Florida defeats LSU for 1st CWS title in school history

The Florida Gators have finally won the College World Series.

Behind a strong pitching performance from starter Tyler Dyson, and plenty of good fortune, Florida secured its first ever championship with a 6-1 win over the Louisiana State University Tigers on Tuesday.

Dyson was pulled in the top of the seventh inning after throwing 75 pitches with the Gators up 2-0 and a runner on. Only his third ever start, it was the longest outing of his college career, and it looked like the wheels were about to come off in his absence.

The Tigers plated one run almost immediately and had runners at the corners with no outs. Catcher Michael Papierski hit into a double play that looked poised to score the tying run, but the umpires called runner interference on a slide at second base. The two outs counted, but the runner was called back to third base. The inning ended on a fly ball shortly thereafter.

But things didn’t exactly get easier. The Gators went down quietly in the bottom of the seventh and immediately got into trouble, allowing runners on the corners with none out for the second consecutive inning.

After Gators reliever Michael Byrne struck out Antoine Duplantis, they went to right-hander Jackson Kowar, who induced a ground ball to first. Instead of trying for a tricky double play, first baseman JJ Schwarz threw out Kramer Robertson at the plate.

The play was reviewed and upheld.

Failing to capitalize on these opportunities spelled the end once the Gators tacked on four runs in the bottom of the eighth. When second baseman Deacon Liput drove in two runs on a single, it gave Florida the breathing room it needed.

LSU got a baserunner to third in the top of the ninth, but there was no comeback.

Florida held on.

This is the 11th time Florida has appeared in the College World Series tournament. According to ESPN Stats & Info, this is the most appearances by a team winning the title for the very first time.