OMAHA, Nebraska-The Tigers continue their late-game heroics and this year's MCWS continues to deliver the drama. LSU won Game 1 of the championship series 4-3 thanks to Ty Floyd's legendary performance on the mound and the clutch hitting of Tommy White and Cade Beloso.
The Tigers looked like the better team for the majority of the first nine innings, getting runners on base regularly against Florida starter Brandon Sproat. He lasted just over four innings, facing at least six batters in each inning until he was pulled after a lead-off walk in the fifth. But LSU couldn't cash in on all those baserunners, stranding 17 runners on base over the course of the game, including two bases-loaded situations in the early innings.
BT Riopelle gave Florida a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning, despite most of the lineup getting mowed down by LSU starter Ty Floyd. He would exit the game after eight innings and 17 strikeouts — yet somehow without a lead. It was Tommy White who evened the score with another timely homer to force extra innings.
In the bottom of the 10th with the winning run in scoring position, Florida's Wyatt Langford sent a line drive to left field that looked like a potential game-winning hit but it was just within reach of LSU's Josh Pearson for a crucial out. The very next half-inning, Cade Beloso's solo homer put the Tigers ahead for good.
LSU holds the advantage heading into Sunday's afternoon clash. The Gators will likely have Hurston Waldrep on the mound with their season on the line, while the Tigers' starter can be one of many capable arms they have had fill in throughout the postseason. A potential Paul Skenes start will have to wait for a winner-take-all Game 3, if necessary.
Here's a look at the final stats from Omaha:
TIGERS TAKE THE LEAD IN THE 11TH
Drama in the 11th all over again for LSU! This time it's Cade Beloso, who put the Tigers ahead 4-3 to lead off the top of the inning at the expense of Brandon Neely. LSU is now just three outs away from a series-opening victory.