The eight teams have made their way to Omaha, found their hotels, took some batting practice and a little infield, signed a bunch of autographs, and now...the fun REALLY begins.
The 2009 College World Series kicks off Saturday with two first-round games and continues with another two first-round matchups on Sunday. On Saturday, Arkansas meets Cal State Fullerton at 1 p.m., while LSU and Virginia hook up at 7 p.m. Sunday's matchups feature North Carolina and Arizona State at 1 p.m., with Southern Miss and top-seeded Texas duking it out in the nightcap at 7 p.m.
There should be some exciting matchups in the first round. Both Southern Miss and Virginia are in the College World Series for the first time, and both will be facing two of the traditional powerhouses of college baseball. LSU has had quite a run of success in recent years, while Texas is making their 33rd trip to Omaha and looking for yet another national title.
North Carolina and Arizona State have both been close to reaching the promised land in recent years, but one of those teams is guaranteed not to reach the championship round. Arkansas hasn't been to the finals in 30 years and will face a Cal State Fullerton team that may be short on enrollment -- especially when compared to Texas, LSU or Arizona State -- but long on success in Omaha.
There are a lot of interesting stories that will be played out during the next two weeks, and you can get tickets for all the first-round matchups at Ticket Express -- where no College World Series game is sold out.
The College World Series schedule is as follows (all times CDT):
Saturday, June 13
Game 1 -- Arkansas (39-22) vs. Cal State Fullerton (47-14), 1 p.m.
Game 2 -- Virginia (48-13-1) vs. LSU (51-16), 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 14
Game 3 -- North Carolina (47-16) vs. Arizona State (49-12), 1 p.m.
Game 4 -- Texas (46-14-1) vs. Southern Miss (40-24), 6 p.m.
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