April 19, 2013

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Nola pitches LSU past Alabama to open SEC series

Cal Poly nips Fullerton, UCLA edges Oregon, NC State tops Georgia Tech

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Aaron Nola tossed his first collegiate shutout as second-ranked LSU topped Alabama 5-0 Friday in the SEC series lid-lifter in front of 4,089 fans at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Nola (7-0) surrendered three hits, walked one and struck out 10 in registering his second consecutive complete game. He retired the final 12 batters. The Tigers (14-2, 36-3) put up two in the first, one in the third and two more in the seventh. Raph Rhymes (3 for 4, 3 RBI) (right) was a homer short of the cycle for LSU. Georgie Salem, Kyle Overstreet and Chance Vincent each had a hit for the Crimson Tide (8-8, 23-17).

Cal Poly 2, No. 4 Cal State Fullerton 1

In San Luis Obispo, Calif., Joey Wagman held Cal State Fullerton to one run over seven innings as Cal Poly won the Big West series opener in front of 2,158 fans at Baggett Stadium. Wagman (8-2) allowed six hits and two walks, but did not strike out a batter in earning his 22nd career victory. Reed Reilly (2 IP, 1 BB, 1 K) recorded his 10th save. Michael Lorenzen (1 for 3) had a sacrifice fly in the top of the first for the Titans (8-2, 32-6). Jordan Ellis (3 for 4, 3B) scored both runs for the Mustangs (7-3, 26-9), one in the fourth to tie it and the eventual game-winner in the sixth. Thomas Eshelman (7-2, 7.1 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 3 K) suffered the loss.

No. 11 UCLA 1, No. 8 Oregon 0

In Eugene, Ore., Adam Plutko and David Berg combined to blank Oregon as UCLA claimed the Pac-12 series opener in front of 1,917 spectators at PK Park. Plutko (5-2, 3 H, 3 BB) struck out eight over seven innings in recording the victory. Berg (2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) earned his ninth save. Brian Carroll (1 for 4, BB) scored the lone run for the Bruins (8-5, 24-10) in the top of the fifth as he drew a leadoff walk, stole second, moved to third on an infield hit by Kevin Kramer (2 for 4) and came home on a double play. Ryon Healy went 2 for 3 with a walk for the second-place Ducks (12-4, 28-9). Tommy Thorpe (5-4, 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 5 K) suffered the loss.

No. 16 NC State 13, No. 14 Georgia Tech 4

In Atlanta, Tarran Senay doubled twice and hit his fifth homer and finished with six RBI as NC State knocked around Georgia Tech ace Buck Farmer in beating the Yellow Jackets to extend their winning streak to 12 games. The Wolfpack (12-7, 30-10) scored in eight of nine innings and pounded out 15 hits, including Senay’s three-run homer in a four-run third inning. Much of the damage came off Farmer, who entered 7-1 with a 1.41 ERA, but allowed seven earned runs and left with a 2.22 ERA – Tech’s ace had allowed 10 earned runs all year entering Friday. Sophomore Trea Turner went 3 for 6 with two runs and had a stolen base, tying Tom Sergio’s (1994-97) school mark of 73. Anthony Tzamtzis (2-1) tossed 3.1 innings of no-hit relief to post the win for NC State, which has won eight in a row in conference play. Matt Gonzalez and A.J. Murray each homered and drove in two for the Yellow Jackets (11-7, 27-10).

No. 9 Louisville 7, St. John's 4

In Queens, N.Y., Jeff Gardner went 3 for 5 with an RBI double, the only player with multiple hits for Louisville, which capitalized on St. John's ninth-inning collapse with four runs to open the Big East series with a win. Kyle McGrath (5-0, 2.1 IP, IBB, 3 K) allowed two unearned runs on two hits but got the win in relief. Nick Burdi (IP, H) struck out two in the ninth en route to his seventh save for the Cardinals (8-2, 30-7). Zach Laurisella (2 for 4) doubled and tied the game in the third with an RBI single for the Red Storm (5-8, 16-23).

Texas A&M 5, No. 10 Arkansas 3

In Fayetteville, Ark., freshman Jonathan Moroney ripped a pinch-hit grand slam in the top of the eighth inning as Texas A&M rallied to beat Arkansas. Cole Lankford (2 for 4) and Troy Stein (2 for 5) singled to start the eighth, but Lankford was thrown out at the plate by shortstop Brett McAfee to keep the Razorbacks on top at 3-1. Mikey Reynolds walked – extending his streak of reaching base to 37 games – to load the bases for Moroney, whose second homer of the year cleared the wall in center. Jason Jester came on to pick up his 10th save with two scoreless innings for the Aggies (7-9, 22-17). Brian Anderson had three of the five hits and scored twice for the Razorbacks (9-7, 25-15).

No. 12 Oklahoma 10, New Orleans 0

In Norman, Okla., Jonathan Gray fanned 10 over six innings as Oklahoma thumped New Orleans. Gray (7-1) allowed two hits and did not walk a batter. Jack Mayfield homered and knocked in four for the Sooners (29-10). OU was blanked for two innings before scoring multiple runs in four of its next five at-bats. Matt Oberste (3 for 5, 2 R, RBI) was a homer short of the cycle. Zach Liberty, Zacary Hawkins, Morgan Barger and Cameron Keener each had a hit for the Privateers (6-24).

Auburn 3-3, No. 13 Mississippi State 1-6

In Starkville, Miss., Michael O’Neal pitched seven scoreless innings as Auburn shut down Mississippi State. O’Neal (8-2) allowed five hits and four walks while fanning four. Terrance Dedrick (2 OP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 K) earned his fourth save. Patrick Savage had two hits and two RBI, while Cullen Wacker went 2 for 2 with two runs and one RBI for the Tigers (7-11, 25-15). Adam Frazier had three hits for the Bulldogs (9-9, 31-11). In the completion of Thursday’s suspended contest, Wes Rea homered and drove in a pair as MSU outscored Auburn. Ross Mitchell (7-0, 3 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 1 K) earned the win in relief, while Jonathan Holder (2.2 IP, 7 K) picked up save No. 12. Wacker went 3 for 3 with one RBI for the Tigers.

No. 15 Arizona State 16, Valparaiso 3

In Tempe, Ariz., Michael Benjamin went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two runs and three RBI to lead Arizona State to a season-high in runs in its win over Valparaiso. The Sun Devils (23-11-1) trailed 2-0 before plating three in the third to take the lead for good. ASU blew the game open with nine in the eighth. Max Rossiter (2 for 4, 2B, R) also drove in three, while RJ Ybarra went 3 for 3 with two runs and one RBI for the Sun Devils. Trever Allen (2 for 3, 2 R) homered for the home team. Trevor Williams (5-3, 6 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 1 K) earned the victory. Chris Manning had two hits, two walks and two RBI, while Tanner Vavra went 2 for 3 with two runs for the Crusaders (14-22).

No. 19 Ole Miss 5, Tennessee 0

In Knoxville, Tenn., Bobby Wahl hurled a three-hit shutout as Ole Miss blanked Tennessee to kick off their SEC series. Wahl (8-0) walked two and struck out eight in recording his first collegiate complete game. Christian Helsel went 3 for 3 with a run and one RBI, while Stuart Turner (3 for 5) homered for the Rebels (8-8, 27-12). Vincent Jackson went 2 for 4 with a double for the Volunteers (5-11, 17-19).

No. 20 Clemson 1, Miami (Fla.) 0

In Coral Gables, Fla., David Gossett and two relievers combined on the four-hit shutout as Clemson blanked Miami to kick off their ACC set in front of 2,871 fans at Mark Light Field. Gossett (6-2) allowed three hits and two walks in seven innings with 10 strikeouts. Matt Campbell surrendered one hit in a scoreless eighth before Scott Firth retired the side in order in the ninth on six pitches for his third save. Thomas Brittle drove in Jon McGibbon in the top of the sixth for the Tigers (13-6, 27-11), who have won 11 straight. David Thompson went 2 for 4 for the Hurricanes (8-11, 25-16).

Inclement weather for postponements for Duke at No. 1 North Carolina, No. 3 Vanderbilt at Georgia, No. 5 Oregon State at Washington, No. 6 Florida State at No. 7 Virginia and No. 18 Kentucky at No. 17 South Carolina.

Gonzaga 6, Pepperdine 3

In Malibu, Calif., Marco Gonzales allowed one earned run in seven inning while going 1 for 2 at the plate with one walk, one run and one RBI as first-place Gonzaga took the opener of its WCC series with Pepperdine. Gonzales (5-2) allowed eight hits and one walk while striking out three. Kenny Smith (2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB) notched his second save. The Bulldogs (12-4, 25-10-1) broke open a 2-1 game with a four-run sixth. Cabe Reiten went 1 for 3 with two RBI for Gonzaga. Aaron Brown was 3 for 4 with two runs for the Waves (8-5, 20-16).

Houston 8, Rice 7

In Houston, Frankie Ratliff went 3 for 4 with two triples and three RBI as Houston edged Rice to kick off their Conference USA series in front of 1,315 fans at Cougar Field. The Cougars (7-3, 27-11) used a five-run fifth to erase a 3-2 deficit. Jonathan Davis had two hits and two RBI for Houston. Daniel Poncedeleon (5-3, 5.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 BB, 4 K) took the win, with Chase Wellbrook recording the game’s final six outs for his sixth save. Geoff Perrott drove in two, while Keenan Cook (1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB, RBI) scored three for the Owls (7-6, 26-14).

Western Kentucky 10, South Alabama 8

In Mobile, Ala., Ryan Huck had two hits and three RBI, and Western Kentucky scored five times in the sixth inning to claim its opener with South Alabama in a battle of the Sun Belt Conference’s leaders. Trevor Lowe and Huck had two-run singles in the outburst, and Steve Hodgins had two hits and two runs for the Hilltoppers (11-5, 21-17). Graham Odom went 3 for 3 with two runs and two RBI, and Jordan Patterson had three hits and two RBI for the Jaguars (10-6, 27-12).

Oklahoma State 9, Kansas State 2

In Stillwater, Okla., Robbie Rea homered twice and knocked in three as Oklahoma State won its Big 12 series lid-lifter with Kansas State. The Cowboys (6-6, 26-10) scored four in the first and three in the third in building a 7-1 lead. Zach Fish had two hits and two runs for OSU. Jason Hursh (4-3, 7 IP, 11 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 7 K) was the starter and winner. Ross Kivett went 3 for 4 with two runs and one RBI for the Wildcats (6-4, 27-12).

Western Carolina 9, Georgia Southern 3

In Cullowhee, N.C., Julian Ridings went 2 for 5 with a double, was hit by a pitch and had three runs and three RBI for Western Carolina in its Southern Conference series opener against Georgia Southern. Jeremy Null (4-2, 5 H) allowed three earned runs in eight innings but struck out 14, benefiting from a six-run lead after a seven-run second for the Catamounts (13-6, 24-16). T.D. Davis (2 for 4) hit a solo homer in the top of the second for the Eagles (10-9, 21-17).

Stephen F. Austin 4, Southeastern Louisiana 0

In Nacogdoches, Texas, Chase Greening (4-2, 3 K) scattered five hits and a walk in seven innings to get the win in Stephen F. Austin's shutout of Southeastern Louisiana to open the Southland Conference series. Hunter Dozier (2 for 4, BB) doubled and homered for the Lumberjacks (9-4, 20-17). Sam Roberson (2 for 4, 2B) was the only player with multiple hits or an extra base hit for the Lions (8-5, 25-14).

Sacred Heart 4, Bryant 1

In Bridgeport, Conn., Troy Scribner struck out 11 in going the distance as Sacred Heart ended Bryant’s 19-game win streak to open their NEC series. Scribner (2-2) allowed three hits and one unearned run while not walking a batter. Brian Lamboy (2 for 2) had a two-run single in the fourth for the Pioneers (12-5, 16-16). John Mullen doubled and scored in the seventh for the Bulldogs (12-1, 24-10-1) before a two-run base hit by Dan Perez (2 for 4, R) in the eighth game Sacred Heart some insurance. John Murphy had three hits and a run for the Pioneers.

East Tennessee State 3, Stetson 2

In DeLand, Fla., Kerry Doane tossed his nation’s best eighth complete game as East Tennessee State stretched its conference winning streak to seven games in a win over Stetson. Doane (8-1) allowed eight hits and two earned runs with three strikeouts and boasts a 1.97 ERA on the season. Mason Hershey’s double-play grounder in the seventh inning – which followed a Derek Niesman (2 for 4) hit and run single to put runners on the corners – proved to be the game-winner for the Bucs (11-5, 22-13). Josh Powers (1-5) tossed a complete game with eight hits and three earned runs for the Hatters (6-7, 17-22).

Belmont 5, Austin Peay 2

In Clarksville, Tenn., Dan Ludwig allowed three hits and two runs and struck out seven in seven solid innings, and Jamie Ritchie and Jared Breen homered as Belmont knocked off Austin Peay. Ritchie’s homer tied the game at 2 in the bottom of the fifth, and Breen’s second homer of the year gave the Bruins (14-2, 27-9) the lead for good. Lee Ridenhour (6-1) struck out nine and allowed three earned runs in suffering his first loss for the Governors (9-6, 26-12).

UC Irvine 8, Pacific 4

In Stockton, Calif., Taylor Sparks drove in three as UC Irvine stopped Pacific to open their Big West series. Sparks finished with two hits, including a double, and two runs. Scott Gottschling drove in a pair for the Anteaters (6-4, 24-10). UCI snapped a scoreless tie with four in the top of the fourth and never trailed. Andrew Thurman (4-3, 7.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 4 K) picked up the win. Jason Taasaas knocked in two for the Tigers (2-8, 9-23).

Stanford 4, Arizona 3

In Stanford, Calif., Arizona had an early 3-0 lead and left the bases loaded in the top of the ninth in falling to Stanford to start their Pac-12 series in front of 1,604 fans at Sunken Diamond. The Wildcats (8-8, 24-13) scored single runs in three of the first four innings against Mark Appel (7-2, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K). Austin Wilson had a two-run single to cap a three-run fifth for the Cardinal (8-5, 21-11). Alex Blandino delivered a RBI double an inning later to give Stanford the lead. Arizona filled the bases in the top of the ninth before Sam Lindquist got a groundout and a comebacker to the mound to end the contest and give him his fourth save. Brandon Dixon (2 for 5, RBI) had a double for the Wildcats.

Baylor 3, TCU 2

In Fort Worth, Texas, Mitch Price snapped a 2-2 tie with a pinch-hit homer in the top of the ninth as Baylor nipped TCU in front of 3,802 fans at Lupton Stadium to open their Big 12 series, its first win at TCU since 2009. Both teams plus the umpires wore red wristbands to show support for the town of West, Texas. The Bears (8-4, 20-18) had scored an unearned run in the top of the eighth to knot the score at 2. Lawton Langford had two hits and two runs for Baylor. Crayton Bare (4-1, 2 IP, BB, 3 K) earned the win in relief of Max Garner (7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 2 K). Paul Hendrix and Jantzen Witte both drove in runs for the Horned Frogs (5-8, 17-21).

Indiana 12, Butler 2

In Bloomington, Ind., Scott Donley went 4 for 4 with two doubles, two runs and two RBI as Indiana battered Butler. Sam Travis (3 for 5, 3 R, 2 RBI) homered and doubled twice for the Hoosiers (27-8). Joey DeNato (5-1, 7 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K) took a no-hitter into the sixth before an infield single with two away. Jack Dillon went 1 for 3 with a double, a walk, a run and one RBI for the Bulldogs (17-16).

UNC Wilmington 4, George Mason 2

In Fairfax, Va., Mat Batts fanned seven in 6.2 innings and Kelly Secrest worked out of a bases-loaded situation in the bottom of the ninth as first-place UNCW began its CAA series with a win at George Mason. Batts (6-2) allowed five hits and one earned run with two walks. The Patriots (5-14, 13-26) filled the bases in the bottom of the ninth with one out, but Secrest (1 IP, 3 H, 2 K) got a lineout to first and a strikeout to record his fifth save. Ryan LaGrange went 4 for 4 with one double, one run and one RBI for the Seahawks (10-2, 28-11). Brandon Gum and Josh Leemhuis both had two hits and a run for Mason.

Delaware 13, Hofstra 7

In Hempstead, N.Y., Jimmy Yezzo went 3 for 3 with three walks, a homer and five RBI as Delaware took the CAA series opener. Yezzo capped a five-run second with a three-run homer as the Blue Hens (11-5, 26-10) took a lead they would not relinquish. After the Pride (6-10, 18-21) put up four in the third on a grand slam by Kenny Jackson (2 for 4), Yezzo added a two-run single in a five-run fourth as Delaware built a 10-4 advantage. Joe Giacchino (3 for 6, 2 R, 2 RBI), Nick Ferdinand (1 for 5, HR, 3 RBI) and Brock Niggebrugge (2 for 4, 2B, 3 R) all added to the offense for the Blue Hens. Chad Kuhl (8 IP, 10 H, 7 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) earned the win.

(photo courtesy of LSU Media Relations)