Team of the day
North Carolina: The Tar Heels couldn't have put together a more impressive performance in the series opener against arch-rival North Carolina State in a 7-1 triumph. UNC left-handed pitcher Kent Emanuel struck out nine, walked three and allowed just one run on seven hits in eight innings of work, while hard-throwing right-handed pitcher Trent Thornton finished out the contest with a scoreless frame. Offensively, third baseman Colin Moran smacked a three-run home run, while shortstop Michael Russell finished the night with a three-hit performance.
Upset of the day
Boston College over Miami (Fla.): The Hurricanes are one of those teams fighting for an NCAA regional host site, while Boston College was aiming for its first ACC win on Friday. Well, something gave, as BC right-handed pitcher Hunter Gordon struck out two batters and allowed just three hits in 6 1/3 shutout innings. With the Eagles win, they're now 7-34 overall, 1-20 in the ACC.
Player of the day
Jon Prosinski, rhp, Seton Hall: Prosinski is having a terrific senior campaign and has the Pirates in position to make an NCAA postseason appearance in June. Prosinski had yet another big-time performance in a 7-0 road win over Villanova. He struck out 13, walked one and allowed just six hits in a complete game shutout performance. For the season, Prosinski now has a 2.23 ERA in 80 2/3 innings.
Winners
Indiana: The Hoosiers started the weekend in impressive fashion with a 9-1 home win over Michigan. IU starting pitcher Joey DeNato was fantastic against the Wolverines, striking out seven, walking five and allowing just one run on six hits in seven innings. At the plate, outfielder Scott Donley went 4-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs, while leadoff hitter Justin Cureton had three hits and two RBIs.
Troy: The Trojans are very much in the mix for an at-large NCAA postseason berth, and captured a solid 8-3 win over Florida Atlantic. Troy starting pitcher Tanner Hicks struck out nine and allowed just three runs on six hits in a complete game performance, while at the plate, first baseman Trae Santos had two homers and three RBIs.
Virginia: The Cavaliers certainly got some help from the Virginia Tech defense in the series opener between the Commonwealth rivals, but the Virginia offense was very opportunistic in an impressive 15-6 triumph. Cavaliers second baseman Reed Gragnani went 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs in the victory, while first baseman Jared King and outfielder Brandon Downes each finished the contest with three hits.
Kansas State: Hoping to earn an NCAA postseason at-large bid at the end of the season, the Wildcats need to take care of business against TCU this weekend. They're off to a nice start, as freshman starting pitcher Levi MaVorhis allowed eight hits in 5 1/3 shutout innings in a 6-1 win. Also worth noting, outfielder Jared King went 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs.
Florida: What has gotten into the Gators the past couple of weeks? UF freshman left-handed pitcher Danny Young struck out a batter and allowed just six hits in 5 2/3 shutout innings, as the Gators captured a 7-2 win over Tennessee. Meanwhile, offensively, Casey Turgeon, Taylor Gushue and Justin Shafer each had a home run in the contest.
UCF: The Knights have a boatload of work to do from an RPI standpoint down the stretch, but could surprise in the NCAA pecking order with a strong finish in Conference USA play. The Knights improved to 9-7 in league play with a 4-2 win over Houston. UCF left-handed pitcher Chris Matulis struck out six and allowed just a run on six hits in eight innings of work, while James Vasquez had two hits and an RBI.
New Mexico: The Lobos have been playing an impressive brand of baseball the past few weeks, and captured yet another solid win, a 9-0 decision over UNLV to start a crucial Mountain West series. UNM starting pitcher Drew Bridges tossed six shutout innings, while at the plate, third baseman DJ Peterson hit his 13th home run of the season, had three hits and knocked in two runs.
Clemson: What a special night it was for the Tigers, who hope to work their way toward a host site by the end of the regular season. Clemson swept a doubleheader from Georgia Tech, taking the first game 11-3, and the second game, 4-3. In the first game, Clemson right-handed pitcher Daniel Gossett struck out four, walked two and allowed just one run on five hits in seven innings, while in game two, Tyler Krieger had a walk-off single to left field in the 11th inning to capture the victory. With the wins, the Tigers are now 31-13 overall, 16-8 in the ACC.
LSU: The Tigers are putting together a sensational campaign with Aaron Nola and others leading the charge. The talented sophomore right-handed pitcher struck out eight, walked none and allowed just two runs on six hits in a complete game performance in a 5-2 win over South Carolina. Offensively, catcher Ty Ross had two hits and an RBI.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores elite junior left-handed pitcher, Kevin Ziomek, once again was on his game, striking out nine, walking three and allowing a run on four hits in seven innings of work in a 3-1 win over Mississippi State. Meanwhile, reliever Brian Miller allowed just two hits in two shutout frames, while outfielder Mike Yastrzemski had two hits and two RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
Creighton: The Bluejays hope to do enough down the stretch to earn an NCAA postseason bid, and captured a nice 5-3 win over Nebraska in front of over 8,000 fans at TD Ameritrade Park. CU starting pitcher Tommy Strunc allowed just two runs in six innings of work, while at the plate, third baseman Federico Castagnini had three hits and an RBI.
Oregon: Heralded Stanford right-handed pitcher Mark Appel struck out nine, walked two and allowed just two runs (one earned) on eight hits in 8 1/3 innings, but the Ducks won in the bottom of the ninth on a walk-off single by Aaron Payne. UO starting pitcher Tommy Thorpe struck out seven, walked two and allowed a run on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings. The bullpen also did a terrific job with freshman left-handed hurler Garrett Cleavinger striking out three in 1 2/3 stellar innings.
Losers
Missouri: Boy, the Tigers are having a first SEC season to forget. Missouri starting pitcher Rob Zastryzny struck out 11, walked one and allowed just three runs on eight hits in eight innings, but the Tigers still dropped a 3-1 decision to Auburn to fall to 13-24 overall. AU starting pitcher Connor Kendrick struck out eight, walked three and allowed just a run on seven hits in 8 1/3 innings.
Illinois: The Fighting Illini hope to have their name called on Selection Monday, but must take series such as the Northwestern one this weekend to make that happen. The Illini dropped a 4-3 decision to the Wildcats in extra frames on Friday. Illinois starting pitcher Kevin Duchene allowed just two runs on five hits in 6 2/3 innings, but the Illini offense was unable to do much against Northwestern starting pitcher Luke Farrell, who allowed just a run on four hits in eight innings.
San Diego: It's difficult to get a good gauge on the Toreros this season, as they tend to be pretty inconsistent. USD starting pitcher Michael Wagner allowed six runs on nine hits in six innings of work in a 9-5 loss to San Francisco Meanwhile, USF starting pitcher Brad Hinkle was solid against the Toreros, allowing just two runs on three hits in eight innings.
Loyola Marymount: Much like other teams around the country, the Lions have very little room for error when it comes to their postseason resume. Well, they're already a step behind this weekend after an 8-3 loss to Portland. LMU starting pitcher Colin Welmon allowed six runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of work in the setback.
Top performances
Harrison Musgrave, lhp, West Virginia: Musgrave made a statement last weekend with a dominant performance against Texas. Well, he was back to his impressive ways again on Friday night in a 1-0 win over Kansas. Musgrave struck out five, walked one and allowed just four hits in a complete game shutout. WVU now has a salty 25-18 overall record.
Brad Goldberg, rhp, Ohio State: The Buckeyes took care of business at home against Penn State, 3-1, with Goldberg leading the charge on the bump. He struck out six batters and allowed just a run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.
Mac Hudgins, of, Notre Dame: Though the Fighting Irish haven't played particularly great as of late, Hudgins stepped up in a very solid 12-2 win over Connecticut. He went 3-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored and two RBIs to lead the Irish offense.
Barrett Astin, rhp, Arkansas: The Hogs had a very business-like 2-0 road win over Georgia with Astin leading the charge. He struck out eight, walked just two and allowed four hits in eight shutout frames against the Bulldogs.
Matt Boyd, lhp, Oregon State: To absolutely no surprise, Boyd, the veteran left-handed pitcher tossed an absolute gem in a 10-4 win over USC. He fanned 11, walked no one and allowed just three runs on five hits in 8 1/3 innings of work. With the win, the Beavers improved to 12-4 in Pac-12 play.
Stuart Turner, c, Ole Miss: After dropping a tough series opener to Kentucky, the Rebels bounced back on Friday with an 11-5 win over the Wildcats. Turner went 2-for-3 with a home run, four runs scored and two RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
Blake Brown, lf/1b, Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles have played a much, much better brand of baseball the past few weeks. Brown had a huge day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs to lead a 13-3 win over UAB.
Chad Green, rhp, Louisville: The Cardinals captured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Georgetown with Green leading the charge on the mound. He struck out five, walked none and allowed a run on three hits in eight innings.
Max Garner, rhp, Baylor: The Bears need to finish the spring incredibly strong to make the NCAA postseason, and captured a solid 6-2 win over rival Texas. BU right-handed pitcher Max Garner struck out six, walked none and allowed just two runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings.
Luke Weaver, rhp, Florida State: Weaver has been terrific for the Seminoles since moving to the weekend rotation, and didn't disappoint in Florida State's 7-3 win over Wake Forest. He struck out nine batters, walked just three and allowed three hits in seven shutout frames in the victory.
Mark Robinette, rhp, Oklahoma State: The Cowboys hit the road to TD Ameritrade Park in Omaha, Neb., and won a 4-1 bout against Rutgers. The talented right-handed pitcher struck out seven, walked three and allowed just five hits in six shutout frames.
Tyler Olson, lhp, Gonzaga: The outstanding veteran left-handed pitcher tossed an absolute gem in a 5-1 win over BYU. He struck out five, walked none and allowed just one run on seven hits in a complete game performance.
Chance Cleveland, rhp, Arkansas-Little Rock: The Trojans aren't exactly having a great campaign, but it's safe to say Cleveland has had some special moments. He struck out 10, walked one and allowed just three hits in a complete game shutout and 5-0 win over Western Kentucky.
Caleb McClanahan, rhp, Central Arkansas: McClanahan has had quite an impressive campaign for the Bears. He struck out five, walked just one and allowed a run (not earned) on four hits in a complete game performance and 5-1 win over McNeese State.
Austin Pritcher, rhp, The Citadel: The talented right-handed pitcher twirled a gem in a 6-0 win over Furman. He struck out six, walked none and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout performance.
Peter Kelich, rhp, Bryant: Kelich has been a very consistent arm this spring, and continued that trend Friday in a win over Long Island-Brooklyn. He struck out two, walked none and allowed just four hits in seven shutout frames.
Chris Razo, rhp, Illinois State: Razo put together a big-time performance in a 4-0 road win over Bradley. He struck out nine, walked two and allowed just seven hits in a complete game shutout performance. He threw 139 pitches, 85 for strikes.
Andrew Thome, rhp, North Dakota: What a night it was for the right-handed pitcher in a 5-0 win over New York Tech. He struck out four, walked two and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout victory.
Jerry Keel, lhp, Cal State Northridge: The Matadors have been pretty solid this season with Keel and others leading the charge. Keel struck out four, walked none and allowed just one run on eight hits in a complete game performance.
Jimmy Reed, lhp, Maryland: The Terrapins hit the road and captured a very solid 1-0 win over Duke to start the weekend. Reed, a veteran, struck out four, walked two and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout.
Jon Richard, lhp, Xavier: What a performance Richard put together in a 2-0 home win over Rhode Island. He struck out just one batter, but also walked just two and allowed three hits in a complete game shutout.
Connor Little, rhp, Hawaii: The talented right-handed pitcher only struck out three batters, but tossed a solid game in a 4-3 win over top-five Cal State Fullerton. He allowed just three runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings of work.