Stanford Out Before the 1st Pitch, NCAA Rules

Two-time defending champion Stanford was passed over today as the NCAA handed out 48 bids for its 43rd annual Division I tournament, inviting Arizona State, last year’s runner-up, and seven Florida schools.

“It’s always tough when you have a two-time defending national champion. They finished strong, but the bottom line was the overall record,” said Gene McArter, head of the NCAA baseball committee. “They dug a hole early on and weren’t able to overcome it.”

Stanford, which won nine of its last 10 games, finished the year at 30-28 but posted a losing record against Division I competition.

Joining Arizona State in the tournament are traditional powers Texas, making its record-setting 35th appearance; Florida State for the 27th time; USC for the 23rd time; Arizona for the 22nd time, and Oklahoma State for the 21st time.

First-time participants are Central Florida, LeMoyne and Nicholls State. In addition to Florida State and Central Florida, bids were extended to Sunshine State schools Stetson, South Florida, Miami, Florida and Jacksonville.

Play in all eight regions begins on May 25 or 26, with the winners moving on to Omaha for the College World Series. The regions, seedings and match-ups in the Western region:

West I at Tucson.

No. 1 Arizona vs. No. 6 Eastern Kentucky; No. 2 Oklahoma vs. No. 5 Loyola (Calif.); No. 3 Cal State Long Beach vs. No. 4 Hawaii.

West II at Fresno.

No. 1 Wichita State vs. No. 6 Portland; No. 2 Fresno State vs. No. 5 Notre Dame; No. 3 Michigan vs. No. 4 Pepperdine.

The top-seeded teams in other regions are: Northeast, Arkansas; Atlantic, Florida State; East, Miami (Fla.); South, Mississippi State; Central, Texas A&M;, and Midwest, Texas.