Louis Coleman pitched eight strong innings, Derek Helenihi drove in two runs and LSU beat Rice 5-3 on Saturday to win the super regional and clinch the Tigers' 15th College World Series appearance.
Coleman scattered nine hits, struck out five and kept Rice from scoring in the seventh and eighth innings while LSU (51-16) clung to a two-run lead. Matty Ott pitched the ninth, striking out Brock Holt with a man on base to wrap up his 16th save.
Helenihi drove in a run in the fourth inning with a single, and hit a solo homer in the sixth for the Tigers' final run.
Ryan Berry (7-2) took the loss for Rice (43-18), which fell two victories short in its bid for a fourth straight CWS appearance.
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