Since the NCAA Division I baseball tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1999, the achievement of regional No. 4 seeds making it to the Men’s College World Series has been a rare and exciting feat. Only four such teams have managed to reach Omaha, exemplifying the unpredictable and thrilling nature of college baseball. Most recently, Murray State has made a splash, showcasing their journey and determination.
HISTORY: Here’s how often each seed makes the Men’s College World Series
Murray State (2025)
This edition of the Racers, with a record of 44–15, stunned the baseball world by defeating the No. 10 seeded Ole Miss and Georgia Tech to advance to the Super Regionals. In a nail-biting showdown against Duke, they lost the first game 7–4, but rebounded spectacularly with a 19–9 win and clinched their first-ever Men’s College World Series berth with a close 5–4 victory in the decisive game. Their journey to Omaha marked them as just the fourth No. 4 seed in history to achieve this milestone.
Round-by-round results
- Regionals
- Murray State 9, No. 10 Ole Miss 6
- Murray State 13, Georgia Tech 11
- No. 10 Ole Miss 19, Murray State 8
- Murray State 12, No. 10 Ole Miss 11
- Super Regionals
- Duke 7, Murray State 4
- Murray State 19, Duke 9
- Murray State 5, Duke 4
Oral Roberts (2023)
In an equally impressive run in 2023, Oral Roberts (52-14) made headlines by upsetting the No. 11 national seed Oklahoma State, progressing through the regional rounds undefeated. They outperformed expectations by conquering Oregon in the Super Regionals, earning a ticket to Omaha where they initially triumphed over TCU. However, they faced elimination from the tournament after losses against TCU and Florida.
Round-by-round results
- Regionals
- Oral Roberts 6, Oklahoma State 4
- Oral Roberts 15, Washington 12
- Oral Roberts 6, Dallas Baptist 5
- Super Regionals
- Oregon 9, Oral Roberts 8
- Oral Roberts 8, Oregon 7
- Oral Roberts 11, Oregon 6
- Men’s College World Series
- Oral Roberts 6, TCU 5
- Florida 5, Oral Roberts 4
- TCU 6, Oral Roberts 1
Stony Brook (2012)
The Seawolves (52-15) shocked the field by decisively defeating regional host Miami 10-2 to kick off their College World Series journey in 2012. After battling through the regional rounds and pulling off back-to-back wins over UCF, they faced No. 7 national seed LSU in the Super Regionals, stunning the Tigers with Games 2 and 3 victories. Despite reaching Omaha, they were eliminated after two matches against heavily favored teams like UCLA and Florida State.
Round-by-round results
- Regionals
- Stony Brook 10, Miami 2
- UCF 9, Stony Brook 8
- Stony Brook 10, Missouri State 7
- Stony Brook 12, UCF 5
- Stony Brook 10, UCF 6
- Super Regionals
- LSU 5, Stony Brook 4
- Stony Brook 3, LSU 1
- Stony Brook 7, LSU 2
- Men’s College World Series
- UCLA 9, Stony Brook 1
- Florida State 12, Stony Brook 2
Fresno State (2008)
So, what’s the story behind the 2008 champs?
Fresno State’s (47-31) Cinderella story in 2008 remains one of the most remarkable in college baseball history. The Bulldogs started their postseason journey with a decisive win over regional host Long Beach State and overcame hurdles in a tense Game 7 against San Diego to advance. Fresno State cemented its status as a giant killer by defeating the No. 3 seeded Arizona State in the Super Regionals.
In the Men’s College World Series, they captured attention by winning their first two games against formidable opponents, No. 6 national seed Rice and No. 2 national seed North Carolina. After a loss in Game 1 of the finals against Georgia, they roared back with a resounding 19-10 victory in Game 2 before completing their magical run with a 6-1 triumph in Game 3.
READ MORE: The story behind 2008 Fresno State baseball, the greatest Men’s College World Series Cinderella
Round-by-round results
- Regionals
- Fresno State 7, Long Beach State 3
- Fresno State 6, San Diego 0
- San Diego 15, Fresno State 1
- Fresno State 5, San Diego 1
- Super Regionals
- Arizona State 12, Fresno State 4
- Fresno State 8, Arizona State 6
- Fresno State 12, Arizona State 9
- Men’s College World Series
- Fresno State 17, Rice 5
- Fresno State 5, North Carolina 3
- North Carolina 4, Fresno State 3
- Fresno State 6, North Carolina 1
- Men’s College World Series finals
- Georgia 7, Fresno State 6
- Fresno State 19, Georgia 10
- Fresno State 6, Georgia 1
