Updated: February 24, 2009, 4:26 PM ET
Baseball: Week 1 Top 25 Tracker
In addition to its Top 25 Rankings, Baseball America's Top 25 Tracker offers an in-depth look at each team in this week's rankings.
Baseball America's Top 25 Tracker
| 1. Texas A&M |
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| Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 4-0, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Aggies won two games in blowout fashion and two in come-from-behind manner to sweep their season-opening series against Wright State. Unheralded sophomore 3B Caleb Shofner, hitting in the No. 9 hole all weekend, provided much of the offensive firepower, going 9-for-10 and scoring 11 of A&M's 42 runs. He reached base safely in his final seven plate appearances. Sophomore LHP/OF Brooks Raley delivered on the mound Friday (6 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) and with the bat in the other three games (9-for-15, 3 R, 4 RBI, 3 2B). Sophomore RHP Barret Loux (5.1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K) was solid in a no-decision in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, as the Aggies overcame a 6-3 deficit after six innings to win on Sophomore C Kevin Gonzalez's walk-off RBI single in the ninth. Sophomore DH Nick Fleece drove in seven over the first two games. Junior RHP Alex Wilson (6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 14 K) was brilliant in Saturday's nightcap. The Aggies responded to Wright State's four-run sixth inning with a five spot in the bottom of the frame to win Sunday's game, with Shofner and Raley combining for eight hits. Results Feb. 20-22: Wright State -- W 18-2, W 7-6, W 9-0, W 8-5 Upcoming Feb. 24-25: Centenary Feb. 27-March 1: @ Houston College Classic: No. 5 UC Irvine, No. 10 Rice, Houston |
| 2. LSU |
| Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 Preseason All-America middle infielders D.J. LeMahieu and Ryan Schimpf powered LSU to its fifth consecutive weekend series sweep dating back to last season's amazing run. Sophomore SS LeMahieu went 5-for-11 with three triples on the weekend, while junior 2B Schimpf went 7-for-10 with six RBIs, four stolen bases, two doubles and a homer. The Tigers also got three strong outings from its weekend starters: senior RHP Louis Coleman (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K), sophomore RHP Anthony Ranaudo (5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) and sophomore RHP Austin Ross (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K). Sophomore CF Leon Landry was a force out of the leadoff spot over the final two games, going 3-for-7 with five runs, four RBIs and two homers to help LSU's high-powered offense score 29 runs on the weekend, its most in a season-opening series since 2005. Results Feb. 20-22: Villanova -- W 12-3, W 11-1, W 6-3 Upcoming Feb. 25: Southern Feb. 27-March 1: Central Florida |
| 3. North Carolina |
| Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 North Carolina played well in all phases to sweep its seventh consecutive season-opening series. Junior 1B Dustin Ackley picked up right where he left off last season, going 9-for-13 with four runs, three doubles and two RBIs on the weekend to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. He recorded his first career five-hit game Sunday, the first five-hit game by a UNC player since Mike Cavasinni did it in the 2006 Tuscaloosa Super Regional. Junior RHP Alex White (5 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K) picked up his 20th career victory Friday, and senior RHP Adam Warren (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K) earned career win No. 23 on Saturday; this is the first time UNC has had a pair of 20-game winners on its staff since it had three in 2006 (Robert Woodard, Andrew Miller and Daniel Bard). Sophomore RHP Matt Harvey (5 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 11 K) was strong Sunday. UNC also got 12 shutout innings from its bullpen, hit .398 as a team and it registered a .991 fielding percentage, committing just one error all weekend on an errant pickoff attempt. Results Feb. 20-22: Virginia Military Institute -- W 13-3, W 6-0, W 11-3 Upcoming Feb. 24: Coastal Carolina Feb. 25: Liberty Feb. 27-March 1: Seton Hall |
| 4. Texas |
| Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 4-0, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 Texas rode its dominant pitching to a four-game sweep of Illinois-Chicago, allowing just three runs on 12 hits over 34 innings and holding UIC to a .106 average. Starters sophomore RHP Chance Ruffin (7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K), freshman RHP Taylor Jungmann (6 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K), sophomore RHP Cole Green (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) and sophomore RHP Brandon Workman (7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K) combined for a 3-0, 1.00 line over 27 innings. Senior RHP Austin Wood worked two scoreless innings of relief in each of the final two games, picking up a save in Sunday's 1-0 pitcher's duel, in which Workman carried a perfect game into the sixth inning. UT's top offensive performance of the weekend came from powerful sophomore OF Kevin Keyes in the second game of the series (2-for-4, 3 RBI). Results Feb. 20-22: Illinois-Chicago -- W 6-1, W 10-1, W 3-1, W 1-0 Upcoming Feb. 24: Texas-Arlington Feb. 27-March 1: Penn State |
| 5. UC Irvine |
| Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 3-1, 0-0 in Big West (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Anteaters won three games in classic Anteater fashion, scoring just five runs in each win but allowing just nine runs total. Junior LHP Daniel Bibona (7.2 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) was brilliant in Friday's win. Junior C Francis Larson (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B, 3B, HR) fell a single short of the cycle in the first game of Saturday's twin bill, helping junior RHP Christian Bergman (8 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 ER) pick up the win. The Anteaters overcame a 3-0 first-inning deficit to win the nightcap despite mustering just four hits. Sophomore RHP Nick Hoover (2.1 IP, 4 H, 5 ER) struggled in Sunday's loss, as Irvine's lack of pitching depth was exposed. Results Feb. 20-22: @ Hawaii -- W 5-1, W 5-4, W 5-4 (7 innings), L 7-4 Upcoming Feb. 27-March 1: @ Houston College Classic: No. 1 Texas A&M, Houston, No. 9 UCLA |
| 6. Baylor |
| Last Week: 2-1 Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 For the second year in a row, the Bears opened the season with three one-run games. This weekend, they won a pair of extra-inning squeakers sandwiched around a loss in a slugfest Saturday. Senior OF Adam Hornung (5-for-9, R, 4 RBI, HR, 3 2B) paced Baylor's offense all weekend and delivered a ninth-inning double Friday to help Baylor force extra innings, as well as a 10th-inning single in the middle of Sunday's game-winning rally. For the second straight year, a Baylor freshman delivered the game-winning hit on Opening Day, as freshman DH Dan Evatt delivered a bases-loaded, walk-off single in the 10th. Junior RHP Kendal Volz (6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) pitched well in a no-decision. Sophomore RHP Shawn Tolleson (6 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 5 K) labored through six innings in Saturday's loss, but junior RHP Craig Fritsch (5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER) gave the Bears a strong outing Sunday. With the bases loaded in the 10th, freshman OF Lucas Hileman slapped a walk-off single through a drawn-in infield to secure the series. Results Feb. 20-22: Pacific -- W 2-1 (10 innings), L 9-8, W 5-4 (10 innings) Upcoming Feb. 23: Brigham Young Feb. 25: Houston Baptist Feb. 27-March 1: @ Houston College Classic: Houston, No. 9 UCLA, No. 10 Rice |
| 7. Cal State Fullerton |
| Last Week: 1-2 Overall: 1-2, 0-0 in Big West (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-1 The Titans dropped a competitive three-game series at home against TCU in a weekend that lived up to Friday's Meaningful Matchup billing. Freshmen came up big in Friday's opener, as DH/LHP Nick Ramirez went 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI, and freshman OF/RHP Tyler Pill delivered a pinch-hit, walk-off RBI single in the ninth to win it -- his first collegiate at-bat. Sophomore SS Christian Colon (5-for-11, 2 RBI) also had a nice weekend for the Titans. Junior RHP Kyle Witten (4.1 IP, 7 H, 4 ER) struggled in his Titans debut on Saturday, and the Horned Frogs broke a 4-4 tie with two in the seventh and held on for the win. Pill (3.1 IP, 6 H, 4 ER) and Ramirez (1.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER) both struggled on the mound Sunday, though Ramirez did deliver a three-run homer in the first. Fullerton coach Dave Serrano suspected it might take his young pitching staff some time to settle in, and he was right. Results Feb. 20-22: Texas Christian -- W 7-6, L 8-6, L 11-6 Upcoming Feb. 24: @ San Diego State Feb. 27-March 1: No. 14 Stanford |
| 8. Arizona State |
| Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 4-0, 0-0 in Pac-10 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Sun Devils put a hurting on Wisconsin-Milwaukee, winning four games by a combined score of 53-9. ASU batted .355 as a team, and its pitchers limited UWM to just 16 hits and one earned run in 36 innings. Junior OF Jason Kipnis proved he can handle being the centerpiece of ASU's offense, reaching base safely in his first 10 plate appearances and finishing the weekend 12-for-17 with eight RBIs, three homers, four doubles, a triple, four walks, two stolen bases and an eye-popping 2.294 OPS. Junior C Carlos Ramirez gave Kipnis ample protection in the cleanup spot, slugging four homers and driving in nine. Sophomore OF Matt Newman hit between Kipnis and Ramirez in the No. 3 hole and had three hits, a homer and five RBIs on Friday. ASU's starting pitchers combined to strike out 24 and allow just eight hits in 21 innings, led by junior LHP Josh Spence (6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K), junior RHP Mike Leake (6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) and sophomore RHP Seth Blair (6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 8 K). Results Feb. 20-22: Wisconsin-Milwaukee -- W 15-3, W 13-5, W 14-1, W 11-0 Upcoming Feb. 24: (15) Missouri Feb. 26-March 1: DeMarini Classic, Tempe, Ariz. -- No. 15 Missouri, Northern Illinois, Oregon State, No. 15 Missouri |
| 9. UCLA |
| Last Week: 2-1 Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in Pac-10 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Bruins won two of three against UC Davis but blew a late lead Sunday to spoil their bid to sweep. Junior OF Blair Dunlap (3-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2B) led an 11-hit attack Friday in support of sophomore LHP Rob Rasmussen (5 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K). The Bruins scored four runs over the first two innings Saturday to give freshman RHP Gerrit Cole (6 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) all the support he needed in his collegiate debut. Junior OF Gabe Cohen (3-for-4, R, 2 RBI) helped UCLA build a 7-5 lead heading into the ninth Sunday, but freshman RHP Trevor Bauer (4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) surrendered two runs in the ninth to force extra innings, then allowed back-to-back doubles to start the 11th and give the Aggies the winning run. Junior LHP Gavin Brooks (1 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K) struggled in his first career relief appearance after taking over for junior RHP Charles Brewer (3 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K). Results Feb. 20-22: UC Davis -- W 13-1, W 5-2, L 8-7 (11 innings) Upcoming Feb. 24: @ UC Santa Barbara Feb. 25: UC Riverside Feb. 27-March 1: @ Houston College Classic: No. 10 Rice, No. 6 Baylor, No. 5 UC Irvine |
| 10. Rice |
| Last Week: 1-2 Overall: 1-2, 0-0 in CUSA (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-1 Rice's struggles on the mound and with the gloves (nine errors on the weekend) led to a 1-2 weekend at Cal Poly and snapped the Owls' five-game winning streak over the Mustangs. Junior RHP Ryan Berry (4.2 IP, 4 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 5 BB, 3 K) was wild in Friday's win, but relievers Jordan Rogers and Matt Evers combined to throw 4 1/3 innings of one-hit, shutout relief, and freshmen Anthony Rendon (2-for-3, R, RBI) and Jeremy Rathjen (3-for-6, 2 RBI) helped lead a 14-hit attack batting in the No. 4 and 5 holes of the lineup. Freshman LHP Taylor Wall (3.1 IP, 6 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 1 K) had a rough debut in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Junior RHP Mike Ojala (6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 8 K) finally gave the Owls a decent start in the nightcap, but the bullpen coughed up a 6-2 lead, capped by J.J. Thompson's walk-off RBI double off freshman RHP Matthew Reckling. It's worth noting that the Owls dropped two of three on West Coast trips each of the past two years and still wound up reaching Omaha. Results Feb. 20-21: @ Cal Poly -- W 10-7, L 10-3, L 7-6 Upcoming Feb. 25: Houston Feb. 27-March 1: @ Houston College Classic: No. 9 UCLA, No. 1 Texas A&M, No. 6 Baylor |
| 11. San Diego |
| Last Week: 2-1 Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in WCC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-0 The Toreros won two of three but lost to rival San Diego State on Sunday, falling to 1-4 against the Aztecs in opening weekends over the past two years. USD scored four in the first Friday in support of sophomore LHP Sammy Solis (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K), and junior A.J. Griffin (2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K) nailed down the save. The Toreros struck early again Saturday, putting up three in the first in support of sophomore RHP Kyle Blair (5 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). Junior OF Kevin Muno had five hits, including a homer out of the leadoff spot over the first two games. San Diego State junior RHP Tyler Lavigne twirled a complete-game, two-hit shutout against USD on Sunday, as freshman RHP Chris Jensen (3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) took the loss in his debut. Sophomore 3B Victor Sanchez served a one-game suspension for violating team rules Friday but bounced back with a solo homer and two RBIs Saturday. Results Feb. 20-22: @ MLB Urban Youth Academy Tournament, Compton, Calif. -- Southern: W 6-4, Bethune-Cookman: W 9-6, San Diego State: L 3-0 Upcoming Feb. 24-25: No. 16 Oklahoma Feb. 27-March 1: USD Tournament, San Diego: Pacific, Kansas State, Nevada, Nevada |
| 12. Georgia |
| Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Bulldogs had little trouble sweeping Youngstown State, scoring a combined 43 runs in three games -- their highest total in the first three games of the season since 1981. Freshman OF Johnathan Taylor (8-for-10, 5 R, 5 RBI, 2B, 3B, 4 BB, 3 SB) was a dynamo out of the leadoff spot in all three games, and junior 1B Rich Poythress (6-for-13, 7 R, 7 RBI, 2B, 2 HR) was a force in the cleanup spot. Senior RHP Trevor Holder (5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K) pitched well Friday, and junior LHP Alex McRee (5.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K) had no trouble transitioning from the bullpen to the Saturday starter job. Georgia made five errors Sunday behind sophomore RHP Justin Grimm (5.2 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K). Of course, Youngstown State committed seven errors Friday. Results Feb. 20-22: Youngstown State -- W 15-2, W 14-0, W 12-8 Upcoming Feb. 24-25: Presbyterian Feb. 27-March 1: @ Arizona |
| 13. Mississippi |
| Last Week: 1-2 Overall: 1-2, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-0 The Rebels dropped two of three at the Coca-Cola Classic. The weekend started off well enough, as senior OF Logan Power (2-for-3, 3 R, 3 RBI) scored the winning run Friday on junior 2B Zach Miller's seventh-inning sacrifice fly, and junior RHP Aaron Barrett (5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) was solid in his Ole Miss debut. Power (2-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR) led a 15-hit attack Saturday against Mercer, but junior RHP Chance Corrigan (3 IP, 5 H, 6 R, 5 ER) was hit hard, and three relievers provided little relief. Junior RHP Phillip Irwin (5 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) turned in a solid effort Sunday, but senior RHP Scott Bittle (2.1 IP, 3 H 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) surrendered a walk-off bases-loaded single in the 10th to give South Alabama coach Steve Kittrell his 1,000th career win. He's the 50th NCAA coach to reach that milestone. Results Feb. 20-22: @ Coca-Cola Classic, Mobile, Ala. -- Liberty: W 6-5, Mercer: L 13-11, @ South Alabama: L 3-2 (10 innings) Upcoming Feb. 24-25: Central Arkansas Feb. 27-March 1: No. 23 Texas Christian |
| 14. Stanford |
| Last Week: 2-1 Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in Pac-10 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 Stanford won a pair of 6-5 games sandwiched around a loss to visiting Vanderbilt. The Cardinal were originally scheduled to play two against Vandy followed by a doubleheader against UC Riverside, but Sunday's rainy forecast caused the Cardinal and Commodores to add a second game Saturday, and Sunday's games were indeed washed out and will not be made up. Junior RHP Jeffrey Inman (7 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) and Vandy junior LHP Mike Minor (5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) both earned no-decisions in Friday's Marquee Mound Matchup, as the Cardinal overcame a 5-1 deficit with four runs in the sixth to tie it, then won it in the 10th on junior OF Toby Gerhart's RBI single. Stanford LHPs Danny Sandbrink (3.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER) and Scott Snodgress (0.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER) were knocked around in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. The Cardinal trailed 5-3 heading into the seventh in the finale, when sophomore 2B Colin Walsh delivered a bases-loaded double to left-center and three Cardinal baserunners scored on the play after Vandy CF Alex Hilliard made a throwing error. Results Feb. 20-21: Vanderbilt -- W 6-5 (10 innings), L 12-9, W 6-5 Feb. 22: UC Riverside (DH): CCD (rain) Upcoming Feb. 27-March 1: @ No. 7 Cal State Fullerton |
| 15. Missouri |
| Last Week: 1-3 Overall: 1-3, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-0 The Tigers won their opener behind ace junior RHP Kyle Gibson (6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) then dropped three straight as the rest of their arms failed them. Senior RHP Ian Berger (5 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 3 ER) was hurt by three Missouri errors in Saturday's loss to Gonzaga. The Tigers had 13 hits but stranded 14 baserunners against Nevada on Sunday, saddling sophomore LHP Kelly Fick (6 IP, 9 H, 4 ER) with the loss. Mizzou cranked out 14 hits against Gonzaga in its second game Sunday but surrendered 20, as sophomore RHP Nick Tepesch (4 IP, 11 H, 9 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) was hit hard despite working at 94 mph with his fastball and flashing a vicious mid-80s power slider. Missouri's pitching depth will be tested to the max over the next week, as the Tigers finish a nine-games-in-10-days swing through Arizona. Results Feb. 20-22: @ Grand Canyon Tournament, Phoenix -- Nevada: W 12-1, Gonzaga: L 9-3, Nevada: L 8-4, Gonzaga: L 13-9 Upcoming Feb. 24: @ No. 8 Arizona State Feb. 26-March 1: @ DeMarini Clasic, Tempe, Ariz.: No. 8 Arizona State (three games), Oregon State, Northern Illinois |
| 16. Oklahoma |
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Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 4-0, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Sooners bludgeoned Western Illinois in a four-game sweep, scoring 59 runs on 60 hits, including 15 doubles and eight homers. Oklahoma batted .432 as a team, led by junior CF Jamie Johnson (10-for-14, 13 R, 4 RBI, 3 2B, 2 3B, HR), junior SS Bryant Hernandez (9-for-14, 9 R, 6 RBI, 2 2B, 2 HR), senior 3B Matt Harughty (8-for-16, 10 RBI) and freshman C Tyler Ogle (5-for-10, 10 RBI). Three of Oklahoma's four starters lasted five or more innings, with junior RHP Andrew Doyle (6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 9 K) and sophomore RHP Antwonie Hubbard (6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K) turning in the best outings in the first two games of the series. Results Feb. 20-22: Western Illinois -- W 17-2, W 6-1, W 15-4 (7 innings), W 21-9 Upcoming Feb. 24-25: @ No. 11 San Diego Feb. 27-March 1: @ Washington State |
| 17. Pepperdine |
| Last Week: 2-1 Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in WCC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Waves won a hard-fought series against Cal State Northridge, winning both games in Malibu in walk-off fashion but dropping the middle game at Northridge. Despite a 6-for-12 weekend from senior OF David Harris, the Waves batted just .240 as a team on the weekend, but they held the Matadors to a .237 mark. Senior RHP Nate Newman (8 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) pitched well in a no-decision Friday, and the Waves overcame a one-run, ninth-inning deficit with back-to-back home runs from senior OF Nate Simon and senior SS Denny Duron in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore LHP Scott Alexander (4 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) took the loss Saturday. Senior RHP Nick Gaudi (3 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) relinquished a 2-1 lead in the top of the ninth Sunday to force extras, but the Waves again won in dramatic fashion in the 11th on Simon's two-out homer. Results Feb. 20-22: vs./@/vs. Cal State Northridge -- W 4-3, L 6-2, W 3-2 Upcoming Feb. 25: @ Southern California Feb. 27-March 1: @ UC Davis |
| 18. Kent State |
| Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in CUSA (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Golden Flashes avenged last year's season-opening series loss to UNC Greensboro by outscoring the Spartans 46-14 in a three-game sweep. Senior 1B Greg Rohan (10-for-17, 6 R, 3B, 2 HR, 9 RBI) paced an offense that batted .333 and mashed seven homers on the weekend. Junior RHP Kyle Smith (5 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 6 BB, 1 K) struggled with his command Friday but danced around trouble. Sophomore OF Ben Klafczynski's three-run homer in the 11th inning Saturday made a winner out of freshman LHP Andrew Chafin (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K). Rohan went 5-for-6 with two homers and seven RBIs Sunday in support of junior RHP Brad Stillings (5 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K). Results Feb. 20-22: @ UNC Greensboro -- W 18-2, W 9-6 (11 innings), W 19-6 Upcoming Feb. 27-March 1: @ Coca-Cola Classic, Rock Hill, S.C.: Wagner, Winthrop, Wagner, Winthrop |
| 19. Clemson |
| Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 Clemson's pitching staff posted a 2.57 ERA and held Charlotte to a .225 average in a three-game sweep. The Tigers welcomed sophomore OF Addison Johnson (who missed most of 2008 with an injury) back to the leadoff spot Friday, and he went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three stolen bases in support of senior RHP Trey Delk (5.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K). Clemson benefited from six Charlotte errors in that one. Freshmen ruled the day Saturday, as SS Brad Miller went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and LHP Chris Dwyer (6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K) was masterful in his collegiate debut. Senior LHP Ryan Hinson worked three innings of shutout, one-hit relief over the final two games and picked up the win Sunday when the Tigers roared back from a 5-0 deficit after six innings and won it on junior OF Wilson Boyd's bases-loaded single in the 10th. Results Feb. 20-22: Charlotte -- W 8-3, W 4-0, W 6-5 (10 innings) Upcoming Feb. 25: Wofford Feb. 28-March 1: vs./@ South Carolina |
| 20. Georgia Tech |
| Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Yellow Jackets got strong pitching in a three-game sweep of Lipscomb, posting a 2.00 staff ERA and limiting the Bison to a .223 average. Senior OF Luke Murton (6-for-11, 3 R, 2B, HR, 4 RBI) paced the offense. Sophomore RHP Deck McGuire (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 13 K) turned in one of the best performances of the opening weekend on Friday, and sophomore SS Derek Dietrich broke the game wide open with a sixth-inning grand slam. Junior RHP Zach Von Tersch (5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) picked up the win Saturday, and sophomore RHP Brandon Cumpton (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) followed with a strong outing in a no-decision Sunday. Sophomore 2B Thomas Nichols hit a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to win it after Lipscomb had tied it in with a run the top of the frame. Results Feb. 20-22: Lipscomb -- W 9-0, W 13-3, W 5-3 Upcoming Feb. 24-25: @ Georgia Southern Feb. 27-March 1: Rutgers |
| 21. Arkansas |
| Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Razorbacks got great pitching (2.57 ERA, .175 opponents' batting average) and solid hitting (.317 average) in a sweep of Washington State. The top two hitters in the lineup, senior OF Chase Leavitt and senior 2B Ben Tschepikow, combined to go 6-for-9 with two RBIs, a homer and two steals Friday in support of junior LHP Dallas Keuchel (6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). Senior OF Andrew Darr delivered the game-winning hits in each of the next two games, slugging a two-run homer in the 10th on Saturday and executing a suicide squeeze in the bottom of the eighth Sunday. Results Feb. 20-22: Washington State -- W 4-2, W 7-5 (10 innings), W 4-3 Upcoming Feb. 24-25: Kansas Feb. 27-March 1: Western Illinois |
| 22. Florida State |
| Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 4-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 Florida State batted .373 and posted a 3.18 ERA in a four-game sweep of Hofstra, outscoring the Pride 43-16. Junior OF Ohmed Danesh (7-for-12, 3 R, 6 RBI, 3 2B, HR), sophomore OF Tyler Holt (8-for-14, 5 R, 4 2B) and sophomore OF/RHP Mike McGee (6-for-11, 5 R, 5 RBI, HR) led FSU's potent offensive attack. The Seminoles also got strong starts from sophomore RHP Geoff Parker (5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K), freshman RHP Sean Gilmartin (6 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) and McGee (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K). Results Feb. 20-22: Hofstra -- W 9-3, W 21-7, W 3-2, W 10-4 Upcoming Feb. 26-March 1: vs./vs./@/@ Auburn |
| 23. TCU |
| Last Week: 2-1 Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in MWC (2-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Horned Frogs batted .361 at Cal State Fullerton to earn a huge road series win against a top-five team. The Frogs tied Friday's game in the top of the ninth on senior 2B Ben Carruthers' two-run double, but the Titans answered with the winning run in the bottom of the frame. Carruthers had three more hits out of the leadoff spot to pace an 11-hit attack Saturday, as TCU scored four runs over the final three innings to make a winner out of sophomore RHP Sean Hoelscher (6 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 8 K). Senior OF Chris Ellington (4-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI) was one of six Frogs to post multiple-hit games Sunday, and all nine starters recorded at least one hit. Senior RHP Taylor Cragin picked up the win with six scoreless, one-hit innings of relief. Results Feb. 20-22: @ (5) Cal State Fullerton -- L 7-6, W 8-6, W 11-6 Upcoming Feb. 24: Dallas Baptist Feb. 25: Texas State Feb. 27-March 1: @ No. 13 Mississippi |
| 24. Florida |
| Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC (3-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Gators opened the season with a sweep of Louisville, their first season-opening sweep of a ranked opponent since 1999 against Miami. Senior RHP Patrick Keating (7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) bested Louisville ace Justin Marks on Friday, and junior RHP Billy Bullock (2 IP, 2 H, 0 R) nailed down the save. The Gators scored five runs in the fourth inning to help freshman LHP Alex Panteliodis (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) win his debut. Freshman LHP Nick Maronde (6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K) was nearly untouchable after giving up two unearned runs in the first inning Sunday, and the Gators won on junior SS Mike Mooney's walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Results Feb. 20-22: (23) Louisville -- W 6-3, W 10-4, W 3-2 Upcoming Feb. 24-25: Eastern Michigan Feb. 27-March 1: Miami |
| 25. Oklahoma State |
| Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 4-0, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Cowboys had some trouble on the mound in the opening weekend, posting a 6.25 team ERA, but their patient offense drew 33 walks and posted a .472 on-base percentage. Junior OF Neil Medchill (7-for-14, 10 R, 10 RBI, HR) powered the OSU offense for much of the weekend. The Cowboys did finish the weekend with two strong starts from their star junior LHPs, as Andrew Oliver (6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K) was dominant against BYU and Tyler Lyons (6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K) was nearly unhittable against Manhattan. Results Feb. 20-22: Oklahoma State Tournament, Stillwater, Okla. -- Brigham Young: W 17-14, Manhattan: W 11-7, Brigham Young: W 5-4, Manhattan: W 13-1 Upcoming Feb. 26-March 1: @ Keith LeClair Classic, Greenville, N.C.: East Carolina (two games), College of Charleston, St. John's |
Dropped out
Alabama (21)
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 1-2, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-1
The Crimson Tide batted just .247 as a team and posted a 5.00 ERA in a home series loss to Southeast Missouri State. Senior C Vin DiFazio (2-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR) led a 10-hit attack Friday in support of senior RHP Austin Hyatt (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K). Senior LHP Miers Quigley (1.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER) was chased early in Saturday's loss, and the bullpen wasted a nice start from freshman LHP Adam Morgan (5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) on Sunday.
Results
Feb. 20-22: Southeast Missouri State: W 5-1, L 8-3, L 8-4
Upcoming
Feb. 24-25: Nicholls State
Feb. 27-March 1: Illinois-Chicago
Louisville (23)
Last Week: 0-3
Overall: 0-3, 0-0 in Big East (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-1
The Cardinals were swept at Florida, the first time they have lost three straight games in coach Dan McDonnell's three-year tenure. Preseason All-America third baseman Chris Dominguez went just 1-for-10 with an RBI single in the series. Junior LHP Justin Marks (5 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) was solid in Friday's loss, but sophomore LHP Dean Kiekhefer (3 IP, 2 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 0 K) struggled mightily Saturday, and Louisville committed four errors behind him. The Cardinals were one out from securing a travel curfew-induced tie Sunday before the Gators' three straight hits, capped by SS Mike Mooney's game-winning RBI single to left field.
Results
Feb. 20-22: @ Florida: L 6-3, L 10-4, L 3-2
Upcoming
Feb. 25: Eastern Kentucky
Feb. 27-March 1: Bowling Green State
Oregon State (25)
Last Week: 1-1
Overall: 1-1, 0-0 in Pac-10 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0-1
The Beavers split two games at Tennessee and had Sunday's game canceled by snowy and icy conditions. Sophomore LHP Tanner Robles (5 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K) turned in a solid effort in a no-decision Friday and the Beavers took a 4-3 lead on sophomore 1B Jared Norris' RBI single in the top of the ninth, but sophomore RHP Kevin Rhoderick gave up two runs in the bottom of the frame. Preseason All-America junior C Ryan Ortiz (3-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI) led Oregon State's furious rally Saturday, as the Beavers scored all 14 of their runs over the final five innings, capped by an eight-run ninth. Junior RHP Jorge Reyes (3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) picked up the win in relief of sophomore RHP Tyler Waldron (5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K).
Results
Feb. 20-22: @ Tennessee: L 5-4, W 14-4, CCD (wintry weather)
Upcoming
Feb. 26-March 1: @ DeMarini Classic, Tempe, Ariz.: Northern Illinois (two games), No. 15 Missouri, No. 8 Arizona State
For more on college baseball, check out Baseball America.
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