Jun 6, 2008

Last Series for The Box

This weekend marks the true end for an LSU landmark. With the Tigers hosting UC Irvine in the Super Regionals, it's one last go for Alex Box Stadium. Sure the regular season series with Mississippi State was officially the last series for the box, but LSU's unreal season ending winning streak ensured the Tigers as Regional hosts and sweeping through the SEC tournament gave them a Top 8 National Seed and the right to host the Super Regional round.

Its been a remarkable end for the stadium. The Tigers struggled early this year, but have since put together a 20+ game winning streak, which they take with them to play UC Irvine. Is it the magic of the box? Are the Tigers channeling the gold jerseys into the 1996 "miracle" team with Warren Morris giving the Tigers the World Series title with one swing of the bat? The current Tiger team has watched the 1996 team's motivational video and have used those gold jersey wearing players as inspiration.

So what's in store for Alex Box's last series? The UC Irvine Anteaters come in with a dominant pitcher and a West Coast style of baseball. They grind out games and are more likely to score runs on bunts and hit-and-runs than with the long ball. They work station-to-station and liked to slow the game down.

If LSU can rough up their ACE in game 1, it could be a short series. LSU hasn't lost a game in months and don't want to start a losing streak now. Two wins and a trip to Omaha await LSU fans.

Prediction: LSU in two games.

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