Update emerges on LSU pitcher Riley Cooper amid stomach bug concern ahead of Game 3 in CWS final

It remains to be seen if LSU pitcher Riley Cooper will be available for Game 3 of the College World Series against Florida. But Cooper was at least feeling well enough to go to Charles Schwab Field Omaha with the Tigers team on Monday afternoon.

Cooper was on the team bus as LSU headed over to the stadium for Monday night’s decisive game of the CWS finals, according to Jacques Doucet. That is good news for a Tigers team that wants as many arms as possible available for the winner-take-all Game 3.

While it appears as though Cooper will at least be at the stadium on Monday, he was not at the park for Sunday’s loss to Florida in Game 2 as he dealt with a stomach bug.

“LSU lefty Riley Cooper didn’t leave his hotel room today due to a nasty stomach bug, per source,” ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel reported on Sunday. “Hopes to be ready to pitch tomorrow in deciding game 3 if needed.”

Cooper has been key to LSU’s run at the College World Series thus far.

The veteran pitched the final three innings of LSU’s 4-3 victory against the Gators in Game 1 on Saturday. He allowed just one hit in that time while striking out three batters, including the final two he faced, to earn the win.

Cooper has pitched the third-most innings of any LSU players this season with 60 2/3. He has posted a 4.30 ERA and ranks fourth on the team with 63 strikeouts.

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 College World Series finals. 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 be looking up for LSU heading into Monday night’s final.

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,” Johnson said when asked if Skenes will pitch.

He is not expected to start but could come out of the bullpen.