March 19, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

click here for complete list of scores

Around the Bases
Florida State rallies past Virginia for series sweep

Pepperdine edges Kent State, Minnesota nips Cal Poly, Saint Mary's wins

In Tallahassee, Fla., Seth Miller had a two-run single to snap a 5-5 deadlock in the bottom of the eighth as fourth-ranked Florida State completed a three-game ACC sweep of Virginia with a 7-5 victory Monday evening in front of 4,521 fans at Dick Howser Stadium. The Seminoles (6-0, 17-2) trailed 5-4 before a sacrifice fly by Jose Brizuela (1 for 3, 2 RBI) in the eighth tied it at 5 prior to Miller’s base hit. Jayce Boyd (right) went 3 for 4 with a double, two runs and two RBI for FSU. Gage Smith (1-0) got the final out of the eighth to record the victory. Robert Benincasa pitched a perfect ninth to earn his seventh save. Reed Gragnani went 4 for 5 with one run for the Cavaliers (2-4, 11-8-1).

Pepperdine 6, Kent State 4

In Malibu, Calif., Aaron Brown went 4 for 5 with one run as Pepperdine won its three-game series against Kent State. Floyd Given (2 for 3, 1 2B, 1 R) and Austin Davidson (2 for 3) both drove in two, while Sam Meyer went 2 for 4 with a double and three runs for the Waves (15-5). Corey Miller (6.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 4 K) claimed the victory, while Michael Swanner allowed two hits in the ninth with one strikeout to record his third save. Jimmy Rider went 3 for 5 with a double and one run, while George Roberts went 2 for 4 with a homer and two RBI for the Golden Flashes (8-8).

Minnesota 4, Cal Poly 3

In Minneapolis, Andy Henkemeyer had a RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give Minnesota a win over Cal Poly. The Mustangs (12-7) had tied the game with a run in the top of the ninth. Henkemeyer finished with two hits, while Troy Larson was 2 for 2 with three walks and a run for the Golden Gophers (9-11). Matt Halloran went 1 for 3 with a walk and two RBI for Minnesota. Drew Ghelfi (1-0, 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB) picked up the win. David Armendariz went 2 for 4 with a home run for Cal Poly.

Saint Mary’s 5, UC Davis 2

In Davis, Calif., Chris Murphy had a two-run single to cap a three-run first as Saint Mary’s defeated UC Davis. Murphy finished with three hits and three RBI. Collin Ferguson went 3 for 4 with one run and one RBI for the Gaels (12-7). Jordan Mills (2-1, 6.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 6 BB, 2 K) earned the victory. Kevin Barker (2 BB, 1 R, 1 RBI) and Mike Mazzara both had two hits for the Aggies (10-9).

Massachusetts 8, Old Dominion 0

In Norfolk, Va., Joe Popielarczyk and Leif Sorenson combined on a four-hit shutout as Massachusetts downed Old Dominion. Popielarczyk (1-0) allowed two hits in 5.1 innings with five walks and four strikeouts to claim the victory. Sorenson gave up two hits over the final 3.2 innings with no walks and five punchouts to register his second save. Nick Sanford went 1 for 2 with two RBI, while Tom Conley had two hits and two runs for the Minutemen (2-5). Josh Wright doubled, while Chris Baker went 1 for 2 with two walks for the Monarchs (8-11), who stranded 10, committed four errors and had a five-game win streak snapped.

Sacramento State 1, Dartmouth 0

In Sacramento, Calif., Andrew Ayers had a run-scoring single in the bottom of the ninth as Sacramento State nipped Dartmouth to win the series three games to two. Rhys Hoskins had a leadoff single in the ninth for the Hornets (9-11) and was replaced by pinch-runner Justin Higley. Derrick Chung had an infield single and Trevor Paine bunted for a base hit to fill the sacks, setting the table for Ayers (2 for 4). David Del Grande went 4 for 4 with a double for Sacramento State. R.J. Davis (1-0, 1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K) picked up the win in relief. Zach Morgan (7 H, 2 BB, 3 K) tossed seven shutout innings for the Hornets. Adam Frank (4 H, 1 BB, 1 K) pitched six scoreless frames for the Big Green (2-6). Matt Robinson and David Turnbull both had two hits for Dartmouth.

Jacksonville State 6, Northwestern 5

In Winter Haven, Fla., Kyle Bluestein scored on an error in the bottom of the ninth as Jacksonville State edged Northwestern. Bluestein had two hits, two runs and one RBI, while Erik Underwood went 2 for 4 with one run and two RBI for the Gamecocks (5-13). Travis Stout (2-1, 2 IP, 1 K) registered the win. Nick Linne went 2 for 4 with one run and one RBI for the Wildcats (6-12).

(photo courtesy of FSU Media Relations Office)