Play by Play: LSU baseball beats UCLA in College World Series to get critical 2-0 start
LSU baseball and UCLA managed to play three innings on Monday night before the weather had other plans. After a two-hour rain delay, the game was suspended until Tuesday morning.
After picking up in the top of the fourth, LSU finished the job for a 9-5 win.
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On Monday, LSU starter Anthony Eyanson found himself in trouble in the first, allowing three runs on four hits. But the LSU lineup had an answer.
The Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the first, highlighted by a three-run home run from Jared Jones. The LSU first basemen muscled the ball just barely over the right field wall.
Eyanson settled in, pitching a scoreless second and third inning. LSU added another run in the bottom of the third when Luis Hernandez poked an RBI single into center field.
When the game resumed on Tuesday, Jay Johnson went to Casan Evans, LSU's clear No. 3 arm. Evans delivered, pitching 4 1/3 innings, striking out five, and allowing just two runs. Evans allowed four hits, but didn't issue a walk.
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On offense, LSU picked up where it left off, scoring two runs in the fourth. The Tigers added insurance late in the game to give the bullpen breathing room.
Here is LSU Wire's live blog from the contest:
Notes on Casan Evans performance
Evans pitched 4 2/3 innings and limited UCLA to two earned runs.
Evans struck out five without issuing a walk. He threw 68 pitches; 46 were strikes.
In 11 2/3 innings this postseason, Evans has allowed three earned runs with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 18/3. The freshman has proven ready for the big moment and is an emerging star in college baseball.
LSU gets the win
Chase Shores finished the deal and LSU beat UCLA, 9-5, to earn the all-important 2-0 College World Series start.
LSU three outs away from a win
After adding a run in the eighth inning, LSU leads 9-5 as we head to the top of the ninth. Three more outs and this one is over.
LSU adds insurance
Jared Jones drives in Ethan Frey to give LSU an insurance run. The Tigers lead 9-5.
LSU has rally going
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, LSU has runners at the corners. UCLA closer Easton Hawk is in the game.
Shores ends the inning
All it took was one pitch. Chase Shores induced a grounder to short, Milam flipped for the force at second, and the inning was over.
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LSU leads 8-5 as we move to the bottom of the eighth.
Chase Shores enters the game
Jay Johnson has seen enough of Cooper Williams. Chase Shores is entering the game and it will be on the big righty to get LSU out of a bases-loaded jam.
UCLA tacks on another run
A UCLA infield single scores another run, and LSU's lead is cut to three.
The bases are loaded in the top of the eighth inning, and the go-ahead run is at the plate.
LSU gets an out, but UCLA adds a run
A bases-loaded grounder to second scored a run. LSU's lead was cut to 8-4.
The Bruins have runners at the corners with two out.
UCLA loads the bases
UCLA has loaded the bases in the top of the eighth. It's 8-3 Tigers.
Cooper Williams comes in
Williams enters the game with one out and runners on first and second.
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Evans pitched 4 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and no walks. He gave up four hits.
Bullpen action starts for LSU
Cooper Williams and Chase Shores are warming in the LSU bullpen. Evans remained in the game to start the eighth inning. UCLA has a runner on second base with one out.
LSU leads by five after seven
Dickinson's RBI single makes the score 8-3 heading into the eighth inning. A groundout ended the inning and stranded him at first.
Dickinson comes through
With two outs and Jones at third base, Daniel Dickinson blooped an RBI single into shallow right field, making the score 8-3 in favor of LSU.
Bruins make pitching change
After issuing a walk to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning, Ian May was lifted from the game. Right-handed pitcher Jack O'Connor is in with no outs and Jared Jones on first base.
UCLA goes scoreless again
Evans produced two strikeouts and a groundout to keep the Bruins off the score board in the top of the seventh, despite allowing a single with one out.
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UCLA lost its last remaining challenge in the frame. The Bruins challenged that Phoenix Call was hit by a pitch but the original call of a ball was upheld.
Tigers threaten but don't score
Chris Stanfield singled and Derek Curiel was hit by a pitch, but LSU couldn't take advantage. It's still 7-3 Tigers.
Casan Evans is rolling
LSU couldn't plate any more in the bottom of the fifth, but Casan Evans continued to roll in the sixth inning.
Evans allowed a single in the sixth, but a double play ended the inning. LSU leads 7-3 as we move to the bottom of the sixth inning.
Another blank frame for Evans
Evans works a scoreless fifth. LSU leads 7-3 coming up to bat in the bottom half. LSU is getting just what it expected from the true freshman pitcher thus far.
Jared Jones grounds out to end inning
With a 3-0 count and runners at the corners, Jared Jones grounded out to end the inning. LSU leads 7-3 as we head to the fifth.
UCLA makes pitching change
Wylan Moss's day is done. Cal Randal enters the game for the Bruins. LSU has runners at the corners with two out. Jared Jones is at the plate.
Jake Brown keeps it going
LSU continues to be clutch with two out RBIs. It's 7-3 Tigers after Jake Brown lined a single to right and drove in Ethan Frey.
Steven Milam adds to LSU's lead
Steven Milam comes through again. A RBI single in the fourth inning puts LSU up 6-3, scoring Derek Curiel.
Wylan Moss on to pitch for UCLA
The Bruins are going with Wylan Moss on the mound. Moss is one of UCLA's top bullpen arms with a 2.64 ERA on the year.
Evans throws scoreless fourth
UCLA notched a two out single, but Evans kept UCLA off the board in the fourth. LSU leads 5-3 as we head to the bottom of the inning.
Jaden Noot also getting active
Evans is not the only LSU pitcher warming up. Jaden Noot is also throwing.
Casan Evans throwing in the pen
Casan Evans is throwing in the LSU bullpen. Looks like Jay Johnson is going with his top reliever to start this one off.
LSU going with different uniforms
LSU is switching up the uniforms, now rocking the white uniforms.
What are LSU's pitching options this morning?
With Anthony Eyanson out of the picture, LSU head coach Jay Johnson has some choices to make.
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The entire pen is available, including Casan Evans. Evans is LSU's third best pitcher and the Tigers might want him available to start vs. Arkansas if the Tigers lose to UCLA. But if Johnson is doing whatever it takes to beat UCLA to avoid the double-header, expect to see Evans at some point on Tuesday morning.
Chase Shores is available too. He was inconsistent as a starter in 2025, but his stuff has been promising in the postseason. He can give LSU some length.
Don't be surprised if Zac Cowan or Cooper Williams see action, either. LSU will need all hands on deck to finish this one.
TV Channel update
When LSU baseball and UCLA resume play, the game will be on ESPN2.
Update: Game to resume on Tuesday
The College World Series announced LSU baseball vs. UCLA will resume at 10:03 a.m. CT on Tuesday.
Anthony Eyanson's day is likely done
Given the length of this delay, it's fair to assume LSU pitcher Anthony Eyanson would not return if this game were to resume tonight.
Could a double-header be played on Tuesday?
If the game can't be resumed on Monday night, the eventual loser could be forced to play 17 innings on Tuesday. The completion of this game and an elimination game later in the day.
Latest from The Weather Channel
The Weather Channel's latest forecast for Omaha, NE says, "storms continuing through 11 PM. A few storms may be severe."
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The chance of rain is above 85% throughout the next two hours.
What's happened so far?
With the game in a weather delay, lets revisit what's happened so far.
UCLA tacks on three runs in the first. The Bruins were putting the ball in play and showcased some two-out hitting.
LSU responds in the bottom of the first, taking the lead on a three-run homer off Jared Jones' bat.
LSU tacked on another run in the bottom of the third.
Through three innings, LSU holds a 5-3 lead.
Game remains delayed
It's 8:46 p.m. CT and weather continues to move through Omaha. Still no word on the status of the game.
Will this game be played tonight?
LSU vs. UCLA will have to resume by 11:00 p.m. CT or this game will end up being played on Tuesday.
Weather could disrupt LSU pitching plans
LSU starter Anthony Eyanson was rolling after a rough first. A long weather delay potentially brings his night to an early end. If Eyanson isn't able to resume the game, the pressure is on LSU's bullpen to get the job done.
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It makes winning this all that more important. If LSU wins, the Tigers have an entire day to rest the bullpen before playing on Wednesday. A loss, and LSU is forced to play a back-to-back on Tuesday, further taxing the pen.
LSU baseball vs UCLA enters weather delay
Just before the top of the fourth inning, the game entered a weather delay.
Luis Hernandez delivers RBI single
With two outs, LSU catcher Luis Hernandez found the hole for an RBI single. LSU leads 5-3 in the bottom of the third.
LSU has runners on first and second. John Pearson is in the game as a pinch hitter.
UCLA makes pitching change
Chris Grothues is on to pitch for UCLA. He has a 4.94 ERA in 19 appearances. He's not a strikeout pitcher, but does a good job at keeping the ball in the park and opponents are hitting just .211 vs the lefty.
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LSU has runners on first and second with one out in the bottom of the third.
Eyanson tosses another scoreless inning
Eyanson kept UCLA off the board in the third and it's 4-3 LSU as we head to the bottom of the inning.
Through three innings, Eyanson has yet to allow a walk. He's thrown 44 pitches; 32 of them strikes.
Eyanson answers with scoreless second
Eyanson issued a hit by pitch, but responded with a scoreless second inning. Eyanson struck out Roch Cholowsky for his first strikeout of the night. We head to the bottom of the second with LSU leading 4-3.
LSU leads 4-3 after first inning
Both offenses went to work in the first inning, but LSU leaves with a narrow lead. A three-run home run from Jared Jones is the early highlight.
Jared Jones his a three-run homer
It barely got out, but Jared Jones put one over the field in right fence for a three-run home run. LSU leads 4-3.
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That's just what LSU needed from Jones after the slugger went 0-5 vs. Arkansas.
Jake Brown puts LSU on the board
Jake Brown ripped a single into center field, scoring Ethan Frey. UCLA's lead is 3-1. LSU has runners on the corner with one out.
LSU has rally going in the first
Curiel grounded out to start the game, but Ethan Frey gave LSU its first hit of the night with a single to center field. Then Steven Milam doubled down the right field line. LSU has runners on the corners with one out.
LSU gets out of the inning
It was a rough first inning for starter Anthony Eyanson. The Bruins scored three runs on four hits. Two of UCLA's key hits came with two strikes in the count. The Tigers are down 3-0 as we head to the bottom of the first.
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Eyanson was commanding the ball; 18 of 23 pitches were strikes. But UCLA was finding contact.
UCLA leads 3-0
A soft hit ball back to Eyanson was enough to score another run.
UCLA adds a run
An infield single from AJ Salgado scores another run. UCLA leads 2-0 with runners on the corners and one out.
UCLA gets on the board
The Bruins cash in with an RBI double from Roman Martin. UCLA leads 1-0 in the top of the first.
The Bruins have runners on second and third with one out.
UCLA has rally going in the first
With just one out, UCLA has runners on first and second in the top of the first.
Weather Report
As the game is underway, there's some weather to keep an eye on. A Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect in Omaha.
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Storms are possible around 7:30 p.m. CT. The chance of thunderstorms in the 9 p.m. hour is 91%, according to The Weather Channel.
LSU baseball vs UCLA Bruins game time today
Date: Monday, June 16
Start time: 6 p.m. CT
The LSU baseball vs UCLA game starts at 6 p.m. CT from Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska.
What TV channel is LSU baseball vs UCLA on today?
TV Channel: ESPN
Livestream: Fubo (free trial) or ESPN+ (Subscriber Only)
LSU baseball vs UCLA will be broadcast nationally on ESPN in the 2025 College World Series. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
LSU batting order: Curiel back at leadoff, Brown in lineup
Derek Curiel is back in the leadoff spot as LSU faces a righty. Jake Brown gets the start in right field and hits cleanup. Tanner Reaves hits seventh and starts at third.
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Daniel Dickinson is near the bottom of the order, hitting eighth.
UCLA Lineup: Names to know
Shortstop Roch Cholowsky hits No. 2 for the Bruins. He leads UCLA with 23 home runs and 74 RBI.
Left fielder Dean West hits leadoff. West doesn't carry much power, but he leads the team in walks and is a threat to run on the base paths.
Batting fifth is right fielder AJ Salgado. He's prone to strikeouts, but is a home run threat with a .590 slugging percentage.
On Tanner Reaves getting the start at third base
Tanner Reaves, a junior college transfer, is getting the start for LSU at third base. We've seen Jay Johnson turn to Reaves vs righties with the struggles of usual third basemen Michael Braswell. In 64 ABs, Reaves has three home runs and three doubles. He's hitting .266 with a .453 slugging. Reaves is yet to record a hit in the postseason, but LSU will hope his luck flips on Monday.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Mega-Recap: LSU baseball beats UCLA in College World Series
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