Top 25 Tracker (April 4)
1. Florida
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 27-3, 7-2 in SEC (7-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
The much anticipated No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown was no contest, as the Gators return to the top spot after sweeping Texas A&M. Other than A.J. Puk’s having to come out early Sunday with back spasms, not much went wrong for Florida, which dominated the first two games before taking a back-and-forth win Sunday to extend its home winning streak to a program record 27 straight.
RESULTS
March 29: vs. (12) Florida State @ Jacksonville, Fla.: W 3-2
April 1-3: (1) Texas A&M: W 7-4, W 7-2, W 10-7
UPCOMING
April 5: Jacksonville
April 8-10: (5) Mississippi State
2. Miami
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 23-4, 10-2 in ACC (9-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
Miami has been an absolute buzzsaw since its series loss to Florida in Week 2. The Canes have won 18 of their last 20 and took their third Top 25 series in as many weeks—granted, all three were at home—with a sweep of North Carolina. Miami’s lineup hit .314 as a group against a UNC staff that entered the weekend with a sparkling 2.28 ERA.
RESULTS
March 30: @ (25) Florida Atlantic: PPD
April 1-3: (9) North Carolina: W 10-4, W 7-3, W 7-4
UPCOMING
April 5: @ Florida Gulf Coast
April 8-10: @ Notre Dame
3. Texas A&M
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 22-6, 4-5 in SEC (2-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
On the wrong end of Florida’s broomstick, the Aggies’ starting pitching let them down in all three games in Gainesville. The triumvirate of Tyler Ivey, Kyle Simonds and Jace Vines combined to work just 6 1/3 innings and allow 11 earned runs, the second time in as many SEC road series A&M’s pitching has faltered—the Aggies gave up 27 runs at Auburn two weeks ago.
RESULTS
March 29: @ (15) Houston: W 7-2
April 1-3: @ (2) Florida: L 7-4, L 7-2, L 10-7
UPCOMING
April 5: @ (25) Rice
April 8-10: Georgia
4. Louisville
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 22-5, 8-3 in ACC (4-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-2
Louisville had no problems with struggling Virginia Tech in the first two games of their Saturday-Monday series. The Cardinals erupted for a nine-run second inning on Sunday, and they’ve outscored their opposition by a whopping 64-8 margin during their current five-game winning streak.
RESULTS
March 29: @ Western Kentucky: W 17-0
April 2-3: Virginia Tech: W 8-4, W 13-0
UPCOMING
April 4: Virginia Tech
April 6: @ (19) Kentucky
April 8-10: @ (11) Florida State
5. Mississippi State
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 20-8-1, 6-3 in SEC (7-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-0
The Bulldogs won their Weekend Series against archrival Mississippi for the first time since 2012. Back-to-back complete games by Dakota Hudson and Austin Sexton powered MSU to wins in the first two games, while Jake Mangum led the offense, going 6-for-12 with a homer and two doubles on the weekend.
RESULTS
March 29: vs. Southern Mississippi @ Pearl, Miss.: W 13-5
April 1-3: (13) Mississippi: W 3-1, W 6-2, L 8-5
UPCOMING
April 5: Tennessee-Martin
April 8-10: @ (1) Florida
6. Vanderbilt
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 23-5, 6-3 in SEC (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
Vanderbilt notched its best series win of the first half, taking two of three from previously hot South Carolina. Jordan Sheffield’s nine strikeouts in seven innings led the way in the opener, and Jeren Kendall hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth as the Commodores stormed back from a 4-1 deficit in the rubber game.
RESULTS
March 29: Belmont (@ First Tennessee Park): W 8-2
March 31-April 2: (7) South Carolina: W 6-3, L 4-0, W 10-6
UPCOMING
April 5: Lipscomb
April 7-9: @ (15) Louisiana State
7. Texas Christian
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 22-5, 4-2 in Big 12 (2-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
TCU bounced back from its series loss to Texas by dismantling Wichita State. Luken Baker and reliever Jared Janczak combined on the Frogs’ fifth shutout of the season in the opener, and the offense took care of the rest, exploding for 29 runs over the next two days.
RESULTS
March 29: @ Texas-Arlington: W 17-4
April 1-3: @ Wichita State: W 3-0, W 17-6, W 12-5
UPCOMING
April 5: Texas-Arlington
April 6: Louisiana-Monroe
April 8-10: @ Kansas
8. South Carolina
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 24-5, 7-2 in SEC (7-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-2
Freshman Braden Webb was sensational in Friday’s win at Vanderbilt, striking out 11 over eight shutout innings, but the Gamecocks couldn’t pull out Saturday’s rubber game and took their first SEC series loss. Nonetheless, the Gamecocks remain tied with Florida for first place in the SEC East, and a game up on Vandy.
RESULTS
March 29: College of Charleston: L 6-5 (13 innings)
March 31-April 2: @ (6) Vanderbilt: L 6-3, W 4-0, L 10-6
UPCOMING
April 5: Coastal Carolina
April 8-10: Tennessee
9. California
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 18-6, 7-2 in Pac-12 (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-2-1
Cal swept UCLA in a three-game series for the first time since 1985, staying tied with upstart Utah for first place in the Pac-12. The Bears did it without ace Daulton Jefferies, a late scratch on Friday—Ryan Mason took the ball in his stead and threw seven innings of one-run ball.
RESULTS
March 29: San Francisco: W 7-5
April 1-3: UCLA: W 9-1, W 8-2, W 5-3
UPCOMING
April 5: Stanford
April 8-10: @ Oregon
10. Oregon State
Last Week: 3-2
Overall: 19-7, 5-4 in Pac-12 (0-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-1
Though the Beavers came away with a winning weekend against Washington, they suffered a major loss in the form of a season-ending injury to sophomore ace Drew Rasmussen—a crucial piece of the puzzle both this year and last. Senior righthander Travis Eckert filled the void admirably Friday, but how will the suddenly thinner staff respond going forward?
RESULTS
March 28-29: San Diego State: L 6-5, W 9-6
April 1-3: Washington: W 10-1, W 5-4, L 3-2 (12 innings)
UPCOMING
April 8-10: Central Arkansas
11. Florida State
Last Week: 1-1
Overall: 19-6, 7-1 in ACC (4-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-0
After playing just one game against North Carolina State the weekend before, rain washed away yet another weekend for the Seminoles. FSU took the lone game it managed to play against Boston College and played a close game with then-No. 2 Florida in an abbreviated week.
RESULTS
March 29: vs. (2) Florida @ Jacksonville, Fla.: L 3-2
April 1-3: @ Boston College: W 3-0, CCD, CCD
UPCOMING
April 5-6: Texas Tech
April 8-10: (4) Louisville
12. UC Santa Barbara
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 20-6, 2-1 in Big West (5-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
Led by pitchers Shane Bieber and Noah Davis, the Gauchos made a statement in the very beginning of Big West play, traveling to Long Beach and taking down the Dirtbags. UC Santa Barbara will have a different sort of challenge this week with a cross-country trip to College of Charleston.
RESULTS
March 29: @ Pepperdine: L 6-2
April 1-3: @ (17) Long Beach State: W 4-3, W 3-1, L 2-0
UPCOMING
April 8-10: @ College of Charleston
13. North Carolina
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 20-7, 6-6 in ACC (5-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-2
The Tar Heels scored first in all three games at Miami, but their usually stout pitching couldn’t slow down the red hot Hurricanes. Their defense didn’t help, making seven errors over the course of the weekend, as the Heels dropped their second straight series after they’d won their first five to start the year.
RESULTS
March 29: Davidson: W 10-2
April 1-3: @ (3) Miami: L 10-4, L 7-3, L 7-4
UPCOMING
April 5: High Point
April 6: UNC Asheville
April 8-10: Virginia Tech
14. Mississippi
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 21-7, 3-6 in SEC (4-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-2
The Rebels looked unbeatable to start the year, matching a program-best 20-2 start, but they’ve now dropped five of their last six games as their bats have gone cold. Ole Miss at least managed to end a five-game skid and avoid a second straight sweep with Sunday’s win.
RESULTS
March 31: @ Memphis (AutoZone Park): PPD
April 1-3: @ (5) Mississippi State: L 3-1, L 6-2, W 8-5
UPCOMING
April 5: @ Southern Mississippi
April 8-10: Arkansas
15. Louisiana State
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 18-9, 4-5 in SEC (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-2
After opening SEC play with back-to-back series losses, the young Tigers offense finally started clicking at Auburn. Junior catcher Jordan Romero was at the center of it, homering both Saturday and Sunday in big offensive showings for LSU.
RESULTS
March 29: Tulane: L 7-1
April 1-3: @ Auburn: L 8-5, W 8-6, W 10-5
UPCOMING
April 5: Southern
April 7-9: (6) Vanderbilt
16. Oklahoma State
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 19-9, 4-2 in Big 12 (3-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-2
One-run games have been bane of Oklahoma State’s 2016 existence. With two more losses at West Virginia, seven of the Cowboy’s nine losses have been decided by one run—five in walk-off fashion. The Cowboys at least made sure Sunday’s game wasn’t in doubt, led by second baseman J.R. Davis’ 4-for-4, four-RBI day.
RESULTS
March 29: (22) Arkansas: W 5-4
April 1-3: @ West Virginia: L 5-4 (10 innings), L 4-3, W 8-1
UPCOMING
April 8-10: (23) Texas Tech
17. Michigan
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 20-5, 3-0 in Big Ten (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1
Other than a series loss to Oklahoma State, Michigan has done no wrong this season. The Wolverines have won nine straight and opened Big Ten play by scoring double-digit runs in all three games of a sweep of Northwestern on the road. The Wolverines’ 20-5 start is the best for the program since 1987.
RESULTS
March 29: Central Michigan: W 9-7
April 1-3: @ Northwestern: W 10-4, W 12-3, W 11-9
UPCOMING
April 5: @ Notre Dame
April 6: Bowling Green
April 8-10: Minnesota
18. Florida Atlantic
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 21-4, 8-1 in CUSA (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-0
After its game against Miami was washed out, Florida Atlantic went on the road for an impressive sweep against Old Dominion. Since losing its Conference USA opener at Middle Tennessee State, Florida Atlantic has reeled off eight straight league wins, five coming on the road. The Owls are tied for first place in the conference.
RESULTS
March 30: (3) Miami: PPD
April 1-3: @ Old Dominion: W 10-7, W 3-1, W 11-0 (8 innings)
UPCOMING
April 5: @ Central Florida
April 10-8: Charlotte
19. Kentucky
Last Week: 3-2
Overall: 20-8, 6-3 in SEC (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-0
For the third week in a row to start SEC play, Kentucky lost the first game of the weekend only to come back to take the series by winning the next two games. The Wildcats have won three straight SEC series for the first time since 2012 and will try to extend that streak this weekend at home against Alabama.
RESULTS
March 29: Northern Kentucky: L 5-4
March 30: Xavier: W 6-2
April 1-3: @ Tennessee: L 14-5, W 5-4, W 10-2
UPCOMING
April 6: (4) Louisville
April 8-10: Alabama
20. Long Beach State
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 17-10, 1-2 in Big West (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
The opening of Big West play pitted the Dirtbags against the equally hot Gauchos, and UC Santa Barbara came out on top. Pitching ruled the series, and a stellar outing from Long Beach State senior righthander Tanner Brown on Sunday (8 IP, 2 H, 0 R) allowed the Dirtbags to avoid the sweep.
RESULTS
March 29: @ Fresno State: L 10-5
April 1-3: (18) UC Santa Barbara: L 4-3, L 3-1, W 2-0
UPCOMING
April 5: @ San Diego State
April 8-10: @ Cal State Northridge
21. Clemson
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 21-7, 7-5 in ACC (0-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-1
After getting swept last weekend at Miami, Clemson rebounded with a series win against Pittsburgh. Freshman outfielder Seth Beer continued his torrid start to his college career, extending his hitting streak to 24 games. Clemson improved to 14-2 at home, but will now have to venture back out on the road this week.
RESULTS
March 29: vs. Furman @ Greenville, S.C.: W 9-7
March 30: @ Western Carolina: W 10-8
April 1-3: Pittsburgh: W 14-6, L 15-5, W 4-3
UPCOMING
April 5: @ Georgia
April 8-10: @ Duke
22. East Carolina
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 19-9, 2-1 in AAC (4-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
East Carolina beat Houston’s co-aces Andrew Lantrip and Seth Romero to win a rematch of last year’s American Athletic Conference Tournament championship game. After playing 21 of their first 28 games at home, the Pirates are now set to play their next eight games on the road.
RESULTS
March 29: UNC Wilmington: W 9-6
April 1-3: (15) Houston: W 3-1, W 5-1, L 6-1
UPCOMING
April 5: @ Elon
April 8-10: @ Tulane
23. Texas Tech
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 20-8, 8-1 in Big 12 (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-1-1
With its second straight sweep, Texas Tech has climbed into first place in the Big 12 Conference. The Red Raiders are in for a tough challenge this week, with a midweek trip to Florida State and a weekend series at Oklahoma State, the preseason conference favorite, on tap.
RESULTS
March 28-29: @ UNLV: L 8-5, W 14-6
April 2-3: Kansas State: W 10-3, W 10-4, W 6-5
UPCOMING
April 5-6: @ (11) Florida State
April 8-10: @ (16) Oklahoma State
24. Houston
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 17-10, 1-2 in AAC (2-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
The Cougars had been on a roll before heading to Greenville, N.C., but the Pirates were unfazed by the typically dominant Andrew Lantrip and Seth Romero on Friday and Saturday, and the Houston offense was unable to muster much of anything the first two games of the AAC-opening series.
RESULTS
March 29: (1) Texas A&M: L 7-2
April 1-3: @ East Carolina: L 3-1, L 5-1, W 6-1
UPCOMING
April 5: @ McNeese State
April 8-10: Central Florida
25. Rice
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 17-10, 7-2 in CUSA (3-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 5-1
After starting the season with a pair of losing weekends to fall to 3-5, Rice has righted the ship and gone 14-5 since the calendar flipped to March. A loss Friday at Middle Tennessee State snapped the Owls’ six-game winning streak, but they bounced back to win the series. After starting conference play with two of its first three series on the road, Rice can look forward to playing seven of its next eight games at home, starting Tuesday against No. 3 Texas A&M.
RESULTS
March 29: Sam Houston State: W 5-3
April 1-3: @ Middle Tennessee State: L 3-0, W 1-0, W 6-2
UPCOMING
April 5: (3) Texas A&M
April 8-10: Alabama Birmingham
DROPPED OUT
Virginia
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 18-11, 6-6 in ACC (1-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-3
The Cavaliers rejiggered their rotation before the weekend, moving sophomore lefthander Adam Haseley from midweek to Saturday. That move panned out, as Haseley tossed a gem, but that was the only game Virginia managed to win against the Wolfpack. The Cavaliers have now lost every Sunday game this season except for one—Feb. 28 against East Carolina.
RESULTS
March 30: Old Dominion: L 5-4
April 1-3: North Carolina State: L 8-7, W 5-3, L 5-2
UPCOMING
April 5: @ Virginia Commonwealth
April 6: George Washington
April 8-10: @ Boston College
Alabama
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 16-11, 5-4 in SEC (3-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-2
After losing the Capital City Classic to bitter rival Auburn on Tuesday, Alabama went on the road to Georgia. The Crimson Tide bats were silenced after the opener, and they were nearly no-hit by Robert Tyler on Friday. Alabama travels to Kentucky for another tough road series this week, its third in the first four weekends of SEC play.
RESULTS
March 29: vs. Auburn @ Montgomery, Ala.: L 10-1
March 30-April 2: @ Georgia: W 10-7 (13 innings), L 7-1, L 12-4
UPCOMING
April 5-6: Alcorn State
April 8-10: @ (19) Kentucky
Arkansas
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 19-9, 4-5 in SEC (1-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-2
For the first time this season, Arkansas lost a home series, dropping the final two games of the weekend to Missouri. The Razorbacks starting pitching struggled again, as its three weekend starters combined to throw just eight innings against the Tigers.
RESULTS
March 29: @ (16) Oklahoma State: L 5-4
April 1-3: Missouri: W 7-6, L 8-5, L 10-1
UPCOMING
April 6: @ Memphis (AutoZone Park)
April 8-10: @ (14) Mississippi
Georgia Tech
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 20-7, 6-6 in ACC (2-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 4-2
A week after shutting down North Carolina’s offense on the road, Georgia Tech’s pitching struggled back at home against Duke. Coming into the weekend, the Yellow Jackets had given up 10 or more runs in a game twice in 24 games this season, only to do so in back-to-back games against the Blue Devils.
RESULTS
March 30: Georgia Southern: W 6-1
April 1-3: Duke: W 3-2, L 14-13 (10 innings), L 10-4
UPCOMING
April 5: @ Mercer
April 6: Kennesaw State
April 8-10: @ Pittsburgh
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