Kevin O'Sullivan shares initial thoughts on LSU

The Men’s College World Series Championship is set. Although Florida and LSU are from the same conference, the two programs aren’t entirely familiar with one another.

The Gators and Tigers have not faced off this season. However, if the SEC standings are any indicator, Florida tied Arkansas for first place in the conference standings with a 20-10 record. LSU trailed just behind with a 19-10 record of its own.

Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan believes the two teams are far more similar than they are different.

“Initially, [the LSU Tigers] were identified by their offense and rightfully so. They got some star power in their lineup. I think our team was the same way,” O’Sullivan said. “Obviously, they had [Paul] Skenes who has had arguably the best season in the history of college baseball. But, yet, we’ve got [Brandon] Sproat, who came back to school, and we have Hurston [Waldrep], of course, and Jac [Caglianone].”

Bursting with talent

O’Sullivan is correct. Both teams are loaded with talent. Florida and LSU combined had eight of the 12 players named to the 2023 All-SEC First Team. In fairness, the Tigers boasted both the pitcher and player of the year.

The two teams are dynamic from the plate. Florida is hitting .291 this season with 136 home runs, the third-most in the nation. LSU is just better in both categories, batting .307 with 138 homers. While both teams are dangerous with a bat, their similarities are on the mound.

“The biggest similarity that I see, just from the outside looking in, is the improvement with their bullpen over the course of the year, and I think the same could be said about us as well,” O’Sullivan said.

LSU and Florida possess young pitching

Developing pitchers has been a theme for both squads this season. In a win or go home situation, LSU pitched freshman Griffin Herring for 4.2 innings, who gave up just three hits and zero runs.

Likewise, Florida freshman Cade Fisher delivered in the Gators’ 3-2 win over TCU to advance to the championship series. The left-handed pitcher was the only Florida pitcher to allow zero runs while on the mound in the victory.

Both Florida and LSU will need their cannons to stay hot. The two teams will square off in the first game of the CWS Championship at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.