When you’re hot, you’re hot.
LSU baseball’s Josh Pearson found his stride just in time. After managing only one hit through the first two days of the Chapel Hill Regional, the junior lefty exploded on Sunday when the Tigers needed him most. Facing the brink of elimination, Pearson delivered standout performances in both games, including a 13-6 comeback victory over No. 3 Wofford and a crucial 8-4 win over No. 1 North Carolina in the NCAA Regional bracket final.
Against the Tar Heels, Pearson smashed a two-run home run during his trip to the plate, marking his sixth RBI of the day. His offensive firepower helped propel the No. 2 Tigers to victory at Boshamer Stadium on Saturday night. The win forces an if-necessary game between LSU (43-22) and North Carolina (44-14) on Monday, with the game time yet to be determined.
LSU’s bats were electric on Sunday. After securing 21 hits against Wofford earlier in the day, the Tigers followed up with 11 hits and eight runs against North Carolina. Pearson was instrumental, driving in the first two runs and leading a lineup where five different LSU players batted in at least one run. Steven Milam recorded a team-high three hits, while six players had at least one hit. Pearson and Hayden Travinski each contributed with a pair of hits.
On the day, Pearson went 4-for-8 with two homers, two doubles, six RBIs, and five runs scored.
In a season-defining moment, LSU’s Opening Day starter, Thatcher Hurd, delivered his best performance when it mattered most. Despite not pitching more than two innings since March 24 and not surpassing five innings since March 17, Hurd stepped up to traverse 5⅔ frames, allowing two runs on six hits and striking out six. Impressively, his first hit allowed came in the fourth inning.
Hurd’s resurgence was pivotal. With LSU’s season hanging in the balance, he showcased electrifying fastballs and precise sliders, keeping North Carolina’s batters in check. The Tar Heels managed their first hit off Hurd with two outs in the fourth inning—a double by Parks Harber, followed by an RBI single from Anthony Donofrio.
Notably, three of North Carolina’s four runs came with two outs, but LSU’s pitching staff showed resilience. In the two other games against Wofford during the Chapel Hill Regional, the Tigers’ pitchers allowed no more than two two-out runs.
As LSU heads into the decisive Monday game, the Tigers hope to carry the momentum from Sunday’s victories. With Pearson’s hot bat and Hurd’s renewed form, LSU looks poised to continue their winning streak and advance further in the NCAA tournament.