March 26, 2010

Virginia hosts Clemson in top weekend series

There are several match-ups of nationally-ranked opponents, headlined by No. 8 Clemson (6-0, 17-4) at No. 1 Virginia (5-1, 18-3) in a key ACC series. The Tigers are looking to rebound from a pair of home losses to Elon this past week.

Another important series in the ACC has No. 3 Georgia Tech (5-1, 18-2) visiting North Carolina (2-4, 16-6). The Tar Heels desperately need a series win.

The SEC has several key meetings. No. 5 Florida (3-0, 17-3) travels to No. 18 Ole Miss (2-1, 17-5), No. 17 Alabama (2-1, 16-3) goes to No. 16 Arkansas (1-2, 15-5) and No. 19 South Carolina (3-0, 17-4) heads to Auburn (3-0, 16-5)

The Pac-10 begins conference play this weekend. No. 2 Arizona State (20-0) puts its perfect record on the line at home with California (12-7), while Oregon (17-6) heads to Arizona (18-4) and USC (11-10) heads north to Stanford (10-5). In non-conference action on the left coast, No. 7 UCLA (18-0) continues its series with Cal Poly (7-13). The Bruins won the series opener 11-7 on Thursday.

The Big East kicks off league play with Connecticut (12-5) at No. 11 Louisville (18-2), Cincinnati (11-7) at Villanova (15-3) and St. John’s (12-6) at Pittsburgh (15-4).

No. 9 Texas (2-1, 16-5) plays at Texas Tech (1-2, 11-12) in a key Big 12 series. Oklahoma State (14-3) visits Kansas State (15-3) as both begin conference action.

Conference USA commences conference play with Rice (12-10) at Memphis (9-12) and Southern Miss (13-6) at UAB (11-7).

League play continues in the Southland, as Texas State (4-2, 11-8) hosts Lamar (2-4, 15-6) and Stephen F. Austin (4-1, 13-6) goes to Nicholls State (3-3, 12-8).

Two key series in the Southern Conference are Appalachian State (2-3-1, 14-3-1) at The Citadel (6-0, 15-6) and Elon (2-4, 12-9) at Davidson (4-2, 13-8).

The Sun Belt has South Alabama (5-1, 15-9) visiting preseason favorite Middle Tennessee (4-2, 14-6) and ULM (3-3, 9-11) going to Western Kentucky (3-0, 17-5).

In the Atlantic Sun, Mercer (2-1, 14-9) plays at Jacksonville (4-2, 11-11). An important CAA series has preseason pick James Madison (2-1, 9-10) at George Mason (0-0, 11-5). In the start of Mid-American Conference action, Kent State (9-12) heads to Toledo (11-7). An extremely interesting non-conference series has San Diego (12-10) at No. 12 Coastal Carolina (18-3).

Enjoy the games!

(photo by Jimmy Jones)