An in-depth look at the Southwest Missouri State Bears, one of the eight teams competing in the College World Series, which starts Friday at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Neb. (coaches' record at current schools through Super Regionals):

Southwest Missouri State Bears
Record: 40-24
Coach: Keith Guttin (751-421, 21st year).

Road To Omaha: Won Lincoln Regional: beat Coastal Carolina 8-3; beat Nebraska 4-2; lost to Nebraska 9-5; beat Nebraska 7-0. Won Columbus Super Regional: beat Ohio St. 13-8; beat Ohio St. 13-7.

2003 record vs. CWS teams: 0-0.

Last CWS appearance: First appearance.

All-time record in CWS: 0-0 (first appearance).

Players to Watch: OF Dant'e Brinkley (.349, 8, 47, 24 SBs), 3B Brooks Colvin (45 RBIs), SS-RHP Shaun Marcum (2.51, 13 saves; 6 HRs, 41 RBIs), OF Greg Mathis (.320, 48 RBIs), RHP Chad Mulholland (10-3, 2.98), C Tony Piazza (.306, 15, 55), RHP Brad Ziegler (12-1, 4.29).

Short Hops: Bears in CWS for first time in program's 21 years at Division I level. ... Made it to Super Regionals for first time after being within one win last year, losing to Nebraska, and in 1999, when Bears lost to Clemson. ... Scored 21 of 26 runs against Ohio State in Super Regionals with two outs. ... Hit 28 homers in regular season, but have eight in postseason. ... Ziegler, Bears' career leader in wins (32), strikeouts (328), complete games (18) and innings pitched (359), was Missouri Valley Conference pitcher of year after winning school-record 12 games. ... Mulholland, MVC newcomer of year, has school-record 114 strikeouts. ... Mathis is second on school's career list in games played (866), at-bats (230) and is tied for first with Colvin with 16 career sacrifice flies. ... Marcum is career leader with 18 saves. ... Brinkley has school-record 69 stolen bases and is within one triple of school mark of 20.