No. 2 UCLA Crushes No. 1 Oklahoma to Win Game 1 of Women's College World Series
Jun 3, 2019
UCLA's Aaliyah Jordan gestures to her team as she runs in after hitting a home run against Oklahoma in the first inning of the first game of the best-of-three championship series in the NCAA softball Women's College World Series in Oklahoma City, Monday, June 3, 2019. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)
For the first time since 2005, the No. 1 and No. 2 seeds are battling it out in the Women's College World Series, and nobody could have predicted what awaited No. 1 Oklahoma in Game 1 Monday night in Oklahoma City.
The best-of-three series began with the No. 2 UCLA Bruins dominating the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners 16-3 behind 16 hits and four home runs by four different players.
Per the ESPN broadcast, the Bruins' 16 runs tied the most in a Women's College World Series and marked the 14th game this season that UCLA has scored at least 10 runs.
Aaliyah Jordan opened the scoring with a solo shot off Sooners starting pitcher Giselle Juarez with two outs in the top of the first. The Bruins came out hot despite gritting through a 10-inning semifinal game against Washington on Sunday.
Rachel Garcia, whose three-run home run in the 10th inning is what landed UCLA in the finals, also started against Oklahoma in Game 1. Shay Knighten took the back-to-back USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year yard to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the second.
Following her two-run home run in the top of the sixth to give UCLA a 10-run lead, Garcia was taken out of the pitching circle having allowed just one run and three hits on 61 pitches. Her shutdown five-inning performance came a day after she tossed 179 pitches and 16 strikeouts against Washington.
Juarez did not fare as well, as Mariah Lopez replaced her to start the fifth inning after she had given up four runs, three earned, on 62 pitches.
The beginning of the end of Juarez and the Sooners came in the top of the third when UCLA capitalized on a comedy of errors by Oklahoma:
Speed kills, as Washington beats out an infield hit, moves to second on an error and scores on a sacrifice by Godin, which results in another Sooner error. Godin up to second.
And Nickles singles to left, and when the ball is booted by the OU left fielder, Godin comes in. Nickles takes second. UCLA has scored twice in the inning and there is still nobody out.
The Bruins' bats worked Lopez, too, as they scored one more in the top of the fifth off a walk and two singles. More of the same followed Lopez into the sixth, as Brianna Tautalafua crushed a solo shot for her first hit in 26 at-bats. Lopez was chased before the end of the inning, but the Bruins added five more off Shannon Saile.
The Bruins showed no mercy to Nicole Mendes in the top of the seventh, batting around to pad their already demoralizing lead by five more runs.
UCLA's 16 runs are the most the Sooners have allowed since the Bruins beat them 7-1 on Feb. 22. The Bruins are the only team to score four or more runs on Oklahoma this season, according to the ESPN broadcast.
By the time Oklahoma's offense woke up in the bottom of the seventh, it was much too late. That said, perhaps the Sooners can use it as some semblance of momentum heading into a must-win Game 2.
The last team in the Women's College World Series to win Game 1 but lose the series was Oklahoma in 2012 to Alabama. Sooners head coach Patty Gasso and her pitchers must find an answer before Tuesday night in order to have a chance at subjecting UCLA to the same fate.
Additionally, the Sooners' senior class will have to muster the performance of its life to come from behind and earn its third title in four years.
If not, UCLA will glide to its first national title since 2010—adding to an already NCAA-most 11 all-time championships.
What's Next?
Game 2 will begin at 8:30 p.m. ET Tuesday from USA Softball Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City.
Watch UCLA's Rachel Garcia Hit Walk-Off HR After Throwing 179-Pitch CG Shutout
Jun 2, 2019
UCLA's Rachel Garcia during an NCAA softball game against Ole Miss on Saturday Feb.16, 2019 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Softball usually is a team sport, but Rachel Garcia almost single-handedly carried UCLA to victory Sunday.
As a pitcher, the junior shut down Washington while allowing zero runs and striking out 16 over 10 innings. When the offense didn't give her any help, she took care of business herself with a walk-off three-run home run in the 10th inning:
The 3-0 win also sent the Bruins to the Women's College World Series Finals, where they will take on either Oklahoma or Alabama.
Garcia has been a huge part of UCLA's success all season long, going 27-1 as a pitcher with a 1.03 ERA while also hitting .345 at the plate. This has carried over into the postseason, where she has earned wins in each of the team's three games in the College World Series in Oklahoma City.
She had already become a legend at her own school, but Sunday's performance will help immortalize her in softball history.
NCAA Softball Championships 2019: Dates, TV Schedule, Times, Bracket and More
May 29, 2019
Oklahoma third baseman Sydney Romero #2 during an NCAA softball game on Friday, Feb.15, 2019 in Clearwater, Fla. (AP Photo/Casey Brooke Lawson)
Eight programs are headed to Oklahoma City for the 2019 Women's College World Series to decide softball's national champion.
Seven of the eight top-seeded teams advanced through the regional and super regional stages. Defending champion and No. 4 Florida State fell to No. 13 Oklahoma State and will not defend its crown.
But the undisputed favorite in 2019 is Oklahoma.
The Sooners carry a 54-3 overall record into the World Series and have surrendered just two runs in six NCAA tournament games. Senior stars Sydney Romero, Caleigh Clifton and Shay Knighten are seeking their third national title in four seasons.
Oklahoma's clash with Alabama rounds out Thursday's first-round action. The double-elimination WCWS is split into two brackets; the winners of each section play a best-of-three championship series.
2019 Softball Championships Dates
Thursday, May 30
Game 1: No. 6 Arizona vs. No. 3 Washington, Noon ET (ESPN) Game 2: No. 7 Minnesota vs. No. 2 UCLA, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Game 3: No. 13 Oklahoma State vs. No. 5 Florida, 7 p.m. (ESPN2) Game 4: No. 8 Alabama vs. No. 1 Oklahoma, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Friday, May 31
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m. (ESPN) Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Saturday, June 1
Game 7: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 12 p.m. (ESPN) Game 8: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser, 2:30 p.m (ESPN) Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 6 loser, 7 p.m. (ESPN) Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 5 loser, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Sunday, June 2
Game 11: Game 5 winner vs. Game 9 winner, 1 p.m. (ESPN) Game 12: Game 6 winner vs. Game 10 winner, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN) Game 13*: Game 11 teams, 7 p.m. (ESPN2) Game 14*: Game 12 teams, 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
World Series Schedule
Game 1: Monday, June 3, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN) Game 2: Tuesday, June 4, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Game 3*: Wednesday, June 5, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Oklahoma City will be flooded with All-American talent, and the Sooners bring a handful of top-level players.
Romero has 39 extra-base hits and owns a .435 average. Clifton is batting .419 but also boasts a .564 on-base percentage thanks to 43 walks. Led by Giselle Juarez, OU has a three-headed monster in the circle. Juarez, Mariah Lopez and Shannon Saile―all juniors―have a combined 1.37 earned run average in 341 innings.
Romero is a finalist for USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year alongside UCLA standout Rachel Garcia. The junior has 253 strikeouts in 166 innings of work, holding a near-perfect 24-1 record and 1.01 ERA. Garcia is also a .344 hitter with a .443 OBP.
Rachel Garcia
Garcia landed on the same shortlist in 2018 with Florida stars Kelsey Barnhill and Amanda Lorenz. Barnhill―who won the award last season―has a 34-12 record and 1.45 ERA, while Lorenz flaunts a sterling .563 OBP with 28 extra-base hits and 62 walks.
Barnhill and Lorenz recently were the first two overall picks of the 2019 National Pro Fastpitch draft, and Romero went third.
Oklahoma State has a dominant two-way producer in Sam Show. In addition to a 21-8 record and 2.37 ERA, the senior is batting .333 with 18 homers and 54 runs batted in.
Other stars of note include Washington ace Gabbie Plain (23-2, 1.14 ERA), Arizona second baseman Reyna Carranco (.420 average), Alabama phenom Montana Fouts (19-5, 1.44 ERA) and Minnesota pitcher Amber Fiser (31-7, 1.17 ERA).
Follow Bleacher Report writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.
NCAA Softball Championships 2019: Super Regionals Results, World Series Schedule
May 26, 2019
Washington's Gabbie Plain pitches during an NCAA softball game against Oregon on Saturday, March 23, 2019 in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Florida earned the final Women's College World Series berth on Sunday thanks to a 2-1, eight-inning victory over SEC rival Tennessee in the Super Regional round. Jaimie Hoover smacked a walk-off single to plate Amanda Lorenz for the win:
Game 1: No. 3 Washington vs. No. 6 Arizona: noon on ESPN
Game 2: No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 7 Minnesota: 2:30 p.m. on ESPN
Game 3: No. 5 Florida vs. No. 13 Oklahoma State: 7 p.m. on ESPN2
Game 4: No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 8 Alabama: 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Friday, May 31
Game 5: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner: 7 p.m. on ESPN
Game 6: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner: 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
Saturday, June 1
Game 7: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser: noon on ESPN
Game 8: Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser: 2:30 p.m on ESPN
Game 9: Game 7 winner vs. Game 6 loser: 7 p.m. on ESPN
Game 10: Game 8 winner vs. Game 5 loser: 9:30 p.m. on ESPN
Sunday, June 2
Game 11: Game 5 winner vs. Game 9 winner: 1 p.m. on ESPN
Game 12: Game 6 winner vs. Game 10 winner: 3:30 p.m. on ESPN
Game 13 (if necessary): Game 11 teams: 7 p.m. on ESPN2
Game 14 (if necessary): Game 12 teams: 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Championship Finals (Best-Of-Three)
Game 1: Monday, June 3, at 7:30 on ESPN
Game 2: Tuesday, June 4, at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
Game 3: Wednesday, June 5, at 8:30 p.m. on ESPN
*All times Eastern
First-Round Picks
No. 5 Florida vs. No. 13 Oklahoma State
Is OSU a team of destiny? Maybe.
The Oklahoma State Cowgirls took down the defending national champion Florida State Seminoles two games to one after a nail-biting 3-2 victory in Game 3.
The road doesn't get easier with a date against No. 5 Florida in the first round of the World Series, but there's reason to believe Oklahoma State can make some noise.
First, OSU is 18-4 in its last 22 games, with the only losses coming against No. 1 Oklahoma (three-game sweep) and FSU (in the Super Regional).
Second, Samantha Show is sometimes an unstoppable force. She led the team with 18 home runs, 54 RBI and a 1.141 OPS. On the mound, she's 21-8 with a 2.37 ERA.
The problem is Florida has a lights-out pitching staff that should give OSU problems.
Kelly Barnhill has been near-invincible this year, going 34-12 with a 1.45 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 349 strikeouts in 279.1 innings. Elizabeth Hightower (4-1, 1.88 ERA) and Natalie Lugo (8-3, 2.04 ERA) aren't so bad either.
OSU is a great story, but Florida is a tough team to crack. Look for the Gators to win.
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 8 Alabama
Here's a sample of some of the most eye-popping Oklahoma softball stats this season.
First, the Sooners are 54-3 with an 18-0 Big 12 record. If they run the table in the WCWS, they'll have the best record of any team since the 1994 Arizona Wildcats (64-3).
Second, the Sooners have amassed shutouts in six of their last seven games and eight of their last 11. They've allowed more than three runs just three times.
Third, OU leads Division I in the following categories: batting average, ERA, fielding percentage, home runs per game, scoring, slugging percentage and strikeout-to-walk ratio.
The bottom line is that it will be a monumental upset if OU doesn't win the WCWS, but No. 8 Alabama is impressive in its own right.
Catcher Bailey Hemphill is a game-breaking talent, smacking 25 home runs and earning a 1.370 OPS. She played 65 games and knocked in 78 runs. First-year pitcher Montana Fouts has been stout in her opening collegiate campaign, going 19-5 with a 1.44 ERA and 174 strikeouts in 160.2 innings.
However, OU is simply invincible right now, to the point where the Sooners could be among the best softball teams in the history of the game. Look for an OU win here.
No. 3 Washington vs. No. 6 Arizona
These two Pac-12 rivals meet again after Washington swept Arizona during the regular season by a combined score of 12-6 over three games.
Anything can happen in one game, of course, but it's hard to pick against Washington here.
The Huskies are on a roll as winners of their last 12 games and 28 of their last 29, including the Pac-12 title. Their lone loss was by one run to Utah.
The formula for the 50-7 team is pretty simple: On the mound, Washington has two dominant pitchers in Gabbie Plain and Taran Alvelo. Plain went 23-2 with a 1.14 ERA and 229 strikeouts in 172.2 innings, and Alvelo earned a 25-4 record with a 1.55 ERA and 268 punchouts in 185.0 frames.
At the dish, Morganne Flores is one of the game's most feared hitters, smacking 22 home runs and managing a 1.265 OPS. The Huskies had four players with a .400 OPS or better.
The Wildcats will put up a fight, of course, and they notably didn't lose any game to Washington by more than three. Four players hit 14 or more home runs, led by Jessie Harper's 28. Taylor McQuillin has also done quite well on the mound thanks to a 23-7 record, 1.52 ERA and 214 strikeouts.
The key will be whether the Arizona power bats can get the best of Washington's pitching. The guess here is that this one will be close, with the Huskies holding serve in the end.
No. 2 UCLA vs. No. 7 Minnesota
UCLA has hit .342 this year, with seven of its players hitting .305 or better this season. The team's two best hitters, Kelli Godin and Briana Perez, also combined to steal 44 bases.
The Bruins may have the deepest lineup top to bottom in Division I, and it also helps that ace pitcher Rachel Garcia went 24-1 with a 1.01 ERA.
The issue is that UCLA isn't coming into the World Series in the best of forms. The Bruins went 3-3 in their final six Pac-12 games (admittedly, two were versus No. 6 Arizona) and dropped one to unranked Missouri in the regionals.
Still, UCLA is a powerhouse at its best, and the team posted one of the most impressive series of the year when it swept Washington on the road by a 22-8 score in three games.
UCLA may get a stiff test versus No. 7 Minnesota, though, as the Golden Gophers are 20-2 in their last 22 games. They've waltzed through the NCAA tournament with a 5-0 record and have earned their first-ever WCWS berth in the process.
It helps to have a strikeout queen in Amber Fiser, who sat down 339 opponents in 250.1 innings en route to a 31-7 record and 1.17 ERA.
The Golden Gophers also have a dynamic power duo in their lineup in Hope Brandner and Natalie DenHartog. The two combined for 36 home runs and 122 RBI. MaKenna Partain is a tough out at the plate and on the bases with her .495 OBP and 13 stolen bases.
This could be the best game of the opening round, one that could go either way. In the end, let's go with an upset and take Minnesota to continue its dream season and send UCLA to the losers' bracket.
Texas' Miranda Elish 'Well' After Being Hit in Face by Catcher's Errant Throw
May 25, 2019
Texas pitcher Miranda Elish #40 during an NCAA softball game on Thursday Feb. 14, 2019 in Clearwater, Fla. (AP Photo/Casey Brooke Lawson)
Texas Longhorns softball pitcher Miranda Elish is "doing well" after being hit in the face by a teammate's throw during Friday's super regional game against Alabama.
The team provided an update via Twitter on Friday night, noting the junior was taken to the emergency room as a "precaution":
For those who have joined us late, we've been told that "our @elish_miranda is DOING WELL and was taken to the ER as a precaution..." We sincerely appreciate all your thoughts and prayers!
Elish was helped off the field in the second inning after catcher Mary Iakopo's throw to second on an Alabama bunt attempt struck her in the head.
"I was looking to get a lead out," Iakopo said after the game. "That's all I was looking for so I was headed to second, and it was a dead ball. I shouldn't have thrown it."
Elish exited the game having allowed four runs (three earned) on two hits and three walks in 1.2 innings of work.
The Longhorns trailed 3-0 at the time but managed to rally for a 7-5 victory.
"We definitely said that she was our motivation," Longhorns outfielder MK Tedder said after the game, according to the American-Statesman Staff's Danny Davis. "We definitely took what happened to make sure that we were doing it for her."
Iakopo told Davis that she "was thinking about Miranda the whole time" afterward. Iakopo hit a home run and knocked in four while helping her team rally from a four-run deficit.
Texas' victory sets up a winner-take-all Game 3 on Saturday.
Video: Trine University Advances to Softball World Series on Hidden-Ball Trick
May 22, 2019
A detail view of an NCAA softball field is seen on the field during an Prairie View A&M University at Texas Southern University NCAA softball game on Friday, May 3, 2019 in Houston. (AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher)
The Trine University softball team made it to the Division III Women's College World Series in style Saturday by perfectly executing the hidden-ball trick to beat SUNY Geneseo in their NCAA super regional game.
The Indiana school was leading 3-1 in the final inning, but Geneseo had runners on first and second with two outs. Rather than attempting to end the game in a traditional manner, Trine dug into its bag of tricks:
Can't get over how perfectly executed this hidden-ball trick was by @TrineUniversity (Indiana).
And this was to advance to the Division III Women's College World Series! Unreal pic.twitter.com/rQKzNZWAoO
Senior pitcher Kate Saupe started the play by faking a throw to second. The second baseman, shortstop and center fielder all sold an errant throw by diving, which prompted the runner on second to break toward third.
Saupe, who had the ball in her possession the entire time, then approached the runner and tagged her for the final out.
With the win, Trine advanced to the Division III Women's College World Series, where it is slated to face Illinois Wesleyan in the first round in Tyler, Texas.
NCAA Softball Tournament 2019: Super Regionals Bracket and Schedule Info
May 20, 2019
FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2019, file photo, Oklahoma's Caleigh Clifton (20), Sydney Romero (2) and Parker Conrad (73) celebrate during an NCAA college softball game against Florida State in Clearwater, Fla. Oklahoma has matched the Division I record for consecutive wins in a season with 38 and can break the record Friday in the Big 12 Tournament against Texas Tech. The Sooners have done it with talent, balance and a business-like approach. (AP Images/Casey Brooke Lawson via AP, File)
And then there were 16.
Well, almost.
The Regionals portion of the 2019 NCAA softball tournament was supposed to wrap up Sunday, but the Ann Arbor and Minneapolis Regionals are still hanging in the balance after weather-related delays.
Each Regional featured four teams in a double-elimination setting, and the 16 Regional winners advance to the Super Regionals. The Super Regionals are scheduled for May 23 through May 26 and pit teams in a best-of-three series on a campus site until there are eight teams remaining for the Women's College World Series.
The Women's College World Series takes place in OGE Energy Field in Oklahoma City from May 30 through June 5. It assumes a double-elimination format until there are two teams remaining, which then face each other in a best-of-three championship series.
Full schedule and scores for the entire tournament can be found at NCAA.com.
Typically at this point, there is a bracket with 16 teams in the Super Regionals. However, the delays mean LSU is waiting for its opponent from Minnesota, Drake and Georgia, while UCLA is waiting for either Michigan or James Madison to advance.
Elsewhere, Oklahoma faces Northwestern, Alabama faces Texas, Florida faces Tennessee, Florida State faces Oklahoma State, Washington faces Kentucky and Arizona faces Ole Miss in the Super Regionals that are set.
Survive and advance! #Sooners bounce back with a shutout win over Wisconsin to earn a spot in Super Regionals!
An updated bracket with all the Super Regional matchups can be found on NCAA.com.
Some of the best teams in the nation are still alive in the race for the title with No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 2 UCLA, No. 3 Washington, No. 4 Florida State and No. 5 Florida advancing. If No. 7 Minnesota and No. 15 Michigan both win their Regionals, there will be even more high-profile clashes in the Super Regionals.
In the Minneapolis Regional, Georgia already beat Drake once and was ahead 4-2 in their second matchup when play was suspended. It will continue Monday, with the winner facing the Golden Gophers.
Whoever plays Minnesota—which already beat Georgia but is yet to face Drake in the Regional—will have to beat it twice given the double-elimination format.
In the Ann Arbor Regional, Michigan needs just one win in two chances against James Madison. They will face each other Monday, and James Madison will have to upset the Wolverines twice in a row after losing to them earlier in Regional play.
Michigan is in solid position, although a matchup in the Super Regionals against the mighty Bruins is quite the daunting prize.
NCAA Softball Championships 2019 Bracket: Schedule, Matchups and More
May 12, 2019
FILE - In this Feb. 15, 2019, file photo, Oklahoma's Caleigh Clifton (20), Sydney Romero (2) and Parker Conrad (73) celebrate during an NCAA college softball game against Florida State in Clearwater, Fla. Oklahoma has matched the Division I record for consecutive wins in a season with 38 and can break the record Friday in the Big 12 Tournament against Texas Tech. The Sooners have done it with talent, balance and a business-like approach. (AP Images/Casey Brooke Lawson via AP, File)
The 2019 NCAA softball championship bracket is set as 64 teams try to begin their run at a national championship.
Oklahoma is the No. 1 overall seed, although there will be a lot of competition as the squad tries to bring home a title. Florida State is the defending champion with the experience necessary to succeed in the postseason, while top teams from all over the country have the talent to go all the way this year.
Even with a double-elimination format, this tournament could be full of surprises.
The Big 12 tournament was canceled due to weather, but there was no debate about which team was the best in the conference. Oklahoma was dominant all season long, going 18-0 in conference play and 49-2 overall during an incredible season.
Not only did the Sooners find ways to win nearly every time out, but they also excelled in nearly every phase of the game.
Their .365 batting average easily leads the country ahead of second-place James Madison with a .349 mark. The pitching has somehow been even better, ranking first in the nation at 1.15 compared to second-place Louisiana at 1.37.
Shannon Saile, a transfer from FIU, has shut down opponents to become one of the best pitchers in college softball.
"Anytime I say there's a chance they can't do something, they show me they can," coach Patty Gasso said of her team, per Jake Trotter of espnW.com. "It's a different kind of team. They act, they feel, their style is very invincible."
With three championships in the last six years, we also know this program knows how to get it done.
Considering each of the Sooners' two losses came in February, it will be difficult for any team to beat them in this tournament.
UCLA
Washington sits above UCLA in the latest coaches poll, but the Bruins are the most dangerous Pac-12 squad in this tournament.
Not only did the Bruins clinch the automatic bid from the conference by winning the regular-season title, but they also swept the Huskies in their only three head-to-head games this year. They are also more well-built for the NCAA tournament despite the fact that Washington reached the College World Series Finals a year ago.
UCLA has one of the best two-person pitching tandems in the country between Rachel Garcia and Megan Faraimo, who combined to pick up some significant hardware this year:
We are not worthy!
For the first time in conference history, the same player takes home both the #Pac12SB Player of the Year and Pitcher of the Year Awards. 🏆🏆
These two combined for 35 wins during the regular season and could get quite a few more over the next month.
With Bubba Nickles anchoring a deep lineup, there are all the tools necessary for a deep run.
A 3-3 record to close the year raises some concern, but UCLA will be a top contender for a championship.
Louisiana
Major conference teams like Florida State, Florida, Alabama and Arizona are all capable of winning it all, but don't count out Louisiana out of the Sun Belt Conference.
The Ragin' Cajuns had a 50-4 record this season, including 25-0 in league play, before cruising to a conference tournament title with two wins over Coastal Carolina.
Summer Ellyson was a machine this year, appearing in 46 games (41 starts) while totaling 249.1 innings. She was more than effective on the mound, totaling an incredible 37-4 record with a 0.98 ERA.
If Louisiana is going to win games this tournament, you can be certain Ellyson will have a significant role in them.
The offense also has quite a few hitters who can get on base or hit it out of the park, although there are question marks about their level of competition during the year.
It won't be an easy run to the CWS, but this team could surprise people during this postseason.
Note: All statistics courtesy of team sites and NCAA.com.
