In a rollercoaster weekend that saw huge swings from one team to the other, LSU Tigers eventually prevailed, taking Game 3 and defeating the Florida Gators to win the CWS two games to one. It’s the Tigers’ seventh national title, their first since 2009.
Game One was not a precursor of things to come. LSU topped Florida 4-3, thanks to an 11th-inning solo home run by senior and designated hitter Cade Beloso. The Tigers’ Ty Floyd struck out 17 batters, the second-most ever in a CWS game. But Florida kept it close and eventually sent the contest into extra innings until Beloso ended the game with his extra-inning blast.
In Sunday’s Game 2, the Gators bounced back–and in a big way, too–trouncing LSU 24-4. It was the most runs ever scored in a CWS game with a run differential that ranks #2 historically. Florida hit six home runs, with Ty Evans and Jac Caglianone each hitting a pair. LSU used six pitchers trying to stop the Gators’ onslaught, but nothing worked, and the Tigers’ offense couldn’t keep pace with the men from Gainesville.
But as they say, “Tomorrow is another day.” The Tigers turned the tables in Monday night’s Game 3, winning 18-4 and clinching the series. The Tigers outhit the Gators 24-5, overcoming an early 2-0 UFL lead, going up 10-2 in the 4th inning, and scoring eight more runs over the last three stanzas.
It was a fitting way to end a very exciting season in college baseball. Congratulations, Tigers!
