LSU will be playing for its seventh national title against the Florida Gators this weekend.
After back-to-back gutsy wins from the bullpen, the Tigers outlasted Wake Forest in a winner-take-all game for a spot in the College World Series final on Thursday night.
As has been the case all year, transfers came up huge for LSU in this game, and with portal season already in full swing, Johnson used his postgame pulpit as a chance to offer a message to targets.
“If you’re one of the best players in the transfer portal, there’s only one place to come play,” he said in his press conference.
Jay Johnson: “That’s one of the greatest moments of my life. Couldn’t be more proud of our team. The best pitched college baseball game I’ve ever seen. We slayed a giant tonight. If you’re one of the best players in the transfer portal, there’s only place to come play.” pic.twitter.com/phxHW97LkO
— Harrison Valentine (@HValentineLSU) June 23, 2023
[autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] — the top pitcher in the country and potential No. 1 MLB draft pick — started the game and went eight shutout innings with nine strikeouts in what may be his final appearance with the Tigers.
He’s a transfer from Air Force. The pitcher that relieved him and finished the shutout in the final three innings, [autotag]Thatcher Hurd[/autotag], is a transfer, as is the man whose bat secured the win for LSU in [autotag]Tommy White[/autotag], who hit a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 11th.
The Tigers are already off to a good start in the portal, landing South Carolina infielder [autotag]Michael Braswell[/autotag] and Xavier pitcher [autotag]Justin Loer[/autotag].
Based on Johnson’s comments and the way he handled last offseason, they are likely just the first of many.
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