FanHouse Jared Mitchell

OMAHA, Neb. -- The Mainieri household went 45 years without a national title. Bouday (a Cajun term for sorrow) -- that was plenty long enough.

Paul Mainieri's LSU Tigers powered past Texas 11-4 Wednesday night to win the College World Series. When the final out was made -- fittingly on a swinging strike out that ignited a mad sprint and player pile in front of the mound -- Mainieri's emotions almost immediately began to overwhelm him in the Tigers dugout.

It was a hugfest.

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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The most compelling NCAA Super Regional? That's an easy one-hopper to handle.

Rice at LSU.

While many believe it was silly for the NCAA Selection Committee to pair the two regional tournaments because both teams belong in the College World Series, only one will have its ticket stamped for Omaha later this weekend.

"It's going to be nuts, it's going to be crazy," LSU outfielder Jared Mitchell told FanHouse Wednesday afternoon.

The most compelling NCAA Super Regional? That's an easy one-hopper to handle.

Rice at LSU.

While many believe it was silly for the NCAA Selection Committee to pair the two regional tournaments because both teams belong in the College World Series, only one will have its ticket stamped for Omaha later this weekend.

"It's going to be nuts, it's going to be crazy," LSU outfielder Jared Mitchell told FanHouse Wednesday afternoon.