Who Will Punch Their Ticket to the College World Series?

College baseball's Super Regionals are officially here with 16 teams battling in best-of-three series to determine which eight will advance to the College World Series in Omaha. The Regional round saw major upsets with top-ranked teams like Vanderbilt, Texas, Georgia, Oregon and Clemson all eliminated early.

• Stetson Hatters players Isaiah Barkett and Lorenzo Meola earned tournament honors despite team elimination
• Key West native Felix Ong closed one for the Florida Gators
• Florida State (#9) faces tough west coast battle against Oregon State (#8)
• North Carolina (#5) hosts Arizona Wildcats with home field advantage
• Defending champions LSU (#6) welcome West Virginia to Baton Rouge
• Coastal Carolina's elite pitching staff takes on Auburn's tough offense
• Miami heads to Louisville as underdogs in ACC showdown
• UTSA makes history with first-ever Super Regional appearance against UCLA
• Duke faces Murray State without star AJ Gracia (suspended for celebrating)
• Tennessee and #3 Arkansas set for high-powered SEC battle
• Predictions for all eight matchups with personal commentary

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Chapters

• 0:00 Welcome to Season 5: Baseball Focus

Transcript

Joy: 0:00

Thanks for tuning in to the Bring Joy podcast. We're in season five and it's all about baseball. I'm talking big leagues to the little leagues, Yankees to the Conchs and everything in between. I'll share my joy for the game with you and whether you're a fan of baseball or good storytelling, you'll be entertained and each episode will bring a little joy to your day. So sit back and relax. Let's do this thing, this episode. I'm talking college baseball because the Super Regionals are officially here. There are 16 teams remaining and this weekend, june 6th through the 9th, they'll play in best of three series to determine which A's will punch their ticket to Omaha and the College World Series.

Joy: 0:42

The Regionals were a fun warm-up for the Supers. The round of 64 gave fans upset, dominant performances and some nail-biting finishes. But you could throw the rankings out the window because the number one ranked Vanderbilt, along with big boys from Texas, georgia, oregon and Clemson. Season ended in the first round and speaking of season endings, I got to give a big shout out to my boys, the Stetson Hatters. The Hats played ball and while our pitching didn't keep us alive for the next round, my guy Isaiah Barkette, showcased his talents, along with teammates Lorenzo Miola. The two earned tournament honors. I just hope the two juniors will be back with the hats next season to finish their careers in the land. But with that portal and merry-go-round rosters, I won't be surprised if other teams come calling. And a big shout-out to Key West native Felix Ong, who closed the game with the Florida Gators against Fairfield, striking out two batters in the inning. Way to go, Felix. I already know you got plenty of innings in your future and all your fans back in Key West are rooting for you. So yeah, there was plenty of drama in the first round and it's just going to get more intense in the Supers. Fans are in for some good baseball.

Joy: 2:04

Let's start with the Florida State Seminoles, who are ranked number nine. They're headed out west to battle number eight Oregon State. The two top 10 teams have had a strong season and the word is this will be the toughest series of the weekend. I've never liked West Coast teams or my teams having to travel out west to play, coast teams or my teams having to travel out west to play. I mean, I don't know what time it is. Is it my time or their time? So you know what time it is. It's K-Time. K-time for the nose ace Jamie Arnold and the rest of the lefty pitching staff. Those arms have been fired up and answering the call all season and will do it again this weekend, with plenty of help from the offense led by shortstop Alex Lodice, the Golden Spike nominee, or my guy Max Williams, or the fab freshman Miles Bailey, or any of the gentlemen in the power roster. Coach Jarrett pushes the right buttons with these guys and they are having fun together. Now I know Oregon State has a solid roster. They got pitching and a good offense and they got a superstar of their own In Arquette and I call it a battle. It'll be that. But hey, I love the Noles and I've watched them win big games all year. The Noles will win the series in dramatic fashion and head straight to Omaha.

Joy: 3:23

The number five ranked North Carolina Tar Heels will host the Arizona Wildcats. North Carolina's been hot and, with home field advantage, I'll pick them to win the series over a tough Wildcat team that can score some runs. I don't love the Tar Heels but I do love their catcher, luke Stevenson, and he'll be in the big league soon. So go ahead and write his name down. And he'll be in the big league soon, so go ahead and write his name down. Luke and the Tar Heels pitching will highlight the wins in this series and for the hometown crowd.

Joy: 3:53

How about West Virginia coming off an impressive regional performance to keep their season going, now they got to face the defending national champs, number six ranked LSU. In Baton Rouge. The Tigers pitching staff is loaded like always, and their big guy is a lefty named Cade Anderson. He and the champs won't get beat at home and will be the first in line to Omaha. How about Coastal Carolina and Auburn? Carolina has an elite pitching staff and Auburn has a tough offense. The Tigers are playing at home with that damn Bermuda Triangle in left field, that cursed wall that literally took out my Stetson Hatters. So let's go Coastal Carolina, auburn in two or three, whatever it takes. And how about Miami? They still playing and headed to Louisville. The Canes are the underdog in ACC showdown, but I watched Miami play in the regional against Southern Miss and they're playing scrappy baseball. So I'm pulling for the 305 Miami Hurricanes to defy the odds and win the series.

Joy: 4:59

The University of Texas at San Antonio made history by advancing to their first ever Super Regional. Congratulations, roadrunners. The party ends here, though. They'll be swept by a superior UCLA team and the dance is over for Murray State, who, by the way, are from Kentucky I had to look it up. I never heard of them but they have to face Duke in North Carolina. So Duke's going to ride the blue collar momentum and beat the Racers in two games, despite not having their superstar, AJ Gracia, in game one due to a ridiculous suspension for celebrating with his teammates while holding a prop against Oklahoma State. Listen, I'm not a big fan of the flashy look at me celebrations the bat flipping, jersey ripping, cussing and carry on. It's tacky, but the Yankees have beards. Now Times have changed, but the grassiest suspension was in poor taste, not the celebration.

Joy: 5:57

This time. The SEC battle between Tennessee and number three Arkansas is going to be fun to watch and I don't know who to pick. These teams have a history with lots of storyline. Both teams are stacked with talent. Arkansas is favorite. Some say they're going to win it all, but Coach Vitello and his team stay fired up and have SEC pitcher of the year, liam Doyle, and I know a guy who knows a guy named Levi Clark, that freshman sensation who hits dingers. So yeah, pull up a chair and enjoy this series. Baseball fans are in for a great weekend of baseball with the Super Regionals.

Joy: 6:37

I'm going to catch as much of the action as I can and get back to you next week with another episode to recap and look ahead at the Elite Eight headed to Omaha. I'm Joy Newley and I appreciate you tuning in to my podcast. My purpose is to bring joy to my life and the lives of others. If you enjoyed this episode, drop a review, share and subscribe, because there's a lot of good stuff on tap. You can also follow Bring Joy on YouTube and Instagram, or check my website at joynewscom. I go bring joy to the people in your world. Until next time, much love.