Few relievers in college baseball have been as important as LSU's Zac Cowan.

The Tigers tied with Alabama for ninth in the standings ahead of the SEC Tournament as both have 12-12 conference records.

“Being around the best players in the game for three, four weeks, however long it is — unbelievable opportunity,” Skenes said at Citi Field before the Pirates played the New York Mets.

Skenes has shown his love for his country, as he pitched and caught for Air Force Academy to begin his collegiate career prior to his transfer to the eventual-champion LSU Tigers.