Tennessee baseball will need to get past Southern Mississippi in the Super Regionals this weekend in order to reach the College World Series.
Both the Vols and Golden Eagles won their respective regionals on the road, with Tennessee running roughshod through the Clemson Regional and Southern Miss shaking off a first-game loss to Samford to come back and win the Auburn Regional.
Since neither team hosted its own regional, it was up to the NCAA to decide on which team would play at home this weekend. Despite the fact both teams were No. 2 seeds and Tennessee’s regional performance was more dominating, Southern Miss was named the super regional host.
It’s a decision that is not sitting well with UT fans.
“BS,” said one Vols fan.
BS
— Vols Central (@vols_galaxy) June 6, 2023
“I love that we are looking at last years’ super regional attendance in Hattiesburg to justify this decision when that super was literally against Ole Miss,” another added.
I love that we are looking at last years’ super regional attendance in Hattiesburg to justify this decision when that super was literally against Ole Miss 🙄
— The Trading Bloc (@TheTradingBloc) June 6, 2023
“Forecast says heavy rain all weekend in Hattiesburg, but bright, sunny skies in Knoxville. Excited for endless weather delays to appease the anti-SEC crowd. Oh well. Retiring their coach in front of their own fans will be that much sweeter. #GBO,” a third Tennessee fan chimed in.
Forecast says heavy rain all weekend in Hattiesburg, but bright, sunny skies in Knoxville. Excited for endless weather delays to appease the anti-SEC crowd.
Oh well. Retiring their coach in front of their own fans will be that much sweeter. #GBO https://t.co/QvjWMAIfdp
— Zack Royster (@ZRoyster) June 6, 2023
“Tennessee had the tougher schedule. The better RPI. The better record against elite opponents. The more impressive regional performance. So naturally, the Vols don’t get to host,” lamented broadcaster and Tennessee fan Wes Boling.
Tennessee had the tougher schedule. The better RPI. The better record against elite opponents. The more impressive regional performance.
So naturally, the Vols don’t get to host. https://t.co/P5xj1Xj7Up
— Wes Boling (@WesBolingTN) June 6, 2023
“This should’ve been played in Knoxville. Let’s beat them by 10! #vfl #RoadToOmaha,” another UT fan said.
This should’ve been played in Knoxville. Let’s beat them by 10! #vfl #RoadToOmaha https://t.co/WMIVbH4Tra
— Vol_whisperer (@ultrathin_calf) June 6, 2023
Tough luck for the Vols, but if they are able to take two out of three games against USM, they’ll be heading back to Omaha for the sixth time ever. Tennessee’s last College World Series appearance came in 2021.
The Hattiesburg Super Regional between Tennessee and Southern Miss will get started at 3 p.m. ET on Friday.