The 64 teams kicked off with Coastal Carolina and LSU. Now, one of them remains, and they’ll compete in Omaha for the championship.
This weekend marks the start of the best-of-three series to determine the NCAA Baseball Champion. Here’s a look at both teams—their journeys, standout players, the series schedule, and a few predictions.
Men’s University World Series Final Schedule
As the higher seed, LSU will be the “home” team for the MCWS Finals. They’ll stay as the designated home team for both Game 1 and Game 3 if all three games are needed.
Here’s the full schedule:
Game 1 – June 21: Coastal Carolina vs. LSU, 7pm ET, ESPN
Game 2 – June 22: LSU vs. Coastal Carolina, 2:30pm ET, ABC
Game 3 – June 23: Coastal Carolina vs. LSU, 7:30pm ET, ESPN (if necessary)
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (56-11)
How they got here
Honestly, it’s hard to find a team on a hotter streak than Coastal Carolina right now.
The Chanticleers claimed the No. 1 seed in the Sun Belt Conference tournament and went straight to host the MCWS Regionals. They fired up their home crowd, winning every match in the Super Regional, starting with a victory over Fairfield and then two wins against East Carolina.
Next, they faced off against the third-seeded Auburn Tigers and swept them in two games to reach Omaha.
Once they arrived in Nebraska, they just kept the momentum going, taking down teams like Arizona, Oregon, and Louisville, finishing the bracket with an impressive 3-0 record.
Players to watch
Watch out for catcher Caden Bodine, who might be a first-round pick in the next MLB draft. He’s been stellar with a .326 batting average, leading the team with an impressive .326/.459/.473 slash line and only one error this season. Plus, there’s outfielder Sebastian Alexander and infielder Blake Barsole, who led the team with 12 home runs.
On the mound, right-hander Jacob Morrison, standing at 6’8″, has made a remarkable comeback after Tommy John surgery, sporting a 12-0 record and a 2.08 ERA. Coach Kevin Schnall has praised his competitiveness and maturity. His wins are the most in the nation right now, but he’s got solid support from teammates like Riley Eikoff, who holds a 7-2 record with a 3.10 ERA and Cameron Fullkey at 7-1 with a 3.29 ERA.
One reason they can win: momentum
If you’ve been around baseball, you might have heard that “momentum is the next day’s starting pitcher.”
In Coastal Carolina’s case, that seems to hold true.
The last time they lost? It was back in April against the University of Charleston, which seems so long ago now, especially since they’ve rattled off 26 consecutive wins since.
Notably, their pitching has been nothing short of impressive, landing them among the top ranks in college baseball.
LSU (51-15)
How they got here
The LSU Tigers are consistently one of the top teams in college baseball and have solidified their reputation this season.
Still, they faced some challenges on their way to the MCWS Championship Series.
Entering the SEC Championship as the third seed, LSU was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Texas A&M and then again by Mississippi in the semifinals.
Despite these setbacks, they fought back to win their way through the Baton Rouge Regionals and arrived in Omaha on a winning streak, securing a spot in the championship against Coastal Carolina.
Players to watch
LSU boasts a deep lineup and a formidable duo on the mound.
Outfielders Derek Culiel and shortstop Stephen Milam are both expected to be high draft picks in the coming years. Ethan Frey has had an outstanding season, showcasing an impressive .331/.424/.651 slash line with 13 home runs. Jared Jones is also noteworthy, hitting .330/.423/.630 while leading with 22 home runs.
On the pitching side, left-hander Cade Anderson stands out, with an 11-1 record and a 3.44 ERA, while right-hander Anthony Ayson holds an 11-2 record with a 2.92 ERA, though his last start against UCLA was a bit rocky.
One reason they can win: pitching
LSU is a well-rounded team, but the strength of their pitching duo could be the deciding factor in the best-of-three series.
Coach Jay Johnson has options aplenty, highlighting the depth of his pitching staff. “If you pitch well, you have a significant edge in the game,” he explained, emphasizing that their success stems from strong pitching.
Statistically, they are right among the best nationally, showing off solid ERA and strikeout numbers.
Men’s University World Series Final Prediction
What’s my bold prediction? This series will go the distance—three games.
Beyond that, it’s tough to call. Both teams have ace pitchers, reliable lineups, and solid reasons to believe they can clinch the trophy in Omaha. LSU’s pitching is a clear advantage, but there’s something undeniably special about this Coastal Carolina squad—be it their momentum or sheer talent.
It’ll be exciting to see how it plays out.
