NCAA BASEBALL : LSU Ends USC’s Hopes for World Series Bid

USC’s bid to return to the College World Series for the first time in 16 years ended Sunday with a 12-10 loss to defending national champion Louisiana State in the South Regional at Baton Rouge, La.

Scott Schultz struck out first baseman J.P. Roberge with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to preserve LSU’s victory and send the Tigers to the College World Series for the seventh time in nine years.

LSU (46-18) had 17 hits against six pitchers. It will be attempting to win its third national title in four years.

USC’s loss spoiled the performance of Trojan outfielder Jacque Jones, who hit three two-run homers. The Trojans, who had 14 hits, finished 41-20.

“I think if we had been at two different regionals, we both would have been in Omaha,” said LSU second baseman Todd Walker, an All-American who hit two home runs Sunday and was named most valuable player of the regional.

LSU, which handed USC both of its defeats in the tournament, broke an 8-8 tie by scoring four runs in the seventh with the help of an error by USC pitcher German Casillas (0-1), a sacrifice fly by Jason Williams and solo home runs by Walker and Ryan Huffman.

Jones’ two-run homer in the eighth pulled USC to within 12-10.

In the ninth, Shon Malani reached on an error by Walker with one out, Jones singled and Jason Brown reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Schultz induced Aaron Boone to fly out to shallow right, then struck out Roberge.

MIDWEST II

Long Beach State was eliminated at Wichita, Kan., by a 6-2 loss to Washington, the 49ers’ second defeat by the Huskies in the tournament.

Washington erased a 2-0 deficit with a five-run two-out rally in the fifth against starter Michael Hernandez. Ryan Rutz and Joe Trippy had run-scoring singles and Rutz scored on a throwing error by Long Beach outfielder Ramon Smith before Sean Linville hit a two-run homer.

Long Beach pitcher Scott Rivette (14-1) struck out 13 in a 6-3 victory over Santa Clara earlier Sunday.

OTHER REGIONALS

John Powell (5-3) struck out 10 and held Notre Dame scoreless through eight innings as Auburn topped the Fighting Irish, 8-0, to win the NCAA East Regional at Clemson, S.C. Auburn advances to the College World Series for the first time in 18 years.

In the Atlantic I regional at Miami, Bruce Thompson drove in four runs as top-seeded Miami defeated Minnesota, 11-3, to clinch a berth in the championship game against Florida.

In the Mideast Regional at Knoxville, Tenn., Todd Cady’s two-run homer in the seventh helped Arizona State beat Tennessee, 10-5. The unbeaten Sun Devils play Tennessee again today for the right to advance to Omaha.

Oklahoma defeated Texas, 15-4, to remain unbeaten in the Central Regional at Austin, Tex.