Tennessee baseball has been outside the host projections, but after their success in the SEC Tournament, the Vols have jumped into the top 16 seeds and are set to host the NCAA Tournament Regionals on Rocky Top.
Tennessee is one of eight SEC programs named as hosts for the Regional Round, including Arkansas, Auburn, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Texas, and Vanderbilt.
The Vols' 43-16 record seemed good enough to secure Tennessee a host spot, but their 16-14 SEC record, combined with five straight SEC series losses, put them just outside the top 16 seeds heading into the SEC Tournament.
That made Tennessee's wins over Alabama and Texas in the SEC Tournament the biggest wins of the year because they ultimately secured Tennessee's spot as one of the top 16 seeds in the NCAA Tournament.
Each win in the SEC Tournament showed the country that Tennessee could win with dominance on the mound or at the plate.
Tennessee totaled 20 hits and 15 runs in its win over Alabama and then followed up with one of the best pitching performances of the season as Brandon Arvidson stepped up out of the bullpen, pitching a career-high 5.1 innings, totaling nine strikeouts and only one run allowed.
Dylan Loy and Nate Snead came in relief in extra innings to finish off the Longhorns and secure a win over No. 1 seed Texas in the SEC Tournament Quarterfinals.
Those two wins prove Tennessee has everything it needs to return to Omaha and repeat as College World Series champions.
The NCAA will announce the entire field for the NCAA Tournament at 12:00 PM ET on Monday. We will learn who Tennessee will face in the Regional Round and who Tennessee will be matched up with for the Super Regional Round.