Congrats to Florida on the single-game runs record, because LSU was more interested in walking away with a 7th NCAA title, with a dominating 18-4 victory in a winner-take-all Game 3 at the College World Series.
The game started with the pivotal question of Paul Skenes' availability that ultimately didn't matter. Thatcher Hurd drew the start and went 6 innings with 7 strikeouts, 2 hits and 2 runs allowed. Skenes was available and trotted out to the bullpen midway through the game. In the end he wasn't actually needed, and was seen sharing hugs in the dugout during the 9th inning with the game well in hand.
Johnson said the plan was to potentially bring Skenes in for 30 pitches late in the game, and even at 18-4 he was pleading to pitch the 9th.
"I’m like absolutely not. If they get within 5, we’ll get you up and throwing," Johnson said, far more open with information after all the games had been played.
Things started out well for the Gators, with starter Jac Caglianone plunking Cade Beloso in the back before mowing down Dylan Crews, Tommy White and Tre' Morgan. Florida surged ahead in the bottom of the inning, with a single from Cade Kurland followed by a missile home run from Wyatt Langford to left field, his third home run in two days.
But Florida couldn't keep that scoring pace up, even after a 24-run outburst on Sunday. Caglianone fell apart in the top of the 2nd, walking three batters and hitting Beloso again. Freshman Cade Fisher took over for Florida but couldn't stem the tide as six LSU runners came around to score, all charged to Caglianone. Two of LSU's runs in the game came on bases loaded walks, and another a bases loaded hit by pitch.
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Crews did his part with a leaping grab at the wall in the third inning to save a double. LSU plated another four runs in the 4th inning, though the final run was painful with Alex Milazzo injuring his left leg as he landed at home. LSU's catcher was given a standing ovation by the horde of Tigers fans in attendance and was replaced by Hayden Travinski. Milazzo was spotted back on the bench in the 5th inning wearing a walking boot.
“It’s such a great feeling," Crews said after the win. "I felt like almost every box was checked off except that national championship box, and we all knew this was going to be our last game here. To finally say that I’m a national champion is the greatest feeling in the world. I feel like all the boxes are checked off now, so that’s good.”
Crews had another special moment in the top of the 8th, legging out a triple before pointing to his ring finger like Joe Burrow and Angel Reese before him. Crews reached base in all 71 of LSU's games this season.
The biggest redemption story came in the form of Jordan Thompson, who went through epic struggles in Omaha and committed two key errors on Sunday. He got a vote of confidence from his head coach after the game, and the shortstop delivered with a pair of RBI singles, a sacrifice fly and several key outs in the field. There was a swell of crowd noise during his first plate appearance that did not go unnoticed.
"Yea, I did hear them. I thought that was pretty cool," Thompson said. "I think coming into the day, we all knew that this was going to be the last game of the season no matter if we won or lost. And we just really wanted to leave it all on the line and not give an inch. So I think not only for myself, but everyone just came out here ready to go."
Riley Cooper took handled the 7th inning, allowing a home run to Ty Evans that right fielder Brayden Jobert had his glove but popped out. The home run was Evans' 5th, a new CWS record. Gavin Guidry pitched the 8th, allowing another home run to Kurland.
The Tigers continued to pour it on in the 9th, not unlike Florida on Sunday, plating another 4 runs and also pushing their hit total to 24 to set another new College World Series record. Guidry finished out with a scoreless 9th to clinch a result that wasn't really in doubt.
The win puts a cherry on what was an ascendant season for LSU, featuring 54 wins and just 17 losses. There will now be a 7th title added to the "intimidator" billboard at Alex Box Stadium, and the first since 2009. The series win over Florida also avenges a loss in the title series in 2017. LSU had to take the same route both times, battling out of the loser's bracket with three consecutive wins in elimination games.
Next up for LSU will be a whole lot of celebrating, then what will certainly be a short wait at the upcoming MLB draft with Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews expected to be among the top picks.
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