Category: College Baseball

Image Courtesy: Rocky Top Talk

June 16

Game 1 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
TCU
Oral Roberts

Carter’s Pick: TCU

Game 2 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Florida
7.Virginia

Carter’s Pick: Virginia

June 17

Game 3 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
8.Stanford

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest

Game 4 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
5.LSU
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: 5.LSU

June 18

Game 5 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
7.Virginia
Oral Roberts

Carter’s Pick: 7.Virginia

Game 6 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Florida
TCU

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida

June 19

Game 7 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
8.Stanford
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: Tennessee

Game 8 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
5.LSU

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest

June 20

Game 9 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
7.Virginia
TCU

Carter’s Pick: TCU

Game 10 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
5.LSU
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: Tennessee

June 21

Game 11 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Florida
TCU

Carter’s Pick: TCU

Game 12 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest

June 22

Game 13 (2 or 7 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Florida
TCU

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida

Championship Series
Game 1 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
2.Florida

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida

Game 2 (3 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
2.Florida

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest

Game 3 (If necessary) (7 PM ET, ESPN)
1.Wake Forest
2.Florida

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida

Image Courtesy: Draft Kings

(All game times eastern)

Super Regionals (June 10-12)

Winston-Salem Super Regional (Winston-Salem, NC)
1.Wake Forest
16.Alabama

Carter’s Pick: 1.Wake Forest in 2

Wake Forest swept their way through their regional. They will look to do the same thing against Alabama, who appear in the supers for the first time since 2010. Infielders Brock Wilken (27 home runs) and Nick Kurtz (23 home runs) make it go for the Demon Deacons while pitchers Rhett Lowder (125) and Josh Hartle (120) lead them in punch outs. For Alabama, infielder Colby Shelton (22 home runs and 47 RBIs) and outfielder Andrew Pickney (17 home runs and 56 RBIs). Pitchers Jacob McNairy (83) and Luke Holoman (79) lead the Tide in strikeouts. All of that to say, I think the Demon Deacons will cruise to Omaha and become the first number one overall seed since COVID-19 to advance to Omaha.

Game 1: June 10, 12 PM ET, ESPN
Game 2: June 11, TBD, TBD
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Stanford Super Regional (Stanford, CA)
8.Stanford
Texas

Carter’s Pick: Texas in 3

Stanford had to come out of the loser’s bracket in their own regional and beat a red hot Texas A&M team twice. Texas’ talented pitching staff helped them cruise through the Coral Gables regional in just six games with two wins over the nine-seeded Hurricanes. The Cardinal lineup is very talented 1-9 while the Longhorns lineup includes outfielder Eric Kennedy (16 home runs and 45 RBIs) and infielder Dylan Campbell (13 home runs and 48 RBIs). The Horns’ pitching has been great as previously mentioned with Lucas Gordon (98 strikeouts) and Lebarron Johnson (94 strikeouts) while Stanford’s pitching has been led by Quinn Matthews, who has struck out 136 batters. Stanford has a lot of consistency but the Horns’ pitching will power them through.

Game 1: June 10, 6 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 11, TBD, TBD
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Baton Rouge Super Regional (Baton Rouge, LA)
5.LSU
12.Kentucky

Carter’s Pick: 5.LSU in 3

Kentucky lost two of three games to LSU in Baton Rouge this season but challenged the tigers more than most teams during the regular season. The Wildcats had to fight off Indiana to get another chance in Baton Rouge while the tigers defeated Oregon State to move on. Outfielders Dylan Crews and Tommy White as well as pitcher Paul Skenes power the tigers. But outside of Skenes, the pitching staff is weak at best. LSU coach Jay Johnson will need to hope that the MLB prospect Skenes dominates in his start because Kentucky is a good team. The Wildcats’ offense is very balanced but first baseman Hunter Gilliam has led their offense with 12 home runs and 71 RBIs and their pitching staff is led by Darren Williams, who has a 4-2 record. LSU should win at home with better pitching than they had against Kentucky during the regular season.

Game 1: June 10, 3 PM ET, ESPN
Game 2: June 11, TBD, TBD
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Hattiesburg Super Regional (Hattiesburg, MS)
Southern Miss
Tennessee

Carter’s Pick: Tennessee in 3

Tennessee struggled at points during the regular season but made it to the Clemson regional as the two seed. They advanced through the regional in six games following a fourteen inning win in the 1-0 game over the tigers. Southern Miss has advanced to another super regional in Scott Berry’s last ride as head coach. With the eagles’ hosting this super regional, it gives them some sort of edge. But Tennessee’s play since last weekend shows me that they are back to being a confident team similar to where they were last season as the country’s top team. Southern Miss may not get the national attention that other SEC teams get because of being a smaller school but they have a power hitter in outfielder Slade Wilks (20 home runs and 58 RBIs) and led on defense by pitcher Tanner Hall who has a 12-3 record as the ace in Hattiesburg. Veteran outfielder Griffin Merritt (18 home runs and 46 RBIs) and infielder Christian Moore (17 home runs and 48 RBIs) power the Vols’ offense. Pitchers Andrew Lindsey (3-2 record; 64 strikeouts), Drew Beam (8-4 record; 72 strikeouts), Chase Dollander (6-6 record and 111 strikeouts), and Chase Burns (4-3 record and 100 strikeouts) are the main identity of this team. This super is going to be one of the closest this weekend.

Game 1: June 10, 3 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 11, TBD, TBD
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Super Regionals (June 9-11):

Eugene Super Regional (Eugene, OR)
Oregon
Oral Roberts

Carter’s Pick: Oregon in 3

Oregon went into Nashville and took one of the toughest regionals against the host, Vanderbilt. Oklahoma State could not advance out of its regional for the second consecutive postseason as the four seed, Oral Roberts got out of Stillwater and advanced to Eugene. Ducks’ infielder Drew Cowley and infielder Sabin Ceballos star in the offense with 16 home runs each. Logan Mercado leads the Oregon pitching staff with 70 strikeouts. For Oral Roberts, outfielder Matt Hogan leads the eagles with 16 home runs while pitchers Brooks Fowler (9-1 record; 73 strikeouts) and Jakob Hall (8-3 record; 87 strikeouts). The run should end for ORU and Oregon should move on to Omaha.

Game 1: June 9, 8 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 10, 9 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 3 (If necessary): June 11, TBD, TBD

Fort Worth Super Regional (Fort Worth, TX)
14.Indiana State
TCU

Carter’s Pick: TCU in 2
TCU’s offense was on fire and they cruised through the Fayetteville Regional in six games with two dominant wins over three seed Arkansas. If they continue at half the rate that they were hitting at last weekend with Tre Richardson hitting four home runs over the Frogs’ games in Fayetteville after only having two entering the weekend and Brayden Taylor continuing his dominance hitting the baseball. Their pitching also kept them from losing many leads against Arkansa. Indiana State was able to advance past Iowa and move to the supers. However, with them not hosting due there being another event, it will be tougher for the Sycamores to advance past the hot Horned Frogs. They will rely on infielder Mike Sears (19 home runs and 62 RBIs) and pitcher Matt Jachec (97 strikeouts) to help advance to Omaha. To me, TCU is too hot and they will eliminate the Sycamores.

Game 1: June 9, 5 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 2: June 10, 6 PM ET, ESPNU
Game 3 (If necessary): June 11, TBD, TBD

Charlottesville Super Regional (Charlottesville, VA)
7.Virginia
Duke

Carter’s Pick: Duke in 3

Virginia split the three games versus a very good East Carolina team and advanced to their own super regional. Duke defeated ten seed Coastal Carolina to set up an all-ACC match up. Virginia’s offense in powered by Jake Gelof (22 home runs and 84 RBIs), Kyle Teel (13 home runs and 64 RBIs), and Ethan O’Donnel (13 home runs and 52 RBIs) and their pitching staff is led by Connell Early, who boasts an 11-2 record and 90 strikeouts. The Blue Devils’ MJ Metz and Alex Stone lead the team with 17 home runs each while pitcher Alex Gow leads the team with 68 strikeouts. I think Duke’s bats help them upset Virginia.

Game 1: June 9, 12 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 10, 12 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 11, TBD, TBD

Gainesville Super Regional (Gainesville, FL)
2.Florida
15.South Carolina

Carter’s Pick: 2.Florida in 3

Behind Wake Forest, Florida has been the second best team in the country for most of the season. The Gators had to fend off tournament regular Texas Tech to advance. South Carolina, a top three team with just three losses by the middle of the regular season, faltered with injuries late but they swept through their own regional. Florida’s lineup is led by pitcher/infielder Jac Caglianone (31 home runs , 84 RBIs, 7-3 record, 81 strikeouts as pitcher) as well as outfielder Wyatt Langford (18 home runs). South Carolina’s offense is powered by Ethan Petry (23 home runs and 75 RBIs) and their pitcher Jack Mahoney (80 strikeouts). The Gamecocks swept the Gators during the regular season but I think this will be a better series with Florida avenging their losses in three games.

Game 1: June 9, 6 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 2: June 10, 3 PM ET, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 11, TBD, TBD

Image Courtesy: The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

2023 Fayetteville Regional Preview (Baum-Walker Stadium)
June 2-5
Teams:
3.Arkansas Razorbacks 41-16 (20-10) SEC
The Arkansas Razorbacks is back to hosting for the fifth time in the last six seasons. This is a strong regional but the diamond hogs have been very successful at home like always, going 30-4 at Baum-Walker Stadium this season. Despite losing expected Friday ace Jaxon Wiggins to Tommy John surgery, middle reliever Koty Frank, star second baseman Peyton Stovall, and outfielders Tavian Josenberger and Jared Wagner, and others at different points in the season has vastly hurt the team this season. But coach Dave Van Horn was able to win SEC coach of the year by doing one of his best coaching jobs of his career in Fayetteville. The hogs went 2-1 in Arlington at the College Baseball Showdown with wins over Texas and Oklahoma State and a loss to TCU, who happens to be heading to the Fayetteville Regional. The hogs won a share of the SEC regular season championship with Florida. The hogs have series wins over Tennessee (sweep), Auburn (sweep), Texas A&M (4-1 overall against the Aggies the season), South Carolina, and Alabama in addition to a single with against Army. All of those teams will be playing in the NCAA Tournament this weekend. The hogs did lose two out of three against LSU in Baton Rouge but took a game from the Tigers in the SEC Tournament. The only glaring spots of the Razorbacks’ schedule did get swept against Georgia in Athens and fell to Missouri State in Springfield and Lipscomb in Little Rock. Replacing Peyton Stovall at second base, Peyton Holt has been even better than anyone could have imagined in Fayetteville: 17 RBIs on 28 hits, a 5.92 slugging percentage, and a .469 on base percentage and he has been terrific on defense. Outfielder Jace Bohofren (14 and 51) leads the hogs in blasts and runs and Kendall Diggs (63) paced them in hits. Like I mentioned earlier, outfielders Jared Wegner and Tavian Josenberger will be important to the offensive success of the hogs’ as well.
(2) TCU Horned Frogs 37-22 (13-11) Big 12
A pre-season favorite to host in the tournament and make it to Omaha, TCU was up and down this season. It is important to note that TCU crushed Arkansas 18-6 at Globe Life Field in the 2023 College Baseball Showdown on the second day of the season in Arlington. The Horned Frogs also beat Vanderbilt and fell to former conference foe Missouri during open weekend in February. In other out of conference games, TCU took only one of three games against Florida State, defeated Dallas Baptist, a two seed in the tournament, shut out Michigan, and dropped a game to Louisville by a single run. In Big 12 play, TCU lost two out of three to Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech in addition to getting swept against West Virginia who are all in the tournament as either two or three seeds. They have beaten the only host in the conference Oklahoma State, three times out of four with a win on Sunday night in the Big 12 Tournament title game. The leaders for the Horned Frogs are infielder Brayden Taylor (21 home runs and 59 RBIs) and pitchers Cam Brown and Kole Klecker (55 strike outs each).
(3) Arizona Wildcats 33-24 (12-18) Pac-12
One of the last four at-large teams in the field, Arizona will have a chore with TCU on Friday in the opening round. Many were surprised the Wildcats got in with a (12-18) conference record in a weaker Pac-12 this season and being swept in four conference series (UCLA, Arizona State, Oregon, and Oregon State) while USC, who won seven of their conference series got in over them. But, with the fifth best RPI in the Pac-12, the Wildcats were able to get in. Important wins for the Wildcats included pre-season number two ranked Tennessee, a single win over West Virginia (lost the other two games), Grand Canyon on the road (1-1 versus the Antelopes this season), Washington (two out of three), USC (two out of three). Without great pitching depth, the Wildcats will have to out-slug their opponents in this regional. Outfielder Chase Davis (21 home runs and 74 RBIs), outfielder Mac Bingham (10 home runs and 51 RBIs), and first baseman Kiko Romero (19 home runs and 86 RBIs) led the Wildcats in hitting while pitcher Aiden May led them in strikeouts with 70.
(4) Santa Clara Broncos 35-18 (17-10) WCC
The Broncos finished second in the West Coast Conference before claiming the automatic bid for the conference over Portland, who eliminated regular season champion Loyola Marymount the day before. Santa Clara took two out of three from Washington and won at Stanford who is another top eight seed. However, they did lose all three games to West Coast regular season champion Loyola Marymount at the beginning of April. The Broncos’ (35-18) record suggests they will not be the easiest four seed to deal with for the other teams in Fayetteville this weekend. The Broncos hit 72 home runs, .491 slugging percentage, and .403 on base percentage.

June 2
Game 1: 1.Arkansas vs. 4.Santa Clara (2 PM CT, ESPN+)
Ace Hunter Hollan will take the hill for the hogs while it will be Cole Kitchen throwing for Santa Clara. The top of Arkansas’ lineup needs to bounce back from an okay week in Hoover while the Broncos have played great offense over the last month. The hogs’ pitching should help them move onto the 1-0 game.
Game 2: 2.TCU vs. 3.Arizona (8 PM CT, ESPNU)
TCU’s hot-hitting should help them get past Arizona. Arizona also has hot bats but their pitching is inferior to the Horned Frogs.

June 3
Game 3: 1.Arkansas vs. 2.TCU (2 PM CT, TBD)
Arkansas cannot make it to the regional final without their hitting, which should improve from next week and a pitching staff that has not looked as good since the Vanderbilt series to finish the regular season. Hogs move onto the regional final.
Game 4: 3.Arizona vs. 4.Santa Clara (8 PM CT, TBD)
The Broncos upset the Wildcats and eliminate them on their way to another elimination game against TCU.

June 4
Game 5: 2.TCU vs. 4.Santa Clara (2 PM CT, TBD)
TCU will eliminate Santa Clara led by infielder Brayden Taylor and will get one more shot against the Razorbacks.
Game 6: 1.Arkansas vs. 2.TCU (8 PM CT, TBD)
TCU will force a winner take all game against the Razorbacks on Monday.

June 5 (If Necessary)
Game 7: 1.Arkansas vs. 2.TCU (TBD, TBD)
Arkansas should advance out of their own regional for the fourth time in five seasons and head to host the Supers.

Winner: 1.Arkansas in 7

Image Courtesy: Draft Kings

Today, I will predict who I think will make it to the super regional round of the 2023 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 Supers.

Image Courtesy: 247Sports

Projected Opening Day Starters:
Catcher: Hudson Polk, Junior
Pitcher: Hagen Smith, Sophomore (Game 1), Will McEntire, RS Junior (Game 2), Hunter Hollan, Junior (Game 3)
1B: Brady Slavens, Senior
2B: Peyton Stovall, Sophomore
SS: John Bolton, Junior
3B: Caleb Cali, RS Junior
RF: Jace Bohfren, Junior
CF:Tavian Josenberger,
LF: Jared Wegner, Grad. Senior
DH: Kendall Diggs, Sophomore

2/17 Texas (Arlington; College Baseball Showdown)
2/18 TCU (Arlington; College Baseball Showdown)
2/19 Oklahoma State (Arlington; College Baseball Showdown)
Hogs will go 2-1 in Arlington as they have a rematch of last season’s phenomenal regional final against Oklahoma State in their final game in Arlington.
Projected Record: 2-1
2/21 Grambling State
Projected Record: 4-2
2/24-26 Eastern Illinois
Projected Record: 7-2
3/1 Illinois State
Projected Record: 8-3
3/3-5 Wright State
Projected Record: 10-4
3/7 Army
Projected Record: 11-4
3/10-12 Louisiana Tech
After defeating La Tech in Ruston 2-1 in a series in 2021, the hogs should take care of the bulldogs again.
Projected Record: 13-5
3/14-15 UNLV
Projected Record: 15-6
3/17-19 Auburn
To open SEC play, Arkansas will host Auburn. After a fun, high-scoring series with Auburn a season ago “On the Plains”, Arkansas will look to continue their success at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Projected Record: 17-7 (2-1)
3/21 Southeast Missouri State
Projected Record: 18-7 (2-1)
3/24-26 at.LSU
In what could be one of the top series all year, Arkansas will be tested in Baton Rouge against an extremely talented team, with their former pitching coach, Wes Johnson.
Projected Record: 19-10 (3-3)
3/28 Omaha
Projected Record: 20-10 (3-3)
3/31-4/2 Alabama
Alabama took 2 out of 3 from Arkansas in Tuscaloosa a season ago in the Razorbacks’ SEC struggles to end last regular season, the hogs will be out for revenge against the Crimson Tide.
Projected Record: 23-10 (6-3)
4/4 Arkansas State
Projected Record: 24-10 (6-3)
4/6-8 Ole Miss
Arkansas will look to get revenge on the Rebels, who they lost to in a 2-0 decision in the College World Series Semifinals in June.
Projected Record: 25-12 (7-5)
4/11-12 Little Rock
Projected Record: 27-12 (7-5)
4/14-16 Tennessee
In what could be another national series of the year, Dave Van Horn’s Diamond Hogs battle with former assistant coach Tony Vitello and his Volunteers in a potential top ten match up.
Projected Record: 29-13 (9-6)
4/18 Central Arkansas
Projected Record: 30-13 (9-6)
4/20-22 at.Georgia
With positive pitching talent high between both squads, it will be a battle in Athens.
Projected Record: 32-14 (11-7)
4/25 at.Missouri State
Projected Record: 33-14 (11-7)
4/28-30 Texas A&M
Arkansas faces a talented Aggies team at home that also made it to the CWS Semifinals a season ago.
Projected Record: 35-15 (13-8)
5/2 Lipscomb (Little Rock)
Arkansas returns to central Arkansas to face an out of state opponent in Lipscomb. Arkansas overlooked a game in Little Rock in a 2-1 win a season ago against Central Arkansas so they will have to be more focused in that one.
Projected Record: 36-15 (13-8)
5/5-7 at.Mississippi State
Arkansas has won its last six games at Dudy Noble Stadium in Starkville, against a Mississippi State team that won a championship just 2 years ago. They look to do the same in 2023.
Projected Record: 37-17 (14-10)
5/12-14 South Carolina
It would be great for Arkansas to get a series win at home against a South Carolina team expected to be in the bottom half of the SEC East standings.
Projected Record: 39-18 (16-11)
5/18-20 at.Vanderbilt
Arkansas makes one of the toughest road trips in the SEC to Nashville to face Vanderbilt, a team being vastly underrated in pre-season rankings.
Projected Record: 40-20 (17-13)
5/23-28 SEC Tournament (Hoover)
I expect Arkansas to go 2-2 in Hoover and appear in the NCAA Tournament as a top 16 seed. The hogs should be in good position to make Omaha and the College World Series with their standing in the tournament.
Projected Record: 42-22 (17-13)
6/2-6/5 NCAA Regionals
6/9-6/12 NCAA Super Regionals
6/16-6/26 NCAA College World Series

Image Courtesy: Best of Arkansas Sports

Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn has had as much success as anyone in the country. Van Horn has led Arkansas to multiple College Baseball World Series appearances, but he has not won the elusive College World Series title. He will probably coach at least until he wins it, but now that the legendary coach is 60 years old, he could retire at any time. When that time comes, here are the coaches that would be the top candidates to follow in Van Horn’s footsteps:

Tony Vitello, Tennessee head coach
Tony Vitello assisted Dave Van Horn on Arkansas’ coaching staff from 2014-2017. In four seasons in Fayetteville, Arkansas made it to the NCAA Tournament two times and made one appearance in Omaha. Vitello’s infamous Volunteers team that went 57-9 during the 2022 season raised many questions in college baseball but also vastly increased the viewership of the sport during the postseason. The Vols fell just a game short of the College World Series after losing in game 3 of the Knoxville Super Regional to Notre Dame. But, Vitello’s recruiting prowess, past at Arkansas, and relationship with Dave Van Horn make a lot of sense for the hogs to potentially hire him.

Wes Johnson, LSU pitching coach
Johnson was the pitching coach for the hogs from 2015-2018 and as a Sherwood, Arkansas native, was a true asset to Dave Van Horn during his time in Fayetteville. Following the 2018 season, Wes was hired away by the Minnesota Twins organization to be the same position. He was the first college coach to be hired by an MLB team since 1980 at the time. He is headed back to the college ranks as he has been hired by second year LSU coach Jay Johnson. Johnson makes the most sense to replace Van Horn because of his experience in both college baseball and the MLB.

Matt Hobbs, Arkansas pitching coach
Since 2019, Matt Hobbs has been one of the most underrated pitching coaches in college baseball in Fayetteville. Of course, Hobbs is most well known for the development of terrific (mostly) relief pitcher Kevin Kopps, who won the 2021 Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Trophy, which are both awarded to the best player in college baseball annually. It would not be surprising if Hobbs is picked to replace his boss but expect Arkansas athletic director Hunter Yurachek to commit to a more national search for the future of the baseball program.

All three of these coaches are viable options but I would expect it to be Wes Johnson. With Johnson being from Arkansas and his MLB coaching experience, I expect Yurachek’s top option has to be the now LSU pitching coach.

Image Courtesy: Ole Miss Athletics

June 17

Game 1 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
5.Texas A&M
Oklahoma

Carter’s Pick: Oklahoma

Game 2 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
9.Texas
Notre Dame

Carter’s Pick: 9.Texas

June 18

Game 3 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Stanford
Arkansas

Carter’s Pick: Arkansas

Game 4 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
14.Auburn
Ole Miss

Carter’s Pick: 14.Auburn

June 19

Game 5 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
5.Texas A&M
Notre Dame

Carter’s Pick: 5. Texas A&M
(Notre Dame eliminated)

Game 6 (7 PM ET, ESPN2)
9.Texas
Oklahoma

Carter’s Pick: Oklahoma

June 20

Game 7 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Stanford
Ole Miss

Carter’s Pick: 2.Stanford
(Ole Miss eliminated)

Game 8 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
14.Auburn
Arkansas

Carter’s Pick: 14.Auburn

June 21

Game 9 (2 PM ET, ESPN)
5.Texas A&M
9.Texas

Carter’s Pick: 5.Texas A&M
(9.Texas eliminated)

Game 10 (7 PM ET, ESPN)
2.Stanford
Arkansas

Carter’s Pick: 2.Stanford
(Arkansas eliminated)

June 22

Game 11
5.Texas A&M
Oklahoma

Carter’s Pick: 5.Texas A&M

Game 12
2.Stanford
14.Auburn

Carter’s Pick: 2.Stanford

June 23

Game 13
5.Texas A&M
Oklahoma

Carter’s Pick: 5.Texas A&M
(Oklahoma eliminated)

Game 14
2.Stanford
14.Auburn

Carter’s Pick: 2.Stanford
(14.Auburn eliminated)

MCWS Finals

June 25

Game 1
2.Stanford
5.Texas A&M

Carter’s Pick: 2.Stanford

Game 2
2.Stanford
5.Texas A&M

Carter’s Pick: 5.Texas A&M

Game 3
2.Stanford
5.Texas A&M

Carter’s Pick: 5.Texas A&M
(5.Texas A&M wins the championship and 2.Stanford eliminated)

Image Courtesy: Sports Illustrated

Tomorrow, Arkansas will face North Carolina in game one of their fourth super regional in a row. They will have to continue to hit well like they did last weekend and pitch like they did last Monday in their win in Stillwater over Oklahoma State.

2022 Chapel Hill Regional
June 11-13
Teams:
10.North Carolina 42-20 (15-15) ACC
Despite finishing fourth in the ACC Coastal, the Tar Heels won the ACC Conference Tournament. Then, they won their Chapel Hill Regional in seven games after falling to VCU in the 1-0 game. After beating Georgia in the elimination game, they defeated VCU twice and are hosting a super regional against one of the hottest teams in America, the Arkansas Razorbacks.
(2) Arkansas 41-19 (18-12)
In the highest scoring regional of all-time, Arkansas’ bats got them through a tough three games against the host Oklahoma State. They used an eight-run 8th inning to win the 1-0 game, lost a lead in the ninth and lost in extras in the regional final, and then went up 5-0 in the fifth inning and gave up just three runs in the winner-take-all game on Monday to advance to Chapel Hill and their fourth consecutive Super Regional.

June 11
Game 1: 2.Arkansas at. 1.North Carolina (10 AM CT, ESPN)
Both teams used their good offense to win their regional but something tells me that with rested Friday starting pitchers, such as Arkansas’ Connor Noland, it will be a pitchers’ duel. North Carolina wins game 1 after a timely late inning hit.

June 12
Game 2: 2.Arkansas at. 1.North Carolina (12 PM CT, ESPN/ESPN2)
Arkansas evens the series on the back of Michael Turner, Cayden Wallace, and Jalen Battles’ bats. A Razorback closer will finish the deal and the series heads to a win or go home situation.

June 13 (If necessary)
Game 3: 2.Arkansas at. 1.North Carolina (TBD, TBD)
Arkansas returns to the College World Series, led by their starting pitcher, which could be Zack Morris. An almost four inning start would propel the hogs to a victory late. They would head to Omaha for the first time since 2019.

Winner: Arkansas in 3

Image Courtesy: Knoxville News Sentinel

(All game times eastern)

Super Regionals (June 10-12)

Knoxville Super Regional (Knoxville,TN)
1.Tennessee
Notre Dame

Carter’s Pick: 1.Tennessee in 3

Game 1: June 10, 6 PM, ESPN2
Game 2: June 11, 2 PM, ESPN
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Greenville Super Regional (Greenville,NC)
8.East Carolina
9.Texas

Carter’s Pick: 9.Texas in 3

Game 1: June 10, 12 PM, ESPN2
Game 2: June 11, 12 PM, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

College Station Super Regional (College Station,TX)
5.Texas A&M
12.Louisville

Carter’s Pick: 5.Texas A&M in 2

Game 1: June 10, 8:30 PM, ESPNU
Game 2: June 11, 3 PM, ESPN2
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Blacksburg Super Regional (Blacksburg,VA)
4.Virginia Tech
Oklahoma

Carter’s Pick: 4.Virginia Tech in 3

Game 1: June 10, 3 PM, ESPN2
Game 2: June 11, 12 PM, ESPNU
Game 3 (If necessary): June 12, TBD, TBD

Super Regionals (June 11-13):

Salem Super Regional (Salem,OR)
3.Oregon State
14.Auburn

Carter’s Pick: 3.Oregon State in 3

Game 1: June 11, 10:30 PM, ESPN2
Game 2: June 12, 10 PM, ESPN2
Game 3: June 13, TBD, TBD

Hattiesburg Super Regional (Hattiesburg,MS)
11.Southern Miss
Ole Miss

Carter’s Pick: Ole Miss in 3

Game 1: June 11, 4 PM, ESPNU
Game 2: June 12, 4 PM, ESPN2/ESPNU
Game 3: June 13, TBD, TBD

Chapel Hill Super Regional (Chapel Hill,NC)
10.North Carolina
Arkansas

Carter’s Pick: Arkansas in 3

Game 1: June 11, 11 AM, ESPN
Game 2: June 12, 1 PM CT, ESPN2/ESPNU
Game 3: June 13, TBD, TBD

Stanford Super Regional (Stanford,CA)
2.Stanford
Connecticut

Carter’s Pick: 2.Stanford in 3

Game 1: June 11, 10:30 PM, ESPNU
Game 2: June 12, 7 PM, ESPN2/ESPNU
Game 3: June 13, TBD, TBD

Image Courtesy: The Oklahoman

Arkansas will not play in Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville during regional weekend for the first time since 2015. We will see if the hogs can play better and make it back to the Supers for the fourth consecutive season.

2022 Stillwater Regional
June 3-6
Teams:
7.Oklahoma State 39-20 (15-9) Big 12
The last time Arkansas did not host a regional, in 2015, Arkansas also headed to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State in their regional. The Diamond Hogs won the Stillwater Regional on their way to Omaha that year. This season, Oklahoma State was not even seen as a top eight seed until they went 3-2 last week in Arlington at the Big 12 Tournament. This is an offensive ball club that has some underrated arms pitching for them.
(4) Missouri State 30-27 (8-13) MVC
Arkansas has a lot of history with Missouri State, too. They beat the hogs this year in their final non-conference game, 6-4. Also, they upset the hogs in the 2017 Fayetteville Regional and made it to the Super Regionals where they lost to TCU. The Bears also played Oklahoma State this season but lost to the Cowboys.
(2) Arkansas 38-18 (18-12) SEC
After starting off 17-3 and winning their first two SEC series over Missouri and Kentucky, the hogs dropped SEC series to Florida, Texas A&M, the eventual winner of the SEC West, Vanderbilt, and Alabama. The hogs did not win at least a share of the SEC West title for the first time since 2017.
(3) Grand Canyon 41-19 (25-5) WAC
Grand Canyon is one of the top teams in the western athletic conference every season. It should be a great game between the Antelopes and the Razorbacks to begin the Stillwater Regional.

June 3
Game 1: 2.Arkansas vs. 3.Grand Canyon (12 PM CT, SECN)
In a match up of regional regulars, Grand Canyon boasts the best offense in the region, even as the three seed. Arkansas, last season’s top overall seed fell off a bit with a 38-18 record, having lost six of their last eight games. But something tells me that this uber talented Arkansas team that has not been awakened with push through and defeat GCU.
Game 2: 1.Oklahoma State vs. 4.Missouri State (6 PM CT, ESPN+)
Oklahoma State will take the lead early and get their second win over Missouri State this season.

June 4
Game 3: 3.Grand Canyon vs. 4.Missouri State (12 PM CT, TBD)
With the Antelopes being one of the top three seeds in the bracket and the Bears being one of the top four seeds its hard to pick this game or even imagining either team losing their opening round game the day prior. But, Missouri State’s bats will break through and the Bears will play small ball to avoid elimination.
Game 4: 1.Oklahoma State vs. 2. Arkansas (6 PM CT, TBD)
In the winner’s bracket Oklahoma State will defeat Arkansas and move one win away from hosting a Super Regional.

June 5
Game 5: 2.Arkansas vs. 4.Missouri State (12 PM CT, TBD)
Arkansas will get their revenge on Missouri State from earlier last month and move on to a must-win game six of the regional in a rematch against Oklahoma State.
Game 6: 1.Oklahoma State vs. 2.Arkansas (6 PM CT, TBD)
Arkansas will send it to game seven with a walk-off Robert Moore blast to beat Oklahoma State.

June 6 (If necessary)
Game 7: 1.Oklahoma State vs. 2.Arkansas (6 PM CT, TBD)
Oklahoma State will face Arkansas for a third time this weekend and win doing whatever they need to in their own ballpark. The Cowboys eliminate the hogs in regionals for the first time since 2017.

Winner: 7.Oklahoma State in 7