LSU’s victory over No. 1 seed Wake Forest in the College World Series was a memorable moment for head coach Jay Johnson. After winning the game 2-0 in 11 innings, Johnson expressed that it was one of the greatest moments in his life. The win secured LSU’s spot in the CWS finals, where they will face Florida in a best-of-three matchup.
Johnson, who is in his second year as LSU’s coach, previously came close to winning a national championship in 2016 when he was coaching at Arizona. However, his team lost in a three-game finals series against Coastal Carolina.
The game between LSU and Wake Forest was highly anticipated, as it featured two top teams. LSU became the first team to hand Wake Forest consecutive losses in the tournament. The game was a pitching duel, with LSU’s Paul Skenes and Wake Forest’s Rhett Lowder showcasing their talents. Skenes set the SEC’s single-season record for strikeouts with nine in the game.
LSU’s victory was sealed by Tommy White, who hit a home run in the 11th inning off Wake Forest’s star closer, Camden Minacci. This win sets up a rematch of the 2017 finals against Florida, where the Gators claimed their first national title.
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons, despite their loss, had an impressive run in the College World Series. This was their first appearance in the CWS since 1955 when they won the national championship. They showcased the growth and evolution of Wake Forest baseball and are proud of their accomplishments.
The stage is now set for the LSU Tigers and the Florida Gators to battle it out for the national title in an exciting All-SEC finals series.
Photo credit – CWSOmaha.com / Omaha, NE