The first weekend of March is here. Warmer weather is on is way, and daylight savings time is less than two weeks away. The ping of spring is well on its way as well. You can’t hear it in the majors, only college baseball. The sound of the metal bat on the ball is a classic sound that takes us all back to when we were a kid - at least it does for me.
This weekend will give us some very good matchups and a few good tourneys. Some teams have stumped their toe while others have come out of the shadows to throw their money on the table. Are they bluffing or do they have a hand that can carry them deep into the postseason? Traditional powers like Rice and Cal State-Fullerton will knock heads and up-start Oral Roberts travels to Texas, the same ORU team that went into Fayetteville last year and won the regional. Southern Cal travels to Athens to take on the Dawgs and finally Arizona State hits the Plains to take on Auburn.
I will also inform the masses about the Dairy Queen Classic, Dominos Pizza Classic, and the Microtel Inn and Suites Challenge. This weekend will be a exciting weekend for college baseball fans!
#11 Cal State-Fullerton @ #7 Rice
The Titans travel to Houston this weekend to face the Owls. Both teams have identical 9-4 records thus far. Rice was the top team in many circles in the preseason, but they have played a very tough schedule. Cal Fullerton has the tools, but has played a weaker schedule than Rice. However, I am sure they will have it rolling by the June comes around. Joe Savery is the guy who gets Rice going; he can do it with the bat or on the mound. Wes Roemer needs to set the tone for Fullerton Friday night if they have any chance of winning the series. Rice has a deep staff, but Roemer may be the best player in college baseball this year. I would love to get to see this series in person.
Rice wins series 2-1
Oral Roberts @ #14 Texas
ORU has proven that they can win in hostile environments. They won the regional at Arkansas last year over the Hogs and Oklahoma State. Texas is off to their usual slow start at 9-6. Look for ORU to give the Horns all they want. Coach Augie's team is young, but will be good this year. Last year Texas was sub .500 going into March, but still hosted a regional. ORU has a good staff for a mid-major, but in the end, the Horns have too much firepower.
Texas wins series 2-1
#13 Arizona State @ Auburn
The Sun Devils travel to Dixie to face the Tigers on the Plains. ASU is 10-3 on the year and looks to be one of the favorites in the PAC 10. Auburn had somewhat of a down year in 2006 and hopes to rebound this year after having a good year in 2005. This is a very big series for Auburn as they look for a signature non-conference series win. It is also a big series for the Sun Devils, as a series victory over an SEC team on the road will solidify this as a team to be reckoned with in the PAC 10. The SEC is overall a better conference than the PAC 10, and I will take an average SEC tam over a good PAC 10 team any day.
Auburn wins the series 2-1
Southern Cal @ Georgia
In yet another PAC 10 vs SEC series, the Trojans go into Athens to face the pesky Dawgs. It seems like every other year is key in Athens, under Coach Dave Perno. It is either feast or famine; they have a losing record or advance deep in the postseason, so this year should be a down year for the Dawgs. I say that with tounge in cheek, as this Georgia team should finish in the middle of the SEC East, but be good enough to make the NCAA field. The 4-4 Dawgs look to get over the .500 hump this weekend and I think they will. Once again, it is SEC vs PAC 10, and I will have to give the edge to the SEC.
UGA wins series 2-1
Dairy Queen Classic from Minneapolis
#9 Arkansas
Mississippi
The Citadel
Minnesota
Favorite: Arkansas
Best Matchup: Arkansas vs Mississippi
Domino’s Pizza Classic from College Station
#6 Oregon State
#15 Texas A&M
St. Louis
New Mexico
Favorite: Oregon State
Best Matchup: Oregon State vs Texas A&M
Microtel Inn & Suites Challenge from Conway, SC
Coastal Carolina
West Virginia
Marist
Rhode Island
Favorite: Coastal Carolina
Best Matchup: Coastal Carolina vs West Virginia
