March 13, 2009

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

Around the Bases
North Carolina tops Virginia Tech in ACC action

ASU defeats Kansas; Rice stops San Diego

No. 1 North Carolina 7, Virginia Tech 3

In Blacksburg, Va., Levi Michael went 2 for 5 with five RBI - including a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning - as North Carolina took its ACC opener from Virginia Tech. Dustin Ackley went 3 for 4 with a homer and two RBI, and Kyle Seager (2 for 3) registered his fifth straight multi-hit game for the Tar Heels (3-1, 13-2). Alex White (3-0) worked six innings with two earned runs and eight strikeouts. Rhett Ballard (3-1) allowed four runs on six hits in 6.1 innings for the Hokies (1-3, 10-5). Steve Bumbry led Tech at the plate, driving in all three runs and homering for the fourth time.

No. 5 Arizona State 9, Kansas 4

In Surprise, Ariz., Jason Kipnis had a three-run double and finished with four RBI, and Carlos Ramirez's three-run homer was his third in as many games as Arizona State picked up a win over Kansas. Shaeffer Hall, who threw a no-hitter on Opening Day, coasted through the first four innings but allowed six runs (five unearned) in the fifth. Rauol Torrez went 3 for 4 with two runs for the Sun Devils (13-2). Tony Thompson went 2 for 2 with two runs and two RBI for the Jayhawks (9-4).

No. 10 Rice 4, San Diego 1
In Houston, Ryan Berry continued his dominance with a complete-game one-hitter with no walks and eight strikeouts as Rice topped San Diego. Berry (3-0) tossed his third straight complete game and lowered his ERA to 1.42. He has allowed nine hits, struck out 31 and walked five in 31.2 innings - opposing hitters are hitting .088 off of him. Chad Mozingo drove in a pair of runs, and Craig Manuel had two hits for the Owls (10-4). Kyle Blair (1-1) also threw a complete game, allowing one earned run and striking out nine for the Toreros (8-9).

No. 7 Cal State Fullerton 8, No. 12 Oklahoma State 4
No. 7 Cal State Fullerton 17, Rhode Island 3
In Stillwater, Okla., Jared Clark went 5 for 5 with three runs, and Tony Harkey went 2 for 2 with four RBI as Cal State Fullerton knocked off Andrew Oliver and Oklahoma State. Daniel Renken (3-0) allowed three runs on seven hits in five innings, and Nick Ramirez, who drove in a run as the Titans' DH, threw well over the next 3.1 innings for the Titans (12-2). Oliver (3-1) allowed nine hits and five earned runs in losing for the first time in eight decisions. Michael Dabbs had two hits and two RBI for the Cowboys (11-3). Earlier, Clark went 2 for 4 with his fourth homer, two runs and four RBI, and Gary Brown went 3 for 4 with three RBI as the Titans steamrolled Rhode Island.