COLLEGE BASEBALL '25: Defending champion Vols have new-look roster but face same high expectations
It was as if the 2024 Tennessee Volunteers were built to win a national championship with their dominant pitching and an offense that produced the second-most home runs in a season in NCAA history. They ended up with an SEC-record 60 wins and beat Texas A&M in a three-game College World Series finals.
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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Backs against the wall: Coastal Carolina drops CWS finals opener to LSU
Coastal Carolina got its share of frees Saturday but couldn't convert those opportunities into runs as LSU ended the Chanticleers' 26-game winning streak with a 1-0 victory in Game 1 of the College World Series best-of-three championship finals. LSU ace Kade Anderson threw a complete game three-hitter Saturday to lead the Tigers to the win that puts the Tigers (52-15) one victory away from the program's eighth CWS championship before a crowd of 25,671 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska. Advertisement The gutsy performance by Anderson, the projected No. 1 pick in next week's Major League Baseball draft, was his second complete game victory of the season and first in the postseason. Anderson recorded 10 strikeouts and threw 130 pitches. Considering that it took him 40 pitches to get through the first two innings, needing just 90 more over the final seven innings puts this performance alongside the complete game gem now-Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes threw for LSU as the Tigers won the 2023 CWS title. The Chants (56-12) must win Sunday's 2:30 p.m. Game 2 to force a winner-take-all game on Monday. CCU head coach Kevin Schnall said during Saturday's postgame press conference that Chanticleers ace Jacob Morrison will be the Game 2 starter. 'At the end of the day we've got to regroup,' Schnall said. 'We've won 26 in a row. Let's just call it what it is. The odds were not in our favor to go 28-0 and win this national championship. Again, we've got to respond, rebound, regroup. Answer the bell.' Advertisement Coastal got a strong pitching performance in the opener from starter Cameron Fluke, who scattered four hits in six innings of work while also recording nine strikeouts against just two walks. One of those walks was to LSU left fielder Derek Curiel as the Tigers leadoff batter in the bottom of the first inning. Flukey got ahead in the count 0-2 before four straight balls sent Curiel to first base. Curiel advanced to second base on ground ball out by Ethan Frey before scoring on a single up the middle by shortstop Steven Milam. Flukey was able to strand Milam at first base by striking out Jake Brown and Jared Jones to end the inning. Milam led the Tigers at the plate, going 2 of 3 with a double and a walk. 'Cam Flukey is as good as any pitcher in the entire country,' Schnall said. 'We were extremely confident walking into this game with him pitching, and he gave us an opportunity to win.' Advertisement Flukey said things were going well throughout his appearance. 'To go through a lineup, you've got to have everything,' Flukey said. 'Everything was working, trusting what (pitching) coach (Matt) Williams was calling and just pounding the strike zone.' Chanticleers catcher Caden Bodine said that's what Anderson was doing when he took the mound to challenge CCU's batters. 'He just pounded the strike zone,' Bodine said. '(He) had competitive strikes with his cutter and fastball and really was locating it.' Bodine also is confident the Chants can bounce back and get the two wins needed to capture the second CWS title in school history. Advertisement 'We've got our ace on the mound,' Bodine said. 'We have really good three-day starters, and we've got a lot of confidence in them.' Schnall was an assistant coach on the 2016 Chanticleers team that emerged as College World Series champions after losing the first game of the best-of-three finals series. 'What's eerily similar is in 2016 we lost Game 1 3-0 and a left-handed pitcher threw a complete-game shutout. Let's tip our hat to Anderson. We've got first and second in the third and I think we put down a solid bunt. He's calm, cool, collected, makes a play and get our lead out. 'Then we put down a bunt later in the game. Give (Michael) Braswell credit. That's a pressure bunt and he throws the ball over the top, basically over our baserunner's left shoulder to collect an out. Really big play.' Advertisement Those were a couple of the chances Coastal had to score but couldn't get the big play of big hit to get a run home. Even with several frees — five walks, a one-base advancement on a passed ball and two hit-by pitch chances — the Chants couldn't push across a run. 'Unfortunately we weren't able to score,' Schnall said. 'When you don't score runs, it's very difficult to win.' College World Series finals schedule, scores Double-elimination; all times Eastern Saturday: LSU 1, Coastal Carolina 0 Sunday: CWS Finals Game 2, 2:30 p.m. (ABC) Monday: CWS Finals Game 3 (if necessary), 7:30 pm. (ESPN) Coastal Carolina Chanticleers catcher Caden Bodine (17) catches for an out against the LSU Tigers during the third inning at Charles Schwab Field.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Three takeaways: LSU baseball beats Coastal Carolina in Game 1 of the CWS final
LSU baseball earned a slim 1-0 victory over Coastal Carolina on Saturday to open the best-of-three College World Series finals on Saturday night. Inside Omaha's Charles Schwab Stadium, left-handed pitcher Kade Anderson led the Tigers to victory with his second complete game shutout of 2025. Using 130 pitches, he racked up 10 strikeouts. The game's lone run game in the bottom of the first inning. Steven Milam roped an RBI single to center field with one out to score Derek Curiel. It was one of six hits for LSU, but pitching from both dugouts dominated the rest of the way. Coastal Carolina got runners on base often early but couldn't take advantage of three hits and five free passes issued by Anderson. The southpaw remained strong throughout his final game for the Tigers, sticking with his breaking pitches when his fastball couldn't find the strike zone. LSU baseball will return to action in Game 2 on Sunday, looking to clinch the national title. Here are three takeaways from LSU's win over Coastal Carolina in game one of the College World Series finals. Bullpen gets much-needed rest day Anderson's complete game shutout kept the entire bullpen available for Sunday's contest. Relievers such as Chase Shores, Cooper Williams, and Jacob Mayers will have another day of rest heading into what could be the final game of the season. Top relief arms Casan Evans and Zac Cowan also get another day of rest after getting starter-level work in the College World Series. Outside of Anderson and Anthony Eyanson, Evans and Cowan are LSU's best arms. Getting another full day of rest was key for both and puts LSU in a great position for Game 2, and if needed, a Game 3. LSU could use Evans or Cowan out of the pen on Saturday and still have one left to start Game 3 if needed. Milam's clutch-hitting continues Milam racked up 13 RBI throughout the 2025 NCAA Tournament, including the lone run of Saturday's contest. The shortstop also batted in four runs apiece in each game of the Baton Rouge Super Regional against West Virginia. Much of LSU's lineup has been inconsistent this postseason, but Milam continues to deliver quality at-bats, come through in the clutch, and be the glue that holds this group together. The sophomore has peaked at the best time possible and will look to replicate that success on Sunday. Defense plays large role In a game decided by the thinnest margin, LSU made no errors while dealing with nine ground balls off the bats of Chanticleers' hitters. On a windy evening in Omaha, the Tigers caught seven fly balls. Michael Braswell flashed the leather multiple times at the hot corner, firing across the diamond to Jared Jones at first base. Daniel Dickinson made tough grabs at second base as well. There was also this key moment in the top of the third. With two runners on, Coastal Sebastian Alexander tried to steal third. He beat the throw, but Braswell kept the glove on and nailed Alexander off the bag to end the inning and the CCU rally.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Ranking Georgia football's 2025 home games from worst to first
The Georgia Bulldogs have a great home schedule for the 2025 season after having a pretty pedestrian home slate in 2024. Georgia's top home games are against Ole Miss, Alabama and Texas. Georgia fans have a lot to of interesting games to look forward to in 2025. The Bulldogs play three non-Power Four opponents and four SEC foes at home. Georgia enters the 2025 college football season on a 31 game home winning streak, which is the longest in the country. Georgia's last home loss came to the South Carolina Gamecocks in double overtime on Oct. 12, 2019. Since Georgia's last home loss, the Bulldogs have won two SEC championships and two national championships. However, Georgia will have a tough time going undefeated at home in 2025. Ranking Georgia football's 2025 home games from worst to best 7. Austin Peay Governors Austin Peay is Georgia's only Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponent this fall. The Governors lost to Georgia 45-0 in Athens back in 2018. There's no reason to think this game will be competitive. With a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff, Georgia fans in attendance will likely be battling the heat. Austin Peay is Georgia's second straight non-Power Four opponent to open the season, but doe not come with the excitement of the season opener. Fans tuning in on TV may not like the channel selection for this one either. Date: Sept. 6 at 3:30 p.m. (all times listed at ET)TV: ESPN+/SEC Network+ 6. Charlotte 49ers The Charlotte 49ers have just one bowl appearance in their short school history (since 2015). The 49ers play in the American conference and likely won't be competitive with Georgia, but it will be UGA's last home game of the season, so it will be celebration for Georgia's senior class. As an added bonus, we like the 12:45 p.m. kickoff time for two reasons. First of all, Georgia plays Georgia Tech on Friday, so it gives the Bulldogs a bit of extra rest. Secondly, Georgia fans will be able to get some sunlight on what is likely to be a cool November day. Date: Nov. 22 at 12:45 SEC Network 5. Marshall Thundering Herd Marshall is the best of Georgia's three non-Power Four opponents this season. Georgia plays Marshall in the season opener, so it is must-watch action for Bulldog fans to see how the 2025 edition of UGA looks. Marshall won at Notre Dame back in 2022 under current head coach Charles Huff. The Thundering Herd are coming off a strong 10-3 season where they won the Sun Belt Conference championship. However, Marshall opted out of the Independence Bowl after too many players entered the transfer portal. Marshall is capable of making things interesting with Georgia in Week 1. Date: Aug. 30 at 3:30 ESPN 4. Kentucky Wildcats Now we're getting into the good games. Georgia plays Kentucky in their second SEC home game of the season. Georgia plays the Wildcats a week after Alabama, so the Bulldogs could be dealing with a big game hangover. Kentucky always smells like a trap for Georgia and 2025 is no different. Kentucky has given Georgia a lot of trouble over the years, but Georgia has won 15 straight games over the Wildcats. Georgia fans should expect another physical, low-scoring battle against the Wildcats. Date: Oct. 4 at noonTV: ESPN or ABC 3. Ole Miss Rebels Georgia fell at Ole Miss 28-10 last season after dominating the Rebels in Athens during the a convincing 52-17 win in 2023. Ole Miss back up quarterback Austin Simmons shredded the Georgia defense on one drive after Jaxson Dart briefly left in the 2024 matchup. Simmons is expected to start for coach Lane Kiffin and the Rebels in 2024. Georgia-Ole Miss should be a very entertaining game. Both teams will look very different than their 2024 versions as both teams had at least eight players picked (Ole Miss 8, Georgia 13) in the 2025 NFL draft. Date: Oct. 18 at flex kickoff time (afternoon or night)TV: To be determined 2. Alabama Crimson Tide The Alabama game is technically Georgia's only scheduled home night game of the season (both Texas and Ole Miss are flex games), but we'd be surprised if the Bulldogs don't get at least two night home games. Last season, Alabama beat Georgia 41-34 after the Bulldogs mounted a furious comeback. The 2025 edition of Georgia-Alabama will feature two new quarterbacks and no Nick Saban, but the Dawgs and Crimson Tide are still two of the top programs in college football. Both schools are looking to make a name for themselves in 2025 and as usual a lot will be on the line when Georgia and Alabama meet. Georgia and Alabama have combined to win five of 11 national championships during the College Football Playoff era (they faced off in two national title games during this time span) and 10 of the last 11 SEC championships (they met in three of those 10 SEC championship games). Date: Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. TV: ABC 1. Texas Longhorns Arch Manning and Texas will travel to Athens for the first ever time as a member of the SEC. Texas is projected to be the preseason No. 1 team. The Longhorns played Georgia twice in 2024 with the Dawgs winning both meetings including the 2024 SEC championship. Both teams are expected to contend for the national championship and the winner of the Georgia-Texas game could clinch a berth in the SEC championship. The Georgia-Texas game has a little more intrigue than the Georgia-Alabama game because Georgia has never played Texas in Sanford Stadium and because it is later in the season. The Georgia-Texas game could also effectively eliminate the loser from the College Football Playoff depending on how the season shakes out. If we could only go to one UGA home game this season, then we'd pick the Georgia-Texas game. Date: Nov. 15 at flex kickoff time (afternoon or night)TV: To be determined
