March 24, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

click here for complete list of scores

Around the Bases
Fontana's two-run triple leads Florida past South Carolina

Arkansas blanks MSU, NCSU wins at UNC, Newcomb no-hitter for Hartford

In Columbia, S.C., Nolan Fontana’s (right) two-out, two-run triple in the top of the ninth broke a 3-3 tie Saturday and helped top-ranked Florida capture its showdown series with No. 6 South Carolina with a 5-4 win Saturday before a sellout crowd of 8,242 at Carolina Stadium. With two outs in the ninth, Carolina’s Matt Price (3-2) got wild, walking Vickash Ramjit and hitting Cody Dent on a 3-2 pitch. Both runners scored when Fontana ripped a 1-2 pitch to the gap in right-center. LB Dantzler’s solo homer got the Gamecocks (1-5, 17-7) within one in the bottom of the ninth, but Austin Maddox (2-0) was able to close out the win for the Gators (5-1, 22-2). Mike Zunino went 1 for 3 with two RBI, and Fontana finished 2 for 5 after entering 1 for 33 in his career against South Carolina. Joey Pankake went 2 for 3 with a run and a RBI for the Gamecocks. (photo by Tim Casey)

No. 3 Arkansas 8, Mississippi State 0

In Starkville, Miss., Ryan Stanek and Cade Lynch combined on the three-hit shutout as Arkansas evened its SEC series with Mississippi State. Stanek (6-0) allowed three hits and two walks in 6.1 innings with six strikeouts to earn the victory. Lynch retired the final eight, including two by strikeout. The Razorbacks (4-1, 21-3) scored two in the fifth and added six in the sixth. Matt Reynolds went 3 for 5 with two doubles and three RBI, while Tim Carver added two hits and two RBI for Arkansas. Trey Porter, Hunter Renfroe and Sam Frost each had a hit for the Rebels (2-3, 16-8).

NC State 3, No. 5 North Carolina 1

In Chapel Hill, N.C., Brett Austin had a two-run single in the top of the seventh to break a 1-1 tie as NC State defeated North Carolina in the ACC series opener. The Tar Heels (5-2, 17-5) took a lead in the fourth on a homer by Cody Stubbs (2 for 4). The Wolfpack (6-1, 16-4) tied it in the sixth before taking the lead in the seventh. D.J. Thomas (1-1, 3.1 IP, 2 H, 2 K) won in relief of Ethan Ogburn (5.2 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K). Kent Emanuel (5-1, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 3 UE, 2 BB, 4 K) took the loss.

Yale 4-0, Hartford 1-2

In West Hartford, Conn., Sean Newcomb tossed a no-hitter in the nightcap as Hartford split a doubleheader with Yale. Newcomb (1-3) walked two and struck out 10 in the seven-inning complete game. The Hawks (4-16) scored single runs in the first and fifth as Brian Hunter went 2 for 2 with one RBI. It was the first no-hitter for Hartford since becoming a Division I program. Hanson had one run and one RBI in the opener for the Bulldogs (6-13-1). Hunter homered in Game 1 for the Hawks.

No. 4 Florida State 5-3, Wake Forest 4-2 (Game 1 – 11 innings)
In Winston-Salem, N.C., Seth Miller delivered the game-winning single in the top of the 11th as FSU edged Wake Forest in the completion of Friday’s suspended contest. The single by Miller (1 for 5, 2 RBI) that drove in Josh Delph (2 BB, SB) was one of only five hits for the Seminoles (8-0, 21-2). FSU’s James Ramsey (1 for 3, 2 RBI) hit his seventh homer while Wake Forest’s Mac Williamson had two home runs of his own. Evan Stephens also added two hits for the Demon Deacons (3-5, 16-9). In Game 2, Justin Gonzalez hit a two-run homer in the top of the fourth as FSU held off WFU and clinched the series. Gonzalez’s homer erased a 2-1 deficit for the Seminoles. Ramsey also hit a home run, as he gave FSU an early 1-0 lead with a solo shot in the top of the first. The Demon Deacons answered and took the lead in the bottom of the second when Carlos Lopez (1 for 3) and Charlie Morgan (1 for 4) hit back-to-back home runs. Florida State closer Robert Benicasa (1 IP, 0 ER) entered the game in the ninth and allowed two hits, but he earned his eighth save and escaped without allowing any runs as he struck out the side.
 

No. 7 Rice 15, Memphis 4

In Memphis, Tenn., Rice broke from a 5-4 game by batting around and scoring nine times in the eighth inning to beat Memphis for the second straight day. Christian Stringer, J.T. Chargois, Shane Hoelscher and Ryan Lewis each contributed two RBI for the Owls (2-0, 18-7), with Stringer leading the way with three hits and Hoelscher contributing three runs. Adam McClain went 3 for 4 with a run and a RBI for the Tigers (0-2, 9-13).

No. 9 Miami (Fla.) 9, Maryland 1

In Coral Gables, Fla., Dale Carey had two doubles and two RBI as Miami clinched an ACC series win over Maryland. Brad Fieger and Stephen Perez also drove in a pair for the Hurricanes (7-1, 19-4). Eric Whaley (3-1, 6 IP, 5 H, 1 UE, 2 BB, 5 K) got the win. Korey Wacker went 2 for 3 with one run for the Terrapins (1-7, 15-9).

No. 10 Arizona 5, No. 17 Oregon State 4

In Corvallis, Ore., Bobby Brown and Riley Moore hit back-to-back homers – breaking an Arizona streak of 616 straight at-bats without a homer – in the top of the ninth as the Wildcats evened their series with Oregon State. The homers for Brown, a fifth-year senior, and Moore, a freshman, were the first in their careers. Trailing 3-1, Brown doubled in a run in the seventh, and Robert Refsnyder singled in a run to tie it in the eighth for the Wildcats (3-2, 17-7). Tyler Smith went 3 for 4 with three runs for the Beavers (4-1, 15-6).

No. 11 Texas A&M 9-12, Pepperdine 2-5

In Malibu, Calif., Tyler Naquin drove in five on the day as Texas A&M swept a doubleheader and the three-game series at Pepperdine. Naquin had two hits and drove in a pair in the opener, as did Mikey Reynolds, for the Aggies (19-5). Ross Stripling (4-0, 8 H, 2 R, 1 BB) went the distance with nine strikeouts to record the victory. Sam Meyer had two hits, including a home run, for the Waves (16-8). In the nightcap, Naquin had a triple and drove in three, while Reynolds went 4 for 6 with a double, two runs and two RBI for Texas A&M. Rafael Pineda (4-0, 5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 3 K) earned the victory. Joe Sever had three hits and three RBI for Pepperdine.

Auburn 3, No. 12 LSU 2 (10)

In Auburn, Ala., Dan Glevenyak had a sacrifice fly to plate the game-winner in the bottom of the 10th as Auburn won its SEC series against LSU for the third straight year. The home Tigers (4-1, 15-8) turned inning-ending double plays in the ninth and 10th, both times with the go-ahead run at third. Garrett Cooper (2 for 4) had a run-scoring single for Auburn in the eighth to knot the score at 2. Creede Simpson had three hits for the victors. Slade Smith (2-3, 0.2 IP, 2 H) got the win. Mason Katz had two hits and one RBI for the visiting Tigers (2-3, 17-6).

No. 13 UCLA 12, Washington State 3

In Los Angeles, Beau Amaral went 5 for 6 with two doubles as UCLA beat Washington State for the second time in two days in Pac-12 play at Jackie Robinson Stadium. David Berg (3-0) got the win for the Bruins (4-1, 17-4) in 1.1 innings of relief of Nick Vander Tuig, who went 5.2 innings while giving up three runs. Richie Ochoa (0-1) got the loss for Washington State after giving up five runs in 0.2 innings of work. Derek Jones went 2 for 3 with two RBI for the Cougars (1-4, 10-10).

Oral Roberts 3 at No. 14 Cal State Fullerton 0

In Fullerton, Calif., Alex Gonzalez pitched 7.2 innings with six strikeouts as Oral Roberts defeated Cal State Fullerton in the final game of the series at Goodwin Field. Gonzalez raised his record to 2-1. Tyler Coker went 2 for 4 with two runs for the Golden Eagles (10-12). Grahamm Wiest (1-3) received the loss after giving up three runs on four hits over eight innings with seven strikeouts. Michael Lorenzen went 2 for 4 for the Titans (14-8).

Boston College 4-1, No. 15 Georgia Tech 3-2
In Chestnut Hill, Mass., Blake Butera’s walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth drove in Spenser Payne and capped a two-run inning as Boston College clinched a series victory over Georgia Tech in the first game of a doubleheader. The Yellow Jackets (4-5, 15-9) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after one inning as Sam Dove had an RBI single and Daniel Palka drove him in on a sacrifice fly. The Eagles (2-7, 9-13) scored one each in the second and third before adding two in the decisive ninth. Hunter Gordon (1-1, 7.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K) had a solid start for BC, and reliever Nate Bayuk (1.1 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 K) moved to 1-1 on the season after picking up the win. In Game 2, Daniel Palka went 2 for 4 with an RBI to help Georgia Tech edge BC. The Yellow Jackets scored their two runs in the top of the first, as Evan Martin led off the game with a double. Martin would later score on a double play, and Palka’s single brought in Brandon Thomas who had walked. Dusty Isaacs (4-1, 5 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 K) earned the victory despite struggling with command and surrendering six walks. Payne and John Hennessey both went 2 for 4 for the Eagles.

Vanderbilt 5, No. 16 Georgia 4
In Nashville, Tenn., Conrad Gregor delivered a walk-off single to cap a three-run ninth as Vanderbilt came from behind to edge Georgia in SEC play. With the Bulldogs (3-2, 17-7) leading 4-2 in the top of the ninth, Spencer Navin (1 for 3) had a sacrifice fly to bring in Jack Lupo (1 for 4, 2 SB) who had reached on an error. Later in the inning, Mike Yastrzemski (1 for 3, 2 BB) worked a walk with the bases loaded to tie the game. After a pitching change, Gregor (3 for 5, 2 RBI) drove in Tony Kemp with a single through the right side and gave the Commodores (1-4, 8-15) their first SEC victory of the season. Vanderbilt freshman Tyler Beede (8 H, BB) struck out eight in his five innings while Georgia’s Michael Palazonne (6 H, 2 BB) struck out seven and allowed two runs over seven innings. Curt Powell and Brandon Stephens both had three hits for a Georgia offense that pounded out 17 hits yet managed only four runs.
 

No. 19 Oregon 5, Utah 3

In Eugene, Ore., Scott Heineman went 3 for 3 with one RBI as Oregon beat Utah to clinch the Pac-12 series. Joey Housey (2-0) picked up the win for the Ducks (3-2, 15-5) while coming on in relief for Jake Reed, who went 7.1 innings while giving up three runs on four hits. Jimmie Sherfy picked up his fourth save. Tyler Wagner (1-4) was tagged with the loss for the Utes (2-3, 6-15) after giving up three runs on five hits over three innings.

Alabama 3, No. 20 Ole Miss 2

In Tuscaloosa, Ala., Brett Booth belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth as Alabama evened its SEC series with Ole Miss. Taylor Guilbeau (2-2, 1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 2 K) picked up the win for the Crimson Tide (1-4, 9-14). Alex Yarbrough had two hits and one run for the Rebels (2-3, 16-7). R.J. Hively (4 H, 1 UE) struck out eight in eight innings for Ole Miss.

California 3, Arizona State 2

In Tempe, Ariz., Chadd Krist’s home run clinched the Pac-12 win for California over Arizona State. Matt Flemer (3-2) earned the win for the Golden Bears (1-4, 13-8) after giving up only two runs on five hits over 6.1 innings. Trevor Williams (5-1) picked up the loss after giving up only one earned run on four hits over 8.2 innings. Williams retired the 22 of the last 25 batters he faced including five perfect innings. Logan Scott picked up his fourth save. Drew Stankiewicz had two hits and two RBI for the Sun Devils (2-3, 14-8).

Louisville 10-5, Cincinnati 2-4
In Louisville, Ky., Justin Amlung struck out nine over seven innings to help lead Louisville past Cincinnati in the first game of the Big East series. Amlung (4-2) received ample run support from his teammates, as the Cardinals (2-0, 17-6) scored eight in the bottom of the first. Louisville’s Adam Engel (1 for 3, HR, BB, SB) provided a spark out of the leadoff spot while Cole Sturgeon and Jeff Gardner both had two hits. Joey Bielek was 2 for 4 to lead the Bearcats (0-2, 8-13) offense. In the nightcap, Stewart Ijames homered in the first inning to give Louisville an early lead. The Cardinals were able to jump out to another early lead, as they scored three in the first and added two more in the third. Starting pitcher Jeff Thompson (5-0) earned the win despite running into trouble in the seventh, as he lasted 6.2 innings, allowed six hits and four runs while striking out 11. Bielek had two RBI and another two-hit game for the Bearcats.
 

Purdue 8-8, Ohio State 5-1

In Columbus, Ohio, Angelo Cianfrocco had four hits and five RBI as Purdue swept a Big Ten doubleheader at Ohio State. Cianfrocco went 1 for 5 with two RBI in the opener, while Barrett Serrato was 2 for 5 with a double and three RBI for the Boilermakers (2-0, 16-3). Joe Haase (3-0, 6.1 IP, 11 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) earned the win, while Blake Mascarello (2 IP, 1 H, 3 K) notched his first save. Brad Hallberg had two hits and two RBI for the Buckeyes (0-2, 11-10). In the nightcap, Cianfrocco had two hits, including a double, and drove in three, while Kevin Plawecki had two doubles, three runs and two RBI for Purdue. Lance Breedlove (3-2, 9 IP, 9 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 10 K) went the distance for the Boilermakers. Hallberg had two hits and one RBI for OSU.

Virginia 5, Clemson 1

In Charlottesville, Va., Branden Kline pitched a two-hitter as Virginia beat Clemson to clinch an ACC series win. Kline (4-2) allowed one earned run, did not walk a batter and struck out six. Steve Wilkerson had a leadoff triple and scored in the top of the first for the Tigers (3-5, 11-10). The Cavaliers (4-4, 14-8-1) tied it in the second on a homer by Derek Fisher and took the lead in the third on a two-run triple by Chris Taylor. Keith Werman (2 for 3) gave Virginia insurance with a two-run double in the fourth. Mitchell Shifflett went 2 for 2 with two runs for the Cavs.

UCF 10, East Carolina 6

In Orlando, Fla., Alex Friedrich went 4 for 5 with a triple, a homer and two RBI as UCF defeated East Carolina to clinch a Conference USA series victory. Darnell Sweeney went 2 for 5 with two runs and three RBI, while D.J. Hicks (2 for 3, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Ryan Breen (3 for 3, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI) both went deep for the Knights (2-0, 19-5). Chris Matulis (3-0, 4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) earned the win, while Roman Madrid (1.1 IP, 1 K) picked up his first save. John Wooten went 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI for the Pirates (0-2, 15-7).