Team of the day
Oklahoma State: The Cowboys are fighting toward an NCAA postseason appearance, and began the annual Bedlam series in impressive fashion with a 4-3 win over Oklahoma. OSU right-handed pitcher Jason Hursh was terrific against the Sooners, striking out nine, walking one and allowing three runs on seven hits in a complete game performance. Meanwhile, he threw 134 pitches, 88 for strikes.
Upset of the day
Tennessee over Arkansas: In a rather big result in the Southeastern Conference, the Volunteers took care of business against the Razorbacks, 8-3 on the road. UT starting pitcher Zack Godley tossed a customary gem against the Hogs, striking out eight, walking two and allowing three runs on four hits in a complete game performance. At the plate, catcher Ethan Bennett had three hits and five RBIs.
Player of the day
Daniel Lockhert, 2B, North Dakota: What an impressive night it was for Lockhert, who shined in North Dakota's dominant 25-5 win over New Jersey Tech. Lockhert went 5-for-6 with a pair of doubles, a home run and 10 RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
Winners
Auburn: The Tigers seem to be keeping their postseason hopes alive with a strong finish, taking a 7-4 road decision over Florida to start the weekend. Auburn second baseman Jordan Ebert had a nice night at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs, while outfielder Ryan Tella went 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. On the mound, AU starting pitcher Conner Kendrick struck out four and allowed four runs (one earned) on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets took a step back last weekend, but responded in impressive fashion Friday night with a 5-4 home win over North Carolina. Tech shortstop Mott Hyde won the game in the bottom of the ninth with a walk-off home run. Meanwhile, catcher Zane Evans went 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs, while starting pitcher Buck Farmer struck out six, walked four and allowed four runs in seven innings.
Kansas State: The Wildcats got a clutch performance from the talented young starting pitcher in Levi MaVorhis in a huge 4-3 road win over rival Kansas. MaVorhis struck out one and allowed just a run on six hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. Meanwhile, at the plate, outfielder Mitch Meyers had a home run and an RBI for the Wildcats, while first baseman Shane Conlon had three hits.
Memphis: The Tigers are trying to fight their way back into the NCAA at-large discussion, and started the weekend on the right foot with a 6-3 win over Rice. Memphis junior left-handed pitcher Sam Moll struck out seven, walked three and allowed two runs on three hits in 7 2/3 innings of work, while at the plate, shortstop Ethan Gross and Drew Griffin each finished the contest with three hits.
UC Irvine: The Anteaters entered the weekend in desperate need of an impressive series win, and took care of business in the opener against Cal Poly, taking the contest 7-1 with right-handed pitcher Andrew Thurman leading the charge. Thurman struck out seven, walked no one and allowed a run on four hits in a complete game performance.
Oregon State: The Beavers continue to get big-time performances from veteran left-handed pitcher Matt Boyd, and captured yet another solid win, this time a 7-3 road triumph over Mark Appel and Stanford. Boyd struck out four, walked one and allowed three runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, while at the plate, outfielder Dylan Davis went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and three RBIs. As for Appel, he struck out just four and allowed six runs on six hits in five innings.
BYU: Could the Cougars actually move into NCAA at-large mix with a series win over San Francisco this weekend? It's certainly possible. BYU leadoff hitter Jacob Hannemann went 2-for-5 with a triple, home run, two runs scored and three RBIs to lead the charge at the plate, while outfielder Kelton Caldwell went 4-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs to help lead the way. With the win, BYU improved to 25-19 overall.
UC Santa Barbara: The Gauchos are heading the right direction and getting in the mix for an NCAA at-large appearance. UCSB started the weekend on the right foot with a 6-1 triumph over Cal State Northridge. UCSB right-handed pitcher Austin Pettibone was fantastic in the contest, striking out five, walking one and allowing just one run on six hits in a complete game performance.
Seton Hall: The Pirates are in the mix for an NCAA at-large appearance down the stretch and certainly helped their case this weekend by sweeping a doubleheader from South Florida, and taking the three-game Big East set. In the first game, a 3-2 win, SHU starting pitcher Jon Prosinski struck out four, walked one and allowed two runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings of work. In the second game, a 5-4 triumph, Greg Terhune struck out four, walked no one and allowed just there runs (one earned) on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings.;
Losers
Southern Miss: The Golden Eagles are trying to reach the NCAA postseason, but losing to SIU-Edwardsville this late in the regular season is bad news. SIU-E entered Friday's contest with an RPI of 275, but upset the Eagles 6-5 in Hattiesburg, Miss. USM starting pitcher Andrew Pierce allowed two runs in four innings, while reliever Sean Buchholz struggled, allowing three runs and a hit.
Michigan State: The Spartans were a safe bet to reach the NCAA postseason entering the weekend, but must avoid creating some doubt against Iowa. The Spartans dropped the series opener to the Hawkeyes, 6-2, on the road Friday night. MSU starting pitcher Andrew Waszak allowed four runs in 6 1/3 innings, while Iowa starting pitcher Matt Demody struck out nine, walked two and allowed just two runs in seven innings.
Arizona State: The Sun Devils are trying to nail down an NCAA Regional host site, but need to stay on track this weekend against California. Unfortunately for the Devils, they dropped a tough 3-1 decision to the Golden Bears on Friday. Cal starting pitcher Ryan Mason struck out three, walked one and allowed just a run on five hits in 6 1/3 innings, while for the Sun Devils, right-handed pitcher Trevor Williams struck out five and allowed three runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings
San Diego State: The Aztecs would love to finish the regular season strong and give themselves a chance at an at-large berth in the MWC tournament. However, they have a lot of work to do, especially after dropping a 4-2 decision to Air Force. SDSU starting pitcher Michael Cederoth struck out seven, walked four and allowed three runs in six innings, while for Air Force, right-handed pitcher Cameron White was phenomenal, striking out seven, walking no one and allowing two runs on five hits in a complete game performance.
Top performances
Kerry Doane, RHP, East Tennessee State: Doane has been a workhorse for the Buccaneers this season, and put together yet another great start in a 1-0 road win over ranked Mercer. Doane tossed his fourth complete game shutout of the season, striking out five and allowing just five hits. He threw 102 pitches, 70 for strikes.
Alex Byo, RHP, Tulane: The Green Wave hasn't had a great season, but Byo was fantastic in an 8-1 road win over UCF. Byo struck out three, walked one and allowed just one run on five hits in a complete game performance.
Tomas Michelson, RHP, Illinois-Chicago: The Flames picked up a nice win to start the weekend, taming suddenly hot Valparaiso. Michelson tossed a gem in the game, striking out five, walking no one and allowing just five hits in a complete game shutout.
Nolan Belcher, LHP, South Carolina: Belcher has been absolutely terrific this spring for the Gamecocks, and was good again in a 7-2 home win over Georgia. He struck out eight, walked no one and allowed just two runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.
Adam Plutko, RHP, UCLA: Plutko has been very consistent this spring, and didn't deter from that path Friday night in a 10-2 win over Arizona. Plutko struck out seven, walked one and allowed two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of work.
Brennan Leitao, LHP, Sacramento State: Leitao put together a solid performance at home in a 4-1 win over San Jose State. He struck out three, walked one and allowed a run on five hits in eight innings of work. He also threw 85 pitches, 58 for strikes.
Kris Bryant, 3B, San Diego: Bryant put together yet another offensive show Friday night in a 15-3 win over Portland. He went 2-for-5 with a home run, his 26th of the season, three runs scored and two RBIs in an easy victory.
Tanner Hicks, RHP, Troy: Hicks has been very solid for the Trojans the past few weeks, and tossed another dandy Friday night in a 1-0 home win over Arkansas State. He struck out six, walked one and allowed just five hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings.
Jason Gibson, LHP, McNeese State: Oral Roberts starting pitcher Alex Gonzalez once again tossed a gem, but Gibson matched him the whole way in McNeese's 3-1 triumph. Gibson struck out eight, walked three and allowed a run (not earned) on four hits in eight innings.
Daniel Gossett, RHP, Clemson: Gossett had a big-time performance at home Friday in a 7-1 win over Georgia Southern. He struck out 12, walked two and allowed just one run on two hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.
Nick Petree, RHP, Missouri State: Petree continues his impressive ways Friday night in a 6-1 home win over Wright State. He struck out 10, walked one and allowed just a run on three hits in a complete game performance.
Scott Baker, RHP, Ball State: Baker tossed an absolute gem in a 4-0 home win over Toledo. Baker allowed just three hits in a complete game shutout.
Taylor Williams, Kent State: Williams was terrific Friday in a 3-0 road win over Western Michigan. He struck out seven, walked no one and allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout.
Jeff Hoffman, RHP, East Carolina: Hoffman is a big-time arm who only will get better going into either the postseason or offseason. The righty tossed a gem in a 9-1 road win over Marshall. He struck out seven, walked two and allowed a run on seven hits in eight innings of work.
Carlos Lopez, 1B, Cal State Fullerton: Lopez was terrific Friday in a 14-7 road win over UC Riverside. He went 4-for-6 with two runs scored and three RBIs to lead the Titans charge. Meanwhile, freshman right-handed pitcher Thomas Eshelman tossed five shutout frames in the contest.
Christian DeLeon, RHP, Nebraska: The Huskers hit the road and bested left-handed pitcher Tom Windle and Nebraska. DeLeon struck out three, walked two and allowed just three hits in six shutout frames.