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NCAA baseball super regionals includes former Greater Cincinnati high school stars

UK's Austin Strickland (16) delivered a pitch against West Virginia during their elimination game in the NCAA Regional in Lexington Ky. on June 4, 2023.
UK's Austin Strickland (16) delivered a pitch against West Virginia during their elimination game in the NCAA Regional in Lexington Ky. on June 4, 2023.

Following this past weekend’s NCAA regional baseball tournament, 16 teams have advanced to the super regionals, the final step before the College World Series in Omaha.

The eight super regional hosts were announced Tuesday by the NCAA Division I Baseball Committee, and three of the super regionals feature players with ties to Greater Cincinnati high schools.

Four super regionals will be held June 9-10, with a game on June 11 if necessary. The other four regionals will be June 10-11, with a game one June 12 if necessary.

The College World Series will start on Friday, June 16.

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Here’s a look at the super regionals featuring local players, along with how they performed in the regional tournament.

Indiana State at TCU

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Mike Sears, Walnut Hills

Indiana State infielder Mike Sears (25) fields a ball hit during an NCAA baseball game on Friday, June 2, 2023, in Terre Haute, Ind.
Indiana State infielder Mike Sears (25) fields a ball hit during an NCAA baseball game on Friday, June 2, 2023, in Terre Haute, Ind.

Junior infielder went 3-for-9 with two doubles and three RBI in three games as the Sycamores went 3-0 hosting their regional.

Kentucky at LSU

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Travis Smith, Walton-Verona

Kentucky's Travis Smith (33) brought some heat against Ball State in the NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Ky. The Wildcats defeated the Cardinals 4-0. Friday, June 2, 2023
Kentucky's Travis Smith (33) brought some heat against Ball State in the NCAA Tournament Lexington Regional at Kentucky Proud Park in Lexington, Ky. The Wildcats defeated the Cardinals 4-0. Friday, June 2, 2023

Redshirt freshman pitched the regional opener, a 4-0 win over Ball State, but go a no decision. Went four innings and allowed only three hits while striking out four and walking two.

Austin Strickland, Moeller

UK's Austin Strickland (16) delivered a pitch against West Virginia during their elimination game in the NCAA Regional in Lexington Ky. on June 4, 2023.
UK's Austin Strickland (16) delivered a pitch against West Virginia during their elimination game in the NCAA Regional in Lexington Ky. on June 4, 2023.

Junior got the start in an elimination game against West Virginia. The Wildcats won 10-0 and Strickland got the win, going six innings, striking out six and allowing only four hits and a walk.

St. Xavier’s Aaron Blum and Moeller’s Seth Logue also play for the Wildcats, although neither appeared in the regional.

'It's done': Indiana head baseball coach says rivalry series vs. Kentucky is over

Tennessee at Southern Mississippi

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Griffin Merritt, La Salle

Tennessee outfielder Griffin Merritt (10) celebrates after hitting a home run during a NCAA baseball regional game between Tennessee and Charlotte held at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C., on Friday, June 2, 2023.
Tennessee outfielder Griffin Merritt (10) celebrates after hitting a home run during a NCAA baseball regional game between Tennessee and Charlotte held at Doug Kingsmore Stadium in Clemson, S.C., on Friday, June 2, 2023.

Graduate student outfielder went 6-for-13 with a home run, a double, three RBI and five runs scored as Tennessee went 3-0 against Charlotte and host Clemson.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NCAA baseball tournament features Greater Cincinnati standouts