 Photo By; LSU sports.net Da Boot Sports 6/22/2023 By: Jason Watson Jr. OMAHA, NE- I believe Survivor said it best with “It’s the eye of the tiger/ It’s the thrill of the fight/ Rising up to the challenge of our rival.” LSU has defeated Wake Forest in a 2-0 shutout ballgame with a walkoff homer, sending the Demon Deacons packing. The Tigers have now battled back to win three straight elimination games to advance to the College World Series finals, setting up a 2017 championship rematch against conference foe, Florida. "Couple of things. Sorry for the delay. It's one of the greatest moments in my life, honestly, number one. Number two, couldn't be more proud of our team." Jay Johnson said. "I think that exemplifies the talent on this roster, but more importantly, the character and the people. And as I look to my left, I just see three great players that are better people than they are players. The best pitched college baseball game I've ever seen from both sides. Obviously what Paul did was spectacular. What Thatcher did was spectacular. You might see four pitchers that were on that mound tonight from both teams that will pitch in Major League Baseball All-Star Games.nAnd hat tip to Coach Walter and Wake Forest. We just slayed a giant tonight. And that was special. And, lastly, look to my left, if you're one of the best players in the transfer portal, there's only one place to come. Last summer I spent a lot of time with these young men, and I think they would tell you they made the right choice. I'd want to join forces with them if they're out there." Ace pitcher Paul Skenes became the SEC single season strikeout king when he tossed his 203rd K in the top of the 2nd inning. Skenes passes former Tiger legend Ben McDonald for the crown. Solid defense and elite pitching were the story of the game with both teams being held scoreless inning after inning. With hits limited and strikeouts aplenty, it certainly seemed as if bullpens would become an x-factor in the contest. The first four stanzas were quiet with minimal offensive action. Things got interesting later into the game, until one squad prevailed and conquered. In the top of the 5th, shortstop Justin Johnson drove a one out double to deep right field for Wake Forest. Brayden Jobert was able to corral it before Johnson rounded towards third base. As the next two batters grounded out, LSU kept it a goose egg affair, stranding one in scoring position. Now in the bottom of the 6th inning, third baseman Tommy White delivered a two out double in response giving the Tigers a threat on the bases. Tre’ Morgan came up and smacked the first pitch he saw toward the gap in left field, but an athletic snag in the air made by Wake’s Brock Wilken was enough to retire the side. The Demon Deacons had the scare of the night in the top of the 8th inning with a runner galloping home from third. After Paul Skenes allowed a lead off walk to Johnson, the runner advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. It looked as if the Tigers were going to pick up out number two of the inning on a strikeout from Jack Winnay, (playing for injured Nick Kurtz) but the first ball to reach the backstop all game allowed Winnay to reach safely at first. Johnson moved to third on the Tiger mistake. The Deacs tried again with a squeeze bunt in order to bring the runner home, but defensive master, Tre’ Morgan, came charging in from first base and was able to flip the ball to catcher, Alex Milazzo, just in time for the tag to be applied. The outstanding prowess from Morgan preserved a zero-all score and kept Tiger fans’ hopes alive. A line out caught by left fielder, Josh Pearson, ended the inning. Wake Forest stranded two more baserunners. The Demon Deacons began the bottom of the 8th with a new pitcher on the mound. Cole Roland came up in relief of Rhett Lowder whose night ended with six K’s, two walks, and only three hits given up in seven full innings. Roland walked the lead off Pearson and provided an out on a SAC bunt before being pulled for Michael Massey who would come in and earn a huge strikeout of Dylan Crews. After intentionally walking Tommy White, putting runners on first and second, Wake Forest was able to retire the side with a flyout from Morgan. A pitching change from LSU put Thatcher Hurd on the bump for the Tigers to begin the 9th inning. Paul Skenes was pulled after finishing with nine strikeouts, one walk, and only having given up two hits in eight innings of work. Two Deacon flyouts and a ground out resulted in a quick 1-2-3 frame from Hurd as the game turned to the bottom of regulation. A lot of the same offensively speaking came from the Tigers’ middle lineup. A Dugas strikeout, Beloso pop out, and Jobert strikeout would send the game to extras. A true pitcher’s duel in Omaha. A quiet 10th inning had no hits nor baserunners from either team as the arms race continued into the 11th. LSU escaped the top half of the inning still scoreless although the Deacons left runners on first and second base. Tigers’ top of the order would come to lead off and potential first overall pick in next month’s MLB draft, Dylan Crews, looking for a momentum shift. Facing a 1-2 count, Crews took a pitch out to left field for a single and put the winning run on base. Wake Forest opted for a pitching change bringing in Camden Minacci for Massey. Tommy “Tanks” White stepped up to the plate and got a pitch to hit… and boy did he ever! On a first pitch hanging breaking ball, White drove it out to left earning the first and only runs of the game in walk-off fashion. A two run homerun, ending Wake’s season as the Tigers live to fight another day. Final score 2-0, LSU. The Bayou Bengals will win out of Bracket 2 setting up a best-of-three series with Florida this weekend. Game 1 will be played at 6:00pm CST Saturday evening. GEAUX TIGERS! CHAMPIONSHIP BOUND! *John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior) A huge Thank You to Cardio Health Solutions owned by Ron Sancho for sponsoring our publication!
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