LSU is one win away from a national title, and it'll be Thatcher Hurd taking the mound to start a pivotal Game 3 vs Florida.
The decision was made official about 3:30 p.m. Monday afternoon.
The Tigers took a 4-3 win in Game 1 on an 11th inning home run from Cade Beloso and 17-strikeout performance from Ty Floyd, but then fell victim to a record-setting offensive explosion in a 24-4 loss in Game 2.
The starting pitching announcement for the Tigers was the biggest news with the series set 1-1, and the question lingered on whether ace Paul Skenes would be available after throwing 120 pitches over 8 innings in a win against Wake Forest on Thursday. LSU head coach Jay Johnson wouldn't clarify Skenes' availability Sunday night and said it would be determined on Monday.
The decision to pitch Hurd still doesn't mean Skenes is unavailable, but he'd have to be coming out of the bullpen for the first time this season. That's the exact scenario former LSU star Ben McDonald sees playing out, which he detailed on social media ahead of Game 3.
"My guess ... Skenes will pitch tonight in relief in the most high-leverage situation of the game," he said, "and is good for 35-50 pitches."
Skenes is widely expected to be a top selection in the upcoming MLB draft.
Hurd, who transferred in from UCLA prior to the season, went 7-2 with 5.97 ERA over his 57.1 innings, along with 77 strikeouts. It will be Hurd's first start since May 24 in a 10-3 win over South Carolina at the SEC Tournament.
Hurd has seen extended action in three NCAA Tournament games, including a 5-inning performance in a 6-5 win over Oregon. Hurd's last two stints have come out of the bullpen, in each going 3 innings against Wake Forest.
Florida's two-way star Jac Caglianone will start for the Gators.
LSU should also have no limitations on key bullpen options like Riley Cooper and Griffin Herring, both of whom did not pitch during Sunday's blowout. Game 3 starts at 6 p.m. Catch all the action on WWL.
