Jay Johnson reveals what first meeting with Wake Forest does for LSU

LSU has reached the semifinals of the 2023 College World Series, though the Tigers are playing out of the loser’s bracket and must now win two straight games to reach the championship series. But the first meeting with Wake Forest in Omaha could provide some key insight.

The Tigers will face the Demon Deacons on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. ET in what they hope is only the first of two games.

“They’re legit,” coach Jay Johnson said after his team knocked off Tennessee 5-0 on Tuesday night to stay alive. “Going to have to go back and look at it again.”

The first meeting with Wake Forest was an instant classic, with LSU on the wrong end of a 3-2 game that was decided in the eighth inning.

The Wake Forest pitching staff did a good job limiting LSU’s hitters, holding them to just five knocks in the contest. But the Tigers seemed to heat up some against the Volunteers on Tuesday night, belting out eight hits.

And star Dylan Crews cracked a two-run home run that might just get him going.

Of course, LSU will have to figure out Wake Forest’s pitching still. The Demon Deacons have a deep staff, even if their top two starters have already been used.

“I thought (Josh) Hartle threw an outstanding game (in the first meeting with Wake Forest),” Johnson said. “I thought their pen was good. They have more guys that they can go to. Offense, they have their way. And they do their thing really, really well.”

But to be the best you’ve got to beat the best, and Wake Forest is the No. 1 overall team in the tournament. Johnson knows it, too.

The entire NCAA Tournament has been a tough slog, especially the College World Series.

“The three times I’ve been here, this is the best field,” Johnson said. “There’s the most good players and good pitchers of the times I’ve been in the College World Series. They’re certainly part of that.”

Whether LSU takes much from the first meeting with Wake Forest or not, Johnson’s happy his team is getting the rematch. There will be no shame in losing, but the Tigers aren’t entertaining that thought yet.

They believe they’re one of the best teams in the country, too, fully capable of winning a national championship.

“Wouldn’t want to be playing anybody else,” Johnson said. “I’d feel like the four best teams in the country are the four best teams still playing in Omaha right now.”