COLLEGE WORLD SERIES : LSU’s Record Offense Cruises to Crown, 6-3

Louisiana State’s four previous appearances in the College World Series featured pitching. This year, LSU tied the series record of nine home runs and averaged a record 12 runs.

A 6-3 victory over Wichita State Saturday at Rosenblatt Stadium gave the Tigers the national title.

“Last year, we set a record in the (Southeast Conference) for hits and came in second in batting average as a team,” LSU Coach Skip Bertman said.

“We’ve been good hitters. This year, we were supposed to be. But at the beginning of the season we just didn’t hit.

“But starting in the middle of the season, we just started getting better and better.”

LSU tied the series home run record set by Arizona State in 1981 and beat the runs-per-game mark set by Notre Dame, which averaged 11 runs in the 1957 series.

“If peaking means anything, we sure peaked at the right time,” Bertman said.

Bertman said that in order to win a national title, a team has to have an average hitter come through. That happened Saturday, as Tiger center fielder Armando Rios had two hits, including a two-run homer in the second inning.

“I knew if we could swing the bats hard, we’d be all right,” Rios said.

LSU had five hits and scored four runs against Wichita State starter Tyler Green, who left in the fourth inning.

“I had good command of my curveball and most of my pitches, but I had no command on my fastball,” Green said.

LSU catcher Gary Hymel, voted the series’ outstanding player, said that putting pressure on Green was a key to victory.

“He had to come out and pitch every inning,” Hymel said.

Winning pitcher Chad Ogea said Tiger players have waited a long time for the national title.

“This year we put it all together and did what we had to do and showed people we’re the best,” Ogea said. “I don’t know what to say. It’s just unbelievable.”

Bertman said the atmosphere at the series, with hometown Creighton competing for the first time, was the best he has seen.

“I’ve been here 10 times--five with Miami and five with LSU,” he said. “This is the most exciting series I’ve ever seen.”

Bertman was an assistant coach under Ron Fraser for the 1982 Miami team that won the title.