College World Series Finals Game 1: Florida vs. LSU
LSU Baseball, Cade Beloso
Omaha, Nebraska (PSF) - Cade Beloso, a redshirt senior and Louisiana native, played a crucial role in leading the LSU Tigers to within one win of a College World Series title. Beloso hit his second go-ahead home run of the series in the top of the 11th inning in game one of the best of three finals against the Florida Gators. His home run off Florida closer Brandon Neely put the Tigers ahead by one run with a score of 4-3. Riley Cooper, another standout player for LSU in the postseason, secured the victory by pitching three shutout innings and keeping the Gators off the scoreboard.
Beloso mentioned in an interview with ESPN that he anticipated Neely would rely on fastballs, considering their previous encounter in which Beloso was struck out by three consecutive heaters. Beloso swung at a pitch out of the strike zone but believed the next one would be in his hitting range. He was right, and he capitalized on the opportunity, delivering a crucial home run.
The game reached extra innings due to a remarkable defensive play by LSU’s left fielder, Josh Pearson. In the bottom of the 10th inning, with runners on first and second, Florida’s Wyatt Langford hit a line drive to left field that seemed destined to cause trouble. However, Pearson made a leaping catch, nearly doubling off a runner at second base. Cooper then managed to retire the next batter, Jac Caglianone, by inducing a pop-up to shortstop, escaping the scoring threat.
Pitching was expected to be an advantage for the Florida Gators entering the series, as their staff was well-rested and their rotation was set to pitch on normal rest. However, LSU capitalized on Brandon Sproat’s struggles with control during his four innings on the mound. The Tigers scored a run in the first inning and another in the third, taking advantage of Sproat’s five walks and six hits allowed. Despite leaving 17 runners on the base throughout the game and going one for twelve with runners in scoring position, the Tigers relied on solo home runs to generate offense.
In addition to Beloso’s go-ahead homer, Gavin Dugas hit a solo shot in the third inning to extend LSU’s lead. In the eighth inning, Tommy White, known for his walk-off heroics against Wake Forest, hit a game-tying home run off Cade Fischer, leading the game into extra innings.
LSU’s victory in game one puts them in a favorable position to capture the College World Series title, with only one win needed in the remaining games of the series.
