LSU entered the College World Series final against Florida with a pitching disadvantage as [autotag]Paul Skenes[/autotag] was unavailable to start.
But thanks to a career game from [autotag]Ty Floyd[/autotag] on the mound, the Tigers neutralized that advantage and took a 1-0 series lead with a 4-3 extra-innings win over the Gators.
It was the kind of outing from Floyd that will be remembered in Baton Rouge for a long time, especially if LSU is able to capture the national championship.
After the game — in which Floyd went eight innings, allowing just three runs and striking out 17 batters, which tied for the second-most in any CWS game — he said he was feeling confident throughout the start.
“I felt good,” Floyd said postgame, per On3. “With as many people as were here tonight, the adrenaline felt good and stuff. I knew that throwing my fastball at the top of the zone, being able to mix in off-speed pitches enough to get them off was the biggest thing tonight.
“I think it was just staying mentally strong about it and just knowing that my stuff is going to play. Just having confidence in myself and knowing what I do well.”
It wasn’t all perfect from Floyd, who ultimately wasn’t credited with the win after allowing a go-ahead home run to BT Riopelle, his only major slip-up of the night. Still, Floyd said he trusted his team to overcome the deficit, which it ultimately did.
“I knew my stuff was going to play,” Floyd said. “I know he put a really good swing on a fastball. You’ve got to tip your cap. But I knew that I’ve got a great offense behind me that’s going to back me up and get us back in the game.”
LSU only needs to win one of the next two games to capture a national title, but it’s still going to be operating at a pitching disadvantage compared to the more rested Gators.
The Tigers will hope that the bullpen can replicate the type of performance Floyd delivered on Saturday night.
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