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In the third elimination game of the College World Series, LSU sent Florida State packing after defeating the Seminoles 7-4, Wednesday evening. LSU’s victory sets up a rematch between the LSU Tigers and the Oregon State Beavers. The first game didn’t go so well for the Tigers as the Beavers ran away with a 13-1 victory, but LSU bounced back nicely against Florida State and will be looking for revenge.
LSU improved their record to (2-1) in the CWS but will need to beat Oregon State (2-0) consecutively, in order to advance to the championship series facing the winner of bracket No. 2.
In tonight’s game, LSU went with starting pitcher Jared Poche. The senior lefty was fantastic through 8 innings until running into trouble in the 9th and giving up back-to-back home runs. Regardless, Poche earned the win and Zack Hess came in and closed it out.
.@LSUbaseball’s Zack Hess throwing some serious gas in the ninth. Just got a K on a 97 mph fastball. Sitting 96-97 with that pitch.
— Kendall Rogers (@KendallRogersD1) June 22, 2017
When the Tigers faced Oregon State on Monday they used eight different pitchers. Things went south when starting pitcher Eric Walker was removed from the game after experiencing pain in his forearm. After the game it was announced that his season was over and he would meet with an orthopedic doctor and receive an MRI once he returns to Baton Rouge. Read more about Eric Walker’s injury here.
That leaves LSU down a starting pitcher and with Jared Poche going deep against Florida State he is unlikely to see the field against the Beavers. The Tigers will turn to Alex Lange (9-5, 3.08 ERA in 117 innings) on Friday to keep their College World Series hopes alive and should they beat the Beavers, they will likely go with Caleb Gilbert (6-1, 2.42 ERA in 48.1 innings) in the decisive game three.
Oregon State on the other hand has enjoyed a nice few days of rest and will go with either Jake Thompson or Drew Rasmussen on Friday. If the Beavers lose, I’m assuming whoever doesn’t start Friday will start the next game.
The Beavers are in the drivers seat as they try to reach the College World Series Finals. They will need to beat LSU once over the next two games to advance, but have most of their pitchers available and their offense has been patient and lethal in the CWS so far. The rematch is scheduled to get underway Friday at 12:05 PM PT (3:05 PM ET). The game will be broadcast on ESPN and WatchESPN.