March 14, 2014

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
LSU Takes SEC Series Opener at Vandy

FSU downs NC State, Ole Miss knocks off No. 1 South Carolina

In Nashville, Tenn., Andrew Stevenson had a two-run single and No. 7 LSU scored twice more on a throwing error in a four-run eighth inning that lifted the Tigers past fourth-ranked Vanderbilt 4-2. Aaron Nola allowed six hits and one run in 6.2 innings in a showdown with the Commodores’ Tyler Beede, who allowed three hits and two runs with seven strikeouts in 7.1 innings. Vandy’s second-inning run ended Nola’s streak of innings without an earned run at 54. Zac Person picked up the win, and Joe Broussard earned his fourth save for LSU (1-0, 17-2). Vince Conde went 3 for 4 with an RBI for the Commodores (0-1, 16-3).

No. 2 Florida State 6, No. 6 NC State 1

In Tallahassee, Fla., Luke Weaver allowed one earned run over 6.1 innings, and Justin Gonzalez and DJ Stewart each drove in a pair of runs as Florida State knocked off NC State. Weaver (4-1) allowed seven hits and struck out seven and was given a 2-1 lead in the fifth when Gonzalez had an RBI triple and Stewart singled him in. Gonzalez walked with the bases loaded, and Stewart added a sacrifice fly as the Seminoles (3-1, 15-2) scored two more in the eighth to pull away. Carlos Rodon (2-3) struck out 12 and allowed two earned runs for the Wolfpack (3-1, 14-3).

No. 15 Ole Miss 6, No. 1 South Carolina 4

In Columbia, S.C., Auston Bousfield’s two-out grand slam lifted Ole Miss to a win over previously unbeaten South Carolina. Bousfield finished 3 for 4 with two runs, and Brantley Bell went 2 for 4 with a run for the Rebels (1-0, 17-2). Chris Ellis (3-0) battled through 5.1 innings, and Josh Laxer posted his first save. Max Schrock led the Gamecocks (0-1, 16-1) with a 4-for-5 day, his third homer, two homers and two RBI. Jordan Montgomery (3-1) suffered the loss, allowing six earned runs in six innings.

No. 3 Virginia 8, Boston College 1

In Charlottesville, Va., Nathan Kirby allowed four hits in 6.1 scoreless innings, and Kenny Towns went 3 for 3 with two doubles, two runs and three RBI as Virginia topped Boston College. The Cavaliers (3-1, 13-3) scored three times with two outs in the fourth inning, with Towns delivering an RBI double and Nate Irving (3 for 4) and John La Prise (3 for 4) adding RBI singles. Daniel Pinero added two RBI to support Kirby, who improved to 5-0 with a 0.59 ERA. Joe Cronin went 2 for 3 with a run for the Eagles (0-4, 6-10).

No. 5 Oregon State 6, Utah 1

In Salt Lake City, Ben Wetzler took a no-hitter into the eighth as Oregon State dominated Utah in the Pac-12 opener for both clubs. Wetzler (3-0) finished with two hits and a run over eight innings with two walks and three strikeouts. The Beavers (1-0, 16-3) extended a 1-0 lead with five in the sixth. Michael Conforto (2 for 3, 2 R) homered, while Dylan Davis and Kavin Keyes both had three hits for OSU. Hunter Simmons had an RBI double for the Utes (0-1, 8-8).

No. 8 Cal State Fullerton 6, Saint Mary’s 5 (13)

In Fullerton, Calif., J.D. Davis delivered a two-run single with two away in the bottom of the 13th to lift Cal State Fullerton over Saint Mary’s at Goodwin Field. Jared Deacon drew a one-out walk to start the winning rally and moved to second on a base hit by Austin Diemer (3 for 7, 2B, 2 R). Matt Chapman was hit by a pitch with two away, setting the stage for Davis (4 for 5, 2 BB). Anthony Villa (2 for 6, 2 2B) had an RBI double in the top of the frame for the Gaels (7-9). Koby Gauna (1-1, 4 IP, 3 H, R, 3 K) won in relief of Thomas Eshelman (9 IP, 9 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 9 K), ending the three-game losing streak for the Titans (9-6).

No. 9 Louisiana-Lafayette 4, ULM 1

In Monroe, La., Austin Robichaux went the distance with 10 strikeouts as Louisiana-Lafayette opened Sun Belt play with a victory over ULM. Robichaux (3-1) allowed four hits, two walks and one run. Tyler Girouard and Chase Compton both drove in a pair for the Ragin’ Cajuns (1-0, 15-2). Justin Stawychny had a double, a triple and one RBI for the Warhawks (0-1, 7-12).

USC 3, No. 10 Oregon 2

In Eugene, Ore., Wyatt Strahan fanned seven in 7.2 innings as USC edged Oregon in their Pac-12 series opener in front of 1,943 fans at PK Park. Strahan (1-2) allowed seven hits and two runs (one earned) with one walk. Sean Adler struck out the final batter in the eighth before Kyle Davis (1 IP, H, BB, K) worked out of trouble in the ninth for his first save. The Trojans (1-0, 10-6) scored twice in the third and added the eventual game-winner in the top of the eighth. Garrett Stubbs went 1 for 3 with two runs for USC. Kyle Garlick drove in both runs for the Ducks (0-1, 12-5).

No. 11 Cal Poly 8, Wagner 1

In San Luis Obispo, Calif., Matt Imhof struck out 14 over eight innings as Cal Poly handled Wagner. Imhof (4-1) surrendered three hits, three walks and one run. Jimmy Allen doubled twice, scored two and drove in one, while Mark Mathias went 2 for 4 with two runs and two RBI for the Mustangs (15-3). Vaughn had two hits for the Seahawks (2-9).

No. 12 Louisville 20, Samford 10

In Louisville, Ky., Zach Lucas went 2 for 5 with four runs and five RBI, and Grant Kay went 3 for 4 with a double, two runs and five RBI as Louisville doubled up Samford on a windy day at Jim Patterson Stadium. Jeff Gardner went 3 for 5 with two runs and two RBI, and Colin Lyman added two hits and three RBI for the Cardinals (13-4), who scored 16 runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings. Tripp Martin went 2 for 4 with three runs, his fifth homer and four RBI, and T.J. Dixon contributed two hits and two RBI for the Bulldogs (11-6).

Kansas 3, No. 13 Texas 2

In Austin, Texas, Wes Benjamin was one out away from a complete game and Connor McKay collected four hits as Kansas edged Texas in the Big 12 series opener in front of 5,639 fans at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Benjamin (3-0) allowed six hits and two runs with two walks and four strikeouts. Jordan Piche fanned the game’s final batter for his third save. The Jayhawks (1-0, 13-4) scored twice in the first and added a run in the fifth. McKay went 4 for 5 with one RBI. Tres Barrera had two hits and one RBI for the Longhorns (0-1, 14-5).

No. 14 North Carolina 7, Maryland 0

In College Park, Md., Tom Zengel homered twice and Trent Thornton tossed seven scoreless innings as North Carolina blanked Maryland to open their ACC series. Zengel and Joe Dudek hit consecutive dingers in a four-run third for the Tar Heels (3-1, 13-4). Zengel went deep again in the sixth to extend the lead to 5-0. Thornton (5-0, 6 H, 2 BB) fanned eight in earning the win. Reilly Hovis allowed one hit, two walks and four strikeouts over the final two frames to secure the shutout. Kevin Martir had two hits for the Terrapins (1-3, 10-5).

Wake Forest 4, No. 16 Clemson 3

In Winston-Salem, N.C., Jack Fischer hurled eight strong innings as Wake Forest edged Clemson in their ACC series opener. The Demon Deacons (3-1, 13-6) scored twice in the bottom of the eighth to make a winner out of Fischer (2-1, 8 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 5 K). Aaron Fossas (IP, H, K) registered his fourth save. Chris Okey had a three-run homer in the fourth for the Tigers (3-1, 10-6).

No. 17 Miami (Fla.) 10, Georgia Tech 8

In Atlanta, Miami plated a pair in the top of the ninth to outlast Georgia Tech to kick off their ACC series at Russ Chandler Stadium. Tyler Palmer (2 for 6, 2 R, 4 RBI) and Dale Carey (2 for 5, 3 R, 2 RBI) both went deep, while David Thompson went 3 for 3 with two runs for the Hurricanes (4-0, 11-7). Mott Hyde drove in three, while A.J. Murray went 3 for 4 with a run for the Yellow Jackets (1-3, 9-8).

No. 18 Rice 3, FIU 2 (13)

In Miami, Michael Aquino had an RBI single in the top of the 13th to lift Rice over FIU to open their Conference USA series. John Clay Reeves had three hits and a run for the Owl (3-1, 13-6). Zch Lemond (8.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 5 K) delivered a solid start, with Matt Ditman (1-2, 5 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K) earning the victory. Tyler Hibbert had two hits and a run for the Panthers (3-1, 16-2).

Missouri 5, No. 19 Tennessee 2

In Columbia, Mo., Missouri scored three in the seventh and two in the eighth to down Tennessee in the SEC series opener. Eric Anderson and Dylan Kelly both had two hits and one RBI for the Tigers (1-0, 9-7). Brett Graves (3-1, 7 IP, 7 H, 2 R, BB, 4 K) earned the victory, while Keaton Steele (2 IP, H, BB, K) garnered his fifth save. Scott Price went deep for the Volunteers (0-1, 15-2). Nick Williams (4 H, BB, 4 K) pitched six scoreless innings for UT.

Alabama 3, No. 20 Kentucky 0

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Spencer Turnbull and Thomas Burrows combined on the shutout and the Alabama defense turned a triple play in downing Kentucky to begin SEC play in front of 4,258 fans at Sewell-Thomas Stadium. Turnbull (2-1, 7.1 IP, 4 H, 5 BB) struck out three, while Burrows fanned a pair over the final 1.2 innings for his first save. Will Haynie (2 for 3) had a run-scoring single in the second and homered in a two-run eighth for the Crimson Tide (1-0, 11-5). The Wildcats (0-1, 13-5) loaded the bases in the top of the sixth. A.J. Reed hit a low line drive to shortstop Mikey White, who tossed to second for the second out and the relay to third completed the triple play. Kyle Barrett had two hits for UK.