Last Eight In: Michigan State, Southern Miss, North Carolina State, South Florida, Mississippi State, Oregon, Georgia Tech, Texas
First Eight Out: Southern California, Minnesota, West Virginia, UC Irvine, Louisiana Tech, Saint Mary’s, Nebraska, UCF
Long Beach State, fresh off a series sweep of Cal State Fullerton, will be a team to watch the rest of the season. The Dirtbags returned a number of key contributors from last season’s regional squad, but got off to a bit of a slow start with a 13-9 record. That record is a bit deceiving though, as Long Beach State has played one of the countries toughest schedules so far. With five weekend series in the books, the Dirtbags have series wins over Fullerton and North Carolina, but also have series losses at Oklahoma and at Arizona State. Since being swept by Arizona State two weeks ago, Long Beach State has won seven of their last eight games and look to have turned the corner on their early season struggles. The schedule doesn’t get any easier this week, as the Dirtbags have midweek games with California and Stanford before a weekend series with UC Santa Barbara. But if Long Beach keeps playing like they did against Fullerton last week, this team has a chance to finish near the top of the Big West and potentially be in the mix to host a regional this season.
ACC: Clemson, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Wake Forest
American: East Carolina, Houston, South Florida
Big East: St. Johns
Big 12: Baylor, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, Texas, Texas Tech
Big Ten: Maryland, Michigan, Michigan State
Pac-12: Arizona, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford, Washington
SEC: Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Kentucky, LSU, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Missouri, South Carolina, Texas A&M, Vanderbilt
A-10: Saint Louis
America East: Binghamton
A-Sun: Florida Gulf Coast
Big South: Liberty
Big West: Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State
CAA: Charleston
C-USA: Florida Atlantic, Southern Miss
Horizon: Wright State
Ivy: Dartmouth
MAAC: Canisius
MAC: Kent State
MEAC: Florida A&M
MVC: Dallas Baptist
MWC: New Mexico
NEC: Central Connecticut State
OVC: Tennessee Tech
Patriot: Navy
Southern: Mercer
Southland: Sam Houston State
Summit: Oral Roberts
Sun Belt: Coastal Carolina, Louisiana
SWAC: Alabama State
WAC: New Mexico State
WCC: San Diego