June 8, 2012

Super Regional Capsules

Super Regional Notes

NCAA Interactive Bracket

CBI Super Regional Picks

By Phil Stanton and Sean Ryan

CollegeBaseballInsider.com Co-Founders

We’ve whittled the field from 64 to 16, now look to identify the Omaha Eight this weekend in the Super Regionals. CBI looks into Crystal Ball Insider for who advances.

Friday-Sunday Series

Baton Rouge Super Regional

Phil: Stony Brook can hit from top to bottom in its lineup, but doesn’t have the pitching depth of LSU. Seawolves steal one, but Tigers survive in three.

Sean: What, Phil, you’re not taking Stony Brook to win like last week? Like Phil, Stony Brook takes one, but LSU moves on.

Tucson Super Regional

Phil: Arizona mashed through three games in its Regional, and the hot bats continue against St. John’s. Wildcats in two.

Sean: St. John’s shows it can hit, too, but the Wildcats advance to Omaha for the first time since 2004.

Tallahassee Super Regional

Phil: My favorite match-up of the weekend. Both teams could do damage in Omaha. Two of the premier head coaches in college baseball. Three terrific games, Cardinal advances.

Sean: I had Stanford at the beginning of the tourney; really tough to pick against FSU, but I’ll stick with Stanford in three. 

Los Angeles Super Regional

Phil: UCLA has nice balance of pitching and offense. TCU surprised me last week, but Bruins take it in two.

Sean: My CWS champ was the winner of UCLA and Texas A&M (that was a hedge from my season-long pick of the Aggies). TCU messed that up a bit, but the Bruins get back to Omaha. 

Saturday-Monday Series

Gainesville Super Regional

Phil: Florida looked impressive in rolling through Regional. Gators might struggle against Rodon, but outlast Wolfpack in three.

Sean: One of two 1-seed matchups (FSU/Stanford). NC State is gritty and makes it tough, but Florida rolls on in two.

Waco Super Regional

Phil: Baylor bounced back from an opening-round Regional loss to Oral Roberts to win four straight. Bears have better offense than Razorbacks and advance in three.

Sean: Bad news when the Bears rallied to win in Waco last week. This one will be back and forth all weekend. Considered a switch of the pick, but the Year of Baylor Athletics continues.

Columbia Super Regional

Phil: South Carolina continues to use its successful postseason formula: keep it close, pull it out in the eighth or ninth, even extra innings. Gamecocks keep the postseason win streak going, win in two.

Sean: Big props to Oklahoma for fighting through Charlottesville. The fight continues, but South Carolina knocks the Sooners out in two.

Eugene Super Regional

Phil: Oregon hosts its first Super Regional. Kent State is veteran club, won’t be intimidated on the road. Golden Flashes in three.

Sean: Love the matchup here. Kent State will get one and nearly steal the Regional, but Oregon survives in three.

(photo by Scott Wu/UCLA Athletics)