LSU's master plan in the 8th inning on Monday's Eugene thriller did involve a safety squeeze bunt by Jordan Thompson, but that plan's failure was also its greatest success.
With the game tied 7-7 in the 8th inning and Cade Doughty on 3rd with 1 out, Paul Mainieri said he called on Jordan Thompson to lay down a bunt. But that plan changed with what he described as "cat and mouse" action as Oregon closer Kolby Somers repeatedly tossed the ball over to first.
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"They were doing it extremely well, you could see how well coached they were ... and it was basically taking it away from us," Mainieri said. "They were making the moves of theirs to see if our batter was showing that he was going to bunt. And we did have [a safety squeeze] on, and the first pitch was a ball so he didn't bunt it, and fortunately for us.
"If he had thrown a strike, we would have bunted the ball and they probably would've made the play at the plate. So we actually were very fortunate that we didn't bunt the ball. And after that I actually took the play off and we were just going to have Jordan hit."
Instead the confusion resulted in a Somers balk as he and 1st baseman Gabe Matthews appeared to have a mixup, with the pitcher attempting a pickoff throw to an unoccupied base. The balk meant Doughty would score from third anyway. Later in the at-bat Thompson drove in Cade Beloso from second base for an insurance run that would secure the winning margin for the Tigers and punch their ticket to the Super Regionals against Tennessee.
The result also meant Mainieri's retirement, which will come at the end of LSU's season, has been staved off until at least the weekend, but he had no interest talking about that Monday evening; he wanted the focus on the players.
"It's not about me. ... It's about these young men," he said. "That's why I coach."
See Mainieri's full post-game comments below. Can't see the video? Click here.
LANDON MARCEAUX: 'Had a feeling something special was about to happen'
LSU's ace always wanted to pitch in the deciding game of the Eugene regional. Landon Marceaux began pleading immediately to go on short rest in the biggest moments, he said, after the Tigers' opening loss to Gonzaga.
He just knew something big was in the making.
"I had it in my mind right away, you know? And yesterday before the two games I just had a feeling something special was about to happen," he said.
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Marceaux took over in the 7th inning from freshman Garrett Edwards shortly after a Ducks home run to retake the lead. The junior right-hander shut down Oregon there and again in the 8th inning. He closed out the game in the 9th despite a mound visit from Mainieri and closer Devin Fontenot appearing ready to go in the bullpen. Mainieri said he didn't want to take the ball away from his ace, for which he'd checked with his parents beforehand to OK the action on short rest.
"Obviously, the competitor I am, I want the ball -- obviously," Marceaux said. "I pleaded with coach, we exchanged some words. And coach really just wanted to look out for me because I'm such a competitor. I'll take the ball every day if you let me. He's just being cautious with me, which I really appreciate. But I really wanted to win this game and move on."
Marceaux delivered the game's final out on what would have been his last batter, Mainieri revealed after the game.
"I'm happy for this team," Marceaux said. "I wouldn't want to do it for anybody else."
See Marceaux's full post-game comments below. Can't see the video? Click here.
GAVIN DUGAS: 'We had our backs against the wall'
LSU right-fielder Gavin Dugas led the charge for LSU's offense on Monday against Oregon, belting two more home runs and scoring the go-ahead run, dodging a tag with a slide into home in the 8th inning.
See Dugas' full post-game comments below. Can't see the video? Click here.
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