Getting hot at the end of the season applies to P5’s as well. In 2016 Boston College came within one game of going to the CWS.
After 45 games they were 25-20. They were playing poorly in the ACC. They only had a winning record due to beating up on soft (relative to ACC play) New England non conference teams. When they lost 18-6 to Bryant I figured they were toast.,Then they went on a 10-2 tear to finish the regular season.
They had to play the ACC play in game and got smacked. I thought, “Welcome back to reality.” I figured the season was over. But, they got one of the final slots and ripped rough their region. They took Miami to three games in the Super Series.
What BC had going for them that year was three pitchers who got hot. Two of them are now in the majors.
From conversations with parents that late season run saved the coach’s job. He was close to getting fired. He hadn’t had a winning season in five years. He’s still there five years after 2016.