The LSU Tigers clinched their eighth national title in program history by defeating Coastal Carolina 5-3 in a gritty championship game capped by a four-run burst in the fourth inning.
The win electrified LSU fans across the country and two of the program’s most famous recent alumni made sure to join in on the celebration.
Paul Skenes, the former LSU pitching sensation who now stars for the Pittsburgh Pirates, was able to follow the game thanks to a perfectly timed gap in his MLB schedule. Despite being busy in New York, Olivia Dunne also made time to cheer on the Tigers from afar. The couple took to social media to celebrate their alma mater’s win, much to the delight of fans.
“Tigz are just like that,” Dunne posted, capturing the mix of pride and swagger that has long defined LSU athletics.
Meanwhile, Skenes shared a screenshot commemorating the Tigers as national champions, showing he’s still every bit a part of the LSU baseball brotherhood that won it all just a year ago.
Fourth-inning surge secures LSU’s eighth College World Series title
The win was sealed by a huge fourth inning, with Chris Stanfield and Derek Curiel delivering clutch hits to push LSU ahead. Despite Coastal Carolina keeping it close in the late innings, the Tigers’ bullpen held firm, securing a hard-earned 5-3 victory and bringing the title back to Baton Rouge.
The championship adds another chapter to the Tigers‘ storied legacy in college baseball and comes just one year after Paul Skenes‘ unforgettable run through Omaha. Skenes was named the 2023 College World Series Most Outstanding Player for his dominant pitching performances that helped deliver LSU its seventh title. Now, the Tigers have added No. 8 and Skenes is watching proudly from the majors.
A new era for Dunne and Skenes
Dunne, one of the most recognizable faces in college sports and a leader in the NIL space, wrapped up her fifth and final year as an LSU gymnast earlier this year. Though she’s no longer competing, her allegiance to LSU remains as strong as ever. Her enthusiastic celebration online is a reminder that even from afar, she continues to elevate the university’s brand.
As for Skenes, his rise to MLB stardom has been fast and furious. The right-hander has quickly made a name for himself with the Pirates, showcasing the same velocity and command that made him a legend at Alex Box Stadium. But even with his pro career taking off, Skenes hasn’t forgotten his roots.
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