Texas Tries to Forget Epic Loss to LSU

OMAHA, Neb. -- Sorry, but Augie Garrido's message to his Texas Longhorns late Monday night was private. Between head coach and team. The neighborly Garrido, who can spin a life-lesson while filling out a lineup card, wanted to make sure his players knew the score.

Sure, Texas already knew that score. The Longhorns, who had made a habit of winning on walk-off theatrics in the College World Series, had to swallow a dose of their own medicine, Bayou-flavor. The LSU Tigers scored two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 6-all and then won it two innings later, 7-6. Both hits came with two outs, and, just to slip another burr under Texas' saddle, LSU survived five Longhorns home runs to boot.

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Garrido, 70 years old wise, shared a portion of his directive to the Longhorns, who are trying to become the first No. 1 national seed since Miami to win the championship. First, he reminded them that they've played with the spirit of a champion in the NCAA Tournament. He also wanted to make sure they knew that Georgia beat Fresno State in the opening game of the best-of-three championship series last year, and we all know how that ended.

"Fresno came back and waltzed off with the national championship on the third day," Garrido said, just in case anyone had forgotten.

Garrido also explained, in elegant coach-speak, that the key for the Longhorns when they hit their pillows early Tuesday morning was to forget. Not forgive, but forget. Of course, that's easier said than done, especially since it marked the first game Texas has lost in 40 games this season when leading into the ninth. Making matters worse, LSU's last six runs were all scored with two outs.

If that didn't make for a restless night, it also was the longest game by innings and time in the seven-year history of the CWS finals. Garrido, in a more point-blank tone this time, explained that it takes confidence for a team to forget, and he believes his team's spirit wasn't shattered by one defeat.

"If you can't wipe this game out, you are a loser before the (next) game starts," Garrido said.

"What happens now is everyone gets a little shaky. I thought we played with all of our heart and soul. The problem is the loss. The performance was pretty darn good. The difference is the team that doesn't win goes back and nitpicks its imperfections. The value of winning is that it forgives. If you can forgive all of your mistakes when you lose, you have a chance the next day."

LSU coach Paul Mainieri is no fool either. Yes, he was absolutely thrilled and proud and gushed over his team's victory, as he should. The Tigers struck first yet they were getting schooled by Texas ace Chance Ruffin, who tied a season-high 10 strikeouts in 5.2 innings. LSU starter Louis Coleman, like Ruffin, battled in the scorching 90-plus degree temperatures, but he struggled and gave up five homers in six innings.



At least Mainieri didn't lose his sense of humor when he first strolled to the mound.

"I went out to Coleman and said, 'At least they are solo home runs,' that we were still within striking distance because it was certainly a hitters' environment," Mainieri smiled.

Even while balls were sailing over the fence in record pace -- the teams combined for a CWS-record seven solo home runs -- it took a light-hitting, fresh-scrubbed freshman who reminded himself of hitting fundamentals as he strolled to the plate to emerge as a hero. Mikie Mahtook, who had struck out three times and bounced into a double play in his first four at-bats, stroked a 1-2 line-drive single up the middle in the top of the 11th for the eventual game winner and LSU's 14th consecutive victory.

"My first three at-bats, it wasn't like I just struck out. It was three terrible at-bats," said Mahtook, who required intravenous fluids to treat cramps in the sixth inning.

"I was chasing balls in the dirt. I stayed back on a change-up and bounced into a double play. When I got into the dugout, guys were telling me to make sure I keep my head straight. Jared Mitchell told me I was going to come back up again with a big at-bat, and you're going to come through for us. That helped me out a lot."

Now it's Texas that needs the help. LSU (55-16) can win its sixth national title with a victory over the Longhorns (49-15-1) on Tuesday night

"It has to happen some time. We can't have all the glorious game-ending victories," reasoned Russell Moldenhauer, who hit two of Texas' homers. "We've got to throw that aside and come back with the same feeling we had at the beginning of this game."

With a 9-0 record, LSU remains perfect in this year's NCAA Tournament; the Tigers also are 5-0 when playing for a national title in program history. While Garrido, called the Zen Master by his players, wouldn't divulge his entire postgame message to his team, Mainieri displayed his own version of Yoda-like charm.

"I've been fortunate to be around some kids who have played some great games through the years, and I savor all the victories, but this one was really sweet," Mainieri said. "On the biggest stage, with their backs against the wall, to come up with that kind of an effort is one for the ages.

"But we also know tomorrow is a new day. Like I always tell my team, we celebrate our victories and analyze our defeats until midnight. What happened tonight has no carry over into the next day."

Garrido would surely agree.