Two teams remain in the race to be crowned National Champions... Game 1 of the Championship Series begins tonight at 4 PM PT on ESPN.

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We're just minutes away from the first pitch of the 2009 Men's College World Series Championship game on ESPN. This year, it's LSU vs. Texas. Thoughts from both head coaches:

LSU Head Coach Paul Mainieri:

"This is fun, it's great to be here. When you get the chance to come to the College World Series, it's a dream come true. To be able to make it to this point is truly a blessing. I'm proud of this team and these guys. It's remarkable. We're excited to play Texas. They represent excellence. Augie Garrido is admired and loved in college baseball. I'm a fan of Augie. He's a wonderful person, a great coach and epitomizes everything good about college athletics. I relish the opportunity to play Texas in the finals. They have great tradition and history. LSU and Texas both represent great things. I'm fired up for this game."

Texas Head Coach Augie Garrido:

"I'd like to thank the College World Series for playing such an important part in changing so many people's lives, including my own. This event is something each one of these players will remember for forever. The way we've been winning, we've added a new assistant coach, David Copperfield. I've been asked if we are going to practice. How do you practice the way we've been winning? We are up against a great team that has played the best baseball of anyone so far. They are hitting on all cylinders, but we will just play the game inning-by-inning, play-by-play and hope for the best."

Who you got?

--Jake (jake.buildingthedam@gmail.com)