NCAA enters professional ranks

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Leach Makes 300 Mark:

Stanford's 19-3 victory over Cal was highlighted by Freddy Leach's 300th career home run. His teammates congratulated him at home plate after he circled the bases.

"I didn't see all of them out there," Leach said with a chuckle, "until I rounded third base." He added sheepishly: "It was only a home run. It's not like I won us a World Series!"

In 6 at-bats the Cardinal left fielder collected 2 hits in his historic game, scored 2 runs, and had 1 run batted in.

Lifetime Leach is hitting .278 with 1016 hits, 180 doubles, 7 triples and 300 home runs. He has scored 571 runs and driven in 732.

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Lions Clinch National League Atlantic Sun:

Better to clinch early or late? It's a question that comes up every year in every sport and always has a different answer.

The North Alabama Lions have clinched early, which gives manager, Travis Howell, time to do the best job he can of lining up his team for postseason play.

Lions starting pitcher, Brickyard Kennedy, said, "Every guy they brought in played a significant part in this team winning. That's all you can ask for of the front office."

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Louisville Narrowly Wins National League ACC:

While many teams act confident and assured throughout a NCAA season, such is not the case for the Louisville Cardinals, who are now officially the National League ACC champions.

"We didn't know if we could get it done and win the division, honestly," said third baseman Chipper Jones. "Trying to fight self-doubt is a big part of it, but credit to the guys, we did enough to wrap this up."

It is the 4th division title for the team, whose record currently sits at 106-56. They will be vying for the 2nd championship in franchise history.

"Now that we've clinched, I think the confidence is going to through the roof," said team manager Ashley Finn. "I think all the guys know we belong now and have a very real shot at winning this thing."

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American League Big XII Won:

West Virginia Crowned: It wasn't easy, but the West Virginia Mountaineers are champions of the American League Big XII.

The club faced challenges to the crown throughout the season, but in the end have edged their division rivals to grab the playoff spot.

"Relief. Happiness. Excitement," was how first baseman George Sisler responded when asked what he's feeling after the clinch. "We're all looking forward to getting the playoffs started."

The team has a 103-59 record, which has wrapped up their 1st division title.

Team manager Jorge Cervantes said it would be "extremely satisfying" to be the man at the helm when the team captures its 1st College World Series.

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Purple Aces Sit Atop American League Missouri Valley:

Members of the Evansville Purple Aces say winning the American League Missouri Valley title is special, but ultimately they will only be remembered with a championship season.

"We want to put ourselves in the history books and win the College World Series," said first baseman Lou Gehrig. "We all believe it can happen, it's just a matter of putting in the hard work and getting the breaks."

It's the 1st division win for the club and they will be vying for their 1st College World Series win.

"To see the team get here, it makes you believe in yourself and all the systems you've put in place," said manager Brett Marquis.

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East Carolina Narrowly Wins National League American:

It's official! The East Carolina Pirates have secured the top spot in the National League American. East Carolina's manager Braden Chieffo was quick to give credit to his players.

"They believed in this team all year, and never gave up."

It won't be an easy road for East Carolina as they try to compete for their 1st College World Series victory. They have to hope that their success will translate to the post-season, which is certainly not always the case. This was the 1st division title for the team.

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Louisiana Monroe's Orr Bats .405:

He may be young compared to many NCAA stars, but at the age of 24, Dave Orr has already proven himself as an elite performer.

A .405 batting average on the season has put the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks star into rarefied air.

"He's only going to get better, that's the scary thing," the Louisiana Monroe manager told reporters.

It will be hard to improve on a campaign that saw the first baseman stroke 258 hits, with 62 doubles, 2 triples, 50 home runs, 129 RBIs and 108 runs scored.

"I definitely never expected to hit .405 this year, that's for sure," Orr said.

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Over the Top, Jackson Bats .407:

The three-time All-Star Shoeless Joe Jackson of the Montana State Bobcats is the latest member of baseball's .400 club -- that elite group of players who hit over .400 in a single season.

The 28-year-old Jackson reeled off hit after hit all year long, totaling 242 with 45 doubles, 10 triples and 60 home runs. He also collected 167 RBIs and 154 runs in his epic season.

The Bobcats left fielder confessed to the sportswriters, "It's really hard to hit .400, but with the press coverage, it makes it a lot harder. You just try to put it out of your mind during the game. Patience is the key word, patience at the plate and patience with the press and the public. It was a hectic time. I think I'll enjoy it now that it's over."

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2029 Playoffs bracket:

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Miners Dominate, Sweep Wildcard:

With a 12-4 victory at El Paso Field, the UTEP Miners have completed a sweep of the Charlotte 49ers in the Wildcard.

"On to the Regionals and feeling good," said Larry Walker. "I don't think our guys expected a sweep, but we'll certainly take it and rest up a bit."

For the series, Walker hit .556 and won series MVP honors. He had 3 home runs, drove in 4 RBI and scored 5 runs.

The UTEP Miners don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Kansas State Wildcats - Evansville Purple Aces series. That series is tied at 1 game apiece. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Cal State Fullerton Sweeps into the Regionals:

The Cal State Fullerton Titans are heading to the Regionals after a 2-0 sweep of the North Texas Mean Green, capped off with a 6-5 win at Goodwin Field.

"When you can put away a team like North Texas early, you do it," said left-hander Jon Matlack, whose strong pitching performance earned him the nod as series MVP. "We're happy with the sweep and to move on without any drama."

For the series, Matlack had a 0.00 ERA over 7 innings pitched, with 10 strikeouts and a 1-0 record.

The Cal State Fullerton Titans don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Auburn Tigers - UC San Diego Tritons series. Auburn leads the series 1 game to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.For the series, Matlack had a 0.00 ERA over 7 innings pitched, with 10 strikeouts and a 1-0 record.

The Cal State Fullerton Titans don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Auburn Tigers - UC San Diego Tritons series. Auburn leads the series 1 game to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Aztecs Cruise to Regionals with Sweep:

Bobby Lowe said he expected the Wildcard to be "a battle from start to finish."

In the end, it was nothing more than a minor skirmish, as the San Diego State Aztecs encountered little resistance in sweeping the TCU Horned Frogs, to advance to the Regionals.

"It may have been a sweep, but it still was a tough series," said Lowe.

San Diego State won the final game by a 5-1 count and were led in the series by Lowe, who was named MVP. On the series, he hit .714 with 1 home runs. He also drove in 2 RBI and scored 1 runs.

The San Diego State Aztecs don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the LSU Tigers - Gonzaga Bulldogs series. LSU leads the series 1 game to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Auburn Takes Wildcard:

The Auburn Tigers have swept the UC San Diego Tritons and are on to the Regionals. Auburn won 5-2 today at Triton Ballpark to clinch the Wildcard.

"We're happy to have put the dagger in when we had the chance," said Auburn second baseman Jeff Kent, who was named MVP for the series. "It could have been a tough series to finish if we let them start winning."

Kent won the award with a .429 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage. He had 3 home runs, drove in 4 RBI and scored 4 runs.

The Auburn Tigers will play against the Cal State Fullerton Titans in the next round. Cal State Fullerton won their series against the North Texas Mean Green 2 games to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Pirates Cruise to Regionals with Sweep:

The East Carolina Pirates looked strong and dominant in a series sweep against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

The Wildcard victory gives the club a great deal of momentum heading into the Regionals.

East Carolina won the final game by a 3-0 count and the series 2-0.

Frank Hankinson captured MVP honors on the strength of his 0.00 ERA over 9 innings pitched. He had a 1-0 record.

"As long as we win, that's all that matters" he said of the honor.

The East Carolina Pirates don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the UConn Huskies - Little Rock Trojans series. Little Rock leads the series 1 games to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Cardinals Dominate, Sweep Wildcard:

The Louisville Cardinals rode the strong arm of Sandy Koufax to earn a sweep of the South Florida Bulls in the Wildcard.

Louisville won the final game at Jim Patterson Stadium by a 6-2 count and the series 2-0. Koufax was instrumental in the series win and was named MVP.

"Hopefully we can do it all again in the Regionals," he said.

For the series, Koufax had a 0.00 ERA over 8.2 innings pitched, with a 1-0 record.

The Louisville Cardinals don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the North Carolina Tar Heels - Virginia Cavaliers series. North Carolina leads the series 1 game to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Xavier Sweeps into the Regionals:

Tony Womack said he expected the Wildcard to be "a battle from start to finish."

In the end, it was nothing more than a minor skirmish, as the Xavier Musketeers encountered little resistance in sweeping the Washington Huskies, to advance to the Regionals.

"It may have been a sweep, but it still was a tough series," said Womack.

Xavier won the final game by a 4-2 count and were led in the series by Womack, who was named MVP. On the series, he hit .571 with 0 home runs. He also drove in 0 RBI and scored 2 runs.

The Xavier Musketeers don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the DePaul Blue Demons - UCLA Bruins series. UCLA leads the series 1 games to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Oklahoma Takes Wildcard in Deciding Game:

In an exciting Wildcard that had its fair share of drama and intrigue, perhaps it is NCAA fans who have come out the winner.

But on the field, the winners were the Oklahoma Sooners, who edged the West Virginia Mountaineers 2-1 to advance to the Regionals.

Oklahoma won the final game by a 8-4 count to wrap up the series. Mookie Betts earned series MVP honors, by hitting .563 with a .563 on-base percentage. He had 4 home runs, drove in 9 RBI and scored 5 runs.

The Oklahoma Sooners don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Sacramento State Hornets - Vanderbilt Commodores series. That series is tied at 1 game apiece. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Tar Heels Dominate, Sweep Wildcard:

The North Carolina Tar Heels have swept the Virginia Cavaliers and are on to the Regionals. North Carolina won 11-0 today at Davenport Field at Disharoon Park to clinch the Wildcard.

"We're happy to have put the dagger in when we had the chance," said North Carolina center fielder Jose Cruz, who was named MVP for the series. "It could have been a tough series to finish if we let them start winning."

Cruz won the award with a .500 batting average and a .500 on-base percentage. He had 1 home runs, drove in 6 RBI and scored 3 runs.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will play against the Louisville Cardinals in the next round. Louisville won their series against the South Florida Bulls 2 games to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Blue Devils Heading to Regionals:

The Duke Blue Devils appear poised to make a serious run at the College World Series after a convincing sweep over the North Alabama Lions in the Wildcard.

It's now on to the Regionals for Duke, who won the final game 12-3 and took the series 2-0.

"Everyone's doing their part and things are falling into place," said Duke right fielder Bill Nicholson, who was named series MVP. "It feels like a special year."

For the series, Nicholson hit .636 with a .636 on-base percentage. He had 2 home runs, drove in 5 RBI and scored 5 runs.

The Duke Blue Devils don't know who they will face in the next round. They will play the winner of the Villanova Wildcats - Rutgers Scarlet Knights series. That series is tied at 1 game apiece. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.

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Bulldogs Prevail, as Wildcard Goes to the Wire:

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and LSU Tigers didn't hold back anything in the Wildcard, with each team pulling out all the stops in an effort to advance to the Regionals.

Gonzaga won the final game by a score of 9-0 at Patterson Baseball Complex and that concluded the series, 2-1.

"Relief is the biggest thing," Gonzaga right fielder David Morgan said when asked how he felt. "It's a grind both mentally and physically to have a long series like this, but our guys stuck with it and LSU deserves credit for the hard fight."

Morgan paced the Gonzaga offence and earned MVP honors. For the series, he hit .500 with a .545 on-base percentage, 3 home runs, 6 RBI and scored 6 runs.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs will play against the San Diego State Aztecs in the next round. San Diego State won their series against the TCU Horned Frogs 2 games to 0. The Regionals schedule will be announced after the Wildcard finishes.