In a moment that will forever be etched in LSU baseball lore, Josh Pearson’s single turned heroics set the stage, but it was freshman Jared Jones who delivered the defining blow—a walk-off hit that lifted the Tigers into the College World Series Championship Series and sent a sea of purple and gold into joyous pandemonium at Charles Schwab Field. The dramatic 6-5 victory over Florida State not only cemented Jones’ legacy in Baton Rouge before his first season even concluded but also signaled that LSU baseball is right where it believes it belongs—on the doorstep of another national title.
Trailing 5-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth, the Tigers needed a spark. Veteran leadership and youthful energy fused seamlessly as Tommy White opened the frame with a leadoff walk. Dylan Crews, the steady heartbeat of the team, followed with a line drive that found a gap, pushing White to third. The crowd, already on edge, rose to its feet. That set the table for Pearson, whose RBI single tied the game and breathed new life into the Tigers’ dugout. The energy had shifted, and everyone in the building knew it. With the score knotted and runners still aboard, all eyes turned to Jones—a freshman, yes, but one who had been playing like a seasoned slugger all season.
In a full-count battle, Jones stayed disciplined. He fought off a couple of tight fastballs, refusing to bite on breaking balls outside the zone. Then, with the count full and tension flooding every inch of the park, Jones laced a laser down the right-field line. As the ball screamed past the glove of Florida State’s diving first baseman, the LSU dugout erupted. Pearson rounded third, arms raised, as fans unleashed a thunderous roar that echoed across Omaha. It was bedlam. It was beautiful. And it was the stuff of legends.
Jones was mobbed by his teammates before he could even reach second base. The walk-off hit capped a 3-for-5 performance for the freshman, who not only drove in the game-winner but also recorded two other key hits that kept LSU within striking distance earlier in the game. His poise, maturity, and ability to come through in the clutch symbolized the fearless identity of this 2025 Tigers squad.
The win didn’t come easily. Florida State had controlled the early innings, jumping out to a 3-0 lead by the fourth. LSU starter Luke Holman battled through traffic, limiting damage but unable to keep the Seminoles off the board entirely. Florida State’s lineup, anchored by future MLB draft pick Jaime Ferrer, found early success with aggressive base running and well-timed hits. The Tigers, however, refused to flinch.
LSU clawed back with a solo home run from Gavin Dugas in the fifth, followed by a two-run blast from Crews in the sixth that tied the game at three apiece. The Tigers’ offense, known for its firepower, was starting to find its groove, but Florida State counterpunched in the seventh with a two-run single that again put the Seminoles in front. The back-and-forth battle mirrored everything fans love about postseason baseball—momentum shifts, pressure-packed moments, and individual brilliance shining under the brightest lights.
The real story, however, was LSU’s bullpen. After Holman exited, Griffin Herring entered in relief and delivered what might have been the most crucial outing of his college career. Over 2.1 innings, Herring neutralized Florida State’s middle order, striking out four and giving LSU a fighting chance. In a game where every pitch mattered, Herring’s command and confidence gave the Tigers the edge they needed. The baton was then passed to lefty Nate Ackenhausen, who handled the top of the ninth with a surgical approach that set the stage for the comeback.
Head coach Jay Johnson was emotional after the game, praising the grit and resilience of his group. “This is what championship-level baseball looks like,” he said. “We were down. We were challenged. But we didn’t panic. We trusted each other, we trusted our process, and most importantly, we trusted that the moment would find the right guy. And it did—Jared was ready.”
For Jones, the moment was the culmination of months of preparation. The Georgia native arrived in Baton Rouge with considerable hype, but no one could have predicted just how impactful he would be in his first season. His walk-off hit wasn’t just a flash in the pan—it was a culmination of hard work, situational awareness, and the cold-blooded clutch factor that separates the great from the elite.
LSU’s path to the championship series has been anything but easy. Their regional was loaded. Their super-regional against Oregon tested their depth. And this matchup with Florida State was a slugfest between two programs with rich traditions and no intention of backing down. But if there’s one thing LSU has shown throughout this postseason, it’s that they can win in multiple ways—blowouts, pitchers’ duels, and now, walk-off thrillers.
As the Tigers head into the College World Series Championship Series, momentum is on their side. The offense is firing on all cylinders, the bullpen has found its groove, and the belief within the clubhouse is palpable. But they also know the job isn’t done. Whether they face Arkansas or North Carolina, the final series will be another test of endurance, execution, and willpower.
For fans in Baton Rouge, Jones’ hit was more than just a game-winner—it was a reminder of the magic of LSU baseball. The Tigers have a long tradition of postseason greatness, and this run is rapidly becoming another chapter in a storied legacy. From Warren Morris to Jared Mitchell to now Jared Jones, the program has a history of producing legends when it matters most. And on this night, Jones added his name to that elite company.
Beyond the stats and the highlight reels, there was something deeper about this victory. It showcased the soul of a team that doesn’t quit. A team that refuses to be intimidated. A team that thrives when the stakes are highest. The walk-off wasn’t just about one swing—it was about every inning leading up to it. Every defensive stop, every pinch-hit at-bat, every mound visit that steadied nerves, and every belief that something special was still possible.
In a postseason defined by drama, LSU has authored one of its most compelling stories yet. Jones may have delivered the final blow, but this was a team win in every sense of the word. And now, with just two more wins standing between them and a national championship, the Tigers are poised to finish what they started.
The energy inside the LSU locker room after the game was electric. Music blasted, gloves were tossed in the air, and ice-cold water rained down during the celebratory chaos. But through it all, Johnson’s message was clear—enjoy the moment, but be ready for the next challenge. The final stage awaits.
Back in Omaha, fans poured out of the stadium with smiles that couldn’t be wiped away. The LSU faithful have seen their share of unforgettable finishes, but this one felt different. It was unexpected. It was bold. And it was symbolic of everything this team has become—a gritty, fearless unit that embraces pressure and delivers under fire.
Jared Jones will remember this night for the rest of his life. So will LSU fans. And if the Tigers go on to capture the title, his walk-off hit will be remembered as the moment that launched them there. For now, the focus shifts to preparing for the championship series. But make no mistake—the heart, the hope, and the heroism of that bottom-of-the-ninth moment will live on.
LSU baseball is alive. It is dangerous. And thanks to a freshman with ice in his veins, it is one step away from college baseball immortality.
