| Season | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Teams | 48 |
| Finals site | |
| Champions | LSU (3rd title) |
| Runner-up | Miami (FL) (15th CWS Appearance) |
| Winning coach | Skip Bertman (3rd title) |
| MOP | Pat Burrell (Miami (FL)) |
| Television | ESPN Networks,CBS Sports |
The1996 NCAA Division I baseball tournament was played at the end of the1996 NCAA Division I baseball season to determine the national champion ofcollege baseball. The tournament concluded with eight teams competing in theCollege World Series, a double-elimination tournament in its fiftieth year. Eight regional competitions were held to determine the participants in the final event. Each region was composed of six teams, resulting in 48 teams participating in the tournament at the conclusion of their regular season, and in some cases, after a conference tournament.[1] The fiftieth tournament's champion wasLSU, coached bySkip Bertman. TheMost Outstanding Player wasPat Burrell ofMiami (FL).
The opening rounds of the tournament were played across eight regional sites across the country, each consisting of a six-team field. Each regional tournament is double-elimination, however region brackets are variable depending on the number of teams remaining after each round. The winners of each regional advanced to the College World Series.
Bold indicates winner.
Hosted by Clemson atTiger Field inClemson, South Carolina
| First round | Second round | Third round | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Clemson | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Charleston Southern | 1 | 1 | Clemson | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Old Dominion | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Tennessee | 4 | 1 | Clemson | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | West Virginia | 8 | 5 | West Virginia | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | West Virginia | 9 | 1 | Clemson | 12 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Georgia Southern | 4 | 2 | Tennessee | 5 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Georgia Southern | 6 | 2 | Tennessee | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Old Dominion | 0 | 2 | Tennessee | 6 | 5 | West Virginia | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Tennessee | 8 | 3 | Georgia Southern | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Charleston Southern | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hosted by Texas atDisch–Falk Field inAustin, Texas
| First round | Second round | Third round | Semifinals | Final | |||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Sam Houston State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Texas | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Miami (FL) | 4 | 3 | Texas | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Sam Houston State | 5 | 1 | Miami(FL) | 9 | 1 | Miami(FL) | 8 | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | Miami(FL) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | SW Missouri State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Long Beach State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Long Beach State | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Miami(FL) | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | SW Missouri State | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | SW Missouri State | 13 | 4 | UCLA | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | UCLA | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Texas | 2 | 5 | SW Missouri State | 4* | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | UCLA | 5 | 4 | UCLA | 9* | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Sam Houston State | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | UCLA | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Hosted by Texas Tech atDan Law Field inLubbock, Texas
| First round | Second round | Third round | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Southern California | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Akron | 10 | 1 | Southern California | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Arkansas | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Texas Tech | 2 | 1 | Southern California | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Fresno State | 12 | 3 | Oklahoma State | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Fresno State | 5 | 3 | Oklahoma State | 10 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Oklahoma State | 12 | 1 | Southern California | 2 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Oklahoma State | 6 | 1 | Southern California | 13* | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Arkansas | 5 | 5 | Fresno State | 2 | 2 | Texas Tech | 10* | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Akron | 2 | 2 | Texas Tech | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Texas Tech | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hosted by Florida atAlfred A. McKethan Stadium inGainesville, Florida
| First round | Second round | Third round | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Florida | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Bucknell | 0 | 1 | Florida | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | NC State | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | UCF | 7 | 1 | Florida | 6* | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | UMass | 8 | 4 | South Florida | 4* | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | UMass | 8 | 1 | Florida | 12 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | South Florida | 14 | 5 | UMass | 2 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | NC State | 3 | 4 | South Florida | 12 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | South Florida | 12 | 5 | UMass | 7 | 5 | UMass | 13 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Bucknell | 1 | 2 | UCF | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | UCF | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hosted by Wichita State atEck Stadium inWichita, Kansas
| First round | Second round | Third round | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Wichita State | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Indiana | 0 | 1 | Wichita State | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Missouri | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Cal State Fullerton | 19 | 1 | Wichita State | 6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Delaware | 8 | 2 | Cal State Fullerton | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Cal State Fullerton | 7 | 1 | Wichita State | 16 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Rice | 3 | 3 | Rice | 6 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Rice | 17 | 2 | Cal State Fullerton | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Missouri | 4 | 3 | Rice | 11 | 3 | Rice | 13 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Indiana | 10 | 6 | Indiana | 8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Delaware | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hosted by Alabama atSewell–Thomas Stadium inTuscaloosa, Alabama
| First round | Second round | Third round | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Alabama | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Princeton | 2 | 1 | Alabama | 9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | South Alabama | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Virginia | 1 | 1 | Alabama | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Notre Dame | 12 | 4 | Stetson | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Notre Dame | 6 | 1 | Alabama | 18 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Stetson | 7 | 2 | Virginia | 8 | – | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | South Alabama | 8 | 4 | Stetson | 4* | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Stetson | 9 | 5 | Notre Dame | 1 | 2 | Virginia | 5* | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Princeton | 2 | 2 | Virginia | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Virginia | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hosted by Louisiana State atAlex Box Stadium inBaton Rouge, Louisiana
| First round | Second round | Third round | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | LSU | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Austin Peay | 5 | 1 | LSU | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | UNLV | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Georgia Tech | 3 | 1 | LSU | 17 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | New Orleans | 13 | 5 | New Orleans | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | New Orleans | 13 | 1 | LSU | 29 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Tulane | 5 | 2 | Georgia Tech | 13 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | UNLV | 7 | 5 | New Orleans | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Tulane | 10 | 4 | Tulane | 4 | 2 | Georgia Tech | 12 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Austin Peay | 3 | 2 | Georgia Tech | 7 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Georgia Tech | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Hosted by Stanford atSunken Diamond inStanford, California
| First round | Second round | Third round | Semifinals | Final | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Florida State | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Northeastern Illinois | 0 | 1 | Florida State | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | UC Santa Barbara | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Stanford | 10 | 1 | Florida State | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Cal State Northridge | 5 | 2 | Stanford | 4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Stanford | 8 | 1 | Florida State | 9 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Mississippi State | 6 | 5 | Cal State Northridge | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Mississippi State | 6 | 2 | Stanford | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | UC Santa Barbara | 2 | 3 | Mississippi State | 19 | 5 | Cal State Northridge | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6 | Northeastern Illinois | 1 | 5 | Cal State Northridge | 20 | |||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Cal State Northridge | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The championship game ended dramatically when LSU'sWarren Morris hit a two-out, two-run home run against Miami reliever Robbie Morrison in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Tigers to a 9–8 victory over the Hurricanes. It was Morris's only home run of the 1996 season. Morris, an All-American in 1995, missed much of the 1996 season after suffering a wrist injury early in the campaign.
Oklahoma State's participation in CWS marked the last athletic event for theBig 8 Conference. The Big 8 was absorbed into the newBig 12 on July 1, 1996.
| Seeding | School | Conference | Record (conference) | Head coach | CWS appearances | CWS best finish | CWS record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | SEC | 49–17 (20–10) | Jim Wells | 2 (last:1983) | 2nd (1983) | 4–4 |
| 2 | Florida | SEC | 48–16 (20–10) | Andy Lopez | 2 (last:1991) | 3rd (1991) | 3–4 |
| 3 | Wichita State | MVC | 54–9 (24–4) | Gene Stephenson | 6 (last:1993) | 1st (1989) | 16–9 |
| 4 | Clemson | ACC | 49–15 (17–7) | Jack Leggett | 7 (last:1995) | 5th (1958,1959,1976) | 4–14 |
| 5 | Miami (FL) | n/a | 47–13 (n/a) | Jim Morris | 14 (last:1995) | 1st (1982,1985) | 29–25 |
| 6 | LSU | SEC | 48–15 (20–10) | Skip Bertman | 7 (last:1994) | 1st (1991,1993) | 15–11 |
| 7 | Florida State | ACC | 51–15 (19–5) | Mike Martin | 14 (last:1995) | 2nd (1970,1986) | 18–28 |
| 8 | Oklahoma State | Big 8 | 45–19 (17–9) | Gary Ward | 17 (last:1993) | 1st (1959) | 38–32 |
| First round | Second round | Semifinals | Finals | |||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Alabama | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Oklahoma State | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Alabama | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Miami (FL) | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Clemson | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Miami (FL) | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Miami (FL) | 14 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Bracket One | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Clemson | 5 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 8 | Oklahoma State | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Clemson | 810 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1 | Alabama | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4 | Clemson | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 5 | Miami (FL) | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | LSU | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Florida | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Florida State | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Florida | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | LSU | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Wichita State | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | LSU | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 6 | LSU | 2 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Bracket Two | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Florida | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Florida State | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Wichita State | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Florida | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 7 | Florida State | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Date | Game | Winner | Score | Loser | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31 | Game 1 | Alabama | 7–5 | Oklahoma State | |
| Game 2 | Miami (FL) | 7–3 | Clemson | ||
| June 1 | Game 3 | Florida | 5–2 | Florida State | |
| Game 4 | LSU | 9–8 | Wichita State | ||
| June 2 | Game 5 | Miami (FL) | 15–1 | Alabama | |
| Game 6 | Clemson | 8–5 (10 innings) | Oklahoma State | Oklahoma State eliminated | |
| June 3 | Game 7 | LSU | 9–4 | Florida | |
| Game 8 | Florida State | 8–4 | Wichita State | Wichita State eliminated | |
| June 4 | Game 9 | Clemson | 14–13 | Alabama | Alabama eliminated |
| Game 10 | Florida | 6–3 | Florida State | Florida State eliminated | |
| June 5 | Game 11 | Miami (FL) | 14–5 | Clemson | Clemson eliminated |
| June 6 | Game 12 | LSU | 2–1 | Florida | Florida eliminated |
| June 8 | Final | LSU | 9–8 | Miami (FL) | LSU wins CWS |
The following players were members of the College World Series All-Tournament Team.
| Position | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| P | J.D. Arteaga | Miami (FL) |
| Ed Yarnall | LSU | |
| C | Tim Lanier | LSU |
| 1B | Chris Moller | Alabama |
| 2B | Rudy Gomez | Miami (FL) |
| 3B | Pat Burrell (MOP) | Miami (FL) |
| SS | Alex Cora | Miami (FL) |
| OF | Justin Bowles | LSU |
| Michael DeCelle | Miami (FL) | |
| Brad Wilkerson | Florida | |
| DH | Chuck Hazzard | Florida |