May 20, 2008

Rankings are from CBI Composite Poll

Around the Bases
Texas Southern rallies for SWAC Championship

Arizona outscores Stanford; Long Beach State blanks Oregon State

In Baton Rouge, La., Adam Sellers had a two-run single to cap a five-run eighth as Texas Southern rallied to defeat defending champion Prairie View A&M 12-11 Monday to claim the Southwestern Athletic Conference Championship. The Panthers (25-26) used a five-run fifth to build a five-run lead at 11-6 in the seventh before the Tigers (16-32) tallied one in the bottom of the seventh and five in the eighth. Prairie View got a leadoff walk in the ninth, but David Arrendondo got a popout, a fielder’s choice and a strikeout to end the contest. Sellers, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, drove in four for TSU. Wilford White had three hits and two runs for the Panthers.

Arizona 15, No. 16 Stanford 11

In Tucson, Ariz., Arizona rallied from an eight-run deficit to outscore Stanford at Kindall Field in a game called after eight innings due to travel curfew. Toby Gerhart’s two-run single capped a five-run second for the Cardinal (12-9, 31-20). Gerhart’s two-run homer highlighted a three-run third as Stanford led 8-0. The Wildcats (10-11, 36-16) erupted for nine in the bottom of the third as T.J. Steele had a two-run single and Dillon Baird added a two-run homer. Stanford scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh to take an 11-9 lead before Arizona used a six-run seventh, capped by C.J. Ziegler’s grand slam, to take the lead for good. Colt Sedbrook went 4 for 5 with two runs and two RBI for the Wildcats.

Long Beach State 10, Oregon State 0

In Long Beach, Calif., Danny Espinosa had four RBI and the pitching staff combined on a two-hitter as Long Beach State blanked Oregon State. Jordan Casas also had three hits for the Dirtbags (35-18). LBSU scored three in the second and Espinosa’s three-run double highlighted a five-run third as the Dirtbags built an early 8-0 lead against the Beavers (25-24).

Arkansas 12, Western Illinois 6

In Fayetteville, Ark., Andy Wilkins had two hits and three RBI to lead Arkansas past Western Illinois at Baum Stadium. Wilkins had a solo homer to cap a four-run first for the Razorbacks (34-22). Wilkins’ two-run double highlighted a seven-run fifth for Arkansas. Drew Laidig had a three-run double in a five-run sixth for the Leathernecks (20-31). Arkansas has concluded its regular season. The Razorbacks did not qualify for the SEC Tournament and will wait until Monday to see if they get a bid to the NCAA Tournament. WIU heads to Tulsa for the Summit League Tournament.