Cal Poly’s baseball program has once again earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament, marking the second straight year the Mustangs have secured a national berth and the fifth appearance in program history.
A West Coast Legacy Under Scrutiny
The selection framework heavily weights the Ratings Percentage Index, a metric that often penalizes West Coast teams for limited exposure to power‑conference opponents, creating a structural hurdle for programs like Cal Poly.
Since Head Coach Larry Lee took over in 2002, the Mustangs have averaged more than 32 wins per season, and in 2026 they sit at 36 victories with the campaign still unfolding.
The newly created Big West Championship proved pivotal, giving Cal Poly the conference credentials that the committee ultimately rewarded, while the team finished second in the Eugene Regional the previous year.
Power‑conference depth continues to shape the bracket, as illustrated by the Kentucky Wildcats, who secured an at‑large bid despite winning only two of their 18 conference series.
Yet the Mustangs have dominated their own league, posting a combined 45‑15 record over the past two seasons and regularly battling nationally ranked rivals such as UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara and UC San Diego.
Coach Lee’s steady leadership has turned the program into a model of consistency, showing that merit can rise above structural biases when a team sustains excellence year after year.