Florida's Kevin O'Sullivan explains plan for starter Hurston Waldrep amid windy conditions in Omaha

Florida pitcher Hurston Waldrep has an extra challenge in front of him today. The College World Series is seeing its most windy day yet with 21 mile-per-hour winds and gusts reaching up to 36 miles per hour.

The unusual weather is a blessing to batters. The strong winds will transform typically easy outs into grand slams. Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan discussed his game plan for his starting pitcher before the game.

“There’s there’s two teams left. We got a tough game last night it’s over and done with, we got to move on,” O’Sullivan said. “[Waldrep must] go deep in the game. Our bullpen is a little bit light right now so if you can give us six seven innings and, hopefully, we can run a few balls and see what happens.”

Waldrep can’t suffer the same fate as Brandon Sproat on the mound. Sproat only pitched for four innings in Game 1 of the CWS finals despite throwing a season-high 111 pitches. The exhausting outing ultimately caught up to the Gators, who fell to LSU 4-3 after 11 grueling innings.

Things won’t be easier on Waldrep. LSU doesn’t need any wind to be one of the most powerful hitting teams in the nation. The Tigers boast 141 home runs this season, the second-most in the nation. With big-time threats such as Dylan Crews and Tommy White, LSU will be the one throwing Waldrep curve balls.

Nonetheless, if anybody can handle it, it’s Waldrep. The 6-foot-2 junior has been lights out in the NCAA Tournament. In 21 innings between three games, Waldrep has allowed just two runs while delivering 37 strikeouts. On the year, Waldrep has 154 strikeouts, the third-most in the country.

Florida catcher BT Riopelle discussed his confidence in Waldrep after Florida’s loss on Saturday night.

“Anytime that guy gets on the mound is a great advantage for us. Ultimately we have to go out and execute. I think execution is the most important thing. You can throw out all the talent and throw out everything else. All that matters now is if you execute and make the pitch when it matters — or the at-bat when it matters or the defensive play when it matters,” Riopelle said.

Watch Waldrep fight the imposing winds at 3 p.m. ET as Florida takes on LSU in Game 2 of the CWS finals. Florida must win to force a Game 3. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.