The LSU baseball team celebrates after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national title on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU pitcher Paul Skenes holds his College World Series MVP trophy as he celebrates after they defeated Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the CWS finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
Players and coaches in the Florida dugout show their disappointment after their 18-4 loss to LSU in Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU first baseman Tre’ Morgan, right, hugs people in the stands as the Tigers celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU pitcher Paul Skenes greets fans as they celebrate after they defeated Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LSU starting pitcher Thatcher Hurd throws to the plate during the first inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida’s Cade Kurland beats the throw as LSU infielder Gavin Dugas covers second base during the first inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Fans react after Florida’s Wyatt Langford hit a two-run home run during the first inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Jordan Thompson, left, is forced out at second base as Florida infielder Josh Rivera throws to first on a fielder’s choice during the second inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Josh Pearson crosses home plate as he scores a run during the second inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU fans celebrate after a run was scored during the second inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LSU’s Cade Beloso reacts after being hit by a pitch, forcing in a run, during the second inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Brayden Jobert crosses home plate after being walked in with the bases loaded during the second inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
An LSU fan reacts during the second inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LSU’s Alex Milazzo leaps over Florida catcher BT Riopelle to score on a single by Cade Beloso during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. Milazzo was injured on the play. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Alex Milazzo reacts after hurting himself leaping over Florida catcher BT Riopelle to score on a single by Cade Beloso during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Alex Milazzo reacts after hurting himself leaping over Florida catcher BT Riopelle to score on a single by Cade Beloso during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU catcher Hayden Travinski reacts to an injury to teammate Alex Milazzo (not pictured) during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LSU’s Alex Milazzo is tended to after hurting himself leaping over Florida catcher BT Riopelle to score on a single by Cade Beloso during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Alex Milazzo is helped off the field after hurting himself leaping over Florida catcher BT Riopelle to score on a single by Cade Beloso during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida pitcher Ryan Slater throws to the plate during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Brayden Jobert, right, celebrates with Josh Pearson after scoring on an RBI double by Jordan Thompson during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU fans cheer after a home run by Josh Pearson during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Josh Pearson, right, reacts at the plate with Jordan Thompson after they both scored on Pearson’s two-run home run during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida pitcher Ryan Slater (13) is checked on after he was hit in the leg by a batted ball during the fourth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Gavin Dugas is hit by a pitch during the fifth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LSU starting pitcher Thatcher Hurd throws to the plate during the sixth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU fans cheer during Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida pitcher Tyler Nesbitt throws to the plate during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida players watch from the dugout during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Tre’ Morgan avoids a tag by Florida infielder Cade Kurland at second base during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU outfielder Brayden Jobert leaps in vain for ball that was hit for a home run by Florida’s Ty Evans during the seventh inning on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida relief pitcher Blake Purnell throws to the plate during the seventh inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Dylan Crews slides into third base on a triple during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida pitcher Blake Purnell walks to the dugout at the end of the eighth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU pitcher Gavin Guidry throws to the plate during the eighth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
An LSU fan holds a sign near the LSU dugout before the start of Game 3 of the College World Series finals between LSU and Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
Florida pitcher Fisher Jameson throws to the plate during the ninth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against LSU on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
The LSU dugout celebrates after a home run by Brayden Jobert (6) during the ninth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
Fans in the outfield reach for a home run ball hit by LSU’s Brayden Jobert during the 9th inning of Game 3 of the NCAA College World Series baseball finals against Florida in Omaha, Neb., Monday, June 26, 2023. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Brayden Jobert (6) celebrates with teammates Tre’ Morgan (18) and Jordan Thompson (4) as he crosses home plate after hitting a home run during the ninth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LSU’s Brayden Jobert (6) is greeted by his teammates after he hit a two-run homer during the ninth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series baseball finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU’s Brayden Jobert, not pictured, is greeted by his teammates after he hit a two-run homer during the ninth inning of Game 3 of the College World Series baseball finals against Florida on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU players storm the field to celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LSU closer Gavin Guidry, left, hugs catcher Hayden Travinski as they celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU closer Gavin Guidry, left, hugs teammates after they defeated Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. It is the Tigers’ seventh national title, second only to USC’s 12. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU players celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. It is the Tigers’ seventh national title, second only to USC’s 12. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU players celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. It is the Tigers’ seventh national title, second only to USC’s 12. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU players celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. It is the Tigers’ seventh national title, second only to USC’s 12. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU players celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
LSU players celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. It is the Tigers’ seventh national title, second only to USC’s 12. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU players celebrate after defeating Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the College World Series finals to win the national championship on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
Players in the Florida dugout show their disappointment after their 18-4 loss to LSU in Game 3 of the College World Series finals on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (AP Photo/Rebecca S. Gratz)
LSU players hoist the NCAA championship trophy after they defeated Florida, 18-4, in Game 3 of the CWS finals to win the national title on Monday night in Omaha, Neb. (Photo by Jay Biggerstaff/Getty Images)
OMAHA, Neb. — LSU went from its low point of the season to the ultimate high in a span of 24 hours.
A day after it gave up the most runs ever in a College World Series game, LSU cranked up its offense and won its first national title since 2009 with an 18-4 victory over Florida on Monday night in the third and deciding game of the finals.
LSU (54-17) staved off elimination three times in bracket play and bounced back from the humiliating 24-4 loss in Game 2 to claim its seventh championship, second to USC’s 12.
“We got punched in the mouth yesterday,” Tigers star Dylan Crews said. “That’s the beauty of baseball. You wake up in the morning and do it all over again. We woke up today and you could see on everybody’s faces that we were ready to go. Nobody in the country was going to beat us today.”
The Tigers wiped out an early 2-0 deficit with a six-run second inning against Jac Caglianone (7-4). The runs kept coming until they finished with the most in a title game since USC’s 21-14 win over Arizona State in 1998. The 14-run margin was the largest ever in a final. Their 24 hits were the most in any CWS game.
“It wasn’t our day, all the way around,” Gators catcher BT Riopelle said.
Thatcher Hurd (8-3) gave up Wyatt Langford’s two-run homer in the first and then allowed no hits or runs while retiring 18 of the next 21 batters. Riley Cooper took over to start the seventh and gave up Ty Evans’ CWS-record fifth homer, and Gavin Guidry finished the combined five-hitter.
Cade Beloso said Johnson’s message to the team in the morning meeting was simple.
“It was, ‘One game for the national championship. Are you in?’ Everybody was, ‘Yeah, let’s go.’ You can’t let baseball get to you,” Beloso said. “The game is brutal sometimes. You have to show up and play the next day.”
There was speculation after Sunday’s blowout loss about the Tigers bringing back ace Paul Skenes for a third start in Omaha. He threw a combined 243 pitches over 15⅔ innings in two spectacular appearances, and he would have been working on three days’ rest.
It turned out Skenes was able to watch from the dugout in the comfort of his sneakers while LSU poured on the runs and Hatcher kept dealing. Skenes headed to the bullpen to do some stretching and throwing in the seventh inning. He went back to the dugout after the eighth and stayed there until he and his teammates rushed the mound when Guidry struck out Colby Halter to end it.
Skenes was named the Most Outstanding Player of the CWS.
The overwhelmingly partisan LSU crowd included Kim Mulkey, coach of the national champion women’s basketball team and the mother of Kramer Robertson, who played shortstop on the 2017 team that lost to Florida in the CWS finals.
The Tigers had been pointing toward a title run since their first team meeting last August. Coach Jay Johnson brought back the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in Crews and the rest of the core of the 2022 lineup.
Three key transfers took LSU to a higher level. Skenes was the first college pitcher in 12 years with 200 strikeouts and could be the No. 1 pick in the amateur draft. Tommy White hit 24 homers and drove in a nation-leading 105 runs. Hurd was solid as a starter and reliever and matched his longest outing of the year in the title game.
“Right people, right place, right time,” Johnson said. “This is the way it was supposed to go.”
LSU joined Mississippi, Mississippi State and Vanderbilt in a line of four straight national champions from the SEC.
“Oh my gosh, this is what I dreamed of since I was a freshman, holding this trophy,” Crews said. “We’re champions, baby, bringing it back to LSU. It’s been a long journey for us. We dealt with a lot of stuff. Just to finally say we’re national champions … I cannot wait to put another flag over the field. It’s going to be awesome.”
Florida (54-17) won the SEC regular-season title, was the No. 2 national seed and set school records for wins and home runs – the Gators hit 17 of the 35 homers by all teams in the CWS. But the Gators were unable to carry over the momentum from their record-setting production Sunday.
“I thought our team was in a really good place,” Florida coach Kevin O’Sullivan said. “I thought BP was good. They were loose. Put two on the board the bottom half of the first. I thought the dugout was electric. And then all of a sudden we had four walks and I think two hit-by pitches … and then we had to go to the ’pen earlier than we wanted to.”
Caglianone, Florida’s two-way star, struggled with his command for a second straight start and was done on the mound after 1⅓ innings. He remained in the game as the designated hitter.
LSU got on the board when Jordan Thompson, who had been 1 for his last 30, singled in a run. It was tied after Caglianone hit Cade Beloso – his fifth hit batter in his 5⅔ CWS innings – and a walk to Crews put LSU in front. Cade Fisher relieved and gave up a couple of RBI singles and a sacrifice fly.
Josh Pearson’s fourth homer of the season highlighted the Tigers’ four-run fourth inning.
The only down note for LSU was an injury to catcher Alex Milazzo, who landed awkwardly on his left leg when he had to hurdle Riopelle as he crossed home plate in the fourth inning.
That didn’t stop Milazzo from celebrating. A teammate gave him a piggyback ride to the mound for the ceremonial dogpile.
