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Team of the Day
Mississippi (19-1): Rebels second baseman Preston Overbey hit a second-inning grand slam on a Trey Killian 76 mph curveball, and his club never looked back in a rather dominant 7-1 win over Arkansas. While Overbey led the charge at the plate, Bobby Wahl did his job on the mound, striking out five and allowing just one run on three hits in seven innings of work.
Upset of the Day
Maryland over Florida State
The Seminoles did a decent enough job from a pitching standpoint Friday night, but were unable to master Maryland starting pitcher Jimmy Reed. Reed had a fantastic night on the mound, allowing just three runs (two earned) on five hits in eight innings of work in the 5-3 Terps upset win. Meanwhile, FSU starting pitcher Brandon Leibrandt allowed three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Player of the day
Jonathan Gonzales, 1B, Sr., Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: The Islanders put a whipping on reeling Texas State to the tune of 23-7, with Gonzalez and others leading the charge. Gonzales had a huge night at the plate, going 6-for-6 with a pair of doubles, four runs scored and eight RBIs.
Teams feeling good
Oregon State (17-1): Talented sophomore outfielder Michael Conforto went 3-for-5 with a home run, a run scored and three RBIs, as the Beavers captured an impressive 6-2 road win over Arizona to begin Pac-12 play. While Conforto led the way, OSU also got a solid start from left-handed pitcher Matt Boyd, who allowed just two runs and two hits in seven innings of work.
James Madison (11-6): UNC Wilmington captured an impressive series win over VCU last weekend, but luck wasn't on its side Friday night in a 17-5 loss to JMU. Dukes first baseman Matt Tenaglia went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and four RBIs, while outfielder Chad Carroll went 2-for-4 with a double and four RBIs.
Georgia Tech (15-2): Tech starting pitcher Buck Farmer didn't have a great night on the mound, but good thing he has the offense backing him up to take care of business. Hot-hitting outfielder Brandon Thomas and Zane Evans each smacked a home run as the Jackets captured a 12-5 win over Boston College.
Central Arkansas (16-2: Fresh off a huge road series win over Mississippi State, the Bears didn't disappoint back in action Friday in a 3-1 road win over Southern Miss. UCA starting pitcher Caleb McClanahan was fantastic, striking out four, walking none and allowing just one run on four hits in a complete game performance. Meanwhile, outfielder Ethan Harris knocked in two runs.
Vanderbilt (17-2): Junior left-handed pitcher Kevin Ziomek continued his impressive ways on Friday, as the Commodores captured a 5-2 win over Auburn. Ziomek carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Tigers, finishing the night with five strikeouts, two walks and two runs allowed on five hits in 8 1/3 innings of work.
Texas Tech (13-7): Most were waiting to see how right-handed pitcher Trey Masek did against the Longhorns on Saturday, but sophomore right-handed pitcher Dominic Moreno certainly stole the show in a 1-0 win over Texas. Moreno struck out just two batters, but walked no one and allowed five hits in seven shutout frames. Jerad McCrummen finished the contest with two scoreless frames.
South Alabama (16-3): The Jaguars are having an impressive campaign, and tallied another impressive win with an 11-10 triumph over Troy. South Alabama designated hitter Dustin Dalken hit two homers, recorded three hits and knocked in two runs, while first baseman Jordan Patterson had a night to remember, going 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
LSU (17-1): Tigers senior first baseman Mason Katz had a night to remember against Mississippi State, as he smacked a two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning to give his team a 6-4 lead, and ultimately a huge SEC-opening victory. While Katz led the charge, also give some credit to third baseman Christian Ibarra, who finished the night with two hits and an RBI.
Virginia (16-1): Cavaliers outfielder Mike Papi smacked a home run in the 11th inning, as the Hoos captured an impressive 6-5 win over Clemson. While Papi led the charge at the plate, left-handed pitcher Kyle Crockett was fantastic out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit in two shutout frames.
Teams wanting a do-over
Tulane (10-10): Green Wave ace right-handed pitcher Tony Rizzotti didn't allow an earned run in eight innings of work, but that didn't matter as Tulane's offense sputtered against UTSA in a disappointing 3-2 setback. UTSA reliever Jordan Pacheco was the key to the game, striking out five and allowing just three hits in 4 2/3 shutout frames.
Kentucky (14-3): The Wildcats didn't play a particularly difficult non-conference schedule, and that might have caught up them Friday night in a 4-1 loss to Florida. UK starting pitcher AJ Reed only allowed a run on six hits in 6 1/3 innings of work. However, UK's bats were silenced by UF freshman pitcher Jay Carmichael, who allowed a run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Pepperdine (8-9): Waves starting pitcher Scott Frazier allowed just three runs on seven hits in eight innings of work, but LMU starting pitcher Colin Welmon was too much in a 3-0 Lions victory. Welmon has been terrific this season, striking out six, walking two and allowing five hits in 7 1/3 shutout frames.
Connecticut (9-5): The Huskies has been red-hot the past few weeks, but stumbled Friday night in a disappointing 6-5 loss to Presbyterian. Huskies junior left-handed pitcher Anthony Marzi struggled in the contest, allowing five runs on seven hits in six innings of work, while the offense only was able to record six hits against Blue Hose pitching.
Sam Houston State (8-9): The Bearkats dropped the opener to the Patriots before losing the second game of the series on Friday night, 8-7. SHSU highly touted starting pitcher Cody Dickson struggled against the Patriots, allowing five runs on four hits in six innings of work in the losing cause.
Middle Tennessee State (11-7): The Blue Raiders were in fantastic shape just a couple of weeks ago, but now they're scuffling, as evidenced by a 6-5 loss to rival Western Kentucky on Friday. MTSU starting pitcher Hunter Adkins allowed five runs on five hits in six innings of work in the losing cause.
Arizona State (11-3): The Sun Devils have been consistent for the most part this season, so it came as a huge surprise junior right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams struggled immensely in a 15-4 loss to Washington State. Williams struck out four, walked two and allowed nine runs (seven earned) on 13 hits in seven innings.
San Diego State (7-11): The Aztecs were looking pretty good a couple of weeks ago, but it's obvious at this point the loss of Ryan Muno has been too much to handle at this juncture. SDSU starting pitcher Michael Cederoth put together a solid start against Fresno State in a 1-0 loss, but was outdone by Tyler Linehan, who struck out seven in a complete game shutout.
Best individual performances
Zach Lopes, 3B, Jr., Delaware: The Blue Hens captured an impressive win with Lopes leading the charge. The talented third baseman went 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs in the victory.
Steven Shelinsky, OF, Jr., Pittsburgh: The Panthers picked up a dominant win over Niagara with the talented junior leading the charge. He went 3-for-3 with a pair of homers, three runs scored and seven RBIs.
Tarran Senay, 1B, Sr., N.C. State: Senay had a huge night at the plate as the Wolfpack captured a win over Wake Forest. He went 5-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBIs.
Austin Gomber, LHP, So., Florida Atlantic: The Owls captured an impressive win over South Florida rival Florida International on Friday. The sophomore lefty was fantastic against the Panthers, striking out eight, walking one and allowing just eight hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.
Austin Pettibone, RHP, So., UC Santa Barbara: The Gauchos needed to start the weekend on the right foot, and did so with Pettibone leading the way against Sacramento State. The talented righty struck out six and allowed just four hits in a complete game shutout.
Jason Hursh, RHP, So., Oklahoma State: There's no question Hursh has lived up to the hype placed on him so far this season. The talented right-handed pitcher put together yet another solid start in a 9-0 win over Iona. He struck out 10 batters, walked none and allowed four hits in a complete game shutout.
Chris Diaz, LHP, So., Miami (Fla.): The Hurricanes have had trouble establishing consistency the past few weeks, but Diaz got the back on track Friday with an impressive 4-1 win over previously undefeated North Carolina. Diaz struck out four batters and allowed just one run on six hits in seven innings.
Kyle Martin, RHP, Sr., Texas A&M: The Aggies have been looking for some breathing room the past couple of weeks, and finally found it Friday night as Martin tossed a gem for the Maroon and White in a win over Georgia. Martin struck out six, walked two and allowed just a run on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.
Sean Manaea, LHP, Jr., Indiana State: Manaea certainly had to impress scouts in attendance at Friday's game against Minnesota. Manaea, in a Sycamores' 2-1 victory, struck out nine batters, walked one and allowed a run on six hits in a complete game performance. He again was up to the mid-90s with his fastball, throwing 111 pitches, 87 for strikes.
Jonathan Gray, RHP, Jr., Oklahoma: OU still hasn't begun Big 12 play, but had a dandy of a game in a 1-0 win over Northwestern State on Friday. Gray was his usual fantastic self, striking out 12 batters, walking none and allowing five hits in a complete game shutout.
Charley Sullivan, RHP, Sr., Alabama: After a tough series loss last weekend, the Tide started SEC play on the right foot with a 12-1 win over rival Tennessee. The senior righty struck out seven, walked one and allowed just one run on three hits in a complete game performance.
Bryce Kingsley, RHP, Fr., McNeese State: What a terrific Southland Conference performance by the true freshman. Kingsley couldn't have been much better in a 4-0 win over Texas-Arlington. He struck out six, walked four and allowed just four hits in eight shutout frames. He threw 119 pitches, 76 for strikes.
Thomas Eshelman, RHP, Fr., Cal State Fullerton: After losing a game to Texas A&M last weekend, Eshelman got right back on track on the road against Oral Roberts. He only struck out one batter, but also allowed just six hits in 6 1/3 shutout frames to guide the Titans to a 5-0 victory.
Mike Bradstreet, RHP, Sr., Rhode Island: It seems like we're always talking about how well Bradstreet is pitching. He was back it again on Friday in a 4-0 win over Winthrop. The talented right-handed pitcher struck out six and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout.
C.K. Irby, RHP, Jr., Samford: The Bulldogs captured an impressive 6-2 win over Georgia Southern with Irby leading the charge. The talented righty struck out nine, walked three and allowed just two runs on five hits in 8 1/3 innings of work.
Andrew Thurman, RHP, Jr., UC Irvine: Fresh off a tough series loss to BYU last weekend, Thurman got the Anteaters back on track with a dominant performance in a 2-1 win over Nebraska. Thurman struck out 11, walked one and allowed just a run (not earned) on five hits in a complete game performance.
Adam Norton, RHP, Sr., Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish rebounded in impressive fashion from a series-opening loss to Cal Poly, as senior right-handed pitcher Adam Norton struck out five, walked one and allowed just seven hits in eight shutout innings of work.
Travis Radke, LHP, So., Portland: Radke put together yet another outstanding performance, striking out 14 and allowed just two runs in seven innings of work in a 4-2 win over UC Riverside.