4/6/2011 1:23:03 AM
Midweek action is starting to heat up with several teams using the games as postseason resume booster. With that in mind, here's an inside look at a few results that stood out to us on Tuesday.
* Central Florida took a step back last weekend with a home series loss to Southern Mississippi, but bounced back in style on Tuesday with an RPI-boosting 4-3 win over Florida. The Knights entered the ninth inning down 3-2, but scored a pair of runs in the top of the frame to take a 4-3 lead and the crucial victory. UCF used a collection of pitchers to get the job done, while leadoff hitter Darnell Sweeney went 2-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. The Knights now need to take care of business against Tulane this weekend.
* Arizona can't seem to master rival Arizona State this season. The Wildcats dropped yet another contest to the Sun Devils, this time by a score of 10-5. Arizona State used a collection of pitchers in the contest, but reliever Alex Blackford had the most impressive showing, allowing just two hits in three shutout innings. Offensively, Matt Newman hit a home run, Deven Marrero went 4-for-5 with four runs scored and Johnny Ruettiger, Zack MacPhee and Andy Workman each finished the contest with two hits.
* Houston suddenly is back to looking like an NCAA postseason contender. The Cougars picked up another impressive win on Tuesday, a 3-2 triumph over red-hot Texas A&M. UH starting pitcher Codey Morehouse struck out six and allowed just two runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings in the winning cause. Offensively, outfielder Joel Ansley went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
* The first round of the Bedlam Series between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State went to the Sooners by a score of 8-3. OU starting pitcher Jack Mayfield was lifted after allowing three runs on seven hits in just 1 2/3 innings, but reliever Dillon Overton didn't disappoint. Overton struck out eight and allowed just four hits in 6 1/3 shutout innings. The Sooners had a huge night at the plate with six sluggers finishing the night with two hits a piece. Third baseman Garrett Buechele led the way, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs. OU suddenly is playing a very good brand of baseball at the right time.
* Tulane took a step back last weekend when it got swept at home by Houston. The Green Wave's woes continued on Tuesday with a 7-5 setback to in-state rival LSU, dropping their record to 18-11. To make matters worse, Tulane reliever Nick Pepitone went down with an injury in the contest. For LSU, reliever Kevin Berry led the way on the mound with 2 2/3 shutout innings while Raph Rhymes and Tyler Hanover each had two hits and Austin Nola and Mason Katz each knocked in two runs.
* Mississippi State desperately needed a midweek win over Southern Mississippi after losing all three games against Georgia last weekend. The Bulldogs got just what they needed, a 5-4 triumph over the surging Golden Eagles. State starting pitcher Andrew Busby was lifted after just an inning as a result of giving up three runs, but reliever Luis Pollorena was fantastic, allowing just a hit in 5 2/3 innings. Offensively, outfielder C.T. Bradford led the way with three hits, a double and two RBIs.
* Coastal Carolina and Clemson have failed to meet expectations so far this season, so both clubs were looking for an important midweek win on Tuesday. Clemson, though, was the lucky recipient of a victory with a 5-4 triumph in extra innings. CU starting pitcher Justin Sarratt allowed four runs on six hits in just three innings, but reliever David Haselden was fantastic, striking out three and allowing just two hits in seven shutout innings. Offensively, the Tigers were led by Jeff Schaus, Richie Shaffer, Brad Miller and Will Lamb, who each finished the game with two hits.
* Auburn and Troy were polar opposites when the two teams hit the field on Tuesday. Auburn dropped to 15-14 on the season after losing 14-6 to the Trojans. Troy, meanwhile, improved to 23-5 with the impressive victory. Troy starting pitcher Shane McCain allowed just a run on nine hits in five innings in the winning cause, while first baseman Logan Pierce had a huge night at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and seven RBIs. Adam Bryant and Blake Martz finished the contest with two hits a piece. The Trojans are looking great headed to the second half of the season.
* It's safe to say Rice had a night to remember in a 2-0 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on Tuesday. ULL starting pitcher Jordan Nicholson struck out four and allowed just seven hits in six shutout innings in the winning cause. However, it's important to note the Owls recorded 10 hits and left 18, yes, 18, runners on base in the contest. ULL was led at the plate by leadoff hitter Alex Fuselier, who finished the contest with two hits and a run scored.
UPSET WATCH
-- Kennesaw State shocked Georgia Tech 7-6
-- UC Riverside pulled off a mild upset of UCLA, 5-4
-- Pacific hit the road and defeated red-hot California 7-4
-- Samford hit the road and used strong pitching to cool down Alabama 4-2
-- Louisville hit the road and dropped a 15-5 decision to Western Kentucky
-- Sam Houston State rallied late to beat suddenly struggling Baylor 3-2
-- Presbyterian recorded another win over a power conference, beating Tennessee 10-6
-- Memphis cruised past Mississippi at home, 9-2