May 22, 2010

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Gosselin, Hultzen lead Virginia past Miami (Fla.)

Wittels extends hit streak to 48 for FIU, Bucknell wins Patriot League title

In Coral Gables, Fla., Phil Gosselin went 3 for 4 with two doubles, one run and two RBI as No. 2 Virginia topped No. 13 Miami (Fla.) 7-4 Saturday afternoon to win the ACC series at Alex Rodriguez Park and clinch the Coastal Division title. The Cavaliers (23-7, 45-10) will be the top seed in the ACC Tournament for the second time (1985). Danny Hultzen (8-1) (right) allowed four hits and two runs in five innings with five walks and seven strikeouts to earn the win. Kevin Arico recorded the final four outs for his 15th save, a school record. Gosselin doubled and scored in a two-run first for UVa. After Frankie Ratcliff came home on a wild pitch in the bottom of the frame, Gosselin’s two-run double in the second gave the Cavs a 4-1 advantage. UVa added single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh. Jarrett Parker had three hits and a run for the Cavs. Scott Lawson and Yasmani Grandal both had two hits for the Hurricanes (20-10, 39-15).

Florida Atlantic 14, FIU 10

In Boca Raton, Fla., Nathan Pittman went 2 for 3 with two runs and four RBI as FAU outscored FIU to clinch the Sun Belt regular-season title. Garrett Wittels (3 for 5, 3 RBI) had a RBI double in the third for the Panthers (17-13, 31-22) to extend his hit streak to 48. It is the second-longest in Division I history, 10 away from the mark of 58 set by Robin Ventura of Oklahoma State in 1987. Rudy Flores had a three-run homer in the sixth to give FIU a 5-3 lead. Anthony Mesa had a two-run dinger in the bottom of the frame for the Owls (21-9, 33-20) to tie the game at 5. The Panthers put up three in the top of the seventh before Pittman’s three-run bomb sparked a seven-run outburst in the bottom of the frame as FAU took the lead for good at 12-8. Mike Martinez went deep in the top of the ninth for FIU. Raymond Church (2 for 5, 2 R) and Andy Mee (2 for 4, 1 R) both drove in three for the Owls.

Bucknell 4-12, Holy Cross 3-7

In Worcester, Mass., Doug Shribman hit three home runs as fourth-seeded Bucknell swept a doubleheader at third-seeded Holy Cross to win its fifth Patriot League title and second in three years. The Bison (25-33) earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Shribman had seven home runs and 16 RBI in six Patriot League Tournament games and was named Most Valuable Player. His three-run homer in the seventh of the nightcap put Bucknell on top for good at 9-7. Bob Donato had a RBI double in the eighth inning of the opener to force the third and deciding game. The Crusaders (26-26) won 8-7 on Friday in the first game of the championship series. Ryan Ebner was the winning pitcher in relief in both games. He did not have a win in the regular season, but picked up victories in three of Bucknell’s four tournament wins. Ebner pitched 7.2 scoreless innings in the doubleheader and allowed just three hits. He worked the final five innings of the nightcap and surrendered one hit.

No. 1 Texas 6, Missouri 4

In Columbia, Mo., Cameron Rupp reach on an error and scored on a wild pitch in the top of the ninth to snap a 4-4 tie as Texas defeated Missouri at Taylor Stadium to clinch the Big 12 series. Kevin Lusson had a sacrifice fly in the ninth to add an insurance run for the Longhorns (23-3, 45-8), who have won 27 of their past 28 contests. Connor Rowe had a homer in the fourth that evened the score at 2. Brett Nicholas belted a two-run homer in the fifth as the Tigers (10-15, 27-24) took a 4-3 lead. Cohl Walla (2-5) whacked a RBI double in the eighth for Texas that tied the game at 4. Chance Ruffin (6-1) retired the final five batters to earn the victory. Dane Opel went 2 for 5 with two runs and one RBI for Missouri.

No. 3 Arizona State 6, Oregon State 5

In Tempe, Ariz., Raoul Torres had a RBI single to snap a 5-5 tie in the eighth as Arizona State nipped Oregon State in front of 4,123 fans at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark to secure the Pac-10 series win. Jordan Swagerty pitched the ninth to record his 12th save, tying a school record. Kole Calhoun had a three-run homer in the third and the Sun Devils (18-5, 45-6) added two in the seventh for a 5-2 advantage. In the top of the eighth, Adalberto Santos belted a two-run homer and pinch-hitter Andy Quirring added a solo shot as the Beavers (9-14, 27-21) knotted the score at 5. ASU starter Merrill Kelly allowed four hits and two runs in seven innings with three walks and seven strikeouts. Mitchell Lambson (7-2) pitched the eighth and recorded the victory.

No. 6 South Carolina 11, No. 5 Florida 6

In Columbia, S.C., Jackie Bradley Jr. belted a grand slam as South Carolina salvaged the finale of its SEC series with Florida at Carolina Stadium. Adam Matthews had three hits, including a homer in the first, for the Gamecocks (21-9, 43-13). Bradley’s slam highlighted a six-run sixth as the lead grew to 8-0. Bobby Haney went 4 for 5 with three runs for South Carolina. Ben McMahan had two hits and two RBI for the Gators (22-8, 40-13). Josh Adams had three hits and Hampton Tignor drove in two for UF.

Boston College 6, No. 7 Georgia Tech 3
In Chestnut Hill, Mass., John Spatola went 2 for 3 with a homer and three RBI, and Brad Zapenas hit his first collegiate homer and scored twice as Boston College salvaged the third game of its ACC series with Georgia Tech and claimed a spot in the ACC tourney. Taylor Lasko (4-1) tossed 5.1 innings, and Mike Dennhardt worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth and worked 2.2 innings of no-hit ball. Matt Brazis earned his ninth save for the Eagles (14-16, 29-26). Jay Dantzler drove in a pair of runs for the Yellow Jackets (21-9, 44-11).

Clemson 8, No. 8 Florida State 3
In Clemson, S.C. the Tigers (18-12, 37-19) completed the sweep over Florida State to tie the Seminoles (18-12, 39-16) for the top spot in the ACC Atlantic Division. Clemson scored eight runs across the first four innings and reliever Alex Frederick (6-1) pitched 4.2 scoreless innings on the way to his sixth win. John Gast (6-3) suffered the loss, giving up six runs in 2.2 innings. Brad Miller and John Nester combined for four runs on two hits. FSU’s Sherman Johnson (2 for 4) plated one of the three Seminole runs.
 

No. 9 TCU 7, Cal State Bakersfield 0
In Fort Worth, Texas, Steven Maxwell improved to 9-1 by tossing six scoreless innings, and Jimmie Pharr, Taylor Featherston and Jantzen Witte each drove in two runs as TCU completed a sweep of Cal State Bakersfield. Matt Curry went 3 for 3 with a run and a RBI, and Jason Coats scored three times for the Horned Frogs (43-11). Maxwell allowed four hits and struck out six. TCU will be the top seed in the Mountain West Conference tournament. The Roadrunners fell to 23-28.
 

No. 10 Cal State Fullerton 6, Santa Clara 4

In Fullerton, Calif., Corey Jones knocked in three as Cal State Fullerton clinched the series win over Santa Clara. Tyler Pill scored three for the Titans (36-15). Daniel Renken (10-2) went eight innings to earn the win. Nick Ramirez worked a perfect ninth for his eighth save. Jones (3 for 4) had a two-run single in the first and a RBI base hit in the third. Pill had a double and a homer. Ryan Rieger and Ian O’Connor both had two hits for the Broncos (36-15).

No. 11 UCLA 12, California 4

In Berkeley, Calif., Brett Krill went 2 for 4 with three runs and four RBI as UCLA clinched its Pac-10 series against California. The Bruins (15-8, 40-11) won their sixth straight and reached 40 wins for the first time since 1997. Niko Gallego had a two-run double in the sixth to give UCLA the lead for good at 5-4. Dean Espy had a two-run triple in a four-run eighth and Krill ripped a three-run double in the ninth. Cody Regis went 1 for 3 with two walks and three runs for the Bruins. Trevor Bauer (9-3) allowed eight hits and two earned runs in seven innings with one walk and seven strikeouts to earn the win. Austin Booker drove in two for the Golden Bears (11-12, 27-21).

No. 12 Louisville 13-4, Notre Dame 3-3
In South Bend, Ind., Adam Duvall went 3 for 6 with two homers, three runs and three RBI, and Cade Stallings contributed three hits and three RBI as Louisville completed doubleheader and series sweep of Notre Dame and captured the Big East regular-season title. In the nightcap, Justin Amlung (5-1) allowed four hits and struck out six in six scoreless innings. Drew Haynes added three hits and a RBI, and Stewart Ijames had two hits, three runs and a RBI for the Cardinals (21-6, 46-10). Billy Brockford had two hits and two RBI for the Fighting Irish (10-17, 22-32). In the opener, Duvall (2 for 3, 3 RBI) had a two-run triple in the top of the seventh and final innings as Louisville rallied past Notre Dame. Ryan Wright homered for the Cardinals. David Mills (2 for 3, 2 R( went deep for the Irish.

No. 14 Oklahoma 8, Kansas 7

In Lawrence, Kan., Tyler Ogle had a three-run double to cap a four-run ninth as Oklahoma rallied past Kansas to secure the Big 12 series win. The Jayhawks (11-14-1, 31-23-1) scored four in the first and three in the fourth in building a 7-2 lead. J.R. Robinson (2-3) entered in relief for the Sooners (14-10, 41-14) and pitched five scorless innings with three hits, one walk and six strikeouts. OU tallied single runs in the sixth and seventh before its ninth-inning eruption. Garrett Buechele (2 for 5, 1 HR, 4 RBI), Caleb Bushyhead (2 for 4, 3 R) and Cameron Seitzer (3 for 5) paced the offense for the Sooners. Brian Heere (2 for 5, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Robby Price (2 for 4, 2 2B, 2 R) led the attack for Kansas.

No. 15 Arkansas 7, No. 19 Vanderbilt 5

In Nashville, Tenn., TJ Forrest pitched six shutout innings as Arkansas won the SEC series against Vanderbilt at Hawkins Field. Forrest (7-0) allowed two hits, did not walk a batter and struck out one. Monk Kreder went 2 for 3 with a career-high four RBI for the Razorbacks (18-12, 40-16). Kreder had a run-scoring single in a two-run first as Arkansas took the early lead. Bo Bigham homered to lead off the third and Kreder added a two-run base hit later in the frame for a 5-0 advantage. Kreder’s sacrifice fly capped a two-run fifth as the lead grew to seven. Geoffrey Davenport homered to spark a three-run rally in the seventh for the Commodores (16-12, 40-15). Joe Loftus had a run-scoring single in the eighth and Anthony Gomez went deep in the ninth for Vanderbilt. Andy Wilkins went 2 for 2 with three walks and three runs for the Hogs. Curt Casali and Andrew Giobbi both had two hits for the Commodores.

North Carolina 10, No. 16 Virginia Tech 2
In Chapel Hill, N.C., the Tar Heels (14-16, 36-20) completed their ACC sweep of Virginia Tech (16-14, 36-19). UNC starter Patrick Johnson (6-3) tossed seven innings, surrendering just two runs on seven hits. Levi Michael (2 for 3) plated three runs and seniors Ryan Graepel and Mike Cavasinni each has two hits in their last home contest. The Hokies’ Jesse Hahn (5-4) tallied the loss as he allowed six runs in 4.1 innings. Andrew Rash has a 3-for-4 day at the dish. Despite the series sweep, the Tar Heels will miss the ACC Tournament due to a Boston College victory over Georgia Tech.

No. 17 Auburn 11, No. 18 Ole Miss 1
In Oxford, Miss., Auburn ended its regular season with a SEC sweep of Ole Miss (16-14, 36-20). The Tigers (20-10, 39-17) let loose in the top of the third, scoring seven runs. Trent Mummey (3 for 6) plated a total of four runners. Grant Dayton (8-2) hurled five innings, giving up only one run on three hits. Matt Snyder (3 for 3) notched the Rebels run. David Goforth (1-5) gave up seven runs in 2.1 innings to take the loss.

Seton Hall 3, No. 20 Connecticut 2

In Storrs, Conn., Chris Fontenelli had a RBI single in the top of the ninth to snap a 2-2 tie as Seton Hall salvaged the finale of its Big East series with Connecticut at J.O. Christian Field. Will Walsh (2 for 4) reached on a one-out bunt single in the ninth for the Pirates (8-19, 19-30-1) and pinch-hitter Chase Gray singled, setting the stage for Fontenelli (2 for 3). Benny Mejia (3-1) pitched the final two scoreless innings of relief for the win. Frank Esposito and A.J. Rusbarsky (2 for 4) had RBI singles in the first for Seton Hall. John Andreoli and Nick Ahmed (2 for 3) answered with run-scoring base hits in the third for the Huskies (20-8, 43-12). Billy Ferriter had two hits and a run for UConn.

(photo by Jimmy Jones)