Bearkats, Florida State open Supers Saturday
6/9/2017 5:49:00 PM | Baseball
2017 NCAA Tallahassee Super Regional
Saturday, June 10 – Monday, June 12 • Tallahassee, Fla. • Dick Howser Stadium
Sam Houston State (44-21) vs. Florida State (43-21) • 11 a.m. CT Saturday
ESPN2 • KSAM 101.7 (online) • Game Notes • @BearkatsBSB on Twitter
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – During Sam Houston State practice on Wednesday, Josh Biles stepped to the plate as head coach Matt Deggs shouted from the third-base dugout, “this is to get to Omaha.”
The phrase has become a staple around the program, whether during a fall batting practice or spring inter-squad scrimmage. Instead of at an empty stadium during a mid-day afternoon, Sam Houston will put the preparation to the test in front of 6,500 fans with a trip to the College World Series on the line.
The Bearkats open their first NCAA Super Regional in program history on Saturday, taking on Florida State at 11 a.m. CT on ESPN2. Sam Houston is coming off its first NCAA Regional championship, capping three-straight victories with a 4-3 win against Texas Tech on Monday.
The squad achieved its highest ranking in program history on Tuesday, checking in at No. 13 per Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Sam Houston has reached the 40-win plateau in back-to-back seasons for the first time in Division I team history and is one win shy of setting a new Division I program record.
The Kats have won 12 of their last 13 games including six wins against top-25 opponents. In that stretch, which began with an 8-2 win at No. 22 Texas A&M, Sam Houston is hitting .330 as a team, averaging 7.69 runs per game while the pitching staff has posted a 2.69 ERA, limiting foes to a .237 average.
The matchup will be the first for Sam Houston against Florida State. In fact, 740-mile trek to Tallahassee is the farthest trip in Division I program history and first plane trip during that time span.
Deggs on playing a historic program in Florida State …
“This is a historic program with a legendary head coach. To put 40 wins in 40 straight seasons in perspective, I'm only 45 years old myself. It's unbelievably impressive. I could coach three lifetimes and I'm not going to amass what Coach Martin has done. I look up to him, as does anyone else in my position in the coaching ranks. It's not lost on us who we are playing and the type of history that we are going up against. This is an opportunity that is not just about us. It's much bigger than us. It's all about hope and love and unity and bringing a community, university and administration together that has more than paid their dues. This is for all of the people who have come before us in this program and it's for our home state.”
Deggs on the support received and goals of the program …
“Throughout this journey we have given hope to people that need it. We have given them something to believe in. This is deeper. We can feel the love and support. It's palpable. This is a team that is not just happy to be here. This is not a cherry on top of our season. This is all part of our vision. When we walked in from Day 1, three years ago, our vision is simple: top-25 RPI, 40-plus wins, Southland Conference champions, Southland Conference Tournament champions, regional champions and ultimately as a university, community and program, the opportunity to walk through the gates of Omaha.”
Deggs on the chance to advance to the College World Series …
“That opportunity is now upon us. It will be solely upon us to take the action and go do something about it. Our boys are ready. They are prepared and unafraid. They accept the opportunity and understand the stakes. They understand who we are going up against, and there is great respect there. But there is no back up and no flinch in them. I can promise you that.”
Deggs on the toughness of the Bearkats …
“Baseball is a different sport than football or basketball. In those sports if I am bigger, faster, stronger than you and can execute, then I'm probably going to run all over you all day and there's nothing you can do about it. Baseball is different. It's about playing good when it matters. It's about playing good at the right time. Both of these teams have played really well when it matters. That's a testament to the kids and to their mental toughness and their mental tenacity. But most of all it's a testament to their ability to never quit at tough times. I think both ball clubs this year have encountered extremely tough times. We are both battle tested. We've both seen the highs and lows, but have stayed together and here we are with a chance to go to Omaha.”
