CWS Tournament (Super Regionals)

After correctly picking 10 out of 16 of the Super Regionals I am feeling pretty damn proud of myself. This is probably the toughest tournament to pick winners from because baseball is that damn good, but I am pretty sad to see that only one #3 seed advanced. Let's get right to a preview for the 8 Super Regional match ups for the right to advance to Omaha.

#1 TEXAS VS. TCU

The Longhorns had possibly the most interesting 1st round out of all the top seeds. A blow out victory, a 25 inning marathon, and a walk-off homer. While the Horn Frogs, swept their way to the Supers with ease defeating Oregon State in the final of the 1st round. While many think that Texas doesn't have the offense to win, TCU unfortunately doesn't have much pitching to compensate. The first game is key to the series for TCU. With their ace on the mound in pitcher and freshman, Kyle Winkler, putting the pressure on the Longhorns will build them confidence to advance to their first ever CWS.

#8 FLORIDA VS. SOUTHERN MISS.

The only 3 seed to advance to the Supers, Southern Miss. found a way to defeat Georgia Tech twice and advance to their first Super Regional. The Gators, who I gave no shot against Miami, romped the Hurricanes in the 1st round finale to advance. The Gators starting pitching is a lot better than i first thought, to which they should have no problem advancing to Omaha. But, not so fast! The Gators are going to have to...have to swing the bats because the Golden Eagles are going to throw strikes, make plays in the field, and get runners on base. Their head coach Corky Palmer is Southern Miss baseball and will be retiring at the end of the season. And with a veteran ridden team, don't expect them to go quiet into the night when Southern Miss and Palmer are this close.

#5 ARIZONA STATE VS. CLEMSON

One of the best teams in the nation all year round, the SunDevils, got through the first round in 4 games. While the Tigers got a scare and defeated Oklahoma State in the finale to advance. Clemson's offense is dangerous, like I mentioned in my preview, unfortunately Arizona State's pitching is way to good to withstand a lineup like the Tigers. Mike Leake (15-1), is the best of the best left in the CWS. And the SunDevils also have Josh Spence (8-1) and in a best of three series I find it hard to believe that they will have any trouble with Clemson's offense led by firstbasemen, Ben Paulsen.

#4 NORTH CAROLINA VS. EAST CAROLINA

Like I expected all the top seeds advanced in the Arizona State Bracket. But, the one team my that I wasn't all that confident in was the East Carolina Pirates who squeaked by South Carolina in the Regional finale. While the Tarheels had no problem like I expected, taking care of business in three games. Has there ever been a team like this Tarheel class who is looking for their forth straight trip to Omaha? Loaded again with offense and a deep pitching pitching this Tarheel team looked unstoppable in Regional play. One thing that could poise a problem is that the bottom of their line up is streaky, and if they don't come up in a best of three series, the dynasty run could come to an end.

#2 CAL ST FULLERTON VS. LOUISVILLE

The best "team" in the CWS is Cal State, sweeping their competition in the 1st round. The Cardinals knocked off a feisty Vanderbilt team to advance, even though they were the only Big East team to make the field of 64. I am desperately trying to find a way to make a case for Louisville in this match up, but the only one is 3B Chris Dominguez and his 23 HRs and 80 RBI. Cal State is way too experienced, offensively and defensively, and their pitching is quite good. With a line up with all .300 hitters, I am expecting nothing less than a two game sweep over the Cardinals in impressive fashion.

FLORIDA STATE VS. ARKANSAS

As I expected, the Razorbacks got through their 1st round Regional by defeating the overall #7 seeded Oklahoma Sooners. While on the other hand, I gave the Seminoles no shot in their Regional and they got through in only 3 games by scoring 37 runs in the finale verses Ohio State. FSU has arguably the best coach in the college game in Mike Martin, and even though I doubted them last round they are poised to advance to Omaha despite having most of their line up filled with sophomores. Arkansas is one of 4 SEC schools to advance to the Supers. Their starting pitchers will give up some runs so the offense is going to have to step it up against the Seminoles freshmen starting pitchers early.

VIRGINIA VS. MISSISSIPPI

In what could possibly be the best match up in the Super Regionals, the ACC champion Caviliars got by the overall #6 UC Irvine Anteaters, while Ole Miss made it interesting by defeating a pesky Western Kentucky squad. Virginia is on fire! The pitching/defense/offense are all peaking at the perfect time, and I should have known better than picking against them in the 1st round. So a first trip to Omaha is very likely as long as they keep it up against a Rebels team that is looking for a 5th trip but 1st since 1972. Ole Miss wins with defense and and getting guys on base and the Cavs are going to have to get lead-off men out in order to contain the Rebels getting men in scoring position because that is what they do best.

#3 LSU VS. RICE

You look at this match up and the first thing you say to yourself is, why now? Rice and LSU are both notorious for landing in Omaha and they proved it in the Regional round by both teams taking care of their opponents with ease, even though Rice did it in 5 games they were very convincing in their victories. In a three game series, the Owls can beat the Tiger, but i don't know if it is possible. The Tigers were my early favorites before the field of 64, but the draw wasn't to favorable with the chance of facing this Owls team. Rice will throw juniors Ryan Berry and Mike Ojala who's combined record for the season is 12-1 with both pitchers having an ERA under 2.00. But, LSU is LSU they can beat you in every aspect of the game if your not careful. Offensively they are loaded at the top of the line up with LF Ryan Schimpf leading the power surge.

It should be a great weekend of baseball...enjoy!