2018 TCU Horned Frogs baseball team American college baseball season
The 2018 TCU Horned Frogs baseball team represented Texas Christian University during the 2018 NCAA Division I baseball season . The Horned Frogs played their home games at Charlie & Marie Lupton Baseball Stadium as a member of the Big 12 Conference . They were led by head coach Jim Schlossnagle , the winningest coach in TCU baseball history, in his 15th year at TCU.
Previous season
The Horned Frogs entered the 2018 season on the heels of four consecutive trips to the College World Series .[ 2] The 2017 TCU Horned Frogs baseball team entered the season as the unanimous preseason #1 team,[ 3] and the favorite to win the Big 12 regular season championship.[ 4] They notched a 39–14 (16–8) regular season record, and won a Big 12 Conference championship for the fourth-straight season, sharing the regular season co-championship with Texas Tech .[ 5] [ 6] In the postseason, the Horned Frogs advanced to the Big 12 tournament semifinals, before being eliminated by Texas .[ 7] TCU was selected as the #6 National Seed the NCAA tournament , the Horned Frogs' highest-ever national seed.[ 8] Star-first baseman/designated hitter Luken Baker was unavailable for the Tournament after a late-regular season injury.[ 9] The Frogs coasted to a 3–0 record in the Fort Worth Regional, with wins over Central Connecticut ,[ 10] #11 Virginia ,[ 11] and #20 Dallas Baptist ,[ 12] and a 2–0 sweep of #8 Missouri State in the Fort Worth Super Regional to advance to the College World Series for the fourth-straight year.[ 13] [ 14] In Omaha , the Frogs fell in their opener to eventual-national champion, Florida , an 0–3 loss at the hands of Gator starting pitcher Alex Faedo .[ 15] TCU then eliminated #8 Texas A&M [ 16] and #4 Louisville to advance to a rematch with Florida in the national semifinals.[ 17] The Frogs' win over the Aggies marked the third consecutive season, and the fourth in the past six seasons, that TCU eliminated Texas A&M from the NCAA tournament.[ 18] The Frogs then beat #3 Florida 9–2 in the teams' first rematch[ 19] before falling to the Gators in a decisive national semifinal game, again an 0–3 loss to Alex Faedo.[ 20] The loss marked the third-straight year that TCU's season ended in the national semifinals.[ 21] TCU finished the season ranked #4 in every final poll , with a 50–18 record (the Frogs' third 50-win season).[ 20]
Preseason
MLB draft
The following Horned Frogs on the 2016 roster were selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft :
* indicates draftee had no more college eligibility
Departed Players
The following Horned Frogs on the 2017 roster departed the program prior to the 2018 season:
List of Departed Players
Name
2017 Class
Pos.
Reason
Elliott Barzilli
Senior
3B
Graduated, Drafted/Signed[ 23]
Alec Creel
Freshman
RHP
Departed
Nolan Brown
RS Senior
CF
Graduated
Trent Franson
Sophomore
INF
Transferred to Houston Baptist
Mason Hesse
Senior
SS
Graduated
Dalton Horton
Sophomore
LHP
Transferred to Louisiana
Brian Howard
Senior
RHP
Graduated[ 22]
Austin Ingraham
Junior
OF
Transferred to Texas A&M–Kingsville
Ryan Merrill
Senior
SS
Graduated
Evan Skoug
Junior
C
Drafted/Signed[ 22]
Bryan Sturges
Freshman
U
Transferred to Howard College
Mitchell Traver
RS Senior
RHP
Graduated, Drafted/Signed[ 23]
Austen Wade
Junior
RF
Drafted/Signed[ 22]
Cam Warner
Senior
2B
Graduated, Drafted/Signed[ 23]
Evan Williams
RS Senior
OF
Graduated
Recruiting Class
The Horned Frogs added the following players to the roster as part of their 2017 recruiting class:
List of 2017 Recruits
Name
2018 Class
Pos.
Previous School
Hometown
A.J. Balta
SR
OF
Oregon
Valencia, CA
Coby Boulware
FR
INF
Boulder Creek H.S.
Anthem, AZ
Danny Crews
JR
INF
Fort Scot C.C.
Springfield, MO
Brad Czerniejewski
FR
OF
Lake Forest H.S.
Lake Forest, IL
Tristan Hanoian
FR
INF
Orange Lutheran H.S.
Costa Mesa, CA
R.J. Lan
FR
OF
La Mirada H.S.
La Mirada, CA
Augie Mihlbauer
FR
LHP
Mukwonago H.S.
Mukwonago, WI
James Notary
FR
RHP
Broomfield H.S.
Westminster, CO
Adam Oviedo
FR
INF
Alvarado H.S.
Grandview, TX
Colton Parrish
JR
C
Blinn College
La Vernia, TX
Johnny Rizer
JR
OF
Blinn College
Cypress, TX
Conner Shepherd
RS SO
INF
Mt. San Antonio College
Upland, CA
Caleb Sloan
FR
RHP
Regis Jesuit H.S.
Centennial, CO
Dylan Smith
JR
RHP
Weatherford College
Southlake, TX
Russell Smith
FR
LHP
Midlothian H.S.
Midlothian, TX
Season Projections
Coming off four-straight College World Series appearances in 2014 , 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 , returning anticipated starting pitchers Jared Janczak, Rex Hill and Nick Lodolo , and adding a highly ranked recruiting class, the 2018 Horned Frogs were projected as one of the "Eight for Omaha" in July 2017 by Baseball America, D1 Baseball, and Perfect Game.
The Horned Frogs were ranked in each major preseason poll and ranking. TCU was ranked #3 by Perfect Game,[ 24] #4 in the USA Today Coaches Poll,[ 25] #5 in the NCBWA Poll,[ 26] #7 by D1 Baseball[ 27] and Baseball America,[ 28] and #9 by Collegiate Baseball.[ 29]
Big 12 coaches predicted TCU would finish second in league play, with 4 of the 9 coaches picking TCU to finish in first place.[ 30]
Personnel
Coaching staff
TCU will return its entire coaching staff from the Frogs' 2014 , 2015 , 2016 , and 2017 College World Series seasons. Pitching coach Kirk Saarloos , a California native, was reportedly courted by Stanford to replace 31-season head coach Mark Marquess , but Saarloos opted to remain at TCU.
Roster
The Horned Frogs' 2018 roster consists of 17 returners and 15 new players. Nearly half of the roster (15 of 32 players) are from outside the State of Texas. Sophomore catcher Zach Humphreys and freshman pitcher Russell Smith were high school teammates at Midlothian High School , and sophomore pitcher Cal Coughlin and freshman outfielder Brad Czerniejewski were high school teammates at Lake Forest High School in Illinois. Junior catcher Colton Parrish and junior outfielder Johnny Rizer were teammates at Blinn College before transferring to TCU prior to the 2018 season.
2018 TCU Horned Frogs baseball team
Players
Coaches
#
Pos.
Name
B/T
Height
Weight
Year
Previous school
Home town
1
INF
Coby Boulware
R/R
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
165 lb (75 kg)
Fr
Boulder Creek H.S.
Anthem, AZ
3
INF
Tristan Hanoian
L/R
5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
Fr
Orange Lutheran H.S.
Costa Mesa, CA
4
OF
Johnny Rizer
L/L
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
Jr
Blinn College
Cypress, TX
5
INF
Adam Ovideo
R/R
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Fr
Alvarado H.S.
Grandview, TX
7
OF
Josh Watson
S/R
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Jr
Martin H.S.
Arlington, TX
8
INF
Danny Crews
L/R
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
Jr
Fort Scott C.C.
Springfield, MO
9
INF
Conner Shepherd
L/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
RS So
Mt. San Antonio College
Upland, CA
10
C
Zach Humphreys
R/R
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
So
Midlothian H.S.
DeSoto, TX
11
OF
R.J. Lan
R/R
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Fr
La Mirada H.S.
La Mirada, CA
12
LHP
Nick Lodolo
L/L
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
So
Damien H.S.
LaVerne, CA
13
INF
Michael Landestoy
R/R
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
RS Sr
Saint George School
Santo Domingo, D.R.
15
RHP
Durbin Feltman
R/R
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Jr
Oak Ridge, H.S.
Conroe, TX
16
INF
Connor Wanhanen
L/R
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
Sr
Flower Mound H.S.
Flower Mound, TX
17
C
Colton Parrish
L/R
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
Jr
Blinn College
La Vernia, TX
19
INF
Luken Baker
R/R
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
Jr
Oak Ridge, H.S.
Spring, TX
20
INF
Cal Coughlin
S/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
230 lb (104 kg)
So
Lake Forest H.S.
Lake Forest, IL
21
RHP
Charles King
R/R
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
So
Coppell H.S.
Coppell, TX
23
LHP
Haylen Green
L/L
5 ft 11 in (1.8 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
So
Lufkin H.S.
Lufkin, TX
24
RHP
Jake Eissler
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
So
Thunder Ridge H.S.
Littleton, CO
25
OF
Brad Czerniejewski
R/R
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Fr
Lake Forest H.S.
Lake Forest, IL
26
RHP
Sean Wymer
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Jr
Flower Mound H.S.
Flower Mound, TX
29
LHP
Augie Mihlbauer
L/L
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Fr
Mukwonago H.S.
Mukwonago, WI
31
RHP
Dalton Brown
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
204 lb (93 kg)
Jr
Arlington Heights H.S.
Benbrook, TX
32
RHP
James Notary
R/R
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
Fr
Broomfield H.S.
Westminster, CO
33
LHP
Russell Smith
L/L
6 ft 9 in (2.06 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
Fr
Midlothian H.S.
Midlothian, TX
34
RHP
Trey Morris
R/R
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
207 lb (94 kg)
So
Taylor H.S.
Katy, TX
35
OF
A.J. Balta
L/R
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
Sr
Oregon
Valencia, CA
37
RHP
Austin Boyles
R/R
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
187 lb (85 kg)
RS So
Klein Collins H.S.
Spring, TX
40
RHP
Dylan Smith
R/R
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
Jr
Weatherford College
Southlake, TX
41
RHP
Jared Janczak
R/R
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
RS Jr
Belton H.S.
Belton, TX
43
LHP
Dion Henderson
L/L
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
RS Fr
Oak Park H.S.
Detroit, MI
44
RHP
Caleb Sloan
R/R
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
215 lb (98 kg)
Fr
Regis Jesuit H.S.
Centennial, CO
Head coach
Jim Schlossnagle
Assistant coach(es)
Bill MosielloKirk Saarloos Zach Etheredge
Legend
(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible
Injured
Current redshirt
Roster Last update: February 8, 2018
Schedule and results
2018 TCU Horned Frogs Baseball Schedule & Results
Regular season
Date
Time (CT)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
Big 12
February 16
7:00 pm
ESPN3
at Grand Canyon *
#9
Brazell Stadium • Phoenix, AZ
W 3–2
Coughlin {1–0)
Vorhof (0–1)
Feltman (1)
3,479
1–0
–
Stats Story
February 17
3:00 pm
at Grand Canyon*
#9
Brazell Stadium • Phoenix, AZ
W 14–6
Lodolo (1–0)
Lundin (0–1)
–
2,012
2–0
–
Stats Story
February 18
2:00 pm
at Grand Canyon*
#9
Brazell Stadium • Phoenix, AZ
L 8–912
Smith (1–0)
King (0–1)
–
1,934
2–1
–
Stats Story
February 24
2:00 pm
Long Beach State *
#9
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
L 2–3
Baayoun (2–0)
Janczak (0–1)
Rivera (2)
4,120
2–2
–
Stats Story
February 24
5:30 pm
Long Beach State*
#9
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
W 8–3
Lodolo (2–0)
Castro (0–1)
Notary (1)
4,005
3–2
–
Stats Story
February 25
1:00 pm
FSSW
Long Beach State*
#9
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
W 5–2
Green (1–0)
Andrews (0–2)
Feltman (2)
4,343
4–2
–
Stats Story
Date
Time (CT)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
Big 12
March 1
6:30 pm
Texas–Arlington *
#12
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
W 14–17
Smith (1–0)
Moffat (0–2)
–
4,013
5–2
–
Stats Story
March 2
6:30 pm
UC Irvine *
#12
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
W 4–3
Eissler (1–0)
Bocko (0–1)
–
4,639
6–2
–
Stats Story
March 3
2:00 pm
UC Irvine*
#12
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
W 6–2
Lodolo (3–0)
Raymond (1–1)
–
4,736
7–2
–
Stats Story
March 4
1:00 pm
FSSW
UC Irvine*
#12
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
L 2–15
Denholm (1–1)
Smith (1–1)
–
4,063
7–3
–
Stats Story
March 6
6:30 pm
Texas–Rio Grande Valley *
#14
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
W 7–2
Eissler (2–0)
Carreon (0–1)
–
4,021
8–3
–
Stats Story
March 9
8:00 pm
at USC *
#14
Dedeaux Field • Los Angeles, CA
W 10–1
Janczak (1–1)
Clarke (1–3)
–
1,105
9–3
–
Stats Story
March 11
12:30 pm
vs #10 Vanderbilt *
#14
Dodger Stadium • Los Angeles, CA
L 4–7
9–4
–
March 13
6:30 pm
at Rice *
Reckling Park • Houston, TX
–
March 16
6:30 pm
Minnesota *
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
March 17
5:00 pm
Minnesota*
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
March 18
12:30 pm
FSSW+
Minnesota*
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
March 20
6:30 pm
Arkansas–Pine Bluff *
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
March 23
6:30 pm
Kansas State
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
March 24
2:00 pm
FSSW
Kansas State
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
March 25
1:00 pm
FSSW+
Kansas State
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
March 27
6:30 pm
Dallas Baptist *
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
March 30
8:00 pm
ESPNU
at Oklahoma State
Allie P. Reynolds Stadium • Stillwater, OK
March 31
6:00 pm
ESPNU
at Oklahoma State
Allie P. Reynolds Stadium • Stillwater, OK
Date
Time (CT)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
Big 12
April 1
12:00 pm
FSSW
at Oklahoma State
Allie P. Reynolds Stadium • Stillwater, OK
April 3
6:30 pm
at Dallas Baptist*
Horner Ballpark • Dallas, TX
–
April 6
6:30 pm
Oklahoma
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
April 7
7:00 pm
ESPNU
Oklahoma
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
April 8
1:00 pm
Oklahoma
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
April 10
6:30 pm
Texas–Arlington*
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
April 13
6:00 pm
ESPN3
at Kansas
Hoglund Ballpark • Lawrence, KS
April 14
2:00 pm
ESPN3
at Kansas
Hoglund Ballpark • Lawrence, KS
April 15
1:00 pm
ESPN3
at Kansas
Hoglund Ballpark • Lawrence, KS
April 17
6:30 pm
Abilene Christian *
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
April 18
6:30 pm
at Texas–Arlington*
Clay Gould Ballpark • Arlington, TX
–
April 20
6:35 pm
at Baylor
Baylor Ballpark • Waco, TX
April 21
3:05 pm
at Baylor
Baylor Ballpark • Waco, TX
April 22
1:05 pm
FSSW+
at Baylor
Baylor Ballpark • Waco, TX
April 24
6:30 pm
Stephen F. Austin *
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
April 27
8:00 pm
FS1
Texas Tech
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
April 28
7:00 pm
ESPNU
Texas Tech
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
April 29
1:00 pm
ESPNU
Texas Tech
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
Date
Time (CT)
TV
Opponent
Rank
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
Big 12
May 1
6:30 pm
at Abilene Christian*
Crutcher Scott Field • Abilene, TX
–
May 4
6:30 pm
Lamar *
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
May 5
4:00 pm
Lamar*
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
May 6
1:00 pm
FSSW+
Lamar*
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
–
May 11
6:30 pm
West Virginia
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
May 12
4:00 pm
FSSW
West Virginia
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
May 13
1:00 pm
West Virginia
Lupton Stadium • Fort Worth, TX
May 15
6:30 pm
at Stephen F. Austin*
Jaycees Field • Nacogdoches, TX
–
May 17
6:30 pm
FS1
at Texas
UFCU Disch-Falk Field • Austin, TX
May 18
6:30 pm
LHN
at Texas
UFCU Disch-Falk Field • Austin, TX
May 19
2:30 pm
LHN
at Texas
UFCU Disch-Falk Field • Austin, TX
Postseason
Date
Time (CT)
TV
Opponent
Rank/Seed
Stadium
Score
Win
Loss
Save
Attendance
Overall
Regional
Legend: = Win = Loss Bold = TCU team member
"#" represents ranking. All rankings from Collegiate Baseball on the date of the contest. "()" represents postseason seeding in the Big 12 Tournament or NCAA Regional, respectively.
Rankings
^ Collegiate Baseball ranked 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranked 30 teams weekly during the season.† NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.* A new poll was not released for this week, so for comparison purposes, the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.
Awards and honors
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adding to it .
(January 2018 )
See also
References
^ "2020 Big 12 Baseball Record Book" (PDF) . Big 12 Conference. pp. 4– 8. Retrieved June 10, 2020 .
^ "TCU Announces 2018 Baseball Schedule" . TCU Athletics. October 23, 2017. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "TCU Is Baseball's Consensus No. 1" . TCU Athletics. January 31, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "TCU Tops Big 12 Preseason Poll" . TCU Athletics. February 2, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "TCU Clinches Title Share With Wild Win" . TCU Athletics. May 12, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "Cal Avoids Sweep With Saturday Win" . TCU Athletics. May 20, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "TCU's Tournament Run Ends Saturday" . TCU Athletics. May 27, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "Postseason Play Starts Friday Night at Lupton" . TCU Athletics. June 1, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ Mendez, Carlos (May 29, 2017). "TCU's Baker undergoes surgery, won't return for NCAA postseason" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "TCU Opens Tourney With Win" . TCU Athletics. June 4, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "Janczak Leads TCU To Regional Final" . TCU Athletics. June 5, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "TCU Is Super Once Again" . TCU Athletics. June 6, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "Skoug Powers TCU To Game 1 Win" . TCU Athletics. June 10, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "FOUR-PEAT! TCU Heads Back To Omaha" . TCU Athletics. June 11, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "www.gofrogs.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/061117aaa.html" . TCU Athletics. June 18, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "TCU Stays Alive; Tops Texas A&M 4-1" . TCU Athletics. June 20, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "Wymer, TCU Shine In 4–3 Victory" . TCU Athletics. June 22, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ Mendez, Carlos (June 20, 2017). "TCU, A&M had to play again, and the same team had to go home again" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ "TCU Forces Decisive Game With Win" . TCU Athletics. June 22, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ a b "TCU CWS Run Comes Up Short" . TCU Athletics. June 24, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ Lebreton, Gil (June 25, 2017). "TCU knows the feeling of another Omaha disappointment" . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ a b c d e f "Trio Of Frogs Drafted On Day 2" . TCU Athletics. June 13, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018 .
^ a b c d e f "Three Frogs Drafted On Final Day" . TCU Athletics. June 14, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2018 .
^ "2018 Preseason College Top 25" . Perfect Game. January 10, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018 .
^ "Baseball Coaches Poll" . USA Today. January 25, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018 .
^ "Florida Tops 2018 Preseason NCBWA Poll" . National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association. February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018 .
^ "2018 D1Baseball Preseason Top 25" . D1 Baseball. January 16, 2018. Retrieved January 17, 2018 .
^ Cahill, Teddy (January 23, 2018). "Preseason College Baseball Rankings top 25 2018" . Baseball America. Retrieved February 1, 2018 .
^ "Collegiate Baseball Div. I Poll 12-19-18" . Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. December 19, 2017. Retrieved January 16, 2018 .
^ "Texas Tech Tops Preseason Poll for First Time since 1999" . Big 12 Conference. February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 8, 2018 .
^ Baseball Coaches Poll
^ Baseball America College: Top 25
^ NCAA DIV I Baseball Polls-Collegiate Baseball Newspaper
^ NCBWA Division I poll
Venues People Seasons College World Series appearances in italics