LSU star pitcher Paul Skenes has put his team on his back on numerous occasions this season, which is a big reason why they made it to the College World Series final. He didn’t play in the winner-take-all Game 3 on Monday night against Florida, but put the team on his back again in a literal sense after LSU took home the win.
Many were speculating whether or not Skenes would pitch in Monday’s game considering the stakes were at an all-time high. He was on three days’ rest after helping LSU reach the finals in a shutout win over Wake Forest.
He went out to the bullpen in case he was needed before the game, but it ultimately wasn’t necessary due to the dominant offensive performance from LSU in the game. They would go on to win the game 18-4 to secure their seventh National Championship in program history.
The LSU Tigers are Men's College World Series champions for the seventh time in program history! #MCWS⚾️🐯🏆 pic.twitter.com/xkPSegSqOe
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 27, 2023
The game was pretty much smooth sailing for LSU, except for an unfortunate injury to LSU catcher Alex Milazzo. Milazzo would end up leaving the game after suffering a fractured shin in the top of the fourth inning.
https://twitter.com/MrMatthewCFB/status/1673493718685433856
Milazzo was in the dugout when the final out was recorded for LSU, and wanted to celebrate with the team on the field. Skenes helped him do that by giving him a piggyback ride out to the field.
LSU superstar Paul Skenes carried catcher Alex Milazzo on his back to celebrate the Tigers' national title.
Milazzo suffered a fractured shin earlier in the game. #MCWS ⚾️🐯🏆 pic.twitter.com/Jme4dcgyI9
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) June 27, 2023
It was truly a touching moment, and fans took notice of it on social media, praising Skenes for this cool gesture.
https://twitter.com/11point7/status/1673524248231460864
Paul Skenes carried Alex Milazzo to the dogpile. Amazing.https://t.co/GtarwsNQGL
— TigerDroppings (@TigerDroppings) June 27, 2023
LSU catcher Alex Milazzo had to leave the game early after injuring himself badly on an awkward slide at home
so what did he do for the dogpile when LSU got the final out?
Paul Skenes had him covered: pic.twitter.com/W7hGblAzK4
— Céspedes Family BBQ (@CespedesBBQ) June 27, 2023
https://twitter.com/MrMatthewCFB/status/1673523954072313856
LSU catcher Alex Milazzo suffered a fractured shin earlier in the game so Paul Skenes carried him onto the field to celebrate with the team 🥺 pic.twitter.com/7FjONBWOWD
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 27, 2023
It was truly a fitting end for a player like Skenes who played such a big role in LSU’s championship season. He will now prepare for the 2023 MLB Draft, where he is projected by many to be a top-five pick.
