No. 2 Florida's 24-run outburst sets up winner-take-all Game 3 with No. 5 LSU

The GIST: The MCWS finals are all tied up, with the No. 2 Florida Gators and No. 5 LSU Tigers notching one win each in the best-of-three series this weekend. That means it all comes down to tonight’s Game 3, when one of these teams etches their name on the trophy and in the history books. Chills.

How it happened: Despite the narrow 4–3 scoreline, LSU looked like the obvious heir to college baseball’s throne in Saturday’s Game 1. A record-tying 17 strikeouts by junior pitcher Ty Floyd and a walk-off homer from grad student designated hitter Cade “Bayou Bambino” Beloso powered the Tigers to the gritty 11th-inning dub in style.

• With the twin Tiger threats of superstar junior hurler Paul Skenes and Golden Spikes–winning junior outfielder Dylan Crews looming large, plus a metaphor sizzling on the grill, it seemed LSU’s fairytale ending was inevitable. And then…

• Yesterday, Florida eviscerated LSU 24–4 (!!!), forcing today’s winner-take-all Game 3 in historic fashion. Every starting Gator scored, led by junior centerfielder Wyatt Langford’s six RBIs, including a three-run scorcher. Now, that’s a comeback.

What’s next: LSU might have a hard time mentally recovering from that one, but if anyone can silence the screaming Gator bats and lead them to a vengeful title, it’s Skenes, who rested yesterday and is expected to start tonight. Tune into ESPN at 7 p.m. ET to watch the bats fly and the confetti fall.