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PREMIUM ANALYSIS: Saturday's RPI Report
Southern Mississippi
The Golden Eagles were unable to extend their Conference USA lead over Rice, but they took care of business in solid fashion in a 4-2 triumph over UAB. USM starting pitcher Todd McInnis struck out four and allowed just an earned run in six innings, while reliever Chase Horn tossed three perfect innings to end the game. It’ll be interesting to see if the Eagles can become a serious national seed contender.
Troy
Few pitchers in college baseball have been more consistent than starting pitcher Tyler Ray. Ray was fantastic once again as the Trojans captured a 7-1 win over Louisiana-Lafayette on Friday. Ray struck out 10 batters and allowed just a run on four hits in a complete game performance. Ray is having a fabulous campaign and it’ll be interesting to see if someone will take a flier on him in the top five or six rounds of the MLB draft.
Florida State
The Seminoles couldn’t have flexed their muscles in more impression fashion against Central Florida on Friday, beating the Golden Knights 8-0 behind another strong performance from starting pitcher Sean Gilmartin. Gilmartin struck out 11 and allowed just three hits in seven innings. Offensively, James Ramsey recorded three hits and four others recorded two hits. The Knights need a series win this weekend, but they desperately need to win at least one game.
Wichita State
The Shockers have had issues putting all the pieces together this spring, but they finally did so on Friday on the way to a dominant 8-0 win over league leader Creighton. Wichita State starting pitcher Charlie Lowell struck out eight and allowed just five hits in a complete game performance. It’s also worth noting leadoff hitter Tyler Grimes finished the contest with four hits. A series win over CU this weekend really could get the Shockers going.
Michigan State
In what is the biggest series of the season in the Big Ten, Michigan State couldn’t have started the weekend in better fashion. Spartans starting pitcher Kurt Wunderlich allowed just three runs in six innings while the offense did the rest on the way to a dominant 11-4 win over Purdue. While Wunderlich led the way on the mound, first baseman Jeff Holm did the honors at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a pair of home runs, two runs and six RBIs.
Kentucky’s Alex Meyer
Playing the best sometimes brings out the best in player. Vanderbilt pitcher Sonny Gray struck out nine and allowed just two runs in eight innings against Kentucky, but he was outdone by UK starting pitcher and top prospect Alex Meyer. Meyer struck out five and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout as the Wildcats captured a 2-0 win over the Commodores. What a night it was for Meyer.
Auburn
The Tigers entered the weekend with an iffy overall record and need to win a home series against Georgia this weekend to feel confident about their postseason chances. AU starting pitcher Jon Luke Jacobs was solid and the bullpen took care of business as it captured a 4-3 win over Georgia in extra innings. Jacobs struck out nine and allowed just two runs in 7 1/3 innings, while reliever Dillon Ortman allowed just a run in 3 2/3 innings. It’s also worth noting Tony Caldwell went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
UNC Greensboro
The Spartans have earned some solid wins this season, and they’ve recently shot up the Southern Conference standings. UNCG moved into sole possession of second in the SoCon with a 5-4 win over College of Charleston, earning its seventh-straight victory. UNCG starting pitcher Warren Slack allowed just two runs in 6 2/3 innings while reliever Jonathan Jones finished the game with 2 1/3 shutout innings. The Spartans likely need to win the SoCon tournament to reach the NCAA postseason, but what a special campaign they’re putting together.
Florida Atlantic
The Owls need an incredibly strong finish to reach the NCAA postseason, and they started the weekend on the right foot with a solid 4-2 win over a good Western Kentucky club. FAU starting pitcher Ryan Garton allowed just one earned run in six innings while Ahmed Garcia and Hugh Adams tossed three shutout innings in relief to finish the contest. FAU desperately needs to finish the weekend with a series win.
Arkansas
The Razorbacks entered the weekend as a relative long shot for an NCAA Regional host, but perhaps they’re not ready to leave the picture just yet. The Hogs got more solid pitching as they earned a series-clinching 5-3 win over Florida. Hogs starting pitcher Randall Fant allowed three runs in six innings while reliever Barrett Astin was fantastic, striking out four in three perfect innings of relief work. James McCann and Franco Broyles each had two hits for the Razorbacks.
South Carolina
It was business as usual for the Gamecocks and most certainly for starting pitcher Michael Roth as they captured a series-opening 6-1 win over struggling Mississippi. With the win, the Gamecocks took sole possession of first in the SEC standings. Gamecocks starting pitcher Michael Roth struck out six and allowed just a run on six hits in eight innings. Reliever John Taylor closed the game in solid fashion, while Scott Wingo and Robert Beary each finished the game with three hits.
Kansas State
The Wildcats dropped a tough series to Oklahoma State last weekend and split a pair of midweek games against Cal State Bakersfield. In other words, they really need to win this weekend’s series over Missouri to stay in postseason contention. KSU started the weekend on a negative note with a disappointing 5-4 setback to Missouri. KSU starting pitcher Kyle Hunter allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings while reliever Evan Marshall allowed two runs in 3 2/3 innings. The rest of the weekend is hugely important for the Wildcats.
Louisville
What a strange season it has been for the Cardinals. They entered the season with Omaha aspirations, but the campaign has been a nightmare. The Cards clinched a series loss to Seton Hall on Friday with a disappointing 1-0 setback. UL starting pitcher Justin Amlung put together a solid start for the Cards, but was outdone by SHU starter Jon Prosinski, who tossed a complete game shutout. With the loss, UL drops to 11-9 in Big East play.
St. John’s
What a historic night it was for coach Ed Blankmeyer and the Red Storm as they captured a 2-1 win over Pittsburgh in an important Big East opener. Blankmeyer became the all-time wins leader (249) in the Big East with the victory. St. John’s starting pitcher Kyle Hansen was fantastic in the contest, striking out 11 and allowing just a run on five hits in eight innings. Perhaps a series win over Pitt would get the Johnnies seriously back into the postseason discussion.
Rice
Speaking of historic night, Rice coach Wayne Graham earned his 900th Division I victory with an impressive 8-2 triumph over rival Houston. Rice starting pitcher Austin Kubitza struck out eight and allowed two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings, while reliever Jeremy Fant tossed 1 1/3 shutout innings to end the game. At the plate, infielder Michael Ratterree had a huge night at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.
LSU
Sweeping Kentucky last weekend apparently has the Tigers playing at a high level. They continued their impressive ways in the past week with a 10-6 road win over motivated Alabama on Friday. LSU starting pitcher Kurt McCune allowed five runs in seven innings, but the offense took care of business with Mason Katz leading the way. Katz went 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and four RBIs, while Trey Watkins and JaCoby Jones also three hits in the game.
Oklahoma State
The Cowboys took a step back two weekends ago with a tough series loss at Texas A&M, but they captured a series win over Kansas State last weekend and won the opener against TCU on Friday to the tune of 6-2. OSU starting pitcher Mike Strong allowed just two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, while the bullpen rose to the occasion. Offensively, infielder Hunter Bailey went a perfect 4-for-4. OSU is strongly in the hosting mix with another win over TCU this weekend.
N.C. State
The Wolfpack apparently aren’t going to make reaching the postseason an easy feat. The Wolfpack dropped a 5-1 decision to East Tennessee State to start the weekend. NCSU starting pitcher Rob Charma allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings, while ETSU starting pitcher John Long was fantastic, allowing just a run on four hits in a complete game performance. Could ETSU somehow sneak into the postseason? It certainly has the RPI to do so. This would be a marquee series win.
Texas
Longhorns starting pitcher and top prospect Taylor Jungmann allowed three runs the first two innings against Nebraska, but settled down and led his team to a solid 5-3 win over the Huskers to begin the weekend. Jungmann struck out nine and allowed three runs on five hits in eight innings, while closer Corey Knebel came in and struck out two batters to finish the game in the ninth inning. UT first baseman Tant Shepherd led the way at the plate with a four-hit performance.
Tulane
The Green Wave needs an incredibly strong finish to reach the NCAA postseason, and they started the Memphis series on a positive note with a 3-2 triumph in 13 innings. Tulane starting pitcher Conrad Flynn was solid, striking out five and allowing just two runs on three hits in a complete game performance. Relievers Nick Pepitone and Alex Facundus also threw at a high level, while three Green Wave hitters finished the contest with two hits. Tulane needs another win this weekend.
Oklahoma
The Sooners need to finish the season on a strong note to have a chance to host an NCAA Regional. OU started the weekend on the right foot with a 12-1 triumph over Kansas on Friday. OU starting pitcher Michael Rocha struck out six and allowed just a run on six hits in seven innings, while reliever Drew Harrison also threw at a high level with two shutout frames. Offensively, first baseman Cam Seitzer went 3-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored and four RBIs.
Mississippi State
The Bulldogs have struggled lately, but they’re getting just what the doctor ordered this weekend with a trip to play Tennessee. State romped the Volunteers 16-5 in the opener of a must-win SEC series. Relievers Caleb Reed and Devin Jones threw well behind starting pitcher Luis Pollorena, while Nick Vickerson led the offense with a pair of doubles, three hits, two runs scored and five RBIs. State needs to seal the deal the rest of the weekend.
UCLA
Bruins starting pitcher Gerrit Cole didn’t exactly put together a great start against Oregon State last weekend, but he returned to his normal ways against Oregon with a solid performance on the way to a 7-1 triumph. Cole only struck out five batters, but he allowed just a run on six hits in 7 1/3 innings. Offensively, infielder Dean Espy led the charge with a three-hit performance. The Bruins need to win this series to stay in great shape for a postseason bid.
Dallas Baptist
The Patriots are in a must-win situation against the Aggies this weekend. And after dropping the series opener to the Aggies, they bounced back in a huge way on Friday with a 14-10 triumph. Dallas Baptist outfielder Jason Krizan put together an amazing offensive performance, going 4-for-7 with four doubles, two runs scored and three RBIs, while Joel Hutter also recorded four hits and knocked in four runs. It’s not silly to say DBU’s postseason chances comes down to the series finale against the Aggies.
Arizona State
The Sun Devils have played exceptionally well the past few weeks and they picked up a solid 6-3 win over Long Beach State to start the weekend. ASU starting pitcher Brady Rodgers struck out five and allowed just three runs on eight hits in 7 1/3 innings, while reliever Mitchell Lambson closed the game with a scoreless inning that included two strikeouts. Offensively, Joey DiMichele went 2-for-4 with a run scored and three RBIs.
UC Irvine
The Anteaters are playing a solid brand of baseball these days. The ‘Eaters began the weekend on a positive note with a 6-2 triumph over Cal Poly. Anteaters starting pitcher Matt Summers struck out 10 and allowed just a run on six hits in eight innings, while all but one hitter finished the game with a hit. The Anteaters are in good shape moving forward if they can finish the weekend with a series win.
Cal State Fullerton’s Noe Ramirez
The Titans have missed right-handed pitcher Noe Ramirez lately, but the top notch draft prospect returned to the mound against UC Riverside and was solid in a 4-1 victory. Ramirez struck out five and allowed just a run and a hit in six innings. It’s also worth noting that relievers Dylan Floro and Nick Ramirez combined to throw three shutout frames to end the game. It was a nice victory for the Titans.
Kendall Rogers is the college baseball editor for Perfect Game USA and has covered the sport for over 10 seasons. He can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org