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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, June 23, 2009

LSU beats Texas 7-6 in 11th


By ERIC OLSON
Associated Press

OMAHA, Neb. — LSU short-circuited Texas' power surge yesterday.

Freshman Mikie Mahtook singled in the winning run in the top of the 11th inning after DJ LeMahieu tied the game in the ninth, and LSU survived Texas' five home runs to beat the Longhorns 7-6 in Game 1 of the College World Series finals.

"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," LSU coach Paul 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."

LSU (55-16) would win its sixth national title with a victory over the Longhorns (49-15-1) today.

LeMahieu walked leading off the 11th against Brandon Workman (3-4), stole second with two outs and took third when catcher Cameron Rupp's throw went into center field.

Mahtook delivered after struggling his first four at-bats. He required intravenous fluids to treat cramps in the sixth inning, and he struck out three times and hit into a double play. He punched a single into right field in the 10th before facing Workman in the 11th.

"My first three at-bats, it wasn't like I just struck out. It was three terrible at-bats. I was chasing balls in the dirt," Mahtook said.

Matty Ott (4-2) struck out Brandon Loy and Tim Maitland and got Connor Rowe to ground out to finish off Texas, which had walkoff wins in two of its first three CWS games.

"It has to happen some time. We can't have all the glorious game-ending victories," said Russell Moldenhauer, who hit two of Texas' homers.

LSU 100 002 102 01—7 11 0

TEXAS 000 302 100 00—6 9 1

(11 innings)

Coleman, Jones (7), Bertuccini (8), Ott (9) and Gibbs; Ruffin, Wood (6), Jungmann (9), Dicharry (9), Workman (10) and Rupp. W—Ott 4-2. L—Workman 3-4. HRs—LSU, LeMahieu (5), Schimpf (22). Texas, T.Tucker (3), Moldenhauer 2 (3), K.Keyes (8), C.Rowe (8).