HOOVER, Ala. – No. 8 seed LSU (36-20) will face No. 1 seed Florida (40-13) in the opening round of the SEC Tournament at Regions Park Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
Wednesday’s game will be televised on Comcast Sports South and Cox Sports Television.
The contest can also be heard on the affiliates of the LSU Sports Radio Network. Live audio and stats can also be accessed in the Geaux Zone at www.LSUsports.net.
LSU is making its 26th appearance in the SEC Tournament, and the Tigers have a 59-35 all-time record in the event. LSU is the two-time defending SEC Tournament champion. The Tigers defeated Ole Miss in the 2008 tournament final, and LSU posted a win over Vanderbilt in the ’09 tournament championship game. LSU has a total of eight tournament titles, having also won the event in 1986, 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 2000.
“We’ve enjoyed a lot of success here in Hoover,” said LSU coach Paul Mainieri, “and our players are excited about starting the postseason. It’s a new season, and we have an opportunity to create some special memories. “
Mainieri said junior right-hander Anthony Ranaudo (3-2, 8.49 ERA) will start Wednesday’s game on the mound for the Tigers, while Florida head coach Kevin O’Sullivan will counter with freshman southpaw Brian Johnson (5-3, 3.62 ERA).
LSU had three players named to the 2010 All-SEC Teams Tuesday as announced by the league. Junior catcher Micah Gibbs was a first-team selection, while senior designated hitter Matt Gaudet and sophomore shortstop Austin Nola were named to the second-team. Gibbs was also named to the SEC All-Defensive team.
Gibbs, a junior from Pflugerville, Texas, is No. 2 in the SEC this season with a .408 batting average. Gibbs, a 2010 preseason All-America selection, has 13 doubles, three triples, eight homers, 53 RBI and seven steals on the year. Gibbs is No. 4 in the SEC in hits (87) and No. 7 in on-base percentage (.482).
LSU reliever Paul Bertuccini has made 106 career appearances for LSU, and he is just two shy of tying the school record for appearances set by Mark LaRosa (108 appearances from 1988-91). Bertuccini was named on May 6 as a member of the ESPN The Magazine second-team Academic All-America squad for District VI. He has a 3.53 cumulative GPA in management.
The Tigers are No.2 in the SEC with a .317 batting average, and have collected 71 home runs and 73 stolen bases. LSU is No. 8 in the league in earned run average with a 5.70 team ERA.
Florida is No.7 in the conference with a .302 batting average, and has collected 69 homers and has stolen 85 bases. The Gators are No. 4 in the SEC with a 4.05 team ERA.
The Gators are led by SEC Freshman of the Year, Austin Maddox, who is batting .346 with 17 homers and 64 RBI. Senior outfielder Matt den Dekker leads the team in batting average at .361 with 11 dingers and 40 RBI.
LSU leads the all-time series with Florida, 50-35-1, in a series that began in 1971.
The Tigers will face either Arkansas or Vanderbilt on Thursday and will start junior right-hander Austin Ross (4-4, 5.13 ERA).
#8 seed LSU Tigers (36-20) vs. #1 seed Florida Gators (40-13)
GAME DATES/TIMES
Wednesday, May 26 – 4:30 p.m.
STADIUM
Regions Park in Hoover, Ala.
RANKINGS
LSU – No. 30 by NCBWA
UF- No. 4 Collegiate Baseball, No. 4 Baseball America, No. 4 NCBWA, No. 5 USA Today/ESPN
RADIO
LSU Sports Radio Network affiliates/flagship station is WDGL 98.1 FM in Baton Rouge
INTERNET
www.LSUsports.net – live audio and stats
TV
Wednesday vs. UF- CSS and CST
Thursday vs. Arkansas or Vanderbilt- CSS and CST
SERIES RECORD
LSU leads the all-time series with Florida, 50-35-1, in a series that began in 1971.
PITCHING MATCHUP
LSU – Jr. RHP Anthony Ranaudo (3-2, 8.49 ERA, 35.0 IP, 19 BB, 34 SO)
UF – Fr. LHP Brian Johnson (5-3, 3.62 ERA, 59.2 IP, 11 BB, 42 SO)