Bossier City’s Travinski Leaves LSU as a Legend

The 2024 LSU Baseball season has come to an end. The Tigers valiantly pushed their season to an elimination game against North Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, but ended up falling 4-3 in extra innings. It was an ending that many fans didn't see coming at the halfway point in the year.

The Tigers ended their year with a 43-23 record, with some calling it a National Championship hangover. After winning last year's championship, this year's LSU squad opened the year ranked #2 in the nation. But early losses to teams like Stony Brook, Xavier (OH), and Southern were red flags for some onlookers. The team also found struggles inside the SEC, which had some wondering if LSU could do anything in the SEC Tournament, or even make the NCAA Tournament.

But there was a strong undercurrent of veteran leadership on this team, and when the pressure mounted, it shined bright. Especially from a Bossier City native.

Former Airline High School star Hayden Travinski was an important cog in the LSU National Championship machine. He could have taken his talents to the MLB Draft last year, but decided to come back for another year in Baton Rouge.

For LSU Coach Jay Johnson, that was a big plus. Johnson told WAFB-TV that Travinksi is "...one of the best hitters in the country”.

After helping LSU capture a National Championship in 2023, Travinski came out swinging in 2024. He bashed 16 home runs, with 53 RBIs, and 13 doubles on the season. His average was down a bit, from .356 in 2023 to .271 in 2024, but increased every other stat line on the season.

His work in 2023 will keep him on the minds of LSU Baseball fans for a long time. He became an LSU legend down the stretch as he took over the starting catcher role. As LSU was pushing through the end of the SEC schedule, Travinski hit a home run in all of LSU's final 5 SEC series matchups, including a pair of home runs against Georgia.

He made 23 starts to end the season, which carried into post-season Tournament play. Travinski hit .538 in the SEC Tournament, which included a 4 hit game against Arkansas.

Once he blasted into the NCAA Tournament, he got even hotter. Travinski was named to the All-Tournament team in the opening Regional series after hitting .429 with two home runs and 5 RBIs.

Travinski became a fan-favorite with his notable look during tournament play. His facial hair became a logo that was celebrated by LSU fans across the country. Hats and shirts with his facial hair facsimile were spotted all over tournament broadcasts, and fans could be spotted wearing them everywhere from grocery stores to school graduations.

Even though his final season in Baton Rouge didn't end with a National Championship, Travinski did earn one during his career. He became a fan-favorite, and will be remembered as a baseball legend with the Tigers. But maybe the most important thing about Travinski's LSU career is that he graduated with a degree in Sports Administration in 2023.