UpdatedJun 11, 2012 1:30 AM ET
Coach Matt Senk and his unflappable band of ballplayers from upstart Stony Brook invaded the most hostile territory in college baseball and vanquished another national power.
Six-time national champion LSU is done, and after 22 seasons with a Stony Brook program that played in Division III when he arrived in 1991, Senk is taking his team to the sport's promised land: the College World Series in Omaha.
''I'm a little overwhelmed, quite frankly, because I think I do know the magnitude of this,'' Senk said, describing how former LSU coach Skip Bertman, winner of five national titles, congratulated him after the game. ''To make it to Omaha (is) every college baseball team's dream, every college baseball coach's dream and it's come to fruition. And to do it against LSU, Alex Box Stadium ... to shake Coach Bertman's hand on the way in. Oh my God. Having that man congratulate me for going to the College World Series, it's just unbelievable.''
Frankie Vanderka threw a three-hitter, Travis Jankowski had four hits and Stony Brook continued its stunning run with a 7-2 victory Sunday night in the deciding game of the Baton Rouge super regional.
Stony Brook, which has won 28 of 30 and will face UCLA in the opening game in Omaha, became only the second team to open the tournament as a No. 4 seed in the regional round and reach the College World Series. The first was Fresno State in 2008 which went on to win the national title.
''Our motto is: `Shock the world and win the last game of the season,''' said Jankowski, the Seawolves' leading hitter at .422 and the 44th overall selection in last week's amateur draft. ''So as long as we do that we should be all right from here on out.''
This Stony Brook squad, which beat host Miami in winning the Coral Gables Regional, just might be good enough to repeat that feat. Playing before crowds of 10,000-plus draped in LSU purple-and-gold, the Seawolves didn't merely survive so much as thrive, outhitting LSU 35-15 in the series.
''They outplayed us really in every phase of the game,'' LSU coach Paul Mainieri said. ''The people in the South haven't heard much about Stony Brook, but they know who they are now. They gained a lot of respect, besides winning a series. They gained an awful lot of respect not only down here but nationwide and I think you have to look at the leadership of their program and that's Matt (Senk). ... That team can play with anybody.''
Continued here:
Stony Brook tops LSU, heads to CWS
- Hang onto your hats--More Redheads RFL Shopping 🙂 [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Why I Relay -- from Daaneth Kivioq [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Two Upcoming Events! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- We had fun AND ... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Why I Relay -- from Edith Halderman & Envy Watts [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Toga! Toga! We had fun and raised 5k for RFL! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- "Duel of the DJ's" --THIS Sunday, April 19 at 1pm [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Dressing for Relay Events... Lag in Style! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- "Duel of the DJ's" -- TODAY Sun, April 19 at 1pm [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Relay Shopping Made Easy! Our Very Own Store! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- We have a winner! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Not to Miss! Frogg & Jaycatt Saturday at 1pm SLT [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Thank You Frogg, Jaycatt, Lomgren and Luskwood! GO RELAY! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Upcoming Events in Redhead-land [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- In Memory of ... Lachlan Campbell [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- More Goodies in Our RFL Store [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- The BIG Blowout Event! 12-3pm SLT Tomorrow! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- ONE WORLD, ONE HOPE! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- We miss you Fimi! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Redheads Know How To Partay!!! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- We had a BALL! And the SILENT AUCTION continues... [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- RenFaire! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Rocking With Yahshvah Shinja [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- WOW! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What a weekend that was! [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 2010 Blog! [Last Updated On: April 4th, 2010] [Originally Added On: April 4th, 2010]
- Brian Scalabrine - The World's Greatest - Video [Last Updated On: March 29th, 2012] [Originally Added On: March 29th, 2012]
- Red strength hint in caution notice [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Emma Roberts turns heads at Coachella [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Cartoon of the Day: Chelsea's battered bus leaves Terry behind and heads for Munich after rolling over Barcelona [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Kaskade Heads Out On 'Freaks Of Nature' Tour, Gives Us Full-Body Chills (VIDEO) [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Red shirts divided over Prem meet [Last Updated On: April 25th, 2012] [Originally Added On: April 25th, 2012]
- Snobby Mr. Douchey - Ep: 6 - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Ep. 3 MALLSCAPADE: Squaresville (A new free web show about growing up bored in the suburbs) - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- My Sisters: Problematic to Practically Perfect - Ep: 2 - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Backstage Girls- Episode 2: Bobby Brown's Every Little Step - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Red Heads for Red Heads with Cornelia Frances for The Orangutan Project - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- More Theatre of Life: Gay Witchcraft - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Asian Red Head - Video [Last Updated On: May 4th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 4th, 2012]
- Red Devils baseball team wins play-in game vs. North Sevier, heads to 2A tourney [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Ask Nick: Is something wrong with Gonzalez? [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Red Bluff Lady Spartans blast Lassen 13-0 [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Camelot heads 2,000 Guineas field [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Tech baseball heads to College Station for final time [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- Joe Stortini heads list of local all-state basketball players [Last Updated On: May 5th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 5th, 2012]
- 'White Rabbit, Red Rabbit' review: never the same [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- Red sea of Clippers fans lifts team to win [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- Reynolds and Hammel carry Orioles past Red Sox 8-2 [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- Gillard, Abbott promote Red Cross [Last Updated On: May 7th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 7th, 2012]
- The Duchess of Cambridge turns heads with glamorous cream dress [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Royals 4, Red Sox 3: Two out of three is bad [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- The power of a sign [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Met Ball 2012 Red Carpet: Stars Shine In Metallic Frocks [Last Updated On: May 10th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 10th, 2012]
- Morning Mail: Red Sox fan wears bag on head, starts social media storm [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- 'Food Truck Wars' heads for Monmouth Park [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Obama to talk mortgages in Reno, Romney heads to North Carolina, plus more to watch for this weekend in politics [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Losing heads while salmon fishing [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- West Ottawa boys track & field wins stunning relay at OK Red meet [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Sexy Redheads - Video [Last Updated On: May 13th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 13th, 2012]
- Red Sox Look to Build Momentum Against Mariners: Fan Preview [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Red-cockaded woodpecker gets care and protection in Alabama (with video and gallery) [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Beckett takes Red Sox from Fenway to Bushwood [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Greek uncertainty leaves US stocks in red [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Greece Heads Toward New Elections [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- On Soccer: Red Bulls rise to top of Eastern Conference with help from trio of young American defenders [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Frankel heads Lockinge confirmations [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Kevin Spacey heads to South Africa for movie project premiere [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Red Poppy brings new voices to art scene [Last Updated On: May 16th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 16th, 2012]
- Gold Heads Into The Red In 2012 [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2012]
- Betty White heads to Washington to see the animals [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2012]
- Outdoors: Losing your heads against fishing rules [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2012]
- Betty White heads to nation's capital to see National Zoo, indulge passion for animal watching [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2012]
- Canadian wave heads to Cannes Film Festival [Last Updated On: May 17th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2012]
- Pippa Middleton Wears Sexy Red Dress at Scottish Wedding [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2012]
- Touchdowns for a cure [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2012]
- TSX heads higher; Facebook shares rise after delayed start of trading [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2012]
- Woman heads to Uganda to bring cheer to children [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2012]
- World Premiere of Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” Heads to Hollywood for Grand Opening of the Dolby Theatre [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2012]
- Toronto stock market heads higher amid cautious buying at end of bruising week [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2012]
- Red Bluff brings home 11th section title; McColpin throws shutout vs. Wolves [Last Updated On: May 20th, 2012] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2012]