The NCAA Tournament began this past Friday with 64 of the top seeded teams in the nation, split into 16 regional groups of four for the start of regional tournament play.
This year’s regionals were highlighted by surprise day one victories, shaky performances by SEC teams (the most represented conference in the NCAA Tournament), and dominating performances by regional number one seeds, the majority of whom advanced to super regionals play.
Super Regionals, unlike the double elimination format of regionals, is a best of three series. 16 teams will square off this round, wherein eight will advance to the College World Series.
Tallahassee, FL (Dick Howser Stadium)
(1) Florida State vs. (1) Indiana – Florida State has now won 19 straight regional games dating back to 2008 and are attempting to capture their first College World Series title in school history (the Seminoles have appeared in the College World Series 21 times, but have failed to grab the coveted Omaha title). As for Indiana, their Bloomington Regional Championship was the first regional win for the Hoosiers in school history, a victory that made them the first team from the Big Ten Conference to win a regional since 2007 (Michigan).
Game 1: Saturday, June 8 @ 12:00 PM
Corvallis, OR (Goss Stadium)
(1) Oregon State vs. (1) Kansas State – The Big 12 Conference champion Kansas State Wildcats advanced to the Super Regionals in dramatic fashion, rallying from a three-run deficit to defeat Arkansas 4-3. With the first regional win in school history, the Wildcats will travel to Corvallis, Oregon boasting the second best team batting average in the country (.323). Powerhouse Oregon State will advance to their fifth super regional (four of which have been played at home) and look to make their first Omaha appearance since 2007 when they won their second straight College World Series title.
Game 1: Saturday, June 8 @ 7:00 PM
Baton Rouge, LA (Alex Box Stadium)
(1) LSU vs. (2) Oklahoma – In capturing the Blacksburg Regional Championship against Virginia Tech, Oklahoma will make their third appearance in the super regionals in the past four years, determined to grab the College World Series title for the first time since 1994. The LSU Tigers cruised through regionals with relative ease, looking to advance past Oklahoma for their seventh NCAA title and first since 2009.
Game 1: Friday, June 7 @ 7:00 PM
Fullerton, CA (Goodwin Field)
(1) CSU Fullerton vs. (1) UCLA – CSU Fullerton has won 10 straight games dating back to the regular season and boast a strong 51-8 record in their attempt at reaching the College World Series for the first time since 2009 and capturing their fifth NCAA title in school history (and first since 2004). After a commanding 6-0 victory over San Diego, the UCLA Bruins advance to the super regionals for the fourth time in seven years and aim to capture their first College World Series title in Omaha.
Game 1: Friday, June 7 @ 7:00 PM
Nashville, TN (Hawkins Field)
(1) Vanderbilt vs. (1) Louisville – After losing to Georgia Tech on Sunday, top ranked Vanderbilt staved off an early exit by taking the Nashville Regional and look to advance to the College World Series for just the second time in school history (and first since 2011). Louisville flew through regional play and will make their third super regional appearance in school history, their first since 2009. As is the case with Vanderbilt, Louisville has only one appearance in the College World Series, which occurred in 2007.
Game 1: Saturday, June 8 @ 3:00 PM
Charlottesville, VA (Davenport Field)
(1) Virginia vs. (1) Mississippi State – Virginia has played superb baseball all season long and continued throughout regional play, advancing to the super regionals in their tenth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers have reached the College World Series in 2009 and 2011, and are determined for a third appearance by besting Mississippi State, who after ousting Central Arkansas 6-1 on Monday, are looking to capture their first NCAA title after coming up short in eight College World Series appearances.
Game 1: Saturday, June 8 @ 1:00 PM
Raleigh, NC (Doak Field)
(1) NC State vs. (2) Rice – NC State allowed just three combined runs in their three regional victories this weekend, advancing to the super regionals with the chance to make their first College World Series appearance since 1968 (their only appearance). After losing to Oregon 11-0 on Sunday, Rice would power back on Monday, ousting Oregon 11-4 and advancing to Super Regionals, where the Owls will attempt to snag their first College World Series title since 2003 (and second overall).
Game 1: Friday, June 7 @ 4:00 PM
Chapel Hill, NC (Boshamer Stadium)
(1) North Carolina vs. (1) South Carolina – In a dramatic walk-off victory in extra innings against Florida Atlantic, the Tar Heels advance to Super Regional play and will face South Carolina in their attempts to make their fourth College World Series appearance in five years, and their first NCAA title in school history. As for South Carolina, the Gamecocks cruised through regionals, highlighted by a 19-3 game two victory over Liberty, and are set to make a run towards their third NCAA title in four years.
Game 1: Friday, June 7 @ 1:00 PM
