Jay Johnson credits LSU fans for creating environment in Regional round of NCAA Tournament

After losing the first game of the Baton Rouge Regional final, LSU redeemed itself on Monday with a 10-6 win over Little Rock to advance to the Super Regionals. After the game, LSU head coach Jay Johnson praised the Tigers fans who cheered their team to victory.

“That environment tonight was special. Like, maybe the Super Regional a couple years ago. I don’t ever remember it like that,” Johnson said. “It’s been great. That was like another bar. And the thing I’m the most grateful for is maybe in those nervous moments for them, I felt like they really lifted the team.

“Baseball is not a game to be played — designed to be played perfectly all the time. And the fans here, they love LSU no matter what. But this is the easiest group of guys to get behind in the entire world because you have Casan Evans, Ethan Frey, Luis Hernandez, and that’s the character of the team. But the fans were outstanding tonight.”

LSU had just under 12,000 fans in attendance for the game, according to LSU athletics’ official website. The Tigers put on a show worth the price of admission.

After falling behind 5-1 in the second inning, LSU climbed back to take a one-run lead in the seventh inning. From there, the Tigers slowly piled on their lead, eventually rattling off three runs in the top of the ninth inning to put the game out of reach.

Nobody outshined LSU junior Ethan Frey, who recorded four hits in the win, including two doubles and a home run. On defense, LSU pitcher Casan Evans manned the mound for six innings, tallying 12 strikeouts while only giving up four hits. Jay Johnson couldn’t have been prouder of his players’ performances.

“I’ve said this before maybe in reference to them, but this is what an LSU baseball player is supposed to be and needs to be in all phases,” Johnson said. “You look at the offensive performance by Ethan [Frey], that’s arguably the best game I’ve ever seen any one of my players ever play, considering the situation.

“… There haven’t been very many better performances on that pitching mound in championship games than what you saw from Casan. Super proud of these guys, couldn’t be more excited to dive into Super Regional week and get ready for West Virginia.”

LSU will square off against West Virginia in Game 1 of the Baton Rouge Super Regional on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET. The game will air live on ESPN.