TUCSON, Ariz. — Louisiana State landed the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation, according to Collegiate Baseball’s annual evaluation of NCAA Division I baseball classes.

It marks the Tigers’ fourth national recruiting title in the 32-year history of the rankings by Collegiate Baseball.

LSU has also captured recruiting championships in 2010, 2007 and 2004.

Of the 12 recruits, which included 11 freshmen and one junior college transfer, five were drafted last June while five other players were high school All-Americans.

Tiger Head Coach Paul Mainieri said this impressive recruiting haul is as good as you can get under NCAA rules governing roster sizes and scholarships.

“We sort of gambled and went after some really talented players that we knew would be draft risks who would possibly not ever make it to campus,” said Mainieri.

“However, in the months since they all signed with us last November, in the conversations we had with them and the actions they were displaying, I could start to sense this was a different group in that they would openly express their desire to be here, be a part of LSU, and understood the significance of being an LSU baseball player.

“And that’s what you dream of as a coach and what you want in the players’ attitudes as they join your team. Our top priority was to add to our pitching staff some power arms.

And we thought they could really make a difference, and I feel we accomplished that goal.”

LSU landed seven superb pitchers, including three draft picks, two All-Americans and a member of the 2014 NJCAA National Team.

The class was assembled by former recruiting coordinator Javi Sanchez, who departed LSU in July to begin a career in business.

LSU also continued a trend where a school from the Southeastern Conference has won the recruiting title 11 of the last 12 years.

Athletes who initially signed letters of intent with a school, but then signed a pro contract after being drafted, do not count in the overall evaluation. Only athletes who came to school this fall are factored in.

The Tigers’ five players who were drafted last June include:

• LHP Jake Latz (Lemont H.S., Lemont, IL), 11th round pick by Toronto.
• C Mike Papierski (Lemont H.S., Lemont, IL), 16th round pick by Toronto.
• LHP Mac Marshall (Parkview H.S., Lilburn, GA), 21st round pick by Houston.
• RHP Jake Godfrey (Providence Catholic, New Lenox, IL), 21st round pick by Atlanta.
• INF Grayson Byrd (King’s Ridge Christian, Milton, GA), 39th round pick by Atlanta.

The five high school All-Americans were:

• INF Greg Deichmann (Brother Martin H.S., New Orleans, LA).
• OF Beau Jordan (Barbe H.S., Lake Charles, LA).
• C/INF Bryce Jordan (Barbe H.S., Lake Charles, LA).
• RHP Alex Lang (Lee’s Summit West H.S., MO).
• RHP Doug Norman (Ardrey Kell H.S., Charlotte, N.C.).

The lone junior college recruit was P Collin Strall from Tallahassee C.C. who was a member of the 2014 NJCAA national team. He is a sidearm reliever who sits in the mid to upper 80s with great movement. Strall made a team-high 24 appearances last season and recorded a 2.54 ERA with 63 strikeouts, 17 walks and a 7-2 record.

Also in the class was RHP/INF Austin Bain (Dutchtown H.S., Geismar, LA). He hit .374 with 11 doubles, 5 triples and collected 39 RBI. On the mound, he had a 2.85 ERA with 64 strikeouts in 46 2/3 innings. He was named an All-State Honorable Mention pick.

A complete rundown on the top 20 recruiting classes is featured in the Oct. 3 issue of Collegiate Baseball.

 2014 NCAA Div. I
Recruiting Results
By Collegiate Baseball

1. Louisiana St.
2. Wichita St.
3. Florida
4. San Diego
5. Oklahoma St.
6. Mississippi St.
7. Texas
8. Stanford
9. Virginia
10. Cal. St. Fullerton
11.North Carolina
12. Oregon St.
13. Texas Tech.
14. Kentucky
15. Mississippi
16. Arkansas
17. UCLA
18. Long Beach St.
19. Oregon
20. Miami, Fla.
Florida St.

22. Texas Christian
23. Rice
24. South Carolina
25. Vanderbilt
26. Louisville
27. Arizona St.
28. Arizona
29. Florida International
30. Michigan
31. Missouri
32. San Diego St.
33. Houston
34. Tennessee
35. Clemson
36. Duke
37. Stetson
38. Florida Gulf Coast
39. California
40. Texas A&M
Auburn

Other Top Recruiting Classes: Georgia Tech., Nevada, Dallas Baptist, Alabama, Maryland, Indiana, U.C. Irvine, UNLV, Southern California, N.C. State, Oklahoma, Central Florida, U.C. Santa Barbara, Cal. Poly, Kennesaw St., Notre Dame, Kansas, Loyola Marymount, Louisiana-Lafayette, Georgia, Missouri St., Maine, Nebraska, Florida Atlantic, Baylor, Hawaii, Minnesota, Southeastern Louisiana, South Alabama, Kansas St., Liberty, Kent St., Lipscomb, Fresno St., Sam Houston St., Pepperdine, North Florida, Old Dominion, Seton Hall, St. John’s, Middle Tennessee, Oral Roberts, Georgia St., Tennessee Tech., Alabama-Birmingham, Cincinnati, Michigan St., Virginia Tech., Washington, Washington St., Ball St., Western Michigan, Sam Houston St., West Virginia, Winthrop, Coastal Carolina, Connecticut, Central Michigan, Texas St., Southern Mississippi, Wake Forest, Tulane, South Florida, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Stony Brook, Ohio State, Purdue, New Mexico, Georgia Southern, Creighton, Illinois, U.C. Riverside, James Madison, William & Mary, East Carolina, Troy, Nicholls St.

Source: Collegiate Baseball

Previous NCAA Div. I
Recruiting Champions
By Collegiate Baseball

2013: Florida
2012: Vanderbilt
2011: South Carolina
2010: Louisiana St.
2009: Florida
2008: Arizona St.
2007: Louisiana St.
2006: South Carolina
2005: South Carolina
2004: Louisiana St.
2003: North Carolina
South Carolina
2002: Georgia Tech.
2001: Southern California
2000: Cal. St. Fullerton

1999: Southern California
1998: Georgia Tech.
1997: UCLA
1996: Texas A&M
1995: Arizona St.
1994: Mississippi St.
1993: Miami (Fla.)
1992: Florida St.
1991: Miami (Fla.)
1990: Arizona
1989: Florida St.
1988: Miami (Fla.)
1987: Stanford
1986: Stanford
1985: Hawaii
1984: Florida St.
1983: Arizona St.

Source: Collegiate Baseball