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Josh Pearson opens up on trust LSU has with each other

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•06/06/23•

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Photo by Wesley Hitt | Getty Images

LSU took care of business at the Baton Rouge Regional. The relationship LSU outfielder Josh Pearson has with his teammates was a big reason why.

“It’s everything. I mean, this year has been the most fun I’ve had my whole entire life playing baseball,” Pearson said following LSU’s 13-7 win over Oregon State to advance to the super regional.

It’s not a surprise is Pearson is having fun. The 5-foot-10 sophomore was pivotal in LSU’s three wins in the NCAA Tournament. In the contests, Pearson recorded a combined five RBIs along with just his second home run of the season.

Pearson has no shortage of mentors to learn from on the talented LSU squad. Dylan Crews sits at the top of that extensive list. The junior outfielder is batting a ridiculous .426 this season, the third-highest in the nation.

LSU catcher Hayden Travinski is another trailblazer for Pearson. The redshirt junior has 10 home runs this season while batting .427. Pearson isn’t letting the special situation escape his understanding.

“If Hayden’s up to bat, I know he’ll do whatever he can to help the team win, the same thing for Dylan, everybody in the lineup or on the bench, everybody wants to do the same thing, it’s to go to Omaha and win a national championship.”

It’s been 14 years since the Tigers have brought a national title home to Baton Rouge. LSU defeated Oklahoma in 2009 to claim the special prize. Nevertheless, Louisiana natives like Pearson have dreamed their whole lives of restoring the Tigers honor.

Before Peason can think too far ahead, he must focus on the task in front of him: the Kentucky Wildcats. LSU will square off against UK in a best-of-three series in the Baton Rouge Super Regionals, beginning on June 10.

Luckily for LSU, history is on its side. The Tigers went 2-1 against Kentucky in the regular season, dropping 33 runs against the Cats through three contests. While LSU defeated the Cats last time they met, LSU head coach Jay Johnson knows the Tigers must be at their best.

“Really good identity and they play to that well,” Johnson said in April. “They bunt as well as any team I’ve seen since I’ve been here at LSU. They do a good job with the running game, so we’ll have to control that, which we have been very good at this year – handling the bunt and being tough to steal on with our pitchers being quick to the plate and the catcher’s throwing well.”