Now or Never: Three Keys to LSU Baseball Taking Home a Title
The LSU Tigers continue their incredible run in Omaha after defeating the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Thursday to advance to the College World Series Finals.
On a night LSU fans will remember forever, Tommy White lifted a two-run homer in the bottom of the 11th inning to propel the Tigers to their first CWS Finals berth since 2017.
The next opponent: Florida. LSU will take on the Gators in a best-of-three series for a shot at bringing home a National Championship to Baton Rouge.
The Tigers are clicking on all cylinders. It’s been a meteoric rise from LSU’s bullpen as they continue to step up when the lights are brightest.
Here are three keys to Jay Johnson’s group taking home the title:
Utilize Offensive Depth
LSU has seen success at the top of their lineup, but struggles towards the bottom of their order continue to halt any immediate success.
With Hayden Travinski nursing a minor injury, Alex Milazzo has entered the starting lineup. We’ve seen the Louisiana native executive timely at-bats, but consistency will be key moving forward.
Along with Milazzo, shortstop Jordan Thompson must hit his stride. It’s been a struggle for the defensive wizard, but getting it done offensively will be important for this program to bring a title back to Baton Rouge.
LSU must get production from 1-9 over the next two (or three) days in order to take down Florida. A team that maximizes their chances well, the Tigers cannot waste any opportunities at the plate.
Dylan Crews is back to his old ways, and as for Tommy White, nothing needs to be said. He’s clicking once again. With the top of your order consisting of Crews, White and Tre’ Morgan, you know what you’re getting on a routine basis, but getting production from the rest of the lineup will be crucial in the National Championship.
What a Relief
LSU’s bullpen has done a 180 ever since postseason play arrived. Over the last 16 games, it has logged a 3.18 ERA in 62 1/3 innings. That includes a 1.20 ERA in Omaha (2 ER in 15 innings). These numbers exclude Thursday’s showing against Wake Forest, which would catapult them even greater.
It’s been a new star virtually every night. Left-hander Nate Ackenhausen stepped on the bump on Tuesday to save the Tigers season against Tennessee. After throwing an absolute gem, LSU kept their season afloat and entered another win-or-go-home matchup against Wake Forest. The hero? Freshman Griffin Herring.
This team has bodies who can, and have, stepped up thus far. After throwing Paul Skenes against Wake Forest on Thursday, his season is virtually over, which puts all the more “pressure” on this pitching rotation ahead of the National Championship.
The Tigers will see Ty Floyd on the mound, but aside from his status, it’ll be interesting to monitor who Jay Johnson rolls with over the next few days. In order to shine against the Gators, the bullpen must continue their hot streak in Omaha.
Ride With Your Veterans
Cade Beloso. Tre’ Morgan. Dylan Crews. The trio of veterans on this roster have come up in a big way this postseason. Not to mention Gavin Dugas and Brayden Jobert as of late. The seasoned Tigers continue to come up when the lights are beaming in Charles Schwab Field, but it can’t stop now.
For LSU to bring home a title, it’s imperative this program continues to ride with their veterans. Cade Beloso has been the story of the postseason. He’s expressed his emotions and ability to stay calm during the biggest moments, and so far, he’s done just that. Beloso launched a three-run homer on Wednesday to defeat Wake Forest and continues to make big-time play after big-time play.
As for Crews and Morgan, the consistency is uncanny. Crews struggled during the first few contests in Omaha but Morgan picked up the slack in a big way. He’s been a superstar for this program during postseason play with the Tigers riding his momentum into the College World Series Finals.
It’s now or never for Jay Johnson and Co. with only two wins standing in their way of capturing the 2023 National Championship after a historic season in Baton Rouge.