Gavin Dugas shares how much getting College World Series win helps mentally
The first one is always memorable, just ask LSU’s Gavin Dugan about the Tigers’ win at the Men’s College World Series.
Dugas and his teammates defeated the Tennessee Volunteers by a score of 6-3 in their first showdown in Omaha, and it was everything they could’ve imagined and more. Afterwards, Dugan touched on just how great it was to get a victory in LSU’s first time on the field at the event.
“It was awesome,” explained Dugan. “I’ve been waiting a long couple of days since we’ve been in the hotel, everybody else has. It was awesome to see the environment and take it all, that first pitch of the game. It’s everything you could expect and more.
“Coach always told us whenever we won the Super Regional that it would be everything we would expect times four. He was right about it, and I’d say times 10. It was awesome to enjoy that first game. We’re ready for the next one.”
That’s the right mentality for Dugas and his teammates to have though, as they want much more than one victory. He wants LSU to be the final team standing in Omaha.
The Tigers will be back in action on Monday, facing off against the top team in the country in the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. It should be an awesome showdown in Omaha between two Goliaths.
More on Day 4 at the Men’s College World Series
We’re getting closer and closer to knowing the two teams who will compete for the 2023 College World Series title, with Day 4 of action set to begin Monday. Stanford and Tennessee will start off the action with an elimination game at 2 p.m. ET.
The loser of that game will be the second team to be eliminated from the CWS, as Virginia became the first with a 4-3 loss to TCU on Sunday. The Cavaliers trailed 3-1 entering the seventh inning but began a late comeback attempt as Ethan Anderson hit a solo home runto cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Horned Frogs were quick to answer, however, as an RBI double from Austin Davisgave them the two-run cushion needed to hang on for the win. Virginia didn’t give up as it scored another run in the bottom of the inning and then got Casey Sauke in scoring position at second base in the ninth. Alas, TCU pitcher Ben Abeldt struck out the next batter to end the Cavaliers’ season and keep his team’s alive.
The second game from Sunday between Oral Roberts and Florida also came down to the wire. Despite trailing 5-1 entering the seventh inning, the Golden Eagles got a two-RBI home run from Matt Hogan to cut the deficit.
The Gators then made a huge mistake with the bases loaded in the eighth, as coach Kevin O’Sullivan made a visit to the mound when he had none left. As a result, he was forced to pull closer Brandon Neely and put in freshman Cade Fisher. Florida got out of that inning without giving up a run, but wouldn’t escape the pressure in the ninth.
Oral Roberts once again loaded the bases and scored another run, and all eyes were on Jacob Godman as he stepped up to face Fisher. He hit a ball to deep center that was ultimately caught as Gators fans, players and coaches alike breathed a collective sigh of relief as they hung on to win.
With the loss, ORU will now face TCU in an elimination game Tuesday. You can view the full bracket and schedule for Day 4 of the College World Series here.
On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this article.
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