No. 1 Texas Tech (39-17)
No. 2 Louisville (43-17)
No. 3 Kent State (39-16)
No. 4 New Mexico State (40-20)
Texas Tech
The Red Raiders are hosting again and can put up runs in a hurry. They’re one of the few teams in the tourney whose BB/HBP are close to their strikeouts (398 BB/HBP to 501 K), good for a ridiculous .423 OBA. Josh Jung (.381/11/73) and Grant Little (.378/12/67) have been the beneficiaries of all those runners. Tech’s pitching has been a little up and down, but Caleb Killian (8-1, 2.30) and Ryan Shetter (4-0, 3.07) have backed John McMillon (5-3, 4.14) and Davis Martin (6-5, 4.64), who has struggled of late.
Louisville
The Cardinals took a small step back from where they’ve been in recent years, but they still are a dangerous club, especially with Nick Bennett (8-1, 2.20) and Adam Wolf (7-2, 2.26) on the mound. Wolf has struck out 105 and walked 26 in 95.2 innings. Josh Stowers (.341/9/59) has been red-hot, and Logan Wyatt (.336/4/59) has put together a great season. Devin Mann (.299/6/49) often comes up big, and he and Wyatt get on base with 53 and 59 walks, respectively. Louisville, like, Texas Tech, works to get on base – it has 388 BB/HBP and 387 Ks.
Kent State
The Golden Flashes return to the NCAA tourney for the first time since 2014. It’s another strong crew for Jeff Duncan, led by the speed of Nick Kanavas (.358/1/34/20 SB) and Mason Mamarella (.323/0/42/33 SB) and power of Tim DalPorto (.319/7/46) and Pavin Parks (.292/7/51). Parks has walked 52 times to contribute to a .462 OBA. Joey Murray is going to give any team fits. He’s gone 9-1 with a 1.71 ERA and 139 Ks in 94.2 IP. Opponents hit just .146 off the Flashes’ ace. As a staff, Kent State limits hitters to a .219 average.
New Mexico State
The Aggies are back in the field for the first time since 2012. And they’ll turn to Jonathan Groff (11-2, 2.49) and Kyle Bradish (9-3, 2.79, 131 K, 50 BB in 93.2 IP) as they look to surprise. Caleb Henderson (.339/10/63), Tristen Carranza (.332/9/53) and Nick Gonzales (.349/9/36) lead an offense that is batting .313 and averages better than eight runs a game. Carranza has been hit 20 times, and Henderson 17 times.