TEAM OF THE DAY
Arizona State
The Sun Devils captured a huge home series victory over UCLA on Friday as outfielder Kasey Coffman went 2-for-5 with two homers, two runs scored and five RBIs in a 7-4 win over the Bruins. Designated hitter Nathaniel Causey went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Ryan Kellogg put together a solid outing, striking out five, walking none and allowing four runs in eight innings.
UPSET OF THE DAY
Lipscomb over Florida Gulf Coast
LU certainly hasn't had a good campaign this season, but rose to the occasion Friday night with a 5-2 win over red-hot Florida Gulf Coast. Bisons starting pitcher Hunter Brothers struck out six and allowed just two runs on five hits in seven innings, while LU touched up lefty Brandon Bixler for five runs in five innings.
PLAYER OF THE DAY
Nick Petree, RHP, Missouri State
Appropriately billed as one of the top pitching matchups of the college baseball, Petree put on a show -- not Sean Manaea -- in the Bears' 3-0 win over Indiana State. Petree, who tops out around 88-89 with his fastball, struck out 10, walked two and allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout. He threw 127 pitches against the Sycamores, 83 for strikes.
FEELING GOOD
Virginia Tech: Hokies starting pitcher Brad Markey had an impressive day on the mound in a 3-2 win over Florida State. The talented right-handed pitcher struck out four, walked one and allowed just two runs on 11 hits in a complete game performance. He threw 118 pitches, 84 for strikes. Offensively, first baseman Sean Keselica led the charge with a double and an RBI.
Louisville: The Cardinals needed a Big East series win against Notre Dame after dropping a disappointing series to Rutgers last weekend. UL right-handed pitcher Jeff Thompson struck out seven, walked two and allowed just a run on four hits in seven innings in a 2-1 win over Notre Dame. Meanwhile, outfielder CoCo Johnson returned to the lineup with three hits.
Canisius: What a day it was for the Golden Griffins, as they swept a doubleheader from Iona 15-0 in the two games. But the story of the day was the second game of the doubleheader, where the Griffins threw a combined no-hitter. Alex Godzak struck out six in seven shutout frames, while Ron Pierce and Jon Fizsimmons closed out the contest.
Pittsburgh: The Panthers have been playing a solid brand of baseball the past couple of weeks, and that trend continued Friday in a 2-1 win over Towson in 15 innings. Pitt starting pitcher Matt Wotherspoon struck out nine, walked one and allowed just a run on five hits in nine innings, while reliever Jonathan Danielczyk tossed six shutout frames.
New Mexico: The Lobos suddenly are starting to get hot in the Mountain West. UNM third baseman Alex Albritton went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, and Alex Real went 3-for-3, as the Lobos captured a 7-5 win over San Diego State, clinching yet another series win, even without third baseman DJ Peterson.
*NOTE: Per UNM head coach Ray Birmingham, third baseman DJ Peterson missed the game because of a minor hamstring issue. In some good news, it doesn't sound too serious with Peterson, who has 11 homers this season.
South Carolina: Just go ahead and call Nolan Belcher this year's Michael Roth for the Gamecocks. The talented left-handed pitcher struck out nine and allowed just four runs (two runs) on seven hits in 8 1/3 innings of work in a 6-4 win over Texas A&M. Meanwhile, speedy outfielder Tanner English went 3-for-4 with two RBIs.
LSU: The Tigers just continue to do an outstanding job in SEC play. LSU improved to 24-2 overall, 6-1 in the SEC with a 2-0 win over Missouri. Tigers right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola struck out 10 and allowed just five hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings, while first baseman Mason Katz smacked another home run and had two hits.
Virginia: The Cavaliers opened up a substantial lead over Miami with a nine-run eighth inning and never looked back in a 15-4 win over the Hurricanes. Outfielder Brandon Downes had two hits, a home run and five RBIs, while Reed Gragnani knocked in four runs and Mike Papi went 4-for-4 in the winning cause.
Rutgers: The Scarlet Knights are off to a fantastic start in the Big East with a 2-0 win over Villanova to improve to 4-1 in league play. RU starting pitcher Tyler Gebler tossed a gem after Rob Smorol shined in the opener. Gebler struck out eight, walked none and allowed three hits in a complete game shutout.
Houston: When things are going good for the Cougars, they're going real good. UH right-handed pitcher Daniel Poncedeleon out-dueled Memphis left-handed pitcher Sam Moll in a 3-1 victory over the Tigers. Poncedeleon struck out eight, walked none and allowed just one run (none earned) on five hits in a complete game performance. Catcher Caleb Barker had a hit and an RBI for the Cougars.
Arkansas: Hogs right-handed pitcher Barrett Astin struck out six, walked none and allowed just two runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, as the Hogs captured a 5-4 home win over Mississippi State to begin a huge series. Offensively, the Hogs got a one hit and four-RBI performance from outfielder Matt Vinson.
Stanford: Talented second baseman Danny Diekroeger went 3-for-5 with two RBIs as the Cardinals put together a very complete performance in a 9-3 road win over Washington State to clinch a series victory. Wayne Taylor had a hit and two RBIs while Lonnie Kauppila went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
WANTING A DO-OVER
Penn State: The Nittany Lions have had a very tough campaign this season, dropping a 6-1 bout to Purdue to fall to 5-15 overall, 0-3 in the Big Ten. Starting pitcher T.J. Jann gave the Lions four innings in the contest, while at the plate, the Nittany Lions were unable to do much with only J.C. Coban knocking in a run.
Lamar: The Cardinals got off to a hot start this season, but with a chance to make a statement against Central Arkansas, they dropped the series, losing the second game 12-7 on Friday. LU starting pitcher Eric Harrington struggled in the contest, allowing six runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Boston College: The Eagles are having an incredibly tough campaign so far this season, dropping to 3-20 overall, 0-9 in the ACC with a 13-0 loss to Duke. BC starting pitcher Hunter Gordon didn't have a good day at the plate, allowing five runs in 5 1/3 innings of work.
Tulane: The Green Wave just can't put together a complete game. Right-handed starting pitcher Alex Byo put together a gutsy outing, allowing three runs in 5 1/3 innings, but Ian Gibaut and the bullpen imploded in a 6-3 loss to Rice. The result wasted a four-hit performance by shortstop Brennan Middleton.
California: The Golden Bears were playing good baseball a couple of weeks ago, but now have dropped two-straight series with a 9-5 loss to USC on Friday. Cal left-handed pitcher Justin Jones continues to struggle, striking out just three and allowing six runs on eight hits in just 4 1/3 innings of work.
Pepperdine: The Waves appeared to be on the right track, but are now back to square one after dropping a road series to BYU, losing the second game of the series 10-9. Waves right-handed pitcher Scott Frazier struck out eight, walked two and allowed 10 runs on 14 hits in 6 2/3 innings of work.
TOP PERFORMANCES
Tyler Alexander, LHP, Florida International: Alexander tossed a gem as the Panthers captured a 1-0 win over Arkansas State. The lefty struck out nine, walked none and allowed just three hits in 8 1/3 shutout frames.
Jake Jefferies, OF, Cal State Fullerton: Jefferies sure had a night to remember as the Titans took care of business against Pacific. Jefferies hit for the cycle against the Tigers, finishing the night with four hits and seven RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
Matt Imhof, LHP, Cal Poly: The CP veteran left-handed pitcher tossed a gem in the win over UC Davis. He struck out five, walked three and allowed just a run on seven hits in a complete game performance.
Tommy Thorpe, LHP, Oregon: The talented left-handed pitcher put together a solid start in a 1-0 win over Washington. He struck out seven, walked three and allowed just three hits in eight shutout innings.
Trent Gilbert, 2B, Arizona: The sophomore had a solid performance in 15-4 Wildcats win over Utah. Gilbert went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and five RBIs to lead the Wildcats.
Michael Hill, SS, Long Beach State: The talented middle infielder had a good night in a dominant 14-2 win over Cal State Northridge. He went 4-for-5 with a home run, four runs scored and four RBIs.
Derick Velazquez, RHP, Fresno State: The Bulldogs picked up a 4-0 road win over Nevada with the righty leading the charge. He struck out seven, walked one and allowed just five hits in 7 1/3 shutout innings.
Carlos Rodon, LHP, North Carolina State: The outstanding left-handed pitcher has struggled much of this season, but rose to the occasion in a 3-2 win over Maryland. He struck out 11, walked two and allowed just a run on five hits in 7 2/3 innings
Tom Windle, LHP, Minnesota: The talented left-handed pitcher continues to increase his draft stock with a strong showing this spring. Windle struck out 13, walked one and allowed just a run on four hits in a complete game performance and 3-1 win over Michigan.
Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina: The hard-throwing right-handed hurler put together a great start against North Carolina Central. He struck out seven, walked three and allowed just one hit in a complete game shutout, 3-0 win over NCC.
Buck Farmer, RHP, Georgia Tech: The senior right-handed pitcher continues to have a solid campaign, netting a good start in a 5-1 win over Wake Forest. He struck out six, walked four and allowed just a run on five hits in seven innings.
Jordan Minch, LHP, Purdue: The talented lefty put together a good performance in the 6-1 win over Penn State on the road. He struck out five, walked three and allowed just a run on five hits in eight innings.
Kevin Johnson, RHP, Illinois: The veteran right-hander put together a great start for the Fighting Illini in a 4-0 win over Oakland. He struck out three, walked none and allowed just three hits in a complete game performance.
Mat Batts, LHP, UNC Wilmington: Batts is having a terrific campaign for the Seahawks, having yet another strong start in a 1-0 win over Old Dominion. Batts struck out eight, walked two and allowed just three hits in a complete game shutout against the Monarchs.
Dylan Clark, LHP, Elon: Clark put together a strong start in a 6-1 win over Davidson. He struck out three, walked one and allowed just one run, not earned, on seven hits in eight innings.
Conner Graber, RHP, Mount St. Mary's: The right-handed pitcher was fantastic in a 2-0 win over Quinnipiac. Graber struck out nine and allowed just three hits in seven shutout frames.
Cody Apthorpe, RHP, Bowling Green: Apthorpe put together a good start in a 1-0 win over Central Michigan. He struck out two, walked two and allowed just five hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.
Jake Long, RHP, Milwaukee: The talented right-handed pitcher was fantastic in a 2-0 win over Valparaiso. He struck out five, walked two and allowed just eight hits in a complete game performance.
Brad Vachon, RHP, Texas-Arlington: Vachon put together a great performance in a 7-1 win over Louisiana Tech. Vachon struck out 10, walked four and allowed just a run on five hits in a complete game performance.
Dillon Overton, LHP, Oklahoma: Overton put together an impressive start in a 2-1 win over Kansas. The talented lefty struck out six, walked two and allowed just one run on four hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.
Nick Schulz, OF, San Jose State: Schulz had a solid offensive performance in an 11-7 win over UTSA. He went 3-for-5 with a home run, a run scored and two RBIs.
Jonathan Davis, OF, Central Arkansas: The talented outfielder had a big night at the plate for Central Arkansas, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs.
Brandon Yarusi, RHP, Wofford: The right-handed hurler tossed a gem in a 9-1 road win over Appalachian State. He struck out nine, walked one, and allowed a run on four hits in a complete game performance.
Ryan Prinzing, DH, UAB: The Blazers captured a solid 10-6 road win over Marshall with Prinzing leading the way at the plate. He went 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs.
Brad Burcroff, OF, Northeastern: Burcroff put together an impressive performance as the Huskies captured a 12-5 win over James Madison. Burcroff went 3-for-3 with a triple, home run, three runs scored and five RBIs.
Derek Hasenbeck, 1B, Xavier: Hasenbeck had a big night at the plate in a road win over Saint Louis. He went 3-for-5 with a double, home run, two runs scored and five RBIs to lead the Musketeers.