PREVIEW: LSU Set For Matchup vs UCLA in College World Series

(KNGT-FM) - After an opening round win over Arkansas on Saturday Night, the LSU Tigers now turn their focus to the UCLA Bruins. We've got everything you need to know about the matchup between the Tigers and Bruins on Monday Night.

LSU is looking to play the College World Series through the winners' bracket, something they didn't do when the Tigers won it all in '23. LSU coach Jay Johnson said he wants to go “through the winners’ bracket one time,” meaning stay undefeated for as long as possible. The winner of this game will only need one more win to make the College World Series finals; the loser will need three wins.

Sophomore lefty Kade Anderson set the tone for LSU in Game 1 with 7 strong innings against the Razorbacks as the Tigers cruised to a 4-1 win after the Tigers put up a 3-spot in the 2nd Inning.

Like LSU, the Bruins also won their CWS opener, beating Murray State 6-4. UCLA is back in Omaha for the first time since winning it all in 2013. Their offense is led by Big Ten Player of the Year Roch Cholowsky, who’s batting .362 with 23 home runs. UCLA hits .298 as a team and has a deep lineup with speed and power.

Sophomore Landon Stump will take the mound for UCLA. He’s 6-1 with a 4.54 ERA and will have his hands full against LSU’s lineup. UCLA's team ERA is 4.40, and they’ve struck out 502 batters this season.

LSU/UCLA - BY THE NUMBERS:

All-Time Series: LSU leads 3-2
Last Meeting: UCLA beat LSU 2-1 in 2013 CWS
LSU CWS Appearances: 20 (7 national titles)
UCLA CWS Appearances: First since 2013 title win

HOW TO WATCH & LISTEN:

TV: ESPN
Radio: LSU Sports Radio Network