2012 College World Series

[Hermie13]

The College baesball Super Regionals get underway today. Not sure if many have been following along with the draft and the Indians taking up most of our time but some interesting developments out of the regionals, most notably Kent State advancing to their first Super Regional ever and trying to make the world series for the firs time. Advanced by playing (from what I'm told, I actually missed it) one of the best college games of the year beating Kentucky in a marathon 21 inning game, then knocking off Purdue and Kentucky once more for good measure. Local boy Tyler Skulina finished it off (transfered from Viriginia back home). Unfortunately looks like all the Kent games are on ESPNU, but some of the others will be on ESPN and ESPN2 for those interested.

Also of interest IMO is that Texas A&M is out despite being the top seed in their regional. No discrations then for Naquin and trying to get him signed.

[Hermie13]

Game 3 tonight at 7pm for Kent State and Oregon (on ESPNU). Winner is in the CWS. No Tribe game tonight so definitely something worth tuning in to.

And how about Stony Brook taking down LSU?!?

[OhioBaseball]

I'm going to a Cubs game Tuesday with a guy whose nephew starts on the LSU team. I'm disappointed b/c I wanted to talk some college ball with him, and now I imagine college baseball is one of the last things he's going to want to talk about.

The real treat of the Super Regionals was seeing NC State vs. Florida yesterday until it got rain delayed. Starters Carlos Rodon and Jonathan Crawford were dealing in the first 2 1/2 innings. It was some great TV. NC State also has a freshman 3B/SS Trea Turner who is a real interesting prospect. He needs to develop physically, but the guy has some tools and can really play the game.

I'm an alum of Miami and Ohio U so although I don't like Kent State, it'd be nice to see a MAC school make it to the CWS. They've always had a good program there. Having 2 cold-weather, smaller conference schools in the CWS could be something that never happens again.

[GeronimoSon]

Game 3 tonight at 7pm for Kent State and Oregon (on ESPNU). Winner is in the CWS. No Tribe game tonight so definitely something worth tuning in to.

And how about Stony Brook taking down LSU?!?

The Clippers and Charlotte Knights from Huntington Park in Columbus tonight.. at 7.. A pretty good minor league game to fill the day off..

[Hermie13]

The Clippers and Charlotte Knights from Huntington Park in Columbus tonight.. at 7.. A pretty good minor league game to fill the day off..

Did not know this, thanks for the heads up. Gonna be lots of channeling flipping tonight, lol

[MadThinker88]

And Kent gets it done. Omaha bound!!!!!
Will play the winner of Baylor/ Arkansas on Saturday at 5 pm on the 4 letter network.

Way to go guys.

MLB, class of '92 & '95

[GeronimoSon]

Congratulations to the Golden Flashes !!.. As an alum, it's nice to see the program gaining in national stature.. more than what can be said for the football program... Kind of apes professional sports in Cleveland.. The baseball team (Indians) continue to show progress and become contenders while the football team enjoys the continued support of the fans without the benefit of even the slightest inkling of contending..

[Rocky55]

PG has a CWS preview(free content) that mentioned that "Randall Fant has been a pleasant surprise, having yet to allow a run in 8 1/3 postseason innings."

I'm eager to see him pitch. Is there any chance to sign this guy? The GD new CBA limits us to a $100K offer, unless they have money left over from the top 10 picks. Sounds likie the type of high upside LHSP that's kinda lacking in the system.

Did I ever mention that I hate this effing new CBA?

[GeronimoSon]

PG has a CWS preview(free content) that mentioned that "Randall Fant has been a pleasant surprise, having yet to allow a run in 8 1/3 postseason innings."

I'm eager to see him pitch. Is there any chance to sign this guy? The GD new CBA limits us to a $100K offer, unless they have money left over from the top 10 picks. Sounds likie the type of high upside LHSP that's kinda lacking in the system.

Did I ever mention that I hate this effing new CBA?

You hinted at it, but with all the sugar coating, it's difficult to determine what your true feelings are....

[MadThinker88]

This game today (Florida "at" Kent St) is shaping up to be a good one.
If ur not watching, tune in!!!!!

[MadThinker88]

Somebody restart my heart...... That 9th inning just aged me 10 years!!!!!!
Kent St/ OHIO sends #1 Florida home winless in the series.......

[Hermie13]

Somebody restart my heart...... That 9th inning just aged me 10 years!!!!!!
Kent St/ OHIO sends #1 Florida home winless in the series.......

Can not believe they held on there in the 9th. Great game (well kinda ugly but great they won). That catch in CF was one of the best I've seen all year (at any level) too.

Now just have to beat the defending champs...and then beat Arkansas twice and championship series! hey, one can dream

[OhioBaseball]

Somebody restart my heart...... That 9th inning just aged me 10 years!!!!!!
Kent St/ OHIO sends #1 Florida home winless in the series.......

Can not believe they held on there in the 9th. Great game (well kinda ugly but great they won). That catch in CF was one of the best I've seen all year (at any level) too.

Now just have to beat the defending champs...and then beat Arkansas twice and championship series! hey, one can dream

Kent State has a chance. The guy that will throw the next game, Skulina, is a pretty good prospect for next year's draft. Big, strong RHP with low 90s velocity and a good breaking ball. I think he profiles as a 2nd to 3rd round guy next year.

The South Carolina and Arkansas game last night was awesome. It's why watching SEC baseball is so fun -- those guys can legitimately play and have very good skills and talents. Lots of good prospects out there last night.

You may see some 2013 draft previews out on the internet. You'll see Austin Wilson (Stanford) and Karsten Whitson (Florida) mentioned b/c they were high profile high school players, but in reality their stocks have both dropped...and in my opinion, a lot. Whitson struggled with injuries this year, but I just don't think he's improved any since high school -- and there is no physical projection left. Maybe the top '13 college prospect is Ryne Stanek (Arkansas), who threw last night. It was my third look at him. He struggled down the stretch with some minor injuries, but he's got a ton of arm speed and some physical projection left. Talent-wise, he's a lot like Clay Buchholz, but with a notch lower arm slot. I still think he needs to improve quite a bit b/c he's really not a dominating pitcher yet, but there's a good deal of improvement left.

South Carolina's freshman shortstop, Joey Pankake, is an exciting young prospect. He may get some talk about him moving off SS b/c of stereotypes and he's not a big runner, but he's a very good, strong athlete that I think has a chance to hit quite well. Could be a college stud the next two years at South Carolina.

[Hermie13]

Kent State has a chance. The guy that will throw the next game, Skulina, is a pretty good prospect for next year's draft. Big, strong RHP with low 90s velocity and a good breaking ball. I think he profiles as a 2nd to 3rd round guy next year.

Yeah big Skulina fan here. Was really hoping the Tribe would take a shot on him coming out of high school at some point in the middle rounds. Had a 2nd round grade from some scouts coming out of high school but that Virginia commit seemed strong. Gonna be interesting to see how he's viewed at the draft next year. By sitting out a year does he still then have 3 years of college eligibility left?

[GeronimoSon]

<ike Roth of the GameCocks mowed down the last 22 Flashes in a row.. ouch..the Angels draftee didn't take any prisoners, either. Good season for the Kent State squad... Sorry it had to end so soon....

[OhioBaseball]

<ike Roth of the GameCocks mowed down the last 22 Flashes in a row.. ouch..the Angels draftee didn't take any prisoners, either. Good season for the Kent State squad... Sorry it had to end so soon....

Kent State should be proud. I lived in two MAC school college towns for a while and I saw a lot of MAC baseball. Occasionally, I'd head over to Lexington to see some SEC action and I'd always be blown away -- there is a MASSIVE difference in talent and skill between the SEC and the MAC. Those guys in the SEC can seriously play baseball, and there's a lot of mediocre talent in the MAC (not at Kent, but their competition is often weak). Forget even making the CWS, but for Kent to come out and beat an elite SEC team (Florida) in the CWS -- it's a big deal. Remarkable season for them.

BTW, I don't know about Skulina's eligibility. I doubt he'll be around after next year, though.

[daingean]

<ike Roth of the GameCocks mowed down the last 22 Flashes in a row.. ouch..the Angels draftee didn't take any prisoners, either. Good season for the Kent State squad... Sorry it had to end so soon....

We took Roth last year but he decided to head to Europe for the summer instead of starting pro ball.