Top 25 Tracker (May 1)
SEE ALSO: Top 25
Top 25 Tracker, powered by Louisville Slugger, recaps last week’s action and looks ahead to this week.
1. Oregon State
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 34-4, 18-3 in Pac-12 (6-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-0
The Beavers have still yet to lose a weekend series and are running away with the Pac-12 conference, up 5 1/2 games over second-place Stanford. The rich got richer this weekend with hard-throwing junior righthander Drew Rasmussen returning from Tommy John surgery rehab to close out Friday’s game, following yet another stellar start from Luke Heimlich. The Trojans made things interesting with a 10-inning win Saturday, but the Beavers rebounded quickly.
Results:
April 28-30: Southern California: W 3-1, L 7-5 (10), W 10-1
Upcoming:
May 2: Oregon
May 5-7: California
2. Louisville
Last Week: 5-0
Overall: 38-6, 17-4 in ACC (6-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-0
Two-way junior Brendan McKay opened the week with a four-homer, nine-RBI game against Eastern Kentucky, and he ended it with a two-homer day against Toledo. In between, McKay picked up a win on the mound in the opener with the Rockets, striking out 12 in eight innings, albeit while allowing four runs. It was a non-conference weekend for the Cardinals, who will resume Atlantic Coast Conference play at Notre Dame this weekend.
Results:
April 25: @ Eastern Kentucky: W 14-4
April 26: Northern Kentucky @ Louisville Slugger Field: W 6-4
April 28-30: Toledo: W 5-4, W 11-1, W 17-2
Upcoming:
May 2: Miami (Ohio)
May 5-7: @ Notre Dame
3. North Carolina
Last Week: 5-0
Overall: 36-9, 19-5 in ACC (10-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-1
It was a statement weekend for the Tar Heels, who engineered three separate late-inning comebacks against Clemson to sweep a huge conference series and move up to No. 2 in the RPI. UNC will have this upcoming weekend off for exams, but the Tar Heels have all but locked up a national seed with their strong resume.
Results:
April 25: Elon: W 11-2
April 26: Campbell: W 7-1
April 28-30: (6) Clemson: W 5-1, W 5-4, W 3-2 (10)
Upcoming:
May 2: Richmond
4. Auburn
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 32-14, 14-7 in SEC (9-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-1
Auburn continues to pass every test in conference play, winning every Southeastern Conference series except for a road series at Texas A&M and doing so, at times, without the services of co-aces Casey Mize and Keegan Thompson. In a clash with an equally hot Mississippi State team on the road, the Tigers unleashed some offensive firepower. Both outfielder Jonah Todd and first baseman Dylan Ingram drove in four runs apiece in the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader en route to a series win.
Results:
April 25: Troy: L 5-2
April 28-29: @ Mississippi State: L 5-2, W 17-8, W 5-3
Upcoming:
May 5-7: Alabama
5. Texas Tech
Last Week: 3-2
Overall: 36-12, 11-7 in Big 12 (6-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-2
Texas Tech had lost four of its last five games after losing Friday’s series opener against Texas Christian. But the Red Raiders offense broke out Sunday to win the resumption of Saturday’s suspended game and rout the Horned Frogs in the series finale. While TCU still leads the Big 12 Conference, Texas Tech cut its deficit to one game with six to play. The Red Raiders face a five-game road trip to Ohio State and West Virginia this week.
Results:
April 25-26: @ New Mexico: L 16-5, W 27-15
April 28-30: (4) Texas Christian: L 4-1, W 6-4, W 21-3
Upcoming:
May 2-3: @ Ohio State
May 5-7: @ West Virginia
6. Kentucky
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 31-14, 14-7 in SEC (12-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2
The Wildcats soared up to No. 3 in the RPI with another impressive SEC series win on the road, albeit against a South Carolina team that had lost four straight series and didn’t have ace Clarke Schmidt at its disposal. Even still, the Wildcats pounded a very good pitcher in Wil Crowe in the Friday opener and rallied late to defeat the Gamecocks on Sunday.
Results:
April 26: Xavier: W 6-0
April 28-30: South Carolina: W 19-1, L 5-1, W 9-4
Upcoming:
May 5-7: Georgia
7. Texas Christian
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 31-11, 12-6 in Big 12 (7-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3
Riding a career performance by freshman lefthander Nick Lodolo, the Horned Frogs took the opener in Lubbock, but it went downhill from there, as Texas Tech rallied late in the second game and pounded TCU’s pitching staff in the Sunday rubber match. The Frogs have now lost two out of their last three Big 12 series and will look to get back on track against a hot Texas team this weekend.
Results:
April 25: Stephen F. Austin: L 6-2
April 28-30: @ (7) Texas Tech: W 4-1, L 6-4, L 21-3
Upcoming:
May 2: Abilene Christian
May 5-7: (25) Texas
8. Long Beach State
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 28-14, 13-2 in Big West (6-2 vs. Top 25)
The Dirtbags started hitting their stride when Big West play began, and they haven’t stumbled since, going 13-2 in conference play. Pitching has been Long Beach’s core strength throughout that run, but the Dirtbags relied on their bats to sweep UC Davis on the road, outscoring their opponent 23-10 in an easy sweep.
Weekend Series: 8-2
Results:
April 25: UCLA: L 5-1
April 28-30: @ UC Davis: W 14-5, W 9-3, W 10-2
Upcoming:
May 2: @ San Diego
May 5-7: Cal Poly
9. Mississippi State
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 30-16, 14-7 in SEC (9-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-3
The Bulldogs were one of the hottest teams in the SEC and in the country heading into this weekend; the only problem was visiting Auburn was just a little bit hotter. Though Mississippi State took the series opener, beating Auburn ace Keegan Thompson, the Bulldogs couldn’t muster a win in Saturday’s doubleheader. The bright side: Brent Rooker hit two more homers and is up to 19 on the year, batting an otherworldly .413/.509/.913.
Results:
April 25: Mississippi @ Pearl, Miss.: W 4-2
April 28-29: (5) Auburn: W 5-2, L 17-8, L 5-3
10. Clemson
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 34-11, 16-8 in ACC (6-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-3
One could argue the Tigers outplayed North Carolina, holding leads for the majority of the series and getting strong starting efforts from Charlie Barnes, Alex Eubanks and Pat Krall. But the Clemson bullpen folded in all three games, allowing the Tar Heels to climb back and saddling Clemson with a sweep on the road. The Tigers will have a non-conference weekend against Nevada to try to regroup before taking on ACC Atlantic Division leader Louisville.
Results:
April 25: College of Charleston: W 7-2
April 28-30: @ (3) North Carolina: L 5-1, L 5-4, L 3-2 (10)
Upcoming:
May 6-8: Nevada
11. Florida
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 30-13, 13-8 in SEC (3-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2
Florida went on the road to sweep its rival Georgia and has won 10 of its last 12 games. The Gators held the Bulldogs to 10 runs on the weekend and have allowed just 19 runs in their last six SEC games. Florida returns home for five games this week including a series against Mississippi, that will feature the teams with the two best ERAs in the conference.
Results:
April 28-30: @ Georgia: W 6-4, W 6-3, W 4-3
Upcoming:
May 2: Florida A&M
May 3: Jacksonville
May 5-7: Mississippi
12. Virginia
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 35-11, 14-10 in ACC (3-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-3
The Cavaliers took care of a Florida State team that had seemed to have turned things around of late. Virginia came back from a Friday loss to win the next two games in convincing fashion, riding yet another strong start by freshman righthander Noah Murdock in Saturday’s game and putting together a complete offensive performance Sunday to clinch the series.
Results:
April 28-30: @ Florida State: L 6-4, W 8-0, W 7-5
Upcoming:
May 2: Liberty
13. Stanford
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 27-12, 11-7 in Pac-12 (7-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-3-1
Stanford extended its winning streak to eight games with a sweep of Arizona, its first since 1999. The Cardinal have swept back-to-back Pac-12 series, climbing to second in the conference standings as a result. Stanford will look to continue its winning ways this weekend as it travels to last-place Arizona State.
Results:
April 25: Santa Clara: W 8-2
April 27-29: (13) Arizona: W 3-2, W 4-3, W 3-1
Upcoming:
May 2: San Jose State
May 5-7: @ Arizona State
14. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 26-15, 8-4 in Big West (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2-1
The Titans got back on track after losing last weekend’s series at Cal Poly. Still, Fullerton had to work for it, especially Saturday, as the Titans had to battle UC Irvine for 14 innings before pulling out the walk-off win. The Titans are 3.5 games back of first-place Long Beach but still have a chance to make a late run in the standings as long as they keep it close—they finish the season with a series against the Dirtbags.
Results:
April 28-30: UC Irvine: W 5-3, W 3-2 (14), L 12-4
Upcoming:
May 5-7: @ Hawaii
15. Louisiana State
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 30-15, 13-8 in SEC (4-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-3
With a sweep at Alabama, Louisiana State completed its seven-game road swing with a flourish. The Tigers have won three of their last four series and are a game out of first place in the SEC. LSU returns home this week to host South Carolina in Alex Box Stadium, where it is 20-5 this season.
Results:
April 25: @ Tulane: L 9-6
April 27-29: @ Alabama: W 8-2, W 7-4, W 4-3 (10)
Upcoming:
May 5-7: South Carolina
16. Texas A&M
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 32-13, 13-8 in SEC (5-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2
With a sweep at Missouri, Texas A&M won its fifth straight series and improved to 13-3 in the SEC since losing its first five conference games. That hot streak has pushed the Aggies to a game behind the leaders, and they will have a chance to continue to make up ground this weekend. Mississippi State, tied for first in the SEC, travels to College Station for a key SEC West showdown.
Results:
April 25: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: W 5-2
April 28-30: @ Missouri: W 11-1, W 7-1, W 7-2
Upcoming:
May 2: Houston Baptist
May 4-6: (9) Mississippi State:
17. Wake Forest
Last Week: 1-0
Overall: 30-13, 13-8 in ACC (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-2
Wake Forest routed Davidson on Wednesday to reach the 30-win mark by its finals break. It was the fastest the Demon Deacons have reached the milestone since 2006, when they also did so in 43 games. Wake Forest hosts Boston College as it returns to action this weekend.
Results:
April 26: @ Davidson: W 12-6
Upcoming:
May 5-7: Boston College
18. Arkansas
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 34-12, 13-8 in SEC (4-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3
Arkansas’ potent offense was silenced in the first two games of its series against Mississippi, and the Razorbacks produced just nine runs on the weekend, their lowest total since scoring eight against Rhode Island in early March. Arkansas has lost three of its last four series, two at home and all three against SEC West Division rivals. The Razorbacks are still just a game back in the standings, but will need to get back on track when they travel to Tennessee for the weekend.
Results:
April 25: vs. Kansas State @ Kansas City: W 6-5 (10)
April 27-28: Mississippi: L 9-1, L 4-1, W 7-4
Upcoming:
May 4-6: @ Tennessee
19. Arizona
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 27-15, 9-12 in Pac-12
Weekend Series: 7-3
When it rains, it pours for the Wildcats. They’ve lost only three weekend series this season, but each one has come in the form of a sweep. They’ve been swept now for back-to-back weeks against Utah and Stanford. While facing the Cardinal on the road is no easy task, the stacked Arizona lineup has sputtered of late, scoring just six runs in three games at Stanford.
Results:
April 25: New Mexico State: W 11-2
April 28-30: @ (18) Stanford: L 3-2, L 4-3, L 3-1
Upcoming:
May 1: @ Santa Clara
May 5-7: Washington
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 34-12, 16-5 in CUSA (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2
Southern Mississippi bounced back from its series loss last weekend to Old Dominion with a 4-0 week on the road. The Golden Eagles’ potent offense thrived on the road, scoring 44 runs on the week. Southern Miss will hope to keep its bats hot back at home this weekend when it hosts Florida in a battle between the top two teams in the Conference USA standings.
Results:
April 25: @ South Alabama: W 13-7
April 28-30: @ Middle Tennessee State: W 14-7, W 4-3, W 13-9
Upcoming:
May 5-7: Florida Atlantic
21. Michigan
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 33-10, 9-6 in Big Ten (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-2-1
Michigan bounced back from a Friday rout at Rutgers to win the series and improve to 15-6 away from Ann Arbor. The Wolverines are off to their best start since 1989. Michigan returns home this week to take on archrival Ohio State. The Buckeyes ended the Wolverines’ season last year and have won five straight games in the series, a streak Michigan will be eager to snap.
Results:
April 28-30: @ Rutgers: L 12-5, W 6-3, W 8-3
Upcoming:
May 5-7: Ohio State
22. St. John’s 
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 31-7, 6-3 in Big East (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
After its impressive start to the season, St. John’s hit a couple speed bumps last week. Its loss to Princeton on Wednesday marked just its second midweek loss of the year. And Seton Hall shutout St. John’s powerful offense Saturday, the first time that has happened this season. Still, St. John’s bounced back to win the series and has won nine of its last 11 games.
Results:
April 26: Princeton: L 4-2
April 28-30: Seton Hall: W 9-2, L 7-0, W 2-1
Upcoming:
May 2: Iona
May 5-7: @ Georgetown
23. Maryland
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 29-13, 13-5 in Big Ten (3-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-3
Maryland split its first two games at Indiana before losing the rain-shortened rubber game and dropping its second Big Ten series of the season. The Terrapins remain in first place in the conference, but have struggled on the road this season – all three of their series losses have come away from College Park. Maryland will look to improve its road record this week when it travels to Illinois.
Results:
April 28-30: @ Indiana: L 9-2, W 9-2, L 6-3 (8)
Upcoming:
May 3: vs. Towson @ Aberdeen, Md.
May 5-7: @ Illinois
24. South Florida
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 34-10, 9-6 in AAC (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2
South Florida snapped a modest three-game skid with back-to-back wins against Houston to close out a weekend series win. As a result, the Bulls moved into a five-way tie for first place in the American Athletic Conference. USF is 28-6 this season at USF Baseball Stadium and will look to use its home-field advantage one more time this week as it closes out its home schedule with four games.
Results:
April 26: Stetson: L 6-0
April 28-30: (20) Houston: L 7-3, W 7-4, W 5-4
Upcoming:
May 3: Florida Gulf Coast
May 5-7: East Carolina
25. Texas
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 30-16, 9-8 in Big 12 (4-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-4-1
Texas swept a doubleheader Friday at Oklahoma State to win its first series against the Cowboys since 2012. The final game of the series was washed out, leaving the Longhorns tied for fourth in the Big 12, 2 1/2 games off the pace. Texas faces a tough slate this week, as it hosts Texas-Arlington, which has won eight in a row, and then travels to first-place Texas Christian.
Results:
April 25: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette in Sugar Land, Texas: L 8-1
April 28: @ Oklahoma State: W 5-4, W 7-0
Upcoming:
May 2: Texas-Arlington
May 5-7: @ (7) Texas Christian
DROPPED OUT
Houston
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 28-15, 9-6 in AAC (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-3-1
After winning Friday’s series opener at South Florida, Houston was unable to close out a series win. As a result, the Cougars dropped into a five-way tie atop the AAC standings. Houston will host Connecticut, one of the teams tied for first place, this weekend as it looks to bounce back.
Results:
April 25: Sam Houston State: L 12-2
April 28-30: @ South Florida: W 7-3, L 7-4, L 5-4
Upcoming:
May 2: @ Sam Houston State
May 5-7: Connecticut
Mercer
Last Week: 1-4
Overall: 36-11, 15-3 in SoCon (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-1
Mercer had its worst week of the season, losing a pair of midweek games to Georgia Southern and then losing twice to UNC Greensboro to drop its first weekend series of the year. The Bears still hold a commanding 3.5 game lead over the Spartans in the Southern Conference, but they saw their RPI drop to 50. Mercer will look to rebound this weekend at Wofford.
Results:
April 25-26: vs./@ Georgia Southern: L 15-7, L 4-3 (10)
April 28-30: UNC Greensboro: L 8-4, W 6-5, L 12-3
Upcoming:
May 12-14: @ Wofford
West Virginia
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 25-17, 10-8 in Big 12 (6-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-5
Oklahoma edged West Virginia in the final two games of their series, becoming the first team this season to win a series against the Mountaineers at Monogalia County Ballpark. West Virginia has dropped back-to-back Big 12 series, and is two games behind first-place TCU with six conference games to play. It will have to get back on track quickly, as No. 5 Texas Tech travels to Morgantown this weekend.
Results:
April 25: @ Virginia Tech: W 8-6
April 28-30: Oklahoma: W 4-3, L 3-1, L 7-4 (10)
Upcoming:
May 2: Eastern Michigan
May 5-7: (5) Texas Tech
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