The 2025 College World Series (CWS) Finals, held at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, culminated in a thrilling best-of-three series between the No. 6 seed LSU Tigers and the No. 13 seed Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. In a display of dominance, LSU swept Coastal Carolina 2-0 to claim their eighth national championship in program history and their second title in three years. The Tigers’ victory extended the Southeastern Conference’s (SEC) remarkable streak, with an SEC team winning the CWS for the sixth consecutive year. Here’s a recap of the action-packed finals that captivated baseball fans from June 21 to June 22, 2025.
Game 1: A Pitcher’s Duel for the Ages (LSU 1, Coastal Carolina 0)
The series opener on Saturday, June 21, was a masterclass in pitching, with LSU’s Kade Anderson delivering a performance that will be etched in CWS history. Anderson threw a complete-game shutout, allowing just four hits and striking out 10 over 130 pitches. His effort marked only the third complete game in CWS finals history, earning him the Most Outstanding Player award for the tournament.
LSU scratched across the game’s only run in the first inning when Steven Milam drove in a runner, snapping Coastal Carolina’s nation-leading 26-game winning streak. Coastal’s starter, Cameron Flukey, was equally impressive, going six innings with nine strikeouts and allowing just one earned run on four hits. Despite Flukey’s valiant effort, Coastal went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position, leaving them unable to capitalize on their opportunities. The game’s nine combined hits tied the record for the lowest in an MCWS finals game, underscoring the intensity of the pitching duel.
Key Moment: Anderson’s 10th strikeout in the ninth sealed the 1-0 victory, putting LSU one win away from the title.
Game 2: LSU’s Bats Erupt to Seal the Championship (LSU 5, Coastal Carolina 3)
Game 2 on Sunday, June 22, started with drama when Coastal Carolina head coach Kevin Schnall and first-base coach Matt Schilling were ejected in the first inning for disputing a ball/strike call—the first coach ejections in an MCWS game since 2017. Despite the early setback, Coastal took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, but LSU responded quickly to tie the game.
The turning point came in the fourth inning when LSU’s offense exploded against Coastal’s ace, Jacob Morrison, who entered the game with a 12-0 record and a 2.08 ERA. With the bases loaded, Chris Stanfield delivered a two-run single, followed by Derek Curiel’s two-run single, chasing Morrison after just 3⅔ innings—the shortest outing of his season. LSU’s 5-1 lead after the fourth proved insurmountable, though Coastal fought back with a solo home run from Wells Sykes in the later innings, cutting the deficit to 5-3.
LSU’s pitching staff, led by starter Anthony Eyanson, held firm, and the Tigers sealed the championship with a 4-6-3 double play in the ninth. The victory sparked wild celebrations in Omaha, with LSU fans chanting “Geaux Tigers” as the team hoisted the trophy.
Key Moment: Stanfield’s bases-loaded single in the fourth ignited LSU’s four-run inning, shifting the momentum decisively in their favor.
Storylines and Standouts
-
LSU’s Redemption and Dominance: After winning the CWS in 2023, LSU returned to Omaha with a chip on their shoulder. Coach Jay Johnson, who became the fastest coach to win two CWS titles, leaned on a dynamic pitching duo in Anderson and Eyanson, complemented by clutch hitting from players like Jared Jones, who had a walk-off single in the semifinals against Arkansas. The Tigers’ 3-0 run through the CWS showcased their resilience and depth.
-
Coastal Carolina’s Cinderella Run: The Chanticleers, riding a 26-game winning streak into the finals, were the tournament’s underdog story. Their 56-11 record and explosive offense, led by Colby Thorndyke’s three-run doubles earlier in the tournament, made them a formidable foe. Despite falling short, Coastal’s second CWS finals appearance since their 2016 championship cemented their status as a rising power.
-
SEC’s Continued Reign: LSU’s victory marked the sixth straight CWS title for the SEC, with the conference’s depth highlighted by Arkansas and LSU’s presence in Omaha. The SEC’s dominance shows no signs of slowing down.
-
Historic Performances: Kade Anderson’s Game 1 shutout was a defining moment, while Arkansas’ Gage Wood set a CWS record with 19 strikeouts in a no-hitter against Murray State earlier in the tournament, adding to the 2025 CWS’s legacy of unforgettable pitching performances.
Looking Ahead
LSU’s eighth national title ties them with Stanford for the second-most in CWS history, trailing only USC’s 12. For Coastal Carolina, the loss stings, but their remarkable season sets the stage for future runs. As the 2025 season fades into memory, the 78th CWS will be remembered for its dramatic finishes, historic pitching, and LSU’s triumphant return to the top of college baseball.
