By ERIC OLSON AP Sports Writer
Arkansas players celebrate their win over North Carolina following an NCAA college super regional baseball game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Sunday, June 12, 2022.
(AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker)
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A look at the eight teams competing in the College World Series, which starts Friday at Charles Schwab Field.
Note: Teams are in order of CWS opening games. Coaches’ records are through super regional play.
OKLAHOMA (42-22)
Coach: Skip Johnson (154-102 in 5 years at Oklahoma)
Road to Omaha: Won Gainesville Regional: beat Liberty 16-3, beat Florida 9-4, lost to Florida 7-2, beat Florida 5-4. Won Blacksburg Super Regional: beat Virginia Tech 5-4, lost to Virginia Tech 14-8, beat Virginia Tech 11-2.
2022 record vs. CWS teams: 3-2 (1-0 vs. Auburn, 2-2 vs. Texas)
Last CWS appearance: 2010
All-time record in CWS: 15-16 in 10 appearances (won national titles in 1951, 1994)
Meet the Sooners: C Jimmy Crooks (.311, 7 HRs, 45 RBIs), 1B Blake Robertson (.311, 5, 48), 2B Jackson Nicklaus (.289, 10, 30), SS Peyton Graham (.336, 20, 70), 3B Wallace Clark (.279, 0, 25), LF Kendall Pettis (.279, 5, 26), CF Tanner Tredaway (.373, 9, 61), RF John Spikerman (.327, 2, 14), DH Brett Squires (.312, 7, 33). Starting rotation: LHP Jake Bennett (9-3, 3.53 ERA), RHP David Sandlin (8-4, 5.54), RHP Cade Horton (4-2, 5.58). Relievers: RHP Trevin Michael (4-1, 2.94), LHP Chazz Martinez (4-3, 4.86), LHP Carter Campbell (3-0, 5.28), RHP Carson Atwood (2-4, 5.40), LHP Braden Carmichael (3-2, 9.00), RHP Javier Ramos (1-1, 5.16), RHP Aaron Calhoun (0-1, 6.00), RHP Colton Sundloff (2-0, 6.86).
MLB Alumni: Bobby Witt, Danny Jackson, Mark Redman, Joe Simpson, Bob Shirley, Mickey Hatcher, Sheldon Neuse, Jack Mayfield, Steve Okert, Jon Gray, Chase Anderson, Burch Smith
Short hops: In his last 32 games, Tredaway is batting .444 with 20 extra base hits (10 doubles, 2 triples, 8 homers), 36 RBIs and 38 runs scored. He has hit safely in 14 straight games. … Graham is first OU player to hit 20 homers and steal 30 bases. … Sooners’ 142 steals are by far most among CWS teams and 96 more than they had last season.
Quotable: “I just told myself, ‘It’s my senior year and this could be our last game.’ I just wanted to leave it all out on the field. That’s what I did, and I made some magic happen.” — Tredaway, on his late-season tear
TEXAS A&M (42-18)
Coach: Jim Schlossnagle (42-18 in 1 season at Texas A&M; 853-411 (21 seasons overall)
Road to Omaha: Won College Station regional: beat Oral Roberts 8-2, beat Louisiana 9-6, beat TCU 15-9. Won College Station super regional: beat Louisville 5-4, beat Louisville 4-3
2022 record vs. CWS teams: 6-4 (1-2 vs. Auburn, 1-0 vs. Texas, 2-1 vs. Arkansas, 2-1 vs. Mississippi)
Last CWS appearance: 2017
All-time record in CWS: 2-12 in 6 appearances
Meet the Aggies: C Troy Claunch (.296, 3 HRs, 49 RBIs), 1B Jack Moss (.391, 6, 47), 2B Ryan Targac (.298, 15, 57), SS Kole Kaler (.241, 3, 29), 3B Trevor Werner (.252, 6, 25), LF Dylan Rock (.332, 18, 61), CF Jordan Thompson (.245, 5, 26), RF Brett Minnich (.306, 7, 50), DH Austin Bost (.359, 9, 43). Starting rotation: RHP Nathan Dettmer (5-2, 4.75 ERA), RHP Micah Dallas (6-3, 5.40), LHP Ryan Prager (1-3, 4.92). Relievers: LHP Joseph Menefee (6-2, 5.36), RHP Brad Rudis (3-0, 5.17), LHP Jacob Palisch (6-3, 2.60, 5 saves), LHP Will Johnston (3-1, 3.34), RHP Robert Hogan (3-1, 4.91), Chris Cortez (6-3, 4.78).
MLB Alumni: Davey Johnson, Chuck Knoblauch, Scott Livingstone, A.J. Minter, Doug Rau, Ross Stripling, Mark Thurmond, Michael Wacha
Short hops: Aggies have lost eight straight CWS games since beating Kansas in 1993. … Schlossnagle is among 13 coaches to lead multiple schools to a CWS and is the 30th to reach the CWS six times. He led TCU to five CWS … Moss has reached base in 57 of 60 games. … Aggies have had winning records 60 of last 62 seasons.
Quotable: “This was an awesome life change for me, both personally and professionally,” — Schlossnagle, on move from TCU to A&M after last season
NOTRE DAME (40-15)
Coach: Link Jarrett (85-30 in 3 seasons at Notre Dame, 300-196 in 10 seasons)
Road Omaha: Won Statesboro regional: beat Texas Tech 3-2, beat Georgia Southern 6-4, beat Texas Tech 2-1. Won Knoxville super regional: beat Tennessee 8-6, lost 12-4 to Tennessee, beat Tennessee 7-3
2022 record vs. CWS teams: 0-0
Last CWS appearance: 2002
All-time record in CWS: 3-4 in 2 appearances
Meet the Irish: C David LaManna (.348, 2 HRs, 26 RBIs), 1B Carter Putz (.336, 7, 46), 2B Jared Miller (.270, 4, 23), SS Zack Prajzner (.289, 6, 34), 3B Jack Brannigan (.296, 12, 46), LF Ryan Cole (.312, 9, 33), CF Spencer Myers (.226, 1, 20), RF Brooks Coetzee (.267, 11, 42), DH Jack Zyska (.317, 13, 38). Starting rotation: LHP John Michael Bertrand (9-3, 2.69 ERA), RHP Austin Temple (4-1, 3.57), RHP Liam Simon (2-0, 5.02). Relievers: RHP Alex Rao (3-1, 4.06), LHP Jack Findlay (6-2, 1.99), LHP Aidan Tyrell (5-1, 3.60), RHP Jackson Dennies (1-1, 6.48), RHP Radek Birkholz (1-0, 5.14), LHP Matt Lazzaro (0-0, 3.12), RHP Matt Bedford (1-0, 6.23).
MLB Alumni: Carl Yastrzemski, Craig Counsell, Jeff Samardzija, Cavan Biggio, Trey Mancini, A.J. Pollock, David Phelps, Brad Lidge, Matt Vierling, Brandon Bielak
Short hops: Irish are only team to win four super regional games against No. 1 national seeds. They knocked out No. 1 Florida State to reach the CWS in 2002. … Their .739 winning percentage since 2020 ranks second in Division I. … Jack Findlay, who had been the Irish’s No. 3 starter, has recorded a nation-best three saves in the NCAA Tournament.
Quotable: “There’s no team I’ve ever coached that’s more built for this moment than these guys.” — Jarrett, on what he told his team before super regional-clinching win over No. 1 Tennessee
TEXAS (47-20)
Coach: David Pierce (219-114 in 6 seasons at Texas, 416-223 in 11 seasons overall)
Road to Omaha: Won Austin regional: beat Air Force 11-3, beat Louisiana Tech 5-2, beat Air Force 10-1. Won Greenville super regional: lost 13-7 to East Carolina, beat East Carolina 9-8, beat East Carolina 11-1.
2022 record vs. CWS teams: 2-3 (0-1 vs. Texas A&M, 2-2 vs. Oklahoma)
Last CWS appearance: 2021
All-time record in CWS: 88-63 in 37 appearances (won national titles in 1949, 1950, 1975, 1983, 2002, 2005)
Meet the Longhorns: C Silas Ardoin (.276, 12 HRs, 50 RBIs), 1B Ivan Melendez (.396, 32, 94), 2B Murphy Stehly (.375, 19, 61), SS Trey Faltine (.286, 15, 56), 3B Skyler Messinger (.372, 11, 59), LF Eric Kennedy (.305, 7, 28), CF Douglas Hodo III (.319, 10, 45), RF Dylan Campbell (.265, 10, 29), DH Austin Todd (.331, 6, 30). Starting rotation: LHP Pete Hansen (11-2, 3.40 ERA), LHP Lucas Gordon (7-1, 2.68), RHP Tristan Stevens (7-6, 4.89). Relievers: RHP Zane Morehouse (3-1, 5.92), LHP Luke Harrison (0-0, 3.24), RHP Jared Southard (4-1, 2.63), RHP Aaron Nixon (1-3, 5.04, 5 saves), RHP Lebarron Johnson (0-1, 3.18), RHP Andre Duplantier II (3-1, 5.40), RHP Travis Sthele (3-1, 6.03).
MLB Alumni: Burt Hooton, David Chalk, Keith Moreland, Ron Gardenhire, Spike Owen, Roger Clemens, Calvin Schiraldi, Greg Swindell, Shane Reynolds, Brooks Kieschnick, Huston Street, J.P. Howell, Brandon Belt, Corey Knebel
Short hops: Pierce has led Longhorns to a second straight CWS and third in six years, and program has made a record 38 appearances. … Melendez leads nation with 32 homers and 94 RBIs. … Longhorns .986 field percentage is best in nation.
Quotable: “One through nine, you know we’re tough outs.” — Melendez
ARKANSAS (43-19)
Coach: Dave Van Horn (793-421 in 20 seasons at Arkansas, 1,378-661 in 34 seasons overall)
Road to Omaha: Won Stillwater Regional: beat Grand Canyon 7-1, beat Oklahoma State 20-12, lost to Oklahoma State 14-10 in 10 innings, beat Oklahoma State 7-3. Won Chapel Hill Super Regional: beat North Carolina 4-1, beat North Carolina 4-3.
2022 record vs. CWS teams: 4-5 (0-1 vs. Stanford, 1-2 vs. Texas A&M, 2-1 vs. Mississippi, 2-1 vs. Auburn).
Last CWS appearance: 2019
All-time record in CWS: 15-20 in 10 appearances
Meet the Razorbacks: C Michael Turner (.311, 9 HRs, 48 RBIs), 1B Peyton Stovall (.286, 5, 21), 2B Robert Moore (.223, 8, 42), SS Jalen Battles (.293, 10, 44), 3B Cayden Wallace (.299, 15, 57), LF Zack Gregory (.225, 5, 16), CF Braydon Webb (.282, 15, 40), RF Chris Lanzilli (.322, 8, 33), DH Brady Slavens (.259, 15, 55). Starting rotation: RHP Connor Noland (7-5, 3.86 ERA), LHP Hagen Smith (6-2, 4.85), RHP Jaxon Wiggins (6-3, 6.12). Relievers: RHP Will McEntire (1-2, 2.81), RHP Kole Ramage (3-2, 4.56), LHP Evan Taylor (5-0, 3.46), RHP Brady Tygart (3-4, 3.82), LHP Zack Morris (6-0, 1.89), RHP Zebulon Vermillion (2-0, 2.59), RHP Gabriel Starks (0-0, 2.45).
MLB Alumni: Andrew Benintendi, Dallas Keuchel, Darrel Akerfelds, Craig Gentry, Logan Forsythe, Eric Hinske, Randy Jackson, Jeff King, Les Lancaster, Cliff Lee, Tim Lollar, Kevin McReynolds, Tom Pagnozzi, Robert Person, Johnny Ray, Drew Smyly
Short hops: Razorbacks have hit at least 100 homers in back-to-back seasons. … Van Horn is wearing jersey No. 21 this season after giving the No. 2 he’s worn since his playing days to Battles. Van Horn told Battles he could have the number if he came back for his senior season in 2022.
Quotable: “I think this team likes feeling like their back’s up against the wall. I think that for some reason, that really gets us more confident and makes us hit more.” — Slavens
STANFORD (47-16)
Coach: David Esquer (181-68 in 5 seasons at Stanford; 706-535-2 in 23 seasons overall)
Road to Omaha: Won Stanford regional: beat Binghamton 20-7, lost 5-2 to Texas State, beat UC Santa Barbara 8-4, beat Texas State 8-4, beat Texas State 4-3. Won Stanford Super Regional: lost 13-12 to Connecticut, beat Connecticut 8-2, beat Connecticut 10-5.
2021 record vs. CWS teams: 1-0 (1-0 vs. Arkansas)
Last CWS appearance: 2021
All-time record in CWS: 41-31 in 17 appearances (won 1987 and 1988 national titles)
Meet the Cardinal: C Kody Huff (.325, 13 HRs, 51 RBIs), 1B Carter Graham (.333, 22, 78), 2B Brett Barrera (.355, 11, 52), SS Adam Crampton (.306, 1, 39), 3B Drew Bowser (.297, 18, 50), LF Eddie Park (.318, 0, 15), CF Brock Jones (.327, 20, 56), RF Braden Montgomery (.297, 18, 57), DH Tommy Troy (.347, 7, 23). Starting rotation: RHP Alex Williams (8-3, 2.88 ERA), RHP Joey Dixon (6-3, 3.96), RHP Ty Uber (4-1, 4.99). Relievers: RHP Brandt Pancer (3-0, 3.26), LHP Drew Dowd (6-0, 4.79), LHP Ryan Bruno (6-1, 2.61), RHP Max Meier (1-0, 6.28), RHP Tommy O’Rourke (3-5, 4.45), RHP Nathan Fleischli (0-0, 8.71), RHP Cody Jensen (1-0, 5.57), LHP Quinn Mathews (9-1, 2.62, 9 saves).
MLB Alumni: Bob Boone, Steve Buechele, Jack McDowell, Mike Mussina, Jeffrey Hammonds, A.J. Hinch, Kyle Peterson, Paul Carey, Ed Sprague, Ryan Garko, Drew Storen, Michael Taylor, Stephen Piscotty, Tommy Edman
Short hops: Cardinal have won 22 of 24. … Among three teams in tournament history to score at least eight runs in all three of their super regional games. … Hit tournament-leading 22 homers in eight games. … Mathews has recorded two straight nine-out saves. … Cardinal have reached CWS all six times they’ve hosted a super regional.
Quotable: “I’ve been emotional with happiness or emotional with sadness. I was so emotional with pride for this team, what they did and what they’ve been through.” — Esquer, on team winning five elimination games in regional and super regional
MISSISSIPPI (37-22)
Coach: Mike Bianco (849-484-1 in 22 seasons at Ole Miss, 949-555-1 in 25 seasons overall)
Road to Omaha: Won Coral Gables Regional: beat Arizona 7-4, beat Miami 2-1, beat Arizona 22-6. Won Hattiesburg Super Regional: beat Southern Mississippi 10-0, beat Southern Mississippi 5-0.
2022 record vs. CWS teams: 4-5 (2-1 vs. Auburn, 1-2 vs. Arkansas, 1-2 vs. Texas A&M)
Last CWS appearance: 2014
All-time record in CWS: 5-10 in 5 appearances
Meet the Rebels: C Hayden Dunhurst (.247, 6 HRs, 28 RBIs), 1B Tim Elko (.302, 22, 71), 2B Peyton Chatagnier (.251, 11, 44), SS Jacob Gonzalez (.278, 17, 49), 3B Garrett Wood (.160, 0, 1), LF Kevin Graham (.331, 10, 46), CF Justin Bench (.311, 3, 37), RF Calvin Harris (.322, 1, 15), DH Kemp Alderman (.282, 10, 42). Starting rotation: RHP Dylan DeLucia (6-2, 4.35 ERA), LHP Hunter Elliott (4-3, 2.82), RHP Derek Diamond (4-4, 6.89). Relievers: RHP Josh Mallitz (1-0, 1.30), RHP Jack Dougherty (3-3, 5.35), RHP Brandon Johnson (1-3, 4.08, 11 saves), RHP Mason Nichols (1-0, 3.21), LHP John Gaddis (3-1, 4.40), RHP Jack Washburn (5-2, 3.29), RHP Drew McDaniel (5-3, 6.06).
MLB Alumni: Don Kessinger, Jeff Fassero, Lance Lynn, Mike Mayers, Drew Pomeranz, David Dellucci, Bobby Kielty, Matt Tolbert, Chris Coghlan, Jeff Calhoun
Short hops: Rebels were last team to receive NCAA Tournament at-large bid and have gone 5-0 through regionals and super regionals. … Elko’s 1.222 slugging percentage in tournament is best among CWS players. … Staff has posted 2.00 ERA with two shutouts in tournament and is allowing just 5.6 hits per nine innings. … Elliott has allowed one earned run in 12 1/3 tournament innings.
Quotable: “Don’t you dare change your goals because someone told you that you’re not good enough.” — Bianco, on team blocking out criticism
AUBURN (42-20)
Coach: Butch Thompson (221-162 in 7 seasons at Auburn, 260-183 in 8 seasons overall)
Road to Omaha: Won Auburn Regional: beat Southeastern Louisiana 19-7, beat Florida State 21-7, beat UCLA 11-4. Won Corvallis Super Regional: beat Oregon State 7-5, lost 4-3 to Oregon State, beat Oregon State 4-3.
2022 record vs. CWS teams: 6-4 (1-0 vs. Oklahoma, 1-2 vs. Mississippi, 2-1 vs. Texas A&M, 1-0 vs. Stanford, 1-2 vs. Arkansas)
Last CWS appearance: 2019
All-time record in CWS: 3-10 in 5 appearances
Meet the Tigers: C Nate LaRue (.224, 6 HRs, 34 RBIs), 1B Sonny DiChiara (.392, 22, 59), 2B Cole Foster (.268, 9, 44), SS Brody Moore (.294, 5, 37), 3B Blake Rambusch (.336, 4, 37), LF Mike Bello (.264, 1, 12), CF Kason Howell (.286, 2, 35), RF Bobby Peirce (.287, 9, 27), DH Brooks Carlson (.310, 6, 31). Starting rotation: RHP Trace Bright (4-4, 5.23 ERA), RHP Joseph Gonzalez (7-3, 2.95), RHP Mason Barnett (3-2, 3.98). Relievers: LHP Carson Skipper (6-3, 4.61), RHP Chase Allsup (1-0, 2.83), RHP Chase Isbell (1-1, 5.29), RHP Blake Burkhalter (4-2, 3.89, 15 saves), RHP John Armstrong (1-0, 2.50), LHP Tommy Sheehan (2-0, 4.50).
MLB Alumni: Bo Jackson, Frank Thomas, Gregg Olson, Tim Hudson, David Ross, Mark Bellhorn, Josh Donaldson, Gabe Gross, Terry Leach, Garrett Cooper, Grant Dayton, Joe Beckwith
Short hops: Posted 27-29 record in 2021 and was picked last in SEC West in coaches’ preseason poll. … Auburn has more than doubled its home run rate in postseason, going from 1.05 per game through its first 56 games to 2.33 in the NCAA Tournament. … Tigers averaging 10.8 runs per game last six games. … Tigers have made run without ace Hayden Mullins since last week of April.
Quotable: “What an experience for the Auburn Tigers to come from so many miles away and get it done. We’re not done yet. We’re just a team out there. We mesh well together, we’re best friends on and off the field, and we love this university.” — Moore
