LSU looking for seventh title
OMAHA, Neb. — Some things to know as Florida (50-19) and LSU (52-18) began play for the national championship in the best of-College World Series finals on Monday night:
WHO IS THIS GUY?: LSU is short on starting pitching because of a forearm injury to Eric Walker, so coach Paul Mainieri was throwing right-hander Russell Reynolds in Game1. Reynolds has made 14 appearances this season, but this will be his first start in 2017.
“We’re going to count on Russell’s experience as a fifth-year senior,” Mainieri said. “He’s pitched very well the last few times out, and we feel like he gives us the best chance to get us off to a good start.”
Reynolds (1-1, 8.59 ERA) is a Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native who pitched a scoreless inning in LSU’s 13-1 loss to Oregon State last Monday. He’s worked 12⁄ scoreless innings over his last three relief appearances, allowing one hit with one strikeout.
Florida was starting Brady Singer (8-5, 3.18ERA) in Game1.
GOING FOR SEVEN: LSU would be alone in second place in all-time titles if it wins a seventh thisweek. Skip Bertman coached the Tigers to championships in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 2000, and Mainieri coached the 2009 title team. The Tigers are tied with Texas for second with six championships. Southern California is the leader with12.
GOING FOR FIRST: Florida is in the finals for the third time. The Gators were swept in their previous appearances, by South Carolina in 2011 and by Texas in 2005.
MAKE IT DOZEN: The Southeastern Conference is assured of winning its 12th national championship in baseball. That will rank second among conferences, well behind the Pac-12’s 28. The Big 12 is third with nine titles.
FAEDO FINISHED?: Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said he didn’t know whether ace Alex Faedo could come back to pitch in relief if the finals goes to a Game 3. He’s pitched 14 innings of shutout ball in Omaha, all in starts against TCU, and became the fifth pitcher in the last 30 years to have double-digit strikeout games in the same CWS. The Detroit Tigers’ first-round draft pick has allowed one run in 27 innings in the NCAA Tournament with 44 strikeouts.
LANGE POSSIBILITY: If LSU ace Alex Lange were to pitch again, it wouldn’t be until Game 3. Lange has worked 13 innings and struck out 16 in two CWS starts. He allowed two hits and struck out eight in 7 innings against Oregon State on Friday.