OMAHA, Neb. — The stage is set and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The 2025 Men’s College World Series championship series begins Saturday night at Charles Schwab Field, where LSU and Coastal Carolina will square off in Game 1 of a best-of-three battle for the national title. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN, as two of the hottest teams in the country collide in what promises to be a fireworks-filled finale to an electric postseason.
The Road to the Finals
Both teams arrive in Omaha undefeated, boasting 3-0 records in their respective brackets. LSU (51-15) punched its ticket to the championship series by defeating Arkansas twice and knocking off UCLA. Meanwhile, Coastal Carolina (56-11) rolled past Arizona, Oregon State, and Louisville, extending its nation-leading win streak to 26 straight games—the longest in college baseball this season.
LSU will be aiming for its eighth national championship, while Coastal seeks to capture its second, with the first coming in 2016.
Scouting Coastal Carolina
Record: 56-11
Conference: Sun Belt (26-4)
National Seed: No. 13 (Conway Regional Champion)
The Chanticleers are one of the most balanced teams in the country, blending an aggressive, high-contact lineup with a lights-out pitching staff that has overwhelmed opponents throughout the postseason.
Top Position Players:
- Caden Bodine (.326 AVG, 55 R, 42 RBI, 47 BB, .473 SLG): The table-setter and sparkplug for the Chants’ offense.
- Sebastian Alexander (.314 AVG, 10 HR, 54 RBI, 59 R): A reliable run producer with gap-to-gap power.
- Colby Thorndyke (.314 AVG, 18 2B, 48 RBI): Extra-base threat and consistent middle-of-the-order bat.
Pitching Rotation:
- Jacob Morrison (12-0, 2.08 ERA, 104 IP, 102 K, .194 OPP AVG): An ace in every sense, Morrison has been nearly unhittable.
- Riley Eikhoff (7-2, 3.10 ERA): A steady presence behind Morrison, mixes pitches well to keep hitters off balance.
- Cam Flukey (7-1, 3.29 ERA, 109 K): Brings swing-and-miss stuff and experience to high-pressure games.
What’s at Stake in Game 1
With both teams riding hot streaks and unblemished in Omaha, Game 1 will be crucial in gaining momentum in this tightly matched series. The winner not only grabs a 1-0 lead but moves one win away from hoisting the trophy. For LSU, it’s about reclaiming its place atop the college baseball world. For Coastal Carolina, it’s another chance to prove that lightning can strike twice.
Expect a high-intensity showdown featuring dominant pitching, clutch bats, and no shortage of drama under the lights in Omaha.
