NCAA Baseball Tournament – Norman Regional

NCAA BASEBALL TOURNAMENT – NORMAN REGIONAL — The good news for Oklahoma is that it didn’t get an early welcome to the SEC with its regional draw. The bad news is that it still got a brutal No. 2 seed in Duke.

The ACC champions are better set up to win a regional than anyone because of ace reliever Charlie Beilenson. While most teams get to day 3 or 4 of a regional hoping for whatever pitching matchup they have to work out, Duke can genuinely plan on two to three innings accounted for. Beilenson gives the Blue Devils a weapon nobody else has, and that’s one reason why Duke laid waste to Florida State in the ACC final.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Tallahassee Regional

Beyond the Blue Devils, Oklahoma drew another dangerous and experienced opponent. Oral Roberts stunned the college baseball world last year when it ripped through Stillwater without a loss, then won its super regional at Oregon to reach Omaha. Rounding out the field is Connecticut, the Big East regular season champion. Unlike some regionals, nobody is in Norman just to make up the numbers.

Players to Watch

Duke has pitching beyond Beilenson, notably ace Jonathan Santucci. Santucci’s projected to go in the early second round of the MLB draft, and he’s looking more like himself after struggling with injuries. If he gives a dominating performance, Duke might not even have to use Beilenson in one game.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Charlottesville Regional

It’s rare to see a first baseman who excels at base stealing, but Oklahoma has one in Michael Snyder. With 15 steals and a .351 average, Snyder’s not your typical power-hitting first baseman. He can hit for power with 10 home runs, but he’s more likely to go for the double or get to second with a stolen base.

Oral Roberts lacks the depth of last year’s team, but it does have a true ace in Jakob Hall. With a 3.71 ERA and 105 strikeouts, Hall has the potential to screw up Oklahoma’s tournament on Day 1.

The Favorite

Oklahoma’s batting average and its speed are major assets in this regional. The Sooners get on base, and they stole 91 bases in the regular season, which ranked third in the Big 12. They’ve also got two strong pitchers who can get them through the first two days of the tournament.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Stillwater Regional

But the bullpen isn’t quite as strong as the competition, which makes a strong start vital to their chances. Oklahoma can survive Duke if it has that cushion in the winner’s bracket. A loss to Oral Roberts would make a win far less likely.

Potential Surprise

Duke’s got to be the choice. The Blue Devils don’t just have the best pitching staff in the regional; they also have hitting and experience. Duke has made the supers in three of its past four NCAA tournaments, and the Blue Devils have yet to actually host a regional themselves. With a lineup that includes power-hitting second baseman Zac Morris, Duke can make a run.

Related: NCAA Baseball Tournament – Clemson Regional

Connecticut did run through the Big East, but the Big East isn’t exactly a strong baseball conference. The Huskies also faced the likes of California, Cal-Santa Barbara and Auburn and went 1-8 against that trio. Considering the one was over an Auburn team that missed the SEC tournament, that doesn’t bode well.

Oral Roberts proved a great story a year ago, but the Golden Eagles don’t have the hitting to compete this year. Oklahoma should find its way to the regional final, but yet again, Duke should prove that hosting’s not a requirement to get through a regional.