OMAHA, Neb. — In Baton Rouge, LSU baseball is no stranger to a weather delay, but in Omaha, Monday night’s delay turned into a game suspension.
The 6 p.m. game against UCLA only lasted three innings before play was paused for two and a half hours due to severe weather in the area. The team and fans were eventually sent back to their hotel for a 10:00 a.m. start time–12 hours later.
Because of the delay, if LSU lost to UCLA, head coach Jay Johnson and the team would have to face elimination against Arkansas later that day.
Throughout LSU’s season, Johnson did everything he could to prevent game interruptions, including delaying start times for up to eight hours.
Though at the College World Series, he’s not in control–the NCAA makes the call.
LSU won the game 9-5 the following morning, and in the post-game press conference, Johnson explained his approach to the unusual circumstances.
“Something I try to get better at is to not worry about things that I can’t control, whether it’s the NCAA rules or the weather,” Johnson said. “I want to set a good example for the team. If I’m frustrated, making it a thing, then they’re going to make it a thing.”
In the three innings played, UCLA grabbed the lead first with three runs at the top of the first, but the Bruins’ head start was short-lived.
LSU shot right back at them. Jake Brown snagged an RBI single, and then, with two on base, Jared Jones launched the ball past right field to score three.
The Tigers got one more run at the bottom of the third before John Pearson struck out, and the tarp went on the infield.
“I met with Nate and Jamie last night once we got back to the hotel and mapped out the bracket and all scenarios of how we were going to attack it,” Johnson said. “It’s a double elimination turn–it’s not a death sentence to lose a game here.”
Although being in the winners’ bracket meant he had some wiggle room, Johnson said all discussions were focused on how to win this game.
Since Eyanson threw for all three innings, the big decision was who to pitch first in the morning–Jaden Noot, Zac Cowan, Chase Shores or someone else?
“I feel like I was getting myself into a groove, but I just wanted to start that game sharper,” Eyanson said. “This is a blessing in disguise, though, being able to go out there for more appearances going forward.”
The pick wasn’t declared until the chosen one stepped onto the mound for the first pitch the next day.
Casan Evans rose to the occasion with five strikeouts in just over four innings. He allowed four hits and two runs for an ERA of 2.05.
According to him, he was the scheduled reliever for Eyanson on Monday, and that plan rolled over to the next day.
Right off the bat, LSU set the tone with two strikeouts by Evans, followed by two RBIs that scored Derek Curiel and Ethan Frey at the bottom of the fourth.
The final was 9-5 with the Tigers moving on to the final Bracket 2 elimination game tomorrow. The winner of Tuesday night’s Arkansas and UCLA matchup will have a date with LSU for a spot in the College World Series finals.
