Are the Stony Brook Seawolves really a Cinderella team that is little more than a nice story entering the 2012 College World Series? Or, is Stony Brook a team that has a legitimate shot at winning the national championship?
This from NCAA.com:
Many will call them underdogs and a Cinderella story, but the Seawolves have perhaps one of the most dangerous, pesky lineups in the country. They are second in the nation in batting average (.335), eighth in scoring (7.2 runs per game), fourth in runs (468), first in hits (731), second in triples (36), and second in slugging percentage (.483).
And it's not just the lineup that will get you. Just ask LSU. Tyler Johnson and Frankie Vanderka pitched complete games in Baton Rouge to hand the Tigers their first home loss with in eight Super Regional-deciding games. That's right - LSU hadn't lost a home Super Regional since the NCAA adopted the format.
The pitching staff boasts the 12th-best ERA in the nation at 2.99 and the fifth-best WHIP at 1.16. That last No. 4 seed to win the national title - Fresno State, had a 4.68 team ERA.
Stony Brook can field the ball too, boasting a .978 - 12th in the country.
They are well-rounded. Not a surprise, really, since seven players were picked in last week's MLB amateur draft. Leading the way is centerfielder Travis Jankowski - a scrappy leadoff hitter taken No. 44 overall to the San Diego Padres.
Stony Brook (52-13) opens play Friday at 5 p.m. ET against UCLA (47-14).