I’ll be honest: as thrilling as last weekend’s 101-game, Bases Loaded-surfing, nonstop first round was, it’s kind of relaxing to open up Friday’s super regional slate and see just four games on the schedule. This time last Friday, we were bracing for a 32-game onslaught, with as many as eight games on at a time. With only two contests overlapping each other today, we’ll be able to sit back and watch these games more than an inning at a time.
Not to say there isn’t action, mind you — each one of these games is an awesome matchup, starting with fourth-seeded VCU beginning its upset bid over national seed Miami at noon ET.
Another great thing about the less cluttered schedule is that every game is being televised on one of the ESPN channels. Don’t worry, you’ll still be able to catch any and all of them at WatchESPN as well (though the insanely entertaining Bases Loaded whip-around is unfortunately shelved for the rest of the tourney).
Here are the start times and TV info for each game.
VCU vs. (5) Miami
Noon ET | Coral Gables, Fla. | ESPNU
Why you should watch: Because this could either be a nail-biting upset or a hilariously entertaining blowout. VCU was the only No. 4 seed to win a regional last week and Miami had a bit of trouble handling their own No. 4 seed, Columbia, who beat them on Sunday to force an extra game. But the Hurricanes’ gale force offense swept Columbia away the next day in a 21-3 disaster. The Rams have a deep, senior-laden pitching staff, but its hard to imagine them staying upright against a lineup that ranks first in the country in scoring and on-base percentage.
Maryland vs. Virginia
4 p.m. ET | Charlottesville, Va. | ESPNU
Why you should watch: Mainly to see if these two are still plane ride BFFs. After both won regionals on the West Coast, the DMV rivals shared a charter flight back to the Mid-Atlantic earlier this week. They remained civil enough for a couple of awkward card games, but Maryland ace Mike Shawaryn — who two-hit Ole Miss last week in L.A. — will be dealing with a more sinister nature on Friday night.
Also, every time outfielder/travelling circus performer Lamonte Wade steps on a baseball field, something like this or this or this happens.
Arkansas vs. (8) Missouri State
4:30 p.m. ET | Fayetteville, Ark. | ESPN2
Why you should watch: Because it’s a super regional at Baum Stadium. Even though Missouri State’s the national seed, they’re on the road because the minor league team they share a stadium with has a home game this weekend. That means they’re stuck in front of 10,000 rowdy, Hog-calling and — if they’re in the alcohol-friendly outfield section — drunk college baseball fanatics.
Florida State vs. (4) Florida
7:30 p.m. ET | Gainesville, Fla. | ESPN2
Why you should watch: Because its Florida State-Florida. I’m not gonna explain that any further.
