Feb. 22, 2009

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

Around the Bases
Kittrell reaches 1,000 wins as USA nips Ole Miss

TCU wins series at Cal State Fullerton; LSU completes sweep of Villanova

In Mobile, Ala., Sean Laird’s RBI single in the 10th gave South Alabama a 3-2 win over No. 10 Ole Miss Sunday in the Coca-Cola Classic and was the 1,000th career victory for head coach Steve Kittrell, the 50th NCAA coach to reach that milestone. Jake Overstreet started the 10th with a leadoff walk against All-American closer Scott Bittle. He advanced to third on Ryan Bohanan’s base hit and came home on Laird’s single. The Rebels (1-2) scored in the first on an RBI single by Taylor Hashman. The Jaguars (2-2) got a run in the second as Bohanan doubled and scored. USA took the lead in the fifth on an RBI base hit by Clint Reynolds. Ole Miss tied the game at 2-2 in the seventh on a run-scoring single by Matt Smith.

TCU 11, No. 9 Cal State Fullerton 6

In Fullerton, Calif., Chris Ellington went 4 for 5 with three runs and two RBI to lead TCU to the series win at Cal State Fullerton. Taylor Cragin (1-0) pitched six scoreless innings of one-hit relief with no walks and five strikeouts to earn the victory. After the Horned Frogs (2-1) scored in the top of the first, the Titans answered (1-2) with six in the bottom of the frame, keyed by a three-run homer by Nick Ramirez. TCU got one in the second and six of its own in the fourth to take command. Matt Curry had two hits, including a home run, and three RBI. Matt Carpenter and Taylor Featherston also drove in two for the visitors.

No. 1 LSU 6, Villanova 3

In Baton Rouge, La., D.J. LeMahieu had two triples to lead LSU to the series sweep of Villanova at new Alex Box Stadium. Ryan Schimpf went 3 for 3 with a homer, two RBI and two steals for the Tigers (3-0). The Wildcats (0-3) scored in the second on an RBI triple by Kevin Wager. LSU scored three in the third and two in the fourth to take control. VU added a pair in the eighth on an RBI single by Justin Bencsko and a run-scoring double by Dain Hall. The Tigers added a run in the eighth for the final margin. Paul Bertuccini pitched 1.2 hitless innings with three strikeouts to earn the save.

No. 2 North Carolina 11, VMI 3

In Chapel Hill, N.C., Dustin Ackley went 5 for 5 with two doubles and crossed the plate four times to lead UNC to the series sweep of VMI. Matt Harvey (1-0) fanned 11 batters and did not walk a Keydet in five innings. VMI (0-3) jumped out to a quick lead on a three-run shot by Jordan Ballard in the first, but the Tar Heels (3-0) scored 11 unanswered on 15 hits. The UNC bullpen did not give up a run in the weekend series; contributing 12 scoreless innings.

No. 4 Texas A&M 8, Wright State 5

In College Station, Texas, Caleb Shofner and Brooks Raley combined to hit 9 for 10 as the Aggies rallied from a 5-1 deficit to knock off Wright State. The Raiders (0-4) took their largest lead of the series after batting around in the sixth inning, but the Aggies (4-0) answered with five runs to reclaim the lead. The A&M bullpen silenced any hopes for a WSU win, allowing just one hit the rest of the way. The Raiders were led offensively by Quentin Cate, who went 2 for 4 with one RBI and one run. Shofner is batting a sizzling .900 after four games.

No. 5 Georgia 12, Youngstown State 8

In Athens, Ga., Johnathan Taylor and Rich Poythress both had three hits as Georgia completed the sweep of YSU at Foley Field. Taylor singled, stole second and scored in a two-run first for the Bulldogs (3-0). Georgia added one in the second, two in the fifth and one in the sixth for a 5-0 lead. Jacke Healey’s two-run double highlighted a six-run sixth for the Penguins (0-3) before a Poythress three-run homer keyed a four-run sixth for the Bulldogs.

No. 6 Texas 1, Illinois-Chicago 0

In Austin, Texas, the combination of Brandon Workman and Austin Wood stymied UIC batters and led Texas to the shutout victory. Workman (1-0) lived up to his name and struck out seven in seven innings while surrendering just two hits. The Longhorns (4-0) allowed 12 hits and three runs in four games against the Flames (0-4). Wood allowed one hit and picked up his first save. Brandon Belt brought home the only run in the sixth on a double that scored Brandon Loy from second. Steve McGuiggan had a hit and a steal for UIC.

No. 7 Arizona State 11, Milwaukee 0

In Tempe, Ariz., five hurlers combined on a four-hitter as ASU completed the four-game sweep of Milwaukee, giving Pat Murphy his 900th career Division I win. Jason Franzblau went the first three innings for the Sun Devils (4-0), followed by winner Mitchell Lambson (1-0), who allowed two hits in three frames with four strikeouts in his collegiate debut. Matt Newman, Kole Calhoun and Jordan Swagerty each worked one scoreless inning. Carlos Ramirez had an RBI triple and a two-run homer, his fourth long ball of the weekend. Paul Hoenecke had a double for the Panthers (0-4).

No. 11 Florida State 10, Hofstra 4

In Tallahassee, Fla., Tyler Holt had three hits with two doubles and three runs as Florida State completed the weekend sweep of Hofstra. He doubled and scored in a two-run first for the Seminoles (4-0). FSU added two in the second and two in the fourth to build a 6-2 lead. Stuart Tapley had two hits and drove in three for the Seminoles. Elliot Hagburg went 2 for 3 with a run for the Pride (0-4). Tom Legregni drove in two for Hofstra.

No. 12 Georgia Tech 5, Lipscomb 3

In Atlanta, Thomas Nichols blasted a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to lift Georgia Tech to a series sweep of Lipscomb. Nichols went 2 for 4 with two runs and three RBI. The Bisons (0-3) had tied the game with a run in the top of the ninth. Luke Murton, Matt Skole and Cole Leonida each had two hits for the Yellow Jackets (3-0). Branden Cadavid went 4 for 4 and scored all three runs for Lipscomb.

No. 25 Florida 3, No. 13 Louisville 2

In Gainesville, Fla., Mike Mooney came through with a game-winning single with two outs in the ninth to lift the Gators to the victory against the Cardinals and complete the series sweep between the two Top 25 teams. Jeff Barfield (1-0) was able to work himself out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth with a strikeout and set the stage for Mooney, who was 0 for 7 coming into the at-bat. Louisville (0-3) scored two runs in the first inning on RBI singles by Chris Dominguez and Adam Duvall, but could only muster two additional hits against the Florida (3-0) pitchers.

No. 14 Baylor 5, Pacific 4

In Waco, Texas, Lucas Hileman delivered a game-winning single in the first career at-bat in the 10th to secure a win for Baylor in the rubber match against Pacific. Hileman pinch ran in the eighth and remained in the game to play centerfield for the Bears (2-1). The Tigers (1-2) elected to walk Gregg Glime and loaded the bases for Hileman's heroics. Adam Hornung went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI for Baylor and Kurt Wideman drove in two runs on a double down the right field line for Pacific. All five games played between these teams have been decided by one run.

San Diego State 3, No. 15 San Diego 0

In San Diego, Tyler Lavigne tossed a two-hit shutout as San Diego State won at USD in the MLB Urban Youth Academy Tournament. Lavigne (1-0) allowed only four balls out of the infield. He walked one, fanned five and got 18 outs by ground ball. Only one Torero reached third base. The Aztecs (2-1) got on the board in the third as Mitch Blackburn tripled and scored. Easton Gust had an RBI single in the fourth and a sac fly in the sixth to complete the scoring. Steven Chatwood had a double and Kevin Muno had a single for the two hits for USD (2-1).

Hawaii 7, No. 16 UC Irvine 4
In Honolulu, Kevin Macdonald went 1 for 3 with three RBI, and Vinnie Catricala went 2 for 2 with three runs and a RBI as Hawaii salvaged the final game of a four-game set with UC Irvine. Matt Siato allowed five hits and two earned runs in seven innings to post the win for the Rainbows (1-3). Ben Orloff went 2 for 3 with a run for the Anteaters (3-1).

No. 17 Oklahoma State 13, Manhattan 1
In Stillwater, Okla., Neil Medchill went 2 for 3 with a homer, three runs and four RBI, and Doug Kroll went 3 for 5 with two homers, three runs and three RBI as Oklahoma State capped a 4-0 weekend against Manhattan and BYU. Tyler Lyons allowed two hits in six scoreless innings and struck out five in winning his 11th straight decision. Chad Salem went 2 for 3 with a RBI for the Jaspers (1-3).

No. 18 Miami (Fla.) 18, Rutgers 9

In Coral Gables, Fla., Jason Hagerty homered from both sides of the plate as Miami won the series against Rutgers. Hagerty belted a grand slam from the right side in the fifth and hit a two-run shot from the left in the sixth as the Hurricanes (3-1) built a 15-3 lead. Iden Nazario (1-0) worked six innings with four hits, three runs, one walk and eight strikeouts. Harold Martinez went 3 for 5 with two runs and three RBI for Miami. Michael Lang went 2 for 5 with a homer, two runs and two RBI for the Scarlet Knights (1-3).

Nevada 8, No. 19 Missouri 4

Gonzaga 13, No. 19 Missouri 9

In Phoenix, Missouri dropped a pair to finish 1-3 in the Grand Canyon Classic. In the first game, Nevada (2-2) belted four home runs against the Tigers. Matt Bowman went deep twice and Aaron Henry homered in the third. Shaun Kort’s three-run blast in the seventh made it 7-3. Trevor Coleman had three hits for the Tigers. In the second game, Ryan Wiegand and Mark Castellitto both had four hits and three runs as Gonzaga beat Missouri for the second time. The Bulldogs (3-1) scored four in the second and two in the third to take control. Ryan Lollis went 3 for 5 with a double, a homer, two runs and three RBI for the Tigers.

No. 20 Fresno State 3, Washington 1

In Fresno, Calif., Jake Floethe (1-0) pitched six shutout innings with five strikeouts as Fresno State won its weekend series with Washington at Beiden Field. Steve Detwiler singled and scored in the second for the Bulldogs (2-1). The Huskies (1-2) tied it seventh on Brendan Gardner-Young’s sacrifice fly. Fresno State reclaimed the lead in the bottom of the frame on a two-run double by Tom Mendonca. Derek Benny pitched two perfect innings to earn the save. Danny Muno went 3 for 3 for the Bulldogs. Julien Pollard had two hits and a run for Washington.

UC Davis 8, No. 21 UCLA 7 (11)
In Los Angeles, Grant Hirneise doubled in Kyle Mihaylo with the go-ahead run in the top of the 11th inning as UC Davis avoided a sweep. Mihaylo (3 for 5) opened the frame with his third double, which tied a school record, and Hirneise had a pair of RBI for the Aggies (1-2). UC Davis trailed 7-5 entering the ninth, but rallied with a sac fly from Hirneise and a RBI single from Tony Bongiovanni. Gabe Cohen capped a big weekend for the Bruins (2-1) by going 3 for 4 and driving in two runs for the third straight game.

No. 22 Pepperdine 3, Cal State Northridge 2 (10)
In Malibu, Calif., Nate Simon hit an opposite-field, solo homer in the bottom of the 10th as Pepperdine won in walk-off fashion for the second time this weekend. The Waves (2-1) beat the Matadors (1-2) on Friday with a pair of solo homers in the ninth before losing in Northridge Saturday. Trailing 2-1, John Parham singled in Jeff Pruitt in the ninth to force extra innings.

No. 26 Coastal Carolina 14, No. 23 Kentucky 5

James Madison 8, No. 26 Coastal Carolina 6

In Conway, S.C., Cody Wheeler fanned six in six innings as Coastal Carolina defeated Kentucky for the second straight day in the Caravelle Resort Tournament. Wheeler (1-0) allowed four hits, no walks and one run. The Chanticleers (3-1) used four homers to outscore the Wildcats (2-2). Dan Bowman’s three-run blast highlighted a nine-run fifth as Coastal built a 12-1 lead. Braden Kapteyn and Gunner Glad went deep for Kentucky. In the second game, David Herbek had two hits, including a homer, two runs and two RBI to lead the Dukes (1-3) past the Chants. JMU scored in four of its first five at-bats to build an 8-1 cushion. Turner Phelps (1-0) struck out nine in 6.1 innings to secure the win. Jose Iglesias homered and drove in three for Coastal.

No. 24 Clemson 6, Charlotte 5 (10)

In Clemson, S.C., Clemson trailed 5-0 in the seventh before rallying for the 10th-inning win and the series sweep over Charlotte in front of 3,730 fans at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Wilson Boyd’s base hit with two outs in the 10th brought home Kyle Parker with the game-winner. Rob Lyerly’s two-run homer in the fifth helped the 49ers (0-3) build the 5-0 lead. Ben Paulsen’s solo homer and Brad Miller’s two-run shot in the seventh pulled the Tigers (3-0) to within two. Clemson scored a pair of unearned runs in the eighth to tie it at 5-5. Paulsen finished with three hits for the 49ers. Michael Gyoerkoe also had three hits for Charlotte.

Penn State 6, Seton Hall 1

In Clearwater, Fla., Penn State scored six in the ninth to escape with a win over Seton Hall in the Big East/Big Ten Challenge. Michael Glantz started the ninth with a walk and scored on a hit by Grant Youngblood to knot the score at 1-1. Blake Lynd’s two-run single gave the Nittany Lions (2-1) the lead for good. Mike Deese drove in two with a base hit later in the frame. Deese went 3 for 5 with those two RBI. T.J. Macy went seven innings for PSU with two hits, one run, two walks and eight strikeouts. David Lutz (1-0) pitched two hitless innings to earn the victory. Matt Spedburg drove in Sean Gusrang in the fifth for the Pirates (2-1). The Big Ten won the Challenge 15-9, as Ohio State and Michigan both went 3-0. Notre Dame and St. John’s joined Seton Hall with 2-1 marks.

Gardner-Webb 7, Canisius 6

In Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb set a school record with 12 stolen bases and used a four-run eighth to edge Canisius. Brock Miller scored three and set a school record with five steals. Daniel Cooke’s two-run double gave the Bulldogs (3-1) a 6-4 lead in the eighth. Cooke went 3 for 3 with two steals, two runs and three RBI. Steve McQuail had three hits and two runs for the Golden Griffins (1-3).

Oral Roberts 5, Western Michigan 4

In Tulsa, Okla., Seth Furmanek smacked a two-run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to give Oral Roberts a three-game sweep of WMU. Juan Martinez drew a two-out walk in the ninth after falling behind 0-2 to set the table for Furmanek. The Broncos (0-3) scored in three of their first four at-bats to take a 4-0 lead. The Golden Eagles (3-0) scored once in the fourth and two in the seventh to make it a one-run game. Colby Price went 3 for 4 with a run for ORU. Jack Scanlon was 3 for 4 for WMU with a double, two RBI and two steals.