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College World Series 2017: Power ranking the field

By Carly Regehr

Jun 13, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; General view of logo before the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 13, 2015; Omaha, NE, USA; General view of logo before the 2015 College World Series at TD Ameritrade Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2017; Conway , SC, USA; The Louisville Cardinals mascot stands the court in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the women’s ACC Conference Tournament at HTC Center. Notre Dame defeated Louisville 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 4, 2017; Conway , SC, USA; The Louisville Cardinals mascot stands the court in the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the women’s ACC Conference Tournament at HTC Center. Notre Dame defeated Louisville 84-73. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Louisville Cardinals

Over the last 10 years, the baseball program at Louisville has gained steam. In 2007, the Cardinals would go to their first-ever College World Series, but they would be eliminated by North Carolina. At the time, It was Louisville’s one opportunity to meet up with then-champion Oregon State. Six years later, Louisville and Oregon State would find themselves playing against one another in the opening round of the 2013 World Series (L 11-4 vs. Oregon State).

Speaking on behalf of this season and not those of the past, Louisville is the most capable team in the field to capture a title. Not only will Louisville rely on the performance of 3B Drew Ellis, but of Brendan McKay, who requires no introduction. Both Ellis and McKay have teamed up in runs batted in (117), and home runs (37). That two-headed monster is more powerful than the hammer of Thor and it can wreak havoc on teams, like Oregon State and LSU.

All of the glory of Louisville can quickly burst into flames if they lose to Texas A&M in Game 3 of the 2017 College World Series. The imagination can’t run wild much further for Texas A&M, but a win against one of the hottest commodities in college baseball isn’t far-fetched considering how the first half of the Road to Omaha fared. On a brighter note, Louisville should be able to walk away from Texas A&M and the rest of the Omaha Eight without a scratch. After all, Louisville’s situated in baseball country, so don’t disappoint your fans.

Next: The 'Omaha 8'of the 2017 College World Series

Each team will be able to click the refresh button on June 17. Unfortunately, there ain’t no rest for the wicked, as the College World Series clock will keep running for an additional 11 days. How one practices time management will be essential towards a successful tournament. For instance, no one wants extra innings when they trail a series, because turnaround is nearly instantaneous.

Texas A&M and Florida became very well-acquainted with that concept during the Super Regionals. Meanwhile, Oregon State has been on cruise control and has yet to meet their match. Furthermore, TCU has been flying under the radar with their stealth game, but Florida has a good chance of exposing them in Game 4 (June 18). Honestly, though, the 2017 College World Series has LSU or Louisville written all over it.