Friday, May 31, 2002
Louisville facing underdog role in regional
By KEITH PARSONS
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA — Georgia Tech's been to the NCAA tournament 17 of the past 18 years. Georgia advanced to the College World Series a year ago, and Coastal Carolina is in a regional for the second straight season.
Louisville? This is the first time in 93 years of playing baseball that the Cardinals have ever been reached the postseason. So they don't stand a chance in this weekend's regional at Georgia Tech, right?
“It doesn't matter,” coach Lelo Prado said Thursday. “Somebody's got to win three or four games to get out of here. It might as well be us.”
Play begins Friday in the double-elimination tournament at remodeled Russ Chandler Stadium, with Louisville facing Georgia at 3 p.m. EDT. The Yellow Jackets and Coastal Carolina are in the nightcap at 7 p.m.
The Chanticleers have won their past seven games, including four straight to win the Big South Conference tournament. They upset Georgia Tech last year in the tournament opener in Athens, and they're the hottest team in this regional.
Georgia Tech (46-14) went 2-2 in the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament, the Bulldogs (30-27) have lost their past seven and the Cardinals (39-16) lost two straight in the Conference USA tournament. That left Georgia and Louisville sweating out the NCAA selection announcement Monday.
“I thought we were in,” Prado said. “But we left it up to a committee, and you never know what can happen then.”
The Bulldogs are in the tournament for the second straight year — the first time in school history that's happened — mainly because of their tough schedule and a 4-6 record against the top eight tourney seeds.
“We want to build a tradition of going to the NCAAs,” first-year coach David Perno said. “We have a very young team, and I know they will remember this day for a long time. We have battled hard all year and now we've got a second life.”
Georgia Tech lost five regulars and its top three pitchers from last year's team but hardly missed a beat, earning the right to play host to its fifth regional.
“When we committed to build this new stadium, we were hoping it would increase our chances of hosting a regional,” coach Danny Hall said. “I think we played all year like a team worthy of hosting, so it's nice to rewarded.”
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