The Big 12 conference tournament champion Oklahoma State Cowboys bring a Regional to Stillwater in what is one of the tougher draws in the NCAA Tournament. Not only do the Cowboys have the Big 10 tournament champions in their Regional, but they also welcome in the 2023 College World Series runner-up Florida Gators. That on top of a near 40-win Niagara ball club makes for a must watch Regional.
#1 Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is coming off of an incredibly impressive year in the Big 12. The Cowboys totalled an overall record of 40-17, while recording a 19-9 record in conference play. They’re hot coming into the Regional coming off of a conference tournament championship, and look to use the home field advantage in Stillwater.
Players to Watch | Season Stats
Nolan Schubart – .355 BA, 1.323 OPS, 55 H, 20 HR, 63 RBI, .813 SLG
Carson Benge – .342 BA, 1.131 OPS, 79 H, 17 HR, 62 RBI, 10 SB
#2 Nebraska Cornhuskers
Nebraska is coming into Stillwater fresh off of a Big 10 tournament title. The Cornhuskers had an impressive year out of the Big 10 totalling a 39-20 overall record. They’re rather well prepared against good competition compared to many Big 10 teams, playing non-conference games against solid Big 12 competition and mid-majors like College of Charleston and WAC champion Grand Canyon.
Players to Watch | Season Stats
Josh Caron – .320 BA, 73 H, 16 HR, 65 RBI, .605 SLG
Brett Sears – 2.00 ERA, 9-0 W/L, 15 GS, 1 CG, 99.0 IP, 97/18 SO/BB
#3 Florida Gators
As if the Regional in Stillwater already wasn’t tough enough, the runner-ups from the 2023 College World Series slide in at the three-spot. Led by two-way superstar Jac Caglianone, the Gators earned an at-large bid after going 28-27 overall and 13-17 in SEC play. Despite their record, Florida played the toughest schedule of perhaps any other single team in college baseball. With the experience on the roster, they have a chance to advance to the Supers if they can get hot.
Players to Watch | Season Stats
Jac Caglianone – .415 BA, 1.369 OPS, 88 H, 29 HR, 58 RBI, .844 SLG, .525 OBP
#4 Niagara Purple Eagles
Niagara faces one of the tougher challenges of all the four seeded teams among every Regional. They have to face a solid OSU team fresh off of a conference championship, and if they get by them their path doesn’t get any easier. With a 38-15 record, 20-4 conference record, and a Metro Atlantic tournament title, Niagara undoubtedly deserves to be in this position. It’ll be interesting to see how they come out in their Regional opener.
Predicted Winner: #1 Oklahoma State
This really is a down year for the Gators and I don’t see them or Niagara getting past OSU. Nebraska with Brett Sears on the mound can make things interesting, but this Cowboys team is solid and matches up well with the tough competition in this Regional.