Welcome to the first edition of The Starting Lineup, my daily morning piece highlighting the biggest storylines from the day before and previewing the day to come. In The Starting Lineup, you’ll find the biggest stories (Leading off), what to watch each day (Meat of the Order) and other juicy tidbits such as under the radar games, individual player performances or other notes from across the country (7-8-9). The Scouting Report will also feature several pieces of upcoming content at College Baseball Central. Enjoy!
Leading Off: Opening Day has arrived in Division 1 College Baseball, with this return, thousands if not millions will tune in to watch America’s greatest pastime at the only level of the sport offering perfect crossover between talent and passion on the field on Friday. College sports remain at an unprecedented crossroads, with the landscape changing daily, it remains to be seen what kinds of changes and nuances may impact our game in the future. Today, we celebrate the return of college baseball, the people’s sport.
As is the case each season, northern teams have made their way south to escape the freezing cold in favor of the ‘kind of cold’ or, in the case of eight programs, the heat of Puerto Rico. The inaugural Puerto Rico Challenge gets underway to open the college baseball season at 10 AM Eastern on ESPN+. The event is expected to send shockwaves through Puerto Rico and the United States, serving as a unique launching point for tropical college baseball.
More locally, the Shriner’s College Showdown returns, again viewable on FLOSports. The event at Globe Life Field has become a staple of the first month of the college baseball season and features Clemson, Oklahoma State, Arizona, Ole Miss, Texas and Louisville in what will be sure to be a headline nabbing event.
Meat of the Order: Number one, watch every game you can, the game has grown immensely, starting with TV coverage. In an environment of college sports hinging on TV dollars, watch as much as you can on ESPN+, FLO and wherever you’re able.
UConn vs Stetson (Puerto Rico)- 10 AM EST
The opening game of the college baseball season features likely UConn starter Ian Cooke vs potentially Georgia transfer James Hays for Stetson. Both teams playing in Puerto Rico in the inaugural game of the event makes for a must-watch contest.
Clemson vs Oklahoma State (Arlington) 12 PM EST
Cam Cannarella and Nolan Schubart serve as two of the most exciting players and MLB draft prospects in the country leading off the premier opening weekend event in the country. Clemson Head Coach Mike Bianco's suspension wont stop the Tigers from performing for starter Aidan Knaak.
Washington State at Arkansas 1 PM EST
Arkansas has arguably the best pitching staff in the country and will lean on ace Gabe Gaeckle against a formidable Cougars squad led offensively by Max Hartman.
Virginia vs Michigan (Puerto Rico) 1 PM EST
Virginia, fresh off of another Omaha appearance, return tremendous talents including stars Harrison Didawick and Henry Ford. Evan Blanco and 2-way transfer Chris Arroyo present as exciting names to monitor early in Puerto Rico. The Wolverines welcome back 2-way talents of their own Mitch Voit and Will Rogers alongside draft-buzzy sophomore Dylan Vigue.
Nebraska vs UC Irvine (MLB Desert Invitational) 3 PM EST
The Huskers travel to Arizona and meet one of many NCAA Tournament teams on their tough non-conference schedule. They return postseason hero Gabe Swansen and will start Mason McConaughey against the tough arm of Ricky Ojeda for the Anteaters. Offensively, Golden Spikes candidate Anthony Martinez makes UC Irvine one of the more exciting midmajor teams in the country this season, though Martinez is expected to miss opening weekend due to injury.
Cincinnati at Duke 4 PM EST
Jordan Bischel’s Bearcats exceeded expectations in his first season in 2024. Kerrington Cross is worth the price of admission against a Duke team primed for an eventual Omaha appearance. The Blue Devils feature star Sophomore AJ Gracia, as well as stellar starting pitching led by Andrew Healy, James Tallon and 2-way sensation Kyle Johnson.
Texas Tech at North Carolina 4 PM EST
The Red Raiders stroll into Chapel Hill following a disappointing season by Tim Tadlock’s standards. Despite missing the NCAA Tournament, Tech returns Damian Bravo and the indescribably fun-to-watch TJ Pompey. UNC welcomes 2025 with a largely retained roster following their run to Omaha in 2024. Scott Forbes will roll out Jason Decaro and Aidan Haugh in their doubleheader on Friday, while Luke Stevenson, Gavin Gallher and impact transfer Tyson Bass await Texas Tech starters Jack Cebert and Mac Heuer.
Arizona vs Ole Miss (Arlington) 4 PM EST
The Wildcats enter 2025 as one of the newest members of the Big 12 conference, though will familiarly return stars Mason White and Brendan Summerhill. The Wildcats will hope to develop a weekend rotation as they face 2022 CWS catalyst Hunter Elliott in his return from injury. The Rebels hope to buck recent history and will look to a transfer class and freshman Owen Paino to assist in that vision in the field and offensively.
Louisville vs Texas (Arlington) 8 PM EST
An offseason that remained eventful was introduced to us by Jim Schlossnagle leaving Texas A&M for the head job at rival Texas. Making his debut, Jim Schlossnagle will hand the ball to Indiana State transfer Jared Spencer, who has the height and the hair to make a name for himself early and often alongside 2014 Big 12 Player of the Year Max Belyue. The Cardinal look to shake themselves off following a disappointing season in 2024, though Friday starter Patrick Forbes, star Zion Rose and returnee Patrick Biven offer signs of hope for the most victorious program of the 2010’s.
7-8-9:
Under the radar games today
Washington vs Kansas State (Conway)
Oregon State vs Xavier (Surprise, AZ)
St. Johns at Liberty
Penn State vs Missouri (Puerto Rico)
Southeast Missouri at Memphis
Iowa at USF
Campbell at UCSB
Minnesota at Houston
Vanderbilt vs/at Grand Canyon (MLB Desert Invitational)
Ohio State at Arizona State
TCU at San Diego
Stanford at Cal State Fullerton
Scouting Report:
Join College Baseball Central LIVE on YouTube and X each Saturday morning (11/10 CT) as the crew on ‘The Weekend Rotation’ breaks down all of the action from Friday and previews the rest of the weekend. College Baseball’s Saturday morning wake-up show returns for their fourth season, featuring guests, Q/A and everything you need to know up until first pitch on Saturday.