May 11, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

click here for complete list of scores

Around the Bases
Randall pitches Florida past Mississippi State

South Carolina blanks Georgia, Purdue shuts out Michigan, LMU beats USD

In Gainesville, Fla., Hudson Randall allowed one run over seven innings as fifth-ranked Florida defeated Mississippi State 4-1 Friday in the SEC series opener in front of 3,875 fans at McKethan Stadium in a rematch of their 2011 Super Regional. Randall (6-1) gave up five hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Steven Rodriguez allowed one hit with four strikeouts over the final two innings for his third save. Daniel Pigott (pictured) went 2 for 4 with a two-run homer in the eighth for the Gators (15-10, 37-13). Hunter Renfroe was 3 for 4 with a double and a run for the Bulldogs (12-13, 30-19). Chris Stratton (9-1, 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K) suffered his first loss.

No. 3 South Carolina 3, Georgia 0

In Athens, Ga., Michael Roth hurled seven shutout innings as South Carolina blanked Georgia to begin their SEC series in front of 2,744 fans at Foley Field. Roth (5-0) allowed three hits and five walks while striking out six. Tyler Webb (1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) and Matt Price (1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) finished the shutout, with Price earning his eighth save. Alex Wood (6-2, 9 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 6 K) went the distance for the Bulldogs (12-13, 28-22). After six scoreless innings, the Gamecocks (17-8, 38-12) scored single runs in each of the final three innings. LB Dantzler (2 for 4) homered, while Evan Marzilli had two hits and one RBI for South Carolina. Levi Hyams went 2 for 4 for Georgia.

No. 18 Purdue 4, Michigan 0

In West Lafayette, Ind., Joe Haase pitched a four-hit shutout as Purdue downed Michigan in the Big Ten series opener at Lambert Field. Haase (8-1) did not surrender a walk and struck out seven. He did not allow a leadoff hitter to reach in any inning and faced just three over the minimum in the 1:55 gem. The Boilermakers (15-4, 38-9) set a program record for wins in a season and can clinch at least a share of their first Big Ten title since 1909 with a win on Saturday. Brandon Sinnery (4-5, 8 IP, 10 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 1 K) went the distance for the Wolverines (6-13, 20-30). Barrett Serrato (2 for 4) had a run-scoring single in the fourth to break the scoreless deadlock. Kevin Plawecki homered in a two-run sixth and Serrato went deep in the eighth for Purdue. David Miller went 3 for 3 with one RBI, while Eric Charles went 2 for 4 with a run for the Boilermakers. Patrick Biondi went 2 for 4 with a triple for Michigan.

Loyola Marymount 13, No. 19 San Diego 1

In San Diego, Alex Guthrie and Cullen Mahoney both homered as Loyola Marymount pounded first-place San Diego in the WCC series opener. Guthrie (3 for 6) had a two-run dinger to spark an eight-run third, while the two-run shot by Mahoney (2 for 3, 2 R, 3 RBI) in the sixth gave the Lions (10-6, 22-22) a 13-0 lead. Colton Plaia had three hits and three RBI for LMU. Colin Welmon (6-3, 9 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 6 K) allowed a run in the bottom of the ninth to miss the shutout. Austin Bailey doubled and scored for the Toreros (13-6, 37-12).

No. 4 LSU 2, Vanderbilt 1

In Baton Rouge, La., Kevin Gausman struck out 11 in going the distance as LSU edged Vanderbilt in front of 6,535 fans at Alex Box Stadium. Gausman (8-1) allowed five hits, one run and one walk. T.J. Pecoraro (0-4, 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K) recorded a complete game as well for the Commodores (11-14, 24-25). The Tigers (17-8, 39-11) scored twice in the second, as Ty Ross had a RBI single and Tyler Hanover added a sacrifice fly. Vince Conde went 2 for 3 and scored in the third for Vandy.

No. 7 Kentucky 4, Alabama 2

In Lexington, Ky., Thomas McCarthy drove in two runs as Kentucky defeated Alabama in SEC play in front of 2,456 at Cliff Hagan Stadium. McCarthy’s (1 for 3) lone hit of the game was a two-run double in the bottom of the second that gave the Wildcats (16-9, 39-11) a 2-0 lead. The Crimson Tide (7-18, 18-31) responded for two runs in the top of third thanks to a Jared Reaves (2 for 4) RBI single and Austen Smith sacrifice fly. Kentucky quickly regained the lead in the bottom half when Luke Maile (1 for 3) brought in a run on a bases-loaded fielder’s choice and J.T. Riddle grounded out to second base. Kentucky starter Taylor Rogers (6-3, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K) pitched well to pick up the win.

No. 9 Texas A&M 4, San Diego State 1

In College Station, Texas, Michael Wacha struck out eight in 8.1 innings as Texas A&M downed San Diego State to open their series in front of 3,947 fans at Blue Bell Park. Wacha (8-0) allowed five hits, one run and one walk. Kyle Martin got the final out for his fourth save. The Aggies (35-14) scored all their runs in the bottom of the third. Troy Stein went 3 for 4 with two doubles and one RBI for Texas A&M. Jomel Torres doubled and scored in the eighth for the Aztecs (22-28). Justin Hepner (3-2, 8 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K) went the distance for SDSU.

No. 10 North Carolina 2, Duke 1

In Durham, N.C., Kent Emanuel out-dueled Marcus Stroman as North Carolina edged Duke in Game 1 of their ACC series. Stroman (5-5, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 UE, 2 BB, 8 K) pitched well enough to win, but a two-out, two-run rally in the second inning was all that Emanuel and the Tar Heels (17-8, 36-13) needed.  Emanuel (7-3) walked one, allowed five hits and one run while fanning six over eight innings. Michael Morin came in and retired to Blue Devils (7-18, 19-30) in order in the ninth to pick up his 15th save. UNC’s Chaz Frank (3B, RBI) and Duke’s Jordan Betts (2B, R) both had two hits to lead their respective offenses.

No. 11 UCLA 2, Washington 0

In Seattle, Adam Plutko tossed seven scoreless innings as UCLA edged Washington to open their Pac-12 series in front of 1,392 fans at Safeco Field. Plutko (7-3) allowed five hits and walked three while fanning four. David Berg had one hit and one strikeout in the eighth before Scott Griggs gave up one hit and struck out three in the ninth for his 12th save. Tyler Heineman had a two-run single in the top of the third to account for both runs for the Bruins (13-9, 33-13). Jacob Lamb, Chase Anselment and Ty Afenir each had a hit and a walk for the Huskies (11-11, 26-19).

No. 12 Cal State Fullerton 9, UC Santa Barbara 7

In Santa Barbara, Calif., Matt Chapman went 3 for 4 with a homer and two runs as Cal State Fullerton outscored UC Santa Barbara at Caesar Uyusaka Stadium. Anthony Hutting (2 for 4) had a two-run triple and J.D. Davis followed with a two-run dinger as the Titans (13-3, 31-14) scored five in the top of the first. Fullerton led 9-0 before the Gauchos (9-10, 23-22) tallied four in the sixth and three in the seventh. Carlos Lopez had two doubles and two runs, while Michael Lorenzen added a two-run homer for the Titans. It was the first multi-homer game for Fullerton, raising its season total to eight. Dylan Floro (8-3, 6.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 1 BB, 2 K) picked up the victory, while Lorenzen set down UCSB in order on seven pitches in the ninth for his 14th save. Brandon Trinkwon and Marc Venning both drove in a pair for the Gauchos.

No. 13 Stanford 3, Washington State 2

In Stanford, Calif., Mark Appel struck out 10 in eight innings as Stanford nipped Washington State in front of 3,877 fans at Sunken Diamond. Appel (8-1) allowed six hits, two runs and one walk. AJ Vanegas worked around a hit and a walk in the ninth to record his third save. Danny Diekroeger had a two-run single in the fifth to give the Cardinal (12-10, 30-14) a 2-1 lead. Austin Wilson added a RBI double in the sixth for Stanford before Taylor Ard (2 for 4) went deep in the eighth for the Cougars (9-12, 24-21). Tanner Chleborad (4-2, 8 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 1 BB, 2 K) went the distance for WSU.

No. 14 Arizona 3, California 1

In Berkeley, Calif., Kurt Heyer twirled his fifth complete game as Arizona edged California at Evans Diamond. Heyer (9-2) scattered five hits and allowed one unearned run with one walk and nine strikeouts. The Golden Bears (9-13, 25-20) scored in the first on a sacrifice fly by Mitch Delfino. The Wildcats (14-8, 31-15) answered with singletons in the third, fifth and eighth. Alex Mejia went 1 for 3 with two RBI, while Robert Refsnyder homered in the eighth for Arizona.

No. 15 Arkansas 5, Auburn 4

In Fayetteville, Ark., Jake Wise had a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the ninth as Arkansas evened its SEC series with Auburn in front of 7,063 fans at Baum Stadium. The Razorbacks (13-13, 35-16) were held to four hits. Dominic Ficociello had a two-run homer in the first, while he and Matt Reynolds (1 for 3) both scored twice for Arkansas. Colby Suggs (5-0, 2.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 3 K) registered the victory. Ryan Tella went 3 for 5 with one run and one RBI, while Patrick Savage went deep for the Tigers (11-15, 27-23).

No. 17 UCF 8, Marshall 6

In Charleston, W.Va., UCF scored three in the top of the ninth to rally past Marshall in the Conference USA series opener at Appalachian Power Park. Jeramy Matos went 2 for 5 with two RBI, while Nick Carrillo was 2 for 2 with a homer for the Knights (14-5, 39-11). Ronnie Richardson was plunked in the first, giving him the school’s career mark with 56. Roman Madrid (3-2, 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 K) picked up the win, while Joe Rogers allowed a hit and a walk with three strikeouts in the ninth for his 11th save. It gave Rogers 28 career saves, a program record. Nathan Gomez and Alfredo Brito both had two hits, including a double, and two RBI for the Thundering Herd (3-16, 15-33).

No. 20 Oregon State 11, Utah 10

In Salt Lake City, Michael Conforto homered twice and drove in five as Oregon State outscored Utah to kick off their Pac-12 series at Spring Mobile Park. Conforto (3 for 5) had a two-run homer in a six-run first and his three-run bomb in the fourth made it 9-0. The Utes (6-19, 12-34) scored in five of the final six innings to make it close. Tyler Smith had three hits and two runs, while Ryan Dunn also went deep for the Beavers (12-10, 31-16). Ben Wetzler (6-2, 5 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K) picked up the win, while Tony Bryant (1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 3 K) notched his ninth save. Jo Jo Sharrar went 4 for 5 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI, while Trey Nielsen was 3 for 4 with a homer and two runs for Utah.

Weather postponed No. 2 Baylor at Oklahoma and suspended No. 6 Rice with a 7-2 lead over UAB in the top of the eighth. It also suspended No. 16 NC State at Virginia Tech with the game tied at 2 in the bottom of the 10th.

Louisville 5, St. John’s 0

In Louisville, Ky., Justin Amlung tossed seven scoreless innings as Louisville blanked St. John’s to open their battle for first place in the Big East in front of 3,058 fans at Patterson Stadium. Amlung (8-3) allowed three hits, walked one and struck out six. Travis Tingle gave up one hit over the final two innings with one punchout to preserve the shutout. The Cardinals (15-7, 34-16) scored in three of the first four innings, including a pair in the first and fourth. Ty Young went 4 for 4 with two RBI, while Stewart Ijames also knocked in a pair for Louisville. Pat Talbut went 2 for 4 for the first-place Red Storm (16-6, 31-18).

Utah Valley 8, NYIT 0

In Old Westbury, N.Y., Jake Rickenbach went 3 for 3 with two doubles to lead Utah Valley past NYIT, extending its win streak to 29. The Wolverines (21-0, 36-11) clinched their third straight Great West regular season title. Kai Hatch went 4 for 5 with two runs and one RBI, while Willie Pratt homered and drove in four for UVU. Ryan Chadwick (5-0, 5 IP, 4 H, 3 K) picked up the win in relief of Adam Gunn (4 IP, 1 H, 6 K). Sebastian Grazziani had two hits for the Bears (3-18, 5-37).

Missouri State 2, Evansville 0

In Springfield, Mo., Nick Petree hurled eight shutout innings as Missouri State blanked Evansville in the MVC series opener at Hammons Field. Petree (10-2) allowed three hits and three walks while striking out nine. He extended his scoreless innings streak to 38 and has not allowed an earned run in 72.2 consecutive innings. Tyler Burgess pitched a hitless ninth for his 11th save. Eric Cheray drove in the first run with a squeeze bunt in the fourth for the first-place Bears (11-4, 35-15). Kevin Medrano doubled and scored on a two-bagger by Brent Seifert an inning later to complete the scoring. Cole Isom (2-7, 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 4 K) went the distance for the Purple Aces (7-9, 28-22).

Virginia 6, Georgia Tech 5

In Charlottesville, Va., Stephen Bruno belted two homers and drove in three as Virginia edged Georgia Tech to start their ACC series in front of 3,622 fans at Davenport Field. Derek Fisher (2 for 4, 2B) and Brandon Downes (2 for 4, 2 RBI) also went deep for the Cavaliers (15-10, 33-14-1). Downes had a run-scoring single in the bottom of the eighth to snap a 5-5 tie and give the lead to UVa. Nick Howard (2-0) struck out one in a hitless eighth to pick up the victory, while Justin Thompson pitched a scoreless ninth with one punchout for his ninth save. Daniel Spingola went 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI for the Yellow Jackets (10-15, 30-20).

UNC Wilmington 5, William and Mary 4

In Williamsburg, Va., Michael Bass had a RBI single in the top of the ninth to snap a 4-4 tie and lead UNC Wilmington to the win over William and Mary at Plumeri Park. The Seahawks (21-5, 31-19) clinched the CAA regular season title, its first since 2008. Hunter Ridge went 2 for 3 with two runs, while Tyler Molinaro homered and Drew Farber drove in a pair for UNCW. Kelly Secrest (3-2, 3 IP, 2 H, 1 K) earned the win. Michael Katz went 2 for 3 with a homer, two runs and three RBI for the Tribe (11-15, 28-22).

Arizona State 4, Gonzaga 2

In Spokane, Wash., Brady Rodgers allowed two runs in eight innings as Arizona State won at Gonzaga. The Sun Devils (30-17) reached 30 victories for the 50th straight season. Rodgers (9-2) surrendered seven hits and one walk while striking out four. Jake Barrett worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his 10th save. Deven Marrero and Trever Allen (2 RBI) both homered for ASU. Royce Bollinger went 3 for 3 with a triple, a run and a RBI for the Bulldogs (29-18).

James Madison 13, VCU 11

In Harrisonburg, Va., Casey Goss belted a three-run homer to cap a five-run rally in the bottom of the ninth as James Madison outscored VCU to kick off their CAA series at Eagle Field at Veterans Memorial Park. The Dukes (10-15, 16-29-2) scored three in the first and four in the second to take a 7-2 lead before the Rams (13-15, 28-22) scored the game’s next eight runs to take a 10-7 advantage. Evan Scott went 2 for 3 with a homer and five RBI, while Cole McInturff was 3 for 3 with three runs for JMU. Chris Ayers doubled twice and drove in three for VCU.

Southern Miss 1, East Carolina 0

In Hattiesburg, Miss., Andrew Pierce out-dueled Kevin Brandt as Southern Miss edged East Carolina to open their Conference USA series in front of 3,151 spectators at Pete Taylor Park. Pierce (7-3) allowed three hits and one walk while striking out 11 in the 1:53 contest. Brandt (6-5) also gave up three hits and a walk, while allowing one unearned run and fanning six in eight innings. The Golden Eagles (10-9, 26-22) scored in the seventh, as Isaac Rodriguez (1 for 3) drove in Ashley Graeter (1 for 3), who had reached on an error. Jack Reinheimer went 2 for 3 for the Pirates (13-8-1, 32-17-1).

(photo by Jimmy Jones)