April 28, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

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Around the Bases
Navin drives in game-winner in eighth for Vandy over UK

UCLA downs Stanford, Arkansas wins at Florida, Florida State blanks URI

In Nashville, Tenn., Spencer Navin had a RBI triple with two outs in the bottom of the eighth to break a 3-3 deadlock for Vanderbilt as it evened its SEC series with second-ranked Kentucky 4-3 Saturday in front of 2,837 fans at Hawkins Field. The Commodores (8-12, 20-23) led 3-0 before the Wildcats (14-6, 36-8) put up three in the top of the eighth, keyed by a two-run single off the bat of J.T. Riddle. Navin went 2 for 2 with a homer and two RBI, while Conrad Gregor had two hits and two runs for Vanderbilt. Connor Harrell (pictured above) went 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI for the victors. Tyler Beede tossed seven scoreless innings for the Commodores with four hits, four walks and eight strikeouts. Will Clinard (3-2, 1 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 K) got the win, while Drew VerHagen recorded the final two outs for his first save. Austin Cousino (2B) and Luke Maile (1 R, 1 RBI) both had two hits for UK.

No. 11 UCLA 7, No. 9 Stanford 4

In Los Angeles, Beau Amaral went 2 for 4 with a double and two runs as UCLA evened its Pac-12 series with Stanford in front of 1,608 fans at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Brian Ragira (2 for 4) had a two-run double in the top of the first for the Cardinal (9-8, 27-11) before the Bruins (12-8, 28-11) responded with four in the bottom of the frame. UCLA added a pair in the fifth before consecutive homers by Austin Wilson and Danny Diekroeger in the sixth made it 6-4. The Bruins added an insurance run in the seventh on a RBI single by Jeff Gelalich (1 for 3). Cody Keefer went 3 for 4 with one RBI, while Tyler Heineman was 1 for 3 with a double and two runs for UCLA. Nick Vander Tuig (5-3, 5.2 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K) got the win, while Scott Griggs had three walks and two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth to record his ninth save. Brett Mooneyham (5-4, 4 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 4 BB, 7 K) was saddled with the loss. Stephen Piscotty went 3 for 3 for Stanford.

No. 18 Arkansas 5, No. 4 Florida 1

In Gainesville, Fla., Brandon Moore pitched five scoreless innings in relief as Arkansas used a four-run fifth to defeat Florida in front of 4,094 fans at McKethan Stadium to level their SEC series at one game apiece. Moore (4-1) entered in the fourth and allowed three hits with no walks and two strikeouts. Dominic Ficociello went 2 for 5 with one run and one RBI for the Razorbacks (10-10, 30-13). Mike Zunino went 3 for 4 with two doubles for the Gators (12-8, 33-11).

No. 1 Florida State 2, Rhode Island 0
In Tallahassee, Fla., Mike Compton threw six scoreless innings as Florida State beat visiting Rhode Island in a pitcher’s duel. Compton (8-0) earned the victory and allowed two hits and three walks while striking out two. The Seminoles (35-7) scored one run in the bottom of first and one in the bottom of the second thanks to a sacrifice fly by Jayce Boyd (1 for 2, SB) and a passed ball that allowed Stephen Spradling to score. The Rams (26-18) managed only two hits, but starting pitcher Nick Narodowy (1-6, 5.1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) pitched well in a losing effort.

No. 3 Baylor 15, New Mexico State 5

In Waco, Texas, Logan Vick homered and drove in four as Baylor beat New Mexico in front of a crowd of 3,246 at Baylor Ballpark to extend its home win streak to 20. Dan Evatt (3 for 4, 2 RBI) and Adam Toth (3 for 4, 3 R) also went deep for the Bears (38-8), who blew the game open with a seven-run fifth. Ryan Smith (3-0, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K) got the win in relief. Tanner Waite had two doubles and one RBI, Zac Fisher went 3 for 4 with a double, and Zach Voight was 2 for 4 with a homer for the Aggies (30-13).

No. 5 LSU 8, Georgia 4

In Baton Rouge, La., Mason Katz blasted a grand slam to key a six-run rally in the eighth for LSU against Georgia. The Tigers (14-6, 35-9) are now tied with Kentucky atop the SEC overall standings. Joey Bourgeois (2-2) picked up the win in relief after throwing three innings of no-hit ball with one walk and three strikeouts. Blake Dieterich (3-3) took the loss after giving up four runs on three hits in one inning. Katz went 3 for 4 with five RBI, while JaCoby Jones had two hits, including a double, and two runs for LSU. Brett DeLoach went 3 for 4 with an RBI, while Curt Powell homered for Georgia (8-12, 24-20).

No. 6 South Carolina 9, Alabama 1

In Columbia, S.C., South Carolina scored in each of the first five innings in completing a three-game SEC sweep of Alabama in front of 8,242 fans at Carolina Stadium. L.B. Dantzler homered and drove in two, while Joey Pankake had two hits, including a double, and two RBI for the Gamecocks (14-7, 33-11). Nolan Belcher (4-2, 3.1 IP, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K) earned the win in relief. Austen Smith and Josh Rosecrans both had two hits for the Crimson Tide (6-15, 17-28). South Carolina has captured five straight SEC series and has won 11 consecutive conference contests.

Memphis 6, No. 8 UCF 5
In Orlando, Fla., Derrick Thomas had two hits and helped Memphis win Game 2 of the Conference USA matchup with UCF. The Knights (13-4, 35-9) jumped out to a 4-1 lead after six innings thanks to a Chris Taladay (1 for 3) solo home run and RBI singles from JoMarcos Woods (1 for 4) and Jeramy Matos (2 for 4). However, the Tigers (7-10, 19-24) scored five runs in the final three frames to earn a come-from-behind victory. Adam McClain (1 for 4) and Jacob Wilson (1 for 3, 2 BB) had RBI singles in the seventh, and Thomas (2 for 3, 2 BB, 2 RBI, R) delivered an RBI single in the top of the ninth to give Memphis its first lead of the night. Jonathan Van Eaton (1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) worked the ninth inning to earn his sixth save.

No. 10 Texas A&M 12, Texas 4

In Austin, Texas, Blake Allemand had two hits and three RBI to lead Texas A&M past Texas to clinch a Big 12 series victory in front of 7,716 spectators at UFCU Disch-Falk Field. The Aggies (11-6, 31-12) scored two in the first and three in the fourth to take control. Scott Arthur (3 for 6, 2 R), Tyler Naquin (2 for 5, HR) and Krey Bratsen (1 for 5) each knocked in a pair for Texas A&M. Ross Stripling (7-2, 8 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 4 K) earned the victory. Jordan Etier (3 for 4, 2 R) and Jonathan Walsh (2 for 4) both homered for the Longhorns (11-6, 24-16), who committed five errors in the first four innings.

No. 12 Oregon 3, California 2

In Eugene, Ore., Aaron Jones drove in the game-winning run for the second day in a row as Oregon edged Cal in front of a record crowd of 3,892 at PK Park. The Ducks (13-7, 29-13) are now 10-4 in one-run games after the win over the Golden Bears (7-10, 23-17). Jake Reed (5-2) picked up the win after surrendering two runs on seven hits and four walks in seven innings. Matt Flemer (6-3) took the loss after giving up two earned runs on nine hits in seven innings with five strikeouts. Brett Thomas went 3 for 4 with three doubles and an RBI, while Ryon Healy had two hits, including a double, and two runs for the Ducks. Mitch Delfino went 4 for 5 with two RBI for Cal.

No. 13 Arizona 6, ETSU 4

In Tucson, Ariz., Bobby Brown hit a solo bomb in the third to help propel Arizona to a win over ETSU at Hi Corbett Field. The Wildcats (28-13) used a 13-hit attack with five extra-base hits to pull out the win over the Bucs (19-23). Konner Wade (6-1) picked up another win after his 7.1-inning performance in which he gave up three runs on eight hits while striking out seven. Stephen Manthei (1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 2 K) earned his second save. John Long (5-5) took the loss after allowing five earned runs on 13 hits in 7.1 innings while striking out five. Zach Thompson went 3 for 3 with a double and a run, while Clinton Freeman had three hits, including a double, and two RBI for ETSU. Alex Mejia went 3 for 5 with a triple, one RBI and two runs for Arizona.

No. 16 Purdue 4, Michigan State 3 (14)

In West Lafayette, Ind., Cameron Perkins was 0 for 6 before delivering a game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 14th as Purdue secured a Big Ten series victory over Michigan State at Lambert Field. The game was scoreless through seven innings before Torsten Boss ripped a three-run triple in the top of the eighth for the Spartans (7-7, 26-15). Eric Charles (3 for 5, 3 RBI) had a run-scoring single in the eighth and a two-run base hit with two away in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings. Andrew Dixon went 3 for 6 with two runs, while Kevin Plawecki and Bennett Oliver both had two hits for the Boilermakers (14-3, 34-6), who have won 14 of their past 15 games. Blake Mascarello (8-1, 3.2 IP, 2 H, 1 K) got the win in relief of Lance Breedlove (7.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 4 K) and Nick Wittgren (3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K). Jordan Keur and Jimmy Pickens both had two hits for MSU.

No. 17 San Diego 3, Portland 1

In Portland, Ore., Paul Sewald pitched six solid innings as San Diego evened its WCC series at Portland. Sewald (7-1) scattered eight hits and gave up one run while fanning three for the Toreros (10-4, 33-10). Michael Wagner picked up his nation-leading 19th save after giving up no runs on one hit in one inning against the Pilots (9-8, 22-16). Travis Radke (6-3) took the loss after giving up two runs on four hits in 6.1 innings with nine strikeouts. Louie Lechich went 1 for 3 with an RBI for USD. He scored the go-ahead run in the seventh, drawing a leadoff walk and coming home on a base hit by pinch-hitter Corey LeVier.

No 19. Ole Miss 6, Mississippi State 2
In Starkville, Miss., Ole Miss capitalized on a series of Mississippi State errors to even the SEC series at one game apiece. With the game tied at two in the top of the seventh, Austin Anderson (1 for 3) drove in a run with a single after the Bulldogs (9-11, 26-17) committed a critical error. Auston Bousfield (1 for 4, 2 R), who had reached base on a throwing error, later scored on a second throwing error and the Rebels (10-10, 28-15) took a 4-2 lead. Ole Miss extended its lead in the top of the ninth thanks to yet another throwing error by MSU and a bases-loaded hit by pitch.  Mississippi State’s Mitch Slauter was 1 for 4 with a home run.

Virginia 7, No. 20 Miami (Fla.) 3

In Coral Gables, Fla., Virginia erased a 3-2 deficit with a five-run sixth in defeating Miami in the opener of their ACC series in front of 2,750 fans at Mark Light Field. Keith Werman, Kenny Towns and Colin Harrington all went 2 for 4 with a double, one run and one RBI for the Cavaliers (12-10, 29-14-1). Branden Kline (6-3, 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 5 BB, 8 K) picked up the win, while Eric Erickson (6-5, 5.1 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 1 K) suffered the loss. Dale Carey went 1 for 3 with a double, one run and one RBI for the Hurricanes (12-10, 27-15).

Louisville 14, Connecticut 6
In Louisville, Ky., Ty Young drove in four runs as Louisville clinched a series victory over Big East rival Connecticut. Young (3 for 5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 SB) singled and scored in the bottom of the second as the Cardinals (12-5, 31-12) took an early 1-0 lead. Two innings later, Young drove in two with a triple as the Cardinals answered a five-run Connecticut fourth with a five-run frame of their own. In the bottom of the sixth, Young hit a two-run homer to put Louisville ahead 10-5. LJ Mazzilli went 3 for 5 and Stanley Paul had two hits and two RBI for the Huskies (11-6, 23-20). Louisville’s Dace Kime (4 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K) pitched well in relief to earn his first victory. 

Utah Valley 11, NJIT 7

In Orem, Utah, Billy Burgess went 4 for 6 with three doubles as Utah Valley outscored NJIT in Great West action to extend its win streak to 23. Jake Rickenbach (2 for 5, 2B, R, RBI) stretched his hit streak to 24, tying the school record of Chris Benson. The Wolverines (16-0, 30-11) used a five-run fourth to build an 8-1 lead. Austin Heaps and Alex Exon both went 2 for 4 with two RBI and one run for UVU. Jeff Pizzi went 2 for 3 with two walks and two runs, while Mike Rampone (2 for 5) homered for the Highlanders (9-7, 17-19).

Coastal Carolina 7, Liberty 1

In Lynchburg, Va., Daniel Bowman and Alex Buccilli both drove in three as Coastal Carolina completed a three-game Big South sweep at Liberty. Bowman went 3 for 5 with two runs, while Buccilli was 3 for 3 with a double for the first-place Chanticleers (12-3, 30-13). Coastal scored three in both the third and fourth to take a 6-1 advantage. Aaron Burke (7-3, 2.2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) got the win in relief. Justin Sizemore went 1 for 3 with a double for the Flames (10-8, 33-15). Coastal has won 16 straight over Liberty.

Presbyterian 5-8, Radford 3-9

In Radford, Va., Brad Zebedis belted four homers for Presbyterian in a Big South doubleheader split at Radford. Zebedis went 2 for 5 with a two-run homer in the third for the Blue Hose (7-11, 19-25). PC snapped a 2-2 tie with three in the top of the fifth. In the nightcap, Zebedis went 4 for 4 with three homers, four runs and six RBI. He had a three-run dinger in the first and a solo shot in the third to give the visitors a 4-1 lead. Zebedis singled and scored on a two-run homer by Kenny Bryant in the fifth as PC took a 6-3 advantage. Phil Bondi had a three-run double in the sixth as the Highlanders (10-5, 25-18) tied the game at 6. Zebedis delivered a two-run homer in the seventh to raise his season total to five. Radford rallied in the bottom of the ninth as a sacrifice fly by Brett Mollenhauer (3 for 4, 3 RBI) tied it and a double by Zach Costello (2 for 6) brought home the game-winner.

Jacksonville State 17, Austin Peay 2

In Clarksville, Tenn., Ben Waldrip belted three homers and drove in seven as Jacksonville State overwhelmed first-place Austin Peay to even the OVC series. After hitting a leadoff single in the second, Waldrip had a three-run homer in a five-run fifth to give the Gamecocks (11-6, 17-23) a 5-1 advantage. Waldrip added a leadoff homer in the fifth and a three-run dinger in the sixth. He walked on four pitched in his final plate appearance in the seventh. Kyle Bluestein went 5 for 5 as JSU amassed 21 hits. Daniel Watts (4-5, 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K) received the victory. Jon Clinard had three hits for the Govs (12-4, 26-16).

Kent State 4, Western Michigan 0

In Kent, Ohio, Jimmy Rider had a two-run double in the eighth to become the program’s career hits leader as Kent State blanked Western Michigan at Shoonover Stadium. Rider has 314 hits, passing the total of 313 by Andrew Davis (2004-07). The shortstop also owns the school’s career assists record with 677. Rider finished with two hits and three RBI for the Golden Flashes (14-3, 26-17). Ryan Bores (5-2, 6 IP, 4 H, 4 K) earned the victory, while Brian Clark (2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 3 K) registered his third save. Andrew Sohn and Dan Shutes both had two hits for the Broncos (7-9, 17-22).

Gonzaga 1, Loyola Marymount 0 (12)

In Spokane, Wash., Payden Cawley Lamb delivered a pinch-hit single in the bottom of the 12th to plate Andy Hunter with the game’s lone run as Gonzaga outlasted Loyola Marymount in front of 2,011 fans at the Patterson Complex. The teams combined for just 12 hits in the 12-inning contest. Marco Gonzales fanned 15 in 11 innings for the Bulldogs (7-7, 27-13) with five hits and no walks. Zach Abbruzza (2-3) struck out two and walked one in the top of the 12th to snag the win. Aaron Griffin (3-4, 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 1 K) took the loss in relief of Trevor Megill (7 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 8 K) and Ryan Hawthorne (2.1 IP, 1 BB, 5 K). Alex Guthrie went 1 for 5 with a double for the Lions (86, 20-18), the game’s only extra-base hit.

(photo by Jimmy Jones)