May marks the end of the road for most college baseball programs, the final goodbyes, locker cleanouts and getting ready for summer ball. But for some, specifically 64 teams, it’s just the beginning of what could be a storybook ending.
With the NCAA tournament not until May 30, the 29 days prior act as a precursor for what’s to come. A preparation period for programs to get in the best shape possible before every game becomes do-or-die.
A few teams are facing their biggest test of the year yet, which could change the outlook of their season. Here are five matchups to be on the lookout for in May.
Clemson vs. Florida State: May 2-4
Texas and Georgia have managed to be the only top-five ranked series in the college baseball season so far, duking it out in early April.
Clemson and Florida State will be next to join the club, meeting in Tallahassee for each team’s biggest test yet. The Tigers and the Seminoles rank top 10 nationally in RPI and each lost their first ACC series of the season last week — a two-edged flex.
The two programs are flooded with talent, but have found success in different ways. Clemson doesn’t have a pitcher with an ERA under 3.00 and five or more starts surprisingly, nor more than three players batting over .300. Yet, they’ve still been one of the toughest teams to beat due to their success rate in big moments. The Tigers are 17-1 in games decided by two or less runs.
Florida State has leaned on its stars on the mound and at the plate. The Seminoles’ Game 1 and 2 starters have top five ERAs in the conference in left-handers junior Jamie Arnold (2.39) and redshirt junior Joey Volini (2.65), while shortstop Alex Lodise (.440) and center fielder Max Williams (15) are ranked top five in ACC batting averages and home runs.
These are two teams expecting to compete for more than a conference title but a spot in Omaha.
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Texas vs. Arkansas: May 1-3
Just two weeks ago, the Longhorns and Razorbacks were sharing a cup of coffee atop the penthouse as the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the country, watching other contenders duke it out for their status.
However, the two programs have traveled in opposite directions since then. Texas has kept the pedal to the metal, plowing through Auburn and Texas A&M while winning nine of their last 10. Arkansas has tumbled, losing back-to-back series to unranked foes and 5-5 in their previous 10 games.
Now, the two will meet in Baum–Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, AR.
The series embodies the feeling of an extended all-star game, as both teams are filled with national awards and watch list nominees. The Longhorns and Razorbacks hold top three conference records in the SEC.
And the three-game battle serves a different purpose for the Longhorns and Razorbacks: A win for Texas could cement them at the top of the SEC, while a victory for Arkansas adds much-needed fuel before the conference tournament later in the month.
Expect nothing short of great baseball.
North Carolina vs. NC State: May 8-11
An in-state rivalry is always fun to watch, but an in-state rivalry between two top 15 teams in the country sets the table for an elite matchup.
Enter North Carolina and NC State.
The Tar Heels and Wolfpack are on pace for their first ranked matchup since 2019, and it couldn’t come at a better time. UNC hasn’t lost a series since mid-March and NC State is one of the hottest teams in baseball, recently sweeping Clemson and winning eight of their last 10.
The series record is 7-7 over the past 10 years while playing at North Carolina. The Tar Heels hold the best ERA in the ACC (3.49) and have averaged 8.4 runs in their last three series to the Wolfpack’s 8.8.
There isn’t a better way to settle bragging rights than now with both teams in great shape.
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West Virginia vs. Kansas: May 15-17
If the regular season ended today, West Virginia and Kansas would be battling it out in the Big 12 championship game with an NCAA tournament auto bid on the line. The two teams currently sit atop conference standings, with the Jayhawks just two games behind the Mountaineers
The Mountaineers and Jayhawks will give Big 12 fans a preview of the potential showdown in mid-May, meeting the last week of the regular season before the conference tournament.
Both teams have a top-five batting average in the conference, and Kansas has laid claim to the ‘powerhouse of the Big 12’ title with the most home runs (85) and highest slugging percentage (.529). West Virginia has the best ERA in the Big 12 at 3.66 and have won 14 straight conference games.
The series could decide the Big 12 regular season champion.
Missouri vs. Mississippi State: May 15-17
College baseball fans may wonder why this series made the cut, and for good reason. Neither team is ranked, it isn’t a rivalry and both teams will have to scrape and claw to get past the first round of the SEC tournament.
The series could be the deciding factor of whether Missouri makes history — and not in a good way.
Mizzou enters May with a 0-21 record in conference play, and is on pace to become the first program to finish winless in SEC play since 1962. No team has won less than five conference games after the SEC increased its conference schedule to 30 games in 1996.
Mississippi State and Missouri’s matchup falls on the last weekend of regular season play, and with meetings against top-10 Georgia and a hot Texas A&M happening before then, Mississippi State could be Mizzou’s last chance to escape a drastic reality.
If Missouri does secure its first conference victory of the season, a new SEC record for least conference wins could still occur.
