LSU baseball stars look back on how they will remember the 2023 team

LSU baseball captured its seventh national title and the 2023 squad will look back fondly at this special team.

“It’s going to mean the world to me,” first baseman Cade Beloso said. “Leave LSU a national champion is something I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’ll remember playing with this guy and the two next to me.

“Every time we see each other you’re going to remember the national championship. You’ll remember hugging at the end. You’re not going to remember what happened each game along the way, like, this guy got a hit, this guy punched them out. We enjoyed being around each other every day.”

Beloso mentioned he didn’t want it to end.

“I’m sad it’s over,” he said. “We just won the national championship but I’m sad we’re not going to practice and play anymore. But, man, I’m going to look forward to those reunions for sure.”

Star outfielder and potential No. 1 overall pick Dylan Crews can’t wait for the LSU baseball reunion in ‘X’ amount of years.

“It’s going to be a fun reunion for sure,” Crews said. “It’s a struggle of mine as a kid to be where my feet are. I was always looking ahead, into the future. But when I stepped in the locker room this year and saw all the talent and all the group of guys that we had, I thought, it was my last year, it’s so important for me to be where my feet are and enjoy these moments.

“And to go out on top a national champion and to cap off my career, it’s just an unbelievable feeling.”

Thatcher Hurd, who got the start on the mound in Game 3, talked about how special LSU baseball was, considering the talent.

“The talent really speaks for itself,” Hurd said. “But the leadership and the chemistry in the clubhouse, I’ll forever cherish that. And that’s the blueprint for a winning team, the things — Cade Beloso, Gavin Dugas, Hayden Travinski, the veteran leaders were able to do it for us.

“As a transfer I didn’t know anyone coming in. Take me under the wing right away. Dylan leading by example. Jordan taking charge of the field. Paul Skenes leading the staff. That type of leadership is really special, and I’ll cherish that. And I’ve grown so much by playing with these three, playing for Coach, and Paul, and the list goes on. It’s just really special.”

Infielder Jordan Thompson said the final game of the year is what the team will be remembered for, but he’ll have more memories as he leaves LSU.

“I think everyone’s going to probably remember us because of this national championship,” Thompson said. “And I think for me the greatest honor I’ve had being at LSU and playing shortstop for three years is to be able to go to battle with these guys every single day — practice, workouts, early mornings, days where you’re tired but nobody cares. And those are things that you can’t trade for the world.

“And I just can’t be more blessed and grateful for the opportunity that we all had to be together and to be able to share this moment. It’s something that I’ll always remember.”