One way or another, it seemed, pitcher Paul Skenes was going to be the star of LSU’s seventh College World Series championship.

Never mind that the Tigers’ right-hander not only did not throw a pitch in the championship game, he never saw the mound in the entire three-game championship series.

It was a shame because he played such an integral part of getting the Tigers there.

ESPN seemed intent on seeing, even providing minute-by-minute updates on Skenes’ whereabouts and state of wardrobe readiness — Zoom in. Are those cleats he’s putting on or just diversionary sneakers? — even as the Tigers’ need for him declined with every crooked-number inning of an 18-4 clinching massacre.

But in the end, Skenes stole the show anyway. Not his fault. Some players just have star power. The photo-op moment of the night came in the midst of the dogpile.

Somebody was missing — catcher Alex Milazzo was also wounded, cracking a leg during an awkward encounter with home plate while scoring. Speed was not a suspect in the run or the injury, but he scored from first on a single.

Maybe it was Skenes’ two-year hitch at the Air Force Academy coming through in the end.

They might be late to the dogpile, but no Tigers were going to be left behind.

The 6-foot-6 Skenes soon enough had the 5-11 Milazzo straddling his back and they were coming down the stretch toward the celebration like a Kentucky Derby mount. Milazzo spared Skenes the whip.

And there it was. It might have summed up this most recent LSU national championship. Two wildly different backgrounds (and baseball futures) coming together, unselfish, for a common goal.

The imposing Skenes was head coach Jay Johnson’s prize grab for a one-year stint out of the NCAA transfer portal, the wave of the future, a future which for Skenes will soon include cash millions from a major league team. The pot of gold could wait — this was what he went to LSU for. His wounded comrade was the nondescript Milazzo, a three-year grinder from Zachary with a penchant for coming through when least expected. Rare among Tigers, he can even be trusted to bunt.

LSU doesn’t get near Omaha without Skenes. Tommy White certainly did his share, too, and don’t forget Monday starting pitcher Thatcher Hurd was lured in the same way.

But LSU’s future better always have a spot for the Milazzos of the world, too.

You can’t ignore the portal, particularly if you’re LSU with its inherent advantages. And Johnson hasn’t been shy about it, particularly during the postseason run using much of his national TV time to remind the best of the lot that his door is always open.

That’s the reality.

But this year’s national champion looked like maybe the perfect mix.

LSU, right now, can probably get most anybody it chooses out of the portal. Fine. Just don’t get greedy. Choose carefully. The Tigers do need to guard better guard against mercenaries overrunning the LSU lifers.

This team might have had the perfect balance.

Dylan Crews was the generational player from Florida who couldn’t wait to play for LSU. He was treated like a native son.

You mix him and homegrown talent like Tre’ Morgan with Bayou guys whose life’s dream has been to play in Alex Box Stadium, and you’re on to something. Guys like Cade Beloso, who re-upped for a fifth year when he realized he’d miss it to much and ended up one the stars of Omaha. Don’t forget Gavin Dugas and Josh Pearson, who always seem to punch above their weight.

It certainly worked this season.

Johnson said this team, which faced a lot of bumps despite obvious talent, was probably his most fun the coach. He never denied the talent, even during the slumps, which was also refreshing.

He certainly seems on the right track, winning his national title in just his second season.

Lost in the furor, Monday was the Tigers’ first national championship at Omaha’s downtown ball park, which isn’t really new any more having opened in 2011.

LSU will have a lot to replace next year, but it will have the means and the reputation to do it.

Just shop carefully. And remember the image of Skenes carrying Milazzo to the finish line.

—

Scooter Hobbs covers LSU athletics. Email him at scooter.hobbs@americanpress.com