On a scorching hot Saturday night in Omaha, Nebraska, the LSU Tigers beat the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 1-0 in Game 1 of the national championship.
This is the first time in LSU’s history of being at the College World Series where they beat a team 1-0.
“I mean his next pitch should be for someplace in the Washington Nationals organization,” Head Coach Jay Johnson said of the game’s hero, pitcher Kade Anderson. “It’s not close.”
Anderson was the star of the show for the Tigers as he threw a complete game shutout in the Tigers’ 1-0 win. Anderson struck out 10 batters on 130 total pitches while only allowing three hits. Although Anderson walked a career high of five batters in his historical performance, not a single runner crossed home plate.
“He’s the best pitcher in the country,” Head Coach Jay Johnson said in his opening remarks at Saturday’s post-game press conference.
The Tigers got the lone run on the board early in the first inning. With Derek Curiel on second base and one out in the inning, Steven Milam stepped up to the plate. Milam was able to hit a fastball up the middle, which scored Curiel from second base as the Tigers took the lead.
“It happened to be the difference maker,” Milam said when asked about his RBI single. “I was just trying to get up there, pass it to the next guy and be a tough out.”
Even though there was no more scoring for the rest of the ball game, there were lots of chances.
In the third inning with no outs, Coastal Carolina had runners on first and second base as Blake Barthol walked up to the plate. Barthol laid down a bunt towards the third base line that was picked up by Anderson and thrown over to third base for the force out.
Then with two outs in the inning, Sebastian Alexander decided to try and steal third base but was tagged out after slipping off the bag.
“Michael Braswell’s defense at third base was the difference maker in the game tonight,” Head Coach Jay Johnson said.
Other than Coastal leaving runners on base, it truly was a defensive masterclass from Braswell. Braswell has struggled at the plate this season, batting .185, but there truly is a reason he stays out there.
“There’s a lot of ways to impact your team’s ability to win other than just hitting,” Head Coach Jay Johnson said when asked about Braswell’s defense Saturday night. “If you give them an inch, they’ll take a mile.”
Braswell made multiple plays at the third base position tonight that kept runs off the board. His ability to make the tough play on the ground is a huge confidence booster for whoever the guy is on the mound.
LSU now heads into Sunday’s game with a 1-0 series lead over the Chanticleers.
Coastal Carolina is expected to start their ace, Jacob Morrison, who has an unbelievable record of 12-0 on the season. Morrison is responsible for a 2.08 ERA on the year in 18 appearances.
LSU will most likely be starting Anthony Eyanson who has an 11-2 record on the season in 19 appearances. Eyanson also has a team high of a 2.92 ERA on the season.
If you thought Saturday’s game was a pitching duel, wait until Sunday.
LSU will try to win a national championship against the Chanticleers Sunday afternoon at 1:30 p.m CT live on ABC.
