April 27, 2011

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Kraus pitches Portland past Oregon

UNC rallies past ECU, Lamar's Gilligan earns career win No. 1,200

In Eugene, Ore., Kyle Kraus (right) pitched eight solid innings as Portland got by Oregon 4-2 Wednesday in front of 1,380 fans at PK Park. Kraus (3-4) allowed six hits and two runs with one walk and two strikeouts. Chris Dennis fanned two in the ninth in earning his seventh save. Kevin Armijo belted a two-run homer in the top of the sixth for the Pilots (15-23) before the Ducks (21-18) scored single runs in the sixth and seventh to knot the score at 2. Matt Mardesich (3 for 4) had a RBI double and scored in the top of the eighth as Portland took the lead for good. KC Serna homered for Oregon.

No. 15 North Carolina 5, East Carolina 4

In Greenville, N.C., Jesse Wierzbicki had a two-run single with two outs in the top of the ninth as North Carolina rallied past East Carolina in front of 4,470 fans at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Zach Wright belted a three-run homer in the bottom of the third as the Pirates (27-14) took the early lead. Chaz Frank (2 for 3) had a run-scoring single to spark a three-run fourth as the Tar Heels (33-10) tied it at 3. Chase McDonald doubled and scored on a wild pitch in the sixth as ECU took a 4-3 lead. Matt Roberts had a leadoff double in the ninth for UNC and moved to third on a bunt single by Parks Jordan. A walk to Tommy Coyle loaded the bases before a pair of popouts left the Heels one out from defeat. Wierzbicki delivered a base hit to plate two and give UNC the lead. Michael Morin pitched a scoreless ninth with one hit and two strikeouts for his third save. Philip Clark finished with two hits for the Pirates.

Lamar 7, Houston 4

In Beaumont, Texas, Jim Gilligan recorded his 1,200th victory as Lamar defeated Houston in front of 1,529 fans at Beck Stadium. The Cardinals (23-19) had lost six straight before finally giving Gilligan the milestone win. The Cougars (20-22) loaded the bases in the top of the ninth before Blake Ford got a groundout to record his first save. Jeff Abt (2 for 3) had a three-run homer in the bottom of the first as Lamar took a 3-1 lead. Houston tied it with a pair in the top of the fourth. Ted Zentek (3 for 4) had a run-scoring single to snap a 3-3 tie and spark a three-run sixth for the Cards. Matt Creel went 3 for 4 for the Cougars.

Clemson 6, Western Carolina 4

In Cullowhee, N.C., Brad Miller went 3 for 3 with a double, two runs and two RBI as Clemson edged Western Carolina at Hennon Stadium. The game was stopped in the top of the ninth due to lightning. Miller had a two-run double in a three-run first and the Tigers (27-14) added two in the fifth before the Catamounts (17-21-1) answered with four in the bottom of the fifth. Clemson added an insurance run in the eighth. David Haselden (4-1, 2.2 IP, 3 H) earned the win in relief, while Jonathan Meyer struck out the side in the eighth for his first save. Will Lamb went 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Tigers. Matt Johns (1 RBI) and Cameron Dullnig (1 R) both had two hits for WCU.

Connecticut 16, Central Connecticut State 14

In New Britain, Conn., George Springer homered twice and drove in six as Connecticut rallied past CCSU. Springer went 4 for 4 with a double and four runs. The Blue Devils (19-17-1) scored in five of the first six innings in building a 14-8 lead. The Huskies (29-12-1) tallied four in the seventh and took the lead with three in the eighth. Tim Martin went 4 for 6 with four runs for UConn. Jake Matuszak (3 for 6, 3 R) and Dylan DelaCruz (2 for 5, 1 HR) both drove in three for CCSU. Anthony Marzi (2-0, 1.2 IP, 3 BB, 1 K) got the win, while Kevin Vance pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save.

Auburn 11, Texas Southern 1

In Auburn, Ala., Dan Gamache went 2 for 3 with a double, a homer, two runs and three RBI as Auburn thumped Texas Southern in front of a crowd of 1976 at Plainsman Park. The home Tigers (23-18) scored multiple runs in each of the first four innings in building an 11-0 lead after four. Justin Fradejas went 3 for 5 with a homer and four runs. Casey McElroy (2 for 4) and Kevin Patterson both knocked in three. Justin Cook had a run-scoring double in the sixth for the visiting Tigers (19-22). Bradley Hendrix (2-1, 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 3 K) was the starter and winner for Auburn.

(photo courtesy of Portland Media Relations Office)