(With the end of the year fast approaching, we’re counting down some of the top moments from the 2009 college baseball season (in no particular order).  We’ll have one a day through New Year’s Eve.)

LSU was riding high heading into the third weekend of the 2009 season.  The Tigers were ranked #1 in multiple national polls, they were 9-0 with eight of those wins in the new Alex Box Stadium and they had won 25 straight regular season

(With the end of the year fast approaching, we’re counting down some of the top moments from the 2009 college baseball season (in no particular order).  We’ll have one a day through New Year’s Eve.)

LSU opened the 2009 season on the heels of a trip to the 2008 College World Series and ranked number one in two national polls.  Paul Mainieri’s Tigers also opened in the brand new Alex Box Stadium on Feb. 20, 2009 with a 12-3

Each member of the squad was given his ring on the field by LSU Director of Athletics Joe Alleva and LSU Chancellor Mike Martin.

The ceremony, which was open to the public, began with a special video commemorating the 2009 championship run at the College World Series, followed by remarks from Alleva and Martin.

LSU head coach Paul Mainieri also addressed the crowd after the ring presentation.

“As a boy you dream of days like this,” Mainieri said. “Then the day gets here, and I can tell you it’s better than your dreams.

“This team was a special group of kids to work with. They deserve everything they get and this is their day, the 2009 national champions.”

Mainieri also thanked the fans for their support of the team during the 2009 season. LSU’s home attendance for the season was over 403,000.

“The fans of LSU baseball make LSU baseball what it is,” Mainieri said. “Thanks to all of you for everything you do.”

After the ring presentation, the 2009 team signed autographs and took pictures with fans on the concourse of the stadium.

“This is a special day for me,” former LSU pitcher and 2009 All-American Louis Coleman said. “It’s special to come back together as a team for something like this. It brings back a lot of good memories.”

“We enjoyed this so much,” Mainieri concluded. “I think we should do it again, and again, and again.”

(Press Release)

Other LSU Notes

Three more “big boy” teams are in action today, but Cinderella makes steps up to center stage tonight when Southern Mississippi plays #1 Texas. (North Carolina and Arizona State play the matinee). Some thoughts on today’s action…

• As of last night, we still had not heard who Texas will start tonight. Fullerton went with Noe Ramirez over Daniel Renken, and now Dave Serrano’s team is in a Monday elimination game vs. Virginia. Will that decision make it that much easier for Augie Garrido to go with Chance Ruffin if he was even thinking about anyone else?
• Southern Mississippi starting pitchers have made it past the fifth inning just once in their six NCAA Tournament games, but the Golden Eagles are still 5-1 and in Omaha.  Their offense has scored 8.8 runs a game to counter the lack of pitching longevity. (Remind you of a team from California last year?)
• Seriously, isn’t it cool to have a head coach named Corky Palmer in the CWS?
• Speaking of starting pitching, as of last night ASU’s Pat Murphy still hadn’t announced his starter for today’s game vs. North Carolina.   If it’s not Pac 10 Pitcher of the Year Mike Leake (16-1, 1.36 ERA, 150 K), I’ll go sun bathe with Sparky in the left field bleachers (trust me, you don’t want to see that).
• The last time Mike Fox and North Carolina failed to make it to the College World Series was 2005 when his Tar Heels were eliminated by Paul Mainieri’s Notre Dame team at the Gainesville, FL Regional. The Florida team that won that regional went on to finish as the national runner-up with a loss to Texas in the CWS Championship Series.
• As noted last night, LSU used all three of its weekend starter in its opening win over Virginia.   SEC Pitcher of the Year Louis Coleman pitched just an inning, and with a day off Sunday, it was essentially a bullpen workout on a big stage. Mainieri says he and Austin Ross will still make their next scheduled starts.
• The crowds inside and outstide Rosenblatt Stadium as well as on the streets and in the press box itself were enormous yesterday. I don’t think I’ve seen as many people here.  I wonder how much that fact that Rosenblatt’s days are numbered (along with LSU and Texas as well as homeboy Brian O’Connor being here) have to do with it?

You ready for day two?

• The four teams that were playing today’s games (Arkansas, Fullerton, LSU, & Virginia) had a combined 20-1 record in the NCAA Tournament coming into today’s action. Virginia’s game one Super Regional loss to Ole Miss was the lone blemish.
• As I speak, LSU head coach Paul Mainieri is getting post-game hugs on the field from his daughters Sam and Alex.
• The result of Arkansas’ win over Fullerton isn’t necessarily shocking, but the way they did it is. The Razorbacks put ten runs on the board against a Titans team that had given-up a total of just 11 runs in their five previous NCAA Tourney games this year.
• Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn finally has his first CWS win. He was 0-4 in 2001-02 trips with Nebraska, and 0-2 in 2004 with the Razorbacks.
• LSU’s win gives the Tigers their first victory in a CWS opener since 2000.
• LSU used all three weekend starters in tonight’s game.  Anthony Ranaudo pitched just 3.1 innings in his 17th start of the year, Austin Ross had 2 IP in relief, and SEC pitcher of the Year Louis Coleman pitched the 8th inning.
• Coleman pitched in relief on Friday in SEC play vs. Georgia and Kentucky during the regular season and then made Sunday starts to end those series.
• Virginia plays Cal State Fullerton Monday at 1pm Central.   The Cavs are the home team.
• LSU plays Arkansas Monday at 6pm Central.  The Razorbacks will be the home team.
• Virginia freshman Steven Proscia hit his 10th HR of the year.  It’s the most for a Cavs freshman since 2005 when Sean Doolittle hit 15.
• Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry was in the press box and in the stands for a while tonight. Hendry was head coach of the 1991 Creighton CWS team. He also gave Paul Mainieri his first coaching job at Miami’s Christopher Columbus High School.
• I sat in the press box between two really nice guys tonight.  Marc Davis, the Sports Director at WCDV Channel 19 from Charlottesville, VA and Jason Cole from Burntorangebeat.com. Had a lot of good baseball conversation.
• I know it’s been overstated all week, but Mainieri and O’Connor are two of the best class acts in the game.  They are both great guys, and their staffs and teams embody how the game should be:  play hard with no excuses.
• My dad, son, daughter, and wife were all in the stands tonight.  My son was with a few of his Scrappers baseball teammates.  It was their first CWS experience.  I hope they had a good time.
• Sat for part of the game with my great friend, Randy Rosetta, from the Baton Rouge Advocate….he’s still Randy.

We’ll have more tomorrow.