Jay Johnson clarifies conversation with umpires after Daniel Dickinson review

LSU defeated Coastal Carolina 1-0 to take a critical 1-0 lead in the best of three College World Series championship. The game wouldn’t be without its controversy, though.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, LSU’s Daniel Dickinson came up to the plate against Chanticleers pitcher Dominick Carbone. After working a full count through eight pitches, Dickinson was nailed in his elbow with the pitch.

Called a hit by pitch in real time, the officiating crew reviewed the call and found that Dickinson had leaned into the pitch. Tigers head coach Jay Johnson wasn’t too pleased about the review and tried to meet with the the umpire in the aftermath. Johnson cleared up what was said between him and the official during the brief encounter before the game resumed.

“As far as — after you’re not supposed to go out there after a review. So the umpire was correct,” Johnson said. “I know that. I knew that. I just wanted clarification for — the ball was clearly in the batter’s box. I’m not sure what he was supposed to do.

“It’s a tough rule where you’re rewarding the pitcher for throwing a ball in that case. I thought he did make an attempt to roll. But at that point my team needs me to stay poised and focused and calm and, as they said, get to the next pitch. That was that. So you’re not allowed to after review you’re not allowed to go back out to the umpire.”

The call was overturned, and Dickinson would be retired on strikes despite the pitch that hit him appearing to be inside the zone. The ESPN broadcast commented that the height of his elbow appeared to follow the ball and down to his waist as the pitch drew closer.

Despite the controversy, the call would ultimately be inconsequential as LSU was already leading 1-0 — the eventual final score of Game 1. Kade Anderson pitched a complete game shutout for the Tigers across 130 pitches. He allowed three hits against the Chanticleers.

“Great performance tonight by our team, especially Kade,” Johnson said. “Special performance. Not taking it for granted; that’s what we’ve seen all year. He’s the best pitcher in the country. And did it again tonight.

“That’s been on the regular, every Game 1 of the entire season. So I’m glad he did that tonight, so everybody got to see what we’ve seen and known for an entire season.”

A victory on Sunday would mean the Tigers are College World Series champions for the second time in three seasons, and eighth overall. First pitch for Game 2 is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET and will air live on ABC.