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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Transcript

Welcome to Season 5: Baseball Focus

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 .