Let’s break down three dark horse teams to watch in the NCAA baseball tournament.
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1. Jacksonville State (46-13)
Let’s start off with Jacksonville State. This team went 46-13 on the season and has the No. 25 RPI. They not only played top-caliber teams this year, but beat top-caliber teams.
Auburn, who got the No. 4 overall seed in the tournament, lost to Jacksonville State twice this season. In fact, the Gamecocks mercy ruled them 15-4. They also played Alabama twice this season, and both times lost by only a run. That's not just random flukes — that says something.
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The lineup doesn't have a ton of power, but they have six every day starters hitting over .300. They just won the CUSA title, and I think you should watch out for this team in the tournament, in Southern Miss’s regional and facing Virginia to open the tournament.
2. UC Santa Barbara (38-18)
Next, I have UCSB. Anytime you have a pitcher like Jackson Flora on your team, you should be on the lookout. Flora is hands downs one of the best arms in the nation. He sports a 1.05 era with 124 strikeouts and they have some big-time wins this season — even big-time wins without Flora on the mound.
Now up to TWELVE strikeouts tonight for Flora, tying his career high 👀
— UC Santa Barbara Baseball (@UCSB_Baseball)
They took down the No. 1 team in the nation UCLA, 4-0, shutting out one of the country's best offenses. They took a game from Oregon and beat USC once. They didn’t have the best showing in their conference tournament, but could come into regionals on a mission in Austin.
3. Cincinnati (37-20)
And finally, watch out for Cincinnati. The Bearcats also have a win over Auburn this year, won the series over West Virginia, a national seed in the tournament, and have one of the best power hitters in the country on their lineup in Quinton Coats.
Quinton Coats puts us on top!
— Cincinnati Baseball (@GoBearcatsBASE)
His 48th and 49th RBI of the season. 💪 |
This team can win two out of three against tough competition, so watch out for them in Mississippi State’s regional.
