Unexpected Downfalls: Five NCAA Baseball Disappointing Regional Performances
There’s always the dark side of any college sports tournament: the teams that didn’t play the way they wanted and saw the party end early. For whatever reason, these teams just couldn’t play the way they had most of the year and saw their NCAA baseball tournament end far short of their goals.
Notable Upsets and Stumbles: Teams That Lost Their Grip
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Clemson
It’s hard to be too tough on Clemson, because the Tigers gave everything against a strong Tennessee team over 14 innings. But the Tigers were seeded fourth overall and should have gone further. They were clearly emotionally spent against Charlotte, which has to be a disappointment.
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Vanderbilt
Losing a pair of one-run games isn’t a disappointment on its own, but it’s how Vandy lost that lands them here. The Commodores just didn’t hit. Over the final six innings against both Oregon and Xavier, Vandy managed just three hits. Fielding got the Commodores here, but that’s not enough in June.
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West Virginia
The Mountaineers’ run to the Big 12 regular season crown was a joyride, but it all fell flat after that. West Virginia couldn’t put things back together, losing seven of eight to end the season. They’ll be back, but giving up 10+ runs to both Indiana and Kentucky isn’t a good ending by any definition.
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Auburn
The Tigers were probably overseeded, but they should have won at least one game in their regional. Instead, Auburn was two-and-out, falling to Penn’s small ball approach and falling in a deep hole against Southern Miss. The Tigers didn’t hit until it was too late, leading to their quick elimination.
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Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State was hot. The Cowboys came in as winners of 11 of 15 and reached the Big 12 tournament final. They got outscored 24-8 by Oral Roberts and Dallas Baptist on their diamond and were quickly dismissed. The hitting didn’t connect and the pitching fell into deep holes early. It’s the fourth regional exit in five years for the Cowboys.
Reflecting on Setbacks: Aiming for Future Triumphs
Despite the setbacks, and being labelled as one of our top five NCAA Baseball Disappointing Regional Performances, these teams have showcased moments of brilliance throughout the season, and their journeys, albeit disappointing, set the stage for future triumphs and learning opportunities.