Paul Mainieri discusses UT atmosphere, Vols winning by ‘slimmest of margins’ four times
No. 3 national seed Tennessee (49-16) defeated LSU (38-24), 4-2, in Game 1 of the Knoxville Super Regional.
Tennessee is now 4-0 against LSU this season. The Vols swept LSU in three games during the regular season.
Game 2 is slated for 3 p.m. EDT on Sunday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. ESPN2 will televise the matchup.
Following the contest, LSU head coach Paul Mainieri discussed how the Tigers handled the atmosphere at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
“I just think our guys were focusing on trying to beat the players on the field,” Paul Mainieri said. “You know, it was obviously an enthusiastic crowd, the place was packed. You know, they’re playing for a lot and we’re playing for a lot, so you know it’s a typical SEC environment. We’ve seen it before and we’ve seen it lots of times, and our players are used to it and I don’t think we’re uptight or anything.
“I think we just, you know, are trying to beat a really good ballclub with really good players. We’re out there competing and I thought, I thought our guys really played hard tonight and competed hard, and that they came out on top. The difference in the game was very slim again, you know, we’ve played these guys four times, and you know this, by the slimmest of margins they’ve come out on top in all four of the games. We need to try to reverse that tomorrow.”
Mainieri is set to retire after the 2021 season. He won the 2009 national championship at LSU.
WATCH: Paul Mainieri introduced to Lindsey Nelson Stadium crowd
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Knoxville Super Regional photos: Tennessee-LSU Game 1
