With the decade winding down in just a matter of weeks, we’ve done
our part in bringing you the best of the decade for several categories
in college baseball. It doesn’t stop now, though. In our latest best of
the decade feature, we take an inside look at the best teams that didn’t get to the College World Series this decade.

10. Houston (2002)

Record. 48-16

The skinny. This selection may surprise a few people, but
this Houston team was fabulous. The Cougars stormed through C-USA play
and earned a regular season title. They also hit the road and took care
of business in the Tempe Regional against Arizona State. The Cougars
played Texas in the Austin Super Regional and went three games. The
‘Horns, however, won the series and also won another national title.
Big leaguers Chris Snyder and Michael Bourn led the offense. Jesse
Crain, Brad Sullivan and Ryan Wagner headlined the pitching staff. The
Cougars would’ve made much noise in Omaha.

9. Stanford (2004)

Record. 46-14

The skinny. The Cardinal put together an impressive regular
season campaign that included a Pac-10 title. They also earned a
national seed. Stanford defeated UNLV and St. John’s in the Palo Alto
Regional, but ultimately was unable to get past Long Beach State. The
Cardinal ended the season with a .324 batting average with Jed Lowrie,
Danny Putnam, Brian Hall, John Mayberry Jr. and Donny Lucy leading the
way. Stanford ended the season with a 4.35 ERA with relievers David
O’Hagan and Matt Manship as the headliners. This was the last Stanford
team expected to get to Omaha.

8. UC Irvine (2009)

Record. 45-15

The skinny. The Anteaters haven’t skipped a beat since coach
Mike Gillespie took over the program two seasons ago. The ‘Eaters
dominated the Big West last season and compiled an impressive 22-2
conference record. They also earned a national seed and hosted the
nation’s toughest regional, which included San Diego State, Virginia
and Fresno State. The ‘Eaters lost to Virginia in the regional title
game. UCI finished last season with a .314 batting average and a 4.43
ERA. It also made history by being ranked No. 1 for several weeks
during the regular season. This was an excellent team that ran into a
buzz saw in regional action.

7. Rice (2004)

Record. 46-14

The skinny. What a strange end to the season it was for the
Owls. Rice cruised through WAC play and won the regular season title by
more than six games. The Owls earned a national seed and hosted the
Houston Regional. There, though, the Owls were surprised by in-state
rival Texas A&M in the regional title game. They also suffered one
of the most shocking postseason upsets ever to Texas Southern in the
opening game. The Owls had a potent offense and a phenomenal pitching
staff with Wade Townsend, Philip Humber, Josh Baker and Jeff Niemann
leading the way. Rice coach Wayne Graham would love to have this
regional back.

6. Arizona State (2008)

Record. 49-13

The skinny. The Sun Devils put together a fantastic regular
season campaign and claimed a second consecutive Pac-10 title. They
also had little trouble in regional play with Oklahoma before playing
Fresno State in the Tempe Super Regional. The red-hot Bulldogs upset
the Sun Devils in a three-game set. It was a surprising end to Arizona
State’s season. This team finished the year with an amazing .342
batting average with Brett Wallace, Ike Davis and Jason Kipnis leading
the way. The pitching staff also was solid with ace pitcher Mike Leake
as the headliner. ASU could’ve won another title.

5. Mississippi (2005)

Record. 48-20

The skinny. The Rebels didn’t have the overall record of some
teams on this list, but this was an excellent team with several
big-time players. The Rebels had little trouble with Maine and Oklahoma
in the Oxford Regional before getting the lucky draw of Texas in the
Oxford Super Regional. Okay, we’re kidding about the lucky part. The
Rebels and Longhorns went three games and UT eventually won the
national title with a CWS title series win over Florida. Texas coach
Augie Garrido famously said in Omaha that Ole Miss was the best team in
the country. The Rebels had an excellent weekend rotation, a great
reliever and a plethora of great hitters.

4. Florida State (2003)

Record. 54-13

The skinny. Just a year after failing to get to Omaha with a
phenomenal team, it was like d