Tommy “Tanks” White was looking for a fastball in the 11th inning Thursday night.
He got fooled, but it didn’t matter. The LSU Tigers third baseman swung at the off-speed pitch and somehow sent the ball flying out of the stadium for a walk-off home run against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a College World Series Semifinal.
The 2-0 win sends the Tigers (52-16) to the CWS Final, where they face the Florida Gators in a best-of-three series beginning Saturday.
In a CWS full of dramatic moments, White’s walk-off shot will go down as arguably the most memorable.
TOMMY "TANKS" WHITE WITH A WALK-OFF HOMER TO PUT LSU IN THE #MCWS FINALS! ⚾️💣🐯 pic.twitter.com/XVWCHioebm
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 23, 2023
The Tigers got eight shutout innings from Paul Skenes, a potential No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft. But Wake Forest matched LSU’s goose eggs on the scoreboard, setting the stage for White’s heroics.
While White got fooled by the pitch from Wake Forest closer Camden Minacci, he somehow made magic.
“(I was looking) fastball, I didn’t get a fastball, but I was so amped up that I just threw my hands at it,” White told ESPN2.
White said Skenes gave the Tigers “an unreal performance, as always. You know we have a chance to win every time he’s on the mound.”
"What were you looking for in that AB off Minacci?"- Kris Budden
"Fastball… didn't get a fastball… but I was so amped up that I just threw my hands at it."- Tommy White #MCWS ⚾️😂 https://t.co/20ZEVkqqxw pic.twitter.com/O082UL1692
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 23, 2023
Sports fans watching the game, which aired opposite the 2023 NBA Draft, loved the dramatic finish.
TOMMY WHITE WALK OFF TANK TO SEND LSU TO THE FINALS
— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) June 23, 2023
The best baseball game I have ever watched! Geaux freaking Tigers of LSU. Tommy the tank White. You are a freaking beast.
— David (@David59462139) June 23, 2023
#1 Wake Forest bring in their closer in the bottom of the 11th, and his first pitch thrown is a no-doubter over the LF wall. Tommy White “Tommy Tanks” walks it off. Wake lose two in a row, and LSU will play Florida in the National Championship Series #CWS
Incredible game
— Rian Garcia (@Riguy_) June 23, 2023
What’s nuts is from the moment Tommy White committed to LSU, the college baseball community knew what he was bringing to the Tigers lineup.
Little did we know @tommywhite44 Tanks would come through in the bottom of the 11th inning to send #LSU to the #CWS finals⚾️
— ⚾️TBG🏅 (@TBGofficial_) June 23, 2023
TOMMY TANKS!!!!
LSU advances to the championship after a walkoff two run home run from Tommy White in the bottom of the 11th. They will face Florida starting Saturday. #Omaha #CWS2023
— Jackson Adam (@w00lley5) June 23, 2023
TIGERS WIN TIGERS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! TOMMY TANKS WHITE SENDS LSU TO THE WORLD SERIES FINAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A GAME AND A MOMENT FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS. UNBELIEVABLE!
— Luke Patton (@LukePatton_) June 23, 2023
[Photo Credit: ESPN2]
