March 29, 2009

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

Around the Bases
Jones homers to give Jordan win No. 600 at The Citadel

Georgetown wins first game at Citi Field; Miami (Fla.) gets by Georgia Tech

In Charleston, S.C., Richard Jones (right) had a three-run homer in the sixth to snap a 1-1 tie and propel The Citadel to a 4-1 win Sunday and the series sweep over Air Force, giving head coach Fred Jordan his 600th career victory. Addison Gentry had an RBI double in the fifth for the Falcons (8-17) before Trey Thomas doubled and scored in the bottom of the frame for the Bulldogs (14-9). In the sixth, Nick Orvin had a leadoff walk and stole second for The Citadel. Sonny Meade was intentionally walked before Jones belted a 3-2 pitch out to right. It was his third homer of the series.

Georgetown 6, St. John’s 4

In Flushing, N.Y., Tom Adleman pitched eight effective innings as Georgetown edged St. John’s in front of 22,397 fans in the first game at Citi Field, the new home of the New York Mets. It was the seventh-largest regular-season crowd in NCAA history. The record is 40,106, set at PETCO Park in San Diego on March 11, 2004. Adleman (2-3) allowed seven hits and two earned runs with three walks and no strikeouts. Jack Bender pitched a perfect ninth with a strikeout for his second save for the Hoyas (3-3, 10-15). Sean Lamont hit the stadium’s first home run for Georgetown. Jimmy Parque had three hits for the Red Storm (4-2, 13-9), while Joe Panik had two hits and two RBI for St. John’s. John Franco, St. John’s alum and former Mets pitcher, threw out the game’s first pitch.

Click here for video and audio clips on St. John’s Web site.

Click here for Associated Press story on ESPN.com.

No. 4 LSU 2, No. 14 Ole Miss 1

In Baton Rouge, La., Jared Mitchell had a base hit in the eighth to plate the game-winner as LSU won its SEC series with Ole Miss at Alex Box Stadium. Austin Ross (4-2) allowed two hits in eight innings with one run, one walk and five strikeouts. Matty Ott worked the ninth for his fifth save. Matt Smith doubled and scored in the fifth for the Rebels (5-4, 16-8). Mikie Mahtook had a run-scoring single in the eighth for the Tigers (6-3, 21-6) and scored the game-winner on Mitchell’s base hit. Mitchell finished with two hits. Scott Bittle had 10 strikeouts in seven scoreless innings for Ole Miss with one hit and two walks.

No. 1 Georgia 4, Tennessee 3

In Knoxville, Tenn., Joey Lewis had a two-run homer to key a four-run fifth as Georgia completed the three-game SEC sweep of Tennessee at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Volunteers (1-8, 11-15) loaded the bases with one out in the ninth down one, but Dean Weaver got a pair of strikeouts to earn his fourth save. Colby May had a double and a run for the Bulldogs (7-2, 22-3). Blake Forsythe had three hits, including two doubles, and an RBI for UT. Josh Liles homered and scored twice for the Vols.

No. 2 Cal State Fullerton 18, UC Riverside 1

In Riverside, Calif., Khris Davis went 2 for 3 with a homer, three runs and three RBI to lead Cal State Fullerton to a Big West series victory at UC Riverside. In a nine-run fourth, Davis had a double early in the rally and a three-run homer to cap the inning as the Titans (2-1, 18-4) built an 11-0 lead. Nick Ramirez was 3 for 4 with two runs for Fullerton. Jeff Newman was 2 for 4 with three runs and one RBI for the Titans. Eddie Young knocked in the lone run for the Highlanders (1-2, 16-6) in the eighth.

USC 8, No. 3 Arizona State 2

In Los Angeles, Robert Stock fanned 10 in five innings in his first collegiate start as USC salvaged the finale of its Pac-10 series with ASU at Dedeaux Field. Stock (1-0) allowed four hits, two walks and two runs. Daniel Cooper pitched four shutout innings for his first save. Ricky Oropesa went 3 for 3 with a home run for the Trojans (1-4, 11-12). Anthony Vasquez had two hits, including a homer, and three RBI for USC. Jason Kipnis went 4 for 5 with a double, a homer and a steal for the Sun Devils (5-1, 19-4). The Trojans scored two in the third to break a 2-2 tie and added three in the sixth to take control.

No. 5 Miami (Fla.) 6, No. 7 Georgia Tech 2
In Coral Gables, Fla., starter Iden Nazario (3-0) allowed just two runs - both in the first two innings - and lasted seven innings as closer Kyle Bellamy pitched two innings for his seventh save as Miami defeated Georgia Tech at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field. Scott Lawson hit a three-run homer for the Hurricanes (8-4, 20-7), who came back from an early 2-0 deficit and scored six unanswered runs to salvage the finale of the ACC series. Derek Dietrich went 3 for 4 and had the only RBI for the Yellow Jackets (8-2, 18-4). The Miami offense knocked around starter Kevin Jacob (4-1) early as he gave up five runs on seven hits in 3.2 innings.

No. 6 North Carolina 6, No. 16 Virginia 5

In Chapel Hill, N.C., Ryan Graepel was plunked with the bases full in the bottom of the ninth to give UNC the ACC series-clinching win over Virginia at Boshamer Stadium. Dan Grovatt had a two-run homer in the top of the ninth for the Cavaliers (6-4, 22-4) to knot the score at 5-5. Grovatt also had a two-run double in the first for UVa. Levi Michael had a career-high four hits for the Tar Heels (7-4, 20-6). Kyle Seager had two hits, including a two-run homer, for UNC.

No. 8 Rice 9, Memphis 5

In Houston, Brock Holt went 3 for 4 with two runs and two RBI to lead Rice over Memphis at Reckling Park. Four other Owls collected two hits and Rick Hague drove in three for Rice (4-2, 17-7). Shawn Ablett went 2 for 3 with one run and three RBI to lead the Tigers (2-4, 10-15). The win clinched the Conference USA series for Rice after dropping the first game of the weekend.

No. 9 Baylor 7, Kansas State 6

In Waco, Texas, Adam Hornung went 2 for 4 with one run and two RBI as Baylor withstood a furious comeback by Kansas State to hold on for the win. Leading 7-2 after five, the bullpen of the Bears (5-4, 17-6) would give up four runs, two of them off the bat of Nick Martini with a double in the seventh. Brooks Pinckard would lock things down for the Wildcats (2-4, 21-7) by stranding the tying run at first in both the eighth and ninth. Shaver Hansen and Landis Ware each drove in two runs for Baylor.

No. 10 Texas 8, Texas Tech 1

In Austin, Texas, Michael Torres went 2 for 4 with one run and two RBI as Texas jumped out to an early lead against Texas Tech and never looked back. The Longhorns (4-5, 17-7) scored at least a run in each of the first five innings. Travis Tucker went 3 for 5 with an RBI and Tant Shepherd drove in two. The Aggies (4-5, 11-17) got its only run off the bat of Jeremy Mayo, and four other Red Raiders each had two hits.

No. 11 Oklahoma 12-9, Nebraska 9-11

In Norman, Okla., J.T. Wise went 3 for 5 with a homer and four RBI as OU won the opener in a Big 12 doubleheader split with Nebraska. In Game 1, Bryant Hernandez went 2 for 4 with two runs and three RBI for the Sooners (3-2, 22-6). Jeff Tezak was 3 for 4 for the Huskers (4-4, 16-9-1) with two homers, three runs and four RBI. In the nightcap, Tyler Farst went 4 for 5 with two runs and three RBI to lead Nebraska. Cody Asche homered and drove in four for the Huskers. Wise homered again for the Sooners and Hernandez had three hits and three RBI. Matt Harughty had three hits and three runs for OU.

No. 12 UC Irvine 7, No. 18 Cal Poly 6
In Irvine, Calif., Eric Deragish went 4 for 4 with his first homer, three runs and two RBI as UC Irvine completed a Big West sweep of Cal Poly. DJ Crumlich added a three-run double as the Anteaters (3-0, 16-7) scored all of their runs in the first four innings. Eric Pettis came on to pick up his seventh save, preserving the win for Brock Bardeen (4-0), who threw three solid innings of relief. Wes Dorrell had three hits and three RBI for the Mustangs (0-3, 17-7).

No. 13 Arkansas 5-4, Mississippi State 1-12
In Fayetteville, Ark., starter T.J. Forrest (2-1) allowed just one run on four hits over five innings in the opener as Arkansas clinched the SEC series win. Russ Sneed went 3 for 3 with five RBI as MSU won the nightcap. In Game 1, Mike Bolsinger picked up his first save after pitching two perfect innings of relief. Brett Eibner hit a solo homer and finished with two RBI for the Razorbacks (8-1, 19-5), who scored all their runs through the third and fifth. Ryan Duffy had gotten the Bulldogs (3-6, 15-12) out to an early 1-0 in the first with an RBI single with two outs. In Game 2, leadoff hitter Grant Hogue went 4 for 4 with four runs, two stolen bases and reached base five times for MSU, which snapped a six-game conference losing streak. Nick Routt (3-1) pitched a seven-inning complete game. Andy Wilkins hit a solo homer for the Razorbacks, who suffered their first conference loss.

No. 17 Texas A&M 6, Kansas 5

In College Station, Texas, Barret Loux fanned a career-high 11 as Texas A&M completed a three-game Big 12 sweep of Kansas in front of 3,380 fans at Olsen Field. Loux (1-0) worked 6.2 innings with five hits, three runs and three walks. Nick Fleece retired the final five batters to earn his second save of the weekend. Joe Patterson had a two-run homer in the second  and Brett Parsons’ two-run single capped a four-run fourth as the Aggies (6-3, 18-9) built a 6-0 lead. The Jayhawks (3-3, 15-10) got one in the sixth, a two-run single by David Narodowski in the seventh and a two-run single by Tony Thompson in the eighth to make it 6-5.

No. 19 Oklahoma State 13-6, Missouri 1-2
In Stillwater, Okla., Dean Green and Micheal Dabbs both drove in three in the opener as OSU swept a Big 12 doubleheader from Missouri at Reynolds Stadium. Andrew Oliver (4-2) pitched a seven-inning complete game and allowed just one run while striking out 10 for the Cowboys (3-2, 19-7). Starter Kyle Gibson (4-2) was battered around for seven runs on seven hits in two innings of work. Trevor Coleman produced the only run for the Tigers (3-5, 12-14). In the nightcap, Tyler Blandford (5-0) allowed just two runs on two hits in 7.1 innings. Neil Medchill and Tom Belza both had two RBI for the Cowboys. OSU scored in four consecutive innings after falling behind 2-1 in the top of the fourth. Steve Gray knocked in one for the Tigers.

San Diego State 2, No. 20 TCU 1
In Fort Worth, Texas, Pat Colwell dropped down a two-out bunt that brought in the game-winning run as San Diego State scored twice in the top of the ninth to take the rubber game of its Mountain West series with TCU. The Aztecs (5-3, 18-9) scored their first run of the inning when Ryan O'Sullivan reached on an infield hit but shortstop Ben Carruthers' throw to first was wild, allowing Mitch Blackburn to score from second. Tyler Lavigne tossed seven strong innings for SDSU. Kyle Winkler tossed 7.2 scoreless innings for the Horned Frogs (3-3, 15-9).
 

San Diego 9, No. 21 Pepperdine 3

In San Diego, James Meador had two hits and two RBI as USD completed a three-game WCC sweep of Pepperdine at Cunningham Stadium. Nate Simon had a two-run homer in the first and Brian Humphries added an RBI single in the second as the Waves (0-3, 16-11) took a 3-1 lead. Meador’s run-scoring single capped a two-run second as the Toreros (3-0, 19-10) tied it at 3-3. USD took the lead in the fourth and put the game away with five in the eighth. A.J. Griffin (4-1) pitched the first five innings to get the win, while Darrin Campbell tossed the final four scoreless innings for his first save. USD stretched its win streak to five, while Pepperdine’s losing streak grew to five.

Penn State 15, No. 23 Ohio State 11

In State College, Pa., Michael Glantz went 3 for 4 with two runs and three RBI to hand Ohio State its fourth loss. The Nittany Lions (1-2, 14-10) put up 15 runs on 12 hits in a game that burned through the arms of a combined 10 pitchers. Ben Heath drove in three  and Landon Nakata and Jordan Steranka each chipped in two. For the Buckeyes (2-1, 20-4), Cory Kovanda went 4 for 6 with two runs and two RBI to go along with the three runs brought home by Michael Stephens.

No. 24 East Carolina 5-2, Marshall 1-6
In Charleston, W.Va., Thor Meeks blasted a three-run homer to key a five-run fourth inning as Marshall salvaged the final game of its Conference USA series with East Carolina. In the first game, Seth Maness and Brad Mincey (5-1) combined to allow five hits and one earned run as the Pirates (5-1, 20-5) claimed the series. Ryan Wood drove in a key run in a three-run ninth and scored twice for ECU.

No. 25 Florida 10, Alabama 7
In Gainesville, Fla., ninth batter Clayton Pisani finished 2 for 4 with a home run, double, two runs and three RBI as Florida topped Alabama at McKethan Stadium. Avery Barnes and Josh Adams both added two RBI for the Gators (6-3, 18-8), who earned the series sweep and broke a 6-5 game open with a four-run fifth. Ross Wilson and Vin DiFazio each knocked a homer and drove in two for the Crimson Tide (3-6, 16-10). Reliever Anthony DeSciafani (2-0) pitched 4.1 innings of two-run ball for the victory, while starter Del Howell (2-1) took the loss for Alabama by giving up seven runs on eight hits over four innings.

Towson 17, James Madison 16

In Towson, Md., Austin Harclerode’s two-run game-winning homer capped a five-run rally in the bottom of the ninth as Towson won its CAA series over preseason favorite James Madison. The Dukes (3-3, 15-12) led 11-3 in the fifth before the Tigers (3-3, 14-13) pulled to within one at 13-12 after eight. JMU had three homers (Mike Fabiaschi, Matt Townsend, Matt Browning) in the top of the ninth for a 16-12 advantage. Jason Stifler’s three-run blast in the bottom of the frame pulled Towson within one. Chris Wychock walked before Harclerode’s homer to left center ended the contest. Stifler finished with three hits, including two homers, and seven RBI. Gary Helmick also went deep twice for the Tigers. Townsend had two dingers and six RBI for the Dukes.

(photos courtesy of The Citadel Media Relations Office)