The stage was set for another week of surprises, happy endings and let-downs. It was game time once again in Rosenblatt. In a quarterfinal matchup LSU and Stanford put on an epic battle. Tied 2-2 in the top of the ninth against the Cardinal, the LSU bats came alive, and it seemed the Tigers were headed to face Texas, with an eye on the championship game. Bertman sent freshman Ben McDonald to the mound in the bottom of the ninth with LSU leading, 5-2.
Tigers head home.
That one pitch broke my heart. But it didn't take long for us to bounce back. In 1989, Omaha came calling again. The Tigers were no slouch either, as it tied its mark for most wins in a season at 55-17. McDonald, who would be drafted as the No. 1 pick in the Major League draft that season, struck out an SEC-record 202 batters in 89 as the staff ace.