3/17/2011 12:37:32 AM
Arizona State has made its statement.
The Sun Devils raised some eyebrows last weekend when they hit the road and took two of three on the road from Auburn. They elevated their status in the midweek with a series sweep over Oklahoma, finishing off the two-game set Wednesday with a 6-4 triumph.
Though the Devils win over the Sooners highlights Wednesday's action, there were plenty of other interesting results.
* Arizona State sophomore right-handed pitcher Jake Barrett allowed four runs on six hits in six innings, but was more dominant than the stats would indicate as he finished the contest with 11 strikeouts. Barrett, a usual weekend starter, will start again next week when the Sun Devils head to Cal State Fullerton for a two-game midweek series. Relievers Joseph Lopez and Mitchell Lambson also performed at a high level, while second baseman Zack MacPhee led the offense with a pair of hits.
* James Madison has put together a solid record this season, but hasn't exactly played the best competition. It's safe to say the Dukes needed a win over Virginia on Wednesday. However, they didn't get a victory as the Cavaliers improved to 17-1 with a 7-3 triumph. Virginia starting pitcher Will Roberts struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings and reliever Justin Thompson tossed a pair of scoreless frames. Catcher John Hicks, who's hitting .397, blasted two home runs and knocked in four runs for the Cavaliers.
* Wichita State took a step back last weekend with a road series loss to Tulane, but is back in good graces after finishing off a midweek series sweep over Arizona with an 8-3 triumph on Wednesday. Starting pitcher Charlie Lowell struck out eight and allowed just three runs in six innings, while reliever TJ McGreevy was fabulous of the bullpen, allowing just three hits in three shutout innings.
* Clemson desperately needs something to go its way later this week. The Tigers took yet another step back on Wednesday, dropping their five-straight contest to Presbyterian 4-3. Pitchers Will Lamb and Justin Sarratt didn't get the job done, while Presbyterian starting pitcher Steven Richardson and reliever Chandler Knox put together solid performances. The Tigers haven't been the same since the South Carolina series loss, but good thing the season still is young.
* Georgia Tech quietly has been one of the nation's most impressive teams this season. The Yellow Jackets earned another win over a solid Georgia Southern club on Wednesday, this time by a score of 12-3. Freshman outfielder Kyle Wren, the leadoff hitter, went a perfect 4-for-4 in the contest while Daniel Palka knocked in three runs and Zane Evans knocked in three runs. The Jackets used a wholestaff approach on the mound in the winning cause. The Jackets are looking good.
* USC has played a brutally tough schedule to begin the season, and it's showing signs of life after earning a midweek series sweep over Louisville with a 9-4 triumph on Wednesday. USC starting pitcher Ben Mount allowed just a run on five hits in five innings, while first baseman Ricky Oropesa finished the contest with three hits. On the downside for Louisville, starting pitcher Dace Kime didn't perform at a high level. He was touched for five runs in just two innings. He also walked four batters.
* Rice coach Wayne Graham said earlier this week he was a little worried about third baseman Anthony Rendon. Well, he should be worried about Rendon and the rest of the lineup. The Owls put together another bad midweek performance in a 2-1 loss to Dallas Baptist. The pitching staff did a fantastic job against the Patriots, but the offense only mustered a run on seven hits. Rendon finished the game 0-for-3. The Owls have some work to do with Jeremy Rathjen out of the lineup because of an ACL injury.
* Coastal Carolina suddenly is starting to put things together and we're not surprised. The Chanticleers defeated San Diego 6-0 on Wednesday with Josh Conway leading the way. The talented pitcher struck out four and allowed just three hits in 7 1/3 innings. Matt Laney and Ryan Connolly also did a solid job out of the bullpen. With the loss, San Diego dropped to 4-11 on the year and is way behind when it comes to pecking order for a possible NCAA postseason berth.
* Purdue is supposed to be one of the Big Ten's better clubs, but its performance in midweek play could've fooled you. The Boilermakers dropped a 9-0 decision to Vanderbilt on Tuesday before getting dominated 13-6 by Belmont on Wednesday. We're not real sure who wants to win the Big Ten regular season title at this point in the season. It's a wide open race between a bunch of average teams.