NCAA Baseball Tournament Baton Rouge Regional Preview & Predictions
Last updated May 29, 2025
Alex Box Stadium will be buzzing from Friday through Monday as the Baton Rouge Regional begins on May 30. LSU, the No. 6 national seed at 43-14, draws Little Rock, while Dallas Baptist and Atlantic 10 champion Rhode Island square off in their tournament opener. The double-elimination format rewards depth on the mound and at the dish, two areas where the host Tigers look particularly strong, yet the underdogs all bring punchers’ chances and betting angles that merit a deep dive.
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Baton Rouge Regional Preview
LSU’s blend of SEC-tested power and premium strike-throwing will look to outperform a Dallas Baptist club that has a slugging percentage of .535. Rhode Island arrives at 38-20 with one of the nation’s most dynamic hitters in Anthony DePino and a bullpen that shortens games, while Little Rock, fresh off an Ohio Valley tournament title, looks to manufacture offense and throw veteran pitchers who won’t beat themselves.
LSU Team Preview
Head coach Jay Johnson’s club checks every box. At the plate, the Tigers slash .301/.412/.515 with 90 home runs in 57 games, producing 7.9 runs per contest. Slugging first-baseman Jared Jones (19 HR, 1.076 OPS) protects Tigers sensation Derek Curiel (.336 average, .455 OBP) and Daniel Dickinson (.332, 10 HR), forming a relentless trio.
On the bump, LSU leans on a pair of aces: Kade Anderson (8-1, 3.54 ERA, 145 K in 89 IP) and Anthony Eyanson (9-2, 2.77 ERA). The bullpen is anchored by Casan Evans (6 saves, 1.96 ERA) and Zac Cowan (6 saves, 2.38 ERA), giving Johnson multiple late-inning paths.
Rhode Island Team Preview
The Rhode Island Rams captured the Atlantic 10 crown behind a patient offense that led the league in walks (342) and stolen bases (125). Reece Moroney (.363 average) pairs with Anthony DePino, whose 19 homers and 1.243 OPS give the lineup genuine power. Rhode Island hits .309 overall and averages 9.1 runs per game.
On the mound, veteran lefty Trystan Levesque (8-1, 3.25 ERA) shows a plus change-up that neutralizes right-handed power, while closer Joe Sabbath sports a 1.09 WHIP and eight saves. Command wobbles behind the top end, but head coach Raphael Cerrato often masks that with aggressive infield shifts and outfield positioning.
Dallas Baptist Team Preview
No program in Conference USA scores with more flair than Dan Heefner’s Dallas Baptist Patriots. DBU (40-16) pummels fastballs, logging 97 homers and scores 8.6 runs per outing. Catcher Grant Jay (19 HR) headlines, but the line-up depth is what scares scouts. Nathan Humphreys owns a 1.152 OPS with 17 HR, and infielder Keaton Grady chips in a .438 OBP.
On the slab, Ryan Borberg is 8-4 with a 3.36 ERA, while strike-out artist James Ellwanger (13.73 K/9) is going to be tested against quality competition. DBU rarely gives extra outs. The only red flag is the quality of competition this team faced in conference play compared to LSU.
Little Rock Team Preview
The Little Rock Trojans (24-32) overcame a terrible start to win the OVC tournament and punch their ticket to this tournament. Their calling card is a grinder of an offense that posts a .363 team OBP despite a modest .271 average. Cooper Chaplain (.321, 12 SB) and Cade Martin (.309, 11 2B) spark rallies, while Ty Rhoades supplies pop with 8 HR.
On the hill, right-hander Jack Cline (8-5, 4.83 ERA) leans on a sweeping slider that keeps the ball on the ground. Jackson Wells provides swing-and-miss capabilities (90 K in 79 IP) but has yielded 7 HR. Overall staff ERA is 6.33, and their lack of high-end pitching could be a real problem against higher caliber opponents.
Betting Insights
Baton Rouge Regional Odds
- LSU –430
- Dallas Baptist +310
- Rhode Island +3100
- Little Rock +4000
Looking at these odds, LSU is a clear favorite to advance to the Super Regionals. But the NCAA baseball tournament is always full of surprises and the Tigers will have to earn their way to the next round.
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2025 Baton Rouge Regional Prediction
The path to Omaha usually demands elite starting pitching, a trustworthy late-inning plan, and sustainable offense. LSU checks all three boxes emphatically. Dallas Baptist covers two but lacks a second dependable starter. Rhode Island’s on-base percentage gives it live-dog status, though depth thins after their top options. And Little Rock must string zeroes together with their pitching to keep contests tight, which doesn't seem likely.
Expect the Tigers to dispatch Little Rock in Friday’s opener, then edge out DBU in a Saturday slugfest where Anderson’s strike-throwing blunts the Patriots’ pull-side aggression. DBU should survive the Sunday elimination game, but expending pitching there leaves it thin for the finale.
Final call: LSU advances, Dallas Baptist finishes 2-2, Rhode Island wins one game, and Little Rock bows out at 0-2.
