Wake Forest and LSU will meet Thursday night for the third time in four days, but for the first time, everything is on the line. The rubber match will see one team advance to the College World Series finals and end the championship hopes of the other.
LSU fell to the Demon Deacons on Monday, meaning the Tigers would need to win three games in three days to advance. Still, they find themselves in an ideal position on Thursday. LSU’s top pitcher Paul Skenes is expected to be available to start, so that will give Jay Johnson’s team the best pitcher in the nation in an elimination game.
Wake Forest won’t make it easy for LSU’s lineup, either. Highly-touted MLB Draft prospect Rhett Lowder could be ready to start for the Demon Deacons, making this semifinal game a battle of true aces.
MORE: What to know about Paul Skenes, Rhett Lowder ahead of battle of aces
Which team does that favor? Both teams had a prolific offense this season, but the Demon Deacons have scored only eight runs across three games during the College World Series. If Wake Forest couldn’t break through against the rest of LSU’s arms, its outlook against Skenes may be bleak.
Pitching has largely prevailed in the first two matchups between these powerhouses, and that’s likely to be the case again if Skenes and Lowder are on the bump.
The winner will advance to face Florida in the finals, with LSU seeking its first national title since 2009 and Wake Forest looking to snap a 68-year championship drought. It all comes down to Thursday night in Omaha.
MORE: Watch the College World Series with Fubo (free trial)
The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights from Thursday’s College World Series semifinals game between LSU and Wake Forest. Follow along with all of the key moments.
LSU vs. Wake Forest baseball score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | F | |
| Wake Forest | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| LSU | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
LSU vs. Wake Forest live updates, highlights from College World Series
(All times Eastern)
6:42 p.m. ET — After Wake Forest looked like it might overcome the curse of the No. 1 seed, could the Demon Deacons fall victim tonight? That will be a major storyline in this game, with more pressure seemingly on Wake than LSU.
6:35 p.m. ET — Lineups are in, with Dylan Crews leading off for LSU once again.
Lineups #LSU pic.twitter.com/gKhWYtLZyB
— Leah Vann (@LVann_Sports) June 22, 2023
How to watch LSU vs. Wake Forest
The College World Series semifinal matchup between LSU and Wake Forest will be broadcast on ESPN2. Viewers can also follow the action on ESPN+ or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
Karl Ravech will be on the play-by-play call, with Eduardo Perez and Kyle Peterson in the booth as analysts. Reporter Kris Budden will round out ESPN’s coverage.
The first two College World Series matchups between LSU and Wake Forest were broadcast on ESPN, but this decisive game has been bumped to ESPN2 due to coverage of the NBA Draft.
How to watch 2023 College World Series
- Date: June 16-25 or 26
- Location: Charles Schwab Field Omaha, Omaha, Neb.
- TV channels: ESPN, ESPN2
- Live stream: ESPN+, Fubo
ESPN will continue its coverage of the NCAA Division I baseball tournament with the 2023 College World Series. Games will be shown on ESPN and ESPN2.
Fans will also be able to stream the games on ESPN+ or on Fubo, which offers a free trial.
College World Series schedule
Thursday, June 22
| Game | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Wake Forest vs. LSU | 7 p.m. | ESPN2, Fubo |
Saturday, June 24: College World Series finals Game 1
| Game | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Florida vs. Bracket 2 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
Sunday, June 25: College World Series finals Game 2
| Game | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Florida vs. Bracket 2 winner | 3 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
Monday, June 27: College World Series finals Game 3*
| Game | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|
| Florida vs. Bracket 2 winner | 7 p.m. | ESPN, Fubo |
* – If necessary
