Tigers fall in Regionals

There will be a new national champion this year in college baseball.

After an up and down season that saw the team win its third-straight Southeastern Conference Championship, the LSU baseball team was unable to advance past the Los Angeles Regional this weekend, winning one game, before being eliminated with losses to UCLA and the University of California-Irvine.

The unsuccessful weekend ends the 2009 National Champions’ season with a 41-22 record, and also ends the collegiate careers of three LSU seniors — first baseman Blake Dean, pitcher Paul Bertuccini and designated hitter Matt Gaudet.

“My life has been enriched by the experiences I’ve had with these players, and I’m very proud of the way they represent LSU,” said Tigers’ coach Paul Mainieri. “We fell just short today, but it doesn’t diminish what our kids have accomplished. Our seniors … have meant so much to our program, and we will miss them greatly. Some of our underclassmen will be leaving early for pro baseball, so in a way it’s the end of an era and next year will start a new era.”

LSU’s stay in Los Angeles got off to an epic start in a thrilling comeback 11-10 victory against UC-Irvine.

LSU had a two out rally to send the game into extra innings, then another two out rally to win it in the 11th inning, capped by a game-winning RBI double by left fielder Trey Watkins.

Watkins’ hit was one of his first in approximately three weeks since returning from an elbow injury that sidelined him for most of the SEC season.

But LSU couldn’t build on the momentum Watkins built on Friday, and were throttled, 6-3, by regional host and eventual regional champion UCLA on Saturday to send the team into the loser’s bracket.

Once there, LSU was never able to rebound and it was Irvine who got a one-run victory the second time around, knocking LSU out of the tournament in a 4-3 game Sunday afternoon.

LSU’s regional was arguably the toughest in America, with three teams in the Top 25 nationally. No other region had more than two teams in the final regular season polls.

“It didn’t happen for us this year,” Mainieri said. “We got what we earned and deserved and that was to come out West to a very difficult tournament. But it’s also an experience for these kids that they will never forget.”

Looking ahead to next season, LSU will have to replace their three seniors, as well as several juniors, who are likely to sign with MLB teams following Monday-Wednesday’s MLB Draft.

Among those widely expected to end their collegiate eligibility are catcher Micah Gibbs, centerfielder Leon Landry and staff ace Anthony Ranaudo.

But no loss will likely be larger than the void Dean will leave in LSU’s lineup.

The junior spurned the MLB last season to return to LSU, and served as the team’s leader in his senior season.

He has also been the team’s No. 3 or No. 4 hitter for each of the past three seasons.

Despite having less success as a team this year, Dean said there are no regrets about the decision to stay in school.

“I’ve enjoyed my time at LSU very much. I think one of the better decisions I’ve ever made was to go to LSU and experience the things that I have,” Dean said following the elimination. “Coach Mainieri and I have gone through a lot … I’ve enjoyed every one of those guys out there. Anytime, anyplace I’d be there for them. I just wanted to come out every year and do my part, try my best and give my teammates the best I’ve had. We just fell short this year.”

Landry agreed and said following the loss to UC-Irvine that he would “do anything” for his teammates and that camaraderie was never a problem for the 2010 version of the LSU baseball team, even despite the tough times the team dealt with throughout the year.

“We gave it all we had, but it just wasn’t enough today and unfortunately it brought a halt to our season,” Landry said. “I wish we could have found that extra run we needed to keep the game going because I thought we were going to pull that one off. It’s just a heartbreaker.”

The next time LSU will take the field as a team will be in fall camp, which usually culminates in a intersquad three-game World Series.

That will be the next time fans will get a chance to see the 2011 team, which Mainieri says will not disappoint, despite what is being lost.

“Fortunately, we have a strong core of players back and we’ll continue play at a championship level at LSU,” the coach said.

LSU junior pitcher Anthony Ranaudo unleashes a pitch during an early season game. Ranaudo is one of a few Tigers expected to sign with a professional team following this week’s MLB Draft. * Photo by STEVE FRANZ / LSU Sports Media