OMAHA, Nebraska — LSU and Wake Forest battled back and forth in Monday’s marquee game at the College World Series but it was the Demon Deacons that came out on top with a 3-2 win over the Tigers at Charles Schwab Field.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
LSU threatened to score in the top of the second.
Cade Beloso drew a one-out walk and then was joined on the base paths by Gavin Dugas, who also drew a walk. Brayden Jobert though hit into an inning-ending double play.
LSU would not strand runners in the third.
With two outs and Josh Pearson on second base courtesy of a walk and wild pitch, Tommy White hit a single to centerfield that scored Pearson.
After advancing to second base on a fielding error, White would score moments later on a triple to left field by Tre’ Morgan.
In the bottom of the fourth, Wake Forest got the leadoff hitter on as Bennett singled to right field and then reached second on a passed ball.
Ty Floyd responded by striking out the next three Demon Deacons.
Wake Forest would finally get to LSU’s starter in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Floyd would walk the first three batters he faced which loaded the bases for the Demon Deacons. Jay Johnson pulled him for Thatcher Hurd.
Hurd gave up a single up the middle to Brock Wilken which scored one run. Hurd got the next batter Johnson to hit into a double play but that still allowed another run to cross home.
After walking the next batter, Hurd did get out of the jam by striking out Adam Cecere.
Hurd put two more runners on with walks in the seventh but got out of the jam with another strikeout.
LSU looked poised to seize the lead in the top of the eighth.
Morgan led off with a double down the right field line and then Hayden Travinski reached on an fielding error. With runners on the corner, Beloso hit into a fielder’s choice and Wake Forest opted to throw to home.
The throw barely got there in time to get Morgan out, and even though it was challenged the play stood. Dugas then grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Wake Forest got the go-ahead run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Danny Corona hit a one-out double down the rightfield line and then scored moments later on a single to left field by Bennett Lee.
BIG NUMBER: 7
Wake Forest’s pitching held LSU in check for most of the night as the Tigers were held to five hits but did get walked five times. That gave the Tigers chances to score but LSU stranded seven base runners in the loss.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: TOMMY WHITE
LSU’s All-American third baseman was a bright spot in the lineup as he went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored in the defeat.
UP NEXT: LSU (49-16) will now face Tennessee in an elimination game on Tuesday. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. and you can listen to the game live on THE GAME 103.7 Lafayette and 104.1 Lake Charles.