Team of the day
South Florida: Bulls left-handed pitcher Nick Gonzalez struck out five, walked one and allowed just eight hits in seven shutout frames in an extra-inning 4-3 win over Notre Dame to take a huge Big East series. The first-place Bulls also got a very good performance from outfielder Jimmy Falla, who went 4-for-5 with an RBI.
Columbia: You know the NCAA postseason is right around the corner when the Ivy League crowns its conference automatic bid. That honor goes to Columbia, which swept a doubleheader from Dartmouth Saturday afternoon to punch its ticket. Second baseman Nick Crucet led the Lions in the first game with two hits and two RBIs, while Crucet, Aaron Silbar and Joey Falcone each had three hits in the second game of the doubleheader. The NCAA tournament appearance is Columbia's first since 1998.
Upset of the day
Northeastern over UNC Wilmington: The Seahawks have looked a bit more beatable in CAA play the past couple of weeks, and were dominated by Northeastern right-handed pitcher Nick Berger on Saturday in a 1-0 loss. Jordan Ramsey tossed a gem for the Seahawks, but was outdueled by Berger, who struck out two, walked two and allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout.
Maryland over Clemson: The Terrapins have skyrocketed in the RPI the past couple of weeks, and could make a late move into the NCAA postseason picture despite still having a 9-16 ACC record after a 7-2 road win over Clemson. Maryland left-handed pitcher Jimmy Reed struck out 11, walked four and allowed just two runs on four hits in eight innings, while at the plate, Jordan Hagel and Jack Cleary each had two hits and two RBIs.
Player of the day
JaCoby Jones, 2B, LSU: The Tigers finished off the weekend series against Florida in impressive fashion with an 18-6 triumph, Jones, of course, leading the charge. Jones went 2-for-5 with a double, grand slam, a run scored and six RBIs to lead the LSU cause. With the sweep, the Tigers are now 43-6 overall, 19-5 in the SEC.
Winners
Illinois State: Mark Kingston's Redbirds have been very impressive the past few weeks, and they captured yet another solid series win on Saturday with a 6-0 triumph over Creighton. The Redbirds, who are now 31-16 overall, 11-3 in the Missouri Valley, got a solid pitching performance from right-handed pitcher Dan Savas, who struck out eight, walked three and allowed just three hits in eight shutout frames. Meanwhile, at the plate, Chad Hinshaw had two hits and three RBIs.
Mississippi State: The Bulldogs don't have a lot of room for error if they want to host an NCAA Regional, and they made sure they took care of business in a doubleheader against Alabama by scores of 10-6 and 5-4 (10 innings). In the first game, designated hitter Trey Porter had two hits and four RBIs, while in the second game, outfielder Hunter Renfroe hit his 15th home run of the season, while on the mound, Ben Bracewell allowed just two hits in 3 2/3 shutout frames.
Oregon: It's not easy to stroll into Pullman, Wash., and capture a series win, but the Ducks have done so this weekend, clinching the series victory Saturday afternoon with a 6-3 triumph. As usual, hard-hitting first baseman Ryon Healy had a home run with two hits, while J.J. Altobelli had a nice day at the plate with three hits and an RBI. On the mound, freshman left-handed pitcher Cole Irvin allowed just three runs (two earned) on six hits in seven innings of work.
San Francisco: Keep an eye on the Dons the final few weeks of the season, as they've clinched their second-straight big WCC series win with a 6-1 home triumph over Pepperdine. USF starting pitcher Alex Balog struck out six and allowed just a run on three hits in 7 1/3 innings of work, while at the plate, Zachary Turner and Bob Cruikshank each had three hits, along with two RBIs and three RBIs, respectively.
Florida State: The Seminoles stepped out of conference this weekend to capture a nice home series win over UCF, taking the second game of the series 6-1 on Saturday. FSU left-handed pitcher Brandon Leibrandt struck out nine, walked one and allowed a run on five hits in seven innings of work, while at the plate, Jameis Winston had two hits and two RBIs, along with a two-RBI performance from shortstop Giovanny Alfonzo leading the way.
Arkansas: Razorbacks outfielder Brian Anderson had three hits, one a home run, a run scored and two RBIs Saturday afternoon, as the Hogs captured a series win over Kentucky with a win in the first game of a hard-fought doubleheader, 5-3. Fellow outfielder Tyler Spoon also had a home run in the contest, while relievers Jalen Beeks and Colby Suggs were fantastic, combining for 3 2/3 innings of shutout baseball to close the contest.
Vanderbilt: Another weekend, another series win for the Commodores, as they captured a 5-2 win over South Carolina to take yet another crucial series. Vandy right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede struck out seven, walked four and allowed two runs on two hits in 6 1/3 innings of work, while freshman reliever Carson Fulmer struck out two in 2 2/3 innings. At the plate, Vince Conde, Mike Yastrzemski and Zander Wiehl each had three hits. With the win, the 'Dores improved to an amazing 21-2 in the SEC.
Wichita State: The Shockers have a chance to take a big step forward in the Missouri Valley title race after taking the series opener over Missouri State, 3-2. WSU starting pitcher Cale Elam struck out four, walked one and allowed just two runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, at the plate, Tanner Dearman and Taylor Doggett each finished the contest with three hits.
Stanford: The Cardinal is pretty much in a must-win situation the rest of the season, and captured a huge series win over Arizona State with a 9-8 extra-inning triumph on Saturday night. Stanford starting pitcher Daniel Starwalt allowed four runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings, while reliever Sam Lindquist was outstanding out of the bullpen, allowing a run on three hits in 4 1/3 innings. Austin Slater and Austin Wilson each had a home run in the contest to pace the Cardinal offense. Stanford improves to 11-9 in the Pac-12.
Cal State Fullerton: Yet again, freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Garza put together an impressive performance as the Titans captured a series win over Long Beach State with a 2-1 triumph. Garza struck out four, walked one and allowed a run on four hits in eight innings of work. Meanwhile, the Dirtbags wasted a very good start from Jake Stassi, who allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in seven innings.
Losers
Central Arkansas: The Bears appeared to be in great shape to make the NCAA postseason just a few weeks ago. But now, after dropping the series to Southeastern Louisiana 7-6 on Saturday, UCA is now just .500 in the Southland Conference. UCA starting pitcher Jeffrey Enloe didn't have a great performance against the Lions, allowing five runs on nine hits in 3 1/3 innings of work.
Missouri: Well, the Tigers haven't had a good first season in the Southeastern Conference, and they dropped a 6-5 decision (and series) to Texas A&M on the road in ugly fashion. The Tigers held a 5-3 advantage entering the bottom of the ninth inning. However, they committed four errors, while the Aggies got two hits in the setback. MU reliever Keaton Steele allowed three runs on two hits in two innings of work for the Tigers.
Fresno State: Remember when the Bulldogs were elite? Well, they're in the midst of a rough campaign, dropping a 9-2 decision on the road to UNLV to lose the series on Saturday. Fresno starting pitcher Jordan Brink struggled in his start, allowing three runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings. With the loss, the Bulldogs dropped to a dismal 15-29 on the season, along with a 9-14 Mountain West mark.
Baylor: The Bears moved to the good side of the NCAA postseason bubble after last weekend, but now are back in limbo after dropping the first two games this weekend to Kansas, the Saturday bout 6-5. BU starting pitcher Austin Stone allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings, while usually sure-handed reliever Crayton Bare allowed two runs on five hits in 1 2/3 innings of work.
Arizona: The defending national champions will need an incredibly strong finish to the regular season to sniff the NCAA postseason after losing the series to Washington, dropping Saturday's contest 2-1. Arizona right-handed pitcher James Farris put together a solid performance, while UW starting pitcher Austin Voth tossed a gem in the win for the Huskies, striking out three and allowing just one run on seven hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Top performances
Luke Farrell, RHP, Northwestern: The talented right-handed pitcher has put together quite an impressive campaign, and added to his resume Saturday afternoon with a gem in a 8-0 win over Ohio State. Farrell struck out eight, walked four and allowed just two hits in eight shutout frames.
DJ Peterson, 3B, New Mexico: The hard-hitting third baseman put together an impressive performance in a 17-1 home win over Air Force. He went 3-for-6 with three runs scored and four RBIs to lead the charge.
Andrew Moore, RHP, Oregon State: What an impressive freshman campaign the right-hander is putting together this spring. He struck out two, walked one and allowed just three hits in a complete game shutout and 5-0 win over California.
Nick Smelser, 2B, Texas State: Smelser put together a solid performance as the Bobcats defeated UTSA 13-8 Saturday afternoon. Smelser went 2-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored and two RBIs.
Cy Sneed, RHP, Dallas Baptist: The Patriots scored nine runs on nine hits in a 9-0 road win over Texas-Arlington, but it was Sneed setting the tone. He struck out five, walked one and allowed just four hits in seven shutout frames.
Kris Bryant, 3B, San Diego: The hard-hitting third baseman put together yet another impressive power performance in a 6-3 road win over St. Mary's. He went just 1-for-3, but smacked his 23rd home run in the contest.
Tyler Olson, LHP, Gonzaga: The talented left-handed pitcher just continues to deal, capturing a 6-1 road win over Santa Clara. Olson struck out seven, walked no one and allowed a run on six hits in seven innings of work.
Logan Pierce, 3B, Troy: The Trojans recorded a very dominant 14-3 home win over Florida International with Pierce and others leading the charge. Pierce went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two runs scored and three RBIs.
Blake Johnson, C, Arkansas-Little Rock: The Trojans hit the road and captured a nice 14-10 win over Florida Atlantic. The talented UALR catcher went 4-for-6 with four RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
Dylan Butler, SS, Louisiana-Lafayette: The Cajuns took care of business at home, 14-4, in a win over Arkansas State. Butler was fantastic at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and six RBIs.
Matt Tew, RHP, Nebraska-Omaha, Steven Schoonover, UNO : The right-handed hurler tossed a gem in a 2-0 road win over Fort Wayne. He struck out nine, walked two and allowed just six hits in six shutout innings of work. In the nightcap for the Mavericks, Schoonover struck out four, walked no one and allowed just six hits in a complete game shutout performance.
Jonathon Mata, RHP, Prairie View A&M: Mata was simply fantastic Saturday night in a 6-0 home win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. He struck out two, walked one and allowed just two hits in a complete game performance.
Kevin Cho, OF, Oral Roberts: The Golden Eagles are playing well this weekend, clinching a road series win over Lamar with a 12-6 victory. Cho had a huge night at the plate, going 4-for-6 with a run scored and three RBIs.
Ryan O'Hearn, OF, Sam Houston State: O'Hearn has some good raw power and put on a show Saturday in a win over Nicholls State. He went 4-for-4 with a double, home run, two runs scored and three RBIs to lead the Bearkats offensive charge.
Matt Pegler, RHP, College of Charleston: Pegler put together a very solid performance in a 3-0 road win over Wofford. He struck out 10, walked just one and allowed two hits in seven shutout frames.
Jacob Marchus, RHP, Manhattan: The talented right-handed pitcher was fantastic in a 3-0 home win over Lafayette. He struck out seven, walked two and allowed just two hits in seven shutout innings of work.
Nicholas Fabrizio, RHP, Quinnipiac: Fabrizio was fantastic Saturday afternoon as QU captured a 3-1 win over LIU-Brooklyn. He struck out five, walked three and allowed a run on five hits in six innings of work.
Anthony Magovney, RHP, Buffalo: BU has been very solid this season, and Magovney tossed a gem Saturday afternoon in an 8-0 home win over Ohio. Magovney struck out four, walked no one and allowed just four hits in a complete game shutout.
Mac Thoreson, RHP, Miami (Ohio): It seems like we've talked about Thoreson quite a bit this season. Well, he put together another solid start in a road 9-1 win over Bowling Green. He struck out four, walked one and allowed a run on six hits in eight innings.
Jerry Mulderig, DH, Rider: The Broncs hit the road and captured a 16-6 win over Niagara. Mulderig went 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and five RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
Erik Schoenrock, LHP, Memphis: In a battle between two very solid starting pitchers, it was Schoenrock that outdueled by Marshall's Aaron Blair. Blair struck out eight, walked four and allowed a run on three hits in 8 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, Schoenrock struck out nine, walked no one and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout.
Matt Soren, RHP, Delaware: The right-handed pitcher had a performance to remember in a 2-0 home win over La Salle. He struck out 15, walked three and allowed just three hits in eight shutout innings of work.
Anthony Montefusco, RHP, George Mason: What a performance the right-handed pitcher put together in a 1-0 road win over Old Dominion. He struck out 10, walked two and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout.
Dylan Wolsonovich, 2B, Pittsburgh: The talented second baseman put together an impressive offensive performance in a dominant 13-3 win over Georgetown. He went 4-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBIs.
Bryan Radziewski, LHP, Miami (Fla.): For the second-straight night, the Hurricanes got a very quality start with Radziewski leading the charge. He struck out eight, walked three and allowed just two runs (one earned) on six hits in eight innings of work.
Ryan Tuntland, 3B, West Virginia: The Mountaineers fell just short of a win against Oklahoma and Jonathan Gray on Friday, but weren't denied Saturday in a 9-3 triumph, scoring five runs in the eighth inning to blow open the game. Tuntland went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.
Heath Dwyer, LHP, Virginia Commonwealth: Dwyer had a big-time performance at home in a 1-0 win over Saint Louis. Dwyer struck out 10, walked two and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout.