Team of the day
Virginia Tech: The Hokies had quite an afternoon to remember against arch-rival Virginia, taking an important ACC series by scores of 5-3 and 11-6. Tech took the opening game with veteran left-handed pitcher Joe Mantiply striking out five, walking three and allowing three runs on six hits in seven innings, while at the plate, Tyler Horan put together a two-hit performance. Meanwhile, in the series finale, Andrew Rash and Tyler Horan each hit a two-run home run in the game, and shortstop Chad Pinder had a double and two RBIs in a very impressive victory. Virginia Tech's postseason situation received a huge boost Saturday.
Upset of the day
Towson over UNC Wilmington: The Tigers have had a rather wild year on the baseball diamond, and captured a really nice 9-5 win over UNC Wilmington at home on Saturday. Towson starting pitcher Paul Beers struck out two, walked none and allowed just two runs on seven hits in seven innings, while at the plate, designated hitter Kurt Wertz had a triple, two hits and three RBIs.
Player of the Day
Travis Creel, SS, Southern Mississippi: The Golden Eagles pounded out 21 runs on 24 hits in a dominant win over UAB with Creel leading the charge. Creel went 6-for-6 with a double, four runs scored and two RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
Zane Evans, C, Georgia Tech: Evans had an afternoon to remember as the Yellow Jackets salvaged a game against Clemson. He went 6-for-6 with a double, two homers, four runs scored and four RBIs to lead the Jackets offensive attack.
Winners
West Virginia: The Mountaineers, yes, the Mountaineers have a decent shot to make a run at an NCAA postseason appearance after sweeping Kansas in a three-game set with two wins by scores of 4-3 and 3-2 on Saturday. In the first game, WVU starting pitcher Dan Dierdorff struck out six, walked one and allowed three runs on seven hits in a complete game performance, while in the second game, starting pitcher John Means struck out seven, walked none and allowed two runs on seven hits in 7 1/3 innings.
Florida Atlantic: After dropping the series opener to Troy, the Owls fought back in impressive fashion Saturday night with a 1-0 win over the Trojans. Starting pitcher Jeremy Strawn was terrific against the Trojans, striking out five, walking one and allowing just four hits in eight shutout frames. Meanwhile, reliever Hugh Adams struck out two in an inning of work to close out the contest.
North Carolina State: Wolfpack sophomore left-handed pitcher Carlos Rodon struck out 10, walked four and allowed just two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of work, as his club captured a series-tying 7-3 win over rival North Carolina. Travis Orwig closed out the game on the mound, allowing just one hit in 1 2/3 shutout frames, while at the plate, Trea Turner and Tarran Senay each finished the contest with two hits each.
Indiana: Hoosiers starting pitcher Kyle Hart had a so-so performance in a 9-3 win over Michigan, but reliever Scott Effross rose to the occasion in a big way, allowing just one hit in 3 2/3 shutout innings of work. Meanwhile, at the plate in the series clincher, second baseman Nick Ramos went 2-for-3 with a double and four RBIs, while first baseman Sam Travis had three hits and an RBI.
Oregon: Hard-hitting Ducks first baseman Ryon Healy went 3-for-3 with two homers, two runs scored and four RBIs, as they captured a series win over Stanford with a 6-4 triumph. While Healy led the charge at the plate, reliever Jimmie Sherfy closed things out in impressive style with two strikeouts in two shutout frames to end the contest.
Kentucky: The Wildcats have had a tough time the past few weeks, but finally experienced some success this weekend with a series win over Ole Miss, taking the series finale 5-4 on Saturday. UK left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell struck out six, walked one and allowed just three runs on seven hits in eight innings of work, while at the plate, third baseman Max Kuhn went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Vanderbilt: Commodores right-handed pitcher Tyler Beede struck out seven, walked two and allowed just two runs on seven hits in six innings of work, as the 'Dores captured a 5-2 win over Mississippi State to clinch yet another SEC series win. Meanwhile, relievers Jared Miller and Carson Fulmer were excellent, while at the plate, outfielder Mike Yastrzemski had another solid night, going 2-for-5 with two RBIs.
New Mexico: The Lobos solidified an impressive series win over UNLV with a 5-3 victory Saturday afternoon. UNM starting pitcher Sam Wolff struck out two, walked one and allowed just five hits in six shutout frames, while at the plate, outfielder Luke Campbell went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
UCF: Junior right-handed pitcher Ben Lively struck out six in six innings of work, while reliever Spencer Davis tossed three shutout frames in a series-clinching 5-4 win over Houston. At the plate, second baseman Bret Gordon went 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI, while leadoff hitter Erik Hempe went 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
South Florida: The Bulls are very much a player for the Big East regular season title, clinching yet another series win with a 5-4 triumph over St. John's. USF designated hitter Alex Mendez led the charge at the plate for the Bulls, going 3-for-6 with a run scored and two RBIs, while Anthony Diaz and James Ramsay each had two hits.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks have setup an outstanding series finale on Sunday with a 4-2 win over LSU on Saturday. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery struck out two and allowed just two runs on 10 hits in seven innings, while relievers Adam Westmoreland and Tyler Webb got the job done out of the bullpen.
Losers
Loyola Marymount: The Lions were very much in the mix for an at-large bid entering the weekend, but have taken a significant step back with a road series loss to Portland. LMU starting pitcher Aaron Griffin allowed two runs on four hits in 7 2/3 innings of work, while the offense struggled against Portland starting pitcher Kurt Yinger, who struck out three and allowed just two runs on eight hits in a complete game performance.
Texas A&M: The Aggies likely are out of the mix for the NCAA postseason after losing yet another SEC series this weekend, this time to Alabama in a 3-2 setback. A&M starting pitcher Parker Ray allowed three runs on five hits in 7 2/3 innings of work, while the offense didn't do much against Alabama starting pitcher Justin Kamplain, who allowed two runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings of work. The Aggies are now 7-13 in the SEC.
Nebraska: The Huskers entered the weekend on a tear, but took a step back on Saturday, dropping to 0-3 for the weekend thus far with a pair of losses to Oklahoma State. The Huskers lost the first game to the Cowboys, 5-3, despite starting pitcher Aaron Bummer allowing two runs on six hits in six innings, while in the second game, the Big Red wasted a good performance by Tyler Niederklein, who allowed a run on four hits in five innings.
TCU: The Horned Frogs probably ended their NCAA postseason chances this weekend with a series loss to Kansas State, dropping the second game 2-1. The Frogs wasted a good performance by starting pitcher Brandon Finnegan, who struck out eight, walked two and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in eight innings of work. He also threw 115 pitches, 80 for strikes.
San Diego: Toreros junior right-handed pitcher Dylan Covey walked five batters and allowed four runs on three hits in just an inning of work, as USD dropped a 9-8 decision to San Francisco, and the series, dropping to a pedestrian 9-8 in the West Coast Conference standings. While it wasn't a good night for USD pitching, third baseman Kris Bryant was the lone bright spot, smacking his 22nd home run of the season in the contest.
Top performances
Nick Vander Tuig, RHP, UCLA: The veteran right-handed pitcher put together an outstanding performance Saturday afternoon in a series-clinching 10-1 win over Washington State. Vander Tuig struck out eight, walked no one and allowed just a run on seven hits in a complete game performance.
Brennan Leitao, LHP, Sacramento State: The talented left-handed pitcher struck out five, walked two, and allowed just five hits in seven shutout innings, as the Hornets defeated Louisiana Tech 1-0 in a fantastic pitcher's duel. Also worth noting, La Tech starting pitcher Phil Maton struck out six and allowed just one run in eight innings.
D.J. Slaton, RHP, San Jose State: Slaton put together an impressive performance against Seattle in a 7-1 victory. He struck out four, walked two and allowed just one run on six hits in seven innings of work. He also threw 106 pitches, 59 for strikes.
Justin Garza, RHP, Cal State Fullerton: The outstanding freshman left-handed pitcher struck out just two, but also walked just one and allowed five hits in eight shutout innings as the Titans evened up the series against Hawaii with a 5-0 triumph.
Cody Boutte, LHP, Louisiana-Lafayette: The talented left-handed pitcher tossed a gem in a 9-1 win over Florida International. He struck out six and allowed just a run on five hits in a complete game performance.
Kyle Kleinendorst, C, North Dakota State: Kleinendorst couldn't have had a much more impressive performance Saturday afternoon as his club captured a 15-7 win over Nebraska-Omaha. Kleinendorst went 3-for-6 with two doubles, a home run, two runs scored and six RBIs in the triumph.
Alex Gonzalez, RHP, Oral Roberts: Gonzalez's MLB draft stock sure has risen a lot over the past few weeks, and he put together yet another solid performance in a 7-2 win over Nicholls State. He struck out 12, walked one and allowed a run on four hits in seven innings of work.
Aaron Attaway, SS, Western Carolina: The Catamounts hit the road and captured a 15-5 win over UNC Greensboro with Attaway leading the charge. Attaway went 4-for-6 with a home run, three runs scored and three RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
T.D. Davis, 1B, Georgia Southern: What an impressive performance the hard-hitting Eagles first baseman put together against Elon. He went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, two runs scored and four RBIs.
Phillip Ervin, OF, Samford: The versatile outfielder put together an impressive performance for the Bulldogs. He went 3-for-5 with a stolen base, four runs scored and four RBIs to lead the offensive charge.
Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas: Stanek put together an impressive performance in a 2-1 road win over Georgia. He struck out three, walked three and allowed just one run on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of work.
Ryan Kellogg, LHP, Arizona State: Kellogg has been an impressive addition for the Sun Devils this season, and put together yet another good start in a 5-1 win over Utah. He struck out four, walked none and allowed three runs on eight hits in seven innings.
Andrew Moore, RHP, Oregon State: The talented freshman right-handed pitcher was fantastic in a 3-0 win over USC. Moore struck out one, walked two and allowed just five hits in 7 2/3 shutout innings of work. He threw 81 pitches, 56 for strikes.
Matt Morris, LHP, Wagner: The talented left-handed pitcher struck out seven and allowed just a run (not earned) on three hits in seven innings of work in a 3-1 win over Quinnipiac. He threw 90 pitches, 63 for strikes.
Jay Knight, OF, Mount St. Mary's: Leadoff hitter Jay Knight had an impressive night at the plate in a 17-0 victory. Knight went 5-for-5 with a home run, four runs scored and an RBI to lead the offensive charge.
Kyle Lloyd, LHP, Evansville: Lloyd had an impressive performance on Saturday as the Purple Aces defeated Missouri State 2-1. Lloyd struck out 12, walked two and allowed a run on five hits in a complete game performance.
Kyle McGowin, RHP, Savannah State: McGowin is a rising MLB draft prospect and had an impressive performance in a 2-0 win over North Carolina A&T. McGowin struck out eight, walked two and allowed just four hits in a complete game shutout.
Kyle Hunter, LHP, Dartmouth: The veteran starting pitcher tossed a gem in an 8-0 win over Harvard. He struck out five, walked one and allowed just five hits in seven shutout innings of work. He also threw 101 pitches, 65 for strikes.
Tim Giel, RHP, Columbia: Giel was very impressive in a 1-0 win over Pennsylvania. He struck out six, walked three and allowed just two hits in six shutout frames.
Garrett Ford, LHP, Georgia State: The Panthers hit the road and captured a solid 6-0 win over Northeastern. Ford was terrific with four strikeouts, no walks, and allowing just four hits in eight shutout innings of work.
Jake Stassi, LHP, Long Beach State: Stassi rose to the occasion in a 3-2 win over Cal Poly. Stassi struck out four, walked one and allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in 6 1/3 innings of work.
Bryan Radziewski, LHP, Miami (Fla.): What an impressive performance the talented left-handed hurler put together in a 5-0 win over Boston College. He struck out eight, walked two and allowed just four hits in a complete game shutout.
Andy Perez, 2B, Duke: The Blue Devils clinched a much-needed series win over Maryland with Perez leading the charge at the plate. He went 2-for-5 with a triple, home run, two runs scored and four RBIs to lead the way.
Andrew Blum, RHP, Richmond: The talented right-handed pitcher had a fantastic performance in a 3-1 win over Atlantic 10 leader Saint Louis. He struck out five, walked one and allowed a run on nine hits in 7 1/3 innings of work.