BATON ROUGE — Defending national champion LSU is ranked No. 1 in the first regular-season Collegiate Baseball newspaper poll after sweeping three games from Centenary last weekend.
The Tigers (3-0), ranked No. 2 in the preseason, took over the top spot when preseason No. 1 selection Texas dropped two of three at home to New Mexico.
“We’re very pleased to receive this type of recognition, and I think being ranked No. 1 is certainly an inspiration to our players,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri, who earned his 1,000th career victory last Saturday in the Tigers’ win over Centenary. “We definitely aspire to play at a level that allows to receive a top ranking.”
Arizona State is No. 2 in this week’s Collegiate Baseball poll, followed by Georgia Tech, Texas and Virginia.
Meanwhile, Virginia is ranked No. 1 this week by Baseball America magazine, which has LSU ranked No. 2. The Cavaliers are coached by Brian O’Connor, Mainieri’s top assistant when they worked together at Notre Dame for nine seasons (1995-2003).
“On a personal level, this is a very exciting day for me,” Mainieri said. “For us to be No. 1 in one poll and Virginia No. 1 in another is very gratifying. I’m so proud of everything Brian has accomplished in making Virginia one of the best programs in the country.”
LSU returns to action at 4 p.m. Wednesday when the Tigers play host to McNeese State in Alex Box Stadium.
Collegiate Baseball Poll
February 22, 2010
1. LSU (3-0)
2. Arizona St. (3-0)
3. Georgia Tech (3-0)
4. Texas (1-2)
5. Virginia (2-1)
6. Cal. St. Fullerton (1-2)
7. Florida St. (3-0)
8. U.C. Irvine (3-0)
9. Florida (3-0)
10. Oregon St. (2-1)
11. Miami, Fla. (3-0)
12. North Carolina (3-0)
13. Ohio St. (3-0)
14. Texas Christian (3-0)
15. Clemson (3-0)
16. Louisville (3-0)
17. UCLA (3-0)
18. Stanford (3-0)
19. New Mexico (2-1)
20. Oklahoma (4-0)
21. Coastal Carolina (2-1)
22. East Carolina (1-2)
23. South Carolina (3-0)
24. San Diego (3-1)
25. Oregon (2-1)
26. Southern Miss. (2-1)
27. Wichita St. (0-0)
28. Mississippi (2-1)
29. Texas A&M (3-0)
30. Arkansas (2-1)
Baseball America Ranking
February 22, 2010
1. Virginia 2-1
2. LSU 3-0
3. Texas 1-2
4. Georgia Tech 3-0
5. Florida 3-0
6. UC Irvine 3-0
7. Florida State 3-0
8. Cal State Fullerton 1-2
9. Rice 0-3
10. South Carolina 3-0
11. Texas Christian 3-0
12. Coastal Carolina 2-1
13. Louisville 3-0
14. Arizona State 3-0
15. Clemson 3-0
16. Miami 3-0
17. Arkansas 2-1
18. Stanford 3-0
19. San Diego 3-1
20. North Carolina 3-0
21. Southern Mississippi 2-1
22. East Carolina 1-2
23. UCLA 3-0
24. Mississippi 2-1
25. Oregon State 2-1