TCU vs. LSU
3 p.m. ET, ESPN
The Horned Frogs have lived something of a charmed postseason so far, with their epic regional comeback over NC State being the prime example. They'll need every extra ounce of anything they've got, as they haven't played a team as good as LSU yet.
The Tigers will start Jared Poche', who pitched 7.2 innings of one-run ball in their Super Regional clinching win over UL-Lafayette last weekend. His 2.91 ERA is similar to the 2.55 of Preston Morrison, TCU's named starter. Morrison went 9.1 innings in the Frogs' 2-1, ten-inning loss to Texas A&M; in Super Regional play. As you can guess from that, Morrison is a guy who can go a long distance if need be, so look for him to be in most of the game unless LSU's bats can really knock him around.
Those bats will need to look alive against the formidable Horned Frog pitching staff. They produced only two runs each in regional games against UNC-Wilmington, and while they averaged five runs per game in the Super Regional against ULL, the degree of difficulty has ramped up.
Fullerton vs. Vanderbilt
8 p.m. ET, ESPN
The nightcap brings the closest thing to a Cinderella the CWS has to offer with Fullerton. The Titans' program is certainly not an intrinsic underdog given its storied history, but this is not one of the program's strongest teams, and it wasn't certain at times that it would even make the postseason.
Defending champs Vandy will be glad to play the part of the villain here, and they're going to try with ace Carson Fulmer. The SEC's top hurler will be facing a Fullerton lineup that overall hasn't been stellar this postseason but that has taken advantage of key opportunities. It didn't hit for much power before, and in the spacious TD Ameritrade, don't expect Fulmer to give up any dingers. His key today will be to close out innings well and not let any cheap runs through.
Fullerton will lean on Thomas Eshelman, who performed heroic duty last week in the Super Regional. He was the winner in the Titans' opening 3-2 win against Louisville, and he closed the door on their 4-3 win in Game 3. They don't have much in the way of proven depth behind him, so the pressure is on to make this start count. If Fullerton doesn't win this one, a 0-2 appearance is more likely than not.
