Can we do the College World Series all year? My goodness, this World Series has been absolutely, positively unbelievable and has been filled with so much drama.
But the Tigers are up 1-0 and are 1 win away from winning it all after a 4-3 extra innings win over Florida in a thriller.
Here’s our 5 takes from the game.
- CADE BELOSO … AGAIN – It’s a broken record. I have said it here so many times. Cade Beloso is a married man. He was ready to start his adult life and walk away from baseball. The coaching staff talked him into coming back and now, he’s writing chapters in the LSU history book that we will talk about for ages. God, I get frissons just typing this. I have a frog in my throat. This is why sports are incredible.
- DAD BODS FOR THE WIN – LSU got a game-tying home run from Tanks, a game-winning home run from Beloso and a game-clinching performance on the mound from Riley Cooper. All of those guys are part of the LSU big belly club. The dad bods came through HUGE for the Tigers on Saturday night.
- TY FLOYD … PERIOD – Ty Floyd did something we didn’t think possible in Game 1 of the Championship Series. He did something we’ve never even seen the Great Paul Skenes do. Knowing LSU needed length, Floyd was absolutely outstanding. He worked 8 innings, struck out 17 and was master class. Absolutely master class.
- MISSED OPPORTUNITIES – LSU should have won this game by more. The Tigers led 2-0 on Saturday. It could have just as easily been 5-0 or even more. This has been a problem for LSU all season. The Tigers get on base with the best of them. But hitting with runners in scoring position has been an issue. Got away with ti tonight. But a couple clutch knocks would be nice.
- IMBALANCED LINEUP – The bottom of the LSU batting order is a wasteland right now. The Tigers got 11 hits on Saturday. 10 of those 11 came in the 1-5 spots. Hitters 6-9 in the lineup were 1-for-21 at the plate. Jordan Thompson is buried in quicksand. Josh Pearson is stuck in the mud. Jobert has a hole in his bat. The Tigers likely won’t shuffle the deck after a win. But they need the bottom of the order to give them something.
- OMAHA IS TIGER COUNTRY – The College World Series Championship Series could have just as easily been played in Alex Box Stadium than in Omaha. That was an LSU home game. The Tigers have 90% of the fans out there. It was so bad that poor ESPN had to keep showing that same 1 woman and that same little boy over and over and over. Because they’re the only Florida fans in the damn stadium. The Jello Shots will fly tonight.
- FLORIDA MANAGED AN INTERESTING GAME – Florida did not throw their ace tonight. And I am not sure why. I guess the rationale is that they will preserve those arms for later in the series against LSU’s “B-List” arms. But boy, that is a risky move. And I’m not sure it’s the right way to handle business when you’re facing an excellent team and a huge crowd.
- SKENES NOW BACK IN PLAY – If there is a Game 3, you can bet your ass that Paul Skenes will contribute in some way. It may be for 40 pitches as a closer. It may be for 60-65 pitches and 3-4 innings as a starter. But on 3 days rest, he will get out there and he will give it all that he has.
- RILEY COOPER THROWS IT DOWN – Riley Cooper was a man again on Saturday. During the season, Cooper was … not a reliable option. Since postseason, he’s been absolutely filthy. He got into some trouble, but always got out. He was absolutely amazing.
- DON’T FORGET PEARSON’S CATCH – Josh Pearson made a game-saving catch in left that won the Tigers the game. Pearson couldn’t buy a hit right now. But we can’t forget that play. That one saved the game and can’t get overlooked.