Revived Cal Baseball Team Gears Up For College World Series
BERKELEY (KCBS) --- The University of California at Berkeley baseball team has gone from being cut due to budget woes to heading to Omaha, Nebraska Wednesday morning for its first College World Series appearance since 1992.
Tuesday some of the players were at their final practice on the UC Berkeley Campus before heading off to play for the title.
At a sunny and warm Evans Diamond, an Omaha pop station was broadcast over the loudspeakers during the practice.
Left fielder and lead-off hitter Austin Booker said the tremendous ups and downs of the year have gave the team a renewed focus.
KCBS' Anna Duckworth Reports:
"We feel that there's no obstacle that can get in our way," he said. "We think we have the possibility to beat any team we play against."
Nine months ago Cal's baseball program was eliminated due to budget cuts, and supporters launched a huge fundraising effort that raised 10 million dollars.
In April the program was reinstated, and on Sunday the team cemented its trip to the series.
Pitcher Erik Johnson said the attention is inspiring.
"This is great for the program and great for recruiting," he said.
Cal plays national top seed Virginia on Sunday.
The team's last College World Series title was won in 1957.
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