We’re just one step away from college baseball’s elite determining this season’s national champion. Well, OK, technically we’re two steps away, but you get the idea.
This weekend, the remaining 16 teams will square off in best-of-three super regionals, with the eight winners headed to Nebraska and the sport’s ultimate destination, the College World Series.
Here’s a breakdown of all eight pairings with game times and TV channels to help you plan your weekend viewing. Keep in mind, of course, that weather might cause delays at some locales, and the schedules later in the weekend will hinge on which and how many series require third and deciding contests.
Miami (Fla.) (34-25) at Louisville (38-21)
Game 1: Friday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 2: Saturday, 11 a.m. ET, ESPN
This is an all-ACC series, though the Cardinals and Hurricanes happened to be among the teams that missed each other in the regular season thanks to league expansion. The offensive sparks for Louisville are often provided by the outfield duo of Lucas Moore, who is hitting .366 with 48 stolen bases, and Zion Rose, who has 12 homers and a team-high 61 RBI. Miami was not the most consistent squad during the season and was somewhat fortunate to land on the right side of the bubble, but 3B Daniel Cuvet had an all-conference campaign and there are good options out of the bullpen.
No. 9 Florida State (41-14) at No. 8 Oregon State (45-13-1)
Game 1: Friday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 2: Saturday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
These regular postseason participants from opposite coasts provide one of the more intriguing matchups of the super regional lineup. The Beavers’ potent batting order, led by Aiva Arquette and Gavin Turley with 18 homers each, must try to solve Jamie Arnold and the Seminoles’ accomplished pitching staff. The series might come down to how well Oregon State’s arms can stop the Seminoles.
Arizona (42-18) at No. 5 North Carolina (45-13)
Game 1: Friday, noon ET, ESPN2
Game 2: Saturday, noon ET, ESPN2
Like most ACC schools, UNC is still seeking its first baseball title. But these Tar Heels might be the ones to deliver, thanks to a deep pitching staff anchored by Jake Knapp and sizzling-hot Gavin Gallaher pacing a high-octane lineup at the plate. The Wildcats’ primary catalyst is Mason White, the team’s best hitter who is also among the nation’s leaders in triples with eight.
No. 13 Coastal Carolina (51-11) at No. 4 Auburn (41-18)
Game 1: Friday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Game 2: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN2
The Coastal Carolina program would seem to be in good hands under first-year coach Kevin Schnall, who had big shoes to fill succeeding retired legend Gary Gilmore. The Chanticleers’ biggest strength is their pitching depth, sporting the best team ERA (3.22) of all the super regional participants. Auburn leads the SEC in doubles with 129, a good way to keep pressure on opposing pitchers with a steady stream of runners in scoring position.
Texas-San Antonio (47-13) at No. 15 UCLA (45-16)
Game 1: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Game 2: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, TBD
It seems fitting that the Roadrunners have scored more total runs, 528, than any other squad still alive in the field. Heading the UTSA hit parade is Drew Detlefsen with a team-high 70 RBI. The first challenge for the road team figures to be Bruins righty Michael Barnett, who sports an 11-1 record with 70 strikeouts to just 18 walks.
Murray State (42-14) at Duke (40-19)
Game 1: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Game 2: Sunday, noon ET, TBD
It’s no big secret how the Racers got here as a No. 4 seed in its regional. Murray State pounds out 8.8 runs a game, and even managed to surpass that lofty average against the likes of Ole Miss and Georgia Tech in the postseason. It’s fair to wonder if the Racers have enough arms to keep Duke’s lineup that also puts up over eight runs per contest at bay. The long list of dangerous hitters in this series includes Murray State outfielder Dan Tauken and Blue Devils third baseman Ben Miller.
West Virginia (44-14) at No. 6 LSU (46-15)
Game 1: Saturday, 2 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2: Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN2
LSU had to work a little harder than expected to prevent Little Rock from becoming the second No. 4 seed to win a regional this year. The Tigers will likely have an equally hard time dispatching the Mountaineers, the comeback kids of the tournament after late rallies to beat Clemson and Kentucky. Jared Jones (20 HR, 69 RBI) is the latest in the long line of LSU sluggers to emerge. At some point he’ll likely encounter Reese Bassinger, the workhorse of the WVU bullpen.
No. 14 Tennessee (46-17) at No. 3 Arkansas (46-13)
Game 1: Saturday, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
Game 2: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET, ESPN
One could certainly make the case that this is the marquee matchup of the round of 16, pitting the defending national champion against the highest remaining seed in this year’s field. It’s also a rematch of the final regular-season series of the SEC campaign, which also took place in Fayetteville just a few weeks ago. The Razorbacks took the latter two contests of that set, including a game two win in which they slapped around Volunteers lefty ace Liam Doyle. Tennessee also has plenty of offensive pop, of course, but Arkansas ranks in the top 15 nationally in both scoring and team ERA thanks to guys like Wehiwa Aloy and Zach Root.