Tiger Triumph at Midnight: LSU Walks Off Against No. 1 Arkansas in Extra-Inning Thriller

May 10, 2025

By The Bayou Insider Sports Desk

In a game that stretched into the early hours of Saturday morning, LSU Baseball delivered one of the most dramatic wins of its 2024 season. The Tigers walked off against the No. 7th ranked Arkansas Razorbacks with a 5–4 victory in the 10th inning at Alex Box Stadium, capping a rain-delayed showdown with postseason intensity and unforgettable flair.

Originally scheduled for Friday evening, the game was delayed for over three hours due to severe weather in the Baton Rouge area. First pitch didn’t come until well after 9:30 p.m., and the contest didn’t conclude until 1:16 a.m.—but for LSU fans who stayed, the late night was more than worth it.

A Show-Stopping Finish

With the score tied at 4 in the bottom of the 10th inning, designated hitter Ethan Frey stepped to the plate with one out and a runner on third. First baseman Jared Jones had led off the frame with a clutch single, advanced on a wild pitch, and reached third on a ground ball. Frey lifted a fly ball to left-center field deep enough for Jones to tag and race home. He slid in just ahead of the throw, igniting a wild celebration and handing the Tigers a walk-off win against one of the top teams in the nation.

Key Players Shine for LSU

The win featured standout performances on both sides of the ball for LSU. Freshman pitcher Kade Anderson turned in a strong start, striking out 10 Arkansas batters across 5.2 innings and allowing just three runs on seven hits before exiting due to wrist discomfort.

Reliever Zac Cowan was equally critical, shutting down the Razorbacks across the final three innings and earning the win. Cowan allowed just two hits and struck out three to keep the Tigers in position for the dramatic finish.

Offensively, Frey proved to be the hero of the night. He went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the fourth inning and the game-winning sacrifice fly in the tenth. Jones, whose base-running set up the final play, continued his clutch hitting that has fueled LSU’s late-season momentum.

Razorbacks Come Up Short

Arkansas, who entered the weekend as the top-ranked team in the SEC and nation, did not go quietly. Freshman lefty Zach Root pitched six strong innings, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out six. Reliever Gabe Gaeckle took the loss despite a solid outing in relief, pitching over three innings and recording five strikeouts.

Offensively, Arkansas got solo home runs from Cam Kozeal and Kuhio Aloy, while Justin Thomas Jr. led the team at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance.

Standings and Implications

The victory improves LSU’s overall record to 39–11 and brings their SEC mark to 16–9, narrowing the gap between the Tigers and the Razorbacks, who fall to 40–10 overall and 17–8 in conference play. The win keeps LSU in the hunt for a top seed in the SEC tournament and strengthens their case for a high national postseason seed.

Series Continues

LSU and Arkansas continue their highly anticipated series with Game 2 scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. CT, televised on SEC Network. The finale is set for Sunday at 3 p.m. CT.

Fans Rewarded for Their Patience

Despite the late hour, Tiger fans created a postseason-like atmosphere at Alex Box Stadium. The crowd remained loud and engaged deep into the night, and their patience was rewarded with one of the most electric moments of the season.

LSU head coach Jay Johnson praised his team’s resilience and the energy of the fans, calling the win “a defining moment” as the Tigers approach the final stretch of the regular season.

With clutch pitching, timely hitting, and the heart of a championship contender, LSU proved once again that they’re ready for the spotlight—no matter how late it shines.