Road to Omaha (Parts 3 and 4 of 4)

Many apologies, but problems at the office meant no time to finish the last two segments of the first Road to Omaha Series. As a recap, PnR's first 4 picks for Super Regionals were Texas/Oral Roberts and Virginia/Vanderbilt. The first 2 picks for Omaha were Texas and Vandy.

Now that we're caught up, here are the last 12 and 6 Super Regional and World Series picks, respectively:
Regional/Regional - Regional Winner/Regional Winner - Super Regional Winner


1. San Diego/Long Beach - San Diego/Long Beach State - San Diego
Comments: Brian Matusz (10-3, 2.73) ranks second in the nation with 156 strikeouts. He and Josh Romanski make up the best 1-2 punch in the Region. LB State is not the most talented team on paper, but battled through a brutal schedule to host a Regional. The battle-tested squad will have enough to escape a Regional that contains a slightly down Pepperdine and frightfully inconsistent UCLA, but not to get past the stacked Toreros.

Don't Forget About: UCLA and Pepperdine, who each are probably more talented than LBS on paper, and certainly capable of knocking off the Dirt Bags. Give the slight nod to UCLA and a hot/cold tandem in Tim Murphy and Gavin Brooks.

2. Chapel Hill/Columbia - UNC/South Carolina - UNC
Comments: The days of South Carolina pounding UNC out of the Super Regionals are far gone. The Tar Heels are in great shape to make another run in Omaha, backed by Friday/Saturday tandem of Alex White and Luke Putkonen and a stable of solid arms in the pen. The Gamecocks have a potent offense (2nd in nation in HRs), but have been inconsistent on the mound. Give the Super Regional nod to the better staff.

Don't Forget About: Charlotte. If the offense pulls its weight (and Adam Mills takes care of the Brackman-less Wolfpack on Friday), Spencer Steedley and Zach Rosenbaum could give South Carolina all it can handle on Saturday and Sunday.

3. Tempe/Oxford - Arizona State/Mississippi - Arizona State
Comments: Ole Miss should not have trouble with its Regional, lining up against three teams with serious question marks (So. Miss - health of Trey Sutton, 1b/Troy and Sam Houston St. - starting pitching). ASUs offense lead the nation in scoring (9.6 runs/game), but might lack the pitching depth required for the 8-team double elimination format of the World Series. Fortunately for the Sun Devils, the Regional is only a 4-team tournament, and the Supers are just a best of 3.

Don't Forget About: UC Riverside. Baseball America describes Riverside as the "deepest collection of quality pitching on the West Coast." They'll certainly be tested in Tempe. If the Highlanders can steal one on Saturday or Sunday, their depth may be the difference on Monday's playoff.

4. Houston/College Station - Rice/Texas A&M - Rice
Comments: Rice began the season as the number one team in the nation, and are poised to make amends for last years meltdown against Oregon State in Omaha. While Baylor, TCU and Prarie View A&M are each strong squads, Rice is the most complete team and a heavy favorite. Texas A&M will look to play an up-tempo style offensively -- stealing, bunting and hitting-and-running. Aggies could make the Supers fun, but Rice's blend of power arms and power bats should take care of business in two.

Don't Forget About: Le Moyne. The Dolphins pulled the biggest upset of the 2006 tournament last year, knocking off #1 Nebraska. Bobby Blevins and Eric Beaulac will look to provide a 1-2 punch on the mound; SS Andy Parrino will need to come up big for the offense.


5. Fayetteville/Columbia - Oklahoma State/Louisville - Louisville
Comments: Oklahoma State has been a bit of a disappointment this season. Still, the offense is one of the most talented in all of college baseball, and more than capable of slugging the Cowboys into the Supers. Louisville ranks 4th in the nation with a 2.89 team ERA. The Cardinals are my pick to be this year's surprise team in Omaha, relying on a talented and deep pitching staff to get them through to (and win a couple in) the World Series.

Don't Forget About: Arkansas and Missouri. Both #1 seeds are more than capable of winning their respective Regionals. Arkansas's biggest question question is pitching depth. If they are forced to a Monday game, they may have trouble keeping the opposition offense under 7 runs, regardless of who that opponent is. Missouri has an unproven, sophomore staff and benefited from a slightly down Big 12. Still, the Tigers have shown a knack for pulling out the close ones (8-0 in one run games), and shouldn't be counted out.

6. Tallahassee/Myrtle Beach - Florida State/Clemson - Florida State
Comments: FSU will throw Bryan Henry (14-1, 2.54), a veteran staff and a .355 team BA (best in the nation) at Miss St, Stetson and Bethune-Cookman. The Seminoles will be heavy favorites to be a three and done Regional winner. Clemson drew a great bracket, matching up one of the best staffs in the nation with a pitcher-friendly field at Coastal Carolina. Clemson was the only team to beat the Seminoles in a series during the regular season, and Saturday starter David Kopp dominated FSU in the ACC tourney, allowing 0 ER over 9 IP. It will be tough for the Tigers to get the best of the 'Noles for a third time this season.

Don't Forget About: Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers flat out mash, boasting four players with 9 or more homeruns. The pitching is solid, with Friday starter Bobby Gagg (11-2, 2.75) leading the charge. Given the stadium, it may be tough for an offense that relies on the long ball to get past the pitching of Clemson. If they do, however, we could see some serious fireworks in an FSU/Coastal series.

Who gets to pile-up this year?

Summary:
Projected Regional Winners - Texas, Oral Roberts, Vandy, UVA, San Diego, Long Beach St, UNC, South Carolina, Arizona State, Ole Miss, Rice, Texas A&M, Oklahoma St, Louisville, FSU and Clemson

Projected World Series - Rice, Vandy, UNC, Texas, San Diego, Arizona State, Florida State and Louisville

Projected Champion - Rice

Road to Omaha: Regionals (Part 2 of 4)

Wichita Regional:
The Field:

#1 Wichita State (49-19), #2 Arizona (40-15), #3 Oral Roberts (40-15), #4 New Orleans (37-24)

Best Bet:

Wichita State - Wichita State came into '07 as a preseason top 10 team, and stayed consistent throughout the Spring. Last week's loss to Creighton was no real shock, but the loss to Missouri State (with MSU ace Detwiler pulled after 3 .1 IP with a split nail) was. Still, the Shockers remain the most talented team in the Wichita Regional, and should be slight favorites over Arizona, who finished second in the PAC 10. Wichita State's intimidating pitching staff (2.67 staff ERA, .229 staff BAA) will be crucial, as they will face off against three of the top Division I pitchers in Guilmet (Arizona), Chapman (Oral Roberts) and Hefner (Oral Roberts).

Sleeper:

Oral Roberts - Chance Chapman and Jeremy Hefner (pictured right) will be the key to a possible Oral Roberts upset and trip to the Super Regionals. Hefner (9-1, 2.53, .208, 105K, 25BB, 81.2 IP)went the distance in 5 of his 10 starts this season, making him a solid choice for Friday's meeting with Arizona. Potentially, Chapman (8-1, 1.23, . 202, 121K, 26BB, 88 IP) would get the ball next, and he and a fully rested staff would be responsible for winning Saturday and 1 of 2 on Sunday. ORU won't out-slug anyone in the Regional, but Hefner and Chapman should keep them in the game through the 7th, 8th and 9th inning -- anything can happen at that point.

Players to Watch:

Preston Guilmet, RHP, Arizona (pictured left) - PAC 10 ace sported an 11-2 record with a 1.79 ERA and .203 BAA. Guilmet also K'd 133 against 30 BBs in 126 IP. If the Wildcats can get past Oral Roberts with Mills or Coulon, Guilmet would give them an excellent chance against the Shockers on Saturday. It's questionable, however, whether 'Zona can afford to hold their ace out until the second game of the Regional, as Oral Roberts sports two co-aces with Friday stuff.

Chance Chapman, RHP, Oral Roberts - Chapman, the career and season ERA leader at ORU (1.34 and 1.23, respectively), posted an 8-1 record this season, while striking out a whopping 121 batters in just 88 innings. While both Chapman and Hefner will be fun to watch, the big game will be Saturday against Wichita State (my guess is Chapman gets the call).

Round Rock Regional:

The Field:

#1 Texas (44-15), #2 UC Irvine (40-15-1), #3 Wake Forest (33-27), #4 Brown (27-19)

Best Bet:

Texas - Ranked 4th nationally entering the Regionals, the Longhorns face a tough Irvine team and surprisingly able Brown offense out of the Ivy League. Texas matches up favorably against all three possible opponents, and boasts an offense that should keep them in every game (outscored opponents 423-236, or 3.16 runs a game). As with all Texas teams, however, the true strength is the pitching. The depth and talent gives the Longhorns an excellent chance to advance even if they drop one to UC-Irvine and are forced into an extra game or two (four starters this year ended with ERAs under 3, while a fifth sported an ERA of 3.97; as a team, opponents batted .246 against the staff). While Irvine advancing wouldn't be a total shock, Texas looks well suited to make another trip to the Super Regionals, and another run at Omaha.

Quasi-Sleeper:

UC Irvine - Hard to call the Anteaters a sleeper, but we'll give them the quasi-sleeper nod. Advancing out of the Round Rock Regional will be a tall order, but the Game 1 match-up with Wake makes it a little easier, as they'll likely be able to hold staff ace Wes Etheridge out until Saturday's potential meeting with the Longhorns. UC Irvine may have the biggest gripe with the selection committee, as many thought the Anteaters could potentially end up hosting a Regional, but instead wound up in Texas's backyard. Texas has the big bats to hit their way out of a tough Regional, but don't be surprised if UC-I sneaks out of Round Rock on Monday evening.

Players to Watch:

Kyle Russell, OF, Texas (pictured above right) - While Texas is loaded with talented hitters, Russell's pure power makes him, arguably, the most fun to watch (.341/.452/.825/1.277, 27 HR, 70 RBI, 174 TB in 211 AB). Look forward to some spectacular shots, and some spectacular misses (Russell also lead the team with 61 strikeouts).

Wes Etheridge, RHP, UC Irvine (pictured right) - Etheridge turned in an impressive season for the Anteaters (11-4, 2.88, .264, 96K, 24BB, 109.1 IP), and will likely be the arm they turn to on Saturday against Texas. Provided Scott Gorgon (the only other UC-I pitcher to start 10 or more games) can lead them past Wake on Friday, Etheridge's Saturday start will be the most important of the Regional.

Looking Ahead:

Super Regional Match-Up:

Oral Roberts (3-1) at Texas (4-1) - Oral Roberts pulls off the upset with wins in their first two games against 'Zona and Wichita State. The Shockers eliminate the Wildcats on Sunday morning before dropping to ORU in the rubber match on Monday. Texas stumbles on Saturday against Etheridge and UC Irvine, before knocking off Wake and Irvine on Sunday and Irvine on Monday to advance.

Heading to Omaha:

Texas (2-1 over Oral Roberts) - The Golden Eagles steal one between two solid starts from Chapman and Hefner, but the Texas bats prove too much. The Longhorns advance to Omaha in a Game 3 route.

Road to Omaha: Regionals (Part 1 of 4)

Nashville Regional:

The Field:

#1 Vanderbilt (51-11), #2 Michigan (39-16), #3 Memphis (36-25), #4 Austin Peay (39-20)

Our Pick:

Vanderbilt - Most complete team in college baseball received the #1 National Seed in the Field of 64. The 'Dores face the easiest Regional Bracket, with Michigan and Memphis slumping heavily. Failure to reach the Super Regionals would be a huge, huge upset.

Sleeper:

Michigan - The Wolverines have lost five of six and were two and out in the Big 10 Tournament. They remain the most talented team in the bracket not starting with "V", but there is not enough on the pitching staff to get them through a brutal Memphis offense on Friday and an even better Vandy offense on Saturday. That said, Austin Peay is heavily out-classed and Memphis's lack of pitching depth leaves the Wolverines as the only viable option.

Players to Watch:

David Price, LHP, Vanderbilt (pictured above) - Best pitcher in college baseball finished the year at 11-0, 2.71 ERA and .201 BAA. Incredible K/BB ratio of 175/29 in 123 IP.

Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Vanderbilt (pictured left) - On the season, .397/.467/.706, 17 HR. Helped Vandy capture SEC Tournament Championship with 13-24 performance (2 HR, 3 2B, 8 RBI).

Charlottesville Regional:

The Field:

#1 Virginia (43-14), #2 Rutgers (41-19), #3 Oregon State (38-17), #4 Lafayette (33-18)

Our Pick:

Virginia - Solid performer throughout the season and ACC tournament; failed to reach the championship game due to a tie-breaker loss to the Tar Heels. The Cavaliers will hope for an Oregon State win on Friday to avoid the streaking Rutgers offense. After being upset by Evansville in last year's Charlottesville Regional, look for UVA to come out focused and determined not to disappoint again at home.

Sleeper:

Rutgers - Scarlet Knights hit a school record 60 HRs this season, and will look to slug past UVA. The opening game against Oregon State will be the most important, as they will not want to go up against the Cavs needing to win two straight. A pitcher's park may make the Beavers a better bet, but it's hard to picture Oregon State scoring enough to beat UVA twice.

Players to Watch:

Jacob Thompson, RHP, Virginia (pictured above) - 11-0 on the season with a 1.35 ERA and .193 BAA. K/BB ratio of 96/26 over 106.2 IP.

Todd Frazier, SS, Rutgers (pictured left) - 13-25 performance (3 HR, 5 2B, 7 RBI) in the Big East Tournament landed him MVP honors and helped the Scarlet Knights to a Conference Championship and automatic bid. Led the Big East in slugging (.724) and home runs (19), 2nd in RBI (57) and 3rd in OBP (.494).

Looking Ahead:

Super Regional Match-up:

Virginia (3-1) at Vanderbilt (3-0) - Both UVA and Oregon State could give Vandy trouble. I am already anticipating taking off work next Friday in preparation for the David Price/Jacob Thompson show-down. UVA drops one to the Oregon State/Rutgers winner while Vandy advances with little trouble in the minimum three games.

Heading to Omaha:

Vanderbilt (2-1 over Virginia) - UVA's staff matches up well arm-for-arm, and should be able to take one of the first two before dropping to the number one overall seed. This should be one of the better Super Regionals if your a fan of pitching.

The Road to Omaha (Part 1): Introduction

Here at PnR we realize we're in the minority when it comes to following College Baseball (a trend that seems to be thankfully changing). We're sure that next year will be the year you start checking the web on Monday's to see how the best young college players performed over their weekend series -- don't worry, we'll help you.

For now, let's start with a quick prep for this year's Regionals, Super Regionals and World Series. While there's too much to cover to give you an intimate understanding of what has transpired this year, we can give you a glimpse into who the favorites are in the conference tournaments (or championship series), who the top performers have been this year and who the disappointments have been. We'll be a little late with the Big East (the tournament starts today), but I'll try get the Big East and ACC out tonight.

Pictured (Todd Frazier, SS, Rutgers and Bryant Henry, RHP, Florida State)