March 7, 2008

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

Around the Bases
Carr drives UIC past No. 8 Vanderbilt

UNC Greensboro tops Valparaiso; Santa Clara nips San Diego

In Nashville, Tenn., Jake Carr stroked a two-run double with two outs in the top of the ninth to lift UIC to a 2-1 win over No. 8 Vanderbilt Thursday at Hawkins Field. Steve McGuiggan led off the ninth with a bunt single for the Flames (3-4) and was sacrificed to second. Tony Altavilla walked and both advanced a base on a groundout, setting the stage for Carr. Grant Kohlstaedt went the distance for UIC, with six hits, one unearned run and five strikeouts. The Commodores (6-3) scored in the fourth on a fielder’s choice by Brad French.

UNC Greensboro 11, Valparaiso 4

In Greensboro, N.C., Ricky Orton had three hits, including two doubles, two runs and two RBI as UNC Greensboro outscored Valparaiso. Drew Gehringer had three hits and three RBI for the Spartans (6-2). UNCG built a 6-0 lead after three before the Crusaders (2-7) got on the board. Jason Brunelli had two hits for Valpo.

Santa Clara 7, San Diego 6

In San Diego, Jon Karcich had three hits and two RBI to lead Santa Clara past San Diego in a game called after eight innings due to darkness. Karcich’s two-run single capped a five-run third for the Broncos (8-1). Victor Sanchez had a two-run homer for the Toreros (5-6) in the fifth that tied the game at 6-6. Patrick Glenn walk and scored the game-winner in the seventh for SCU.

Oklahoma State 3, Loyola Marymount 2

In San Diego, Luis Flores knocked in two, including the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth, to carry Oklahoma State past Loyola Marymount in the Aztec Invitational at Tony Gwynn Stadium. Flores homered in the fourth to start the scoring. With the game tied 1-1 with one out in the ninth, Donnie Webb tripled for the Cowboys (8-1) and scored on a base hit by Flores. Dylan Brown added an RBI single to give OSU a 3-1 lead. The Lions (3-7) loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth on an error and two walks. With two outs, A.J. LaMonda walked to make it 3-2. Closer Jordy Mercer entered and fell behind 3-0 before striking out Sean Doyel to end the contest.

Coastal Carolina 9, Toledo 8

In Conway, S.C., Tommy Baldridge had an RBI single in the bottom of the 10^th to give Coastal Carolina the victory over Toledo in the first game of the Springmaid Beach Resort Tournament. Chance Gilmore tripled in the 10^th for the Chanticleers (10-1). After a pair of intentional walks, Baldridge ended it with a base hit to left. Jake Swint had an RBI single with two outs in the top of the ninth for the Rockets (3-5) to tie it at 8-8. Baldridge had three hits for Coastal. Josh Johnson had three hits and two runs for Toledo.