A Unexpected Path to the Super Regional
Cal Poly entered the NCAA tournament as the Big West Conference champion, an automatic qualifier that few expected to make deep noise. The Mustangs opened with a 6‑2 victory over No. 2 seed Virginia Tech, then rode a 14‑1 win over St. Mary’s that set up a rematch for the regional title.
The tournament took a surprising turn when St. Mary’s, a No. 4 seed, knocked off No. 1 overall seed UCLA in their opening game. That result cleared the bracket for Cal Poly, sparing them a direct clash with the nation’s top team and allowing the Mustangs to advance to the regional final with a 5‑2 win.
Head coach Larry Lee, who has guided his squad to five regionals but never beyond, praised the team’s resilience. "We’ve built something special," he said, highlighting the group’s ability to play hard and compete under pressure.
Gavin Spiridonoff, a key player on the roster, expressed pride in the journey, noting that the team’s work ethic and chemistry have been evident throughout the three‑game stretch in which they outscored opponents 25‑5 and remained one of the few undefeated squads.
Facing West Virginia in Morgantown
The Mustangs now travel to Morgantown, West Virginia, for a best‑of‑three Super Regional that will be televised on ESPN2. The series pits Cal Poly’s +265 odds against West Virginia’s +1,200 odds, making it a classic underdog versus favored matchup.
FanDuel Sportsbook lists Cal Poly at +10,000 to win the national championship, placing them near the bottom of the field, while the Mountaineers sit at +1,200. Despite the long odds, the team’s goal is simple: keep the season alive past the Super Regional and see how far the momentum can carry them.