USA — Louisiana State University (3-0) is ranked No. 1 in the first regular-season NCAA Division I baseball poll of 2009 by Collegiate Baseball newspaper.

The Tigers swept a series against Villanova at home (12-3, 11-1, and 6-3) and tallied 29 runs which were the most in an opening weekend series in three years. The Tigers put up 37 against Nicholls St in 2005.

LSU stroked 16 extra base hits in the three-game set and stole 11 of 13 bases while limiting Villanova to only two stolen bases. The pitching staff was dominant with 33 strikeouts and eight walks and a 2.33 ERA.

No. 2 North Carolina was also impressive with a three-game sweep at home against VMI. The Tar Heels captured the series and outscored their opponents, 30-6 (13-3, 6-0 and 11-3).

The Collegiate Baseball newspaper poll is the oldest college baseball poll. Its birth took place during the 1957 college baseball season.

Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s NCAA Div. I Poll (As of Feb. 23, 2009)

1. Louisiana St. (3-0)
2. North Carolina (3-0)
3. Georgia (3-0)
4. Arizona St. (4-0)
5. Florida St. (4-0)
6. Texas A&M (4-0)
7. Stanford (2-1)
8. Texas (4-0)
9. Georgia Tech. (3-0)
10. Rice (1-2)
11. Oklahoma St. (4-0)
12. Florida (3-0)
13. Baylor (2-1)
14. Miami, Fla. (3-1)
15. U.C. Irvine (3-1)
16. Texas Christian (2-1)
17. Cal. St. Fullerton (1-2)
18. Coastal Carolina (3-1)
19. Fresno St. (2-1)
20. Oklahoma (4-0)
21. UCLA (2-1)
22. Mississippi (1-2)
23. Pepperdine (2-1)
24. Southern California (2-1)
25. Clemson (3-0)
26. San Diego St. (2-1)
27. San Diego (2-1)
28. Michigan (4-0)
29. Kentucky (2-2)
30. Ohio St. (3-0)

Photo courtesy of www.tigerrag.com

Tags: NCAA Division I