LSU baseball walks-off Wake Forest in instant classic to reach College World Series
OMAHA, Neb. — Tommy White transferred to LSU baseball for a fresh start.
He missed the NCAA Tournament as a freshman at NC State. He came to LSU to not just play in it but play for a national championship.
And thanks to one swing of the bat on Thursday at Charles Schwab Field, he'll get his chance.
With the score tied at zero in the 11th inning, White swung at the first pitch he saw and sent it into the stands, punching LSU's ticket to the College World Series 2023 final for a 2-0 win against Wake Forest.
The Demon Deacons had nearly scored the first run of the game in the eighth inning. Shortstop Marek Houston bunted with runners on the corners and one out, sending second baseman Justin Johnson home. But Tre Morgan charged the bunt and shoveled the ball over to Alex Milazzo who tagged Johnson out at the plate.
The Tigers then nearly broke through in the bottom of the inning, putting a runner at second with one out. But Dylan Crews struck out and Tre Morgan flew out to center field to end the inning.
LSU will face Florida on Saturday for Game 1 of the College World Series final (6 p.m., ESPN).
LSU baseball: Paul Skenes, what else is there to say
Once again, Paul Skenes was Paul Skenes on Thursday.
LSU's ace, on four days rest, threw eight shutout innings while striking out nine batters and allowing two hits.
He also broke Ben McDonald's LSU and SEC strikeout record in the second inning. Given how well Wake Forest starter Rhett Lowder was throwing on the other side, the Tigers needed every out Skenes was able to give them.
SKENES BREAKS THE RECORD: LSU baseball: Paul Skenes breaks Ben McDonald's single-season record for strikeouts at CWS
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LSU Tigers baseball: Offense struggles to work Rhett Lowder
While Skenes continued to deal for LSU, Wake Forest starter Rhett Lowder was doing the same.
And more efficiently.
Lowder, while allowing two hits, had only thrown 65 pitches through the first six innings. In comparison, Skenes had already thrown 103 pitches through seven.
Lowder also didn't surrender an extra-base hit until the sixth inning against arguably the best offense in college baseball and consistently filled the strike zone. By the end of his outing, Lowder had thrown seven shutout innings while striking out six batters and surrendering three hits.
Koki Riley covers LSU sports for The Daily Advertiser. Email him at kriley@theadvertiser.com and follow him on Twitter at @KokiRiley
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: LSU baseball walks-off Wake Forest to reach College World Series final
