March 9, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

click here for complete list of scores

CBI Live: Illinois 2, No. 12 Oregon 1

CBI Live: Connecticut 8, No. 17 Oklahoma 7

Around the Bases
Plutko fans 11 in shutout for UCLA at Georgia

Stanford tops Rice in 10, Texas A&M beats Fullerton, UNC wins at Clemson

In Athens, Ga., Adam Plutko (right) pitched his second career shutout and compiled 11 strikeouts as No. 19 UCLA edged No. 11 Georgia 2-0 Friday in the opener of their three-game series. Plutko (2-1) allowed five hits and did not walk a batter. Jeff Gelalich went 4 for 4 and Trevor Brown belted a two-run homer in the fourth for the Bruins (10-3). Nelson Ward had two hits for the Bulldogs (11-3). Alex Wood (3-1, 6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K) took the loss.

No. 2 Stanford 4, No. 4 Rice 2

In Stanford, Calif., Justin Ringo ripped a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th to lift Stanford over Rice in the opener of their three-game series. David Schmidt (2-0) allowed one hit in the 10th to pick up the victory after Mark Appel (4 H, 2 R, 2 BB) struck out 14 in nine innings. The Owls (12-3) got a two-run single from J.T. Chargois in the top of the first before the Cardinal (12-1) answered with a pair in the bottom of the third. Tyler Gaffney scored twice for Stanford.

No. 5 Texas A&M 6, No. 14 Cal State Fullerton 1

In College Station, Texas, Michael Wacha struck out eight in six innings as Texas A&M took the series opener from Cal State Fullerton. Wacha (3-0) allowed two hits, one walk and one unearned run. Tyler Naquin (1 R, 2 RBI) and Jacob House (1 RBI) both had three hits for the Aggies (13-1). A&M scored one in the first and three in the second to take the early lead. Matt Chapman went 2 for 3 with a sacrifice fly in the sixth for the Titans (8-5).

No. 7 North Carolina 4, No. 18 Clemson 3

In Clemson, S.C., Kent Emanuel allowed one earned run over seven innings as North Carolina edged Clemson in the opener of their ACC series in front of 4,441 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. It was the 600th career win at UNC for head coach Mike Fox. Emanuel (4-0) allowed six hits and three total runs with no walks and seven strikeouts. Michael Morin (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K) earned his fifth save. Tommy Coyle had a RBI double to snap a 1-1 tie and spark a three-run sixth for the Tar Heels (1-0, 11-2). Colin Moran drove in two, while Chaz Frank had two hits and two runs for UNC. Richie Shaffer went 3 for 4 with a triple, one run and one RBI for the Tigers (0-1, 6-5). Kevin Brady (0-1, 5.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 6 K) took the loss.

No. 1 Florida 4, FGCU 2

In Gainesville, Fla., Mike Zunino hit a two-run homer to tie the game in the sixth then ripped a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the eighth as Florida slipped past FGCU. Steven Rodriguez (3-0) posted the win, thanks in part to Zunino, who threw out a would-be base stealer in the eighth. Zunino, who is hitting .440 with seven homers and 19 RBI and is slugging .960, hit a two-strike homer to left in the bottom half of the inning to put the Gators (13-1) on top. Hudson Randall allowed six hits and two earned runs and struck out six, while FGCU starter Ricky Knapp allowed five hits and two earned runs in seven solid innings. Eagles catcher Andrew Valencia had two hits, including a two-run homer.

No. 3 South Carolina 2, Princeton 1
In Columbia, S.C., Michael Roth limited Princeton to six hits and one earned run over 8.2 innings while striking out 10 to help South Carolina edge Princeton, giving head coach Ray Tanner his 700th career victory at the school. Evan Marzilli had three doubles and Kyle Martin added three hits for the Gamecocks (11-1). Zak Hermans (1-1) took the loss for the Tigers (2-3), even after surrendering only five hits and one earned run over five innings. Mike Ford (1 for 4) drove in the only run for Princeton in the top of ninth on an RBI groundout. Evan Beal relieved Roth (2-0) to retire the only hitter he faced and pick up his first save.

No. 6 Arkansas 4, Binghamton 0
In Fayetteville, Ark., Ryan Stanek shut down Binghamton to help lift Arkansas to the victory. Stanek (4-0) picked up the victory, throwing 81 pitches over seven innings and allowing only two hits, two walks and striking out six. Arkansas (12-2) had eight hits compared to three by Binghamton (0-4), with Derrick Bleeker (2 for 3, 2 R, 2 RBI) leading the way for the Razorback offense. Bearcats pitcher Mike Augliera (0-2) was the tough-luck loser, allowing four hits and two runs over his six innings.
 

No. 8 Florida State 5, Duke 3
In Durham, N.C., James Ramsey delivered a two-run triple in the top of the eighth to put Florida State ahead of Duke in the ACC opener for both programs. Ramsey’s (2 for 4, 2 R, 2 RBI) eighth-inning triple was his second of the night and gave Florida State (1-0, 12-1) a 4-3 lead. The Blue Devils (0-1, 7-9) had taken the lead in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI single from Mike Rosenfeld. Grant McCabe and Angelo LaBruna both had two hits for Duke, but in the end it was not enough as Robert Benicasa struck out the side in the ninth to earn his fifth save.

No. 9 Georgia Tech 14, NC State 6
In Raleigh, N.C., Zane Evans had three hits and four RBI to help lead visiting Georgia Tech past NC State in ACC competition. Kyle Wren and Connor Winn also had three hits for a Yellow Jackets (1-0, 11-3) offense that pounded out 14 hits. Buck Farmer (6 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 7 H, 3 BB, 6 K) picked up his third win as he was able to work out of trouble on multiple occasions. Ryan Mathews (3 for 5) and Andrew Ciencin (1 for 4) both hit home runs in a losing effort for the Wolfpack (0-1, 9-2).

No. 10 Arizona 9, Eastern Michigan 2

In Tucson, Ariz., Robert Refsnyder had two hits and drove in three as Arizona defeated Eastern Michigan. The Wildcats (11-2) scored four in the first, three in the second and two in the fourth. Joey Rickard had two doubles and scored twice for Arizona. Kurt Heyer (4-0, 8 IP, 6 H, 2 UE, 1 BB, 8 K) earned the victory. Bo Kinder had two hits for the Eagles (3-9).

No. 13 LSU 6, Michigan 0

In Baton Rouge, La., Kevin Gausman allowed two hits in eight scoreless innings while striking out a career-best 11 as LSU blanked Michigan. Gausman (4-0) did not walk a batter. Joey Bourgeois fanned two in the ninth to secure the shutout. Raph Rhymes went 3 for 4 with a double, two runs and two RBI, while Grant Dozar added a pair of doubles and drove in two for the Tigers (12-2). Brett Winger and John Lorenz both went 1 for 3 for the Wolverines (6-7). Brandon Sinnery (0-1, 8 IP, 12 H, 6 R, 2 K) went the distance for Michigan.

No. 15 Miami (Fla.) 7, Boston College 3

In Coral Gables, Fla., Stephen Perez blasted a three-run homer to key a five-run seventh inning as Miami beat Boston College in the ACC opener for both teams. Eric Erickson (3-1) pitched into the eighth, allowing three earned runs and striking out five for the Hurricanes (1-0, 10-3). Rony Rodriguez had two hits and two RBI, and Brad Fieger added a pair of hits and a RBI for Miami. Blake Butera drove in two for the Eagles (0-1, 6-6).

No. 16 Ole Miss 8, Houston 0

In Oxford, Miss., Bobby Wahl allowed one hit in six innings with a career-high 10 strikeouts as Ole Miss humbled Houston. Wahl (3-0) walked three. Matt Snyder (2 for 4) had a run-scoring single to spark a six-run first for the Rebels (11-2). Alex Yarbrough had three hits and two RBI, while Tanner Mathis went 2 for 4 with two runs for Ole Miss. Keegan Sanford had a double for the Cougars (6-7).

No. 20 Louisville 7, Oral Roberts 3

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Nick Ratajczak went 4 for 5 with three RBI as Louisville topped Oral Roberts in the DRASH Alabama Classic. Ratajczak had a run-scoring single in a five-run second and added RBI base hits in the seventh and ninth. Cole Sturgeon went 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI for the Cardinals (10-3). Justin Amlung (2-2, 7.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 6 K) earned the victory, while Derek Self (1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) recorded his fourth save. Cam Schiller provided the offense for the Golden Eagles (6-6) with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first and a solo shot in the eighth.

East Carolina 3, Alabama 1

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Kevin Brandt allowed one run in eight innings as East Carolina edged Alabama in the DRASH Alabama Classic. Brandt (3-1) allowed six hits and two walks while striking out seven. Tanner Merritt (1 IP, 2 H, 2 K) notched his second save. Corey Thompson had a two-run double and scored in the third as the Pirates (9-3) took the early lead. Brett Booth (1 for 3, 2B, BB) had a RBI groundout in the fourth for the Crimson Tide (5-8). Taylor Dugas and Kenny Roberts both had two hits for ‘Bama.

Arizona State 3, Long Beach State 2 (12)

In Long Beach, Calif., Andrew Aplin delivered a run-scoring single in the top of the 12th as Arizona State outlasted Long Beach State. Jake Barrett (1-1) fanned two in three hitless innings of relief to earn the win. Brady Rodgers (9 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K) of the Sun Devils (9-3) and Shawn Stuart (9 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K) of the Dirtbags (4-9) both turned in strong starts. Aplin, Abe Ruiz, Max Rossiter and Trever Allen each had two hits for ASU. Jeff McNeil went 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI for LBSU.

Liberty 12, St. John’s 2

In Lynchburg, Va., Ryan Cordell had two hits and five RBI, and Michael Robertson added two hits and four RBI as Liberty routed St. John’s to improve to 14-1. The Flames, who have won seven straight, tied the 1995 squad for best start in school history. John Niggli (4-0) went eight strong innings, allowing eight hits and two earned runs with six strikeouts. Liberty broke from a 2-1 game with a four-run fifth inning, highlighted by two-run singles from Robertson and Cordell. Kyle Hansen (0-4) allowed six earned runs and seven hits in five innings for the Red Storm (4-7).

UNC Wilmington 10, James Madison 7

In Wilmington, N.C., Andrew Cain had four hits and Thomas Pope (right) drove in four as UNC Wilmington defeated James Madison in the CAA opener for the top two teams in the conference preseason poll. The Dukes (0-1, 5-8-1) led 5-0 in the fourth before the Seahawks (1-0, 4-9) rallied for four in the fourth and four more in the fifth to take the lead for good. Cain had two runs and three RBI, while Pope went 3 for 5 with a triple and two runs. Evan Scott went 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBI for UNCW. Tyler McSwain (2-2, 6 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 5 K) earned the victory, while Jack Lane worked the final 1.2 innings with one strikeout for his first save. Sean Tierney (2-2, 4.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 4 BB, 1 K) was the starter and loser for JMU.

Virginia Tech 10, Virginia 8 (11)

In Charlottesville, Va., Virginia Tech scored four in the top of the ninth, one in the 10th and two in the 11th to win its ACC series opener at Virginia in front of 2,926 fans at Davenport Field. Chad Morgan (1 for 5, 3 RBI) had a two-run single to cap the four-run ninth for the Hokies (1-0, 12-2). Sean Keselica (2 for 5) has a RBI double to put Tech ahead for good in the 11th. Clark Labitan (3-0, 1.2 IP, 1 H) earned the win, while Branden Kline (2-2, 3 IP, 5 H, 7 R, 6 ER, 4 BB, 4 K) took the loss out of the pen for the Cavaliers (0-1, 7-5-1). Chris Taylor, Stephen Bruno and Keith Werman each drove in two for Virginia.

Elon 4, Georgia Southern 3

In Elon, N.C., Kyle Webb pitched into the ninth as Elon won its Southern Conference series opener against Georgia Southern. Webb (2-2) allowed seven hits and three runs (two earned) in 8.1 innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Nate Young fanned the final two batters to earn his second save. Sebastian Gomez (2 for 4) snapped a 2-2 tie with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh for the Phoenix (3-1, 8-5). Eric Phillips had two hits and T.D. Davis went deep for the Eagles (0-1, 7-7). Chris Beck (1-2, 8 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) absorbed the loss.

Kentucky 19, Canisius 9

In Lexington, Ky., Luke Maile went 2 for 3 with two runs and three RBI against Canisius as Kentucky remained undefeated through 14 games. Cameron Flynn (HR, 3 R, 3 RBI), J.T. Riddle (2 R, 2 RBI) and Matt Reida (2B, 2 R, 2 RBI) all had three hits for the Wildcats (14-0). Michael Williams also went deep for UK. Drew Petit went 4 for 5 with a grand slam in the seventh for the Golden Griffins (7-6).

New Mexico 11, Gonzaga 6

In Albuquerque, N.M., Trey Porras had a pinch-hit sacrifice fly to snap a 6-6 tie and spark a five-run rally in the bottom of the eighth as New Mexico handed Gonzaga its first loss. Kyle Stiner (1 for 3, 4 RBI) tied the game with a two-run double in the seventh. Josh Melendez went 3 for 5 with three runs and two RBI for the Lobos (3-9), finishing a homer away from the cycle. Gera Sanchez (1-0, 3 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K) registered the victory. Alex Stanford went 2 for 5 with a double and one RBI for the Bulldogs (10-1).

Oregon State 11, West Virginia 0

In Corvallis, Ore., Ben Wetzler tossed a one-hit shutout as Oregon State run-ruled West Virginia in seven innings in the Nike College Showcase. The lone hit was an infield single by Billy Fleming in the third. Wetzler (3-0) walked one and struck out eight. The Beavers (9-4) blew the game open with seven in the top of the seventh. Tyler Smith (2 for 5, 2B) and Jake Rodriguez (2 for 3, 2B, 2 R) both drove in three for OSU.

Purdue 5, Murray State 2

In Murray, Ky., Blake Mascarello set down 13 of the 14 hitters he faced in 4.1 innings of one-hit relief as Purdue downed Murray State. Mascarello (3-0) allowed a two-out single in the seventh and struck out four. Kevin Plawecki (2 for 5) had a RBI double to cap a three-run third as the Boilermakers (9-1) took the lead for good. Eric Charles had two hits and two RBI for Purdue. Jacob Rhodes had three hits and one RBI for the Thoroughbreds (8-6). The last time Purdue won nine of its first 10 games was in 1959. The Boilermakers have earned their wins against nine different teams.

Richmond 3, Quinnipiac 0

In Richmond, Va., Jacob Mayers allowed two hits in eight scoreless innings as Richmond defeated Quinnipiac for its ninth straight victory. Mayers (3-1) walked two and struck out nine, a career high. Andrew Brockett fanned one in the ninth for his third save. Chris Cowell (2 for 4, 2B) hit his seventh home run, while Adam McConnell and Adam Forrer both drove in runs for the Spiders (9-3). Kyle Nisson had two hits for the Bobcats (1-4).

Ohio State 17, Marist 2

In Conway, S.C., Ryan Cypret drove in a career-best six as Ohio State pounded Marist in the Chanticleer Classic at Watson Stadium. Cypret (3 for 5, 3 R) had a grand slam in a seven-run fourth and added a two-run double in a four-run eighth for the Buckeyes (7-4). Brad Hallberg (2 for 3) and Greg Solomon (2 for 2) both drove in two, while David Corna (2 for 3, 3 R) went deep for OSU. Brett McKinney (2-2, 8 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 5 K) was the starter and winner for the Bucks. Mike Orefice went 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI for the Red Foxes (2-4).

Temple 10, Central Connecticut 6

In Ambler, Pa., Steve Nikorak had four extra-base hits to lead Temple past CCSU at Skip Wilson Field. Nikorak went 4 for 5 with three doubles, a triple and four runs. Ekijah Yarborough went 4 for 4 with four RBI for the Owls (4-8). Tyler McIntyre had a three-run homer, while Josh Ingham went 2 for 2 with two runs for the Blue Devils (1-5).

(photos courtesy of UCLA & UNCW Media Relations Offices)