No. 1 Texas (37-20)
No. 2 Indiana (38-17)
No. 3 Texas A&M (39-20)
No. 4 Texas Southern (27-26)
Texas
The Longhorns are hosting a Regional for the first time since 2011. The offense has been carried by Kody Clemens, son of Roger Clemens, who has gone .341/19/61 and slugged .687. He has 19 of the team’s 53 homers. David Hamilton (.307/5/33/28-35 SB) and Duke Ellis (.304/1/24) are the only others above .300. Zach Zubia (.288/10/41) packs some punch. Texas turns to Blair Henley (.5-6, 3.54) and Nolan Kingham (7-3, 4.26) on the mound, and Andy McGuire (1-2, 2.12) has saved seven games.
Indiana
The Hoosiers are becoming mainstays in the field, reaching the tourney for the fifth time in six years. Friday’s meeting will be the first for Indiana and Texas A&M. Most of Indiana’s losses have been close losses, thanks in large part to a pitching staff with an ERA of 2.95. Pauly Milto (7-2, 2.29) and Jonathan Stiever (5-5, 2.89) anchor the staff, but five other significant contributors have ERAs under 3.25. The offense turns to Matt Gorski (.363/13 2B/8 HR/39 RBI/19 SB), who does it all. Logan Kaletha has been hit by 20 pitches and has 40 walks to offset 47 strikeouts.
Texas A&M
The Aggies are in the field for the 12th straight year, and the Aggies are a dangerous 3-seed. Mitchell Kilkenny (8-4, 3.00) and John Doxakis (7-5, 2.89) can be lethal, and Nolan Hoffman (4-1, 1.24, 14 SV, 51 IP, 51 K) has been brilliant as a closer. Michael Helman (.366/6/34) is the top bat, but Logan Foster (.304/8/37) and Braden Shewmake (.329/5/44) are tough outs.
Texas Southern
The Tigers, winners of the SWAC for the second straight year, own one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Tourney history – a 2004 win over defending champ Rice. This year’s squad has two huge bats, Christian Sanchez (.343/17/60/.672 slg) and Lucca Gaudencio (.385/9/48/26-31 SB). Kamren Dukes (.396/3/39) is 30-36 in swiping bases. Aron Solis (10-3, 3.44) is the arm to watch as the Tigers search for that next big upset.