by Chris Macaluso
LSUsports.net
METAIRIE, La. — Tulane short stop Andy Cannizaro went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and three runs scored as the Green Wave forced defending national champion LSU into a third and deciding game in the NCAA Super Regional at Zephyr Field with a 9-4 win Saturday.
Tulane, seeded fifth nationally at the beginning of the NCAA Tournament, improved its record to 54-11. LSUs overall record dropped to 44-21-1.
The two teams will meet again Sunday at 12:30 p.m. central time to decide which one advances to the College World Series beginning next Friday in Omaha, Neb.
Green Wave starting pitcher Nick Bourgeois picked up the win with 6 2/3 strong innings pitched to improve his record to 3-1. LSUs Jason Scobie took the loss dropping his record to 4-3.
Tulane cracked the scoring column on just the third pitch of the game when Green Wave center fielder Jon Kaplan drove a Scobie pitch over the left field wall.
The first-inning offensive on slaught continued for Tulane as the next three batters reached base and scored, giving the Wave a 4-0 advantage heading into the bottom of the first.
Tulane scored two more off of Scobie in the top of the sixth on a two-RBI single by second baseman Anthony Giarratano.
Giarratanos line-drive scored left fielder Michael Aubry who doubled and right fielder Matt Groff who was a hit by a pitch.
The Wave added another run in the top of the seventh on a solo homer by Cannizaro off Tiger reliever Weylin Guidry to give Tulane a 7-0 lead.
LSU cut that lead to 7-4 in the bottom of the seventh.
Tiger center fielder David Raymer hit a solo blast to lead off the inning, for LSUs first run of the contest.
LSU first baseman Bryan Moore doubled following walks to both Ryan Theriot and Mike Fontenot to drive in two before designated hitter Johnny Thibodeaux singled home Moore, chasing Bourgeios from the game.
But Wave reliever Joey Charron struck out LSU catcher Matt Heath with Thibodeaux on first base to end the Tiger threat.
Charron pitched the final 3 1/3 innings, giving up just one hit for his second save of the season.
Tulane added two runs in the top of the ninth on a Cannizaro single, a double by third baseman Jake Gautreau and a costly LSU error.
Junior left-hander Beau Richardson (6-1 4.43 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday for Tulane. Senior lefty Tim Nugent (7-2 3.95 ERA) will start for LSU.