TEAM OF THE DAY
Virginia Tech
The Hokies recorded a huge home series over Florida State on Saturday. The Hokies dropped the first game of the doubleheader 11-10 to start the day, but rebounded in the nightcap to capture an 8-1 win over the Seminoles, and most importantly, the series. Hokies left-handed pitcher Joe Mantiply struck out even, walked three and allowed a run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings, while at the plate, outfielder Andrew Rash went 3-for-4 with a double, a run scored and an RBI.
UPSET OF THE DAY
San Diego takes series from Oregon State
The Toreros have been inconsistent at times this season, but finally made a huge statement with a series win over Oregon State, winning the series finale 13-3 on Saturday. USD designated hitter Dillon Haupt hit a grand slam in the game, while shortstop Chris Woolley went 2-for-2 with two runs scored and two RBIs. On the mound, reliever Max Homick tossed 2 2/3 shutout innings.
PLAYER OF THE DAY
Jonathon Crawford, RHP, Florida
The Gators certainly haven't had a great campaign this season, but seem to be playing a better brand of baseball this weekend. The talented right-handed pitcher was fantastic in an 8-0 win over Ole Miss. He struck out eight, walked two and allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout.
FEELING GOOD
South Carolina: Hard-hitting Gamecocks first baseman LB Dantzler had a performance to remember, as his club finished off a three-game series sweep of Texas A&M with a 6-3 triumph. Dantzler hit two homers in the game, while imposing left-handed pitcher Adam Westmoreland once again was fantastic out of the bullpen, striking out three, walking one and allowing just three hits in 4 2/3 innings of work.
College of Charleston: Cougars starting pitcher Nathan Helvey struck out two, walked two and allowed just three hits in eight shutout innings, as his club finished off a three-game series sweep over Samford with a 10-0 triumph. While Helvey led the way on the mound, shortstop Gunnar Heidt did the honors at the plate, going 3-for-6 with a home run, a run scored and five RBIs.
Virginia: The Cavaliers are playing at a very high level right now, as they captured a series win over Miami with an 8-1 win Saturday afternoon. UVa. starting pitcher Scott Silverstein struck out nine batters, walked two and allowed just a run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings of work, while second baseman Reed Gragnani led the way at the plate, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and three RBIs.
Louisville: The Cards looked to freshman right-handed pitcher Anthony Kidston to have a good start in the series finale against Notre Dame, and he didn't disappoint in the 10-5 triumph. Kidston struck out six and allowed just a run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, designated hitter Jeff Gardner led the Cards at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Loyola Marymount: The Lions captured a huge home series win over Gonzaga on Saturday with a 9-2 triumph in the first game of a doubleheader. First baseman Cullen Mahoney led the charge at the plate, going 4-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while starting pitcher Aaron Griffin allowed just two runs in seven innings of work.
Rutgers: Speaking of teams paying at a high level so far this season, how about the Scarlet Knights? Two-way player Charlie Law went 2-for-2 with a run scored and two RBIs at the plate, while on the mound, he struck out eight and allowed just three runs in six innings of work in a 9-4 win over Villanova. With the win, the Knights are now 5-1 in the Big East.
Georgetown: You usually don't associate Georgetown with impressive starts, but the Hoyas have been solid so far this season. Hoyas starting pitcher Matt Hollenbeck struck out three and allowed just two runs in six innings of work, while catcher Nick Collins had two hits and three RBIs in a 7-2 win over South Florida to take the series. The Hoyas are now a solid 17-9 overall.
Missouri State: The Bears captured a solid series win over Indiana State with a solid 5-1 win on Saturday. MSU starting pitcher Jonathan Harris struck out five and allowed just a run (not earned) on four hits in eight innings of work, while at the plate, leadoff hitter Tate Matheny went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs.
Alabama: The Crimson Tide have done an exceptional job in SEC play so far this season, sitting at 7-2 after taking a 2-0 decision and series from rival Auburn on the road. Bama starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull struck out four, walked three and allowed just four hits in a complete game shutout. Amazingly, the Tide captured the win despite only recording two hits.
Florida Atlantic: The Owls captured a huge home series win on Saturday with a 7-6 triumph over South Alabama. FAU second baseman Robert Buckley went 2-for-2 with three runs scored and two RBIs, while catcher Levi Meyer went 2-for-3 with two RBIs in the victory.
North Carolina: Tar Heels junior left-handed pitcher Kent Emanuel put together yet another dominant start in a 10-3 win over Clemson. He allowed just a run on nine hits in eight innings of work, while at the plate, first baseman Cody Stubbs had four hits and two RBIs to lead the Heels.
LSU: The Tigers are playing at an extremely high level right now, as evidenced by their 8-0 win over Missouri. LSU right-handed pitcher Ryan Eades struck out five and allowed nine hits in eight shutout innings, while at the plate Alex Bregman had a home run and hard-hitting first baseman Mason Katz also added a home run. Meanwhile, third baseman Christian Ibarra smacked two homers in the contest. On the mound, the LSU pitching staff hasn't allowed a run in the last 24 2/3 innings.
WANTING A DO-OVER
Kentucky: UK veteran left-handed pitcher Jerad Grundy had a tough performance in a 7-6 loss to Georgia. He struck out four, walked five and allowed four runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings of work in the setback.
Pacific: The Tigers are off to a rough 0-3 start in the Big West Conference after dropping a 25-0 road decision to Cal State Fullerton, allowing nine runs in the first inning along with 11 runs in the sixth frame. Pacific starting pitcher Mike Hager didn't expect the first after allowing six runs on four hits.
UC Irvine: The Anteaters are suddenly struggling a bit. Irvine starting pitcher Andrew Morales allowed just two runs on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings of work, but the offense was unable to do much against UC Riverside starting pitcher Ben Doucette in a tough setback. UCI is now 0-3 in the Big West.
Texas Tech: It wasn't too long ago the Red Raiders showed a lot of promise. However, they've taken steps back the past couple of weeks with right-handed pitcher Trey Masek on the shelf with an injury. Tech starting pitcher Johnny Drozd allowed four runs on eight hits in five innings, as the Raiders dropped a 7-3 decision to TCU to drop the home series.
Georgia Southern: T.D. Davis had another big-time performance at the plate, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs, but the Eagles were unable to tame UNC Greensboro's offensive lineup, with Zach Leach going 3-for-5 with three runs scored and two RBIs in the Spartans' victory. GSU, which was rolling entering the weekend, dropped the series.
Campbell: The Camels were absolutely sizzling entering the weekend, but dropped a tough home series to Radford with losses of 5-2 and 3-2 in a doubleheader on Saturday.
Boston College: The Eagles are living a nightmare so far this spring. BC dropped both ends of a doubleheader to Duke on Saturday, losing the finale 6-0. BC, with the two losses, is now 3-22 overall, 0-11 in the ACC. BC was silenced by Duke starting pitcher Robert Huber, who allowed just three hits in a complete game shutout performance.
TOP PERFORMANCES
Tyler Beede, RHP, Vanderbilt: The hard-throwing right-handed pitcher was fantastic against rival Tennessee in an 8-3 triumph. He struck out nine, walked five and allowed just two runs on four hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.
Cole Irvin, LHP, Oregon: Irvin continues to have an exceptional freshman campaign for the Ducks. He struck out 11 batters and allowed just four hits in a complete game shutout win over Washington.
Will Starling, RHP, Troy: Starling tossed an absolute gem as the Trojans captured an impressive 3-0 win over Middle Tennessee State. The righty struck out eight, walked four and allowed three hits in seven shutout innings.
Eli Anderson, RHP, Northern Illinois: The talented right-handed pitcher put together a solid start in a road win over Akron. He struck out six, walked none and allowed a run on six hits in a complete game performance.
Brandon Hohl, 3B, Illinois: The talented third baseman put together a big-time performance in the first game of a doubleheader against Oakland. He went 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs in a 21-8 victory.
Kevin Kramer, 3B, UCLA: Kramer helped the Bruins from getting swept by Arizona State on Saturday in a 12-10 extra-inning victory. He went 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBIs in the win.
Tyler France, 3B, San Diego State: France put together a solid offensive performance in the 13-6 win over New Mexico. He went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Kendall Graveman, RHP, Mississippi State: The veteran right-handed pitcher gave the Bulldogs an excellent start with their backs against the wall in a 4-1 road win over Arkansas. He struck out five, walked none and allowed a run on five hits in a complete game performance.
Sam Travis, 1B, Indiana: The hard-hitting first baseman didn't disappoint as the Hoosiers captured a 16-5 win over Iowa. He went 2-for-5 with a home run, run scored and five RBIs, while Scott Donley had three hits, one a home run, and four RBIs in the winning cause.
Tyler Herb, RHP, Coastal Carolina: Herb put together an impressive performance in the first game of a doubleheader against VMI. He struck out 10, walked none and allowed a run on four hits in eight innings of work.
Daniel Rockett, OF, UTSA: Rockett put together a productive offensive performance in a 14-8 win over San Jose State. He went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBIs in a 14-8 win over the Spartans.
Chris Lewis, DH, Sacramento State: Lewis put together a solid performance in an 11-7 win over Dallas Baptist. He went 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and three RBIs to lead the Hornets.
Andrew Edwards, RHP, Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers picked up a solid 3-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette with Edwards leading the charge. He struck out eight, walked four and allowed just six hits in a complete game shutout.
Chris Arnold, C, Savannah State: The hard-hitting catcher had a good performance in a 14-4 win over Bethune-Cookman. He went 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.
Carson Cross, RHP, Connecticut: The right-handed pitcher tossed a good performance in a 3-2 win over Seton Hall. He struck out nine, walked one and allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings of work.
Kevin Kyle, LHP, Kennesaw State: The talented left-handed pitcher tossed a gem in a 4-0 win over Stetson. He struck out three, walked none and allowed just four hits in a complete game shutout.
Clay Smith, RHP, Saint Louis: Smith was excellent as the Billikens captured an 11-1 win over Xavier. Smith only struck out three batters, but also only allowed a run on four hits in a complete game performance.
Drew Weeks, SS, North Florida: Weeks put together a great performance just a night after Donnie Dewees did his thing at the plate. He went 4-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and five RBIs in an 11-4 win over ETSU.
Sean Furney, RHP, Rhode Island: Furney is continuing to do an impressive job this season. He struck out four, walked none and allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout and win over Dayton.
Tanner Stanley, OF, Richmond: Stanley had a huge day at the plate for the Spiders, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs in a 22-1 win over LaSalle.
Luke Plucheck, OF, Sam Houston State: Plucheck put together a solid performance in a 14-4 win over Stephen F. Austin. He went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs in the winning cause.
Jason Monda, DH/P, Washington State: Monda helped the cause both at the plate and on the mound for the Cougars. He went 2-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs, while on the mound, he struck out two and allowed just a run on three hits in 2 1/3 innings of work.
Aaron Weisberg, RHP, George Washington: The right-handed pitcher put together a solid start in a 1-0 win over Temple. Weisberg struck out seven and allowed four hits in 6 2/3 shutout innings in the victory.
Chris Paul, 3B, California: Hoping to avoid a tough series sweep at home, the Golden Bears rose to the occasion in the finale against USC with Paul leading the charge. He went 2-for-5 with a pair of homers, two runs scored and seven RBIs.
David Napoli, LHP, Tulane: The veteran left-handed pitcher rose to the occasion in a 7-6 win over Rice. Napoli struck out two and allowed just a run on three hits in seven innings of work.
Brady Kirkpatrick, RHP, Maryland: The talented right-handed pitcher struck out two, walked one and allowed just two runs on three hits in seven innings of work as the Terrapins captured a 3-2 road win over North Carolina State. Meanwhile, reliever Kevin Mooney was fantastic with two shutout innings to close it out.