Arkansas' starting pitcher today is their normal closer. He had one inning against the Tigers this season, striking out the side. He starts off today by striking out the first two batters he faces. Blake Dean doubles, Gibbs brings him home. Tigers strike first.

Today is a defining moment for Anthony Ranaudo. A bad outing to open the CWS, soured his first ever start at Rosenblatt (although an LSU win didn't make it all lemons). Today he has two motivating factors going: The bad start vs. UVA and a bad outing against Arkansas back in the regular season. He starts off the 1st inning establishing his breaking pitch. It works. 1-2-3. After 1 - LSU 1, Ark. 0

Ranaudo gives up his first hit. It was a high fast ball that the hitter had to be sitting on in order to make good contact. Still, he was left stranded. End of 2 - LSU 1, Ark. 0

Arkansas' pitcher can't go much longer you would think. His longest outing all season was just three innings. Austin Nola singles, now Richards (Ark LHP) issues a four pitch walk to DJ LeMahieu. Ark. head coach Dave Van Horne has to have a quick leash today. He pulls his starting pitcher with the bases loaded and Blake Dean at the plate.
An error, a K, a sac fly, a passed ball and another K later and the Tigers get three runs in teh frame, but ot could've been a lot more. In this tournament, a four run lead and a quarter will buy you a paper. Midway thru 3 - LSU 4, Ark. 0

Ranaudo is fired up. That'll add a few for MPH's to his fastball and a few more innings as well. Although if this lead holds or LSU can extend it, Paul Mainieri could pull him early to bring him back for Game 2 of the championship series on Tuesday. End of 3 - LSU 4, Ark. 0

Blake Dean builds his resume for tournament MVP with a shot to right-center. The lead continues to grow while Ranaudo continues to overpower the Hog hitters. Even when they do make good contact, LSU is playing perfect defense. End of 5 - LSU 5, Ark. 0

The word everyone uses with Jared Mitchell when talking about the draft is potential. I agree that he some room to improve, but the swing he made in the 6th inning to put a ball over the left-center field wall was pure big league. Mid 6th - LSU 6, Ark. 0

Ranaudo with another 1-2-3. He's thowing any pitch at any time and the Arkansas hitters are left guessing. They can't settle in and look uncomfortable. End of the 6th - LSU 6, Ark 0

Paul Mainier has gracefully dodged "Gorilla Ball" questions this week. He says he loves his team is hitting the ball well, but relying onthe long ball can hurt a team as well. When Ryan Schimpf's home run finally lands, the "Gorilla Ball" question will certainly again come up. After the game he said that might have been the furthest bomb he'd ever hit.

Not to worry, says Paul Mainieri. The 3-run jack Matty Ott gave up in the 9th is concerning him. Ott was in the game to get a little work and was probably trying to throw pitches to get the ball in play and end the game quickly as opposed to trying to make guys miss.

Ranaudo threw just 77 pitches today, which was the best case scanario. Mainieri said after the game, 75 pitches would leave Ranaudo available for Tuesday's Game 2 of the championship series. Coleman in game 1, Ranaudo in Game 2. Looks good for the Tigers, regardless of who they play.

Quote of the night -
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn on if he thinks LSU will win the national championship:
"They've got some really good baseball players and a couple of good football players."

---