UC Irvine made its case for the No. 1 spot in Baseball America's Top 25

Updated: April 20, 2009, 7:22 PM ET

UC Irvine surges in Big West, Top 25

Baseball America ranks the Anteaters above all others

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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. UC Irvine
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 26-10, 11-1 in Big West. (6-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 7-0 Irvine swept its second straight conference series to improve to 11-1 in the Big West and maintain its three-game lead over second-place Cal Poly. UCI's bats erupted for 37 runs on 51 hits in three games, led by junior C Francis Larson (8-for-14, 6 R, 4 RBI, 2 2B, HR). He leads the team with seven homers and 31 RBIs. Junior LHP Daniel Bibona (7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K) and junior RHP Christian Bergman (5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 ER) each improved to 6-1 in the first two games. Sophomore RHP Crosby Slaught (0.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER) was hammered Sunday, but the Anteaters stormed back from an early 6-3 deficit. Results April 13: Loyola Marymount -- W 6-4 April 14: @ San Diego -- L 7-4 April 17-19: @ UC Riverside -- W 16-1, W 9-6, W 12-9 Upcoming April 20-21: Oregon April 24-26: @ Utah
2. Rice
Last Week: 2-2 Overall: 27-10, 11-4 in C-USA. (8-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-1 The Owls won two of three against Marshall to take a one-game lead over East Carolina in the Conference USA standings. Rice scored four in the third inning Friday to help freshman LHP Taylor Wall (6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) improve to 5-3 on the year. Junior 2B Brock Holt (4-for-4, HR, 2B) paced an 11-hit attack Saturday in support of junior RHP Mike Ojala (5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). Junior RHP Mark Haynes (5.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER) was solid in a no-decision Sunday, but Rice couldn't hold a 4-0 lead through five innings, as the Thundering Herd exploded against the Owls' bullpen. Results April 14: Texas A&M -- L 7-3 April 15: Texas-San Antonio -- CCD April 17-19: Marshall -- W 7-5, W 10-3, L 11-7 Upcoming April 21: @ (5) Texas
3. Arizona State
Last Week: 3-0 Overall: 28-8, 13-2 in Pac-10 (3-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 8-0 The Sun Devils registered their third straight home sweep of Stanford and now lead the Pac-10 by 3½ games. Junior OF Jason Kipnis (3-for-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2B) led a 14-hit barrage Friday in support of junior LHP Josh Spence (7 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 7 K), who surrendered his spot as the national ERA leader to Texas freshman Taylor Jungmann. ASU erased a 2-0 deficit with seven runs in the eighth Saturday to help junior RHP Mike Leake (8 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 9 K) improve to 9-1, 1.61 ERA on the year. The Sun Devils scored five in the fourth inning Sunday behind sophomore RHP Seth Blair (6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K). Results April 17-19: Stanford -- W 14-6, W 7-2, W 6-3 Upcoming April 21: (20) Hawaii April 24-26: @ California
4. North Carolina
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 31-10, 13-7 in ACC. (10-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 7-2 The Tar Heels improved to 9-1 in their past 10 games against Miami with a three-game sweep, their first in ACC play this year. Junior RHP Alex White (9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K) was sensational Friday, firing UNC's first one-hitter since 1994. Junior C Mark Fleury (2-for-4, 3B, RBI) delivered a walk-off single in the 10th Saturday after junior 3B Kyle Seager led off the frame with a triple. Junior 1B Dustin Ackley (4-for-4, 2B, 3B) led a 12-hit assault Sunday in support of sophomore RHP Matt Harvey (7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 5 K), who matched his longest outing of the year. On Monday, North Carolina announced coach Mike Fox has signed a six-year contract extension. Results April 14: High Point -- L 11-9 April 15: Winthrop -- W 20-4 April 17-19: (13) Miami -- W 3-0, W 5-4 (10 innings), W 4-1 Upcoming April 21: UNC Wilmington April 22: @ East Carolina April 24-26: Maryland
5. Texas
Last Week: 5-0 Overall: 29-8, 12-6 in Big 12. (6-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 8-1 Texas ran its winning streak to 10 games with a huge sweep of Oklahoma. The Longhorns have won 15 of 17 since being swept at Kansas and now lead the Big 12 by a game over Texas A&M. In the first game of Saturday's doubleheader, the Horns scored five in the second inning in support of sophomore RHP Chance Ruffin (6.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 10 K). Sophomore DH Cameron Rupp (2-for-4, 3 RBI, HR) led a 12-hit attack in Game 2. Senior LHP Austin Wood threw 2.2 scoreless innings of relief in the opener and two more scoreless innings in the nightcap. Freshman RHP Taylor Jungmann (4.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K) picked up the win in relief in Sunday's travel-curfew-shortened finale. Jungmann lowered his ERA to 1.10, best in the nation. Opposing teams are hitting just .217 against the Longhorns. Results April 14-15: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi -- W 5-2, W 8-1 April 18-19: (10) Oklahoma -- W 7-3, W 6-2, W 8-5 (8 innings) Upcoming April 21: (2) Rice April 24-26: (23) Kansas State
6. LSU
Last Week: 2-3 Overall: 8-11, 11-7 in SEC. (4-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 7-2 LSU lost its first SEC series since April 2008, snapping a streak of nine straight conference series wins that was tied for the longest in the current 30-game SEC format. Vanderbilt also did it from 2007 to 2008. The Tigers also set a school record Sunday for largest actual regular-season crowd (5,965). Junior OF Jared Mitchell (2-for-3, 3 R, 5 RBI, 3B, HR) and junior DH Blake Dean (4-for-4, RBI, 2B) led an 18-hit attack Friday in support of sophomore RHP Anthony Ranaudo (7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K). Dean had four more hits over the next two days to extend his hitting streak to nine games; he has now recovered from a very slow start to raise his average to .322. Results April 14: New Orleans -- W 8-6 April 15: Nicholls State -- L 3-1 April 17-19: Tennessee -- W 18-3, L 7-5, L 9-4 Upcoming April 21: Southeastern Louisiana April 22: Louisiana-Lafayette April 24-25: Auburn
7. Georgia Tech
Last Week: 5-0 Overall: 26-8-1, 13-5-1 in ACC (5-4-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 7-1 Georgia Tech utterly dominated in a three-game sweep at Wake Forest, outscoring the Demon Deacons 27-3. Sophomore OF Jeff Rowland (9-for-16, 4 R, 2 RBI, 2 2B, HR) led the Tech offense on the weekend and extended his hitting streak to 14 games. The Yellow Jackets also got two homers apiece from senior OF Luke Murton and junior 1B Tony Plagman. And Tech got three strong starting pitching performances from sophomore RHP Deck McGuire (7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 9 K), junior RHP Zach Von Tersch (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 1 K) and sophomore RHP Brandon Cumpton (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K). Results April 14: @ (8) Georgia -- W 11-6 April 15: @ Georgia State -- W 18-2 April 17-19: @ Wake Forest -- W 13-2, W 8-1, W 6-0 Upcoming April 21-22: vs./@ Western Carolina April 24-26: @ Clemson
8. Georgia
Last Week: 2-2 Overall: 31-8, 13-5 in SEC (3-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 7-2 The Bulldogs won an intense series against Arkansas to open up a three-game lead over second-place Florida in the SEC East. Junior OF Matt Cerione delivered walk-off hits Friday and Saturday, giving the Bulldogs twin 4-3 victories. The Bulldogs also got strong pitching all weekend from senior RHP Trevor Holder (6.2 IP, 3 ER), junior LHP Alex McRee (5.1 IP, 2 R, 1 ER) and sophomore RHP Justin Grimm (7 IP, 2 R, 1 ER). Grimm was the hard-luck loser Sunday, when Arkansas righty Brett Eibner shut out Georgia for the first time in more than two years. It was the first one-hit shutout against UGA since 1994. Results April 14: (12) Georgia Tech -- L 11-6 April 17-19: (11) Arkansas -- W 4-3, W 4-3, L 2-04 Upcoming April 21: Kennesaw State April 22: @ Jacksonville State April 24-26: @ Mississippi (11)
9. Baylor
Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 24-8, 9-6 in Big 12. (3-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 7-1 The Bears split a pair of games at Oklahoma State, but Sunday's finale wasn't played after a storm dropped more than an inch of rain on Stillwater overnight. Junior SS Shaver Hansen (3-for-4, 2 R) and junior OF/LHP Aaron Miller (1-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) led a 12-hit attack Friday in support of junior RHP Kendal Volz (8.1 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K), who improved to 3-3, 3.66 ERA. Miller (5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 9 K) started Saturday and suffered his first loss of the season despite 2.1 perfect innings of relief from sophomore RHP Shawn Tolleson. Results April 14-15: @/vs. Texas-Arlington -- L 5-4, W 10-7 April 17-19: @ Oklahoma State -- W 8-5, L 4-3, CCD Upcoming April 21: @ Sam Houston State April 22: Texas State April 24-26: (13) Oklahoma
10. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 2-2 Overall: 24-11, 6-6 in Big West. (7-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-3 In one of the year's most stunning series, the Titans lost a set against Pacific for the first time ever, falling to 73-10 all-time against the Tigers. Fullerton now trails first-place UC Irvine by five games in the Big West. Sophomore RHP Daniel Renken (6.2 IP, 9 H, 1 ER) pitched well in a no-decision Friday, but the Tigers erased a three-run deficit with four in the ninth against the CSF bullpen. Freshman RHP Tyler Pill (6 IP, 11 H, 7 ER) was knocked around Saturday, and the pen again provided little relief. Junior RHP Kyle Witten (5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) and freshman LHP Nick Ramirez (3.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER) stopped the bleeding Sunday. Results April 14: @ Southern California -- W 9-2 April 17-19: Pacific -- L 5-4, L 14-10, W 4-3 Upcoming April 21: San Diego April 22: @ Pepperdine April 24-26: @ UC Davis
11. Mississippi
Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 28-11, 11-7 in SEC. (3-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-3 Ole Miss won a road series at Florida to move into a tie with LSU for second place in the SEC West, just a half-game behind Arkansas. Sophomore LHP Drew Pomeranz (9 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K) rebounded from a miserable start against South Carolina with his first career complete game. Four Ole Miss errors sabotaged junior RHP Phillip Irwin (3.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 4 BB) in Saturday's loss. Senior C Kyle Henson (2-for-4, 3 RBI, HR) led the offense Sunday in support of senior RHP Scott Bittle (6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 6 BB, 8 K), who won his third straight start to improve to 4-2, 2.33 ERA with 57 K's in 38.2 IP. Results April 14: vs. Mississippi State @ Pearl, Miss. -- W 8-1 April 17-19: @ Florida -- W 6-2, L 8-4, W 5-3 Upcoming April 21: Arkansas-Little Rock April 22: @ Southern Mississippi April 24-26: (8) Georgia
12. Arkansas
Last Week: 2-3 Overall: 26-11, 11-6 in SEC (3-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 7-2 Arkansas dropped its second straight conference series but maintained a half-game lead in the SEC West. The Hogs played four one-run games and a two-run game on the week. They lost Friday and Saturday in walk-off fashion before salvaging a win Sunday behind a brilliant performance from sophomore OF/RHP Brett Eibner (9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 12 K), who recorded the first shutout against Georgia in more than two years. Junior LHP Dallas Keuchel (7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER) bounced back from a rough outing last week with a strong performance in a no-decision Friday. Junior RHP T.J. Forrest (6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) rebounded similarly Saturday, but junior RHP Mike Bolsinger took the loss in relief both days. Results April 14-15: Louisiana-Monroe -- L 3-2, W 10-9 (10 innings) April 17-19: @ (8) Georgia -- L 4-3, L 4-3, W 2-0 Upcoming April 21: @ Oral Roberts April 24-26: @ Tennessee
13. Oklahoma
Last Week: 1-3 Overall: 29-11, 8-7 in Big 12 (2-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-1-1 Oklahoma suffered its first series loss of the year, a sweep at rival Texas. OU's potent offense was held to 10 runs in three games by a pitching staff that leads the nation in ERA. Junior RHP Andrew Doyle (7.1 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 5 ER) settled down after UT's five-run second in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader, but the damage was done. The Sooners got poor starting pitching the next two days from junior RHP Stephen Porlier (1.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER) and junior RHP Garrett Richards (2.2 IP, 2 H, 4 ER, 7 BB, 3 K). Results April 14: (16) Texas Christian -- W 7-5 April 17-19: @ (9) Texas -- L 7-3, L 6-2, L 8-5 (8 innings) Upcoming April 22: Wichita State April 24-26: @ (9) Baylor
14. Cal Poly
Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 27-9, 8-4 in Big West (2-5 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 8-1 The Mustangs swept UC Davis to run their home winning streak to 17 games and take sole possession of second place in the Big West, three games behind UC Irvine. Poly has swept four series this year and has already surpassed its 2008 win total. Senior OF Ryan Lee (7-for-15, 7 R, 4 RBI) extended his hitting streak to 26 games Sunday, breaking Brandon Roberts' school record. Freshman 2B Matt Jensen also extended his hitting streak to 23 games; the Mustangs are one of two schools in the nation with a pair of active 20-game hitting streaks (Tennessee-Martin is the other). Sophomore LHP Matt Leonard (7 IP, 4 H, 3 ER) turned in Poly's best pitching performance of the weekend in Saturday's win. Results April 14: @ Santa Clara: L 8-5 April 17-19: UC Davis: W 11-10 (10 innings), W 8-4, W 16-8 Upcoming April 24-26: @ UC Santa Barbara
15. Virginia
Last Week: 2-1 Overall: 30-8-1, 11-7-1 in ACC (3-5-1 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-2-1 Virginia won a big road series at Boston College to take over third place in the ACC's Coastal Division. Sophomore LHP/1B Danny Hultzen (4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER) belted his first career home run, a three-run shot in the fourth, to help his own cause in Friday's win. He hit another three-run homer in the first inning of Saturday's loss. Sophomore 2B Phil Gosselin went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles Sunday in support of sophomore RHP Robert Morey (7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K), who set career highs in innings and strikeouts. Results April 14: (20) Coastal Carolina -- CCD April 15: Radford -- CCD April 17-19: @ Boston College -- W 8-3, L 9-6, W 2-0 Upcoming April 21: @ Virginia Commonwealth April 22: Georgetown April 24-26: North Carolina State
16. TCU
Last Week: 1-1 Overall: 23-11, 6-3 in MWC (7-5 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-2 The Horned Frogs split a pair of midweek games against Big 12 opponents, but their weekend series at Air Force was canceled by a major snowstorm in Colorado. Junior DH Matt Curry (6-for-7, 4 R, 4 RBI) led TCU's offense in the two midweek games. Results April 13: Texas Tech -- W 12-5 April 14: @ (10) Oklahoma -- L 7-5 April 17-19: @ Air Force -- CCD, CCD, CCD Upcoming April 21-22: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi April 24-26: @ (19) San Diego State
17. Oregon State
Last Week: 3-2 Overall: 23-9, 8-4 in Pac-10 (1-2 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-2-1 The Beavers dropped their first conference series of the year but salvaged Sunday's finale. Sophomore RHP Tyler Waldron (7 IP, 5 H, 4 ER) was outdueled by USC ace Brad Boxberger (7.1 IP, 3 ER) on Friday. Sophomore RHP Greg Peavey (7.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) was strong in a no-decision Saturday, but the Trojans broke a 2-2 tie with three in the ninth against reliever Kraig Sitton. Junior RHP Jorge Reyes (6.2 IP, 6 H, 4 ER) continued to pitch well Sunday despite relinquishing a 4-0 lead in USC's four-run seventh, and the Beavers scored the winning run on an errant throw in the 10th. Results April 13-14: Brigham Young -- W 7-6, W 8-4 April 17-19: Southern California -- L 4-3, L 5-2, W 5-4 (10 innings) Upcoming April 24-26: @ UCLA
18. Miami
Last Week: 1-3 Overall: 26-13, 11-10 in ACC (6-6 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-3 Miami lost its second straight series (both on the road), falling to 1-9 in its past 10 games against North Carolina. The Hurricanes were swept in a regular-season series for the first time since March 9-11, 2007 -- also at UNC. Sophomore LHP Chris Hernandez (6.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) pitched well Friday, but Miami mustered just one hit against UNC ace Alex White. Miami's next two starters each allowed three runs over 5.1 IP, but the Hurricanes managed just five total runs in three games. Results April 14: Florida Atlantic -- W 3-1 April 17-19: @ (5) North Carolina -- L 3-0, L 5-4 (10 innings), L 4-1 Upcoming April 22: Florida Gulf Coast April 24-26: Virginia Tech
19. San Diego State
Last Week: 1-3 Overall: 26-15, 9-6 in MWC (6-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-2 The Aztecs dropped a road series to New Mexico to fall from a first-place tie to fourth place in the Mountain West Conference. Junior RHP Stephen Strasburg (9 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 14 K) threw his first shutout of the season Friday against an offense that was averaging 9.9 runs per game. Strasburg improved to 8-0, 1.28 ERA with a 121-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 63 innings. UNM's offense woke up Saturday against senior RHP Jon Berger (5.1 IP, 9 H, 9 ER), and the Lobos won Sunday's game on a walk-off sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth. Results April 14: UCLA -- L 7-3 April 17-19: @ New Mexico -- W 1-0, L 12-4, L 6-5 Upcoming April 21: Long Beach State April 24-26: (16) Texas Christian
20. Hawaii
Last Week: 3-1 Overall: 24-13, 7-4 in WAC (4-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-2 Hawaii won three of four against Sacramento State and is tied with Nevada atop the WAC standings. The Rainbows scored five runs over the first three innings Friday in support of senior RHP Jayson Kramer (8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 K). Freshman RHP Matt Sisto (9 IP, 2 ER) was a tough-luck loser in the opener of Saturday's twin bill, but junior Vinnie Catricala (3-for-3, 2 R, 3 RBI, HR) powered the Rainbows to a win in the nightcap. Senior RHP Jared Alexander (6 IP, 4 H, 2 ER) turned in his best start of the year in Sunday's win. Results April 17-19: Sacramento State -- W 5-4, L 2-1, W 7-2, W 8-4 Upcoming April 21: @ (3) Arizona State April 24-26: @ New Mexico State
21. Florida State
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 25-12, 12-7 in ACC (5-4 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 6-3 The Seminoles followed a home series win against North Carolina with a road series sweep at NC State. FSU now leads the ACC's Atlantic Division by a game over Clemson. Sophomore OF Tyler Holt (4-for-5, 3 R, 2B, 3B) sparked the offense Friday in support of freshman LHP Sean Gilmartin (6.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER). FSU broke a 3-3 tie with six runs over the final three innings in that one, then erased a 2-0 deficit Saturday on sophomore 3B Stuart Tapley's eighth-inning grand slam. Sophomore OF/RHP Mike McGee (3-for-6, 3 R; 6 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER) did it all in Sunday's win. Results April 14: Florida -- L 10-2 April 15: North Florida -- W 8-7 April 17-19: @ North Carolina State -- W 9-3, W 4-2, W 13-2 Upcoming April 21-22: UNC Asheville April 24-26: Wake Forest
22. Alabama
Last Week: 5-1 Overall: 27-13, 10-8 in SEC (4-5 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 4-4 Alabama recorded its second conference series sweep in the past three weeks, on the road against a previously hot Vanderbilt team. It was the Crimson Tide's first sweep of an SEC road series since 2006. Senior OF Kent Matthes homered in the first two games of the series, giving him a nation-leading 22 on the season. Junior 3B/RHP Jake Smith (8-for-18, 7 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR, 3B, 4 2B) had a huge week with the bat and made his SEC debut on the mound Sunday, allowing just one run in 3.1 IP to earn the save. Junior LHP Del Howell (9 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K) threw his first career complete game in Saturday's win. Results April 13: @ Alabama-Birmingham -- W 10-6 April 14: Mississippi Valley State -- W 10-1 April 15: @ Samford -- L 14-13 (10 innings) April 17-18: @ Vanderbilt -- W 10-4, W 7-3, W 7-6 Upcoming April 22: @ South Alabama April 24-26: Kentucky
23. Kansas State
Last Week: 3-2 Overall: 29-11, 8-7 in Big 12 (5-7 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-3 K-State swept a two-game midweek series against Wichita State before dropping two of three against Missouri. Junior RHP A.J. Morris (8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) took a shutout into the ninth inning Friday before the Tigers rallied for four in the final frame to give Kyle Gibson (9 IP, 11 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 9 K) the win; Morris took a no-decision and remained 9-0 on the year. K-State pitching issued 10 walks and allowed 10 hits in Saturday's loss. The Wildcats scored in every inning but the second in Sunday's finale, breaking the game open in a five-run fifth. Results April 14-15: vs./@ Wichita State -- W 13-5, W 4-3 April 17-19: Missouri -- L 4-3, L 11-6, W 11-5 Upcoming April 24-26: @ (5) Texas
24. Texas A&M
Last Week: 4-0 Overall: 25-14, 11-7 in Big 12 (4-3 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-3 The Aggies swept Nebraska for the first time since 1999 to vault into second place in the Big 12, one game behind front-running Texas. Nebraska has lost 15 of 18, while the Aggies remain unbeaten in home conference games (8-0). Sophomore LHP/OF Brooks Raley (7.1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER) improved to 7-1 on Friday, and the reshuffled rotation behind him came up big, as freshman LHP Ross Hales (5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER) earned the win Saturday and senior RHP Kyle Thebeau (7 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) won Sunday. Junior RHP Alex Wilson moved to the bullpen and picked up two holds and a save in three appearances, retiring 17 of the 19 batters he faced. Senior OF Kyle Colligan (5-for-11, 6 RBIs, 2 HR) moved to the cleanup spot for the first time this season and had a big weekend. The Aggies are also playing strong defense; they have turned in seven straight error-free games, their longest streak in records dating back to 1985. Results April 14: @ (2) Rice -- W 7-3 April 17-19: Nebraska -- W 8-2, W 10-1, W 10-1 Upcoming April 22: Prairie View A&M April 24-26: Oklahoma State
25. Kent State
Last Week: 4-1 Overall: 28-8, 11-3 in MAC (0-0 vs. Top 25) Weekend Series: 5-1-1 The Golden Flashes dropped Friday's series opener but bounced back by sweeping Saturday's doubleheader against Bowling Green State. Junior RHP Brad Stillings (5.1 IP, 10 H, 8 R, 7 ER) followed his no-hitter with a rough outing Friday. The Flashes pounded out 19 hits in the Game 2 slugfest and won on junior OF Anthony Gallas' walk-off, three-run homer in the 10th. Senior 2B Chris Tremblay had four hits in that one and three more in the nightcap, as senior RHP Steve Ross (5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K) picked up the win in relief. Results April 14: Youngstown State -- W 5-3 April 15: @ Ohio State -- W 8-7 April 17-18: Bowling Green State -- L 9-2, W 12-9 (10 innings), W 9-4 Upcoming April 22: @ Youngstown State (doubleheader, 7 innings each) April 24-26: @ Ohio

Dropped out

Coastal Carolina (20)
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 30-9, 10-4 in Big South (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-3
Coastal ran its winning streak to 11 games before dropping the final two of its series at High Point. The Chanticleers have already exceeded their Big South loss total from all of 2008 and matched their total from all of 2007. Coastal rapped out 15 hits Friday in support of sophomore LHP Cody Wheeler (6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER), who improved to 7-0 on the year. Senior 1B David Anderson mashed two homers Saturday and is now tied for third in Big South history with 43 career homers. Coastal had 12 hits but left 11 runners on base in Sunday's loss.
Results
April 14: @ (19) Virginia -- CCD
April 17-19: @ High Point -- W 18-3, L 12-8, L 7-2
Upcoming
April 21: @ Clemson
April 22: College of Charleston
April 24-26: @ Presbyterian

Gonzaga (22)
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 21-14, 4-8 in Big 12 (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
The Zags followed consecutive series wins over Pepperdine and San Diego by dropping two of three at Portland. Senior OF Anthony Synegal homered twice Friday in support of senior RHP Matt Fields (5 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K). Gonzaga wasted a sterling start by senior RHP A.J. Proszek (7 IP, 4 H, 0 R) on Saturday, as the Pilots rallied for three in the eighth against sophomore RHP Cody Martin. Martin failed to hold a one-run lead in the ninth Sunday, serving up a walk-off, two-run double to Portland's Kris Kauppila.
Results
April 14: Washington State -- W 17-6
April 17-19: @ Portland -- W 6-3, L 3-2, L 5-4
Upcoming
April 20: Arizona
April 24-26: @ Santa Clara

East Carolina (23)
Last Week: 2-3
Overall: 28-12, 10-5 in C-USA (2-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-3
East Carolina lost its second straight conference series to fall a game behind first-place Rice in C-USA. The Pirates blew a significant lead for the second straight Friday, as the Green Wave overcame a 4-0 deficit with seven unanswered runs from the fifth inning on. Sophomore OF Devin Harris (2-for-3, 5 RBI) got ECU off and running with a three-run homer in the first inning Saturday, helping sophomore RHP Seth Maness (5.2 IP, 7 H, 5 ER) improve to 5-0. Tulane scored four in the fourth inning Sunday and held on to win the game and the series.
Results
April 14: Campbell -- L 12-7 (7 innings)
April 15: North Carolina State -- W 7-0
April 17-19: @ Tulane -- L 7-4, W 12-5, L 4-3
Upcoming
April 21: Elon
April 22: (4) North Carolina
April 24-26: Southern Mississippi

Kansas (24)
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 25-14, 8-7 in Big 12 (9-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-4
The Jayhawks dropped a Big 12 road series; they are now 5-10 on the road, 18-2 at home. Junior LHP Shaeffer Hall (2 IP, 13 H, 9 ER) and sophomore RHP T.J. Walz (3.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER) were blasted in the first two games, but freshman RHP Lee Ridenhour (6 IP, 8 H, 1 ER) kept the Texas Tech bats in check Sunday. Sophomore 3B Tony Thompson (2-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2 HR) led KU's 15-hit attack in the finale.
Results
April 14: @ Creighton -- W 7-6 (10 innings)
April 17-19: @ Texas Tech -- L 15-10, L 7-5, W 15-6
Upcoming
April 21: Baker
April 22: vs. Missouri @ Kansas City
April 24-26: Nebraska

Minnesota (25)
Last Week: 3-2
Overall: 23-12, 7-4 in Big Ten (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1-1
The Golden Gophers lost a series at Illinois to fall from a first-place tie to fourth in the Big Ten. Junior SS Derek McCallum (14-22, 9 R, 20 RBI, 6 HR in five games) had a monstrous week for the Gophers, extending his hitting streak to 20 games, boosting his average from .361 to .404 and raising his slugging percentage from .538 to .709. He slugged two homers in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader, and the second put Minnesota ahead for good.
Results
April 14: Wisconsin-Milwaukee -- W 12-2
April 15: South Dakota State -- W 9-6
April 17-18: @ Illinois -- L 15-10, L 10-7, W 12-8
Upcoming
April 22: @ North Dakota State
April 24-26: Purdue