LSU's Paul Skenes has opportunity to break NCAA strikeout record during College World Series

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When LSU clinched its first trip to the College World Series in six years, it gave 6-foot-6, 247-pound right-hander Paul Skenes a chance to break an NCAA strikeout record that has stood for more than three decades.

Skenes — who'll likely make his next start Saturday night against Tennessee in Omaha, Nebraska — is 15 strikeouts from eclipsing former LSU star Ben McDonald’s 1989 mark of 202.

"Obviously, that’s in the back of my mind," said Skenes, who has averaged just more than 11 strikeouts per appearance this season. "But the fact that I get to pitch again with this team, with these boys on the biggest stage, that’s the coolest opportunity that I could have asked for."

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LSU Tigers pitcher Paul Skenes (20) during the 2023 SEC Baseball Tournament game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers on May 25, 2023 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama.   (Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If LSU wins at least twice in the CWS's eight-team, double-elimination format, Skenes should get at least two starts.

"I’m hoping for three," Skenes said with a smile, referring to the maximum number of appearances he could make if LSU advances to the best-of-three championship series.

"Things are pretty good if he pitches three more times," LSU coach Jay Johnson said with a knowing smile. "And because of him, we’ll have a chance to do that."

Then again, it's not beyond Skenes' ability to strike out 15 in one game. With a fastball that routinely clocks 101 mph, complemented by a sharp-breaking slider and deceptive changeup, Skenes has averaged a nation-leading 15.8