April 12, 2013

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Boyd tosses two-hit shutout as Oregon State edges Utah

LSU downs Arkansas, Georgia Tech tops Virginia, MSU nips Indiana

In Corvallis, Ore., Matt Boyd (left) hurled a two-hit shutout as sixth-ranked Oregon State nipped Utah 1-0 Friday in front of 2,021 onlookers at Goss Stadium to kick off their Pac-12 series. Boyd (7-1) walked two and struck out eight. The Beavers (8-2, 26-6) scored their lone run in the bottom of the first as Tyler Smith singled, moved to third on a base hit by Michael Conforto and came home on a groundout by Dylan Davis. Tyler Relf and Cory Hunt both had hits for the Utes (4-9, 14-15).

No. 2 LSU 6, No. 8 Arkansas 2

In Fayetteville, Ark., Aaron Nola tossed his first career complete game as LSU won its 15th straight game – and 10th straight in the SEC – by beating Arkansas. Nola (6-0) allowed four hits and two runs and struck out 10 in the Tigers’ first complete game of the year. Sean McMullen hit his first homer, a three-run shot, in the fifth, and Ty Ross added a two-run single in the sixth for LSU (12-1, 33-2). The only blemish on Nola’s ledger was Eric Fisher’s two-run homer in the seventh for the Razorbacks (8-5, 24-11).

No. 17 Georgia Tech 2, No. 5 Virginia 1

In Atlanta, Buck Farmer scattered 10 hits and struck out 10 as Georgia Tech slipped past Virginia in the ACC. Zane Evans had a pair of hits, including an RBI single that broke a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning for the Yellow Jackets (10-6, 25-9). Farmer (7-1) wiggled in and out of trouble in improving to 10-1 against ACC Coastal Division foes in his career. Kyle Wren went 2 for 3 with a triple and both runs, and Sam Dove contributed a sacrifice fly for Tech. Reed Gragnani went 2 for 3 with a triple and a run for the Cavaliers (12-4, 30-5). The win was the 800th all-time at the Jackets’ Russ Chandler Stadium, affectionately known as the “Rusty C.”

Michigan State 2, No. 14 Indiana 1 (11) 

In East Lansing, Mich., Jimmy Pickens delivered a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 11th as Michigan State edged Indiana in the opener of their Big Ten series. In the bottom of the 11th, Anthony Cheky had a two-out single and proceeded to steal second and third. Justin Alleman drew a walk in his first collegiate plate appearance. Pickens (2 for 5) then singled up the middle to plate Cheky with the game-winner. The first-place Hoosiers (8-2, 26-5) dented home in the top of the third as Nick Ramos had a one-out double, moved to third on a base hit by Chad Clark and scored on a sacrifice fly by Justin Cureton. The Spartans (3-4, 19-11) tied it in the eighth on a two-out RBI single by Ryan Richardson. Cam Gibson had two hits for MSU. Alleman (1-2, 2 IP, 1 BB, 2 K) picked up the win. Starter Andrew Waszak allowed seven hits and one run in eight innings with five strikeouts. Michael Basil finished with three hits for IU. Joey DeNato (7.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 2 K) gave the Hoosiers a strong start.

No. 1 North Carolina 21, Virginia Tech 8

In Blacksburg, Va., Chaz Frank had four hits and four RBI as North Carolina thumped Virginia Tech to open their ACC series in front of 2,981 fans at English Field. The Tar Heels (13-2, 32-2) put up six in the first and eight in the fourth in registering a season high for runs and hits (21). Frank homered and scored two, while Brian Holberton (4 for 6, 2B, 5 R), Colin Moran (3 for 5, 2B, 3 R, 4 RBI) and Cody Stubbs (2 for 5, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI) contributed to the UNC offense. Kent Emanuel (7-1, 8 IP, 14 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) picked up the win. Gary Schneider (2 for 5, 2 R, 2 RBI) homered for the Hokies (7-9, 22-13).

No. 3 Vanderbilt 11, Missouri 5

In Nashville, Tenn., Connor Harrell homered twice and drove in four as Vanderbilt outscored Missouri in the first-ever meeting between the programs. The Tigers (4-9, 12-18) scored a pair in each of the first two innings, but the Commodores (12-1, 31-4) matched them with three in the first and one in the second for a 4-4 deadlock. Vanderbilt took the lead for good with two in the fifth and added three in the sixth on its way to its 12th consecutive victory. Vince Conde had three hits, two doubles and four RBI, while Kyle Smith delivered a pinch-hit home run for the Commodores. Kevin Ziomek (7-1, 6 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 3 BB, 6 K) picked up the win. Case Munson drove in two, while Dane Opel went 2 for 3 with a homer for Missouri.

No. 4 Cal State Fullerton 4, UC Santa Barbara 3

In Fullerton, Calif., Richy Pedroza delivered a game-winning sacrifice fly to cap a two-run rally in the bottom of the ninth as Cal State Fullerton outlasted UC Santa Barbara in the Big West series lid-lifter in front of 1,882 fans at Goodwin Field. The Titans (7-0, 30-4) trailed 3-2 when Austin Diemer (1 for 1, 2 R) led off the bottom of the ninth with a bunt single. He moved to third on consecutive walks to Matt Chapman (1 for 3, 2 R) and Austin Kingsolver (2 for 3, RBI). A wild pitch plated Diemer with the tying run before the sac fly by Pedroza (1 for 4, 2 RBI) brought in Chapman with the game-winner. Fullerton owned a 2-1 lead after eight before Luke Swenson had a RBI triple in the top of the ninth and scored on a suicide squeeze for the Gauchos (3-4, 17-15). It was the first blown save of the season for Michael Lorenzen (1-0, 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 K), who picked up the win. Thomas Eshelman (8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K) provided another outstanding start for the Titans. He walked his first hitter of the season in the sixth, a streak of 63.1 innings that fell just short of the program record of 65.2 set by Wes Roemer in 2006.

No. 7 Florida State 16, Duke 2

In Tallahassee, Fla., John Sansone went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs and four RBI as Florida State flogged Duke in the ACC series opener in front of 4,775 fans at Dick Howser Stadium. The Seminoles (11-5, 28-6) scored multiple runs in six of their eight at-bats, including four in the fourth and fifth. Marcus Davis (3 for 4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI), Brett Knief (3 for 4, 2B, 3B, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Jose Brizuela (3 for 4, 2 R, RBI) all pitched in for FSU. Luke Weaver (4-0, 7 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 6 K) took the victory. Jeff Kremer had three hits and one RBI, while Chris Marconcini went deep for the Blue Devils (8-8, 21-15).

Baylor 2, No. 9 Oklahoma 1

In Waco, Texas, Cal Towey belted a game-winning homer in the bottom of the ninth as Baylor edged Oklahoma in Game 1 of their Big 12 series in front of 3,443 fans at Baylor Ballpark. Grayson Porter had a RBI single in the bottom of the first to stake the Bears (6-3, 18-16) to the early lead. The Sooners (7-3, 27-7) were blanked until a run-scoring single by Craig Aikin in the top of the ninth knotted the score at 1. Both starters were outstanding. Dillon Newman allowed six hits and one run in 8.1 innings with five strikeouts for Baylor. Crayton Bare (2-1) got the final two outs in the ninth and picked up the victory. Jonathan Gray (8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB) struck out 10 for OU. The Sooners beat the Bears five times in 2012.

Florida 4, No. 9 South Carolina 3

In Gainesville, Fla., Florida erased a 3-1 deficit with a three-run eighth to clinch a SEC series win over South Carolina in front of 4,515 fans at McKethan Stadium. Harrison Bader (2 for 3) had a two-run single in the eighth to put the Gators (7-7, 18-18) ahead 4-3. Casey Turgeon had two hits and a run for Florida. Aaron Rhodes (1-0, 1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB) picked up the victory, while Johnny Magliozzi (1 IP, 2 BB, 1 K) recorded his eighth save. Connor Bright (3 for 4) homered for the Gamecocks (8-6, 27-9).

No. 11 Louisville 10, Elon 1

In Louisville, Ky., Coco Johnson homered to spark a nine-run eighth as Louisville got past Elon in the series opener at Jim Patterson Field. Both teams tallied one in the fourth before the eighth-inning explosion by the Cardinals (26-7). Johnson (3 for 5, 2 R, 3 RBI) added a two-run single later in the frame. Shane Crain (2 for 4, 2B, R) also had a two-run base hit in the eighth for UL. Chad Green (5-2, 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 5 K) earned the victory. Sebastian Gomez had a hit and a run for the Phoenix (20-16).

No. 12 Oregon 3, California 2

In Berkeley, Calif., Tommy Thorpe allowed three hits and one earned run over 7.1 innings as Oregon edged California to begin their Pac-12 series. Thorpe (5-3) walked three and fanned seven. Jimmie Sherfy pitched a perfect ninth with one strikeout to record his 10th save. J.J. Altobelli went 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI, while Brett Thomas had two hits, one double and one run for the Ducks (10-3, 25-8). Oregon snapped a 1-1 tie with a pair in the top of the fifth. Devin Pearson and Mike Reuvekamp both had a hit and a run for the Golden Bears (5-8, 16-17).

No. 13 Kentucky 5, Tennessee 4

In Lexington, Ky., Zac Zellers had a two-run single to highlight a four-run eighth as Kentucky rallied past Tennessee in the SEC series opener at Cliff Hagan Stadium. The Wildcats (7-6, 24-9) trailed 2-1 before taking the lead for good in the eighth. Kyle Barrett (3 for 5, 2B, R) also drove in two for UK. Chandler Shepherd (2-0, 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 K) earned the win in relief, with Trevor Gott (1 IP, 3 H, 2 UE, 1 BB, 1 K) recording his ninth save. A.J. Simcox had three hits and a run for the Volunteers (3-10, 14-18).

No. 15 UCLA 2, Loyola Marymount 0

In Los Angeles, Adam Plutko fanned a season-high eight in seven scoreless innings as UCLA blanked Loyola Marymount to open their three-game non-conference set at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Plutko (4-2) allowed three hits and two walks. Zack Weiss worked around a hit in the eighth before David Berg worked a hitless ninth for his seventh save. Brian Carroll (1 for 3, 2 BB) delivered a two-run single in the bottom of the second for the game’s only runs. The Bruins (21-9) had four hits and drew nine walks, but stranded a dozen. Tommy Cheek went 1 for 4 with a double for the Lions (17-16).

UCF 5, No. 16 Rice 1

In Houston, Chris Matulis surrendered seven hits and eight walks in eight innings, but just one run as UCF topped Rice to kick off their Conference USA series in front of 3,868 fans at Reckling Park. Matulis (4-2) fanned four. Jeramy Matos went 2 for 5 with a double, one run and one RBI, while Erik Hempe added two hits and a run for the Knights (5-5, 19-16). UCF put up two in the second before the Owls (6-4, 24-12) tallied one in the bottom of the fourth. The Knights responded with two in the fifth and one in the sixth. Rice did load the bases in the bottom of the ninth, but a double play ended the contest. Michael Aquino and Geoff Perrott both had two hits for Rice, which stranded 13.

USC 5, No. 18 Arizona State 0

In Los Angeles, Sean Silva and Brent Wheatley combined on a one-hitter as USC blanked Arizona State in the Pac-12 series opener at Dedeaux Field. Silva (1-1) allowed one hit and one walk in six innings with four strikeouts. Wheatley walked a pair and plunked two over the final three hitless frames to pick up his second save. The Trojans (6-7, 13-20) put up single runs in the second and third before added a pair in the fifth. Kevin Swick went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs, while Greg Zebrack had three hits, one double, one run and one RBI for USC. Michael Benjamin had the lone hit for the Sun Devils (6-7, 20-10-1), a single in the fourth. Trevor Williams (8 IP, 12 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 K) pitched his third complete game for ASU.

Pittsburgh 4, No. 20 Notre Dame 0

In Pittsburgh, Ethan Mildren pitched a three-hit shutout as Pittsburgh blanked Notre Dame to begin their Big East series at Cost Field. Mildren (6-2, 2 BB, 3 K) has hurled three consecutive complete games. Stephen Vranka had a RBI triple in the second to start the scoring for the Panthers (4-3, 22-9). Elvin Soto had a sacrifice fly in a two-run fifth and homered in the seventh for Pitt. Eric Jagielo went 1 for 4 with a double for the Fighting Irish (4-6, 19-12).

Milwaukee 4, Saint Louis 0

In St. Louis, Jake Long tossed a five-hit shutout as Milwaukee blanked Saint Louis in the opener of this three-game series against conference leaders. Long (5-5) walked two and fanned three in recording his third shutout and fourth complete game of the season. The Panthers, sitting in first place in the Horizon League, got on the board in the third on a two-run single by Michael Porcaro (2 for 4). Milwaukee added two more in the fourth on consecutive RBI singles by Sam Koenig (1 for 3, BB, R) and Alex Erdmann (2 for 4). Braxton Martinez went 2 for 3 with a walk for the Billikens (23-11), the leaders in the Atlantic 10.

The Citadel 11, Georgia Southern 0

In Statesboro, Ga., Austin Pritcher tossed seven scoreless innings and Calvin Orth belted a grand slam among his two homers as The Citadel blanked Georgia Southern to kick off their SoCon series in front of 1,735 spectators at J.I. Clements Stadium. Pritcher (4-2) allowed five hits and two walks while striking out seven. Orth finished with three hits and five RBI, while Hughston Armstrong had four hits and three runs for the Bulldogs (7-6, 18-17). Robbie Dodds and Arthur Owens both had two hits for the Eagles (10-6, 21-12).

Longwood 3, Campbell 2

In Buies Creek, N.C., Colton Konvicka had three hits and a run as Longwood edged Campbell to open their Big South series at Jim Perry Stadium. Kyri Washington had a RBI double in the top of the eighth for the Lancers (7-6, 17-18) to snap a 2-2 tie. Kyler Morgan (3-4, 7 IP 6 H, 2 UE, 1 K) earned the victory, while Aaron Myers (2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB) notched his seventh save. John Reilly had two hits and one RBI for the Fighting Camels (9-4, 29-7).

San Diego State 4, Air Force 2

In Colorado Springs, Colo., Michael Cederoth fanned 11 in going the distance as San Diego State grounded Air Force to start their Mountain West series. Cederoth (3-4) surrendered four hits, two walks and two runs. Tim Zier went 2 for 4 with a double, a run and a RBI for the first-place Aztecs (9-4, 18-16). Tyler Saleck drove in both runs for the Falcons (3-8, 9-22).

Eastern Kentucky 30, UT Martin 4

In Richmond, Ky., Sean Hagen had five hits and seven RBI as Eastern Kentucky pounded UT Martin in the OVC series opener. The Colonels (6-7, 10-20) have scored in double figures in three straight conference games and in four of their past six contests. EKU scored in each of its eight at-bats, including five in the second, third and fourth. Doug Teegarden (5 for 6, 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI), Bryan Soloman (4 for 7, 2 2B, HR, 3 R, 5 RBI) and Kenny Hostrander (4 for 6, 2B, 4 R, 3 RBI) also had big days at the plate for the Colonels. Brent Cobb (3-5, 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 1 K) picked up the win, with Jake Hall (3 IP, 1 H, 3 BB) recording his first save. Hagen Nelson drove in a pair for the Skyhawks (2-14, 9-24).

(photo courtesy of OSU Media Relations)