The Cal Poly Pomona baseball team will take on University of Tampa (Fla.) on Sunday in the NCAA Division II Elite 8 in Cary, N.C.
A couple of old friends will have their teams square off in a first round game. Cal Poly Pomona coach Randy Betten was a teammate of Tampa coach Joe Urso in 1996 with the Lake Elsinore Storm, then an Angels minor league affiliate.
The two have kept in touch. It was Urso that told Betten if his team won the West regional theirs would be squaring off in the College World Series.
The Broncos (43-15) are making their first appearance in that event in 30 years. Betten’s team finished first in the CCAA in the regular season, then won the postseason conference tournament to win the automatic bid to the West Region which it hosted.
Tampa (39-13) is the South Region champion and making its 16th straight NCAA appearance, including ones in all 15 years Urso has been at the helm.
Here’s what Betten had to say about facing his old friend’s team: