May 28, 2011

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Charlotte, Belmont among 13 to win conference titles

Rice, Fresno State, Creighton, Illinois, Austin Peay also claim crowns

Non-Tournament Conferences

Big West

Cal State Fullerton blanked Cal State Northridge 6-0 to clinch the Big West regular-season crown and the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

Pac-10

UCLA shut out Arizona State 7-0 to take sole possession of first place. Trevor Bauer (12-2) pitched his eighth straight complete game with one walk and 14 strikeouts. Oregon State lost at Oregon for the second straight day to fall one game behind the Bruins.

WCC

Gonzaga evened its series with San Francisco  with a 7-5 victory on Saturday. The teams are tied for first and will play the deciding game on Sunday for the conference title and a spot in the NCAA tourney.

Around the Tournaments

Atlantic 10

#1 Charlotte 9, #5 Richmond 4 (UR eliminated)

Charlotte wins Atlantic 10 championship

In Camden, N.J., S Brown had a two-run single in a three-run third and Charlotte added four in the fourth on its way to an Atlantic 10 championship over Richmond at Campbell’s Field. Miguel Rodriguez had two hits and two RBI, while Corey Shaylor went 3 for 4 with three runs and one RBI for the 49ers (42-14). Joe Yermal (7-2, 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K) earned the victory. Mike Mergenthaler had two hits and one run for the Spiders (29-27-2). (photo courtesy of Atlantic 10)

Atlantic Sun

#6 Belmont 9, #4 Mercer 7 (Mercer eliminated)

Belmont wins Atlantic Sun championship

In Nashville, Tenn., Belmont scored five in the top of the first and never trailed in edging Mercer to win its first Atlantic Sun title. Nate Woods went 2 for 5 with two runs and one RBI, while Tim Egerton had two doubles, one run and one RBI for the Bruins (36-24). Billy Burns had three hits and a run, while Thomas Carroll drove in two for the Bears (39-20). Garrett Fanchier (4-3, 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB) got the win in relief, while Jon Ivie (1 IP, 2 BB, 1 K) pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 13th save. Belmont will make its first trip to the NCAA tournament. (photo courtesy of Atlantic Sun)

ACC

#1 Virginia 3, #4 North Carolina 2

#2 Florida State 4, #3 Georgia Tech 2

#6 Clemson 6, #7 NC State 3

#4 North Carolina 9, #8 Wake Forest 0

#5 Miami 4, #8 Wake Forest 2

In Durham, N.C., David Coleman doubled and scored on a bunt by Keith Werman in the bottom of the seventh to snap a 2-2 tie and propel Virginia past North Carolina at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. Chris Taylor drove in Colin Harrington twice for the first two runs for the Cavaliers (48-9). Jacob Stallings had two hits for the Tar Heels (45-14). Whit Mayberry (5-0) fanned five of the six batters he faced to pick up the win in relief. Branden Kline got the final out to record his 17th save. Virginia will face Florida State in the ACC title game on Sunday.

In the first game, Mike McGee pitched 5.1 scoreless innings as Florida State edged Georgia Tech. The Seminoles (42-16) are 2-1 in pod play and advance to the title game because of Clemson’s win over NC State. McGee (3-3) allowed two hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Daniel Bennett gave up two hits over the final 1.2 innings with two strikeouts for his 14th save. FSU scored three in the third and one in the fourth. Rafael Lopez had two hits and two runs for the Seminoles. Zane Evans (2 for 4) had a two-run single in the seventh for the Yellow Jackets (40-19).

Richie Shaffer had a three-run homer in the top of the sixth to put Clemson ahead to stay in its defeat of NC State, sending Florida State to the ACC title game. Shaffer’s blast turned a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 advantage. Brad Miller and Chris Epps also went deep for the Tigers (41-18). Andrew Ciencin went 2 for 3 with a double, one run and one RBI for the Wolfpack (34-25).

North Carolina blanked Wake Forest in the completion of Friday’s suspended contest. Patrick Johnson (11-1) pitched six hitless innings with two walks and eight strikeouts before play was stopped. Levi Michael (3 for 4, 3 R0, Jesse Wierzbicki (2 for 2, 3 R, 2 RBI) and Greg Holt (1 for 4, 2 RBI) all homered for the Tar Heels (45-13). Steve Brooks and Charlie Morgan had hits for the Demon Deacons (25-30).

Miami scored four in the first three innings and held on to defeat Wake Forest. Zeke DeVoss went 3 for 4 with one run and one RBI, while Rony Rodriguez homered for the Hurricanes (36-21). Chris Pelaez drove in a pair for the Hurricanes. Steven Brooks went 2 for 4 with one double, one run and one RBI for the Demon Deacons (25-31).

Big East

#6 Louisville 7, #2 St. John’s 5

#5 Seton Hall 12, #1 Connecticut 2 (UConn eliminated)

#2 St. John’s 5, #6 Louisville 1 (UL eliminated)

In Clearwater, Fla., Jeff Gardner had a two-run double to snap a 2-2 tie and spark a four-run fourth as Louisville edged St. John’s at Bright House Field to force another meeting later today for a spot in the Big East title game. Ryan Wright had a two-run homer in the first for the Cardinals (32-28). Jeremy Baltz had a two-run triple in a three-run fifth for the Red Storm (34-19). Jeff Thompson (2-1, 4.1 IP, 3 H, 5 K) picked up the win in relief.

Zack Granite went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI as Seton Hall run-ruled Connecticut in eight innings to advance to the Big East championship game. Mike Genovese also had three hits for the Pirates (32-23). Will Walsh had two hits and three runs for Seton Hall. George Springer had one hit, one run and one RBI for the Huskies (41-17-1).

In the third game of the day, Kevin Kilpatrick and Stephen Rivera combined to hold Louisville to one run as St. John’s punched its ticket to the title game against Seton Hall. Kilpatrick (4-3) gave up five hits and one run in 5.1 innings with no walks and three strikeouts. Rivera surrendered four hits and no walks in 3.2 scoreless innings with three punchouts. Jimmy Brennan had three hits and a run, while Joe Panik went 2 for 4 with two RBI for the Red Storm (35-19). Ryan Wright had two hits and one RBI for the Cardinals (32-29).

Big South

#1 Coastal Carolina 6, #5 Gardner-Webb 1 (GWU eliminated)

Coastal Carolina wins Big South championship

In Lexington, Va., Jordan Coons tossed seven scoreless innings as Coastal Carolina defeated Gardner-Webb at Gray-Minor Stadium to win its fifth consecutive Big South title. Coons (5-3) allowed three hits and one walk with one strikeout. Ryan Connolly worked a scoreless eighth before Josh Conway allowed a run in the top of the ninth. Rich Witten homered in the first and Daniel Bowman (2 for 4) added a two-run blast in a five-run third as the Chanticleers (41-18) took a 6-0 lead. Jake Watts had two hits and a run, and Aaron Miller added two hits and one RBI for the Bulldogs (34-23-1). (photo by Carlos Morales, Sideline Sports)

Big Ten

#1 Illinois 9, #2 Michigan State 1 (MSU eliminated)

#2 Michigan State 6, #5 Minnesota 3 (UM eliminated)

Illinois wins Big Ten championship

In Columbus, Ohio, Corey Kimes pitched a complete game as Illinois downed Michigan State to claim the Big Ten championship at Huntington Park. Kimes (4-4) allowed seven hits and one run with no walks and seven strikeouts. Matt Dittman had a grand slam in the top of the third for the Illini (28-25). Brandon Eckerle and Jeff Holm both had two hits for the Spartans (26-21). (photo courtesy of Illinois)

In the earlier game, Joel Fisher and Tony Wieber both drove in two as Michigan State eliminated Minnesota. Torsten Boss had three hits and a run, while Ryan Jones added two hits and two runs for the Spartans. Troy Larson knocked in a pair for the Golden Gophers (25-24).

Big 12

#1 Texas 6, #8 Missouri 1

#2 Texas A&M 9, #6 Kansas State 8 (11) (KSU eliminated)

#8 Missouri 2, #1 Texas 1 (UT eliminated)

In Oklahoma City, Brandon Loy went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI to lead Texas past Missouri at RedHawks Field, setting up a deciding game later today for a berth in the Big 12 title game. Jonathan Walsh added two hits and two RBI for the Longhorns (43-14). Kendal Carrillo (5-1, 3.2 IP, 1 H, 6 K) got the win in relief. C.J. Jarvis had a sacrifice fly for the Tigers (26-31).

Kevin Gonzalez drove in the game-winner with a base hit in the bottom of the 11th as Texas A&M edged Kansas State to earn a return trip to the Big 12 championship game. The Aggies (40-18) tied it at 8 with a four-run eighth. Matt Juengel had three hits and three runs, while Gonzalez and Adam Smith both knocked in two for A&M. Chase Graskewicz had three hits and two RBI for the Wildcats (36-23). Kyle Martin (2-1) tossed three hitless innings in relief with three strikeouts to earn the win.

In the day’s final game, Kelly Fick tossed seven scoreless innings as Missouri nipped Texas to advance to the Big 12 title tilt against Texas A&M. Fick (2-2) allowed four hits and struck out three. Phil McCormick got the final five outs, four by strikeout, to notch his eighth save. Jesse Santo had a RBI double in the second and Blake Brown homered in the seventh as the Tigers (27-31) took a 2-0 lead. Tant Shepherd had a run-scoring groundout in the eighth for the lone run for the Longhorns (43-15).

CAA

#1 James Madison 10, #2 Old Dominion 1 (ODU eliminated)

James Madison wins CAA championship

In Wilmington, N.C., Johnny Bladel and David Herbek both homered in a six-run second as James Madison powered past Old Dominion to claim the CAA crown at Brooks Field. After Conner Brown had a two-out RBI single to snap a scoreless tie in the top of the second, Bladel blasted a three-run dinger and Herbek added a two-run shot as the Dukes (40-17) took a 6-0 lead. Ty McFarland (3 for 3, 3 RBI) had a two-run single in a three-run seventh for JMU. Alex Valadja (7-3, 6 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 K) was the starter and winner for the Dukes. Kenny Stoneback went 3 for 3 with one RBI for the Monarchs (30-26). (photo by Joe Browning, UNCW)

Conference USA

#1 Rice 4, #6 Houston 3 (10)

Rice wins Conference USA championship

In Pearl, Miss., Anthony Rendon had a leadoff double in the bottom of the 10th and scored the game-winner on a base hit by Craig Manuel as Rice edged Houston to win the C-USA title. Manuel missed a bunt sign and swung away to plate the winning run. The Cougars (27-32) built an early 3-0 lead before the Owls (41-19) got two in the fifth and one in the sixth. Derek Hamilton went 2 for 2 with one run and one RBI for Rice. Codey Morehouse had a RBI triple and scored for UH. Tyler Duffey struck out seven in 4.2 scoreless innings of relief for the Owls before Tony Cingrani (4-2) got the final out in the top of the 10th to pick up the victory. Rice won its fourth C-USA title in six years as a conference member. The Owls will make their 17th straight NCAA tournament appearance, all under the direction of head coach Wayne Graham.

Great West

#1 Utah Valley 5, #3 Houston Baptist 1 (HBU eliminated)

Utah Valley wins Great West championship

In Grand Forks, N.D., tourney MVP Chris Benson went 4 for 4 with two doubles and three RBI to lead Utah Valley over Houston Baptist to capture its second straight Great West crown. Zane Gray (5-1) authored seven scoreless innings with eight hits, two walks and four strikeouts to record the victory. The Wolverines (34-22) scored two in the fourth and added three in the seventh. Robbie Buller went 2 for 3 with a double and one RBI for the Huskies (22-40).

Horizon

#6 Youngstown State 12, #2 UIC 7 (UIC eliminated)

#1 Wright State 4, #4 Valparaiso 3

#4 Valparaiso 8, #6 Youngstown State 6 (YSU eliminated)

In Dayton, Ohio, Chris Mitko had two hits and drove in four as Youngstown State outscored UIC at Nischwitz Stadium. The Penguins (14-40) scored five in the top of the second and never trailed, adding three in the third for an 8-1 lead. Jeremy Banks and Joe Iacobucci both had three hits and two RBI, while Drew Dosch had two hits, three walks and four runs for YSU. Jason Ganek went 3 for 5 with two runs and one RBI, while Matt Serna and Joe Betcher both knocked in a pair for the Flames (28-26).

Jordan Marker tossed 3.1 scoreless innings in relief as Wright State edged Valparaiso to earn a spot in the Horizon championship game. Marker (2-2) allowed two hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Michael Schum allowed two hits but struck out two in the ninth for his ninth save. Sam Picchiotti had a two-run single to cap a three-run second for the Raiders (35-17). Andrew Bain had two hits for the Crusaders (24-31), including a two-run single in a three-run fifth.

In the day’s final contest, Valparaiso scored three in the bottom of the seventh to erase a 6-5 deficit against Youngstown State and advance to the Horizon title game against Wright State. Will Hagel had three hits and two RBI, while Kyle Gaedele added two doubles and two RBI for the Crusaders (25-31). Chris Mitko had two hits and two RBI, while Neil Schroth went 2 for 3 with a walk and four runs for the Penguins (14-41). Kevin Wild (2-2, 2.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K) got the win in relief, while Steve Godawa pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save.

MAAC

#1 Manhattan 5, #3 Siena 1 (Siena eliminated)

#3 Siena 3, #4 Canisius 2 (Canisius eliminated)

Manhattan wins MAAC championship

In Trenton, N.J., tourney MVP Mike Giordano tossed a three-hitter with a career-high 13 strikeouts as Manhattan handled Siena at Waterfront Park to take the MAAC title. Giordano (8-2) walked one and allowed one unearned run. The Jaspers (34-17) scored two in the second and three in the third to take control early. Yoandry Galan drove in two for Manhattan. Ken Kirshner went 1 for 3 and drove in the lone run for the Saints (28-30). (photo courtesy of MAAC)

In Trenton, N.J., Siena scored three in the bottom of the first and made them stand up in eliminating Canisius at Waterfront Park. Kevin Quaranto had a run-scoring double, Mike Fish drove in one with a base hit and Adam Guinn added a sacrifice fly for the Saints (28-29). Andrew Russo had two hits and one run for the Golden Griffins (26-32). Justin Brantley (6-6, 8 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K) picked up the win, while Ryan Poplawski worked a scoreless ninth for his eighth save.

MAC

#1 Kent State 11, #3 Miami 0

#1 Kent State 8, #5 Eastern Michigan 0 (EMU eliminated)

Kent State wins MAC championship

In Chillicothe, Ohio, tourney MVP David Starn tossed seven shutout innings with 11 strikeouts as Kent State blanked Miami for its second shutout of the day to capture the MAC crown at VA Memorial Stadium. Starn (9-2) allowed four hits and walked one. Justin Gill struck out two over the final two innings to preserve the shutout. David Lyon had a triple, a homer and five RBI for the Golden Flashes (43-15). Ben Klafczynski went 3 for 4 with three runs and two RBI for KSU. Ryan Kaup had two hits, including a double, for the RedHawks (35-25).

In the earlier game, Andrew Chafin tossed a six-hit shutout against Eastern Michigan to propel Kent State into the MAC championship game. Chafin (7-1) walked two and struck out six. After six scoreless innings, Joe Koch had a run-scoring single in the seventh and Evan Campbell belted a grand slam later in the frame to give the Golden Flashes a 5-0 advantage. Travis Shaw homered to spark a three-run eighth for KSU. Zack Leonard and Tucker Rubino both had two hits for the Eagles (37-22).

MVC

#1 Creighton 3, #2 Wichita State 1

Creighton wins MVC championship

In Omaha, Neb., five hurlers combined to hold Wichita State to four hits and one run as Creighton won its second MVC title in front of 6,939 fans at TD Ameritrade Park. Jonas Dufek (11-1, 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 5 K) was the starter and winner for the Bluejays (44-14). Kurt Spomer struck out two in the ninth for his 13th save. Creighton scored two in the first and one in the fifth before the Shockers (39-26) got one in the eighth. Jimmy Swift went 1 for 3 with one run and one RBI for the Bluejays. Josh Halbert doubled and scored for WSU.

OVC

#1 Austin Peay 7, #3 Jacksonville State 3 (JSU eliminated)

#3 Jacksonville State 15, #2 Southeast Missouri 12 (SEMO eliminated)

Austin Peay wins OVC championship

In Jackson, Tenn, Zach Toney pitched 6.2 solid innings as Austin Peay downed defending champion Jacksonville State at Pringles Park to take the OVC crown. Toney (6-2) scattered eight hits and allowed three runs with three walks and four strikeouts. Mike Hebert (2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) earned his second save. John Hogan went 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBI, while Michael Blanchard had two hits and three runs for the Governors (33-22). Sam Eberle had three hits for the Gamecocks (36-23).

In the earlier game, Ben Waldrip homered twice and drove in seven, and Kyle Bluestein went 5 for 5 with a homer and three RBI as Jacksonville State outscored Southeast Missouri to reach the OVC title game. The Redhawks (34-22) scored four in the bottom of the first before the Gamecocks got four in the third and five in both the fifth and sixth. Kenton Parmley was 4 for 6 with three RBI, while Tim Rupp went 3 for 5 with a homer, three runs and two RBI for SEMO.

SEC

#4 Vanderbilt 3, #2 Arkansas 2 (Arkansas eliminated)

#5 Georgia 4, #3 Florida 3

#3 Florida 3, #5 Georgia 2 (Georgia eliminated)

In Hoover, Ala., Grayson Garvin pitched into the seventh and Navery Moore earned his 12th save as Vanderbilt advanced to the SEC title game with its win over Arkansas. Garvin (12-1) allowed nine hits and two runs in 6.1 innings with one walk and three strikeouts. Moore got three flyouts in the ninth to secure the victory. Connor Harrell had a two-run homer in the second as the Commodores (47-9) took a 3-0 lead. Collin Kuhn had a RBI triple and scored in the sixth for the Razorbacks (38-20).

Zach Cone had two hits and two RBI to lead Georgia past Florida, forcing a rematch for the right to face Vanderbilt in the SEC title game. The Bulldogs (31-29) scored two in the first and two in the third. Brett DeLoach had two hits and one RBI for Georgia. Tyler Thompson drove in a pair for the Gators (43-16). Michael Palazzone (10-4, 3 H, 1 UE, 2 K) earned the win in relief, while Tyler Maloff pitched a scoreless ninth for his 18th save.

In the Saturday finale, Nolan Fontana drove in the eventual game-winner in the top of the ninth as Florida nipped Georgia to grab a spot opposite Vanderbilt in the SEC title game. The Gators (44-16) are in the championship game for the first time since 2000 and are looking for their first title since 1991. Austin Maddox took the mound for the ninth and left the tying run on third as he struck out the final batter for his fifth save. The Bulldogs (31-30) scored single runs in the first and second before Fontana’s two-run homer in the third tied it at 2. Bryson Smith had two hits for Florida. Kevin Ruiz had three hits, including two doubles, for Georgia.

Southern

#3 Samford 2, #6 Appalachian State 1 (ASU eliminated)

#5 College of Charleston 9, #4 Georgia Southern 1

#4 Georgia Southern 7, #5 College of Charleston 6 (CofC eliminated)

In Charleston, S.C., four pitchers combined to hold Appalachian State to one run as Samford claimed its first-ever spot in the SoCon championship game at Riley Park. Josh Martin (6-2) was the starter and victor, going 6.1 innings with seven hits, one run and two walks. The bullpen retired the final eight in order. Tyler Vanderheiden fanned one of two to close out the seventh and Grant Sides struck out two in the eighth for the Bulldogs (37-22). Andrew Jones was perfect in the ninth with one punchout for his 15th save. The Mountaineers (33-27) scored in the bottom of the second on a RBI double by Zack Briggs. Phillip Ervin had a run-scoring double in the fourth as Samford tied it at 1. Brandon Powell singled and scored on a safety squeeze by Michael Johnson in the fifth as the Bulldogs took a one-run lead. Tyler Filliben went 2 for 3 for Samford. Tyler Zupcic and Trey Holmes both had two hits for ASU.

College of Charleston used a pair of four-run innings to down Georgia Southern and force a deciding game for the place against Samford in the SoCon title game. The Cougars (39-21) broke a scoreless tie with four in the fifth and followed that with four more in the sixth. Rob Kral (3 for 5, 2 R, 2 RBI) homered, while Matt Leeds had two hits and two RBI for CofC. Eric Phillips had two hits for the Eagles (34-24). Jake Zokan (4-2, 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K) earned the victory.

In Saturday’s finale, Georgia Southern built a five-run lead and held on to nip College of Charleston to secure a place opposite Samford in the SoCon title contest. Victor Roache (2 for 3, 2 BB, 2 RBI) belted his 30th home run for the Eagles (35-24), the top mark in the nation. Shawn Payne had two hits, including a triple, and two runs for GSU. Marty Gantt had a grand slam in the eighth for the Cougars (39-22). Josh Adams (9-6, 7.1 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 BB, 5 K) recorded the victory, while Jarret Leverett (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R) earned his second save.

Southland

#1 Texas State 9, #2 Stephen F. Austin 0

#2 Stephen F. Austin 6, #3 Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 5 (TAMUCC eliminated)

#1 Texas State 10, #8 Nicholls State 7 (Nicholls eliminated)

Texas State wins Southland championship

In San Marcos, Texas, Joseph Dvorsky pitched a four-hit shutout to lead Texas State past Stephen F. Austin to claim the Southland championship. Dvorsky (3-0) did not walk a batter and struck out five. The Bobcats (40-21) scored four in the first and three in the second to take control. Andrew Stumph went 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBI for Texas State. Kyle Kubitza also went deep and knocked in two for the Bobcats. Jarid Scarafiotti had two hits, including a double, for the Lumberjacks (37-23).

In the opening game, Bryson Myles had a leadoff homer in the top of the ninth to snap a 5-5 tie as Stephen F. Austin edged Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to earn a spot in the Southland championship game later this evening. Myles finished with two hits and three RBI. The Lumberjacks led 4-0 after two before a two-run homer by Jacob Perales sparked a five-run fifth for the Islanders (37-24). SFA tied it in the sixth before winning it in the ninth. Riley Huble went 2 for 4 with a homer, two runs and two RBI for the Lumberjacks.

Kyle Kubitza went 4 for 5 with a homer and three runs as Texas State defeated Nicholls State to reach the Southland title contest. The Bobcats scored in four of the first five innings in building an 8-3 lead. Casey Kalenkosky went 3 for 5 with a homer, two runs and two RBI for TSU. Blake Bergeron and Beau Faulk both went deep for the Colonels (28-29).

Summit

#1 Oral Roberts 7, #2 South Dakota State 1

#2 South Dakota State 13, #3 North Dakota State 10 (NDSU eliminated)

In Sioux Falls, S.D., Alex Gonzalez tossed a three-hitter as Oral Roberts defeated South Dakota State at Sioux Falls Stadium to advance to the Summit title game. Gonzalez (8-5) walked four and struck out 10. The Golden Eagles (35-20) scored one in the first and two in the second before putting the game away with four in the seventh. Jared Schleuber homered and drove in three, while Joey Winiecki had two hits and two runs for ORU. Andrew Melton homered in the third for the Jackrabbits (36-19). The Golden Eagles have won 35 straight Summit League tourney contests.

South Dakota State scored multiple runs in six straight innings and held off a late rally to outscore North Dakota State to advance to the Summit championship contest against Oral Roberts. After trailing 1-0 after two, the Jackrabbits (37-19) scored 13 runs over the next six innings to take a 13-1 lead. The Bison (22-32) put up five in the eighth and four in the ninth before Trever Vermeulen got the final three outs to preserve the win. Andrew Phelan went 4 for 4 with a homer and four RBI, while Joel Blake went 4 for 6 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI for SDSU. Max Casper had four hits, while Wes Satzinger added two hits and three RBI for NDSU.

Sun Belt

#8 UALR 5, #5 Florida Atlantic 3

#7 Arkansas State 12, #6 South Alabama 9

#2 FIU 11, #3 Louisiana-Lafayette 8 (10)

In Monroe, La., UALR stayed perfect in pod play with its win over Florida Atlantic at Warhawk Field. The Trojans (23-32) had already clinched a spot in the Sun Belt title game against FIU after their first two tourney wins. Cameron Bentley (2 for 3) and Casey McCollum (1 for 3) both drove in two for UALR. Nick Delguidice had two hits and a run for the Owls (32-25).

Arkansas State led 11-1 and held on to defeat South Alabama. With the scored tied at 1 after one, The Red Wolves (27-31-1) put up four in the second and six in the third to take a 10-run lead. Jordan Castaldo had a leadoff homer in the third, and Dustin Jones (2 for 5, 4 RBI) and Zach Maggio (2 for 5, 2 RBI) both had their first collegiate dinger later in the frame. Brent Tanner (2 for 4, 3 RBI) went deep, and Taylor White had three hits and three runs for the Jaguars (30-28). (photo courtesy of Sun Belt Conference)

In a tune-up prior to the championship game, FIU scored three in the top of the 10th to outscore Louisiana-Lafayette. Jeremy Patton (3 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI) drove in the go-ahead run in the 10th before an error plated the final two. Aaron Arboleya (3-1, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K) pitched the final two innings to register the win. Garrett Wittels went 4 for 6 with two runs, while Joel Capote added three hits and a run for the Panthers (40-17-1). Jordan Poirrier went 2 for 4 with three runs for the Ragin’ Cajuns (31-27).

WAC

#2 Fresno State 15, #1 Hawaii 4 (Hawaii eliminated)

#1 Hawaii 18, #3 Louisiana Tech 10 (LT eliminated)

Fresno State wins WAC championship

In Mesa, Ariz., Jordan Ribera went 3 for 6 with four RBI as Fresno State pounded Hawaii at Hohokam Stadium to win its fifth WAC title in the past six years. The Bulldogs (40-14) broke open a 3-3 game in the middle innings, scoring three in the fourth, six in the fifth and three in the sixth. Austin Wynns had three hits and four runs, while Danny Muno went 3 for 5 with two runs and two RBI for FSU. Pi’ikea Kitamura had three hits and two RBI for the Rainbows (34-25). Tyler Linehan (5-2, 5.1 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) was the starter and winner for the Bulldogs.

In the earlier game, Hawaii scored seven in the second and put the game away with six in the ninth in outscoring Louisiana Tech to reach the WAC title game. Zack Swasey went 4 for 6 with three RBI and Sean Montplaisir had three runs and four RBI to lead the Rainbows (34-24). Mark Threlkeld homered and knocked in three for the Bulldogs (34-27).