The Spartans, which are the No. 3 seed in the Palo Alto Regional, are deservedly anxious to represent the Green and White in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1979.

“We’re gonna go out there with the idea that we’re gonna play well, and hopefully show people what Big Ten baseball is all about,” head coach Jake Boss Jr. said. “So guys are excited, guys are ready to play (and) I think there’s a focus there that I would expect to carry over until Friday.”

Many familiar faces in the athletics department have been quick extend their congratulations to himself and the team, Boss said, adding that both head football coach Mark Dantonio and hockey coach Tom Anastos visited practice this week to talk with the team.

“Everybody’s been very, very supportive (and) very excited for us whether it has been a text or a phone call or they popped into the office yesterday and today — it’s been really neat,” Jake Boss Jr. said.

The team is going to use the long flight to northern California as an opportunity to look deeper into first-round opponent Pepperdine, Boss said, which is oddly the same first-round opponent the Spartans faced in 1979.

“It’s the dream come true,” Bucciferro said. “I mean, I thought my days were possibly over here as a Spartan. We worked so hard for this and just having the opportunity is amazing.”

Jake Boss Jr. said he isn’t worried the team’s excitement overriding the focus and composure of the club, in fact, he’s telling his players to embrace the shower of love and praise they are receiving from family and friends.

He mentioned Bucciferro, particularly, as someone whose nerves haven’t truly settled since MSU was announced in the 64-team NCAA Tournament field.

“I think that’s all part of the experience,” Boss said. “It’s something that hasn’t been done in 33 years and I think they deserve those accolades and it’s neat for those kids to experience that.”

Junior second baseman Ryan Jones described the mentality of the team prior to departure as relaxed and focused. MSU isn’t worried about being the only team that has to make a cross-country trip to the regional, Jones said.

“We haven’t really talked about it much, but we know … it’s going to be a long trip,” Jones said. “But I think the excitement is just going to take over and we’re thrilled to go out there and we’re ready for what Pepperdine has in store for us.”