The Tigers are off to the College World Series Championship for the first time since 2009. LSU (52-18), defeated Oregon State (56-6), 6-1 in a winner-take-all matchup.
Due to Eric Walker’s injury, coach Paul Mainieri had to trust sophomore Caleb Gilbert with the ball in LSU’s biggest game of the season. Gilbert, who was making his fifth start of the season, gave Mainieri everything and more.
The sophomore pitched 7⅓ innings, allowing only two hits, one run and a walk on 97 pitches. Gilbert had seven strikeouts on the day, and six them were called with the batters looking.
“It’s a surreal feeling to be able to pitch your team when the back’s against the wall elimination game into the College World Series final,” Gilbert said. “But I just had all the faith in the world in my teammates and my coaching staff and just really went out there and pitched my game, tried to attack early with a heater and get ahead and just trust my defense behind me.”
It was the second time in the postseason that Gilbert delivered for Tigers in a key game. In game two of the Super Regionals Gilbert came on for senior Jared Poche in relief, and pitched 5⅔ innings in the 14-4 victory over Mississippi State.
LSU continued its slugging at the plate, and hit three home runs in the game. It was the first time since 2009 the Tigers have hit three home runs in a game in Omaha. Junior catcher Michael Papierski contributed two of three homers, one of which was a 3-run home run in the second inning to open the scoring for LSU. It was also the first time any player has hit a home run from each side of the plate in a single game.
“I thought when Pap hit that three-run homer in the third inning, loosened our team up totally,” Mainieri said. “I feel like we’re playing so much better each passing day.”
Papierski finished the game with two hits, both home runs, and four RBIs.
Junior DH Beau Jordan hit the other home run in the sixth inning. Jordan had two hits in the game and a RBI
The game also saw the resurrection of senior shortstop Kramer Robertson’s bat. Robertson had three hits and a walk in the game. The senior scored a run on a single by sophomore outfielder Antoine Duplantis in the third inning.
With a 6-1 lead in hand, Mainieri once again called upon freshman Zack Hess out the bullpen to close out the game. Hess did what he has done the entire postseason. He struck two batters, and got the Tigers final five outs.
The Tigers had to defeat Oregon State, who only lost four games on the season prior to Friday, twice in two days to advance to the championship. It was the first time all season that the Beavers lost back-to-back games.
LSU will face Florida in the championship. The Tigers won one of three games against Florida in a conference series in March.
“We’re obviously very thrilled to be staying in Omaha for a few more days,” Mainieri said. “There is a lot of steak to still be eaten in this town.”
