Raring to go
LSU baseball key dates
TODAY: First practice for 2009 season
FEB. 20-22: Season-opening series, Villanova at LSU
MARCH 13-15: SEC-opening series, Kentucky at LSU
MAY 20-24: SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala.
MAY 29-JUNE 1: NCAA regionals
JUNE 5-8: NCAA super regionals
JUNE 13-24: College World Series, Omaha
FEB. 20-22: Season-opening series, Villanova at LSU
MARCH 13-15: SEC-opening series, Kentucky at LSU
MAY 20-24: SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala.
MAY 29-JUNE 1: NCAA regionals
JUNE 5-8: NCAA super regionals
JUNE 13-24: College World Series, Omaha
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LSU baseball begins practice today
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Spring and baseball are sure signs of renewal each year. That’s never been truer for the LSU baseball program, with a brand-new stadium set to debut and a season chock full of expectations on the horizon.
But as much newness as there might be for the Tigers, it’s a flashback to the old that has fans juiced for the 2009 season to get here.
LSU takes the field at the old Alex Box Stadium for the first full-squad workout in preparation of the new season, the last time the Tigers are slated to use the facility where their program ascended to greatness.
Starting Tuesday, LSU will work out at the new Alex Box, the sparkling $30-million palace where the Tigers will play this season, starting Feb. 20 with the first of a three-game season-opening series against Villanova. And when that series and the 2009 season commence, LSU will start the year ranked No. 1 or 2 in the four college baseball polls.
“We can’t wait to get started,” third-year coach Paul Mainieri said in a statement released by LSU. “There’s an aura of confidence surrounding our team that makes me feel we can reach significant goals this season.”
That confidence stems from a team that returns eight position players who were starting when the season ended, along with a pitching staff with the potential to be as good as LSU has had since the start of this decade.
The Tigers barreled to a 49-19-1 record last season, won the SEC tournament and pieced together a school and league record 23-game winning streak on the way to a return to the College World Series.
Although expectations of the Tigers have never wavered, there haven’t been as piqued as they are this spring since the end of Skip Bertman’s tenure.
“Certainly, winning the national championship is our ultimate goal, and I think the preseason No. 1 ranking is an indication of how far we’ve come as a program,” Mainieri said.
“We’re very flattered to receive this type of recognition, and it’s now our intention to affirm the belief of those who think we are the best team in the nation.”
But as much newness as there might be for the Tigers, it’s a flashback to the old that has fans juiced for the 2009 season to get here.
LSU takes the field at the old Alex Box Stadium for the first full-squad workout in preparation of the new season, the last time the Tigers are slated to use the facility where their program ascended to greatness.
Starting Tuesday, LSU will work out at the new Alex Box, the sparkling $30-million palace where the Tigers will play this season, starting Feb. 20 with the first of a three-game season-opening series against Villanova. And when that series and the 2009 season commence, LSU will start the year ranked No. 1 or 2 in the four college baseball polls.
“We can’t wait to get started,” third-year coach Paul Mainieri said in a statement released by LSU. “There’s an aura of confidence surrounding our team that makes me feel we can reach significant goals this season.”
That confidence stems from a team that returns eight position players who were starting when the season ended, along with a pitching staff with the potential to be as good as LSU has had since the start of this decade.
The Tigers barreled to a 49-19-1 record last season, won the SEC tournament and pieced together a school and league record 23-game winning streak on the way to a return to the College World Series.
Although expectations of the Tigers have never wavered, there haven’t been as piqued as they are this spring since the end of Skip Bertman’s tenure.
“Certainly, winning the national championship is our ultimate goal, and I think the preseason No. 1 ranking is an indication of how far we’ve come as a program,” Mainieri said.
“We’re very flattered to receive this type of recognition, and it’s now our intention to affirm the belief of those who think we are the best team in the nation.”
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