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Vanderbilt: The Commodores continue to rack up impressive wins this season. They clinched an important SEC series win over Alabama on Saturday with a 7-0 triumph. Vandy left-handed pitcher Grayson Garvin struck out seven and allowed just four hits in 7 1/3 innings in the winning cause. Offensively, Anthony Gomez, Aaron Westlake and Jason Esposito each finished the contest with two hits. Don’t look for the Commodores to fall out of the top spot next week.
Georgia: It’s another weekend and another SEC series win for the surging Bulldogs. Starting pitcher Michael Palazzone put together another solid start as the Bulldogs defeated Ole Miss 8-3 to clinch another series win. Palazzone only struck out one batter, but allowed just three runs on eight hits in a complete game performance. Georgia leadoff hitter Levi Hyams went 2-for-4 with a run scored and four RBIs to lead the Bulldogs at the plate. Georgia now is 8-3 in the SEC.
Southern Mississippi: The Golden Eagles had been fantastic in Conference USA action before this weekend. But after losing the series opener to Memphis on Friday, the Golden Eagles, at least on the mound, didn’t show much fight in a 16-8 loss to the Tigers on Saturday. USM starting pitcher Geoffrey Thomas had his first bad start of the season, allowing nine runs on nine hits in three innings. Memphis first baseman T.J. Rich had another fantastic showing, belting two home runs and finishing the contest with four hits and six RBIs.
Oklahoma: After getting silenced in the series opener against the Wildcats, Oklahoma responded in a big way Saturday with a 14-3 triumph. Oklahoma starting pitcher Burch Smith allowed just two runs in seven innings while the offense also took care of business. Cam Seitzer and Casey Johnson each had home runs in the game, with the duo tallying six hits and seven RBIs together. The series finale is important for both teams moving forward.
Rice: The Owls did all the little things right on Saturday to claim a 5-3 win over East Carolina and an important road conference series win. Rice starting pitcher Matthew Reckling didn’t have a great day, but the bullpen did a fantastic job with Taylor Wall, Tyler Spurlin and Tyler Duffey leading the charge. Offensively, Anthony Rendon went 0-for-2 and J.T. Chargois laced a pair of doubles and knocked in a pair of runs. The Owls are making a strong case for returning to the rankings.
Michigan State’s Tony Bucciferro: The Spartans silenced Minnesota’s bats in the series opener on Friday and did the same on Saturday on the way to a 2-0 triumph. MSU starting pitcher Tony Bucciferro was fantastic in Game 2, striking out only two but also allowing just five hits in a complete game shutout. Offensively, Brandon Eckerle led the Spartans with a perfect 3-for-3 day at the plate. With the win, the Spartans now are 4-1 in the Big Ten.
Gonzaga: While San Diego has been a huge disappointment this season, Gonzaga has been one of the WCC’s pleasant surprises. The Bulldogs continued their successful ways on Saturday with a 3-1 win over the Toreros. Gonzaga starting pitcher Tyler Olson struck out six and allowed just a run on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings. Reliever Cody Martin also performed at a high level, tossing 1 1/3 scoreless frames. With the win, the Bulldogs are now 18-9 overall, 2-0 in WCC action.
Baylor: After losing the series opener against Texas in dismal fashion, the Bears showed their grit in a 7-6 win over the Longhorns in Game 1 on Saturday. BU starting pitcher Josh Turley struck out five and allowed just three runs on seven hits in eight innings. Offensively, catcher Josh Ludy led the way with two hits and two RBIs, while Dan Evatt slapped a home run in the game. The BU victory sets up a huge series finale for both teams.
UCLA: The Bruins are finally heating up as they earned a series-clinching 10-3 win over Washington State on Saturday to improve to 7-1 in Pac-10 play. UCLA starting pitcher and top prospect Trevor Bauer had a great day on the mound, striking out 15 and allowing just three runs on five hits in a complete game performance. Steve Rodriguez and Cody Regis led the Bruins offensively with three hits each while Jeff Gelalich, Beau Amaral and Dean Espy each had two hits.
Tulane: The Green Wave entered the weekend battered and bruised from losing and injuries, but have responded in a big way, taking a road series from Central Florida with a 6-5 triumph on Saturday. The Green Wave didn’t have an incredible day at the plate, but Nick Schneeberger and Brennan Middleton did finish the contest with two hits each. A series sweep would be absolutely huge for the Green Wave.
Oregon State: The Beavers took a step forward last weekend with a road series win over Arizona, and have made an even bigger statement with a series win over Arizona State as a result of Saturday’s 7-6 victory. OSU starting pitcher Josh Osich didn’t have a great outing, but reliever Scott Schultz stepped up and allowed just two runs in five innings. Offensively, outfielder Jared Norris recorded two hits and two RBIs. The Beavers are aiming for a sweep in the series finale.
Florida: After dropping the series finale to Mississippi State on Friday, the Gators were looking to make a statement on Saturday. They did just that in a 18-0 demolition of the Bulldogs. The Gators knocked State starter Chris Stratton out of the game after just 1 2/3 innings. UF catcher Mike Zunino went 3-for-4 with a home run, four runs scored and five RBIs, while Nolan Fontana, Josh Adams, Daniel Pigott and Austin Maddox each had two hits in the game.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks put on a pitching clinic against Tennessee this weekend. They finished off a series sweep of the Volunteers with a 2-1 win in the series finale. South Carolina starting pitcher Forrest Koumas struck out seven and allowed just a run on three hits in 7 1/3 innings, while reliever Matt Price earned his 10th save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings of work.
Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers are staying right there with Troy in the Sun Belt regular season title race as they captured a 2-1 win and the series win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Saturday. WKU starting pitcher Tanner Perkins allowed just a run on six hits in six innings, while relievers Ross Hammonds and Phil Wetherell also did solid jobs out of the pen. The Hilltoppers needed this series win over dropping a pair of games to Arkansas-Little Rock last weekend.
Connecticut: Now that Big East play has begun the Huskies finally are in a comfort zone. The Huskies used some decent pitching and timely hitting to defeat Notre Dame 6-3 and clinch an important road series win. Connecticut top prospect and outfielder George Springer went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs while Ryan Fuller also collected two hits and two RBIs. With the win, the Huskies are 17-10, 7-1 in Big East play.
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys are proving to be a legitimate Big 12 title contender this spring. They captured another conference series victory on Saturday with a 4-1 triumph at home against Missouri. OSU starting pitcher Brad Propst struck out six and allowed just a run on five hits in a complete game performance. With the win, the Pokies improve to 23-8 overall, 7-4 in Big 12 play.
Virginia: The Cavaliers continue to show why they’re expected to compete for the national title at the end of the season. Virginia starting pitcher Tyler Wilson didn’t have a great outing, but the offense picked him up in a 12-9 win over Georgia Tech. Tech starting pitcher and top prospect Jed Bradley allowed five runs in 4 1/3 innings and the bullpen didn’t fair much better. Offensively for the Cavaliers, John Barr and John Hicks combined for six hits and five RBIs in the winning cause.
College of Charleston: The Cougars need to get their act together to reach the NCAA postseason at the end of the year. Charleston dropped yet another series as a result of losing to The Citadel 17-14 on Saturday. Cougars starting pitcher Josh Renfro allowed seven runs on eight hits in six innings while the bullpen wasn’t able to pick up the pieces. The Citadel outfielder Nick Orvin went 5-for-5 with two runs scored and five RBIs in the winning cause.
Texas A&M: After losing the series opener to Texas Tech in extra innings, the Aggies bounced back in a hard-fought contest on Saturday with a 5-4 triumph. A&M starting pitcher Michael Wacha struck out five and allowed just two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings. The outing by Wacha overshadowed a solid start by Tech hurler Trey Matsek, who allowed just two runs in 6 1/3 innings. Offensively for the Aggies, third baseman Adam Smith hit a three-run home run that essentially won the game. The series finale is big for both teams, particularly for postseason hungry Tech.
San Jose State: The Spartans can do no worse than a series split against red-hot Fresno State. They won the series opener on Friday before Fresno won the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday. The Spartans, though, bounced back in the nightcap with a 4-3 triumph. San Jose State starting pitcher Esteban Guzman struck out 13 and allowed just a run on seven hits in seven innings. Offensively, Zach Jones led the Spartans with three hits, including a double. SJSU leads the series 2-1 with one to go.
UAB: Can you say conference champion Blazers? OK, we’re getting a little ahead of ourselves, but give Brian Shoop and the Blazers a ton of credit. They captured a 6-1 road win over Houston on Saturday, clinching the series and improving to an impressive 6-2 in Conference USA. UAB starting pitcher Ryan Woolley was fantastic, striking out four and allowing just a run on three hits in a complete game performance. Offensively, John Frost led the Blazers with a three-hit performance. UAB has outscored Houston 16-2 through two games this weekend.
Auburn: The Tigers took a step back last weekend by getting swept at home by Vanderbilt, but have responded in style this weekend against Kentucky. AU clinched a road series win over the Wildcats with a 15-8 triumph. AU slugger Tony Caldwell had an unbelievable day at the plate, going 5-for-5 with three home runs, three runs scored and seven RBIs. Creede Simpson and Casey McElroy also chipped in three-hit performances for the Tigers. AU could use a three-game series sweep.
North Carolina: With Virginia up 2-0 in the series against Georgia Tech, all eyes on the national stage shift to Tallahassee, Fla., on Sunday as the Tar Heels and Seminoles will have a great series finale after UNC captured an 8-5 win on Saturday. UNC reliever Shane Taylor tossed four shutout innings while Ben Bunting, Colin Moran and Jesse Wierzbicki led the way at the plate with two hits each. FSU starting pitcher Scott Sitz didn’t last more than an inning after allowing three runs.
Arkansas: Arkansas hadn’t won an SEC series entering Saturday’s game against LSU, but that finally changed when catcher James McCann hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth to beat the Tigers 4-3. LSU starting pitcher and top prospect Kevin Gausman was fantastic against the Hogs, striking out five and allowing just five hits in eight shutout innings. The start by Gausman overshadowed the one put together by Arkansas’ Brandon Moore, who allowed just two hits in five innings. Also interesting about the contest was the fact 11,462 fans went through the turnstiles.
Long Beach State: UC Davis has had a poor campaign so far this spring, but you’d never know that by the way it's playing against the Dirtbags this weekend. The Aggies defeated the Dirtbags 11-1 on Saturday to clinch a series win. LBSU starting pitcher Branden Pinder surrendered eight runs on 10 hits in just 3 2/3 innings of work while reliever Matt Johnson allowed three runs in four innings. For the Aggies, starting pitcher Anthony Kupbens allowed just a run on six hits in eight innings. LBSU desperately needs to salvage a game in this series.
Troy: You might just have your mid-major NCAA Regional host with the Trojans. Troy is putting together another fantastic weekend, this time against Florida International. The Trojans defeated the Panthers 9-5 on Saturday to clinch another series victory. Troy second baseman T.J. Rivera hit a home run, collected four hits overall and knocked in two runs, while first baseman Logan Pierce hit a home run, tallied three hits and knocked in six runs. The Trojans moved to 25-5 overall, 10-1 in the Sun Belt with the victory.
Cal State Fullerton: Even Fullerton coach Dave Serrano said he would find out all he needed to know about his team in Saturday’s game against UC Irvine. The Titans were embarrassed in the series opener against the Anteaters, but responded with a 2-1 triumph in Game 2. Fullerton starting pitcher Noe Ramirez struck out nine and allowed just a run on seven hits in 7 2/3 innings. Relievers Dylan Floro and Nick Ramirez finished the contest. The Fullerton win sets up a fantastic series finale.
Kendall Rogers is the college baseball managing editor for Perfect Game USA and has covered the sport for over 10 seasons. He can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org