Super Regionals Preview
- CoachDay
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
From 64 to 16, it’s time for the Super Regionals, college baseball’s version of the Sweet 16 and Elite 8 in a way. This weekend, 16 teams will face off in 8 best-of-three series, with the winners moving on to Omaha and the College World Series.
Already, this has been a historic tournament, we’ve seen multiple national seeds fail to advance, including the top 2 in the entire bracket. So, what can we expect this weekend? There are plenty of unknowns in these matchups, some teams trying to make it to Omaha for the first time, while others look to add to a long list of appearances.
Four of the eight series will open Friday and run through Sunday (if necessary), while the second four begin Saturday through Monday. Let’s take a look at the Friday openers first:
Arizona Wildcats (42-18) vs #5 North Carolina Tar Heels (45-13)
Friday: 12 PM ET (ESPN2) Saturday: 12 PM ET (ESPN2) Sunday: TBD (if necessary)
Players to Know
UOFA
Hitter: Brendan Summerhill – .370, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 11 SB
Pitcher: Tony Pluta – 13 SV, 1.39 ERA
UNC
Hitter: Gavin Gallaher – .323, 17 HR, 65 RBI
Pitcher: Jake Knapp – 13-0, 1.98 ERA
Overview: UNC has some glaring advantages, there’s a reason they’re the #5 overall seed. But somehow, U of A keeps finding ways. They did it first in the Big 12 tournament, and again in the Eugene Regional. Going to Chapel Hill isn’t ideal, and with Knapp going Game 1, the Wildcats will need to do what no one has done this season.
Prediction: North Carolina sweeps 2-0
Miami Hurricanes (34-25) vs Louisville Cardinals (38-21)
Friday: 3 PM ET (ESPN2) Saturday: 11 AM ET (ESPN) Sunday: TBD (if necessary)
Players to Know
Miami
Hitter: Daniel Cuvet – .379, 17 HR, 81 RBI
Pitcher: Griffin Hugus – 3.90 ERA, 94 SO
Louisville
Hitter: Eddie King Jr – .348, 15 HR, 56 RBI
Pitcher: Wyatt Danilowicz – 2.35 ERA, 48 SO, 3 SV
Overview: An ACC clash between historic programs. Both pulled off upsets to get here, and they know each other well. Miami, thought to be on the bubble, has proven a lot of people wrong. Personally, not a huge fan of Miami, but there’s something nostalgic about seeing the green and orange in Omaha.
Prediction: Miami wins in 3
Friday: 6 PM ET (ESPN2) Saturday: 9 PM ET (ESPN2) Sunday: TBD (if necessary)
Players to Know
FSU
Hitter: Alex Lodise – .405, 17 HR, 67 RBI
Pitcher: Jamie Arnold – 8-2, 3.12 ERA
OSU
Hitter: Gavin Turley – .352, 18 HR, 64 RBI
Pitcher: Dax Whitney – 6-3, 3.78 ERA, 101 SO
Overview: This might be the sneaky best matchup of the weekend. Both teams have Omaha talent and national championship-level rosters. We’ve got top MLB prospects like Arnold for FSU and Arquette for OSU. I’ll be shocked if this doesn’t go 3 games. Also, Oregon State might have the best stadium in college baseball, beautiful and rowdy.
Prediction: Oregon State wins in 3
Friday: 9 PM ET (ESPN2) Saturday: 3 PM ET (ESPN2) Sunday: TBD (if necessary)
Players to Know
Coastal
Hitter: Caden Bodine – .329, 3 HR, 38 RBI
Pitcher: Jacob Morrison – 11-0, 2.19 ERA
Auburn
Hitter: Ike Irish – .362, 18 HR, 57 RBI
Pitcher: Carson Myers – 2.90 ERA, 64 SO
Overview: This one is pitching vs hitting. Coastal has some dominant arms and plenty of depth. But if it becomes a run fest, can they hang offensively? Should be a great matchup between two well-tested teams.
Prediction: Auburn wins in 3
Saturday–Monday Super Regionals:
Murray State Racers (42-14) vs Duke Blue Devils (40-19)
Saturday: 1 PM ET (ESPNU) Sunday: 12 PM ET (ESPN+) Monday: TBD (if necessary)
Players to Know
MSU
Hitter: Jonathan Hogart – .338, 19 HR, 60 RBI
Pitcher: Nic Schutte – 7-3, 4.36 ERA
Duke
Hitter: Ben Miller – .325, 20 HR, 62 RBI
Pitcher: Reid Easterly – 9-2, 3.04 ERA
Overview: One of this year’s tournament darlings in the Racers going up against another solid ACC squad. Murray can really hit, but their pitching depth will be tested. Duke feels more tested and at home will be feeling good.
Prediction: Duke wins in 3
West Virginia Mountaineers (44-14) vs #6 LSU Tigers (46-15)
Saturday: 2 PM ET (ESPN) Sunday: 6 PM ET (ESPN2) Monday: TBD (if necessary)
Players to Know
WVU
Hitter: Kyle West – .347, 10 HR, 36 RBI
Pitcher: Griffin Kirn – 5-2, 3.13 ERA, 100 SO
LSU
Hitter: Jared Jones – .323, 20 HR, 69 RBI
Pitcher: Kade Anderson – 9-1, 3.28 ERA, 156 SO
Overview: LSU barely escaped their regional and now host the Big 12 regular-season champs. Both teams feel like they can win it all. LSU’s 1-2 punch on the mound could be a lot for WVU to overcome, but the Mountaineers can hit. They'll need to bring it.
Prediction: LSU sweeps WVU
Saturday: 5 PM ET (ESPN) Sunday: 3 PM ET (ESPN) Monday: TBD (if necessary)
Players to Know
UT
Hitter: Andrew Fischer – .343, 24 HR, 64 RBI
Pitcher: Liam Doyle – 10-3, 2.84 ERA
ARK
Hitter: Wehiwa Aloy – .355, 20 HR, 64 RBI
Pitcher: Zach Root – 7-5, 3.78 ERA
Overview: An SEC battle for the ages, some are saying. Both teams look like the best of what’s left. Expect potential shootouts, this is a hitter’s park. Arkansas has been a popular pick since before the tournament, and they’re still riding that wave.
Prediction: Arkansas wins in 3
UTSA Roadrunners (47-13) vs #15 UCLA Bruins (45-16)
Saturday: 7 PM ET (ESPNU) Sunday: 3 PM ET (ESPN+) Monday: TBD (if necessary)
Players to Know
UTSA
Hitter: Mason Lytle – .369, 9 HR, 67 RBI
Pitcher: Robert Orloski – 3.23 ERA, 9 SV
UCLA
Hitter: Roch Cholowsky – .370, 23 HR, 72 RBI
Pitcher: Michael Barnett – 11-1, 4.18 ERA
Overview: Our second darling of the tourney, UTSA, who already took down Texas, now goes after another giant in UCLA. The Bruins cruised through their regional and get to stay home again. UTSA won’t shy away from the moment.
Prediction: UCLA wins in 3
All 8 matchups have the potential to be great, with plenty of shocker potential. Super Regionals are here. Omaha is on the horizon. We might get a few first-timers punching their ticket, or will it be the Omaha regulars once again?
New blood or familiar faces...we’re about to find out.
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