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| Vol. 17, No. 32 | May 21, 1998 |
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| Vol. 17, No. 32 | May 21, 1998 |
The Fightin' Blue Hens baseball team opens its quest for the national championship today at 11 a.m., when No. 3 seed Delaware takes on No. 4 seed Oklahoma University. The opening round of the NCAA Atlantic II Regional Championship will be played at Florida State University in Tallahassee and will be broadcast live on WDEL-1150 AM.The Blue Hens celebrate their 10-4 victory over Northeastern May 16 at
Frawley Stadium. The win gave Delaware the 1998 America
East Tournament Championship and assured
the team a berth in the NCAA Atlantic II Regional Championship tourney.
The Blue Hens (43-8), coming off the team's third America East title in four years, were named to the 48-team NCAA tournament field Monday afternoon. The No. 3 position is the highest ever for the Blue Hens in NCAA Tournament play. This will be Delaware's 12th NCAA Regional Tournament appearance and the first since 1996. Oklahoma (40-18) is a member of the Big 12 Conference.
Other teams in the Atlantic II Regional include Auburn, Rutgers, Florida State and Liberty universities.
According to Bob Hannah, in his 34th year as UD head coach, "We are very pleased. This is the highest seed we have ever received, and that is a real tribute to our kids and the things they have accomplished this season."
The double elimination tournament will continue through Sunday, with each of the eight regional champions moving on to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., beginning May 29. Delaware made its only College World Series appearance in 1979.
Inning by inning updates will be available on the University of Delaware Sports Hotline at 831- 8139.
Photo by Jack Buxbaum
