It’s been a long wait–but Grambling State is back in a NCAA Regional.
After taking four straight games in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the Tigers are advancing to postseason play for the first time since 1985.
The drought snaps when Grambling takes the field at 2:05 p.m. when it faces the top-seed in Arkansas. But after starting the season with nine straight losses, the Tigers are ready for the challenge.
“We’ve got to come in focused,” Grambling right fielder Mychal Roby said to the News Star. “I have no clue about the other teams, but I’m sure they’re pretty tough. We’ve just got to make the most of the opportunity.”
Grambling State Tigers (22-33, 10-14 SWAC), fourth seed
Last 15 games: 10-5 record
How they received the bid: won conference tournament
The Washington State Cougars are no stranger to Fayetteville or the Arkansas Razorback baseball program.
Cougar head coach Donnie Marbut said the team learned a tremendous amount last year at the Norman Regional, where the team lost to the Diamond Hogs. Washington State also traveled and started the season last year by being swept by the Razorbacks.
But after making it to back-to-back regionals for the first time since 1987, Marbut said the team is looking for more than just an early exit after the learning experience.
“The experience is going to help because we have been there before,” Marbut said. “We are going to win. That’s the whole expectations. We know how to do that from last year.”
After battling each week with Pac-10 teams, eight of which earned regional bids, the Cougars expect to be ready for the weekend ahead.
“It’s been an absolute grind every weekend to fight a game or maybe two,” Marbut said. “It’s been a tough year. But I’m so happy for this team.”
Washington State Cougars (34-20, 15-12 Pac-10), second seed
Last 15 games: 12-3 record
How they received the bid: NCAA at-large
When the Kansas State baseball team learned of a regional bid, Wildcat head coach Brad Hill couldn’t help but think about the upper classmen that made the appearance possible.
Senior Adam Muenster hit .434 for the season, earning first team All-Big 12 honors, and senior catcher Daniel Dellasega had a .333 average while making a shift to the starting role.
“This is all about our seniors,” Hill said. “Adam Muenster and Daniel Dellasega came up huge as team leaders, even though Muenster was playing a new position and Dellasega was the No. 1 catcher for the first time in his career.”
Senior starter Ryan Daniel, who missed time this season with an injury, was even a big part of the team while recovering.
“He is a big part of this even though he was injured for part of the season,” Hill said. “He was the biggest cheerleader on our bench during a time that we needed him to be.”
Kansas State Wildcats (36-20, 14-12 Big 12), third seed
Last 15 games: 6-9 record
How they received the bid: NCAA at-large
NCAA FAYETTEVILLE REGIONAL
Friday, June 4
Game 1: No. 1 Arkansas (40-18) vs. No. 4 Grambling (22-30) – 2:05 p.m.
Game 2: No. 2 Washington State (34-20) vs.. Kansas State (36-20) – 7:05 p.m.
Saturday, June 5
Game 3: Game 1 Loser vs. Game 2 Loser – 2:05 p.m.
Game 4: Game 1 Winner vs. Game 2 Winner – 7:05 p.m.
Sunday, June 6
Game 5: Game 3 Winner vs. Game 4 Loser – 2:05 p.m.
Game 6: Game 4 Winner vs. Game 5 Winner – 7:05 p.m.
Monday, June 7
Game 7: Game 6 Winner vs. Game 6 Loser (if necessary) – 7:05 p.m.