College baseball games of the week: Kentucky-Texas Tech headlines big weekend

The best college baseball games for die-hard fans to watch this week.

Tournament season is still in full swing, creating some interesting single-day matchups across the country. With the opening day jitters out for these teams, everyone is ready to go and prove what they are worth. This week’s slate includes some of the top teams in the country and some tough road test for top ten programs.

Kentucky (3-0) at No. 3 Texas Tech (2-1)

Feb. 22-24

The Red Raiders dropped two of three games at No. 5 Kentucky in 2018 in one of their toughest tests of the season. This series was circled in red in Lubbock as a must-win in 2019. Tech posted one of the more impressive offensive seasons last year, averaging 8.1 runs per game (3rd) and 82 home runs (8th), and looks to continue their onslaught. Texas Tech had a tough opening weekend against Oregon but managed a 2-1 series lead going into Monday.

Kentucky began 2018 at 14-2, but struggled in the second half of the season, eventually getting swept by Vanderbilt in the season closer and losing their first game in the SEC championship game. Kentucky had no trouble with Austin Peay in their opening weekend and looks to repeat their hot start in Lubbock. Their offense seemed to not have missed a hitch either. The Wildcats are following up a campaign in which they slugged 81 home runs (9th) and averaged 7.1 runs per game (16th).

If you like runs scored, this is the series for you. Bats will determine the victor of this series and both teams have demonstrated they are ready to fight. This could be an early season preview of June.

NC State (3-0) vs No. 21 Coastal Carolina (3-0)

Feb. 24

NC State finished 2018 ranked 24th in RPI but was upended by Auburn in the Raleigh Regional and went 0-2 in the ACC Championship. This Wolfpack team is young but talented and is expected to make another run into June this season, returning a good chunk of their outstanding pitching rotation. The rotation finished with a team 3.62 ERA in 2018 (33rd).

Coastal Carolina was the Cinderella team in 2016, catching red-hot and capturing their first College World Series title in their very first appearance. The Chanticleers are coming off another regional appearance and conference championship. Coastal started hot with a 3-0 sweep of the Brittain Resorts Invitational this past weekend against Maryland, Campbell, and VCU.

These are two strong candidates in 2019 to make NCAA tournament appearances. This is another example of strong pitching versus great offense, as Coastal averaged eight runs per game in 2018 (4th).

Southern Miss (3-0) at No. 14 Mississippi State (3-0)

Feb. 22-24

Southern Miss battled with Purdue in their opening series, taking game one in extra innings after finding themselves down 6-4 in the eighth. The offense was alive, slugging two home runs and drawing eight walks. The Golden Eagles averaged eight runs scored per game in 2018 (t6th) and look to continue that offensive success against Mississippi State.

Mississippi State breezed through their first series against Youngstown State, putting up 12 runs per game in the series. The Bulldogs are coming off a very successful 2018 campaign that included a rigorous comeback in the second half of the season to secure a ticket to Omaha. However, unfinished business is the theme of the season, as Mississippi State is looking to raise a trophy in June this year.

At one point in 2018, Southern Miss was threatening the top ten in the country, and the same could be true about this crew. This series in Starkville could make or break the season for the Golden Eagles. For the Bulldogs, this is a win they need to get to break into the top ten.

Purdue (0-3) at No. 23 Texas (2-1)

Feb 22-24

Purdue is coming off their third tournament appearance in program history, which dates back to 1888. Needless to say, the Boilermakers have seen little success in their long team history. In 2018, Purdue finished 38-21 and 40th in the RPI rankings. Though they only return 11 upperclassmen, the newest class of freshman are immensely talented and look to continue Purdue’s successes in 2019. Record aside, the Boilermakers played Southern Miss tough in the opening series, pushing game one to extra innings.

Texas is a force to be reckoned with on their home turf, posting a staggering 32-8 record in 2018. However, they managed just one series win against ranked opponents and was bounced after just two games in the College World Series. Texas managed an opening weekend series win in Lafayette against a good Ragin’ Cajuns ball club, pulling away with two wins.

Two teams with a lot of potential and a lot to prove will be going at it in Austin this weekend, and the Boilermakers need this series win to prove they belong with the elite clubs. This should be a hard-fought defensive battle between two very good teams that fly low on the radar.

No. 5 UCLA (3-0) at Georgia Tech (2-1)

Feb. 22-24

This will be a tough test for the Bruins on the road, as Georgia Tech finished 17th in Collegiate Baseball’s rankings for 2018. Tech is also returning most of their roster, adding just seven freshmen to the team for 2019. The Yellow Jackets posted 6.5 runs per game in 2018 (54th), including 67 home runs (23rd).

UCLA made some noise in 2018, going 2-2 in Regional play, but was upended by a very good Minnesota club. However, they were one of four teams to finish in the top 30 in both team ERA and scoring in 2018, two of which squared off in the College World Series final (Oregon State, Arkansas, Louisville). The Bruins will have to integrate five freshmen into their rotation, but their talent should keep the team on track.

While this one might seem like a lopsided affair in favor of UCLA, the Bruins finished just 0.500 on the road in 2018. Georgia Tech is on the rise and could steal a series win this weekend from a top-five program.