With NCAA Baseball Regionals on the horizon, here are four Big 12 baseball and softball takes to set the stage this week, including a look at Texas Tech softball, which is trying to punch its ticket to the Women’s College World Series Finals in Oklahoma City.
TCU Got Screwed
I know that the Horned Frogs didn’t live up to expectations this season, but I still firmly believe that they should have heard their name called on Selection Monday to make the field of 64.
They were four games above .500 in conference play in a respectable baseball conference and had a few key non-conference wins as well. I know the RPI wasn’t great, but when I look at their body of work compared to a few other teams that got it, I felt like they were robbed.
One could argue that they shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place, and it didn’t help that they didn’t win a game in the conference tournament, but they should have been in. It just doesn’t feel right to see TCU not in the postseason when six other Big 12 teams got in.
Both Hosts Will Move On
The Big 12 saw two teams receive hosting bids: Kansas (15) and West Virginia (16). And while I thought both of them were criminally underrated by the committee, I must say that I like their chances of making a Super Regional.
Kansas will likely have to get past a talented Arkansas team, but this isn’t your typical Razorback juggernaut. Arkansas has been up and down compared to previous years, but they did make a run in the SEC tournament which scares me a little. However, Kansas has been about as consistent as anyone in the country, and with the home crowd behind them, I say they move on.
The same can be said for the Mountaineers, who get Binghamton, Kentucky, and Wake Forest. None of those teams truly scares me, and with West Virginia playing their best baseball of the season as of late, give me the Mountaineers. In fact, I think they have a better chance than Kansas does to make it out alive.
Arizona State Will Turn Heads
I know that I mentioned Oklahoma State moving on in my reaction article, but I am going to throw another team out there with Arizona State. The Sun Devils are in a very tough regional with Nebraska and Ole Miss, but keep in mind that Arizona State is pretty damn good, too.
Nebraska was dominant in the Big Ten this season, and Ole Miss is always sneaky good. It’s going to be a bloodbath of a regional, but the Sun Devils are very balanced on both sides. They can pitch, and they have the offense to give some teams problems. The issue has been consistency at times, but to me, they are the third-best team in the Big 12. It’s hard to compare resumes, but I don’t think Nebraska is as battle-tested as Arizona State or even Ole Miss, for that matter. That’s why I think the Sun Devils can shock the world and move on.
Texas Tech Will Play For A National Championship
While baseball is just starting its postseason, softball is already getting prepared for the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City. Texas Tech is the only Big 12 team remaining after a wild series win against Florida in the Supers.
As great a story as that was, I am here to tell you that their story isn’t done. In fact, it’s just getting started. The Red Raiders will face Mississippi State right off the bat before taking on either Texas or Tennessee.
I know Texas is the favorite to make it out of this top bracket, but there’s something special about this Tech team. They are tough, battle-tested, and have that it factor. That’s why I say they will not only beat Mississippi State but also Texas to avenge their loss from last season and make their second straight finals appearance.
