LSU’s Chase Shores returns from injury to lead Tigers in Super Regional

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Legacy grad Chase Shores had visions of playing pressure-packed baseball games in June when he signed with national power LSU back in high school.

Those dreams have come to fruition as Shores and his No. 6 national seed Tigers (46-15) host West Virginia (44-14) in the best-of-three Baton Rouge Super Regional Saturday through Monday at Skip Bertman Field in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Game 1 is at 1 p.m. CDT Saturday on ESPN; Game 2 is at 5 p.m. CDT Sunday on ESPN 2. If needed, Game 3 will be played at a time to be determined on Monday.

The winner advances to the College World Series, June 13-23 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Shores, a 6-foot-8, 252-pound redshirt sophomore, is enjoying the 2025 postseason even more because he didn’t pitch in the postseason during LSU’s run to the 2023 national championship and he missed the entire 2024 season because of Tommy John surgery on his right pitching elbow.

“It’s something I’ve always dreamed about, especially being hurt last year and the year before for postseason,” Shores said. “Just missing out on all those games, it kind of made me want to pitch these games a little more.”

Shores has been a key bullpen piece for the Tigers over the past month, allowing just five hits over his past 9 2/3 innings dating back to May 11.

Shores and LSU face a Mountaineers team that won the Big 12 regular season title and are known for its contact hitting and athleticism.

“You can’t take anybody lightly in college baseball,” Shores said. “They seem to have a pretty good team. It’s going to a fun competition. I think both teams are going to be ready to play. It’s going to be fun. I’m excited to see who comes out on top.”

Shores ranks as Baseball America’s 84th best prospect for July’s Major League Baseball amateur draft, which would slot him into the early third round.

The right-handed hurler showed why he’s so highly regarded when he threw a pair of fastballs clocked at 102 mph during a SEC Tournament game against Ole Miss on May 24.

It was also a reminder for Shores that he has recovered physically from his ulnar collateral ligament tear that was surgically repaired on April 19, 2023.

“That was crazy to see that number,” Shores said of 102. “I never would have thought in my life that I would have thrown that hard, so that was pretty cool to see.”

Shores’ first season back from surgery has had its ups and downs as he has tried to regain the command and feel of his pitches, while attacking heavy-hitting SEC lineups.

He began the season on fire, striking out 13 batters and allowing only one run on six hits over his first 10 innings, which covered two starts.

Shores went through a bumpy stretch where he struggled in four of five starts in SEC play, which led to him being assigned to the bullpen in mid-April.

“It’s probably been the biggest test of my baseball career so far,” Shores said. “The season hasn’t been everything I have wanted it to be, but I’m just thankful to just be back out there, just to have the chance to play again has been great. First season back, trying to start in the SEC, that’s a tough place to come back from an injury from. Ultimately, me going through those struggles and trying to work back in the SEC is only going to make me better.”

“Every time you’re coming back from an injury, it’s always going to be tough,” Shores added. “Coach (Jay) Johnson, he told me before the season that I was going to get better throughout the season because injuries take time. The more reps you get, the more comfortable you’re going to be up there. The more confident you’re going to be out there. I think that’s all led up to my recent success.”

Shores recently went through a stretch of throwing eight consecutive scoreless innings out of the LSU bullpen before it was snapped in the Regional against Arkansas-Little Rock.

Shores has embraced throwing out of the bullpen.

“Coach Johnson always tells us to own our role whatever that may be,” Shores said. “When they decided the bullpen was the right fit for me, I just decided to own my role and show up and work extra hard every day to perform for my team.”

Shores is one of many talented arms on an LSU pitching staff, which includes projected first round pick Kade Anderson and potential top 40 pick Anthony Eyanson.

That talented pitching staff, which includes freshman sensation Casan Evans and his 1.90 ERA, is one of the reasons why the Tigers have a chance to make a run at their second national title in three years.

“I’ve been fortunate to play alongside some really good pitchers,” Shores said. “I am fortunate to be a part of a really good pitching staff on this year’s team. Even though they are really good and you can learn a lot from them, I feel like I am creating lifelong friendships along the way, too. I think that’s what makes this year’s team a little more special. I feel like me and all the guys are really close. We’re just trying to help each other reach our full potential. I think that’s why we’re going to be a really good team.”