March 9, 2011

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Freeman extends hit streak to 42 in KSU loss at Vandy

Duffy hits for cycle as Tennessee tops UNO, UNLV rallies past Arizona

In Nashville, Tenn., Jason Esposito (right) went 2 for 3 with three runs and one RBI as second-ranked Vanderbilt outscored Kennesaw State 9-5 Wednesday at Hawkins Field. The Owls (9-4) held a 5-4 lead before the Commodores (13-1) plated three in the sixth and two more in the seventh. Connor Harrell (2 for 4, 1 R), Conrad Gregor (2 for 4, 1 2B) and Anthony Gomez (1 for 5) each drove in a pair for Vanderbilt. Ronnie Freeman went 2 for 2 with two walks and one RBI for KSU. He extended his hit streak to 42 games, a school record. It is the 12th-longest streak in NCAA history and fifth-longest in Division I. Sean McClurken was 3 for 5 with two runs for the Owls.

Tennessee 18, New Orleans 4

In Knoxville, Tenn., Matt Duffy hit for the cycle as Tennessee topped New Orleans at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Duffy went 4 for 6 with three runs and four RBI. He doubled in the first, tripled in the fourth, homered in the fifth and singled in the eighth. It was the second cycle in Volunteer history, first accomplished by Chris Burke against Vanderbilt of May 11, 2001. Tennessee (9-2) scored in six of eight at-bats, including six in both the fourth and fifth. Andrew Toles went 3 for 5 with two runs and five RBI. Blake LeBlanc had two hits for the Privateers (1-11).

UNLV 9, No. 15 Arizona 7

In Las Vegas, UNLV erupted for nine in the seventh to rally past Arizona at Wilson Stadium. Johnny Field had a three-run homer in a four-run fifth as the Wildcats (10-3) built a 7-0 lead after six. The Rebels scored eight of the nine with two away in the seventh. Richie Jimenez (2 for 4) and Trent Cook (1 for 2, 2 R) had two-run singles and Rance Roundy (2 for 4, 2 R) added a two-run double which tied the game. Roundy scored the go-ahead run on a base hit by Travis Feiner. Zack Hartman took the mound in the eighth for UNLV. He retired Arizona in order in the eighth and worked around two hits in the ninth to earn his fourth save. Joey Rickard went 3 for 4 with one run for the Wildcats.

No. 1 Florida 8, USF 1

In Tampa, Fla., Daniel Pigott went 3 for 4 with a homer, three runs and two RBI as Florida downed USF in front of a sellout crowd of 3,211 at USF Baseball Stadium. Mike Zunino and Josh Adams both homered in a three-run second for the Gators (11-2). Pigott smacked a two-run dinger in the sixth. Alex Panteliodis (1-0) allowed five hits and one run in five innings with four strikeouts to record the win. James Ramsay homered in the second for the lone run for the Bulls (5-7).

No. 5 Florida State 9, Maine 3

In Tallahassee, Fla., Devon Travis went 3 for 3 with a double, a homer and four RBI as Florida State defeated Maine in front of 3,655 fans at Dick Howser Stadium. Travis had a leadoff homer in the first to start the scoring for the Seminoles (12-1). His two-run double keyed a five-run second for FSU. Stuart Tapley (2 for 3, 2 R, 2 RBI) homered in the third for the Seminoles. Joey Martin and Mike Connolly both had two hits, one run and one RBI for the Black Bears (3-11). Hunter Scantling (1-0) allowed two hits in five scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn the victory.

No. 12 LSU 6, Sacred Heart 1

In Baton Rouge, La., LSU scored five in its final three at-bats to battle past Sacred Heart in front of 3,945 fans at Alex Box Stadium. The Tigers (12-1) got one in the sixth to snap a 1-1 tie and plated two in both the seventh and eighth to pull away. Trey Watkins went 1 for 3 with a walk, two runs and one RBI for LSU. Austin Nola was 2 for 3 with a triple, one run and one RBI for the Tigers. Tyler Jones (7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 4 BB, 4 K) registered the victory. Rob Griffith had two hits, including a double, for the Pioneers (4-4).

No. 14 North Carolina 8, St. John’s 1

In Chapel Hill, N.C., Cody Stiles allowed one run in seven innings as North Carolina handled St. John’s at Boshamer Stadium. Stiles (2-0) surrendered four hits with one walk and four strikeouts. Paul Karmas doubled in the second and came home on a base hit by Jeremy Baltz as the Red Storm (5-6) took the early lead. The Tar Heels (13-1) answered with two in the second, one in the third, four in the fourth and one in the fifth to claim their seventh straight victory. Ben Bunting had two sacrifice flies and drove in three, while Jacob Stallings homered and knocked in two for UNC.

No. 19 Rice 10, FIU 2

In Houston, Matthew Reckling fanned a career-high nine in six scoreless innings as Rice routed FIU at Reckling Park. Reckling (2-0) allowed six hits and walked three in earning the win. Anthony Rendon had a three-run triple in a four-run fourth as the Owls (9-6) built an 8-0 lead. J.T. Chargois had three hits and a run, while Derek Hamilton drove in two for Rice. Jeremy Patton went 3 for 4 with a double and one RBI for the Panthers (11-3).

(photo by Jimmy Jones)