LSU Athletics
By Hunt Palmer
OMAHA, Neb.— Anthony Eyanson grew up sitting in Jackie Robinson Stadium seats watching UCLA.
The junior right-hander was raised in Lakewood, CA., and made the 45-minute drive to watch the Bruins.
“I would honestly go a lot,” Eyanson said. “When I was a teenager, so like 13 or 14 years old, I would try to go frequently to watch those guys play.”
During Eyanson’s youth, UCLA was a force in the college baseball world. John Savage’s program finished runner-up in the 2010 College World Series, won the title in 2013 and won 52 games in 2019.
Eyanson’s head coach knows that all too well. Jay Johnson battled Savage and the Bruins for PAC-12 supremacy throughout Johnson’s six seasons at Arizona. Oregon State and Stanford certainly won their fair share of games, as well.
One word came to mind when Johnson was asked about Savage’s UCLA program.
“Pitching,” Johnson said. “You think about all the great big leaguers that they’ve had. Gerrit Cole, obviously, is the headliner. And there were guys after that. James Kaprielian, Adam Plutko, a guy named Grant Watson. I think around the time they won the national championship. And then just consistent. They’re going to play the game the right way.”
Plutko beat Aaron Nola and LSU in the 2013 College World Series opener.
This version of the Tigers will see the Bruins Monday night at 6:00 pm for control of Bracket 2. Johnson had his team working on bunt defense at practice on Sunday afternoon in preparation for a traditional West Coast style of offense he saw from Savage’s teams frequently over the years.
“They have a style of play that they’re very committed to and that they’re very good at,” Johnson said. “Little Rock is a very active team with those types of things. You saw that. West Virginia is certainly capable of doing it. So, it’s just kind of what we do. If you will, kind of like the football practice period red zone defense. Just to make sure we’re buttoned up and prepared.”
Johnson didn’t name Eyanson the starter, but all indications are that the nation’s No. 3 strikeout pitcher will get the ball. The southern California product said Sunday that he would be ready.
“Obviously a west coast style offense,” Eyanson said. “I’m pretty familiar with that playing my freshman and sophomore year (at UC-San Diego). They’re going to be good hitters, laying off pitches that are just outside of the zone. They’re going to be selective. I can expect more infield game from them, more short game.”
Thanks to Kade Anderson’s brilliance on Saturday night, every LSU arm is available to pitch against the Bruins.
The Tigers enjoyed a light workout on Sunday afternoon at the Omaha Mavericks’ facility. Spirits were high, and confidence levels are elevated.
“I think our confidence is through the roof right now,” said sophomore reliever Chase Shores. “We’ve been playing really well.”
Should the Tigers win Monday night, someone will have to come back and beat LSU Wednesday and Thursday to keep the Tigers out of the finals. A loss would force LSU, for the third time in as many visits, to win three games in three days to win the bracket.
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