May 8, 2008

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

Around the Bases
Columbia claims first Ivy League crown in 31 years

No. 3 Arizona State stops No. 12 Wichita State; No. 5 Rice nips No. 8 OSU

In Hanover, N.H., Columbia won its first Ivy League title in 31 years with a 7-5 victory over Dartmouth at Red Rolfe Field Wednesday afternoon in the deciding contest of their three-game championship series. The Lions (22-25) were co-champions with Cornell in 1977 and will make their first NCAA appearance since 1976. Alex Ferrera’s three-run homer in the sixth gave Columbia the lead for good at 6-5. Mike Roberts homered in the second to start the scoring for the Lions. Ferrera also went deep in a two-run fifth for Columbia before the Big Green (25-17) erupted for five in the bottom of the frame as Jack Monahan belted a two-run homer and Nick Santomauro added a three-run shot for a 5-3 advantage. Henry Perkins (pictured) moved from second to the mound to pitch the final four innings to earn his first save. He also homered in the seventh for Columbia’s final run.

No. 3 Arizona State 6, No. 12 Wichita State 1

In Wichita, Kan., Matt Newman allowed one run in 6.2 innings to earn his first victory as Arizona State defeated Wichita State at Eck Stadium. Newman (1-0) surrendered five hits, walked two and fanned two before turning the ball over to Mike Leake, who worked the final 2.1 innings to record his first save. Leake was also a factor at the plate for the Sun Devils (38-9), as he had an RBI single in a two-run first and a run-scoring double in the sixth that gave ASU a 3-0 advantage. The Shockers (36-13) got their run in the bottom of the sixth before the Sun Devils scored one in the eighth and two in the ninth.

No. 5 Rice 4, No. 8 Oklahoma State 2

In Houston, Jared Gayhart and Derek Myers went deep to help Rice past Oklahoma State in front of 3,316 fans at Reckling Park. Gayhart’s dinger in the first gave the Owls (36-11) the early lead. Myers’ two-run shot capped a three-run second for Rice. Neil Medchill smacked a two-run homer for the Cowboys (35-13) in the sixth to cut the lead in half. Mike Ojala (4-0) fanned five in 5.1 innings to earn the victory. Cole St. Clair worked the ninth to notch his fourth save.

No. 2 North Carolina 11, North Florida 5

In Cary, N.C., Dustin Ackley and Tim Fedroff each had three RBI as North Carolina outscored North Florida at Cary’s USA Baseball National Training Complex. Garrett Gore went 3 for 3 with three runs and an RBI for the Tar Heels (40-8). T.J. Gaudy had a two-run single in a four-run third as the Ospreys (26-22) took a 5-1 lead. Ackley’s two-run double in the fourth tied it and Fedroff added a two-run single to give UNC the lead. The Tar Heels added four in the fifth to complete the scoring.

Jacksonville 7, No. 3 Florida State 6

In Tallahassee, Fla., Brad Simmons went 3 for 3 with a homer and four RBI as Jacksonville nipped Florida State in front of 4,316 fans at Dick Howser Stadium. The Dolphins (25-24) snapped a 25-game losing streak against the Seminoles (40-8). Simmons had a two-run homer in a three-run second for JU. After FSU scored a pair in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead, Simmons’ two-run single capped a three-run eighth as the Dolphins took a 7-5 lead. The Seminoles scored their final run in the bottom of the eighth.

Georgia Tech 11, No. 10 Georgia 1

In Athens, Ga., Deck McGuire fanned nine in seven innings as Georgia Tech thumped Georgia at Foley Field to improve to 11-0 against state teams. McGuire (8-0) allowed one run on four hits. Charlie Blackmon and Luke Murton each had three hits, including a homer, three runs and two RBI for the Yellow Jackets (34-14). Brad Feltes also went deep for Tech, which had homered in 16 consecutive games. Matt Olson doubled and scored in the fourth for the Bulldogs (31-16-1).

No. 14 South Carolina 10, Wofford 5

In Spartanburg, S.C., Whit Merrifield and DeAngelo Mack each had three hits as South Carolina doubled up Wofford at Russell C. King Field. James Darnell and Mack each had two-run singles in a five-run first for the Gamecocks (34-15). Mo Seay had a two-run double in a three-run eighth for the Terriers (21-29).

No. 15 Vanderbilt 7, Tennessee Tech 2

In Nashville, Tenn., Vanderbilt snapped a scoreless tie with seven in the fifth in a win over Tennessee Tech at Hawkins Field. Ryan Flaherty had a two-run single and Shea Robin added a two-run double in the fifth for the Commodores (36-13). Michael Roeder had an RBI double in the seventh, as did Matt Mihoci in the ninth, for the Golden Eagles (31-17-1).

UNC Wilmington 3, No. 19 NC State 2 (11)

In Wilmington, N.C., Jes Snyder’s RBI double in the 11^th gave UNC Wilmington the victory over NC State at Brooks Field. Rhett Miller drew a one-out walk in the 11^th for the Seahawks (36-11-1) and was on the move when Snyder doubled off the leftfield wall. Miller beat the relay throw to the plate to end the contest. Snyder homered in the second to give UNCW the early lead. Ryan Pond singled and scored in a two-run fourth for the Wolfpack (33-15). The Seahawks tied it in the bottom of the eighth as Mike Rooney walked, moved to third on an errant throw on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a wild pitch.