March 18, 2011

Florida-LSU highlights start of SEC play

As the calendar moves further into March, there are more teams entering conference play.

The SEC starts with a huge series in Baton Rouge, as top-ranked Florida visits No. 7 LSU at Alex Box Stadium. The Gators are 15-2 after their 10-inning win over Florida State on Tuesday. This will be Florida’s first trip outside the Sunshine State. The Tigers are 16-1, with all but one game at home. LSU swept a three-game set from No. 16 Cal State Fullerton this past weekend.

No. 6 Virginia has its second straight series with a Top Ten conference opponent. The Cavaliers had a three-game sweep at then-No. 6 Clemson this past weekend and they welcome No. 5 Florida State to Davenport Field. UVa is 17-1, riding an 11-game win streak into the weekend. The Seminoles are 15-2 and 3-0 in the ACC after their sweep of Boston College a week ago.

Big 12 action begins with third-ranked Oklahoma entertaining No. 12 Texas A&M. The Sooners won their first 16 before dropping their past three, losing Sunday to UALR and falling twice at Arizona State. The Aggies are 13-4 after their win over Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday. A&M will play for the first time outside the Lone Star State.

Other key series include No. 10 TCU at UNLV in the Mountain West, FIU at Florida Atlantic in the Sun Belt, James Madison at VCU in the CAA, Mercer at Stetson in the Atlantic Sun, Elon at Western Carolina in the Southern Conference and Bryant at Central Connecticut State in the Northeast Conference.

Two interesting non-conference sets include Coastal Carolina at Pepperdine and Oral Roberts at No. 9 Arizona State.

Enjoy the games this weekend!

(photo by Jimmy Jones)