Landon Hairston of Arizona State has electrified the 2026 college baseball season, batting .469 with 17 home runs and 48 RBIs in just 113 at-bats. The outfielder, compared to Barry Bonds by his coach, is on track to challenge single-season records, drawing national attention as a 2027 draft contender. Meanwhile, LSU’s preseason national champion hopes have crumbled, with the Tigers now unranked after a midseason slump.

Their struggles highlight the volatility of the early season, where even top-seeded teams like UCLA—on a 20-game winning streak—face unexpected challenges.