CAPSULES

CAL STATE FULLERTON

(46-16)

World Series appearances: 11th.

Coach: George Horton.

Top pitchers: Kirk Saarloos (15-2, 2.24 ERA); Jon Smith (10-2, 3.48); Darric Merrell (7-4, 3.17).

Top hitters: Mike Rouse (.395, 12 HR, 61 RBIs); Aaron Rifkin (.312, 15 HR, 57 RBIs).

Outlook: The Titans, trying to win their fourth title and first since 1995, face a formidable challenge in their opener against a Nebraska team making its first appearance before what promises to be a raucous, partisan crowd.

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MIAMI (49-12)

World Series appearance: 19th.

Coach: Jim Morris.

Top pitchers: Tom Farmer (13-2, 3.47); Brian Walker (11-1, 4.17); Kiki Bengochea (9-4, 3.83); George Hueget (13 saves).

Top hitters: Javy Rodriguez (.384, 58 RBIs); Kevin Howard (.303); Danny Matienzo (.312, 10 HR, 55 RBIs); Kevin Brown (12 HR, 43 RBIs).

Outlook: The Hurricanes won their third national championship in 1999 and are back in the series with a team that likes to run. Miami’s starting pitchers and middle relievers need to be effective until they can get the ball to Hueget, a freshman who has been outstanding as its closer.

*

USC (44-17)

World Series appearance: 21st.

Coach: Mike Gillespie.

Top pitchers: Mark Prior (14-1, 1.50); Rik Currier (12-2, 2.39); Anthony Reyes (5-3, 3.42).

Top hitters: Brian Barre (.338, 12 HR, 46 RBIs); Seth Davidson (.322); Alberto Concepcion (.321, 4 HR, 35 RBIs).

Outlook: The Trojans are in the series for the second year in a row and the third time in four years. If USC’s pitching staff performs the way it did in the regional and super regional, the Trojans have a good chance of returning to the final.

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STANFORD (48-16)

World Series appearance: 13th.

Coach: Mark Marquess.

Top pitchers: Jeremy Guthrie (12-4, 2.58); Jeff Bruksch (9-3, 3.21); Mike Gosling (7-2, 3.57).

Top hitters: Chris O’Riordan (.374, 12 HR, 66 RBIs); Carlos Quentin (.352, 11 HR, 51 RBIs); Ryan Garko (.354).

Outlook: The Cardinal, making its third consecutive appearance, is seeking its first championship since winning titles in 1987 and ’88. Stanford must overcome the memory of having lost to Louisiana State in the last inning of last year’s final.

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TULANE (55-11)

World Series appearance: First.

Coach: Rick Jones.

Top pitchers: Matt Foster (9-4, 3.54); Joey Charron (9-1, 3.55); Beau Richardson (7-1, 4.04).

Top hitters: Andy Cannizaro (.390, 3 HR, 69 RBIS); Jake Gautreau (.354, 20 HR, 91 RBIs); Michael Aubrey (.357, 13 HR, 67 RBIs).

Outlook: The Green Wave knocked off defending champion Louisiana State to reach the series, but no team has won the title in its first appearance in Omaha. Playing in the same bracket with hometown favorite Nebraska and experienced Fullerton and Stanford will not make it any easier.

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GEORGIA (47-20)

World Series appearance: Third.

Coach: Ron Polk.

Top pitchers: Jeremy Brown (7-3, 4.10); Brandon Moorhead (4-2, 4.40); Scott Murphy (5-2, 5.53).

Top hitters: Jeff Keppinger (.387, 16 HR, 68 RBIs); Doc Brooks (.265, 16 HR, 53 RBIs); Andy Neufeld (.339, 10 HR, 38 RBIs).

Outlook: The Bulldogs, back for the first time since winning their only title in 1990, knocked USC’s Prior around when he was a freshman at Vanderbilt in 1999. But that was before Prior developed into the No. 2 pick in the draft. Polk led Mississippi State to seven appearances, but no titles, before taking over at Georgia last season.

*

TENNESSEE (46-18)

World Series appearance: Third.

Coach: Rod Delmonico.

Top pitchers: Wyatt Allen (9-2, 5.99); Brian Gates (5-4, 4.67); Brandon Crowe (6-0, 3.68, three saves).

Top hitters: Chris Burke (.439, 19 HR, 59 RBIs); Jeff Christensen (.329, 10 HR, 65 RBIs); Steve Daniel (.324, 4 HR, 60 RBIs).

Outlook: The Volunteers are the only participant that was not seeded when the playoffs began. Tennessee has plenty of offense, but the Volunteers’ 5.13 team ERA is the worst in the tournament.

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NEBRASKA (50-14)

World Series appearance: First.

Coach: Dave Van Horn.

Top pitchers: Shane Komine (14-1, 3.27); Jamie Rodrigue (6-3, 6.03); R.D. Spiehs (8-3, 4.85).

Top hitters: Dan Johnson (.350, 24 HR, 85 RBIs); Matt Hopper (.366, 11 HR, 84 RBIs); John Cole (.417, 9 HR, 59 RBIs); Jeff Leise (.387, 7 HR, 47 RBIs).

Outlook: As noted with Tulane, history has not been kind to first-time participants. But no team, not even hometown Creighton in 1991, has the kind of support the Cornhuskers bring to Rosenblatt Stadium.