In Omaha, Nebraska, Bennett Lee showcased his defensive prowess with a remarkable play that ultimately propelled Wake Forest towards the College World Series finals. Their victory over LSU with a score of 3-2 secured their dominance in the bracket.
Having maintained an undefeated record of 7-0 in the NCAA Tournament, Wake Forest aims to achieve a historic feat as the first No. 1 national seed to win the championship since 1999.
The players on the team are basking in the joyous moments, thoroughly enjoying themselves. Closer Camden Minacci expressed their invincibility, stating that it seems nearly impossible for any team to defeat them. The immense fun they are having together is truly remarkable.
Lee, the talented catcher for the Demon Deacons, displayed his exceptional skills in the top of the eighth inning. He skillfully caught third baseman Brock Wilken’s bouncing throw and swiftly tagged out Tre’ Morgan, preserving the 2-all tie.
Coach Tom Walter praised Brock Wilken for his outstanding play in reaching the ball, while acknowledging Bennett Lee’s remarkable pick and tag under pressure. This crucial play had a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
In the subsequent inning, Danny Corona drove Thatcher Hurd’s breaking pitch down the right-field line, resulting in a double. Taking advantage of the opportunity, Bennett Lee followed with a well-placed hit to left field, allowing Corona to cross home plate and score.
Wake Forest, boasting an impressive record of 54-10, now looks forward to a Wednesday matchup against the winner of the game between SEC rivals LSU (49-16) and Tennessee. LSU emerged victorious against Tennessee with a 6-3 win on Saturday. In order to prevent a spot in the finals for the Deacons, they would need to suffer two consecutive losses.
LSU’s starting pitcher, Ty Floyd, showcased his skills by limiting the Deacons to just two hits and equalling his personal best with 10 strikeouts. However, he lost his command in the sixth inning, walking the first three batters. In response, Coach Jay Johnson made the decision to bring in Hurd (6-3) to face Brock Wilken, who happens to be one of the co-leaders in home runs at the national level.
In a crucial moment, Brock Wilken delivered an RBI single by sending a well-placed ball up the middle, allowing a run to score. Shortly after, Justin Johnson hit into a double play, resulting in the tying run crossing home plate.
The Tigers took an early lead against Wake Forest’s starting pitcher, Josh Hartle, in the third inning. Tommy White singled, bringing in a run, and then scored himself from second base when Tre’ Morgan hit a fly ball to left field that was lost in the sun by Adam Cecere, resulting in a triple.
Hartle displayed his prowess on the mound, pitching six innings and accumulating nine strikeouts. With this performance, he raised his season total to a Wake Forest-record 140 strikeouts.
When the situation seemed dire for the Deacons in the eighth inning, they managed to thwart the Tigers’ offensive threat. LSU had runners on the corners with no outs after Morgan doubled down the line and Hayden Travinski reached base on an error.
Brock Wilken demonstrated exceptional fielding skills as he backhanded Cade Beloso’s ground ball down the line. He then made a quick double-pump before delivering a bounce throw to Bennett Lee at home plate. Lee swiftly applied the tag on Tre’ Morgan in a close play that stood up even after a video review.
Morgan, reflecting on the play, acknowledged that he anticipated an awkward throw from Wilken and tried to position himself in the way. However, he credited Wilken for making a great play.
According to Lee, the groundwork for that crucial defensive play was laid during a mound visit when Coach Walter instructed Lee to inform Wilken to throw home if the ball came his way. The situation unfolded perfectly when Beloso hit a dribbler, and Wilken executed an impressive play. Wilken himself mentioned that the ball was still spinning in his glove as he made the throw. Lee, from his perspective as the catcher, relied on his extensive experience with making countless plays at first base to secure the out.
The inning concluded with another defensive gem from Wilken, as he fielded Gavin Dugas’ grounder and initiated a double play.
LSU coach Jay Johnson acknowledged the difficulty of such a tough loss but reminded his players of past experiences. He mentioned his 2016 Arizona team, which lost its second game in the College World Series but rallied to reach the finals by winning three consecutive games. He also referred to Paul Mainieri’s LSU team in 2017, which faced a similar situation and still made it to the finals. Johnson expressed his unwavering faith in his team’s abilities and urged them to stick to their strengths, knowing that they could overcome adversity and be in a favorable position moving forward.