June 5 , 2007

O State in Louisville Super Regionals

By Ryan Steele

STILLWATER, Okla. — Considering Oklahoma State’s lack of success at home lately, perhaps Monday night’s announcement was a blessing in disguise.

The Cowboys will head to Louisville, Ky., this weekend to face Louisville in the NCAA Super Regionals at Jim Patterson Stadium. The best-of-three series is set to begin Friday.

“We’re excited about playing in a Super Regional and excited to continue our season in Louisville,” said OSU head coach Frank Anderson in a release after finding out the news after 10:30 p.m.

After the Cardinals routed Missouri, 16-6, in the finals of the Columbia Regional on Monday, talk began to arise about the possibility of O-State hosting the NCAA’s second round since the Tigers — who went 4-0 against Anderson’s club this season — were out of the postseason picture.

However, it was announced late Monday that UL (44-21) received the bid. The Cardinals are appearing in their first Super Regional in program history. In fact, when they topped Miami, 13-7, last Friday, it marked their first NCAA Tournament win in school history. First-year head coach Dan McConnell has led UL to a school-record 44 wins this season.

Meanwhile, OSU punched its ticket by defeating No. 7 national seed Arkansas, 7-6, in the Fayetteville Regional championship game last Sunday.

Going on the road may not be the worst option for the Cowboys, who dropped their final six regular-season contests inside the confines of Allie P. Reynolds Stadium. The Pokes (41-19) have claimed victories in 12 of their last 16 games away from Stillwater.

O-State is 1-1 all-time against the Cardinals. The winner earns a spot among the final eight at the 2007 College World Series in Omaha, Neb.

In other Super Regional match-ups announced Monday, Clemson will head to Mississippi State, No. 3 national seed North Carolina hosts South Carolina, UCLA visits Cal State-Fullerton, No. 5 Arizona State welcomes Ole Miss, Wichita State hosts UC-Irvine and Texas A&M will head to No. 2 Rice.

Michigan will face the winner of Tuesday's Oregon State/Virginia contest.