After LSU was dunked on by Oregon State after a flurry of errors and mistakes doomed the Tigers, LSU looks to stay alive in an elimination game against Florida State.
LSU used a eighth inning rally to come from behind and knock the Seminoles into the loser’s bracket in the opening round of the College World Series Saturday night. Florida State defeated Cal State Fullerton in a wild 6-4 elimination game to stay alive and set up this date with LSU.
Florida State has been in this same situation before when they lost the opening game of the Tallahassee Regional to Tennessee Tech before winning four in a row to win the regional.
After coming in relief in Saturday’s game, LSU will turn to Jared Poche’ to pitch against the Seminoles once again. Poche’ threw 2.2 innings and allowed no runs on two hits while walking none. Poche’ has a 3.33 ERA in 100 innings pitched on the year with a K/BB of 1.92 (69/36) and holding opponents to a BAA of .230. A win tonight will give Jared Poche’ the record for career wins at LSU with 39.
Florida State will start Cole Sands, a sophomore righty who serves as Florida State’s third best starter. Sands has a 5.05 ERA in 82 innings pitched where he has allowed 83 hits and has a K/BB of 2.48 (72/29) and opponents are batting .265 against Sands.
The winner advances to face Oregon State, whom they will have to beat twice to move on to the CWS Final. The loser’s season is over. It’s as simple as then. Losing is not an option.
Lineups
LSU
Kramer SS
Freeman 2B
Duplantis LF
Deichmann RF
Watson CF
Smith 3B
Jordan DH
Papierski C
Slaughter 1B
Poche' P
Florida State
Walls SS
Busby 3B
Lueck LF
Nieporte DH
Raleigh C
Mendoza 1B
Henderson 2B
Wells CF
Holton RF
Sands P