Baseball America has Texas at No. 1 after Longhorns avenge loss

Updated: March 10, 2009, 2:29 PM ET

Texas takes over with a vengence

Longhorns avenge loss, move to No. 1 in Baseball America's poll

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By Aaron Fitt
Baseball America
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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
Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 12-1, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 The Longhorns avenged last year's home series loss to Stanford by taking two of three at Sunken Diamond. Sophomore RHP Chance Ruffin (9 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K) turned in another gem Friday to improve to 3-0 with a 2.31 ERA on the year. Texas mustered just five hits Saturday in support of sophomore RHP Brandon Workman (5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K), who took his first loss of the season as freshman Jordan Pries got the win in his first Stanford start. The Horns did all their damage in a five-run fourth Sunday behind sophomore RHP Cole Green (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K). Texas now has a staff ERA of 1.35, and opponents are hitting just .170 against UT pitching. Now the Longhorns begin Big 12 Conference play. Results March 3: @ Texas State -- W 6-5 March 6-8: @ Stanford -- W 6-2, L 7-1, W 5-1 Upcoming March 11: (5) Baylor March 13-15: Missouri
2. North Carolina
Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 10-2, 2-1 in ACC (2-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 The Tar Heels have now won six of their past seven against Clemson, including consecutive regular-season series wins against the Tigers for the first time since the ACC started playing three-game sets in 1990. Junior RHP Alex White (6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) settled down after a four-run second inning Friday, but Clemson won on a sacrifice fly in the 10th. The Tar Heels drew four bases-loaded walks in the third inning Saturday to give senior RHP Adam Warren (7 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) all the support he needed. Sophomore RHP Matt Harvey (7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) was strong Sunday, but UNC blew a 7-1 lead over the final two innings, only to win on Greg Holt's pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. Junior 3B Kyle Seager matched career highs with four hits and four RBIs in the finale. Results March 3: Longwood -- CCD March 4: Gardner-Webb -- W 10-3 March 6-8: (19) Clemson -- L 5-4 (10 innings), W 5-2, W 9-8 Upcoming March 10-11: Appalachian State March 13-15: @ Virginia Tech
3. Texas A&M
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 11-3, 0-0 in Big 12 (1-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 2-0 The Aggies battled to a 4-1 week, though they have had to come from behind in eight of their 11 wins this season. Sophomore LHP/OF Brooks Raley did much of the heavy lifting this week, going 8-for-18 (.444) with a double, a triple, six runs and three stolen bases at the plate, and picking up the win on the mound Friday (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K). He also had a career-high four hits Friday. Junior RHP Alex Wilson (6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 14 K) notched his second 14-strikeout performance of the year in a tough-luck loss Saturday, as the Aggies were shut out and held to four hits. The offense bounced back strong Sunday behind sophomore RHP Barret Loux (5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 K), belting six home runs and winning on a walk-off bases-loaded walk by junior OF Dylan Petrich. Results March 3-4: Stephen F. Austin -- W 2-1, W 8-3 March 6-8: Utah -- W 7-2, L 2-0, W 12-11 Upcoming March 10: (6) Cal State Fullerton March 11: Northwestern State March 13-15: @/vs./vs. (5) Baylor
4. LSU
Last Week: 3-2 Overall: 10-2, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 2-1 LSU's 25-game regular-season winning streak came to an end Friday, and the Tigers were stunned again Sunday to lose their first weekend series since last April 18-20 at Georgia, which was also the last time they lost a game in the regular season. Sophomore RHP Anthony Ranaudo (7 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 12 K) was dominant in a no-decision Friday, but senior RHP Louis Coleman surrendered a game-winning two-run homer in the top of the ninth. Sophomore OF Leon Landry (2-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI) hit one of LSU's three grand slams Saturday, tying an NCAA record. The Tigers' bats were held scoreless for eight innings Sunday, then rallied too little, too late. Tigers coach Paul Mainieri said Illinois starter Ben Reeser used about 75 percent changeups Sunday, but his team failed to adjust. Results March 3: @ New Orleans -- W 19-3 March 4: Mississippi Valley State -- W 10-4 March 6-8: Illinois: L 3-1, W 22-10, L 6-2 Upcoming March 10: @ Southeastern Louisiana March 11: Louisiana-Lafayette March 13-15: Kentucky
5. Baylor
Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 10-2, 0-0 in Big 12 (3-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 Junior OF/LHP Aaron Miller led Baylor to a 4-0 week, first throwing five shutout innings in a midweek win against Texas Christian, then going 2-for-3 with a homer and four RBIs Friday in support of junior RHP Craig Fritsch (5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K). Junior RHP Kendal Volz (6.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K) was solid in a no-decision Saturday, and junior 1B Dustin Dickerson capped a 5-for-5 day with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth. The Bears trailed 7-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth Sunday, but junior 3B Shaver Hansen's three-run homer in the sixth and Miller's grand slam in the seventh highlighted a furious comeback -- Baylor's biggest since overcoming a seven-run, seventh-inning deficit against Tulane at the 2005 College World Series. The cardiac Bears now have four wins in their last at-bat this season (they had two all of last year) and are 6-1 in one-run games. Results March 4: @ (13) Texas Christian -- W 2-1 March 6-8: Quala-T Imprints Baylor Classic, Waco, Texas -- South Alabama: W 14-4, (5) UC Irvine: W 4-3, Alabama-Birmingham: W 11-8 Upcoming March 11: @ (1) Texas March 13-15: vs./@/@ (3) Texas A&M
6. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in Big West (3-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 2-1 The Titans jumped out to early leads in all three games of a sweep at Southern Miss, extending their winning streak to eight games since dropping their season-opening series against Texas Christian. Junior OF Josh Fellhauer (4-for-5, 3 R 3 RBI) hit a three-run homer in an eight-run second Friday to help the Titans build a 13-0 lead through three innings for sophomore RHP Daniel Renken (5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K). Sophomore 3B Gary Brown sparked the offense with three hits out of the leadoff spot each of the next two games. Junior RHP Kyle Witten (2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) left Saturday's game early with discomfort in his right hip, but freshman RHP Tyler Pill (6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) turned in a strong start Sunday. Results March 3: @ San Diego State -- W 7-2 March 6-8: @ Southern Mississippi -- W 15-2, W 11-6, W 11-3 Upcoming March 10: @ (3) Texas A&M March 13-15: @ Oklahoma State Tournament 2, Stillwater, Okla.: Rhode Island, (19) Oklahoma State (2), Rhode Island
7. Arizona State
Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 11-1, 0-0 in Pac-10 (2-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 The Sun Devils cruised to a three-game sweep of Holy Cross and have now outscored their opponents 110-24 through 12 games. Once again, junior OF Jason Kipnis (6-for-9, 7 R, 7 RBI, 2B, HR, 2 SB) led the offense on the weekend; he's now batting .512/.614/1.023 with five homers, 16 RBIs and six stolen bases on the year. Junior RHP Mike Leake (7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K) turned in his third straight sparkling start Friday, improving to 3-0, 0.43 with a 27-4 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21 innings. Sophomore OF/LHP Matt Newman (6 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) picked up his first win of the year Saturday. Results March 5-7: Holy Cross -- W 15-0, W 12-1, W 11-3 Upcoming March 10-11: vs. Kansas State @ Surprise, Ariz. March 13-15: vs. Kansas @ Surprise, Ariz.
8. Georgia
Last Week: 4-0 Overall: -0, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 The Bulldogs are off to the best start in school history at 12-0 and counting. Freshman 3B Colby May drove in four and was a triple shy of the cycle Friday in support of senior RHP Trevor Holder (7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 K), whose pitch count dictated his departure with a no-hitter intact after seven innings Friday; the Bobcats did not muster a hit until the ninth. Junior 1B Rich Poythress (3-for-5, 4 R, 4 RBI, HR) led a 15-hit attack Saturday behind sophomore RHP Justin Grimm (6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K). Poythress went 4-for-4 with a double in Sunday's win, and three Georgia relievers worked 5.2 scoreless, two-hit innings of relief, striking out eight and walking none. Results March 4: Wofford -- W 13-6 March 6-8: Quinnipiac -- W 7-0, W 19-6, W 7-2 Upcoming March 10-11: Le Moyne March 13-15: @ Alabama
9. Rice
Last Week: 3-2 Overall: 8-4, 0-0 in CUSA (3-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-1 Rice got stellar pitching for the second straight weekend despite dropping Sunday's finale against Oral Roberts. Junior RHP Mike Ojala (6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K) recorded his second straight double-digit strikeout game in a no-decision Friday, and the Owls came from behind with two in the ninth to beat Washington State, capped by freshman OF Jeremy Rathjen's bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to win it. Junior RHP Ryan Berry (9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) threw his second consecutive complete-game shutout Saturday. Freshman LHP Taylor Wall (6.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) turned in another strong outing Sunday, but ORU broke a 3-3 tie with two in the ninth off previously untouchable senior RHP Jordan Rogers. Results March 3: @ Sam Houston State -- L 8-6 March 4: vs. Dallas Baptist @ Frisco, Texas -- W 13-6 March 6-8: Academy Sports & Outdoors Rice Classic, Houston: Washington State: W 2-1, Notre Dame: W 9-0, Oral Roberts: L 5-3 Upcoming March 12-15: (20) San Diego
10. UC Irvine
Last Week: 2-2 Overall: 7-4, 0-0 in Big West (1-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 Senior DH/RHP Brock Bardeen delivered a three-run homer and a grand slam in his first two at-bats Friday to help give junior LHP Daniel Bibona (6.1 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) a nice cushion. Junior RHP Christian Bergman (6.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER) was solid in a no-decision Saturday, as Baylor pushed across a run in the bottom of the ninth to break a 3-3 tie. Irvine got its own walk-off win Sunday, as junior 2B Casey Stevenson delivered a pinch-hit, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth to cap Irvine's comeback from a 5-2 deficit. Results March 3: Loyola Marymount -- L 11-3 March 6-8: @ Quala-T Imprints Baylor Classic, Waco, Texas -- Alabama-Birmingham: W 13-5, (6) Baylor: L 4-3, South Alabama: W 6-5 Upcoming March 10: @ Southern California March 13-15: Tulane
11. Pepperdine
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 9-3, 0-0 in WCC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 Junior 3B Colin Rooney (6-for-12, HR, 4 RBI) led the Waves to a 4-1 week. Freshman OF Brian Humphries went 7-for-20 on the week to raise his average to .271 after staring the year 1-for-17. Freshman C Nate Johnson drove in three runs Thursday, including the game-winner on a ninth-inning sacrifice fly. The Waves rapped out 16 hits Friday in support of senior RHP Nate Newman (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 K). Freshman LHP Aaron Gates (5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) was strong in a no-decision in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, and sophomore RHP Cole Cook picked up the win with three perfect innings of relief, striking out four. Results March 3: @ UCLA -- W 5-4 March 5-7: Evansville -- W 4-3, W 15-5, L 2-0, W 4-2 Upcoming March 10: (24) Cal Poly March 13-15: @ Wichita State
12. TCU
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in MWC (3-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 Senior 1B Matt Vern homered in all three games to help the Horned Frogs sweep Wichita State -- their third consecutive quality series win. TCU overcame a 5-2 deficit Friday with four runs in the eighth, highlighted by Vern's three-run homer. TCU's balanced 13-hit attack Saturday helped sophomore RHP Sean Hoelscher (5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) improve to 2-0. Freshman RHP Kyle Winkler (2.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER) moved into the weekend rotation Sunday, and the Frogs supported him with five runs in the first; three relievers then worked 6.2 scoreless innings. Results March 3: @ Texas-Arlington: W 11-3 March 4: (6) Baylor: L 2-1 March 6-8: Wichita State: W 6-5, W 9-4, W 12-3 Upcoming March 10: @ Texas State March 13-15: Minnesota
13. Miami
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 10-2, 3-0 in ACC (3-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 Miami used two dramatic, come-from-behind victories to record its first sweep of North Carolina State. Junior 3B Chris Herrmann tied Friday's game in the ninth inning on a wild pitch, and the Wolfpack retook a one-run lead in the top of the 12th. But junior DH Jason Hagerty answered with a walk-off, two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the frame. Junior RHP David Gutierrez (6 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 4 K) and two relievers held the Pack scoreless on three hits Saturday. Miami overcame an early 7-0 deficit Sunday, with most of the damage coming in a seven-run fifth, when senior OF Dave DiNatale's RBI double put the Hurricanes ahead for good. Four Miami pitchers worked seven scoreless, three-hit innings in relief of sophomore LHP Iden Nazario (2 IP, 7 R, 6 ER). Results March 3: Rhode Island -- L 3-0 March 4: Mount St. Mary's -- W 14-3 March 6-8: North Carolina State: W 7-6 (12 innings), W 4-0, W 9-7 Upcoming March 10: St. Joseph's March 11: Pittsburgh March 13-15: Duke
14. Mississippi
Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 7-3, 0-0 in SEC (0-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-1 Ole Miss won two blowouts and a pitcher's duel against Vermont. The Rebels got a huge weekend from junior SS Kevin Mort (9-for-12, 8 RBI) out of the bottom of the order, and sophomore 1B Matt Smith homered twice Saturday -- his first two homers of the year. Junior RHP Aaron Barrett (3 IP, 7 H, 4 ER) struggled Friday, but sophomore LHP Drew Pomeranz (5 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) and junior RHP Phillip Irwin (6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) turned in strong outings on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Results March 3: @ Arkansas State -- W 11-5 March 6-8: Vermont -- W 20-4, W 15-3, W 3-2 Upcoming March 10-11: Austin Peay State March 13-15: @ Vanderbilt
15. Oklahoma
Last Week: 5-0 Overall: 12-3, 0-0 in Big 12 (1-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 2-0-1 The Sooners swept a tight three-game series against UCLA. A three-run homer by junior SS Bryant Hernandez capped Oklahoma's six-run sixth inning Friday in support of junior RHP Andrew Doyle (6.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER). The Sooners trailed 6-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth Saturday, but freshman 3B Garrett Buechele's two-run single capped a four-run outburst in the frame. Oklahoma tagged UCLA freshman phenom Gerrit Cole (3 IP, 9 H, 6 R) on Sunday, and junior RHP Garrett Richards (7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) turned in the longest start of his career to pick up his first win of the season. The Bruins fell to 2-10 despite five no-hit innings from LHP Gavin Brooks in relief of Cole. Results March 3: Arkansas-Little Rock -- W 11-7, W 16-6 (8 innings) March 6-8: UCLA -- W 6-5, W 7-6, W 6-4 Upcoming March 9: California March 10-11: Houston Baptist March 13-15: @ Bulls Baseball Classic, Tampa: Bethune-Cookman, South Florida, Eastern Illinois
16. Georgia Tech
Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 9-1, 3-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 The Yellow Jackets cruised to a sweep of Maryland in the first weekend of conference play. Sophomore RHP Deck McGuire (6.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K) dominated again Friday to improve to 3-0, 0.42 with a 28-4 K-BB ratio in 22 innings. The Yellow Jackets have reached double figures in all three starts this year by junior RHP Zach Von Tersch (5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K); on Saturday, they scored 24 runs on 21 hits, including five homers. Sophomore OF Chase Burnette delivered a pinch-hit, three-run homer to break a 7-7 tie in the eighth inning Sunday. Results March 6-8: Maryland -- W 5-1, W 24-3, W 10-7 Upcoming March 10: Mercer March 11: Kennesaw State March 13-15: Boston College
17. Coastal Carolina
Last Week: 6-0 Overall: 12-1, 0-0 in Big South (1-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-0 Coastal bludgeoned its way to a 6-0 week, capped by a school-record 36-run explosion Sunday against Stony Brook. Of all Coastal's offensive heroes on the week, senior 2B Tyler Bortnick stood out most, going 9-for-14 with eight runs and four RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 12 games. The Chanticleers also got plenty of strong pitching this weekend, particularly from freshman RHP Anthony Meo (5 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 K) against Albany and sophomore LHP Cody Wheeler (7 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K) in the first win against Stony Brook. Coastal put up 11 in the first inning of Sunday's massacre, then two in the second, eight in the third and 10 in the fourth. Coastal's reserves checked in early and accounted for 18 of the team's 33 hits. Results March 4: The Citadel -- W 3-1 March 5: IPFW -- W 14-2 March 6-8: Caravelle Resort Tournament 2, Conway, S.C. -- Albany: W 12-0 (7 innings), Stony Brook: W 9-0, Creighton: W 8-7, Stony Brook: W 36-3 Upcoming March 10: Creighton March 11: South Carolina-Upstate March 13-15: @ UNC Asheville
18. Arkansas
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 The Razorbacks took two of three from Cal to improve to 5-1 against the Pac-10 this year. Leading the offense was senior OF Chase Leavitt (9-for-12, 2 R, 7 RBI, 2 2B, SB, 5 BB), who reached base in 11 straight plate appearances at one point during the weekend and raised his batting average 129 points to a team-best .419. Senior 2B Ben Tschepikow's two-out, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth Friday forced extra innings, and Arkansas scored the winning run on a squeeze play in the 10th. Three Arkansas errors led to eight unearned runs in Saturday's loss. Leavitt had four hits and five RBIs Sunday, and sophomore OF Brett Eibner added a grand slam. Results March 3-4: Valparaiso -- W 7-3, W 9-6 March 6-8: California -- W 5-4, L 12-6, W 13-3 Upcoming March 10-11: @ Centenary March 13-15: Florida
19. Oklahoma State
Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in Big 12 (1-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-0 The Cowboys won three straight in Palm Springs before dropping Sunday's weekend finale against UC Riverside. Sophomore SS Tom Belza had four hits Thursday against Gonzaga in support of junior LHP Tyler Lyons (6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K). Belza had four more hits against Oregon State, and junior 1B Doug Kroll drove in four runs to help junior LHP Andrew Oliver (6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K) improve to 3-0 on the year. OSU scored four in the fifth against San Francisco to make a winner out of junior RHP Tyler Blandford (6 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 10 K). The Cowboys were shut out on three hits Sunday by Highlanders junior LHP Paul Applebee, who struck out six and walked none. Results March 5-8: @ Palm Springs Baseball Invitational, Palm Springs, Calif. -- Gonzaga: W 14-5, (24) Oregon State: W 7-5, San Francisco: W 6-4, UC Riverside: L 7-0 Upcoming March 10-11: @ Arizona March 13: Oklahoma State Tournament 2: (6) Cal State Fullerton, Rhode Island, (6) Cal State Fullerton, Rhode Island
20. San Diego
Last Week: 2-3 Overall: 8-6, 0-0 in WCC (1-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-1 The Toreros dropped three of four against cross-town rival San Diego State and fell to 2-7 against the Aztecs over the past two years. USD struck out 20 times Thursday against SDSU ace Stephen Strasburg and closer Addison Reed. The Toreros took a 4-3 lead with a run in the top of the 10th Friday, but the Aztecs answered in the bottom of the frame on Cory Vaughn's three-run homer off junior RHP A.J. Griffin. San Diego rapped out 14 hits Saturday, but sophomore LHP Sammy Solis (6 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) still took the loss. USD put up seven runs in the fourth Sunday, but the Aztecs nearly rallied back against junior RHP Matt Thomson (8 IP, 7 H, 7 ER, 1 BB, 9 K). Results March 3: Western Carolina -- W 14-7 March 5-8: vs./@/vs./@ San Diego State -- L 5-2, L 6-4 (10 innings), L 6-5, W 10-7 Upcoming March 10: @ Long Beach State March 12-15: @ (9) Rice
21. Kent State
Last Week: 2-2 Overall: 7-2, 0-0 in MAC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 Kent State had a 2-2 weekend, splitting two games with Wright State and two with UNC Wilmington. The Golden Flashes got a second straight strong start from sophomore LHP Kyle Hallock (6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER) Friday against Wright State, and they won on an error in the 10th. Senior OF Jason Patton's three-run homer in the sixth gave junior RHP Brad Stillings (7.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) all the support he needed in the win against UNCW. The Flashes wasted a strong outing by junior RHP Kyle Smith (6 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) in the loss to the Raiders, as the Kent State bullpen blew a 6-3 lead over the final three frames. The Flashes were shut out on five hits in Sunday's finale against the Seahawks. Results March 6-8: @ UNCW Seahawk Round Robin, Wilmington, N.C. -- Wright State: W 4-3 (10 innings), UNC Wilmington: W 5-2, Wright State: L 7-6, UNC Wilmington: L 3-0 Upcoming March 10: @ Marshall March 13-15: @ Kennesaw State
22. Clemson
Last Week: 2-3 Overall: 6-1, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-1 The Tigers lost a tough series at North Carolina to start ACC play. Senior 3B Matt Sanders hit a game-winning sacrifice fly in the 10th Saturday, and junior RHP Tomas Cruz picked up the win with three scoreless innings of relief. Clemson pitchers issued four bases-loaded walks in UNC's four-run third inning Saturday, and the Tigers mustered just three hits. Clemson overcame a 7-1 deficit with seven runs over the final two innings Sunday -- capped by sophomore DH Jeff Schaus' go-ahead, three-run home run in the ninth -- but an error on a bunt helped UNC answer with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Schaus went 4-for-9 with a pair of homers in the series. Results March 3: Furman -- L 4-2 (14 innings) March 4: UNC Asheville -- W 17-2 March 6-8: @ (3) North Carolina -- W 5-4 (10 innings), L 5-2, L 9-8 Upcoming March 10: Michigan State March 11: @ Spartan Classic, Greenville, S.C.: Michigan State March 13-15: Wake Forest
23. Oregon State
Last Week: 3-1 Overall: -3, 0-0 in Pac-10 (1-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 0-0-1 Oregon State went 3-1 at the Palm Springs Invitational, with junior SS Joey Wong's six hits leading a steady offensive attack on the weekend. The Beavers erased a 6-4 deficit against San Francisco with five runs in the seventh, then tacked on two much-needed insurance runs in the eighth. Oklahoma State handed sophomore RHP Tyler Waldron (5 IP, 8 H, 7 ER) his first loss as a Beaver on Friday. Oregon State did all of its damage against UC Riverside in a five-run fourth inning. Junior RHP Jorge Reyes (6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER) was decent in a no-decision Sunday, and the Beavers scored four in the seventh to beat Texas Tech and coach Dan Spencer, who had been O-State's pitching coach and recruiting coordinator through 2006. Results March 5-8: Palm Springs Baseball Invitational, Palm Springs, Calif. -- San Francisco: W 11-9, (23) Oklahoma State: L 7-5, UC Riverside: W 5-1, Texas Tech: W 9-6 Upcoming March 13-15: @ Pape Grand Slam, Portland, Ore.: Missouri State
24. Cal Poly
Last Week: 2-1 Overall: 8-2, 0-0 in Big West (2-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-0 Cal Poly improved to 4-2 on the year against Conference USA teams from Houston, following its season-opening home series win against Rice with a road series win against Houston. Freshman 2B Matt Jensen (4-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI, 2 2B) paced Poly's 20-hit attack Friday, and junior RHP Kevin Castner struck out five over three scoreless innings of relief. Jensen and senior OF Ryan Lee each hit two-run homers to power the Mustangs to their eighth straight win Saturday, and Jensen (an unsigned 11th-round pick for the Mariners) has five homers already to lead the team; no Mustang hit more than nine last season. Junior RHP D.J. Mauldin (8 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 13 K) was outstanding in defeat Sunday. Results March 3: @ San Jose State -- PPD (rain) March 6-8: @ Houston -- W 13-5, W 13-9, L 3-2 Upcoming March 10: @ (11) Pepperdine March 11: @ San Jose State March 11: @ California
25. UC Santa Barbara
Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in Big West (1-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-0 The Gauchos swept a four-game series against Loyola Marymount to crack the top 25 for the first time since 2001. Senior 1B Eric Oliver doubled home the lone run in the eighth inning Friday to help sophomore LHP Mario Hollands (9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K) improve to 2-1, 2.35 with a 24-5 K-BB ratio in 23 innings. The Gauchos made four errors in Game 2 behind junior RHP Joe Gardner (7 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K), but they scored six runs in the eighth to pull out a comeback win. UCSB used another six-spot (in the fifth inning) to win Saturday's nightcap. Junior 2B Matt Valaika (3-for-5, 3 RBI, 2B) paced a 13-hit attack Sunday in support of junior RHP Mike Ford (6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 2 K). Results March 6-8: Loyola Marymount -- W 1-0, W 12-9, W 9-5, W 10-3 Upcoming March 10: @ UCLA March 13-15: @ St. Mary's

Dropped out

Florida State (22)
Last Week: 1-4
Overall: 7-5, 1-2 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1
For the first time since joining the ACC in 1992, Florida State lost its conference-opening series. The Seminoles had been 43-5 in games during the ACC's opening weekend and had swept six straight opening series. The weekend started off all right for FSU, which got a strong start Friday from freshman LHP Sean Gilmartin (8 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K). Florida State's starters -- sophomore RHP Geoff Parker (1.1 IP, 7 H, 9 ER) and sophomore LHP John Gast (3.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 5 ER) -- got shelled each of the next two games, and Boston College piled on against the bullpen both days.
Results
March 3: @ Jacksonville -- L 9-4
March 4: North Florida -- L 5-4
March 6-8: Boston College -- W 4-1, L 14-6, L 12-5
Upcoming
March 10-11: High Point
March 13-15: @ Virginia