2009 NCAA National Baseball Championship

[Jamee999]

In 2009, the NCAA, after talks which had started over two years previous, announced a radical revamp of college basketball.

The two big changes were:

• The removal of regular season out-of-conference play
• The creation of a 64-team "basketball-style" National Championship

It was the length of the Championship that was of controversy to most critics - six series of knockout play - with the series lengths making the tournament last over a month.

Like the basketball tournament, the 30 teams who won the Conference Championship Series (a best-of-five series played between either the top two ranked teams, or the two division winners) would get automatic bids, as would the Ivy League Champion.

The 33 other bids would be awarded to the 33 best "at-large" teams, who had presented the strongest resumé over the season.

Like in basketball, there would be seedings: the top 32 teams would be put into the brackets, and seeded 1 through 8 in each bracket. However, the 32 other teams wouldn't be ranked, and would be placed into pods based on geographic location.

The format of the championship would be as follows:

• The teams would be placed into 16 "elimination brackets" - comprising of one team seeded 1 - 4, one team seeded 5 - 8, and two unseeded teams. The two ranked teams would face the unseeded teams in a best of three series. These would take place at the home stadium of the highest seeded team. This is the Preliminary Series, and takes place on dates on or around June 29th - July 1st.
• The winners of the two Preliminary Series in each pod then play another best-of-three series. The winning team proceeds to the Sweet Sixteen. This series takes place at the same location as the Preliminary Series. This is known as the Elimination Series, and takes place on or around July 4th - July 6th.
• The sixteen remaining teams then move to a new location - a neutral site awarded to the stadium with the best facilities of teams that didn't make the tournament. Following the bracket format, the teams play a best of five series - the Sweet Sixteen round on dates on or around July 10th -July 13th
• The eight teams then play another best of five series, in the Elite Eight. The winners will then move on to the Final Four, played at another neutral venue. The Elite Eight matches take place around July 16th - July 20th
• The four surviving teams now play in the Final Four, which this year will be held at Olsen Field, the home of the Texas A&M Aggies. The teams play a best of five series from July 24th - July 27th.
• The two final teams have made it to the National Championship Series, a best of seven series. (The only other league in America to use a best of Seven series is the National Baseball League). The Nationally televised series takes place from July 30th - August 3rd, and pits the two best teams in the nation against each other, in a battle for the National Championship.

The 3-3-5-5-5-7 format is similar in length to the NBL's 5-5-7-7-9 play off structure, and has drawn criticism for it's "professionalisation" of the college baseball.

However, it will certainly make for an exciting tournament!

Next time: A look back at the 2009 Regular season

[Jamee999]

A review of the seasons of the six "power conferences".

The Atlantic Coast Conference
The ACC had a very tense and close race, with Clemson, the Virginia Tech Hokies, and UNC being seperated by just 1 game by the close of the season. Indeed, it took a one game playoff to decided that it would be Virginia Tech, not the Tar Heels, that would play in the Championship series against the Tigers. Clemson won the series in the final game, and will go to the National Championship as the ACC Champion. It is possible, however, that as many as seven other ACC teams may join them - the ACC enjoyed a very high standard this year, and may recieve many at-large bids.
Conference Champion: Clemson Tigers (40-26)
Possible at-large bids: Virginia Tech, North Carolina, Boston College, Georgia Tech, Maryland, Wake Forest, Miami

Big 12 Conference
The Baylor Bears were the force of the Big 12 this year, winning the conference by 3 games, then defeating Oklahoma State 3-1 in the Championship Series. The Bears were lead by Canadian starting pitcher Bob Lapointe, who went 9-4 with a 3.10 ERA. His 105 strikeouts lead the conference. The conference is not expecting a heap of bids, but is expecting the ones it does get to be seeded - the Conference has four teams in the Nationally Ranked top 25 teams.
Conference Champion: Baylor Bears (45-21)
Possible at-large bids: Oklahoma State, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Kansas, Missouri

Big East Conference
The Big East was dominated by Pitt this year, losing less than 1/3rd of their games on their way to a sweep of Seton Hall in the Championship Series. The Panthers were lead by their 3-man rotation of Nathan Towns (5-1, 2.57), Australian Chang-wei Bian (7-4, 1.95) and Carlos Ramirez (9-0, 2.85). They were not a power team, only Ramon Pina hit more than 6 bombs, but they used pitching and defense to secure the title. The Big East has lots of teams expected to be around the bubble - and any where up to 10 teams could go to the Big Dance.
Conference Champion: Pittsburgh Panthers (41-19)
Possible at-large bids: Seton Hall, DePaul, Louisville, Cincinnati, Georgetown, Connecticut, Notre Dame, Villanova, West Virginia

Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten was a battle between two States - the Michigan State Spartans, and the Penn State Nittany Lions. The two teams couldn't be seperated over 66 regular season games - so had to play another one to decide home series advantage for the Championship Series. Michigan State won the playoff, then won the Championship Series in 5 games. Of special interest were the Tampa Spartans, playing in Big Ten baseball as the 12th team. Expected to be battling for last place, they managed to finish only 4 games back of the senior Spartans of Michigan State, and recieved a national rank for their troubles! One of the most outstanding players in College Baseball played in the Big Ten this year. Sean Quinn, out of Lexington, Kentucky, is the center fielder for the Northwestern Wildcats. He is a freshman, but is one of the most powerful players in the NCAA - he lead the Big Ten in slugging, OPS, homers (26, compared to a next best of 16), RBIs, isolated power, extra base hits and total bases, and is projecting as a Number One overall pick. Opponents will have to be very wary of the Wildcats, who will almost certainly pick up a bid.
Conference Champions: Michigan State Spartans (41-26)
Possible at-large bids: Penn State, Minnesota, Tampa, Northwestern, Wisconsin, Indiana, Iowa

Pacific-10 Conference
The Pac-10 was contested between the California Golden Bears, and the Arizona Wildcats. Cal won the regular season crown by a single game, and then won the Conference Series by the same margin, winning out in game five.

However, the real story in the Pac-10 was the differing fortunes of four teams. With ten games remaining in the season, the bottom eight teams in the standings were as follows: UCLA 26-18, Arizona State 24-20, Washington State 22-22, USC 20-24, Oregon 17-27, Oregon State 17-27, Stanford 17-27, Washington 16-28.

By the end of the season, the standings had changed to this:
[Cal, Arizona], Washington State 31-23, UCLA 28-26, Stanford 27-27, Arizona State 26-28, USC 25-29, Oregon 22-32, Oregon State 22-32, Washington 18-36.

Washington State won 9 of 10 to move to 3rd, and the Stanford Cardinal amazingly won their final TEN games, to move to .500, and a possible bid, while Arizona State slid from 24-20 and a bid all but in their grasp, to clinging on the bubble. UCLA had also slid with a 2-8 stretch, but were far enough clear that they managed to stay afloat, with a #25 national ranking. This shake-up in the Pac-10 had changed the fates of numerous teams.
Conference Champions: California Golden Bears (36-18)
Possible at-large bids: Arizona, Washington State, UCLA, Stanford, Arizona State

Southeastern Conference
The SEC champions were the Mississippi Rebels, who won the regular season title, then swept Auburn in the Championship Series. The SEC was very strong, with five nationally ranked teams: #3 Mississippi, #7 Auburn, #15 South Carolina, #19 Alabama and #23 Arkansas. The Rebels were lead by four strong starters: Mark Alexander (8-2, 2.58), Julio Diaz (5-4, 1.58), Jeremy Dedmon (5-3, 2.89) and Ed Patterson (7-5, 3.28). John Gibbs, the center fielder, was a key figure, hitting .372, getting on base 42.4% of the time, and stealing 26 bases.
Conference Champions: Mississippi Rebels (43-23)
Possible at-large bids: Auburn, South Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, LSU

The six power conference champions:



Next time: The mid-major conferences

[Jamee999]

Conference USA
Conference USA was won by the Rice Owls, champions of the West Division. They defeated the Marshall Thundering Herd 3-1 in the Championship. Both division champions will be in the National Championship, and the two second place teams will be around the bubble.
Conference Champions: Rice Owls (33-21)
Possible at-large bids: Marshall, Houston, Central Florida


Mid-Athletic Conference
The MAC was all about the Eastern Division this year - four teams in the East had a winning percentage of .600, while none in the West was over .500! Kent State, the Eastern Champions beat Northern Illinois 3-2 in the Championship Series. The Golden Flashes were lead by Canadian shortstop Jonathan Bunney, who hit .387, the MAC best.
Conference Champions: Kent State Golden Flashes (47-19)
Possible at-large bids: Ohio, Akron, Miami (OH)


Mountain West Conference
The Mountain West was won by Brigham Young, one of the top teams in the nation. They beat the San Diego State Aztecs 3-1 in the Series. The Cougars were lead by SP Jared Warren (8-1, 1.60 ERA, 0.81 WHIP), who won the Outstanding Pitcher Award. Also key were SP Ricardo Robles (4-2, 3.00), SP Jorge Maestas (7-2, 2.18) and CL Greg Turner (2-2, 16 SV, 1.17)
Conference Champions: Brigham Young Cougars (39-15)
Possible at-large bids: San Diego State, Texas Christian, Wyoming


Sun Belt Conference
The University of Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans destroyed the Sun Belt Regular Season, but were swept in a massive upset by the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks, who will go to the Nationals as the Sun Belt Champion. 3B Doug Kendall was the Warhawks' hero, hitting 3 blasts in the Championship Series. The Trojans will also go to the National Championship, as the #18 team in the country.
Conference Champions: Louisiana Monroe Warhawks (31-21)
Possible at-large bids: Arkansas at Little Rock


Western Athletic Conference
The Idaho Vandals won the Western Athletic Conference, by winning 3-1 over the late surging Sacramento State Hornets, who pushed to within two games of the Vandals, and placed themselves in at-large contention. The Vandals were led by slugging RF Ramon Aguilar (.360, 12 HR).
Conference Champions: Idaho Vandals (34-20)
Possible at-large bids: Sacramento State


Big South Conference
The Virginia Military Institute's Keydets were the Champions of the Big South Conference, one of the most balanced in baseball. The top five teams were seperated by just four games. The Keydets beat Gardner-Webb 3-1 in the Championship Series.
Conference Champions: Virginia Military Keydets (32-22)
Possible at-large bids: None


Colonial Athletic Association
The CAA was another very close conference, with the twelve teams seperated by just nine games! In the end, the Drexel Dragons, who led the regular season race by one game, defeated Virginia Commonwealth in the Championship Series.
Conference Champions: Drexel Dragons (37-29)
Possible at-large bids: None


Great West Conference
The Great West Conference was also tight at the top - North Dakota won the regular season, one game ahead of Cal State Chico and Houston Baptist. The Californian Wildcats won the playoff to get to the Championship Series, but lost in five to the North Dakota Fighting Sioux.
Conference Champions: North Dakota Fighting Sioux (34-20)
Possible at-large bids: None


Ivy League
The Ivy League was won by an amazing surge by the Pennsylvania Quakers, who won their final 11 games, moving past Princeton, Yale and Columbia (who finished a single game behind, after losing their final three games). The Quakers were led by LF Dan Lee (.320, 10 HR, 1.041 OPS).
Conference Champions: Pennsylvania Quakers (33-21)
Possible at-large bids: Columbia


Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference
The MEAC was won by the Delaware State Hornets, who defeated Maryland - Eastern Shore in 5 games. Japanese SP Mitsukuni Ito was by far the best pitcher in the MEAC, going 11-4 with a 1.41 ERA. His WHIP was just 0.72.
Conference Champions: Delaware State Hornets (39-27)
Possible at-large bids: None


Northeast Conference
The Long Island Blackbirds were three games clear of Sacred Heart at the end of the regular season, but the Pioneers took them to a Game Five, then stole away the National Championship bid. Sacred Heart closer Douglas Matthews led the NEC with 17 saves. Sacred Heart are considered one of the worst teams in the National Championship.
Conference Champions: Sacred Heart Pioneers (38-28)
Possible at-large bids: None


Ohio Valley Conference
The Murray State Racers surprised Eastern Illinois, winning the OVC 3-1. The Racers had to win a playoff to get to the Championship Series, defeating Southeast Missouri State for a shot at the title. Eastern Illinois had won the regular season by 5 games.
Conference Champions: Murray State Racers (31-24)
Possible at-large bids: Eastern Illinois


Patriot League
The Lehigh Mountain Hawks won the Patriot Championship Series, beating the Bucknell Bison, who finished a game ahead in regular season play. Jose Sandoval's 13 homers led his team.
Conference Champions: Lehigh Mountain Hawks (31-23)
Possible at-large bids: Bucknell


Southern Conference
The Citadel Bulldogs were set to be the runaway winners of the Southern Conference, with 8 games remaining they had a record of 41-17, and had the conference regular season secured. With their record, they might even be able to secure an at-large bid if they were to lose in the Conference series. But the Bulldogs lost all eight of their last eight games. They finished just two games clear of the Georgia Southern Eagles. They lost the Championship Series 3 games to 1. They're not going to the National Championship. Georgia Southern are.
Conference Champions: Georgia Southern Bulldogs (39-27)
Possible at-large bids: None


Southland Conference
Sam Houston State, Central Arkansas, UTSA and McNeese State were battling all the way to the wire in the Southland Conference, and it ended with the Sam Houston Bearkats and the Central Arkansas Bears in the Series. The Bears swept the team they'd been one behind in the season. The Bears' SP Charles Bass lead the league with a 1.37 ERA.
Conference Champions: Central Arkansas Bears
Possible at-large bids: None


Southwestern Athletic Conference
The Prairie View A&M Panthers won the West Division by 11 games, then defeated the East Division Champion Alabama A&M Bulldogs (themselves 10 game champions) 3-0 to go to the National Championship.
Conference Champions: Prairie View Panthers (39-15)
Possible at-large bids: Alabama A&M


America East Conference
The Maryland - Baltimore County Retrievers destroyed the American East, winning the Conference by nine games, and finishing on a 15 game winning streak. They were challenged in the Championship Series, needing five games to beat out the Binghampton Bearcats.
Conference Champions: Maryland - Baltimore County Retrievers (42-12)
Possible at-large bids: None


Atlantic Sun Conference
The North Florida Ospreys were the best team in the Atlantic Sun Conference, winning by 5 games in the regular season, then beating the Jacksonville Dolphins in the Championship Series. Freshman Bill Young led the ASC with 21 homers.
Conference Champions: North Florida Ospreys (45-21)
Possible at-large bids: None


Atlantic 10 Conference
The UMass Minutemen defeated the Temple Owls in the Atlantic 10 Series, to secure a bid in the National Championship. Other competeting teams included the George Washington Colonials, the Richmond Spiders, the Rhode Island Rams, and the Xavier Muskateers.
Conference Champions: UMass Minutemen (33-20)
Possible at-large bids: None


Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is traditionally a strong one when it comes to baseball, and this year was no different. Cal State Fullerton defeated UC Davis 3-1 in the Championship series, but UC Davis will still be threatening for an at-large bid.
Conference Champions: Cal State Fullerton Titans (30-24)
Possible at-large bids: UC Davis


Horizon League
The Horizon League looked to be going towards the UI Chicago Flames, but they collapsed in the Championship Series. The Flames won 9 of their last 10 games, finishing 3 games ahead of the Detroit Mercy Titans, but then lost the series 3-0. The Titans will take the Horizon's best pitcher Julian Stephens (8-3, 1.56, 113 K) to the National Championship.
Conference Champions: Detroit Mercy Titans (33-21)
Possible at-large bids: None


Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
The Fairfield Stags were the dominant team in the MAAC this year, winning the league by 5 games, then sweeping the Marist Red Foxes to earn their National Championship bid. LF Don Grady was the best hitter in the MAAC, hitting .376 with 16 HRs and 49 RBIs.
Conference Champions: Fairfield Stags (37-17)
Possible at-large bids: None


Missouri Valley Conference
The Wichita State Shockers lived up to their name, as they swept aside the Evansville Purple Aces in the MVC Championship Series, winning 3 games to 1. Evansville had won the regular season championship by 1 game.
Conference Champions: Wichita State Shockers (31-23)
Possible at-large bids: None


The Summit League
IUPU Fort Wayne were the dominant team in the Summit League, winning 8 of their last 10 on the way to the Summit League title. They defeated the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in five games to secure the bid.
Conference Champions: IUPU Fort Wayne Mastadons (35-19)
Possible at-large bids: None


West Coast Conference
The Loyola Marymount Lions had to win their last 10 games just to get into a one-game playoff for a spot in the West Coast Conference Finals. They beat Saint Mary's, then won against Pepperdine in five games to steal a National Championship bid. The Pepperdine Waves had finished the season four games ahead of the field.
Conference Champions: Loyola Marymount Lions (32-23)
Possible at-large bids: None


Next: The National Championship Selection Show

[damientheomen3]

Big East Conference

The Big East was dominated by Pitt this year, losing less than 1/3rd of their games on their way to a sweep of Seton Hall in the Championship Series. The Panthers were lead by their 3-man rotation of Nathan Towns (5-1, 2.57), Australian Chang-wei Bian (7-4, 1.95) and Carlos Ramirez (9-0, 2.85). They were not a power team, only Ramon Pina hit more than 6 bombs, but they used pitching and defense to secure the title. The Big East has lots of teams expected to be around the bubble - and any where up to 10 teams could go to the Big Dance.
Conference Champion: Pittsburgh Pirates (41-19)

I find it hilarious that the only way the pirates can be any good is if they face college teams

[Jamee999]

They're only the 9th best college team

Fixed.

[Jamee999]

All over the nation, people are preparing to fill in their brackets. The 64 teams are about to be slotted into the 16 Elimination Brackets. The top 16 teams in the country will each host a pod - which will hold four teams. The top 32 teams will be allocated by rank, while the bottom 32 teams will be allocated based on geography, as practically as possible.

The first pod will hosted by the #1 Nationally Ranked Baylor Bears of the Big 12 Conference:

#1 BAYLOR Bears (45-21, Big 12 Conference Champions)

vs

SACRED HEART Pioneers (38-28, Northeast Conference Champions)

The second first-round series in the pod will be:

SETON HALL Pirates (35-25, 2nd in Big East Conference)

vs

TEXAS CHRISTIAN Horned Frogs (33-21, 3rd in Mountain West Conference)

Seton Hall were the second best team in the Big East, while TCU came 3rd in the Mountain West.


The Baylor Bears are the top ranked team in the country. Slugging center fielder Vince Chamberlain is a big part of that. Chamberlain grew up in Round Rock, just 85 miles from the Baylor Campus

The second pod will take place at Tony Gwynn Stadium, home of the San Diego State Aztecs, runner up in the Mountain West.

#16 SAN DIEGO STATE Aztecs (36-18, 2nd in Mountain West Conference)

vs

DELAWARE STATE Hornets (39-27, Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Champions)

The second match up is:

#17 VIRGINIA TECH Hokies (40-27, 2nd in Atlantic Coast Conference

vs

CAL STATE FULLERTON Titans (33-21, Big West Conference Champions)

The Big West Champions will face off against the ACC Championship Series losers.


Virginia Tech are going into the San Diego State pod ranked just one slot behind the Aztecs, and will be looking to upset them. Hokie right fielder Phil Bennett, from Morganville, NJ, stole 30 bases in the regular season

The third pod will take place in Provo, Utah, home of Brigham Young University.

#8 BRIGHAM YOUNG Cougars (39-15, Mountain West Conference Champions)

vs

DREXEL Dragons (37-29, Colonial Athletic Association Champions)

The winner will face:

#25 UCLA Bruins (28-26, 4th in Pacific-10)

vs

PRAIRIE VIEW Panthers (39-15, Southwestern Athletic Conference Champions)

UCLA dropped quickly in the last few weeks of the season, and were lucky to remain nationally ranked. They will fly east to Provo, to try and win a Sweet Sixteen slot.


The Bruins have one of the most historic athletic programmes in NCAA history

The fourth pod will take place in Pittsburgh, home of the Panthers. Trees Field will host the three visiting teams.

#9 PITTSBURGH Panthers (41-19, Big East Champions)

vs

DETROIT MERCY Titans (33-21, Horizon League Champions)

#24 TAMPA Spartans (36-30, 4th in Big Ten)

vs

NORTHWESTERN Wildcats (35-31, 5th in Big Ten)

A battle between two teams seperated by only one game in the regular season, the ranked Spartans will be pushed all the way by Northwestern.


Northwestern got through the Big Ten season through power, but will need the pitching, led by lefty Brandon Adams, to step up.

The four winners of the pods will progress to the regional tournament at Dedauex Field, Los Angeles, home of the USC Trojans.

Next: The second group of pods

[Jamee999]

The Pacific-10 was one of the best regarded conferences this year. It's 3rd placed team, the Washington State Cougars, were ranked 5th in the nation, and host this next pod.

#5 WASHINGTON STATE Cougars (31-23, 3rd in Pacific-10)

vs

NORTH DAKOTA Fighting Sioux (34-20, Great West Conference Champions)

IDAHO Vandals (37-20, Western Athletic Conference Champions)

vs

FAIRFIELD Stags (37-17, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Champions)

Fairfield are forced to make the trip to the opposite coast to play against the Idaho Vandals, in Washington.


The Washington State Cougars only finished 3rd in the Pac-10, but that was good for #5 in America. San Diegan LHP SP Mark Moore will by very important.

The runners-up in the Big Ten, the Penn State Nittany Lions will host a pod, also.

#12 PENN STATE Nittany Lions (40-27, 2nd in the Big Ten)

vs

LEHIGH Mountain Hawks (31-23, Patriot League Champions)

#21 MINNESOTA Golden Gophers (37-29, 3rd in the Big Ten)

vs

MARYLAND Terrapins (35-31, 6th in the Atlantic Coast Conference)


#12 Penn State lost to #11 Michigan State in the Big Ten Championship Series. Texan middle reliever Adam Smith's 2.16 ERA was an important reason why they got that far.

The Pac-10 Series was lost by the Arizona Wildcats. They finished the regular season just one game behind the California Golden Bears, and will host the next pod.

#4 ARIZONA Wildcats (35-19, 2nd in the Pacific-10)

vs

WICHITA STATE Shockers (31-23, Missouri Valley Conference Champions)

BOSTON COLLEGE Eagles (37-29, 4th in the Atlantic Coast Conference)

vs

LOUISIANA MONROE Warhawks (31-21, Sun Belt Conference Champions)

The Warhawks shocked the #18 Arkansas at Little Rock Trojans in the Sun Belt Conference Series.


The Wichita State Shockers will be looking to live up to their names in Tucson. LF Lee Johnson will be a key part of that.

The very close Atlantic Coast Conference was won by the Clemson Tigers, who earned a #13 National rank. They host this pod.

#13 CLEMSON Tigers (40-26, Atlantic Coast Conference Champions)

vs

GEORGIA SOUTHERN Eagles (39-27, Southern Conference Champions)

The Eagles were surprising winners of the Southern Conference, as they took advantage of a Citadel collapse.

#20 KENT STATE Golden Flashes (47-19, Mid-Athletic Conference Champions)

vs

LOUISVILLE Cardinals (34-26, 4th in the Big East)


The Kent State Golden Flashes dominated the MAC, with 3B Ben Evans playing a key part. They will be looking to show they weren't just picking on weak opposition when they head into South Carolina.

Next: the second half of the bracket.

[Jamee999]

Welcome back to the Selection Show.

The Oklahoma State Cowboys were the 2nd best team in the Big 12; that earned them the #6 ranking, and the right to host a National Championship pod.

#6 OKLAHOMA STATE Cowboys (42-24, 2nd in the Big 12)

vs

IUPU FORT WAYNE Mastadons (35-19, The Summit League Champions)

TENNESSEE Volunteers (34-32, 6th in Southeastern Conference)

vs

RICE Owls (33-21, Conference USA Champions)


The Rice Owls were the champions of Conference USA, but can they defeat a team from the powerful SEC?

Michigan State were the victors in a hard-fought Big Ten title race. They host the next pod.

#11 MICHIGAN STATE Spartans (41-26, Big Ten Champions)

vs

MASSACHUSETTS Minutemen (33-20, Atlantic 10 Champions)

#22 NORTH CAROLINA Tar Heels (39-28, 3rd in Atlantic Coast Conference)

vs

DEPAUL Blue Demons (34-26, 3rd in the Big East)

Two teams that finished just outside the Championship Series pitted against each other; both ranked UNC and DePaul will be looking for a chance to take down Michigan State.



The Tar Heels were disappointed to finish the season ranked only #22

Mississippi's position as the best team in the SEC was cemented when they swept Auburn in the SEC Championship Series. They host this pod.

#3 MISSISSIPPI Rebels (43-23, Southeastern Conference Champions)

vs

MURRAY STATE Racers (31-24, Ohio Valley Conference Champions)

MARSHALL Thundering Herd (35-19, 2nd in Conference USA)

vs

PENNSYLVANIA Quakers (33-21, Ivy League Champions)

Marshall held the best regular season record in Conference USA, but were beaten by Rice in the Conference Series.


C Mark Kane was key in leading Ole Miss to the SEC Championship

Texas Tech may have only finished 4th in the Big 12, but that still earnt them a National Ranking.

#14 TEXAS TECH Red Raiders (37-29, 4th in the Big 12 Conference)

vs

CENTRAL ARKANSAS Bears (40-28, Southland Conference Champions)

#19 ALABAMA Crimson Tide (36-30, 4th in the Southeastern Conference)

vs

WISCONSIN Badgers (35-31, 6th in the Big Ten)


The #19 Crimson Tide had very erratic starting pitching in the SEC. That will need to change if they want to win the National Championship.

The winners of these four pods will meet in the regional held in Baton Rouge.

Next: The final part of the bracket is revealed

[Jamee999]

There are now just four pods to be selected.

The Auburn Tigers were swept by Ole Miss in the SEC Championship Series, but nevertheless still came away with a #7 rank, and the hosting duties for a National Championship pod.

#7 AUBURN Tigers (41-25, 2nd in the Southeastern Conference)

vs

NORTH FLORIDA Ospreys (45-21, Atlantic Sun Conference Champions)

IOWA STATE Cyclones (34-32, 5th in the Big 12 Conference)

vs

GEORGIA TECH Yellow Jackets (35-31, 5th in the Atlantic Coast Conference)

Two teams that finished 5th in power conferences will face off for the right to try and knock down Auburn.


The Auburn Tigers are looking to bounce back from their SEC Championship loss.

Nebraska lost out on a Big 12 Conference Series spot by just 2 games, but host this pod.

#10 NEBRASKA Cornhuskers (40-26, 3rd in the Big 12)

vs

MARYLAND - BALTIMORE COUNTY Retrievers (42-12, American East Champions)

#23 ARKANSAS Razorbacks (35-31, 5th in the Southeastern Conference)

vs

CINCINNATI Bearcats (33-27, 5th in the Big East)


The UMBC Retrievers were the champions of one of the weakest conferences in the country, and will want to prove that they are a legitimate team.

The California Golden Bears led the Pacific-10 wire-to-wire, even with challenges from Arizona. They host this pod in the California sun.

#2 CALIFORNIA Golden Bears (36-18, Pacific-10 Champions)

vs

LOYOLA MARYMOUNT Lions (32-23, West Coast Conference Champions)

OHIO Bobcats (45-21, 2nd in Mid-Athletic Conference East Division)

vs

STANFORD Cardinal (27-27, 5th in the Pacific-10)


The Cardinal went on a miraculous ten-game winning streak to get an at-large bid

The University of South Carolina finished third in the SEC. They will host this final pod.

#15 SOUTH CAROLINA Gamecocks (37-29, 3rd in the Southeastern Conference)

vs

VIRGINIA MILITARY Keydets (35-22, Big South Conference Champions)

#18 ARKANSAS AT LITTLE ROCK Trojans (38-14, 2nd in the Sun Belt Conference)

vs

WAKE FOREST Demon Deacons (35-31, 7th in the Atlantic Coast Conference)


#15 South Carolina will most likely have to take on #18 UALR to reach the Sweet Sixteen.

In summary, the games:

#1 Baylor vs Sacred Heart
Seton Hall vs Texas Christian

#16 San Diego State vs Delaware State
#17 Virginia Tech vs Cal State Fullerton

#8 Brigham Young vs Drexel
#25 UCLA vs Prairie View

#9 Pittsburgh vs Detroit Mercy
#24 Tampa vs Northwestern

#5 Washington State vs North Dakota
Idaho vs Fairfield

#12 Penn State vs Lehigh
#21 Minnesota vs Maryland

#4 Arizona vs Wichita State
Boston College vs Louisiana Monroe

#13 Clemson vs Georgia Southern
#20 Kent State vs Louisville


#6 Oklahoma State vs IUPU Fort Wayne
Tennessee vs Rice

#11 Michigan State vs UMass
#22 North Carolina vs DePaul

#3 Mississippi vs Murray State
Marshall vs Pennsylvania

#14 Texas Tech vs Central Arkansas
#19 Alabama vs Wisconsin

#7 Auburn vs North Florida
Iowa State vs Georgia Tech

#10 Nebraska vs Maryland - Baltimore County
#23 Arkansas vs Cincinnati

#2 California vs Loyola Marymount
Ohio vs Stanford

#15 South Carolina vs Virginia Military
#18 Arkansas at Little Rock vs Wake Forest

Next: My bracket

[Jamee999]

Here is my predicted bracket for the 2009 National Championship:

#1 Baylor vs Sacred Heart
Seton Hall vs Texas Christian
#1 Baylor over TCU

#16 San Diego State vs Delaware State
#17 Virginia Tech vs Cal State Fullerton
#16 San Diego State over #17 Virginia Tech

#8 Brigham Young vs Drexel
#25 UCLA vs Prairie View
#8 Brigham Young over #25 UCLA

#9 Pittsburgh vs Detroit Mercy
#24 Tampa vs Northwestern
Northwestern over #9 Pittsburgh

#5 Washington State vs North Dakota
Idaho vs Fairfield
#5 Washington State over Idaho

#12 Penn State vs Lehigh
#21 Minnesota vs Maryland
#12 Penn State over #21 Maryland

#4 Arizona vs Wichita State
Boston College vs Louisiana Monroe
#4 Arizona over Louisiana Monroe

#13 Clemson vs Georgia Southern
#20 Kent State vs Louisville
#20 Kent State over #13 Clemson

#6 Oklahoma State vs IUPU Fort Wayne
Tennessee vs Rice
#6 Oklahoma State over Rice

#11 Michigan State vs UMass
#22 North Carolina vs DePaul
#11 Michigan State over DePaul

#3 Mississippi vs Murray State
Marshall vs Pennsylvania
#3 Mississippi over Pennsylvania

#14 Texas Tech vs Central Arkansas
#19 Alabama vs Wisconsin
Wisconsin over #14 Texas Tech

#7 Auburn vs North Florida
Iowa State vs Georgia Tech
#7 Auburn over Georgia Tech

#10 Nebraska vs Maryland - Baltimore County
#23 Arkansas vs Cincinnati
#10 Nebraska over Cincinnati

#2 California vs Loyola Marymount
Ohio vs Stanford
#2 California over Stanford

#15 South Carolina vs Virginia Military
#18 Arkansas at Little Rock vs Wake Forest
#18 Arkansas at Little Rock over #15 South Carolina

---

#1 Baylor vs #16 San Diego State
#8 Brigham Young vs Northwestern
#1 Baylor over Northwestern

#5 Washington State vs #12 Penn State
#4 Arizona vs #20 Kent State
#5 Washington State over #20 Kent Stat

#6 Oklahoma State vs #11 Michigan State
#3 Mississippi vs Wisconsin
#6 Oklahoma State over #3 Mississippi

#7 Auburn vs #10 Nebraska
#2 California vs #18 Arkansas at Little Rock
#2 California over Nebraska

---

#1 Baylor vs #5 Washington State
#6 Oklahoma State vs #2 California

---

#1 Baylor vs #6 Oklahoma State

My Predicted National Champions: BAYLOR

My Predicted Final Four: Baylor, Washington State, Oklahoma State, California

Next: The first day of games

[Jamee999]

Sunday 28th June

Today, the 2009 NCAA National Baseball Championship starts! 5 games start Elimination Bracket play early, these series will wrap up on Tuesday, not Wednesday. 3 of the games are televised on ESPN satellite channels.

The first early game was Maryland vs #21 Minnesota, as the Terrapins and the Golden Gophers meet in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania. The governor of Pennsylvania, Ed Rendell, threw out the first pitch.



Maryland put out left-handed freshman SP Matt Ward, from New York. The young man went 3-2 in 14 starts, with an ERA of 4.04. Some voices had been campaigning for fellow lefty freshman SP Alex Hammond (8-2, 2.01 ERA) to get the number one start, but Head Coach Ty Lewis stuck with Ward.

The Terrapins line-up:

CF S Parsons [SR] - LF D Crockett [SR] - C J Clayton [SO] - 1B C Martine [SR] - RF J Barbosa [JR] - 2B E Rivera [SO] - SS C Watson [JR] - 3B L Wallace [FR] - P M Ward [FR]



Minnesota would also put out a starting pitcher from New York: right-handed Orlando De La Garza. De La Garza went 4-4 with an ERA of 4.32 in 14 starts. Like Ward, De La Garza was under pressure for his starting role, but had been trusted.

The Golden Gophers starting nine:

CF L Mendoza [SR] - 1B D Martin [SR] - C K Gordon [SR] - SS E Wright [JR] - 3B P Warren [JR] - RF J Guinane [SO] - LF D Thomas [FR] - 2B S Jackson [FR] - P O De La Garza [JR]

---

Maryland Terrapins 5 - 7 - 0
#21 Minnesota Golden Gophers 1 - 4 - 2

Maryland leads the series 1-0

Freshman Matt Ward proved his doubters wrong, throwing eight innings of four-hit ball on ESPU. The only run came off a solo home run. He struck out six hitters, before being lifted for a pinch hitter in the ninth inning.

Fellow New Yorker Orlando De La Garza did not go so well, giving up five earned runs in six innings, including a three run bomb to the catcher Javier Clayton in the fifth. The Gophers were poor in all three parts of the game, as they also committed two errors in the field.

---

There was a shock in the other early game:
Detroit Mercy Flames 8 - 15 - 0
#9 Pittsburgh Panthers 3 - 10 - 1

Detroit Mercy leads 1-0

Freshman RF Gregory Sanders hit 2 HRs for 6 RBIs from the lead-off slot, while 3B Derek Zimmerman cracked 4 hits. Pitt starter Nathan Towns was gone after 3 innings, giving up 4 ER on 7 hits. Detroit Mercy SP Julian Stephens (8-3, 1.56 ERA in the Horizon League) scattered eight hits through 7IP, but crucially gave up just two runs, and picked up the victory.

The mid-afternoon game also went against the formbook:
Virginia Military Keydets 8 - 12 - 2
#15 South Carolina Gamecocks 5 - 10 - 1

Virginia Military leads 1-0

Virginia Military scored four in the top of the 1st, two more in the next inning, then never lost the lead, even with South Carolina putting five on the board in the fifth. South Carolina's SP, Gonzales, lasted only 1.1IP, the bullpen clubbed together for just 2 ER in the next 7.2.

---

One of the most interesting games on the day's schedule was set for ESPNU, as the Rice Owls faced the Tennessee Volunteers. It was not pleasant viewing for fans of the SEC:

Tennessee Volunteers 0 - 4 - 2
Rice Owls 6 - 9 - 0

The Owls lead by one game to none

Rice SP Alden Kendrick shutout the Vols through seven, before MR Melvin Locke allowed only a walk in the final two innings. With the bat, CF Wayne McKee hit a two-run homer to go with his double, and 2B Kenny Bullock also hit a home run. Tennessee freshman catcher Mike Gibson made two errors, for a cost of two unearned runs.

---

However, the biggest upset in the game oh so nearly happened in the game in Texas. The #1 Baylor Bears were down to their last out against Sacred Heart, down two runs with a runner on second. C Gonazalo Lopez was at the plate, with his cousin 1B Edgar Lopez on the second slab. Gonzalo dribbled a 1-1 strike down towards third base, and strained every fibre of his body to getting to first. It was a bang-bang play. "SAFE!" came the call. Gonzalo pumped his fist, the game was still alive.

The third baseman Rodrigo Cruz came to the plate. On the second pitch, he drilled the ball into right-center field. Edgar scored on a jog, and once again, the game came down to how well the big catcher Gonzalo Lopez could run. On the crack of the bat, he saw the ball past the infield, and set off. He rounded second, and was approaching third when he saw the sign to go onto the plate. He powered round the bag, towards the plate. He saw the opposing catcher initially blocking the plate, but suddenly he moved away. The throw was off-line, and not in time. Lopez touched home. The Bears had tied the game.

The next batter popped out, so the score was tied at Sacred Heart 4, Baylor 4 going into extra innings. Sacred Heart flew out in order, bringing the #1 Bears back up. The lead off hitter walked. The next hitter flew out. Vince Chamberlain, raised just 85 miles from Baylor, singled. Then Edgar Lopez came back to the plate, and hit between the third baseman and the shortstop. The left fielder cut the ball off, and threw to the plate, but it was too late.

The Bears had won. No one could have predicted that they would be so jubilant over beating the Pioneers, who had been called "the worst team in the National Championship" by many in the media.

Over 8 2/3 innings, the worst team in the country had beaten the best team in the country. But when it counted, the Bears stepped up and won the game. You can call it clutch. You can call it luck. You can call it stamina. You can call it strength in depth. But the Bears won.

Sacred Heart's SP Hector Montes, who himself grew up in Texas, was awarded the player of the game award, for his 8 IP for 6 hits and just 1 ER.

The Sacred Heart Pioneers left disappointed that they had not been able to convert an amazing opportunity to go one game clear of the #1 ranked team. That they had not been able to go half way towards an amazing elimination. But they were no longer overawed by their opponents. The Bears no longer held a mystique over Sacred Heart. The Pioneers had done themselves proud.

Sacred Heart Pioneers 4 - 10 - 1
#1 Baylor Bears 5 - 11 - 0
[10 innings]

#1 Baylor leads 1-0


#1 Baylor won their opening match, but Sacred Heart pushed them so close to having to play two consecutive must-win matches.

Some people in the media claimed that on this opening day of games, there had been four upsets. This was not strictly true, Maryland-Minnesota and Tennessee-Rice were always expected to be close, well-matched games; the Owls and the Terps winning was not a big surprise. Some even claimed that there had been five games - and 4 26/27 upsets!

Tomorrow, the majority of the teams start their first round series, with series that started today playing their second match. Day one was an entertaining entrée of upsets, of pitching, of clutch hitting, and of walk-off #1 wins. Tomorrow, the main course began: 32 games of college baseball, 7 televised, and the possibility of our first eliminations...

With losses tomorrow, the following teams would be eliminated:

#21 Minnesota
#9 Pittsburgh
#15 South Carolina
Tennessee
Sacred Heart

Game on.

Next: the first full day's action.

Televised games include:

Cal State Fullerton vs #17 Virginia Tech
Northwestern vs #24 Tampa
Wisconsin vs #19 Alabama
Sacred Heart @ #1 Baylor
Stanford vs Ohio
Wichita State @ #4 Arizona
Loyola Marymount @ #2 California

+ results from every game!

[Brick]

How did you get the at-large teams into the tournament? Normally OOTP only selects designated wild card teams.