Tech faces nation's top teams in CWS
Tech is playing in today's College World Series (CWS) . This is the third World Series for Tech, with the previous appearances in 1994 and 2002.
In 1994, the Jackets were runner-up in the CWS, losing to Oklahoma. In 2002, Tech finished fifth. Overall, the Jackets are 4-3 in the CWS.
Four ACC teams made it to the World Series this year: Miami, North Carolina, Clemson, and Tech. Also in the field of eight: Rice, Oregon State, Cal-State Fullerton and Georgia.
No. 3 Miami comes into the CWS with a 41-22 record, coached by Jim Morris who is making his 10th appearance in Omaha. The Hurricanes last won the national title in 2002. The offense of Miami is led by outfielder Jon Jay with a .369 batting average. Miami got to the CWS by winning the Oxford regional. Tech holds a 4-1 margin over the Hurricanes this year.
The No. 6 seeded North Carolina Tar Heels, making their fifth appearance are coached by Mike Fox and posted a 50-13 record this year. Carolina boasts national player of the year Andrew Miller on the mound. Miller posted a 13-2 record with a 2.11 ERA. Tech is 2-1 against the Heels this season.
With the top record in college baseball, 55-11, the No. 2 seed Rice Owls coached by Wayne Graham, reach their fifth CWS. In 2003 Rice won their first national championship. The pitching staff is led by Eddie Degerman with a 1.81 ERA and a 13-1 record. Rice advanced by winning the Oklahoma Regional.
Cal St.-Fullerton is no stranger to the CWS. They won national titles in 2004, 1995, 1984 and 1979. The Titans are coached by George Horton and posted a 48-13 record this season. Brandon Tripp leads the offense with a .343 batting average and .556 slugging percentage.
The No. 5 Beavers are attending their third CWS riding a 44-14 record. Coached by Pat Casey, the Beavers beat Stanford in two games in the Corvallis Super Regional. Pitchers Dallas Buck and Jonah Nickerson lead the Beavers combining for a 23-6 record. The pitching staff of the Beavers has held opponents to .237 batting average for the season.
The Clemson Tigers are the No.1 seed in the CWS. Clemson is also riding one of the best records in baseball at 52-11 and were ACC tournament champs. Jack Leggett is guiding his Tigers to their first CWS in four years. Brad Chalk is posting a .350 batting average to lead the Tiger bats. Tech is 3-3 against the Tigers this season with the overall record being deadlocked at 93-93-3.
With Georgia being in the CWS this year, it leaves one question for Tech fans: What's the good word? David Perno is leading his 47-21 Bulldogs to their third CWS in six years. The Bulldogs are led by the All-American duo of outfielder Joey Side and pitcher Joshua Fields. Side is batting .359 with 13 home runs and 53 RBI. Fields, the Georgia closer, has a 3-2 record with a 1.88 ERA and has an SEC-record 15 saves.
