College Baseball Insider - Your Home for College Baseball

May 23, 2009

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

2009 Conference Tournaments

CBI Live: #8 Vanderbilt 11, #7 Arkansas 1

Around the Tournaments
Utah wins Mountain West, first NCAA trip in 49 years

Kent State captures MAC title, Georgia State wins first CAA crown

Mountain West

#6 Utah 9, #4 San Diego State 3 (SDSU eliminated)

In Fort Worth, Texas, Utah used a six-run third to defeat SDSU and win its first MWC title. The Utes (26-29) will make their first NCAA appearance since 1960. Austin Jones had a two-run double and Rick Cornu added a two-run single in the third for Utah. Tyler Yagi (2 for 5) hit .345 in six tourney games and was named MVP. Ryan O’Sullivan had three hits and one RBI for the Aztecs (40-21).

Mid-American

#4 Kent State 5, #6 Toledo 3 (Toledo eliminated)

In Chillicothe, Ohio, Kent State used three homers in a five-run first to top Toledo at VA Memorial Stadium and claim its seventh MAC title. Ben Klafczynski and Greg Rohan had solo shots and Travis Shaw added a two-run blast for the Golden Flashes (42-15). Dan Sherwood had a two-run dinger in the seventh and Jim Vahalik went deep in the ninth for the Rockets (23-30). Chris Tremblay of KSU was named tourney MVP.

Colonial

#2 Georgia State 12, #3 UNC Wilmington 10 (UNCW eliminated)

In Wilmington, N.C., Marc Mimeault went 4 for 5 with two runs and two RBI as Georgia State fought back from an early five-run deficit to defeat host UNCW and claim its first CAA crown. Brandon Williams went 3 for 4 with a homer and three RBI for the Panthers, who went 4-0 in the tournament and will carry an eight-game win streak into their first NCAA appearance. Bradley Logan, the tourney’s Most Outstanding Player, hit his fourth homer of the tournament and drove in three for Georgia State. Grayson Evans had three hits and three RBI for the Seahawks (31-23), who led 8-3 after four before the Panthers plated four in the fifth and sixth to take control. Ben Thielsen had three hits and three runs for UNCW.

ACC
#6 Virginia 11, #7 Duke 7
#4 Georgia Tech 9, #1 Florida State 2
#3 Clemson 4, #2 North Carolina 3 (11 innings)

In Durham, N.C., trailing 4-1, the Cavaliers scored in each of the final four innings, including a seven-run seventh, as Virginia (42-12-1) beat Duke (35-24) to advance to the ACC title game against top-seeded Florida State. Cleanup hitter Dan Grovatt went 4 for 5 with a homer, three doubles, three runs and three RBI. Tyler Wilson (7-3) went three innings of relief and gave up three runs on five hits with three strikeouts for the victory.

The Yellow Jackets jumped out to an early 4-0 lead and scored in six different innings as Georgia Tech (35-17-1) defeated Florida State (42-15) on the fourth day of competition at the ACC Championship. Despite the loss, the Seminoles will play in the conference final on Sunday. Luke Morton hit a three-run homer for Georgia Tech. Starter Brandon Cumpton (4-2) went 5.1 innings and allowed just one run on six hits for the victory.

Wilson Boyd hit a two-out walk-off single off the Blue Monster with the bases loaded to give Clemson (40-19) a victory over North Carolina (42-16) to eliminate the Tar Heels from the ACC title game. Mike Freeman, who finished 4 for 6 with an RBI, had singled with one out and advanced to third on a throwing error. Two intentional walks later and Boyd drilled the shot to left. Graham Stoneburner (6-3) picked up the win by throwing a scoreless 11th.

America East

#1 Binghamton 16, #2 Albany 6 (Albany eliminated)

#2 Albany 10, #3 Vermont 9 (Vermont eliminated)
In Endicott, N.Y., Binghamton outscored Albany to win its first America East title in a game that lasted five hours and 21 minutes and ended at 3:06 Sunday morning. The Bearcats (29-20) will make their first NCAA appearance. Binghamton scored three in the second, six in the fourth and three in the fifth for a 12-0 advantage. Jim Calderone, the tourney MVP, went 3 for 5 with a double, one run and three RBI. Joe Charron went deep in the ninth for the Bearcats. Dave West had three hits and a run for the Great Danes (26-31-1).

In the first game, Ryan Gugel went 4 for 6 with a double and two RBI, and Brendan Rowland and Jim Banks also drove in two runs as Albany eliminated Vermont. The Great Danes (25-30-1) were to play Binghamton late Saturday for the AEC title, although the game was delayed by lightning in the first inning. The Catamounts (23-32) had taken a 9-7 lead by scoring four runs in each of the sixth and seventh innings, with Ethan Paquette ripping a two-run homer in the seventh. But Albany with Banks, Pete Eichner and Mike Tirri driving in runs in a three-run eighth.

Atlantic Sun
#2 Lipscomb 5, #6 ETSU 4 (ETSU eliminated)
#1 Jacksonville 7, #4 Belmont 5 (Belmont eliminated)
In DeLand, Fla. with runners on first and second with one out, Branden Cadavid hit a walk-off single to right as Lipscomb (22-30) eliminated ETSU (25-28) 5-4 in Game 3 of the Atlantic Sun Championship. The Buccaneers had tied the game at four apiece with two runs in both the seventh and eighth. Reliever Josh Smith (6-4) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings for the win. The Bison will play for the championship later tonight.

Jeremy Gillan went 3 for 4 with a double, a homer and three RBI as Jacksonville (35-20) beat Belmont (29-29) to advance to the A-Sun championship game against #2 Lipscomb. The Dolphins broke up a 3-3 tie with a three-run sixth and an insurance run in the seventh before holding off a late Bruin rally. Billy Schlee (5-2) took over for starter Matt Loosen and pitched seven innings of one-run, three-hit ball.

Atlantic 10

#3 Xavier 10, #2 Rhode Island 1 (URI eliminated)

#3 Xavier 9, #2 Rhode Island 7

In Dayton, Ohio, Zac Richard pitched six scoreless innings and Ben Thomas belted a three-run homer as Xavier won its first A-10 crown over URI at Fifth Third Field. The Musketeers (38-19) became the first team since Virginia Tech in 1999 to win the title with two wins on the final day. Neil Lindgren went 3 for 4 with three runs for Xavier. Dan Haverstick went 2 for 2 with an RBI for the Rams (37-20-1).

In the day's first game, Billy O’Conner’s two-run single in the seventh put XU ahead to stay as the Musketeers (37-19) forced a second championship game against URI. Jordan Conley pitched 2.1 scoreless innings for a school-record 13th save. O’Conner and Ben Thomas both drove in three for XU. Tom Coulombe homered for one of his three hits and knocked in four for the Rams (37-19-1).

Big East

#1 Louisville 7, #5 Notre Dame 6 (ND eliminated)

#6 Connecticut 10, #2 USF 8 (USF eliminated)

#5 Notre Dame 6, #1 Louisville 5

In Clearwater, Fla., Chris Dominguez and Phil Wunderlich hit consecutive homers in the second to fire Louisville past Notre Dame and into the championship game against Connecticut. Andrew Clark had a two-run triple in a three-run third as the Cardinals (43-15) had a 5-0 advantage. Jeremy Barnes had a two-run homer in the fifth for the Irish (36-23). Cameron McConnell had three hits, one run and one RBI for Notre Dame. Jeremy Barnes had two hits, including a homer, and two RBI for the Irish.

Mike Olt went 3 for 5 with five RBI as UConn outscored USF to reach the Big East title game for the second time in three years. The Huskies (36-23) built an 8-1 lead after three and held on for the victory. Olt had a two-run homer in the second to put UConn ahead to stay and added a two-run double in a five-run third. Peter Fatse had a double, a homer, three runs and two RBI for the Huskies. Sam Mende went 4 for 4 with one run and one RBI for the Bulls (34-25).

In the day's first game, David Mills and A.J. Pollock both had RBI triples and scored in a three-run top of the ninth as Notre Dame stayed alive against Louisville at Bright House Field. The teams will meet again this afternoon for a place in Sunday’s championship game. Pollock finished with four hits, while Mick Doyle had two hits, including a dinger, and three RBI for the Irish (36-22). Chris Dominguez homered and scored twice for the Cardinals (42-15), who scored twice in the bottom of the ninth and stranded a pair.

Big South

#1 Coastal Carolina 7, #2 Winthrop 1 (Winthrop eliminated)

#2 Winthrop 6, #3 Liberty 1 (Liberty eliminated)

In Asheville, N.C., Tyler Bortnick had two hits, including an inside-the-park home run, as Coastal Carolina defeated Winthrop at McCormick Field to win its third straight Big South title and 10th overall. David Anderson hit his 20th homer for the Chanticleers (46-14) and set a school record with 49 career dingers. Anderson, Rico Noel and Scott Woodward each drove in two for Coastal. Eddie Rohan had one hit, one walk and one RBI for the Eagles (35-25).

In the day's first game, Robert Lake (6-3) tossed a six-hitter with no walks and five strikeouts as Winthrop defeated Liberty to advance to the title game against top-seed Coastal Carolina. Sean Sullivan had three hits and three RBI for the Eagles (35-24). Errol Hollinger had two hits for the Flames (33-21).

Big Ten
#3 Indiana 13, #2 Minnesota 2 (UM eliminated)

#2 Minnesota 9, #1 Ohio State 6 (OSU eliminated)
In Columbus, Ohio, Indiana thumped Minnesota to win its second overall tourney title and first since 1996. The Hoosiers, who outscored their opponents 47-9 in four tournament games, will make their second NCAA appearance and their first in 13 years. Chris Hervey went 3 for 4 with four RBI to lead IU (32-25). Jake Dunning and Alex Dickerson also had three hits for the Hoosiers. AJ Pettersen had two hits and one RBI for the Golden Gophers (38-17). Derek McCallum had a homer for Minnesota.

In the day's first game, Eric Decker went 4 for 4 with his fourth homer and four RBI as Minnesota eliminated Ohio State to reach the tourney final against Indiana. Nick O'Shea had a two-run double as the Golden Gophers (38-16) took a 4-0 lead in the first. The Buckeyes (40-17) got three back on RBI singles from Michael Stephens (2 RBI), Dan Burkhart (2 RBI) and Ryan Dew. Derek McCallum contributed two RBI and Matt Nohelty had two hits and three runs for Minnesota.

Big 12

#1 Texas 4, #4 Kansas State 2

#8 Baylor 8, #5 Kansas 4

#3 Missouri 5, #2 Oklahoma 4

#6 Texas A&M 11, #7 Texas Tech 4

In Oklahoma City, Brandon Loy had two hits and two RBI as Texas topped Kansas State to advance to the Big 12 title game. Brandon Belt scored twice for the Longhorns (40-13-1). Adam Muenster had two hits and a run for the Wildcats (41-16-1). Taylor Jungmann (7-3) allowed one earned run in 7.2 innings with five hits, two walks and four strikeouts to record the victory. Austin Wood worked the final 1.1 innings for his 14th save.

Shaver Hansen went 3 for 4 with a homer and four RBI as Baylor defeated Kansas at Bricktown Ballpark. Dustin Dickerson and Gregg Glime both had two hits and two runs for the Bears (29-24), who won two of their three games in the Big 12 Championship. Tony Thompson homered and knocked in four for the Jayhawks (37-22), who lost all three tourney games. Both teams now wait to see if they receive NCAA at-large bids.

Missouri turned double plays to end the eighth and ninth in a win over OU. The Tigers (34-24) will face Texas in the Big 12 title game if Texas A&M defeats Texas Tech on Saturday night. If Texas Tech wins, the Red Raiders face the Longhorns for the championship. The Sooners (41-18) out-hit Missouri 12-4. Kyle Mach had a sac fly in a two-run fourth and an RBI single in a three-run sixth for the Tigers. Aaron Senne had two hits and two runs for Missouri. Jamie Johnson had three hits and one RBI for OU.

After scoring one in the top of the first, Texas A&M put up four in the second and third on its way to a win over Texas Tech, putting Missouri in the title game against Texas. Brodie Greene (3 for 4, 3 R, 1 RBI), Brooks Raley (2 for 5, 2 R, 3 RBI) and Luke Anders (3 for 5, 1 HR, 2 R, 2 RBI) paced the offense for the Aggies (36-22). Jeremy Mayo had two hits and two RBI, while Garrett Totten had two hits and two runs for the Red Raiders (25-32). Chris Richburg hit his 14th homer for Tech.

Horizon

#1 Illinois-Chicago 18, #2 Milwaukee 3 (UWM eliminated)

#1 Illinois-Chicago 4, #3 Wright State 0

In Lorain, Ohio, John Rosinski went 6 for 6 with three runs and six RBI as UIC clobbered UWM to reach the title game against Wright State. Rosinski tied a tourney record for hits in a game. Tony Altavilla went 4 for 5 with two runs and three RBI for the Flames (28-22). Josh Groves drove in two for the Panthers (28-27).

Mike Kool (5-7) tossed a seven-hit shutout with no walks and eight strikeouts as UIC blanked WSU to force a second championship match-up between the two teams. Brett Schaefer went 4 for 4 with one run and one RBI for the Flames (29-22). Casey McGrew had two hits for the Raiders (32-28).

Metro Atlantic
#3 Marist 13, #2 Canisius 9 (Canisius eliminated)
#2 Canisius 5, #3 Marist 4
In Trenton, N.J., Brian McDonough had a three-run double in a six-run fourth inning and drove in four on the day as Marist captured the MAAC championship by outlasting Canisius, which edged the Red Foxes earlier in the day. McDonough finished 4 for 6 with two runs, and Richard Curylo went 3 for 4 with three runs and three RBI for the Red Foxes (31-27), who return to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2005. Ian Choy had three hits, two runs and two RBI for the Golden Griffins (36-22), who were trying to repeat at MAAC champs. To force a winner-take-all game, Brian Burton doubled in three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Canisius a one-run win over Marist.

Missouri Valley

#4 Wichita State 4, #3 Creighton 2 (Creighton eliminated)

In Wichita, Kan., Clint McKeever went 3 for 4 to lead Wichita State past Creighton in front of 4,904 fans at Eck Stadium for its second straight and 17th overall tournament title. MVP Ryan Engrav had two hits, one walk and one run. The Shockers (30-25) will make their eighth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. T.J. Roemmich had three hits and a run for the Bluejays (31-25), who stranded 17 runners.

Mountain West

#6 Utah 9, #4 San Diego State 3 (SDSU eliminated)

Northeast

#4 Monmouth 14, #2 Sacred Heart 8 (Sacred Heart eliminated)
#2 Sacred Heart 5, #1 Wagner 4 (Wagner eliminated)

In New Britain, Conn., Nick Pulsonetti and David Jacob each drove in three runs as Monmouth rallied from 7-0 down to capture the NEC title. Mike Drowne and Jeff Hanson drove in two runs apiece as the Pioneers opened up a seven-run lead after the top of the third. But the Hawks (32-23) responded by scoring five runs in the fourth and four more in the sixth. Tourney MVP Chris Collazo went 4 for 5 with two runs and two RBI, hitting .600 with six RBI in the tourney. Jacob, a freshman, had a RBI double to pull Monmouth 7-6 and added a RBI triple for the Hawks' first lead at 8-7 in the sixth.

Earlier in the day, Mike Drowne had a game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth as Sacred Heart nipped Wagner to advance to the NEC championship game. Jeff Heppner homered in the eighth to pull the Pioneers (29-26-1) within one at 4-3. Sacred Heart then got a pair in the ninth for the win. Heppner finished with two hits and two runs. Brian Martutartus went 3 for 5 with a homer, two runs and two RBI for the Seahawks (31-21).

Ohio Valley
#5 Tennessee Tech 4, #6 Jacksonville State 3 (10) (JSU eliminated)
#6 Jacksonville State 9, #2 Murray State 3 (MSU eliminated)
In Paducah, Ky., A.J. Kirby-Jones singled in the game-winning run in the top of the 10th inning as Tennessee Tech won its first OVC tourney title since 2001 (the last time it was held at Brooks Stadium). Kirby was named the tourney MVP after hitting .500 with seven runs, a double, three homers, five RBI and a save. The Gamecocks (31-26) took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the first on RBI hits from Kyle Bluestein, Daniel Adamson and Sam Eberle. But Evan Webb ripped a two-run homer to left in the fifth to bring the Golden Eagles (30-22-1) even at 3.

Earlier, Todd Cunningham had a pair of three-run homers as Jacksonville State eliminated Murray State.

SEC

#1 LSU 3, #6 Georgia 2 (Georgia eliminated)

#1 LSU 16, #6 Georgia 0

In Hoover, Ala., Micah Gibbs had a two-run single in the sixth and Nolan Cain allowed three hits in 5.1 innings as LSU advanced to the SEC title game with a second win over Georgia. Cain (5-0) walked three and fanned five to earn the victory. Ryan Schimpf scored twice for the Tigers (45-16). Zach Cone had two hits and two runs for the Bulldogs (37-22). In the first game, Jared Mitchell had three runs and three RBI as LSU overwhelmed Georgia. Austin Nola had three runs, two runs and two RBI.

Southern

#1 Elon 8, #3 The Citadel 7 (The Citadel eliminated)

#3 The Citadel 5, #1 Elon 1

#2 Georgia Southern 16, #8 Furman 4 (Furman eliminated)
In Greensville, S.C., Dallas Tarleton had a two-run single to key a four-run sixth as Elon edged The Citadel at Fluor Field to advance to Sunday’s title tile against #2 Georgia Southern. Mike Melillo went 2 for 4 with a homer and two RBI for the Phoenix (41-15). Richard Jones went 4 for 5 with two home runs and four RBI for the Bulldogs (37-22).

Earlier in the day, Asher Wojciechowski (3-3) allowed one run on five hits with a career-high 15 strikeouts in going the distance for The Citadel against Elon, forcing another meeting this afternoon for a spot in Sunday’s title game. Nick Orvin went 4 for 5 with two doubles and one RBI for the Bulldogs (37-21). David Green homered and knocked in a pair for The Citadel. Pat Irvine had two hits and scored the lone run for the Phoenix (39-15).

Matt Murray allowed three hits and one earned run and struck out 11, and Ty Wright and Kevin Bowles hit three-run homers as Georgia Southern eliminated pesky Furman. Wright went 2 for 6 with two runs and four RBI, and Bowles went 3 for 5 with three runs and four RBI for the Eagles (41-15), who will face Elon in their first title game since 2005. The Paladins (24-31) lost their first game before eliminating College of Charleston and Western Carolina.

Southland

#7 Sam Houston State 7, #1 Texas State 1 (TSU eliminated)

In Corpus Christi, Texas, Braeden Riley (4 for 5, 2 RBI) had an RBI triple and scored in the bottom of the third to give SHSU the lead for good in its win over TSU at Whataburger Field for its third straight Southland tourney title. Mark Wyatt homered in the fourth for the Bearkats (36-22). Adam DeLaGarza had three hits, one run and one RBI for SHSU. Lance Loftin went deep for the Bobcats (41-15).

Summit

#1 Oral Roberts 6, #3 South Dakota State 2 (SDSU eliminated)

In Tulsa, Okla., Johnny Roberts had an RBI single in the first and a grand slam in the seventh as ORU defeated SDSU and won its 12th straight title. Andre Lamontagne (5-2) fanned nine in going the distance for the Golden Eagles (31-13). Billy Stitz singled and scored, and Jesse Sawyer had a run-scoring base hit in the eighth for the Jackrabbits (26-30).

Sun Belt
#7 ULM 4, #2 Western Kentucky 2 (WKU eliminated)
#7 ULM 11, #2 Western Kentucky 3
#1 Middle Tennessee 6, #5 Louisiana-Lafayette 2 (ULL eliminated)
In Troy, Ala., the Warhawks scored three quick runs in the first and added another in the fourth as ULM (32-26) eliminated Western Kentucky (39-18) from the Sun Belt Championship to advance to the title game against Middle Tennessee. Cleanup hitter Matt Collins finished 3 for 4 with an RBI. Corey Brown (4-2) gave up two runs on six hits in 7.1 innings for the win.

Earlier in the day, the Warhawks broke up a 3-3 tie with an eight-run eighth as ULM (31-26) upset Western Kentucky (39-17) to force another meeting between the two for a spot in the championship game. Matt Collins led the way with three RBI, while Ryan McMillan and Perry Smith each drove in two. Ben Soignier (1-1) pitched 1.1 scoreless innings of relief for the win.

The Blue Raiders scored all six of their runs in the first three innings as Middle Tennessee (42-16) beat ULL (27-30-1) to advance to the Sun Belt championship game. Stuart Meinhart finished 2 for 3 with a run and two RBI. Justin Guidry (4-2) pitched two scoreless innings for the win as the MTSU bullpen combined for 6.2 scoreless innings and surrendered just three hits. Les Smith and Chad Keefer both drove in a run for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

SWAC

3E Alcorn State 7, 4W Texas Southern 6 (TSU eliminated)

1W Southern 10, 3W Grambling State 9 (12) (GSU eliminated)

3W Grambling State 5, 1W Southern 4

In Baton Rouge, La., the top three hitters (Joshua Brumfield, Adrian Bowens, Jabari Graham) combined to go 6 for 11 with six runs as Alcorn State edged TSU. The Braves (28-18) advance to Sunday’s SWAC title game, looking for its first championship. Earnest Rhone had an RBI single that pulled the defending-champion Tigers (24-29) to within one at 7-6.

Jesse Olivar had an RBI single to plate James Armstrong with the game-winner as Southern (28-15) outlasted Grambling State (17-37) to advance to the championship game against Alcorn State.

Grambling State rallied from a two-run deficit to defeat Southern and force a second meeting for a spot against Alcorn State in the championship game. The Tigers (17-36) trailed 3-1 before tallying two in the sixth to tie and two in the seventh for the lead. Milt Barney had an RBI triple in the seventh to give GSU the lead and scored an insurance run on a sac fly. Brad McDavid homered in the eighth for the Jaguars (27-15).

WAC
#3 Fresno State 10, #5 Hawaii 3 (Hawaii eliminated)

#4 New Mexico State 10, #1 San Jose State 9 (SJSU eliminated)

#1 San Jose State 14, #2 Louisiana Tech 3 (Louisiana Tech eliminated)
In Honolulu, Steve Detwiler sent 2 for 2 with one run and two RBI as Fresno State eliminated host Hawaii to reach the championship game. Danny Muno had three RBI for the Bulldogs (30-28). Vinnie Catricala had two hits and one RBI for the Rainbows (32-26).

Mike Sodders went 3 for 5 with two runs and one RBI as NMSU sent home SJSU and advanced to the title game. Sebastien Vendette (8-2) fanned five in 6.1 innings for the win. Wade Reynoso and Bryan Marquez both had two hits, two runs and two RBI for the Aggies (44-15). Corey Valine had three hits for the Spartans (41-20).

John Shaffer homered and drove in four, and Corey Valine and Craig Hertler each added three RBI as San Jose State won a losers' bracket game with Louisiana Tech. Jack Adams worked five innings to improve to 4-1 for the Spartans (41-19). Clint Ewing had two RBI for the Bulldogs (29-22).

West Coast

#1 Gonzaga 14, #2 Loyola Marymount 3 (LMU eliminated)

In Spokane, Wash., Ryan Wiegand hit three homers and drove in eight as Gonzaga won the WCC championship with a two-game sweep of LMU. Wiegand matched his season total for dingers for the Bulldogs (35-16). Wiegand had a three-run homer in the first, a solo shot in the seventh and a grand slam in the eighth. Steven Ames (8-1) pitched a complete game for Gonzaga with seven hits, one earned run, two walks and five strikeouts. Evan Wells went 3 for 5 with two runs and one RBI for the Zags. Mark Castellitto had four hits for Gonzaga. Kyle Spraker had one hit and one RBI for the Lions (30-29).