UC Santa Barbara and Coastal Carolina are heading to the College World Series for the first time. The Big 12 is sending all three of its teams that made the NCAA Tournament to Omaha, Nebraska. No. 3 national seed Miami also advanced Sunday.
No. 1 Florida staved off elimination in its best-of-three super regional, keeping the Southeastern Conference’s hopes of having at least one team make it to the CWS for a 24rd straight year.
For Santa Barbara, Sam Cohen’s walkoff pinch grand slam off star closer Zack Burdi in the bottom of the ninth inning produced a 4-3 victory over No. 2 national seed Louisville, undoubtedly the biggest hit and victory in the Gauchos’ program history.
Coastal Carolina knocked off No. 8 LSU 4-3, also in walkoff fashion, on Michael Paez’s single to score Anthony Marks from second base in the bottom of the ninth. The Chanticleers were 0-4 in super regional play before going to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and winning two straight.
Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and TCU also advanced, giving the Big Ten three teams in Omaha for the second time in three years.