LSU Roars to No. 1 in USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Rankings…

Sports College Baseball Rankings

Baton Rouge, LA – May 19, 2025

The LSU Tigers have reclaimed the throne. Following a dominant late-season surge, LSU has roared to the No. 1 spot in the USA TODAY Sports College Baseball Coaches Poll, reasserting themselves as a national powerhouse and a clear threat in the race for the College World Series.

With an overall record of 42–13 and a 19–11 mark in the hyper-competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Tigers have

a 19–11 mark in the hyper-competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC), the Tigers have shown resilience, grit, and championship poise, especially down the stretch. This marks the program’s return to the top of the rankings for the first time since their title-winning campaign in 2023 under head coach Jay Johnson.

SEC Dominance and Redemption

The Tigers capped off their regular season with an emphatic series win over then-No. 9 South Carolina,

bouncing back from a narrow 6–5 opening loss to take the final two games 8–1 and 7–3. The statement series victory catapulted LSU into the top spot, leapfrogging national contenders like Arkansas, Wake Forest, and Tennessee.

Coach Johnson praised his team’s resilience and leadership during a press conference Monday.

This team has been through a lot this season—injuries, tough losses, and pressure games. But they never backed down. They’ve earned every bit of that No. 1 ranking,” Johnson said.

At the center of LSU’s surge is sophomore pitcher Kade Anderson, who has emerged as one of the most reliable arms in college baseball this season. After returning from Tommy John surgery, Anderson delivered a historic complete-game shutout against Oklahoma in April—the first for LSU since 2018.

He followed it up with a pair of clutch performances against ranked SEC opponents, solidifying his role as LSU’s ace entering the

He followed it up with a pair of clutch performances against ranked SEC opponents, solidifying his role as LSU’s ace entering the postseason.

He’s the heartbeat of our staff,” said pitching coach Nate Yeskie. “He commands the mound and gives us a chance to win every time out.”

In the bullpen, veteran closer Garrett Edwards has been lights out, posting a 1.92 ERA with 12 saves, while freshman lefty Tyler Frey has provided valuable innings and proved he can handle high-