Winner take all

The family of LSU starting right fielder Jared Mitchell was hoping to be on its way home to New Iberia today with the Tigers having wrapped up their first College World Series championship since the 2000 season.

Instead, they’ll stay another day, confident that the Westgate High graduate and his teammates will do just that with a win over Texas in the third game of a best-of-three final series. LSU beat the Longhorns 7-6 in 11 innings on Monday night but could only get five hits off Texas freshman pitcher Taylor Jungmann in losing 5-1 Tuesday night.

“I can stay an extra day,” said Craig Mitchell, Jared Mitchell’s father. “I’m looking forward to that dogpile tomorrow. On our side, that is.”

LSU, ranked No. 1 in most of the polls and seeded third in the NCAA tournament, was quiet at the plate for most of the night. Jared Mitchell had one of his team’s five hits, going 1-for-3 with a walk, and scored the Tigers’ only run.

“Jared just looks so much more relaxed that in the past,” said his father Tuesday night following the game. “I think him knowing his situation with the draft really helped him, even though he probably wouldn’t tell you that, or tell me that.”

The Mitchells �” dad Craig, mom Debra and older brother Derek �” were home for the first week of the College World Series, heading to Omaha, Neb., for the Tigers’ third game, a 14-5 win last Friday over Arkansas that sent LSU to the finals. Also in Omaha is Debra Mitchell’s sister, Diane Gauthier of Dallas.

LSU struggled at the plate Tuesday, striking out more times (nine) than getting hits and walks combined (seven total).

“That’s what happens when you don’t swing the bat,” said Craig Mitchell. “I really don’t know what it is but our big hitters were not swinging. I think they’re going to be all right tomorrow.”

Today’s winner-take-all game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. LSU is scheduled to start Anthony Ranaudo, who is 11-3 with a 2.87 earned run average.

“With him thowing good, I think we’ll come out swinging,” said Craig Mitchell. “Baseball is a funny game, especially at this level. I’m confident about tomorrow.”