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UCLA falls to LSU, moves to CWS elimination matchup vs. Arkansas
By Paul Harvey
Published:
UCLA and LSU continued their College World Series showdown on Tuesday, following a Monday night game that was delayed due to severe weather in Omaha.
At the time of the suspension, LSU already held a 5-3 lead after 3 innings. The 2 sides combined for 7 overall runs in the 1st inning, but the Tigers produced 4 of those to grab the early lead. The big blow in that span was a 3-run home from from LSU’s Jared Jones.
Anthony Eyanson started the game on Monday for LSU, but he was replaced by Casan Evans when things resumed on Tuesday. It was the right call by Jay Johnson with Evans delivering 4.1 crucial innings out of the bullpen.
Evans was able to pitch into the 8th inning, scattering 4 hits and 2 earned runs with 5 strikeouts. That outing was a clutch one as it allowed the Tigers to hold their lead and onto it quickly.
In their first time at the plate on Tuesday, LSU recorded RBI hits from Steven Milam and Jake Brown to build the 7-3 lead. The Tigers would tack on lone runs in the 7th and 8th innings to go with 2 runs scored by UCLA, setting the scene at 9-5 entering the 9th inning.
Flamethrower Chase Shores, brought on to get the final out of the 8th inning, would return to try and complete the 4-out save. He was able to set the Bruins down in order, recording 3 groundouts to send LSU to a 2-0 start in Omaha.
The victory sends LSU into the national semifinals as 1 piece of the Bracket 2 finals. The Tigers are now 1 win away from the CWS Finals, and the even better news is that LSU does not have to play again until Wednesday night at 7 pm ET.
The 2-0 start in Omaha is always a major goal for the top contenders. It marks the 8th time that LSU has gone 2-0 to start the CWS, and the Tigers won it all in 6 of the last 7 instances. Interestingly enough, LSU did not start 2-0 during the run to the 2023 national title.
Meanwhile, UCLA finds itself with its back against the wall and in a tough spot entering Tuesday night. Due to the weather delay, the Bruins had to complete the game vs. LSU on Tuesday and will now have to turn around and are slated to play Arkansas in a do-or-die elimination game at 7 pm ET.
Even before the start of action against UCLA, LSU was the favorite to win it all in the latest College World Series odds. The Tigers and Coastal Carolina are both looking for one more win to reach the CWS Finals, and they will both have 2 chances to win and advance.
Paul is a lifelong fan and student of all things college football. He has been covering college football since 2017 and the B1G since 2018.