No other sport lends itself to a compelling “Cinderella” story like baseball. The game’s unpredictability means any team can pull off a surprise victory on any given day.
This is particularly true in the NCAA Tournament, where underdogs create large impressions yearly. For instance, last season, Tennessee became only the second No. 1 overall seed to take home the College World Series title since 1999, highlighting the difficulty for top-ranked teams to clinch victory.
NCAA Baseball Tournament bracket, schedule set: Road to College World Series
College baseball often defies expectations. Last season, Evansville surprised many by reaching the super regionals for the first time in their history, winning a game against Tennessee. In 2022, Ole Miss made a remarkable run from the last seed to the national title. Similarly, Coastal Carolina shocked fans nine years ago by defeating Arizona in the finals.
As we look ahead to the tournament, here’s a rundown of potential “Cinderella” teams that might outperform expectations in each regional:
Nashville Regional
Cinderella: Louisville | National title odds: +10000
Louisville struggles with pitching but boasts an impressive lineup capable of scoring, particularly with star center fielder Lucas Moore leading the way.
Austin Regional
Cinderella: UTSA | National title odds: +20000
UTSA is breaking records and showcasing a potent offense, ranking high nationally in several categories, making them a strong dark horse.
Fayetteville Regional
Cinderella: Kansas | National title odds: +20000
After a somewhat disappointing omission from the previous year’s tournament, Kansas is coming back stronger, aiming to beat formidable teams.
Auburn Regional
Cinderella: NC State | National title odds: +7500
NC State remains a formidable presence despite past struggles, with a history of competitive play against top teams.
Chapel Hill Regional
Cinderella: Oklahoma | National title odds: +9500
Despite recent challenges and a tough group, Oklahoma has shown the potential needed to surprise opponents in the elimination bracket.
Baton Rouge Regional
Cinderella: Dallas Baptist | National title odds: +4000
As a renowned mid-major program, Dallas Baptist has consistently delivered in the NCAA Tournament and could upset bigger teams.
Athens Regional
Cinderella: Oklahoma State | National title odds: +16000
Despite battling inconsistencies, Oklahoma State has solid pitching capabilities that could carry them through tough matches.
Corvallis Regional
Cinderella: TCU | National title odds: +3900
TCU has been underrated this season despite strong statistics and could prove to be a tough competitor in the tournament.
Tallahassee Regional
Cinderella: Northeastern | National title odds: +5000
Known for their stellar pitching, Northeastern is drawing attention in betting circles as a serious contender.
Oxford Regional
Cinderella: Western Kentucky | National title odds: +20000
Western Kentucky thrives offensively and holds a competitive edge in the pitching department as well.
Clemson Regional
Cinderella: West Virginia | National title odds: +10000
West Virginia has shown balanced strength in both offense and pitching, making them a noteworthy threat.
Eugene Regional
Cinderella: Arizona | National title odds: +6500
Arizona enters the tournament with strong momentum, dominating rivals recently and demonstrating solid performance.
Conway Regional
Cinderella: East Carolina | National title odds: +16000
Although facing stiff competition, East Carolina holds potential based on recent performances.
Knoxville Regional
Cinderella: Cincinnati | National title odds: +20000
Cincinnati has proven speed on the bases and could exploit defensive weaknesses in their bracket.
Los Angeles Regional
Cinderella: UC Irvine | National title odds: +10000
UC Irvine has not only performed well during the regular season but is on the cusp of making waves in the tournament.
Hattiesburg Regional
Cinderella: Alabama | National title odds: +7500
Alabama relies on a solid batting lineup and promising pitching dynamics that make them a threat this year.
