Paul Skenes explains why he didn't pitch in Game 3 of College World Series final

Almost all the attention was toward the bullpen when LSU ace Paul Skenes began warming up for a potential closing performance on Game 3 of the College World Series — and his college baseball career.

To the disappointment of LSU fans everywhere, once the ninth inning came around Skenes was back in the dugout and watching from the sidelines. He explained why he was ultimately chosen to rest instead of pitch.

“We had to be within five or six runs, I think,” Skenes said. “And it wasn’t quite there. It was a team win, the whole series,” Skenes said. “It’s just that we could make it happen. Obviously, I wish I threw but I am glad I didn’t.”

LSU ultimately took Game 3 18-4 over Florida and didn’t need Skenes’ arm to keep the Gators off the board. It also sends him to the 2023 MLB Draft in good health — where he is expected to be one of the first two names off the board. Which is especially good knowing the type of workload Skenes pitched through in Omaha.

Skenes has thrown 243 pitches in two starts over the last nine days. He hurled 123 pitches against Tennessee in the Tigers’ first game of the College World Series. His regular schedule would have called for six days off before his next start. But this is Omaha and LSU was on the ropes, so Skenes pitched on five days’ rest and twirled eight scoreless innings with nine strikeouts on 120 pitches.

Still, Skenes couldn’t care less that he didn’t throw a single pitch in the College World Series final. He’ll forever be a national champion — and more importantly — an LSU Tiger.

“Literally couldn’t have ended any better,” Skenes said about the last nine months since transferring. “Did what we came here to do. It’s awesome that we get to experience this.”

For what it means to him personally — “Everything,” he said. “Obviously, I developed as a player. But to meet the people that I did and accomplish it with these guys, it absolutely means everything.”

Skenes (13-2) finishes the season with 122.2 innings pitched, an SEC record-breaking 209 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.69. Opposing batters ended up hitting .165 off him through 19 appearances. He allowed 72 hits against 436 batters and allowed just seven home runs.

Now, he heads to the pros as the MLB’s top first-year pitching prospect. Then it shouldn’t be long before videos begin circulating throughout social media of him carving up the minor leagues.