Jones’ clutch hits carry LSU to CWS finals
Jared Jones has certainly experienced the highs and lows in LSU’s three games at the College World Series.
There was Jones’ five-strikeout night against Arkansas in the tournament opener. Then, there was his three-run homer which sparked the Tigers’ comeback against UCLA in the bracket driver’s seat game.
With LSU one victory away from reaching the CWS finals Wednesday night, Jones was once again in the middle of a wild last two innings against the Razorbacks.
First, there was another valley for Jones. His failure to catch a low throw at first base to possibly complete a double play resulted in two runs and a one-run Tigers deficit in the top of the eighth.
Second, there were two peaks for Jones. His home run in the bottom of the eighth tied the score. One inning later, Jones capped a three-run rally with a RBI single which gave LSU an improbable 6-5 victory over Arkansas.
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So, the Tigers are heading to the College World Series finals against Coastal Carolina, which is riding a 26-game winning streak. The first game of the best-of-three series will be played Saturday night at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha.
LSU could use some time to come down from the emotional high of a come-from-behind victory over the Razorbacks. The first five innings were rather uneventful other than the fact that the Tigers’ Zac Cowan and the Hogs’ Landon Beidelschies pitched superbly.
The only run during that time came on a fourth-inning homer by Ryder Helfrick. LSU took its first lead in the sixth when coach Jay Johnson outmaneuvered Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn.
With runners on second and third and two out, Van Horn decided to intentionally walk Josh Pearson. Van Horn was willing to go after Chris Stanfield. However, Johnson pinch-hit Jake Brown for his starting centerfielder. Brown delivered a two-run single.
After a quiet seventh, turmoil appeared one inning later. Chase Shores, who got the last two outs in the seventh, got into trouble when the Razorbacks loaded the bases with two singles and a hit batter.
Shores then got Helfrick to hit a possible double-play ball to third baseman Michael Braswell. Logan Maxwell was forced at second, but Daniel Dickinson’s throw to first base was low and wide. Jones could not come up with the throw and two runs scored.
So, Arkansas had a 3-2 lead needing six outs to force a winner-take-all game Thursday night. Following two quick outs, Jones hit his game-tying home run.
Things remained off the rails in the ninth. With one out, Shores allowed a single to Reese Robinett and a double to Brent Iredale. Jacob Mayers replaced Shores and promptly gave up a two-run single to Justin Thomas.
Now, the Hogs had a 5-3 lead needing three outs to force a winner-take-all game Thursday night. However, Arkansas opened the gate for a LSU comeback and the Tigers walked right on through.
With one out, the first baseman Robinett made a mistake and fielded a slowly-hit ground ball to his right. Robinett had to hit pitcher Cole Gibler on the run.
Derek Curiel, the batter, got to second base when Robinett’s throw was off target. It would have been an easy 4-3 putout if Robinett had simply let second baseman Cam Kozeal field the grounder.
The Tigers really had a chance for a comeback after Ethan Frey walked. Then, another Arkansas infielder made a mental mistake. Milam hit what appeared to be a game-ending double-play ground ball to shortstop Wehiwa Aloy.
For no reason, Aloy threw to third base to get Curiel out and didn’t even try for the double play. Luis Hernandez then hit a line drive right at leftfielder Charles Davalan. Now, the Tigers benefited from some good fortune.
As Davalan was going down to catch the liner, he slipped. Davalan missed the ball which hit off his shoulder. Hernandez had a double and LSU tied the score at 5-5.
With first base open, Van Horn did not intentionally walk Jones to face Pearson. Jones ended Van Horn and his team’s season with a line drive single off the glove of Kozeal.
Once again, LSU team found a way to win with a late-inning rally. There is no doubt that the 2025 Tigers team does not have the talent of the 2023 Tigers team which won the national title. However, the 2025 LSU team is two victories away from also being CWS champion.
LSU STARTERS
Derek Curiel: 2-for-5
Ethan Frey: 1-for-4, 2 runs scored
Steven Milam: 0-for-4, 2 runs scored
Luis Hernandez: 1-for-3, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored
Jared Jones: 3-for-5, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored, 1 HR
Josh Pearson: 1-for-3
Chris Stanfield: 0-for-2
Daniel Dickinson: 1-for-3
Michael Braswell: 0-for-3
LSU BENCH
Jake Brown: 1-for-1, 2 RBIs
LSU PITCHERS
Zac Cowan: 5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 6 K
Jaden Noot: 1 IP, 1 K
Chase Shores: 2 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 K
Jacob Mayers: .2 IP, 1 H, 2 K
LSU 2025 CWS Crossbats Tee
from: Alumni Hall
LSU 2025 CWS Geauxmaha Trucker Hat
from: Alumni Hall
