If you are an LSU fan, a jello-shot lover, or even just a human being on social media, you are aware of LSU’s baseball team headed to the College World Series Championship. Playing half their season ranked as number 1 this year, this team surely has what it takes to bring a seventh CWS trophy home for this revered baseball program. Louisiana citizens and baseball fans all over the country are rooting for the purple and gold to win it all, especially after the uphill battle they fought to get to the ‘ship. There’s something magical about this team that can just win it when it matters.
Here’s why…
Crews Missiles Locked and Loaded
You’ve been living under a rock if you haven’t heard of this potential first round MLB draft pick, Dylan Crews (Cue “Calabria” walk-up song). When #3 steps up to the plate, you can almost guarantee the bat and the ball will collide earning some sort of base hit, RBI or HR. With an insane season-long batting average, Crews Missiles are bound to soar over Charles Schwab Field giving fans reason to sit on the edge of their seats and have celebratory shots ready! He gives us hits; he gives us confidence; he gives us reason to believe this player in this moment will do big things for the team!
Skkkkkenes!
Can I get 200 strikeouts, please?! Paul Skenes, starting pitcher and recent recipient of the Dick Howser Trophy and named National Player of the Year, has been the Tigers’ ace pitcher this season shutting down more at-bats than anyone donning the purple and gold jerseys. His humble demeanor and military work ethic come together to throw strikes when we need it and over 100 mph I might add. A force to be reckoned with, Skenes always performs for his team, and LSU fans all over can rest easy knowing he’s leading our Tigers on the mound.
Yes, Wake Forest, you CAN be beaten.
When LSU dropped down in the rankings earlier this season and Wake Forest took the number one slot, it was inevitable that these two power teams would eventually meet up in the greatest show on dirt. After taking their first loss to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in game 8, LSU had a tough pill to swallow. WF pitcher Camden Manacci himself even questioned at that moment, “Who can beat us?! It seems pretty much impossible.” Well, it’s games like 12 and 13 that proved to baseball fans everywhere that it’s not about the ranking, but the heart and the execution. Having put on the best pitcher’s dual anyone has EVER seen last Thursday night, both teams went head to head for the chance to play in the championship game, but it was LSU’s magic (that Warren Morris Magic, if you will) that put us over the edge and earned us that chance that only a powerhouse team could earn.
The talent on this Tiger roster is unlike any other. From Beloso Bombs to Tommy Tanks’ walk-offs, these players give their fans so much to believe in at the plate. And let’s not forget stellar athletes like Tre Morgan with his clutch defensive plays and Hayden Travinski with his mustache mania, it’s hard NOT to be entertained and root for this team to go all the way! The LSU Tiger Baseball team is leaving legacies this year and that is something all Louisiana citizens should be proud of. Every baseball mom out there should be hoping her little baller is looking up to these players and learning a thing or two. This team has skill, character, and something extra that just makes you want to yell “Geaux Tigers!” It doesn’t matter the year; it doesn’t matter the opposing team; this team will always bring the magic and entertain the fans. A team so loud and proud cannot be silenced easily.
We wish Jay Johnson and his Tigers the best of luck as they play the Florida Gators for what will be an exciting 2017 re-match for the MCWS Championship best-of-three series this weekend!
GEAUX TIGERS!
