1. NORTH CAROLINA
Last Week: 4-1. Overall: 18-1, 5-1 in ACC. (1-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 4-0.
North Carolina, which had lost 10 of its previous 11 games against Miami, dropped Friday's opener before snapping a six-game losing streak against the Hurricanes on Saturday and winning the rubber game Sunday. Miami lefthander Chris Diaz (7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER) stifled the UNC offense Friday, and the Hurricanes broke a scoreless tie with three runs in the fifth against Kent Emanuel (6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 ER). The Tar Heels scored 11 runs in the third en route to a 14-2 thrashing of the Hurricanes on Saturday. Colin Moran (3-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, 2B), Brian Holberton (3-for-3, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR) and Michael Russell (3-for-4, R, 3 RBI, 2B) led UNC's 16-hit barrage behind Benton Moss (7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 K), who carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning. With the score tied 1-1 and a runner on second base in the eighth inning Sunday, Miami elected to intentionally walk the lefthanded-hitting Moran rather than pitch to him with lefty A.J. Salcines, and switch-hitting Skye Bolt made the 'Canes pay by launching a three-run homer to left. Hobbs Johnson (5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K) was strong in a no-decision for UNC, while Trevor Kelley and Chris McCue combined to work four scoreless innings of relief.
RESULTS
March 12: Gardner-Webb: W 12-0
March 13: High Point: W 7-2
March 15-17: Miami: L 4-1, W 14-2, W 4-1
UPCOMING
March 19: Princeton
March 22-24: @ Boston College
2. VANDERBILT
Last Week: 4-0. Overall: 19-2, 3-0 in SEC. (2-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 5-0.
Vanderbilt swept its first road series since it swept Auburn in 2011. Conrad Gregor hit his first home run of the year Friday, and Connor Harrell added a three-run shot in support of Kevin Ziomek (8.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K). Daniel Koger, Jay Wade and Will Kendall combined to retire the final 20 Vanderbilt hitters in order after Harrell's third-inning homer, but the damage was done. Tony Kemp (3-for-5, R, 2B) led an 11-hit attack behind Tyler Beede (6.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 6 BB, 4 K) on Saturday. Kemp (3-for-4, 2 R) and Mike Yastrzemski (3-for-4, 2 R) paced Vandy's 13-hit attack Sunday, and Gregor had three RBIs. Chris Harvey, who filled in well behind the plate all weekend for banged-up Spencer Navin, had two hits and two RBIs Sunday, and Rhett Wiseman also had two hits and two RBIs in each of the last two games of the series. Brian Miller saved all three games, allowing just one hit in 2.2 combined innings of work.
RESULTS
March 13: Buffalo: W 4-2
March 15-17: @ Auburn: W 5-2, W 8-1, W 8-6
UPCOMING
March 20: @ Middle Tennessee State
March 22-24: Florida
3. OREGON STATE
Last Week: 4-1. Overall: 19-1, 3-0 in Pac-12 (3-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 4-0.
Oregon State swept Arizona in Tucson for the first time ever, driving home the message that there is a new sheriff in the Pac-12 this year. Michael Conforto (3-for-5, 2 R, 3 RBI) hit his fifth homer of the year Friday in support of Matt Boyd (7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K), who improved to 4-0. Dylan Davis and Jake Rodriguez had two RBIs apiece to lead the Oregon State offense Saturday behind Andrew Moore (5.2 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 2 ER), who improved to 5-0 on the season. Rodriguez had two hits and a career-high five RBIs Sunday, and his three-run double highlighted Oregon State's crucial four-run sixth-inning, breaking open a 3-1 game. Ben Wetzler (4.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 K) was solid Sunday and continued to stretch out, jumping from 41 pitches a week earlier to 83 pitches against Arizona.
RESULTS
March 12-13: San Francisco: L 5-1, W 6-5
March 15-17: @ (20) Arizona: W 6-2, W 4-3, W 8-4
UPCOMING
March 22-24: (20) Arizona State
4. LOUISVILLE
Last Week: 4-0. Overall: 16-2, 0-0 in Big East. (0-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 4-0.
The Cardinals swept Xavier to run their winning streak to seven. Kyle Gibson had three hits to lead the Louisville offense Friday in support of Chad Green (7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K), who improved to 3-1, 1.16 with a 20-4 K-BB mark in 31 innings. The Cardinals swept a doubleheader Saturday. In the opener, Nick Ratajczak (2-for-5, 4 RBI) hit his first homer of the year in support of Jeff Thompson (8 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 K), who improved to 5-0, 0.55 with 33 strikeouts in 33 innings. Thompson has not allowed an earned run in four of his five starts this season. Mike White's first career home run—a two-run shot to right field—broke a 6-6 tie in the eighth inning in the finale. Ty Young and Sutton Whiting had three hits apiece in that one.
RESULTS
March 13: Purdue: W 3-1
March 15-17: Xavier: W 6-1, W 7-0, W 8-6
UPCOMING
March 19-20: Southern California
March 22-24: Rutgers
5. SOUTH CAROLINA
Last Week: 4-1. Overall: 17-3, 2-1 in SEC. (0-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 5-0.
The Gamecocks made their first visit to the SEC's other Columbia and captured two of three against Missouri. Evan Beal (6.1 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 10 K) continued to thrive in the Friday starter role since taking over for injured Jordan Montgomery. Beal set a new career high for strikeouts for the second week in a row, and Grayson Greiner (2-for-3) had his first home run of the year. The two teams split Saturday's doubleheader. Nolan Belcher (8.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K) dominated again in the opener, stretching his scoreless streak to 26.1 innings and improving him to 4-1, 1.25 with 36 strikeouts and one walk in 36 innings this season. Missouri's Keaton Steele (6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K) came out of the bullpen to shut down the Gamecocks in the nightcap. Colby Holmes (1.1 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K) continued to scuffle in that one, but the Gamecocks got solid relief from Adam Westmoreland (4.2 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) and Patrick Sullivan (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R).
RESULTS
March 12: South Carolina-Upstate: W 12-3
March 13: Davidson: W 12-4
March 15-16: @ Missouri: W 4-1, W 2-0, L 4-0
UPCOMING
March 19: @ The Citadel
March 22-24: (21) Arkansas
6. MISSISSIPPI
Last Week: 4-1. Overall: 20-2, 2-1 in SEC (5-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 5-0.
The Rebels opened conference play with a series win at Arkansas, capped by a grind-it-out 13-inning affair Sunday. Preston Overbey's second-inning grand slam spotted Bobby Wahl (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K) to a lead he would not relinquish Friday, helping Ole Miss improve to 19-1, the best 20-game start in program history. Mike Mayers (5.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) took his first loss of the year Saturday. Sam Smith (5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) turned in a solid start Sunday, but Arkansas rallied from behind with three in the seventh to take the lead against Aaron Greenwood. Ole Miss tied it an inning later, and Tanner Bailey (5.1 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K) and Brett Huber (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R) held the Hogs scoreless the rest of the way, allowing the Rebels to win it with two unearned runs in the 13th. Ole Miss made a number of sterling defensive plays and played errorless ball Sunday, while Arkansas made five errors.
RESULTS
March 12-13: @ Louisiana-Monroe: W 10-4, W 8-3
March 15-17: @ (15) Arkansas: W 7-1, L 10-1, W 6-4 (13 innings)
UPCOMING
March 22-24: Texas A&M
7. LOUISIANA STATE
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 18-2, 2-1 in SEC. (2-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-0.
The Tigers opened conference play with a big road series win at Mississippi State, their seventh straight series win against MSU and their fifth straight in Starkville. Mason Katz (3-for-4, 3 R, 4 RBI) blasted two home runs Friday, including a game-winning two-run shot in the 10th inning. Aaron Nola (5.2 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) earned a no-decision for the Tigers, who got a combined 4.1 innings of one-hit, shutout relief from Brent Bonvillian, Joey Bourgeois and Chris Cotton. Katz homered again Saturday, giving him nine on the season, and Alex Bregman added a three-run shot in the ninth to give the Tigers a more comfortable cushion. Ryan Eades (7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) earned the win in that one. Cody Glenn (3.1 IP, 6 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 0 K) took his first loss of the season Sunday, and the LSU offense produced a balanced 11-hit attack but left 11 men on base. The Bulldogs drew LSU coach Paul Mainieri's ire after Kendall Graveman threw his first pitch against Katz behind Katz's head and off the backstop—to "set the tempo for the game," as Graveman told reporters later, as the Columbus (Miss.) Dispatch detailed. Graveman received a warning but not an ejection. "To throw it behind a kid's head, I can't respect people who do things like that, and I'm sorry, I just never will," Mainieri said to reporters afterward. Later, he added: "I could understand why they're frustrated. I mean, we beat them every year and they get tired of getting beat by us. To me, there's no place in college baseball for doing that."
RESULTS
March 13: Nicholls State: W 9-3
March 15-17: @ (13) Mississippi State: W 6-4 (10 innings), W 7-3, L 10-2
UPCOMING
March 20: Northwestern State
March 22-24: Auburn
8. CAL STATE FULLERTON
Last Week: 3-0. Overall: 16-3, 0-0 in Big West. (5-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 4-0.
The Titans swept a road series against scuffling Oral Roberts. Thomas Eshelman (6.1 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K) cruised Friday and has still yet to issue a walk through the first 35 innings of his collegiate career. Koby Gauna worked 2.2 perfect innings for the save. Senior shortstop Richy Pedroza hit the first home run of his career Saturday behind Justin Garza (8 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K), who improved to 5-0, 0.99 with 30 strikeouts and four walks in 36 innings. Grahamm Wiest (6 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) continued pounding the strike zone Sunday; on the season, Fullerton's three weekend starters have an 87-8 strikeout-walk mark in 101.2 innings. Two-way talents J.D. Davis and Michael Lorenzen combined to drive in three runs and work three scoreless innings of relief Sunday.
RESULTS
March 15-17: @ Oral Roberts: W 5-0, W 6-2, W 7-4
UPCOMING
March 19-20: Nebraska
March 22-24: @ Long Beach State
9. GEORGIA TECH
Last Week: 3-0. Overall: 17-2, 5-1 in ACC. (2-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 5-0.
Georgia Tech blasted Boston College by a combined score of 32-9 in a three-game sweep. The Yellow Jackets lead the nation in scoring (10.0 runs per game) and have reached the double-digit mark in runs 13 times in 19 games, after scoring in double figures just 11 times in all of 2012. With a .355 team average, Georgia Tech leads the ACC in hitting by 44 points over Virginia Tech, and the Jackets also lead the league with a .978 fielding percentage. Zane Evans (7-for-15, 5 R, 9 RBI, 2 2B, 2 HR, 3B) led the offense over the weekend, and he is hitting .510 during his current 12-game hitting streak. Buck Farmer (6 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 7 K) was proven mortal Friday, but Kyle Wren, A.J. Murray and Daniel Spingola had three hits apiece for Tech, while Brandon Thomas homered and tripled. Evans, Wren, Sam Dove and Matt Gonzalez each homered as part of a 14-hit barrage Saturday behind Dusty Isaacs (7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K). Thomas (3-for-5, 2 R, 2B) led another 14-hit assault Sunday in support of Cole Pitts (6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 K).
RESULTS
March 15-17: Boston College: W 12-5, W 11-3, W 9-1
UPCOMING
March 19: Georgia Southern
March 22-24: @ (12) Florida State
10. KENTUCKY
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 16-3, 2-1 in SEC. (0-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-0.
The Wildcats opened SEC play on the road and won a series at Florida for the first time in 14 years. The Gators broke a 1-1 tie Friday with three runs in the seventh, as UK third baseman Paul McConkey made three errors in the frame behind A.J. Reed (6.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K), leading to three unearned runs. Austin Cousino (3-for-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR) led the Kentucky offense Saturday behind Jerad Grundy (6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER), as the Wildcats beat scuffling preseason All-American Jonathon Crawford (6 IP, 3 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 2 K). Michael Thomas hit a three-run homer in the second inning Sunday behind Corey Littrell (8 IP, 10 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 7 K), who improved to 7-0, 1.92 in rubber games over the last two years.
RESULTS
March 12: Ohio: W 6-3
March 13: Cincinnati: CCD
March 15-17: @ Florida: L 4-1, W 11-5, W 6-2
UPCOMING
March 19: Western Kentucky
March 22-24: (19) Mississippi State
11. UCLA
Last Week: 4-0. Overall: 15-3, 3-0 in Pac-12 (1-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 4-0.
The Bruins gave up just two runs in a three-game sweep of Washington, extending their winning streak against UW to 17 games. UCLA pitchers have not allowed a run over the last 32 innings, lowering the staff ERA to 2.02. Friday's game was suspended by fog in the fourth inning with Washington leading 2-0, but seven UCLA relievers combined to work 11 scoreless innings of relief when play resumed Saturday, led by David Berg (4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K). Christoph Bono delivered a walk-off RBI single in the 15th. Bono (2-for-4, 2 RBI) hit his first career homer in Saturday's second game, and Nick Vander Tuig (9 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K) threw his first career complete game, giving UCLA's taxed bullpen some relief. Grant Watson (6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K) improved to 4-0, 1.10 in Sunday's win, and Berg worked another 1.1 scoreless frames to pick up his fifth save.
RESULTS
March 12: @ Cal State Northridge: : W 5-4
March 15-17: Washington: W 3-2 (16), W 5-0, W 3-0
UPCOMING
March 22-24: California
12. FLORIDA STATE
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 18-1, 5-1 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 5-0.
The Seminoles won a hard-fought road series against Maryland, sustaining their first loss of the season Friday but winning a pair of one-run games over the next two days. Maryland's Jimmy Reed (8 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER) and Kevin Mooney combined on a five-hitter Friday, and Kyle Convissar had three RBIs to lead the Maryland offense against Brandon Leibrandt (5.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER). Jose Brizuela and John Sansone had two RBIs apiece Saturday to help Scott Sitz (6.2 IP, 10 H, 5 R, 1 ER) improve to 4-0. Seth Miller (3-for-5, R, 3B) led the offense Sunday, and the Seminoles got a combined 4.1 innings of three-hit, shutout relief from four different pitchers, with Bryant Holtmann (2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) picking up the win.
RESULTS
March 12: @ Florida: W 4-1
March 15-17: @ Maryland: L 5-3, W 7-6, W 4-3
UPCOMING
March 19-20: Stetson
March 22-24: (9) Georgia Tech
13. OREGON
Last Week: 4-1. Overall: 15-6, 2-1 in Pac-12 (2-4 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-2.
Oregon opened Pac-12 play with a road series win at USC. Jake Reed (7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER) was strong Friday, and J.J. Altobelli's RBI single capped Oregon's two-run sixth, as the Ducks took the lead for good. Oregon erased a 4-2 deficit Saturday with six runs in the eighth—five unearned. Tommy Thorpe (5.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER) held the Trojans scoreless until a four-run sixth inning, and Jimmie Sherfy picked up the save for the second straight day, giving him six on the year. Cole Irvin (4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 0 K) took his first loss of the season Sunday, and Kyle Twomey (8 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER) held the Oregon offense in check.
RESULTS
March 12-13: Texas State: W 4-3, W 10-4
March 15-17: @ Southern California: W 5-2, W 8-4, L 5-3
UPCOMING
March 22-24: Arizona
14. VIRGINIA
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 17-2, 4-2 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 4-0.
Virginia continued its recent mastery of Clemson, winning two of three on the road to improve to 17-3 against the Tigers since 2006. The Cavs came back from a 5-1 deficit Friday, scoring three times in the ninth to force extra innings and winning 6-5 on Mike Papi's 11th-inning solo homer. Kyle Crockett (2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K) earned the win with strong relief work. Papi entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the ninth, when he delivered a game-tying RBI single. The Tigers snapped their nine-game losing streak against the Cavs on Saturday with a 7-6 win on Garrett Boulware's walk-off RBI single in the ninth. Scott Silverstein (3.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER) struggled for UVa., which got two RBIs apiece from Joe McCarthy and Papi. Jared King (3-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI) led Virginia's 15-hit attack Sunday in support of Nick Howard (6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER), and Crockett threw two more innings to nail down the victory.
RESULTS
March 13: Liberty: W 7-2
March 15-17: @ Clemson: W 6-5, L 7-6, W 8-5
UPCOMING
March 19-20: Yale
March 23-25: (16) North Carolina State
15. NOTRE DAME
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 12-5, 0-0 in Big East (1-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 2-0.
The Fighting Irish wrapped up a seven-game Southern California swing with a series win at Cal Poly, which had carried a 14-2 record into the series. Notre Dame went 4-3 on its California trip. Ace Sean Fitzgerald (3.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER) took his first loss of the season Thursday, as the Mustangs took control of the game with five runs in the third. Adam Norton (8 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 K) improved to 5-0 in Friday's win. Matt Imhoff (7.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 K) was outstanding in a no-decision for Poly, but the Irish broke a scoreless tie on Frank Desico's RBI infield single with two outs in the ninth. Desico led the Notre Dame attack with three hits from the leadoff spot Sunday, and Dan Slania worked two scoreless innings to nail down the win and earn his fifth save.
RESULTS
March 12: @ UC Santa Barbara: L 7-2
March 14-16: @ Cal Poly: L 6-3, W 1-0, W 6-5
UPCOMING
March 22-24: Seton Hall
16. NORTH CAROLINA STATE
Last Week: 4-1. Overall: 16-5, 3-3 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 1-2.
The Wolfpack rebounded from a home series loss to Clemson by taking two of three at Wake Forest. Tarran Senay (5-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, HR) paced a 19-hit onslaught Friday in support of Carlos Rodon (6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K). Jake Armstrong (2-for-4, 2 R, 4 RBI) also hit his first home run for N.C. State. The Wolfpack got another poor outing from its starter Saturday, as Wake jumped on Brad Stone (1 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 5 ER) for five runs in the first en route to a 13-4 win. Ethan Ogburn (5.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) gave the 'Pack a much-needed strong start Sunday, and Bryan Adametz had two RBIs to lead the offense.
RESULTS
March 12: Quinnipiac: W 1-0
March 13: Old Dominion: W 5-0
March 15-17: @ Wake Forest: W 12-6, L 13-4, W 5-2
UPCOMING
March 19: UNC Greensboro
March 23-25: @ (14) Virginia
17. OKLAHOMA
Last Week: 5-0. Overall: 17-4, 0-0 in Big 12 (1-1 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-0.
Oklahoma allowed just five runs in a three-game sweep of Northwestern State, capping a 5-0 week during which the Sooners allowed just seven runs. Jonathan Gray (9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K) moved into the Friday starter role and utterly dominated in a 1-0 win. Matt Oberste's solo homer in the fourth provided all the scoring, as Gray threw his first career shutout and set a career high for strikeouts. He has not allowed a run in 16 straight innings. Dillon Overton (7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) bounced back from his first loss of the season with a strong outing Saturday, and Adam Choplick (6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) turned in a gem Sunday. Oberste had two more hits Saturday and four on Sunday, extending his hitting streak to 24 games, the third-longest in OU history.
RESULTS
March 12-13: New Mexico State: W 8-0, W 3-2
March 15-17: Northwestern State: W 1-0, W 7-2, W 8-3
UPCOMING
March 19-20: Oral Roberts
March 22-24: Texas Christian
18. RICE
Last Week: 5-0. Overall: 14-7, 0-0 in C-USA (2-2 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 4-0.
Rice cruised to a sweep of Harvard, capping a 5-0 week. Connor Teykl's two-run single single highlighted Rice's four-run third Friday in support of Austin Kubitza (7 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 K). Christian Stringer's two-run triple highlighted Rice's five-run first Saturday behind Jordan Stephens (7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K). Teykl and Michael Aquino had three hits apiece to pace a 13-hit attack in that one. Keenan Cook (2-for-4, R, 4 RBI, 3B) led the offense Sunday, and Kevin McCanna (7 IP, 1 H, 0 R) earned his first collegiate victory, as he and two relievers combined on a one-hit shutout.
RESULTS
March 12-13: Louisiana Tech: W 4-2, W 7-5
March 15-17: Harvard: W 5-2, W 9-2, W 12-0
UPCOMING
March 19: Stephen F. Austin State
March 20: Texas-San Antonio
March 22-24: @ Southern Mississippi
19. MISSISSIPPI STATE
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 19-4, 1-2 in SEC. (1-2 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-2.
The Bulldogs lost their seventh straight series against rival LSU, and their fifth straight in Starkville. Hunter Renfroe (2-for-5, 3 RBI) homered Friday in support of Jacob Lindgren (5.2 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K), and MSU led 4-1 after five innings but let the lead slip away. Evan Mitchell (4 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) took his first loss of the season Saturday, and Trey Porter had three hits in a losing cause. Wes Rea returned to the lineup Friday and made his presence felt Sunday, going 2-for-4, with 3 RBIs in support of Kendall Graveman (6 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 4 K). C.T. Bradford also delivered two hits and three RBIs in that one.
RESULTS
March 12: vs. Southern Mississippi @ Pearl, Miss.: W 13-5
March 15-17: (4) Louisiana State: L 6-4 (10 innings), L 7-3, W 10-2
UPCOMING
March 19: Alcorn State
March 22-24: @ (10) Kentucky
20. ARIZONA STATE
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 12-4-1, 1-2 in Pac-12 (2-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-1.
Arizona State dropped a home series against Washington State for the first time ever. Collin Slaybaugh (4-for-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 2B) led Washington State's barrage Friday against ASU ace Trevor Williams (7 IP, 13 H, 9 R, 7 ER, 1 BB, 4 K), as Wazzu finished with 17 hits. Williams had thrown two straight complete games, including a shutout in his previous start against Long Beach State. The Sun Devils broke a 1-1 tie with three in the third Saturday, and Ryan Kellogg (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER) made the lead stand up. James McDonald, Jake Peevyhouse and David Graybill had two hits apiece for the Devils. Adam McCreery (3 IP, 3 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) had a rough outing Sunday, and WSU built a 10-4 lead by the seventh inning, but ASU fought until the ninth to make things interesting. Trever Allen (4-for-5, 2B, 4 RBI) led ASU's 16-hit attack in a losing cause.
RESULTS
March 13: New Mexico: W 4-3
March 15-17: Washington State: L 15-4, W 4-1, L 11-8
UPCOMING
March 19: @ Texas Tech
March 22-24: @ (3) Oregon State
21. ARKANSAS
Last Week: 3-2. Overall: 14-7, 1-2 in SEC. (1-2 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-1.
The Hogs dropped their SEC-opening series at home against Ole Miss. Trey Killian (3 IP, 5 H, 7 ER, 2 BB, 0 K) moved into the Friday starter job and was knocked around for the first time in his career, while Bobby Wahl held the Arkansas offense in check. Joe Serrano had three hits and Tyler Spoon had three RBIs to lead a balanced Arkansas attack Saturday in support of Randall Fant (6 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K). Serrano hit a go-ahead two-run single in Arkansas' three-run seventh Sunday, but the Rebels tied it up an inning later against Barrett Astin (2.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER), and Ole Miss took advantage of two errors to score two unearned runs in the 13th. Arkansas made five errors in the game. Ryne Stanek (4.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K), demoted to the Sunday starter job, failed to last five innings for the fourth time in five starts this season.
RESULTS
March 12-13: Alabama A&M: W 20-2, W 13-0
March 15-17: (6) Mississippi: L 7-1, W 10-1, L 6-4
UPCOMING
March 22-24: @ (5) South Carolina
22. INDIANA
Last Week: 5-0. Overall: 13-3, 0-0 in Big Ten (1-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 1-0-1.
Indiana outscored its opponents 36-10 during a 5-0 week in Winter Haven against five different opponents. Aaron Slegers (6.2 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 K) and Scott Effross (2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) combined on a five-hit shutout Thursday against Navy. Kyle Schwarber (3-for-5, HR, 3 RBI) capped a nice game Friday against Bucknell with a go-ahead RBI single in the ninth, keying a three-run rally. Ryan Halstead (3 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K) picked up the win with strong relief work. Dustin DeMuth (4-for-5, R, 2 RBI) spearheaded Indiana's 17-hit onslaught behind Kyle Hart (5 IP, 1 H, 1 ER) in Saturday's win against UAB.
RESULTS
March 12-16: @ RussMatt Invitational, Winter Haven, Fla.:
Army: W 4-2
Fairfield: W 8-0
Navy: W 4-0
Bucknell: W 8-5
Alabama-Birmingham: W 12-3
UPCOMING
March 19-20: @/vs. Miami (Ohio)
March 22-24: Penn State
23. CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Last Week: 3-1. Overall: 17-3, 0-0 in Southland (2-2 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-0.
The Bears crack the rankings for the first time ever following a road series win at Southern Mississippi, a week after they went to Starkville and took two of three from then-No. 3 Mississippi State. Caleb McClanahan (9 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K) bested USM ace Andrew Pierce (7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K) in a nice pitchers' duel Friday. The Bears pounced on Jake Drehoff (0.1 IP, 3 H, 6 ER) in an eight-run first Saturday and cruised to a 14-3 blowout. Jeffrey Enloe (6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K) improved to 4-0 for UCA, which got four hits from Jonathan Davis and five RBIs from Ethan Harris, who hit a grand slam in the first inning. Bryce Biggerstaff (6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) was strong in a tough-luck loss Sunday, as the Bears were held to a run on four hits by four USM pitchers.
RESULTS
March 12: Arkansas-Pine Bluff: W 6-3
March 15-17: @ Southern Mississippi: W 3-1, W 14-3, L 2-1
UPCOMING
March 19: @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff
March 22-24: @ Oral Roberts
24. VIRGINIA TECH
Last Week: 4-1. Overall: 16-5, 4-2 in ACC (1-3 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 1-1.
The Hokies rebounded from a series loss to Georgia Tech by going on the road and sweeping Duke (which had won a series at Miami a week earlier). Brad Markey (8.1 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K) was strong in a no-decision Friday, as Chad Morgan delivered a pinch-hit RBI single in the 11th. Tyler Horan (4-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI, 3B) led a 16-hit barrage Saturday in support of Devin Burke (6 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K). Horan homered and doubled Sunday behind Joe Mantiply (5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 3 K), who returned to the rotation and earned his first win of the year. Clark Labitan (4 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K) picked up his fourth save with four stellar innings of relief.
RESULTS
March 12: @ Charlotte: W 6-1
March 13: @ Elon: L 4-3
March 15-17: @ Duke: W 2-1 (11 innings), W 14-7, W 6-2
UPCOMING
March 19: Liberty
March 22-24: @ Miami
25. SAN DIEGO
Last Week: 3-0. Overall: 14-6, 3-0 in WCC (1-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 2-1.
The Toreros swept their WCC-opening series against BYU, winning the first and third games in walk-off fashion. USD has won 14 of 17 since getting swept by San Diego State to open the season. It was the Kris Bryant show this weekend, as Bryant hit three homers Thursday, capped by a walk-off three-run shot in the ninth. P.J. Conlon (3.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) earned the win with strong relief work. Dillon Haupt (3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI) led the offense Saturday, and Max Homick (4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K) picked up the victory with strong relief of Dylan Covey (4 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K). Haupt had three more hits Sunday, and Connor Joe hit a game-tying solo homer in the ninth to force extra innings, setting the stage for Bryant's walk-off, two-run homer in the 14th.
RESULTS
March 14-16: Brigham Young: W 7-5, W 5-3, W 10-9 (14 innings)
UPCOMING
March 22-24: @ Gonzaga
DROPPED OUT
ARIZONA (20)
Last Week: 2-3. Overall: 15-8, 0-3 in Pac-12 (0-3 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 4-1.
The Wildcats were swept at home by Oregon State for the first time ever. Konner Wade (5.2 IP, 12 H, 6 ER) was whacked around Friday for Arizona, which was held to just four hits in the game. James Farris (5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) took the loss Saturday. The Beavers broke open a 3-1 game Sunday with four runs in the sixth, chasing Cody Moffett (5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K). Kevin Newman had three hits in a losing cause in that one.
RESULTS
March 12-13: Butler: W 14-2, W 14-2
March 15-17: (3) Oregon State: L 6-2, L 4-3, L 8-4
UPCOMING
March 22-24: @ (13) Oregon
NEVADA-LAS VEGAS (21)
Last Week: 2-2. Overall: 15-5, 1-2 in MWC (3-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 2-1.
UNLV opened Mountain West play with a home series loss to preseason MWC favorite New Mexico. Erick Fedde (8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 4 BB, 6 K) was strong in a no-decision Friday, but Josh Melendez's RBI double in the 10th lifted the Lobos to a 3-2 win. The Rebels stormed back from a 6-3 deficit with five runs in the eighth Saturday and held off UNM's ninth-inning charge to win 8-7. The Lobos scored once in the ninth and had runners at second and third with one out, but Andrew Beresford struck out the final two hitters to end it. Mark Shannon's tie-breaking two-run homer capped UNLV's eighth-inning rally. New Mexico All-American D.J. Peterson homered twice and drove in eight Sunday, as the Lobos knocked around John Richy (4.1 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 6 ER), who was fresh off a complete-game two-hitter a week earlier at Stanford.
RESULTS
March 12: @ Cal State Bakersfield: W 8-6
March 15-17: New Mexico: L 3-2 (10 innings), W 8-7, L 12-7
UPCOMING
March 18: Brigham Young
March 22-24: @ San Diego State
FLORIDA GULF COAST (25)
Last Week: 0-1. Overall: 13-4, 0-0 in A-Sun (3-0 vs. Top 25). Weekend Series: 3-1.
FGCU played only one game on the week, losing to NAIA Ave Maria on Sunday. Michael Murray (4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER) took his first loss of the season, as the Gyrenes took control of a 2-1 game with three runs in the fifth. Mike Reeves went 2-for-5 with two RBIs to lead the FGCU offense.
RESULTS
March 17: Ave Maria, Fla.: L 8-6
UPCOMING
March 20: Florida International
March 22-24: @ East Tennessee State
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