This time next year, we'll be saying goodbye to Rosenblatt Stadium. So at least we don't have that to do tonight.

But after finishing my fourth year here in Omaha, this is always a sad night.

The fans, players, coaches, and other media members and NCAA staff that you meet during these two weeks are nothing like any other event in sports. There's a relaxed professionalism that I've never seen anywhere else. And that's what makes it so fun to keep coming back to.

Whether it was meeting the LSU fans that drove 16 hours from Cajun Country to tailgate everyday at 7am, or any of the other 336,076 fans that packed into this place the last 15 games, they all had a story. And they all shared a love for college baseball.

So we bid farewell to this place for another year. It always goes so fast. We started with 64 teams in the NCAA Tournament four weeks ago. And now we have one.

Congratulations to the LSU Tigers on their championship, and congrats to this city and its people for hosting such a great event every year.

Thanks for following along, as always, it's been a blast.

Goodnight for one final time from Rosenblatt Stadium, where your final score is LSU 11, and Texas 4.

 

Take a look back at the College World Series with our exclusive video packages from Omaha that Adam Aizer and I put together.

Click here for all of those.

Here's a look at the CWS All-Tournament Team:

Catcher: Cameron Rupp, Texas
First Base: Dustin Ackley, North Carolina
Second Base: D.J. LeMahieu, LSU
Third Base: Kyle Seager, North Carolina
Shortstop: Tyler Cannon, Virginia
Outfield: Kole Calhoun, Arizona State
Outfield: Jared Mitchell, LSU
Outfield: Ryan Schimpf, LSU
DH: Russell Moldenhauer, Texas
Pitcher: Anthony Ranaudo, LSU
Pitcher: Taylor Jungmann, Texas

Most Outstanding Player:
Jared Mitchell, LSU

 

They were the No. 1 team in the nation when the season began, and they are now the No. 1 team in the nation at the end.

LSU won its six national championship in school history on Wednesday night, with an 11-4 win over the Texas Longhorns.

Tigers starter Anthony Ranaudo wasn't his sharpest in his fifth postseason start but he was effective enough in his 5.1 innings of work. He allowed four runs on eight hits while striking out four and walking five to win his 12th game of the season.

Coming off a disappointing loss on Tuesday night in which they only scored one run, CWS Most Outstanding Player Jared Mitchell made sure that wouldn't be the case tonight, when he launched a three-run home run just inside the rightfield foul pole in the top of the first to get the Tigers off and running, and get what had been such hot bats back on track.

And when Texas tied the game on a Kevin Keyes two-run home run in the fifth inning, it felt like this one could be the classic that everyone thought it might be.

But it was a freshman that helped the Tigers put this game away in the top of the sixth, when Mikie Mahtook lined an RBI double into the rightcenter field gap to give the Tigers a 5-4 lead, in an inning in which they put five on the board.

The celebration was on.

The mardis gras beads were flying, and the thousands of LSU fans that made the trip from Cajun Country began dancing in their seats.

LSU head coach Paul Mainieri wins his first national title, tying his legendary father in that category, which is something that Mainieri thought about often during this season. And something that creeped into his mind not only last night when he thought about this game, but also when the game was well in hand in the late innings.

Nothing means more to him than to win this title for his parents. And that's as genuine of a comment as you'll hear from any coach in sports.

And when it was time for Mainieri to fill out his lineup card this afternoon, he made a slight change. Not only was Sean Ochinko in the lineup at first base, he was hitting in the cleanup spot. He promised coach at lunch that he wouldn't disappoint him.

He most certainly didn't.

Ochinko finished the night with four hits and three RBI, helping lead an LSU attack that finished with 12 hits. A Tiger attack that rebounded from their first off night in over a month.

On the other side, Texas will long remember leaving way too many men on base. A problem that plagued them this entire CWS. The power was turned on, but the numbers with runners in scoring position were dreadful.

The 'Horns just ran into a buzzsaw.

Texas starter Cole Green lasted only two innings, allowing five hits and four runs while striking out only one. Brandon Workman came out of the bullpen and got charged with the loss--a tough one at that when he only allowed one earned run in three innings.

It's fitting that LSU's top two starters were apart of winning the national championship game. Anthony Ranaudo started it, and senior Louis Coleman finished things off with two innings of nearly perfect baseball.

LSU is back on top of the college baseball world. Skip Bertman and Les Miles were just a couple of the names that were in town from Baton Rouge. And that's fitting too.

Bertman hired Mainieri three years ago with the dream that he could leave Notre Dame and turn the Tigers program back into what Bertman remembered it being.

And then there's Miles. He needs to get a congratulations as well, mainly for allowing a couple of football players to concentrate on baseball this spring. Wide receiver Jared Mitchell was the best player at this World Series, the media voted. And starting safety Chad Jones was filthy out of the bullpen.

That's a university coming together to win a national championship.

That's a team effort.

One just has the feeling that it won't be the last time we see coach Mainieri hoisting a national championship trophy in Omaha. After all, the Tigers are back.

 

This one's well in hand. LSU leads 10-4 heading to the ninth.

We are off to the field for the celebration/presentations.

More later on.

How about this quirky stat? LSU is 48-0 when leading after six innings.

That's about the best I've ever seen a team be. Usually a team with a good closer, you'll see that stat about the 8th inning. But the 6th? Wow. If you extend that to the 7th, they are just 45-1.

Good news for LSU is that they lead by five with play already into the bottom of the seventh.

Lefty reliever Chad Jones was electrifying in the sixth, and has continued in the 7th. Not bad for the starting safety on the Tigers football team. He struck out two with filthy breaking balls to end the sixth inning. Also not bad for a guy that had just five innings pitched entering tonight's appearance.

We have an all-time record as far as attendance goes. With just over 336,000 fans attending the 2009 College World Series, which broke the 2008 record that saw 330,000 fans attend.

And in case you're wondering, that's an average of 22,405 over the 15 games played here this year. That is not a record.

Mainieri has pulled starter Anthony Ranauro here in the bottom of the sixth, with no one on and one out. He's allowed four runs and eight hits, but really has to be happy with that line considering Texas has left nine men on base.

Chad Jones is now in for the Tigers.

So much for trying to stop that bleeding. Texas closer Austin Wood hit the first to batters he faced in the 6th inning, Blake Dean with the bases loaded, and allowed a two-run single by Sean Ochinko that breaks this game open, as LSU now leads 9-4 after a five run 6th in which they batted around.

The worst part from a Texas standpoint? The five runs were scored on just two hits.

That's a tough pill to swallow.

Brandon Workman did a great job out of the Texas bullpen, but after a leadoff walk to Jared Mitchell in the 6th and an RBI double for freshman Mikie Mahtook, he got the hook.

That gave LSU a 5-4 lead, and Austin Dicharry's throwing error helped the Tigers tack on another run, and now it's Austin Wood's turn to try and stop the bleeding, with the Tigers leading 6-4 with runners on 1st and 3rd and two outs.

The 'Horns need to stop it here, otherwise they are in a lot of trouble with a fresh Matty Ott available in the LSU bullpen.

Kevin Keyes redeemed himself with a two run homer in the fifth, to tie this baby up at 4-4.

This comes after he struckout with the bases loaded back in the first inning to end a threat.

We have a classic setting up, Ranaudo still on the mound for the Tigers as well, hitting the 100 pitch mark in the at bat with Clark here in the 5th.

Texas leaves the bases loaded once again in the third inning, but they did cash in for two runs thanks to Anthony Ranaudo's wildness. The 'Horns only get a leadoff double as far as hits go, but score the two runs thanks to four walks in the inning.

Ranaudo threw 43 pitches in the third, with the at-bat of the inning coming from Preston Clark with two outs, as he forced a 10 pitch at-bat by fouling pitches off with 3-2 pitch after 3-2 pitch until he eventually worked out a walk.

4-2 LSU as we now go to the third inning.

By the way, Cole Green was done after the second inning, replaced by Brandon Workman, who struck out two in his first inning of work. Green only threw 34 pitches, but was roughed up for five hits, four runs while striking out only one.

Looking to get right back into the ballgame in the bottom of the first, Texas loaded the bases against Anthony Ranaudo, but Kevin Keyes struckout on a 1-2 pitch to end the inning.

As one would expect, the LSU bench is fired up. After the strikeout, they nearly pummeled Ranaudo as he came back to the bench. I would liken it to the reaction teams have after someone hits a home run in college.

I hope they didn't hit him too hard.

We go to the 2nd, LSU still leads 3-0.

Couldn't ask for a better start to the evening if you're LSU. Cole Green set the first two Tigers down, before Blake Dean was hit in the foot by a pitch. At first home plate umpire Perry Coestello didn't think the pitch it him, but after Paul Mainieri came out to argue, the umps got together and got the call right.

A single by Sean Ochinko put runners on first and second, and then Jared Mitchell wrapped one around the fair pole for a three run homer off the catwalk out there for an early 3-0 lead.

I'd say things are going their way to start.

Welcome back to the 'Blatt everyone, where it's only 85 degrees today. We had a round of thunderstorms earlier in the afternoon, but we are clear now.

Let's take a look at the starting lineups.

First for the visiting LSU Tigers, things look a lot like they have the last few games here.

1. 2B D.J. LeMahieu
2. LF Ryan Schimpf
3. DH Blake Dean
4. 1B Sean Ochinko
5. RF Jared Mitchell
6. CF Mikie Mahtook
7. C Micah Gibbs
8. 3B Derek Helenihi
9. SS Austin Nola

And on the mound is LSU's best postseason starter in 2009, righty Anthony Ranaudo. He's 11-3 with a 2.87 ERA overall, but the owner of a 1.38 mark four postseason starts, and is 3-0 in those ballgames. Opponents are hitting just .202 against him. Outstanding.

For Texas things shape up the same as they have been:

1. 3B Michael Torres
2. 2B Travis Tucker
3. 1B Brandon Belt
4. DH Russell Moldenhauer
5. C Cameron Rupp
6. RF Kevin Keyes
7. CF Connor Rowe
8. Preston Clark
9. SS Brandon Loy

The Longhorns will send righthander Cole Green to the hill tonight, with a 5-3 record and a 3.07 ERA. Green has been solid in the postseason as well, with his last outing coming against Arizona State--a no-decision.

The crowd is filling in, it's a beautiful night for baseball, and it doesn't get much better than this. One game to decide the national championship.

It's a beautiful thing.

I'll have more in a bit right before first pitch, scheduled for 7:11pm ET on ESPN.

It's only fitting that one game will decide the national championship in 2009.

And Texas has a freshman to thank for living one more day.

Taylor Jungmann went the distance throwing a five-hitter and allowing only one run in a 5-1 win for the Longhorns.

There are a couple of reasons why this night was a special one for Texas and its first year pitcher. First? He pitched last night, in the ninth inning of a game that Texas had a two-run lead. He didn't throw a strike in his six pitches, and was yanked in the middle of an at-bat after a walk.

The other? Facing a LSU lineup that couldn't be any hotter.

Well, he battled through both roadblocks as if it was just another night in the middle of an April weekend series against a Big 12 opponent.

As if his team's season wasn't on the line.

It also helped that once again the Longhorns used the longball to score some runs. And one name that people aren't going to forget too soon is Russell Moldenhauer. The junior saw career lows in nearly every category this season, thanks to a dislocated knee that he was recovering from.

But, has he ever come alive over the last five games. Moldenhauer tied CWS record with his fourth home run here in Omaha, and became the first player in CWS history to have less than five home runs on the season entering the CWS, and to hit four while here. The best part? Moldenhauer didn't have one all year long.

As a team, the 'Horns now have 13 home runs in five games in Omaha, something that head coach Augie Garrido has an easy enough explanation for.

"I'd just like to thank coach Harmon and the builders of this fine facility," he said after the game.

As a former Angels third round draft pick in 2006, Moldenhauer has certainly been a story for this team, and now they'll play for a seventh national championship in school history on Wednesday night.

In the other dugout, LSU head coach Paul Mainieri was hoping to not have to play another game until February of 2010, but it's not this game isn't that easy.

There's just something about having two storied programs like these and two of the best teams in the nation playing one final game for the championship that is more intriguing than any story one could write.

Throw in the fact that each team will throw a starter on Wednesday that has had postseason success this year, and we have ourselves a recipe for a night to remember here in Omaha.

LSU will toss No. 2 starter Anthony Ranaudo, the owner of a 1.38 ERA in his four postseason starts. While Texas will hand the ball to Cole Green, who hasn't been too shabby himself the last month.

In a way, you almost want to make THIS the final game in Rosenblatt Stadium history. What better way could there be for the old lady to go out? I guess it could happen again this year, but games between teams like these, programs like these, are tough to come by. And no matter what happens tomorrow night, it's going to be a cWS Finals that no one forgets anytime soon. But one just gets the feeling that it may just come down to one final pitch, one final play.

These fans and people of Omaha deserve that.

When Texas takes the field Wednesday night in front of nearly 23,000 fans, there's going to be an electricity in the air that not even today's thunderstorm that rumbled through and caused a 1:34 rain delay could match.

One game. Augie Garrido. Paul Maineri. LSU. Texas. Soon-to-be 12 combined national championships.

I could keep writing all night getting ready for this one, but I'll stop here.

We'll see you tomorrow night for one final time at 7pm ET when the 'Horns and Tigers meet in a deciding game three of the 2009 CWS Finals.

'Nite from Omaha everyone.

 

This game has really zipped along since the third inning, with no scoring on either side.

Texas' Taylor Jungmann has really been the story tonight. He's into the 7th inning, giving up only four hits and striking out seven.

Not bad for the freshman as we play here in the bottom of the 8th.

I'm heading downstairs for post-gave festivities. I'll be back with either a written and video recap of a national champion or with a happy Texas bunch that will play for a title tomorrow.

For now, watch on ESPN or follow along with our GameTracker.

How could Russell Moldenhauer not have a home run all season long coming into the College World Series? He has four now for Texas, after a homer in the top of the third, tying the CWS record for HRs in a CWS.

No one could have predicted that, probably not even Augie Garrido.

Anyway, Texas scored three in the third to take a 5-1 lead, with the damage coming off LSU reliever Ryan Byrd. Mainieri took starter Austin Ross out of the game before the inning started.

Texas starter Taylor Jungmann certainly looks like a different pitcher tonight than last night when he threw six pitches, all for balls.

In the bottom of the first, he set down one of the best top of the lineups in the nation, 1-2-3 including back to back strikeouts of Ryan Schimpf and Blake Dean.

Texas got on the board first in the top of the first with an RBI single from Brandon Belt.

We go to the second, with the 'Horns up 1.

The first pitch of tonight's game will be at 8:43 Eastern Time, you can watch on ESPN.

I'll be back throughout the night. Will LSU with the national title? Will Texas force a game three tomorrow?

We'll find out, enjoy everybody.

No first pitch time yet but the tarp is off the field. I'd say it will be about an hour from now.

More when I can get some information.

Now the tarp is covering the field. No rain yet, but it's on the way. Shouldn't be too long of it actually raining, then it's a matter of getting the field ready and letting the players warm up.

The temperature has dropped into the low '80s, so that's good news at least. Now we just need the rain to stop as the crowd scatters for cover.

Still an hour until scheduled first pitch, but this won't be getting off for a while.

 

Starting lineups are out, so let's take a look. First, for the visiting Longhorns of Texas:

Looks much like yesterday's as far as the players go:

1. 3B Michael Torres
2. 2B Travis Tucker
3. 1B Brandon Belt
4. DH Russell Moldenhauer
5. C Cameron Rupp
6. RF Kevin Keyes
7. CF Connor Rowe
8. LF Preston Clark
9. SS Brandon Loy

On the mound tonight for Texas is freshman righty Taylor Jungmann, who is 10-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 24 appearances (nine starts). Opponents are hitting just .197 against him. But in a key spot in last night's ballgame, Jungmann came in during the ninth inning and threw six pitches--all balls, and was pulled in the middle of an at-bat with a 2-0 count after walking his first batter.

For LSU:

1. 2B D.J. LeMahieu
2. 1B Ryan Schimpf
3. DH Blake Dean
4. C Micah Gibbs
5. CF Mikie Mahtook
6. RF Jared Mitchell
7. LF Leon Landry
8. 3B Derek Helenihi
9. SS Austin Nola

And pitching for the Tigers is righty Austin Ross, who is 6-7 with a 5.09 in 18 appearances (16 starts).

 

Maybe not in the order that the headline suggests, but we have action here at Rosenblatt even though we are still about two hours out from first pitch of game two of the CWS Finals.

First, LSU football coach Les Miles and LSU Men's Basketball coach Trent Johnson have arrived from Baton Rouge to see the Tigers play for a possible national championship tonight. They arrived at the airport not to long ago, and upon arrival headed out to leftfield where the crazy Tiger fans have been sitting, with Paul Mainieri. Each got their name chanted and now they have headed into the crowd it looks like.

As for the tarp, the groundscrew has it unrolled slightly down the rightfield line, and the batting practice equipment has been pulled off the field for the moment. The Texas players have started warming up in the outfield. Hopefully that's a good sign as we wait to see if a line of storms is going to miss us.

In case you don't know, today was somehow hotter than yesterday. It reach 97, with the heat index in the mid-110's.

I'll be back in a bit with more.

Texas has been known for the comeback wins this year, especially in the postseason. But LSU had a 13 game win streak coming into Monday night.

Make it 14 now.

Trailing 6-4 in the top of the ninth with two outs, D.J. LeMahieu lined a double down the leftfield line to tie the ballgame at 6-6, and the Tigers went on to win in the 11th, 7-6.

One might have been stunned to not see Texas closer Austin Wood in the game there in the ninth trying to close it out, but he had been taken out with one out and one on after throwing 2.2 innings.

Head coach Augie Garrido just liked the matchup, but this move didn't work.

Taylor Jungmann came in and threw six pitches--all balls, and was promptly taken out in the middle of an at-bat. Austin Dicharry didn't fair much better, eventually giving up that double to LeMahieu.

It was a game that saw seven home runs, all solo shots, to set a CWS  Finals single game record. And it saw a freshman make his mark in LSU history, as Mikie Mahtook came through with two outs in the 11th, lining a single to centerfield that sent Baton Rouge, Nebraska into a fury, with Mardis Gras beads flying every which direction in celebration.

It was also a game that saw the heat index hit as high as 107 when it started at 6pm local time. Not only was it unbearable for the fans in the crowd, but it started to take a toll on the players as well.

Including who battled through not only a rough start at the plate on the day (three strikeouts and a double play) before singling in his final two, he battled cramps after making a twisting, turning catch at the warning track.

"It was Baton Rouge weather," Mahtook said after the game.

They certainly had that on their side. And not to mention the enormous boost they got from the partisan crowd, which some estimated had to be close to 75 percent LSU.

In a game that ended up lasting four hours and eight minutes, it can be tough to forget who started the ballgame. But Chance Ruffin's outing for Texas can't go unnoticed.

Coming off a start he wanted to forget against Arizona State, Ruffin struck out 10 batters in 5.2 innings. And even though the ball was flying out of Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium, Ruffin limited the longball damage to just one.

LSU head coach Paul Mainieri couldn't be more excited for the position his team is now in.

"We're going to play for the national championship, wow. That's pretty cool, isn't it?" Maineri said after the game.

And he should be excited. LSU is 5-0 all-time in games that decide the national championship, something that they can do with just one more victory.

As for Texas, they have all of a sudden become a team that only relies on the longball, with 13 of the 27 runs they have scored in Omaha coming off home runs. The 'Horns now have 11 of the team's 50 for the season here in Omaha.

But they've gotten away from doing other things at the plate that made them successful this season. Such as hitting with runners in scoring position. The Longhorns were just 1-for-13 with RISP against LSU on Monday night, and is a paltry .190 (12-for-63) at the CWS in such situations.

That's going to have to change on Tuesday for this Texas team to stay alive and see a Wednesday at Rosenblatt.

We'll see you back here on Tuesday at 7pm ET (ESPN) as LSU looks to seal the deal on yet another national championship for its collection, and the first for Paul Mainieri.

'Night from steamy Omaha.

We go to the bottom of 8th. And it's time for us to head down for our postgame festivities. We'll be back later with a written recap, video recap and video interview as well.

For now, follow along on ESPN or on GameTracker!

It's all about the solo home run. Not too long ago this game was cruising along with Texas in front 1-0. We now have seven home runs, after Connor Rowe blasted another in the bottom of the 7th to make it 6-4 'Horns.

That's seven solo home runs. Very weird evening here at the 'Blatt.

Texas has now accounted for 20 percent of its home run total for the season here at Rosenblatt Stadium, hitting its fourth home run of the game in the 6th to break a 3-3 tie.

Even cooler? Russell Moldenhauer hit his second of the game, and only third of the season. All three have come here in Omaha!

Ten of the team's 49 home runs have been hit at the College World Series.

So much for the no power theory.

4-3 Texas, bottom 6.

Jared Mitchell showed us why he's a First Round draft pick, launching a 2 run triple into the leftcenter field gap and not even drawing a throw to tie the game at 3-3 in the top of the 6th.

Now in the bottom of the 6th, LSU CF Mikie Mahtook turned five different ways before catching a Brandon Belt shot to center. He then went down with what looked like cramps in his legs.

The heat is starting to take a toll. We saw Chance Ruffin have cramps too after he came back to the dugout after being taken out.

With two outs in the 6th inning, Texas starter Chance Ruffin is out of the ballgame after striking out 10 in 5.2 innings and walking just one. LSU does have the tying runs on 1st and 3rd with two outs, and Texas closer Austin Wood has come in the game to face lefty Jared Mitchell.

Looks like Ruffin had some cramping issues, but we'll find out more about him later. Big spot in this ballgame with Texas leading 3-1.

What's the best way to combat the 107 heat indexes? Play a quick game! Three innings in 45 minutes.

Louis Coleman and Chance Ruffin are dealing. Ruffin has 7 Ks through four innings, while Coleman only has two.

As I'm typing this, Texas' Travis Tucker blasted a solo homer to leftfield, only his third of the season.

And now another! Russell Moldenhauer just hit his second homer of the season. He hit one of the team's flagpoles in centerfield, an absolute monster shot.

And now another!! Kevin Keyes hit his 8th of the season. Wow. Three homers in four batters here in the fourth. And it's now 3-1 Texas.

First to draw blood? LSU. Ryan Schimpf continued his torrid two weeks here in Omaha with a solo homer, a no-doubter into rightfield to give the Tigers a 1-0 lead. Ruffin was good after that, catching Blake Dean and Micah Gibbs looking to end the inning.

Louis Coleman got the 'Horns 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first on two flyouts and a ground ball.

Judging the crowd if you're wondering about percentages, I'd have to go with 65-35 LSU. They take up basically all of the General Admission tickets out in the bleachers in both LF and RF. Amazing.

If you're watching on TV, listen for the GEAUX TIGERS chants. We heard them outside yesterday's press conference here at Rosenblatt, which caused Paul Mainieri to even wink and smile at the media.

Gotta love it.

We head to the second, 1-0 LSU.

Here's a look at tonight's starting lineups:

First for visiting LSU:

1. 2B D.J. LeMahieu
2. LF Ryan Schimpf
3. DH Blake Dean
4. C Micah Gibbs
5. CF Mikie Mahtook
6. RF Jared Mitchell
7. 1B Sean Ochinko
8. 3B Derek Helenihi
9. SS Austin Nola

And on the mound for the Tigers is the SEC Pitcher of the Year, Louis Coleman. The righty is 14-2 with a 2.68 ERA. He has 132 Ks in 121 innings pitched, and has thrown seven innings at this year's CWS, allowing just one run in two appearances (one start came against Arkansas).

For Texas:

1. 3B Michael Torres
2. 2B Travis Tucker
3. 1B Brandon Belt
4. DH Russell Moldenhauer
5. C Cameron Rupp
6. RF Kevin Keyes
7. SS Brandon Loy
8. LF Preston Clark
9. CF Connor Rowe

The starter tonight on the mound is righthander Chance Ruffin. He's 10-2 with a 3.27 ERA. Ruffin was roughed up against Arizona State for 6 runs (4 earned) in two innings earlier in the CWS. But with five days rest, it seemed like yesterday he was as loose as could be at practice and ready to take the ball once again.

One thing that sticks out between these two teams? As well as Texas has hit here at the CWS, a .324 average and 6 HR, LSU has hit .368 with 9 long balls. The 'Horns only have two players in tonight's lineup with averages above .300. For LSU? Six.

Enjoy everyone., should be fantastic. I'll be back with more thorughout the game, as the crowd really settles in here. It's a sell out and itll be interesting to see what the split will be. I'd think there is more Purple/Gold here, but I could be wrong.

Welcome back to the 'Blatt as we are set for Game One of the CWS Finals as LSU and Texas are set to play for the National Championship, best two of three.

Adam Aizer and I did a preview of tonight's game, which can be found here.

It's an absolutely miserable evening here in Omaha, after an absolutely miserable day, weather-wise. The heat index you may ask? How about 107 degrees!

It's ONLY 94 without the heat index. But add in 59 percent humidity, and a dew point of 77, I feel really bad for those outside this air conditioned press box!

I'll have a quick lineups and starting pitching post in a few minutes, for now enjoy the video preview and get ready for some great baseball tonight.

Sometimes sports fans get so caught up in the games themselves that they forget about the human elements involved.

That's what the Sunday before the CWS Finals is for.

When you put two head coaches with over 2,500 wins between them on the same podium, some great witty banter is bound to erupt. And it certainly did in the Hall of Fame Room at Rosenblatt Stadium as we get set for the 2009 CWS Finals between LSU and Texas.

No number one seed has won the national championship since 1999 when Miami did so. And if you didn't know, the Longhorns were named the No. 1 seed when the tournament field was released back on Memorial Day.

LSU head coach Paul Mainieri got in the first witty comment of the day.

"I see no reason to break that streak," he said of the failure of No. 1 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.

The prestige between these two programs is enough to fill a trophy case ten times over. And Garrido, despite over 1,500 wins, can't remember a season quite like this one.

"We hired a new assistant coach this year," Garrido said. "David Copperfield. Someone asked me if we were going to practice yesterday, and I said to them 'How the hell do you practice the way we've been winning?'"

And there's some certain truth to that. You can say that the 'Horns have had a flair for the dramatic all season long, especially since the postseason began.

Between the 25 inning marathon, the walk-off grand slam in the Regionals against Army, a six-run comeback against the pitcher with the best ERA in the nation, and then two solo home runs in the ninth inning on Friday night, there's no denying that fact.

When both coaches were asked to describe the long journey they have each taken to get here, Garrido followed Mainieri by describing a much different amusement park ride than the Tigers have been on.

"Our's has been a bit of a bumpier ride," Garrido said. "We won the conference championship by way of curfew. It's been close all through the year. I'm ready to get with any television producer and do a baseball survivor show. We certainly have lived the script for one."

That knack for winning has LSU on notice, especially after being asked if the Tigers are more talented because of the way they have gotten here.

"Not as talented? They are in the National Championship," LSU starting pitcher Louis Coleman said. "They find ways to win, doesn't matter if you win by one or 10. You hit a walk-off, you win. They've been doing it all year. It's something to take notice to."

Tigers catcher Micah Gibbs couldn't agree more.

"It scares you a bit because they find ways to win," Gibbs said. "But the way they've been winning is definitely something to take notice of."

But it's Garrido's 41 years of coaching, and maybe his California laid-back style that has helped his players--none of which had ever played at Rosenblatt Stadium before last week--come through in the clutch and pick up those victories.

Texas third baseman Michael Torres recounted the attitude Garrido had in the dugout when the 'Horns trailed 6-0 against Arizona State's Mike Leake in the first game they played at the CWS.

"He was kind of laughing about it on the bench, just telling us that we still have another game to play if we didn't come back," Torres said. "Sure enough we came back to win, but he kept his cool even when we were down big."

And he's seen just about everything.

"He just relaxes you because he's seen everything in his career," Texas catcher Cameron Rupp said. "I was on-deck the other night and he told me that 'Back in 1998, we did this, this and this and it worked.' And you look at him and say, 'Okay, coach.'"

The two teams have a lot more in common than just being the final two teams remaining in Division I baseball in 2009.

They each have great pitching, timely hitting and both play good enough defense. Otherwise they wouldn't be here. But the quality of a team that comes together with its attitude and teamwork is something that can't be measured on a stat sheet. And both coaches couldn't agree more.

"I have always said that it's the ballplayers that you bring into your program, not the prospects," Garrido said. "The prospects use prorgams like [LSU and Texas] for themselves, while the ballplayers come in to help our programs. And that's why we are here. It's a very difficult thing to differentiate during the recruiting process."

The other thing that comes with programs such as LSU and Texas? Being No. 2 just doesn't cut it when you go back home.

"At LSU, it's Omaha or bust," Micah Gibbs said. "It definitely means a lot to be playing in the national championship for LSU."

Not to mention that old story that when Garrido went to Austin to interview for the job, he saw the bathroom door being propped up by a runner-up trophy from Omaha.

Yikes.

Either way, it's a different feel around this year's CWS Finals. A year ago you had the underdog Fresno State Bulldogs living the dream.

And now you have two teams that already have enough rings to fill the fingers on a hand. Toss in two coaches that only know how to win, and you got yourself a recipe for quite a couple days here in Omaha starting on Monday.

Paul Mainieri just can't wait.

"I'm a fan of Augie. He's a wonderful person, a great coach and epitomizes everything good in college athletics," Mainieri said of a coach that he's looked up to. "I relish the opportunity to play Texas in the finals. They have great tradition and history. I'm fired up for this game."

And so are we Paul.

We'll have a Texas video feature up later in the day, in addition to a video preview of the CWS Finals, when LSU's Louis Colemand and Texas' Chance Ruffin take the hill against one another on Monday evening.

The temperature you might be wondering for Monday and Tuesday? A balmy 99 for a high each day. It might hit triple digits.

More later on.

We'll have some Texas features today, but first we have a press conference with the two teams. Both head coaches and three players each from LSU and Texas are about to gather in the Hall of Fame room at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Texas' Augie Garrido and LSU's Paul Mainieri are doing a photo op at the moment, shaking hands and making small talk on the podium. Tons of TV cameras and still photogrophers are getting in on it.

I'll have more on this press conference when it's done.

Didn't get a chance to post these on here yesterday, but we did a couple of LSU features on Saturday. We headed out to practice at Bellevue East High School yesterday afternoon and ended up doing a feature on head coach Paul Mainieri's past and present.

Click here for that video.

Also, we did a feature on the LSU Tigers fans, and how they take over the town every time they are in Omaha.

Click here for that video.

There's that saying in baseball that some nights it just feels like whoever has the last at-bat is going to win.

Tonight was one of those.

In a game that saw Arizona State see three one-run leads disappear, Texas pulled power out of a hat in the ninth to capture a remarkable, 4-3 win.

Arizona State starting pitcher Mike Leake pitched on just two days rest, but was strong in his six innings of work, allowing just two runs and striking out seven.

And Texas starter Cole Green matched him. But it came down to a battle of the bullpens.

In stepped Lonhorns' closer Austin Wood. And in came Arizona State closer Mitchell Lambson. Each going to battle against one another starting in the seventh inning, but it was the ninth that everyone will remember.

Tied at 2-2 in the top of the ninth, Arizona State's Jason Kipnis fought through an 11-pitch at-bat to get on base with an infield single and advancing to second on a throwing error with two outs. Freshman DH Zach Wilson stepped to the plate with a .269 average and just seven RBI on the season.

But he laced his second collegiate triple into the rightfield corner, and just like that, the Sun Devils had their one run cushion back.

For a team that hasn't relied on power basically at all this season, the thought of a couple longballs in the bottom half of the inning was probably the furthest thing from their minds. Luckily for Texas, Cameron Rupp and Connor Rowe found that power.

Rupp hit a monster of a home run over the centerfield batter's eye to tie the game with one out, a blast that he says he knew right away was gone.

"When I hit it, yeah, I knew it was gone," Rupp said of his team-leading 11th home run. "That ball was crushed."

Rowe's home run wasn't as much of a no-doubter, landing in the leftfield bleachers after a valiant leap from ASU's Kole Calhoun. And a home run in that spot was the last thing on his mind.

"Definitely wasn't thinking home run," Rowe said. "I was sitting on a changeup and luckily that's what I got."

Sometimes baseball can be a cruel game, and for the Sun Devils on this night, they ran into a Longhorns team that has found a way to win all of these games. Whether it was the 25 inning affair against Boston College, or the walk-off grand slam against Army, this team finds a way.

And now they'll face LSU. Talk about two powers clashing for yet another title. It has classic written all over it.

It'll be the first time that no if necessary game is played in this format, and we have two days to prepare for what should be an incredible CWS Finals, between the two teams that remain undefeated since touching down in Omaha over a week ago now.

Two legendary programs. Texas with six championships. LSU with five.

One will get to notch one more.

We'll see you back here on Monday night at 7pm ET for game one of the CWS Finals. I'll check in the next couple of days with our video content, as we march towards the 2009 champion being crowned.

'Nite from Omaha.

 

 

I'm heading downstairs for postgame duties, so follow along on ESPN2 or our GameTracker, or both!

I'll be back after with a recap of the day, should be a good finish to this one though.

25 innings anyone?

ASU's Mike Leake has hit the showers here to start the 7th. Lefty Mitchell Lambson takes his place.

Leake went six innings, giving up eight hits while striking out seven and allowing the two runs, both earned.

Not dominating, but certainly enough to keep his team in the game. And certainly a performance that makes up for the one three days ago against this same Texas team.

Tied at 2-2, bottom 7.

Austin Wood has entered the game for Texas here in the top of the 7th inning, in a 2-2 game.

Obviously everyone knows how Wood threw 13 innings against Boston College in the Regional play so we could be here a while!

Great game though so far as Leake and Green pitched in and out of trouble to keep this game tied up.

Texas leadoff hitter Michael Torres hit his fifth home run of the season in the third, a deep blast to leftfield to tie the score at 1-1. 

Kole Calhoun continues to hit here in Omaha, he laced an RBI single to centerfield for Arizona State to take a 1-0 lead in the third inning. A couple of blunders by Texas in the field set it up for the Sun Devils, and he continues to pay dividends for head coach Pat Murphy, as he bats in the fourth hole.

Mike Leake has looked strong, bouncing back nicely from the miserable outing last time out against the Lonhorns.

The Tigers have done it, make it 13 straight wins for LSU as they downed Arkansas 14-5 on Friday afternoon to advance to the CWS Finals.

LSU starter Anthony Ranaudo was outstanding today, throwing six shutout innings while striking out five.

Things didn't really go well from the get go for Arkansas, as the arms just weren't there, which is normal for a team coming out of the Loser's Bracket. Closer-turned-starter Stephen Richards only lasted two-plus innings and LSU never looked back, building an 11-0 lead before the Razorbacks got on the board.

I'll have more later, but now we need to get set for Arizona State-Texas.

As expected in an 11-0 game at the time, LSU took starter Anthony Ranaudo out after the sixth innning. He only allowed four hits and struck out five in a very impressive outing.

We'll have a postgame interview with Ranaudo on the field afterwards, and we'll have that for you guys later tonight.

Arkansas got two runs back in the bottom of the 7th on a two-run homer from Brett Eibner off reliever Austin Ross to make the score 11-2.

With four runs already home here in the top of the 7th, LSU is cruising 10-0. Ryan Schimpf, Blake Dean and Jared Mitchell all have hit long home runs for the Tigers.

LSU starter Anthony Ranaudo has cruised through six shutout innings, allowing just four hits.

I wonder how long head coach Paul Mainieri will keep his starter in there now that his club is up so big and the CWS Finals are looking like a real thing.

Wanted to let everyone know that the second game between Arizona State and Texas will start exactly 50 minutes after the conclusion of this game.

I know some people had been asking, so there's the answer.

Couple of interesting nuggets about the CWS so far in 2009:
-The longest average time of game for a whole CWS was back in 2001 when it was 3:25. This year the games have lasted an average of 3:41.
-The most games we've ever had go past the four hour mark in one CWS is two. And now we've had three straight surpass the four hour mark.

Things starting to slip away a bit for Arkansas. Starter Stephen Richards was pulled in the top of the 3rd inning, lasting just 2-plus, allowing four hits and four runs (only two earned).

So 4-0 LSU as we play in the bottom half of the third inning.

The sun is shining and we're underway here at Rosenblatt Stadium. LSU has jumped out on top first, touching up Arkansas starter Stephen Richards with a run in the top of the first. Richards struck out D.J. LeMahieu and Ryan Schimpf to start the game, but Blake Dean ripped a two-out double down the rightfield line, before Micah Gibbs laced a single up the middle to plate the game's first run.

Anthony Ranaudo set down the Razorbacks 1-2-3 in the bottom half, including a strikeout.

Interesting note if you're not watching the game on ESPN2, both teams are wearing color tops. LSU with yellow, and Arkansas in Cardinal Red.

 

 

They just announced that today's first pitch in the LSU-Arkansas game will be 4:38 ET...

We're in for a long day and night...For those wondering, we'll still get the ASU-Texas game in.

As we sit in this rain delay, let's take a look at the starting lineups and starting pitchers.

Let's start with the visitors, the LSU Tigers:

1. 2B D.J. LeMahieu
2. LF Ryan Schimpf
3. DH Blake Dean
4. C Micah Gibbs
5. CF Mikie Mahtook
6. 1B Sean Ochinko
7. RF Jared Mitchell
8. 3B Derek Helenihi
9. SS Austin Nola

Starting pitcher today for LSU will be righty Anthony Ranaudo. He's 10-3 with a 3.03 ERA in 17 starts. His strikeout numbers are tremendous, with 150 in 113 innings of work. He's also held opponents to a very impressive .203 average. Ranaudo started the first game for LSU here in Omaha against Virginia and struggled. He lasted only 3.1 innings, walking four and allowing five hits and two runs. In his one start against Arkansas this season, he allowed the second most runs he gave up all year, being charged with five earned in six innings, but he did strikeout seven.

For Arkansas, who will look to stay alive at least one more day, starting shortstop Ben Tschepikow is out with a broken finger, and Zack Cox will move to that spot:

1. LF Chase Leavitt
2. DH Scott Lyons
3. SS Zack Cox
4. 3B Andy Wilkins
5. 2B Bo Bigham
6. 1B Jacob House
7. CF Brett Eibner
8. C James McCann
9. RF Andrew Darr

The starter today for Arkansas is an interesting choice by head coach Dave Van Horn. He's going to throw junior closer Stephen Richards. He's 6-1 in 30 appearances this season with nine saves and a 1.80 ERA. He threw one-third of an inning against Virginia, allowing two hits but not giving up any runs. The longest outing of his career came in the first game of the season this year, against Washington State, he threw three innings. He did face LSU this season back on May 3rd, striking out three in one inning of work and not allowing anything else.

Still have the tarp on the field, will update when they start to take it off. We'll be an hour and 20 minutes from baseball when they do take the tarp off. About 50 minutes of warm-up time and then a half hour of field prep, since nothing was done before the delay.

Hang in there everyone.

It's raining here at Rosenblatt, as we sit in a rain delay before the first pitch of Arkansas-LSU.

The radar doesn't look too promising for any baseball in the near future. It looks like it has stopped for now, but the tarp remains on the field as it looks like more rain is about to move into the area.

I'll keep you posted if I hear anything. In the meantime, look out for a lineups/starting pitchers post in the next few minutes.

Arizona State downed North Carolina for the second time in as many games to stay alive in the 2009 College World Series, with a 12-5 win on Thursday night.

Trailing 4-0 early, leftfielder Kole Calhoun stepped up in the fifth inning against North Carolina reliever Brian Moran for the second time in his career. And just like the first time he faced him, he deposited a ball in the outfield seats. Fortunately for the Sun Devils, three men were on base.

It was the 46th grand slam in CWS history, but Calhoun wasn't finished.

He stepped up again in the 7th inning with the game still tied at 4-4, and drilled a two-run double to take the lead 6-4 and the Sun Devils never looked back. An eight run seventh was what ASU finished up with, and head coach Pat Murphy and his young guns will face Texas on Friday night with another chance to stay alive and live another day.

As great as Calhoun's night was, it's tough not to say that starting pitcher Josh Spence's night, in some ways, was even better.

The Australian native threw 122 pitches against UNC only four days ago in a seven inning performance. Tonight, on only three days rest, he topped that number. Spence tossed 126 tonight in another seven innings, allowing seven hits, four runs (three earned), striking out eight and walking two.

Spence improved to 10-1 on the season, on a night that saw sloppiness all around. Most of it didn't show up in the line score.

North Carolina starter Matt Harvey, pitching for the first time in 19 days, struggled with his control. Walking five, hitting two, and settin a CWS record with four wild pitches in just 4.1 innings of work. But he wasn't charged with a run until Calhoun's grand slam, when Moran gave up three inherited runners that all belonged to Harvey.

For Tar Heels coach Mike Fox, he's now been here the last four seasons. No one else can say that. But in the end, UNC and the ACC will go yet another season without claiming a national championship. That ever elusive title has escaped the grasp of the conference since Wake Forest won back in 1955.

This team has been so close now, it has to sting. There's not much else to say. They'll most likely lose their top two players in Alex White and Dustin Ackley, two guys that know nothing else but Omaha.

Ackley would finish his career with 28 hits at Rosenblatt Stadium, and one of his worst games coming in the final one. Only going 1-for-5.

And then there's Garrett Gore. The senior is another Tar Heel that knows nothing but Rosenblatt Stadium, and finishing their season in Omaha. Gore set a College World Series record tonight, playing in his 21st career World Series game.

That's something we may not see again for a long time.

We'll see you again on Friday for a double-dip. First at 2pm ET, SEC rivals LSu-Arkansas face one another. The Razorbacks will look to stave off elimination once again. Then at 7pm ET, it's Texas and Arizona State, with the Sun Devils looking to do the same.

NOTES:
-The 25,001 fans in attendance tonight is the highest number of the CWS in 2009, and we're more than 3,000 ahead of last year's total attendance figure.
-The game took 4:04, yet another 2009 CWS game that ran past the four hour mark. The third straight to do that to be exact.
-It was the 1,000th career win for ASU coach Pat Murphy. Hats off to him for continuing the ASU baseball tradition.
-The four-run deficit that the Sun Devils overcame was the largest of the season.

Here's today's feature piece that Adam Aizer and I put together for the Fan Fest that goes on each year just outside Rosenblatt Stadium.

 

Click here to check it out.

Arizona State has batted around now in the 7th inning. Nine batters have come to the plate, seven have scored, and another is still on base.

ASU now leads 11-4 as they've broken this ballgame wide open.

I'm going to head downstairs to get a start on getting together a postgame interview for you guys.

Most of the crowd is heading home.

Could it be four straight years of empty trips to Omaha for the Tar Heels?

Sure looking that way trailing by 7 in the 7th.

Kole Calhoun connected for a 2-run double against new pitcher Patrick Johnson just now. Calhoun also hit the grand slam before, so he has accounted for all six RBI for the Sun Devils as they have now taken a 6-4 lead.

This is eerily similar to how ASU lost to Texas the other day, when they held a 6-0 lead and saw it slip away. This time around it was only 4-0, but still, this has to sting for the Tar Heels.

Devils still batting in the 7th.

It felt almost 120 degrees today, but Josh Spence, ASU's starting pitcher has now reached the 120 pitch mark and beyond for the second straight start against North Carolina. Just 4 days ago he tossed 122, and it looks like he'll top out at about 130 tonight as he just got through the 7th inning with the score still tied at 4-4.

After a 2-out Garrett Gore triple, Mark Fleury struck out on a 1-2 pitch swinging, but Gore was trying to steal home. Very interesting. Probably would've been out if it hadn't been a strike.

It's stretch time here at Rosenblatt, we're still knotted at 4-4.

We can scratch that "Matt Harvey hasn't been chared with a run," as Kole Calhoun connected off Brian Moran's offering with the bases loaded for his 12th home run of the season, to tie this game at 4-4. It was a blast to right center, for the always exciting grand slam. It's the 46th grand slam in CWS history.

Harvey gets charged with three of those runs.

He goes 4.1, 2 hits, 3 ER, 5 BB, 5 K, and a College World Series record 4 wild pitches.

ASU still batting in the bottom of the fifth.

Mike Fox is the first head coach to make a pitching move, as Matt Harvey is out for UNC and Brian Moran is in.

He inherits two runners, as Arizona State has the bases loaded with 1 out. This is their chance down 4-0.

We'll have a final line on Harvey, but just know he walked five, hit two, and threw four wild pitches. And hasn't been charged with a run...yet.

Arizona State starting pitcher Josh Spence stayed in for the fifth and got UNC 1-2-3, as he goes over 100 pitches for the evening. His strikeout of Mark Fleury to end the inning was his fifth of the night.

After throwing 122 the other day against UNC, how much longer can he go? We'll find out.

In the meantime, ASU wasted another scoring chance in the fourth inning, after a leadoff walk and a HBP two batters later, they were both stranded there.

North Carolina starter Matt Harvey comes out for the fifth, staked to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning.

It wasn't exactly a hitting clinic, but they got the job done in the top of the fourth, getting to Arizona State starter Josh Spence, who seemed to really hit a wall in the inning.

Three hits and three runs in the inning are enough to give the Tar Heels a 4-0 lead. How about DH Jacob Stallings tonight. He's hitting only .232 on the season with 0 HR and 7 RBI in just his 19th start of the season. But sometimes head coaches have a hunch, and Mike Fox must've had one tonight.

Stallings has two RBI to bring his total to 9 on the year, and they've each come in the same fashion: a SAC Bunt with a runner on third, and he's been thrown out the same way, a flip from the first baseman to the second baseman covering the bag. Sometimes baseball really is a funny game.

Also give RBI's in the inning to CF Mike Cavasinni who ripped an opposite field single, and SS Ryan Graepel knocked in a run as well.

Matt Harvey got out of a mini-jam in the 3rd inning, and has otherwise been cruising right along with two strikeouts through three innings of work. Spence, by the way, has 4 K's through his four innings.

We'll see if Spence is done after his four innings, again, coming off his work from only four days ago against this same squad.

It's been a bit of a sloppy start here tonight, between the wild pitches by Matt Harvey and two ASU errors.

Thanks to one of those errors, UNC has a 1-0 lead as we take things to the bottom of the third. The Tar Heels scored a run in the top of the 2nd without getting a hit.

ASU head coach Pat Murphy argued a play in the third inning, when UNC's Dustin Ackley hit a ball to second, Zack MacPhee threw to first but ASU 1B Riccio Torrez never had his foot on the bag. But then MacPhe snared a hot liner off the bat of Kyle Seager on one bounce that nearly took his head off to start a 4-6-3.

Bottom of the third, let's see if ASU can et something going offensively with UNC leading 1-0.

Despite two wild pitches in the bottom of the first, UNC starter Matt Harvey got out of a jam thanks to Jason Kipnis being thrown out at third base trying to steal, and then an inning ending strikeout of Kole Calhoun.

ASU's Josh Spence looked good in the top half, striking out leadoff  Ryan Graepel and working around a single by Kyle Seager to get out of the inning.

Another good crowd on hand. I must say, it's been funny to see all of the LSU fans that are in town wander around during the day with nothing to do. They came here to see baseball, but I'm sure they won't trade having a couple days off to be here at Rosenblatt playing!

We'll see them tomorrow afternoon when they take on SEC rival Arkansas at 2pm ET.

No score here as we head to the second inning.

Hey everbody, welcome back to Rosenblatt Stadium as we are set for yet another elimination game. Tonight, it will be Arizona State taking on North Carolina for the right to play Friday against Texas.

Two familiar names will take the hill tonight, so let's take a look at the starting pitchers.

For the Sun Devils, who will be home, lefty Josh Spence will climb the bump. Spence is 9-1 with a 2.26 ERA in 17 games this year, 14 being starts. The native of Australia has dominating strikeout numbers, with 117 in 95.2 innings of work. Spence was dominant in his first start here in Omaha, it also happened to come against the Tar Heels.

Surprising that Pat Murphy decided to bring him back on short rest? Definitely not. Spence threw seven innings, allowing just one run while striking out eight batters. He went toe-to-toe with UNC's Alex White in a game that ASU ended up winning 5-2 in 10 innings back on the 14th of June.

For North Carolina, it's the third head in the three-headed starting pitching monster that the Heels roll out. Righty Matt Harvey will take the ball tonight, and even though his overall numbers may not strike fear, he's pitched well of late. Overall, Harvey is 7-2 with a 5.35 ERA. He's pitched in 20 games, including 12 starts. One alarming stat is opponents have hit .301 against him, but he has struck out 78 batters 70.2 IP.

While Spence is pitching on short rest, the sophomore Harvey is pitching with 19 days rest. We'll see if that is a problem for the Mystic, Conn. native. His last three outings have been solid dating back to the middle of May. Harvey hasn't allowed more than 2 ER in any of his three starts, and has lasted at least six innings in each.

It's a beautiful night for baseball after a nearly unbearably hot afternoon that saw temperatures reach back up into the middle 90s. No rain is in the forecast for toniht, just hazy skies with the wind not as hard as last night but still blowing briskly out towards left and center.

Should be a fun one, we'll see if it can live up to even half of the excitement that last night's game saw.

I'll be back throughout the night with updates.

Enjoy the game everybody.

It took 4 hours and 46 minutes, but Arkansas knocked off Virginia to stay alive at the College World Series 4-3 in 12 innings, as the Cavs head home.
 
It's tough to find a place to start, but after Arkansas tied the game in the 9th, after the Razorbacks were down to their final strike with nobody on and down 3-1, and after Dallas Keuchel came in to throw four innings of relief, it was finally all over.

Keuchel hadn't pitched out of the bullpen since last season, but that didn't seem to bother him. There ended up being a runner on third in the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th against him. But he got out of it every time. Including a jam in the 9th inning, which saw Virginia load the bases with nobody out, and with one out saw them have a 3-0 count against super two-way freshman Danny Hultzen. Keuchel made the pitch and Hultzen on a 3-1 count hit a rocket right at shortstop Tim Carver, his flip to second baseman Bo Biham was perfect, and they nailed the speedy Hultzen at first base by half a step to save the season.

It'd be easy to go back and think about all the opportunities that the Caviliers had, and I'm sure head coach Brian O'Connor and every Virginia fan out there will do that. But Arkansas' will to not lay down and die needs to be commended. They've done it time and time again, not only during this postseason, but in the regular season as well.

The Cavs left 14 men on base, and UVa reliever Kevin Arico would do anything to have that pitch back he threw to Brett Eibner which rocketed out over the leftfield fence, landing halfway up the bleachers.

They were one strike away.

Now the Razorbacks will take on SEC rival LSU for the second time in Omaha, and for the fifth time this season. They are just 1-3 against the Tigers, including a 9-1 loss earlier in the week. Asked if he will have anyone to pitch on Friday afternoon, head coach Dave Van Horn responded with a question of his own.

"Can you pitch?"

It's a game he says he'll never forget, and at this point it looks like it'll be Johnny Wholestaff to take the mound on Friday. Which at this point when you're trying to scratch and claw out of the Loser's Bracket, is nothing to be ashamed of. Keuchel even told Van Horn after the game that he'll be available to toe the rubber.

Everyone except tonight's starter Drew Smyly will be on call. And Smyly did his job tonight before running out of steam in the fifth inning. The freshman hadn't pitched since the regional clincher in Oklahoma, when he limited the Sooners to 1 hit in 8.1 innings pitched. He started this night much the same way, as he ended up striking out seven in 4.2 innings.

The other freshman starter tonight, Virginia's Danny Hultzen, has one bright future ahead of him. He lasted 6.1 innings, allowing just five hits, one run (not earned), while striking out seven and walking none. He also contributed an RBI double.

O'Connor told me today that he comes to the College World Series every year, whether his team is in it or not. After all, he's from right across the river in Council Bluffs, Iowa. But one has a feeling that his first trip to Omaha with his Cavs will not be his last with this group. And they have plenty to be proud of.

So Friday afternoon we'll see LSU take on Arkansas. The Tigers a win away from the CWS Finals, while the Razorbacks will look to extend things at least another day.

But before that, we'll see Arizona State and North Carolina clash on Thursday night at 7pm ET on ESPN2. We'll all be in for a treat if it's anywhere near as exciting as tonight's.

Well, goodnight from Omaha. We'll have a video recap with an interview from the winning pitcher Dallas Keuchel later tonight.

'Nite everybody.

 

 

 

 

Went downstairs to try and get a postgame interview on the field for you guys, but Arkansas had different plans, so pardon me for not being here for a while. No tornadoes came!

With two outs and nobody on, and down to their final strike, Zack Cox laced a single off Virginia's Kevin Arico. Then Brett Eibner hit a ball that may have not landed yet to tie the game at 3-3. I've been here four years now, and that's one of the furthest balls I've seen hit. It went halfway up the leftfield bleachers, a no-doubter.

Then in the bottom of the 9th, after a single, error, sac bunt and an intentional walk, Arkansas pitcher Dallas Keuchel went 3-0 on Danny Hultzen. He got a strike, and then Hultzen ripped a ball to Shortstop, where somehow Tim Carver grabbed it, threw to second to start a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning. Hultzen was out by half a step, otherwise the ballgame would be over.

We head to the bottom of the 10th, and I'm heading back downstairs. I'll have more after the game, but for now follow along with our Interactive Bracket!

Drew Eibner's SAC Fly has Arkansas back to within a run, at 2-1 as we play in the Top of the 8th. Danny Hultzen is out of the ballgame now, coming out in the 7th, but we'll see if the Cavs can hang on here.

Adam Aizer and I preview Thursday night's elimination game between North Carolina and Arizona State. Click here to take a look!

Check out this Virginia feature we did today out here. We focus on head coach Brian O'Connor coming home to Omaha and the growth of the Virginia baseball program as a whole. Click here to take a look!

Good call by the umpires in the bottom of the 5th, getting a leadoff home run call by John Hicks correct. The ball went in the first row in leftfield, and after a great attempt by Chase Leavitt jumping over the wall, the ball clearly hit off a glove of a fan, who then dropped it back onto the field of play. After a brief discussion, the umpires got the call correct.

Virginia then put together a rally, with John Barr and Tyler Cannon singling back to back (Cannon was thrown out at 2nd by Jarrod McKinney trying to stretch to a double). Then a double by do-it-all Danny Hultzen provided the Cavs with their second run of the night to go up 2-0.

Drew Smyly's night also came to an end here's his line:

4.2 IP, 8 hits, 2 ER, 0 walks, 7 K's, 1 WP, 1 HR, 85 pitches, 58 Strikes

It's 2-0 Virginia has we play on in the 6th inning.

Nice crowd on hand tonight, just thought I'd throw that in there. Some empty seats underneath th eoverhang, but besides that, very solid.

Arkansas freshman lefthander continues to impress. He worked around that leadoff double in the fourth, getting Dan Grovatt to flyout to center, Steve Proscia to strike out, and Jarrett Parker to whiff as well. That's 7K's now through four innings for him, as he looks just about as dominant as he was in Norman a couple of weeks ago against Oklahoma.

We head to the fifth inning, still no score between the Cavs and Hogs.

We have the first extra base hit of the night, and it belongs to Virginia second baseman Paul Gosselin, who ripped a double down the RF line to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning in a 0-0 game. Arkansas starter Drew Smyly has allowed only a hit each inning, and struck out 5, while Danny Hultzen has struck out 6 in four innings while giving up just 3 innings.

We'll see if the Cavs can bust through here to break up the pitcher's duel.

Hasn't taken long for both Danny Hultzen and Drew Smyly to get into a rhythm tonight. Each pitcher recorded two strikeouts in the second inning, and each now has three through the first two innings of play. In the bottom half, UVa 1B John Hicks was picked off first to end the inning.

Done with two innings, no score.

Just thought I'd toss in the weather conditions. Looks like I brought in the hot weather to town, even though where I came from it's still stuck in the 60s. But at gametime it's a balmy 90 degrees, winds blowing from right to left at over 20 MPH, and the humidity is near 50 percent. We're also under a Tornado Watch until 9pm. So if you don't hear from me for a while, I went running for cover.

No score after a half inning, Hultzen gave up a leadoff single to Chase Leavitt, but got the next three outs to get out of it. Virginia coming to bat in the bottom half.

Welcome back to Rosenblatt Stadium as we're set to go with the first and only game on Wednesday's schedule. Virginia and Arkansas are set to play an elimination game, the second such contest that the Cavs have faced here in Omaha.

Let's take a look at the pitching matchup:

Virginia will be the home team tonight, and super freshman Danny Hultzen will toe the rubber for Brian O'Connor's Cavs. Hultzen is the ACC's Freshman of the Year and comes into the game with a 9-1 record and a 2.33 ERA. He has 100 strikeouts in 89 innings of work. The Bethesda, Md. native has been spectacular for Virginia, playing first base when he's not on the mound. His last time out on the hill though was in the Cavs' opening game here in Omaha against LSU, when he lasted just three innings, givin up 7 hits and 3 runs. The lefthander has only walked 28, hit 7 and had two wild pitches, which means he's always around the plate.

As for Arkansas, fellow lefty freshman, Drew Smyly, takes the ball. The Little Rock native is 3-1 with a 4.72 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts), while striking out 53 in 53.1 innings of work. Smyly hasn't pitched since turning in the start of his brief career, going 8.1 innings while striking out 12 and allowing one hit against Oklahoma in the clincher of the Norman Regional. We'll see how he deals with having nearly 2.5 weeks off. 

Should be a good one here in Omaha, I'll check in throughout the game with updates. Be sure to follow along with our Interactive Bracket.

It's a been another great College World Series trip for me, but Doug Kroll will be taking over tomorrow on the CWS blog as I make my way back home.  There's no doubt I will be following the rest of the series on NCAA.com and ESPN - it's going to be a good one. 

There will be a baseball-free afternoon, but Arkansas and Virginia are set for an elimination game on Wednesday night at 6 p.m. CT, so come back and visit.  Be sure to follow all the action on the live interactive bracket, and CWS blog.

http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html

 

It's a pretty rare feat at the CWS to come back from a six-run deficit after three innings and win 10-6, but Texas used its' baseball magic and the Longhorns somehow pulled this one out of their hats against Arizona State tonight in the four-hour battle. 

I'm not sure that I've ever seen such a momentum switch in a college baseball game.  It was really quite incredible how Texas just turned it on.

"For the team to find a way to win was nothing short of a miracle," said Texas head coach Augie Garrido.  "It was quite a performance and quite a testimony of the power of their will to win, and their belief in the team and themselves."

After All-American right-hander Mike Leake struck out five of the first 12 Texas batters, the Longhorns' bats came alive in the fourth inning, tagging Leake for six runs on six hits, including Rupp's first of two home runs.

"Texas did a great job of getting back in this ballgame," said ASU head coach Pat Murphy.  "With Mike Leake on the mound and a six-run lead, we were feeling pretty good.  It just shows you how beautiful our game is and how beautiful college baseball is and how great this event is.  The best teams are here, and the best team tonight fought back and got in the game."

The Longhorns pitching and defense went on to shut down the Sun Devils for the remainder of the game, including a masterful performance by freshman right-hander Taylor Jungmann of Temple, Texas.  He tossed 5.2 scoreless innings to close out the game, giving up just two hits and striking out six batters in the outing.  ASU had 10 hits in the game, but only three of those came in the final six frames.

"We left everything that happened in the first three innings behind us," said Texas catcher Cameron Rupp. "If you put everything bad behind you, you can go out and be successful."

Texas now advances to play on Friday at 6 p.m. CT against the winner of Arizona State-North Carolina.  ASU-UNC tangle on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT in an elimination contest.

Cameron Rupp's second home run of the game put Texas up 7-6 in the seventh inning.  The last time a player hit two home runs in one CWS game was in last year's championship series finale - rightfielder Steve Detwiler of Fresno State in a 6-1 victory over Georgia.

Make sure to stretch... this one is far from over.

OK, I've held out for four-and-a-half days now, but I'm finally going to have a Zesto chocolate shake before I leave tomorrow.  The ice  cream and burger joint directly across the street from Rosenblatt Stadium is one of the delicious traditions that you cannot miss at the College World Series.  The staff here even has little red wagon to go on nightly runs during the games. 

I've already enjoyed an Omaha Steaks sandwich this week, which is always a nice treat, but have steered clear of the King Kong Super Kong two-pound burger challenge. 

I'm glad I've developed some willpower over the years, or I would leave Omaha about 10 pounds heavier every June.  I still couldn't pass up postgame pizza and appetizers at Old Chicago in Omaha's Old Market - a CWS fan favorite - but at least I shared.

Texas and Longhorns have been nothing if not entertaining in tonight's contest.  There has been a little bit of everything - three home runs (ASU's Kole Calhoun belted his second of the CWS in the second inning), some good pitching at times, and some defensive miscues. 

After going up 6-0 in the third inning and chasing Texas starter Chance Ruffin, Arizona State pitcher Mike Leake gave up five hits in the fourth inning (including a three-run bomb to catcher Cameron Rupp) until he was relieved by Jordan Swagerty. 

And, so we're back to square one and tied at 6-6 in the bottom of the fourth.  There's no chance of either Pat Murphy or Augie Garrido's clubs folding yet.  This one will be a game until bitter end.

It seemed like North Carolina could do no wrong in the Tar Heels' 11-4 victory over Southern Miss on Tuesday afternoon, and no one proved that more that All-American first baseman Dustin Ackley with his record-setting performance.

Ackley went 5-for-6 with three RBI against the Golden Eagles, getting hits in his first five at bats and setting the College World Series all-time hits record in the process.  He now has 27 hits in Omaha in his three seasons with the Tar Heels, more than any other player that has ever participated in the CWS. 

"It was special to get that, but the win was even bigger for us," said Ackley.

 "I'm at a loss for words to describe what I've been able to see," said UNC head coach Mike Fox.  "He's been hitting since the day he walked on our campus. Dustin's best characteristic is his approach to the game and how humble he is.  He's calm, never gets rattled, looks at the ball well, even-keeled.  I'd like to know how many of those 340 hits he got with two strikes.  He's been so consistent - playing every day and not missing a game."

Since as a freshman in 2007, Ackley has made 206 consecutive starts for the Tar Heels, becoming the school's first three-time All-American, and earning 2009 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year honors.

"The guy can flat out hit," said Southern Miss second baseman James Ewing.  "We've heard about him numerous times.  To watch him - the guy hits the ball where it's pitched, he's got great hand-eye coordination, you can't strike him out and I think the only time we got him out that ball was hit really hard also.  That was a show that he put on for us today."

Ackley's five hits were the second-most in a single CWS game, and helped tie the Tar Heels tie a CWS-record of 23 hits by one team in a game. 

"He is one sensational player and I'm glad the nation got to see that today," said Fox.

The junior from Walnut Cove, N.C., was selected as the second pick overall in the Major League Baseball Draft by the Seattle Mariners last week.

"I've had the best seat in the house watching him," said Fox.  "I'll be very shocked if I have another player like him."

Ackley is batting .576 in seven NCAA Tournament games, raising his team-leading overall season average to .421.

"He is one sensational player and I'm glad the nation got to see that today," said Fox.

Texas and Arizona State ... it doesn't really get any bigger than this as far as storied college baseball programs.  The Longhorns have won six NCAA titles, while the Sun Devils have claimed five - second and third, respectively behind Southern California's 12 championships.

Tonight, they are playing for control of bracket two.  Should be a good one with ASU All-American Mike Leake (16-1, 1.26 ERA) on the mound versus Texas right-hander Chance Ruffin (10-2, 3.02 ERA).  Would love to see a pitcher's duel after the last game ...

 

All I can say is wow.  The Tar Heels took batting practice today, while Southern Miss made the second early exit of the College World Series, falling to UNC, 11-4. 

If North Carolina continues their hot-hitting trend, the Tar Heels will definitely be a threat to climb out of the loser's bracket.  UNC advances to play the loser of tonight's game between Texas and Arizona State on June 18 at 6 p.m. CT.

Good luck to USM head coach Corky Palmer in his future endeavors.  It was a nice ride for the Golden Eagles. 

Stay tuned for more coverage of this afternoon's offensive explosion.  One programming note, you will be able to view the Texas-ASU contest on ESPN and ESPNHD at 6 p.m. CT. 

Second baseman Levi Michael came to the plate with two outs in the top of the ninth inning after going hitless in his previous five at bats.  He probably did know he was the only Tar Heel without a hit before the at bat, but Michael probably didn't know that his basehit would allow UNC to tie a CWS single-game record of 23 hits. 

Michael roped the ball past the shortstop, and it was not a clear cut scoring decision, but longtime CWS official scorer Lou Spry gave it the thumbs up and the Tar Heels are now at the top of the hit list.

Three other teams have belted 23 hits in a CWS game -- Southern California was the last team to accomplish the feat in a 21-14 defeat of Arizona State in 1998.  ASU has done it twice in 1984 and 1988.

There seems to be no signs of a recession here at the College World Series.  The attendance total for the first seven games is more than 10,000 fans ahead of last year's championship after a crowd of 19,799 folks enjoyed today's matinee between UNC and Southern Miss.

North Carolina's Dustin Ackley continues to deliver at the plate, racking up his fifth hit of the day in the seventh inning.  He needs just one more to tie the CWS single-game record of six hits by Kris Bennett of Tennessee against Georgia on June 11, 2001.  The Tar Heels' hit total is at 19 ... and counting.

North Carolina has ripped 14 hits in five innings with seven of nine players in the lineup with at least one hit.  Dustin Ackley smacked his fourth hit of the day in the fifth inning, while Ben Bunting, Mark Fleury, Garret Gore and Ryan Graepel have each contributed two hits a piece so far today.  It is the Tar Heels seventh straight game with a double-digit hit total.

It's been a slow start for Southern Miss against the Tar Heels' RHP Adam Warren today, but the Golden Eagles got going in the fourth inning thanks to shortstop B.A. Vollmuth's three-run homer to left field.  It was Vollmuth's eighth home run of the season, and it allowed the Golden Eagles to cut UNC's eight-run lead to five ... and it definitely gave the Southern Miss fans and dugout a lift.

This year's games are enough to keep a fan's attention, but if you're looking to reminisce about past CWS moments, there is a really interesting display at Fan Fest that takes you through time of college baseball's biggest event.  Showcased in the middle of the timeline is the NCAA Championship trophy that the teams are vying to take back to campus. 

The ultimate underdog Fresno State - the first-ever No. 4 seeded regional team to win a CWS title - is highlighted as the 2008 snapshot. 

So, if you're coming by Rosenblatt this week be sure to check it out and pick out your favorite moment!

 

UNC's Dustin Ackley is now 3-for-3 with three RBI today, and is the new owner of the CWS all-time hits record with 25.  The Tar Heels added four in the third inning, and now have a 6-0 advantage.

A quick update on Dustin Ackley's Omaha hitting feats ... he is now tied with Stanford's Sam Fuld for the CWS all-time hit record at 24.  The All-American first baseman is also responsible for driving in the Tar Heels first two runs with a RBI-single in the first inning, and an RBI-double in the second.   UNC leads Southern Miss 2-0 in the middle of the second inning.

With a RBI-basehit in the first inning of this afternoon's game, North Carolina's Dustin Ackley stretched his NCAA Tournament hitting streak to 21 games dating back to the 2007 CWS.  He has 23 career basehits in the CWS and needs just one more to tie the CWS all-time record of 24 held by Stanford's Sam Fuld (2001-03).  Ackley boasts a .386 career batting average in Omaha.

Always a popular place to capture a great photo, the "Road to Omaha" stands outside the gates of Rosenblatt Stadium, welcoming the thousands of fans daily to this two-week event.  Southern Miss fans are all smiles as they pose for a picture before  entering the stadium.  The sun is shining and it's another great day for baseball in Omaha.

Right-hander JR Ballinger (6-3, 3.89 ERA) will take the mound for the Golden Eagles, while senior right-hander Adam Warren (9-2, 3.23 ERA) will make his fifth career appearance in Omaha for the Tar Heels.

Since 2007, North Carolina has played in six bracket-play CWS elimination games and own a 5-1 mark in those games.  Can the Tar Heels continue their success under pressure, or will the Golden Eagles send them packing? We're minutes away from finding out.

Southern Miss head coach Corky Palmer looked as calm as ever sitting in the dugout watching the Golden Eagles take batting practice for what possibly could be his last game at the helm of the program. 

Palmer announced his retirement earlier this season after guiding the Golden Eagles for 12 years and compiling a 458-280 record at Southern Miss.  He has led USM to six straight NCAA Regional appearances, and this year, the program's first-ever College World Series trip. 

Regardless of the outcome of today's elimination game versus North Carolina, it has been a great run for Palmer, and a memorable way to conclude a successful career.  Will the Golden Eagles keep their coach in the dugout for one more game with a win? 

It's a cloudy morning in Omaha.  The rain finally came last night, but not until a couple hours after the day's completion at the ballpark.  I think the sun will be shining through by first pitch.  We have Southern Miss and North Carolina today at 1 p.m. CT, and you can follow the action on the live interactive bracket at http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html.  The blog will be updated throughout the day, or keep up with the CWS on twitter at http://twitter.com/CWS2009.

LSU's convincing 9-1 victory over Arkansas tonight put the Tigers in control of bracket one in the quest for a spot in the CWS Championship Series beginning June 22.  The Tigers will have off until Friday, June 19 when the meet the winner of Wednesday's elimination contest between Arkansas and Virginia.

The Tigers looked to be clicking on all cylinders - hitting, pitching and defense - and hardly even broke a sweat in the second game of their 15^th CWS appearance. 

"It was an outstanding effort in a lot of ways," said LSU head coach Paul Mainieri.  "I had a sense in the last two days that we would come out and play well tonight.  It's a coach's dream right now as far as the way these guys are conducting themselves with their vision of the game, demeanor.  They're a very confident group right now."

LSU belted 13 hits, including home runs by Mike Mahtook, Austin Nola and Blake Dean.  Both Mahtook's and Dean's home runs came with two outs.

"They've got a great lineup, and some great speed in there, too," said Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn.  "There are some good left-handed hitters in there, too, that can really hit.  They have a solid college lineup and they have a lot of ways they can beat you.  They've got some pop." 

Mainieri was pressed to find weaknesses with his team's performance tonight as the pitching staff gave up just one run and repeatedly stopped Arkansas' scoring threats, while the Tiger defense played flawlessly.  And despite stellar performances by starting pitcher Louis Coleman and the rest of the staff, it was the offense that stole the show.

"The one aspect of anyone's game that has the chance to be most inconsistent is the swinging of the bat," said Mainieri.  "Our pitching has been pretty consistent all year, as well as our defense.  Our hitting at times has been awesome, and at times not so good.  Tonight, I think you saw what we're capable of doing and we got it from a lot of guys.  When we're clicking it can be a pretty good offense, one through nine."

LSU has won five NCAA titles in program history, and at 2-0 are off to a good start as the team seeks its first trophy since 2000.

Good night from Omaha.  We'll see you tomorrow for an elimination game between North Carolina and Southern Miss beginning at 1 p.m. CT.

It will probably be LSU's "gorilla ball" that will grab the headlines in tonight's game against Arkansas (so far, there are three home runs!), but it is the pitching of right-hander Louis Coleman that has caught my eye.

After surrendering a run on two hits in the first inning, the senior from Schlater, Miss., has settled down to hold the Razorbacks scoreless while scattering just three hits with five strikeouts in Arkansas' last four turns at bat.

Coleman, the SEC Pitcher of the Year, tossed a complete-game shutout against the Hogs on May 2, striking out six and allowing just two hits.  Will he go the distance tonight after LSU was forced to use six pitchers in the Tigers' 9-5 win over Virginia on Saturday?  Coleman will now enjoy a 9-1 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning thanks the Tigers' five runs in the top of the frame.

 

Virginia freshman second baseman Keith Werman may look young, but he's playing beyond his years.  Read more about the Cavaliers' survival in the first CWS elimination game against Cal State Fullerton here: 

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/061509aac.html

 

 

 

 

 

Okay fans, I know you're excited about this one ... the big Southeastern Conference showdown between LSU and Arkansas tonight at 6 p.m. CT. There's nothing like a battle between two SEC opponents during the regular season, so this should be something on the biggest stage in college baseball!

LSU and Arkansas have met once before in the College World Series, but it was in 1987 when the Razorbacks were a member of the Southwest Conference and the Tigers earned a 5-2 win.  LSU has played eight contests against SEC foes, and is 6-2 against fellow league members.  The two losses both came against South Carolina.

The Tigers traveled to Arkansas for a regular season series on May 2-3, and won two of the three games.  Arkansas was in first place in the SEC West at the time.  The Razorbacks ended their SEC schedule with an 0-8 mark and no chance of a league title.

"That kind of started a little slide for Arkansas, and they didn't play well for about three weeks until they got to the SEC Tournament ... then, they turned it on again," said LSU Paul Mainieri.  "They are back to playing the way they were playing when we first met them.  They play the game hard and are very aggressive and very fundamentally sound."

Both LSU and Arkansas are perfect in NCAA postseason play, and whichever team wins this key game tonight will be in the driver's seat of bracket one.  The winner will have off until Friday, June 19 at 1 p.m. CT ... a nice four-day rest. 

Follow the game live on the interactive bracket:  http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html.

It was an adventurous ninth inning for Virginia with a couple of questionable defensive plays including one error, but in the end, the Cavaliers won 7-5, despite giving up two late runs.  Shortstop Tyler Cannon got a second chance to flip a ground ball to second base for a force out to end the game.  It is Virginia's first in CWS history, while Fullerton is the first team to be sent home.

The Titans have gone 0-2 in Omaha in only four of their previous 15 trips with the last coming in 2007 under the direction of former head coach George Horton.

Virginia moves on to an elimination game on Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. CT.

Cal State Fullerton has had base runners on in each of their last five chances at bat, but the Titans have come up empty.  For the game, Fullerton is 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. 

The Titans have just one more chance in the ninth inning, and are just 1-13 this season when trailing after eight innings.  Can they do it?

The Cavaliers do not look ready to end their dream of playing in the College World Series and have added three runs to their total in the last two innings, thanks to a pair of RBI-doubles by leftfielder Phil Gosselin and second baseman Keith Werman.  Shortstop Tyler Cannon finished off the sixth inning with an RBI-basehit before getting thrown out at second base to end the rally.

Virginia now owns a pretty commanding lead at 7-3 entering the seventh.

Much has been talked about the youth of Virginia's team, but the Cavalier freshmen continue to come through for the squad, like Keith Werman and Danny Hultzen did in the second inning.

Freshman second baseman Keith Werman continues to shine from the nine-hole spot in Virginia's lineup.  After turning in a 4-for-5 outing with an RBI against LSU, Werman already has an RBI-single against Fullerton that tied up the game at 2-2 in the third inning.  He is making only his 16^th start of the season today.

ACC Freshman of the Year Danny Hultzen capped off UVa's second-inning rally with a two-run single as he came to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded.  Cavaliers are leading 4-2 after two.

Senior catcher Dustin Garneau went 0-for-4 in the Titans' first game against Arkansas, but he's already made up for it today with a two-run homer to leftfield in the second inning.  Fullerton leads the 'Hoos, 2-0, entering the bottom of the second inning. 

Garneau's home run was his fifth of the season.  He is batting .408 with seven RBI in NCAA postseason play.

Fullerton and Virginia are underway. Follow the action live here:  http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html

I took a stroll outside Rosenblatt in search of souvenirs earlier.  I'm always interested to see what kind of new items the vendors come up with every year.  As you would imagine, hats and t-shirts are plentiful with the new permanent CWS logo and all the eight team logos, but sometimes the non-traditional gear grabs my attention.  This t-shirt I found sums up the College World Series perfectly for the many thousands that are here at the ballpark every day. 

For some sentimental fans, they are also selling hand-painted mini-replicas of Rosenblatt Stadium near the Fan Fest area.  The 'Blatt has hosted the College World Series since 1950, and next year will entertain its' last tournament as a new venue is being built in Downtown Omaha for the event.  With or without the limited edition collectible, I'm sure the throngs of fans, players and coaches who have been a part of the last 60 years will have no trouble remembering how special Rosenblatt is to college baseball.

 

Good afternoon from Rosenblatt Stadium!  It feels a bit quieter today after the big weekend buzz, but everybody looks ready for Day 3.  We have our first elimination game of the week as Cal State Fullerton and Virginia battle to stay in Omaha this afternoon at 1 p.m. CT.

Whose flag will still be flying at the conclusion of the game?  The traditional powerhouse or the new kids in town?  It's anybody's guess.

Louisville and UC Irvine were the last first-time teams to advance to the CWS in 2007.  The Cardinals went 0-2, while the Anteaters claimed a pair of one-run victories against Fullerton and ASU out of the loser's bracket before falling to eventual NCAA champion Oregon State.

We have a little bit less than an hour before first pitch, and sophomore right-hander Robert Morey (3-0, 3.11 ERA) will be taking the mound for Virginia, which is the home team today.  The Titans will trot out sophomore right-hander Daniel Renken (11-2, 2.36 ERA).

Another great day for baseball ... if you can't be at the ballpark, keep up with us right here ... or on the live interactive bracket http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html, or check out the twitter feed at http://twitter.com/CWS2009.

 

This game was going along so smoothly until the last two innings ... and then it kind of just all fell apart.  It was just a matter of which team's bullpen could survive, and in the end, Texas stopped the Southern Miss momentum with a 7-6 defeat.

Golden Eagles' reliever Josh Fields hit a batter and walked another, and then was pulled for Jonathan Johnston, who after striking out the first batter he faced, walked two more Texas hitters to lose the game. 

"We had an opportunity to win, and kept coming back," said Southern Miss head coach Corky Palmer.  "We just didn't throw strikes at the end of the game.  That's a tough way to lose.  I would just as soon somebody hit a grand slam."

USM walked six of their last 11 batters faced in the last two innings, and nine total in the game. 

"Tonight's game was kind of sloppy on both sides, pitching-wise," said James Ewing.   "I know Austin Wood (of Texas) is a better pitcher than what he did tonight.  Collin Cargill and all our guys are better pitchers than what they were tonight.  That's just the way it goes - we didn't play well enough.  They played just a little better than we did and that was the difference in the game."

Wood also blew a save, allowing the Golden Eagles to tie the game in the ninth inning 6-6, giving up three runs on two hits and two walks, before freshman Taylor Jungmann finished off USM for the final two outs.

"The ending is not befitting of the performance (of Southern Miss)," said Garrido.  "Baseball is a cruel game, and for that one position to break down misrepresents the spirit of the team and the way this team has been coached.  It's just the way baseball treats people sometimes."

Texas advances to play Arizona State on June 16 at 6 p.m., while Southern Miss will face North Carolina earlier that day. 

Good night from Omaha.  We'll see you tomorrow for Fullerton and Virginia at 1 p.m. CT, followed by a SEC battle between Arkansas and LSU at 6 p.m. CT.

 

Something always has to give in baseball, but not necessarily given away.  There were three bases loaded walks in the eighth inning, including two by Southern Miss relievers Collin Cargill and Josh Fields that put Texas back in control with a 6-5 lead. 

Cargill had not walked a batter in his previous six appearances, including five in the NCAA postseason.  Fields, who did not make his first pitching appearance until April 1, had not walked a batter in his last three games.

Brian Dozier just got his moment in Omaha, albeit a little unique.  The best player on the Southern Miss squad -- according to head coach Corky Palmer -- had been out recovering from a broken collar bone he suffered on April 14 against Jackson State, but was added to the Golden Eagles' active CWS roster as a possible pinch hitter or DH despite not being ready to return to his shortstop position. 

The 2006 Freshman All-American did get on base against Texas reliever Austin Wood, and it was one for the CWS record book.  He was awarded first base due to catcher's interference - the first time since 1981 that has occurred in the CWS.  The last time it happened Michigan's Greg Schulte was sent to first base against Mississippi State with catcher Terry Loe behind the plate.

Dozier loaded the bases, and then Wood proceeded to walk rightfielder Corey Stevens to tie the game at 4-4.  The Golden Eagles eventually took a 5-4 lead in the crazy 8^th inning.

Arizona State's extra-inning 5-2 victory over North Carolina was a pitcher's duel until the very end.  Both starting pitchers - UNC's Alex White and ASU's Josh Spence - did not factor in the decision, but played an integral part of the game.  Read more about this afternoon's classic pitching match-up:  http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/061409aad.html.

 

Texas junior Russell Moldenhauer had made just one start in NCAA Tournament play - and had gone hitless in the postseason -- until tonight's CWS game against Southern Miss when he proved why he should be on Augie Garrido's lineup card.

Moldenhauer put the Longhorns on top, 3-2, in the sixth inning with a solo homer to left field - his first of the season.  He had entered the contest batting just .234 in 30 game and 20 starts on the year.  Tonight, he is batting in the clean-up spot and in the first inning drew a two-out walk that led to a Kevin Keyes two-run double for the Longhorns.

Could it be some of that baseball magic Garrido so often speaks of? 

After Texas jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, Southern Miss was looking like easy prey for the Longhorn.  But designated hitter Michael Ewing changed all that with a huge two-run homer to right center to tie the game. 

It was Ewing's fifth home run of the season, and the Golden Eagles' 16^th of the NCAA postseason, which leads all teams in 2009.  Ewing had entered the game batting just .231 for the year, but he is hot in tournament play with two hits tonight to bump his postseason batting average up to .416.

We've got another battle -- 2-2 in the fifth.

 

Southern Miss senior centerfielder Bo Davis has got to be excited for the Golden Eagles' first-ever appearance in Omaha, and the leadoff hitter immediately jumped on the first pitch that Texas right-hander Cole Green served up.  It was a deep fly out to centerfield, but we're underway in Game 4.  Stay tuned ...

After a terrific pitching match-up in the first game of the day, I'm hoping for more of the same when top-seeded Texas and first-time Southern Miss take the field in about 30 minutes at 6 p.m. CT.  Fans - and players -- are stretching out as they wander around Rosenblatt and wait for the second half of the double dip to begin.

Follow the action on http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html.

North Carolina gave it a good college try, but Arizona State's four-run rally in the 10^th inning against relievers Colin Bates and Brian Moran was too much for the Tar Heels.  The Sun Devils settled the extra-inning affair with a 5-2 final score.

Freshman pitcher Mitchell Lambson improved to 9-3 as he tossed the final three innings of the game for the Sun Devils, striking out five batters in the relief outing.  ASU head coach Pat Murphy referred to Lambson as the team's "unsung hero" following the game.

After not experiencing a single extra-inning contest in the 2008 CWS, here we are tied 1-1 in the top of the 10th inning in Game 3 as North Carolina and Arizona State need a little more time to battle this one out. 

ASU was on the losing end of the last extra-inning game in Omaha, falling to UC Irvine, 8-7, in 10 innings while North Carolina went 13 innings in a 7-5 win over Cal State Fullerton in 2006.

North Carolina senior right fielder Garret Gore continued his postseason tear with an RBI-single in the sixth inning as the Tar Heels tied the score 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning.  I was watching from the right field bridge when Gore, who made his 18^th CWS start today, ripped the base hit up the middle. 

So far today, Gore is 3-for-3 - he has three of the Tar Heels seven hits - and has improved his NCAA postseason batting average to .538 for the year along with 11 RBI. 

By the way, this has got to be some kind of attendance record.  There is not a seat to be had anywhere in the stands, and it is about three-deep standing room only.  A beautiful day for baseball and the fans are getting a great game, too!

It's been a tough day for North Carolina leftfielder Ben Bunting with three strikeouts in three at bats -- and none more frustrating than his last time up at the plate -- swinging and missing with two outs and the bases loaded to end the Tar Heels threat in the fourth inning.  He had only struck out three times in his previous five NCAA Tournament games.

At the same time, the game's other leadoff hitter, ASU freshman shortstop Drew Maggi has also struck out three times and left four runners on base. 

It's still early, though, and anyone has a chance to be a hero in this one-run affair. 

A little two-out magic by a pair of Arizona State freshmen put the Sun Devils on top 1-0 in the second inning.  Designated hitter Johnny Ruettiger sparked the two-out rally with a double down the leftfield line, while freshman second freshman Zack MacPhee drove him home with another basehit to left. 

Ruettiger entered the CWS with a .667 on-base percentage in NCAA Tournament action, and leads the Sun Devils with a .462 batting average in tournament play.

 

North Carolina right-hander Alex White is warming up in the bullpen, getting ready for his fourth start in the College World Series.  White has put together an 8-4 record and 8.14 ERA, striking out 109 batters in 98 innings.

The Sun Devils will go with lefty Josh Spence (9-1, 2.33 ERA).  The native of Victoria, Australia, has also fanned 109 batters in just 88.2 innings.

Remember, you can follow the live statistics on the interactive bracket http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html, and keep up with the game on the CWS twitter feed at http://twitter.com/CWS2009.  We'll also be updating the blog throughout the game ...

 

We're still about an hour away from first pitch from North Carolina-Arizona State at 1 p.m. CT, but the fans have been hanging out since I got here at 10 a.m.  One thing you're sure to see when arriving at Rosenblatt is the long lines of fans wrapped around the field waiting for entrance to the general admission seats.  I have no idea what time you have to get here to be first in line, but it's got to be at the crack of dawn. Even the line for will call tickets stretches hundreds of yards outside of the gates. 

A big contigent of CWS fans have formed a line of their own as there are rows of tailgating tents for as far as you can see in the parking lots ... Masses of people are enjoying a pre-game meal, relaxing and catching up with old friends. 

 

Inside the stadium, the early birds are waiting patiently, trying to grab a batting practice home run as a souvenir, snacking on ballpark food and just enjoying the sights and sounds of the pre-game rituals.

The players, on the other hand, are getting down to business.  The Tar Heels have already taken their cuts, and the Sun Devils are getting their turn right now.  The countdown is on until Game 3 gets underway.  Follow the action live with the interactive bracket:  http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html

Sunday at Rosenblatt Stadium started early, but the action was actually outside at the newest addition to Fan Fest -- a mini-replica of the 'Blatt where fans can get their turn to take wiffle ball batting practice.

Some CWS staff members took part in an impromptu home run derby before the exhibit opened to the public today, getting 20 pitches each and taking their hacks in the contest.  The five-man competition came down to the last pitch of the last at bat, and the winner Scott came up with the walk-off homer.  Congrats!

Fan Fest officially opened at 11 a.m. CT, so head over and take a couple swings from the pitching machine ... and experience your own 'Blatt batting practice.

 

Day one is done, but there is plenty more to come.  Don't miss tomorrow's action beginning with North Carolina and Arizona State at 1 p.m. CT, and then we'll finish the day off with Texas and Southern Miss at 6 p.m. CT. 

Will there be any surprises?  Of course ... it's baseball.

 

 

In a game between two pitching staffs ranked in the top 10 in ERA, it was the offenses that stole the show.  Virginia entered the game as the fourth-best ERA in the nation, while LSU carried the ninth-ranked ERA in Division I into the contest.

 

Between the two teams there were 14 runs and 28 hits, which was unexpected by both head coaches.

 

"We're running really top-flight pitching out there, but in Omaha there seems to be a lot of runs scored," said Virginia head coach Brian O'Connor.  "Whether it's the offensive clubs are so good, or the toughness level of the players to not back down with two strikes ... I was hoping it wouldn't be such an offensive game."

 

"That was the most offensive game I've ever coached in the CWS," said LSU head coach Paul Mainieri.  "I can't really explain it because what Virginia has done in the postseason is phenomenal -- 10 runs in the last seven games." 

 

Despite the Cavaliers being able to get on base, they could not capitalize on their opportunities as they kept running into Tiger roadblocks. 

 

"We left 14 runners on base - it's a whole lot to leave on," said O'Connor. "We had situations when guys stepped up and hit the ball hard and LSU made two diving catches in the outfield. We just couldn't come up with that one big hit to break it open."

 

Virginia was able to chase LSU starter Anthony Ranaudo after just 3.1 innings, and the Tigers were forced to use five relievers, but the final three pitchers gave up just one hit in the final 2.1 scoreless innings for the difference.

 

"It was really pretty amazing together for us that we were able to piece it together with our bullpen in the middle innings," said Mainieri.  "That was a different way for our team to win a game that most of the season."

Check out today's College World Series notebook with a few nuggets about tomorrow's games. 

http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/061309aai.html

Most of the remaining 24,904 fans (which tied a Session 2 record) in the ninth inning were clad in purple and gold, and the Tigers gave them what they wanted in the almost four-hour game ... a 9-5 victory. 

Twenty-eight hits and four home runs between the two teams made for a fun-filled, exciting ball game.  More to come later ...

 

 

LSU's Ryan Schimpf helped add a couple to the Tigers' lead before Virginia's last at bat as he launched a two-run homer to the right field bleachers for his 20th round-tripper of the season. 

Virginia has not fared well this season when trailing after eight innings -- the Cavs are only 2-10-1 in the situation.  It looks like a tough climb right now at 9-5.

Junior first baseman Sean Ochinko had not hit a home run since April 3 against Georgia, but his eighth of the season was as big as ever.  He ripped a three-run shot to left center, giving the Tigers a 6-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.  It has definitely put a little spring in the step of the strong LSU contigent in the crowd.  Probably some beads flying around.

Freshman third baseman Steven Proscia just knotted the game at 3-3 in the the fifth inning with his 10th home run of the season.  He joins teammate Jarrett Parker (16 HR) as the second Cavalier with double-digit home runs this year. 

I'm sure when Coaches Mainieri and O'Connor imagined their teams playing each other, this is something how it went ... it's a battle.

Virginia freshman pitcher Danny Hultzen -- the ACC Freshman of the Year -- was so close to helping his cause as he came up with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning.  Hultzen, started the game against the Tigers and is currently the pitcher of record, but was relieved in the third inning.  He remained in the game as the DH and worked a full count against LSU reliever Paul Bertuccini before leftfielder Ryan Schmipf had to make a diving catch on his shot down the line. 

That's a lot of pressure for a youngster ... and although the ball didn't drop to extend the Cavaliers' rally, it definitely warranted a lot of ooohs and aahs from the Rosenblatt crowd.

The Arkansas Razorbacks continued their stellar play in the NCAA Tournament as they began the 2009 College World Series with a 10-6 win over Cal State Fullerton, and their head coach Dave Van Horn was definitely impressed with his team's postseason prowess.

"They seemed to play like they were comfortable to me, they didn't seem nervous," said Van Horn.  "They played like they've been here before.  Obviously they hadn't been here.  We just picked it up where we had left the last two weekends.  We played hard and came up with big hits and made pitches."

First baseman Andy Wilkins said Van Horn prepared the Razorbacks for the Titans' style of pressure offense, which also helped them to success once again.

"We knew they were a West Coast team and they do things a little differently than we do in the SEC," said Andy Wilkins.  "They like to throw the ball away, and that's kind of what we prepared for the whole week.  Defensively, we worked on small ball and running and those types of things.  I think we did a really good job."

Wilkins continued his incredible play in the NCAA postseason with a 2-for-4 outing and four RBI.  He is now batting .615 with four home runs and 16 RBI in the NCAA Tournament.  And, Wilkins' comfort level at the plate is so high he couldn't even recall the details of his two-run homer in the third inning - Van Horn reminded him of the pitches in the post-game press conference and said, "you hit it into the seats."

"Winning baseball is timing and confidence," said Van Horn.  Right now, his players are feeling both.  They are batting a solid .331 in the postseason, while averaging 10.6 runs per game.

The Razorback players also remarked how their fan support was also a big boost in today's game.

"It almost felt like a home game with the fans calling the hogs," said Wilkins.  "It was awesome.  I think playing at Arkansas has helped out a lot with our fans." 

"Every time something would go well for us, you would hear our fans yelling," said freshman Zack Cox.  "It's good to know they are right behind you."

Arkansas will play the winner of LSU-Virginia on June 15 at 6 p.m. CT.

LSU's Paul Mainieri and Virginia's Brian O'Connor are meeting for the first time as head coaches.  O'Connor was Mainieri's longtime assistant at Notre Dame, and the two had agreed to never play each other as head coaches unless the NCAA Tournament dictated it would be so ... and, as fate would have it, the friends get to meet on the biggest stage in college baseball.  We're underway for Game 2.

 

I would think there should be some nervous guys on the Virginia squad since the Cavaliers are making their CWS first appearance in school history, but the players look as loose as ever in the minutes leading up to the history-making moment.  Of course, Omaha may not look so looming after traveling to UC Irvine and Mississippi to get here.  LSU-Virginia will get underway just after 6 p.m. CT. 

 

Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn has been to Omaha on three previous occasions (Nebraska 2001-02 and Arkansas 2004), but he had never come away with a victory at the College World Series.  Today, in his seventh CWS career game, Van Horn got that monkey off his back with the 10-6 win over Cal State Fullerton.

"Obviously, I'm glad that's over with ... now I have a College World Series winning percentage," said Van Horn.  "I just want to win, I want these guys to win.  I want to stay here.  I've been a part of two and out and it's no fun ... it's disappointing.  I am glad it's over and hopefully we'll never talk about it again."

Van Horn is one of just 11 head coaches to bring at least two different schools to the CWS. 

 

No. 2 national seed Cal State Fullerton ran into a red hot Razorback squad that the Titans just could not quite figure out, although they kept trying until the very end.  Fullerton attempted a two-out ninth inning rally, and did score a run on a Christian Colon RBI-single, but could not dig themselves out of a five-run deficit. 

Come back and check out post-game coverage, and don't forget about LSU-Virginia at 6 p.m. CT.  It should be an interesting match-up between close coaching friends Paul Mainieri and Brian O'Connor after their nine years on the Notre Dame staff together that included a 2002 CWS appearance.

 Follow the next game on the live interactive bracket:  http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html

 

Cal State Fullerton has been explosive at the plate during the NCAA postseason batting .447 with 17.6 hits and 12.8 runs per game, but the Titans haven't been able to keep up the pace against the Razorbacks today. 

After notching double-digit hits for seven straight games, including a season-high 24 against Utah on May 29. CSF has just five hits through seven innings, which could be the team's lowest output since managing just six hits in a 4-3 win over Long Beach State on May 22.

It's always tough to come into a game with the bases loaded and two outs, especially in Omaha, and Fullerton freshman pitcher Tyler Pill just found out the hard way after relieving classmate Noe Ramirez. 

Pill, who has started 16 games for the Titans, was making his first relief appearance of the season as he entered the fourth inning with Arkansas threatening to score.  He surrended a two-run basehit to DH Scott Lyons, followed by first baseman Andy Wilkins' 19th homer of the season as the Razorbacks took a commanding 9-2 lead. 

The Titans have lost just four games this season by five runs or more, and have not given up nine runs since losing to UCLA 13-10 on May 17.

 

Razorback freshman third baseman Zack Cox gave the right field fans a treat as he belted his 13th home run of the season to double Arkansas' lead to 4-0.  The native of Louisville, Ky., has ripped four homers in NCAA postseason play.

Cox, who is a Collegiate Baseball Louisville Slugger and NCBWA Freshman All-America pick as a utility player, also pitches for the Razorbacks. 

Arkansas struck early, scoring two runs in top of the first inning after freshman RHP Noe Ramirez walked leadoff hitter Chase Leavitt.  The Razorbacks used a little pressure offense of their own and snuck through a couple basehits along with two sacrifices to manufacture the 2-0 lead.

Introductions have been made, the National Anthem has been sung, and now we're finally ready to play ball -- the first of what possibly will be 17 games to crown the 2009 NCAA champion.

 

Need more frequent updates of the action in Omaha?  Keep up with the CWS on Twitter at http://twitter.com/CWS2009 

We're about an hour away from first pitch, fans are trickling in and the lineups are set as the Titans and Razorbacks finish up batting practice.  Freshman right-hander Noe Ramerez will take the mound for Fullerton -- he sports a 9-1 record and 2.86 ERA, while southpaw Dallas Keuchel will start for Arkansas (7-3, 4.04 ERA). 

Follow the game on the NCAA.com Interactive Bracket here:

http://www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DI_baseball.html

 

After a nasty start to the CWS festivities yesterday, the sun is peaking through some fluffy clouds.  Not too cold, not too hot -- it will be about 76 degrees with some light wind when Cal State Fullerton and Arkansas take the field at 1 p.m. CT today. 

 

One of the resounding themes at the College World Series Pre-Tournament Press Conference today was of the ups and downs that baseball teams go through during a season, and no one has had a better first-hand experience this season than Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn.

The Razorbacks began the Southeastern Conference schedule with an 8-0 record, but finished up the league slate with a 0-8 mark against three tough opponents - Alabama, LSU and Mississippi.   The team suffered a 16-3 defeat to the Rebels at home on Senior Day to end the regular season.

"What helped us catch fire is that the regular season ended and we got to start over," said Van Horn.  "(The loss to Ole Miss) was kind of embarrassing.  It was on a Saturday, and we practiced on a Sunday.  It wasn't about punishment - it was about getting our minds right.  We talked about the beginning of the new season."

Arkansas went 2-2 in the SEC Tournament, but has been perfect in NCAA play, including two victories each against Oklahoma and Florida State.

"We're proud of these guys," said Van Horn.  "They went on the road to the Norman Regional and the Tallahassee Super Regional, and have been on the road basically a month straight.  It is fun watching these kids experience Omaha and the College World Series for the first time.  Some of them think it is a million miles away.  We told them that it's closer than you think - it's only five wins away."

The Razorbacks open CWS action against Cal State Fullerton on June 13 at 1 p.m. CT.

Cal State Fullerton not only thrives under the pressure of a big game - the Titans are more than likely the team applying it.

Fullerton's brand of "small ball", or pressure offense as head coach Dave Serrano likes to call it, has been successful more times than not over the last several years.  Serrano, who took the reins at Fullerton from George Horton in 2008, has guided the Titans to their seventh trip to the College World Series during the Super Regional Era (since 1999), which is the most among any school during that timeframe.

"Our philosophy as a coaching staff - and I'll never go away from it - is that the bigger the game, the more aggressive we're going to get," said Serrano.  "There are a lot of coaches out there that like to play it by the book, especially the bigger the game is.  I don't believe in that.  I think the bigger the game that it relaxes your players a little bit to let them see you let it all hang out.  It makes them feel more comfortable in their surroundings."

The Titans like to lay down the bunt and signal for the hit and run -- their 76 sacrifice hits rank third in nation, while Texas paces Division I with 96 - a philosophy he learned as a player for Augie Garrido's 1986 Cal State Fullerton squad.  Garrido, now at Texas for the last 12 years, has combined for five NCAA titles at the helm of the Titan and Longhorn programs.

"People take for granted laying down a bunt, and getting a hit and run play on the ground," said Serrano.  "Those are things that you do take for granted.  People think bunting is easy - it isn't easy to do.  You have to get it in the right area. You have to get it on the ground."

The Titans boast the top hitting club in the eight-team field (.330), are averaging the most stolen bases (1.98 per game) of the CWS squads, and lead the country with 124 hit batters, along with the fourth-best ERA in the nation (3.36).

"We're going to push the envelope and put pressure on the defense, especially in the big games," said Serrano.  "You are forcing the other team to make the play.  Good pitching is always going to shut down good hitting, but that's where the pressure offense can take away that good pitcher in a game because there are other avenues that we can go to trying to take him out of his game."

Not usually known as a power-hitting club, the Titans have three players with double-digit home runs for the first time in a decade, and are batting .447 with more than 12 runs per game in Regional and Super Regional play.

Serrano is bringing his second school to the CWS after taking UC Irvine in 2007, becoming the 11th coach in tournament history to guide two or more different schools to Omaha.  He is one of just three coaches to lead two different schools to the CWS in a span of only three seasons, joining Dave Van Horn (Arkansas and Nebraska) and Larry Cochell (CSF and Oklahoma) in the elite group.

"I think the common denominator for me is that you surround yourself with good people meaning assistant coaches and staff and players," said Serrano.  "It gives you an opportunity to make runs like this.  It's very humbling to know that I'm in a class like this."

"He hated losing, that's why he's a great coach," said Garrido of his former pitcher.  "Sometimes, the most talented players don't make the best coaches."

Fullerton will open the 2009 College World Series against Arkansas on June 13 at 1 p.m. CT.  The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.

 

If you haven't heard about all the interesting connections that University of Virginia head coach Brian O'Connor has to Omaha, the College World Series and LSU's Paul Mainieri, read about it here: http://www.ncaa.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/061209aaa.html.

When Notre Dame made an appearance at the 2002 CWS, an annual tradition began for a crew of Irish fans from Tinley Park, Ill, outside Chicago.  Now, this group of fathers and sons is making their seventh straight trek to Omaha, and I encountered the lively bunch on a shuttle ride from the hotel to Rosenblatt this afternoon.

They reminded me of why this event is the greatest college championship, as several of the head coaches echoed this afternoon at the pre-tournament press conference.  It's not only about the trophy that these eight teams are vying for, but the moments that friends and family share every year.

Thanks guys for the fun ride down 10th Street!  Here they are, in no particular order:  John and Brendan Barry; Dave and Dave McAvoy; Tim and Corey Hooker; Tom, Matt, Kevin and Mikey Mangin; and Greg and Kevin Wilson.

 

Welcome to Omaha and the 2009 Men's College World Series!  This will be my 10th time working the event, and this year, I should have brought my umbrella.  It's pouring rain here ... usually when I arrive the sun is shining and the weather is glorious.  I haven't checked the forecast yet, but hopefully we will see the sun tomorrow for Cal State Fullerton vs. Arkansas and LSU vs. Virginia.

 

The rain has not dampened the spirit of this event, however.  The tarp is rolled out on the field, but when I got here the fans at Rosenblatt Stadium seemed as enthusiastic as ever although the most were taking cover under the concourse.  But, at the same time they were collecting player autographs and enjoying some ballpark food, so overall it was a win-win. 

 

Right now, Texas has the field for its practice time, and the weather isn't holding the Longhorns back from some long tossing in the outfield.  I don't think any players or coaches really care if they get wet right now ...

 

Southern Miss head coach Corky Palmer, who guided the Golden Eagles to their first CWS appearance this year in his final season before retirement has already walked the field and soaked in the atmosphere, and probably some rainwater, too.  The USM players are using the their hats to cover their cameras while documenting these special, but wet, memories.

The rain will eventually pass, but the memories these eight teams are making this week definitely will not.