The Tigers of LSU have captured their sixth title in team history, tying them with Texas for second all-time behind USC, which has 12. Arizona State has the third most titles with five. LSU absolutely destroyed Texas in game three of the final round by a score of 11-4. The game was tied in the sixth at four but LSU proceeded to score five runs in their half of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach.

LSU would add two insurance runs in the over the eighth and ninth innings to secure their victory. It was the first national title for head coach Paul Mainieri, who played his freshman year at LSU and coached at Notre Dame, Air Force, and St. Thomas (Florida).

“I’ve had wonderful kids everywhere I’ve been,” Mainieri said. “They’re all feeling a part of this. I’m so happy for these kids. They’ve done everything I’ve asked.

“They played great. They played great defense. Our pitching has been solid all year. When we got to the end of the season everyone was determined they would get it done. It’s been a coach’s dream to have a group like this.”

The College World Series Most Outstanding Player was Jared Mitchell, who hit a three run homerun in the first inning to jumpstart the LSU offense. Mitchell also won a National Title with the LSU football team in 2007 as a wide receiver. His teammate, reliever Chad Jones, was also on the 2007 LSU football team that won the National Title. Jones was a safety on that team.

As mentioned earlier, the Tigers and the Longhorns are tied for second with six national titles all-time behind the 12 from USC. Here are the years that those three teams and Arizona State (5 titles) won their championships:

USC: 1948, 58, 61, 63, 68, 70-74, 78, 98

LSU: 1991, 93, 96, 97, 2000, 09

Texas: 1949, 50, 75, 83, 2002, 05

Arizona State: 1965, 67, 69, 77, 81

The Tigers are sitting in first place in the American League Central with a 31-26 record. They are four games ahead of the second place Minnesota Twins. In 2008 the Tigers selected right handed pitcher Ryan Perry out of University of Arizona with the 21st pick in the first round.

Perry has yet to pitch in the Minors in 2009 because he pitched in 23 games in the Majors with the Tigers this season while Jeremy Bonderman was on the DL. He posted a 3.13 ERA in 23 innings pitched. He allowed only 16 hits, one homerun, eight earned runs and struck out 22 hitters.

[ad#baseball]