"Yeah, I got all the players' autographs," he said Thursday, as Georgia Tech (51-14) practiced. He doesn't think Tech knew much about him then, however.

Bakker grew up in Omaha, watching the College World Series with his family and friends, generally from the outfield bleachers.

Bakker grew up in a big way, too. He now stands 6-foot-9. The sophomore went 12-2 for the Yellow Jackets this season, picking up two postseason wins to help his team earn a trip to Omaha.

"This is just a wonderful feeling. I've wanted this my whole life," he said.

Academics, facilities and coaches were what drew him to Georgia Tech, he said, but coming home like this is special.

"I've never played before 20,000 people before," he said. "I'm sure there are going to be a lot of nervous people, at least the first inning or two."

Bakker also likes some of the changes he sees at Rosenblatt Stadium. Gone are the old wooden bleachers he used to frequent beyond the outfield fences. New plastic seats with backs have been installed. The fences also have been moved back in the power alleys and raised by 2 feet.

A pitcher likes to see that, Bakker said.

"It sure helps, especially in a place like this. This is a hitters' park," he said.

Approaching a milestone

Clemson All-American shortstop Khalil Green is two hits short of 400 for his collegiate career. He could become only the second player in NCAA history to reach that milestone in the College World Series over the next week.

The junior has 398 hits in 268 games for the Tigers, an average of 1.49 hits per game. Only Wichita State's Phil Stephenson (1979-82) has topped the 400-hit mark in Division I. He had 418 in 288 games, an average of 1.45 per game.

Greene also is second in the NCAA in career doubles with 92. He is within reach of No. 1 Mark Standiford, who had 94 for Wichita State from 1985-88.

Earlier this month, Greene was the first-round draft pick of the San Diego Padres, the 14th overall pick.

Underdog

Notre Dame coach Paul Mainieri has no trouble thinking his Fighting Irish are the underdogs of the eight-team College World Series. He also is quick to note some of the most-memorable experiences in Notre Dame athletic history were when the Irish were underdogs.

Mainieri said his team hears people yelling "Rudy" frequently.

That refers to former groundskeeper aide Rudy Ruettiger, who never gave up his dream of playing football for the Irish. His dedication earned him a chance to pull on a uniform and get in a game for Notre Dame.

After upsetting top-ranked Florida State in the super regional at Tallahassee, Fla., last weekend, Mainieri said he even received a call from Rudy.

"The real one," Mainieri said. "He called to wish us luck ... and say he was proud of us."

League banner

The Big 12 Conference has not won a College World Series game since Oklahoma won the national championship in 1994.

Since then, the league has gone 0-8, but Texas coach Augie Garrido and Nebraska coach Dave Van Horn do not feel any special burden to redeem the Big 12 this year.

Garrido, who won three CWS championships with Cal State-Fullerton, said the tournament is all about winning for the kids and whoever else benefits, that's OK with him.

Van Horn, whose Huskers went home after two games last year, said the Big 12 is a good league with good teams. He believes it is only a matter of time when one of those quality teams puts good games together at the series. That could happen this week, he said.

"It's just awfully hard to win here," Garrido said.