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2018 NCAA Baseball Tournament Preview: Road to Omaha

ByNeil Harrington|
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 27: The University of Florida players run onto the field in celebration after defeating Louisiana State University 6-1 in game two of the Division I Men's Baseball Championship held at TD Ameritrade Park on June 27, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 27: The University of Florida players run onto the field in celebration after defeating Louisiana State University 6-1 in game two of the Division I Men's Baseball Championship held at TD Ameritrade Park on June 27, 2017 in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
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NCAA Baseball
DURHAM, NC – MAY 27: Florida State catcher Casey Cribb (28) and Florida State pitcher Jonah Scolaro (13) celebrate a home run during the ACC Baseball Championship game between the Florida State and the Louisville Cardinals on May 27, 2018, at Durham Bulls Stadium in Durham, NC. (Photo by Jaylynn Nash/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tallahassee Regional

  1. Florida State (43-17) RPI: 6 — ACC Auto-bid (2017 College World Series)
  2. Mississippi State (31-25) RPI: 28 — At-large bid SEC (Last bid 2017)
  3. Oklahoma (36-23) RPI: 42 — At-large bid Big 12 (Last bid 2017)
  4. Samford (36-24) RPI: 95 — Auto bid Southern (Last bid 2012)

The Florida State Seminoles want to avoid the loser’s bracket like they did last NCAA Baseball tournament. 2018’s club is not the vintage powerhouse offensive squad, but they have enough threats in the lineup to beat anyone in the country — led by Cal Raleigh (.330/.455/.593).

FSU’s strength is in their arms, with an experienced staff fronted by  Drew Parrish (5-0, 2.47 ERA).

Even with a lacking 31-25 record, Mississippi earned a two-seed and 28 RPI by going 9-1 against NCAA Baseball tournament National Seeds.

Jake Mangum (.353/.432/.475) leads the charge, as their best MLB prospect. On paper, their starting pitching is lacking, but their strength lies within a deep bullpen — Blake Smith (4-0, 2.18 and three saves) and Zach Neff (2.90 and two saves).

The Oklahoma Sooners have fallen off the map a bit, dropping to a three-seed, but don’t count them out so “soon.” Their strength lies in their pitching, primarily Jake Irvin (6-2, 2.85 ERA, 109 strikeouts).

The Sooners don’t boast much firepower, but  Steele Walker (.352/.441/.606) is as talented on the offensive end as any in the Tallahassee Regional.

Samford is overmatched in the Regional, but Brooks Carlson (.350 eight home runs ) and Anthony Mulrine are serious threats, and they do obtain a true ace in Samuel Strickland (8-2, 1.89 ERA).

CTTP Predicted winner: Florida State 

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