May 17, 2012

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

click here for complete list of scores

Around the Bases
Baxendale pitches Arkansas past Tennessee

NC State tops FSU, Florida blanks Auburn, MSU downs Kentucky

In Knoxville, Tenn., D.J. Baxendale (left) struck out seven in eight innings as No. 18 Arkansas cruised to an 8-0 victory Thursday over Tennessee in the SEC series lid-lifter. Baxendale (7-3) gave up only two hits and did not allow a walk in his 115-pitch effort. The Razorbacks (14-14, 37-17), led by Matt Reynolds and Derrick Bleeker, gave Baxendale an early cushion, scoring seven runs over the first three innings. Reynolds (3 for 5, 3 RBI) delivered with a solo home run the top of the first, and Bleeker (3 for 4, 2 R, 3 RBI) also added solo homers in the second and third innings.  Brandon Zajac (5 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 2 K) came out of the bullpen in the third to provide 6.1 effective innings of relief for the Volunteers (8-20, 24-29).

No. 15 NC State 10, No. 2 Florida State 5
In Tallahassee, Fla., Ryan Mathews hit two home runs as NC State took Game 1 of the ACC series against Florida State. Mathews (2 for 4, 3 R, 4 RBI) hit a three-run homer in the top of the fifth to give the Wolfpack (19-9, 38-13) a 5-4 lead. Mathews’ second home run was a solo shot in the top of the eighth that made it 10-5. Trea Turner and Brett Austin also had two hits for NC State. The Seminoles (22-6, 41-12) jumped out to an early 4-1 lead as Jose Brizuela drove in two with an RBI double. However, FSU was unable to capitalize on a particularly wild outing from Wolfpack starting pitcher Carlos Rodon. Rodon (9-0, 6.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 6 K) walked a season-high nine batters but was able to continuously wiggle out of trouble to earn the victory. Jayce Boyd went 2 for 3 with a double and two runs for Florida State.

No. 3 Florida 6, Auburn 0

In Auburn, Ala., Hudson Randall tossed a three-hit shutout as Florida won the SEC series opener at Auburn in front of 2,652 fans at Plainsman Park. Randall (7-1) walked one and struck out three. The Gators (17-11, 39-15) scored one in the first and four in the second. Nolan Fontana went 3 for 4 with a double and three runs, while Preston Tucker had three hits, including a homer, and two RBI for Florida. Creede Simpson, Dan Glevenyak and Bobby Andrews each had a hit for the Tigers (12-16, 29-25).

Mississippi State 3, No. 4 Kentucky 1

In Starkville, Miss., Chris Stratton fanned eight in 6.1 innings as Mississippi State knocked off Kentucky in front of 6,146 fans at Dudy Noble Field. Stratton (10-1) allowed six hits, no walks and one run. Jonathan Holder struck out the final batter to record his fifth save. Wes Rea had two hits, including a two-run single in the fourth for the Bulldogs (14-14, 32-21) to snap a scoreless tie. Mitch Slauter had two hits and two runs for MSU. Luke Maile had two doubles and one RBI for the Wildcats (18-10, 41-13.

No. 5 Baylor 16, Texas 5

In Waco, Texas, Nathan Orf went 4 for 4 with two doubles and two runs as Baylor bounced Texas to start their Big 12 series in front of 4,889 fans at Baylor Ballpark. The Bears (19-3, 41-11) scored three in the first, seven in the sixth and four in the seventh. Jake Miller had two hits and four RBI, Logan Vick had three hits, two doubles and three runs, while Max Muncy homered and drove in three for Baylor. Josh Turley (8-0, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 BB, 4 K) earned the victory. Jonathan Walsh homered twice and knocked in four for the Longhorns (13-9, 29-19).

No. 9 North Carolina 13, Virginia Tech 2

In Chapel Hill, N.C., Colin Moran and Cody Stubbs had three hits to lead North Carolina past Virginia Tech in the first game of the series between ACC foes. Moran (3 for 6, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI) and Stubbs (3 for 4, 2 R, 3 RBI) spearheaded a 14-hit attack for the Tar Heels (20-8, 40-13). UNC’s Kent Emmanuel earned the victory after going seven strong innings. Emmanuel’s (8-3, 7 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB. 7 K) only bump in the road came in the top of the fourth when Tyler Horan (1 for 2, 2 RBI, BB) hit a two-run homer. Jake Atwell went 2 for 3 for the Hokies (11-17, 34-19).

No. 10 Texas A&M 5, Oklahoma State 2

In Stillwater, Okla., Matt Juengel belted a three-run homer in the top of the 13th as Texas A&M outlasted Oklahoma State. Both starters were impressive, Michael Wacha (6.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 K) for the Aggies (14-8, 39-14) and Andrew Heaney (8.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 12 K) for the Cowboys (13-9, 32-21). Kyle Martin (6-5, 5 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 5 K) picked up the win. Gage Green (3 for 6, 2 R) homered for OSU.

No. 16 Purdue 11, Iowa 8

In Iowa City, Iowa, Cameron Perkins homered twice and drove in four as Purdue downed Iowa to secure the outright Big Ten regular season title. Eric Charles (2B, 2 R) and Ryan Bridges (2B, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI) both had three hits for the Boilermakers (17-5, 41-10). Joe Haase (9-1, 5.1 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) got the win, while Blake Mascarello (3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K) notched his second save. Nick Day tripled and drove in three for the Hawkeyes (8-14, 21-27).

No. 19 Virginia 7, Maryland 6

In College Park, Md., Brandon Downes had two hits, including an RBI double, as Virginia edged Maryland in the first game of the ACC series. Downes’ (2 for 4) double broke a 4-4 tie in the top of the eighth and gave the Cavaliers (17-11, 35-15-1) enough momentum to add two more runs in the inning. The Terrapins (9-19, 31-23) battled back to add runs in the eighth and ninth innings, but they could not capitalize on a ninth-inning rally as UVa closer Justin Thompson (10 SV, 1.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, K) induced a game-ending double play. Maryland’s Jordan Hagel (2B, R, RBI) and Jack Cleary (2B, 2 R, RBI) both had three hits. Virginia’s starting pitcher, Branden Kline, pitched well (6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 K) but earned a no-decision.

Rain forced the cancellation of No. 8 LSU at No. 1 South Carolina and suspended No. 6 Rice at No. 17 UCF, with the Knights leading 8-3 in the top of the fifth.

NEC Tournament

#1 Monmouth 7, #4 Fairleigh Dickinson 1

#2 Sacred Heart 3, #3 CCSU 2

In Norwich, Conn., Pat Light tossed a five-hitter as Monmouth downed Fairleigh Dickinson in the opening game of the NEC Tournament. Light (8-3) allowed two walks and one unearned run with five strikeouts. The Hawks (34-22) scored two in the first and four in the seventh. Jake Gronsky went 2 for 4 with a double and three RBI, while Josh Boyd scored twice for Monmouth. Jordan Ritz went 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Knights (24-27-1).

In the second contest, John Murphy had a sacrifice fly to snap a 1-1 tie in the seventh and Dan Perez followed with a run-scoring double as Sacred Heart edged CCSU. Troy Scribner (7-5) went the distance with seven hits, two runs, no walks and nine strikeouts to earn the victory for the Pioneers (23-30). Dylan DelaCruz had two hits, including a home run, for the Blue Devils (28-23).

SWAC Tournament

E4 Mississippi Valley State 7, E2 Alcorn State 6 (12)

W2 Prairie View A&M 2, E1 Jackson State 0

W1 Southern 8, W3 Grambling State (GSU eliminated)

W4 Texas Southern 6, Alabama State 3 (ASU eliminated)

In Baton Rouge, La., Demetrins Bonner had a pinch-hit RBI single in the bottom of the 12th as Mississippi Valley State edged Alcorn State to stay undefeated in the SWAC Tournament. Billy Linney had four hits and a run, while Allen Cheek added three hits and three runs for the Delta Devils. Christopher Broadway (2 IP, 1 H, 2 K) picked up the win. Antolin Morales had two hits and two RBI for the Braves.

In the other winner’s bracket contest, Stef Hernandez tossed a four-hit shutout as Prairie View A&M downed Jackson State. Hernandez walked one and struck out five. Dominiq Harris went 2 for 3 with a double, one run and one RBI for the Panthers. Quintavious Drains (8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 7 K) went the distance and suffered the loss for the Tigers.

Jose DeLeon pitched a shutout as Southern eliminated Grambling State in the day’s first game. DeLeon allowed seven hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. Jeremy Lopez drove in a pair for the Jaguars. Thomas Brown had two hits for the Tigers.

Lacy Jackson homered and drove in four as Texas Southern eliminated Alabama State. The Hornets scored three in the fifth before the Tigers put up three in both the seventh and eighth. Kevin Schuba (3 H, 3 K) pitched four scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win. Richard Gonzalez knocked in a pair for ASU.

MEAC Tournament

S1 Bethune-Cookman 10, N4 Coppin State 4

N3 Maryland-Eastern Shore 13, S2 NC Central 5

N1 Delaware State 10, S4 Savannah State 8

S3 North Carolina A&T 14, N4 Coppin State 3 (CSU eliminated)

S2 NC Central 10, S4 Savannah State 3 (SSU eliminated)

In Norfolk, Va., Jordan Taylor doubled and drove in three as Bethune-Cookman downed Coppin State in the completion of Wednesday’s suspended contest. The Wildcats (31-24) scored four in the third to take an 8-4 lead. Brashad Johnson went 2 for 4 with three runs for the victors. Scott Garner (4-4, 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 1 K) earned the win. Zach Hawk and Yahya Muhammad both had two hits and one RBI for the Eagles (1-52).

Brandon Schott went 4 for 5 with one run and two RBI as UMES defeated NC Central in a first-round contest. The Hawks (13-37) used a six-run sixth to erase a 5-2 deficit. Byron Campbell had two hits and three RBI for UMES. Jacob Foreman (6-5, 5.1 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 1 K) picked up the win. Tyson Simpson and Tyler Murphy both had one hit, one run, one walk and one RBI for the Eagles (18-31).

In the final first-round match-up, Tony Gatto went 3 for 4 with two runs as Delaware State topped Savannah State. The Hornets (36-15-1) scored three in the first, two in the fifth and five in the sixth to take a 10-2 lead. Troy Drummond scored three and Eddie Sorondo homered for DSU. Jordan Elliott (10-2, 6.2 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 BB, 7 K) took the victory. Ian Farris went 3 for 4 with two doubles and two runs, while Matthew Oglesby had two hits and three RBI for the Tigers (19-33).

In the first elimination game, Luke Tendler went 3 for 4 with two runs and four RBI as North Carolina A&T sent home Coppin State. Tendler was a homer short of the cycle, while Kelvin Freeman went 3 for 4 with two doubles, three runs and three RBI for the Aggies (19-35). Shane Carter (2-3, 4 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 5 K) earned the win in relief. Alex Brown went 2 for 2 with two RBI for the Hawks (1-53).

In the final contest of the day, Michael Romano did not allow an earned run in eight innings as NC Central eliminated Savannah State. Romano (3-3) gave up eight hits and four walks while fanning four. Troy Marrow had three hits, missing the cycle by a home run, and drove in three for the Eagles (19-32). Darien Campbell had two hits and two RBI for the Tigers (19-34).

(photo courtesy of Arkansas Media Relations Office)