Southern Miss baseball makes the cut, has a shot to host NCAA regional
The Southern Miss baseball team is in position to host its first NCAA Regional since 2017 if it closes out the season in strong fashion.
The NCAA announced a list of 20 potential locations, including Pete Taylor Park in Hattiesburg, that will battle it out to make the cut for the final 16 regional sites. The final sites will be announced on May 30, the day before the full 64-team field is announced.
USM was joined in the group of 20 by fellow Conference USA programs Louisiana Tech (33-13) and Charlotte (35-16).
Mississippi State (36-11) and Ole Miss (34-14) also made the list, meaning the state could host three NCAA regionals for the first time.
The Golden Eagles are 33-15 overall and 20-7 in C-USA, holding a half-game lead over La. Tech in the West Division standings.
While USM is on the initial list of 20, it is not guaranteed the right to host a regional. Its best path to hosting is likely winning the four-game series on the road at Florida Atlantic this weekend, and then taking the C-USA Tournament in Ruston.
It seems unlikely that all three C-USA teams will host regionals, meaning each team will have to play some of its best baseball down the stretch to assure itself of bringing a regional to town.
The NCAA typically announces all 16 regional sites on the final weekend of May, but COVID protocols forced the selection committee to move up the process.
“Certainly, this has been a unique season, but the committee is very appreciative of all of the schools that submitted bids to host. We received a number of quality bids from schools around the country that were interested in being a part of this championship, including a few potential first-time hosts,” said Jeff Altier, chair of the committee in a press release. “We are extremely excited to bring the Division I Baseball Championship back in 2021 and let the student-athletes, coaches and fans once again experience this terrific event.”
List of 20 potential regional sites
▪ Arizona
▪ Arkansas
▪ Charlotte
▪ East Carolina
▪ Florida
▪ Gonzaga
▪ Louisiana Tech
▪ Mississippi State
▪ Notre Dame
▪ Ole Miss
▪ Oregon
▪ Pittsburgh
▪ South Carolina
▪ Southern Miss
▪ Stanford
▪ TCU
▪ Tennessee
▪ Texas
▪ Texas Tech
▪ Vanderbilt
This story was originally published May 14, 2021 at 11:09 AM.
