OMAHA, Neb. (KELO) — The 2024 Men’s College World Series begins on Friday and there are a couple of players from South Dakota on the qualifying teams rosters.
The eight teams to punch their ticket to Omaha include Florida, Florida State, Kentucky, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Tennessee, Texas A&M and Virginia.
Sioux Falls native, Marcus Phillips is a relief pitcher for the top-seeded Tennessee Volunteers. The right-handed pitcher has appeared in 18 games this season, tallying 19.1 innings pitched.
He’s allowed 11 earned runs and 15 hits, carrying a 5.12 earned run average in the CWS. Phillips has struck out 21 hitters.
Phillips has appeared in four postseason games. He threw an inning in their SEC Tournament loss against Vanderbilt. He’d throw three innings against Vandy on May 25, allowing just two runs in their 6-4 win.
Phillips threw a third of an inning in their regional win against Indiana and two thirds of an inning in a win over Evansville in the super regional.
North Carolina also has a South Dakotan on the roster.
Harrisburg’s Will Simmons is a sophomore for the Tar Heels. He has appeared in four games, tallying 1.2 innings pitched. He’s given up one run, but it was unearned.
The College World Series starts on Friday with the first game set for 1 p.m. in Omaha. North Carolina will open the tournament against Virginia.
Tennessee will battle Florida State on Friday night at 6 p.m.