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The LSU baseball team won Game 1 of the College World Series national championship series over Coastal Carolina, 1-0. A late controversy sparked outrage amongst viewers.
The Tigers had hoped to land some insurance in the bottom of the seventh frame. Instead, infielder Daniel Dickinson was called out after being hit by a pitch.
Dickinson was the leadoff hitter in the inning with LSU looking to add to its 1-0 advantage. After running the count to 3-2, he appeared on his way to first base after being hit in the elbow by an inside delivery.
Whew
LSU’s Daniel Dickinson is called out after umpires reviewed this HBP.
Headquarters say he did it intentionally #CWS pic.twitter.com/jsGVqcAEgD
— Trey Wallace (@TreyWallace_) June 22, 2025
The batter made his way down the baseline before Coastal Carolina challenged the call. Umpires later overturned the call, saying Dickinson intentionally leaned into the pitch.
By rule, leaning into a pitch can result in an automatic strike.
A strike is awarded if the batter is judged to intentionally make a movement to be hit by a pitch, regardless of where the pitch is located.
-NCAA Rule 7-4-i
Daniel Dickinson was hit by a pitch that would’ve been ruled Ball 4. Rather than be punished for a mistake, Coastal Carolina was rewarded with a called third strike. Social media erupted after the fact.
“It makes no sense to call this pitch a strike,” wrote one viewer. “College baseball HAS TO change the rule,” said another.
The hit by pitch turned strikeout completely changed the outlook of the inning. Instead of having a runner on base with no one out, LSU was forced to rely on the bottom third of the order to spark a rally. The Tigers would be held scoreless.
Luckily, it didn’t impact the final result. Starting pitcher Kade Anderson finished out the last two frames to record a complete game shutout. LSU will look to win a college baseball national championship on Sunday.