1 West Virginia
2 Texas A&M
3 Duke
4 Fordham
West Virginia is hosting a Regional for the first time in 64 years, and it happens to be one of the most interesting in the bracket. The Mountaineers have one of the best pitchers in the land in Alek Manoah (9-3, 1.85, 135 K in 102.1 IP), and Nick Snyder (8-1, 2.71, 97 K in 63 IP) is a splendid No. 2 on a staff that limits opponents to a .218 average. Texas A&M counters with John Doxakis (7-3, 1.84, 106 K in 97.2 IP) and Asa Lacy (7-4, 2.20, 123 K in 81.2 IP). Duke has battled injuries and got hot to reach the NCAA field for consecutive years for the first time since 1952-53, thanks in part to senior Kennie Taylor (.333/6/39) and freshman Ethan Murray (.316/5/37). Fordham is in the field for the first time in 21 years. Coach Kevin Leighton took Manhattan to the NCAA’s twice, including a win over Joba Chamberlain and Nebraska. John Stankiewicz (8-3, 1.21, 102 K in 89.1 IP) leads a pitching staff that boasts a 3.08 ERA.
Sean – Pitching is aplenty in Morgantown this weekend. Fordham can provide a surprise, and any of the top three seeds have a pretty good shot to advance. The Mountaineers outlast the Aggies.
Phil: Great pitching for each team, but a deeper staff allows Asa Lacy, John Doxakis and Texas A&M to out-hurl Alek Manoah and WVU.