College World Series: LSU, Florida fight for title in best-of-three final
The Southeastern Conference has proven its mettle in the metal bat world of collegiate baseball once again, as an all-SEC showdown looms in the College World Series best-of-three final.
Florida and LSU started the tournament as the No. 2 and No. 5 seeds, respectively, and navigated through a field of 64 teams to reach the championship series. But while the Gators and Tigers are both in the same conference, this will be the first meetings of the season as the teams were not on the regular-season schedule and missed each other in the SEC tournament.
Dating to 2009, an SEC squad has emerged victorious in Omaha in eight of those 12 tournaments. That will become nine of 13 in 2023 as either Florida or LSU will hoist the trophy this weekend. Perhaps even more impressively, six different schools, including the Gators and Tigers, have been responsible for those championships.
The league has been even more dominant in recent years, as this season’s champ will be the fifth SEC representative to prevail in the last six NCAA baseball tournaments contested, a streak interrupted only by Oregon State’s title in 2018 and the 2020 pandemic cancellation.
Florida well-rested for championship series
The Gators are in an advantageous position after winning their pool in the minimum number of three games and were sitting at home resting Thursday as LSU was fighting its way into the championship series.
Florida has its pitching rotation where it wants it with first-day starter Brandon Sproat ready to go in the opener Saturday and Hurston Waldrep waiting in the wings for the second game. That will be important against LSU's powerful offense that ranks in the top in scoring, home runs and on-base percentage.
The Gators, however, are not lacking in pop. They have find their home run stroke in Omaha, having mashed seven in their three games. The fact that all three of their previous contests were one-run decisions should insure there will be no complacency among the Gators’ players.
Top players: 1B/LHP Jac Caglianone (.336, 31 HR, 84 RBI, 7-3, 3.78 ERA); OF Wyatt Langford (.378, 18 HR, 48 RBI); SS Josh Rivera (.362, 17 HR, 68 RBI); RHP Hurston Waldrep (9-3, 4.15 ERA, 93.1 IP, 142 K).
LSU faces pitching challenge without its ace
LSU had to go through the loser's bracket in Omaha after a loss to Wake Forest in its second game. After beating SEC rival Tennessee, the Tigers then took two in a row from the Demon Deacons, including a walk-off home run by Tommy White in the 11th inning that earned their place in the championship round.
LSU coach Jay Johnson has told all who would listen that there’s more to his pitching staff than Paul Skenes. So far the Tigers’ other hurlers, particularly the relievers, have backed him up. Even so, it’s likely going to take more tight-rope acts to negotiate the Florida batting order.
Skenes threw 120 pitches over eight scoreless innings Thursday, making him likely only available for spot duty during the weekend or possibly a start on three-days rest if the final reaches a third game. Ty Floyd seems to be the obvious choice to start the first game, but he will need to pitch a solid game and eat innings to protect a bullpen that has been used after five games over seven days leading into the final.
Top players: CF Dylan Crews (.423, 18 HR, 69 RBI); 3B Tommy White (.370, 23 HR, 100 RBI); RHP Paul Skenes (13-2, 1.69 ERA, 122 2/3 IP, 208 K); RHP Ty Floyd (7-0, 4.45 ERA, 83 IP, 103 K).
Championship series schedule
Best two-of-three
Saturday, June 24
Game 1 - Florida vs. LSU, 7 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, June 25
Game 2 - Florida vs. LSU, 7 p.m., ESPN
Monday, June 26
Game 3 - Florida vs. LSU, if necessary, 7 p.m., ESPN
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College World Series championship schedule, scores: LSU-Florida
