College World Series Finals Game 3: Schedule, TV information released

LSU entered Game 2 of the College World Series Finals on Sunday with a chance to close things out, but Florida wasn’t about to let that happen. With their backs against the wall after a loss Saturday, the Gators left no doubt in a dominant 24-4 win to force a winner-take-all Game 3 set for Monday.

Outfielder Ty Evans and first baseman Jac Caglianone were the stars of the show as they each finished with a pair of home runs. They weren’t the only Florida players whose bats were hot, however, as the Gators totaled six long balls — a Charles Schwab Field record — and 23 hits on the afternoon. The Gators’ 24 runs also set a College World Series record.

None of those homers were bigger than the one Evans delivers in the third inning. After the Tigers scored a pair of runs to tie the game at 3, the sophomore stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. He remained undeterred by the moment, however, launching a ball to left field that went over the fence for a grand slam.

Florida didn’t let up after that, though. The Gators went on to score another run in the fourth inning before adding five more in the sixth to increase their advantage to 10. Wyatt Langford started off the scoring in that inning with a three-RBI homer before Caglianone stepped up right after him with a solo shot of his own. Tyler Shenult then singled to drive in the fifth run.

That put Florida up 13-3, an advantage that proved too large for LSU to overcome. Still, the Gators continued to add to their lead with a Caglianone’s second home run of the day in the eighth to reach 19 runs. BT Riopelle then went yard in the ninth for the Gators’ sixth homer of the day.

That sets up Game 3 of the College World Series Finals for 7 p.m. ET Monday on ESPN. Karl Ravech, Chris Burke, and Kyle Peterson will be in the booth while Kris Budden reports from down on the field.

• Game 1 – LSU 4, Florida 3
• Game 2 – Florida 24, LSU 4
• Game 3 – Monday, June 26 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN

LSU ace Paul Skenes addresses his availability for Game 3 of College World Series Finals

Paul Skenes has yet to pitch in either of the first two games of the College World Series Finals, but that could change Monday. The LSU ace spoke with ESPN sideline reporter Kris Budden prior to Game 2, leaving his availability open.

“He said, not today, maybe tomorrow,” Budden said on Sunday’s broadcast.

Asked what he needed to say to coach Jay Johnson to play, Skenes kept it simple.

“I just look him in the eye and say, ‘I feel good,’” he told Budden.

Skenes, the potential top pick in the MLB Draft, has been spectacular for LSU throughout their run in the NCAA Tournament. He last pitched in an elimination game against Wake Forest on Thursday, shutting out the Demon Deacons in a 2-0 win. Across his two CWS appearances thus far, he has allowed only seven runs while striking out 21 batters in 15.2 innings.

Given that he has had a few days of rest, it would seem likely that LSU would want its ace out there. Especially after giving up as many runs as they did Sunday, the Tigers have the best chance to win with Skenes.

LSU won 4-3 in extra inning in Game 1 and will hope to clinch its first national championship since 2009 on Monday. Florida, however, will look for its momentum to carry over as it aims for its second title in program history, with the first also coming against the Tigers in 2017.

On3’s Wade Peery contributed to this report.