by Harrison Popp, general manager and sports reporter
(OMAHA, Neb.)- The Omaha Mavericks face the No. 1 NCAA tournament seed as they head to Los Angeles for their first game in regional action. The 31-22-1 Mavericks will open the tournament against UCLA (47-8) Friday at 9 p.m. CT.
This is the first NCAA Tournament appearance for the Mavericks, as they’re just days removed from capturing their first Summit League title.
Senior right-handed pitcher Payton Kinney earned All-Tournament honors and Championship MVP after his masterful performances in the four-day tournament. The Omaha ace retired 13 consecutive batters and struck out 10 en route to the championship victory over Oral Roberts.
Senior first basemen Braden Rogers smacked two home runs, driving in three of the four runs for the Mavericks. It was the first multi home run game of the Oklahoma native’s career.
The Omaha baseball team joins the 2017 men’s soccer team as the only two programs outside of hockey to play in the NCAA Tournament.
You can listen to Ben Helwig and Matt Kirkle on MavRadio.FM this Friday at 9 p.m. CST as the Omaha Mavericks face the UCLA Bruins.
