It came as no surprise Tuesday when LSU coach Paul Mainieri said that his ace, right hander Aaron Nola, would be his starting pitcher Friday night in the Super Regionals at Alex Box Stadium/Skip Bertman Field.

LSU (55-9) faces Oklahoma (43-19) for the right to go to the College World Series.  Game times are set for 6pm Friday, Saturday and, if necessary, Sunday.

Mainieri's decision means Nola (11-0, 1.82 ERA) will be matched up with OU ace Jonathan Gray, (10-2, 1.59) who is expected to be a top five overall pick in the Major League Draft,which begins tomorrow.

Mainieri would not commit to naming a starter for games two and three.  Ryan Eades has been LSU's number two pitcher most of the year, but struggled in his start in the Baton Rouge Regional against Jackson State.  Cody Glenn, suspended for the regional for a violation of team rules, would also be a game two candidate.  Glenn was reinstated by Mainieri yesterday.

Oklahoma will pitch lefty Dillon Overton in the second game.

Randy Rosetta of nola.com has the whole story here.

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