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FSU Baseball Preview: Noles Gets Rematch With LSU in Elimination Game

By Ty Ragans

Jun 17, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers infielder Cole Freeman (8) scores the tying run when Florida State Seminoles catcher Cal Raleigh (35) mishandles a throw in the eighth inning at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2017; Omaha, NE, USA; LSU Tigers infielder Cole Freeman (8) scores the tying run when Florida State Seminoles catcher Cal Raleigh (35) mishandles a throw in the eighth inning at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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FSU baseball suffered heartbreaking defeat to LSU in their College World Series opener. After taking down Fullerton, FSU will get a shot at redemption.

FSU baseball started out the 2017 College World Series by losing to LSU in heartbreaking fashion. The Noles rebounded by disposing of Cal State Fullerton by a score of 6-4 in an elimination game on Monday. LSU faced off with number one seed Oregon State Monday night.

The Beavers put it on LSU by a score of 13-1, setting up a rematch of Saturday night’s thriller. The two teams will meet on Wednesday night, and for the loser it means their season is over.

Preview

We all saw what happened on Saturday night. FSU baseball lead for nearly the entire game against LSU until a three-error play in the bottom of the 8th inning allowed LSU to tie the game at 4-4. The next batter for LSU would single to right and that was all she wrote, LSU stole game one from the Noles 5-4.

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Game two of the College World Series went better for the Noles as they were able to take down Cal State Fullerton, 6-4. The Noles patient approach to the plate is what gave them the upper hand by accumulating eight walks.

LSU’s second game went significantly worse for the Tigers. LSU was as sharp as they could be against the Noles but defensive mistakes cost them against the Beavers. It will be interesting to see how LSU responds to a 13-1 drubbing after winning the 17 games prior to Monday.

In Wednesday’s rematch LSU is likely to start senior lefty, Jared Poche. Poche made a relief appearance against the Noles on Saturday. The senior lefty pitched well on Saturday in his short appearance. Poche pitched 2.2 innings and allowed just two hits and no walks while recording two strike outs. On the season Poche is 11-3 with a 3.33 ERA. In 100 innings pitched, Poche has allowed 85 hits while accumulating 69 K’s to 36 walks.

FSU has not named a definitive starter at this point, but Mike Martin has stated it will be either Cole Sands or Andrew Karp. Whoever takes the mound for the Noles will need to step up and contain a dynamic LSU lineup.

After Saturday night’s debacle, LSU will certainly look to apply pressure on the Noles defense with their athleticism. It will be essential for FSU to make the routine plays if they want to avoid another late meltdown in the rematch.

I expect this to be another close game between two evenly matched teams. Hopefully the Noles can do whatever it takes to survive and play another day.

Related Story: Don't Blame Mike Martin For CWS Loss to LSU

How to Watch

Wednesday’s game will begin at 7:00 PM Eastern and be broadcast on ESPN. The radio broadcast can be found on 106.1 FM locally or on the FSU Game Day app nation wide.

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