April 29, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Harrell's grand slam helps Vandy win series from Kentucky

Stanford wins at UCLA, Arkansas tops Florida, Texas nips Texas A&M

In Nashville, Tenn., Connor Harrell (right) had a grand slam to cap a five-run eighth as Vanderbilt defeated second-ranked Kentucky 6-1 Sunday for UK's first series loss of the season. Mike Yastrzemski went 3 for 4 with a double, one run and one RBI for the Commodores (9-12, 21-23). Sam Selman (6-3, 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 4 K) earned the win in relief of starter Kevin Ziomek (5.2 IP, 3 H, 4 BB, 8 K) and Brian Miller (1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 1 K). Luke Maile went 2 for 3 with a run for the Wildcats (14-7, 36-9).

No. 9 Stanford 7, No. 11 UCLA 2

In Los Angeles, Stanford used a six-run fifth to rally past UCLA and win the Pac-12 series in front of 1,617 onlookers at Jackie Robinson Stadium. The Bruins (12-9, 28-12) scored single runs in the first and second before the outburst by the Cardinal (10-8, 28-11). Stephen Piscotty (1 for 4, 2B, R), Brian Ragira (1 for 5, R) and Eric Smith (1 for 5) each drove in two, while Tyler Gaffney went 2 for 2 with a triple and a run for Stanford. Sahil Bloom (2-0, 5 IP, 2 H) picked up the win in relief. Cody Keefer had two hits for UCLA.

No. 18 Arkansas 3, No. 4 Florida 1 (10)

In Gainesville, Fla., Michael Gunn and Dominic Ficociello drove in runs in the top of the 10th as Arkansas edged Florida to win the SEC series in front of 3,927 fans at McKethan Stadium. Gunn had a pinch-hit single to plate Jake Wise and Ficociello (1 for 3, 2B, R) brought home Tim Carver (2 for 4 R) with a fielder’s choice. Barrett Astin fanned one in a perfect 10th for his seventh save as Colby Suggs (1.2 IP, 1 BB) claimed the victory. D.J. Baxendale allowed one run in 7.1 innings with five hits and six strikeouts for the Razorbacks (11-10, 31-13). Mike Zunino had two hits for the Gators (12-9, 33-12).

Texas 2, No. 10 Texas A&M 1

In Austin, Texas, Texas scored twice in the bottom of the ninth to nip Texas A&M and avoid the Big 12 sweep in front of 7,741 fans at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Jacob Felts (3 for 4) knocked in the tying run with an infield single and Jordan Etier brought in the game-winner on a fielder’s choice. Corey Knebel (3-2, 5 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K) won in relief of Dillon Peters (4 IP, 1 H, 6 K). Rafael Pineda pitched 7.2 scoreless innings for the Aggies (11-7, 31-13) with two hits, two walks and six strikeouts. Brandon Wood went 2 for 3 with a double and a run for Texas A&M.

No. 1 Florida State 6, Rhode Island 5

In Tallahassee, Fla., Jayce Boyd hit a walk-off double as Florida State came from behind to complete a sweep of visiting Rhode Island. The Seminoles (36-7) trailed the entire game, including 4-1 after three innings. The Rams (26-19) jumped out to an early lead when Jeff Cammans (1 for 4) crushed a Scott Sitz pitch for a three-run home run in the top of the third. One inning later, Jeff Roy, who went 5 for 5, delivered an RBI single to put Rhode Island ahead of FSU 5-1. However, FSU chipped into the lead and trailed 5-3 going into the bottom of the ninth. The Seminoles benefited from two URI errors and pushed across one run before Boyd (2 for 4) delivered the two-out, two-run double.

Georgia 5, No. 5 LSU 3

In Baton Rouge, La., Justin Bryan launched a pair of home runs that gave him three RBI as he helped lift Georgia over LSU in the series finale. The bullpen of the Bulldogs (9-12, 25-20) aided the effort by tossing five scoreless innings against the Tigers (14-7, 35-10) in front of 6,673 at Alex Box Stadium. Jay Swinford (1-1) picked up the win after throwing three shutout innings. Aaron Nola (5-2) took the loss after giving up four runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings. Mason Katz went 2 for 3 with two runs for LSU.

Memphis 1, No. 8 UCF 0

In Orlando, Fla., Chase Joiner allowed only five hits in nine shutout innings as Memphis edged UCF to win the rubber match of the Conference USA series. Joiner (3-4) only walked two batters and struck out four in a 129-pitch effort. The Tigers (8-10, 20-24) only managed seven hits off of the Knights’ (13-5, 35-10) starter Brian Adkins (3-2, 9 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K), but they were able to score the decisive run in the top of the sixth when Derrick Thomas’s (1 for 4) RBI single brought home Adam McClain (1 for 4) who doubled earlier in the inning.

No. 12 Oregon 7, California 1

In Eugene, Ore., Kyle Garlick and Aaron Payne led the way for Oregon against Cal after they each tallied three hits and three RBI. The win by the Ducks (14-7, 30-13) over the Golden Bears (7-11, 23-18) moves them into first place in the Pac-12 race. Jeff Gold (6-3) picked up the win after giving up only one run on nine hits in seven innings. Justin Jones (3-6) took the loss after he allowed three earned runs on eights hits in five innings. Tony Renda, Chadd Krist and Danny Oh all went 2 for 4 for Cal.

No. 13 Arizona 21, ETSU 6

In Tucson, Ariz., Johnny Field, Joseph Maggi and Bobby Brown led Arizona against ETSU after they each racked up four hits a piece. The Wildcats (29-13) tallied up a season-high 27 hits in their win over the Bucs (19-24) in the series finale. Field had two doubles, as did Robert Refsnyder (3 for 5, 3 R, 3 RBI). James Farris (5-2) picked up the win for Arizona after he gave up five runs on 10 hits in six innings with five strikeouts. Kerry Doane (4-3) took the loss after he surrendered eight earned runs on 15 hits in 5.1 innings. Clinton Freeman went 3 for 5 with a double and two RBI for ETSU.

Michigan State 5, No. 16 Purdue 0

In West Lafayette, Ind., David Garner hurled a five-hit shutout as Michigan State salvaged the finale of its Big Ten series at Purdue. Garner (3-3) did not walk a batter and struck out seven. Justin Scanlon went 4 for 5 with two RBI, while John Martinez had three hits, including two doubles, and one run for the Spartans (8-7, 27-15). Eric Charles went 2 for 4 for the Boilermakers (14-4, 34-7).

Portland 4, No. 17 San Diego 1

In Portland, Ore., Kris Kauppila had a big two-run single to lead Portland to a series- clinching win over San Diego. After the win, the Pilots moved to 10-8 in the WCC, 23-16 overall, while the Toreros fell to 10-5 in the league, 33-11 overall. Chet Thompson and Brian Frattali both had two hits and a run for Portland. Chris Johnson (3-2) picked up the win after giving up only one run on six hits in 6.2 innings. Calvin Drummond (7-4) took the loss for USD after giving up two earned runs on 11 hits in 4.2 innings. Bryan Haar went 2 for 3 for the Toreros.

Mississippi State 4, No. 19 Ole Miss 2

In Starkville, Miss., Luis Pollorena struck out seven over 5.1 innings to help lead Mississippi State past in-state rival Ole Miss in the rubber match of the weekend series. Pollorena (4 H, 2 BB) moved to 3-0 on the year and was given support early as the Bulldogs (10-11, 27-17) scored all four of their runs in the bottom of the first. Rebels’ (10-11, 28-16) starter Tanner Bailey (1-1, 0 IP, 1 H, 4 ER, 2 BB) failed to record an out and was pulled after walking in a run.  Bailey’s replacement, Dylan Chavez, struggled initially and hit the first two hitters he faced to force in two more runs. A sacrifice fly by Wes Rea capped off the scoring for MSU. Ole Miss cut into the lead in the final two innings, as Matt Snyder delivered an RBI double in the eighth and Zack Kirksey mashed a solo home run in the ninth, but MSU closer Caleb Reed (3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 1 K) was able to hold onto the lead for his eighth save.

Virginia 7, No. 20 Miami (Fla.) 4

In Coral Gables, Fla., Shane Halley pitched six scoreless innings in relief as Virginia defeated Miami to clinch the ACC series in front of 1,936 fans at Mark Light Field. Brad Fieger homered and Stephen Perez ripped a three-run double as the Hurricanes (12-11, 27-16) took a 4-0 lead in the second. Halley entered in the third and allowed two hits and two walks over six frames with seven strikeouts. Justin Thompson struck out the side in the ninth for his eighth save. Colin Harrington (2 for 3, R) and Nate Irving (2 for 5, 2B, R) both drove in a pair for the Cavaliers (13-10, 30-14-1). UVa scored single runs in the third and fourth before taking the lead with three in the fifth.

Connecticut 7, Louisville 4

In Louisville, Ky., Billy Ferriter had four hits and Connecticut scored six runs over the final two innings to come from behind and salvage a victory over Big East rival Louisville. The Cardinals (12-6, 31-13) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to a Nick Ratajczk RBI single in the bottom of the first. Connecticut struggled to establish themselves against Louisville starting pitcher Jared Ruxer (5 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, BB, K), but in the top of the eighth the Huskies (12-6, 24-20) rallied for two runs to make it 4-3 when Ferriter (4 for 6) and Connor David (1 for 4, R) delivered RBI singles. In the top of the ninth, UConn scored four runs off of Louisville closer Matt Koch (0-2, 1 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, BB) thanks to a two-run double from Jon Testani and a two-run single from Eric Yavarone.

East Carolina 6, Tulane 3

In Greenville, N.C., Jharel Cotton struck out a career-best 12 as East Carolina avoided the Conference USA sweep to Tulane in front of 2,292 spectators at Clark-LeClair Stadium. Cotton (8-0) allowed four hits and two runs in seven innings with one walk. Drew Reynolds tossed a perfect ninth for his ninth save. Zach Wright had a three-run homer in the first for the Pirates (10-7-1, 28-16-1). John Wooten went 3 for 4 with a double and two runs for ECU. Garrett Cannizaro had two hits and one RBI, while Brandon Boudreaux went deep for the Green Wave (7-8, 29-15).

Dallas Baptist 4, Wichita State 1

In Wichita, Kan., Andrew Elkins pitched a four-hitter as Dallas Baptist salvaged the finale of its series with Wichita State in front of 3,624 fans at Eck Stadium. Elkins (3-1) allowed four hits and one earned run in nine innings with five walks and one strikeout. Ryan Behmanesh went 3 for 4 with two RBI for the Patriots (29-14). Micah Green went 1 for 3 with one RBI for the Shockers (27-20).

FGCU 6, Kennesaw State 0

In Fort Myers, Fla., Brandon Bixler struck out 14 in seven innings as FGCU blanked Kennesaw State to complete the Atlantic Sun sweep at Swanson Stadium. Bixler (3-4) allowed one hit and one walk. Brady Anderson gave up one hit and fanned one over the final two innings to preserve the shutout. Kirby Retzer (2 for 4, 3 RBI) had a two-run single in a three-run third and Brandon Bednar (2 for 2, 3 BB) had a two-run triple to cap a three-run sixth for the Eagles (9-9, 18-25). Andy Almonte and Jordan Craft both had hits for the Owls (12-9, 28-20).

Holy Cross 5-3, Army 0-4

In Worcester, Mass., Mark McCants went 1 for 3 with two runs in the nightcap as Army split a doubleheader with Holy Cross to complete conference play in the Patriot League. Nick Dignacco (6-2, 5.2 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) earned the victory, while Gunnar Carroll (3.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K) notched his fifth save for the Black Knights (18-2, 35-12). Evan Ocello went 3 for 4 with two doubles, while Mike Ahmed homered for the Crusaders (13-7, 29-20). Nate Koneski (6-2) tossed a two-hitter in the opener for Holy Cross with one walk and seven strikeouts in seven innings. Ahmed had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and two RBI, while Brandon Cipolla added a three-run homer for the Crusaders. The Black Knights posted 18 conference wins, the most for the program since it joined the league in 1993 and the most by any Patriot League club since it went to the current 20-game schedule in 1996. First-place Army will host No. 4 Lafayette and second-place Holy Cross will entertain No. 3 Navy on May 12-13 in the Patriot League semifinal series. The championship series will be held May 19-20.

Harvard 8-3, Dartmouth 7-8

In Hanover, N.H., Dartmouth split a doubleheader with Harvard and will travel to Cornell next weekend for the best-of-three Ivy Championship Series. The Big Green (14-6, 22-16) clinched the Rolfe Division yesterday and finished tied with the Big Red (14-6, 29-14-1) for the overall best record. Cornell owned the tiebreaker after winning twice against Dartmouth four weeks ago in Ithaca. Nick Lombardi went 3 for 4 with a double, two runs and one RBI in the nightcap for the Big Green. Mike Martin was 2 for 4 with a double, two runs and three steals for the Crimson (8-12, 12-30). Michael Johnson (4-1, 7 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K) earned the win, while Thomas Olson (1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) registered his sixth save. In the opener, Nick Saathoff had a two-run homer in a three-run second and a two-run double in a four-run third for Harvard. Joey Novak (1-3, 2.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 2 K) got the win in relief, while Will Keuper (1.2 IP, 1 H, 2 K) recorded his first save. Jeff Keller had a grand slam in a five-run third for Dartmouth.

Clemson 11, Georgia Tech 8

In Atlanta, Spencer Kieboom went 5 for 5 with a run and two RBI as Clemson won its ACC series with Georgia Tech in front of 3,626 fans at Russ Chandler Stadium. The Tigers (14-10, 26-19) added onto a 2-0 lead with five in the fourth and put up two in the seventh and eighth. Steve Wilkerson went 3 for 6 with two RBI, while Jason Stolz homered for Clemson. Daniel Gossett (4-2, 5.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 7 K) picked up the win in relief. Jake Davies homered twice and knocked in four for the Yellow Jackets (10-14, 26-19).

Stony Brook 17, UMBC 1

In Catonsville, Md., William Carmona went 5 for 6 with four runs and four RBI to lead Stony Brook to a three-game America East series sweep of UMBC. The first-place Seawolves (12-2, 34-10) have won 10 straight and 20 of the past 22. Travis Jankowski (3 for 5, 2 R) homered to lead off the game for Stony Brook as the Seawolves scored in seven of their first eight at-bats. Tanner Nivins went 4 for 5 with three RBI, while Steven Goldstein went 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBI for the visitors. Evan Stecko-Haley (6-3, 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 2 K) picked up the win. Max Himmelstein homered in the fourth for the Retrievers (1-13, 9-32).

Kent State 7, Western Michigan 1

In Kent, Ohio, Nick Hamilton went 4 for 4 with a run and two RBI as Kent State completed a MAC sweep of Western Michigan at Schoonover Stadium. The Golden Flashes (15-3, 27-17) scored once in the second and twice in the fourth, fifth and seventh. George Roberts had three hits, including a double, and three runs, while David Lyon went 2 for 4 with a two-bagger and a pair of runs for Kent State. Tyler Skulina (6-2, 8.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 6 K) earned the victory. Patrick Duncan had two hits, including a run-scoring double in the ninth, for the Broncos (7-10, 17-23).

Penn State 8, Ohio State 7 (10)

In University Park, Pa., Sean Deegan belted a three-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the 10th to give Penn State a Big Ten series win over Ohio State in front of 1,935 fans at Medlar Field. The Buckeyes (8-10, 24-20) scored three in the eighth to knot the score at 5 and put up two in the top of the 10th to take a 7-5 lead.  With two outs and none on, J.C. Coban and Elliot Searer drew walks. Pinch-runner Taylor Skerpon and Searer both moved up one base on a passed ball before Deegan’s homer ended the contest. Luis Montesinos had two hits and two RBI, while Joey DeBernardis went 3 for 5 with two runs for the Nittany Lions (8-7, 22-22). Greg Welsh (2-1, 2.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K) registered the win. Ryan Cypret knocked in a pair for OSU.

Missouri State 12, Southern Illinois 6

In Springfield, Mo., Missouri State belted four home runs and used a seven-run fifth to win its MVC series against Southern Illinois. Keenen Maddox (2 for 3, 2 BB) had a three-run homer and Dylan Becker added a solo shot in the fifth for the Bears (10-4, 31-14). Brock Chaffin (2 for 5, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI) and Eric Cheray (2 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI) also went deep for Missouri State. Cody Schumacher (6-0, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 9 K) was the beneficiary of the runs for the Bears. Jake Welch went 2 for 5 with a triple and three RBI for the Salukis (9-6, 24-20).

(photo by Jimmy Jones)