OMAHA, Neb. — It’s no surprise sophomore pitcher Anthony Ranaudo wasn’t pleased with his start Saturday against Virginia.The normally dominant right-hander had his shortest outing of the season against the Cavaliers, throwing 3 1/3 innings and giving up two runs on five hits while walking more batters (4) than he struck out (3).”It’s part of the game,” Ranaudo said. “I didn’t have my best start. It was actually probably my worst start of the year. I just have to be able to flush it mentally and go out there with a new attitude and approach.” But Ranaudo will get his chance at redemption in the College World Series in a starting Friday against Arkansas with the chance to pitch the Tigers into the best-of-three championship series.Ranaudo couldn’t pinpoint whether his bad start was because of mechanics or jitters from being on a big stage. He simply said it was “just one of those games.””I didn’t have good command, and when that happens, you fall behind [in counts], and you are forced to throw certain pitches, and they hit them,” he said.The good news for LSU coach Paul Mainieri and his team is Ranaudo threw only 80 pitches, around 30 fewer than he would normally throw, meaning he will be stronger than normal heading into the start.”I’m going on a short day [rest] … so because I only threw 80 pitches, so that could help,” Ranaudo said. “I’d be able to bounce back quicker.”Mainieri called Ranaudo a “caged lion” ready to get back on the mound to redeem himself.”The sooner we can get him back out there, the better,” Mainieri said. “I know he will come back strong. He loves challenges.”Ranaudo threw six innings, giving up five runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking three in his only outing against Arkansas this season, an 11-4 loss to the Razorbacks on May 2. 
FABULOUS FRESHMENWhile freshman center fielder Mikie Mahtook’s three-run first-inning shot was a big lift for LSU, it overshadowed another freshman’s longball later in the game.Shortstop Austin Nola hit his third home run of the season in the five-run sixth inning against Arkansas. The blast landed near Mahtook’s in the middle of a vast sea of purple and gold in the left field bleachers.Nola, a normally patient hitter who likes to works deep into the count, took a 2-0 fastball over the fence.”I was just trying to get on base, and I had it in my mind that he was going to throw a fastball,” Nola said. “He left it up, and I hit it well.”But Nola admits it was helpful to see another freshman hit one out before him.”It helped to see everyone hitting the ball well,” Nola said. 
SPORTSCENTER TOP 10While freshmen’s bats have been blasting balls over the fence, sophomore second baseman DJ LeMahieu has been spraying the ball all over Rosenblatt Stadium at will.The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., native has a pair of 3-for-5 games and has amassed four runs and an RBI in the two games. All six hits have been singles.He said the experience of having numerous at bats in Rosenblatt thanks to LSU’s trip to Omaha last season has helped him adjust to the pressure of being on a national stage in this year’s tournament.”Playing in front of that many people on national television, you just have to relax,” the leadoff hitter said. “That’s been my goal.”LeMahieu, a 2009 second-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs, has also flashed his glove the past few games with several diving plays.”I’m so proud of him for how quickly he has adapted to [second base],” Mainieri said.The sophomore said his time at shortstop has helped him learn the range it takes to play second better.”Second base is a different angle than shortstop because you can go into the hole and still throw on your knees,” he said. “You can’t do that at short.”And thanks to those plays, LeMahieu has been on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays a couple times in the past few weeks, something he said never gets old.”It’s cool to see yourself on TV sometimes,” LeMahieu said. “It’s not something you think about before the game, but if it happens, it happens.”NOT ALWAYS BUSINESSWith all the talk of LSU’s “gorilla ball” being back after hitting five home runs in two games so far in the CWS, the team might be taking some cues from one of its off-day activities — a trip to the zoo.LSU has had its business mentality since arriving in Omaha, but with three days off between games, the team has had a chance to have some fun.The team went to a private dinner at Sullivan’s Steakhouse on Tuesday and then to the Henry Doorly Zoo, right across the street from Rosenblatt after practice Wednesday.Today, the Tigers plan to go watch the Arizona State-North Carolina matchup at Rosenblatt as fans.But the Tigers won’t be wishing for any more days off when the break comes to an end.”Friday can’t come soon enough,” Mainieri said.Go read Andy’s “Extra Innings” baseball blog from Omaha.—-Contact Andy Schwehm at [email protected]