Expectations for the College World Series
Murray State is a veteran team. They’ve got guys who have played a ton of college baseball, JUCO ball, small-conference ball, summer ball, you name it. They’ve leaned into the “no one believes in us” mentality and it’s working.
They’ve also shown they can adapt. They won a slugfest against Ole Miss and then won a tense, low-scoring game against Duke. That kind of versatility, being able to play different styles, is essential in Omaha.
And then there’s the pressure, or lack of it. Murray State isn’t supposed to win. They’re playing with house money, and that’s a dangerous position for a confident team with nothing to lose.
The Racers draw UCLA in their opening game, a team with a strong pitching staff and plenty of Omaha experience. Also in their half of the bracket are LSU and Arkansas, two of the most talented lineups in the country. It’s a gauntlet, no doubt.
But Murray State’s been walking through fire for the past two weeks. At this point, they’ve earned the right to believe.
If the bats stay hot and the bullpen can hold things together, there’s no reason they can’t keep the magic going. We’ve seen it before, Fresno State, Coastal Carolina, Stony Brook.
College baseball doesn’t care how many resources you have. Sometimes, it just takes a group of guys who believe in each other and a coach who knows how to get the most out of them.
Players to Watch
OF Jonathan Hogart
The engine of the offense. Hogart has crushed postseason pitching and hit two homers in the Super Regional clincher. He’s batting over .400 this postseason with five home runs and a knack for the big moment. On the season, he’s slashing .339/.449/.713 with 26 2B, 22 HR, and 65 RBI. Some video game numbers. He’s been the catalyst and as Jonathan Hogart goes, so does the rest of the Murray State Races.
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