Stanford players ready to represent West Coast in College World Series

The Stanford Cardinal are excited to represent the West Coast at the Men’s College World Series.

David Esquer’s team is the lone representative from that side of the country, and they’re looking to make an impact at the event. Ahead of getting things going with their first game on Saturday, catcher Albert Rios touched on if there’s any added pressure in representing such a large contingent.

“I think, yeah, seeing that map of the regional where we’re the only team west of the Mississippi hosting, I think just prided us and prided what West Coast baseball is all about,” explained Rios. “I think we’re kind of on the shoulders of some great programs back home and stuff like that.

“I just — you know, we know we have a resilient group who represents a large region of our country, and I think if — I think with us and our players, I think we’re just trying to be as good as possible for as long as possible. I think we’re just representing that side for sure.”

Moreover, Stanford will have their first chance to make the West Coast proud Stanford on Saturday against Wake Forest, the game kicking off Day 2’s action at 2:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. Quinn Mathews could be their starting pitcher for that showdown, and he’s agreeing with Rios’ sentiment.

“I don’t think there’s any added weight or added pressure to representing the West Coast. Obviously, that’s just a part of it, and that’s the nice part of playing at Stanford is we do get to do that, and we’ve been fortunate enough to do that,” explained Mathews. “But I think the best thing for me is just the players on the West Coast that have reached out. Like, going and playing summer ball, you get to meet a lot of guys. Even before that, high school teammates, stuff like that, who play on the West Coast in the Pac-12 specifically who reached out and were, like, you know, proud of you guys. Go do something in Omaha with it.

“I think it’s just the outreach from the players and the coaches that are also on the West Coast that may not get the opportunity that we have gotten is just the biggest thing and trying to make them proud also.”

It’s awesome Stanford is in Omaha, but they have bigger dreams than just making the dance. Their journey toward being the last team standings continues on Saturday.