In the world of sports, March Madness grabs the spotlight from mid-March to early April, sucking in fans with thrilling upsets and bracket-picking dilemmas. But now that the NCAA basketball tournaments have wrapped up, it’s time to dive back into the exciting realm of college baseball. Here’s a look at some big storylines you may have missed over the last few weeks.
This year’s college baseball season has been filled with surprises. While March Madness is known for its unexpected victories, this baseball season has also showcased its share of upsets. Over the past month, there were 16 midweek upsets and 15 series upsets, with unranked teams taking down ranked opponents, including top-10 teams. A standout moment saw Missouri State come from behind to beat then-No. 2 Arkansas in extra innings, while Wake Forest bested then-No. 5 Florida State, outscoring them 33-7 in the process.
No-hitters have become a frequent occurrence this season, popping up almost every week. In mid-March to early April alone, three combined no-hitters and one perfect game were recorded. UNCW freshman Cam Bagwell made history with the 39th perfect game in Division I, making it the first perfect game to happen during March Madness since 2019.
Meanwhile, expectations were high for both Texas A&M and Florida, who entered the season with strong lineups. However, their sluggish performances have put their postseason chances at risk. The two teams combined for only four wins in the SEC during the tournament, struggling with leads and falling hard in several games.
In a jaw-dropping moment that seemed straight out of a sports movie, Florida State junior Alex Lodise hit a walk-off grand slam to complete the cycle, making him the first player in college and MLB history to accomplish this feat. His dramatic hit helped the Seminoles clinch a win over in-state rivals Florida, completing a 8-4 victory.
On the power-hitting front, Georgia is making headlines by hitting 34 home runs during March Madness. They’re on pace to challenge LSU’s record of 188 home runs in a season, currently averaging 2.63 homers per game.
Finally, all eyes are on Yale freshman pitcher Jack Ohman, who recorded an impressive ERA of 0.23. He stretched his scoreless streak to a remarkable 35.1 innings before giving up his first earned run, showcasing why he’s one of the standout rookies this season.
With so many incredible moments happening on the baseball diamond, fans have plenty to cheer for as the NCAA baseball season heats up.
