The theme from the opening round of the College World Series is: Don’t bet on the favorite.
With LSU back in the College World Series for the first time since winning the national title in 2009, the Tigers brought thousands of fans and a Cajun flavor. But their No. 4 seeding didn’t deliver a victory for Coach Paul Manieri’s Tigers.
“That was a tough, tough loss. That’s for sure. I’m certainly glad it’s a double elimination tournament.”
UCLA defeated LSU, 2-1.
Oregon State is seeded third, but Mississippi State held on for a 5-4 victory over the Beavers. And top-seeded North Carolina, making its sixth appearance in Omaha over the last eight years under head coach Mike Fox, lost, 8-1 to in-state rival North Carolina State.
"You get a day and sometimes that’s good. I have no doubt we’ll be ready Tuesday.”
Meanwhile, the Indiana Hoosiers in their first appearance in the College World Series blanked Louisville, 4-0, behind the four-hit pitching of Joey DeNato.
The weekend crowds averaged more than 25,000.