Weekend 1 Recap + Weekend 2 Preview (Jax Classic, Round Rock, Arlington) | 11.7 College Baseball Podcast

This episode of the 11.7 Podcast serves as a combined Weekend 1 recap, midweek recap, and Weekend 2 preview. They highlight coverage from major opening-week events, including Noah’s on-site recap of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown in Arlington, where Oklahoma went 3–0 and impressed with two-out hitting, aggressive baserunning, and unexpected power. Noah also spotlights Texas Tech freshman Lincoln Garcia and TCU standouts including Noah Franco (four shutout innings vs Arkansas) and shortstop Lucas Franco, while noting TCU starter Tommy LaPorte will miss his upcoming start. The group discusses Noah’s interview video with Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn and his initial reluctance turning into engagement.

Jack recaps calling Coastal Carolina vs Fairfield, praising Coastal’s student-run broadcast production, the atmosphere in Conway, Coastal’s deep pitching, and the fan reaction to coach Kevin Schnall returning for Game 3. The hosts discuss how Coastal has shifted from being known primarily as an offense-first team to emphasizing pitching development, technology, and live arms. Ben also recaps Mercer’s series win over Troy, pointing to Mercer’s improved pitching development and midweek win over Georgia State, while noting Troy’s 16–1 Game 3 response.

Dimitri’s top Weekend 1 series is Southern Miss vs UC Santa Barbara, emphasizing Jackson Flora’s electric stuff and a dramatic Sunday finish that included defensive miscues, a game-tying ball off the center-field wall, and a walk-off walk. They talk about how rare it is for elite pitchers like Flora (UCSB) and Cam Flukey (Coastal) to remain at non-power-conference programs, and later break news that Flukey will not pitch this weekend (not arm-related). They also discuss UT Rio Grande Valley’s energized home crowds vs Kansas, and Noah and Dimitri debate which opening weekend was most impressive, bringing up Michigan’s wins over Oregon State, Arizona, and Stanford, as well as Michigan State beating Louisville twice at Jim Patterson Stadium.

Players of the week include LSU’s Jake Brown (five home runs through four games), Baylor’s Ty Armstrong (three grand slams in one game), Vanderbilt catcher Colin Barczi (three second-deck home runs in Globe Life Field), and Tennessee’s Blaine Brown (three homers on the weekend, then a midweek start with 94–97 mph). They also mention Florida State’s Myles Bailey’s massive first-pitch home run and the Tallahassee atmosphere.

For Weekend 2 previews, they outline multiple tournaments (including Jacksonville College Baseball Classic, Round Rock Classic, and the Amegy Bank College Baseball Series in Arlington) and discuss likely storylines for teams like Indiana, UCF, Notre Dame, Southern Miss, Oregon State, Baylor, and Kansas State (including D. Kennedy’s hot start and LASIK note). They finish with the Weekend Series Pick ’Em slate and make selections for: North Carolina at East Carolina; TCU at UCLA; UTRGV at Houston; Dallas Baptist at UTSA; West Virginia at Liberty; and Wright State at Charlotte, while also noting the new team-page updates on the 11.7 website.

00:00 Welcome Back + Weekend 1 Recap Plan (and missed episode apology)
01:50 Patreon Pick ’Em & Survivor Carnage: Who Got Eliminated?
02:34 Week 1 Pick ’Em Records + Dmitri Counting Before 5 Minutes
05:04 Shoutouts & Chinook Eatery Banter (Santa Claus of snacks)
06:50 Noah’s Arlington Classic Takeaways: Oklahoma, TCU, Texas Tech
11:04 The Tim Corbin Interview Clip: From Cold Shoulder to Chatty
12:38 Jack’s Coastal vs Fairfield Call: Broadcast, Atmosphere, Coastal Blueprint
17:20 Ben’s Mercer Bears Soapbox + Troy Response + Logan Shepherd Bombs
20:10 Dmitri’s Weekend 1 Big Series: Southern Miss vs UC Santa Barbara (Flora)
22:18 Why Elite Arms Are Staying at ‘Mid-Majors’ + Draft/Transfer Ripple Effects
27:45 UTRGV Buzz, Kansas Grit, and Big 12 Depth (Houston, Baylor, etc.)
34:15 Player of the Week Picks + Are the Balls Juiced? (Arlington HRs)
43:16 Wild Series Notes (TCU vs NDSU extras) + Pivot to Weekend 2 Tournaments
44:02 Jacksonville Classic Preview: LSU, Indiana, UCF, Notre Dame Storylines
47:08 Surprise Teams to Watch: Indiana & UCF Buzz
47:54 Notre Dame’s Bounce-Back Case + Gold Helmet Distraction Bit
50:44 Round Rock Classic Preview: Oregon State, Southern Miss, Baylor & Purdue
52:44 Injury Alert & Who Wins Round Rock? Plus Southern Miss Burner Storytime
57:49 Arlington College Baseball Series Preview: Kansas State, Louisville & FSU Picks
01:02:15 Pick ’Em Setup + Travel/Nap Debate Before Weekend Series
01:07:05 Rapid-Fire Picks with Jack (Then He Gets Kicked)
01:08:43 Weekend Series Breakdown: UNC–ECU & TCU–UCLA
01:15:05 Upset Watch: UTRGV at Houston + UTSA vs Dallas Baptist Showdown
01:23:33 Liberty vs West Virginia + Wright State vs Charlotte Picks
01:31:29 Wrap-Up: Week 2 Ahead, Schedule Notes & Sign-Off