The road to Omaha doesn’t get any easier, and for West Virginia University’s baseball team, it now leads straight through LSU—one of the most storied programs in college baseball history.
The Mountaineers (44-14) are preparing for their first-ever matchup with No. 6 overall seed LSU (46-15) in the Super Regionals, set to begin Saturday. And WVU head coach Steve Sabins knows exactly what his team is up against.
“It’ll be a challenge in every area,” Sabins said. “They’ve been a top program in the nation for 100 years. They’ve got the best resources, biggest fan base, best NIL, top coaching—everything.”
LSU’s track record speaks for itself: seven national championships, including a dominant run in the 1990s and a recent title in 2023, led by current MLB sensation Paul Skenes. This year, LSU’s strength is still very real, starting with their elite pitching and powerful lineup.
But despite the daunting resume, Sabins and his team are staying locked in and confident.
“We don’t focus on the opposing teams too much,” Sabins said. “At this point, if you’re still trying to convince your guys that they can win, you’re probably not still playing.”
For Sabins, it’s not about LSU’s past accolades—it’s about execution in the present.
“Whatever LSU did last year or 10 years ago doesn’t matter once the game starts. It’s about who executes better—pitch by pitch and at-bat by at-bat.”
LSU’s Strengths This Season
LSU has proven itself across the board in 2024:
- Pitching: Ranked 6th in the nation with a team ERA of 3.73.
- Defense: Ranked 9th nationally in fielding percentage, with only 38 errors in 61 games.
- Power: Their lineup has crushed 97 home runs, led by first baseman Jared Jones with 20 dingers.
Junior right-hander Anthony Eyanson, a transfer from UC San Diego, is expected to start Game 1. He’s 10-2 with a 2.50 ERA and threw 9 1/3 scoreless innings during regional play.
WVU’s Mindset: We Can Beat Anyone
Despite LSU’s firepower, Sabins doesn’t expect his players to be intimidated.
“These guys know they can match up with anyone. It just comes down to execution. If we play our brand of baseball, we believe we can win.”
WVU’s confidence was on full display during a dramatic 13-12 win over Kentucky last weekend, though the win came at a physical cost.
Injury Updates: White and Kresser Expected to Play
Two key players, designated hitter Sam White and shortstop Brodie Kresser, were both hit by pitches in that Kentucky game—White in the ribs and Kresser in the kneecap.
Sabins confirmed both are expected to play.
“They’re not broken. They’re tough,” Sabins said. “Sam’s bruise is the size of a softball. Kresser took a 95 mph fastball and kept going. They’re hurting, but they’ll be out there.”
Looking Ahead
The Super Regionals are down to just 16 teams in the country, and WVU is one of them. The history books may favor LSU, but the Mountaineers believe the game will come down to performance, not pedigree.
Sabins summed it up best:
“Our team is ready to go up against anyone. If we play good baseball, we can beat anyone.”
