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AJ Gracia (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The 2025 NCAA baseball tournament super regional round is set to get underway on Friday, June 5.
To get ready, Baseball America presents the ultimate super regional guide with breakdowns of all 16 teams. Check out the full list of super regional previews here.
Duke Preview
Duke arrives in super regionals as one of the more underappreciated teams left in the field. Its offense doesn’t dominate with gaudy batting averages but is well-rounded and efficient, ranking 18th nationally in weighted runs created plus (123) and 12th in on-base percentage (.426).
The lineup works counts (15.8% walk rate, No. 1 in the country), limits strikeouts (18.9%) and produces quality contact. Ben Miller (20 home runs), AJ Gracia and Wallace Clark provide the power backbone, while players like Tyler Albright and Ben Rounds add on-base consistency.
Pitching is a bit more matchup-dependent. The Blue Devils strike out plenty of hitters (23.7% K rate, 31st) but allow their share of baserunners. Reid Easterly (3.04 ERA, 1.09 WHIP) is the top arm and a versatile weapon out of the bullpen or in a starting role, while Owen Proksch (84 strikeouts in 59.2 innings) gives Duke a high-strikeout lefthanded option in the rotation.
They draw a very intriguing super against a Murray State team with all the momentum in the world.
Murray State Preview
Murray State is on a true run of destiny, and at this point, metrics don’t matter.
The Racers enter the super regional round as by far the weakest team in the field on paper, with metrics that have been dragged down by a light schedule.
But their offense has shown real spark in June and was the engine behind their shocking run through the Oxford Regional. Jonathan Hogart (.335, 19 HR), Dustin Mercer (.351), Carson Garner (16 HR) and Dom Decker (.346) give this lineup a legitimate top four that can pressure even elite pitching.
Add in strong on-base profiles throughout and the ability to hit for bursts of power and this offense suddenly looks dangerous in the postseason environment. The Racers still rank as the field’s least-likely Omaha qualifier by the metrics, but momentum and belief are real, and Murray State has both in spades right now.
Predictions
- Jacob Rudner: Murray State
- Peter Flaherty: Duke
