College Baseball Top 25: May 20, 2013
May 20, 2013
1. VANDERBILT
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 48-7, 26-3 in SEC. (11-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 14-0.
Vanderbilt took two of three from Alabama to set a new record for Southeastern
Conference wins in a season, finishing 26-3 in SEC play. The previous record
was set by South Carolina in 2000 (25-5). The Commodores have won 18
consecutive weekend series dating back to last April. Connor Harrell (2-for-4,
2 RBI) and Kyle Smith (2-for-3, 3 R, 2 RBI) each homered Thursday in support of
Walker Buehler (7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K). The Tide handed Vandy closer
Brian Miller (1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) his first loss of the season on Friday. Bama’s
Spencer Turnbull (5.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) and Kevin Ziomek (5 IP, 3 H, 2
R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 10 K) were solid in no-decisions, though neither was
particularly efficient. Eight Commodores recorded hits as part of a balanced
nine-hit attack Saturday, and Conrad Gregor led the offense with two runs and
three RBIs. Tyler Beede (3.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) saw his remarkable
streak of victories in 13 consecutive starts end Saturday, but Steven Rice (2.1
IP, 2 H, 0 R) continued to contribute valuable innings out of the bullpen,
earning the win.
RESULTS
May 14: Belmont: W 6-1
May 16-18: Alabama: W 7-6, L 5-4 (10 innings), W 14-10
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ SEC tournament, Hoover, Ala.
2. LOUISIANA STATE
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 48-8, 23-7 in
SEC. (13-5 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 11-1.
The Tigers won the first two games of their series against Ole Miss then rested
their regulars in Saturday’s series finale. Cody Glenn (7 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 0 BB,
2 K) turned in his third straight strong outing Thursday, while Raph Rhymes
(3-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, HR) and Mason Katz (3-for-4, 3 R, RBI, HR, 2 2B) led the
LSU attack. On Friday, the night LSU’s baseball facility was renamed
"Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field,” the Tigers did something Bertman’s LSU
teams never did. Rhymes blasted a two-run homer in the eighth inning to propel
the Tigers to a 5-4 win, giving LSU its school-record 48th regular-season
victory and its school-record 23rd SEC win. Kurt McCune (4 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB,
2 K) was solid in place of a resting Aaron Nola. LSU’s backups took a five-run
lead with seven runs in the second inning Saturday, but Ole Miss rallied back
and took the lead for good with five in the seventh. Ryan Eades (4 IP, 7 H, 5
ER, 3 BB, 2 K) was lackluster in a no-decision for the Tigers, who await the Auburn/Alabama
winner in the SEC tournament.
RESULTS
May 14: New Orleans: W 11-2
May 16-18: (24) Mississippi: W 7-1, W 5-4, L 11-9
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ SEC tournament, Hoover, Ala.
3. CAL STATE FULLERTON
Last Week: 4-0. Overall: 45-8, 20-4 in Big West. (9-2 vs. Top
25). Weekend Series: 13-0.
Fullerton swept UC Irvine in dramatic fashion to clinch their fourth
consecutive Big West championship, and their 27th in 39 years. That earned the
Titans the Big West’s automatic bid, extending their NCAA tournament streak to
22 straight years. Michael Lorenzen broke up a no-hit bid by Andrew Thurman
(6.2 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 8 K) with a seventh-inning single Friday, sparking a
five-run rally that propelled the Titans to a 5-2 win. Lorenzen (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0
R, 0 BB, 2 K) also recorded five outs to pick up his 17th save. Thomas Eshelman
(7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) improved to 10-2, 1.51 with a 66-2 K-BB mark in 96
innings this year. The Anteaters came from behind with two runs in the ninth
against Lorenzen to tie Saturday’s game, but Carlos Lopez crushed a walk-off
solo homer in the bottom of the frame. Lorenzen’s third blown save of the
season cost Justin Garza (7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K) his 12th win of the
season, which would have set a Fullerton freshman record. But Lorenzen had
given the Titans the lead in the first place with a two-run double in the
third. Lorenzen’s two-run triple in the eighth helped the Titans overcome a 5-2
deficit Sunday, and Lopez struck again with a walk-off three-run homer in the
bottom of the ninth.
RESULTS
May 14: (8) UCLA: W 5-2
May 17-19: UC Irvine: W 5-2, W 3-2, W 7-5
UPCOMING
May 23-25: @ Cal State Northridge
4. OREGON STATE
Last Week: 2-1. Overall: 43-9, 22-5 in
Pac-12 (12-4 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 11-2.
Oregon State took two of three at Oregon, giving the Beavers a two-game lead
over the Ducks and UCLA heading into the last weekend of Pac-12 play. Matt Boyd
(8 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) was strong in a losing cause Friday, keeping the
Ducks off the board after they scored three runs over the first two innings,
but Oregon State was shut out on two hits by Tommy Thorpe and Jimmie
Sherfy. Andrew Moore (9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K) threw his second shutout
of the year Saturday and improved to 11-1, and the Beavers broke open a close game
in the late innings to even the series with a 9-0 win. Andy Peterson (4-for-5,
2 R, 2 RBI) led Oregon State’s 12-hit attack, and the Beavers got solo homers
from Michael Conforto and Ryan Barnes. Conforto (3-for-5, 6 RBI) hit a grand
slam to help the Beavers break open Sunday’s game with five runs in the second,
helping Ben Wetzler (6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) win his seventh
straight start.
RESULTS
May 17-19: @ (10) Oregon: L 3-0, W 9-0, W 12-2
UPCOMING
May 21: (11) Oregon
5. VIRGINIA
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 45-9, 22-8 in
ACC (9-3 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 10-2.
Virginia took two of three in Chapel Hill to finish in a virtual tie with UNC
atop the ACC Coastal Division, but the Tar Heels earned the division title by
virtue of a better winning percentage (.750 to .733). All nine UVa. starters
recorded hits as part of a 17-hit barrage Thursday. Mike Papi and Nate Irving
had three hits apiece to lead the Virginia offense in support of Brandon
Waddell (7 IP, 8 H, 4 ER), who settled down after allowing four runs over the
first three innings. The Tar Heels stormed back from a 5-2 deficit with six
runs in the eighth to win 8-5 Friday. Virginia entered the game 37-0 when
leading after seven innings, but UNC rallied back against heretofore dominant
closer Kyle Crockett (0.2 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 1 BB), who threw 33 pitches over
two scoreless innings Thursday. Derek Fisher went 4-for-4 in a losing
cause, while Papi and Brandon Downes each homered. UVa.’s bullpen blew another
three-run eighth-inning lead Saturday, but Virginia scored four in the top of
the 11th, and held off UNC’s rally in the bottom of the frame. Brandon Downes
and John LaPrise had two RBIs apiece to lead the UVa. offense in that one.
RESULTS
May 14: Virginia Commonwealth: W 17-3
May 16-18: @ (3) North Carolina: W 10-4, L 8-5, W 8-7 (11 innings)
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ ACC tournament, Durham, N.C.: (21) Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech,
(7) Florida State
6. NORTH CAROLINA
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 47-8, 21-7 in ACC. (3-3 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 9-2-1.
The Tar Heels lost their second straight weekend series, making them just 8-6
since starting the season 39-2. They still finished percentage points ahead of
Virginia in the ACC’s Coastal Division (.750 to .733), earning them the top
seed in the conference tournament and their first ACC regular-season title
since 1990. All nine UVa. starters recorded hits as part of a 17-hit barrage
Thursday, as the Cavaliers knocked around Kent Emanuel (5 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 4 ER,
2 BB, 6 K), who has lost back-to-back starts, allowing 11 runs (nine earned) in
13.1 innings. The Tar Heels stormed back from a 5-2 deficit with six runs in
the eighth Friday to earn a comeback win against a Virginia team that entered
the game 37-0 when leading after seven innings. Michael Russell (4-for-4, 2 R,
RBI) and Mike Zolk (2-for-4, 4 RBI) hit back-to-back triples (driving in a
combined three runs) to highlight the eighth-inning rally. On Saturday, Hobbs
Johnson (7.1 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) carried a one-hitter into the eighth
inning, when Virginia chased him and took a 4-1 lead. The Tar Heels answered
with two in the eighth and another in the ninth to force extra innings.
Virginia scored four in the top of the 11th, and UNC answered with three in the
bottom of the frame, but Skye Bolt flew out to the wall in left field with one
out, and pinch-runner Michael Massardo was doubled off first base to give the
game a bizarre ending. Colin Moran (4-for-5, R, 3 RBI) led the UNC offense.
RESULTS
May 14: Appalachian State: W 2-0
May 16-18: (7) Virginia: L 10-4, W 8-5, L 8-7 (11 innings)
UPCOMING
May 20: (7) Florida State
May 22-26: @ ACC tournament: Miami, (18) Clemson, (6) North Carolina State
7. FLORIDA STATE
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 44-11, 20-10 in ACC (6-6 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 12-2.
The Seminoles clinched their seventh straight ACC Atlantic Division title by
recording their first series win against Clemson since 2009. Clemson ace Daniel
Gossett (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R) was strong in a win against FSU’s No. 4 starter, Peter
Miller (1.1 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB) on Thursday. Marcus Davis put Florida State
ahead Friday with a two-run single in the first, and that proved enough support
for Luke Weaver (7.1 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) and the FSU bullpen, as the
Seminoles evened the series with a 2-1 win. Nine Seminoles recorded hits as
part of a balanced 13-hit attack Saturday in support of Brandon Leibrandt (5
IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K), and Billy Strode (4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) was
outstanding in relief to pick up his first save. With back-to-back series wins
against N.C. State and Clemson to end the regular season, Florida State
effectively sewed up a national seed.
RESULTS
May 13: @ (5) North Carolina State: W 8-4
May 16-18: (17) Clemson: L 8-2, W 2-1, W 6-1
UPCOMING
May 20: @ (6) North Carolina
May 22-26: @ ACC tournament, Durham, N.C.: Georgia Tech, (21) Virginia Tech,
(5) Virginia
8. UCLA
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 37-15, 20-7 in Pac-12 (4-6 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 11-2.
The Bruins swept their third straight conference series, giving them give
straight Pac-12 series wins. They made up a game on Oregon State but still
trail by two games with one weekend remaining. The Bruins scratched out an
unearned run in the ninth to win Friday’s series opener 2-1. Adam Plutko (6 IP,
4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) was strong in a no-decision for the Bruins, who got three
hitless innings of relief from James Kaprielian, Zack Weiss and David Berg.
Eric Filia’s go-ahead three-run double highlighted UCLA’s five-run seventh
Saturday, helping Nick Vander Tuig (6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) improve to 10-3
in the Bruins’ 7-6 win. David Berg (2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) dominated as usual to
pick up his 15th save. Berg (1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) picked up his 16th save Sunday,
setting a new single-season school record and helping UCLA coach John Savage
earn his 400th career victory. Kevin Kramer (3-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI) led the UCLA
offense in support of Grant Watson (5 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER), who picked up his
first win since March 24 against Cal (Week Six).
RESULTS
May 14: @ (4) Cal State Fullerton: L 5-2
May 17-19: @ Southern California: W 2-1, W 7-6, W 5-2
UPCOMING
May 21: UC Santa Barbara
May 24-26: @ Stanford
9. NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 42-13, 19-10
in ACC (8-6 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 7-4-1.
N.C. State swept Duke to finish a half-game behind Florida State in the
Atlantic Division. N.C. State earned the No. 4 seed in the ACC tournament. NCSU
tied the school record for ACC wins in a season (set last year) and won their
42nd overall game, tied for second-most regular-season wins in program history
(behind the 43-win 1988 team). Brett Williams’ two-run triple highlighted N.C.
State’s three-run first inning Thursday, and the Wolfpack never looked back.
Ryan Wilkins (3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) earned the win in relief of Ethan
Ogburn (2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER), while Brad Stone (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K)
returned to the bullpen and sparkled to pick up his first save. Bryan Adametz
(2-for-5, 2 R) led off the 10th Friday with an infield single and eventually
scored the winning run on a wild pitch, as the Wolfpack clinched the series
with a 7-6 win. Carlos Rodon (9 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 15 K) labored early
but was dominant in his last four innings of work, striking out nine of the
last 12 hitters he faced while holding the Blue Devils hitless and scoreless.
Logan Jernigan (4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K) got a no-decision Saturday in his
return to the weekend rotation, and Adametz (3-for-5, 4 RBI) led N.C. State’s
15-hit attack.
RESULTS
May 13: (9) Florida State: L 8-4
May 16-18: @ Duke: W 5-2, W 7-6 (10 innings), W 9-1
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ ACC tournament, Durham, N.C.: (18) Clemson, Miami, (6) North
Carolina
10. LOUISVILLE
Last Week: 4-0. Overall: 46-10, 20-4 in Big East. (8-3 vs. Top
25). Weekend Series: 11-2.
The Cardinals swept Pittsburgh to win the Big East regular-season title
outright, their fourth regular-season championship in the last five years.
Louisville has won 16 straight games (the nation’s longest active streak and
Louisville’s longest since 1950) and matched the school record for
regular-season victories (46) set in 2010. Ty Young (2-for-3, 2 RBI) hit a
two-run single Thursday to cap Louisville’s four-run fourth in support of Chad
Green (5 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). Jeff Gardner (2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI) hit
two home runs Friday, including a three-run shot to highlight Louisville’s
six-run third inning, helping Jeff Thompson (7 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K)
improve to 10-1. Gardner’s two-run triple highlighted Louisville’s five-run
third Saturday in support of Dace Kime (4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K), and four
UofL relievers worked a combined 5.1 innings of four-hit relief to preserve the
victory.
RESULTS
May 14: @ Ohio State: W 6-3
May 16-18: (21) Pittsburgh: W 5-2, W 12-4, W 7-4
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ Big East tournament, Clearwater, Fla.
11. OREGON
Last Week: 3-2. Overall: 43-13, 20-7 in Pac-12 (9-10 vs. Top 25).Weekend Series: 9-5.
Oregon dropped a late-season series against Oregon State for the second
straight year, dropping the Ducks into a tie with UCLA for second place in the
Pac-12, two games behind the Beavers. With five series losses and just a 6-10
mark against the RPI top 50, Oregon’s national seed hopes are in jeopardy.
Tommy Thorpe (8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K) was masterful in Oregon’s 3-0 win
Friday, allowing just a pair of infield singles in the second and third
innings. Jimmie Sherfy fanned two in a scoreless ninth to pick up his 20th
save. Oregon State’s Andrew Moore shut out the Ducks on two hits Saturday to
win the battle of stellar freshmen against Cole Irvin (7 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3
K). Michael Conforto’s second-inning grand slam against Jake Reed (2.2 IP, 8 H,
7 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) gave the Beavers control of Sunday’s game, and OSU went
on to out-hit the Ducks 17-6 in a lopsided rubber game.
RESULTS
May 14-15: Gonzaga: W 4-3, W 4-1
May 17-19: (6) Oregon State: W 3-0, L 9-0, L 12-2
UPCOMING
May 24-26: @ Utah
12. INDIANA
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 40-13, 17-7 in
Big Ten (2-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 9-1-1.
The Hoosiers took two of three at Ohio State to win their first Big Ten
regular-season title in 64 years, and their first outright title since 1932.
Ohio State’s Patrick Porter hit an RBI triple against Joey DeNato (8 IP, 9 H, 2
ER, 3 BB, 2 K) to break a 1-1 tie in the seventh Thursday. Indiana rallied for
two runs in the ninth to tie Friday’s game against Ohio State closer Trace
Dempsey, who carried a 0.28 ERA and 17 saves into the contest. IU scored the
go-ahead run in the 10th after executing a perfect hit-and-run and safety
squeeze, and Nick Ramos (who tied the game with a sacrifice fly in the ninth)
punctuated the rally later in the frame with a grand slam. Kyle Schwarber
(3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, HR) led IU’s 11-hit attack Saturday in support of Kyle
Hart (8.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER).
RESULTS
May 14: @ Kentucky: L 5-3
May 16-18: @ Ohio State: L 2-1, W 7-2 (10 innings), W 8-1
UPCOMING
May 23-26: @ Big Ten tournament, Minneapolis
13. NEW MEXICO
Last Week: 3-0. Overall: 35-18, 25-5 in MWC (3-4 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 10-2-1.
New Mexico swept San Diego State to set a Mountain West Conference record by
going 25-5 in the league, which it won by seven games over UNLV. New Mexico won
all 10 Mountain West series it played this year. Luke Campbell (2-for-4, 5 RBI)
and Alex Real (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI) each homered Thursday in support of Josh
Walker (5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 0 K), who improved to 10-0 in UNM’s 14-6 win
against Michael Cederoth (6 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) and the Aztecs.
Campbell’s two-run homer in the seventh broke a scoreless tie Friday, and Sam
Wolff (6.1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) turned in another excellent start, leading
the Lobos to a 3-1 win. Josh Melendez (2-for-6, 4 RBI) and Chase Harris
(3-for-4, 2 R, RBI, 2 2B, 3B) led New Mexico’s 14-hit attack Saturday.
RESULTS
May 16-18: @ San Diego State: W 14-6, W 3-1, W 11-7
UPCOMING
May 23-26: @ MWC tournament, Fresno, Calif.
14. ARKANSAS
Last Week: 1-2. Overall: 35-19, 18-11 in SEC. (9-6 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 10-3.
Arkansas dropped two of three at Auburn, snapping its four-series winning
streak. The Hogs still finished third in the SEC, but they’ll need to boost
their RPI in the SEC tournament to have a chance to host a regional. Barrett
Astin (6.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) fell to 4-4 on Thursday, as the Hogs
were shut out on five hits and committed three errors, leading to three
unearned runs. Dominic Ficociello provided all the scoring Friday with an RBI
single in the third in support of Ryne Stanek (7.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 4 K),
who lowered his ERA in SEC action to 0.97. Ficociello (2-for-4, 3 RBI, 2B) led
the offense again Saturday, but the Hogs allowed a season-high 11 runs on 14
hits.
RESULTS
May 16-18: @ Auburn: L 3-0, W 1-0, L 11-6
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ SEC tournament, Hoover, Ala.
15. KANSAS STATE
Last Week: 2-1. Overall: 39-16, 16-8 in
Big 12 (3-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 9-3.
Kansas State took two of three from Oklahoma to clinch its first-ever Big 12
title, and its first regular-season championship in any conference since 1933.
The Wildcats trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth in Friday’s
opener before rallying back to tie the game against the No. 1 2013 draft
prospect, Jonathan Gray (6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). K-State went ahead with
a run in the eighth, and Oklahoma answered with a run in the top of the ninth to
tie it, but Tanner Witt walked to lead off the bottom of the ninth, eventually
scoring the winning run on a passed ball. Ross Kivett, Jared King and Jon Davis
had two hits apiece to lead the K-State offense, while Mitch Meyer had two
RBIs. Shane Conlon and Blair DeBord had three hits apiece Saturday, and Mitch
Meyer contributed two hits and two RBIs to lead the K-State offense.behind Joe
Flattery (5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K). Kivett, Meyer and R.J. Santigate had
three hits apiece in a losing cause Sunday.
RESULTS
May 17-19: (25) Oklahoma: W 6-5, W 5-2, L 7-3
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ Big 12 tournament, Oklahoma City
16. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 40-16, 16-14 in SEC. (8-11 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 8-6.
The Bulldogs took two of three from South Carolina to earn the No. 5 seed in
the SEC tournament; they’ll face 12th-seeded Missouri in Tuesday’s
single-elimination round. At 19-14 against the top 50 teams in the RPI, MSU has
more top 50 wins than any team except LSU, Vanderbilt and North Carolina. The
Bulldogs overcame a 4-1 deficit Thursday with four runs in the eighth, capped
by Brett Pirtle’s go-ahead bases-loaded walk against Tyler Webb. C.T. Bradford,
Demarcus Henderson and Nick Ammirati had three hits apiece to lead MSU’s 14-hit
attack, and four Bulldog relievers combined to work 4.1 innings of two-hit,
shutout relief after taking over for Luis Pollorena (4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER).
Kendall Graveman (6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) was strong in a no-decision
Friday, and MSU scored two runs in the seventh to take the lead, but South
Carolina answered with a run in the eighth to tie it, then won on Grayson
Greiner’s two-run homer in the 10th. MSU had been 35-0 when leading after seven
innings this year. Alex Detz (4-for-4, 2B) led the Mississippi State offense in
that one. Henderson (3-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI) led MSU’s 11-hit attack Saturday, and
the Bulldogs got solid pitching from Jacob Lindgren (4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4
K) and Ross Mitchell (4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER).
RESULTS
May 14: Oral Roberts: W 3-2
May 16-18: (14) South Carolina: W 5-4, L 5-3 (10 innings), W 7-2
UPCOMING
May 21-26: @ SEC tournament, Hoover, Ala.
17. SOUTH CAROLINA
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 39-16, 17-12
in SEC. (6-8 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 10-4.
The Gamecocks dropped two of three at Mississippi State, but they still earned
the No. 4 seed in the SEC tournament, earning them a bye through Tuesday’s
single-elimination round. The Bulldogs overcame a 4-1 deficit with four runs in
the eighth Thursday, capped by Brett Pirtle’s go-ahead bases-loaded walk
against Tyler Webb (1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB). Nolan Belcher (6.1 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 3
BB, 4 K) was strong in a no-decision for the Gamecocks, but Webb blew the save
to sustain just his second loss of the season. Grayson Greiner (3-for-4, 2 R, 2
RBI) hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the top of the 10th Friday to lift the
Gamecocks to a 5-3 win. Jordan Montgomery (7 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) was
strong in a no-decision for South Carolina, which answered MSU’s two-run
seventh with a run in the eighth to tie it. L.B. Dantzler hit a pair of
solo homers to account for all of South Carolina’s scoring in Saturday’s loss.
RESULTS
May 14: Presbyterian: W 4-3
May 16-18: @ (24) Mississippi State: L 5-4, W 5-3 (10 innings), L 7-2
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ SEC tournament, Hoover, Ala.
18. CLEMSON
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 39-17, 18-12 in ACC. (8-10 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 9-5.
The Tigers dropped two of three to finish a game behind Florida State in the
ACC Atlantic, landing them the No. 5 seed in the ACC tournament. Daniel Gossett
(6 IP, 3 H, 0 R) was strong in Thursday’s win, and Shane Kennedy (2-for-5, R, 2
RBI) helped lead Clemson’s balanced 11-hit attack. Thomas Brittle delivered a
two-run inside-the-park home run to break the game open in the third. Matthew
Crownover (4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) took the loss Friday for Clemson,
which got stellar relief work from Clate Schmidt (3.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K).
Zack Erwin (2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER) took his first loss of the season Saturday, and
the Tigers rapped out 13 hits but left 13 men on base.
RESULTS
May 14: South Carolina-Upstate: W 8-7
May 16-18: @ (9) Florida State: W 8-2, L 2-1, L 6-1
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ ACC tournament, Durham, N.C.: (9) North Carolina State, (6) North
Carolina, Miami
19. ARIZONA STATE
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 34-17-1, 15-12
in Pac-12 (7-4 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 9-4.
The Sun Devils dropped two of three at home against Arizona. ASU is seven games
back of Oregon State in the Pac-12, and five behind Oregon and UCLA. Brandon
Dixon (2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI) led Arizona’s 13-hit attack Friday against Trevor
Williams (6 IP, 12 H, 10 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) and the Sun Devils. ASU rallied
from behind with three runs in the eighth to make things interesting, but Nathaniel
Causey flew out with the bases loaded to end the threat. Trever Allen (3-for-4,
R, 3 RBI) led the ASU offense Saturday in support of Ryan Kellogg (6.2 IP, 6 H,
1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K), and the Devils broke a 3-3 tie with three runs in the
bottom of the eighth. Kasey Coffman and Michael Benjamin had three hits and two
RBIs apiece in a losing cause Sunday, but Zak Miller (3.2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2
BB) struggled.
RESULTS
May 15: Texas Tech: W 8-5
May 17-19: Arizona: L 10-7, W 6-3, L 7-6
UPCOMING
May 21: Brigham Young
May 24-26: @ Washington
20. OKLAHOMA STATE
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 39-14, 13-10
in Big 12 (4-2 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 10-2-1.
The Cowboys cemented their at-large case by taking two of three from West
Virginia, earning them the No. 2 seed in the Big 12 tournament. Donnie Walton
(2-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR) led the OSU offense Thursday behind Jason Hursh (6
IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 5 K). Tyler Nurdin (9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K) threw his
second career shutout Friday to lead Oklahoma State to a series-clinching 5-0
win. The Cowboys did all of their scoring in a five-run fifth, recording all
four of their hits in that inning. WVU committed two of its four errors in the
frame. Back-to-back solo homers by Tanner Krietemeier and Randy McCurry in the
ninth weren’t enough to bring Oklahoma State back Saturday, as West Virginia
avoided a sweep with a 5-4 win. Mark Robinette (5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER) took his
first loss of the year in that one.
RESULTS
May 14: @ Wichita State: W 7-2
May 16-18: West Virginia: W 7-4, W 5-0, L 5-4
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ Big 12 tournament, Oklahoma City
21. VIRGINIA TECH
Last Week: 2-0. Overall: 35-19, 15-14 in ACC (5-8 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 7-4.
The Hokies swept two games against Wake Forest (the series finale was rained
out) to finish the regular season with 10 wins in their last 11 games. Virginia
Tech heads to the ACC tournament as the No. 6 seed. Tyler Horan (4-for-4, 4 R,
3 RBI, 2B, HR) led Virginia Tech’s 15-hit onslaught Thursday in support of Joe
Mantiply (6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER). Andrew Rash bashed a go-ahead three-run homer in
the eighth to power the Hokies to a series-clinching 5-3 win Friday. Devin
Burke (6.2 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) was solid in a no-decision for Virginia
Tech, which got a combined five hits and four runs out of Chad Pinder and Mark
Zagunis.
RESULTS
May 16-18: Wake Forest: W 13-2, W 5-3, CCD
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ ACC tournament, Durham, N.C.
22. SETON HALL
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 36-17, 18-6 in
Big East (6-5 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 9-4.
The Pirates won their eighth straight weekend series to earn the No. 2 seed in
the Big East tournament. Seton Hall has won 15 of its last 16 and 36 of its
last 44 since starting the year 0-9. St. John’s jumped on Jon Prosinski (7.1
IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) with three runs in the first Thursday and went
on to pull off the upset. Zack Granite and Zack Weigel had two hits and one RBI
apiece Friday to lead the SHU offense behind Greg Terhune (7.1 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 1
BB, 3 K). Seton Hall erased a 2-0 deficit with four runs in the sixth Saturday,
and the Pirates got a combined six innings of one-hit, shutout relief from Jose
Lopez, Sam Burum and Brian Gilbert.
RESULTS
May 14: vs. Michigan @ Citi Field: W 5-3
May 16-18: St. John’s: L 4-3, W 3-0, W 4-2
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ Big East tournament, Clearwater, Fla.
23. TROY
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 39-16, 20-10 in Sun Belt (4-2 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 9-3.
The Trojans won a road series at South Alabama to share the Sun Belt
regular-season title with the Jaguars. The two teams split a pair of three-game
series this year, and tie-breakers gave Troy the top seed in the conference
tournament. The Trojans, who played road series against each of the next four
seeds in the Sun Belt tournament, have won five straight series. The Jaguars
won Thursday’s opener, taking control of the game with seven runs in the third
to chase Ryan Sorce (2.1 IP, 10 H, 7 ER). Danny Collins (5-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI,
2B, HR) and Logan Pierce (3-for-4, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B, HR) spearheaded Troy’s
16-hit attack Friday behind Shane McClain (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K),
leading the Trojans to a series-leveling 8-3 win. Troy broke a 3-3 tie with two
runs in the seventh. Pierce set the tone with a two-run homer in the first
inning Sunday, giving him three doubles, four homers and nine RBIs in his last
five games. Thomas Austin (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Tanner Hicks (4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER)
provided strong relief for Troy in that one.
RESULTS
May 14: @ UAB: L 6-4
May 16-18: @ (18) South Alabama: L 8-1, W 8-3, W 6-3
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ Sun Belt tournament, Lafayette, La.
24. SOUTH ALABAMA
Last Week: 1-2. Overall: 40-16, 20-10
in Sun Belt (0-2 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 11-3.
The Jaguars dropped two of three at home to Troy; the two teams shared the Sun
Belt regular-season title, but tie-breakers made Troy the top seed in the
conference tournament. The road team won two of three in each of the two series
between USA and Troy this year. Jordan Patterson (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 2B, RBI) and
Nick Zaharion (2-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) led South Alabama’s 17-hit barrage in
Thursday’s win. Troy broke a 3-3 tie Friday with two runs in the seventh
against Dylan Stamey (1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 2 ER). Troy’s Logan Pierce set the tone
in Saturday’s rubber game with a two-run homer in the first inning against
Jarron Cito (2.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER).
RESULTS
May 16-18: Troy: W 8-1, L 8-3, L 6-3
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ Sun Belt Conference tournament, Lafayette, La.
25. MERCER
Last Week: 3-0. Overall: 42-14, 20-7 in A-Sun (1-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 10-1.
Mercer swept Northern Kentucky to win the A-Sun regular-season title. The Bears
have won five straight weekend series and 10 of 11 series on the year. Chesny
Young (4-for-5, 2 R, RBI) led Mercer’s 11-hit attack Thursday in support of
Brandon Barker (5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K). Sasha Lagarde, Austin Barrett and
Logan Gaines combined to drive in seven runs Friday, and the Bears broke a 5-5
tie with four runs in the ninth, highlighted by Barrett’s two-run double.
Barrett (4-for-6, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR) spearheaded Mercer’s 20-hit barrage Saturday
behind D.J. Johnson (5 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K).
RESULTS
May 16-18: @ Northern Kentucky: W 7-4, W 9-5, W 13-4
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ A-Sun tournament, DeLand, Fla.
DROPPED OUT
PITTSBURGH (21)
Last Week: 0-4. Overall: 40-15, 18-6 in
Big East (3-3 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 9-2.
Pittsburgh was swept by Louisville, dropping the Panthers from atop the Big
East standings into the No. 3 seed for the conference tournament. At No. 65 in
the RPI, Pitt needs a deep run in Clearwater to have a shot at making a
regional. Louisville took control of Thursday’s game with four runs in the
fourth against Ethan Mildren (7 IP, 8 H, 5 ER), who fell to 9-3. The Cardinals
put up six runs in the third inning Friday against Matt Wotherspoon (4.2 IP, 8
H, 10 ER) and cruised to the victory. Another big inning doomed Pitt on
Saturday, as Louisville scored five in the third against Rhys Aldenhoven (5 IP,
5 H, 5 R, 4 ER), who fell to 8-1.
RESULTS
May 14: Kent State: L 6-5
May 16-18: @ (12) Louisville: L 5-2, L 12-4, L 7-4
UPCOMING
May 22-26: Big East tournament, Clearwater, Fla.
MISSISSIPPI (23)
Last Week: 1-3. Overall: 36-20, 15-15 in SEC (8-7 vs. Top 25). Weekend
Series: 8-6.
Ole Miss dropped two of three at LSU and will head to the SEC tournament as the
No. 6 seed. The Rebels face 11th-seeded Kentucky in the first game of Tuesday’s
single-elimination round. Ole Miss mustered just a run Thursday, and Mike
Mayers (6 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) took the loss. The Tigers chased Sam Smith
(3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) in a two-run fourth Friday, but Ole Miss rallied from
behind to take the lead in the top of the eighth, only to lose on Raph Rhymes’
two-run homer in the eighth. Rebels ace Bobby Wahl (2.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 2 BB, 3
K) was knocked around by LSU’s backups Saturday, but Preston Overbey (2-for-4,
2 R, 5 RBI) hit two of Mississippi’s four home runs to help lead Ole Miss back
from a five-run deficit en route to an 11-9 win.
RESULTS
May 14: @ Southern Mississippi: L 10-3
May 16-18: @ (2) Louisiana State: L 7-1, L 5-4, W 11-9
UPCOMING
May 21-26: @ SEC tournament, Hoover, Ala.
OKLAHOMA (25)
Last Week: 1-3. Overall: 36-19, 13-11 in Big 12 (2-3 vs. Top 25).Weekend Series: 8-4.
Oklahoma lost its third straight series and is just 3-9 in its last 12 games.
The Sooners wound up as the No. 4 seed in the Big 12 tournament, and they’ll
need a strong showing in Oklahoma City to boost their No. 50 RPI and preserve
their at-large hopes. The Wildcats trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the
sixth in Friday’s opener before rallying back to tie the game against Jonathan
Gray (6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). K-State went ahead with a run in the
eighth, and Oklahoma answered with a run in the top of the ninth to tie it,
only to see the Wildcats scratch out the winning run in the bottom of the
frame. Ralph Garza (5.1 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER) took his first loss of the season
Saturday, and Dillon Overton (0.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER) came out of the bullpen and
struggled. Kolbey Carpenter (2-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI) powered the OU offense Sunday
behind Jake Fisher (7 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K), as the Sooners avoided the
sweep.
RESULTS
May 14: Dallas Baptist: L 6-4
May 17-19: @ (19) Kansas State: L 6-5, L 5-2, W 7-3
UPCOMING
May 22-26: @ Big 12 tournament, Oklahoma City