LSU Slugs Its Way to Rematch With USC

Louisiana State has been looking forward to playing USC since the Trojans knocked LSU out of the College World Series in 1998.

LSU earned the rematch Saturday night by defeating Texas, 13-5, before 23,975 at Rosenblatt Stadium.

LSU (49-17) ruined Texas Coach Augie Garrido’s first game at Omaha since he guided Cal State Fullerton to its third national championship in 1995. And the Tigers did it with an offensive barrage against first-round draft pick Beau Hale (12-6).

Blair Barbier keyed a four-run first inning with the first of his two homers. He also had one of the Tigers’ five doubles to support left-hander Brian Tallet (15-3), who gave up five runs and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings.

LSU finished with 14 hits and prevented the Longhorns (46-20) from playing the bunting game that helped them reach the Series for the first time since 1993.

“LSU’s game-plan worked to perfection,” Garrido said. “They capitalized on their strength and their power.”

LSU beat USC, 12-10, in its World Series opener two years ago, but lost to the Trojans, 5-4 and 7-3, and was denied a chance to play for its third consecutive national title.

LSU Coach Skip Bertman watched part of USC’s victory over Florida State Saturday afternoon.

“They have many weapons, lots of bullets,” Bertman said. “They can hit it deep and they can keep the ball in play.”

USC is scheduled to start sophomore right-hander Mark Prior on Monday against LSU. Prior, a transfer from Vanderbilt, gave up eight runs and 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings in a 9-2 Southeastern Conference loss to the Tigers at Baton Rouge, La., on April 11, 1999.

“We know he’s a real good competitor,” Barbier said. “We’re going to have to beat him because he’s not going to let us take it.”