March 18, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Harman hurls eight scoreless innings for Maryland vs. UNC

Kentucky sweeps South Carolina, Florida takes three from Vanderbilt

In College Park, Md., Brett Harman (right) pitched eight scoreless innings with eight strikeouts as Maryland salvaged the finale of its ACC series with fourth-ranked North Carolina by posting a 1-0 victory. Harman (3-1) allowed seven hits and two walks. Korey Wacker struck out one in a hitless ninth for his first save. Jordan Hagel had a RBI single to plate K.J. Hockaday (2 for 2) in the bottom of the fourth for the Terps (1-5, 14-6). Benton Moss (2-1, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB) struck out a career-best 10 in six innings. Chaz Frank had three hits for the Tar Heels (5-1, 16-4), who were 1 for 16 with runners on base. Maryland has six shutouts this season, its highest total since recording six in 1972. (photo by Greg Fiume/Maryland Athletics)

No. 19 Kentucky 6, No. 3 South Carolina 3

In Lexington, Ky., Michael Williams had a two-run single to snap a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the sixth as Kentucky completed a three-game SEC sweep of South Carolina in front of a season-high crowd of 2,571 at Cliff Hagan Stadium. Luke Maile (2 for 4) had a two-run homer in the first for the Wildcats (3-0, 21-0), who have set a program record for consecutive victories. Walter Wijas (2-0, 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 K) earned the win in relief, while Trevor Gott fanned two in a hitless ninth for his fifth save and second in two days. L.B. Dantzler went 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI for the Gamecocks (0-3, 15-4).

No. 1 Florida 8, Vanderbilt 2

In Gainesville, Fla., Jonathon Crawford tossed five shutout innings as Florida swept Vanderbilt in their SEC series. Crawford (2-1) allowed three hits and two walks while fanning six. Preston Tucker, Taylor Gushue and Casey Turgeon (2 for 2, 2 R) all homered for the Gators (3-0, 19-1), who have won 17 straight. Connor Harrell had two hits and one run for the Commodores (0-3, 7-13).

No. 5 Arkansas 7, Alabama 4

In Fayetteville, Ark., Matt Vinson went 2 for 3 with two walks and two RBI as Arkansas completed its SEC sweep of Alabama. The Razorbacks (3-0, 19-2) scored in each of the first three innings in building a 6-1 lead. Matt Reynolds went 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI for Arkansas. Nolan Sanburn (2-1, 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 K) picked up the win in relief, while Barrett Astin needed just five pitches to retire the side in order in the ninth for his sixth save. Andrew Miller and James Tullidge both had two hits, including a double, and two runs, while Jared Reaves drove in two for the Crimson Tide (0-3, 8-12).

No. 6 Florida State 4, Virginia 3

In Tallahassee, Fla., Jayce Boyd had a two-run single in a three-run eighth as Florida State clinched an ACC series win over Virginia. Boyd’s base hit tied the game at 3 before a RBI groundout by Stephen McGee (2 for 4) gave the Seminoles (5-0, 16-2) their first lead. Robert Benincasa struck out the side in the top of the ninth to earn his sixth save, giving the win to Bryant Holtmann (1-0, 1 IP, 1 H). Reed Gragnani went 1 for 4 and drove in a pair for the Cavaliers (2-3, 11-7-1). Branden Kline (6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 UE, 6 K) pitched well in his start for UVa.

Grambling State 5, No. 7 Rice 4

In Houston, Grambling State scored three in the first and two in the fifth and hung on to beat Rice. Thomas Brown III had two hits and one RBI for the Tigers (11-7). Richard Bautista (2-0, 8 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 1 K) earned the victory, while Zach Moreau pitched a scoreless ninth with one strikeout for his third save. Shane Hoelscher had two sacrifice flies for the Owls (15-6).

No. 8 Texas A&M 7, Kansas State 2

In College Station, Texas, Rafael Pineda went the distance as Texas A&M won its Big 12 series with Kansas State. Pineda (3-0) scattered eight hits and allowed one earned run while walking one and fanning three. Jacob House had a two-run single in a four-run third as the Aggies (2-1, 16-5) took a 5-0 lead. Troy Stein added a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth for Texas A&M. Matt Filler and Tanner Witt both had two hits and a run for the Wildcats (1-2, 12-8).

Long Beach State 7, No. 10 Cal State Fullerton 2

In Fullerton, Calif., Richard Prigatano had three hits and ignited a six-run sixth as Long Beach State salvaged the finale of its non-conference series at Cal State Fullerton. The Dirtbags (6-12) trailed 2-1 before Prigatano had a single to start the six-run uprising in the sixth. Jeff McNeil went 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI, while Matt Duffy drove in a pair for LBSU. Edgar Gomez (1-0, 1.2 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 1 K) earned the win in relief. Carlos Lopez had two doubles, two walks and a run, while Ivory Thomas went 2 for 5 with a double and one RBI for the Titans (12-7).

No. 11 Miami (Fla.) 7, Duke 1
In Durham, N.C., Peter O'Brien had four hits to help power Miami over Duke in the rubber match of their ACC series. In the third inning, O'Brien (4 for 5, 4 RBI) hit a two-run homer, his seventh, to put the Hurricanes (5-1, 16-4) up 3-0, and he added an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to make the score 7-1 and put the game out of reach. Steven Ewing worked 5.2 innings, allowed five hits, and struck out five to earn the victory. Mike Rosenfeld went 3 for 4 with two doubles for the Blue Devils (1-5, 8-14).

Arizona State 4-2, No. 12 UCLA 3-4

In Los Angeles, Grant Watson allowed two runs in six innings in the nightcap as UCLA split a Pac-12 doubleheader with Arizona State to capture the series. Watson (3-0) gave up four hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Scott Griggs fanned two in a hitless ninth for his fifth save. Eric Filia-Snyder went 2 for 3 with a run for the Bruins (2-1, 15-4). Abe Ruiz had one double and one RBI for the Sun Devils (1-2, 12-7). In the opener, Ruiz homered twice and Joey DeMichele went deep as ASU powered past UCLA. Trevor Williams (5-0, 7 IP, 10 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K) earned the victory, while Jake Barrett (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 K) earned his first save. Cody Keefer went 3 for 3 with one RBI, while Jeff Gelalich homered for the Bruins.

Mississippi State 7, No. 13 LSU 1

In Baton Rouge, La., Kendall Graveman earned the complete-game victory as Mississippi State avoided the SEC sweep at LSU. Graveman (2-0) scattered 10 hits with three walks and no strikeouts, while his defense turned four double plays behind him. Wes Rea went 2 for 4 with a double, a homer and two RBI for the Bulldogs (1-2, 15-7). Demarcus Henderson had two hits, including a double, and two runs, while Adam Frazier had a pair of two-baggers with one run and one RBI for MSU. Raph Rhymes went 4 for 4 for the Tigers (2-1, 16-4).

Auburn 3, No. 14 Ole Miss 2
In Oxford, Miss., Garrett Cooper had an RBI single in the top of the ninth to push Auburn past Ole Miss. Trailing 2-1, Ryan Tella (1 for 4) started the two-out rally in the top of the ninth with a double. Wacker (3 for 4) drove in Tella with a double of his own and evened the score at 2. Cooper's single brought in Wacker and allowed the Tigers (2-1, 12-8) to clinch the series. Ole Miss starting pitcher Mike Mayers (2-2, 8.2 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 5 K) was the tough-luck loser. Tanner Mathis had two hits for the Rebels (1-2, 15-5).

No. 16 Georgia Tech 9, Virginia Tech 1
In Atlanta, Daniel Palka's homer in the first capped a four-run inning and helped Georgia Tech cruise to a comfortable ACC series-clinching victory over visiting Virginia Tech. The first-inning blast by Palka (2 for 3, 2 R, 3 RBI) was his seventh. Zane Evans (3 for 4, 2 R), Kyle Wren (2 for 5, R), Paul Kronenfield (2 for 4, 2 RBI), and Brandon Thomas (2 for 4, 2 R) also had multi-hit games. Chad Pinder was 2 for 3 for the Hokies (2-4, 15-6).

Texas 9, No. 17 Oklahoma 4

In Norman, Okla., Mark Payton homered and drove in three as Texas completed the Big 12 sweep of Oklahoma. The Longhorns (3-0, 10-8) scored in six of their nine at-bats. Jonathan Walsh had two hits, two walks and two runs, while Jacob Felts added two doubles, one run and one RBI for Texas. Parker French (3-0, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K) earned the win, while John Curtiss allowed one hit over the final two scoreless innings with one strikeout for his first save. Max White had a two-run single in the sixth and Hunter Lockwood drilled a two-run homer in the seventh for the Sooners (0-3, 11-9).

Tennessee 3, No. 18 Georgia 0
In Athens, Ga., Nick Williams shut down the Georgia offense over six innings as Tennessee was able to salvage a victory in the opening weekend of SEC play. Williams (2-2) allowed only two hits and walked one, while striking out five to pick up the win. Davis Morgan (1 for 3) hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth to give the Volunteers (1-2, 11-8) the lead. Will Maddox contributed three of Tennessee's nine hits. Nelson Ward had two hits for the Bulldogs (2-1, 15-6).

Oregon State 13, No. 20 California 5

In Berkeley, Calif., Michael Conforto had three hits, including a double, and drove in six as Oregon State swept its Pac-12 series at California. Conforto had two-run singles in both the second and third and knocked in a pair with a double in the sixth. Kavin Keyes went 4 for 5 with three runs, while Tyler Smith went 3 for 5 with three runs and one RBI for the Beavers (3-0, 14-5). Jace Fry (1-0, 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) picked up the win. Chad Bunting went 2 for 5 with a homer, two runs and two RBI for the Golden Bears (0-3, 11-7).

Clemson 5, Boston College 1

In Clemson, N.C., Joe Costigan had a two-run single to highlight a five-run third as Clemson completed an ACC sweep of Boston College. Kevin Pohle (3-0, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 5 K) earned the victory for the Tigers (3-3, 9-8). Tom Bourdon had three doubles and scored in the top of the first for the Eagles (0-6, 6-11), who have lost nine straight.

Missouri State 3, Oral Roberts 2

In Springfield, Mo., Clay Murphy struck out 10 in 7.2 innings as Missouri State nipped Oral Roberts to win the series three games to one. Murphy (3-1) allowed two hits, two walks and two runs. Erik Shannahan got the final two outs for his first save. Luke Voit had a RBI double in the first for the Bears (15-6). Brock Chaffin had a run-scoring single to cap a two-run third as Missouri State took a 3-0 lead. Jose Trevino had a pair of solo home runs for the Golden Eagles (9-10).

Pepperdine 10, Kent State 4

In Malibu, Calif., Aaron Brown had two hits, including a triple, and drove in four as Pepperdine defeated Kent State. Floyd Given and Kolten Yamaguchi both had three hits and one RBI for the Waves (14-5). Scott Frazier (3-2, 6 IP, 4 H, 1 UE, 2 BB, 3 K) registered the victory. Tommy Monnot had a three-run double in the seventh for the Golden Flashes (8-7).

NC State 5, Wake Forest 4

In Raleigh, N.C., Matt Bergquist had a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the seventh to snap a 4-4 tie and propel NC State to an ACC series sweep of Wake Forest. Anthony Tzamtzis (2-1, 3 IP, 1 H, 2 BB) recorded the victory. Ryan Mathews had two hits and one RBI for the Wolfpack (5-1, 15-3), which has won six straight. Pat Blair (1 for 2, 3 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI) homered for the Demon Deacons (3-3, 16-7).

Louisville 13, Ball State 5

In Louisville, Ky., Stewart Ijames and Ty Young hit consecutive homers in an eight-run first as Louisville completed a weekend sweep of Ball State. Ijames (2 for 5, 3 RBI) had a two-run blast before Young (2 for 3, 2 R) delivered a solo shot. Zach Lucas went 3 for 5 with two runs and one RBI, while Adam Engel was 2 for 5 with two runs and two RBI for the home Cardinals (14-6). Travis Tingle (3-1, 6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 4 K) earned the victory. Elbert Devarie had three hits and three RBI for Ball State (3-12).

UNC Wilmington 7, Delaware 0

In Newark, Del., Jordan Ramsey and three relievers combined on the shutout as UNC Wilmington won its CAA series at Delaware. Ramsey (1-1) allowed seven hits in 5.2 innings with two walks and four strikeouts. Jack Lane gave up two hits in 1.1 innings, while Tom Timoney and William Prince both worked one hitless inning. The first-place Seahawks (5-1, 9-10) scored single runs in the first, second and fourth before putting the game away with four in the ninth. Thomas Pope had a three-run triple in the ninth, while Matt Campbell went 4 for 5 with a double, two runs and one RBI for UNCW. Drew Farber had three hits and a run, while Corey Dick homered for the Seahawks. Cameron Travalini had two hits, including a double, for the Blue Hens (3-3, 8-11).

TCU 15, UNLV 6

In Las Vegas, Josh Elander drove in three as TCU finished a Mountain West sweep at UNLV. Kyle Von Tungeln (2 for 4, 1 RBI) scored four, while Brance Rivera (2 for 7, 2B) and Jason Coats (1 for 4, 2 BB) both had three runs for the Horned Frogs (3-0, 11-6). Zac Jordan went 3 for 5 with a double, two runs and two RBI for TCU. Justin Scharf (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) picked up the win in relief. Trent Cook drove in two for the Rebels (0-3, 10-10).

Rutgers 7, Stetson 0

In DeLand, Fla., Rob Corsi of Rutgers pitched his first career shutout at Stetson. Corsi (3-2) allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out four. Ross Costello had three hits, including a double, and three RBI, while Brian O’Grady and Patrick Kivlehan both had three hits and two runs for the Scarlet Knights (8-9). Spencer Theisen and Mark Jones both had two hits for the Hatters (15-4).