On Monday, Hurricanes Baseball players and coaches gathered in the team clubhouse to watch ESPN’s Championship Selection Show, which would determine whom and where the Canes would face in the playoffs.
Already knowing they would host a Regional Tournament, the Hurricanes anxiously awaited to see if they earned a national seed as well. Unfortunately, it was LSU that took the 8th and final seed away from Miami. Starting pitcher Brad Radziewski seemed most disappointed out of the players.
However, jubilation spread throughout the room once it was decided who Miami would play in the Regional Tournament. With Bethune Cookman, Columbia and Texas Tech in the draw, Miami should have few problems making it to the Super Regional, which will take place in Gainesville.
After the selections were made, players remained humble and made no excuses for losing twice in the ACC Tournament.
"You’re not going to win every game," said senior Dale Carey. "Give Georgia Tech credit, they ended up winning it all…we’re past it now."
Senior Tyler Palmer shared the same thoughts as Carey, and is excited to get back on the field.
"There’s a lot of confidence floating around this locker room," said Palmer. "We have to bring that confidence to Friday, get very good swinging, play good defense and I know the pitching is going to be stellar."
Coach Jim Morris is grateful to play in his 26th Regional Tournament, and looks forward to playing on the road if they win in Coral Gables.
"I’m fine going on the road," said Morris. "We’ve won our last 15 games on the road against the ACC, a top conference in the country."
Miami’s road record is better than their home record, which is how it was in 2001 when they won the College World Series.
The Hurricanes open regional play against Bethune Cookman, who beat Miami 3-1 earlier in the year, on Friday at 7pm in Mark Light Field.