A win was all the team needed on Sunday to solidify a coveted spot in the regional by way of a conference championship, but they instead suffered a crushing 7-2 defeat to the University of Connecticut Huskies and now find themselves on the outside looking in.
Only 64 teams can make the NCAA Baseball postseason, and 31 of those teams qualify by way of winning their respective conference’s championship game. With only 33 spots remaining after conference titles have been decided, the NCAA selection committee must come together to determine the most deserving teams.
Despite winning 36 of their 59 games–a mark better than 22 of the teams competing in this years tournament–the committee did not feel as though enough of the Cougars wins came against formidable opponents.