Mainieri, Tigers Open SEC Play At No. 2 South Carolina

Transcription

1 GAMES Date Opponent Time/Result February (7-4) 9 (Fri.) ST. MARY S (CALIF.) W, (Sat.) ST. MARY S (CALIF.) W, (Sun.) ST. MARY S (CALIF.) W, (Fri.) at Stetson L, (Sat.) at Stetson L, (Sun.) at Stetson W, (Wed.) NORTHWESTERN STATE W, (Fri.) CENTRAL FLORIDA W, (Sat.) CENTRAL FLORIDA W, (Sun.) CENTRAL FLORIDA L, (Tue.) TULANE (CST tape delayed) L, 3-8 March (5-3, 0-0 SEC) 2 (Fri.) LIPSCOMB L, (Sat.) LIPSCOMB L, (Sun.) LIPSCOMB W, (Tue.) at Centenary % W, (Fri.) SOUTHERN MISS W, (Sat.) SOUTHERN MISS W, (Sun.) SOUTHERN MISS L, (Tue.) McNEESE STATE W, (Fri.) at #3 South Carolina (JSN) 6 p.m. 17 (Sat.) at #3 South Carolina (JSN) 3 p.m. 18 (Sun.) at #3 South Carolina (JSN) 11 a.m. 21 (Wed.) SOUTHEASTERN LA. (CST) 6:30 p.m. 23 (Fri.) KENTUCKY 7 p.m. 24 (Sat.) KENTUCKY 4 p.m. 25 (Sun.) KENTUCKY 11 a.m. 27 (Tue.) NEW ORLEANS 6:30 p.m. 30 (Fri.) at Alabama (JSN) 6:30 p.m. 31 (Sat.) at Alabama (JSN) 6 p.m. April (0-0, 0-0 SEC) 1 (Sun.) at Alabama (JSN) 2 p.m. 3 (Tue.) at Tulane $ 7 p.m. 6 (Fri.) AUBURN 7 p.m. 7 (Sat.) AUBURN 3 p.m. 8 (Sun.) AUBURN (CST) 1 p.m. 11 (Wed.) MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE 6:30 p.m. 13 (Fri.) OLE MISS 7 p.m. 14 (Sat.) OLE MISS 3 p.m. 15 (Sun.) OLE MISS 1 p.m. 18 (Wed.) at New Orleans $ 7 p.m. 20 (Sat.) at Mississippi State 6:30 p.m. 21 (Sat.) at Mississippi State 2 p.m. 22 (Sun.) at Mississippi State (JSN) 1:30 p.m. 25 (Wed.) SOUTHERN 6:30 p.m. 27 (Fri.) TENNESSEE 7 p.m. 28 (Sat.) TENNESSEE 3 p.m. 29 (Sun.) TENNESSEE (CST) 1 p.m. May (0-0, 0-0 SEC) 1 (Tue.) NICHOLLS STATE (CST) 6:30 p.m. 4 (Fri.) at Arkansas 7:05 p.m. 5 (Sat.) at Arkansas (FSN) 3 p.m. 6 (Sun.) at Arkansas (JSN) 1:05 p.m. 11 (Fri.) FLORIDA (CST) 7 p.m. 12 (Sat.) FLORIDA (FSN) 3 p.m. 13 (Sun.) FLORIDA (CST) 1 p.m. 17 (Thu.) at Vanderbilt 7 p.m. 18 (Fri.) at Vanderbilt 7 p.m. 19 (Sat.) at Vanderbilt (JSN) 1 p.m SEC Tournament (Hoover, Ala.) 1-4 NCAA Regional (sites TBA) 8-10/9-11 NCAA Super Regional (sites TBA) NCAA College World Series (Omaha, Neb.) % - Fair Grounds Field (Shreveport, La.) $ - Zephyr Field (Metairie, La.) all times are Central and subject to change 5 NCAA TITLES, 13 CWS APPEARANCES, 13 SEC CHAMPIONSHIPS 2007 at South Carolina March 16-18, p.m., 3 p.m., 11 a.m. CDT Columbia, S.C. Sarge Frye Field (6,000) Schedule/Results (12-7, 0-0 SEC) Mainieri, Tigers Open SEC Play At No. 2 South Carolina LSU (12-7) opens Southeastern Conference play this weekend at No. 3 South Carolina (15-2). The contests mark the first SEC series for first-year LSU head coach Paul Mainieri. Game times are 6 p.m. CDT Friday, 3 p.m. CDT Saturday and 11 a.m. CDT Sunday from Sarge Frye Field in Columbia, S.C. >Broadcast Info The games will be broadcast on the affiliates of the LSU Sports (WDGL-FM 98.1 in Baton Rouge). Charles Hanagriff (play-by-play) and Bill Franques (analyst) call the action. The audio broadcasts, streaming video and live stats are available in the Geaux Zone at All three games will be broadcast live by affiliates of the Jumbo Sports Network in Louisiana. College Sports Southeast will also carry the series on a regional basis. Mike Morgan (playby-play) and Ronnie Rantz (analyst) call the action. >Last Time Out The Tigers tied a season-high with three homers -- including back-to-back blasts by catcher Sean Ochinko and right fielder Steven Waguespack in the sixth inning -- on Tuesday night to defeat McNeese State, 6-3 in Baton Rouge. LSU took two out of three games from Southern Miss last weekend at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers won, 2-1, on a dramatic double play on Friday night. LSU then used a season-high in runs and tied a season-high in hits (13) to defeat the Golden Eagles, 15-8, on Saturday. USM responded with a come-from-behind victory on Sunday, 5-3, to salvage the series finale. >Notables LSU has won five out of its last six games as the Tigers open SEC play... The LSU pitching staff recorded a 2.50 ERA in four games last week, pacing the Tigers to three victories... LSU is ranked No. 11 in the latest Boyd s World RPI with a rating of Shorstop Michael Hollander became the first player to tally five RBI in a game last Saturday versus Southern Miss since Quinn Stewart on March 11, 2006 versus Stetson... The Tigers have lost seven straight games to the Gamecocks... LSU has been swept by South Carolina the last two seasons... The Tigers last defeated the Gamecocks on March 21, LSU head coach Paul Mainieri has never faced the Gamecocks, while USC head coach Ray Tanner is all-time versus the Tigers... Tanner is the only coach in the SEC to own a winning record against LSU... LSU has homered in three straight games... The series marks the first of nine games to be broadcast on the Jumbo Sports Network... LSU has won three out of its last four SEC opening series... The Tigers won three of their five non-conference series. Pitching Matchups Game 1 LSU -- Jr. LH Charlie Furbush (3-1, 2.61 ERA, 31.0 IP, 11 BB, 28 SO) USC -- Jr. RH Harris Honeycutt (4-0, 1.11 ERA, 24.1 IP, 9 BB, 26 SO) Game 2 LSU -- Jr. RH Jared Bradford (3-1, 2.51 ERA, 28.2 IP, 5 BB, 28 SO) USC -- So. RH Mike Cisco (2-0, 2.59 ERA, 31.1 IP, 4 BB, 28 SO) Game 3 LSU -- Fr. RH T.J. Forrest (1-0, 1.50 ERA, 6.0 IP, 1 BB, 7 SO) USC -- TBA LSU Probable Position Starters Pos. Player Cl.-Exp. B/T Avg. HR RBI Notable C Sean Ochinko Fr.-HS R/R Team-leader in HRs and multi-rbi games 1B Jordan Mayer Jr.-2L R/R (4-for-8), 5 R, 1 HR, 2 RBI vs. USM 2B Chris Jackson Jr.-1L R/R Former Punter Worked Out At Pro Day on Wed. SS Michael Hollander Jr.-2L R/R Career-high five RBI in Sat. win vs. USM 3B J.T. Wise So.-1L R/R LSU s leading hitter last 4 gms;.385 (5-for-13) LF Blake Dean Fr.-HS L/L Leads team in 3B, RBI and SLG% CF Jared Mitchell Fr.-HS L/L Team-high 6 multi-hit games; 3-game hit streak RF Steven Waguespack Sr.-1L L/L Made game-winning double play vs. USM last Fri. DH Ryan Schimpf Fr.-HS L/R (2-for-8), 3 R, 1 2B, 1 RBI vs. USM LSU Record 12-7 (0-0 SEC) Ranking NR Baseball America NR Collegiate Baseball NR ESPN/Sports Weekly Coach Paul Mainieri Career Record (.637/25th year) LSU Record 12-7 (.632/first year) Mainieri vs. USC 0-0 South Carolina Record 15-2 (0-0 SEC) Ranking No. 3 Baseball America No. 4 Collegiate Baseball No. 4 ESPN/Sports Weekly Coach Ray Tanner Career Record (.692/20th year) USC Record (.698/11th year) Tanner vs. LSU LSU Sports Information P.O. Box 25095, Baton Rouge, LA Phone Fax

2 Media Services Interviews with Head Coach Paul Mainieri Coach Mainieri is available for phone interviews on weekday mornings (9 a.m. -Noon) during the season. Please coordinate all requests for personal interviews with Coach Mainieri through his office. Appointments and interviews may be arranged through Virginia Robertson at (225) Coach Mainieri will talk to reporters approximately 10 minutes after the end of a game in the LSU dugout. His interview will take place FOLLOWING PLAYER INTERVIEWS. Player Interviews Media members are invited to attend LSU baseball practice sessions. Players are available for interviews before each practice at approximately 1 p.m. in Alex Box Stadium. Requests for live player interviews on the field prior to a game should be made through Bill Franques in the Sports Information Office. Post-game player interviews are conducted in front of the LSU dugout at the conclusion of a brief team meeting on the field. Post-game player requests will be collected by Bill Martin in the eighth inning. Mailing Address LSU Sports Information P.O. Box Baton Rouge, LA Overnight Mail Address Room 501, LSU Athletics Admin. Bldg. N. Stadium Dr. at Nicholson Dr. Baton Rouge, LA Phone Directory Press Box: Sports Information: Fax: Baseball Office: Fax: Quick Facts Location: Baton Rouge, La. Founded: ; campus moved to present site in 1926 Enrollment: ,582 Nickname: Fighting Tigers Colors: Purple and Gold Conference: Southeastern (Western Division) President: Dr. William L. Jenkins Chancellor: Sean O'Keefe Faculty Representative:..Kenneth E. Carpenter Athletics Director: J. Stanley "Skip" Bertman Home Stadium: Alex Box Stadium Capacity: ,760 Opened: Dimensions: LF-330; LC-365; CF-405; RC-365; RF-330 Press Box Phone: (225) Head Coach: Paul Mainieri Record at LSU: (.632, first year) Overall Record: (.637, 25th year) Baseball Office Phone:...(225) Baseball Office Fax:.....(225) Assistant Coaches:......Cliff Godwin and Terry Rooney Volunteer Assistant Coach:Blair Barbier Lettermen Returning/Lost: 18/14 Starters Returning/Lost:..4/5 Pitchers Returning/Lost:..7/7 SID Baseball Contact:...Bill Franques Direct Office Phone:.....(225) Home Phone: (225) Cell Phone: (225) wfranqu@lsu.edu Asst. Contact Bill Martin wmarti4@lsu.edu On the Internet Updated results, statistics, schedules and game notes are available at Bill Franques wfranqu@lsu.edu MONDAY 12 WEDNESDAY 14 Interviews 1:30 p.m. Practice 2:30 p.m. MONDAY 19 Off Day TUESDAY 13 Game 19: vs. McNeese State W, 6-3 Alex Box Stadium TV: None TUESDAY 20 Interviews 1:30 p.m. Practice 2:30 p.m. Week 6-7: March WEDNESDAY 21 Game 23: vs. Southeastern Louisiana 6:30 p.m. Alex Box Stadium TV: CST THURSDAY 15 Depart for Columbia, S.C. via flight out of New Orleans at 11:30 a.m. Hotel Headquarters: Marriott Columbia 1200 Hampton Street Practice TBA at Sarge Frye Field THURSDAY 22 Interviews 1:30 p.m. Practice 2:30 p.m. FRIDAY 16 Game 20: at South Carolina 6 p.m. CDT Sarge Frye Field Columbia, S.C. TV: Jumbo Sports TV: Jumbo Sports Network (cable ch. 13 Network (cable ch. 6 in in Baton Rouge) Baton Rouge) FRIDAY 23 SATURDAY 24 Game 24: vs. Kentucky 7 p.m. Alex Box Stadium TV: None SATURDAY 17 Game 21: at South Carolina 3 p.m. CDT Sarge Frye Field Columbia, S.C. Game 25: vs. Kentucky 4 p.m. Alex Box Stadium TV: None Bill Martin wmarti4@lsu.edu SUNDAY 18 Game 22: at South Carolina 11 a.m. CDT Sarge Frye Field Columbia, S.C. TV: Jumbo Sports Network (cable ch. 10 in Baton Rouge) SUNDAY 25 Game 26: vs. Kentucky 11 a.m. Alex Box Stadium TV: None

3 Statistical Comparison LSU USC.241 BA B B 5 15 HR Slugging % On-Base % /32 SB/Att. 14/ ERA Opponents BA Batters SO/9 inn Walks/9 inn Saves Fielding %.981 Series History LSU leads the all-time series, RPI Watch LSU may not be ranked in any of the three major polls, but the Tigers do carry the nation s 11th-best RPI into their SEC opening series. LSU boasts a.617 rating as indicated by Boyd s World. The Tigers won two out of three games last weekend against then-rpi No. 1 Southern Miss. The Golden Eagles have since dropped to No. 5. LSU s strength of schedule as of date ranks as the 38th toughest in the nation. SEC Openers LSU has won three out of its last four SEC opening series. The Tigers had won three series in a row until Kentucky took two of three games from LSU in Lexington last season. The Tigers are 21-4 in league opening games since Since Skip Bertman took over the program in 1984, LSU has 17-5 mark in conference opening series. This weekend s series marks the fourth straight year the Tigers have opened SEC play on the road. LSU opened at Kentucky in 2006, at Georgia in 2005 and at South Carolina in The Tigers will also close SEC play on the road for the fifth consecutive season when LSU travels to Vanderbilt, May The Tigers won two of the three games in Columbia in 2004 the last time LSU opened the conference season at South Carolina. Ranking Game LSU s first two SEC series are against teams currently a combined 33-2, and this weekend s series marks the Tigers first games of the season against a Top 25 team. South Carolina carries a No. 3 ranking by Baseball America. LSU won two of three games against No. 26 Southern Miss (Collegiate Baseball) last weekend in Baton Rouge. The Tigers first three out of four SEC series are against teams currently ranked in the Top 15 by any of the three major polls. LSU hosts No. 12 Kentucky next weekend at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers were 9-11 versus ranked teams in Non-Conference Series Recap The Tigers won three out of their five non-conference series to tune up for SEC play, including victories versus Saint Mary s, Central Florida and Southern Miss. LSU lost series at Stetson, Feb , and the Tigers dropped two of three games to Lipscomb at home, March 2-4. LSU had won 17 straight non-conference series in Alex Box Stadium before the losses to Lipscomb. The Bisons dealt LSU its first non-conference home series loss since Kansas swept the Tigers, Feb , The streak began when the Tigers swept Winthrop, March 7-9, Earlier this season, the Tigers overall non-conference winning streak was snapped at 17 after Stetson took two games from LSU in DeLand, Fla. It was the first non-conference series loss by the squad since March 1-2, 2003 at Long Beach State. First-Year LSU Head Coaches in SEC Openers Head coach Paul Mainieri will look to reverse a trend this weekend at South Carolina. First-year LSU head coaches have lost their first SEC series in three out of the last five instances. Mainieri is the first LSU head coach to open SEC play in his first season on the road. All seven previous head coaches opened league play at home in their first series. Smoke Laval lost two of three to Vanderbilt in his first SEC series in Skip Bertman went 2-1 against Auburn in his first league series in Earlier this season, Mainieri became the fourth consecutive LSU head coach to win his first game. First Season Coach First SEC Opponent Series Result (Scores) 1943 A.L. Swanson Mississippi State 2-0 at Baton Rouge (6-3, 4-0) 1957 Ray Didier Alabama 1-1 at Baton Rouge (3-2, 0-2) 1964 Jim Waldrop Tulane 0-2 at Baton Rouge (0-3, 1-3) 1966 Jim Smith Tulane 0-2 at Baton Rouge (2-15, 2-3) 1979 Jack Lamabe Mississippi State 1-1 at Baton Rouge (1-3, 2-1) 1984 Skip Bertman Auburn 2-1 at Baton Rouge (0-4, 9-5, 8-6) 2002 Smoke Laval Vanderbilt 1-2 at Baton Rouge (6-0, 2-9, 7-8) 2007 Paul Mainieri South Carolina? The LSU-South Carolina Series LSU leads the overall series with South Carolina, , though the Gamecocks have won the last seven meetings between the schools. The Tigers have captured eight of the last 11 SEC regular-season series with South Carolina since The Gamecocks only series wins during that stretch was 2006, 2005 and LSU has lost the last two series to South Carolina, and the Tigers have not won a series in Columbia since Hitting Streaks LSU brings several streaks into the weekend. Freshman centerfielder Jared Mitchell has hit safely in three straight games, and he is first on the team in multi-hit games with seven. He recorded the Tigers first four-hit game of the season on March 4 versus Lipscomb. It was the first since Wise had four hits against Mississippi State on March 3, First baseman Jordan Mayer carries a team-high four-game hitting streak, and left fielder Blake Dean has hit safely in two straight games. Mainieri Returns To LSU Head coach Paul Mainieri earned a letter at LSU in 1976 as a freshman outfielder. Thirty-one years later, the 49-yearold returns to Baton Rouge as the 25th head coach in school history. Mainieri directed Notre Dame to 533 wins, nine NCAA Tournament appearances in 12 seasons and a College World Series berth in He is currently ranked 22nd among active Division I coaches in wins. His Irish teams combined for the nation s fourth-best winning percentage during the decade of the 2000s (.728), trailing only Rice (.752), Oral Roberts (.737) and Florida State (.734). Numbers Game LSU is 12-0 when leading after seven innings, and the Tigers are 12-0 when leading after eight innings this season... When holding opponents to less than five runs, LSU is The Tigers are 4-2 in one-run games with wins over Saint Mary s (twice), Centenary and Southern Miss... When tallying over 10 hits in a game, LSU is 6-0.

4 Saturday Starter Bradford In Elite Company Junior right-hander Jared Bradford made his second LSU start a special one last on March 4 versus Lipscomb. Bradford helped the Tigers salvage the series finale and limited the Bisons to two runs on three hits in 7.1 innings with one walk and 13 strikeouts. The strikeout total represented the highest by an LSU pitcher since April 2, 1999 when Kurt Ainsworth recorded 16 Ks in a win at Tennessee. Bradford allowed only four base runners during his outing, and only two runners advanced to second base. He worked 1.2 shutout innings two days before, allowing one hit with three strikeouts. In the two appearances combined, Bradford allowed two runs on four hits in nine innings with one walk, 16 strikeouts and a.143 opponent batting average. His efforts that weekend helped him earn three awards: Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week (Collegiate Baseball) Louisiana Sports Writers Association Pitcher of the Week College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll Forrest Returns From Tommy John, Scheduled Starter On Sunday Freshman right-hander T.J. Forrest turned in an impressive collegiate debut in a 2-1 win at Centenary on March 6, and Forrest is expected to make his first SEC start on Sunday at South Carolina. Forrest, a native of Benton, La., was making his LSU debut near his hometown at Fair Grounds Field. Under a limited pitch count, Forrest qualified for the victory in three innings of work, allowing just one hit with one walk and four strikeouts. Forrest underwent Tommy John surgery last April and had been throwing on a limited basis. In two appearances, he has allowed only one run in six innings of work. The 6-foot-4 righty was the 44th-round draft pick of the Florida Marlins in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. K Count As a pitching staff, LSU racked up 15 strikeouts in an 8-4 series finale win versus Lipscomb on March 4. That tally was the most by the Tigers in a game since recording 15 Ks in a 2-1 win over Northwestern State on Feb. 7, LSU ranks seventh in the SEC in strikeouts with 158, and the Tigers have only walked 50 batters. Sophomore Louis Coleman leads the staff with 30 strikeouts, and junior Jared Bradford is second on the team with 28 Ks. Jared Mitchell Named SEC Freshman of the Week (Feb. 27) Centerfielder Jared Mitchell was named Feb. 27 as the SEC Freshman of the Week. Mitchell hit.462 (6-for-13) in LSU s series victory over Central Florida with one double, one homer, three RBI and four runs. For the entire week -- including the Tigers 6-2 victory over Northwestern State -- Mitchell batted.471 (8-for-17) in four games with one double, one homer, five runs and three RBI. Mitchell, who is also a wide receiver on the LSU football team, recorded one steal and a.500 on-base percentage in leading the Tigers to three wins. His first career homer hit the top of the Intimidator billboard in LSU s series-clinching win on Saturday. The Dean of Hitting Freshman Blake Dean was not even projected to be in the LSU starting lineup in the Tigers fall workouts. However, the departure of one outfielder and the impressive effort in pre-season practices led head coach Paul Mainieri to pencil in the Crestview, Fla., native. It is an understatement to say that Dean has produced. In 15 games, Dean has led LSU in RBI (19), total bases (35), triples (2), slugging percentage (.556) and walks (10) as the Tigers starting left fielder. Dean is second on the squad in average (.317). Dean is batting a stellar.364 (8-for-22) with runners in scoring position. He and team batting average leader Jared Mitchell (.325) are attempting to be the first LSU freshman to lead the team in batting average since Todd Walker did so in 1992 (.400). Into The Fire LSU started a school-record four true freshmen in a Feb. 16 game at Stetson Blake Dean in left field, Jared Mitchell in center field, Sean Ochinko at first base and Ryan Schimpf at designated hitter. The Tigers are expected to have all four in the lineup this weekend versus South Carolina. Dating back to the Skip Bertman era, two was the most number of freshmen starters. In 1992, Freshman All-Americans Todd Walker and Russ Johnson had prolific seasons. In 2000, Wally Pontiff, Jr. started third and Mike Fontenot played second. In 2006, Jarred Bogany started centerfield and J.T. Wise served as the designated hitter en route to Freshman All-America honors. Earlier this week, the first four Tiger batters in the order against McNeese State were all freshmen -- Schimpf, Mitchell, Dean and Ochinko. It marked the first time in Paul Mainieri s Division I coaching tenure that he batted four straight true freshmen atop the order. Mitchell, Jackson Pulling Double Duty Freshman Jared Mitchell has been busy in his first year at LSU. Mitchell is playing two sports this spring. The centerfielder is also a wide receiver on the Tigers football team and has been participating in spring practices, which began last week. On days of non-baseball games, Mitchell reports to football practice and then heads to the batting cages. The two-sport participation hasn t seemed to affect his baseball swing as he leads squad in hitting (.325), and he was named the SEC Freshman of the Week on Feb. 27. On March 24, Mitchell will play in the LSU football spring game at noon and then head to Alex Box Stadium for a 4 p.m. game versus Kentucky. Junior Chris Jackson, a former punter on the team, followed the same agenda two years ago. Jackson participated in LSU s annual Pro Day on Wednesday in front of several hundred scouts. Jackson could possibly be a late NFL draftee or free agent signing Furbush s Dominance Junior southpaw Charlie Furbush tossed his most impressive outing of the season in a 2-1 win over Southern Miss on March 9. Furbush lowered his ERA to 2.61 after allowing no earned runs in eight innings. Only one Golden Eagles base runner advanced beyond first base. He walked none and struck out five on 97 pitches. For his efforts, he was named to the College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll. In 31 innings, Furbush has recorded 28 strikeouts and 11 walks and opponents are batting.246 against him. Furbush, a native of South Portland, Maine, was the No. 1 lefty in the prestigious Cape Cod League last summer. On July 26, he fired one of two no-hitters in the league that summer as a member of the Hyannis Mets. Furbush is a member of the Roger Clemens Award Watch List awarded to the nation s top hurler, and he is a Baseball America Third-Team Preseason All-American. LSU by the Numbers in 2007 Home Away Neutral Sites Day Night Vs. Left-Handed Starter Vs. Right-Handed Starter TV Games On Jumbo Sports On Cox Sports On SEC-TV Vs. SEC Vs. SEC West Vs. SEC East Non-SEC Games Vs. Louisiana opponents Vs. Ranked opponents Vs. Atlantic Sun Vs. C-USA Vs. Mid-Continent Vs. Southland Vs. Sun Belt Vs. SWAC Vs. West Coast Conference Doubleheaders Game 1 of weekend series Game 2 of weekend series Game 3 of weekend series Sunday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Saturday One-run games Extra inning games Shutouts Number of Losing Streaks...2 Longest Losing Streak...4 Games in which LSU scores first Games in which opponent scores first When LSU scores When LSU scores < When opponent scores When opponent scores < When LSU leads after 6 innings When LSU trails after 6 innings When tied after 6 innings When LSU leads after 7 innings When LSU trails after 7 innings When tied after 7 innings When LSU leads after 8 innings When LSU trails after 8 innings When tied after 8 innings When LSU has 10+ hits When LSU has <6 hits When opponent has 10+ hits When opponent has <6 hits When LSU has more hits When LSU has fewer hits Equal hits When LSU hits 2 or more home runs When LSU homers When LSU hits no home runs When opp. hits 2 or more home runs When opponent hits no home runs Games won on final at-bat...0 Games lost on final at-bat...0 Come-from-behind wins...4 Losses when LSU led previously...3 Blown saves...0 Longest game...3:30 (2/18 at Stetson) Shortest game (9 or more innings)...2:02 (3/9 vs. Southern Miss)

5 2007 Player Honors 27 Jared Bradford Jr. RHP Louisville Slugger National POY (March 5) College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll (March 5) LSWA Pitcher of the Week (March 5) 48 Charlie Furbush Jr. LHP Roger Clemens Award Watch List Baseball America Preseason All-American College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll (March 12) 3 Jared Mitchell Fr. CF SEC Freshman of the Week (Feb. 26) 21 J.T. Wise So. 3B Wallace Award Watch List 2007 SEC Standings Eastern Division Team SEC Pct. Overall Florida Georgia Kentucky South Carolina Tennessee Vanderbilt Western Division Team SEC Pct. Overall Alabama Arkansas Auburn LSU Ole Miss Miss. State This Weekend in the SEC all times Central March 16 (Friday) Tennessee at Alabama 6:30 p.m. Arkansas at Kentucky 5:30 p.m. Auburn at Georgia 5 p.m. Mississippi State at Florida 5:30 p.m. LSU at South Carolina 6 p.m. Ole Miss at Vanderbilt 6 p.m. March 17 (Saturday) Tennessee at Alabama 4 p.m. Arkansas at Kentucky Noon Auburn at Georgia 1 p.m. Mississippi State at Florida 3 p.m. LSU at South Carolina 3 p.m. Ole Miss at Vanderbilt 2 p.m. March 18 (Sunday) Tennessee at Alabama 2 p.m. Arkansas at Kentucky Noon Auburn at Georgia 1 p.m. Mississippi State at Florida Noon LSU at South Carolina 11 a.m. Ole Miss at Vanderbilt 1 p.m. Saving The Day LSU has converted all six of its save opportunities this season. Sophomore Louis Coleman has coverted from a starter to a closer, and he leads the team with three saves. Coleman made the switch when he notched his first career save in a 2-1 win at Centenary while striking out five in 2.2 innings. Coleman has recorded saves in three out LSU s last five games. Junior right-hander Jared Bradford owns two saves and is tops on the team with 2.51 ERA in 28.2 innings pitched. Sophomore Nolan Cain has the Tigers other save when he converted it in the series finale at Stetson on Feb. 18. Steal Threats LSU has two players in the SEC s top 10 in stolen bases. Freshman Jared Mitchell, who is 9-for-9 in steals on the season, is tied for fifth the league. Second baseman Chris Jackson is second on the team having coverted successfully on seven of his eight attempted steals. Jackson is tied for ninth in the SEC. As a team, LSU has coverted 25 of its 32 stolen base attempts, which is tied for sixth in the conference. Freshmen Power Catcher Sean Ochinko leads LSU in homers with four. He is attempting to be the first freshman to lead LSU in homers since Todd Walker did so in 1992 with 12. Eight of the Tigers 15 blasts have come from true freshmen. As a team, LSU ranks eighth in the SEC, and the Tigers are 7-1 when homering in a game. LSU has homered in three straight games, including a season-high three blasts in a 6-3 win over McNeese State on Tuesday at Alex Box Stadium. LSU Sixth In Baseball America Top Programs of The 64-Team Field Era LSU ranks sixth in the top programs of the 64-team field era in a survey done by Baseball America this month. The poll examines the years from 1999 to 2006, which coincides with the implementation of the 64-team field for the NCAA Tournament and with the change in rules governing the performance of aluminum bats. Categories used in the study include winning percentage, regional and super regional appearances, College World Series appearances and titles, All- Americans, draft picks and Major League alumni. The Tigers accumulated 280 points in the study. Texas is atop the list, followed by Miami, Stanford, Cal State Fullerton and Rice. LSU ranks second to Rice in the South. Team W L Total Points (numbers are heading into the 2007 season) 1. Texas Miami Stanford Cal State Fullerton Rice LSU J.T. Wise Named To Wallace Watch Sophomore infielder J.T. Wise is named to the 2007 Brooks Wallace Award watch list by the College Baseball Foundation. The Brooks Wallace Award is presented annually to the national college baseball player of the year. Wise earned 2006 Freshman all-sec recognition as he batted.299 (66-for-221) with 13 doubles, 11 homers and 40 RBI. The Wallace Watch will be trimmed to 12 semifinalists by late May. The selection committee will then narrow the list to three finalists following the NCAA Super Regionals. The finalists, their head coaches, and their parents will be invited to Lubbock, Texas, for a schedule of special events tied to the award banquet, which will be nationally televised by Fox Sports Network and Fox College Sports. LSU Tops in SEC Regular Season Winning Percentage Since 2002 The two winningest SEC teams since 2002 meet this weekend. Despite finishing with a mark in SEC play last season -- its first losing record in league play since LSU leads the SEC in regular-season winning percentage since the 2002 with a record (.594). South Carolina ranks second with an mark (.591). The Top 5 Record/Pct Record LSU (.594) South Carolina (.591) Ole Miss (.560) Alabama (.540) Florida (.537) SEC Coaches Tab LSU Fourth in SEC West The Southeastern Conference baseball coaches picked LSU to finish fourth in the Western Division in the 16th annual preseason poll. In the overall SEC Champion vote, South Carolina received seven of the 12 championship votes in the poll. Arkansas received three votes while Vanderbilt received two. Eastern Division Western Division Team Pts. Team Pts. 1. South Carolina (9) Arkansas (11) Vanderbilt (3) Ole Miss (1) Tennessee Alabama Kentucky LSU Georgia Auburn Florida Miss. State 23 ( ) - First Place Votes SEC Champion: South Carolina (7); Arkansas (3); Vanderbilt (2)

6 National Polls March 12, 2007 Tracking The Tigers Week BA CB ESPN/SW Preseason RV 31 RV Feb. 5 RV NR -- Feb. 12 RV NR -- Feb. 19 NR NR -- Feb. 26 NR NR -- March 5 NR NR NR March 12 NR NR NR Baseball America 1.North Carolina (15-1) 2. Vanderbilt (18-0) 3. South Carolina (15-2) 4. Florida State (20-0) 5. Oregon State (17-3) 6. Clemson (10-4) 7. Virginia (16-3) 8. Rice (14-7) 9. Arkansas (13-4) 10. Texas (15-7) 11. Pepperdine (15-5) 12. Wichita State (13-4) 13. Cal State Fullerton (12-8) 14. Oklahoma State (12-4) 15. Coastal Carolina (15-3) 16. Texas A&M (18-2) 17. Long Beach State (10-5) 18. Arizona State (13-7) 19. Southern Cal (15-9) 20. Auburn (17-2) 21. Oklahoma (13-5) 22. San Diego (15-9) 23. Ole Miss (13-5) 24. Kentucky (16-0) 25. East Carolina (11-6) Collegiate Baseball 1. Vanderbilt (18-0) 2. Florida State (20-0) 3. North Carolina (15-1) 4. South Carolina (15-2) 5. Oregon State (17-3) 6. Clemson (10-4) 7. Virginia (16-3) 8. Texas A&M (18-2) 9. Rice (14-7) 10. Auburn (17-2) 11. Arkansas (13-5) 12. Kentucky (16-0) 13. Pepperdine (15-5) 14. Ole Miss (13-5) 15. Cal State Fullerton (12-8) 16. Nebraska (8-5) 17. Long Beach State (10-5) 18. Arizona State (13-7) 19. Texas (15-7) 20. Wichita State (13-4) 21. Arizona (15-6) 22. Oklahoma State (12-4) 23. Coastal Carolina (15-3) 24. Oklahoma (13-5) 25. Southern Cal (15-9) ESPN/Sports Weekly 1. Vanderbilt (18-0) 2. North Carolina (15-1) 3. Florida State (20-0) 4. South Carolina (15-2) 5. Oregon State (17-3) 6. Clemson (10-4) 7. Virginia (16-3) 8. Rice (14-7) 9. Pepperdine (15-5) 10. Texas A&M (18-2) 11. Texas (15-7) 12. Arkansas (13-5) 13. Auburn (17-2) 14. Arizona State (13-7) 15. Cal State Fullerton (12-8) 16. Wichita State (13-4) 17. Kentucky (16-0) 18. Long Beach State (10-5) 19. Ole Miss (13-5) 20. Coastal Carolina (15-3) 21. Oklahoma State (12-4) 22. Nebraska (8-5) 23. Miami (Fla.) (10-9) 24. Southern Cal (15-9) 25. San Diego (15-9) The Last Time LSU... Individual Hit 2 HRs...Quinn Stewart at Tennessee (4/7/06) Hit 3 HRs...Quinn Stewart vs. Stetson (3/11/06) Hit a grand slam...blake Gill vs. Arizona State (3/13/05) Hit a walk-off homer...michael Hollander vs. Arkansas (4/28/06) Hit back-to-back homers...sean Ochinko and Steven Waguespack vs....mcneese State (3/13/07) Hit back-to-back-to-back homers...blake Gill, Ryan Patterson, Clay Harris, Nick...Stavinoha vs. Arizona State (3/11/06) Hit for the cycle...aaron Hill vs. South Carolina (4/5/03) Had 6+ RBI...6 by Quinn Stewart vs. Stetson (3/11/06) Had 5+ RBI...5 by Michael Hollander vs. S. Miss (3/10/07) Had 5+ hits...5 by Ryan Patterson vs. Tennessee (5/14/05) Had 4+ hits...4 by Jared Mitchell vs. Lipscomb (3/5/07) Had 5+ runs...5 by Brad Cresse vs. UL-Monroe (5/27/00) Stole 3+ bases...3 by J.C. Holt vs. Northwestern St. (2/8/03) Threw a perfect game...bruce Baudier vs. Alabama (5/5/67) Threw a no-hitter...bobby Landry vs. Southern Miss (3/14/79) Threw a one-hitter...patrick Coogan vs. Ole Miss (4/18/97) Threw a two-hitter...brian Tallet at Vanderbilt (3/17/00) Threw a complete game shutout...greg Smith at Vanderbilt (5/1/05) Threw a complete game...clay Dirks vs. Temple (2/24/06) Had 10+ strikeouts...13 by Jared Bradford vs. Lipscomb (3/4/07) Had 13+ strikeouts...13 by Jared Bradford vs. Lipscomb (3/4/07) Had 15+ strikeouts...16 by Kurt Ainsworth at Tennessee (4/2/99) Had 16+ strikeouts...17 by Scott Schultz vs. Maine (3/10/95) Team Swept a non-conference series...vs. Saint Mary s (2/9-11/07) Swept an SEC series...at Auburn (5/5-7/06) Was swept in a non-conference series..vs. Kansas (2/14-16/03) Was swept in an SEC series...at Ole Miss (4/21-23/06) Was swept at home...vs. South Carolina (3/31/06-4/2/06) Lost a non-conference series...at Stetson (2/16-18/07) Lost a non-conference series at home..vs. Lipscomb (3/2-4/07) Lost on a walk-off homer...at Florida (5/19/06, 8-7 in 10 innings) Won 10+ games in a row...10 in 2001 (2/17 vs. Houston-3/3 vs....arizona State) Won 15+ games in a row...16 in 2000 (started vs. Alabama, ended...with CWS Championship Game win over...stanford) Scored 25+ runs in a game...26 vs. Ohio (3/5/99) Scored 20+ runs in a game...20 vs. Arizona State (3/13/05) Scored 15+ runs in a game...15 vs. Centernary (2/14/06) Allowed 15+ runs in a game...19 vs. Vanderbilt (5/13/06) Allowed 10+ runs in a game...10 vs. Lipscomb (3/3/07) Had 25+ hits in a game...27 vs. Evansville (3/14/90) Had 24+ hits in a game...24 at Tennessee (5/4/02, Game 2) Had 20+ hits in a game...20 vs. North Florida (2/10/06) Had 15+ hits in a game...15 vs. Centenary (2/14/06) Had 5+ HRs in a game...5 vs. Stetson (3/11/06) Had 3+ HRs in a game...3 vs. McNeese State (3/13/07) Shutout an opponent...vs. Northwestern State (4/11/06; 12-0) Was shutout by an opponent...at Tennessee (4/8/06, 0-9) Turned a triple play...vs. Ole Miss (3/28/99) Was one-hit...vs. Miss. State (3/25/01) Was two-hit...at Centenary (3/2/05; L, 6-1) Was three-hit...at Stetson (2/17/07; L, 14-1)

7 2007 Game-By-Game Recaps Game 1 LSU 4, Saint Mary s 3 Feb. 9, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium SMC (3-5) LSU X (1-0) Game 5 Stetson 14, LSU 1 Feb. 17, 2007 at Melching Field (DeLand, Fla.) LSU (3-2) SU X (5-1) Game 9 LSU 13, Central Florida 6 Feb. 24, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium UCF (3-7) LSU X (7-2) W: Furbush (1-0) L: Gleason (0-1) S: Bradford (1) Time: 3:08 Att: 7,492 (paid) Notes: Blake Dean provided a three-run homer in his first collegiate at-bat, and Charlie Furbush hurled five-plus scoreless innings on Friday night as head coach Paul Mainieri was victorious in his LSU debut, 4-3. The Tigers won their sixth straight season opener dating back to the 2002 season, despite being out-hit by Saint Mary s eight to six. Furbush fired 5.2 scoreless innings and surrendered five hits. He walked three and struck out seven on 101 pitches. Furbush fanned the first five hitters he faced, which included striking out the side in the first. Jared Bradford earned the save in his first appearance with 1.2 scoreless innings. Game 2 LSU 7, Saint Mary s 6 Feb. 10, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium SMC (3-6) LSU X (2-0) W: Coleman (1-0) L: Berl (0-2) Time: 3:12 Att: 7,160 (paid); 3,004 (actual) Notes: Louis Coleman limited Saint Mary s to one run in six innings, and LSU survived a wild ninth inning as the Tigers posted their second straight one-run victory. LSU secured its 17th straight non-conference series victory. SMC out-hit the Tigers for the second consecutive game but the Gaels committed three costly errors. Blake Dean singled, had two walks and scored three runs. Coleman surrendered one run on six hits, walked one and struck out seven in six innings of work. LSU scored five runs in the fourth with the benefit of only one hit. SMC left the tying run at second base in the ninth. Game 3 LSU 6, Saint Mary s 2 Feb. 11, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium SMC (3-7) LSU X (3-0) W: Byrd (1-0) L: Aliotti (1-1) Time: 2:30 Att: 7,145 (paid); 2,755 (actual) Notes: LSU erupted for five runs in the first two innings as the Tigers were off to a 3-0 start for the fourth time in the past six seasons. LSU swept an opponent for the first time since taking three games from Temple last February. Saint Mary s committed three more errors, which led to two of the Tigers six runs. Ryan Byrd earned his first career win in his first collegiate start. Byrd, who had only worked 6.2 innings last season, held the Gaels to two runs on five hits in five innings. The left-hander walked none and struck out none in his first appearance since April 8, 2006 at Tennessee. Chris Jackson, batting in the leadoff spot, tied a careerhigh with three hits, scored two runs and stole two bases. He finished a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen base opportunities on the weekend. The LSU bullpen -- Nolan Cain, Kyle Beerbohm and Jared Bradford -- closed the game with four scoreless innings of relief. Game 4 Stetson 8, LSU 1 Feb. 16, 2007 at Melching Field (DeLand, Fla.) LSU (3-1) SU X (4-1) W: Kluber (2-0) L: Furbush (1-1) Time: 3:11 Att: 2,431 Notes: Corey Kluber limited LSU to one run on three hits in 6.2 innings to hand the Tigers their first loss of the season. Charlie Furbush allowed seven runs (five earned) on nine hits in 4.2 innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Jared Mitchell reached base on three occasions with a sinlge, a walk and a hit by pitch. He scored LSU s lone run in the first. W: Hitchcock (1-0) L: Coleman (1-1) Time: 3:02 Att: 2,970 Notes: Stetson posted 20 hits and held LSU to a season-low three hits. Louis Coleman took the loss, allowing eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits in 2.1 innings with no walks and two strikeouts. The Tigers only run came in the third on a two-out RBI double by Blake Dean to score Michael Hollander. LSU lost its first non-conference series on the road since Feb at Long Beach State. Game 6 LSU 8, Stetson 4 Feb. 18, 2007 at Melching Field (DeLand, Fla.) LSU (4-2) SU X (5-2) W: Bradford (1-0) L: Ingoglia (1-1) S: Cain (1) Time: 3:30 Att: 2,103 Notes: Jared Bradford limited Stetson to two runs on five hits in six innings in his first LSU start as the Tigers salvaged the series finale. He blanked the Hatters through the first five innings and finished with one walk and five strikeouts. LSU scored seven runs in the first four innings. Sean Ochinko tallied three RBI. Jared Mitchell and Blake Dean collected three hits apiece. The Tigers hitters of Buzzy Haydel, Mitchell and Dean combined to go 9-for-15 with five runs. The first six hitters in the LSU order hit safely. Nolan Cain picked up his first save with a scoreless ninth. Game 7 LSU 6, Northwestern State 2 Feb. 21, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium NSU (1-7) LSU X (5-2) W: Coleman (2-1) L: J. Grace (1-1) Time: 2:45 Att: 7,111 (paid); 2,212 (actual) Notes: Louis Coleman recovered from a rough weekend start with six-plus strong innings as LSU won its ninth straight regular-season mid-week contest at home. Northwestern State has now lost eight straight games against the Tigers. Coleman allowed one run on five hits in 6.1 innings while walking none and striking out six on 96 pitches. LSU s eight and nine-hole hitters -- Steven Waguespack and Michael Hollander -- combined to go 4-for-8 with two runs and three RBI. J.T. Wise and Jared Mitchell added two hits apiece. Waguespack ended an 0-for-13 slump with two hits and three RBI. Wise collected his first career triple. Game 8 LSU 4, Central Florida 1 Feb. 23, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium UCF (3-6) LSU X (6-2) W: Furbush (2-1) L: Houck (0-2) S: Bradford (2) Time: 2:30 Att: 7,376 (paid); 3,720 (actual) Notes: Five Central Florida errors -- including four by two different third basemen -- led to four LSU runs. Charlie Furbush rebounded from a tough last outing with seven strong innings. He allowed only four hits and one run while walking two and striking out seven. His only blemish came on a solo homer in the fifth. Jared Mitchell, Steven Waguespack and Michael Hollander each tallied two hits. Buzzy Haydel provided LSU s lone RBI with a clutch two-out single in the eighth. Jared Bradford worked two perfect innings to qualify for his second save behind a dominating sinker to the opposing UCF batters. W: Dirks (1-0) L: M. Herold (0-2) Time: 3:19 Att: 7,082 (paid); 2,240 (actual) Notes: LSU belted a season-high three homers, and freshman Blake Dean finished 3-for-3 with three RBI on a blustery Saturday at Alex Box Stadium. LSU clinched its 17th straight non-conference series at home, and the Tigers pounded out double-digit hits for the fourth straight game. Steven Waguespack, Jared Mitchell and Jordan Mayer each homered on a day where winds gusted up to 40 mph. Clay Dirks overcame a bee sting with a solid outing in his first start of the season. Dirks allowed two runs on six hits in six innings of work while walking none and striking out seven. Mitchell s towering blast was the first of his career. Mayer s dinger came in a pinch-hit role in the eighth. Game 10 Central Florida 5, LSU 4 Feb. 25, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium UCF (4-7) LSU (7-3) W: M. McClung (1-0) L: Bradford (1-1) S: Weiss (2) Time: 3:01 Att: 7,399 (paid); 3,217 (actual) Notes: Shane Brown broke a 4-4 tie with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning as UCF avoided a sweep. LSU saw its four-game win streak come to an end and lost their first home game of the season. The Tigers were previously 6-0 at home and 2-0 in one-run games. Buzzy Haydel went 2-for-5 with two runs, and Jared Mitchell tallied two more hits and finished 6-for-13 on the weekend. UCF s bullpen fired four scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits after the Tigers scored four runs in the first two innings. Jared Bradford took the loss, allowing the go-ahead single in 2.1 innings of work. He walked none and struck out three. Game 11 Tulane 8, LSU 3 Feb. 27, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium TU (6-4) LSU (7-4) W: Claiborne (1-0) L: Coleman (2-2) Time: 3:05 Att: 8,577 (paid); 5,360 (actual) Notes: Three Tulane pitchers combined to limit LSU to three runs and five hits. The third-largest paid attendance in Alex Box Stadium history was recorded (8,577). Louis Coleman, who handcuffed Tulane for seven-plus innings last March, was touched for four runs on five hits in five innings of work. Green Wave designated hitter Nate Simon led the way, going 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBI. Chris Jackson returned from a stomach ulcer and went 2-for- 4 with a double and an RBI despite rarely swinging a bat the past two weeks. Game 12 Lipscomb 7, LSU 6 March 2, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium LU (10-4) LSU (7-5) W: McClurg (1-0) L: Cain (0-1) Time: 3:17 Att: 7,140 (paid); 2,848 (actual) Notes: Lipscomb rallied from a two-run deficit with two runs in the seventh and a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth to hand LSU its third straight loss. The Tigers scored in each of the first four innings, and was led offensively by Chris Jackson, who finished 2- for-5 with a run and two RBI. LSU was stymied offensively in the final four innings by Brandon McClurg. The Tigers finished 1-for- 12 on the night with runners in scoring position. Blake Dean produced the hit with an RBI double scoring Jackson in the sixth.

8 2007 Game-By-Game Recaps Game 13 Lipscomb 10, LSU 7 March 3, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium LU (11-4) LSU (7-6) Game 17 LSU 15, Southern Miss 8 March 10, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium USM (11-4) LSU X (11-6) W: Brothers (3-1) L: Dirks (1-1) S: Merry (4) Time: 3:04 Att: 7,231 (paid); 2,809 (actual) Notes: Lipscomb built a 6-0 after two innings and held off a late charge by LSU to deal the Tigers their fourth straight loss. LSU dropped a non-conference series at home for the first time since February 2003 against Kansas. The Tigers had won 17 straight non-conference series in Alex Box Stadium. LSU tied a seasonhigh with three homers with blasts from Ryan Schimpf, Sean Ochinko and J.T. Wise. Clay Dirks was charged with the loss, allowing six runs on six hits in just 1.2 innings of work. The Tigers closed to within a run entering the bottom of the eighth, but the Bisons responded with a run in the eighth and a run in the ninth. Game 14 LSU 8, Lipscomb 4 March 4, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium LU (11-5) LSU X (8-6) W: Bradford (2-1) L: Schnelly (2-2) Time: 2:18 Att: 6,973 (paid); 1,949 (actual) Notes: Jared Bradford turned in the most dominating outing by an LSU pitcher to date, and Jared Mitchell went 4-for-4 as the Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak. Bradford limited Lipscomb to two runs on three hits in 7.1 innings. He walked one and struck out 13 batters, representing the most Ks by an LSU pitcher since Kurt Ainsworth fanned 16 at Tennessee on April 2, Bradford allowed only four base runners all day and only twice did a runner reach second base. Chris Jackson led off the game with a homer, and Michael Hollander connected on his first blast of the season. Mitchell finished with the first four-hit game by an LSU player this season. He reached base all five times, scored three runs, drove in a run and stole two bases. Game 15 LSU 2, Centenary 1 March 6, 2007 at Fair Grounds Field (Shreveport, La.) LSU (9-6) CC (8-11) W: Forrest (1-0) L: Noland (0-3) S: Coleman (1) Time: 2:40 Att: 3,876 Notes: T.J. Forrest pitched three scoreless innings in his collegiate debut Tuesday night, and Louis Coleman fired five strikeouts over the final 2.2 innings. Forrest, who underwent Tommy John surgery last April, worked the first three innings of Tuesday s contest, allowing just one hit with one walk and four strikeouts. Coleman recorded his first career save. LSU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the first when Jared Mitchell walked, stole second base and scored on a throwing error by Noland. J.T. Wise went 3-for-3. Game 16 LSU 2, Southern Miss 1 March 9, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium USM (11-3) LSU X (8-11) W: Bradford (3-1) L: Bowden (1-2) Time: 3:10 Att: 7,958 (paid); 3,746 (actual) Notes: LSU scored a season-high 15 runs -- including a six-run seventh inning -- to roll to its fourth straight win and clinch the series. The Tigers tied a season-high in hits with 13. The 15 runs represented the most runs by LSU since scoring 15 versus Centenary on Feb. 14, Michael Hollander went 3-for-4 with a run and a career-high five RBI. The five RBI were the most by an LSU player since Quinn Stewart drove in six against Stetson on March 11, J.T. Wise had two doubles, and catcher Sean Ochinko provided a three-run homer. Jared Bradford picked up the win, scattering eight hits and allowing four runs -- three earned -- in 5.2 innings. Game 18 Southern Miss 5, LSU 3 March 11, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium USM (12-4) LSU X (11-7) W: Clark (2-1) L: Lara (0-1) S: Ezell (5) Time: 2:50 Att: 7,433 (paid); 3,121 (actual) Notes: Southern Miss erased a 2-1 deficit with three runs in the fifth, and three Golden Eagles pitchers limited LSU to five hits. The Tigers saw their four-game win streak come to an end. Jordan Mayer went 2-for-4 with two runs and a solo homer. T.J. Forrest did not figure in the decision despite a three-inning start. Robert Lara, making his first pitching appearance since high school, took the hard-luck loss. Chris Jackson committed an error on a doubleplay ball in the fifth that led to the three runs. Only two of USM s five runs were earned. Game 19 LSU 6, McNeese State 3 March 13, 2007 at Alex Box Stadium MSU (3-17) LSU X (12-7) W: Lara (1-1) L: Ropp (1-2) S: Coleman (3) Time: 2:36 Att: 6,940 (paid); 1,558 (actual) Notes: LSU tied a season-high with three homers, including backto-back blasts by Sean Ochinko and Steven Waguespack to break a 3-3 tie in the sixth inning. The Tigers first four hitters in the starting lineup were true freshmen. Blake Dean provided LSU s other homer in the third. It was his first since the Tigers opening game of the season. Jared Mitchell went 3-for-4 and scored three runs. LSU starter Ryan Byrd did not figure in the decision. Robert Lara picked up his first career win, allowing two runs on four hits in two innings of relief. The Tiger bullpen was flawless in the final three innings with Clay Dirks working the seventh and eighth and Louis Coleman tallying his third save of the season in the ninth. W: Furbush (3-1) L: Belanger (3-1) S: Coleman (2) Time: 2:02 Att: 7,371 (paid); 3,114 (actual) Notes: Charlie Furbush held Southern Miss to one run on three hits in eight innings with no walks and five strikeouts. The run he allowed was unearned. LSU ended USM s consecutive scoreless innings streak at 26.2 with a run in the fifth on an RBI triple by Jordan Mayer. J.T. Wise drove in the Tigers other run with a sac fly. Louis Coleman recorded his second save in as many games. The game ended on an incredible double play by Steven Waguespack. Waguespack dove and caught a line drive then doubled a runner off at first to strand the tying run at second.

9 Paul Mainieri HEAD COACH FIRST SEASON Paul Mainieri plans to finish his collegiate baseball career in the same place it began over 31 years ago. Mainieri earned a letter in 1976 as a freshman outfielder at LSU, where he also met his future wife, Karen, then a Fighting Tiger cheerleader. He completed his playing career at the University of New Orleans, and, after enjoying great success as a head coach at St. Thomas (Fla.) University, the Air Force Academy and Notre Dame, Mainieri returned to Baton Rouge for the 2007 season eager to enhance the Fighting Tigers' storied tradition. Mainieri, who directed Notre Dame to 533 wins and nine NCAA Tournament appearances in 12 seasons ( ), was introduced on June 28, 2006 as LSU's 25th head baseball coach by athletics director Skip Bertman. The 49-year-old Mainieri established an unparalleled standard of excellence during his tenure at Notre Dame, leading his teams to win seasons, nine conference titles and a berth in the 2002 College World Series, marking the school's first CWS trip since Mainieri, a Miami, Fla. native, is ranked 22nd among active Division I coaches. His Irish teams combined for the nation's fourth-best winning percentage during the decade of the 2000s (.728; ), trailing only Rice (.752), Oral Roberts (.737) and Florida State (.734). Mainieri led to Notre Dame to an NCAA Regional in every season since 1999, making the Irish one of 10 teams to appear in each of the past eight NCAA Tournaments - the others include Miami, Texas, Rice, Cal State Fullerton, Florida State, Stanford, Clemson, Tulane and Oral Roberts. Notre Dame also joined six other schools (LSU, Miami, Rice, South Carolina, Stanford and Texas) as the only programs to reach an NCAA Regional final every season from Fifty of Mainieri's Notre Dame players were drafted or signed free-agent contracts, and 18 were selected in the first 10 rounds of the Major League draft. His Irish players also combined for 14 All-America and 10 Academic All-America seasons. Mainieri's Notre Dame teams combined for a 100-percent graduation rate (71 of 71) among players who completed their eligibility. Twelve players who signed professionally after their junior year returned to Notre Dame to complete their degree requirements. Notre Dame was the only Division I baseball program to produce Academic All-Americans each year from , with two honored every season from The 2006 squad combined for an impressive 3.28 team GPA during the spring semester. Notre Dame was one of just four schools from that produced two pitchers - Brad Lidge ('98, Houston Astros) and Aaron Heilman (`02, New York Mets) - who were drafted in the first round, with both players advancing to the Major Leagues. Mainieri and his staff consistently have molded players into top prospects, as Lidge was just a 42nd-round pick out of high school while Heilman was a 54th-round pick. Three of Mainieri's former Notre Dame players - Lidge, Heilman and Christian Parker (New York Yankees) - have pitched in the Major Leagues, with Lidge emerging as one of the game's elite closers. Mainieri was honored in 2005 with a 25-year coaching certificate at the American Baseball Coaches Association convention and was voted to the position of the ABCA's chair of the Division I Baseball Coaches. He is also a member of the ABCA executive committee. Mainieri serves on the NCAA Division I Baseball Issues Committee, and he is a member of the NCAA Academic Enhancement Working Group. Mainieri established in 2002 the Opening Night Dinner at Notre Dame, and the event has featured an impressive lineup of keynote speakers: Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry, award-winning author and lifelong baseball fan John Grisham, legendary baseball pitcher Roger Clemens and Notre Dame football coach Charlie Weis. A former Chicago White Sox farmhand, Mainieri was the first civilian baseball coach at Air Force and averaged 26 wins in six seasons (1989-'94) for a program that averaged just 15 wins in the six previous years. He is the only Air Force baseball coach to post six straight 20-win seasons and his 1994 squad led the nation in hitting (.360), slugging (.623) and triples (0.76 per game). Mainieri guided the 1993 Air Force team to its first winning season in nearly a decade (28-22), with a school-record 21 wins at home. He coached three All-Americans, two Freshman All-Americans and two Academic All-Americans with the Falcons. Mainieri coached six seasons at St. Thomas (Fla.) University where - in 1983 at the age of 24 - he took over a program that had yet to post a winning season. Mainieri led St. Thomas to four seasons that ended with the team ranked in the final NCAA Division II poll. The 1984 Sunshine State Conference coach of the year saw his St. Thomas teams average 30 wins per season (after an average of just 18 wins in the six previous years). Mainieri's coaching career began at his alma mater, Columbus High School in Miami, where he served as assistant baseball and football coach for three years before taking over at St. Thomas in the fall of He also spent the final three years at St. Thomas as director of athletics. A four-year letterwinner in college, Mainieri played one season at LSU, one for his father at Miami-Dade and two at the University of New Orleans. The second baseman helped the Privateers win two Sun Belt Conference titles and advance to the 1979 NCAA Tournament during his senior season. What They ve Said About Mainieri "As a player he was a full-throttle guy. He was a total overachiever who did everything he could to help you win ball games. He maximized his talent to the highest level and does that as a coach as well. The Tigers will play the game the right way. He has no tolerance for lack of effort. His team will play the game the way LSU fans like to see it played." - Jim Hendry, Chicago Cubs general manager "Coach Mainieri knows the game but he knows his players even better. He knows how to manage players extremely well - knowing who he has to push harder and who he needs to give space, always getting the best out of his players. His door was always open and he was willing to listen to whatever was on your mind - all while treating everyone with the respect they deserved and caring about the person and his life, not just the player." - Aaron Heilman, New York Mets reliever; Notre Dame pitcher ( ) "When he (Mainieri) called me and asked me for advice, I told him that there might not be a job with more pressure in the country. The first thing he said is 'I'm not afraid of the job.' That's huge and that tells me he's ready for the challenge." - Ron Maestri, New Orleans Zephyrs executive director and Mainieri's coach at the University of New Orleans The Mainieri File Personal Birthdate: August 29, 1957 Hometown: Miami, Florida Education B.S. in physical education from Florida International University M.S. in sports administration from St. Thomas (Fla.) Univ. Married to the former Karen Fejes of New Orleans, La. Children: Nicholas (23), Alexandra (22), Samantha (20) and Thomas (12) Coaching Awards ABCA Mideast Region Coach of the Year , 2002 Big East Coach of the Year College Baseball Insider National Coach of the Year Year School W-L-T W % 1983 St. Thomas (Fla.) St. Thomas (Fla.) St. Thomas (Fla.) St. Thomas (Fla.) St. Thomas (Fla.) St. Thomas (Fla.) yr St. Thomas Totals Air Force Air Force Air Force Air Force Air Force Air Force yr Air Force Totals Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame Notre Dame yr Notre Dame Totals LSU year Head Coaching Record: (.637) 17-year Div. I Coaching Record: (.648)

10 Alex Box Stadium Home of College Baseball s Greatest Fans Stadium Quick Facts Seating Capacity: 7,760 Playing Field Distances: Foul Lines 330 ft. Power Alleys 365 ft. Center 405 ft. Height of Fence 10 ft. In center field 15 ft. Playing Surface natural grass Alex Box Stadium, the home of the LSU Fighting Tigers, has a storied history which spans several decades. Always known as an excellent facility, recent efforts to upgrade the stadium have made it comparable to that of many professional minor-league clubs. Last season, the Tigers drew 270,341 fans to Alex Box Stadium as LSU finished first in the nation in total attendance for the 11th straight year. The Tigers set an NCAA record in 2004 for average attendance with 7,898 per contest. LSU established an NCAA total attendance mark in 2003 as 291,676 fans purchased tickets for Baseball at the Box. LSU has been among the nation's attendance leaders for the past 16 seasons, finishing No. 5 in 1991, No. 6 in 1992, No. 4 in 1993, No. 3 in 1994 and 1995, and No. 1 from Over the past 23 seasons, the Tigers have attracted nearly four million fans to Alex Box Stadium. A total of 3,975,293 patrons have watched the Tigers play at "The Box" since The stadium is recognized both for its old-fashioned charm and for its modern renovations. Since 1985, it has been the site of four SEC tournaments, 17 NCAA regional tournaments, three NCAA super regional series and one ABCA Hall of Fame tournament. The Box has undergone several facility-improvement projects designed to enhance the comfort and enjoyment of LSU baseball fans. Prior to the 1999 season, the stadium scoreboard was moved from left-center field to right-center field. Bleachers were then installed in left-center field, increasing seating capacity to 7,760. Visitors to Alex Box Stadium in 1998 had for the first time the opportunity to enjoy a concessions/picnic area behind the right-field bleachers, complementing a similar facility behind the left-field bleachers. A major renovation project was completed at Alex Box Stadium in 1997, as two of the facility's light towers were moved behind the seating areas in order to give all fans an unobstructed view of the playing field. The project began in April, 1996, when two of the four light towers were moved. The remaining two towers were moved in February, The Intimidator billboard depicting LSU s NCAA titles was unveiled in Alex Box Stadium prior to the 97 season. It stands above the right field wall as a testament to LSU s baseball excellence. Some of the other additions to the stadium in the past decade include a players' meeting room and a "Home Run Village" parking area behind the outfield fence which allows fans to tailgate before and during games. A new outfield fence was installed in 1995 with a 15-foot hitters' backdrop in center field. In 1994, "The Box" featured a freshly renovated and expanded players' locker room and lounge, along with additional chair-back seats in the grandstand. In 1993, an advanced outfield drainage system was installed along with additional bleacher seating behind first base. In 1992, the stadium featured the installation of expanded chair-back gold seats, an umpires' dressing room, terrace-level seating above the third-base dugout and bleachers behind the left-field wall. Renovations for the 1991 season included the installation of a new grandstand roof and the construction of a playground/picnic area behind the left-field bleachers. The stadium began to resemble its present form with the arrival in 1983 of coach Skip Bertman. In 1985, the Tigers' locker room was given a facelift, and a fully-equipped training room, a coaches' dressing room and a players' lounge were installed. Larger dugouts were constructed in 1986 along with a new outfield fence. The press box was expanded, and the stadium's right field fence was moved to make room for additional bleachers. In 1987, the stadium's restroom facilities were enlarged, and a new concessions stand was built beneath the grandstand. Originally a 2,500-seat facility, the concrete and steel grandstand of Alex Box Stadium was completed in Funding came from the Works Progress Administration, a federally sponsored agency which constructed public athletic facilities, among other such projects. In its first two years, Alex Box Stadium was the site of spring training for the New York Giants. Such legendary baseball figures as Mel Ott, Carl Hubbell, Bill Terry and Dick Bartell trained at The Box. Tournaments Hosted NCAA Regional Tournaments (17): 1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 NCAA Super Regional Series (3): 2000, 2003, 2004 SEC Tournaments (4): 1985, 1986, 1991, 1993 Top 10 Attendance Figures Att. Opponent Date Score Houston 3/6/04 UH, UL-Lafayette 4/11/00 LSU, Tulane 2/27/07 TU, Miss. State 3/26/04 MSU, Auburn 5/9/03 LSU, Arkansas 4/27/02 LSU, Alabama 5/19/02 LSU, Auburn 5/10/03 LSU, Ole Miss 4/13/01 LSU, Texas State 2/28/04 LSU, 2-1 Quotable "I want to commend what I truly believe may be the premiere crowd in all of college baseball... that is a special, special crowd out there. I want to say that the way the fans have responded all weekend to just excellence and outstanding play leads me to believe that they truly do appreciate the difficulty of playing this game. I'm glad to have our players play in front of a crowd that I truly believe appreciated their performance." -- Baylor head coach Steve Smith after the 2003 NCAA Super Regional in Alex Box Stadium "The fans here are great. It was a pleasure playing ball here today. Great battle, great fans, great atmosphere out here in Baton Rouge and like (first baseman) Matt Wright said, go LSU." -- UNC-Wilmington outfielder Chip Grawey after his team took a congratulatory lap around the field following LSU s 2003 NCAA Regional win