May 21, 2011

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

click here for complete list of scores

Around the Bases
South Carolina nips Alabama to win share of SEC title

UNC sweeps Virginia, Texas A&M tops Texas, USC knocks off Oregon State

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Colby Holmes allowed one run over 6.2 innings as second-ranked South Carolina edged Alabama 3-2 Saturday in front of 3,764 fans at Sewell-Thomas Stadium to win the series and claim a share of the SEC regular-season title. The Gamecocks (22-8, 44-12) will be the No. 1 seed in next week’s SEC tournament. Holmes (6-2) worked around four hits and four walks while striking out five. Matt Price fanned two over the final 1.1 innings to record his 15th save. South Carolina scored a run in the first on a sacrifice fly by Christian Walker (pictured) and pushed the lead to 2-0 an inning later on a homer by Steven Neff. Brock Bennett drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh to pull the Crimson Tide (14-16, 32-24) within one. Walker had a leadoff double in the eighth and came home on a base hit by Adrian Morales to make it 3-1. Austen Smith walked and scored in the bottom of the frame to make it 3-2. Evan Marzilli went 4 for 4 and Scott Wingo was 3 for 5 for the Gamecocks. Brett Booth had two hits and a run for Alabama.

No. 14 North Carolina 3, No. 1 Virginia 2

In Chapel Hill, N.C., Colin Moran went 4 for 4 and had a two-run double to cap a three-run fifth as North Carolina completed the ACC sweep of Virginia in front of 3,537 fans at Boshamer Stadium. Seth Baldwin went 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI for the Tar Heels (20-10, 44-12). Chris Munnelly (6-4, 6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K) was the starter and winner, while Michael Morin (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) notched his second save of the series and eighth of the season. Will Roberts (10-1, 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K) suffered his first career loss after 17 victories. John Barr doubled and scored for the Cavaliers (22-8, 45-9).

No. 12 Texas A&M 3, No. 5 Texas 0

In Austin, Texas, Ross Stripling tossed a four-hit shutout as Texas A&M edged Texas to secure a share of the Big 12 regular-season crown. Stripling (12-2) did not walk and batter and struck out six. He faced just three over the minimum. The game was scoreless until the ninth, when Andrew Collazo had a three-run triple against closer Corey Knebel (2-2, 1 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 K). Kevin Gonzalez and Kenny Jackson both had two hits and a run for the Aggies (19-8, 38-18). Brandon Loy, Mark Payton, Jonathan Walsh and Kevin Lusson each had a hit for the Longhorns (19-8, 40-13).

USC 8, No. 6 Oregon State 3

In Corvallis, Ore., Matt Foat and Adam Landecker both drove in two during an eight-run first as USC evened its Pac-10 series with Oregon State in front of 3,013 fans at Goss Stadium. Foat had a two-run double to make it 4-0 and Landecker capped the first with a two-run single, his second base hit of the inning, to push the lead to 8-0. Austin Wood (5-6) allowed two runs and 10 hits over eight innings with no walks and five strikeouts to earn the victory. Alex Sherrod and J.R. Aguirre both had three hits and a run for the Trojans (11-12, 21-29). Andrew Susac went 3 for 4 for the Beavers (17-6, 38-13).

No. 3 Vanderbilt 17, Georgia 7

In Athens, Ga., Vanderbilt scored 11 over the final two innings to win its series with Georgia in front of 2,122 onlookers at Foley Field and tie for first in the SEC. The Commodores (22-8, 44-9) will be the No. 4 seed in the SEC tournament. Vanderbilt led 6-0 before the Bulldogs (16-14, 28-28) scored seven straight to take a one-run lead after seven. The Commodores put up five in the eighth and added six in the ninth to put the game away. Connor Harrell went 3 for 3 with a homer, three runs and three RBI, while Tony Kemp was 4 for 6 with three runs and one RBI for Vanderbilt. Aaron Westlake (2 RBI) and Jason Esposito (2 for 5, 2 R) also went deep for the victors. Chase Davidson and Jonathan Hester both homered and knocked in two for Georgia. Mark Lamm (5-0, 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 K) picked up the victory.

No. 4 Florida 19, Kentucky 3

In Gainesville, Fla., Austin Maddox homered twice and drove in six as Florida thumped Kentucky to win the series and claim a share of the SEC regular-season crown. The Gators (22-8, 41-15) will be the No. 3 seed in next week’s SEC tourney in Hoover. Maddox had a two-run homer in a seven-run fourth as UF took a 10-1 lead. Maddox added a three-run shot an inning later as the score grew to 14-1. Brian Johnson (3 for 4, 1 HR, 2 R) and Josh Adams (3 for 3, 2 R) both drove in four for the Gators. Preston Tucker went 5 for 6 with two doubles, five runs and two RBI, while Mike Zunino was 4 for 4 with four runs and one RBI for UF. Taylor Black and Chad Wright both had three hits for the Wildcats (8-22, 25-30). Karsten Whitson (7-0, 5 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 4 K) earned the win.

No. 15 Clemson 8, No. 7 Florida State 5

In Tallahassee, Fla., John Hinson and Richie Shaffer both homered as Clemson outscored Florida State to capture the ACC series in front of 4,761 fans at Dick Howser Stadium. The Tigers (17-13, 39-17) scored one in the second and four in the fourth to take control. James Ramsey had a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to pull the Seminoles (19-11, 40-15) within two at 5-3. Clemson added a run in the fifth before FSU pulled within one with a pair in the eighth. The Tigers added two insurance runs in the ninth and Scott Weismann set down the Seminoles in order in the bottom of the ninth for his second save of the series and sixth of the season. David Haselden (5-1, 2.2 IP, 1 BB) earned the win in relief. Jayce Boyd (2 for 4) went deep for FSU.

No. 8 TCU 12, New Mexico 8

In Albuquerque, N.M., Jason Coats homered and drove in four as TCU completed a Mountain West sweep of New Mexico in front of 1,910 spectators at Isotopes Park. Coats (2 for 4, 2 R) belted a two-run dinger in the top of the sixth to snap a 7-7 tie and give the Horned Frogs (20-3, 40-15) the lead for good. Josh Elander had two hits and three RBI, while Taylor Featherson had three hits and one run for TCU. Luke Campbell went 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBI for the Lobos (10-14, 16-39). Erik Miller (6-6, 6 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 2 K) picked up the win.

Baylor 3, No. 9 Oklahoma 2

In Waco, Texas, Josh Ludy drove in Steve DalPorto with a base hit in the bottom of the ninth as Baylor claimed the Big 12 series win over Oklahoma in front of a crowd of 3,378 at Baylor Ballpark. Dan Evatt had a two-run homer in the second to give the Bears (13-14, 29-24) an early lead. Garrett Buechele had a two-run single in the sixth as the Sooners (14-11, 40-15) tied the contest. DalPorto had two doubles and Ludy had a pair of singles for BU. Cameron Seitzer had two doubled and a run for OU. Trent Blank (5-2, 4 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 2 K) earned the win.

No. 11 Arizona State 12, Washington 0

In Seattle, Kramer Champlin pitched a complete-game shutout as Arizona State clinched a Pac-10 series win over Washington at Husky Ballpark. A native of Olympia, Wash., Champlin (8-2) allowed six hits and walked three while striking out seven. The Sun Devils (16-7, 38-13) scored in five of their final seven at-bats, including three in the third, eighth and ninth. Johnny Ruettiger went 2 for 6 with a triple and four RBI. Xorge Carrillo (3 for 5, 2 2B) and Andrew Aplin (2 for 3) both scored three, while Abe Ruiz had a pinch-hit two-run homer in the ninth for ASU. B.K. Santy had two hits for the Huskies (5-18, 15-34).

No. 13 Georgia Tech 5, Virginia Tech 3

In Blacksburg, Va., Buck Farmer tossed seven solid innings as Georgia Tech won its ACC series against Virginia Tech in front of a crowd of 1,749 at English Field. Farmer (10-2) allowed eight hits and three runs with one walk and five strikeouts. Luke Bard gave up one hit and fanned five over the final two innings for his ninth save. The Yellow Jackets (22-8, 39-17) scored in three of the first four innings, including three in the top of the fourth. Jacob Esch (2 for 4, 3 R) homered in the first and Jake Davies added a two-run double in the fourth for the victors. Chris Kay had three hits and drove in one for the Hokies (11-19, 30-25). The Jackets tied for the regular-season ACC title and will be the No. 2 seed behind Virginia in the ACC tournament.

No. 16 Southern Miss 7, Rice 3

In Hattiesburg, Miss., Ashley Graeter and Mark Ellis both had two hits and two RBI as Southern Miss got past Rice to grab a share of the Conference USA regular-season crown in front of 3,958 fans at Pete Taylor Park. After the Owls (16-8, 38-18) tallied single runs in the first and third, the Golden Eagles (16-8, 38-15) took control in the middle innings. Southern Miss got one in the fourth, four in the fifth and two more in the sixth. Marc Bourgeois went 3 for 4 with two runs and one RBI for the Eagles. Anthony Rendon had two hits, including a double, and two runs for Rice. Jonathan Thompson (7-1, 8 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 3 K) was the starter and winner.

No. 17 Miami (Fla.) 5, Duke 2

In Coral Gables, Fla., Rony Rodriguez had three extra-base hits and drove in three as Miami downed Duke to win the ACC series in front of 2,870 fans at Alex Rodriguez Park. Rodriguez put the Hurricanes (19-10, 34-20) ahead to stay with a two-run homer in the first. He added doubles in the third and fourth. Zeke DeVoss went 4 for 4 with two runs for Miami. Will Piwnica-Worms doubled twice for the Blue Devils (7-23, 26-30). Travis Miller (2-0, 2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) earned the win in relief, while Daniel Miranda (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K) got his 12th save.

Cincinnati 7, No. 18 Connecticut 4

In Cincinnati, Nic Spence homered and drove in two as Cincinnati avoided the Big East sweep at the hands of Connecticut at Marge Schott Stadium. Spence (2 for 4) had a run-scoring double to cap a four-run fifth as the Bearcats took a 5-2 lead. He homered in the seventh to complete the scoring for UC. Braden Kline also drove in two, while Chris Peters went 3 for 5 with two doubles, one run and one RBI for the Bearcats. Doug Elliot (2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI) went deep for the Huskies (22-5, 39-15). Dan Jensen (4-4, 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 7 K) earned the victory, while Andrew Strenge (3 IP, 2 H, 2 R) recorded the save. The Bearcats clinched a spot in the Big East Tournament and will be the No. 7 seed.

No. 19 UC Irvine 3, UC Riverside 2

In Riverside, Calif., D.J. Crumlich had a RBI double to plate the eventual game-winner in the top of the eighth as UC Irvine clinched a Big West series win over UC Riverside at the Riverside Sports Complex. Christian Ramirez (2 for 2) drove in runs in the second and fourth for the Anteaters (15-5, 37-13). Trevor Hairgrove (2 for 4) had a two-run homer in the third for the Highlanders (8-12, 26-22). Crosby Slaught (7-1, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 6 K) earned the win, while Brian Hernandez allowed a hit before striking out the game’s final batter for his 11th save. Drew Hillman had two hits and two runs for UCI.

Cal State Bakersfield 5, No. 20 Fresno State 2

In Bakersfield, Calif., Tommy Hoenshell went the distance as Cal State Bakersfield clinched a series victory over Fresno State in front of 1,021 fans at Hardt Field. Hoenshell (6-7) allowed five hits and one earned run with two walks and six strikeouts. Dusty Robinson homered in the first and the Bulldogs (37-13) added a run in the second for a 2-0 lead. The Roadrunners (29-21) tied it with a pair in the second and Oscar Sanay (4 for 4, 1 2B, 1 R, 2 RBI) gave CSUB the lead with a run-scoring single in the sixth. The Roadrunners added a pair in the eighth. DC Legg drove in two, while Martin Medina added two hits for CSUB. Aaron Judge had two hits for FSU.

Around the Tournaments

MEAC

#1 Bethune-Cookman 9, #4 Norfolk State 3 (NSU eliminated)

Bethune-Cookman wins MEAC Tournament

In Daytona Beach, Fla., Peter O’Brien, the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player, went 2 for 4 with a double, two runs and two RBI as Bethune-Cookman defeated Norfolk State to win its sixth straight MEAC crown and claim the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Spartans (24-29) scored a run in the top of the first before the Wildcats (35-22) answered with two in the first and single runs in the second and third for a 4-1 advantage. NSU got two in the fifth to pull to within one before B-CU put up three in the sixth and two in the seventh to pull away. Alejandro Sanchez went 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI for the Wildcats. John Rasberry went 2 for 5 with a double and a homer for the Spartans. Patrick Goelz (8-3, 6 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 BB, 5 K) picked up the victory.

NEC

#2 Sacred Heart 6, #1 Monmouth 1

#4 Central Connecticut State 2, #3 Long Island 1 (LIU eliminated)

In Norwich, Conn., Nick Leiningen pitched the second complete game in the tournament for Sacred Heart in beating Monmouth at Dodd Stadium. The NEC Rookie of the Year, Leiningen (7-3) allowed six hits and one run with one walk and two strikeouts. The Pioneers (33-21) snapped a 1-1 tie with five in the seventh, keyed by a two-run double by Phillips (2 for 4). Steve Tedesco had two hits and two runs for Sacred Heart. Ryan Terry went 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Hawks (35-18).

In the day’s first game, Anthony Turgeon was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth to force in the eventual game-winner as CCSU eliminated Long Island. The Blue Devils (26-24-1) broke a scoreless tie in the seventh on a RBI single by Sean Miller-Jones (2 for 4). The Blackbirds (28-23) tied it in the top of the eighth as Tyler Jones (2 for 4) drew a leadoff walk and scored on an error. Both starters were superb. Dave Krasnowiecki went seven innings for CCSU with six hits, one unearned run, four walks and five strikeouts. Todd Savatsky (7-4, 2 IP, 3 BB, 1 K) picked up the win. Matt McCormick surrendered eight hits and one run in seven innings with one walk and four punchouts for LIU.

(photo by Jimmy Jones)