NCAA Super Regionals Review
Only two Southeastern Conference teams made the NCAA Super Regionals, but both teams advanced to the College World Series. Ole Miss defeated Louisiana-Lafayette twice on the road after losing the opening game. The Ragin’ Cajuns, who entered the Super Regionals as one of the best offensive teams in the country, defeated the Rebels, 9-5, in the first game.
Ole Miss, however, responded the next night with a 5-2 victory. In the series finale, a late offensive explosion catapulted the Rebels to a 10-4 win. Ole Miss is making its first trip to Omaha for the College World Series since 1972, and fifth appearance in school history.
Vanderbilt is also returning to the College World Series. The Commodores defeated Stanford to advance to Omaha for the second time in school history. Vandy dominated the Cardinals, 11-6, in the series opener. In the second game, the Commodores tied the game in the top of the ninth, but Wayne Taylor hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the inning to give Stanford a 5-4 victory.
However, Vandy responded in the series finale with another impressive offensive performance in a 12-5 victory.
The other six teams joining the Rebels and the Commodores in Omaha are UC-Irvine (second appearance), Texas (35th appearance), Texas Tech (first appearance), TCU (second appearance), Virginia (third appearance) and Louisville (third appearance).
College World Series Preview
Louisville is the only team in the field this season that made the College World Series last year. The Cardinals lost both of their games last season.
Texas is making its 35th trip to Omaha, which is the most in NCAA history.
The Longhorns have won six national championships, which is second in NCAA history behind Southern California.
Prior to this season, the last time Ole Miss made the Super Regionals was 2009. The Rebels hosted Virginia in the Super Regionals and lost two of three games.
UC-Irvine defeated two No. 1 seeds en route to Omaha, the only team in the field to accomplish that feat.
College World Series teams by conference: Big 12 (three), SEC (two), ACC (one), AAC (one), Big West (one).
The only two national seeds to make it to the College World Series this season were Virginia and TCU.
The College World Series is a double elimination tournament, followed by a best of three championship series.
College World Series Predictions
First Round
Texas over UC-Irvine
Louisville over Vanderbilt
TCU over Texas Tech
Ole Miss over Virginia
Winner’s bracket
Texas over Louisville
Ole Miss over TCU
Championship series
Ole Miss over Texas