Top 25 Tracker (Feb. 27)
SEE ALSO: Top 25
Top 25 Tracker, powered by Louisville Slugger, recaps last week’s action and looks ahead to this week.
1. Texas Christian
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 6-1, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Arizona State scored 10 runs off the TCU bullpen to hand the Horned Frogs their first loss on Friday, but the Frogs rebounded over the next two days to claim the series win. TCU trailed 2-1 at the seventh inning stretch on Sunday, but the Frogs surged ahead with three runs in the bottom of the frame, keyed by RBI doubles from Elliott Barzilli and Evan Skoug. The Frogs’ challenging non-conference slate will continue this week with a midweek game against Rice and a trio of ranked Southeastern Conference opponents in the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic.
Results:
Feb. 21: @ Texas-Arlington: W 7-2
Feb. 24-26: Arizona State: L 13-9, W 8-4, W 5-2
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: Rice
March 3-5: @ Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston:
(4) Louisiana State, (20) Mississippi, (25) Texas A&M
2. Florida State
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 5-2, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Florida State’s offense has been a bit feast or famine—they’ve been one-hit in both of their losses but scored double-digit runs in four of their five wins. Its pitching has been consistently getting the job done though, particularly the Noles’ starters, who own a collective 1.28 ERA in 42.1 innings.
Results:
Feb. 21: South Florida: L 4-2
Feb. 24-26: Samford: W 16-3, W 8-0, W 13-4
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: @ Jacksonville
March 3-5: Oakland
3. Florida
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 6-1, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Gators continued to own in-state rival Miami, winning the teams’ annual weekend series for the seventh time in the last eight years. Alex Faedo’s 8.2 shutout innings set the tone on Friday, and Brady Singer (7.2 IP, 5 H, 0 ER) and Jackson Kowar (5.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER) followed suit on Saturday and Sunday as the Gators threw 21 shutout innings before Miami finally got on the board.
Results:
Feb. 21: @ Jacksonville: L 3-2
Feb. 24-26: Miami: W 1-0, W 2-0, W 6-2
Upcoming:
Feb. 28-March 1: vs./@ Central Florida
March 3-5: Columbia
4. Louisiana State
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 7-1, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Jared Poche’ nearly had a Johnny Vander Meer moment, but his run at a second consecutive no-hitter on Saturday was broken up in the ninth inning. Still, it was a near flawless weekend for the Tigers, who added to Maryland’s miseries with a pair of one-sided wins Friday and Saturday and then erased an early 3-0 deficit to finish the sweep Sunday.
Results:
Feb. 21: @ New Orleans: L 11-8
Feb. 22: Hofstra: W 8-1
Feb. 24-26: Maryland: W 6-1, W 14-0, W 9-5
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: Nicholls State
March 3-5: @ Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston:
(1) Texas Christian, Baylor, (21) Texas Tech
5. South Carolina
Last Week: 3-2
Overall: 5-3, 0-0 in SEC (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Gamecocks avoided the trap of looking past Wright State to this week’s rivalry series with Clemson. Alex Destino’s go-ahead double in the seventh powered the Gamecocks to Friday’s win, and Wil Crowe (6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 SO) picked up his second win in as many starts on Saturday. However, for the second straight weekend, the Gamecocks failed to finish a sweep by losing on Sunday.
Results:
Feb. 21: Charlotte: W 4-3
Feb. 23: Kansas State: L 6-5
Feb. 24-26: (25) Wright State: W 4-3, W 10-5, L 5-1
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: Appalachian State
March 3-5: @/vs./vs. (15) Clemson
6. Louisville
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 7-0, 0-0 in ACC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
At 7-0, Louisville is off to its longest unbeaten streak to begin a season since 2010, following its sweep of Summit League foe Nebraska-Omaha. Logan Taylor’s three-hit game led the Cardinals in Friday’s win, and they followed it up with back-to-back shutouts spearheaded by Kade McClure (6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 9 SO) on Saturday and freshman Michael McAvene (5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 11 SO) on Sunday.
Results:
Feb. 22: Eastern Kentucky: W 19-3
Feb. 24-26: Nebraska-Omaha: W 7-2, W 10-0, W 6-0
Upcoming:
March 1: Morehead State
March 3-5: Eastern Michigan
7. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 4-3, 0-0 in Big West (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Titans found themselves on a three-game losing streak before rallying to take the final two games at Nevada-Las Vegas and win the series. Fullerton trailed for much of day Saturday as well before its offense came to life, scoring four runs in the seventh and eighth innings, and John Gavin (7.1 IP, 8 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 SO) pitched the Titans to a win in Sunday’s rubber match.
Results:
Feb. 22: San Diego State: L 5-4
Feb. 24-26: @ Nevada-Las Vegas: L 6-1, W 4-1, W 5-0
Upcoming:
March 3-5: @ Houston
8. Oregon State
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 7-1, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
The Beavers head home after a successful two-week stay in Arizona, capped by a 3-1 showing in the Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge. Oregon State’s pitching shone throughout, finishing the trip with a collective 1.50 ERA. Jake Thompson (8 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO) capped things off with a dominant outing against Ohio State on Sunday.
Results:
Sanderson Ford College Baseball Classic, Surprise, Ariz.
Feb. 20: Indiana: W 4-1
Big Ten/Pac-12 Challenge, Surprise, Ariz.
Feb. 23: Nebraska: W 10-1
Feb. 24: Ohio State: L 6-1
Feb. 25: Nebraska: W 5-2
Feb. 26: Ohio State: W 5-1
Upcoming:
March 3-5: UC Davis
9. East Carolina
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 4-3, 0-0 in AAC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
After opening its season with three straight losses in a tough road series at Mississippi, the Pirates flourished in their return to North Carolina, defeating Campbell in a midweek tilt and sweeping their first home series against La Salle. The Pirates exploded for three home runs in the Saturday matchup, by veteran catcher Travis Watkins, right fielder Luke Bolka and third baseman Eric Tyler.
Results:
Feb. 22: @ Campbell: W 10-0
Feb. 24-26: La Salle: W 7-3, W 8-4, W 12-1
Upcoming:
March 1: Elon
March 3-5: Keith LeClair Classic, Greenville, N.C.
Western Carolina, St. John’s, Appalachian State
10. North Carolina State
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 4-2, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Returning home following an opening-weekend excursion to Hawaii, the Wolfpack flexed its muscles against visiting Austin Peay State. Both Brock Deatherage and Brett Kinneman homered in the home opener, while lefthander Sean Adler struck out 10 in 5.1 innings. N.C. State fell just short of a sweep, as its bullpen was unable to hold down the Austin Peay offense Sunday.
Results:
Feb. 24-26: Austin Peay State: W 9-3, W 6-3, L 7-3
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: @ UNC Greensboro
March 1: Charlotte
March 3-6: Irish Classic, Raleigh, N.C.
Rhode Island, Maryland (@ Cary, N.C.), Massachusetts-Lowell
11. Washington
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 4-3, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0-1
Washington rolled up 22 runs on 27 hits in its two wins against Saint Mary’s, an NCAA tournament team last year, but the Huskies had to settle for a split of the four-game series as they came up just short of erasing a five-run deficit on Sunday. After two weeks on the road, the Huskies begin an 11-game homestand this week, starting on Thursday against Sacramento State.
Results:
Feb. 23-26: @ Saint Mary’s: L 6-5, W 11-1, W 11-5, L 6-5
Upcoming:
March 2-5: Sacramento State
12. Virginia
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 7-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
The Virginia offense has been explosive through the first two weeks of the season, scoring 75 runs through seven games. Hosting Rutgers, the Cavaliers outscored the Scarlet Knights 37-9. Redshirt senior catcher Robbie Coman hit three home runs in the series, while two-way junior Adam Haseley delivered a strong seven innings in the finale.
Results:
Feb. 21: Virginia Military Institute: W 9-7
Feb. 24-26: Rutgers: W 7-3, W 12-4, W 18-2
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: William & Mary
March 3-5: Niagara, La Salle
13. North Carolina
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 7-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Tar Heels have one of the deepest pitching staffs in the country, and they continued to show that depth against Radford. Projected first-round pick J.B. Bukauskas delivered another stellar Friday outing (7 IP, 3H, 0 R, 11 K), Jason Morgan earned his second win of the season Saturday, while freshman Luca Dalatri struck out 15 on Sunday—the most for any Tar Heel since Matt Harvey also struck out 15 in 2010.
Results:
Feb. 22: Gardner-Webb: W 11-1
Feb. 24-26: Radford: W 2-0, W 9-3, W 7-5
Upcoming:
March 1: St. John’s
March 3-5: Long Beach State
14. Vanderbilt
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 4-3, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
Illinois-Chicago won a road series against a ranked SEC team for the first time since 2007, upsetting Vanderbilt with a pair of extra-inning wins. Freshman J.J. Bleday’s 3-for-4 day led Vandy to a win on Saturday, but the Commodores’ offense dried up in the rubber match—they scored twice in the first inning and then were shut out for the next 10.
Results:
Feb. 22: Evansville: W 7-4
Feb. 24-26: Illinois-Chicago: L 5-3 (10 innings), W 6-2, L 5-2 (11 innings)
Upcoming:
Feb. 28-March 1: Southeastern Louisiana
March 3-5: Cal State Northridge
15. Clemson
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 5-2, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
After a somewhat surprising series loss to Wright State to open the season, the Tigers righted the ship against Elon. The Tigers had to work for in the Friday opener, battling for 13 innings before Seth Beer hit a walk-off single. An encouraging sign for Clemson—after struggling on the mound in the opening series, Clemson pitchers combined for two shutouts, including a 23-strikeout performance Friday.
Results:
Feb. 22: Western Carolina: W 11-5
Feb. 24-26: Elon: W 1-0 (13 innings), W 13-5, W 3-0
Upcoming:
March 3-5: vs./vs./@ (5) South Carolina
16. Louisiana-Lafayette
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 3-3, 0-0 in Sun Belt (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
The Ragin’ Cajuns finally broke out offensively after scoring just two runs in their first three games. They tallied six runs Saturday against Sam Houston State, including a two-run homer by DH Todd Lott, and ULL’s one-two punch of Gunner Leger and Nick Lee continued to dominate on the mound.
Results:
Feb. 21: @ Nicholls State: L 3-1
Feb. 24-26: @ Sam Houston State: W 2-0, W 6-1, L 8-3
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: vs. Northwestern State @ Natchitoches, La.
March 3-5: Southern Mississippi
17. Georgia Tech
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 6-1, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
The powerful Yellow Jackets wrecked opposing pitchers, scoring double-digit runs in three straight games before Youngstown State returned the favor in the Sunday game. Through seven games this season, junior Kel Johnson already has five home runs.
Results:
Feb. 21; @ Georgia Southern: W 10-3
Feb. 24-26: Youngstown State: W 15-6, W 14-6, L 12-3
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: Georgia State
March 1: Kennesaw State
March 3-5: Belmont
18. Coastal Carolina
Last Week: 3-2
Overall: 4-4, 0-0 in Sun Belt (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
After starting the season 1-3, Coastal Carolina bounced back with a midweek win against College of Charleston and a pair of wins in the Caravelle Resort Tournament. The Chanticleers got their offense kickstarted this week, scoring 37 runs in five games, but are still figuring things out on the mound after allowing 47. Coastal has another busy five-game week with its final nonconference tournament of the year on tap next weekend.
Results:
Feb. 20: St. John’s: L 7-4 (10 innings)
Feb. 22: College of Charleston: W 16-10
Feb. 24-26: Caravelle Resort Tournament, Conway, S.C.
Ball State: W 1-0
West Virginia: L 22-9
George Mason: W 9-8
Upcoming:
Caravelle Resort Tournament
Feb. 27: West Virginia
March 1: UNC Wilmington
March 3-5: Tidelands Health Classic, Conway, S.C.
San Francisco, Winthrop, Albany, San Francisco
19. Arizona
Last Week: 5-0
Overall: 8-0, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Arizona finished off two four-game series sweeps this week to stay perfect to start the season. The Wildcats’ offense has been red-hot, producing 90 runs in eight games and a team batting line of .378/.477/.566. Arizona will leave the friendly environs of Hi Corbett Field for the first time this season as it travels this weekend to Frisco, Texas, for the inaugural Frisco College Baseball Classic.
Results:
Feb. 20: Eastern Kentucky: W 9-8
Feb. 23-26: McNeese State: W 9-3, W 8-3, W 12-3, W 12-5
Upcoming:
March 3-5: @ Frisco (Texas) College Baseball Classic
Arkansas, (24) Oklahoma State, Nebraska
20. Mississippi
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 7-0, 0-0 in SEC (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Mississippi stayed perfect to start the season, knocking off Arkansas State in midweek action and then sweeping UNC Wilmington on the weekend. The Rebels improved to 7-0 for the first time since 2013. Ole Miss this weekend will leave Oxford for the first time as it travels to the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic. The young Rebels have been outstanding so far this season but will face their biggest test to date in Houston.
Results:
Feb. 21: Arkansas State: W 16-4
Feb. 24-26: UNC Wilmington: W 7-2, W 8-4, W 8-6
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: Memphis
March 3-5: @ Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
Baylor, (21) Texas Tech, (1) Texas Christian
21. Texas Tech
Last Week: 5-0
Overall: 8-1, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Texas Tech swept a busy week, beating New Mexico State on Tuesday and then taking all four games from California on the weekend. The Red Raiders offense continued its strong start to the season and has produced four 10-run games in the first nine games. Texas Tech faces another tough week, with a trip to Houston for the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic on tap. The Red Raiders went 2-1 in the event last year.
Results:
Feb. 21: New Mexico State: W 16-1
Feb. 24-26: California: W 4-2, W 5-1, W 3-2 (11 innings), W 11-2
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: New Mexico
March 3-5: @ Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
(25) Texas A&M, (20) Mississippi, (4) Louisiana State
22. Stanford
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 5-2, 0-0 in Pac-12 (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
After losing the first two games of the season at Cal State Fullerton, Stanford has won five in a row, its longest winning streak since 2014. The Cardinal pitching staff is still without ace Tristan Beck, who is sidelined by injury, but has still come out of the gate strong. Stanford had a 27-inning scoreless streak at one point this week and has a team ERA of 2.14. It will need more strong pitching this weekend with Texas visiting The Farm.
Results:
Feb. 23: Cal Poly: W 5-2
Feb. 24-26: Kansas: W 6-0, W 5-0, W 4-2
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: UC Davis
March 2-5: Texas
23. UC Santa Barbara
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 4-3, 0-0 in Big West (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
UC Santa Barbara snapped its three-game skid with a weekend sweep of Tulane. The Gauchos bats came alive, scoring 27 runs on the weekend, tripling their total from the first four games of the season. After a midweek game against Saint Mary’s, UCSB travels to Kentucky to begin a stretch of seven straight road games.
Results:
Feb. 21: @ Cal State Bakersfield: L 2-1
Feb. 24-26: Tulane: W 7-4, W 14-1, W 6-5
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: Saint Mary’s
March 3-5: @ Kentucky
24. Oklahoma State
Last Week: 3-2
Overall: 4-3, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
Oklahoma State lost the rubber game of its opening weekend series at Grand Canyon on Monday, but it rebounded with a resounding victory at Arizona State the next day. The Cowboys returned home and on Sunday claimed their first series of the season with a victory against Texas State. Oklahoma State will head to the inaugural Frisco College Baseball Classic this weekend. Saturday’s matchup against Arizona, a fellow 2016 College World Series participant, will the highlight the event.
Results:
Feb. 20: @ Grand Canyon: L 4-0
Feb. 21: @ Arizona State: W 18-4
Feb. 24-26: Texas State: W 10-7, L 12-11, W 6-3
Upcoming:
March 1: Saint Louis
March 3-5: @ Frisco (Texas) College Baseball Classic
Nebraska, (19) Arizona, Arkansas
25. Texas A&M
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 6-1, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0 (Bowling Green and Pepperdine)
Texas A&M took its first loss of the season Saturday, but it bounced back to win the rubber game Sunday against Pepperdine and claim its second series victory. The Aggies face a busy slate this week, with a pair of midweek games at home before they make the short trip to Houston for the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic. Texas A&M will meet Texas Christian on Saturday in a rematch of their super regionals showdown the last two years. The Horned Frogs won both of those series in three games.
Results:
Feb. 21: Stephen F. Austin: 6-5 (12 innings)
Feb. 24-26: Pepperdine: W 3-0, L 2-1, W 10-6
Upcoming:
Feb. 28: Prairie View A&M
March 1: Incarnate Word
March 3-5: @ Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
(21) Texas Tech, (1) Texas Christian, Baylor
Dropped Out
Wright State
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 3-3, 0-0 in Horizon (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
Wright State completed its brutal slate to open the season of back-to-back series against Clemson and South Carolina with an admirable 3-3 record. The Raiders dropped their first two games against the Gamecocks before claiming the final game of the series. Wright State will return to the Palmetto State for a third straight weekend, but should find slightly easier sledding as it won’t have to take on a top-10 powerhouse at South Carolina-Upstate’s tournament.
Results:
Feb. 24-26: @ (5) South Carolina: L 4-3, L 10-5, W 5-1
Upcoming:
Feb. 28-March 1: @ Gardner-Webb
March 3-5: @ South Carolina-Upstate Tournament, Spartanburg, S.C.
South Carolina-Upstate, Wofford, Pittsburgh
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