Former LSU pitcher Louis Coleman agreed to a professional contract Monday with the Kansas City Royals organization.The 2009 Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year and All-American will report to the Royal’s Class A affiliate, the Burlington (Iowa) Bees.The Royals drafted Coleman in the fifth round of last month’s draft.Coleman returned to LSU for his senior season after being drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 14th round of last year’s draft.LSU coach Paul Mainieri credited Coleman all season as a team leader and a big part of the Tigers’ national championship run.”Louis’ return was certainly a major factor in our drive to national championship,” Mainieri said in a news release Monday. “It’s difficult to put into words how valuable he was to our program. He is a great pitcher, but he is also a young man of faith and character. We will miss him very much, and I know he is destined for future success.”Coleman threw the first and last pitches of LSU’s 2009 campaign, starting the first game in the new Alex Box Stadium and clinching the Tigers’ national title with three ninth-inning strikeouts.The Schlater, Miss., native was 4-0 with a 2.79 in five starts and seven appearances in postseason play.Coleman received his agricultural business degree in May. —-Contact The Daily Reveille sports staff at [email protected]