Know the opponent: The OU baseball Norman Regional
With postseason baseball returning to L. Dale Mitchell Ballpark this weekend for the first time since 2010, it’s time to stop down and take count of the teams making up the Norman Regional.
It should be no surprise Duke heads to Norman as one of the talks of the country following Monday’s selection show. The Blue Devils certainly have the case as one of the better No. 2 seeds in the Tournament after seeing its bid to host fall short. UConn returns to the big dance as an at-large bid for the 25th time in school history. And Oral Roberts makes the short trek down to the turnpike following a storybook run to Omaha last season
No. 2 Duke (39-18)
For the third time in four years, the Blue Devils are headed to an NCAA Regional. It’s the second time since 2021 the Blue Devils earned a bid by winning the ACC Tournament under head coach Chris Pollard.
Duke heads to Norman after scoring 43 runs last weekend in Charlotte at the ACC Tournament, erupting for 16 runs vs. Florida State in the title game. Offense is the name of the game when it comes to the Blue Devils. They set a school record for home runs (111) this season. Four players have hit 15 or more.
After entering the transfer portal, former Sooners infielder Wallace Clark has fit in well with the Blue Devils. He has played in all 57 games. The Holland Hall graduate is hitting .287 with 10 home runs, 41 RBIs and 43 runs scored.
No. 3 UCONN (32-23)
Selected as an at-large UCONN is making a school-record sixth consecutive appearance in an NCAA Regional this weekend. The Huskies head to Norman after winning the Big East regular season title (17-4) and a pair of extra inning losses in the Big East postseason tournament.
A program-record eight Huskies were selected to the All-Big East team with four first team selections. Ian Cooke was named Big East Pitcher of the Year. He has posted a 2.70 ERA over 43.1 innings, striking out 61 and a .205 opponent batting average.
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No. 4 Oral Roberts (27-30-1)
It’s not necessarily the fact Ryan Folmar’s team is dancing as much as how the Golden Eagles went about winning The Summit league tournament seemingly in underdog fashion. A year removed from becoming college baseball’s Cinderella en route to Omaha through the Stillwater Regional and Eugene Super Regional, the Golden Eagles took an understandable step back this season.
Yet they’re no stranger to Norman Regional host Oklahoma, going 1-1 against the in-state foe already this year. Folmar told reporters at the Golden Eagles watch party on Monday their season turned around for the better following a 3-1 victory over the Sooners in Tulsa on April 28. They closed the year winning 10 of their final 13.
Norman Regional Schedule
Friday
Game 1: UConn vs. Duke (Noon)
Game 2: Oral Roberts vs. Oklahoma (6 p.m.)
Saturday
Game 3: Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser (Elimination, 2 p.m.)
Game 4: Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner (8 p.m.)
Sunday
Game 5: Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser (Elimination, 2 p.m.)
Game 6: Game 5 winner vs. Game 4 winner (Regional Championship, 8 p.m.)
Monday
If necessary, to be determined
