Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Selected For NCAA Louisville Regional
May 27, 2013 | Cowboy Baseball
May 27, 2013
2013 NCAA Championship Bracket
| OSU NCAA Central
INDIANAPOLIS - Oklahoma State was awarded an at-large bid to the 2013 NCAA Baseball Championship and will be competing in this week's NCAA Louisville Regional in Louisville, Ky., it was announced today.
The Cowboys are 39-17 on the season and are the No. 3 seed in the Louisville Regional. Host Louisville is the top-seeded club, while second-seeded Miami (Fla.) and No. 4-seed Bowling Green round out the regional field. OSU will open play Friday at 1 p.m. against Miami.
The winner of the Louisville Regional will advance to the NCAA Super Regionals and face the winner of the Nashville (Vanderbilt) Regional.
This year's NCAA Tournament berth marks the 39th in OSU baseball history, a total which ranks fourth all time. It marks the Cowboys' first NCAA tourney appearance since 2011.
"I'm excited for these players because of how hard this group has worked to put themselves in this position," said OSU first-year head coach Josh Holliday. "This is something I've wanted to see for these kids because it's their team, it's their year and they played really well all year long. I wanted them to have this opportunity to extend our season.
"When you get into a regional, the slate is clear, and everybody is starting fresh. We've got a chance to go in there and play good baseball, and that's all we were asking for is an opportunity. I'm really grateful that we got it."
Louisville brings a 46-12 mark into the tourney, and the Cardinals are making their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last seven years and eighth overall. OSU is 1-2 all time against UL, with all three meetings coming in the 2007 NCAA Super Regional in Louisville.
Miami is 36-23 this season and will be making its 41st all-time NCAA appearance. OSU is 3-4 all time against the Hurricanes.
Bowling Green earned an NCAA berth thanks to its Mid-American Conference championship. The Falcons are 24-29 on the season. OSU is 4-0 all time against BGU.
Cowboys React To NCAA Tournament Selection
OSU head coach Josh Holliday
On OSU being back in the NCAA Tournament
"I'm proud for the program and for all the people that care about it. One of the things we talked about doing was restoring that expectation. The next step now is to go out and start winning some of these postseason games."
On scouting teams in Louisville Regional
"You work as quick as you can and jump into action right away. There are 64 teams across the country that are already in motion. We'll join that mix right now."
On a potential meeting with Vanderbilt in Super Regional
"You're always curious how the bracket lays out, who's in your regional and where you're paired up. The natural thing as a competitor is to look and see where you fit in the whole grand scheme of things. But it's Miami first off and then you've got Bowling Green and Louisville. You've got to navigate your way through that and if you're fortunate enough to do that, you take on whatever challenge that lies ahead.
"I'm familiar with Louisville having played against them when I was at Vanderbilt and obviously know Vanderbilt is the matchup. But we're playing Miami in game one. That's what we're guaranteed, and that's what we'll get ready for."
OSU senior third baseman Robbie Rea
On being selected for NCAA Tournament
"It's a great feeling, a dream come true. It's my first time, and it's great to go out as a senior and make the postseason. Hopefully it doesn't end (in Louisville)."
On the team's chances to win in tournament
"I think this team has a chip on its shoulder. We haven't finished the last week or so the way that we wanted to, but I think we'll be back to work today at practice and come out with a lot of fire this week."
On being nervous about getting into tournament
"I didn't sleep very well. I just tried to take my mind off it and hang out with some of the guys and tried not to talk baseball for a little bit because I knew that was going to be all that was on my mind today."
On the Regional field
"I drove by Louisville's field this summer; it's a nice park. And growing up, I've always seen Miami in the College World Series, and it will be a dream come true to play them and hopefully we can get a W."
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