Top 25 Tracker (Feb. 22)
1. Florida
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC. (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
The Gators showed why they’re the top team in the country with a clean sweep of Florida Gulf Coast. On a team bursting at the seams with veteran depth, it was freshman second baseman Deacon Liput who led the offensive charge, going 5-for-9 and driving in seven runs on the weekend. Top draft prospect A.J. Puk had an up-and-down season debut, but righthanders Logan Shore and Alex Faedo held up their end of the bargain with effective starts. The intensity should ramp up this weekend with a series at rival Miami.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Florida Gulf Coast: W 4-2, W 8-4, W 12-3
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Eastern Michigan
Feb. 24: Eastern Michigan (@ Lakeland, Fla.)
Feb. 26-28: @ (6) Miami
2. Louisville
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in ACC. (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Though not a tough opening weekend test, Louisville took care of business against SIU Edwardsville nonetheless, outscoring the Cougars by a whopping 43-5 margin across three games. Junior outfielder Corey Ray started his player-of-the-year campaign early, homering twice and driving in seven runs in a 6-for-9 weekend. Two-way star Brendan McKay also homered and combined with rotation mates Kyle Funkhouser and Drew Harrington for 16 innings of two-run ball. The Cardinals will face a stiffer challenge at Mississippi this weekend.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: SIU Edwardsville: W 21-4, W 12-0, W 10-1
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Eastern Kentucky
Feb. 26-28: @ (21) Mississippi
3. Texas A&M
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Despite trailing early in each of the first two games, the veteran Aggies had little trouble disposing of Hofstra. Texas A&M hit six homers on the weekend, two each from senior Hunter Melton and junior Ronnie Gideon. Freshman righthander Tyler Ivey delivered the best start of the weekend, holding Hofstra to two hits and striking out seven in six scoreless innings Sunday. The Aggies started last season with 24 straight wins; they’ll try to keep the train rolling at Pepperdine this weekend.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Hofstra: W 5-2, W 15-4, W 5-0
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Stephen F. Austin
Feb. 24: Prairie View A&M
Feb. 26-28: @ Pepperdine
4. Virginia
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in ACC (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
The reigning champion Cavaliers didn’t make things easy on themselves with a tough opening-season slate at the Caravelle Resort Tournament in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Righthander Connor Jones (7 IP, 3 H 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K) got the better of Kent State lefthanded ace Eric Lauer for an opening day win. But—after an easy 8-0 victory against Appalachian State—the Virginia bullpen crumbled late against No. 23 Coastal Carolina. The Cavaliers will try to get back on track at home in Charlottesville.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ Caravelle Resort Tournament, Conway, S.C.
Kent State: W 8-6
Appalachian State: W 8-0
(19) Coastal Carolina: L 5-4
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Virginia Military Institute
Feb. 26-28: East Carolina
5. Oregon State
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
At the Surprise Tournament in Surprise, Ariz., the Beavers received somewhat of a surprise when Utah Valley put up 12 runs against them. All three games in the tournament were offensive battles for the Beavers, but they still managed to come away with two wins. With Drew Rasmussen at the front of the rotation, Oregon State figures to pitch better throughout the course of the season. And the immediate ocontributions of talented freshman infielders Nick Madrigal (7-for-14, 6 RBI) and Cadyn Grenier (4-for-8, 4 BB) bodes well for Oregon State’s future.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ Surprise Tournament 1, Surprise, Ariz.
Ball State: W 7-6
Utah Valley: L 12-9
Minnesota: W 8-7
UPCOMING
Feb. 22: @ Surprise Tournament 1, Surprise, Ariz.:
Utah
Feb. 25-28: @ Surprise Tournament 2, Surprise, Ariz.:
Kansas State, Kansas
6. Miami
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Though the Hurricanes had a rough week in terms of injury and suspension news, there was no spillover onto the weekend. Miami starters Thomas Woodrey, Danny Garcia and Michael Mediavilla combined to allow just one run in 18 innings of work, and junior infielder Johnny Ruiz paced the offense with a torrid 6-for-9, five-RBI start to the season. Things are escalating quickly, though, with the No.1 Gators coming to town this week.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Rutgers: W 4-1, W 2-0, W 8-1
UPCOMING
Feb. 24: St. Thomas
Feb. 26-28: (1) Florida
7. Vanderbilt
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Though the Commodores are missing many of the pieces that led them to the College World Series finals for the second straight season last year—including their entire weekend rotation—Vanderbilt didn’t miss a beat on opening weekend against San Diego. Sophomore Jeren Kendall hit two home runs on opening day and added another in a 10-for-15, 10-RBI weekend. Freshman Alonzo Jones also homered and drove in seven in his first collegiate series. The rotation could change as the ‘Dores get healthier, but Jordan Sheffield excelled (5 IP, 1 ER, 7 K) in his first audition for the Friday night role.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: San Diego: W 8-4, W 13-6, W 17-1
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Tennesee-Martin
Feb. 24: Eastern Illinois
Feb. 26-28: Illinois Chicago
8. Louisiana State
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Cincinnati gave LSU a scare opening day, taking the Tigers on a 12-inning ride, but LSU pulled through and went on to sweep the series. Though a much different club offensively than they were a year ago, the Tigers seemed to find a groove Sunday and were led by their lone returning starter, Jake Fraley (5-for-13), throughout the weekend. As long as the Tigers have Alex Lange and Jared Poche’ at the front of the rotation, they should be just fine.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Cincinnati: W 6-5 (12), W 4-0, W 12-4
UPCOMING
Feb. 24: @ Lamar
Feb. 26-28: Sacramento State
9. Houston
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in AAC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
No Seth Romero, no problem. Despite not having one half of their 1-2 starting pitching punch due to a suspension, the Cougars breezed through their opening weekend against Villanova. As he’s been known to do, junior righthander Andrew Lantrip shoved (6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 5 K) on opening day. Meanwhile, powerful freshman Joe Davis (5-for-9, 6 RBI) and junior Corey Julks (6-for-12, 1 HR) powered a potent Cougars offense.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Villanova: W 13-1, W 4-0, W 10-3
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: McNeese State
Feb. 26-28: @ Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston:
Texas Tech, Arkansas, (17) Texas Christian
10. Louisiana-Lafayette
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in Sun Belt (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
It took 10 innings to put away Sam Houston State on opening day, but it was smooth sailing for the Ragin’ Cajuns the rest of the weekend. Friday starter Gunner Leger set the tone on the mound with a six-inning, one-hit gem, while upperclassmen Brenn Conrad (5-for-8, HR) and Kyle Clement (8-for-13) led a productive lineup. The Ragin’ Cajuns will face tougher competition in Houston.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Sam Houston State: W 2-1 (10), W 6-2, W 13-3
UPCOMING
Feb. 24: Louisiana Tech
Feb. 26-28: @ Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston:
(17) Texas Christian, Texas Tech, Rice
11. California
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 1-2, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-1
The Golden Bears ended last season with two hard-fought, extra-inning epics against Texas A&M, and they began 2016 in much the same way, falling twice to Duke in walk-off fashion. Cal showed a gritty offensive approach, led by seniors Nick Halamandaris (6-for-13) and Brenden Farney (4-for-10), and ace righthander Daulton Jefferies outdueled (6 IP, 2 R, 9 K) a dominant Bailey Clark on Friday. But the Bears still came up short against a scrappy Duke team.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ Duke: W 5-2, L 6-5 (10), L 5-4
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: San Francisco
Feb. 26-28: Purdue
12. Oregon
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend: 1-0
So far, so good for Oregon’s three-headed lefthanded monster in the weekend rotation. Cole Irvin (7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 9 K) and David Peterson (5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 K) each provided strong efforts, and while Matt Krook struggled (4 IP, 4 R, 3 BB, 6 K), it was also his first start in nearly two calendar years due to Tommy John. On the offensive side, the return of sophomore A.J. Balta from last year’s knee injury has already paid dividends; he homered twice and drove in seven.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ San Diego State: W 8-2, W 10-5, W 4-3
UPCOMING
Feb. 25-28: Illinois State
13. Oklahoma State
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 2-2, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
Though clearly the top team in the Clay Gould Classic, the Cowboys came away with a pedestrian 2-2 showing, splitting two contests each against Texas-Arlington and Stephen F. Austin. Timely hitting made the difference, as each game was closely fought. The good news for OSU is that all three weekend starters—Trey Cobb, Thomas Hatch and Elliot Jensen—each provided length and effectiveness on the mound. They’ll need to keep it up in a tough road series at North Carolina.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ Clay Gould Classic, Arlington, Texas:
Texas-Arlington: L 2-3, W 5-3
Stephen F. Austin: W 8-2, L 4-5
UPCOMING
Feb. 26-28: @ (20) North Carolina
14. Michigan
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 4-0, 0-0 in Big Ten (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Pitching ruled for the Wolverines, who shut out Canisius twice in four games. None of Michigan’s four starters allowed an earned run on the weekend, with sophomore lefthander Oliver Jaskie (6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 9 K) leading the charge on Friday. Senior outfielder Cody Bruder drove in seven runs on the weekend, going a team-best 8-for-16.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ Tradition Field, Port St. Lucie, Fla.:
Canisius: W 9-0, W 6-2, W 3-0, W 9-3
UPCOMING
Feb. 26-28: Jack Gifford Memorial Tournament, Calif.:
Saint Joseph’s, Cal Poly, Santa Clara
15. UCLA
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 1-2, 0-0 in Pac 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-1
Shorthanded with injuries to catcher Darrell Miller Jr. and shortstop Nick Valaika, the Bruins had a hard time keeping pace with North Carolina—shut down by ace Zac Gallen on Friday and blown out on Sunday. The return of senior Eric Filia after two lost seasons was a silver lining. He delivered the walk-off single in UCLA’s only win. The Bruins expect better outings from Grant Dyer, Griffin Canning and freshman Kyle Molnar—each of whom allowed at least four runs.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: (20) North Carolina: L 4-0, W 6-5, L 14-5
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Long Beach State
Feb. 26-28: @ Cal Poly
16. Florida State
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
The Seminoles had no problems disposing of Rhode Island. Starters Mike Compton, Drew Carlton and highly touted freshman Cole Sands allowed just one earned run in 15 innings. Meanwhile, the Seminoles hit .413 as a team, with veteran infielder John Sansone homering twice and driving in nine on the weekend. The Seminoles could have a harder time with College of Charleston this weekend, a team that battled them for two games in the Tallahassee Regional last season.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Rhode Island: W 19-1, W 8-1, W 23-4
UPCOMING
Feb. 26-28: College of Charleston
17. Texas Christian
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Filling in for injured Mitchell Traver as Friday night starter, junior lefthander Rex Hill and the Horned Frogs fell to Loyola Marymount on opening day. But junior righthander Brian Howard and two-freshman Luken Baker picked up the slack the next two games, with each throwing at least six innings of scoreless baseball. Baker, a frontrunner for Freshman of the Year, was exceptional in his debut, allowing just one hit in his six innings while also hitting a two-run home run at the plate.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Loyola Marymount: L 5-3, W 1-0, W 5-0
UPCOMING
Feb. 24: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Feb. 26: @ Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston:
(10) Louisiana-Lafayette, Rice, (9) Houston
18. North Carolina State
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in ACC (1-0 vs Top. 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
Knocked around in the Caravelle Resort Tournament opener against Old Dominion, the Wolfpack regrouped to take down No. 23 Coastal Carolina and Kent State in back-to-back high-scoring ballgames. While N.C. State didn’t pitch to its capability this weekend—both Johnny Piedmonte and Brian Brown were knocked out early—the Wolfpack displayed its offensive might. Six different players homered for the Wolfpack, with catcher Andrew Knizner homering twice and Preston Palmeiro batting 7-for-14.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ Caravelle Resort Tournament, Conway, S.C.:
Old Dominion: L 5-0
(19) Coastal Carolina: W 13-10
Kent State: W 7-5
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Morehead State
Feb. 24: St. John’s
Feb. 26-28: Wright State
19. Coastal Carolina
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in Big South (1-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
The Chanticleers can swing the bats, as they readily showed in their opener against Appalachian State and in a slugfest—and eventual loss—to N.C. State. They also showed the ability to finesse their way to a win, using timely hitting late in Sunday’s game to defeat reigning champion Virginia. Veterans G.K. Young (6-for-12, 7 RBI), Billy Cooke (5-for-11, 3 RBI), Zach Remillard (5-for-13, 5 RBI) led the way on a largely successful weekend.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ Caravelle Resort Tournament, Conway, S.C.:
Appalachian State: W 17-2
North Carolina State: L 13-10
(4) Virginia: W 5-4
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: @ UNC-Wilmington
Feb. 26-29: Caravelle Resort’s Baseball at the Beach:
Marshall, Ohio State, Duke
20. North Carolina
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in ACC (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
The Tar Heels had a very loud opening weekend, taking two of three from the then-No. 10 Bruins at Los Angeles. The weekend started with a dominant performance from ace righthander Zac Gallen (7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K). But UNC’s offense—a very young group—showed its potential, too, exploding for 10 runs in the final three innings of the series. The Tar Heels could cement their status in the Top 25 with a series win against No. 13 Oklahoma State.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: @ (15) UCLA: W 4-0, L 6-5, W 14-5
UPCOMING
Feb. 26-28: (13) Oklahoma State
21. Mississippi
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Ace righthander Brady Bramlett set the tone with five scoreless innings on Friday, then the Ole Miss offense took over to power the Rebels to a series sweep of Florida International. Sophomore second baseman Tate Blackman homered, drove in six and hit .600 during the series, while junior center fielder J.B. Woodman went 5-for-10 with a home run and six RBIs of his own. Scoring could be a little more difficult when No. 2 Louisville comes to Oxford this weekend.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Florida International: W 9-2, W 7-4, W 16-5
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Arkansas State
Feb. 26-28: (2) Louisville
22. Kentucky
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 2-1, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
First, the bad news: Ace righthander Zack Brown struggled (3.2 IP, 9 H, 4 ER) on opening day, putting the Wildcats in a hole they couldn’t climb out of. The good news? Both righthanders Dustin Beggs (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 5 K) and Kyle Cody (7 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K) were excellent, as was freshman outfielder Tristan Pompey (5-for-10, 3 HR) and team leader JaVon Shelby (8-for-12, 2 HR).
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Harley Park, Spartanburg, S.C.:
Wofford: L 5-4
George Mason: W 8-6
Dayton: W 15-2
UPCOMING
Feb. 26-28: Tony Gywnn Classic, San Diego:
UC Santa Barbara, TBD, TBD
23. Georgia Tech
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 3-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
The Yellow Jackets are going to hit—they’re built for offense—but pitching will likely be key to how far they can go this season. The Jackets got off to a strong this weekend, as returning starters Jonathan King and Brandon Gold combined with highly touted freshman Jonathan Hughes to allow just two runs (zero earned) in 16 innings. The offense, meanwhile, performed as advertised, led by sophomores Kel Johnson (5-for-12, HR) and Trevor Carport (6-for-10, HR).
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21:
Purdue: W 5-2
Western Michigan: W 13-0
Virginia Commonwealth: W 9-1
UPCOMING
Feb. 24: @ Georgia Southern
Feb. 26-28: UMBC
24. Mississippi State
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 2-2, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
Hosting both Florida Atlantic and South Dakota State in the same weekend, the Bulldogs found mixed success, losing both contests to the Owls but blowing out the Jackrabbits. Junior catcher Jack Kruger (9-for-16, 9 RBI) and freshman infielder Luke Alexander (5-for-10) both homered and strong weekends at the plate. There was more inconsistency on the mound, although top draft prospect Dakota Hudson pitched well (5 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 8 K) in his season debut.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21:
Florida Atlantic: L 10-6, L 4-0
South Dakota State: W 17-4, W 15-5 (7)
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Memphis
Feb. 26: UMass Lowell, Nicholls State
25. Oklahoma
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 2-2, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0-1
Not much went right for the Sooners in their first two games of the season, epitomized by righthander Alex Hansen’s one-inning meltdown (1 H, 3 ER, 4 BB) on Saturday. Fortunately for the Sooners, their offense awakened in the final two games to split the series. Juniors Sheldon Neuse and Jack Flansburg both went 7-for-13 in the series, with Flansburg homering. The Sooners will look to get back on track against Sam Houston State.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: Northeastern: L 3-2, L 5-3, W 10-4, W 13-4
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: Abilene Christian
Feb. 26-28: @ Sam Houston State
DROPPED OUT
16. Southern California
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 1-2, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-1
USC was one of three ranked Pac-12 teams to suffer a series loss, though a series loss to North Dakota at home might be the most inexplicable of the three. Senior ace Kyle Davis was a tough-luck loser (8 IP, 1 ER, 10 K) in Friday’s 1-0 loss, but the Trojans struggled to put it together on the mound the next two games. A strong debut by freshman Lars Nootbaar (3-for-8, 3 RBI) and Sunday’s walk-off win were bright spots in an otherwise inauspicious opening weekend.
RESULTS
Feb. 19-21: North Dakota: L 1-0, L 5-4, W 7-6
UPCOMING
Feb. 23: @ Loyola Marymount
Feb. 26-28: Wake Forest
22. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 1-2, 0-0 in Big West (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-1
It rained, then poured for the Titans. After weather forced a Saturday doubleheader, Cal State Fullerton opened its season against Stanford with two straight losses. The Titans are going to pitch, as they demonstrated this weekend, with each starter holding the Cardinal to two runs. But the Titans will need to find offense in a post-David Olmedo-Barrera world. They were unable to do that against Stanford.
RESULTS
Feb. 20-21: @ Stanford: L 2-0, L 2-1, W 4-3
UPCOMING
Feb. 26-28: Indiana
Comments are closed.