In a sport dominated by teams playing in warm weather climates, Stony Brook, the New York state school located on Long Island, stunned the college baseball community in 2012 as they advanced all the way to the sport's biggest stage, the College World Series in Omaha.
The northeastern school with a roster consisting of about half players from New York state proved that the weather obstacle could be overcome as they became the first team from the America East conference to ever reach Omaha.
After escaping a four-team Regional filled with traditional powers like University of Miami and Central Florida, Stony Brook advanced to the Super Regional where they faced a loaded Louisiana State team. Coming into LSU's multi-million dollar stadium, Stony Brook lost the first game of the series to the Tigers in extra innings before coming back to stun the LSU fans with back-to-back wins to earn a trip to Omaha.
Although the Seawolves' unbelievable run came to an abrupt halt at the CWS, their success will serve as an inspiration for all northern teams in the future as they became the feel-good story of the year in all of NCAA sports.
CHARACTER YOU'll LOVE:
Travis Jankowski—the future first round draft selection of the San Diego Padres was the heart and soul of Stony Brook's lethal lineup. After the season the Pennsylvania native was awarded with first team All-American honors, according to Baseball America, and was the ABCA/Rawlings National Co-Player of the Year.