No. 1 Oregon State (44-10-1)
No. 2 LSU (37-25)
No. 3 San Diego State (39-19)
No. 4 Northwestern State (37-22)
Oregon State
The Beavers are looking for a return trip to Omaha and feature one of the best middle infields in the country in Nick Madrigal (.395/2/27), who has struck out five times in 119 AB, and Cadyn Grenier (.335/4/42). Trevor Larnach (.324/17/64) had a monster start to the season, and Adley Rutschman (.391/6/63) just finds ways to get on base. Luke Heimlich again was one of college baseball’s best pitchers, going 14-1 with a 2.49 ERA and 139 Ks in 104.2 IP. Bryce Fehmel (9-1, 2.81) had another terrific season.
LSU
The Tigers were shipped out west after finishing .500 in the SEC – they were just 8-17 away from Alex Box Stadium. It was a rather uneven year on the mound as the staff posted a 4.68 ERA, but there are plenty of power arms led by Zack Hess (7-5, 4.43, 101 K in 89.1 IP) and Ma’Khail Hilliard (9-5, 3.79). Nick Bush (1-1, 3.16) is expected to start LSU’s first game. The offense depends on Antoine Duplantis (.337/2/47) and Daniel Cabrera (.330/8/52), with Austin Bain, Zach Watson and Beau Jordan each batting at or just over .300.
San Diego State
Somewhat quietly, the Aztecs have reached five Regionals in six years as coach Mark Martinez has continued the trend started by Tony Gwynn. Martinez has another good hitting club (.305) that features six players hitting better than .315. Chase Calabuig (.359/5/46) and Jordan Verdon (.341/12/65) lead the way, and Matt Rudick and Julian Escobedo, both of whom walk more than they strike out, get on base a lot. Closer Casey Schmitt has allowed one earned run in 32 innings (0.28 ERA) and has 24 Ks, 8 BB and 9 saves in 32 IP.
Northwestern State
The Demons join fellow Louisiana school LSU in Oregon after winning the Southland Tournament, their first trip to the NCAA tourney since 2005. Opposing teams will try to limit David Fry (.336/26 2B/12 HR, 55 RBI), who slugs .626 and has 47 BB/HBP. Kwan Adkins (.323/2/24) is second on the team with 73 hits. Northwestern State has five regulars who have struck out more than 50 times, and the team Ks nearly nine times a game. Joey Maddox (7-3, 2.03), Ridge Heisler (7-2, 3.01) and Nathan Jones (4-6, 3.71) have chewed innings, combining for just about half of the innings for the Demons.