May 20, 2011

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Kentucky's Meyer dominates Florida

UNC beats Virginia, South Carolina gets by Alabama, Texas tops A&M

In Gainesville, Fla., Alex Meyer (left) allowed one run in seven innings with nine strikeouts as Kentucky clobbered No. 4 Florida 14-1 Friday to level its SEC series in front of 3,990 fans at McKethan Stadium. Meyer (7-5) allowed five hits and walked three. Neiko Johnson went 3 for 5 with two doubles, four runs and four RBI, while Chad Wright added three hits and three RBI for the Wildcats (8-21, 25-29). UK expanded a 4-0 lead with seven in the top of the fifth. Preston Tucker drove in the lone run in the fifth for the Gators (21-8, 40-15).

No. 14 North Carolina 2, No. 1 Virginia 1

In Chapel Hill, N.C., North Carolina scored two in the bottom of the eighth to nip Virginia and clinch an ACC series victory in front of 2,941 fans at Boshamer Stadium. Levi Michael had a run-scoring single to tie the game in the eighth and a sacrifice fly by Colin Moran gave the lead to the Tar Heels (19-10, 43-12). Michael Morin held the Cavaliers (22-7, 45-8) off the scoreboard in the top of the ninth for his seventh save. R.C. Orlan (1-0) got the final two outs in the eighth to pick up the win. Danny Hultzen (9-3, 7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 10 K) took the loss. Kenny Swab (2 for 4) scored in a sacrifice fly by Reed Gragnani in the second for Virginia. It was the first series loss of the season for the Cavs.

No. 2 South Carolina 6, Alabama 3

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Christian Walker drove in three as South Carolina evened its SEC series with Alabama in front of a crowd of 3,945 at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Walker’s two-run double in the fifth erased a 1-0 deficit and gave the Gamecocks (21-8, 43-12) the lead for good. USC added a run in the seventh and three in the eighth. Evan Marzilli (3 R, 2 RBI), Peter Mooney (1 RBI) and Scott Wingo (1 R) each had three hits for the Gamecocks. Jared Reaves had two doubles and two runs for the Crimson Tide (14-15, 32-23). Forrest Koumas (6-0, 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 5 K) earned the victory, while Matt Price (3 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 K) recorded his 14th save.

No. 5 Texas 6, No. 12 Texas A&M 4

In Austin, Texas, Paul Montalbano had a run-scoring single in the bottom of the seventh to snap a 4-4 tie and propel Texas to a Big 12 series win over Texas A&M in front of 7,785 fans at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The Longhorns (19-7, 40-12) clinched at least a share of the Big 12 regular-season crown and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. After Adam Smith (2 for 3, 2 R) homered in the second, Brandon Wood (2 for 4) had a two-run single in a three-run sixth as the Aggies (18-8, 37-18) took a 4-1 lead. Kevin Lusson had a pinch-hit two-run single to cap a three-run rally in the bottom of the frame as UT tied it at 4. Montalbano finished with three hits for the Longhorns. Hoby Milner (6-3, 2.2 IP, 2 BB, 3 K) earned the victory, while Corey Knebel got the final two outs for his 16th save.

No. 3 Vanderbilt 9, Georgia 3

In Athens, Ga., Connor Harrell had a two-run homer in a three-run second as Vanderbilt evened its SEC series against Georgia in front of 2,295 spectators at Foley Field. Mike Yastrzemski (3 for 4) had a two-run single in a three-run seventh and Curt Casali (2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI) added a two-run dinger in the eighth for the Commodores (21-8, 43-9). Zach Cone (2 for 3) went deep for the Bulldogs (16-13, 28-27). T.J. Pecoraro (7-0, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K) got the win in relief and Kevin Ziomek (3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB) picked up his first save.

No. 6 Oregon State 7, USC 2

In Corvallis, Ore., Jared Norris and Brian Stamps both went deep to lead Oregon State past USC to start their Pac-10 series in front of 2,974 onlookers at Goss Stadium. Norris (3 for 3, 2 R, 2 RBI) had a solo shot in the second to put the Beavers (17-5, 38-12) on the board. Stamps had a three-run blast in the seventh to cap the scoring. Sam Gaviglio (11-1, 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) registered the win for OSU. Kevin Roundtree went 2 for 4 with a run for the Trojans (10-12, 20-29).

No. 15 Clemson 7, No. 7 Florida State 4

In Tallahassee, Fla., Will Lamb went 3 for 5 with a homer, two runs and two RBI as Clemson evened its ACC series with Florida State in front of a crowd of 4,973 at Dick Howser Stadium. The Tigers (16-13, 38-17) scored in three of the first five innings, including four in the third, to take a 7-0 advantage. The Seminoles (19-10, 40-14) got two in the sixth and two in the eighth. Brad Miller (2 R) and Jeff Schaus (1 RBI) also had three hits, while Chris Epps (2 for 3) went deep for Clemson. Jayce Boyd had three hits and two RBI, while Mike McGee (2 for 4) homered for FSU. Justin Sarratt (7-1, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K) earned the victory, with Scott Weismann (1.1 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) recording his fifth save.

No. 8 TCU 25, New Mexico 16

In Albuquerque, N.M., Jantzen Witte went 6 for 7 with four runs and one RBI as TCU outscored New Mexico to secure a Mountain West series win in front of a crowd of 1,215 at Isotopes Park. The Horned Frogs (19-3, 39-15) scored in every inning but the seventh. TCU led 11-2 in the third and 20-7 after six. Joe Weik went 3 for 4 with four runs and three RBI, while Taylor Featherston went 3 for 6 with two doubles, three runs and five RBI for the Frogs. DJ Peterson went 5 for 6 with two doubles, two homers, three runs and six RBI for the Lobos (10-13, 16-38).

No. 9 Oklahoma 5, Baylor 4

In Waco, Texas, Oklahoma scored a pair in the top of the ninth and Ryan Duke held Baylor scoreless in the bottom of the frame as the Sooners evened their Big 12 series in front of 3,347 fans at Baylor Ballpark. Garrett Buechele, who had a three-run homer in the fourth, used a RBI double in the ninth to tie the game at 4. Caleb Bushyhead (2 for 3) added a sacrifice fly to give OU (14-10, 40-13) a one-run advantage. Duke worked around a walk to notch his sixth save. Jake Miller (2 for 3) homered for the Bears (12-14, 28-24).

No. 11 Arizona State 6, Washington 0

In Seattle, Brady Rodgers pitched his first complete game as Arizona State blanked Washington in the Pac-10 series opener at Husky Ballpark. Rodgers (8-3) allowed five hits and one walk while fanning nine. Joey DeMichele had a two-run homer to cap a five-run third for the Sun Devils (15-7, 37-13). Johnny Ruettiger went 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI, while Deven Marrero had two doubles, one run and one RBI for ASU. Ryan Wiggins had three hits for the Huskies (5-17, 15-33).

Virginia Tech 7, No. 13 Georgia Tech 5

In Blacksburg, Va., Johnny Morales went 2 for 4 with a homer, two runs and two RBI as Virginia Tech topped Georgia Tech to even the ACC series at English Field. The Hokies (11-18, 30-24) scored four in the third and three in the fourth to take a 7-2 lead. Tim Smalling had two hits and two RBI for the home team. Matt Skole homered and drove in two for the Yellow Jackets (21-8, 38-17). Marc Zecchino (6-5, 8.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 BB, 7 K) just missed the complete game for the Hokies. Ronnie Shaban got the final out for his third save. Jed Bradley (6-3, 3.2 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 6 K) took the loss for the Jackets.

Rice 16, No. 16 Southern Miss 2

In Hattiesburg, Miss., J.T. Chargois had four hits and four RBI to lead Rice past Southern Miss to clinch a share of the Conference USA crown and the top seed in the conference tourney in front of 4,012 fans at Pete Taylor Park. The Owls (16-7, 38-17) scored in five of the first six innings, including five in both the third and fifth. Derek Hamilton (3 for 5, 2 R, 1 RBI), Michael Fuda (2 for 2, 3 R, 2 RBI) and Michael Ratterree (2 for 5, 1 HR, 3 R, 2 RBI) also contributed to the Rice offense. B.A. Vollmuth and Ashley Graeter both had two hits and a run for the Golden Eagles (15-8, 37-15). Abe Gonzales (6-2, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K) picked up the win in relief.

Duke 2, No. 17 Miami (Fla.) 0

In Coral Gables, Fla., Dennis O’Grady and Marcus Stroman combined on the shutout as Duke blanked Miami to even their ACC set in front of 3,398 fans at Alex Rodriguez Park. O’Grady (6-3) allowed three hits and three walks in 7.2 innings with six strikeouts to earn the victory. Stroman gave up one hit and one walk in 1.1 innings with one strikeout to register his fourth save. Will Piwnica-Worms had two hits, including a homer, and drove in both runs for the Blue Devils (7-22, 26-29). Nathan Melendres and Harold Martinez both had a hit and a walk for the Hurricanes (18-10, 33-20). It was Miami’s second loss to Duke since 1966.

No. 18 Connecticut 9, Cincinnati 5

In Cincinnati, George Springer homered and drove in two as Connecticut clinched a Big East series win over Cincinnati at Marge Schott Stadium. The Huskies (22-4, 39-14-1) scored one in the second and six in the third before the Bearcats (13-13, 29-25) tallied all five runs in the bottom of the third. Ryan Fuller had two hits and three runs, while Doug Wlliot went 3 for 4 with two doubles and two RBI for UConn. Justin Riddell had a three-run homer for UC. Greg Nappo (9-2, 5.2 IP, 9 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 2 K) got the win, while David Fischer (3.1, 2 BB, 3 K) earned his first save.

No. 19 UC Irvine 12, UC Riverside 0

In Riverside, Calif., Matt Summers tossed a two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts as UC Irvine hammered UC Riverside at Riverside Sports Complex. Summers (9-2) was perfect through 5.1 innings. He did not walk a batter and faced two over the minimum. The Anteaters (14-5, 36-13) scored in five of the first seven innings, including four multiple-run innings. Jordan Leyland had two hits and four RBI, while Drew Hillman went 3 for 6 with two runs and three RBI for UCI. Brian Hernandez added three hits and four runs, while Jordan Fox went 3 for 4 with three runs and two RBI for the victors. Justin Shults and Bart Steponovich both had hits for the Highlanders (8-10, 26-21).

Cal State Bakersfield 6, No. 20 Fresno State 0

In Fresno, Calif., Mike McCarthy tossed a four-hit shutout with 12 strikeouts as Cal State Bakersfield blanked Fresno State. McCarthy (7-5) walked a pair in going the distance. The Roadrunners (28-21) scored two in the first and added single runs in the sixth and eighth before Jeremy Rodriguez (2 for 5, 2 R) capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the ninth. Ryan McIntyre had three hits and two runs, while Andrew Letourneau added two hits and two runs for CSUB. Pat Hutcheson went 2 for 2 with a walk as the Bulldogs (37-12) did clinch a share of the WAC regular-season title as Hawaii lost at New Mexico State, their sixth straight championship.

SIU Edwardsville 2-5, Eastern Kentucky 1-1 (Game 1 – 10 innings)

In Edwardsville, Ill., SIU Edwardsville swept a doubleheader from Eastern Kentucky at Simmons Baseball Complex to extend its win streak to seven and to give head coach Gary Collins his 1,000th coaching victory. He is the 55th coach in NCAA history to reach 1,000 wins and the 17th active coach to reach the milestone. A 1970 SIUE graduate, Collins had been head coach at his alma mater single 1979. His career record is 1,000-738-7. The Cougars are 27-24 with one game remaining. The Colonels fell to 21-33.

Fairfield 8, Saint Peter’s 2

In Fairfield, Conn., Fairfield sent head coach John Slosar out on a winning note with a victory over Saint Peter’s at Alumni Stadium. Slosar ends his career with a record of 481-654-7 in 27 seasons with the Stags (13-11, 22-25). Scott Gussaroff (5-6) struck out nine in seven innings with five hits, two runs and one walk to earn the victory. Jack Giannini had three hits and three RBI for Fairfield. Mike Scicutella had two hits and a run for the Peacocks (5-18, 16-34).

Around the Tournaments

MEAC

#1 Bethune-Cookman 8, #4 Norfolk State 0

#4 Norfolk State 9, #2 Delaware State 3 (DSU eliminated)

#2 Delaware State 3, #3 North Carolina A&T 2 (NCA&T eliminated)

In Daytona Beach, Fla., Scott Garner, the MEAC Pitcher and Rookie of the Year, tossed seven scoreless innings to lead Bethune-Cookman past Norfolk State to the Championship Game at Jackie Robinson Park. Garner (8-2) surrendered eight hits and one walk while fanning four. The Wildcats (34-22) scored four in the third and two in the fourth to take control. CJ Leonard had two hits and three RBI, while Peter O’Brien went 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI for B-CU. Alejandro Sanchez had two hits, two runs and two RBI for the victors. James Taylor and John Rasberry both had two hits and a walk as the Spartans stranded 14.

In the final game of the day, John Rasberry had two hits and drove in four as Norfolk State defeated Delaware State to reach the title game against Bethune-Cookman. The Spartans (24-28) scored in four of the first five innings in building a 9-2 advantage. John Lynch went 3 for 5 with two steals, two runs and two RBI, while James Taylor went 2 for 2 with two walks and three runs for NSU. Scott Davis had two hits and knocked in a pair for the Hornets (25-29).

In the day’s first game, Elliot Gardner outpitched Craig Erskine as Delaware State eliminated North Carolina A&T. Gardner (5-7) allowed four hits and two runs with one walk and 10 strikeouts. Erskine (2-7) gave up three hits and two earned runs in eight innings with six walks and four punchouts. Keith Hernandez walked three times and scored twice for the Hornets. Xavier Macklin doubled and drove in one for the Aggies (21-34).

NEC

#1 Monmouth 2, #4 Central Connecticut State 1

#2 Sacred Heart 10, #3 Long Island 1

In Norwich, Conn., Nick Meyers went the distance as Monmouth scored two in the eighth to get past CCSU at Dodd Stadium. Meyers (9-1) allowed three hits with two walks and five strikeouts. Pat Epps had a run-scoring single in the fourth to give the Blue Devils (25-24-1) the early lead. A base hit by Ryan Terry (2 for 4) in the eighth tied it and Nick Pulsonetti’s sacrifice fly gave the lead to the Hawks (35-17). Jake Gronsky went 2 for 3 for Monmouth.

In the second contest, Derick Horn went 4 for 4 with four RBI as Sacred Heart beat Long Island. The Pioneers (32-21) broke the game open late, with two in the sixth, four in the seventh and three in the eighth. John Murphy went 2 for 5 with a homer, three runs and three RBI. Troy Scribner (9-2) tossed the complete game, with six hits, no walks and four strikeouts. Julian Castro had two hits for the Blackbirds (28-22).

SWAC

W1 Southern 14, E2 Jackson State 9 (JSU eliminated)

E1 Alcorn State 13, W4 Texas Southern 0 (TSU eliminated)

E2 Jackson State 6, W3 Prairie View A&M 2 (PVAMU eliminated)

W4 Texas Southern 6, W2 Grambling State 4 (GSU eliminated)

In Shreveport, La., Southern erased an 8-3 deficit with three in the sixth and four in both the seventh and eighth to get past Jackson State and advance to the Championship Game on Sunday. Wilmy Marrero had three hits and four RBI, while Ozzie Lamis went w for 5 with two walks, four runs and three RBI for the Jaguars (29-20). Kendall Logan homered, while Charles Epperson and Danny Betancourt both drove in two for the Tigers (27-26).

Kilby Perdomo (3 for 4, 3 R, 5 RBI and Eduardo Gonzalez (3 for 4, 2 R, 4 RBI) both had a double and a homer as Alcorn State eliminated Texas Southern to reach the Championship Game. The Braves (25-27) scored six in the first and two in the second to take control. Cole Vicars (2-3) earned the complete-game shutout, allowing seven hits in seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts. Terrell Jones and Lacy Jackson both had two hits for the Tigers (25-29).

Frank Solis went 2 for 4 with two RBI as Jackson State eliminated Prairie View A&M. Desmond Russell also knocked in two, while Stephen Curtis and Kendall Logan both had two hits and two runs for the Tigers (27-25). Giovanni Angel and Brandon Williams both had two hits for the Panthers (25-21). Cortney Nelson (10 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K) went the distance for JSU.

In the day’s first contest, Texas Southern trailed 4-1 before scoring four in the bottom of the seventh and one in the eighth to rally past Grambling State. Lacy Jackson and Anthony Dilligard both went 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI for the victorious Tigers. Eldred Barnett went 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI for GSU (23-26). Joshua Long (2-1, 0.2 IP, 2 BB) picked up the win, while Dakota Laufenberg (1.2 IP, 1 K) notched his first save.

(photo courtesy of Kentucky Media Relations Offices)