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(photos by David Campbell/ASU)
To the casual college baseball fan, Alabama State doesn’t have much of a shot in Friday’s opener of the Tallahassee Regional against host Florida State. After all, the Hornets will be making their first trip to the NCAA Tournament while the Seminoles will be making their 54th trip and haven’t been left out of the tourney since 1977.
To the diehard college baseball fan, the Hornets’ day in the NCAA sun was only a matter of time, and now that they’re in, expect them to play well.
Five seasons ago, Alabama State lured Mervyl Melendez away from Bethune-Cookman, where Melendez led the Wildcats to 11 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference titles in 12 years and 11 trips to the NCAA Tournament. In fact, his last Bethune-Cookman team went into the Tallahassee Regional as heavy underdogs to FSU, the No. 8 national seed. The final? FSU 6, Bethune-Cookman 5 as Mike McGee had an eighth-inning single to save the Seminoles.
Since then, Melendez and his staff, which includes longtime assistant Jose Vazquez and former players at Bethune-Cookman Drew Clark and Matt Crane, have been shaping ASU from the 14-29 team it was when they arrived. Three 30-win seasons in four years preceded this season’s breakout campaign of 38-15 and a perfect 24-0 regular-season mark in the SWAC.
And worth noting, there are some notable games the past two years. The Hornets boast wins over South Alabama – also at the Tallahassee Regional this weekend – and Tennessee this season. Last year, behind seven strong innings from probable Friday starter Joseph Camacho (10-0, 2.04), ASU edged Cal State Fullerton 3-2.
There also was an 8-7 loss at the hands of Florida State, when the Seminoles scored five late runs to escape with a win.
Melendez took some time this week to field some questions from CBI about his program’s historic season.
Congratulations on a tremendous season. As we’ve discussed before, it was a bit of a surprise when you left Bethune-Cookman for Alabama State. Now, you’re making your first trip to Regionals with the Hornets. Describe the process in getting to this point at ASU.
Our goal from Day 1 was to get ASU to the NCAA Tournament. Our staff has worked extremely hard to get our young group of players to this point. It has been a long road, but we are extremely excited to be back in the NCAA Tournament.
An undefeated conference season. 38 wins, including wins over South Alabama and Tennessee. A SWAC title. What has been the key to this season?
It has been an unbelievable season full of many great surprises. Being undefeated in a 24-game conference season was incredible but winning the first SWAC Championship will be unforgettable for our university. Our young guys play the game with a lot of energy, and they have not been intimidated by any team or any adverse situation throughout the season.
A bit of irony here. Your last NCAA Tournament appearance at Bethune-Cookman was in Tallahassee, and now you’re headed back with ASU. What are some of your memories of playing in Tallahassee several times in the NCAA tourney?
Tallahassee brings a lot of memories, but we are ready to create new ones here at ASU. We have a bitter taste in our mouths by the way our game went last year in Tallahassee but can’t wait to get back on the field and create new memories for our program. Our players were excited when they learned we were going back to Tallahassee.
What’s the biggest challenge as your team makes its first NCAA Tournament appearance?
We must stay in the moment, play with the same energy and passion we have played this entire season. Our players are ready to play and can’t wait until Friday to continue with our great season.
I know you’re not just satisfied reaching the NCAA Tournament. How do the Hornets shake up this Regional?
We must approach this Regional like we have this whole entire season. Play with energy and intensity…Getting to the NCAA Tournament is another step in the direction that we want our program to head. Our program has been growing over the last five years, and we want this magical season to continue. Our players understand the sacrifices needed to be able to continue to be successful. They want to be successful and this week at practice they have been hungrier than ever. Can’t wait till Friday!