LSU and Wake Forest will face off once again in the Men’s College World Series, with the winner advancing to face the Florida Gators for the national championship. This “if necessary” game was bound to happen in a tournament where one-run games and late-inning rallies have become commonplace. Both teams have held down the No. 1 spot in the national rankings all season long, making this rematch all the more exciting.
The Path to the Rematch
Wake Forest, seeking their first MCWS title since 1955 and the first for the national No. 1 seed since 1999, lost to LSU 5-2 in their previous game. An uncharacteristic pitching miscalculation in the bottom of the third allowed LSU to score four runs, including a three-run homer by Cade Beloso. Wake Forest head coach Tom Walter admitted that he should have walked Beloso in that situation, which may have changed the outcome of the game. Nevertheless, the score held for the rest of the game, with both teams leaving many runners stranded on base.
LSU had previously lost to Wake Forest 3-2 in a game where they were expected to struggle due to depleted pitching. However, they managed to return the favor in the rematch, setting up the rubber match.
The Importance of the Rematch
The rubber match between LSU and Wake Forest will be especially important, as both teams seek to advance to the national championship game and end their respective droughts. LSU has been to the MCWS 19 times, but their last title celebration was in 2009. Meanwhile, Wake Forest has not been to the MCWS since Dwight D. Eisenhower was in the White House.
The expected pitching matchup between Rhett Lowder and Paul Skenes will add to the tension of the game. Both pitchers have impressive records, with Lowder being a two-time ACC Pitcher of the Year and Skenes being the consensus national pitcher of the year.
LSU’s players are approaching the game with a “business as usual” mentality, but they are also aware of the importance of the matchup. They know that this is not just another game, but a necessary one. A win would be a huge step toward ending their MCWS drought and advancing to the national championship game.
Wake Forest’s players are also confident and focused, knowing that they have not lost a three-game series all season long. They expect to play important baseball in June and have been working toward this moment all year long.
The rematch between LSU and Wake Forest in the Men’s College World Series is set to be a tense and exciting game. Both teams have everything to play for, and the winner will advance to face the Florida Gators for the national championship. With impressive pitching matchups and a history of one-run games and late-inning rallies, it is sure to be a game that fans will remember for years to come.
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