After falling to LSU in a heartbreaking, 11-inning College World Series Finals opener on Saturday night, the Florida Gators are looking to avoid elimination and force a third game against the Tigers.
Kevin O’Sullivan and Co. will turn to Hurston Waldrep on the mound to get them there. The Southern Miss transfer has been one of the top pitchers in the country and will likely be a first-round draft pick in July. He’s turned things up a notch since the playoffs started and is Florida’s best arm.
Waldrep will have to navigate a patient yet deadly LSU lineup, one that made Brandon Sproat, Cade Fisher and Brandon Neely pay on Saturday. It wasn’t a high-scoring affair, but LSU figures out good pitching after a while. All good teams do, but the Tigers put on a masterclass in their Game 1 win.
Meanwhile, Florida failed to make any adjustments at the plate, striking out 20 times over 11 innings. They chased Ty Floyd’s elevated fastball all night and still looked lost by the end of the game. A few clutch hits kept the game tight, but the Gators did not look good at the plate.
The goal right now is to play another game, and Sully needs to use whatever arms are necessary to get to Monday. Waldrep going six or more is ideal, but the bullpen has to be ready with Neely and Fisher throwing a ton on Saturday.
Here’s everything you need to know about Game 2 between Florida and LSU in the College World Series Semifinals on Sunday.