Regional Preview

Blacksburg Regional

# 1 Virginia Tech (38-20, 18-15 ACC, RPI 11)
The Hokies are coming off an improbable run in the ACC tournament where they swept their pool, including two wins over top 10 national teams, before dropping the championship game to UNC. Virginia Tech has relied on a powerful lineup all season, but in the last month the pitching has really come around and created a more balanced attack, and heading into the regionals they are in the discussion for a run at the National Championship. Pete Hughes has his team firing on all cylinders as the Hokies look to advance out of the first regional to ever be hosted in Blacksburg.

#2 Oklahoma (40-19, 13-11 Big 12, RPI 35)
The Big 12 Tournament Champions come into Blacksburg this weekend looking to improve upon their Super Regional appearance last season. The Sooners have a great one two punch at the top of their rotation, led by Jonathan Gray, a possible first overall pick in the 2013 First Year Player’s Draft in June. Gray had the 16th lowest ERA in the entire country (1.55) and is number 4 in the country with 127 strikeouts in 110.0 innings pitched. Oklahoma will be the biggest threat to upsetting the Hokies chance at a championship run, but losses to teams like Dallas Baptist (RPI 158) and Arkansas-Little Rock (RPI 145) leave some unanswered questions.

#3 Coastal Carolina (37-21, 18-6 Big South, RPI 48)
Coastal Carolina’s bid to the NCAA tournament was one of the more disputed decisions by the Selection Committee. The Chanticleers made the field over teams like Campbell, who arguably had better season and better resumes, but they deserve their birth none the less. Costal has been carried the entire season by their pitching staff that ranked second in the Big South in ERA behind Campbell, but have uncharacteristically struggled offensively. The Hokies have struggled against Coastal Carolina in the past but did win both games they played during the 2012 season, including a 4-3 victory in extra innings at English Field.

#4 Connecticut (34-26, 9-15 Big East, RPI 78)
UConn is possibly the most surprising team in this year’s tournament. After being the eighth and final team to qualify for the Big East Tournament, the Huskies went on an improbable run to win the conference championship and take the Big East’s automatic bid. Despite their regular season struggles, the Huskies are one of the hottest teams in the entire country and are on an emotional high that could be enough to surprise a lot of their opponents.

Prediction: Virginia Tech
While Oklahoma has the starting pitching to shut down any lineup, I think the Hokies will be able to advance out of the region. As long as the starting pitching can continue at the level they have over the last few weeks, I don’t see any of the offenses being able to keep up with Virginia Tech.

Players to Watch this Weekend

Chad Pinder (VT, 3B/SS)
Pinder (.327/.409/.489) has emerged this season as the leader of the Hokies as he looks to improve his draft stock and take Virginia Tech to their first College World Series. Coming off a spectacular week at the ACC Tournament in Durham, where Pinder went 6 for 15 with 3 HR and 8 RBI; he looks to continue this momentum into the NCAA Regionals.

Joe Mantiply (VT, LHP)
There are going to be a couple of power pitchers on display this weekend in Blacksburg and Joe Mantiply (6-0, 2.92 ERA) is not one of them. Averaging only 6.1 K/9, Mantiply makes his living with heavy pitches and pitching to contact. His greatest quality is his knowledge of pitching, and after being drafted by the Phillies last year, he should hear his name called again in June.

Jonathan Gray (OU, RHP)
As stated earlier in the preview, Gray (9-2, 1.55 ERA) is one of the players in the mix to be taken as the first overall pick by the Astros. Gray uses a tight slider and a fastball which sits 95-97 and has been clocked in the triple digits. Reports are that Gray will pitch Game 1 against Coastal Carolina and should be an exciting player to watch.

Dillon Overton (OU, LHP)
Overton (9-2, 2.89 ERA) is a strike thrower who is likely a mid to late second round pick for the 2013 draft. Sitting in the low 90s with his fastball, Overton won’t over power hitters like his teammate Gray, but he has had a great year and is going to make his mark on a professional organization immediately.

Matt Oberste (OU, 1B)
The powerful first baseman, Oberste (.384/.462/.647) is easily the best hitter in a Sooner lineup which has struggled this season. Leading the team in several categories like doubles, homeruns, and RBI, the junior looks to continue his solid campaign after being the hero in the Big 12 tournament.

Jacob May (CCU, OF)
May (.321/.414/.478) is one of the more exciting players to watch in the Big South Conference. Batting at the top of the Chanticleer lineup, May is a do-it-all kind of player, leading the team in slugging percentage, homeruns, and sacrifice bunts. The junior, switch hitter also leads the team with 16 stolen bases.

Ben Smith (CCU, LHP)
As a sophomore, Smith (5-3, 2.19 ERA) has stepped up as the leader of a pretty potent Coastal rotation. Smith has struggled to find the strike zone at times (49 walks in 86.1 IP), but he has limited the extra base hits; only allowing one homerun all season.

LJ Mazzilli (UConn, 2B)
Considered by many as one of the better college hitters in the country, Mazzilli (.364/.419/.534) leads the Huskies in virtually all offensive categories. The senior infielder was named to the All-Big East First Team after being a second team performer last season.

Carson Cross (UConn, RHP)
Only a red shirt sophomore, Cross (8-4, 2.50 ERA) stepped up to be one of the few bright spots in a struggling UConn pitching rotation. The lefty did have some trouble with base runners, posting a 1.14 WHIP and giving up 25 extra base hits.

Schedules and necessary information can be found here.

This is a great weekend for Hokieball!

P.S. Sorry for the lack of information on the UCONN players, I didn't get a chance to see them play this year and their beat writer didn't return my email for more information!