Top 25 Tracker (March 27)
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: 3-0
Overall: 20-1, 6-0 in Pac-12 (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-0
In a battle of one of the country’s best pitching staffs vs. one of the country’s best offenses, it was the pitching-rich Beavers who prevailed, taking down the Wildcats in an impressive three-game sweep of a Top-10 opponent. The Beavers walked off two nights in a row to start the series, on a K.J. Harrison single in Game One and a wild pitch in Game Two. The Beavers have now won 15 games in a row—the longest active streak in the country.
Results:
March 24-26: (9) Arizona: W 4-3, W 5-4, W 11-7
Upcoming:
March 28: @ Saint Mary’s
March 31-April 2: @ (15) Stanford
2. Louisville
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 21-2, 8-1 in ACC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-0
The Cardinals began the week as the only undefeated team left standing, and they ended it with their first two losses of the season, one coming somewhat surprisingly midweek at Cincinnati. However, Louisville still won its ACC series at North Carolina State, battling back from a series-opening loss to topple the Wolfpack.
Results:
March 21: @ Cincinnati: L 6-3
March 24-26: @ North Carolina State: L 3-1, W 7-6 (10), W 8-1
Upcoming:
March 28: Western Kentucky
March 31-April 2: @ (19) Virginia
3. Texas Christian
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 17-5, 5-1 in Big 12 (6-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1
The Horned Frogs are clearly over their West Coast struggles from a couple of weekends ago. In a key Big 12 series, TCU dismantled Oklahoma State, sweeping the Cowboys for the first time in series history. An encouraging sign for the Frogs is catcher Evan Skoug’s offensive resurgence. He homered Friday and hit the go-ahead single in Saturday’s contest.
Results:
March 24-26: (21) Oklahoma State: W 7-5, W 6-5, W 5-1
Upcoming:
March 28-29: Texas-Rio Grande Valley
March 31-April 2: @ Kansas State
4. Texas Tech
Last Week: 5-0
Overall: 22-4, 3-0 in Big 12 (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-0
The Red Raiders have met every challenge thrown their way so far this season, winning every weekend series. Texas Tech has won eight games in a row and has swept back-to-back road series after soundly defeating Wichita State this weekend. Starters Davis Martin and Steven Gingery set the tone on the mound, with each delivering a quality start.
Results:
March 21-22: Nevada-Las Vegas: W 5-2, W 5-4 (10)
March 24-26: @ Wichita State: W 10-5, W 4-1, W 3-1
Upcoming:
March 28-29: Texas Southern
March 31-April 2: @ (17) Oklahoma
5. Clemson
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 20-4, 8-1 in ACC (4-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
There was little doubt Clemson would hit this season, but in recent weeks the Tigers pitching staff has also begun rounding into form. This weekend that progress was on full display, as ace Charlie Barnes allowed just one run and struck out 11 on Friday, and the Tigers followed up with back-to-back shutouts—one by sophomore Alex Eubanks and the other a combined effort from senior lefthander Pat Krall and closer Ryley Gilliam.
Results:
March 21: @ College of Charleston: W 8-4
March 24-26: @ Boston College (Kingsport, R.I.): W 8-2, W 1-0, W 2-0
Upcoming:
March 28: Furman
March 29: Winthrop
March 31-April 2: @ Georgia Tech
6. South Carolina
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 17-6, 5-1 in SEC (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
The Crimson Tide dealt the first blow in the series, beating South Carolina on Friday night. But tide turned the next two games, as the Gamecocks got on a roll behind righthanders Wil Crowe and Clarke Schmidt. South Carolina won Saturday’s game in the 10th on a walkoff single by Justin Row.
Results:
March 22: Charleston Southern: W 3-0
March 24-26: Alabama: L 4-2, W 6-5 (10), W 4-2
Upcoming:
March 28: @ The Citadel
March 31-April 2: @ (18) Auburn
7. North Carolina
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 18-6, 6-3 in ACC (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
The Tar Heels took two of three from the visiting Hurricanes to mark their third straight series win to start ACC play. UNC continued to pitch exceptionally well, with ace J.B. Bukauskas leading the charge on Friday. However, the Tar Heels are still hunting for a serviceable Sunday starter.
Results:
March 22: @ (25) East Carolina: W 6-2
March 24-26: Miami: W 7-2, W 6-3, L 6-2
Upcoming:
March 28: Coastal Carolina
March 31-April 2: @ (12) Florida State
8. Florida
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 16-9, 2-4 in SEC (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
After getting swept at Auburn last weekend—the Gators’ first weekend series loss—Florida quickly rebounded in a premium SEC bout with LSU. Alex Faedo outdueled LSU ace Alex Lange in Friday night’s tilt, while sophomore righthander Brady Singer shut down the Tigers on Saturday with his first career complete game. If not for a late rally by LSU on Sunday, the Gators would’ve come away with a sweep.
Results:
March 21: @ Stetson: W 9-8 (11)
March 24-26: (4) Louisiana State: W 1-0, W 8-1, L 10-6
Upcoming:
March 28: (12) Florida State @ Jacksonville
March 31-April 2: @ Missouri
9. Louisiana State
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 18-7, 4-3 in SEC (1-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-1
It took until the eighth inning of Sunday’s series finale for the Tigers to solve Florida’s pitching staff. LSU scored six runs in that eighth inning, fueling a 10-6 comeback win. In the previous two days, the Tigers simply couldn’t muster any offense against Florida’s dynamic duo of Alex Faedo and Brady Singer.
Results:
March 22: Southeastern Louisiana: W 8-2
March 24-26: @ (13) Florida: L 1-0, L 8-1, W 10-6
Upcoming:
March 28: Tulane
March 30-April 1: Texas A&M
10. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 15-8, 0-0 in Big West (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1-1
The Titans stumbled for the first time this season in a non-conference series at Long Beach. Entering the series on an eight-game winning streak, Fullerton’s formidable pitching staff couldn’t contain the Dirtbag offense. Long Beach has now won seven of its last eight.
Results:
March 21: @ San Diego: W 9-2
March 24-26: @ Long Beach State: L 6-4, L 8-5, L 1-0 (10)
Upcoming:
March 28: @ UCLA
March 31-April 2: @ UC Riverside
11. Florida Gulf Coast
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 22-3, 0-0 in A-Sun (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-0
The Eagles have yet to land, as Florida Gulf Coast continues to roll through in-state competition. Starting with a midweek win against Florida State, the Eagles have won eight games in a row, picking a quality midweek win against South Florida last week and carrying their momentum into a weekend sweep of visiting Jackson State.
Results:
March 22: South Florida: W 2-1
March 24-26: Jackson State: W 7-4, W 6-4, W 5-1
Upcoming:
March 29: Miami
March 31-April 2: Jacksonville
12. Florida State
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 18-7, 6-3 in ACC (0-2 in ACC)
Weekend Series: 5-1
Much like rival Florida, the Seminoles were in a need of a bounceback weekend following a series loss to Virginia Tech. Florida State did just that, sweeping Notre Dame in South Bend. The Seminoles were particularly strong on the mound, starting with righthander Cole Sands on Friday and finishing with a complete-game effort from freshman Drew Parrish on Saturday.
Results:
March 21: Jacksonville: W 10-9
March 24-25 : @ Notre Dame: W 8-2, W 8-3 (13), W 5-1
Upcoming:
March 28: (8) Florida @ Jacksonville, Fla.
March 31-April 2: (7) North Carolina
13. Arizona
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 16-7, 2-4 in Pac-12 (1-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1
Matched up against then-No. 2 and current No. 1 Oregon State, the Wildcats held their own—though they came away with nothing to show for it. Arizona held leads in both Friday and Saturday’s games but fell via walkoff twice, as the Beavers rallied late in both games. Only in Sunday’s game did the Wildcats look outmatched—although a four-run eighth inning put Arizona back within reasonable striking distance.
Results:
March 21: New Mexico State: W 6-3
March 24-26: @ (2) Oregon State: L 4-3, L 5-4, L 11-7
Upcoming:
March 29: Grand Canyon
March 31-April 2: Southern California
14. St. John’s
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 18-2, 0-0 in Big East (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
St. John’s was finally able to play some home games this week and took care of business in Queens. The Red Storm swept Maine to extend its winning streak to 6 games. With another perfect week, St. John’s moves up to No. 14, matching its best ever ranking. The Red Storm was last ranked No. 14 in May 1981, when it featured future big leaguers John Franco and Frank Viola.
Results:
March 22: vs. St. Peter’s (Yaphank, N.Y.): W 12-9
March 25-26: Maine: W 3-0, W 9-3, W 15-1
Upcoming:
March 29: Wagner
March 31-April 2: vs./@/vs. Hofstra
15. Stanford
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 13-6, 2-1 in Pac-12 (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-1-1
Stanford returned from its finals break to win its Pac-12 opening series against Utah. The Cardinal were shutout in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday, but its lineup bounced back the next two days. With a stout pitching staff, Stanford doesn’t need much offense to win games — it is now 10-0 when it scores three runs or more this season.
Results:
March 25-26: Utah: L 4-0, W 6-4, W 5-1
Upcoming:
March 28: Long Beach State
March 31-April 2: (1) Oregon State
16. Kentucky
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 18-7, 5-1 in SEC (8-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1
After losing the series opener against Mississippi, Kentucky bounced back to win the next two games and claim the series. The Wildcats are now 5-1 in the SEC, their best start to conference play in five years. The schedule doesn’t let up, however. Cincinnati, which beat Kentucky at home earlier this month, comes to Lexington on Tuesday, and Vanderbilt visits the Wildcats for a weekend series.
Results:
March 21: Western Kentucky: W 4-3
March 23-25: (11) Mississippi: L 9-6, W 4-2, W 4-1
Upcoming:
March 28: Cincinnati
March 31-April 2: Vanderbilt
17. Oklahoma
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 23-5, 2-1 in Big 12 (4-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-0
After losing to rival Oklahoma State on Tuesday, Oklahoma bounced back to win its Big 12 opening series at Baylor. The Sooners held the Bears to 10 runs on the weekend, continuing their solid start to the year on the mound. Oklahoma, which leads the Big 12 in both batting average (.300) and ERA (2.73) will face this weekend its toughest test yet when Texas Tech visits Norman.
Results:
March 21: @ (21) Oklahoma State: L 4-3
March 24-26: @ (20) Baylor: W 11-3, L 7-0, W 3-0
Upcoming:
March 31-April 2: (4) Texas Tech
18. Auburn
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 20-6, 5-1 in SEC (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-0
After playing its first 22 games this season at home, Auburn hit the road for the first time last week. The Tigers went 3-1 on a swing through the Peach State, including a series win at Georgia. They reached 20 wins this season with Sunday’s victory, the fastest they have reached that milestone since doing it in 25 games in 2003. Auburn is in for another tough test this week with a nonconference game against archrival Alabama in Montgomery on Tuesday, followed by a visit from South Carolina.
Results
March 21: @ Georgia Tech: W 7-4
March 24-26: @ Georgia: W 2-1, L 4-1, W 4-1
Upcoming:
March 28: vs. Alabama in Montgomery, Ala.
March 31-April 2: (6) South Carolina
19. Virginia
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 19-6, 4-5 in ACC (2-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-2
After tough road series at North Carolina and Clemson to open ACC play, Virginia returned home this week to take on Duke. After an unsettling 19-3 loss Friday, the Cavaliers bounced back to win the next two games and claim its first conference series of the season. Virginia has another tough ACC weekend ahead, as Louisville, its interdivision rival, heads to Charlottesville.
Results:
March 21-22: Towson: W 3-2, W 8-4
March 24-26: Duke: L 19-3, W 13-6, W 13-6
Upcoming:
March 28: @ Virginia Commonwealth
March 31-April 2: (2) Louisville
20. Mississippi
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 15-9, 3-3 in SEC (3-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1
The Rebels had a rough go of it against a sizzling Kentucky team. After winning the series opener, Ole Miss simply couldn’t piece together offense against Wildcat starters Zach Logue and Justin Lewis. The series loss was Mississippi’s first of the year. The Rebels will look to rebound in a rivalry series against Mississippi State.
Results:
March 21: @ Memphis: L 2-1 (11)
March 23-25: @ Kentucky: W 9-6, L 4-2, L 4-1
Upcoming:
March 28: Arkansas-Little Rock
March 30-April 1: Mississippi State
21. Arkansas
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 20-5, 5-1 in SEC (2-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-0
Arkansas on Friday became the first team to beat Missouri since Opening Day, as the Razorbacks snapped the Tigers’ 20-game winning streak in the series opener. They also won the series finale to claim the series and start SEC play at 5-1. Arkansas reached 20 wins this season with Sunday’s victory, the fastest it has reached that milestone since doing it in 22 games in 2012.
Results:
March 22: New Orleans: W 5-2
March 24-26: @ (18) Missouri: W 9-2, L 7-2, W 9-8
Upcoming:
March 29: Grambling State
March 31-April 2: @ Alabama
22. Baylor
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 18-6, 2-4 in Big 12 (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-2
After starting the season 14-1, Baylor has gone 4-5 in its last nine games and lost back-to-back home Big 12 series to start conference play. The Bears’ difficult schedule continues this week, as they travel to Washington for a nonconference series.
Results:
March 21: Dallas Baptist: W 8-6
March 24-26: (24) Oklahoma: L 11-3, W 7-0, L 3-0
Upcoming:
March 28: Texas-San Antonio
March 31-April 2: @ Washington
23. Houston
Last week: 5-0
Overall: 18-5, 0-0 in American (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 2-1-1 (W: @ Irvine, Alabama State. L: @ Baylor. T: Fullerton. Combined 5-2 in two tournaments)
Senior lefthander John King pitched his third complete game in the past four starts to punctuate the road sweep at UC Irvine. King (4-0) scattered seven hits Sunday. Junior Connor Wong had four hits in Sunday’s game. It’s Houston’s firs sweep of a non-conference road series since March 20-22, 2015 at New Mexico.
Results:
March 21: @ (15) Louisiana-Lafayette: W 4-0
March 22: Texas Southern: W 16-3
March 24-26: @ UC Irvine: W 4-3, W 5-4, W 7-3
Upcoming:
March 28: Incarnate Word
March 31-April 2: @UCF
24. Wake Forest
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 18-7, 6-3 in ACC (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-0
Since going 1-3 on opening weekend, Wake Forest is 17-4 and has won its first three ACC series. The Demon Deacons bounced back last weekend to win the final two games of their series against Georgia Tech after losing in extra innings in Friday’s opener. Wake Forest hits the road this week for a midweek game at Appalachian State and a weekend series at Miami.
Results:
March 21: @ Charlotte: W 13-4
March 24-26: Georgia Tech: L 7-6 (11), W 17-8, W 8-4
Upcoming:
March 28: @ Appalachian State
March 31-April 2: @ Miami
25. East Carolina
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 17-8, 0-0 in American (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-2
East Carolina bounced back from getting swept last weekend to win four games this week, including a weekend sweep of Towson. The Pirates improved to 12-5 at Clark-LeClair Stadium this spring. ECU now enters American Athletic Conference action, with Connecticut heading to Greenville this weekend.
Results:
March 21: @ Elon: W 11-7
March 22: (10) North Carolina: L 6-2
March 24-26: Towson: W 9-4, W 8-5, W 12-5
Upcoming:
March 28: Liberty
March 31-April 2: Connecticut
DROPPED OUT
Louisiana-Lafayette
Last Week: 2-3
Overall: 13-9, 4-2 in Sun Belt (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-0
Though the Ragin’ Cajuns have yet to lose a weekend series this season, they also haven’t found a winning formula in midweek games, now sitting at 1-4 in midweek games after two losses last week. Louisiana will try get a chance to reverse that trend this week with games at McNeese State and Southeastern Louisiana before a big Sun Belt Conference series against South Alabama.
Results:
March 21: Houston: L 4-0
March 22: Tulane: L 6-4
March 24-26: @ Troy: W 6-5, L 7-5, W 7-2
Upcoming:
March 28: @ McNeese State
March 29: @ Southeastern Louisiana
March 31-April 2: South Alabama
Missouri
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 21-3, 4-2 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1
Missouri extended its winning streak to 20 games, the longest in the nation this season, with a victory Wednesday against Arkansas-Little Rock. But its streak was snapped by Arkansas in the series opener. The Tigers bounced back to win the second game, but lost the series with a close defeat Sunday. Missouri is in for another tough week with Southeast Missouri State, coach Steve Bieser’s former school, visiting Tuesday and Florida coming to Columbia for the weekend.
Results:
March 21: Arkansas-Little Rock: W 11-8
March 24-26: Arkansas: L 9-2, W 7-2, L 9-8
Upcoming:
March 28: Southeast Missouri State
March 31-April 2: (8) Florida
Oklahoma State
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 15-9, 0-3 in Big 12 (1-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-2
Oklahoma State started the week with a nonconference victory against Oklahoma in the first instalment of this season’s Bedlam Series. The Cowboys did not fare so well on the road at Texas Christian in their first Big 12 series of the season, however. Oklahoma State blew late leads in the first two games and was swept in Fort Worth, it’s first series loss to TCU since 2013. Oklahoma State will look to get back on track in conference play at home against West Virginia.
Results:
March 21: (24) Oklahoma: W 4-3
March 24-26: @ (3) Texas Christian: L 7-5, L 6-5, L 5-1
Upcoming:
March 28: Wichita State
March 31-April 2: West Virginia
Washington
Last Week: 2-3
Overall: 14-9, 4-2 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-1-2
Washington went 2-3 in a tough five-game road trip to Gonzaga and Oregon. The Huskies’ first four games of the week were decided by one run before their offense broke out in the series finale at Oregon. The series loss to the Ducks was Washington’s first of the season.
Results:
March 21-22: @ Gonzaga: W 5-4, L 8-7
March 24-26: @ Oregon: L 4-3, L 1-0, W 12-3
Upcoming:
March 31-April 2: (22) Baylor
Michigan
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 17-6, 1-2 in Big Ten (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1-1
Michigan lost its series at Maryland in an early-season showdown between two teams expected to contend for the Big Ten Conference title this season. The Wolverines lost the first two games of the weekend, the first time this season they have lost back-to-back games, but bounced back to claim the series finale. Michigan will look to get back on track as it returns home for five games this week.
Results:
March 22: Western Michigan: W 6-4
March 24-26: @ Maryland: L 7-2, L 5-4, W 6-2
Upcoming:
March 28: Toledo
March 29: Central Michigan
March 31-April 2: Penn State
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