Feb. 27, 2009

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

Around the Bases
Oregon wins first home game in 28 years, nips Fresno State

Rice edges UCLA in 10; Miami (Fla.) rallies past Florida

In Eugene, Ore., Andrew Schmidt singled in Eddy Rodriguez with two outs in the ninth inning as Oregon opened PK Park with a thrilling 1-0 win over defending champ No. 23 Fresno State Friday evening. A sellout crowd of 2,777 were treated to a pitchers' duel between the Ducks' Tyler Anderson and Fresno's Holden Sprague. In the ninth, Rodriguez singled with two outs and moved to third on Jeff Hart's single. Schmidt played the role of hero, giving Oregon (2-2) its first home win in 28 years. "The players were jumping at me after the game," Ducks coach George Horton said in quotes released by the school. "Everyone was so excited about the win at home. I really want to thank everyone, who made it possible for baseball to be back at the University of Oregon. Today, each inning was a new challenge for us. It was a great way to win." Anderson allowed six hits and struck out five in eight innings for Oregon, while Sprague surrendered four hits and struck out four in 7.2 innings for the Bulldogs (2-3).

No. 7 Rice 5, No. 19 UCLA 4 (10)

In Houston, Michael Fuda scored from second on a booted ground ball in the bottom of the 10th to give Rice the win over UCLA in the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park. Diego Seastrunk led off the 10th with a walk for the Owls (3-2) and was replaced by the pinch-runner Fuda, who moved to second on a balk. After one out, Rick Hague was intentionally walked. Following a strikeout, Jeremy Rathjen slapped a grounder to the right side that could not be handled. Fuda never stopped running and scored from second. Seastrunk had an RBI double and scored in a three-run first for Rice. Eddie Murray had an RBI single in the second for the Bruins (2-4) and he doubled and scored in the fourth to knot the score at 3-3. Murray’s third hit gave UCLA the lead in the top of the eighth before the Owls evened it at 4-4 in the bottom of the frame on Anthony Rendon’s RBI double. Rice starter Mike Ojala fanned 11 in 6.2 innings with two earned runs and one walk. Jordan Rogers (2-0) struck out five in two hitless innings for the win.

No. 17 Miami (Fla.) 8, No. 14 Florida 5
In Gainesville, Fla., Jonathan Weislow hit two home runs and drove in five from the No. 9 spot to lead Miami past Florida at McKethan Stadium. His three-run blast in the sixth put the Hurricanes (4-1) up for good after overcoming an early 3-0 deficit. Starter Chris Hernandez (2-0) picked up the win, going five innings with six hits, four runs, one walk and five strikeouts. Kyle Bellamy notched his second save over 1.1 innings and pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth. Brandon McArthur went 2 for 4 with two RBI for the Gators (5-1). Patrick Keating lasted 5.1 innings and allowed six runs, three earned.

No. 1 North Carolina 5-4, Seton Hall 1-3
In Chapel Hill, N.C., Tarron Robinson had a walk-off, pinch-hit sacrifice fly to lead the Tar Heels to their second victory of the day against Seton Hall. UNC (6-1) was led offensively by Ryan Graepel, who went 2 for 3 with two runs and hit his first career home run. The Pirates (2-3) scored two off the bat of Chris Fontenelli. In the first game of the day, Alex White allowed only one run in 6.1 innings and struck out five to lead the Tar Heels at Boshamer Stadium. Chris Spagnuolo had four hits on the day for the Pirates.

No. 2 LSU 13, UCF 4

In Baton Rouge, La., D.J. LeMahieu homered twice to power LSU past UCF in front of 7,419 fans at Alex Box Stadium. Sean Ochinko went 4 for 4 for the Tigers (5-0). Owchinko and pinch-hitter Tyler Hanover both drove in two in a seven-run eighth. Leon Landry homered in the first for LSU, his fourth. LeMahieu had a solo shot in the second and his three-run shot in the seventh gave the home team a 6-1 advantage. Anthony Ranaudo (2-0) allowed one run in 6.1 innings with three hits, one walk and 10 strikeouts. Kiko Vazquez homered twice and drove in three for the Knights (2-3).

No. 3 Texas A&M 9, No. 8 UC Irvine 2 

In Houston, Luke Anders homered and had four RBI in the sixth as Texas A&M defeated UCI in the first game of the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park. Anders’ two-run homer snapped a 1-1 tie and started a seven-run sixth, which was capped by a two-run single by Anders to give the Aggies (6-1) an 8-1 lead. Brooks Raley (2-0) got the win for Texas A&M, going six innings with five hits, two runs, four walks and two strikeouts. Kyle Thebeau allowed only one base-runner in three scoreless innings to earn the save. Luke Anders finished with three hits, while Nick Anders and Dylan Petrich both had two hits for the Aggies. Sean Madigan had two hits for the Anteaters (3-2), including an RBI double in the third. Casey Stevenson added a run-scoring single in the sixth for UCI.

No. 4 Texas 9, Penn State 2
In Austin, Texas, Tant Shepherd led the Longhorns with three RBI and batters 2-4 each drove in a run for Texas (6-0) against PSU at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. Chance Ruffin (2-0) went six innings and allowed just two runs on six hits, while striking out nine. After the Nittany Lions (2-2) tied the score at one apiece in the fourth, UT put together a seven-run inning by scattering a single, double, triple and home run. Jordan Steranka had a career-high two RBI for Penn State as starter Mike Lorentson gave up seven runs, three earned, over 3.2 innings.

No. 5 Georgia 11, Arizona 5
In Tuscon, Ariz., Rich Poythress went 2 for 5 with two runs and three RBI, and Lyle Allen homered in a 2-for-4, 2-RBI night as Georgia scored four late to pull away from Arizona. Adam Fuller had a pinch-hit, two-run triple in a four-run seventh for the Bulldogs, who improved to 6-0 after scoring in double digits for the fifth time. Trevor Holder (2-0) allowed four runs (two earned) in five innings for Georgia. Preston Guilmet (0-1) was touched for five earned runs in 4.2 innings. Bobby Coyle went 3 for 5 with a homer and two RBI for the Wildcats (4-2).

No. 6 Arizona State 6, Northern Illinois 1

In Tempe, Ariz., Matt Newman homered and pitched 4.1 scoreless innings as Arizona State topped Northern Illinois in front of 2,819 fans at the DeMarini Invitational. Newman allowed six hits and struck out four for the Sun Devils (7-0). Jason Franzblau (1-0) allowed two hits in four relief innings to earn the win. After ASU scored four in the third, Newman’s dinger in the fifth made it 5-0. The Huskies (1-5) scored their lone run in the eighth. Dave Reynolds had two hits for UNI.

No. 9 Florida State 14, Auburn 5
In Tallahassee, Fla., Sean Gilmartin pitched seven innings of three-run, three-hit ball with nine strikeouts as FSU topped Auburn for the second straight day. Leadoff hitter Tyler Holt went 5 of 6 with two RBI for the 'Noles (6-0), who scored five runs in the third to extend their lead at the time to 7-1. Rafael Lopez finished 4 for 4 with 3 RBI, while Jason Stidham and Stuart Tapley each drove in two. The Tigers (2-4) managed just four hits as Trent Mummey had one hit and two RBI. Starting pitcher Grant Dayton lasted 3.2 innings and gave up five earned runs on seven hits.

No. 10 Cal State Fullerton 8, No. 13 Stanford 1
In Fullerton, Calif., Jered Clark blasted a grand slam and drove in six, and Daniel Renken allowed one run over seven innings as Cal State Fullerton ended a five-game losing streak to Stanford. Jeffrey Inman (0-1) allowed one hit over the first five innings before the Titans loaded the bases for Clark in the sixth. Clark, battling the flu, singled in a pair of runs. An inning later, Fullerton (3-2) loaded the bases for Clark again, and this time he cleared them. Renken (1-0) allowed five hits and struck out seven. Inman allowed two earned runs in six innings for the Cardinal (2-3).

No. 12 Baylor 3, Houston 2
In Houston, Gregg Glime followed Adam Hornung's double with a double of his own to break a 2-2 tie in the seventh as Baylor edged Houston at the Houston College Classic. Glime snapped a 1-for-11 slide and gave the Bears (5-1) their fourth one-run win. Logan Verrett (3-0) didn't allow a hit over the final 2.1 innings and struck out three. Dustin Dickerson went 3 for 4 with a run and a RBI, and Shaver Hansen went 3 for 4 with a run for the Bears. Zak Presley hit a solo homer, and Wes Musick (0-2) threw well for the Cougars (2-4), allowing eight hits and striking out six in seven innings.

No. 15 Oklahoma State 7, East Carolina 6
No. 15 Oklahoma State 7, College of Charleston 6
In Greenville, N.C., Doug Kroll delivered a two-run double in a three-run eighth inning as Oklahoma State rallied to beat East Carolina at the Keith LeClair Classic. Neil Medchill had two homers and three RBI for the Cowboys (6-1), who avenged a Thursday loss to the Pirates (5-1). Andrew Oliver (2-0) allowed six earned runs in seven innings - four coming in the seventh – but came away with his sixth straight win, thanks to the OSU rally. Brandon Henderson hit a three-run homer in the seventh to give ECU a 6-4 lead. Earlier in the day, Kroll hit his fifth homer and Tyrone Hambly ripped a three-run shot as the Cowboys built an early lead and held on to beat the Cougars (3-2). Joash Brodin blasted a three-run homer for Charleston. Randy McCurry picked up saves in both games for OSU.

Pacific 14, No. 16 San Diego 6

In San Diego, Joey Centanni allowed one run in seven innings and Mike McKeever belted a grand slam as the pair returned to their high school home field and led Pacific past San Diego in the USD Tournament at Cunningham Stadium. The duo attended University of San Diego High School and played their home games at Cunningham Stadium. Centanni (1-0) allowed four hits and one walk with one strikeout in securing the win. He also went 3 for 3 at the plate with two runs and one RBI. McKeever’s grand slam came in the seventh and gave the Tigers (2-3) a 12-1 advantage. Kurt Wideman had three hits, including a double and triple, two runs and three RBI for Pacific. The Toreros (3-3) scored once in the second and five in the ninth. Victor Sanchez had two hits and two runs for USD. Chris Engell had two hits and drove in two for the Toreros.

No. 18 Pepperdine 7, UC Davis 2

In Davis, Calif., Nathan Newman allowed one hit in six scoreless innings as Pepperdine downed UC Davis at Dobbins Stadium. Newman (1-0) walked three and struck out five for the Waves (4-1). After scoring one in the first, Trent Diedrich and Matthew Frazee had RBI doubles in a four-run fourth that gave the visitors a 5-0 lead. Pepperdine scored two more in the eighth before the Aggies (1-4) tallied their two in the bottom of the frame. Brian Humphries had three hits for the Waves, while Bryce Mendonca added two hits, two RBI and a run. Scott Heylman went 3 for 4 for UCD with a run.

Washington State 9, No. 22 Oklahoma 2

In Pullman, Wash., Matt Argyropoulos had a two-run single to highlight a seven-run eighth as Washington State got past Oklahoma in its home opener at Bailey-Brayton Field. Derek Jones walked and scored on a bases-loaded walk to snap a 2-2 tie and put the Cougars (1-3) on top. After Greg Lagreid was hit by a pitch to force in another run, Argyropoulos got a base hit to make it 6-2. Jones capped the uprising with a two-run double. Jones finished 3 for 4 with one run and three RBI. The Sooners (5-2) had tied it 2-2 in the sixth as Bryant Hernandez tripled and scored on a wild pitch. Tyler Ogle had a hit and an RBI for OU.

No. 24 Coastal Carolina 15, West Virginia 5

No. 24 Coastal Carolina 10, Tennessee 5

In Myrtle Beach, S.C., Coastal Carolina picked up two wins in the Baseball at the Beach Tournament. Chance Gilmore had a two-run triple and Rico Noel knocked in two with a double in a six-run fourth as the Chanticleers (6-1) got by the Mountaineers (3-3). David Anderson and Jose Iglesias added two-run doubles as Coastal put the game away with a five-run sixth. Noel finished with four hits and four RBI. Vince Belnome had two hits and two runs for WVU. In the nightcap, Tyler Horne’s three-run homer in the second gave the Vols (1-4) an early lead. A two-run bomb by Tyler Bortnick capped a three-run rally for the Chants in the bottom of the frame. Kentrail Davis homered to spark a two-run third for Tennessee. Coastal scored single runs in the fourth and fifth to tie it, then Taylor Motter’s homer leading off the sixth put the Chants ahead to stay. Anderson added a two-run homer later in the frame. Motter finished 3 for 4 with three runs and three RBI. Gilmore was 4 for 4 with three runs and one RBI.

Tennessee Tech 1, Marshall 0

In Charleston, S.C., Adam Liberatore and A.J. Kirby-Jones combined on a three-hitter as Tennessee Tech nipped Marshall in the opener of The Citadel Memorial Challenge. Liberatore (2-0) allowed two hits and four walks in seven innings with eight strikeouts to earn the victory. Kirby-Jones fanned two over the final two innings to notch his first save. The Golden Eagles (4-2) scored the lone run in the fourth as Ben Burgess reached on a single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Heath Cheverton. Tech’s Evan Webb went 2 for 4, the only player in the game with multiple hits. Shane Farrell was the tough-luck loser for the Thundering Herd (2-3), allowing five hits and one run in six innings with no walks and six strikeouts. Josh Valle had a single and two walks for Marshall.

Vanderbilt 7, Vermont 2

In Nashville, Tenn., Steven Liddle’s two-run triple in the seventh snapped a 1-1 tie and pushed Vanderbilt past Vermont at Hawkins Field. Liddle scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-1. After the Catamounts (0-1) got one back in the eighth on a sac fly by Corey Moylan, the Commodores (3-3) answered with three more in the bottom of the frame. Liddle finished with three hits and four RBI. Aaron Westlake and Riley Reynolds both went 4 for 4 for Vandy, with Reynolds scoring three and driving in one. Mark Micowski had two hits and scored both Vermont runs, driven in each time by Moylan. Mike Minor (1-0) got the win, going 7.2 innings with six hits, two runs, three walks and four strikeouts.

Northern Iowa 9, Centenary 2

In Shreveport, La., Nick Kirk fanned nine in seven innings as UNI topped Centenary at Shehee Stadium. Kirk (1-1) surrendered five hits and one run for the Panthers (2-2). Travis Bennett went 3 for 5 for UNI with a double, a homer and four RBI. Grant Grgurich had a two-run single in the second and Bennett’s dinger in the third gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead. Ricky Imperiali went 2 for 2 with two walks and two runs for the Gents (1-2).

Richmond 27, Iona 2

In Richmond, Va., Ryan Mallory and Pat Sandman both belted grand slams as UR was one away from the school record for runs in its win over Iona at Pitt Field. Mallory’s slam highlighted a six-run seventh, while Sandman’s blast came in a six-run eighth. Billy Barber had a three-run shot in an eight-run fourth. Ian Marshall (1-0) tossed seven scoreless innings with five hits, no walks and eight strikeouts. Adam McConnell had four hits, four runs and two RBI for the Spiders (6-0). Andrew Passerelle and Chris Griffin both had two hits and one RBI for the Gaels (0-5).