The Tigers will play Florida State again in an elimination game and will have to rely on a Jared Poche-Zack Hess combo once more.
After the early exit of the freshman pitcher Eric Walker due to forearm tightness in the 13-1 rout of the Tigers by Oregon, coach Paul Mainieri’s College World Series plans went up in flames. LSU wound up using eight pitchers by the end of the game, and while some may be to still pitch again this week, it has put LSU in a bind.
“I thought Eric was throwing the ball really well and we figured we’d get to their pitcher eventually,” Mainieri said in his press conference following the loss to Oregon State. “But when all of a sudden you have to take one of your starting pitchers out after two innings, obviously it’s going to tax your staff.”
Poche and Hess both pitched in Saturday’s game against FSU, throwing 30 and 10 pitches respectively. The duo will have to be sharp for the Tigers in Wednesday’s rematch if the team looks to keep its championship hopes alive.
Poche, who will be attempting to break LSU’s all-time wins record, is going to need to give LSU a more than solid outing. With the extended usage of sophomore Caleb Gilbert on Monday, Mainieri is without his first option in long relief. If Poche falters early, the Tigers may have to fall back on Hess or another arm that saw action against Oregon State a lot sooner than hoped.
“I know the kids are trying,” Mainieri said. “It’s a tough environment for their first time at a College World Series and getting in the game. So hopefully if they get other opportunities this week, they’ll be better.”
The loss of Walker affects not only the game against Florida State, but also possible future matchups against Oregon State.
Mainieri has stated that junior Alex Lange would pitch on Friday against Oregon State if the Tigers were to make it to that point. Lange’s usage on Friday puts him on a tight squeeze to pitch in College World Series Finals three days later if LSU were to beat Oregon State twice in two days.
The task for Mainieri and the Tigers is not impossible, but it is definitely tenuous. Mainieri used the 2016 Coastal Carolina team as an example of a team who fell into the loser’s’ bracket, and fought its way to a championship.
“It’s not the easiest route,” Mainieri said, “But fortunately there’s some days off that allow your pitching staff to recover a little bit. And we’re going to face a tough ball team on Wednesday in Florida State.”
“We’ve just got to get the job done Wednesday and then live to play another day on Friday. Take it one at a time.”
