Correct....depending on which poll you look at, UCI was anywhere from 15th - 17th....they are always a contender, solid pitching/defense, and guys who take quality AB's and battle at the plate.
Difference to me, is two-fold:
1) As many have said before, pitching. To get to the upper echelon in the college baseball world, you have to be able to run out at least two "Friday night starters"...see Vanderbilt with Rocker and Leiter. You watch these regional games, you see teams running out kids throwing at least low 90's, with some having bigger, power arms who work in the mid 90's consistently, with wipeout breaking pitches.
2) Line-up depth. I'll give credit to my old college teammate, Coach Pearson...he has those kids taking a great approach at the plate; however, we just don't have the luxury of a lot of the top-tier teams, as they can fill four-five spots (if not more) in their line-up with Hostetler type hitters. Not a knock on the current roster, just a fact.
Be nice to see us grab some of these kids away from Minnesota/Nebraska/other P5 in the recruiting game...but, as with anything, that poses a challenge. Hell, one of Schwabe's college teammates at Boone is currently the lead-off hitter for NC State and hitting well over .300....would have been a solid package deal.
At any rate....helluva season by the boys and hopefully they can keep that momentum going forward.