LSU vs. Florida: Exciting Showdown for NCAA Baseball Title in the College World Series

Introduction:

In an epic clash of SEC rivals, LSU and Florida face off in Game 3 of the 2023 Men's College World Series championship. After a thrilling extra-innings victory for LSU in Game 1 and a dominant performance by Florida in Game 2, both teams are vying for the ultimate prize in NCAA baseball. This matchup is fueled by college baseball star power, with LSU's outfielder Dylan Crews and Florida's outfielder Wyatt Langford headlining the lineups. As the tension builds, fans eagerly await the live updates from Omaha's Charles Schwab Field, where history will be made.

I. The Road to the Championship:

A. LSU's Pursuit of Glory:

1. Seeking the seventh NCAA baseball championship.

2. Looking to end their championship drought since 2009.

B. Florida's Quest for Redemption:

1. The Gators' previous national title victory in 2017 against LSU.

2. Eager to add another championship to their name.

II. Star Power on Display:

A. Dylan Crews Leading the Charge:

1. LSU's dynamic outfielder and No. 1 MLB draft prospect.

2. A key player to watch, providing offensive firepower.

B. Wyatt Langford's Remarkable Performance:

1. Florida's standout outfielder, ranked No. 2 in this year's draft class.

2. Langford's exceptional Game 2 performance, contributing to the victory.

III. The Game Plan:

A. LSU's Pitching Strategy:

1. Right-hander Paul Skenes, a top MLB draft prospect.

2. Skenes' significant contributions in the 2023 College World Series.

3. Potential use of Skenes in relief during Game 3.

B. Florida's Offensive Approach:

1. Capitalizing on Langford's exceptional hitting abilities.

2. Exploiting LSU's pitching weaknesses to gain an advantage.

IV. The Battle on Charles Schwab Field:

A. A Must-Watch Championship Showdown:

1. Intense competition between two elite teams.

2. The atmosphere and excitement of the College World Series.

B. Live Updates and Coverage:

1. CBS Sports providing comprehensive live updates.

2. Fans staying engaged and following every crucial moment.

V. The Road to Baseball Greatness:

A. The Importance of the NCAA Baseball Championship:

1. A highly prestigious accolade in college sports.

2. The impact of a championship win on players' careers.

B. The Legacy of LSU and Florida:

1. LSU's rich baseball history and pursuit of excellence.

2. Florida's rise as a formidable baseball program.

LSU

Omaha, Neb. — LSU returned to the pinnacle of college baseball on Monday, defeating SEC rival Florida, 18-4, to win its seventh national championship and the 2023 College World Series.

Led by second-year head coach Jay Johnson – who became the first coach to win a title prior to his third season at an institution – LSU (54-17) overcame a 2-0 first-inning deficit by scoring six in the second and four in the fourth inning to take a commanding 10-2 lead.

LSU start Thatcher Hurd (8-3) earned his second win in the series, throwing six innings and allowing only two runs on two hits – the first two batters he faced – while striking out seven.

Offensively, the Tigers amassed 24 hits, the program’s most hits in a CWS game. Eleven Tigers recorded at least one hit in the contest.

The Tigers captured five national titles (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000) under legendary head coach Skip Bertman, and added a sixth when third-year head coach Paul Mainieri won the championship series in 2009 over Texas.

“I really believe this will go down in one of the best teams in college baseball history,” Johnson said. “So consistent in the regular season. I think the SEC Tournament is the only week of the year we had a losing record, if you think about that.

“Eleven wins in the (NCAA) postseason, six of them against SEC teams. And I really believe we played and beat every team, the best team that we could have played along the way throughout the entire tournament. So I love these guys. I’m so proud of them. And they are a very worthy champion.”

Every starter in the LSU lineup had at least one hit in Monday’s victory. Center Fielder Dylan Crews, third baseman Tommy White and right fielder Brayden Jobert each collected four hits.

White, Jobert and shortstop Jordan Thompson each delivered three RBI, and Jobert and midfielder Josh Pearson each launched two-run homers in the offensive barrage.

Florida starting pitcher Jac California (7-4) was charged wtih the loss, as he allowed six runs on two hits in 1.1 innings with three walks and two strikeouts.

After a 3-2 loss to No. 1 seed Wake Forest last Monday, Johnson’s Tigers came through the loser’s bracket by eliminating Tennessee before earning consecutive win over the Demon Deacons to setup a best-of-three championship series against No. 2-seeded Florida. LSU won game 1 of the series, 4-3 in 11 innings, before Florida drew even with a 24-4 victory Sunday.

LSU, which avenged a 2017 CWS championship series sweep by the Gators, was led throughout the 2023 season by Golden Spikes Award winning center fielder Dylan Crews and Dick Howser Award-winning and CWS Most Outstanding Player right hand pitcher Paul Skenes. This duo which many project to be the top 2 selections in the upcoming Major League Baseball Draft put forth spectacular performances in the College World Series, as expected.

Conclusion:

As the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators take the field for the decisive Game 3 of the College World Series championship, fans anticipate a thrilling clash between two powerhouse teams. With star players like Dylan Crews and Wyatt Langford leading the charge, the stakes are higher than ever. The live updates from CBS Sports will keep fans on the edge of their seats as they witness history in the making at Omaha's Charles Schwab Field. Ultimately, the team that excels under pressure and executes their game plan will emerge victorious, etching their name in the annals of NCAA baseball greatness.