Tigers Force Extra Game vs. Wake Forest After 5-2 Victory On Wednesday Night

OMAHA, Neb. – LSU designated hitter Cade Beloso launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning to lift the Tigers to a 5-2 victory over No. 1 overall seed Wake Forest Wednesday night at Charles Schwab Field.

With the win, the Tigers improved to 51-16, and the Demon Deacons dropped to 54-11.

The Tigers return to action Thursday at 6 p.m. CT to take on Wake Forest for the third time in an elimination game. The winner clinches a spot in the College World Series Championship Series that begins Saturday night.

Thursday’s matchup is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT first pitch on ESPN2, and it can be heard on the LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates including www.LSUsports.net/live.

LSU left-hander Griffin Herring (5-2) entered the game in relief after the Tigers allowed two runs in the early innings. He had an impressive performance and quieted the Demon Deacon bats down for the remainder of his outing. Herring closed his outing with 4.2 scoreless innings while striking out six hitters.

Left-hander Riley Cooper earned his third save of the CWS after entering down the stretch to get the final four outs. He finished the game with 1.1 innings pitched while allowing no runs on no hits with two strikeouts.

Wake Forest opened the scoring in the top of the second inning on a two-RBI single from centerfielder Tommy Hawke.

The Tigers narrowed the Demon Deacons’ lead in the bottom half with an RBI double from right fielder Brayden Jobert. The frame began with a walk by designated hitter Cade Beloso who advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on the double down the line.

LSU was able to tie the ballgame in third on an errant pitch from the Wake Forest starting pitcher Seth Keener. Centerfielder Dylan Crews led the inning off via base-on-balls and first baseman Tre’ Morgan singled to right field. Second baseman Gavin Dugas walked next, and with Beloso at the plate, Crews scored on a wild pitch to tie it at two.

Beloso followed up with a three-run shot to put the Tigers ahead 5-2. It was his 14th dinger of the season and the Tigers held the lead for the remainder of the game.

(Release via LSU Athletics)

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