Facing elimination, the LSU Tigers met Wake Forest on Wednesday night of the 2023 College World Series. Backs against the damn wall, Head Coach Jay Johnson had his group of hungry Tigers ready for a fight on Wednesday night. Coming into the game on Wednesday night, LSU knew they had to win two games in two days to advance to play the Florida Gators in the National Championship series starting on Saturday.

Wake Forest managed an early 2-1 lead over the Tigers. However, LSU would explode in the bottom half of the 4th inning with a four-run inning to give the Tigers a 5-2 lead over the Wake Forest Deamon Deacons. Cade Beloso would be the hammer to drive home a three-run home run to deep right field to give the Tigers the 5-2 advantage. Scoreless in the 5th and 6th innings; provided an extra layer of tension for the final three innings. Wake Forest would have runners on base in the 7th and 8th but would strand those runners as LSU sealed the deal with the bullpen.

Given the track history of the LSU pitching, the Tigers went with Javen Coleman to start the elimination game on Wednesday night. Coleman lasted an inning, striking out two Wake Forest batters. Head Coach Jay Johnson would go to the bullpen early, bringing Blake Money to pitch during the top half of the second inning. Blake Money lasted one Wake Forest batter before being replaced by Griffin Herring. Griffin Herring gave the LSU Tigers four solid innings of impressive pitching, striking out six Wake Forest batters. LSU would return to the bullpen in the top half of the 7th inning with runners on first and third with one out. Gavin Guidry would be the guy to be trusted to get out of a pickle for the boys in purple in gold. Gavin Guidry would retire the following two Wake Forest batters to bury any comeback hope the Deamon Deacons had on Wednesday night. LSU would bring in the man himself, Riley Cooper, in the bottom half of the 8th with two outs to finish the job and to give Wake Forest their final four outs of the game.

Head Coach Jay Johnson and his LSU Tigers will have a massive decision to make in terms of starting pitching on Thursday against Wake Forest. In all likelihood, LSU will give Paul Skenes the start providing the Tigers with an advantage on the mound. Skenes last pitched Saturday night in the 6-3 win over Tennessee. Skenes gave the Tigers seven good innings where he struck out 12 Tennessee batters.

With the thrilling win over Wake Forest on Wednesday night, the Tigers will play in a winner take all game on Thursday afternoon. The winner will advance to play the Florida Gators starting Saturday in the 2023 College World Series National Championship.