Florida Holds off LSU 4-3 in Game One of CWS

Brady Singer threw seven strong innings, and Florida used a three run fourth inning to defeat LSU 4-3 to take a 1-0 lead in the best of three final in the College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, NE

Singer (9-5) gave up eight hits and three runs in the seven innings he worked.  He walked two and struck out 12.

Michael Byrne threw the last two innings and retired LSU in order in the ninth for his 19tth save.

LSU starter Russell Reynolds (1-2) pitched three solid innings for the Tigers, but the senior got in trouble in the fourth when he walked Dalton Guthrie, J. J. Schwartz and Nelson  Maldonado.  LSU coach Paul Mainieri then called on left hander Robbie Bush, who gave up a sacrifice fly to Austin Langworthy and a ground rule double to Jonathan India to give Florida a 3-0 lead.

LSU had an opportunity in the fourth inning when Antoine Duplantis and Greg Deichmann got back to back hits to open the inning.  But Singer struck out Zach Watson, Josh Smith and Beau Jordan in succession to get out of the inning with no damage.

LSU finally got to Singer in the sixth when Duplantis homered with one out.  Singer got the second out, but Watson was hit by a pitch and Smith walked before Jordan singled to make the score 3-2.

Florida got one of those runs back in the seventh when Langworthy doubled, India sacrificed him to third and Mike Rivera singled through the drawn in infield to give the Gators a 4-2 lead before Hunter Newman came in to get out of further trouble.

Singer exited after giving up a leadoff double to Deichmann in the eighth, giving way to Michael Byrne.  Watson flied out but Smith singled home Deichmann.  The freshman, however, was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.  Byrne then got Jordan to hit back to the pitcher to end the inning.

Reynolds took the loss, working 3.1 innings, allowing two hits and three runs with three walks and two strikeouts.  Bush allowed three hits and one run with two strikeouts in 3.1 innings, while Newman allowed just one hit in 2.1 innings with two walks and a strikeout.

The two teams will play game two Tuesday night at 7:00 pm.