LSU baseball is one win away from winning the 2025 College World Series.
Powered by another outstanding performance from junior left-handed ace Kade Anderson, No. 6 LSU defeated No. 13 Coastal Carolina 1-0 in Game 1 of the CWS finals at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska on June 21.
The win for the Tigers snapped the Chanticleers’ 26-game win streak, giving Kevin Schnall’s squad their first loss since April 22 against the College of Charleston.
Anderson, who is projected to go in the top five of the 2025 MLB Draft, needed just one run to work with on the night to give LSU its seventh straight win. LSU’s lone run came in the bottom of the first on a single up the middle from shortstop Steven Milam.
The Louisiana native faced some early command struggles, but got sharper and found his groove as his night continued on the bump. He finished with 10 strikeouts on 130 pitches and recorded the first complete game shutout at the College World Series finals since 2018. It was also just the third ever since the championship series was added to the NCAA baseball tournament format in 2003.
Coastal Carolina got just three hits off Anderson on the night. The Chanticleers were 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position. The Tigers will now look to finish off the Chanticleers and win their eighth national championship — and second under LSU coach Jay Johnson — on June 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET in Game 2 of the CWS championship series.
USA TODAY Sports brought you live updates, scores and highlights of LSU’s win in Game 1 of the CWS finals. Check it out:
Coastal Carolina vs LSU baseball score
This section will be updated throughout the game
LSU vs Coastal Carolina CWS Game 1 highlights
Here’s a compilation of the highlights from LSU’s CWS finals Game 1 win over Coastal Carolina on June 21:
LSU vs Coastal Carolina baseball updates
This section has been updated with new information
LSU defeats Coastal Carolina in Game 1 of College World Series
LSU takes Game 1 of the 2025 College World Series championship series against Coastal Carolina 1-0 behind another outstanding performance from Kade Anderson. Steven Milam was responsible for the lone RBI of the night for the Tigers, which came in the bottom of the first.
Anderson began the ninth inning with four consecutive swing-and-misses and got sharper throughout the night, as he finished with 10 strikeouts on 130 total pitches. Michael Braswell made a marvelous play at third for the second out of the ninth while in transition, one of several impressive plays from Braswell on the night, too.
LSU takes lead into ninth inning
LSU takes a 1-0 lead over Coastal Carolina into the ninth inning after Jared Jones hits into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play to finish the eighth.
It will be Kade Anderson’s inning to start, as he heads out to the mound to finish this one out and record his second complete game of the season. He is at 115 total pitches on the night.
Kade Anderson records ninth strikeout
It’s another inning-end strikeout for Kade Anderson, who is absolutely dealing for LSU in this one.
The LSU southpaw fires a fastball down the middle to retire Blagen Pado looking for his ninth strikeout of the night, and the third out of the inning. Anderson has gotten sharper throughout the night after facing some command issues in the first couple of innings. He is in a position to throw a complete game for LSU despite being at 115 total pitches.
Dominick Carbone gets out of jam
Dominick Carbone gets Coastal Carolina out of the jam in the bottom of the seventh by getting Ethan Frey chasing on a pitch in the dirt. An absolute filthy pitch by Carbone as the home plate umpire called Frey going around on the check swing.
It looks like Kade Anderson will head back out to start the eighth for LSU. He is at 102 pitches on the night with eight strikeouts.
Coastal Carolina wins challenge
Coastal Carolina wins its challenge after LSU second baseman Daniel Dickinson was awarded first base after being hit by a pitch. However, after an umpire review, the call on the field is overturned and Dickinson is called out as video replay review showed Dickinson dropped his elbow into the pitch from Dominick Carbone in a 3-2 count.
There is one out in the bottom of the seventh for LSU.
Cam Flukey stats for Coastal Carolina
With Coastal Carolina going to Dominick Carbone in the seventh inning, Cam Flukey will end his night with a pitching line of six innings, nine strikeouts, four hits, two walks and a run.
Coastal Carolina makes pitching change
Coastal Carolina coach Kevin Schnall goes to the bullpen for the first time on the night, putting an end to Cam Flukey’s night. It will be left-hander Dominick Carbone to pitch the bottom of the seventh inning for the Chanticleers, with 8-9-1 coming up for LSU.
Carbone is 6-0 on the season with a 2.48 ERA with 50 strikeouts.
LSU fails to score runner in scoring position
The Tigers are unable to bring Steven Milam home from third, as Ty Dooley fires a strike to first to retire Chris Stanfield for the third out of the inning. A real smooth play there by Dooley at shortstop to keep it at 1-0 LSU going into the seventh.
LSU is now 1 for 3 with runners in scoring position on the night, leaving six runners on base.
LSU has runners on the corners in sixth
Luis Hernandez places a hanging breaking ball into the left-center gap for a two-out single to put runners on the corner for LSU, as Steven Milam goes from first to third on the play. Big spot here for the Tigers to break this game open.
Kade Anderson cruising through six inning
It took an inning (or two), but Kade Anderson is dealing for LSU on the mound as he retires Coastal Carolina 1-2-3 in the top of the sixth. He is at 92 total pitches through six innings with six strikeouts.
Derek Curiel fought off the sun and made a smooth catch in left field to take away an extra-base hit from Coastal Carolina for the third out.
LSU retired in order in fifth
It’s an efficient fifth inning for Cam Flukey, as the Coastal Carolina right-hander tosses his first 1-2-3 inning of the night.
Flukey has settled in very nicely into this one after giving up an RBI single to Steven Milam in the bottom of the first inning. He is now up to eight strikeouts on the night while allowing just three hits (one extra-base hit) and a walk.
Coastal Carolina strands runner in fifth
Blake Barthol puts a good swing on a 2-2 pitch from Kade Anderson, but it falls just short of the wall on the warning track for the third out of the inning. Coastal Carolina has continued to work at-bats against Anderson throughout the night but hasn’t been able to knock through yet.
LSU leads Coastal Carolina after four innings
A pitcher’s duel between LSU’s Kade Anderson and Coastal Carolina’s Cam Flukey has broken out in Omaha, as it remains 1-0 LSU going into the top of the fifth. Both teams’ pitchers have combined for 12 strikeouts through 24 total outs thus far on the night.
LSU left a runner on first in the bottom of the fourth, its fourth runner left on base thus far tonight.
Kade Anderson strikes out side
For the third time on the night, Kade Anderson ends an inning with a strikeout. A real nice pitching sequence by Anderson, who strikes out the side with back-to-back-to-back punch outs after giving up a lead-off double to Blagen Pado.
Anderson now has six strikeouts in his first four innings.
LSU strands runner on third
Cameron Flukey gets himself out of the jam in the bottom of the third by getting Jake Brown looking for the third out of the inning. LSU leaves Steven Milam at third after the Tigers’ shortstop hit a two-out double off the top of the right field fence and then advanced to third on a passed ball.
Flukey has four strikeouts through the first three innings. It’s 1-0 LSU going into the fourth inning in Omaha.
Caden Bodine makes behind the shoulder play
Caden Bodine helps out Cameron Flukey with an impressive behind-the-shoulder catch in foul territory to keep Walker Mitchell off the bases. There are two outs in the bottom of the third.
Sebastian Alexander thrown out at third for final out
Sebastian Alexander tries to take third base against Kade Anderson, but the Chanticleers’ left fielder goes past the base on the slide and is tagged out by Michael Braswell for the third out of the inning.
A costly base-running mistake by Alexander keeps Coastal Carolina off the board for another inning. It’s 1-0 LSU going into the bottom of the third.
Coastal Carolina puts first two runners on base in third
It’s back-to-back runners on base to start the top of the third for Coastal Carolina, as Sebastian Alexander follows up a hit-by-pitch to Caden Bodine with a single into right field.
A prime opportunity to score is starting to present itself for the Chanticleers, who have had a runner on each of the last two innings.
Kade Anderson gets Wells Sykes to chase
Kade Anderson lets the high fastball fly on a 1-2 pitch against Wells Sykes, and it works as Sykes chases it for the third out of the inning. Anderson’s second strikeout of the night gets him out of a brief jam with a runner on first.
It’s back-to-back scoreless innings for Anderson, but he’s struggled with his command, as he has already matched his season high for walks in a single game at three.
Coastal Carolina facing first deficit in Omaha
A 1-0 lead for LSU in the top of the second marks Coastal Carolina’s first deficit in any inning at the College World Series this year. Coastal Carolina entered the night leading all eight teams that made the CWS with 24 runs scored.
Steven Milam gives LSU a 1-0 lead
Steven Milam continues to deliver big hits for LSU in the postseason, this time a single up the middle that scores Derek Curiel from second. It’s the 13th RBI of the postseason for Milam. Great piece of hitting by Milam as he made Flukey pay for a pitch in the middle and the lead-off walk to Curiel.
Kade Anderson throws scoreless first inning
It’s a scoreless top of the first for Kade Anderson despite giving up two walks. After losing a 3-2 count to Walker Mitchell, the LSU southpaw responded by getting Blagen Pado to chase for the third out of the inning.
Though it left two runners on base, Coastal Carolina gets a moral victory in the inning as Anderson had to throw 20+ pitches in the inning.
Coastal Carolina threatening in first inning
Walker Mitchell works a two-out walk in the top of the first against Kade Anderson to put runners on first and second for Coastal Carolina. It’s a 22-pitch top of the first thus far for Anderson, which is the most pitches in a single inning during the NCAA baseball tournament this year.
College World Series championship underway
Game 1 of the 2025 College World Series championship series is underway, as Kade Anderson gets Cade Bodine to ground out to third for the first out. LSU is searching for its second national championship in three years, while Coastal Carolina is looking for its first since winning it all in its first go-around in the CWS in 2016.
Noted by the ESPN broadcast, the winner of Game 1 of the CWS championship series has gone on to win the national championship 62% of the time.
Pregame
LSU starting lineup vs. Coastal Carolina
Jake Brown returns to the LSU starting lineup with a right-hander on the mound, while Michael Braswell is in the No. 9 hole. Here’s the full starting lineup for LSU in Game 1 of the College World Series championship series on June 21:
LF Derek Curiel
DH Ethan Frey
SS Steven Milam
RF Jake Brown
1B Jared Jones
C Luis Hernandez
CF Chris Stanfield
2B Daniel Dickinson
3B Michael Braswell
Left-hander Kade Anderson is starting on the mound for the Tigers.
Coastal Carolina starting lineup vs. LSU
Here’s the starting lineup for Coastal Carolina in Game 1 of the College World Series championship series on June 21:
C Caden Bodine
LF Sebastian Alexander
2B Blake Barthol
3B Walker Mitchell
RF Blagen Pado
1B Colby Thorndyke
DH Dean Mihos
SS Ty Dooley
CF Wells Skyes
Right-hander Cameron Flukey is starting on the mound for the Chanticleers.
Coastal Carolina baseball starting pitcher
On the bump for Coastal Carolina in Game 1 of the College World Series championship series vs. LSU will be sophomore right-hander Cameron Flukey.
The native of Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey hasn’t pitched in Omaha since the Chanticleers’ opening win vs. Arizona, when he threw four innings out of the bullpen. In that outing, Flukey struck out three while giving up two runs on two hits.
Flukey enters Game 1 with a 7-1 record and a 3.29 ERA.
LSU baseball starting pitcher
LSU will hand the ball to its ace, junior left-hander Kade Anderson, for Game 1 of the College World Series championship series against Coastal Carolina.
Anderson is 11-1 on the season with a 3.44 ERA in 18 starts this season. He threw seven innings of one-run ball in LSU’s CWS opening win vs. Arkansas on June 14, striking out seven while allowing just three hits.
The Tigers’ southpaw is projected to be taken in the top five of the 2025 MLB Draft by several draft analysts. USA TODAY’s Gabe Lacques has Anderson going No. 5 overall to the St. Louis Cardinals.
College World Series weather
While there is no rain in the forecast for Game 1 of the College World Series championship series, Mother Nature is still giving LSU and Coastal Carolina some challenging weather conditions to battle. As noted by AccuWeather, the temperature at first pitch is expected to be 98 degrees with a real feel of 96 degrees in Omaha. Additionally, wind gusts are expected to be at 44 mph.
When was the last time Coastal Carolina baseball lost?
Coastal Carolina enters Game 1 of the College World Series championship series vs. LSU riding a 26-game win streak. This means that the Chanticleers have not lost a game since April 22, which came during a non-conference road game at the College of Charleston.
The Chanticleers’ win streak is the nation’s longest active winning streak, and the third-longest win streak in NCAA baseball history.
How many games is the College World Series?
The College World Series is a best-of-three championship series, meaning that LSU or Coastal Carolina has to win two games to be crowned the national champion.
If a team drops Game 1 of the CWS championship series, that team must win Game 2 to win a national championship in the “if necessary” Game 3. If a team wins Game 1 of the CWS championship series, the earliest that team can win a national championship is with a win in Game 2.
Coastal Carolina location
Noted by USA TODAY, Coastal Carolina University is located in Conway, South Carolina. Per the university’s website, the Chanticleers’ campus in Conway is located approximately nine miles from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Click here to read more about Coastal Carolina’s location and more.
College World Series national championship odds
Per the latest odds on BetMGM, LSU is favored to win the College World Series over Coastal Carolina. Entering Game 1 of the CWS finals, LSU has -165 odds, compared to Coastal Carolina’s +140 odds.
What time does Coastal Carolina vs LSU baseball start?
Date: June 21
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Where: Charles Schwab Field Omaha (Omaha, Neb.)
Coastal Carolina and LSU baseball are scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET first pitch at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska in Game 1 of the College World Series championship series on June 21.
What TV channel is Coastal Carolina vs LSU baseball on today?
TV channel: ESPN
Streaming options: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)
ESPN will televise Game 1 of the CWS championship series between Coastal Carolina and LSU. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and ESPN+, ESPN’s subscription streaming service. Another option is Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Watch Coastal Carolina vs. LSU baseball live with Fubo (free trial)
Coastal Carolina vs LSU baseball predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of June 19
Spread: LSU -1.5
Over/under: 8.5
Moneyline: LSU (-165) | Coastal Carolina (+130)
College World Series 2025 tickets
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College World Series schedule
The eight-team, double-elimination College World Series began on June 13 at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska. Both Coastal Carolina and LSU won their respective CWS semifinal games on June 18, meaning the ‘if necessary’ CWS semifinal games on June 19 weren’t needed.
The best-of-three CWS championship series starts on June 21 and continues through either June 22 or June 23, depending on if the series advances to the ‘if necessary’ Game 3 or not.
Here’s a full look at the 2025 CWS schedule:
Friday, June 13
Game 1: (13) Coastal Carolina 7, Arizona 4
Game 2: (8) Oregon State 4, Louisville 3
Saturday, June 14
Game 3: (15) UCLA 6, Murray State 4
Game 4:(6) LSU 4, (3) Arkansas 1
Sunday, June 15
Game 5: Louisville 8, Arizona 3 (Arizona Eliminated)
Game 6: (13) Coastal Carolina 6, (8) Oregon State 2
Monday, June 16
Game 7: (3) Arkansas 3, Murray State 0 (Murray State Eliminated)
Game 8: (6) LSU 9, (15) UCLA 5
Tuesday, June 17
Game 9: Louisville 7, (8) Oregon State 6 (Oregon State Eliminated)
Game 10:(3) Arkansas 7, (15) UCLA 3 (UCLA Eliminated)
Wednesday, June 18
Game 11 (Semifinals): (13) Coastal Carolina 11, Louisville 3 (Louisville Eliminated)
Game 12 (Semifinals): (6) LSU 6, (3) Arkansas 5 (Arkansas Eliminated)
CWS Finals
Game 1 (June 21): (13) Coastal Carolina vs. (6) LSU | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)
Game 2 (June 22): (6) LSU vs. (13) Coastal Carolina | 2:30 p.m. | ABC (Fubo)
Game 3 (June 23) (If Necessary): (13) Coastal Carolina vs. (6) LSU | 7 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo)