LSU WALKS OFF ARKANSAS TO ADVANCE TO MCWS FINALS
Jared Jones played the hero twice and the scapegoat once in the final two innings Wednesday as the junior first baseman’s walk-off single propelled No. 6 LSU to a 6-5 win over No. 3 Arkansas and into the finals of the Men’s College World Series at Omaha, Neb.
A rematch between the top two seeded teams in Omaha produced a lot of late drama in what was a must-win game for the Razorbacks, who lost to LSU 4-1 in both teams’ opening game on Saturday.
The three-run bottom of the ninth for the Tigers (51-15) — after Arkansas (50-15) scored twice in the top of the frame — means LSU advanced to the series’ best-of-three final against No. 13 Coastal Carolina, which will start Saturday.
It looked as if the Razorbacks would force a winner-take-all game Thursday between the two schools after Justin Thomas Jr.’s two-run single in the top of the ninth gave the Hogs a 5-3 lead. Cole Gibler (3-2) started the bottom of the ninth getting a strikeout, but Derek Curiel reached on an infield single and Ethan Frey walked.
Gibler got Steven Milam to hit in what might have been a game-ending double play, but shortstop Wehiwa Aloy chose to force Curiel at third.
With two out, Luis Hernandez hit a rope to left. Razorbacks left fielder Charles Davalan charged the ball, but it appeared to hit off his head. That allowed the tying runs to score on what was ruled a double.
Aiden Jimenez then came on to pitch against Jones, who homered in the eighth to tie the game at 3. On a 2-1 count, he hit a line drive up the middle that glanced off the outstretched glove of second baseman Cam Kozeal to start the celebration for the Tigers.
Prior to that, Jones committed a fielding error on a possible double-play ball in the top of the eighth that allowed Arkansas to take a 3-2 lead.
Jacob Mayers (2-0) struck out two in the top of the ninth to keep it a two-run game.
With LSU advancing, the SEC has a chance to continue its recent dominance in Omaha. The last five national champions have come from the conference, and its schools have won it 10 times since 2009.
LSU, which seeks its eighth title, last won it in 2023.
–Field Level Media
CHANTICLEERS ERUPT IN 1ST, BEAT CARDINALS TO ADVANCE TO MCWS CHAMPIONSHIP
Colby Thorndyke went 3-for-4 and drove in five runs, including three in a decisive first inning, as Coastal Carolina continued to cruise with its 11-3 win over Louisville on Wednesday at the Men’s College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
Thorndyke’s bases-clearing double was part of a huge opening inning for the Chanticleers (3-0), capping a five-run explosion before Louisville could even record an out.
Cardinals starter Colton Hartman was pulled after seeing just five Coastal Carolina batters, all of whom reached base. Walker Mitchell struck first with a single that drove in Caden Bodine and Sebastian Alexander.
Louisville (2-2), which avoided elimination with wins over Arizona and Oregon State to play its way into Wednesday’s contest, went to the bullpen quickly. However, Jake Schweitzer came on and immediately gave up the three-run double to Thorndyke.
The Chanticleers built a 6-0 lead by the end of the inning and never looked back. Thorndyke recorded his fourth RBI when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the sixth inning, then singled in the eighth to drive in Blake Barthol.
Thorndyke’s contributions highlighted Coastal’s 26th straight win and sent Louisville home from Omaha.
Mitchell and Dean Mihos each drove in a pair of runs for the Chants. Riley Eikhoff earned the win, pitching 5 ? innings with four strikeouts and three earned runs — all of which came in the sixth inning.
Tague Davis, Garret Pike and Kamau Neighbors drove in Louisville’s runs, with Pike and Neighbors both singling on the heels of a Davis double.
Coastal Carolina, which won the 2016 MCWS, will face the winner of LSU and Arkansas in the best-of-three championship series that is scheduled to begin on Saturday.
–Field Level Media
