The road to Omaha begins in Athens, Georgia, for Duke baseball. The Blue Devils head into the NCAA Regional with momentum and a mission: to reach their second Super Regional in the last three years. But standing in the way are three formidable foes — No. 7 national seed Georgia, a battle-tested Oklahoma State, and upset-minded Binghamton.
Here’s a closer look at each opponent Duke must face to keep its postseason dreams alive.
Georgia: Power at the Plate, Volatility on the Mound
The first thing you notice about Georgia? The long ball — and lots of it. The Bulldogs lead the nation with a staggering 133 home runs, boasting eight players with double-digit dingers. Leading the charge is Robbie Burnett, who’s mashed 20 homers this season with a fly-ball rate north of 55%. This is a team built to launch — and lift — with dangerous power up and down the order.
But that high-flying offense comes with risk. Several regular starters are batting below .250, and the home run-or-bust mentality can backfire. For Duke pitchers, the key is simple: keep the ball in the yard. Well-placed fly balls can turn into loud outs, and the Blue Devils’ arms must take full advantage.
Beyond the power, Georgia’s lineup is balanced with 290 walks and a team batting average of .286. Sluggers like Kolby Branch and Nolan McCarthy provide extra muscle behind Burnett, while former Blue Devil Devin Obee adds a familiar face in an unfamiliar uniform.
On the mound, Georgia’s numbers are skewed by a brutal SEC schedule, but their rotation is no joke. Brian Curley and Leighton Finley lead a starting staff that helped earn an 18-12 conference record. The Bulldogs average over 11 strikeouts per nine innings, but control issues persist — eight pitchers have issued at least 15 walks. For a disciplined Duke team that thrives on drawing walks, that could be a major advantage.
In short, Georgia has Omaha potential — but plays an all-or-nothing brand of baseball. If Duke can exploit their volatility, a regional upset is on the table.
—Dom Fenoglio
Oklahoma State: Pitching-First, Hoping the Bats Wake Up
Oklahoma State sneaked into the tournament as one of the last four at-large selections, following an underwhelming season in the Big 12. The culprit? An offense that ranks near the bottom among tournament teams, batting just .254 — dead last in the field of 64.
Still, the Cowboys are dangerous — thanks to elite pitching. Despite offensive struggles, Oklahoma State finished with a 28-win season and a winning record in one of the nation’s toughest conferences. The team’s 3.57 ERA ranks sixth-best in the tournament field.
The ace of the staff is junior Harrison Bodendorf, who carries a 10-1 record and a 2.77 ERA over 15 starts. Expect Bodendorf to start game one, likely against Duke. He’s backed by a deep, reliable bullpen that keeps the ball in play and limits walks.
Offensively, the Cowboys remain a question mark — but they’re not completely without power. Oklahoma State ranks in the top half of the field in home runs. If their bats heat up just enough to support their arms, they could emerge as a sleeper team in the Athens Regional.
—Caleb Dudley
Binghamton: Underdog With a Contact-First Game
Don’t sleep on Binghamton. The Bearcats earned their spot in the Athens Regional with a gritty run through the America East Tournament, capped off by an 11-inning thriller over Bryant to punch their NCAA ticket.
Their offensive identity is clear: make contact and put the ball in play. Binghamton’s .294 team batting average and just 359 strikeouts all season show a disciplined, low-strikeout approach. Unlike Georgia, they focus on ground balls, not long balls — and that means Duke will need to rely on strong infield defense and pitching efficiency.
The pitching staff tells a similar story. Starters Hayden Tarsia and Ryan Packard lead a group that doesn’t overpower hitters, but limits mistakes. The bullpen, featuring three freshmen, will be tested under the postseason spotlight — and Duke will need to capitalize on any signs of nerves.
Binghamton may not bring SEC-level talent, but their consistency, contact hitting, and opportunistic play make them a dangerous team in a tournament setting. They rarely beat themselves — which is often half the battle in the postseason.
Dom Fenoglio
Final Word
The Athens Regional is loaded with contrast: power-hitting Georgia, pitching-rich Oklahoma State, and steady, small-ball Binghamton. If Duke can find its stride — combining plate discipline with timely pitching — a trip to the Super Regional is well within reach. But in this wide-open bracket, every pitch, every at-bat, and every decision will matter.
Let the madness begin.
