Oregon baseball squeaks into NCAA baseball tournament as No. 3 seed

A month ago, the chances of Oregon making the NCAA baseball tournament seemed slim to none. They had fallen off a cliff after a starting the year 13-2, losing series after series as the season seemed to slip away from them. But then, the Ducks got hot when it mattered most, winning 14 of their final 18 games, including a series win over No. 2 UCLA to close out the regular season.

On Monday morning, the Ducks were rewarded for their strong finish with a spot in the NCAA baseball tournament. Oregon will travel to the Springfield Regional in Missouri and face Iowa on Friday at 10 a.m. PT.

Springfield Regional #1 Missouri State vs. #4 Canisius #3 Oregon vs. #2 Iowa #RoadToOmaha pic.twitter.com/otAIiHduvZ

— NCAA Baseball (@NCAACWS) May 25, 2015

The Hawkeyes may have the better record at 39-16, but stumbled into the tournament, losing four of their final six games.

Iowa is 39-16 and hoped to host a regional before losing four of its last six games. Regional host Missouri State is No. 8 overall seed.

— Steve Mims (@SteveMims_RG) May 25, 2015

Oregon was considered a bubble team, and even though they became the first team to win a series against UCLA all year, that didn't lock up their postseason spot. Turns out, the Ducks squeaked right in.

Oregon was the second-to-last team in the field. Michigan State – swept the Ducks in Eugene – 3rd team out.

— Will Rubin (@_WillRubin) May 25, 2015

Oregon had the lowest RPI of any bubble team at No. 66. Without one of the walk-off wins against UCLA this weekend, they would have certainly missed the tournament. This marks the fourth straight year the Ducks have reached the postseason.