Jay Johnson criticizes LSU's approach at the plate early on vs. Wake Forest

LSU had a tough time at the plate in the early going Wednesday against Wake Forest. The Tigers went down in order to start the game and, although they plated their first run in the second, still trailed the Demon Deacons 2-1.

Then, LSU found its groove, plating four runs in the third inning to take a 5-2 advantage. As for what changed, Jay Johnson offered an honest assessment of how the Tigers offense looked early on in the College World Series semifinal.

“We made two outs in the first inning on swinging at balls. We don’t swing at balls,” Johnson told ESPN’s Kris Budden after the surge. “So we just needed to get back in character and make [Wake Forest pitcher Seth Keener] throw it up and over the plate. If you go down in bottom of the zone with him, he’ll kill you.”

The Tigers had their work cut out for them going up against a Wake Forest team that started the week leading the nation in ERA. Keener got the start on the mound, bringing a 2.18 ERA and an 8-1 record into the matchup.

As for LSU, it was a bullpen day for Johnson’s group. Javen Coleman got the start, but only threw 1.1 innings before Blake Money came in to relieve him. Money then threw 0.1 inning as Johnson again turned to the bullpen to bring in Griffin Herring.

Bullpen days can be tough on the pitching staff, but Johnson said he didn’t have any doubts about the Tigers’ ability to rise to the occasion. Once you get to Omaha, it’s all about going out and doing your job, and that’s exactly what Johnson wanted to see out of the pitchers.

“It’s just one at a time,” Johnson said. “We’ve got enough guys that we feel confident in. They’ve just got to execute the pitches, get a head in the count and let the defense work.”

Trailing 2-1 entering the bottom of the third, LSU got an RBI double from Brayden Jobert to tie things up. Then, the big swing came as Cade Beloso hit a three-run home run to put the Tigers in front, 5-2.

With a victory, LSU can force an if-necessary game Thursday with a spot in the national championship on the line. A Wake Forest victory, however, would send the No. 1-seeded Demon Deacons to the championship series, where Florida awaits.