Eagles Advance to First Super Regional in Program History

The Boston College Eagles Baseball team won their first ever NCAA Regional Tournament, with a 6-3 win over Tulane University.

The Boston College Eagles baseball team is having one of the most historic seasons, not just in program history but one for every “New Englander” to look up to. After a 32-20 (13-15 ACC) finish to the season, the Eagles were eliminated as they dropped their first game in the ACC Tournament in a 6-0 loss to Georgia Tech. Doubt started to creep in for the Eagles in terms of being selected into the 64-team field of the NCAA Baseball Tournament come last Sunday (Selection Sunday).

The Eagles were placed in the Oxford Regional as a No.3 seed, where they would have to take on powerhouse programs such as Ole Miss, Tulane, and Utah. In their opening game against No.2 seed Tulane, Boston College All-American pitcher Justin Dunn had a start to remember. The 6-foot-2 Junior MLB prospect out of Freeport, NY threw 7 innings only allowing 2 earned runs on 5 hits, and struck out 11 as the Eagles took the opener 7-2.

Top-seeded Ole Miss was then upset by Utah, the Eagles in their second game kept their foot on the gas pedal by grinding out a 4-3 win over Utah with the help of Walpole, MA native Johnny Adams. Adams who is the starting shortstop, the junior went 2-for-4 with a double to help seal the victory for the Eagles. BC RHP Mike King had another great start, the Warwick, RI product went 6.2 IP and allowed three earned runs, the bullpen picked him up with Freshman John Witkowski (Melrose,MA) and Senior Jesse Adams (Maumee,OH) throwing a combined 2.1 IP scoreless innings.

The Eagles then advanced to the championship of the Oxford Regional, and faced Tulane once again where they had to lose twice to be eliminated. The Boston College offense headlined the championship, as Senior Captain Joe Cronin (Scarborough, ME) (2 for 5, 2B) and Johnny Adams (4 for 4, 3 2Bs) were the difference as the Eagles captured their first ever NCAA Regional Tournament. Another good outing by this superb Eagles pitching staff as Freshman RHP Jacob Stevens (Darien, CT) threw 5 innings only allowing 2 earned runs, and the soaring Eagles bullpen finished the job to capture a 6-3 victory.

Boston College Head Coach Mike Gambino claimed how “proud” he was of this team, when the club showed back up to Chestnut Hill the team was celebrated with lots of supporters. Gambino was delighted to see the support upon the team’s arrival.“It just shows what how awesome of a place this is to work and what the Boston College community is to show up to support our boys,” said Gambino.

BC shortstop Johnny Adams was elected as the tournaments Most Outstanding Player. While Adams, Jake Palomaki, Donovan Casey, and RHP Justin Dunn all earned All-Regional honors. With all these New England players being showcased in this tournament, it truly tells the baseball world that there is fresh talent in this region including Adams and Cronin. Five teams from the New England region (BC, UConn, URI, Bryant, Fairfield) all made the Regional Tournament this year, I don’t recall a time that has happened in recent history, so the debate is “Is New England Baseball on the rise?”.

Frate Train

Having made program history, Boston College baseball has kept in touch with one of the most beloved parts of its past. Throughout the Eagles successful run through the Oxford Regional championship this past weekend, the connection to former outfielder Pete Frates has never been stronger.

Frates, 31, is a former BC player who was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2012. He’s best known for his extensive work in raising money and awareness about ALS, in particular the “Ice Bucket Challenge”. Frates who just had his number 3 jersey retired at Shea Field at Chestnut Hill, continues to show support for his alma meter with continuous tweets and talks to current Boston College players. The ball club hopes to have Frates join them in Miami, where the Eagles will head for the Super Regionals.

Road Ahead

The BC Eagles advance to the Super Regionals and will now head to Coral Gables, FL to take on the #3 ranked team in the nation in the University of Miami.

The Hurricanes had a clean sweep in their regional beating Stetson University and Long Beach State twice, led by current Golden Spikes Semifinalist (Nations top prospect) Junior Zach Collins. The Eagles will have their hands full as the (43-10) Miami Hurricanes have been on a tear this season, being able to get production from up and down the lineup along with their superb pitching staff.

Gambino will likely stick with the same rotation in the series with the Hurricanes. Dunn, a junior right hander, is slated to be selected in the middle of the first round in Thursday night’s MLB draft. “If you talk to 34 guys in this dugout they didn’t think they were underdogs,” said Gambino. “We care about us and this is a group that believes in each other.”

The best of three series will start June 10th starting at 5 PM/ET (ESPNU), the winner of this series will advance on to the Final 8 College World Series in Omaha, NE. Overall, I think with the Eagles pitching staff and their above average defense can play with any team in the country including Miami, as this series could be one for the ages in deciding the CWS representative.

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