by www.LSUsports.net, LSU Sports Interactive
June 20, 2008 -- 10:55 p.m.
by LSUsports.net
Losing in the College World Series on a grand slam is rare -- but not as rare as winning 23-straight baseball games the end the regular season to come from 11th in the SEC to win the West; then winning the SEC Tournament Championship; making the College World Series; and bringing LSU baseball back where it belongs in Omaha.
These accomplishments will never be lost in one pitch in one game.
I'd like to thank all of the LSU baseball fans around the country who follow this team before, during and after this amazing return to Omaha. Can't wait to resume the next era of LSU Baseball in 2009 at the New Alex Box Stadium.
LSU vs. North Carolina (Resumed from Thursday night)
Ninth Inning
A grand slam by Tim Federowicz followed a double and two intentional walks by Coleman, as the Tigers fell behind, 7-3. A brilliant pitching evening by the Tigers ended with a no-doubter to left field.
In the bottom of the ninth, LSU managed only one hit before the game ended on a double play.
Eighth Inning
Coleman recorded his fifth K in six batters, as the Tigers staff continues to impress.
On the flip side, Wooten committed a fielding error attempting to get the speedy Mitchell after a swinging bunt. The Tar Heels elect to bring in stud-starter Alex White, who earned the win after seven innings on Tuesday, to face Dean, Gibbs and Clark.
Dean struckout on a nasty 1-2 pitch, but Gibbs walked on a 3-1 pitch and (STREAKER!!) so did Clark. With the bases loaded and one out, LeMahieu popped out on the infield and Landry grounded softly to short to end the inning.
Seventh Inning
Louis Coleman entered in relief of a remarkable performance by Bradford (5 2/3 innings, 4 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, 76 pitches, 49 strikes). Like Bradford, Coleman pitched out of a tough situation. He gave up a leadoff single then posted three strikeouts to the Nos. 2-3-4 hitters in the UNC lineup.
Conversely, North Carolina closer Rob Wooten entered and got the Tigers up and down in eight pitches including two strikeouts.
Sixth Inning
UNC wasn't able to convert after a one-out single by Garrett Gore, as the No. 7 hitter was stranded by Bradford, who completed his fifth full inning (5 2/3 overall). Bradford's pitch count is at 77.
After being robbed of a double in the fourth, Gibbs recorded LSU's second hit of the game with a one-out single back up the middle. Clark (finally) made Moran pay for a mistake, hitting his nation-leading 28th home run of the season deep over the right-centerfield wall -- over the 375-ft. mark. The game is tied, 3-3.
Fifth Inning
Bradford again found trouble, allowing a nine-pitch walk before a single up the middle put two on with no outs. A sacrifice move the runners up, and LSU intentionally walked .401 hitter Tim Fedroff to load the bases. Bradford nearly escaped unscathed again on a beautiful sliding pickup and throw by LeMahieu at short, but the relay to first was wide of the bag. The fielder's choice allowed the run to score, and LSU trailed 3-1.
Another LSU opportunity went by without damage, as the Tigers put runners on first and second with a pair of walks. North Carolina brought in lefty Brian Moran to face Jared Mitchell, and the Tigers lefty struck out on a check swing.
Fourth Inning
In the top of the fourth, Bradford pitched around a bloop single to center, getting a strike-him-out throw-him-out double play to end the inning.
A diving catch by Tar Heels centerfielder Seth Williams robbed Gibbs of a double into the left-center gap to open the inning. Clark struck out and LeMahieu lined to second to end an up-and-down half inning.
Third Inning (resumed)
One hour and 27 minutes later, Bradford completes a 1-2-3 top of the third inning with a ground ball to short and a popup to center field. North Carolina has brought in redshirt freshman Colin Bates to replace Harvey after the break. In his last outing at the NCAA Super Regional, Bates gave up four runs on two hit without recording an out.
In the bottom half, LSU was unable to scratch a run across despite a walk and a fielding error. A running catch by leftfielder Kyle Shelton allowed the Tar Heels to double-off Hollander before he could get back to second base, ending the inning.
Weather Updates
As of 7:40 p.m. CDT, it's still sprinkling and the grounds crew attempted to remove the tarp. Seconds later, they put it back on. Officials hope to restart the game at 8:05 p.m....but we'll see. The tarp is coming off again! Bradford is warming for LSU. About eight pitchers are getting loose for North Carolina.
As of 7:26 p.m. CDT, the latest word from NCAA officials in the press box is a 7:40 p.m. start time, at the earliest. There are blue skies on the horizon, but its still sprinkling a bit.
As of 7:06 local time, the very heavy rains and hail have subsided for the moment, however two more lightning strikes in the area have put the earliest re-starting time at 7:30 p.m. local time. There are blue skies in the area, but there is also another similar-sized cell of bad weather to the northwest of Omaha that may give more rain.
Third Inning
Bradford recorded the first out of the third with a four-pitch strikeout. Then, at 6:38 p.m. CDT, lightning struck and we're again in a 30-minute hold until the game can resume. The rain just started, so it will probably be more than a half hour before the game is restarted.
Second Inning
Bradford hasn't thrown a ball yet, tossing 10 strikes in the first 1 2/3 innings to mow down the Tar Heels. He gave up a first-pitch single to Ackley, but struck out the No. 2 hitter on three pitches.
After three-straight balls, Harvey got to a full count before issuing a leadoff walk to Micah Gibbs. Four pitches later, he walked Matt Clark. That got action in the bullpen, namely Alex White.
Harvey threw seven-straight balls before getting a strike. On the next pitch, DJ LeMahieu singled up the middle to drive in Gibbs from second and cut the lead to 2-1. A popup by Leon Landry and a double-ple ground ball by Derek Helenihi ended the threat.
First Inning
At 6:09 p.m., the game resumed in a desparate circumstance for Bradford and the Tigers. But, the best of results happened, as his second pitch was grounded to third to start a 6-4-3 double play. That just happened.
LSU went down in order against Harvey, with a lineout by Michael Hollander, a strikeout by Jared Mitchell and a lazy popup to shallow centerfield by Blake Dean.
Pregame Update
In case you missed it, LSU and North Carolina were halted in the top of the first last night with the Tar Heels holding a 2-0 advantage. The bases are loaded with one out. There's an 0-1 count on designated hitter Garrett Gore. We're all set to resume with senior Jared Bradford on the mound for LSU.
Pregame -- 4:35 p.m.
Returning to Rosenblatt Stadium to start week 2 is usually a great thing -- except when you've played only two games plus one out in that time span. After having its Thursday evening contest against North Carolina postponed 24 hours, the Tigers are on the field preparing for the 6:08 p.m. first pitch tonight.
These is, once again, a chance of isolated thunderstorms tonight. Tonight's 30-percent chance looks less threatening than last night's radar. There is rain to the west and to the northeast. Neither cell looks to affect the game at its onset.
Enough weather, back to the game.
Everyone wants to know who is going to start on the mound for the Tigers and Tar Heels. Well, a decision has been made by LSU coach Paul Mainieri, but you'll have to wait until a little closer to the game to read about it here. No one is warming in the LSU bullpen right now, as the cat and mouse games may have already begun.
Word on the street is that North Carolina will stick with freshman Matt Harvey, who is in the current lineup and would not be able to re-enter the game if another Tar Heel toes the mound. Many speculated that North Carolina may bring out Alex White, who earned the win against LSU on Tuesday. They still might, but it doesn't appear like he'll be the first on the mound.
June 19, 2008 -- 9:40 p.m.
After three hours, the game was called due to constant rain at Rosenblatt Stadium. The teams will resume on Friday at 6 p.m., with the winner facing Fresno State on Saturday at 6 p.m. The "if necessary" game is still up in the air, however, it would probably be played sometime on Sunday.
June 19, 2008 -- 9:03 p.m.
At 9.01 p.m. CDT, it's not looking good here at Rosenblatt Stadium. We're now 2 1/2 hours into a rain delay and another cell popped up behind this one that isn't allowing the tarp to be pulled. When a decision is made whether to continue to resume tomorrow, it will be posted here.
June 19, 2008 -- 8:13 p.m.
by LSUsports.net
Light rain continues to fall here at Rosenblatt Stadium. However, the wind has changed directions, now blowing out of the northwest. Skies continue to get lighter and the grounds crew has been working to remove puddles from the area behind home plate and on the tarp.
There's a good chance that we'll get restarted at about 9 p.m. local time, maybe a little later. The grounds crew is removing the spikes that hold the tarp in place and may pull the tarp in the next 10-20 minutes. The field has drained well thus far.
Another look at the radar indicates that we're at the tail end of this storm cell. There's another one behind it, but it appears much weaker than the first that came though the area.
LSU vs. North Carolina (Delay in Top 1st)
First Inning
At 6:27 p.m. with one out in the top of the first inning and LSU trailing 2-0, lightning in the Omaha area brought the tarp onto the field at Rosenblatt Stadium. Maybe it's for the best, as LSU starter Blake Martin is struggling. He's thrown 30 pitches, has the bases loaded and has hit consecutive batters after giving up an RBI double to right-centerfield. LSU's Nolan Cain began warming just before the players were sent to the dugout.
At about 6:30 p.m., the rain started, and we might be here for awhile. It's coming down pretty hard with no signs on the radar of slowing.
Pregame
We're back in a "win or go home" situation here at Rosenblatt Stadium -- a little more pressure than Tuesday when the Tigers had nothing to lose in a dramatic 6-5 comeback victory over Rice. The Tigers, tonight's home team, are again dressed in all while with purple caps. North Carolina is wearing dark blue tops with while pants and caps.
LSU got to the park a little past 3 p.m., but wasn't allowed onto the field due to lightning in the Omaha area. Skies have been ominous throughout the day, with a 50-percent chance of scattered strom thunderstorms this evening.
Looking out of the press box, there's rain to the east that should miss the stadium. But more to the northwest, lighter rain looks to be on its way. We'll see how it plays out.
June 17, 2008 -- 5:18 p.m.
by LSUsports.net
When the LSU baseball team arrived at Children's Hospital on Wednesday afternoon, they were greeted in the lobby by a young baseball fan with a special message for the team.
Brent Kirsch, the son of a staff member at Children's, caught the solo home run ball hit by Rice's Aaron Luna to leadoff the sixth inning of the Tigers thrilling comeback on Tuesday afternoon.
Urged by the pro-LSU fans in left field, Kirsch threw the home run ball back onto the field in support of the Tigers.
He read the team the following letter that he wrote following the game:
Dear LSU Tigers,
During your game against the Rice Owls, Aaron Luna hit a home run against you guys. But I caught it and threw it back on the field and got on TV. At that point, it was 5-0 and I thought it could have been over, but you guys kept going and made ANOTHER great comeback. Good luck to you guys in this College World Series and hopefully I will get to see you guys play again. And, I hope to see you back next year. Keep up the great work.
Sincerely, Brent Kirsch
Just after Kirsch received a round of applause from the team, coach Paul Mainieri asked him to give his letter and signed photo to senior pitcher Jared Bradford, who gave up the home run. Mainieri then joked to the youngster, "I bet you threw it back faster than Bradford threw it to the plate."
June 17, 2008 -- 7:22 p.m.
by Bill Martin, Associate SID
It is 3-2 North Carolina in the bottom of the fourth here, but the buzz hasn’t left the press box and the park about LSU’s amazing comeback win. The Tigers refuse to see their season come to an end and continue to make believers out of the skeptics.
Sitting next to Michael Hollander’s dad behind the dugout and ready to handle postgame interviews, I can tell you the view of Dean’s shot off the wall was impressive.
You just knew Dean would provide another clutch hit, but you didn’t know if it would win the ballgame with the winning run on first. He is simply the best postseason clutch hitter LSU has had since Todd Walker. Watching Hollander race around third to tie it, pandemonium broke out but out of nowhere, Mitchell from first base, just kept coming. As head coach Paul Mainieri described in the press conference, “Mitchell was running around third like he was about to burst through an Alabama defensive back.”
Mitchell described his run as the scene in the movie Major League when Willie Mays Hays dove in home just after another player had scored. Meanwhile, Mainieri embraced his wife Karen after the dramatic finish just outside the dugout. Not a bad birthday present for Mrs. Mainieri.
At the press conference, Mainieri first praised Rice and head coach Wayne Graham for the Owls great season. It is always tough to be on the other side of such a loss, such was the case for LSU in 2005 at Alex Box Stadium. Hollander remembers it well as the only current player on that team.
Mainieri said he told the team in the huddle after the game, “we simply don’t quit and that goes for anything in life.” He mentioned this in his press conference, alluding to the fact that these Tigers have provided inspiration to never give up. There are 27 outs in a ballgame and it is not over until it is over.
Mitchell and Mainieri also fielded questions regarding the similarities of this baseball team to the never-quit attitude of the national champion football team. Mitchell said the biggest similarity is that everyone believes in each other, from the key reserves on the bench to the starters. Mainieri said he always references all of LSU’s athletic teams to his players, particularly last fall. He said the success of every sport has provided a lesson to the team at some point over the past year.
After being interviewed on ESPN Radio and Westwood One radio, the players and Coach Mainieri received congratulations from incoming Athletic Director Joe Alleva and then headed out of the door of the Hall of Fame Room to the arrival of over 100 fans.
Dean was the last player to leave, and he signed autographs for the happy LSU faithful. Mainieri followed and did the same before heading back to the hotel. Back in the press box, word is several writers booked flights in the eighth inning to head back to Louisiana. Hopefully, the travel agents can fix those because we aren’t coming home yet. The Tigers live another day and it is practice tomorrow at 10 a.m. from Creighton.
