Team of the day
UNC Wilmington: The Seahawks have put together a solid campaign this spring, and captured yet another marquee win on Tuesday, snapping North Carolina's 14-game winning streak in a 9-8 victory. UNCW outfielder Tyler Molinaro went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs, while leadoff hitter Michael Bass also had a productive night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs. On the mound, Wilmington reliever Kelly Secrest was terrific, striking out two and allowing just one hit in 5 2/3 shutout frames.
Upset of the day
Florida A&M over Mercer: The Bears have been very consistent this spring, but took a big step back on Tuesday with an ugly 11-5 loss on the road to Florida A&M. Mercer starting pitcher Forest Garrett allowed two runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings of work, while the bullpen struggled immensely against the Rattlers. Meanwhile, FAMU got a nice offensive performance from Marlon Gibbs, who went 3-for-5 with a triple and an RBI to lead their offensive cause.
Player of the day
Matt Florer, LHP, Loyola Marymount: With the Lions fighting for a postseason berth down the stretch, there's little room for error. Well, the left-handed veteran made sure there were no hiccups in the midweek as he tossed a no-hitter in a 5-0 win over red-hot Cal State Northridge. Florer struck out five in the complete game performance, and also threw 134 pitches, 75 of them for strikes.
Feeling good
Stanford: It's safe to say the Cardinal is starting to heat up down the stretch. Leadoff hitter Justin Ringo went 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and five RBIs in an impressive 17-2 win over San Jose State. Brian Ragira and Austin Wilson each had four hits and totaled six RBIs, while on the mound, Stanford starting pitcher Bobby Zarubin struck out seven and allowed just a run on five hits in five innings.
Washington: It certainly has been a nightmarish season for the Huskies, but they have a reason to feel good. UW took a series from Oregon State over the weekend, and captured a 6-2 win over Gonzaga on Tuesday. UW starting pitcher Troy Rallings allowed a run in 3 1/3 innings, while relievers Trevor Dunlap and Tyler Davis both did a nice job to finish the contest.
Western Kentucky: The Hilltoppers hope to reach the NCAA postseason at the end of the season, and Tuesday's walk-off, 18-inning, 3-2 win over in-state foe Kentucky could loom large. The two teams went back and forth until Hilltoppers leadoff hitter Trevor Lowe smacked a walk-off home run to end the contest. WKU relievers Ian Tompkins, Austin Clay, Josh Bartley and Brennan Pearson threw well in the win.
College of Charleston: The Cougars have struggled lately, but feel at least a bit better after taking home a 14-2 decision over Coastal Carolina. Charleston leadoff hitter, second baseman Blake Butler, went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and four RBIs, while shortstop Gunnar Heidt and outfielder Cody Martin each finished the night with four hits and three RBIs.
Florida: Don't look now, but the Gators are really starting to get into a groove. UF leadoff hitter Richie Martin went 2-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored and four RBIs, as the Gators cruised past red-hot South Florida 12-1. Catcher Taylor Gushue and outfielder Harrison Bader each finished the night with two hits.
Vanderbilt: Boy, those Commodores are impressive. Freshman pitcher Walker Buehler walked two and allowed just a run on four hits in 5 1/3 innings of work in a 10-2 win over Louisville. Offensively, infielder Vince Conde had a big night at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double, home run, two runs scored and four RBIs, while second baseman Tony Kemp and outfielder Jack Lupo each had three hits.
Cal Poly: The Mustangs bounced back nicely from their tough series loss to Cal State Fullerton over the weekend. Mustangs starting pitcher Casey Bloomquist struck out three and allowed just one run on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, while catcher Elliot Stewart went 2-for-3 with a double, home run and three RBIs.
San Diego State: The Aztecs pushed their record to .500 on the season with a dominant 18-2 win over UC Irvine. SDSU starting pitcher Mike Robards struck out four, walked one and allowed just a run on seven hits in seven innings in the win. At the plate, second baseman Tim Zier went 4-for-6 with a double and two RBIs, while catcher Bard Haynal went went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs.
Oklahoma State: Zach Fish hit a walk-off RBI double in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Cowboys a very important 6-5 win over Wichita State at home. Fish finished the night 2-for-6 with two RBIs, while leadoff hitter Saulyer Saxon had two hits and first baseman Tanner Krietemeier had three hits and an RBI. On the mound, give a lot of credit to reliever Brendan McCurry, who tossed 5 1/3 shutout frames.
Wanting a do-over
Texas A&M: The Aggies have little room for error down the stretch and dropped a tough 4-1 decision to Texas State on the road. A&M had just two guys -- Cole Lankford and Andrew Vinson -- finish the night with two hits, while on the mound, starting pitcher Corey Ray allowed four runs on two hits in 1 2/3 innings. A&M was mastered at the plate by a solid crop of Bobcats pitcher, though, Scott Grist was most impressive with three shutout frames.
Elon: The Phoenix is one of those teams fighting for an NCAA postseason berth down the stretch, so any midweek loss is considered a setback. Well, the Phoenix dropped an 8-5 decision to East Carolina on Tuesday. Elon used nine pitchers in the loss, with Nate Young allowing three runs in just 2 2/3 innings of work.
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets suffered a tough home series loss to North Carolina State over the weekend, and well, took another step back on Tuesday with a horrible 17-0 loss to rival Georgia. Tech starting pitcher Jonathan King allowed four runs on seven hits in two innings of work, while Josh Heddinger allowed five runs on four hits in three innings of work.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks took a step back on Tuesday in a 7-6 loss to Gardner-Webb. Gamecocks right-handed pitcher Colby Holmes once again struggled in the contest, allowing three runs on seven hits in just 3 1/3 innings, while Joel Seddon allowed two runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings of work.
Notre Dame: It was only a few weeks ago the Fighting Irish were ranked. Now, they're fighting for their postseason lives. Irish starting pitcher Matt Ternowcheck allowed three runs on two hits in just an inning of work, while Nick McCarty allowed six runs on six hits in four innings in a 15-3 loss to Toledo.
Houston: The Cougars were in good shape to make the NCAA postseason a few weeks ago, but now they're fighting for their lives, dropping yet another contest, this time a 4-0 decision to Texas. UH starting pitcher Aaron Garza was lifted after 2 1/3 innings, while the offense was unable to get much going off Texas pitchers Josh Urban, Travis Duke and Ty Marlow, who each threw well.
Top performances
Max Homick, LHP, San Diego: The Toreros captured a hard-fought win over UC Riverside Tuesday night with Homick leading the charge. He struck out four, walked no one and allowed just three hits in five shutout frames.
Ryan Ford, SS, Middle Tennessee State: The Blue Raiders captured a huge win over in-state foe Tennessee in front of 2,540 fans in Murfreesboro, Tenn., with Ford leading the charge. He went 2-for-5 with a triple, home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.
Tyler Bray, RHP, Louisiana-Monroe: The talented right-handed pitcher had a shortened stint tonight because it was a midweek game against Mississippi Valley State, but he struck out seven, walked none and allowed just one hit in four frames.
Jonathan Davis, CF, Central Arkansas: The Bears couldn't be happier with their 16-8 win over Tennessee-Martin with Davis leading the charge. Davis went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and five RBIs to lead the charge.
Hunter Renfroe, OF, Mississippi State: The Bulldogs captured a nice 12-1 win over Memphis with Renfroe leading the charge. He went 2-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBIs in the victory.
Nick Sabo, LHP, Long Beach State: The Dirtbags finally put together an impressive performance in an 11-1 win over UCLA. Sabo tossed a gem against the Bruins, though, his offense certainly gave him support. He struck out two and allowed just three hits in five shutout frames.
Nick Boyd, RHP, Central Connecticut State: The Blue Devils silenced Stony Brook 4-0 with Boyd leading the charge. He struck out two and allowed just three hits in six shutout frames.
Sam Mott, OF, Eastern Michigan: The Eagles captured a very impressive win over Michigan, 15-10, with Ott leading the charge at the plate, He went 2-for-3 with a double, triple, three runs and two RBIs.
Josh Prevost, RHP, Seton Hall: The Pirates picked up a solid 10-1 midweek win over Monmouth with Prevost leading the charge. He struck out two and allowed a run on nine hits in seven innings of work.
Nick Howard, 3B, Virginia: The Cavaliers continued their impressive play in midweek action in a 6-2 triumph over Richmond. Two-way star Nick Howard went 5-for-5 with a double and three RBIs in the winning cause.