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CB TICKET: Sunday's RPI Report (4.8)
With Saturday's college baseball action in the books, here's our inside look back at the highlights and lowlights from around the country.
TEAM OF THE DAY: LSU
Down 7-2 after three innings and on the road against Florida, the Tigers appeared to be in major trouble. However, they scored three runs in the fourth and continued to chip away the rest of the game in a thrilling 8-7 win over Florida to capture yet another impressive series win. LSU starting pitcher Ryan Eades didn't have his best day, allowing seven runs in three innings of work, but relievers Joe Broussard, Brent Bonvillain and Nick Goody took care of business. Also worth noting, first baseman Tyler Moore finished the afternoon with four hits, while leadoff hitter JaCoby Jones had a hit and two RBIs. What an impressive weekend it was for the Tigers.
PLAYER OF THE DAY: Austin Kubitza, rhp, Rice
Entering this season, the Owls fully expected right-handed pitcher Austin Kubitza to pitch like the All-American hurler he was as a freshman last season. Kubitza started the season on a high note, but was roughed up against Texas and went into a lull. Kubitza returned to normal on Saturday in a 5-0 win over Tulane to take a crucial Conference USA road series. Kubitza struck out a pair of batters and actually walked five, but allowed no hits and no runs in six innings of work. The Owls desperately need Kubitza to establish consistency from here on out.
UPSET OF THE DAY: Georgetown over Louisville
We're always talking about those bad RPI losses that occur around the country. Well, this was one of them. The Cardinals took the first two games of the series, but fell in the finale to Georgetown, 6-3. Losing one game of a conference road series usually wouldn't seem like a big deal, but it is considering the Hoyas entered the day with an RPI of 222. UL starting pitcher Travis Tingle was just OK, allowing three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, the Cardinals were unable to establish much offensive production against Georgetown pitchers Neal Dennison and Charles Steinman.
FIVE BEST
Florida State (26-5): FSU freshman starting pitcher Mike Compton didn't have a good start against Georgia Tech, but the offense picked him up in a 12-7 series-clinching win over the Yellow Jackets. Outfielder Jose Brizuela went 3-for-5 with a home run, double and four RBIs, while second baseman Devon Travis also had a huge night, recording three hits, one of them a home run, and knocking in four runs.
Arizona State (19-12): After getting swept at Oregon last weekend, the Sun Devils got exactly what they needed this weekend -- a home series sweep over Oregon State. ASU starting pitcher Darin Gillies allowed a run on five hits in three innings, as the Devils defeated the Beavers 5-1 on Saturday to sweep the series. Matthew Dunbar threw very well in relief, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless frames, while at the plate, ASU catcher Max Rossiter had a home run and three RBIs.
Miami (23-8): Speaking of teams that got just what they needed this weekend, throw Miami into the mix. The Hurricanes took a step back last weekend with a road series loss to Clemson, but bounced back this weekend with a pair of wins over UNC to clinch a series victory. The 'Canes defeated the Tar Heels 4-3 in 14 innings on Saturday, as first baseman Esteban Tresgallo smacked a walk-off home run to win the game. Pitching-wise, Miami starting pitcher Eric Whaley put together a solid innings, allowing two runs on seven hits in seven innings, while reliever E.J. Encinosa struck out six in six hitless innings.
Cal Poly (20-10): This weekend's series against UC Irvine could end up being a big one when it comes NCAA postseason time and the committee sorts out bubble teams. Cal Poly, then, should fell great after it collected a sweep over the Anteaters with an 8-1 win in the series finale. Cal Poly starting pitcher Kyle Brueggemann was fantastic, allowing just one run on five hits in 7 1/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, outfielder David Armendariz led the way at the plate, going 4-for-4 with a home run, two runs and two RBIs.
San Diego (25-8) The Toreros were expected to be solid this spring, but Rich Hill's crew definitely is better than expected. USD starting pitcher, sophomore right-hander Dylan Covey, struck out three and allowed just two runs on four hits in eight innings, as the Toreros defeated Gonzaga 5-3 on Saturday to take the series. Meanwhile, catcher Dillon Haupt led the way at the plate, collecting three hits for the red-hot Toreros.
FIVE DISAPPOINTMENTS
Oklahoma (18-14): The Sooners entered the weekend series against Texas A&M with a bad RPI and certainly didn't help their case. OU was swept on the road by the Aggies, dropping the series finale, 5-3, on Saturday. OU starting pitcher Jonathan Gray allowed five runs on eight hits in six innings, while the Sooners were unable to do much against the A&M bullpen. The Sooners must do some special things the rest of the season to make the NCAA postseason.
Louisville (23-9): The Cardinals took care of business in the actual series against Georgetown, winning the first two games to take the series. However, they lost some RPI points by losing the series finale, 6-3, on Saturday. UL starting pitcher Travis Tingle allowed three runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings, while the Cardinals were unable to do much against Hoyas starting pitcher Neal Dennison, who allowed just two runs on five hits in six innings of work.
Mississippi State (19-12): There's no doubt injuries have played a role in Mississippi State's struggles in SEC play, but something must change soon. The Bulldogs won the series opener Vanderbilt, but struggled in Game 2 in a 4-3 extra-inning loss. The Bulldogs were unable to do much against Vandy freshman pitcher Tyler Beede, who struck out five and allowed just a run on two hits in six innings of work. Meanwhile, State starting pitcher Kendall Graveman struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings of work.
Auburn (17-13): The Tigers had really impressed in recent weeks, taking a road series over Ole Miss before taking a home series over LSU. However, they've taken a step back this weekend against Alabama. Crimson Tide outfielder Taylor Dugas hit a two-run walk-off home run on Saturday to beat the Tigers 4-3. More importantly, Alabama clinched the series win. AU starting pitcher Will Kendall tossed 4 2/3 strong innings, while Slade Smith surprisingly was unable to close things out for the Tigers.
San Francisco (14-20): The Dons started the season on an incredibly high note, and with a stud ace pitcher in Kyle Zimmer in tow, they appeared to be destined for great things. However, they've definitely taken an enormous step back over the past month. The Dons dropped to 14-20 overall, 1-5 in the WCC, on Saturday, as they dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Portland by scores of 5-3 and 2-1. USF's struggles the past few weeks have been surprising to say the least.
PG TOP 50 ROUNDUP
#12 LSU 8, #1 Florida 7
#2 Florida State 12, #24 Georgia Tech 7
#3 North Carolina 3, #19 Miami (Fla.) 4
#20 Oregon 6, #4 UCLA 8
#13 Mississippi 9, #5 Kentucky 3
#6 Arizona 11, Utah 7
#7 Stanford 8, #38 Washington 6
#30 Georgia 3, #8 Arkansas 8
#31 Oklahoma 3, #9 Texas A&M 5
UC Davis 0, #10 Cal State Fullerton 11
Tennessee 1, #11 South Carolina 2
#14 Rice 2, Tulane 7
#15 Purdue 3, Northwestern 1
UAB 3, #16 Central Florida 7
#17 N.C State 3, Maryland 2
#18 Baylor 12, Missouri 7
Gonzaga 3, #21 San Diego 5
#22 Oregon State 1, #26 Arizona State 5
#23 Louisville 3, Georgetown 6
#25 Auburn 3, Alabama 4
Houston 4, #27 East Carolina 4
#28 California 2, #39 Southern California 3
#29 Texas 14, Texas Tech 3
Vanderbilt 4, #32 Mississippi State 3
College of Charleston 2, #33 Appalachian State 8
#34 Texas State 3, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 4
#41 UC Irvine 1, #35 Cal Poly 8
#36 Missouri State 12, Bradley 2
Campbell 6,7 -- #37 Liberty 8,6
UNC Wilmington 2, #40 TCU 5
#42 Coastal Carolina 11,3 -- Gardner-Webb 4,7
Central Arkansas 4, #43 Southeastern Louisiana 3
Jacksonville 3, #44 Stetson 8
#45 Pepperdine 6, St. Mary's 4
Nevada 6, #46 New Mexico State 7
Northwestern State 3, #47 Sam Houston State 5
#49 Wake Forest, 4, #48 Virginia 9
#50 Clemson 11, Duke 5
Kendall Rogers is the college baseball managing editor for Perfect Game and can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org