The LSU baseball team finally erased Stony Brook’s ghost and punched the program’s 16th ticket to the 2013 College World Series on Saturday when it defeated Oklahoma 11-1.
The Tigers’ (57-9, 23-7 SEC) victory, littered with broken records, great plays and ovations to departing players, almost felt like the perfect retribution after last season’s disappointing finish.
“It’s been a long 365 days, I can tell you that,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri. “Last time we were up here a year ago it was a pretty sad day for us. This doesn’t erase the hurt that we felt that day, because we can not bring that day back… But this does take away some of that bitter taste that we had.”
Oklahoma (43-21, 13-11 Big 12) drew first blood taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning against LSU starting pitcher Ryan Eades.
But it did not take long for the Tigers to respond take control, and when they did, they refused to yield it.
Undeterred by a 52-minute lightning delay, LSU chipped away at the Sooners before blowing it wide open with a 6-run ninth inning.
Junior second baseman Jacoby Jones was the driving force behind LSU’s offense, as he batted 4-for-4 and finished the game a triple away from the cycle.
“I just felt really comfortable in the box,” Jones said. “I was just trying to do whatever I could to get on base for the team, use my legs and find some holes… I got four hits tonight, and it feels good.”
Saturday night marked the last time seniors and juniors departing to play professional baseball will ever play in Alex Box Stadium.
Seniors first baseman Mason Katz and outfielder Raph Rhymes each received standing ovations upon their last at-bats.
Rhymes made the most of his finale at the box, as he went 2-for-4, including an RBI double in the 9th inning. He also made a spectacular grab off of the wall in the 7th that possibly prevented multiple Oklahoma runs.
“This is why we came back,” Rhymes said. “This is why you stick around. The goal when you step foot on campus is to get to Omaha. So, we got a chance and we took advantage of that tonight.”
Senior closing pitcher Chris Cotton also finished his final home game in style with two shutout innings, allowing no base runners.
Cotton, who came to LSU as a walk-on, said he still has a hard time believing what he has achieved.
“Four years ago I could only imagine myself sitting on the sides with the fans and high-fiving the players, not be one of the players,” Cotton said. It’s a dream come true and I’m just living it.”
The victory marked LSU’s 57th win of the season, tying the program’s record for most wins in a single season. For the second straight night, the actual Alex Box Stadium attendance record was set with 11,401 fans.
Freshman shortstop also made history by earning his 104th hit of the season, eclipsing Mike Fontenot for most hits in a single season as a freshman in LSU history.
LSU will take on UCLA in its first game of the College World Series, which is set to begin on Saturday, June 15.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) hits the ball June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) strikes out Oklahoma senior infielder Max White (7) at second base June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU freshman infielder Alex Bregman (30) reaches for the ball June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior right-handed pitcher Ryan Eades (37) hurls the ball to first base June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior outfielder Raph Rhymes (4) catches a fly ball June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU freshman outfielder Mark Laird (9) hits the ball June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU freshman outfielder Mark Laird (9) runs to first base June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) tries to tag Oklahoma senior infielder Jack Mayfield (8) June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against the Sooners in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior outfielder Raph Rhymes (4) slides into home plate June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU freshman outfielder Mark Laird (9) slides into third base June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) celebrates after a run to second base June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU freshman outfielder Mark Laird (9) hits the ball June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior infielder Christian Ibarra (14) throws the ball to junior right-handed pitcher Ryan Eades (37) June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU freshman infielder Alex Bregman (30) hits the ball June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) hits the ball June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium. Jones led the LSU offense with four hits and three RBI’s.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) argues with an umpire after an Oklahoma player was ruled safe June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior left-handed pitcher Chris Cotton (58) winds up to pitch the ball to home plate June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU freshman infielder Alex Bregman (30) celebrates a run to second base June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior pitcher Ryan Eades (37) warms up June 8, 2013 before the Tigers’ 11-1 Super Regional win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium. Eades only allowed three hits and one run in four innings of work.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) celebrates while running into home plate June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior outfielder Raph Rhymes (4) celebrates after a run to second June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior catcher Ty Ross (26) throws the ball to first base June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 Super Regional win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) celebrates with junior catcher Ty Ross (26) after a run June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior infielder Mason Katz (8) tries to tag out Oklahoma senior outfielder Max White (7) June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against the Sooners in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU head baseball coach Paul Mainieri (left) argues with second base umpire Billy Haze (right) during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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Oklahoma junior infielder Hector Lorenzana (12) stretches to catch a ball while LSU freshman infielder Alex Bregman (30) retreats to second base June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior infielder Mason Katz (8) hits the ball June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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Alex Box Stadium’s grounds crew rolls out the tarp June 8, 2013 during a rain delay in LSU’s game against Oklahoma.
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The LSU baseball team poses on the pitcher’s mound in Alex Box Stadium June 8, 2013 after securing a trip to Omaha with an 11-1 win against Oklahoma.
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LSU junior pitcher Nick Rumbelow celebrates after recording an out June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior pitcher Will LaMarche (36) celebrates with his teammates June 8, 2013 after the Tigers secured a trip to Omaha with an 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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The LSU baseball team dogpiles June 8, 2013 after the Tigers secured a ticket to the College World Series with an 11-1 victory against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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The LSU baseball team poses for a group photo June 8, 2013 after LSU’s 11-1 victory against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior closer Chris Cotton (58) and the rest of the LSU baseball team celebrate with fans June 8, 2013 after the Tigers’ 11-1, Super Regional win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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The LSU baseball team secured its place in the College World Series with a dominating 11-1 win against Oklahoma on June 8, 2013 in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior infielder JaCoby Jones (23) celebrates with his teammates after his home run June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior catcher Ty Ross (26) embraces senior closer Chris Cotton (58) following the last out of the Tigers’ 11-1 Super Regional victory against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior closer Chris Cotton (58) and junior catcher Ty Ross (26) smile at their approaching teammates June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 win against Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU senior left-handed pitcher Brent Bonvillain (49) jumps to touch a fan’s hand June 8, 2013 after the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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LSU junior infielder Christian Ibarra (14) does a hand shake with junior right-handed pitcher Nate Fury (29) June 8, 2013 during the Tigers’ 11-1 victory over Oklahoma in Alex Box Stadium.
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