NCAA Baseball Super Regionals 2011: Connecticut Vs. South Carolina, Preview

There are solid college baseball programs in the northern part of the country, dotted here and there, but it’s a sport mostly confined to the south and west coast, with the northeast and midwest rarely getting in on the action. It’s what makes Connecticut’s development of their program equally surprising and impressive. They will be underdogs against South Carolina in Columbia, but not by much.

South Carolina’s offense is fairly average - especially with Jackie Bradley Jr’s injury - but their pitching is up there with anyone in the country. They have three bonafide starting pitchers in ace Michael Roth, Forrest Koumas and Colby Holmes, along with an elite bullpen. Connecticut are a very good offensive club, but they’re going to have their hands full in this Super Regional.

Connecticut don’t have the pitching depth of South Carolina, but they do have a very impressive ace of their own in Matt Barnes. It would be surprising to see Connecticut win two straight if they drop the opener, but they have to like their chances to win the series if Barnes is able to out-duel Roth. Outfielder George Springer is Connecticut’s other big star, and both will be playing pro baseball soon. Both Springer and Barnes were drafted in the first round of this week’s MLB Draft.

This game might feature more than just a couple of future Major League players, as 21 players were selected from the two teams in the draft. There will be some serious talent on display, and they’ll be playing in front of a possibly rowdy crowd with a spot in the College World Series on the line. For potential entertainment value, this Super hangs with any of the other seven.

Saturday, 6:00 pm ET (ESPN2): Michael Roth (12-3, 1.10 ERA) vs. Matt Barnes (11-4, 1.62 ERA)

Sunday, 7:00 pm (ESPN2): Forrest Koumas (6-1, 3.07 ERA) vs. Greg Nappo (10-2, 2.55 ERA)

Monday, (ESPN2/ESPNU): Colby Holmes (7-3, 3.76 ERA) vs. Brian Ward (6-1, 3.28 ERA)

South Carolina bullpen vs. Connecticut bullpen: Technically, this might not be a ‘matchup’ because these two respective aspects of the team don’t face each other, but their indirect battles late in games will be important. Connecticut has some great offense and an average bullpen, while South Carolina has the opposite. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Connecticut take early leads, then have South Carolina come back on the strength of their stronger bullpen. Connecticut’s bullpen will have to hold their own.