WAKE FOREST ELIMINATED FROM COLLEGE WORLD SERIES- FALLS TO LSU 2-0 IN EXTRA INNIINGS

In a game that had all the hype, all the excitement and featured two of the best pitchers in college baseball, it did not disappoint. Paul Skenes and Rhett Lowder faced off in what will go down as one of the best games in college baseball history. It wasn’t until the bottom of the 11th inning that LSU’s third baseman Tommy White slammed a fastball from Wake Forest reliever Camden Minacci over the left field wall for a two run walk off home run, sending the Tigrers to the college world series finals against the Florida Gators.

Both Skenes who pitched eight scoreless innings, striking out nine and Lowder who was equally as impressive going seven scoreless innings and striking out six lived up to the billing of this game being an amazing pitching duel.

Wake Forest, who had one of the best offensive teams in the country during the regular season, struggled thru out the tournament offensively.

Last night was no different.

Once again they had no answers at the plate as they were held to just 3 hits in 11 innings.  The Deacs best opportunity to score came in the top of the eight inning. Justin Johnson led off with a walk. After Bennett Lee sacrificed him over to second, Jack Winnay, who was playing for the injured Nick Kurtz, struck out on a wild pitch and proceeded to reach first base and allowed Johnson to reach third. Marek Houston then followed with a squeeze bunt attempt towards first base in which LSU’s first baseman Tre Morgan, running full steam ahead and falling down, threw out Johnson on an unbelievable play keeping the game scoreless.

It then came down to which bullpen was going to fold first. Thatcher Hurd came on to pitch for the Tigers and went three innings, allowing one hit and keeping the Demon Deacons scoreless. Meanwhile Wake Forest’s bullpen of Cole Rowland and Michael Massey were equally as impressive until the bottom of the eleventh . Tiger’s center fielder, Dylan Crews, opened the inning with a single to left on a 1-2 pitch from Massey. Minacci then came on to relieve Massey and on the first pitch he threw gave up the game winning home run to White.

Wake Forest, who reached the College world series for the first time since 1955, had a miraculous season going 52-10 and was ranked #1 in the country.

LSU(49-15) who defeated Wake Forest the past two games to get into the finals, will now face the Florida Gators (52-15) in the Championship Finals that begin Saturday night in Omaha.