April 3, 2009

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

Around the Bases
Schimpf and Ocinko both drive in three for LSU at Georgia

UNC's Alex White shuts down Georgia Tech; UC Irvine nips Fullerton

In Athens, Ga., Ryan Schimpf and Sean Ochinko both homered and knocked in three as No. 3 LSU won the opener of its SEC series 8-4 at No. 2 Georgia in front of 4,009 fans at Foley Field. Micah Gibbs had a solo homer in the third for the Tigers (7-3, 22-7). Schimpf had a three-run shot and Ochinko added a solo blast in the third to push the lead to 5-0. Ochinko had a two-run single in a three-run seventh as LSU led 8-0. Bryce Massanari had a dinger in the eighth and a two-run homer in a three-run ninth for the Bulldogs (7-3, 24-4). Anthony Ranaudo (3-2) tossed six scoreless innings with four hits, five walks and 10 strikeouts to earn the win.

No. 6 North Carolina 4, No. 5 Georgia Tech 2

In Atlanta, Alex White allowed two runs in eight innings as UNC edged Georgia Tech in ACC action at Russ Chandler Stadium. White (5-0) surrendered four hits with five walks and eight strikeouts. Colin Bates pitched a scoreless ninth for his fifth save. Kyle Seager had a sac fly in the first for the Tar Heels (8-4, 23-6). The Yellow Jackets (8-3, 18-5) tied it in the fourth on a sac fly by Thomas Nichols. Mark Fleury and Ryan Graepel had two-out singles in the eighth for UNC before Tarron Robinson brought Fleury in with a pinch-hit double. Graepel scored on an error to make it 3-1. Jason Haniger had a run-scoring double in the bottom of the frame to make it 3.2 Levi Michael homered in the top of the ninth for an insurance run for the Heels.

No. 11 UC Irvine 2, No. 1 Cal State Fullerton 1

In Fullerton, Calif., Daniel Bibona tossed eight scoreless innings as UCI edged Cal State Fullerton in Big West action at Goodwin Field. Bibona (5-1) matched his career-high with eight innings, allowing four hits and fanning five. He did not give up a hit until the fifth as the Titans (2-2, 19-6) lost consecutive games for the first time. Eric Pettis worked the ninth for his eighth save. Francis Larson homered in the fourth for the Anteaters (4-0, 18-7). Eric Deragisch had an RBI single in the fifth to give UCI a 2-0 lead. Fullerton scratched in the ninth on an RBI groundout by Jared Clark. Larson finished with two hits for the Anteaters.

No. 4 Arizona State 3, Washington 1

In Seattle, Mike Leake allowed one run in 7.2 innings as ASU nipped Washington in front of 3,675 fans at Safeco Field. Leake (7-1) allowed four hits and struck out 10. Mitchell Lambson worked out of a bases-loaded situation with two outs in the eighth and worked a perfect ninth for his second save. Carlos Ramirez had an RBI single in the third for the Sun Devils (6-1, 21-5). Brett Wilcox had a run-scoring base hit in the fourth for the Huskies (1-3, 10-16). ASU took the lead for good in the sixth as Drew Maggi scored from first on a ball into shallow left center. Ramirez added an insurance run with a homer in the seventh. Maggi and Riccio Torrez finished with two hits.

No. 7 Rice 11, Tulane 3

In Houston, Jimmy Comerota went 4 for 5 with a double and two RBI as Rice rolled past Tulane in C-USA play at Reckling Park. Rick Hague had an RBI double and scored in a three-run first for the Owls (5-2, 19-7). Nick Boullosa singled and scored in the third for the Green Wave (1-3, 17-12). Comerota’s RBI single capped a three-run third as Rice took control at 6-1. Jared Rogers (2-1) worked 7.1 innings with six hits, two runs, three walks and four strikeouts to earn the win. Hague, Anthony Rendon and Daniel Gonzales-Luna each drove in two for the Owls. Drew Allain had two hits and two RBI for Tulane.

No. 25 Florida State 14, No. 8 Miami 4
In Coral Gables, Fla., Mike McGee finished 3 for 5 with two home runs and five RBI as FSU mauled Miami at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. Tyler Holt also added two homers and four RBI for the Seminoles (7-4, 18-8), whose first five hitters combined for seven long balls. Starter Sean Gilmartin (6-1) lasted seven innings and allowed four runs on eight hits. Miami's Saturday starter, David Gutierrez, replaced struggling preseason All-American Chris Hernandez, who was chased after surrendering four runs in 0,2 innings. Harold Martinez went 3 for 4 with a dinger, two doubles and an RBI for the Hurricanes (8-5, 21-8).

No. 9 Arkansas 6, South Carolina 4
In Columbia, S.C., Zack Cox hit the game-winning three-run homer in the sixth for Arkansas against South Carolina in SEC play at Carolina Stadium. The Razorbacks (9-1, 21-5) got all of their scoring in innings four through six and held off a late comeback by the Gamecocks (4-6, 19-10), who scored a combined three runs in the sixth and seventh. Dallas Keuchel (5-0) went 6.1 innings of three-run ball for the win, while Sam Dyson (4-2) took the loss by allowing six runs in 6.1 innings. Whit Merrifield led South Carolina with two hits and two RBI in the second spot.

No. 10 Baylor 8, Kansas 6

In Lawrence, Kan., Dustin Dickerson’s two-run single snapped a 6-6 tie and capped a three-run ninth as Baylor rallied past Kansas in Big 12 play at Hoglund Ballpark. Pinch-hitter Kenton Gedwed had an RBI single in the ninth for the Bears (6-4, 19-7) to tie it at 6-6. Aaron Miller (2-0) held the Jayhawks (3-4, 17-11) scoreless over the final four innings with four hits and five strikeouts to earn the victory. Raynor Campbell had three hits, including two doubles, for BU. Buck Afenir had three hits and three RBI for KU.

No. 12 Oklahoma 2, Missouri 1

In Columbia, Mo., Andrew Doyle threw eight innings, striking out six and allowing only one run to give the edge to Oklahoma in a closely-contested Big 12 pitcher’s duel. Kyle Gibson (4-3) took the loss for the Tigers (4-6, 14-15) despite striking out 15 and walking just one batter over a complete nine innings. The Sooners (5-2, 24-6) were led offensively by Bryant Hernandez, who went 3 for 4, and Garrett Bluechele registered the lone RBI. Steve Gray went 2 for 4 for Missouri and Ryan Lollis added a hit and an RBI.

No. 13 Texas 7, No. 15 Oklahoma State 2

In Stillwater, Okla., Connor Rowe homered twice to lead Texas past OSU in the Big 12 series opener at Allie P. Reynolds Stadium. Michael Torres had a three-run homer and Rowe added a solo shot in a five-run second for the Longhorns (5-5, 19-7). Tom Belza had a sac fly in the fourth for the Cowboys (3-4, 20-9). Randy McCurry had a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh for OSU. David Hernandez had an RBI single in the eighth and Rowe went deep in the ninth to make it 7-2. Chance Ruffin (5-2) allowed one earned run in 7.1 innings with six hits, two walks and six strikeouts to earn the win. Neil Medchill had two hits and a run for the Cowboys.

Texas Tech 4, No. 14 Texas A&M 3

In Lubbock, Texas, Chad Bettis induced a game-ending double play with the bases loaded in the top of the ninth as Texas Tech edged Texas A&M in a Big 12 battle at Dan Law Field. Brooks Raley homered in a two-run first for the Aggies (6-4, 19-10). Taylor Ashby had a two-run double in a three-run third for the Red Raiders (5-5, 13-18). Chris Richburg added an RBI double in the sixth as Tech took a 4-2 lead. Kyle Colligan homered in the seventh for A&M’s final run.

No. 16 Ole Miss 4, Kentucky 3

In Oxford, Miss., Evan Button had an RBI single in the eighth to lift Ole Miss to a comeback SEC victory against Kentucky. Jordan Henry went 3 for 4 with an RBI and Zach Miller blasted a home run in the seventh for the Rebels (6-4, 20-8). The Wildcats (4-6, 18-10) jumped out to a three-run lead in the third, but were unable to recover from four unanswered runs by Ole Miss. Bryan Rose was 3 for 3 and Glad Gunner had a two-RBI single in the third for Kentucky.

No. 17 Virginia 7, Maryland 4

In Charlottesville, Va., Jarrett Parker and Danny Hultzen each had four hits to lead Virginia in a comeback ACC win against Maryland. The Cavaliers (7-4, 25-4) scored three in the seventh to tie the game at four and then two runs in the eighth sealed the victory. David Poutier went 3 for 4 with one run and four RBI to lead the Terrapins (3-10, 13-16). Franco Valdes had a run and an RBI and Hultzen started the game for Virginia and struck out five over 6.2 innings.

No. 18 East Carolina 6, UAB 3

In Birmingham, Ala., Chris Heston struck out 10 in seven innings, gave up only one earned run and picked up the win for East Carolina against UAB in Conference USA action to keep his record at an unblemished 5-0. The Pirates (6-1, 23-5) got an offensive spark from Stephen Batts and Kyle Roller, who each had two hits and two RBI. The Blazers (1-3, 16-11) had five players with a hit and Luke Stewart and Andrew Manning each recorded an RBI. Batts drove in the game-winning run in the seventh with a single down the right field line that scored Ryan Wood.

No. 19 Florida 8, Vanderbilt 4

In Nashville, Tenn., Preston Tucker had a two-run double in the seventh to give Florida the lead for good in its SEC contest against Vanderbilt at Hawkins Field. Tony Davis (3-0) earned the win with 3.1 scoreless innings with no hits and four strikeouts. Tucker finished with three hits and three RBI for the Gators (7-3, 19-9). Brandon McArthur also had three hits for Florida. Andrew Giobbi drove in three for the Commodores (3-7, 17-12). Jason Esposito homered for Vanderbilt.

No. 20 Clemson 7, Duke 3
In Clemson, S.C., hitters four through seven combined for five RBI as Clemson topped Duke in ACC action at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Ben Paulsen led the Tigers (8-5, 19-9), who broke the game open with a three-run eighth, hitting a solo homer and driving in two. Kyle Parker and Brad Miller each collected two hits and an RBI. Reliever Clinton McKinney (2-0) picked up the victory by allowing just one unearned run in 4.1 innings. Jake Lemmerman and Will Piwnica-Worms both notched two hits and an RBI for Clemson. Starter Christopher Manno (2-4) took the loss for the Blue Devils (6-7, 19-10), allowing four runs on seven hits over six innings.

Minnesota 7, No. 21 Ohio State 5

In Minneapolis, AJ Pettersen went 3 for 3 with a triple, two runs and two RBI and Chauncy Handran tossed seven shutout innings as Minnesota improved to 3-1 against ranked teams by beating Ohio State. Handran (5-1) allowed seven hits and two earned runs and left with a 7-2 lead, but the Buckeyes (2-2, 21-6) rallied for three runs in the eighth, thanks in part to Ryan Dew (2-3, 3 R) driving in two. Scott Matyas preserved the win for the Golden Gophers (2-1, 15-8).

TCU 7, No. 22 New Mexico 3

In Fort Worth, Texas, Corey Steglich went 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBI as TCU scored five times in its final two at-bats to topple New Mexico. Matt Carpenter tied it at 3 with a two-out single in the seventh. The Horned Frogs (4-3, 17-9) took the lead when Lobos second baseman Mike Brownstein lost Chris Ellington’s popup in the lights. Steglich then keyed a three-run eighth with a two-run single. Steven Maxwell (5 IP, 4 H, 2 R) and Tyler Lockwood (4 IP, 4H, 1 R) combined to hold the high-octane New Mexico offense in check. Brownstein paced the Lobos (5-2, 25-6) by going 2 for 3 with a RBI.

No. 23 Cal Poly 11, Cal State Northridge 10 (10)

In San Luis Obispo, Calif., D.J. Gentile scored the game-winning run when he took third on a wild pitch and scampered home on an overthrow in the bottom of the 10th as Cal Poly won a wild one with Cal State Northridge. Kyle Smith had three RBI, and Gentile (4-5, 3 R, 2 RBI) and Luke Yoder (4-5, 3 R, 2 RBI) had big games for the Mustangs (1-3, 19-7). TS Reed and D.J. Bellenger each had three hits and drove in one for the Matadors (2-2, 13-15).

No. 24 Coastal Carolina 11, Gardner-Webb 6
In Conway, S.C., Adam Rice went 5 for 5 with two homers and four RBI as Coastal Carolina outscored Gardner-Webb in a Big South battle at Watson Stadium. Taylor Motter drove in an additional three runs from the No. 9 hole. Starter Cody Wheeler (6-0) fanned eight and gave up four runs, three earned, in 6.1 innings for the Chanticleers (4-4, 22-7), who scored in all but two frames. Aaron Hayes (1-1) took the loss as he allowed 10 runs, six earned, in seven innings. Ty Boyle hit a two-run homer for the Bulldogs (4-3, 14-11).

Georgia Southern 15, College of Charleston 14 (14)

In Statesboro, Ga., Ty Wright had a game-winning two-run single in the bottom of the 14th as Georgia Southern rallied past first-place College of Charleston in the five-hour opener of their Southern Conference series in front of 1,521 fans at J.I. Clements Stadium. Wright had tied the game at 13-13 with a homer in the ninth. Ryan Daniels homered in the top of the 14th for the Cougars (10-3, 20-6). CofC led 9-0 in the fourth and 13-4 in the seventh before the Eagles (5-3, 19-7) used a Roman Grimaldi grand slam to key a seven-run seventh. Grimaldi finished with four hits. Jody Bergman had four hits, three runs and four RBI for the Cougars. Joash Brodin also had four hits for CofC.

FIU 9, Western Kentucky 8

In Miami, Ryan Mollica had an infield single that allowed the tying and winning runs to score in the bottom of the ninth as FIU rallied past WKU in Sun Belt action at University Park. The Golden Panthers (7-3, 18-7) led 6-2 after four before a five-run fifth gave the Hilltoppers (8-2, 20-8) a 7-6 advantage. WKU added a run in the ninth before FIU’s three-run rally in the bottom of the ninth. Lamar Guy had two hits and four RBI for the Golden Panthers. Jared Andreoli had two hits and three RBI for the Hilltoppers. Matt Payton and Chad Cregar both had three hits for WKU.