College World Series: NCAA announces new start time for Tennessee vs. LSU

After weather got in the way of Saturday’s game between Stanford and Wake Forest at the College World Series, it became clear there would be a ripple effect. The delay lasted nearly 90 minutes, meaning the start of Tennessee vs. LSU would be pushed back.

After that game wrapped up, the NCAA announced a new start time for the nightcap.

First pitch between Tennessee and LSU is set for 7:40 p.m. ET, the NCAA said. The game was supposed to start at 7 p.m. ET after the conclusion of Stanford vs. Wake Forest, but because play didn’t resume until 5:46 p.m. ET — when the game was in the seventh inning — the second game of the day was pushed back. Per NCAA rules, Game 2 couldn’t start until 65 minutes after the conclusion of Game 1.

Tennessee and LSU are gearing up for a high-profile SEC showdown in Omaha. The two teams boast some of the best players in college baseball who are in position to hear their names called during next month’s MLB Amateur Draft.

For the Tigers — the No. 5 overall seed — two of their biggest names are in conversation to go atop the board. Paul Skenes is viewed as the best pitching prospect in the draft, as ESPN said earlier during the College World Series, as he brings 188 strikeouts into Saturday night’s matchup. He also has a 12-2 record and a 1.77 ERA in his first season after transferring from Air Force.

LSU also has Dylan Crews, whose name has come up as a highly touted draft prospect. He enters the CWS with a .433 batting average along with 17 home runs, 64 RBI and an on base percentage of .570 this season.

For Tennessee, pitcher Chase Dollander is a name to watch in the draft this season. He brings a 7-6 record with a 4.50 ERA into the College World Series as part of a tough follow-up to a 2022 season in which he broke out with a 10-0 record and a 2.39 ERA.

The Volunteers have also gotten a big year out of Jared Dickey, who leads the team with a .325 batting average and 51 RBI this season.

LSU is rolling with Skenes on the mound in Saturday’s game, and Tennessee will counter with Andrew Lindsey. Lindsey leads the Vols with a 2.79 ERA in 20 appearances, including eight starts entering the game against the Tigers.