 8 in WHIP (0.97).

Kade Anderson's total of 170 Ks this season is No. 3 on the LSU single-season strikeouts list; he trails only Ben McDonald (202 Ks, 1989) and Paul Skenes (209 Ks, 2023). Anderson is No. 1 this season in the SEC in strikeouts, No. 1 in the league in innings pitched (110.0), No. 1 in wins (11), No. 9 in ERA (3.44) and No. 4 in opponent batting average (.202).

Junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson, a semifinalist for the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Award, is No. 3 in the nation in strikeouts with 142, and he is No. 9 in the nation in strikeouts per nine innings (12.95). He is No. 1 in the SEC in wins (11), No. 3 in the league in ERA (2.74), No. 2 in innings pitched (98.2), No. 3 in strikeouts (142) and No. 5 in opponent batting average (.208).

Junior first baseman Jared Jones is No. 2 in the SEC this season in RBI (70), No. 3 in hits (84), No. 4 in total bases (159) and No. 5 in home runs (20). Freshman outfielder Derek Curiel is No. 1 in the SEC in doubles (19), No. 3 in the league in walks (52), No. 3 in hits (84), No. 2 in on-base percentage (.477) and No. 10 in batting average (.347). Junior second baseman Daniel Dickinson is No. 4 in the SEC in runs scored (62).

LSU junior centerfielder Chris Stanfield was named on Friday the recipient of the inaugural Tony Gwynn Trophy, honoring NCAA baseball student-athletes who exemplify the Gwynn legacy of philanthropy. He launched his “Be The 1” campaign at LSU, where he donates $100 to the Miracle League in Baton Rouge for every game in which he produces an extra-base hit or stolen base.

UCLA's Perspective

UCLA defeated Murray State, 6-4, in its CWS first-round game on Saturday. The Bruins finished in a tie for first place with Oregon in the Big 10 regular-season standings with a 22-8 league mark. As the NCAA Tournament No. 8 National Seed, UCLA brings a strong resume to Omaha.

"UCLA is a great team and has been one of the most consistent teams in the country this year. With the schedule that we play, we’ve actually seen some teams like them along the way. They play a really good brand of baseball and have some of the best players in the country."

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