OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Brady Singer struck out a career-high 12 in seven innings, Jonathan India doubled in two runs, and Florida beat LSU 4-3 in Game 1 of the College World Series finals Monday night.
The Gators (51-19) need a win Tuesday or Wednesday to earn their first national championship.
Singer's strikeout total was highest by a single pitcher in a CWS finals game. Singer (9-5) limited LSU (52-19) to three singles before Antoine Duplantis homered in the sixth.
Most strikeouts ever in a CWS Final game ✅
Most strikeouts ever by a @GatorsBB in a CWS game ✅
Brady Singer: 1️⃣2️⃣ Ks
STRAIGHT. DEALING. pic.twitter.com/AkYkJWeBZB
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) June 27, 2017Florida led 3-0 after LSU starter Russell Reynolds (1-2) issued three straight walks in the fourth, with India driving in two runs on a ground-rule double.
Down 4-2, LSU threatened in the eighth. Josh Smith sent a ball into the right-center gap to drive in a run. He was thrown out trying for second by Nick Horvath, who entered as a pinch runner in the top of the eighth and stayed in the game as the center fielder.
A man on a mission. #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/zzsOThmsWh
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 27, 2017
