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TEAM OF THE DAY
Florida
There's just something about playing Florida State that brings out the best in the Florida Gators. The Gators swept the season series against the Seminoles with an 8-0 win Tuesday night. UF lefthanded pitcher Danny Young struck out five and allowed just two hits in five shutout innings, while relievers Justin Shafer, Aaron Rhodes and Karsten Whitson took care of business. Offensively for the Gators, second baseman and leadoff hitter Casey Turgeon went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs. With the win, the Gators sweep the season midweek series against the Seminoles.
PLAYER OF THE DAY
Matt Gonzalez, of, Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets captured an impressive 13-2 midweek win over Georgia Southern with Gonzalez leading the charge. Gonzalez had a great day at the plate, going a perfect 4-for-4 with a double, triple, two runs scored and three RBIs.
UPSET OF THE DAY
New Orleans over Louisiana-Lafayette
Even if this was a midweek game, the Privateers capturing an 8-7 decision over ULL on the road is one of the more surprising upsets of the season. With the win, UNO improved to just 10-20 overall this spring, while the Ragin' Cajuns fell to 30-4. UNO's Reese Kanter led the charge at the plate with four hits and an RBI, while Jonathan Santana had a double and two RBIs, and Jonathan Coco hit a triple and knocked in two runs. For the Cajuns, starting pitcher Matt Hicks threw well for three innings, while the bullpen was unable to take care of business with Ben Carter allowing four runs without recording an out.
THE GOOD
Pepperdine: Steve Rodriguez's Waves have played an impressive brand of baseball the past few weeks, and improved to 25-7 overall with a solid 4-3 win over USC. Pepperdine starting pitcher A.J. Puckett tossed three shutout innings to begin the contest, while shortstop Manny Jefferson led the charge offensively going 3-for-3 with a pair of RBIs. Meanwhile, talented third baseman Austin Davidson had two hits and an RBI.
San Diego: Much like the Waves, its WCC counterpart, the Toreros are having an impressive campaign, improving to 23-9 overall with a 6-3 road win over UC Irvine. USD's Andrew Daniel had a hit and two RBIs, while outfielder Louie Lechich chipped in a three-hit performance.
South Carolina: The Gamecocks didn't have a great weekend against Arkansas last week, but bounced back in familiar fashion in the midweek with a 9-2 triumph over Furman. Talented South Carolina freshman pitcher Taylor Widener shined in the contest, allowing a hit in 4 2/3 innings, while first baseman Kyle Martin went 3-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs.
Eric Gutierrez, 1b, Texas Tech: Speaking of good days on the diamond, how about Gutierrez? The Red Raiders claimed a 19-2 midweek win over Abilene Christian with Gutierrez going 3-for-4 with a home run, four runs scored and four RBIs.
Bradley Strong, 2b, Western Carolina: The Catamounts captured a nice 16-0 midweek win over Presbyterian with the leadoff hitter leading the charge. Strong had great game at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, four runs scored and three RBIs.
UNLV: Tim Chambers' club has been very impressive this spring, and captured yet another good win on Tuesday, a 10-7 road triumph over Arkansas. UNLV third baseman T.J. White went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs, while outfielder Edgar Montes added a home run in the contest.
Vanderbilt: After losing a tough road series to Tennessee over the weekend, the Commodores responded in style with a 6-2 home win over a very solid Indiana State club. Vandy righthanded pitcher Walker Buehler was terrific against the Sycamores, striking out 10, walking just three and allowing a run on three hits in seven innings, while at the plate, John Norwood had a pair of hits and an RBI.
Tennessee: The Volunteers picked up a huge series win over Vanderbilt, and continued their winning ways with a 10-1 win over a solid Tennessee Tech club. Vols outfielder Christin Stewart went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, while leadoff hitter Will Maddox had three hits and an RBI.
Patrick Boling, lhp, Georgia: Fresh off a series win over Missouri, the Bulldogs hit the road and took care of business in a 6-2 win over Clemson. Boling led the charge for Georgia, striking out six and allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Cal State Fullerton: Titans third baseman Matt Chapman hit a double and went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, as the Titans, who have struggled offensively this season, captured a 4-3 home win over UCLA. Fullerton two-way star J.D. Davis led the charge on the mound, finishing out the game with three strikeouts in two hitless innings.
Jordan Kipper, rhp, TCU: The Horned Frogs made the short drive to Dallas Baptist and snagged a 7-1 victory with the talented righthanded pitcher leading the way. Kipper struck out eight, didn't walk anyone and allowed a run on four hits in eight innings.
Adam Aldred, lhp, Central Michigan: The Chips hit the road and captured a 10-1 win over Michigan State. Leading the way was the talented lefthanded pitcher, who struck out four and allowed just a run on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Ryan Foster, rhp, UNC Wilmington: Foster put together an absolute gem in a 3-0 win over Campbell. Foster struck out four, walked two and allowed just two hits in eight shutout innings.
Rice: The Owls had a tough weekend against East Carolina, but bounced back with a 7-2 midweek win over Texas. Rice reliever Trevor Teykl allowed just a run and a hit in 5 1/3 innings, while at the plate, leadoff hitter Charlie Warren had two hits and two RBIs.
Joe McCarthy, of, Virginia: McCarthy had a night to remember in a 9-3 road victory over James Madison. He went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, two runs scored and four RBIs.
THE BAD
Oklahoma: It was just a midweek bout, but the Sooners suffered a tough loss to Oral Roberts, 2-0. ORU starting pitcher Pepe Gomez struck out four in five shutout innings, while for the Sooners, starting pitcher Robert Tasin didn't have a great day on the mound, allowing two runs on three hits in 3 1/3 innings. OU lost this contest despite out-hitting the Golden Eagles 8-4.
Kentucky: It's a midweek game, so there's not a huge reason to look into the loss too much. However, the Wildcats dropped a tough 6-4 decision at home to Morehead State. Morehead State's Luke Schneider had a solid day on the mound, striking out five and allowing just a run on two hits in 5 1/3 innings, while for the Wildcats, starting pitcher Ryne Combs allowed there runs on five hits in three innings.