Top 25 Tracker (May 2)
1. Florida
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 37-7, 14-6 in SEC (10-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2-1
The battle for SEC East supremacy came to an unfulfilling conclusion with Sunday’s rubber match between Florida and South Carolina getting scrubbed after four scoreless innings due to rain. Ninth-inning home runs by Gator freshmen Jonathan India and Nick Horvath, the first of his career in Horvath’s case, lifted UF to a shocking win Friday, although they came out on the wrong end of Saturday’s pitchers’ duel between A.J. Puk and Braden Webb.
RESULTS
April 29-May 1: @ (6) South Carolina: W 5-4, L 2-1, CCD
UPCOMING
May 3: Bethune-Cookman
May 6-8: @ Tennessee
2. Texas A&M
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 35-9, 14-7 in SEC (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-1
The Aggies won their fourth straight weekend series to maintain a two-game lead in the SEC West. After A&M and Arkansas split a doubleheader on Saturday, senior Kyle Simonds pitched the first complete game of his career to lead the Aggies to a win in Sunday’s rubber game.
RESULTS
April 26: Texas-Arlington: W 7-3
April 30-May 1: @ Arkansas: L 9-5, W 11-8 (11 innings), W 6-2
UPCOMING
May 4: Incarnate Word
May 5-7: (10) Vanderbilt
3. Mississippi State
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 30-14-1, 12-9 in SEC (12-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-1
Not a bad week for the Bulldogs, who won a neutral site game with rival Mississippi on Tuesday, improving to 3-1 against the Rebels this year, and then won a road series at Alabama over the weekend. The Bulldogs have won their first four SEC road series—at Vanderbilt, Florida, LSU and now Bama—for the first time since 1997.
RESULTS
April 26: vs. (9) Mississippi @ Pearl, Miss.: W 2-0
April 28-30: @ Alabama: W 12-5, L 4-3, W 2-1 (7 innings)
UPCOMING
May 5-7: Missouri
4. Miami
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 33-8, 14-5 in ACC (9-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2
Florida A&M scored first in two of the three games, but that was about the extent of the good news for the Rattlers as Miami piled up 36 runs in a three-game sweep of the MEAC leaders. Carl Chester, Brandon Lopez and Randy Batista each hit their first homers of the season, with Batista’s the first of his three-year career.
RESULTS
April 29-May 1: Florida A&M: W 13-4, W 11-2, W 12-7
UPCOMING
May 4: (19) Florida Atlantic
May 7-9: @ Georgia Tech
5. Florida State
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 29-12, 14-5 in ACC (7-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-1 (one series pending)
The Seminoles’ series at Clemson will be decided in a Monday night rubber match. Clemson chased Mike Compton in the fifth inning of Saturday’s loss, but the Noles responded behind three RBIs from Ben DeLuzio and 7 1/3 strong innings from Drew Carlton—the longest outing by an FSU starter all year—to draw even on Sunday.
RESULTS
April 30-May 1: @ Clemson: L 10-3, W 11-2
UPCOMING
May 2: @ Clemson
May 4: @ Stetson
May 6-8: Bowling Green State
6. South Carolina
Last week: 1-1
Overall: 34-9, 15-5 in SEC (8-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3-1
South Carolina held onto first place in the SEC East, although not in the way it intended with Sunday’s rubber game with Florida getting washed out. The Gamecocks got quality starts from both Clarke Schmidt and Braden Webb in the two games that were completed, with Gene Cone’s dramatic seventh-inning home run on Saturday powering them to an emotional win.
RESULTS
April 29-May 1: (1) Florida: L 5-4, W 2-1, CCD
UPCOMING
May 4: South Carolina-Upstate
May 6-8: @ Kentucky
7. Mississippi
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 33-12, 12-9 in SEC (6-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3
Center fielder J.B. Woodman’s monster weekend (6-for-12, 3 HR) led the Rebels to a series win against Louisiana State, keeping them tied with Mississippi State for second place in the SEC West. Woodman homered twice in Saturday’s rubber game, during which the Rebels took a 5-0 lead after three innings and never looked back.
RESULTS
April 26: vs. (3) Mississippi State @ Pearl, Miss.: L 2-0
April 28-30: (8) Louisiana State: W 7-6, L 6-3, W 8-2
UPCOMING
May 4: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
May 6-8: @ Georgia
8. Texas Tech
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 34-13, 14-4 in Big 12 (9-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-2-1
The Red Raiders left no doubt who the top dog in the Big 12 is with a series win against then-second-place TCU. The Red Raiders have also won a series against current second-place team Oklahoma State. With a favorable end-of-season schedule, Texas Tech is sitting pretty for a national seed.
RESULTS
April 27: vs. Abilene Christian @ Midland, Texas: W 5-4
April 29-May 1: @ (7) Texas Christian: W 7-3, L 13-6, W 3-1
UPCOMING
May 6-8: @ Kansas
9. Louisville
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 35-9, 14-7 in ACC (7-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-4
The Cardinals’ home domination continues, as they improved to 28-1 at Jim Patterson Stadium with a 4-0 week that included a pair of shutouts. They took care of an old foe from their Big East days, St. John’s, over the weekend, a series that featured Corey Ray hitting two homers on Friday and Kyle Funkhouser throwing seven shutout innings Saturday.
RESULTS
April 27: Florida International: W 7-0
April 29-30: St. John’s: W 8-4, W 6-5, W 4-0
UPCOMING
May 3: Cincinnati
May 6-8: @ North Carolina
10. Vanderbilt
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 34-10, 13-8 in SEC (6-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-3
The Commodores simply crushed visiting Georgia, starting with a sound defeat of ace Robert Tyler and culminating in three straight blowout wins. Vanderbilt scored double-digit runs three time after not doing so since April 2 vs. South Carolina.
RESULTS
April 26: Austin Peay State: W 8-5
April 29-May 1: Georgia: W 15-3, W 10-3, W 10-3
UPCOMING
May 3: Western Kentucky
May 5-7: @ (2) Texas A&M
11. North Carolina State
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 31-12, 12-7 in ACC (4-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-2
N.C. State cruised through the week, beating then-No. 21 East Carolina team Monday and coming a run shy of sweeping Duke. The Wolfpack has now won its last five weekend series.
RESULTS
April 25: (21) East Carolina: W 6-1
April 29-May 1: Duke: W 3-2, W 12-2, L 2-1
UPCOMING
May 6-8: @ Clemson
12. Texas Christian
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 30-12, 11-7 in Big 12 (3-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3
TCU’s hopes for a Big 12 regular-season title and national seed in the NCAA tournament look all but shot after losing a home series to league leader Texas Tech. The Frogs have now lost head-to-head against both Oklahoma State and TTU, the other two best teams in the conference, dropping to third place in standings in the process.
RESULTS
April 26: @ Dallas Baptist: W 2-0 (7 innings)
April 29-May 1: (13) Texas Tech: L 7-3, W 13-6, L 3-1
UPCOMING
May 6-8: @ Penn State
13. Louisiana State
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 28-16, 11-10 in SEC (5-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-4
Alex Lange’s second straight complete game led LSU to a win in the middle game of the Tigers’ series at Ole Miss, but their pitching otherwise had a rough weekend, with Jared Poche’ and John Valek both getting knocked out early in the other two games. The Tigers slip to fourth in the SEC West and have lost head-to-head series against all three of Texas A&M, Ole Miss and Mississippi State.
RESULTS
April 26: @ (20) Tulane: L 4-1
April 28-30: @ (9) Mississippi: L 7-6, W 6-3, L 8-2
UPCOMING
May 6-8: Arkansas
14. Rice
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 27-14, 15-6 (4-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2
The pitching-first Owls took care of business against Charlotte, exploding for a rare 12-run onslaught in the rubber game. It was only the second time Rice has scored double-digit runs this season; the last came March 6 vs. Central Florida.
RESULTS
April 29-May 1: Charlotte: W 5-1, L 1-0, W 12-4
UPCOMING
May 4: Lamar
May 6-8: @ Florida International
15. UC Santa Barbara
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 29-10-1, 8-4 in Big West (5-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-2-1
The Gauchos responded from a difficult series sweep at the hands of Cal Poly to go a perfect 4-0 on the week. Of note, the Gauchos moved top reliever Kyle Nelson into the weekend rotation.
RESULTS
April 26: @ Saint Mary’s: W 4-3
April 29-May 1: Hawaii: W 14-2, W 6-3, W 5-4
UPCOMING
May 3: Pepperdine
May 6-8: @ UC Davis
16. Virginia
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 30-17, 14-10 in ACC (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-4
The Cavaliers swept their final weekend series before their finals break begins this week. Virginia has now won three straight series, the last two coming on the road, bringing the defending national champions back into the hosting race.
RESULTS
April 26: @ Old Dominion: W 8-4
April 30-May 1: @ Pittsburgh: W 5-1, W 7-6, W 9-1
UPCOMING
May 3: @ Liberty
17. Oregon State
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 28-12, 10-8 (0-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-2
The Beavers rallied for a walk-off walk on Friday, changing the complexion of the series against Stanford. Oregon State capped off the series by pounding Stanford on Sunday, led by K.J. Harrison and his team-leading seventh home run.
RESULTS
April 27: @ Oregon: L 7-6
April 29-May 1: Stanford: W 3-2, L 6-0, W 11-4
UPCOMING
May 3: Seattle
May 6-8: @ Arizona
18. Oklahoma State
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 28-15, 12-6 in Big 12 (4-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3
After beating Texas Christian at home last weekend, Oklahoma State kept rolling in Big 12 Conference play, sweeping Texas in Austin for the first time since 2008. The Cowboys have been road warriors in conference play, sweeping three Big 12 road series for the first time in program history.
RESULTS
April 26: @ Arkansas: L 7-6
April 27: Arkansas-Little Rock: CCD
April 29-May 1: @ Texas: W 3-0, W 6-3, W 8-4
UPCOMING
May 6-8: Prairie View A&M
19. Florida Atlantic
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 30-12, 14-7 in CUSA (5-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2
Florida Atlantic kept itself in the heart of the Conference USA race with a series win against Southern Mississippi, which went into the weekend in first place. While a series at CUSA powerhouse Rice looms next weekend, FAU must first take care of business at home against Texas-San Antonio.
RESULTS
April 26: Central Florida: L 3-1
April 29-May 1: (14) Southern Mississippi: W 9-5, W 9-4, L 4-3
UPCOMING
May 4: @ (4) Miami
May 6-8: Texas-San Antonio
20. Tulane
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 28-14, 8-5 in American (5-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-1-2
Tulane was unable to get in a full slate of games on the weekend, but the Green Wave impressed in the games it did play, beating LSU midweek and splitting against Houston.
RESULTS
April 26: (8) Louisiana State: W 4-1
April 29-May 1: Houston: L 10-6, W 10-4, CCD
UPCOMING
May 6-8: @ South Florida
21. Southern Mississippi
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 31-14, 15-6 in CUSA (5-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2
The top of the Conference USA standings has been somewhat of a free-for-all in recent weekends. Southern Miss was the latest team to go down, falling to suddenly hot FAU a week after beating Rice.
RESULTS
April 26: (23) Louisiana-Lafayette: W 7-2
April 27: New Orleans: CCD
April 29-May 1: @ Florida Atlantic: L 9-5, L 9-4, W 4-3
UPCOMING
May 6-8: Western Kentucky
22. Minnesota
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 27-13, 11-3 in Big Ten (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2
Minnesota held onto first place in the Big Ten Conference with a series win at Illinois, setting up a showdown between it and second-place Indiana this weekend in Minneapolis. After four road games last week, the Golden Gophers get to return to Siebert Field, where they are 9-2 this season.
RESULTS
April 26: @ North Dakota State: L 7-4
April 29-May 1: @ Illinois: W 3-1, L 2-0, W 14-6
UPCOMING
May 3-4: Kansas
May 6-8: Indiana
23. Washington
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 25-15, 11-7 in Pac-12 (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-1-1
A series win at California kept Washington tied for the lead with Utah in the Pac-12 Conference. Closer Troy Rallings nailed down the series victory Sunday, picking up his 14th save, as the Huskies improved to 21-0 this season in games they lead after eight innings.
RESULTS
April 26: Seattle: W 3-1
April 29-May 1: @ California: W 4-2, L 7-1, W 7-4
RESULTS
May 6-8: @ Southern California
24. Michigan State
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 30-11, 10-5 in Big Ten (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-2
Michigan State rebounded from a home series loss to Indiana by winning its series against in-state rival Michigan. It was a much needed victory, keeping the Spartans in the thick of the Big Ten Conference race and providing a marquee series win for its NCAA Tournament resume.
RESULTS
April 27: Toledo: W 4-1
April 29-May 1: @/vs./@ (16) Michigan: L 4-3 (11 innings), W 7-6, W 7-4
UPCOMING
May 7-9: Nebraska
25. Creighton
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 30-9, 8-1 in Big East (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-1
Creighton swept Villanova to win its 10th straight series since an opening weekend loss at Fresno State. The Bluejays have won five straight games, and are averaging more than eight runs per game during that streak. Creighton returns home to face Georgetown this weekend in its final home Big East Conference series of the season.
RESULTS
April 26: Nebraska: PPD
April 27: Air Force: CCD
April 29-May 1: @ Villanova: W 9-3, W 10-4, W 6-5
UPCOMING
May 6-8: Georgetown
DROPPED OUT
Michigan
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 29-12, 9-5 in Big Ten (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-3
The Wolverines stumbled against staunch rival Michigan State, conceding the series while also losing ground in the Big Ten standings. Michigan will try to bounce back with a home series against Rutgers.
RESULTS
April 29-May 1: vs./@/vs. Michigan State: W 4-3 (11 innings), L 7-6, L 7-4
UPCOMING
May 3-4: vs./@ Eastern Michigan
May 6-8: Rutgers
Coastal Carolina
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 31-14, 13-2 in Big South (2-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
The Chanticleers came into the weekend as the last projected national seed, but they were holding onto the slimmest of margins. A national seed is likely out of the picture now after Georgia Tech swept Coastal Carolina, its first weekend series loss of the year.
RESULTS
April 25: High Point: W 4-0
April 29-May 1: @ Georgia Tech: L 9-1, L 9-8, L 4-2
UPCOMING
May 6-8: @ Liberty
East Carolina
Last week: 1-2-1
Overall: 27-16-1, 8-6-1 in AAC (5-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-2-1
East Carolina was unable to close out Sunday’s game against Cincinnati, which would have made it the first team to beat the Bearcats in a conference series this season. But Cincinnati tied the game in the top of the eighth, the final inning played due to travel curfew. That leaves ECU a game behind in the American Athletic Conference standings with nine games to play.
RESULTS
April 25: @ (12) North Carolina State: L 6-1
April 29-May 1: Cincinnati: L 3-0, W 6-4, T 3-3 (8 innings)
UPCOMING
May 6-8: @ Connecticut
Louisiana-Lafayette
Last week: 2-3
Overall: 29-16, 14-7 in Sun Belt (1-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-1
After a pair of tough midweek losses, Louisiana-Lafayette snapped out of its skid in time to win its fifth straight Sun Belt Conference series. The Ragin’ Cajuns’ offense came alive in the finale, after averaging three runs in the first four games last week.
RESULTS
April 26: @ (14) Southern Mississippi: L 7-2
April 27: Louisiana Tech: L 6-3
April 30-May 1: Texas-Arlington: L 4-1, W 6-4, W 19-6 (7 innings)
UPCOMING
May 6-8: Appalachian State
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