:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/33822355/20130531_lbm_ar6_107.0.jpg)
By virtue of a 4-2 victory over Alabama on Monday, the Owls of Kennesaw State have advanced to this weekend's super regional at Jim Patterson Stadium. The champions of the Atlantic Sun were the regional's No. 3 seed, but took two of three from the Crimson Tide to emerge as the surprising victors.
Here's a quick rundown of the main things you should know about U of L's next opponent:
--Kennesaw State did not become a Division-I program until 2006, and this is their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Like Louisville in 2007, the Owls were a No. 3 seed in their regional.
--KSU got here without having to defeat No. 1 seed and host Florida State, which went two and out. The Owls beat Georgia Southern once and Alabama twice to advance.
--On paper, Kennesaw State is the hottest team in all of college baseball. Since beginning the season 14-20, the Owls have won 26 of their last 28 games. Their only two losses over that span are an 8-6 mid-week game against Western Carolina, and a 4-1 loss to Alabama on Sunday.
--For the second straight weekend, Louisville will be going up against one of the best individual players in the country. Kennesaw State's Max Pentecost is widely regarded as the best catcher in college baseball, and figures to be one of the first players selected in the MLB Draft. He'll come to Jim Patterson Stadium with a .424 batting average and 57 RBI in 62 games.
--The KSU staff owns a team ERA 3.45. Top two starters Travis Bergen and Jordan Hillyer are a combined 15-7 on the season. Bergen was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Tallahassee Regional after throwing 179 pitches over just 72 hours.
Game times are expected to be announced later today.
