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Today, I will predict who I think will make it to the super regional round of the 2022 NCAA College Baseball Tournament.
If you are a little out of line on how the NCAA Baseball Tournament works here it goes:
1.The first round is called regional play. It includes 16 four team regionals (Top seeds are seeded 1-16). The top seed in each regional hosts. The two seed matches up with the three seed and the one seed in each region matches up with the four seed in each regional bracket. The winners of each of those games plays each other in the winners bracket and losers play each other in the losers bracket in a double-elimination style bracket. The winner of the winner’s bracket game moves on to the regional final while the loser plays a win or go home game versus the team that won in the loser’s bracket. Of course, the team that loses in the loser’s bracket goes home. The winner of the game between the winner in the loser’s bracket and the loser in the winner’s bracket determines who will face the team that has not lost in the regional final. The loser’s bracket team has to beat the winner’s bracket team to force a seventh and deciding game in the regional. But if the winner’s bracket team wins the sixth game, then they go to the Super Regionals, the second round of the tournament.
2.In the Supers (Super Regionals) it is much more simple. The higher seeded team hosts the super regional of the two competing. It is a best two out of three series to determine who goes to Omaha for the College World Series, comprised of the eight remaining teams.
3.The College World Series is made up of two four team brackets similar to the way regional play is played. The two winners face each other in the winner’s bracket and the two losers face each other in the loser’s bracket. When a team loses two games, they are out in the double-elimination setting. The two teams that make it through the winner’s bracket face off in the College World Series Finals.
4.The College World Series Finals is a best two out of three event.
Check out info for all of the regionals here including match-ups, first pitch times, etc.
Regionals (June 2-5):
Winston-Salem Regional (Winston-Salem, NC)
1.Wake Forest
(4) George Mason
(2) Maryland
(3) Northeastern
Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest in 6
The Demon Deacons should win this regional pretty easily but watch out for Maryland, who hosted a season ago as well as a talented three-seed, Northeastern.
Tuscaloosa Regional (Tuscaloosa, AL)
16.Alabama
(4) Nicholls State
(2) Boston College
(3) Troy
Carter’s Pick: 16.Alabama in 7
Since promoting Jason Jackson to interim head coach, Alabama has been fantastic. Underseeded at 16, the Tide will have to deal with Boston College, a team that should have hosted. A good pitching weekend will get the Crimson Tide through the Supers.
Stanford Regional (Stanford, CA)
8.Stanford
(4) San José State
(2) Texas A&M
(3) Cal State Fullerton
Carter’s Pick: Texas A&M in 7
Stanford may have been underseeded at 8 as the only west coast host this season. Texas A&M is hot now, having made it to the SEC Tournament Final. It should be a battle between the Cardinal and the Aggies for the regional.
Coral Gables Regional (Coral Gables, FL)
9.Miami
(4) Maine
(2) Texas
(3) Louisiana
Carter’s Pick: Louisiana in 7
Miami has played great at home this season but normally a three seed or two advance out and make the Supers. Texas is also a quality team so this will be a great regional.
Clemson Regional (Clemson, SC)
4.Clemson
(4) Lipscomb
(2) Tennessee
(3) Charlotte
Carter’s Pick: 4.Clemson in 7
Tennessee is the toughest two seed red hot Clemson probably could have seen in their regional. Clemson has been the best team in college baseball during the second half the season. Their quality play should get them to the Supers.
Auburn Regional (Auburn, AL)
13.Auburn
(4) Penn
(2) Southern Miss
(3) Samford
Carter’s Pick: Southern Miss in 7
Southern Miss fans everywhere believe they should have hosted. But Auburn AD John Cohen, the head of the Selection Committee, pegged his team as the number thirteen seed. The Eagles will get through this regional.
Baton Rouge Regional (Baton Rouge, LA)
5.LSU
(4) Tulane
(2) Oregon State
(3) Sam Houston State
Carter’s Pick: 5.LSU in 7
LSU’s terrific lineup and ace Paul Skenes will be challenged this weekend by tournament mainstay Oregon State, Sam Houston State, and (19-40) Tulane. If LSU pitches well, they will win this regional.
Lexington Regional (Lexington, KY)
12.Kentucky
(4) Ball State
(2) West Virginia
(3) Indiana
Carter’s Pick: West Virginia in 6
West Virginia will upset Kentucky in the regional final and make the Super Regionals relatively easily.
Nashville Regional (Nashville, TN)
6.Vanderbilt
(4) Eastern Illinois
(2) Oregon
(3) Xavier
Carter’s Pick: 6.Vanderbilt in 6
The Commodores, the SEC Tournament champs, have gotten hot at the right time. They should be fine as they deal with Oregon, Xavier, and Eastern Illinois.
Stillwater Regional (Stillwater, OK)
11.Oklahoma State
(4) Oral Roberts
(2) Dallas Baptist
(3) Washington
Carter’s Pick: 11.Oklahoma State in 6
After how fun the Stillwater Regional was a year ago (even though the Cowboys lost to Arkansas), Oklahoma State should handle this regional a bit easier even with a tough two seed Dallas Baptist and three seed Washington.
Fayetteville Regional (Fayetteville, AR)
3.Arkansas
(4) Santa Clara
(2) TCU
(3) Arizona
Carter’s Pick: 3.Arkansas in 7
Arkansas has been strong this season despite many injuries. They will have to get through Big 12 tournament champ TCU, Arizona, and impressive four seed Arizona, and I think they will.
Terra Haute Regional (Terre Haute, IN)
14.Indiana State
(4) Wright State
(2) Iowa
(3) North Carolina
Carter’s Pick: Iowa in 7
Iowa’s pitching will help them beat host Indiana State and advance. North Carolina will be hampered by the injury to star outfielder Vance Honeycutt.
Charlottesville Regional (Charlottesville, VA)
7.Virginia
(4) Army
(2) East Carolina
(3) Oklahoma
Carter’s Pick: East Carolina in 7
East Carolina’s depth on their pitching staff will upset Virginia in a relatively easy regional compared to others. Army is a tough out as the four seed with five consecutive tournament appearances but Oklahoma, as the last at-large team in the field, is the opposite.
Conway Regional (Conway, SC)
10.Coastal Carolina
(4) Rider
(2) Duke
(3) UNC-Wilmington
Carter’s Pick: 10.Coastal Carolina in 7
Duke has had a good season and could upset the Chanticleers but I believe they will push through their regional in seven games.
Gainesville Regional (Gainesville, FL)
2.Florida
(4) Florida A&M
(2) Connecticut
(3) Texas Tech
Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida in 7
Florida, maybe the most balanced team in the country, has a chore with Connecticut as their two seed and with three seed Texas Tech, who is seemingly always in the tournament. But, the Gators should get through here.
Columbia Regional (Columbia, SC)
15.South Carolina
(4) Central Connecticut State
(2) Campbell
(3) NC State
Carter’s Pick: Campbell in 7
Campbell should have hosted. Their RPI of 15 was overlooked. It will not be easy with South Carolina and North Carolina State’s SEC and ACC arms but the Camels will advance to the Ssuupers.
