The Wildcats lost the opener of the College World Series in a game full of quirks — a balk, fan interference, hits batsmen, and what Arizona coach Chip Hale called

Arizona made it to Omaha all but one year from 1954-60 and won its three titles in the 1970s and 1980s across five CWS appearances. After missing it 17 consecutive times between 1987 and 2003, the Wildcats returned to the CWS in 2004, marking their first of five appearances this century. Four of those trips have come since 2012.

Before the NCAA Baseball Tournament began, we asked our readers how well they thought Arizona would do. Considering the Wildcats had gone 0-2 in the previous two tourneys, it would be understandable if the expectations were low.

Arizona debuted in 1954 and made five total appearances in the ‘50s. The Wildcats showed up three times each in the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, while winning the 1976, 1980 and 1986 titles. Then came a slump of just one appearance between 1986 and 2012, though the program has reached the CWS four times since then.

Miami (25), Florida State (24),  Arizona State (22), USC (21), LSU (20) and Oklahoma State (20). But while Arizona may still trail Arizona State in total College World Series appearances,