Jay Johnson addresses Paul Skenes' availability for Game 3 of College World Series Finals

Nothing went LSU’s way in their brutal loss to Florida in Game 2 of the final series in the College World Series. The Gators did a record-breaking number on the Tigers inside Charles Schwab Field and forced a deciding Game 3 on Monday night. However, things may already looking up for LSU heading into tomorrow night’s de facto title game.

Following the 24-4 loss to Florida, Tigers head coach Jay Johnson updated the availability of Paul Skenes, their right-handed ace. In a quote from Glenn Guilbeau, Johnson said that team is going to go through a process to decide whether or not he can give it a go on three and a half days of rest.

“As I talked about last time, we’ll do a process to figure that out, which we’ll do.”
-LSU coach Jay Johnson on if ace Paul Skenes will pitch Monday night on 3.5 days rest. He did not rule him out.

— Glenn Guilbeau (@LSUBeatTweet) June 25, 2023

Skenes last pitched in LSU’s win or go home victory over Wake Forest, which earned them their berth in the finals. In his eight innings of work during the 19th start of his season, he didn’t allow a run and gave up just two hits. In total, he finished with nine strikeouts to bring his season total up to 209.

At the bottom of the fifth inning of Sunday’s loss, ESPN’s Kris Budden provided her own update from Skenes himself. From what he told her, there’s a chance that he could take the field tomorrow in the final game of the season.

“(Skenes) said not today, maybe tomorrow,” Budden said.

As far as a sales pitch to win Johnson over, Skenes told Budden that he would try to convince him into letting him play by, ‘(looking) him in the eye and (saying), ‘I feel good.’”

So you’re saying there’s a chance? It’s not a certainty yet but, heading into Monday night, it sounds like the Tigers could have their best pitcher on the mound at some point of the contest.

Dylan Crews named 2023 Golden Spikes Award winner

LSU slugger Dylan Crews won the 2023 Golden Spikes Award on Sunday. He won the award ahead of Game 2 of the College World Series final.

The finalists for the award came down to LSU’s Crews and Paul Skenes, and Florida‘s Jac Caglianone. All three players, who will be prominently featured in Sunday’s game, made their own case to win the award. In the end, though, it was Crews who came away with college baseball’s most prestigious award.

𝐃𝐘𝐋𝐀𝐍 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐖𝐒. pic.twitter.com/TLxirqNsvj

— Golden Spikes Award (@USAGoldenSpikes) June 25, 2023

ESPN interviewed his father, George, winutes before Crews took the field for Game 2. He described what it means to his family to see him in the position he’s in right now: one win away from becoming a national champion.

“It’s all about this team,” Crews’ father said. “It’s unbelievable. Jay Johnson is the greatest coach in baseball. The guys that he’s put together, the development — Dylan could not do this without all of those guys. That’s what it’s all about.”

His mother, Kim, reflected on his entire baseball career and their sacrifices that led up to this moment.

“He’s worked so hard throughout his life for this moment. I’m such a proud mom,” she said. “I can’t even put it into words. He’s living his whole dream and I’m so happy for him.”