May 18, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Blank, Bare combine for Baylor shutout at Texas

LSU splits DH at South Carolina, UF thumps Auburn, FSU edges NC State

In Austin, Texas, Trent Blank and Crayton Bare combined on the shutout as fifth-ranked Baylor clinched a Big 12 series win over Texas with a 4-0 decision Friday in front of 6,645 fans at Disch-Falk Field. Blank (10-1) allowed five hits and a walk in seven innings with five strikeouts to secure the victory, while Bare gave up two hits and fanned one over the final two frames for his first save. The Bears (20-3, 42-11) scored three in the seventh and added an insurance run in the ninth. Dan Evatt went 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI, while Josh Ludy (left) homered for Baylor. Mark Payton and Alex Silver both had two hits for the Longhorns (13-10, 29-20).

No. 8 LSU 5-4, No. 1 South Carolina 2-5

In Columbia, S.C., Kevin Gausman pitched his second straight complete game as LSU claimed the opener of the SEC doubleheader split with South Carolina. Gausman (9-1) allowed five hits, two walks and two runs while striking out six. Michael Roth (5-1, 8 IP, 10 H, 3 R, 4 BB, 4 K) suffered the loss. Jordy Snikeris (2 for 4, 3 RBI) and Mason Katz (2 for 5) both homered for the Tigers (18-11, 41-14). Joey Pankake had two hits and two RBI for the Gamecocks (18-10, 39-14). In the nightcap, South Carolina erased a 3-0 deficit with a four-run sixth, highlighted by a three-run homer off the bat of Christian Walker. Tyler Webb (5-0, 1.2 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 1 K) got the win in relief, while Matt Price (3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 7 K) recorded his ninth save. Tyler Moore had two hits and two RBI for LSU.

No. 2 Florida State 3, No. 15 NC State 2

In Tallahassee, Fla., James Ramsey drove in two runs as Florida State edged NC State to even up the ACC series. Ramsey (0 for 1, R, BB, 2 RBI) had two sacrifice flies, the second of which gave the Seminoles (23-6, 42-12) the decisive run in the bottom of the seventh. Trea Turner (2 2B, R, RBI) and Jake Fincher both had two hits for the Wolfpack (19-10, 38-14). FSU’s Robert Benicasa came in and worked a perfect 1.2 innings to pick up his 13th save.

No. 3 Florida 10, Auburn 1

In Auburn, Ala., Brian Johnson allowed two hits in seven innings as Florida secured an SEC series win over Auburn. Johnson (6-4) gave up one unearned run and two walks while striking out seven. Johnson went 2 for 3 at the plate with one run and one RBI. Preston Tucker (3 for 5, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI), Mike Zunino (1 for 2, 2 R) and Vickash Ramjit (2 for 4, 2 R, 3 RBI) all homered for the Gators (18-11, 40-15). Justin Bryant and Kody Ortman both had hits for the Tigers (12-17, 29-26).

Mississippi State 4, No. 4 Kentucky 3

In Starkville, Miss., Daryl Norris had a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to erase a 2-1 deficit as Mississippi State secured an SEC series win over Kentucky in front of 4,116 fans at Dudy Noble Field. Luis Pollorena (4-0, 2 IP, 2 K) got the win in relief for the Bulldogs (15-14, 33-21), while Jonathan Holder fanned one in a perfect ninth for his sixth save. Michael Williams went 2 for 4 with a double and one RBI for the Wildcats (18-11, 41-14).

No. 17 UCF 8-2, No. 6 Rice 6-9

In Orlando, Fla., Alex Friedrich had two hits and three RBI as UCF won the completion of Thursday’s suspended Conference USA contest with Rice. The Owls (16-7, 38-15) won the second game, meaning the teams will play for the regular season title on Saturday. The Knights (16-7, 41-13) scored five in the third and three in the fourth to take an 8-0 lead in the first game before Rice put up six in the fifth. Roman Madrid (4-2, 2 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K) earned the win in relief, while Joe Rogers (2 IP, 1 H, 3 K) notched his 12th save. Darnell Sweeney went 2 for 4 with a double, two runs and two RBI for UCF. Michael Aquino was 2 for 2 with one run and one RBI for Rice. In the second game, Michael Fuda homered and drove in three, while Christian Stringer added two hits and three runs for the Owls. Austin Kubitza (6-3, 6.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 9 K) earned the victory. Jeramy Matos had a RBI double and scored for the Knights.

No. 7 Oregon 6, Seattle 0

In Eugene, Ore., Alex Keudell provided Oregon with another excellent outing as he threw 7.2 scoreless innings while racking up five strikeouts against Seattle. The victory by the Ducks (39-14) over the Redhawks (22-25) gave Keudell (10-3) his tenth win, which tied him for most wins in a single season in Oregon history. Tommy Thorpe picked up his first save after throwing 1.1 innings of scoreless ball. Seafth Howe (4-5) threw well for Seattle, but was saddled with four runs in the eighth as he took the loss after giving up five runs on six hits in 7.1 innings. Connor Hofmann led the Ducks after going 1 for 3 with an inside-the-park home run. Brian Olson had two hits for the Redhawks.

No. 9 North Carolina 2, Virginia Tech 1

In Chapel Hill, N.C., Brenton Moss struck out eight batters over 7.2 innings as North Carolina edged Virginia Tech in Game Two of the ACC series. Moss (4 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB) earned the victory and moved to 6-3. The Tar Heels (21-8, 41-13) trailed 1-0 early, but Shell McCain hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth to give UNC the lead. McCain (2 for 3) had two of the Tar Heels’ four hits, as Joe Mantiply (5-6, 8 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) pitched extremely well for the Hokies (11-18, 34-20). Virginia Tech center fielder Jake Atwell had three of the Hokies’ five hits.

No. 10 Texas A&M 8, Oklahoma State 7

In Stillwater, Okla., Tyler Naquin had a RBI triple in the top of the eighth to snap a 6-6 tie and scored on a wild pitch as Texas A&M edged Oklahoma State to win the Big 12 series. Naquin finished with two hits, while Matt Juengel went 2 for 4 with three RBI for the Aggies (15-8, 40-14). Jacob House (2 RBI) and Brandon Wood (2 for 5) both homered for Texas A&M. Ross Stripling (10-2, 7 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 7 K) earned the victory, while Kyle Martin (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB) recorded his sixth save. Mark Ginther homered and drove in four for the Cowboys (13-10, 32-22).

No. 11 UCLA 7, California 2

In Berkeley, Calif., Adam Plutko pitched 6.1 scoreless innings to lead UCLA past California in the Pac-12 series opener at Evans Diamond. Plutko (8-3) allowed six hits and four walks while striking out three. The Bruins (16-9, 37-13) scored five in the second and two in the third before the Golden Bears (9-16, 26-23) tallied a pair in the bottom of the ninth. Trevor Brown went 3 for 4 with two runs, while Cody Regis tripled and knocked in two for UCLA. Danny Oh went 2 for 3 with two walks and one RBI for Cal.

No. 12 Cal State Fullerton 3, UC Riverside 2

In Fullerton, Calif., Dylan Floro was able to pull out the win for Cal State Fullerton over UC Riverside in a pitchers' duel to start their Big West series at Goodwin Field. Floro (9-3) gave up two runs on six hits over eight innings. Michael Lorenzen picked up his 16th save after pitching a scoreless ninth. The Titans (15-4, 33-16) used a hit-and-run single by Richy Pedroza (2 for 4, 2B, R) to spark a two-run fifth to break a 1-1 tie over the Highlanders (7-12, 19-28). Eddie Orozco (5-6) took the loss after giving up two earned runs on eight hits in eight innings. Carlos Lopez led the Titans after going 2 for 4 with a double.

No. 13 Stanford 6, Utah 0

In Salt Lake City, Mark Appel of Stanford dominated Utah's line-up with a four-hit shutout to kick off their Pac-12 series. Appel (9-1) struck out 13 and walked one. The Cardinal (15-10, 34-14) rode Appel's performance while the offense did its part in out-hitting the Utes (7-21, 14-36) 11 to 4. Utah's Brock Duke (2-6) took the loss after giving up three earned runs on six hits in six innings. Jake Stewart and Brian Ragira both went 2 for 5 for Stanford, which scored in five of the final six innings.

No. 14 Arizona 11, USC 1

In Los Angeles, Kurt Heyer pitched eight strong innings to lead Arizona past USC in the Pac-12 series opener. Heyer (10-2) gave up one run on six hits and struck out four while picking up his 25th career victory. The Wildcats (17-8, 35-15) won their fifth straight road game and handed the Trojans (7-18, 22-26) their ninth consecutive loss. Alex Mejia, Bobby Brown and Robert Refsnyder drove in a collective seven runs for Arizona. Ben Mount (1-7) took the loss for USC after giving up four runs on six hits in six innings. Brandon Garcia went 2 for 3 for USC.

Iowa 6, No. 16 Purdue 1

In Iowa City, Iowa, Chett Zeise had a three-run homer to cap a four-run fourth as Iowa evened its Big Ten series with Purdue in front of 1,260 fans at Duane Banks Field. Sasha Kuebel (6-0) went the distance with eight hits and one run with two walks and four strikeouts to earn the victory for the Hawkeyes (9-14, 22-27). Cameron Perkins and Tyler Spillner both had two hits for the Boilermakers (17-6, 41-11).

No. 18 Arkansas 10, Tennessee 3

In Knoxville, Tenn., Bo Bigham had four hits as Arkansas won Game Two and clinched an SEC series victory over Tennessee. Bigham (4 for 4, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI) led the way for a 14-hit effort by the Razorbacks (15-14, 38-17). Sam Bates (2 for 3, 3 R, 2B, BB), Brian Anderson (2 for 5, 2B, R), and Derrick Bleeker (2 for 5, 2B, R, RBI) also had solid offensive efforts for the Razorbacks. Cade Lynch (3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K) came out of the bullpen to earn the victory and move to 3-1. Wes Walker went 3 for 3 to lead the Volunteers (8-21, 24-30).

No. 19 Virginia 10, Maryland 3

In College Park, Md., Chris Taylor hit a grand slam in an eight-run ninth inning as Virginia came from behind to defeat Maryland and secure a series victory over their ACC rival. The Terrapins (9-20, 31-24) jumped out to an early lead as Kyle Convissar drove in one with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second and brought home two more with a double in the fourth. Maryland’s starting pitcher, Jimmy Reed (6.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K), pitched well and left with the lead. However, Stephen Bruno and Chris Taylor helped the Cavaliers (18-11, 36-15-1) explode for eight runs. Bruno (3 for 5, 2 R) led off the inning with a double and would single later in the frame after the Cavaliers had batted around. Taylor’s only hit of the night was an important one, as the grand slam gave UVa a 9-3 lead and put the game out of reach.

Appalachian State 5, Western Carolina 4

In Cullowhee, N.C., Appalachian State scored five in the top of the ninth to clinch its first Southern Conference crown in 25 years. Will Callaway had a RBI single and scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch for the Mountaineers (21-8, 38-13). Nathan Hyatt worked around a pair of walks in the bottom of the ninth to register his 14th save. Julian Ridings had three hits for the Catamounts (15-14, 31-22).

Florida Atlantic 4, FIU 3

In Boca Raton, Fla., Corey Keller had a RBI single in the bottom of the ninth to follow a two-run double by Alex Hudak as Florida Atlantic rallied past FIU to claim its second Sun Belt regular season title in the past three years. Keller finished with three hits for the Owls (19-8, 31-21). Pablo Bermudez (2 for 5) and Oscar Aguirre (2 for 3) both homered for Golden Panthers (15-14, 31-23).

UC Irvine 7, CSU Bakersfield 0

In Irvine, Calif., Andrew Thurman tossed a one-hit shutout as UC Irvine blanked CSU Bakersfield at Anteater Ballpark. Thurman (8-2) walked four and struck out six. He allowed a two-out triple to Tyler Shryock in the second. Jerry McClanahan drove in a pair for the Anteaters (29-21). Austin Davis (0-1, 6 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) suffered the loss for the Roadrunners (20-28).

Wake Forest 2, Clemson 1

In Winston-Salem, N.C., Brett Armour snapped a scoreless tie with a two-run homer with in the bottom of the eighth as Wake Forest edged Clemson to give head coach Tom Walter his 500th career victory. The Demon Deacons (12-17, 31-22) clinched a spot in next week’s ACC Tournament. Michael Dimock (3-3, 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 1 K) earned the win in relief of Jack Fischer (7.2 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 3 K). Jon McGibbon went 1 for 3 with one RBI for the Tigers (16-13, 32-23).

NEC Tournament

#2 Sacred Heart 6, #1 Monmouth 0

#4 Fairleigh Dickinson 3, #3 CCSU 2 (CCSU eliminated)

In Norwich, Conn., Nick Leiningen pitched a five-hit shutout as Sacred Heart blanked Monmouth to remain undefeated in the NEC Tournament. Leiningen (6-5) walked one and struck out five. John Murphy (2 for 5) and Kenny Byram (1 for 4) both drove in two for the Pioneers (24-30). Chris Perret went 2 for 3 for the Hawks (34-23).

In the day’s first game, Mike Eliasen went the distance as Fairleigh Dickinson eliminated CCSU. Eliasen (8-4) allowed 10 hits and two runs with two walks and four strikeouts. Jordan Ritz had a RBI single in the bottom of the seventh to snap a 2-2 tie. Kyle Weeks went 2 for 3 with a triple and one RBI for the Knights (25-27-1). Mitch Wells had three hits for the Blue Devils (28-24).

SWAC Tournament

E2 Alcorn State 6 @ W1 Southern 8 (ASU eliminated)

W4 Texas Southern 11 vs. E1 Jackson State 1 (JSU eliminated)

E4 Mississippi Valley State 2 @ W1 Southern 1 (SU eliminated)

W4 Texas Southern 2 vs. W2 Prairie View A&M 0

In Baton Rouge, La., Trey Lacy and Christopher Broadway combined to eliminate host Southern as Mississippi Valley State advanced to the SWAC Championship Game. Lacy allowed two hits and one run in seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts to earn the win, while Broadway surrendered one hit and one walk to record the save. Joseph Germaine went 1 for 4 with one RBI for the Delta Devils. Brian Foster (8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 7 BB, 9 K) suffered the loss for the Jaguars.

In the day’s final game, Frank Cruz IV tossed a three-hit shutout as Texas Southern downed Prairie View A&M to force a Saturday rematch for a spot in the title game. Cruz walked three and struck out six for the Tigers. Jaron Brown had three hits, including a double, and a run for TSU. Darryl Johnson went 1 for 2 with a double for the Panthers.

In the day’s first game, Jeremy Lopez had a two-run double to cap a three-run eighth as Southern eliminated Alcorn State. Christian Hickman went 3 for 3 with one run and one RBI, while Eduardo Gonzalez homered and drove in two for the Braves.

Jose Flores had two hits, including a double, and three RBI as Texas Southern eliminated Jackson State. Anthony Dilligard went 3 for 4 with three runs and two RBI for the winning Tigers. Robert Pearson (7 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 5 K) got the complete-game victory. Kendall Logan drove in the lone run for JSU.

MEAC Tournament

S1 Bethune-Cookman 9 @ N2 Norfolk State 0

N3 UMES 7 vs. N1 Delaware State 6

S4 North Carolina A&T 18 vs. N2 Norfolk State 1 (NSU eliminated)

N1 Delaware State 16 vs. S2 NC Central 2 (NCC eliminated)

In Norfolk, Va., Montana Durpau tossed eight scoreless innings as Bethune-Cookman blanked Norfolk State. Durapau (4-6) allowed three hits, did not walk a batter and struck out six. David Lee went 3 for 5 with a double and three RBI for the Wildcats (32-24). James Taylor, Tyon Ore and Chris Warren each had a hit for the Spartans (22-27).

Stephen Bull had a RBI triple in the top of the ninth as UMES edged Delaware State. Bull had three hits and two RBI for the Hawks (14-37). Zachary Saca (4-2, 4 IP, 1 H, 1 R,  1 BB, 4 K) earned the win in relief, while Bernard Parker worked a hitless ninth for his second save. Scott Davis had two hits and two RBI, while Troy Drummond homered and scored twice for the Hornets (36-16-1).

Andre McKoy went 4 for 5 with four RBI as North Carolina A&T eliminated host Norfolk State. The Aggies (20-35) scored five in the second and fifth in the seven-inning contest. Kelvin Freeman had two hits and three RBI, while Marquis Riley drew three walks and scored four for NCAT. Brent Moore (5-6, 4 IP, 2 H, 1 BB) earned the win, while Jamal Clark (3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 2 K) picked up his second save. Tyon Ore went 1 for 2 with a walk and a run for the Spartans (22-28).

In the day’s final game, Zach Adkins allowed one earned run in seven innings as Delaware State sent home NC Central. Adkins (8-1) went the distance with four hits, five walks and three strikeouts. The Hornets (37-16-1) scored six in the fourth and seven in the sixth. Eddie Sorondo went 4 for 4 with a double, three runs and four RBI, while Ryan Haas was 2 for 4 with a double, two runs and three RBI for DSU. Troy Marrow and Tyler Murphy both had one hit and one RBI for the Eagles (19-32).

(photo courtesy of Baylor Media Relations Office)