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The Omaha Eight

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2026 College World Series

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‘26 CWS Field Set

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• Georgia * (51-12) * #3 Overall Seed – Highest Ranked Team Remaining – Seeking 2nd Title (1990)
• UNC * (50-12-1) * #5 Seed – Lone ACC Club Remaining – Seeking School’s First National Title
• Texas  * (45-13) * #6 Seed – Here for first time as SEC team – 6-Time Champs – Last Title 2002
• Alabama * (42-19) * #7 Seed – Historic SEC Athletic Power – First Trip To Omaha This Century
• West Virginia * (45-15) * #16 Seed -Lone Big XII Representative- First Ever Trip To CWS
• Oklahoma * (38-22) * Unseeded – SEC – 2-Time Champ – Upended #2 GT & #15 Kansas
• Ole Miss * (41-21) * Unseeded – 5th SEC Team in Field – Most recent Champion in Omaha (’22)
• Troy * (38-30) * Unseeded – Regional #3 – Sun Belt – Hosted Super Regional – 1st Omaha Trip

Eight Quick Hit Observations for ‘26

• This season marks the 79th edition of the College World Series, collegiate baseball’s crown jewel. The sport’s premiere event celebrates its 76th anniversary in Omaha, finding its Midwest home in 1950. 
• There will be a new champion this year, South Carolina remains the last team to repeat ‘10 & ‘11
• Only 5 National seeds advanced to Omaha (#3 UGA/#5 UNC/#6 Texas/#7 Alabama/#16 WV)
• A record 5 SEC schools have made it to Omaha in 2026, 4 of whom are unbeaten in the tourney.
• The field features no returning teams from last season, and neither of the tourney’s top two seeds. 
• 6 of the 8 programs have appeared in CWS, Troy and West Virginia are both making their first trips
• Half the field will be in search of a first College World Series crown in school history 
• The 2026 College World Series runs Friday June 12th – Monday June 22nd 

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2025 College World Series

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‘25 CWS Field Set

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• Arkansas * (48-13) * #3 Overall Seed – Highest Ranked SEC Team Remaining – Seeking 1st Title
• LSU * (48-15) * #6 Seed – SEC Power – 20 Appearances – 7-Time Champs ‘91 ‘93 ‘96 ‘97 ‘00 ‘09 ‘23
• Oregon State  * (47-14-1) * #8 Seed – Reached CWS as Independent – 3-Time Champs ‘06 ‘07 ‘18
• Coastal Carolina * (53-11) * #13 Seed – 50 Win Club – SunBelt Reg Sea & Tourney Titles – ‘16 Champs
• UCLA * (47-16) * #15 Seed – First Season in Big 10 – Unbeaten in NCAA Tourney –  2013 Champion
• Arizona * (44-19) * Unseeded – Claimed Big XII Tournament – 4-Time CWS Champs ‘76 ‘80 ‘86 ‘12
• Louisville * (40-22) * Unseeded – Lone ACC Club – 6th Trip – First Trip Since ‘19 – All Since 2007
• Murray State * (44-15) * Unseeded – Regional #4 – Missouri Valley Champions – 1st Omaha Trip

Eight Quick Hit Observations for ‘25

• This season marks the 78th edition of the College World Series, collegiate baseball’s crown jewel. The sport’s premiere event celebrates its 75th anniversary in Omaha, finding its Midwest home in 1950. 
• There will be a new champion this year, South Carolina remains the last team to repeat ‘10 & ‘11
• Only 5 National seeds advanced to Omaha (#3 ARK/#6 LSU/#8 OREG ST/#13 COASTAL /#15 UCLA)
• This edition boasts just 3 teams unbeaten in the NCAA Tournament (Arkansas, Coastal, UCLA)
• The field features no returning teams from last season, with six different conferences and one independent represented just one year following an all ACC/SEC showing in Omaha
• 7 of the 8 programs have appeared in CWS, Murray State  is the only team making its first trip
• Three teams will be in search of a first College World Series crown (Arkansas, Louisville, Murray St)
• The 2024 College World Series runs Friday June 13th – Monday June 23rd 

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2024 College World Series

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‘24 CWS Field Set

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• Tennessee * (55-12) * #1 Overall Seed – SEC Regular Season & Tourney Champs – Seeking 1st Title
• Kentucky * (45-14) * #2 Seed – Shared SEC East crown with Tennessee – Lone Omaha First-Timer
• Texas A&M  * (49-13) * #3 Seed – SEC Western Division Champions – Seeking first National Title
• North Carolina * (47-14) * #4 Seed – ACC Regular Season Champions – Seeking first CWS Title
• FSU * (47-15) * #8 Seed – Turnaround Season – Pursuing 1st title –  24th trip, 1st under Link Jarrett
• NC State * (38-21) * #10 Seed – Reached CWS Semi-Finals in ‘21 – Pack chasing first CWS Title
• Virginia * (46-15) * #12 Seed – 4th ACC club – Third trip in past four seasons – 2015 CWS Champions
• Florida * (34-28) * Unseeded – National Runner-Up last season  – Pre-Season Top 5 – ‘17 Champs

Eight Quick Hit Observations for ‘24

• This season marks the 77th edition of the College World Series, collegiate baseball’s crown jewel
• There will be a new champion in college baseball, each of the last 5 winners are absent from field
• 7 National seeds advanced to Omaha (#1 TN/#2 KY/#3 TX A&M/#4 UNC /#8 FSU/#10 NC St/#12 UVA)
• This edition boasts 4 teams unbeaten in the NCAA Tournament (Virginia/Kentucky/FSU/TX A&M)
• 2 conference make up the field for 1st time under the current format. All 8 Schools from ACC & SEC
• 7 of the 8 programs have appeared in CWS, Kentucky is the only team making its first trip to Omaha
• Just 2 Returning Champions are in the field, only Virginia (2015) and Florida (2017) own CWS Titles
• The 2024 College World Series runs Friday June 14th – Monday June 24th 

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2023 College World Series

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‘23 CWS Field Set

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• Wake Forest * (52-10) * #1 Overall Seed in NCAA Tournament & ACC Regular Season Champions
• Stanford * (44-18) * #8 Seed – Pac 12 Regular Season Champions – Third straight trip to Omaha
• LSU * (48-15) * #5 Seed – Tigers unbeaten in NCAA Tourney – 6 Titles – First trip under Jay Johnson
• Tennessee * (43-20) * Unseeded – Volunteers were #1 seed a year ago. Hot down the stretch in SEC
• Florida * (50-15) * #2 Seed – SEC Regular Season Champions – 2017 Champs – First trip since 2018
• Virginia * (50-13) * #7 Seed – ACC Coastal Division Champs – 50 win club – 2015 CWS Champions
• Oral Roberts * (51-12) * Unseeded – Third Regional #4 Seed all-time to reach College World Series   
• TCU * (42-22) * Unseeded – Big 12 Tournament Champions – Unbeaten in ‘23 NCAA Tournament

Eight Quick Hit Observations for ‘23

• This season marks the 76th edition of the College World Series, collegiate baseball’s crown jewel
• There will be a new champion in college baseball, each of the last 4 winners are absent from field
• 5 National seeds advanced to Omaha (#1 Wake Forest / #2 Florida / #5 LSU / #7 UVA / #8 Stanford)
• This edition of the tournament boasts 4 50-win clubs & 3 teams unbeaten in the ‘23 NCAA Tourney
• The conference breakdown: SEC -3 / ACC -2 / Pac 12 (Stanford) / Big 12 (TCU) / Summit (ORU)
• All 8 programs have appeared in CWS, the longest drought belonging to ‘55 champion Wake Forest
• 5 Returning Champions in the field, alongside 3 schools seeking a first title (ORU, TCU, Tennessee) 
• The 2023 College World Series runs Friday June 16th – Monday June 26th

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2022 College World Series

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‘22 CWS Field Set

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• Stanford * (47-16) * #2 Seed – Pac 12 Champion & traditional power makes second straight trip
• Texas A&M * (42-18) * #5 Seed – Aggies In Omaha under first year skipper Jim Schlossnagle
• Texas * (47-20) * #9 Seed – Longhorns are making their record 38th appearance at the CWS
• Auburn * (42-20) * #14 Seed – War Eagle rides potent offense to Omaha, a 2nd trip in 4 years
• Arkansas * (43-19) * Unseeded – 2021 #1 National Seed & 2018 CWS Finalists find a way back
• Oklahoma * (42-22) * Unseeded – Rivalry matchups abound for the Big 12 Tournament Champs  
• Notre Dame * (40-15) * Unseeded – Link Jarrett’s Irish picked up #40 knocking off top seed TN 
• Ole Miss *  (37-22) * Unseeded – The final at large team in the field is among the last 8 standing

Eight Quick Hit Observations for ‘22

• This season marks the 75th edition of CWS, college baseball’s crown jewel event. 
• The SEC once again leads the way. Half this season’s CWS  field hails from college baseball’s premier league. “It just means more” has (4) clubs in Omaha, none of which are either the reigning national champions (Mississippi State) or the tournament’s top overall seed (Tennessee), also Southeastern Conference programs. Fans will remember that the latest “all SEC Finals” —Hail State versus that VandyBoys team that also failed to make it back this go round—was the ultimate result when college baseball renewed the “Greatest Show On Dirt” one short year ago. 
• Interestingly, all four teams emerged from the SEC Western Division, though the league representative with the most national championships all-time (LSU) did not return as one of this year’s participants either. These observations stand simply as a testament to the strength and parity of the league. Further proof… Five SEC programs (LSU, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Florida, and Mississippi State) have combined to win 7 of the past 12 CWS titles.  
• All eight CWS for ‘22 teams possess power conference pedigree. For the second straight season Omaha features a field gathered completely from the sport’s four power conferences. 
• The full conference breakdown is as follows: SEC (4) / Big 12 (2) / ACC (1) / Pac 12 (1)
• How bout this revival of the old SouthWest Conference rivalries. Memories will no doubt run thick with a field that includes Texas, Texas A&M, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Either a Lone Star Showdown or Red River Shootout—baseball edition—will become reality. In fact, both could very well come to fruition, with the Lone Star rivals and the two remaining Big 12 clubs (soon to also be designated SEC by the way) all occupying the same side of the bracket.
• One more note on the whole rivalry thing, while the Longhorns and Aggies have arrived in Omaha together on more than one occasion and both have faced other in-state foes on college baseball’s biggest stage, these two lone star programs have never actually met at the CWS, previously occupying opposite sides of the bracket on joint trips to the baseball promised land. 
• As noted above, there will be a new champion for ‘22. The champion also will not be the top overall seed in the tournament, a trend dating back to the turn of the century. Five of the eight schools are seeking their program’s first CWS title all-time. Previous champions in the field: Texas (6) / Oklahoma (2) / Stanford (2).

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2021 College World Series

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CWS Field Set

• Vanderbilt * (45-15)*  #4 Seed – Vandyboys back to defend their title * 2019 CWS Champions
• Stanford * (38-15) * #9 Seed – Traditional power program Stanford dominates Lubbock Super
• Tennessee * (50-16) * #3 Seed – Vols ride potent attack for 1st trip to Omaha in sixteen years
• NC State * (35-18) * Unseeded – Pack sends top seed packing, land resilient club in Omaha
• Texas * (47-15) * #2 Seed – Longhorns make 37th Omaha appearance, in search of 7th Title
• Arizona * (45-16) * #5 Seed – Four time champs seek first national championship since 2012
• Virginia * (35-25) * Unseeded – UVA remains alive, continuing to find a way in must win contests
• Mississippi State *  (45-16) * #7 Seed – Bulldogs are making a third straight trip to the CWS

8 Quick Hit Notes For Omaha

• All 8 teams in this season’s College World Series made their way to Omaha from “Power 5” leagues
• Three of those five power conferences have placed more than one club in Omaha for the 2021 CWS
• The SEC is represented by 3 total schools, the ACC and PAC 12 have each sent a pair of programs 
• Just one set of in-state rivals advanced to Omaha, though supers provided a potential for a handful
• Arizona will have a chance to match its state rival, the ASU Sun Devils, with a 5th title all-time
• Texas will attempt to separate itself from LSU with a seventh national title, its first since 2005
• Six of the eight participants in this year’s College World Series possessed national seeding
• Three schools enter hoping to become a first time champs (NC State /Tennessee/Miss State)

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THE FINAL 8

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College Baseball’s Super 16

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Super Regional Notes – Super 16

• 11 of 16 National Seeds Remain In Super Regional Action
• Still Alive By Seeding: (1) = 11 / (2) = 1 / (3) = 3 / (4) = 1
• By Conference: SEC (6) / ACC (3) / Big 12, PAC 12, American (2) / Missouri Valley (1)
• By State: Texas (3) / Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee (2) / 7 Others (1)
• #6 TCU / # 11 Old Dominion / #14 Oregon / #15 Florida / #16 LA Tech / ELIMINATED

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2020 CWS

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The 74th College World Series was cancelled by the NCAA in March 2020.

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2019 CWS

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Congrats VandyBoys – 2019 National Champions!!

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2019 College World Series

Omaha, Nebraska

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National Championship Series

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Michigan 7 Vanderbilt 4 

Vanderbilt 4 Michigan 1

Vanderbilt 8 Michigan 2

VANDERBILT WINS TITLE!!! – 2 Games To 1

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TWO REMAIN

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Michigan Wolverines vs Vanderbilt Commodores

Ann Arbor, Michigan          Nashville, Tennessee

LAST FOUR IN              #2 NATIONAL SEED

BIG 10                 SEC

49-20       57-11

Head Coaches

Eric Bakich          Tim Corbin

Key Arms

Tommy Henry          Kumar Rocker

(CG SHUT vs FSU)       (No-Hitter in Supers)

Players To Watch

#15 SR 1B Jimmy Kerr                   #51 JR RF JJ Bleday

(2HR, 1B, 2B, 3B, 6 RBI in CWS)—(26 HR 70 RBI/Quiet in CWS thus far)

Team Strengths

Defense                           Power

(No CWS Errors)            (Led Nation in HR)

Early Scoring                  Experience 

(Scored first & first at bat every CWS game) – (Familiar with stage, high profile play)

History

Teams have never met in College World Series

Teams have never met under current coaching staffs

Seeking Third Title (First since 1962)          Seeking Second Title (2014)

Would be first BIG10 Title Since 1966    Would be first to win two downtown

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Last Four Standing

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It’s the first official day of summer. Four teams have survived to compete for the National Championship at this year’s College World Series. Here’s a look at the remaining contenders:

IN THE DRIVER’S SEAT

Vanderbilt  Commodores (2-0)

#2 National Seed – 56-11 – SEC

D Louisville 3-1 / D Mississippi State 6-3

Michigan Wolverines (2-0)

Regional 3 Seed (Last Four In) – 48-20 – Big 10

D Texas Tech 5-3 / D Florida State 2-0

IN THE HUNT

Louisville Cardinals (2-1)

#7 National Seed – 51-17 – ACC

L Vanderbilt 3-1 / D Auburn 5-3 / D Mississippi State 4-3

Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-1)

#8 National Seed – 46-19 – Big 12

L Michigan 5-3 / D Arkansas 5-4 / D Florida State 4-1

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THE OMAHA EIGHT

Arkansas Razorbacks

#5 Overall Seed / SEC / 46-18 / Fayetteville Regional & Super

No Titles / 10th Trip / Last Appearance: 2018 (National Runner-Up)

Auburn Tigers

Regional 3 Seed / SEC / 38-26 / Atlanta Regional / Chapel Hill Super 

No Titles / 5th Trip / Last Appearance: 1997 

Florida State Seminoles

Regional 3 Seed / ACC / 41-21 / Athens Regional / Baton Rouge Super

No Titles / 23rd Trip / Last Appearance: 2017

Louisville Cardinals

#7 Overall Seed / ACC / 49-16 / Louisville Regional & Super

No Titles / 5th Trip / Last Appearance: 2017

Michigan Wolverines

Regional 3 Seed / Big 10 / 46-20 / Corvallis Regional / Los Angeles Super

Two Time Champions (‘53 ‘62) / 8th Trip / Last Appearance: 1984

Mississippi State Bulldogs

#6 Overall Seed / SEC / 51-13 / Starkville Regional & Super

No Titles / 11th Trip / Last Appearance: 2018

Texas Tech Red Raiders

#8 Overall Seed / Big 12 / 44-18 / Lubbock Regional & Super

No Titles / 4th Trip / Last Appearance: 2018

Vanderbilt Commodores  

#2 Overall Seed / SEC / 54-11 / Nashville Regional & Super

2014 Champions / 4th Trip / Last Appearance: 2015

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2018 College World Series

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CWS FINALS

OREGON STATE BEAVERS vs ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

The spotlight now belongs to Arkansas and Oregon State. The two remaining programs battle it out this week for the 2018 National Championship. As the series begins, here are eight essential facts related to the title matchup…

♦This season’s National Championship bout is between a pair of National Seeds. Oregon State began post-season play as the #3 National Seed, Arkansas was slated at #5 entering the NCAA Tournament.

♦Whatever the result, 2018 is going to provide college baseball fans an eighth straight year with a different National Champion. The game is growing by leaps and bounds, parity and the rise of new baseball powerhouses just like these two deserves a great deal of the credit.

♦Arkansas is seeking to become the 30th different program to win a CWS title. The Razorbacks would also be the 6th straight first time champion and the 8th new champion across the past decade.

♦Oregon State is looking to remain perfect in the CWS Finals. The Beavers are 2-for-2, having won back to back championships in the club’s only prior Finals appearances (’06 & ’07). A win would also make the Beavers one of only nine schools with three or more championships.

♦In addition, OSU is trying to win the CWS after losing its first game for the 2nd time in school history. The Beavers did so in ’06 en route to the first of their aforementioned back to back titles.

♦Arkansas would be the 5th different SEC program to win a National Championship since 2009. The Razorbacks would be the 6th SEC school all-time to bring home a title.

♦ Oregon State would secure the Pac12 a 5th championship since 2006. The Beavers are one of seven different Pac 12 schools to have claimed the crown. OSU would be responsible for winning four of the most recent 5

♦This year marks the 5th National Championship clash between the two most successful conferences in college baseball history. The Pac12 (17) and the SEC (11) own 28 combined titles. No other leagues have collected double-digit CWS championships.
The power conferences have split their prior head to head meetings 2-2. This conference matchup has become a fairly regular occurrence of late. Four of the five duels will have taken place within the past 9 seasons.

The 72nd Men’s College World Series continues with the best of three National Championship Series this week in Omaha, Nebraska.

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Semi-Final Round

…then there were four…

-Three of the final four hail from the nation’s premier baseball conference, the Southeastern trio is attempting to provide a second straight all-SEC National Championship Series

-Oregon State is carrying the mantle for the Pac 12, the West Coast, seemingly the entire rest of the country outside the Southland. It’s up to the Beavers to spoil the Southeastern scenario.

-Arkansas and Mississippi State are in the driver’s seat of their respective brackets. Both programs are just one win away from playing for what would be each school’s first National Title. The clubs have played deep into the CWS previously, yet neither has taken home the crown.

-After losing their opening games and later avenging those defeats, the highest remaining national seeds and favorites on paper to win their respective brackets are in identical spots. Florida and Oregon State need wins on consecutive days in order to set up the Championship Series many across college baseball expected heading to Omaha. 

-Arkansas and Florida split four meetings this season, including a recent SEC Tournament clash won by the Razorbacks 8-2. Oregon State and Mississippi State will be meeting for the first time this season.

-Due to the weather issues which have plagued the tournament this year, each team’s layoff is a bit shorter than in previous series. The coaches have seemed to embrace this. When you’re playing well, you just want to keep on rolling.

-Oregon State and Mississippi State face off on Friday afternoon. Florida and Arkansas are scheduled for the evening contest. The four remaining teams are seeking a berth in next week’s best of three National Championship Series.

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Opening Weekend Observations

—-The two teams considered by most to be the favorites as the best teams in the country all season, in fact across the past two seasons, were both handed losses during the first two days of CWS action. Florida and Oregon State will be fighting for their lives the rest of the way.
—-Perhaps, it should be of little surprise, considering only three of the past fourteen champions have been seeded nationally. This includes Florida’s win last season (keep in mind up that until this year only the top eight teams were seeded). Omaha provides an immediate reminder of how wide open this championship tournament tends to be. If you’re here, you’re good enough to win it.
—-Offense is up, though home runs are holding pretty steady. Two longballs have accounted for just three of the 40 runs scored at TD Ameritrade Park thus far.
—-You read that properly, 40 runs have been scored across the first four games. This total was reached even with the 1-0 Saturday night pitching duel mixed in. Putting it in perspective, the first two teams to take the field (Oregon State and UNC) became only the second tandem in the downtown era to both score more than six runs in a game.
—-Bananarama fever has hit the Midwest. Yes, in fact, Mississippi State’s magic does translate to Omaha. With their dramatic 1-0 victory over Washington on Saturday night, State has now walked-off an opponent in every round of the NCAA Tournament (Regionals: FSU / Supers: Vandy / CWS: Washington). The heartland has gone bananas.
—-North Carolina is feasting on good pitching. Their latest victim, SEC pitcher of the year, Golden Spikes candidate and MLB first round selection Brady Singer. Remember, it was Mike Fox’s Tarheels who handled the stellar Stetson pitching staff with semi-ease on the Road To Omaha.
—-Arkansas is on fire offensively. The Hogs have scored 63 Runs in seven tourney games. Here’s the headline: the Razorbacks most recent explosion occurred away from Baum Stadium.
—-For Texas, there is no panic. There was a calming effect surrounding the program despite the most lopsided loss of the opening weekend. It certainly helps that, to borrow a couple phrases, it’s not the club’s first rodeo and the ‘Horns know the drill.
—-Texas Tech’s win for the Big 12 over SEC foe and defending Champ Florida means every conference except the Pac12 secured a win across opening weekend. The Pac12 is assured of a victory Monday afternoon, though at the cost of one of its teams.
—-A Pac 12 team is heading home on Monday. The only conference lined up for a potential championship series showdown is SEC, deja vu anyone? It was clear that at some point the pair of Big12 or Pac12 schools could go head to head for the right to stick around, though I’m sure folks on the west coast were hoping that scenario would not present itself quite this soon.
—-Weather and extended games left fans feeling a bit fatigued into the morning hours after the first four games. Heat, as well as, past and potential delays are key topics of conversation.
—-The formula for wins in this venue remains consistent, score five or more runs and lead after eight innings. Teams that do so have won over 90% of the past 70 games played in Omaha.

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Eighteen Quick Facts on the composition of the 2018 Omaha Eight

→ALL EIGHT schools hail from POWER 5 conferences.
This marks the first time since 2012 that all participants come from major conferences

→Half the Top 8 National Seeds advanced to Omaha.
#1 Florida/#3 Oregon St/#5 Arkansas/#6 UNC

→Six of sixteen nationally seeded Regional hosts survived the first two rounds of action.
The field consists of just one #3 seed (Washington), one #2 seed (Miss St) and six #1 seeds

→The SEC again leads the way to Omaha, boasting a trio of conference representatives.
Last year provided an all-SEC showdown for the title, will the “other four” unseat the SEC in ’18?

→Conference pride breaks down as follows: SEC (3) Big 12 (2) Pac 12 (2) ACC (1)
The potential exists for another All-SEC title bout. The Big 12 and Pac 12 clubs will fight to survive, they each share the same side of their respective brackets.

→Familiar faces are mixed with upstart programs yet again in 2018.
Texas is making it’s 36th appearance in Omaha–that’s over ten trips more than anyone else in college baseball history; while Washington appears for the very first time.

→Six decisive Game 3’s were required in the Super Regional round to produce this year’s field.
In comparison, 2017 saw only one of the eight Super Regional series go the distance.

→North Carolina and Oregon State were the only two teams not pushed to the brink in Supers.
These two familiar foes will rekindle their championship battles from ’06 & ’07 to open the CWS.

→The defending champion Gators are in Omaha for a fourth straight year. Florida remains loaded and will be seeking the first back to back titles won entirely at TD Ameritrade.
South Carolina was the last team to repeat as champions, winning the final series at Rosenblatt in ’10 and the first inside the new downtown digs in ’11.

→Odds remain good for the crowing of a 30th CWS Champion all-time.
Florida became the 29th school to win the CWS with it’s inaugural title last season.

→In College Baseball true parity is alive and well.
Each of the past FIVE seasons featured first time champions, with SIX new champs since 2010

→Only three of the eight teams In this year’s field have won the World Series previously.
Texas – 6 times, most recently 2005 / Oregon St – 2006, 2007 / Florida – 2017

→Only two schools are making a return trip from the 2017 College World Series.
Defending champion, Florida and last year’s favorite entering Omaha, Oregon State are back.

→Power numbers remained up in the Regional and Super Regional Rounds.
The home run trend actually somewhat translated to TD Ameritrade for the first time last season. Considering how many impact long balls proved the difference in Regional and Super Regional competition this year, it’s worth watching how big the downtown ballpark plays this time around, what it giveth and taketh away is always a major factor in who comes out on top.

→Walk-off winners and extra-inning thrillers have been in abundance thus far in the tourney.
Will the dramatics of the past two weekends carry over to TD Ameritrade Park?

→Just making it here seems to get harder by the season
If your team is making the journey to Omaha, take a deep breathe and enjoy the ride. Almost all of those crazy Super Regionals could have gone the other way with just a swing or two. Not to mention, eight of the sixteen national seeds didn’t even make it that deep into the tournament.

→This season’s Omaha openers have quite the storylines
The first matchup is between schools having met for the championship series in back to back campaigns just over a decade ago (UNC vs Oregon St in ’06 & ’07). Another features old Southwest Conference rivals (Texas and Arkansas) squaring off. The reigning champs battle a Lone Star team now carrying the mantle of consistently arriving in Omaha to knock on the door of school’s first ever title (Florida vs Texas Tech)…sound familiar? If that isn’t enough, this year’s darlings of drama, Mississippi State (a team once down to its final strike in the tournament) and Washington (making a first appearance after the extra inning nail-biter in Fullerton last weekend) will be vying for the hearts and backing of the Omaha faithful.

→Legends are gathering.
Future big league talent abounds in Omaha. Every game of this year’s College World Series will feature multiple MLB draftees. There will be a number of primetime clashes which provide a window into the future. This Includes the potential for a Golden Spikes showdown between Florida power pitcher Brady Singer (1st Rd, KC) and Texas slugger Kody Clemens (3rd Rd, DET).

Despite all the high-profile talent gathering on College Baseball’s grandest stage for this year’s edition of the championship tournament, it’s always interesting to sit back and wait, to eventually discover who becomes the often unsung hero. Perhaps the greatest joy of all is seeing which individual and which school will embrace immortality by rising to the occasion at the College World Series.

A few things seems to always hold true in Omaha. This tournament never disappoints. It usually leaves fans wanting more. The next two weeks of baseball will likely bring the unexpected, providing moments unlike any other in sports.

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Super Regionals

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College Baseball’s Sweet 16

Teams appear above according to Super Regional bracket pairings.

*Only half the National Seeds (host schools) advanced from the sixteen regional sites*

Remaining National Seeds: (1) Florida / (3) Oregon St / (5) Arkansas / (6) UNC

Additional #1 Seeds from Regionals:  (9) TX Tech / (11) Stetson / (13 Texas / (14) Minnesota

Remaining #2 Seeds: Auburn / Duke / Miss State / South Carolina / TN Tech / Vanderbilt

Remaining #3 Seeds: Cal State Fullerton / Washington

No #4 Seeds survived Regionals in 2018

By Conference: SEC (6) ACC (2) Big12 (2) Pac 12 (2) Big 10 (1) ASun (1) Big West (1) OVC (1)

Making First Appearance in Supers: Duke, Minnesota, Stetson, Tennessee Tech, Washington

Most Super Regional Appearances: CS Fullerton (14) South Carolina (13) Texas (10)

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Top 8 National Seeds

In a new wrinkle for 2018 seeds 1 through 16 were all ranked nationally for the first time.

9-TX Tech 10-Clemson 11-Stetson 12-East Carolina 13-Texas 14-Minnesota 15-Coastal 16-NC State

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2017 CWS

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The field is now officially set for the 2017 CWS. The Omaha Eight have arrived.

2017 College World Series Teams…

• Oregon State Beavers – (54-4) – Pac12 – #1 National Seed
• Florida Gators – (47-18) – SEC – #3 National Seed
• LSU Tigers – (48-17) – SEC – #4 National Seed
• TCU Horned Frogs – (47-16) – Big12 – #6 National Seed
• Louisville Cardinals – (52-10) – ACC – #7 National Seed
• Florida State Seminoles – (45-21) – ACC – Regional Host
• Cal St Fullerton Titans – (39-22) – Big West – Regional #2 Seed
• Texas A&M Aggies – (41-21) – SEC – Regional #3 Seed

Breakdown of this season’s CWS field…

•  By Conference: SEC (3) / ACC (2) / Pac 12 / Big 12/ Big West
•  By Seeding: (5) National Seeds / Regional Host (1) / 2 Seed (1) / 3 Seed (1)
•  By History of Success: (3) Prior Winners / (5) Seeking first National Title
•  Familiar Faces. Longest Omaha drought for this year’s clubs–just (6) short years.
•  No First Timers. All eight programs have made at least (4) or more appearances.
•  Win Streaks: Oregon St (21) / LSU (16) / Louisville (5). Each a perfect 5-0 in tourney.
•  Omaha streaks:  TCU making 4th straight trip / Florida reaches 3rd straight CWS.
•  12 National Titles won by the combo of LSU (6) / Cal St Fullerton (4) / Oregon St (2).

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The Final Eight

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Super Regionals – College Baseball’s Final 16

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Sixteen teams remain alive to battle it out for the National Championship

Teams appear above in order of NCAA Tournament seeding.

Remaining National Seeds: (1) Oregon State / (3) Florida / (4) LSU / (6) TCU / (7) Louisville

Additional #1 Seeds from Regionals: FSU / Kentucky / Long Beach State / Wake Forest

Remaining #2 Seeds: Cal State Fullerton / Mississippi State / Missouri State / Vanderbilt

Remaining #3 Seeds: Sam Houston State / Texas A&M

Remaining #4 Seed: Davidson

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National Seeds

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#1 Oregon State Beavers

(49-4) / Pac 12 Champions / Most Recent CWS Appearance: 2013

#2 North Carolina Tarheels

(47-12) / ACC Coastal Division Champions / Most Recent CWS Appearance: 2013

#3 Florida Gators

(42-16) / SEC Regular Season Champions / Most Recent CWS Appearance: 2016

#4 LSU Tigers

(43-17) / SEC Tournament Champions / Most Recent CWS Appearance: 2015

#5 Texas Tech Red Raiders

(43-15) / Big 12 Regular Season Champions / Most Recent CWS Appearance: 2016

#6 TCU Horned Frogs

(42-16) / Finished 2nd in Big 12 / Most Recent CWS Appearance: 2016

#7 Louisville Cardinals

(47-10) / ACC Regular Season Champions / Most Recent CWS Appearance: 2014

#8 Stanford Cardinal

(40-14) / Finished 2nd in Pac 12 / Most Recent CWS Appearance: 2008

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2016 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

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NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

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Coastal Carolina Chanticleers vs Arizona Wildcats

Big South vs Pac 12

Championship Series Schedule

Game 1: Monday, June 27 – Arizona 3 Coastal Carolina 0
Game 2: Tuesday, June 28 – Coastal Carolina 5 Arizona 4

 Game 3: Thursday, June 30- Coastal Carolina 4 Arizona 3

That moment….Coastal Carolina wins the 2016 National Championship

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GAME RECAPS

The path to a National Championship

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CWS FINALS GAME THREE

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Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 4 Arizona Wildcats 3

COASTAL CAROLINA CHANTICLEERS – 2016 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

-Chanticleers make history with school’s first National Title-

The clock had to be extended, no less than an extra day by epic Omaha weather, but the midwestern time piece never struck midnight on Coastal Carolina’s Cinderella run to the title. In the Chanticleers closing hours as a Big South Conference member, they delivered a championship which will reverberate through the halls of every mid-major athletic department in the country for years to come.

To witness what Gary Gilmore and his players were able to do at TD Ameritrade Park and beyond this baseball season has truly been a window into one of the more remarkable stories in the history of the sport. On the June calendar’s final day, the unique narrative, pieced together over the past several decades along the South Carolina coastline, received the ending it deserved.

Coastal built a 4-0 advantage in the middle innings and held on for a one run victory over Arizona to claim college baseball’s crown. The clinching contest’s highlight moment belonged to G.K. Young, a moonshot home run in the 6th inning which set the teal crew’s final tally.

It was the pitching staff’s workhorse and national wins leader Andrew Beckwith, however, who stole the spotlight. Beckwith (15-1, 1.85) worked 5 2/3 solid innings, which served to cap a World Series performance by the South Carolina native featuring three wins, including a pair of complete game efforts. His final tournament numbers against the best hitters in college baseball (23 2/3 innings atop the mound with only two earned runs allowed), were more than enough to earn the crafty right-hander with multiple arm slots CWS Most Outstanding Player honors.

The Wildcats would battle back across the game’s final three innings, but were only able to pull within a run, setting the final at 4-3.

In a dramatic plot twist fitting the stage and the moment, Arizona mounted a major charge in the ninth, but came up just short. The tying run was left stranded at third, denying the ‘Cats a fifth CWS championship and the school’s second title in four seasons.

This result made Coastal the first team since the 1956 Minnesota Golden Gophers to win the College World Series in the school’s first appearance.

A club which set a goal of simply reaching the College World Series and pursued the dream of simply tasting Omaha owned the city for the past two weeks, claiming an unlikely championship on Thursday which may never be replicated. The national championship trophy is headed back the Palmetto State, where the 2016 Chanticleers of Coastal Carolina are now immortal.

–Chanticleers secure first National Title in school history–

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Wednesday June 29, 2016 – Postponed

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Wednesday evening’s National Championship game was postponed due to weather conditions. The contest was rescheduled for Noon CT on Thursday June 30. The change assured the 70th edition CWS the deepest run into the summer of any college baseball championship in history.

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CWS FINALS GAME TWO

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Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 5   Arizona Wildcats 4

WP: Bobby Holmes (7-2)  LP: Cameron Ming  (3-3)

Key Players: Anthony Marks (3-for-5, 2RBI, R) / G.K. Young (1-for-4, 2RBI)

Series Tied 1-1

Three runs in the 8th inning broke a 2-2 tie and ultimately provided the victory Coastal Carolina had to have in order to keep the season alive. The Chanticleers improved to 5-0 in elimination games this post-season, forcing a winner-take-all Game Three in the 2016 CWS Finals.  Senior spark plug Anthony Marks ignited the late inning rally with a lead-off single and eventually slid across home safely with the run which put the designated visiting club out front for good. Both team’s starters were again solid, striking out ten batters each, matching the CWS Finals record in the process. Coastal’s Mike Morrison also logged his career high in innings pitched. The usual closer, Morrison embraced the starting role and remarkably worked into the seventh before turning things over to Bobby Holmes. Though he would eventually pick up the win, Holmes ran into major trouble in the bottom of the eighth, allowing a pair of runs which tightened the score to a single run, before working a flawless ninth to nail things down. Both teams also capitalized on rare fielding miscues late in the game. Kevin Ginkel tossed seven full innings for Arizona and left with the game tied. Both starters threw over one hundred pitches in the contest. Offensively, Marks and Zach Gibbons led the way for their respective clubs, both notching three-hit nights. Marks drove in a pair of runs early before scoring the key run in the eighth. In the aforementioned eighth, Connor Owings’ base hit plated Marks ahead of a two-RBI single from G.K. Young which completed the run production for Coastal. The Chanticleers pounded out double digit hits, while the ‘Cats left nearly as many runners stranded along the way. Arizona couldn’t seem to capitalize on a handful of chances to claim control of the game with a sizable lead early. As a result, Tuesday marked the only time this post-season that Arizona has lost a game in which they were the first team to score. Coastal’s victory assures more games will be played in this 70th edition of the championship tournament than any College World Series in history. With both teams emerging from the elimination side of the bracket and now playing a full three game series, all seventeen potential CWS games will be required to crown a champion for the very first time. Fittingly, this historic championship season comes down to a one game showdown between two clubs who have consistently exceeded expectations and continually battled back from elimination. Whoever is able to do so once more on Wednesday night, will finally get to head home, and do so as National Champions.

The one run Coastal Carolina victory sets up a decisive third game on Wednesday night.

Arizona will be the designated home team in the contest.

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CWS FINALS GAME ONE

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Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

Arizona Wildcats 3  Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 0

WP: JC Cloney (8-4)  LP: Zack Hopeck (3-4)

Key Players: Cloney (CG, Shutout) / Ramer (2-3, 2R) / Aguilar 2-4, 2RBI

Wildcats lead series 1 Game to 0

Only two pitches were thrown before Arizona placed a runner in scoring position, just two batters later the Wildcats had secured the lead. Their first inning run would have been enough with the outing turned in by southpaw J.C. Cloney. The junior starter was the story of the night, striking out six batters across the nine scoreless frames. Yet another complete game shutout in this year’s College World Series handed the ‘Cats a 1 game to 0 advantage in the Championship Finals. The tone setting first inning began with talented lead off man Cody Ramer’s double down the left field line. Ryan Aguilar drove him home with a one out single. Arizona would add two further runs in the top of the 7th inning for good measure. Ramer and Aguilar both finished with a multi-hit game. The leadoff man would score two runs in the contest, while the first baseman drove in a pair. The victory places Arizona one win away from their second title in the last five years, and two straight Championship Series wins against teams from the Palmetto State. A fifth title would be a special one for the ‘Cats, coming in Jay Johnson’s first season at the helm and evening them up with rival ASU in college baseball’s history books by claiming a 5th CWS crown.

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Championship Series Press Conference

Sunday June 26, 2016

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COLLEGE WORLD SERIES

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GAME FOURTEEN

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 7   TCU Horned Frogs 5

Bracket Two

Big 12 vs Big South

Saturday – June 25 * Semi-Final Round Elimination Game

TCU ELIMINATED

After a full Saturday of baseball, the final matchup has been determined. It will be the upstart Chanticleers facing off against four time champion Arizona for the National Championship. Coastal Carolina will play for the title in the school’s initial trip to Omaha. Both clubs reaching the finals were forced to work back through the elimination side of their respective brackets after dropping the second game they played in the tournament. They both also capped the runs by knocking off Big 12 powers TCU and Oklahoma State twice on consecutive days, setting up a Big South vs Pac 12 battle for the crown. In Saturday’s night-cap Coastal Carolina used second baseman Tyler Chadwick’s eighth home run of the year to get on the board first in the bottom of the second inning. His blast was the catalyst for three consecutive run scoring frames. The Conway crew had built the lead to 7-1 by the end of the fourth and seemed to be cruising. That’s when TCU started to chip away at the lead. A run in the sixth, followed by a pair in the seventh pulled the Frogs within three by the time fans at TD Ameritrade Park stood to stretch. They would draw no closer in the eight, despite a double from Luken Baker. The Frogs rallied one final time in the ninth with an RBI single from Ryan Merrill, which brought the tying run to the plate. Closer Bobby Holmes was there to slam the door. In the end Coastal Carolina pounded out twelve hits, half of which belonged to Chadwick and Anthony Marks. Both senior left-handed hitters notched three apiece in support of starter Alex Cunningham. The Chants extended their stay in Omaha to the maximum and will represent the solid crop of mid-major baseball programs around the country in the NCAA Championship.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

Coastal Carolina earns the final spot in the National Championship Series

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GAME THIRTEEN

Arizona Wildcats 5   Oklahoma State Cowboys 1

Bracket One

Pac 12 vs Big 12

Saturday – June 25 * Semi-Final Round Elimination Game

OKLAHOMA STATE ELIMINATED

Arizona completed their run through the elimination side of Bracket One, defeating Oklahoma State on consecutive days to claim a spot in the National Championship Series. A pair of two-run frames allowed Arizona to build a 4-0 advantage right out of the gate. Thanks to another strong post-season effort from starter Bobby Dalbec, four runs would be more than enough. The junior righty offered Jay Johnson’s crew seven solid innings during which he struck out six and walked only two, while surrendering just four hits. As a result, Dalbec flipped the script on Oklahoma State after serving as the tough luck loser in the Cowboys 1-0 win on Monday. In essence, Arizona won the final two games of a best of three series between the clubs in order to punch the season’s first ticket into the finals. Zach Gibbons continued to provide timely hits. The Wildcats two-hole hitter notched another multi-hit game and drove in three of the squad’s five total runs. The bullpens made early offense stick as neither team was able to push a run across beyond 4th inning. Oklahoma State did not go quietly into the night, rallying in the ninth before Alfonso Rivas buttoned up the win. Kevin Ginkel also worked an inning and two-thirds for the victors.  In the end, Arizona had handed a red hot OSU club its only losses of NCAA Tournament play. The ‘Cats did so on back to back days with relative ease 9-3 and 5-1.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

Arizona takes the final battle with Oklahoma State to advance into the Championship Series.

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GAME TWELVE

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 4   TCU Horned Frogs 1

Bracket Two

Big South vs Big 12

Friday – June 24 * Semi-Final Round

It was clear at the beginning of the CWS we would have an all new championship matchup for the first time in three seasons. Heading into the final Saturday of the college baseball season, it remains unclear who will be involved. Two contests will be required tomorrow in order to determine the participating clubs in the  2016 Championship Series. Coastal Carolina has enjoyed their first trip to Omaha to such a degree, they’ve put together the necessary work to stick around at least another day. A pair of two-run innings allowed the Chanticleers to build a 4-0 advantage through seven frames behind the mound work of Andrew Beckwith. In his second CWS start the right-hander surpassed his highest pitch total of the season and worked just his second complete game of the year. Both came in this tournament. Both resulted in wins. Beckwith reached a school record fourteen wins on the season by scattering six hits and allowing TCU just a single run. The Frogs were unable to get on the board until the bottom of the eighth inning. Dane Steinhagen’s homer into the left field bullpen provided the Big 12 club’s only offense. Coastal attacked much differently on the offensive side, scoring first with a bunt single and adding the next two with use of the sacrifice fly. By the time nine-hole hitter and emerging CWS hero David Parrett’s ground rule double bounced over the left field fence to bring home the Chant’s final run of the contest, the Palmetto State crew were well on their way to an extended hotel reservation. TCU and Coastal Carolina will be featured in the second of two win or g0 home battles on a busy Saturday in Omaha. The Bracket Two contest is scheduled to begin at 7 PM CT.

Andrew Beckwith goes the distance again, keeping Coastal Carolina alive.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME ELEVEN

Arizona Wildcats 9   Oklahoma State Cowboys 3

Bracket One

Pac 12 vs Big 12

Friday – June 24 * Semi-Final Round

Arizona and Oklahoma State will do it all over again on Saturday. The Wildcats forced a “winner to the championship” showdown with consistent offense throughout Friday’s afternoon contest. In the process, the lone representative out of the Pac 12 handed the previously unbeaten Cowboys their only setback of the entire post-season to this point. Oklahoma State entered 7-0 in the NCAA Tournament after storming through the Clemson Regional, South Carolina Super Regional and their first two games at TD Ameritrade Park. After the longest layoff of the CWS (OSU had not played since Monday), the Cowboys looked a bit rusty. The usually sure-fielidng Pokes contributed to Arizona’s damage with a pair of defensive miscues, though the Wildcats had already done more than enough for their eventual victory by the time the fielding mistakes were made. Three runs plated across the game’s first two innings gave the ‘Cats an early 3-0 advantage, ironically matching the final from their victory over USCB just two nights prior. This time they had designs for a whole lot more. Another score in the fourth followed by crooked numbers in the eighth and ninth innings landed nine total runs on the board for a sizable Arizona advantage down the stretch. Zach Gibbons and JJ Matijevic led the way with 3-for-5 performances at the plate. Backed against a wall, the Wildcats responded yet again. The Pac 12 crew pounded out fourteen hits in support of a pitching staff which allowed just three runs on four total hits. As a result, it will be a single decisive contest tomorrow with a chance to play for the National Championship on the line.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME TEN

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 7  Texas Tech Red Raiders 5

Bracket Two

Big South vs Big 12

Thursday – June 23 * Elimination Contest

TEXAS TECH ELIMINATED

In the first offense driven game of this year’s College World Series, Coastal Carolina bounced back to remain alive. Game Ten was also the tournament’s only true back and forth affair thus far, possessing the wild twists and turns often present in elimination contests. The Chants erased a 3-1 deficit early by answering a three run second from Texas Tech with a three-spot of their own. The designated visitor then followed with another trio of runs in the fifth inning en route to salting away a 7-5 victory. Coastal Carolina defeated the Red Raiders 7-5. For Texas Tech, defensive miscues and twelve stranded base runners proved their ultimate undoing. With the elimination of the Big 12 regular season champs, the conference was robbed of the assurance of at least one team in the finals. While the Big 12 has clearly been dominant and is still in position to claim both teams in the Championships Series, a much anticipated Texas Tech-TCU rematch in the semi-final round will not happen. Coastal Carolina was led by unlikely hero David Parrett. The catcher was making only his twenty-second start with a batting average well below the Mendoza line, before coming through on multiple occasions Thursday. His senior campaign, even his career at Coastal, will now be known for impact in Omaha with the team’s season on the line. Parrett finished 2-for-4 with three RBI’s and two stolen bases. He also handled the combined mound effort from Jason Bilous, Mike Morrison and Bobby Holmes to hold Texas Tech down offensively when it counted. The Red Raiders departure means all eight National Seeds have been eliminated. College baseball’s final four teams are now set for semi-final Friday: Coastal Carolina faces TCU tomorrow evening, following the afternoon matchup between Oklahoma State and Arizona.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME NINE

Arizona Wildcats 3   UC-Santa Gauchos 0

Bracket One

Big West vs Pac 12

Wednesday – June 22 * Elimination Contest

UC-SANTA BARBARA ELIMINATED

UC-Satnta Barbara’s storybook season came to a close on Wednesday evening, though the Gauchos did not go quietly into the night. UCSB had the tying run at the plate in the form of powerful first baseman Austin Bush in the game’s final inning. It was enough to bring back visions of Sam Cohen’s big swing of the bat which provided the Super Regional triumph that originally sent them to Omaha. This time around the magic eluded the tournament’s only remaining true West Coast club, leaving Arizona to carry the flag for everyone west of the Lone Star State. The Wildcats received another outstanding pitching effort from J.C. Cloney, who worked seven strong innings to combine with Cameron Ming for the shutout. Cloney scattered five hits for his seventh win of the year, it was Ming’s third save of the season. The ‘Cats were powered offensively by Jared Oliva’s two run home run, which came as part of a three run bottom of the third inning. Coach Andrew Checketts and company depart Omaha with many fond memories of a season like no other for the Gauchos program. By wining the battle of road warriors, Arizona survives and advances to face Oklahoma State on Friday. The Wildcats will need to beat the Cowboys twice on consecutive days in order to play for the National Championship.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME EIGHT

TCU Horned Frogs 6   Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 1

Bracket Two

Big 12 vs Big South

Tuesday – June 21 * Winner’s Bracket Contest

The Horned Frogs are now in the driver’s seat in Bracket Two. TCU used an opposite field home run from freshman Luken Baker, his second of the tournament to grab a lead they would never relinquish. The second inning shot would be the first of six runs for the only club in the tournament having notched a double digit runs total though two games played. Baker’s five hits and two homers in tournament play also pace the CWS field. The combined effort on the mound from Brian Howard and Ryan Burnett limited the high-powered Coastal Carolina offense to just a single run scored on six total hits. A pair of runs in the firth and ninth innings with a single run in the sandwiched in between during inning number six propelled the Frogs into Friday’s winner’s bracket contest. TCU awaits the victor from Thursday’s matchup between Coastal Carolina and Texas Tech.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME SEVEN

Texas Tech Red Raiders 3   Florida Gators 2

Bracket Two

FLORIDA ELIMINATED

Big 12 vs SEC

Tuesday – June 21 * Elimination Game

Texas Tech improved to 4-0 in elimination games during this year’s tournament by taking down the favorite on Tuesday evening. As a major storyline in this season’s championship hunt Florida’s quick exit left no SEC or ACC teams remaining in Omaha. The loss occurred at the hands of the Big 12 regular season champs, one of only three teams out of the conference selected in the field of 64, all three of which are still alive in pursuit of the title. One swing of the bat from the conference player of the year, Eric Gutierrez, set the tone. His two run shot in the fourth inning held steady as the only scoring through eight. The ninth inning proved to be a roller coaster of emotion for the top overall national seed. A rare defensive miscue allowed the Red Raiders to tack on a run in the top half for a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Peter Alonso provided yet another TD Ameritrade Park tape measure shot to pull the Gators within one run. Florida then came up with the two out base hit they were desperate for, only to see the runner thrown out at second base trying to stretch a single into a double.  Somewhat fittingly, with “a hustle play that didn’t quite work out,” as termed by Gators head coach Kevin O’Sullivan, Florida’s season came to a close. Texas Tech will face tonight’s Coastal Carolina-TCU loser on Thursday evening for the right to remain around a little longer.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME SIX

Oklahoma State Cowboys 1   Arizona Wildcats 0

Bracket One

Big 12 vs Pac 12

Monday – June 20 * Winner’s Bracket Game

Third Baseman Garrett Benge has driven home both Oklahoma State runs in the College World Series. They’ve proved the only offense the Stillwater crew has needed to secure victory in each of their first two contest. As a result, the Cowboys are in complete control on their side of the bracket. Benge cashed in Donnie Walton’s double which led off the top of the 4th inning. Combine their contributions with stellar defense and eight strong innings from starter Tyler Buffett and you have the Pokes recipe for success. The junior right-hander watched as center fielder Ryan Sluder, Walton and Benge delivered one highlight reel play after another to keep the Wildcats offense quiet. Arizona placed just a single runner on second base all evening. They were limited to just three hits in the game. As a result, Jay Johnson’s club could not make the most of Bobby Dalbec’s twelve strikeout performance across eight effective innings of work. OSU improved to a perfect 7-0 in 2016 NCAA Tournament. They have earned a pair of days off and will also need to be defeated twice over the weekend in order to be kept out of the Championship Series.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME FIVE

UC-Santa Barbara 5   Miami Hurricanes 3

Bracket One

MIAMI ELIMINATED

Big West vs ACC

Monday – June 20 * Elimination Game

A two week tournament is going to inevitably be interrupted by rain at some point. The first such delay came during a decisive sixth inning of the initial elimination contest of the CWS. After the stoppage, UCSB’s offense was finally jump started. A first inning home run by talented Miami catcher and MLB draft pick Zack Collins was answered immediately by the Gauchos in the bottom of the frame with an RBI knock from J.J. Muno. The tie score held until the rain drops fell. Almost immediately after play resumed, UC-Santa Barbara erupted with four runs. Pinch-hitter Ryan Cumberland, who spent the morning battling flu like symptoms, was called upon. His single down the right field line plated two runs, giving the Gauchos their first lead in CWS play. Two more runs would come home to score on successful squeeze bunts before the inning came to a close. In the final analysis, a ‘Canes team known for dramatic comebacks all season was unable to find a late rally in either of their Omaha contests. As a twist of irony, the ACC’s lone remaining representative was ultimately sent packing by a West Coast baseball club. The Gauchos are now responsible for ending the seasons of both the #2 (Louisville) and #3 (Miami) National Seeds out of the Atlantic Coast Conference. It was a jubilant locker room scene which followed, summed up well by the opening words of head coach Andrew Checketts in the post-game press conference, “It’s hard to act like you’ve done it before, when you haven’t done it before.” His team earned the schools initial CWS victory and now lives on to fight another day. They await the loser from Arizona-Oklahoma State in an evening contest scheduled for 6 pm CT on Wednesday.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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OPENING ROUND GAMES

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GAME FOUR

 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 2   Florida Gators 1

Bracket Two

Big South vs SEC

Sunday – June 19 * Opening Round

Coastal Carolina took down top seeded Florida 2-1. According to the Chanticleers, it was as a Father’s Day present for their skipper whom they affectionately refer to as “Gilly.” Though Gary Gilmore has piloted the program through major stride after major stride, this one is without question the biggest. Sunday night, his Coastal Carolina club handed the tournament favorite a loss to open the College World Series. Florida used five different pitchers, including the starter Logan Shore, Dane Dunning and A.J. Puk in an attempt to secure the first game of their trip to Omaha. While the group (which included Kirby Snead and Shaun Anderson) held the high-octane offense from Myrtle Beach to just a pair of runs. Two runs would be enough for Coastal. The result, Shore’s first loss of the season. For the Chanticleers, major thanks should be extended to both Andrew Beckwith and Zach Remillard. Beckwith pitched his first complete game of the year on the biggest stage of his life, while Remillard provided the offense, driving in both run. The senior third baseman also made a stellar defensive play in the 9th inning which kept the tying run off the base paths. His base hits came in the form of an RBI triple in the sixth inning and an RBI double in the third. The double provide the 2016 CWS its first review. Originally called a foul ball down the right field line, replay indicated the baseball actually knocked up a little chalk on the far side of the foul line. It was a weird play that could almost be seen as a bad break on both sides. Had the call remained as foul, Coastal could have been held scoreless in the frame. Had the ball been called fair during live action, the Chants’ would have almost certainly scored an additional run from first base as it rattled around in the right field corner.  What is certain, the call and Remillard’s swing of the bat changed the complexion of the game and ultimately provided a much needed boost of confidence for the eventual winners. Beckwith did the rest, scattering seven hits and striking out as many batters, to put Coastal in Tuesday’s winners bracket evening contest against TCU. Texas Tech and Florida should be quite a battle earlier in the day for the right to stick around.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME THREE

TCU Horned Frogs 5   Texas Tech Red Raiders 3

Bracket Two

Big 12 Showdown

Sunday – June 19  *  Opening Round

One swing of freshman hitting machine Luken Baker’s bat proved the difference in the Lone Star State showdown. Baker’s three-run blast just inside the left field foul pole in the top of the 9th erased a one run deficit and set the 5-3 final. Texas Tech had just taken the lead a half inning earlier on Hunter Hargrove’s double down the left field line. The Red Raiders effort broke a 2-2 tie which had stood since the 5th. The Frogs defied the odds at pitching friendly TD Ameritrade Park, belting two decisive homers in the contest. Cam Warner’s solo home run in the top of the 5th inning broke a 1-1 tie at the time. Texas Tech led twice in the back and forth affair, 1-0 after three and 3-2 after eight. Baker’s long ball put him in double digits for the season in that category, he has driven in well over 50 runs during his inaugural campaign in Fort Worth. His memorable Father’s Day home run provided CWS fans with easily the most pivotal moment of the tournament thus far. TCU advances to face the winner of tonight’s Florida-Coastal Carolina matchup. Texas Tech played well, yet came up just short. As Red Raiders head coach Tim Tadlock reminded fans, “that’s the reason it’s a double elimination tournament.” His club will once again be in a fight for their season on Tuesday afternoon.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME TWO

Arizona Wildcats 5   Miami Hurricanes 1

Bracket One

Pac 12 vs ACC

Saturday – June 18 * Opening Round

The ‘Cats scored early and never looked back. Miami Starter Michael Mediavilla’s inability to find the strike zone early proved costly. After Mediavilla hit a pair of batters and walked in a run, Jared Oliva provided the two-run single which put the ‘Canes behind the eight ball. Three run first inning would be more than enough for the combo of Nathan Bannister and Cameron Ming who occupied the hill for Pac 12 crew. Bannister went seven innings and struck out eleven batters to claim the decision, while Ming kept Miami in check across the final two frames by allowing just a single hit. Arizona answered Miami’s lone run, which came in the bottom of the 4th, with a two spot of their own in the top of the 5th. Zach Gibbons notched a multi-hit game by driving in the pair with his double for good measure. The win for first year head coach Jay Johnson and company places them in the Monday evening game against Oklahoma State. The “Comeback ‘Canes,” unable to play from behind in this game, must now battle back through the elimination side of the bracket, beginning with Monday afternoon’s game against the scrappy UCSB Gauchos.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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GAME ONE

Oklahoma State Cowboys 1   UC-Santa Barbara Gauchos 0

Bracket One

Big 12 vs Big West

Saturday – June 18 * Opening Round

Oklahoma State returned to Omaha in style, securing a 1-0 victory over UC-Santa Barbara behind an outstanding starting  effort from Sophomore right-hander Thomas Hatch. Hatch out-dueled Gauchos ace Shane Bieber. In doing so, the Tulsa native became the 82nd pitcher in CWS history to notch a complete game shutout. Perhaps the most impressive part of his effort was that it came in the generally amped atmosphere of the tournament opener. Hatch (9.0 IP, 5H, O ER, BB, 7K), picked up his 9th win of the year. Both starters went the distance in the contest, with Bieber the tough luck loser. He allowed the game’s only run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Garrett Benge single home Corey Hassel. The Cowboys seemed poised for much more, but Bieber limited the damage. The Pokes will await the winner of Arizona-Maimi. UCSB, already facing a tough road after placed in the side of the bracket with three former champions, will now have to be perfect the rest of the way.

Photo courtesy: Leah Carmen / Patterson Communications

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2016 College World Series Notes

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Eight Additional Facts Concerning This Year’s CWS

• Florida, Miami and Texas Tech are the three National Seeds still alive into the CWS.
• Coastal Carolina and UC-Santa Barbara are making their CWS debuts this weekend.
• Arizona is the most recent CWS Champion in the field, claiming the title in 2012.
• Florida, Miami and TCU all return from 2015, TCU alone makes for a 3rd straight trip. 4 time champ Miami is the only club from this group with a CWS crown.
• Oklahoma State is back for the first time since ’99, the Cowboys lone title came in the late 1950’s. Head Coach Josh Holliday played on the 1999 club.
• There remains very much a Southern flavor in the tourney, though the Southwest is perhaps much better represented than expected.
• Half the Head Coaches are appearing in the CWS for the 1st time in that role.
• There will be a new Championship Series matchup for the first time since 2013.

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“The Eye” will regularly shine a spotlight on specific players, coaches or teams worthy of attention during the post-season for their efforts across the landscape of college baseball. Our spotlight is the place to keep up with the key performers and performances on the journey toward the College World Series.