Few college teams can match the great historic runs unfolding year after year by Miami (Fl.) and Florida State. As another field of 64 was announced this afternoon for the 2011 NCAA Baseball Tournament and the Regionals were set, Miami extended its own record of an amazing 36 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, and Florida State remained close behind with its 34th straight berth.
Current Miami Hurricanes coach Jim Morris has been in place 17 years, and he’s faithfully extended the success handed to him by the legacy of Ron Fraser, who guided Miami for 30 seasons and established the dominant trend. Morris’ career record of 776-298-3 is astounding and he’s continually turned out one pro prospect after another. It’s a sign of a program used to being at the top.
The same can be said of the Florida State Seminoles who have their own version of Fraser with current coach Mike Martin. Martin has been coaching the Seminoles for 30 consecutive seasons and has over 1,500 wins to his credit — an astounding number and a reason for the ’Noles continued dominance.
This year, Miami begins its Tournament run in a difficult regional against No. 1 Florida, perhaps the best individual Regional of a total of 16. Jacksonville and Manhattan are also involved. Florida State is the No. 5 seed and drew Central Florida, Alabama and Bethune-Cookman to round out its field.