Jay Johnson after LSU loss: 'I have a broken heart'

LSU‘s magical season came to an end on Monday night, defeated by North Carolina 4-3 in extra innings of a winner-take-all Chapel Hill Regional final that advanced the Tar Heels to the Super Regionals and eliminated the defending national champions from the NCAA Tournament.

The Tigers did not look like the reigning national champions to start off the season, but rallied for what was one of the most impressive closing stretches to date in The Bayou. Ending the season with a 43-23 record after starting off SEC play 3-12 and winning 14 of their last 20 games on the year. As head coach Jay Johnson reflected on the memorable season following the loss.

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“We held the trophy last year and I am as equally proud of my team and our program today as I was that day,” Johnson said. “And where we were in the middle of SEC play to right now is one of the most gratifying coaching years of my entire life.”

“I love these guys: the achievement, the accomplishment, I mean that’s obviously what we’re here to do. Literally means nothing to me, I have a broken heart just simply because I wanted to go to practice Wednesday and I love these guys.”

After a strong finish to the regular season, LSU went on a postseason tear. Winning four straight games in the SEC Tournament as the No. 11 seed before falling to the nation’s top-ranked team Tennessee in the conference title game. Followed by a 3-1 start to the Chapel Hill Regional before falling to the Tar Heels on Monday.

Senior right-handed pitcher Will Hellmers had an outstanding outing on the mound for LSU after entering the game in the second inning. Seated next to Johnson in the postgame press conference after pitching 5.2 shutout innings where he allowed just two hits, two walks, and struck out four batters.

“This is special right here what this young man did tonight. He’s an elite pitcher, somebody should sign him. If anybody in professional baseball is paying attention they’ll sign Will Hellmers,” Johnson said. “But last year he wasn’t even on the roster in Omaha, but you’re allowed the 40-person deal and you can figure out who the first person I would put on there as an extra was Will because of what he means to our team and our program.”

Johnson’s love for his team was evident following the game with his emotions clearly moved, as he and the Tigers will look to move on from Monday’s tough loss this offseason and work towards the 2025 season.

“I’ll never forget this week the rest of my life and congratulations again to North Carolina, but broken heart tonight,” Johnson concluded.