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MORE: PG Top 50 rankings | CB TICKET: Report/scouting reports on Texas-Texas A&M (4.28) | Sunday's RPI Report
With Saturday's college baseball action in the books, here's our inside look back at the highlights and lowlights from around the country.
TEAM OF THE DAY: Texas A&M
The Aggies appeared to be in some serious trouble last weekend when they were swept by Baylor in a key Big 12 series. Well, they’ve responded in a huge way so far this weekend, capturing a series victory over heated rival Texas with a 12-4 domination on the road Saturday afternoon. A&M starting pitcher Ross Stripling struck out four and allowed just three runs on nine hits in eight innings of work. Meanwhile, third baseman Blake Allemand had two hits and three RBIs, while two-hole hitter Scott Arthur went 3-for-6 with two runs and two RBIs.
PLAYER OF THE DAY: Marco Gonzales, lhp, Gonzaga
It's absolutely incredible, but a testament to Loyola Marymount's pitching staff, especially freshman starting pitcher Trevor Megill, that Gonzales got a no decision on Saturday. The talented left-handed pitcher struck out 15 batters and allowed just five hits in 11 scoreless innings of work. Gonzales threw 139 pitches in the game, 99 of them for strikes. Meanwhile, Megill put together an impressive start, too, striking out eight and allowing just four hits in seven shutout frames.
UPSET OF THE DAY: Memphis over Central Florida
There's no reason for a huge alarm just yet, but the Knights must avoid a hiccup in the series finale against Memphis. UCF won the series opener before dropping a 6-5 decision on Game 2 on Saturday. UCF starting pitcher Chris Matulis allowed just three runs in 6 2/3 innings of work, while the Tigers scored five runs the final three innings to capture a surprising victory. Memphis outfielder Derrick Thomas led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
FIVE PLUSES
LSU (35-9) -- The Tigers just continue to win in impressive fashion. The Tigers roared back in the latter innings with a six-run eighth inning, beating Georgia 8-4 to clinch the series. LSU relievers Joey Bourgeois and Nick Goody threw well, while outfielder Mason Katz had a huge night, going 3-for-4 with a grand slam, two runs scored and five RBIs.
Oregon (29-13) -- It's safe to say the Ducks are serious about keeping their national title hopes alive. Oregon freshman right-handed pitcher Jake Reed put together a solid start, striking out three and allowing just two runs on seven hits in seven innings in a series-clinching 3-2 win over California. Meanwhile, outfielder Brett Thomas led the way at the plate with three hits and an RBI.
Virginia (29-14) -- Winning a series down in Coral Gables, Fla., this weekend, would be huge for the Cavaliers. They certainly started the weekend on the right foot with a 7-3 triumph over the Hurricanes, outhitting them 10-5 in the contest. Cavaliers starting pitcher Branden Kline struck out eight and allowed three runs in five innings, while reliever Kyle Crockett was tremendous, striking out four in 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Offensively, four Hoos finished the night with two hits.
Arkansas (30-13) -- After dropping a tough series opener to the Gators, it was interesting to see how the Razorbacks responded on Saturday. Well, the answer to that question is good with a 5-1 win over UF. Hogs starting pitcher Randall Fant was lifted after allowing a run on six hits in three innings of work, but it was reliever Brandon Moore that stepped up the most, allowing just three hits in five shutout frames.
Louisville (31-12) -- It sure is tough not to like how the Cardinals are playing these days. The Cardinals captured yet another Big East series win with a 14-6 triumph over Connecticut. UL starting pitcher Jeff Thompson allowed five runs in four innings, but reliever Dace Kim stepped up, tossing four shutout frames to stabilize the contest. Cards outfielder Ty Young had a big-time night at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a triple, home run, two runs scored and four RBIs.
FIVE MINUSES
New Mexico State (30-13) -- The Aggies had hoped to put on a good showing against Baylor this weekend, but failed in that quest. NMSU was swept in the two-game weekend set, dropping the second game of the series 15-5. Aggies starting pitcher Adam Mott allowed seven runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings of work, while the Aggies were unable to get anything going offensively after BU right-handed pitcher Ryan Smith entered the game. Smith allowed just two hits in 3 2/3 scoreless frames.
Dallas Baptist (28-14) -- We said earlier this week DBU could experience some woes the next few weeks with nine weekend games left on the road. Well, the Patriots are in some trouble NCAA wise after dropping another decision to Wichita State, this time 8-7. DBU starting pitcher Taylor Massey had a tough night on the mound, allowing four runs on five hits in five innings, while WSU starting pitcher Kris Gardner put together a solid start.
Washington State (21-18) -- The Cougars really needed to take care of business at home against Arizona State this weekend, but that isn't going to happen as the Sun Devils clinched the series win with a 2-0 triumph. ASU starting pitcher Trevor Williams struck out four and allowed just seven hits in a complete game performance, while the Cougars wasted a very solid start from Tanner Chleborad, who allowed just two runs on three hits in 7 1/3 innings.
Wake Forest (26-18) -- The Demon Deacons were on the extreme bubble for an at-large bid entering the weekend, but now are in even more trouble after dropping yet another game to Boston College, 6-1. BC starting pitcher Eric Stevens allowed just one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings, while the Deacs struggled at times on the mound. Wake Forest must finish the weekend with at least one win over the Eagles.
Washington (22-18) -- It seems like a lot of bubble teams are playing just OK these days. The Huskies are part of that list, too. Utah starting pitcher Joe Pond struck out two and allowed just seven hits in 5 1/3 shutout frames, as the Utes shocked the Huskies 6-0 down in Salt Lake City. UW starting pitcher Tyler Davis had a tough day on the mound, allowing three runs in just 4 1/3 innings, while the offense struggled, recording 10 hits, but leaving 10 runners on base, as compared to just three left on base for Utah.
NATIONAL NOTABLES
* Vanderbilt got a gift when talented pitcher Tyler Beede decided to attend college instead of signing with the Toronto Blue Jays as a first-round pick. Though Beede's freshman campaign didn't start great, he has been in a groove the past few weeks. Beede struck out eight and allowed just four hits in seven shutout frames in a 4-3 win over No. 2 Kentucky.
* Purdue just continues to roll in impressive fashion. The Boilermakers were pushed to the limit against Michigan State, but triumphed in the 14th inning as Cam Perkins hit an RBI single to claim an important series-clinching 4-3 victory. Purdue starting pitcher Lance Breedlove was terrific again, allowing just two runs on six hits in 7 1/3 innings pitched.
* After dropping a tough series opener to Mississippi State on Friday, Ole Miss showed a lot of resiliency in a 6-2 triumph on Saturday. Rebels starting pitcher Mike Mayers allowed just two runs on four hits in five innings of work, while reliever R.J. Hively was terrific, striking out two and allowing just one hit in four scoreless innings of work.
* North Carolina State freshman left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon is having quite the campaign, and his impressive ways continued Saturday in an 8-3 win over Duke. Rodon struck out 12 and allowed just three runs on five hits in a complete game performance. In the game, Rodon threw 110 pitches, 82 of them for strikes.
* Maryland dropped its series opener against Virginia Tech and desperately needed a win on Saturday. The Terrapins got exactly what they needed in an 8-1 win over the Hokies. Terps starting pitcher Brett Harman struck out 10 and allowed just one run on three hits in eight innings of work. Harmon threw 100 pitches, 67 of them for strikes.
* The series finale between Stanford and UCLA ought to be a dandy. Mark Appel and the Cardinal had a wealth of success in the series opener, but the Bruins bounced back in impressive fashion on Saturday with a 7-4 triumph. UCLA's offense, led by Beau Amaral, Trevor Brown and Cody Keefer touched up Stanford talented left-handed pitcher Brett Mooneyham for six runs on four hits in four innings.
* In essentially a series that serves as an elimination weekend for one of these two teams looking to earn an at-large bid, it's Auburn which is impressing so far this weekend. The Tigers won the series opener on Friday and clinched a series win on Saturday with a 12-3 triumph. Shortstop Dan Glevenyak and catcher Blake Austin led the way at the plate with two hits and three RBIs each, while Daniel Koger and Cory Luckie did a nice job on the mound.
* South Carolina continues to play very well these days, as it earned its fifth-straight SEC series win this weekend against Alabama. The Gamecocks captured the series finale against the Crimson Tide, 9-1. Gamecocks starting pitcher Patrick Sullivan allowed just a run on four hits in four innings of work, while Nolan Belcher and Hunter Privette were each solid out of the bullpen, with Belcher tossing 3 1/3 scoreless and Privette tossing 1 2/3 scoreless innings.
Kendall Rogers is the college baseball managing editor for Perfect Game and can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org