April 6, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

click here for complete list of scores

Around the Bases
Stripling goes the distance as Texas A&M tops Oklahoma

Florida blanks LSU, FSU nips Georgia Tech in 10, Kentucky edges Ole Miss

In College Station, Texas, Ross Stripling (left) went the distance with eight strikeouts as sixth-ranked Texas A&M clinched a Big 12 series win over Oklahoma with a 5-2 decision Friday evening in front of 4,478 fans at Blue Bell Park. Stripling (5-1) allowed seven hits and two runs while not walking a hitter. He registered his seventh career complete game. Matt Juengel had a two-run homer in the eighth for the Aggies (6-2, 25-6). Troy Stein went 2 for 3 with two runs for Texas A&M. Erik Ross went 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Sooners (4-7, 18-13).

No. 1 Florida 7, No. 9 LSU 0

In Gainesville, Fla., Jonathon Crawford and three relievers combined on a four-hit shutout as Florida evened its SEC series with LSU in front of 5,793 fans at McKethan Stadium. Crawford (3-1) allowed three hits and two walks in six innings with four strikeouts to earn the victory. Austin Maddox (2 IP, 3 K), Steven Rodriguez (0.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K) and Justin Shafer (0.1 IP, 1 K) completed the shutout. Mike Zunino went 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBI, while Nolan Fontana had two hits and two RBI for the Gators (7-4, 25-6). Austin Nola had a double for the Tigers (7-4, 24-7). Kevin Gausman (5-1, 6.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 8 K) suffered his first loss.

No. 2 Florida State 2, Georgia Tech 1 (10)
In Atlanta, Justin Gonzalez singled in the top of the 10th to drive in the winning run as Florida State edged Georgia Tech in the ACC series opener. The starting pitchers for both programs pitched well, as Georgia Tech sent out Buck Farmer (8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 8 K) and Florida State went with Brandon Leibrandt (7.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 K).  The Seminoles (12-1, 25-5) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when an RBI single by Jose Brizuela (2 for 4) brought home Justin Gonzalez (1 for 4, R, RBI). The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the ninth, as the Yellow Jackets (6-7, 19-12) were able to tie the game when Brandon Thomas drove in Kyle Wren with an RBI double. FSU answered in the 10th, as Gonzalez's two-out single brought home Jayce Boyd (3 for 3, 2 BB) and closer Robert Benicasa (2-0), who had blown the save in the ninth, recovered to pitch a 1-2-3 inning.
 

No. 13 Miami (Fla.) 8, No. 3 North Carolina 0

In Coral Gables, Fla., Eric Erickson and two relievers combined on the shutout as Miami blanked North Carolina in the ACC series opener. Erickson (5-3) allowed four hits in seven innings with five strikeouts to pick up the win. A.J. Salcines surrendered a hit in the eighth with two punchouts, while Christian Diaz worked around one hit in the ninth with two strikeouts. Peter O’Brien homered, scored three and drove in four, while Chantz Mack went 3 for 5 with three RBI for the Hurricanes (9-4, 22-8). Tommy Coyle and G Atwood both had doubles for the Tar Heels (9-4, 23-7). Kent Emanuel (5-2, 6 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) suffered the loss.

No. 4 Kentucky 3, No. 16 Ole Miss 2

In Lexington, Ky., Cameron Flynn had a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to snap a 2-2 tie and lead Kentucky past Ole Miss in the SEC series opener. Flynn finished with two hits, while Luke Maile had two doubles and two runs for the Wildcats (8-2, 29-2). Alex Phillips (5-1, 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 3 K) earned the victory, while Trevor Gott recorded the final two outs for his seventh save. Alex Yarbrough had three hits for the Rebels (5-5, 20-9). Ole Miss had 13 hits and drew two walks, but stranded 10. UK has won a school-record 21 straight at home.

No. 18 Oregon 8, No. 5 UCLA 3

In Los Angeles, Jake Reed and Joey Housey combined to help Oregon clinch a Pac-12 series win at UCLA. Reed (3-2) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings with two walks and two strikeouts to earn the victory. Housey (2 H, 4 K) picked up his first save after throwing three shutout innings of relief for the Ducks (8-3, 20-8). Nick Vander Tuig (3-2) took the loss after giving up eight runs on 10 hits for the Bruins (7-4, 20-7). Brett Thomas led Oregon after going 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run. Connor Hofmann homered and drove in two for the Ducks.

Utah 7, No. 7 Arizona 6

In Salt Lake City, Tyler Wagner picked up his first save after giving up one hit in the ninth inning as Utah ended a seven-game slide and evened its Pac-12 series with Arizona. The Utes (8-21, 4-7) scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to take the lead over the Wildcats (22-9, 8-3). Stephen Manthei (5-3) took the loss after giving up two unearned runs on one hit in one inning. Mitch Watrous (2-0) picked up the win in relief after giving up one run on three hits over 2.1 innings. Parker Morin led the way for the Utes after going 2 for 4 with two RBI.

Washington 6, No. 8 Stanford 4
In Seattle, Jayce Ray went 3 for 4 with two runs, and B.K. Santy went 3 for 4 with two RBI as Washington evened its Pac-12 series with Stanford. Branden Berry contributed a two-run homer  that gave the Huskies (4-4, 17-10) a 3-0 lead off Brett Mooneyham (5-2). Mooneyham allowed five earned runs in 5.2 innings after entering with nine earned runs in 41.1 innings. Freshman Tyler Davis held the Cardinal (3-5, 18-7) hitless until the top of the fifth and left after allowing one run on three hits in 4.2 innings. Tyler Kane (2-0) tossed 1.1 scoreless innings, and Joshua Fredendall worked the final 1.1 innings for his sixth save. Eric Smith went 2 for 3 with two runs and a RBI for Stanford.

Tulane 7, No. 10 Rice 2
In New Orleans, David Napoli worked into the sixth inning to improve to 5-1, and D.J. Ponder tossed 3.1 scoreless innings of relief as Tulane evened its Conference USA series with Rice. Nick Schneeberger went 2 for 3 with a first-inning homer and three RBI, and Sean Potkay and Brennan Middleton each delivered two RBI for the Green Wave (3-2, 21-9). Napoli (5-1) allowed one earned run and nine hits in 5.2 innings, and Ponder allowed four hits over his 3.1 innings, lowering the Green Wave bullpen ERA to 2.03. J.T. Chargois went 2 for 4 with a RBI, and Christian Stringer had two hits and a RBI for the Owls (5-3, 22-11).

Georgia 4, No. 11 Arkansas 2
In Fayetteville, Ark., Alex Wood was spectacular, tossing a complete game with 11 strikeouts, as Georgia knocked off Arkansas in the first game of their SEC series. The Bulldogs (5-5, 19-11) scored three times in the sixth inning to overcome a 2-1 deficit. Levi Hyams doubled and scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch from Ryan Stanek (6-1), who entered with the SEC's best ERA (1.26). Brett DeLoach had a RBI grounder before Conor Welton had an infield single for another run. Wood (4-1) allowed seven hits and two earned runs in his second complete game, and Kyle Farmer had two hits for Georgia. Dominic Ficociello had two hits to lead the Razorbacks, who fell to 5-5, 22-7 with their second home loss in 20 games this season.

Tennessee 5, No. 12 South Carolina 4
In Columbia, S.C., Zach Osborne scored the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth on a throwing error as Tennessee plated two in the final two innings to come from behind and defeat South Carolina in SEC action. With one out in the top of the ninth and the game tied at four, Osborne (1 for 4) started a Volunteers (6-4, 20-10) rally with a single. The next batter, Will Maddox (2 for 4, R) also singled and Osborne advanced to third. Zach Luther (2 for 4, R) popped up a bunt attempt back to South Carolina reliever Matt Price (3-3, 2.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 2 K), who threw the ball away as he attempted to double off Osborne at third. Tennessee reliever Drew Steckenrider (3-2, 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K) earned the win, and closer Nick Blount (1 IP, 0 H, 1 K) picked up his eighth save. Evan Marzilli was 2 for 5 with two runs for the Gamecocks (3-7, 21-9).

UAB 11, No. 14 UCF 4
In Orlando, Fla., Patrick Palmeiro and Ivan De Jesus helped lead UAB past UCF in Conference USA play. Trailing 2-0 in the top of the fourth, the Blazers (3-4, 19-12) were able to capitalize off of five Golden Knights (5-2, 24-7) errors and score nine runs to take a commanding lead.  Palmeiro (3 for 5, 2B, 2 R, RBI) and Ivan De Jesus (2 for 6, 3B, 2 RBI, R) were two of seven UAB players to have multiple hits. UCF's Brian Adkins (2-1, 3.2 IP, 11 H, 4 K) was the losing pitcher even though none of the nine runs that he allowed were earned. D.J. Hicks (2 for 5, 2 R, 2 RBI) hit a home run to lead the Golden Knights.

No. 15 Cal State Fullerton 5, UC Davis 4

In Fullerton, Calif., Anthony Hutting’s pinch-hit single over a shallow outfield in the bottom of the ninth was the deciding factor as Cal State Fullerton secured a Big West series victory over UC Davis. Willie Kuhl (2-2) picked up the win for the Titans (4-1, 20-10) after pitching a scoreless ninth. Anthony Kupbens (2-4) was tagged with the loss for the Aggies (0-2, 11-15) going the distance with five runs on eight hits over 8.1 innings. Matt Chapman led the way for the Titans going 2 for 4 with two RBI. David Popkins went 2 for 2 with a homer and two RBI for UC Davis.

No. 17 Baylor 5, Missouri 3

In Columbia, Mo., Trent Blank allowed one unearned run over six innings as Baylor clinched a Big 12 series win over Missouri in front of 1,003 fans at Taylor Stadium. Blank (8-0) gave up five hits with no walks and three strikeouts, leading the nation with eight victories. Max Garner walked one and fanned two in the ninth for his second save. Josh Ludy drove in a pair, while Nathan Orf went 2 for 5 with a homer for the Bears (11-0, 24-7). Scott Sommerfeld had two hits for the Tigers (3-5, 16-13). Baylor has won 13 straight and is the first Big 12 program to start 11-0.

Maryland 4, No. 19 NC State 0
In College Park, Md., Tim Kiene hit a three-run homer as Maryland upset NC State in ACC action. Kiene's home run came in the bottom of the sixth and put the Terrapins (4-9, 20-12) up 4-0. Maryland's starting pitcher, Jimmy Reed, earned his first victory, going eight innings, allowing only two hits and two walks, while striking out eight Wolfpack (8-5, 20-8) batters. Ryan Matthews had both of NC State's two hits on the night.

Arizona State 3, No. 20 Oregon State 2

In Tempe, Ariz., Trevor Williams (6-2) picked up the win as Arizona State beat Oregon State for the second straight day. Williams (6-2) gave up four hits over seven innings while striking out three for the Wildcats (5-6, 18-12). Jake Barrett picked up his fifth save after pitching a perfect ninth with two strikeouts. Ben Wetzler (4-1) suffered his first loss after giving up three runs on five hits over 5.1 innings while striking out five and walking four. Deven Marrero led ASU as he registered two RBI on his only hit of the night, a triple. Michael Conforto drove in both runs for the Beavers (6-5, 18-10).

Richmond 2, Xavier 1 (10)

In Richmond, Va., Jacob Mayers tossed a 10-inning two-hitter as Richmond outlasted Xavier in the Atlantic 10 series opener. Mayers (5-2) allowed two walks and one unearned run while striking out 11. Adam Forrer had a run-scoring single in the bottom of the 10th to give the win to the Spiders (3-1, 16-11). Eric Flanagan went 2 for 3 with one RBI for UR. Daniel Rod went 1 for 4 with a RBI for the Musketeers (2-2, 11-18).

East Carolina 16, Houston 1

In Greenville, N.C., John Wooten went 4 for 4 with a homer, four runs and three RBI as East Carolina run-ruled Houston to clinch the Conference USA series in front of 2,519 fans at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Zach Wright (2 for 3, 5 RBI) and Chase McDonald (1 for 3, 4 RBI) also went deep for the Pirates (6-2, 22-8). Tyler Joyner (5-0) went the distance, allowing six hits and one run in seven innings with no walks and five strikeouts. Landon Appling went 2 for 4 with a run for the Cougars (1-7, 11-18).

(photo courtesy of Texas A&M Media Relations Office)