SEC Showdown In Omaha For CWS Finals As LSU Battles Florida
It'll be an SEC showdown in the College World Series Finals as LSU takes on conference rival Florida in a best-of-three beginning Monday night.
The Tigers and Gators have already met in a series this season, with Florida taking two of three in Gainesville.
LSU Shortstop Kramer Robertson says both teams are playing better, and differently now than back in March.
"They had the injury bug when we played them," said Robertson. "And we didn't have the emergence of Zack Watson, Michael Papierski and still didn't have Zack Hess in the bull pen. So both teams have gotten stronger."
Coach Paul Mainieri announced he's going to start fifth-year senior Russell Reynolds of Baton Rouge Monday night. He said he'd go with Jared Poche on the mound Tuesday, and not pitch Alex Lange before Wednesday.
Poche, who picked up his school-record 39th career victory in the win over Florida State last week, says there isn't much you have to guess at this point in the season.
"You hit that stride to where you all just sync up, and the rhythm just gets easier to repeat," said Poche. "Then it's all about trusting those guys behind you."
This is the 6th appearance for LSU in the CWS finals, and The Tigers have won all six times...the last being in 2009. Robertson says this feels like an SEC weekend with more at stake.
"Both teams have great players, great pitchers and great defense," said Robertson. "Both teams are here for a reason and it's going to be about who goes out there and gets the job done."
First pitch is set for 6pm.