LSU swept Rice in 2 games to earn their 2nd consecutive trip to the College World Series. What's most encouraging is that LSU went up against a College World Series worthy team and showed they could win 2 in a row riding the backs of Louis Coleman and Anthony Ranaudo. With 3 starts each in the post-season, LSU's top starters have done the following:
Anthony Ranaudo 24 IP 12 H 6 ER 29 K 2.25 ERA
Louis Coleman 23.2 IP 21 H 5 ER 19 K 1.90 ERA
As good as these two guys have been during the season, they have stepped things up in the post-season. The way that the College World Series shapes up, winning the first two games is of utmost importance and now LSU has the confidence to know they can do it against top competition. In fact, if LSU wins the first two games, they may not have to start anyone other than Ranaudo or Coleman for the entire tournament.
LSU is playing their best baseball of the season, having won 10 games in a row and 23 of their last 27. They have to be considered one of the hottest team in the nation right now. LSU will face Virginia in their first game in Omaha. I'll try to do a preview of Virginia for Tuesday's update.
RECRUITING
LSU picked up some fantastic recruiting news when Memphis, TN linebacker Justin Maclin (pictured)gave his verbal commitment to LSU. Maclin is a big-time recruit. He's 6'4" 215 pounds and projects as an outside linebacker. He's rated 4-stars by both Rivals and Scout, and he's on ESPN's Top 150 Watch List. ESPN has a good evaluation of him here. Some think that Maclin may grow into a defensive end in college. Regardless of where he plays, he is oozing with athleticism. LSU running backs coach Larry Porter was very close to Maclin's family, and that connection helped LSU's cause. I think it's also important to note that while Tennessee assistants Ed Orgeron and Frank Wilson are screwing around with 2nd-tier recruits in Louisiana, LSU went to Tennessee and snatched one of the state's top players.
LSU hosted a lot of prospects this week, leading up to the first of 2 summer camps on LSU's campus. The camp will be taking place Monday and Tuesday, and I expect we'll hear lots of news after that. Here are some of the prospects that will be at the first camp:
QB Terrance Broadway
QB Munchie Legaux - Legaux originally planned to attend, but there's some confusion as to whether he will show.
WR/S Tharold Simon - LSU Commit
WR Glenn Coleman
OL Wes Rea
DT Elliott Porter
DT Harold Legania
DE/LB Houston Bates
LB Shaun Lewis
LB Chase Williams
CB Tony Hurd
CB James Haynes
Also, maybe the state's top player for the Class of 2011 WR Jarvis Landry, will be in attendance.
In addition to those guys competing at camp, some players visited this weekend but are not staying for the camp:
WR Trovon Reed
WR James Wright
DE Jordan Allen
LB Ladarious Owens
RB Kenny Hilliard - Class of 2011
Other than Maclin's commitment, some other news from the weekend visitors was that Belle Chase WR James Wright received an offer from LSU. This muddies the water a bit as to who could fill the 4th WR spot in this class for LSU. A couple of weeks ago, it looked like junior college receive Martavious Lee might be that guy. But now that LSU has offered Wright, it makes you wonder if LSU's staff saw something they didn't like with Lee regarding his academic situation. I like Wright a whole lot and think he's one of the Top 10 players in Louisiana this year. You don't have to take my word for it though. Check out some of his highlights here:
2011 running back Kenny Hilliard also received a verbal offer from Les Miles. It's just a verbal offer for now and it can't become official until September, when it certainly will. Hilliard is already on the national radar as one of the top running backs in the country for the Class of 2011. Hilliard is from Patterson and has lots of family with deep LSU ties. LSU is in great shape with Hilliard, even though it's very early.
I won't be able to update everyone on what happens at LSU's camp since I'll be on vacation through Sunday. I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see a commitment or two later in the week. I'll hopefully have another update tomorrow with a preview of Virginia and any tidbits coming out of the camp.
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