Arizona State sweeps and conquers
Sun Devils take over No. 1 spot after split against CSF, sweep of Washington
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. Arizona State |
|---|
| Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 23-5, 8-1 in Pac-10 (3-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-0 Arizona State split two midweek games against the nation's top-ranked team, then swept a conference road series against Washington to become the new No. 1. The Devils' dynamic duo continued to deal, as junior RHP Mike Leake (7.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 10 K) improved Friday to 7-1 with a 1.29 ERA and a 62-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 56 innings. Not to be outdone, on Saturday junior LHP Josh Spence (8 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 14 K) improved to 6-0, 1.17 with a 72-16 K-BB in 54 innings. Then on Sunday, freshman LHP Mitchell Lambson twirled a complete game in his first career start, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks while whiffing nine. Lambson's emergence, on the heels of sophomore RHP Seth Blair's seven shutout innings Wednesday against Fullerton, gives ASU four quality starting options. Results March 31-April 1: (1) Cal State Fullerton -- L 7-5, W 3-1 March 3-5: @ Washington -- W 3-1, W 12-1, W 6-2 Upcoming April 7-8: @ (12) Arkansas April 10-12: Washington State |
| 2. LSU |
| Last Week: 2-2 Overall: 23-8, 8-4 in SEC. (4-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-1 LSU went on the road against a top-10 opponent and won its eighth consecutive SEC series. Junior 1B Sean Ochinko (2-for-5, 3 RBI) hit one of LSU's three homers Friday in support of sophomore RHP Anthony Ranaudo (6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 10 K). Sophomore RHP Austin Ross (3 IP, 9 H, 6 ER) was hammered Saturday, and LSU rallied for five runs over the final two frames but came up short. Senior RHP Louis Coleman, who pitched 2.1 innings in relief Friday, came back to pick up the win Sunday, allowing five runs on eight hits while striking out nine over eight innings. Freshman OF Mikie Mahtook hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth. Results March 31: @ Tulane -- L 8-7 April 3-5: @ (6) Georgia -- W 8-4, L 10-8, W 7-5 Upcoming April 8: Grambling State April 10-12: @ Alabama |
| 3. Rice |
| Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 21-7, 7-2 in CUSA. (6-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-1 Who needs Ryan Berry and Mike Ojala? Well, Rice does, but the Owls survived another week without their injured twin aces, riding their high-flying offense to a sweep of Tulane. Rice is now 5-1 in weekend games since Berry and Ojala were sidelined. Senior RHP Jared Rogers (7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER) rebounded from a miserable start last week to pick up the win Friday, and junior 1B Jimmy Comerota (4-for-5, 2 RBI, 2B) led a 15-hit attack. Freshman 3B Anthony Rendon slugged his ninth and 10th homers of the year Saturday in support of freshman LHP Taylor Wall (6 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K). The Owls overcame a 4-1 deficit with five runs in the seventh Sunday, highlighted by sophomore OF Chad Mozingo's three-run homer. Results April 1: Dallas Baptist -- W 11-8 April 3-5: Tulane -- W 11-3, W 12-7, W 7-4 Upcoming April 7: Sam Houston State April 8: @ Lamar April 10-12: @ (15) East Carolina |
| 4. North Carolina |
| Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 24-7, 9-5 in ACC. (6-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-1 The Tar Heels won a series at Georgia Tech for the first time since 1998. Junior RHP Alex White (8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 8 K) had his longest outing of the season Friday and reached the eight-strikeout mark for the fifth time in seven starts. UNC's bullpen wasted a solid outing from senior RHP Adam Warren (6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 4 BB, 8 K) on Saturday, surrendering three in the ninth to force extra innings, then serving up a walk-off grand slam in the 11th. Junior 1B Dustin Ackley and junior 3B Kyle Seager were just 2-for-15 heading into Sunday's finale before breaking out; Ackley homered twice and drove in four for the second time this week, while Seager tied a school record with four doubles. Ackely already has matched his career high with 10 homers this year. But junior RHP Matt Harvey (4 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 4 BB, 6 K) struggled again and saw his ERA rise to 6.97. Results March 31: Davidson -- W 9-4 April 1: Old Dominion -- W 7-6 April 3-5: @ (10) Georgia Tech -- W 4-2, L 10-6 (11 innings), W 13-10 Upcoming April 7: (15) East Carolina April 8: Richmond April 10-12: @ Florida State |
| 5. UC Irvine |
| Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 19-8, 5-1 in Big West. (6-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-0 Irvine won a road series against No. 1 Cal State Fullerton to seize control of the Big West race. Junior LHP Daniel Bibona (8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K) won a fine pitcher's duel Friday against Titans ace Daniel Renken. Junior 1B Jeff Cusick's three-run homer in the first inning Saturday was all the support necessary for junior RHP Christian Bergman (5.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER) and senior RHP Brock Bardeen (3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R). Sophomore RHP Crosby Slaught (5.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER) was strong in a no-decision Sunday, but the Anteaters lost three balls in the sun -- including on a pivotal play in the 10th inning -- and squandered a 4-1 lead after six innings. Results March 31: @ Loyola Marymount -- W 19-8 April 3-5: @ (1) Cal State Fullerton -- W 2-1, W 6-1, L 5-4 (10 innings) Upcoming April 7: @ UCLA April 9-11: Long Beach State |
| 6. Cal State Fullerton |
| Last Week: 2-3 Overall: 20-7, 3-3 in Big West. (7-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-2 Fullerton dropped its first home conference series since May 25-27, 2007, but rallied late Sunday to avoid a sweep. Sophomore RHP Daniel Renken (8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) was outdueled Friday by UC Irvine ace lefty Daniel Bibona, and the Titans left the tying run in scoring position in the ninth. The Titans stranded 10 runners Saturday in front of the largest crowd of the season (3,056) at Goodwin Field. Fullerton trailed 4-1 after six innings Sunday but rallied back to force extra innings and won on senior OF Matthew Fahey's pinch-hit RBI single in the 10th. Results March 31-April 1: @ (3) Arizona State -- W 7-5, L 3-1 April 3-5: (8) UC Irvine -- L 2-1, L 6-1, W 5-4 (10 innings) Upcoming April 7: Loyola Marymount April 9-11: @ Cal State Northridge |
| 7. Baylor |
| Last Week: 3-2 Overall: 20-8, 7-5 in Big 12. (5-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-1 The Bears won a series at Kansas' Hoglund Park, where the Jayhawks had been a perfect 14-0 heading into the weekend. Baylor scored three in the ninth Friday to make junior LHP/OF Aaron Miller (4 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 5 K) a winner in relief of junior RHP Kendal Volz (4.2 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 7 BB, 5 K). The Bears mustered just three hits Saturday as freshman LHP Logan Verrett (5.1 IP, 7 H, 5 ER) took his first career loss. Baylor's bats atoned with the wind howling out Sunday, tying a school record with eight home runs, led by junior 3B Shaver Hansen (3-for-5, 4 R, 4 RBI), who became the fifth Bear to swat three homers in a game. Results March 31: Texas State -- L 5-3 April 1: Prairie View A&M -- W 14-1 April 3-5: @ Kansas -- W 8-6, L 6-0, W 21-9 Upcoming April 7: Northwestern State April 8: Dallas Baptist April 10-12: Missouri |
| 8. Georgia |
| Last Week: 3-2 Overall: 25-5, 8-4 in SEC (1-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-2 Georgia survived a brutal week, dropping a hard-fought home series against LSU but winning a pair of games against Clemson earlier in the week. Senior C Bryce Massanari (8-for-13, 5 R, 7 RBI, 4 HR) had a huge weekend for the Bulldogs and now has 10 home runs on the year. Georgia jumped out to an early lead Saturday behind junior LHP Alex McRee (6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER), and the bullpen held off a late LSU rally. The 'pen was unable to hold a 5-4 lead through five innings Sunday. Results March 31-April 1: vs./@ Clemson -- W 6-5, W 4-2 April 3-5: (2) Louisiana State -- L 8-4, W 10-8, L 7-5 Upcoming April 7-8: Winthrop April 10-12: @ Kentucky |
| 9. Texas |
| Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 20-8, 6-6 in Big 12. (2-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-1 Texas won a road series against a ranked Big 12 opponent and has now won six of eight games since being swept at Kansas. Texas scored five in the second Friday in support of junior RHP Chance Ruffin (7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K). Sophomore RHP Brandon Workman (3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER) fell to 3-3 on Saturday, as the Longhorns were held to four hits. They rapped out 13 hits -- all singles -- Sunday, and senior LHP Austin Wood (4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) picked up the win in relief. Results March 31: Oral Roberts -- W 5-4 April 3-5: @ (17) Oklahoma State -- W 7-2, L 7-1, W 8-5 Upcoming April 7: (19) Texas Christian April 9-11: @ Nebraska |
| 10. Miami |
| Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 23-8, 10-5 in ACC (6-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-1 Miami won its second straight series against rival Florida State. Junior RHP David Gutierrez (0.2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER) earned the Friday start and was hammered, and three relievers fared little better as FSU clubbed seven home runs. Sophomore LHP Chris Hernandez (6.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 11 K) turned in one of his best starts of the year Saturday, and Miami erased an early 4-1 deficit with a five-run sixth, highlighted by junior 1B Jason Hagerty's two-run homer. Freshman 3B Harold Martinez and sophomore C Yasmani Grandal hit grand slams in the first two innings Sunday in support of sophomore LHP Iden Nazario (6 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 5 BB, 6 K). Results April 1: Barry (Fla.) -- W 15-10 April 3-5: Florida State -- L 14-4, W 6-4, W 14-8 Upcoming April 7: Florida Atlantic April 10-12: @ Clemson |
| 11. Oklahoma |
| Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 25-7, 6-3 in Big 12 (2-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-0-1 The Sooners have opened Big 12 play with three straight conference series wins, including two on the road. Junior RHP Andrew Doyle (8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K) outdueled Missouri ace Kyle Gibson (9 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 15 K) on Friday, and OU scratched out two runs in the fifth. The Sooners used a four-run fifth inning to foil Missouri's pitcher-by-committee plan Saturday. Junior RHP Stephen Porlier gave Oklahoma 4.1 scoreless innings of two-hit relief Sunday, but not before the Tigers got all the runs they needed in a five-run second against sophomore RHP Antwonie Hubbard (1.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 ER). Results March 30: Nebraska -- W 16-6 (8 innings) April 3-5: @ Missouri -- W 2-1, W 7-4, L 5-4 Upcoming April 8: @ Wichita State April 10-12: Texas Tech |
| 12. Arkansas |
| Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 22-6, 10-2 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 7-0 Arkansas won its sixth straight series against South Carolina. The Hogs have won four consecutive SEC series for the first time since 2006. Freshman 3B Zack Cox broke open a 3-1 game Friday with a three-run homer in the sixth, helping junior LHP Dallas Keuchel (6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) improve to 5-0. Junior RHP T.J. Forrest (4.1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER) took the loss in Saturday's blowout. Senior OF Chase Leavitt (4-for-4, 2 RBI, 2B) keyed a 14-hit attack Sunday, and junior RHP Mike Bolsinger picked up the win with six scoreless, one-hit innings of relief after freshman LHP Drew Smyly (0.0 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 2 BB) failed to get out of the first inning for the second straight Sunday. Results March 31: @ Missouri State: W 2-0 April 3-5: @ South Carolina: W 6-4, L 9-1, W 7-4 Upcoming April 7-8: (1) Arizona State April 10-12: Vanderbilt |
| 13. Georgia Tech |
| Last Week: 1-2 Overall: 19-6, 9-4 in ACC (3-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-1 Georgia Tech lost a home series to North Carolina for the first time since 1998. Sophomore RHP Deck McGuire (6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 7 BB, 11 K) was effectively wild in a no-decision Friday. The Yellow Jackets scored three times in the ninth to tie Saturday's game, then won on senior C Jason Haniger's walk-off grand slam. Tech's Sunday starter woes continued, as sophomore RHP Kevin Jacob (1.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 6 ER) was lit up, and Tech's comeback bid fell short. Results April 1: @ Mercer -- CCD April 3-5: (5) North Carolina -- L 4-2, W 10-6 (11 innings), L 13-10 Upcoming April 7-8: Georgia Southern April 10-12: (22) Virginia |
| 14. Mississippi |
| Last Week: 6-0 Overall: 22-8, 8-4 in SEC. (3-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-2 Ole Miss allowed just six runs in three games against Kentucky and registered its first SEC series sweep since April 5-6, 2008, against Vanderbilt. Junior RHP Phillip Irwin (8 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) had no trouble moving to the Friday starter spot, and the Rebels rallied from behind with two in the eighth, capped by junior 2B Evan Button's game-winning RBI single. Sophomore 1B Matt Smith (4-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B) led a 16-hit assault Saturday in support of sophomore LHP Drew Pomeranz (6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K). Senior RHP Scott Bittle (9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 13 K) was masterful in a complete-game shutout Sunday, setting a career high in strikeouts in his second start of the season. Results March 30: Arkansas State -- W 9-6 March 31: Jackson State -- W 8-7 April 1: @ Memphis -- W 7-6 (10 innings) April 3-5: Kentucky -- W 4-3, W 10-3, W 8-0 Upcoming April 7-8: New Orleans April 10-12: South Carolina |
| 15. East Carolina |
| Last Week: 5-0 Overall: 25-5, 8-1 in CUSA (1-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-1 The Pirates rode their high-powered offense to a 5-0 week and are off to their best start in Conference USA. Their 25-5 overall mark is their best start since 2000. Sophomore OF Trent Whitehead (10-for-21, 10 R, 7 RBI, 2 HR) had a big week to boost his CUSA-leading average to .438. Junior OF Devin Harris also had a big week, slugging three homers and recording the eventual game-winning RBI in four of ECU's five wins. Junior RHP Chris Heston (7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 10 K) set a career high in strikeouts Friday. The Pirates scored 25 runs in two games to sweep Saturday's doubleheader. Results March 31: Elon -- W 15-4 April 1: @ North Carolina State -- W 14-4 April 3-4: @ Alabama-Birmingham -- W 6-3, W 15-9, W 10-9 Upcoming April 7: @ (4) North Carolina April 8: @ UNC Wilmington April 10-12: (3) Rice |
| 16. Oregon State |
|
Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 18-6, 5-1 in Pac-10 (1-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-1-1 The Beavers registered their first sweep in Pac-10 play since 2006. OSU's heralded weekend rotation is finally jelling, as all three starters lasted seven or more innings, led by junior RHP Jorge Reyes (7 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) on Sunday. Oregon State broke open a close game Friday with five runs in the seventh, and a four-spot in the second Saturday proved enough support for sophomore RHP Greg Peavey (7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K). Cal rallied Sunday against closer Kevin Rhoderick to force extra innings, but junior C Ryan Ortiz hit a walk-off, bases-loaded single in the 11th to win it. Sunday's game set a Goss Stadium regular-season attendance record (3,023). Results April 3-5: California -- W 8-4, W 6-2, W 5-4 (11 innings) Upcoming April 9-11: @ Arizona |
| 17. Texas A&M |
| Last Week: 2-2 Overall: 20-11, 7-5 in Big 12. (3-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-2 The Aggies dropped a road series at Texas Tech but have still won seven of their past nine games. Texas A&M stranded 12 runners to Tech's three on Friday, contributing to the first loss of the year for sophomore LHP/OF Brooks Raley (6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 4 K). Senior 1B Luke Anders (2-for-4, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR) led a 14-hit attack Saturday in support of junior RHP Alex Wilson (8 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 10 K). The Red Raiders jumped out to a 7-0 lead over the first two innings Sunday against sophomore RHP Barret Loux (1 IP, 2 ER) and junior RHP Clayton Ehlert (1 IP, 5 ER). Results March 31: Texas-San Antonio -- W 16-6 April 3-5: @ Texas Tech -- L 4-3, W 13-7, L 10-6 Upcoming April 7: Houston April 9-11: @ Kansas State |
| 18. San Diego State |
| Last Week: 4-2 Overall: 22-11, 6-3 in MWC (6-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-1 San Diego State took a break from MWC action and won a nonconference four-game set against UC Davis. Junior C Erik Castro (3-for-4, 6 RBI, 2 HR) led an offensive explosion Friday that allowed junior RHP Stephen Strasburg (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K) to breeze through six innings. The Aztecs got a complete-game victory from senior LHP Jon Berger in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader, then six shutout innings from junior RHP Tyler Lavigne in the nightcap. Castro (4-for-5, 3 RBI, HR) had another big game in Sunday's loss and now leads the team in batting (.389), OBP (.517), slugging (.684) and homers (six), among other categories. Results March 31-April 1: @/vs. UC Santa Barbara -- W 7-4, L 15-8 April 3-5: UC Davis -- W 14-0, W 9-4, W 5-3, L 6-5 Upcoming April 7: @ Long Beach State April 9-11: @ Nevada-Las Vegas |
| 19. TCU |
| Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 19-9, 6-3 in MWC (7-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-2 TCU swept upstart New Mexico to climb into a tie atop the Mountain West with San Diego State. Sophomore RHP Steven Maxwell (5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) pitched well in the Friday starter spot, and former Friday starter Tyler Lockwood (4 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) picked up the win in relief. Junior RHP Paul Gerrish (7.2 IP, 6 H, 2 ER) gave TCU's revamped rotation another quality outing Saturday, and freshman RHP Kyle Winkler (5 IP, 3 H, 3 ER) benefited from TCU's 22-hit, five-homer explosion in Sunday's laugher. Results April 1: Texas-Arlington -- W 2-1 April 3-5: (18) New Mexico -- W 7-3, W 4-2, W 19-3 Upcoming April 7: @ (9) Texas April 9-11: @ Texas-Pan American |
| 20.Oklahoma State |
| Last Week: 2-3 Overall: 21-10, 4-5 in Big 12 (3-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 1-2 The Cowboys lost their second conference series in three tries this year. Junior LHP Andrew Oliver (7 IP, 7 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 3 K) fell to 4-3, 5.91 in Friday's loss. Junior RHP Tyler Blandford (7.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K) improved to 6-0 with a 3.42 ERA on Saturday with help from a pair of OSU home runs. Senior OF Michael Dabbs (3-for-4, 2 RBI) homered twice in Sunday's loss, but junior LHP Tyler Lyons (6.2 IP, 11 H, 8 R, 4 ER) was knocked around. Results March 30: Missouri -- L 1-0 April 1: Tabor (Kan.) -- W 15-0 April 3-5: (9) Texas -- L 7-2, W 7-1, L 8-5 Upcoming April 8: @ Missouri State April 10-12: @ Kansas |
| 21. Cal Poly |
| Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 21-7, 3-3 in Big West (2-5 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-1 The Mustangs rebounded from a series sweep at the hands of UC Irvine by sweeping Cal State Northridge despite being without its two top hitters: junior C/1B Wes Dorrell (illness) and junior 1B/3B Adam Buschini (hand injury). Sophomore DH DJ Gentile (9-for-16, 5 RBI, 2 2B, HR on the weekend) extended his hitting streak to 10 games and was in the middle of two extra-inning wins. Gentile scored the winning run Friday on a wild pitch and an overthrow, then laid down a bunt that was thrown away to allow the winning run to score Saturday. Freshman RHP Mason Radeke (7 IP, 3 ER) made Sunday's finale considerably less dramatic, with help from Poly's 14-hit assault. Results March 31: Southern California -- W 7-5 April 3-5: Cal State Northridge -- W 11-10 (10 innings), W 7-6 (12 innings), W 11-3 Upcoming April 7: St. Mary's April 9-11: @ Pacific |
| 22. Virginia |
| Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 26-5, 8-5 in ACC (2-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-2 UVa bounced back from consecutive series losses to top-10 opponents by taking two of three from cellar-dwelling Maryland. Freshman LHP/1B Danny Hultzen (6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K; 4-for-5, RBI) did a bit of everything Friday but still got a no-decision, as the Cavs rallied for five runs over the seventh and eighth innings. The bullpen gave up five runs in the eighth Saturday to spoil a good start by senior RHP Andrew Carraway (7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER). Ten Cavaliers got into the hit column in Sunday's blowout. Results March 31: vs. Radford @ Salem, Va. -- W 12-2 April 1: Norfolk State -- W 6-2 April 3-5: Maryland -- W 7-4, L 8-7, W 17-2 Upcoming April 7-8: Stony Brook April 10-12: @ (13) Georgia Tech |
| 23. Hawaii |
| Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 19-10, 3-1 in WAC (4-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-1 Since dropping their season-opening series against UC Irvine, the Rainbows have won quality four-game series against Mississippi State, Loyola Marymount, Coastal Carolina and San Jose State. Senior RHP Jayson Kramer (8 IP, 6 H, 0 R) stymied the Spartans on Friday, and Hawaii got another strong start in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader from freshman RHP Matt Sisto (7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 1 ER), though he took the tough-luck loss. Senior 1B Kevin Macdonald homered and drove in three runs in the Game 2 victory, then drove in two more in Game 4. Results April 3-5: San Jose State -- W 3-0, W 7-5, L 3-2, W 7-4 Upcoming April 7: @ Santa Clara April 9-11: @ Nevada |
| 24. Coastal Carolina |
| Last Week: 5-0 Overall: 24-7, 6-2 in Big South (1-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 2-2 The Chanticleers followed a pair of one-run wins against UNC Wilmington with a series sweep of Gardner-Webb. Junior OF Adam Rice (12-for-20, 7 RBI, 4 2B, 2 HR) had a monstrous week, highlighted by his 5-for-5 performance on Friday, when he swatted two of Coastal's six homers. Sophomore LHP Cody Wheeler (6.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) followed last week's no-hitter at Hawaii by taking another no-hitter into the seventh inning Friday. Junior RHP Austin Fleet (6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) allowed just one hit through the first six innings Saturday, and freshman RHP Anthony Meo (7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) was perfect through four Sunday. On the down side, sophomore 3B Scott Woodward will be sidelined for an undisclosed period with a finger injury. Results March 31-April 1: vs./@ UNC Wilmington -- W 4-3, W 3-2 April 3-5: Gardner-Webb -- W 11-6, W 7-4, W 10-4 Upcoming April 7: @ Elon April 8: @ Wake Forest April 10-11: Radford |
| 25. San Diego |
| Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 22-11, 6-0 in WCC. (5-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 3-2 The Toreros are rolling through the West Coast Conference again, having swept their first two WCC series against the two teams picked to finish second and third in the preseason. Sophomore RHP Kyle Blair (9 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) turned in one of his best starts of the year Friday, and the bats took care of the rest of the weekend. USD scored a combined 44 runs on 45 hits over the final two games, led by junior OF James Meador (7-for-12, 5 R, 4 2B) and sophomore OF Zach Walters (8-for-11, 6 R, 2B). Results March 31: @ UC Riverside -- L 8-7 April 3-5: @ Santa Clara -- W 9-4, W 22-10, W 22-5 Upcoming April 7: @ Stanford April 9-11: @ Gonzaga |
Dropped out
New Mexico (18)
Last Week: 1-4
Overall: 25-8, 5-4 in MWC (2-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
The Lobos were swept out of first place in the Mountain West by league power TCU. New Mexico's potent offense was limited to eight or fewer hits in all three games; the Lobos entered the weekend averaging 15.6 hits per game. Senior LHP John Hesketh (6.2 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K), the Friday starter, was the only one of UNM's weekend starters to last longer than three innings.
Results
March 31-April 1: Texas Tech: L 8-4, W 15-7
April 3-5: @ (22) Texas Christian: L 7-3, L 4-2, L 19-3
Upcoming
April 9-11: @ Utah
Florida (20)
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 19-11, 7-5 in SEC (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-3
Florida's roller-coaster season continued with a disappointing series loss at Vanderbilt in which the Gators blew a seven-run lead in the finale. The Gators battered Vandy ace lefty Mike Minor (7 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 9 K) on Friday, and junior LHP Tony Davis picked up the win with 3.1 scoreless, hitless innings of relief. Freshman LHP Nick Maronde (5.1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 1 ER) pitched well in a no-decision Saturday, and senior LHP Stephen Locke (5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K) was solid Sunday before the bullpen imploded. Florida failed to hold a 9-2 lead through five and a half innings.
Results
March 31: vs. Florida State @ Jacksonville -- L 3-2
April 1: Stetson -- PPD
April 3-5: @ Vanderbilt -- W 8-4, L 4-3, L 16-9
Upcoming
April 7: Bethune-Cookman
April 8: Central Florida
April 10-12: @ Auburn
Minnesota (25)
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 16-9, 3-2 in Big 10 (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0-1
The Gophers posted their third straight .500 week, which included a big conference series win against an Ohio State team that entered the weekend with a 21-5 record. Senior RHP Chauncy Handran (7 IP, 2 ER) earned his fifth win of the year Friday, as Minnesota handed Ohio State ace Alex Wimmers (6.2 IP, 10 H, 7 ER) his first loss of the season. Senior RHP Tom Buske (6 IP, 2 ER) was a tough-luck loser Saturday. Senior DH Matt Nohelty (3-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI) extended his streak of games reaching base safely to 41 on Sunday, while junior 2B Derek McCallum (3-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI) has driven in a run in 10 straight games.
Results
April 1: Northern Iowa -- L 9-7
April 3-5: Ohio State -- W 7-5, L 3-2, W 16-3
Upcoming
April 7-8: @ Missouri
April 10-12: Northwestern
For more on college baseball, check out Baseball America.

