Beloso HR moves LSU one win from national title
No one could have expected a more thrilling game than LSU’s 11-inning victory over Wake Forest just 48 hours earlier.
But, the Tigers delivered another 11-inning victory over Florida in the opening game of the College World Series Finals on Saturday night.
The recipe for the LSU victory was the same as it had been against the Demon Deacons.
There was one big hit, one big defensive play and outstanding pitching as the Tigers edged the Gators 4-3 at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha. LSU is now one victory away from the national championship.
The game-winning blow came off the bat of Cade Beloso, who hit a solo home run in the top of the 11th. Beloso had provided the decisive hit – a three-run homer – in LSU’s 5-2 victory over Wake Forest on Wednesday.
The game-winning defensive play was made by leftfielder Josh Pearson. With runners on first and second and one out in the bottom of the tenth, Pearson made a jumping catch of Wyatt Langford’s line drive. The next Florida hitter popped out to end the threat.
Just as important as the contributions of Beloso and Pearson was the pitching performance by Ty Floyd. In what was probably his final appearance at LSU, Floyd struck out 17 batters before being lifted after eight innings. The 17 strikeouts tied the CWS record by a pitcher in a nine-inning game.
Floyd gave up three runs and five hits. Because of the Tigers’ inability to get a clutch hit with runners in scoring position, Floyd was on the short end of a 3-2 score going into the eighth inning. BT Riopelle had given the Gators that 3-2 lead with a homer in the sixth inning.
Floyd was in complete control against Florida. The Gators’ runs in the third and fifth innings came across on infield outs. Floyd struck out 27 batters in his two College World Series starts.
Riley Cooper took over for Floyd and tossed three scoreless innings. Cooper gave up one hit – an infield single off his glove, walked one and struck out three. Pearson bailed Cooper out with his leaping catch in the tenth.
LSU certainly had its opportunities to give Floyd a comfortable lead. In the first six innings, the Tigers stranded 13 runners – nine in scoring position. LSU scored just two runs in that stretch – a run-scoring single by Beloso in the first and a solo homer by Gavin Dugas in the third.
Many Tigers players had a chance to drive in runs in the first six innings. Brayden Jobert struck out with two runners on base after Beloso’s RBI hit in the first. Tommy White lined out and Tre Morgan struck out with the bases loaded in the second.
Alex Milazzo struck out with runners on second and third in the third. Jobert struck out with the bases loaded to end the fourth. Dylan Crews struck out with a runner at second and two out in the fifth. With two runners on base in the sixth, Beloso struck out and pinch-hitter Jared Jones hit into a force play.
White, who had hit the game-winning homer in the bottom of the 11th on Thursday night against Wake Forest, kept LSU alive Saturday with a home run in the eighth. That long ball tied the score 3-3.
The Tigers had their chance to go ahead in the top of the tenth. However, Morgan popped out and Dugas flied out with runners on first and second. But, one inning later, Beloso came through with his big home run.
So, LSU can win its first national championship in 14 years by defeating Florida on Sunday afternoon. If the Tigers lose, a winner-take-all game three will be played Monday night. LSU, ranked No. 1 in the country for most of the season, definitely seems set to claim that title.
2023 College World Series 8 Team Bats Tee
from: Alumni Hall 
LSU 2023 College World Series Stacked Odds Tee
from: Alumni Hall