LSU Takes Super Regional Opener Over West Virginia 16-9

The West Virginia Mountaineers fell to No. 6 LSU Tigers 16-9 in game one of the NCAA Super Regionals, putting them in a must-win position for the remaining games of the series. West Virginia struggled with pitching control throughout the game, with starter Griffin Kirn facing command issues and the bullpen unable to contain LSU's offense, leading to 16 runs allowed mostly in the middle innings. LSU's offense was explosive, highlighted by a three-run homer in the fourth, a grand slam in the fifth, and a second grand slam in the sixth inning, which quickly broke open the game. Despite West Virginia's offensive efforts, including multiple RBIs and home runs by their players, LSU's scoring outpaced them significantly. West Virginia players maintain a resilient outlook, focusing on competing and resetting for the next game despite the heavy loss. The series continues with game two scheduled, where West Virginia aims to bounce back and stay alive in the pursuit of their first College World Series appearance.