Big weekend in college baseball, with a birth for Omaha on the line in eight Super Regionals. Here are my predictions for this weekend's action.
Baton Rouge (UL-Lafayette vs LSU): LSU has one of the best lineups in the country. Last time I checked all but one of their starters are hitting .300 or above, not to mention the best young arms in the country in Alex Lange. Too much fire-power for the Ragin' Cajun to deal with. LSU sweeps the series.
Champaign (Vanderbilt vs Illinois): One of the most intriguing series this weekend. Four players projected to go in the first round of the draft (Tyler Jay for UI; Dasby Swanson, Carson Fulmer, and Walker Buehler for Vandy). I think Vandy has the edge in this series with a more solid lineup and a great rotation (multiple guys that throw mid-90s). I think it goes all three games, but Vandy wins it.
Charlottesville (Maryland vs Virginia): Both teams won their regions in upset fashion. Virginia is a more experienced team and I believe they win a close series.
Coral Gables (VCU vs Miami): VCU is a feel good story, but Miami has such a great baseball tradition to overcome. Hurricanes advance.
Fayetteville (Arkansas vs MO State): MO State hosting at Arkansas because of home park scheduling conflict. Arkansas has a strong fan base and Golden Spikes finalist Andrew Benintendi. MO State has a solid lineup and a good Friday-Saturday punch, but the home crowd helps push the Hogs to Omaha.
Fort Worth (A&M vs TCU): Word is that A&M somehow bought almost all of the tickets to the series despite being the road team. A&M has a high powered offense with Nick Banks leading the Aggies past the Frogs.
Gainesville (Florida State vs Florida): Another in-state rivalry as a Super Regional. FSU won the regular season matchup (three games: one home game for each plus a neutral site game in Jacksonville). Gators have the best defense in the nation and Buddy Reed is hot right now. Logan Shore and the felon AJ Puk are two good arms that beat the Seminoles.
Louisville (CS-Fullerton vs Louisville): Fullerton with the furthest travel of any team playing in a Super Regional, paired with having to play on a different surface as Louisville has an all-turf field. The Cardinals have a good lineup and two very good pitchers in Kyle Funkhouser (great last name) and Zack Burdi. Cards sweep the series.
Catch all the coverage on ESPN 2 and ESPNU this Friday thru Monday.
By: Gunshow
Baton Rouge (UL-Lafayette vs LSU): LSU has one of the best lineups in the country. Last time I checked all but one of their starters are hitting .300 or above, not to mention the best young arms in the country in Alex Lange. Too much fire-power for the Ragin' Cajun to deal with. LSU sweeps the series.
Champaign (Vanderbilt vs Illinois): One of the most intriguing series this weekend. Four players projected to go in the first round of the draft (Tyler Jay for UI; Dasby Swanson, Carson Fulmer, and Walker Buehler for Vandy). I think Vandy has the edge in this series with a more solid lineup and a great rotation (multiple guys that throw mid-90s). I think it goes all three games, but Vandy wins it.
Charlottesville (Maryland vs Virginia): Both teams won their regions in upset fashion. Virginia is a more experienced team and I believe they win a close series.
Coral Gables (VCU vs Miami): VCU is a feel good story, but Miami has such a great baseball tradition to overcome. Hurricanes advance.
Fayetteville (Arkansas vs MO State): MO State hosting at Arkansas because of home park scheduling conflict. Arkansas has a strong fan base and Golden Spikes finalist Andrew Benintendi. MO State has a solid lineup and a good Friday-Saturday punch, but the home crowd helps push the Hogs to Omaha.
Fort Worth (A&M vs TCU): Word is that A&M somehow bought almost all of the tickets to the series despite being the road team. A&M has a high powered offense with Nick Banks leading the Aggies past the Frogs.
Gainesville (Florida State vs Florida): Another in-state rivalry as a Super Regional. FSU won the regular season matchup (three games: one home game for each plus a neutral site game in Jacksonville). Gators have the best defense in the nation and Buddy Reed is hot right now. Logan Shore and the felon AJ Puk are two good arms that beat the Seminoles.
Louisville (CS-Fullerton vs Louisville): Fullerton with the furthest travel of any team playing in a Super Regional, paired with having to play on a different surface as Louisville has an all-turf field. The Cardinals have a good lineup and two very good pitchers in Kyle Funkhouser (great last name) and Zack Burdi. Cards sweep the series.
Catch all the coverage on ESPN 2 and ESPNU this Friday thru Monday.
By: Gunshow