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PREMIUM: In-depth breakdown of Florida-LSU Game 1
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Oklahoma State’s pitching: The Cowboys may leave something to be desired at the plate, but their pitching staff continues to impress. OSU starting pitcher Brad Propst struck out three and allowed just a run on six hits in eight innings as the Cowboys defeated Kansas 3-1 in the opener of an important Big 12 road series. The Cowboys will compete for the Big 12 regular season title if their offense is consistent.
Connecticut’s inconsistency: It’s finally time for the Huskies to leave all rankings until they can prove they can play a consistent brand of baseball. The Huskies dropped a dismal 18-3 decision to Rhode Island on Friday. Starting pitcher Elliot Glynn allowed four runs in five innings while the Husky bullpen was atrocious. This team has some issues that need to be dealt with.
Stony Brook’s Frankie Vanderka: The Seawolves are putting together a solid campaign and Vanderka continued their hot ways Friday with a no-hitter in a 14-1 victory over New Jersey Tech. Vanderka struck out 13 and allowed an unearned run in the complete game performance. With the victory, the Seawolves now have an 8-4 record. The Seawolves are a potential No. 4 seed no team wants to see.
Florida State and Virginia pitching: The Cavaliers edged the Seminoles 4-3 in a hard-fought extra-inning affair, but the game was more known for the stellar pitching of starters Sean Gilmartin and Danny Hultzen. Gilmartin, the talented FSU left-hander, struck out five and allowed three runs in 7 1/3 innings, while Hultzen struck out 12 and allowed three runs in seven innings. Both pitchers are having phenomenal campaigns for their respective clubs.
Miami’s Bryan Radziewski: Wake Forest shocked the nation last weekend with a series win over North Carolina, but it will have to play from behind the rest of the weekend after dropping a 4-1 contest to the Hurricanes in the series opener. UM starting pitcher Bryan Radziewski was fantastic, striking out 10 and allowing a run on three hits in 6 1/3 innings. The ‘Canes couldn’t have asked for a better start.
Southern Mississippi: The Golden Eagles entered the weekend aiming for a marquee victory, and they got it on Friday with an impressive 7-2 win over College of Charleston. USM starting pitcher Todd McInnis struck out seven and allowed just two runs on four hits in seven innings. Reliever Chase Horn also did a great job while outfielder Kameron Brunty led the offensive charge with six RBIs. It was a big night for the Golden Eagles.
Mississippi’s Matt Crouse: Crouse might’ve started the season with a tough start against Wright State, but has been fantastic since then. Crouse put together another great start Friday as the Rebels defeated Alabama 4-0 to begin SEC play. The left-hander struck out seven and allowed just three hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings. Crouse is now 5-0 on the year.
Georgia: The Bulldogs made a statement last weekend with a 3-0 record with wins over UCLA, St. Mary’s and USC. They took another step forward Friday with a 4-2 win over South Carolina to begin SEC play. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Alex Wood struck out six and allowed just two runs on seven hits in 8 1/3 innings in the winning cause. Reliever Tyler Maloof earned his seventh save by recording the final two outs.
Vanderbilt’s Sonny Gray: Gray has had an impressive campaign and continued his dominant ways Friday in a 10-0 win over Mississippi State. The right-handed pitcher struck out 10 and allowed just four hits in 7 1/3 innings. Gray improved to 5-0 with the dominant performance against the Bulldogs. He continues to show why he’s one of the nation’s elite prospects and pitchers.
Texas’ Taylor Jungmann: Jungmann has been amazing this season and continued his dominant ways Friday in a 3-0 win over Kansas State. Jungmann only struck out four batters, but had an efficient start as he allowed just five hits in eight innings. Jungmann is 5-0 and continues to show observers why he’s one of the nation’s elite pitchers. He also is helping his MLB draft stock.
Stetson: The Hatters got their home series against fellow Atlantic Sun power Mercer started on a positive note with a 4-3 victory. Hatters starting pitcher Lyndsey Caughel struck out five and allowed three runs in 6 1/3 innings, while Jeff Simpson and Nick Rickles led the offense with three hits each. The Hatters could seemingly take control of the A-Sun with a series-clinching win on Saturday.
Oklahoma’s Michael Rocha: OU coach Sunny Golloway said a couple of weeks ago that Rocha has made some of the most impressive strides of any pitcher on his staff. Well, he was right. The talented right-handed hurler struck out 13 and allowed just three hits in 8 2/3 innings as the Sooners defeated Texas A&M 1-0. While Rocha was fantastic for OU, top prospect and Aggies right-handed pitcher John Stilson struck out nine and allowed just a run in seven innings.
Dayton’s Cameron Hobson: The Flyers couldn’t have gotten a better start from the talented left-handed pitcher. The Flyers defeated Siena 13-0 in a game that only went seven innings. However, Hobson tallied nine inning like numbers. He struck out 14 batters and allowed just two hits in seven innings. Hobson improved to 3-1 with the victory.
Florida: The Gators entered Friday’s contest against LSU red-hot with a fantastic record, but it wasn’t known how they’d play in front of a hostile crowd. UF starting pitcher Brian Johnson got off to a slow start, but settled down and allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings. Relievers Tommy Toledo and Anthony DeSclafani performed at a high level, while catcher Mike Zunino led the way at the plate. UF showed why it’s a title-caliber club.
Florida International: The Sun Belt regular season title could be determined by the series between the Golden Panthers and Owls this weekend. FIU started the series on a positive note with a 9-7 victory in the opener. Jeremy Patton, Pablo Bermudez and Mike Martinez led the way at the plate. Patton and Bermudez each recorded three hits while Martinez had two hits, including a home run. FIU could take a step forward with another win this weekend.
Georgia Tech’s Mark Pope: The Yellow Jackets continue to get dominant starts from their two-header monster on the weekend in Pope and stud left-hander Jed Bradley. Pope was great Friday in a 9-2 win over N.C. State. The right-hander struck out seven and allowed just a run on three hits in eight innings. With every start he dominates opposing teams, you get the feeling Pope is increasing his draft stock.
Louisville’s struggles: The Cardinals took a step back earlier this week by getting swept by USC in a two-game midweek set. They took another step back on Friday in a disappointing 11-9 loss to Xavier. Right-handed pitcher Matt Koch had his worst start of the season, allowing eight runs on seven hits in just three innings. The Cards desperately need to come back and win this series.
Arkansas: The Razorbacks had a successful trip to the West Coast last weekend and hoped to start SEC play on a positive note. They did just that Friday with a thrilling 6-5 extra-inning win over Auburn. Veteran leadoff hitter Collin Kuhn finished the game with three hits and two RBIs. He also had the game-winning hit for the Hogs. UA needs just another win this weekend to earn a huge road series victory.
UNLV: The Rebels already have taken a step forward this season with a solid record, but they entered the weekend hoping to earn a tide turning series win over TCU. The Rebels took the first step Friday with a 5-4 victory. Starting pitcher Tanner Peters allowed his first run of the season, but still only allowed three runs on seven hits in 7 2/3 innings. UNLV designated hitter Brandon Bayardi led the way at the plate with a pair of home runs.
Troy: In one of the more intriguing Sun Belt pitching duels of the weekend, Troy starting pitcher Tyler Ray bested South Alabama starter Garrett Harris. Ray struck out six and allowed just a run on three hits in 5 1/3 innings as the Trojans defeated the Jaguars 7-1. Harris, meanwhile, struck out nine in seven innings. Troy reliever Nathan Hill also deserves credit after tossing 3 2/3 innings of shutout baseball with seven strikeouts.
UC Irvine: The Anteaters haven’t won a marquee series this spring, but could at least earn a solid series win this weekend with a triumph over Loyola Marymount. The ‘Eaters started the series on a positive note with a 5-2 victory. Irvine starting pitcher Matt Summers struck out five and allowed just two runs on four hits in 6 1/3 innings in the winning cause. Relievers Nick Hoover and Brian Hernandez also performed at a high level.
Oregon State: There might not be a more impressive pitcher than OSU right-hander Sam Gaviglio. Gaviglio has been amazing this spring and continued his dominant ways in a 4-0 win over Long Beach State. The righty struck out 14 and allowed just a hit in a complete game shutout. The Beavers have a fantastic ace in Gaviglio. It now will be interesting to see if they can seal the deal against the Dirtbags.
Texas Tech: The Red Raiders missed a golden opportunity for a marquee series win a couple of weekends ago when they faced TCU at home. Now, the Red Raiders hope to earn an impressive series win over Baylor after earning a 6-5 victory in the series opener. Tech sluggers David Paiz, Reid Redman, Andre Wheeler and Jamodrick MacGruder each had two hits in the contest. Tech is much better than its resume indicates.
Houston: Kent State pitcher Andrew Chafin was the heralded arm entering Friday’s contest against the Cougars, but it was UH starter Mo Wiley that stole the show in a 5-3 victory. Wiley struck out three and allowed just two runs on four hits in seven innings. Chafin, meanwhile, allowed four runs in just five innings. A series win over the Golden Flashes would be a step forward for the Cougars.
USC: The Trojans suddenly are playing a very solid brand of baseball. They defeated UCLA last Sunday before sweeping a two-game midweek set from Louisville. USC continued its winning ways Friday with an 8-2 triumph over Pacific. The top four hitters in the offensive lineup tallied eight of the team’s 12 hits, while starting pitcher Andrew Triggs was fantastic, striking out five and allowing just two runs on six hits in a complete game performance.
Arizona State: It wasn’t too long ago the Sun Devils appeared to be just OK, but those days are long gone. ASU made a statement earlier this week with a midweek series sweep over Oklahoma. Now it started its series against Oral Roberts with a solid 5-1 win. ASU starting pitcher Kramer Champlin struck out eight and allowed a run on six hits in a complete game performance to lead the winning cause. He improved to 3-0 with the victory. The Devils, meanwhile, have a fantastic 14-3 record.
North Carolina: The last time the Tar Heels took the field in ACC play they dropped a disappointing series to Wake Forest. Fortunately, they look to be trying to make a statement this weekend against Virginia Tech. UNC starting pitcher Patrick Johnson put together a respectable start while leadoff hitter Ben Bunting and Jacob Stallings finished the game with three hits each. The Heels need to finish the job against the Hokies this weekend.
Kendall Rogers is the managing editor of college baseball for Perfect Game USA and has covered the sport for over 10 seasons. He can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org