Top 25 Tracker (March 6)
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: 4-0
Overall: 10-1, 0-0 in Big 12 (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Texas Christian swept through the Shriners College Classic, its weekend highlighted by a dramatic, 15-inning victory Saturday against Texas A&M in a super regionals rematch. The Horned Frogs were named tournament champions for the second straight year after again going 3-0 in the event. After a midweek game against Dallas Baptist, TCU will travel to UC Irvine for its first true road weekend of the season.
Results:
Feb. 28: Rice: W 13-5
Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
March 3: (4) Louisiana State: W 9-6
March 4: (25) Texas A&M: W 11-10 (15)
March 5: (20) Mississippi: W 5-3
Upcoming:
March 7: Dallas Baptist
March 10-12: @ UC Irvine
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
In their final tuneup before conference play begins, the Seminoles fired on all cylinders, outscoring visiting Oakland 44-17 in a three-game dismantling. Senior Quincy Nieporte hit two home runs—including a grand slam—and drove in nine on the weekend. Meanwhile, sophomore lefthander Tyler Holton struck out 13 in six scoreless innings.
Results:
Feb. 28: @ Jacksonville: W 6-5
March 3-5: Oakland: W 18-10, W 12-1, W 14-6
Upcoming:
March 7: @ Central Florida
March 8: @ Central Florida
March 10-12: Boston College
3. Florida
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 10-2, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
The Gators overcame an atypical 11-2 midweek loss to Central Florida to roll past visiting Columbia. They rode a stellar outing by top prospect Alex Faedo and talented freshman Austin Langworthy homered in the Friday game, then sophomore righthanders Brady Singer and Jackson Kowar followed suit to cruise to a series sweep.
Results:
Feb. 28-29: vs./@ Central Florida: W 4-3, L 11-2
March 3-5: Columbia: W 7-0, W 7-2, W 8-4
Upcoming:
March 7: @ Florida Gulf Coast
March 8: Florida Gulf Coast
March 10-12: Seton Hall
4. Louisville
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 11-0, 0-0 in ACC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
No Brendan McKay, no problem. The Cardinals didn’t have their ace lefthander Friday, but freshman lefty Nick Bennett slid into that role and delivered a McKay-like outing, while the offense put up 13 runs for an easy 13-0 win over Eastern Michigan. The next two games were a touch more difficult, with Saturday’s game raging for 13 innings, and Eastern Michigan nearly coming all the way back with a late rally Sunday. The Cardinals are undefeated with Atlantic Coast Conference play starting Friday.
Results:
March 1: Morehead State: W 20-2
March 3-5: Eastern Michigan: W 13-0, W 3-2 (13), W 8-7
Upcoming:
March 7: Eastern Kentucky
March 8: Fort Wayne
March 10-12: Pittsburgh
5. Oregon State
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 10-1
Weekend Series: 1-0
The red-hot Beavers had little trouble disposing of UC Davis this weekend. Ace Luke Heimlich struck out 10 in eight scoreless. The offense exploded for 14 runs on Saturday, highlighted by shortstop Nick Madrigal’s home run and second baseman Cadyn Grenier’s triple and three RBIs.
Results:
March 4-5: UC Davis: W 4-0, W 14-2, W 4-1
Upcoming:
March 7: Portland
March 9-11: Ball State
6. Louisiana State
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 9-3, 0-0 in SEC (0-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
After opening the Shriners College Classic with a loss to Texas Christian, Louisiana State bounced back to beat Baylor on Saturday as lefthander Jared Poche’ extended his scoreless streak to 22 innings to start the season. The Tigers lost their final game of the tournament in walk-off fashion, however, finishing with a losing weekend for the first time this season. LSU second baseman Cole Freeman stayed red hot, and is hitting .475/.580/.550 in 12 games.
Results:
Feb. 28: Nicholls State: W 3-2
Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
March 3: (1) Texas Christian: L 9-6
March 4: Baylor: W 4-0
March 5: (21) Texas Tech: L 5-4
Upcoming:
March 7: San Diego
March 8: @ McNeese State
March 10-12: Wichita State
7. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 1-1
Overall: 5-4, 0-0 in Big West (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0-1
Rainy weather in Houston kept the Titans from finishing their series against the Cougars, but they split against a tough American Athletic Conference club on the road. The Titans couldn’t solve electric Houston lefthander Seth Romero on Friday, but they quickly rebounded Saturday, riding seven scoreless innings by sophomore righthander Gavin Velasquez. Velasquez has yet to allow a run in 17.1 innings this year.
Results:
March 3-4: @ Houston: L 7-4, W 4-1, ccd.
Upcoming:
March 7-8: @ Arizona State
March 10-12: Gonzaga
8. East Carolina
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 8-3, 0-0 in American (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
The Pirates’ season began inauspiciously by getting swept at Mississippi, but East Carolina hasn’t lost since, powering through the competition at the annual Keith LeClair Classic this weekend. The most impressive of those wins came against a tough St. John’s team in which the Pirates rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth to plunder a win from the Red Storm.
Results:
March 1: Elon: W 7-2
Keith LeClair Classic, Greenville, N.C.
March 3: Western Carolina: W 5-4
March 4: St. John’s: W 7-4
March 5: Appalachian State: W 4-0
Upcoming:
March 7-8: @ College of Charleston
March 10-12: Charlotte
9. Clemson
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 8-3, 0-0 in ACC (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1
Facing rival South Carolina in the Reedy River Rivalry series, the Tigers wasted a sterling effort by ace lefthander Charlie Barnes at home, losing due to a two-run error by right fielder K.J. Bryant. But for the second straight season under Monte Lee, the Tigers went on to win the next two games and claim the series. Sophomore Seth Beer continued to build his legend, homering on a 3-2 pitch with two outs in the ninth to tie Sunday’s game and force extras.
Results:
Feb. 28: Wofford: W 9-2
March 3-5: vs./vs./@ (5) South Carolina: L 2-0, W 8-7, W 5-3 (11)
Upcoming:
March 8: Michigan State @ Fluor Field, Greenville, S.C.
March 10-12: Notre Dame
10. South Carolina
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 7-5, 0-0 in SEC (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1
The Gamecocks could’ve swept Clemson this weekend and moved up in the rankings—they held late leads in all three games. Up 5-2 in Saturday’s game heading into the seventh, Clemson rallied for six runs in the last three innings to take an 8-7 victory. On Sunday at home, the Gamecocks were one strike away from claiming the series, but lefthander Josh Reagan hung a breaking ball to Seth Beer on a 3-2 pitch, Beer homered to tie, and the Gamecocks fell in extras.
Results:
Feb. 28: Appalachian State: W 8-4
March 3-5: @/vs./vs. (15) Clemson: W 2-0, L 8-7, L 5-3 (11)
Upcoming:
March 7: The Citadel
March 8: Winthrop
March 10-12: Michigan State
11. Arizona
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 10-1, 0-0 in Pac-12 (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Arizona won its first two games at the Frisco Classic, including its rematch with College World Series foe Oklahoma State, to run its record to 10-0, its best start since 1999. The Wildcats had their winning streak snapped Sunday against Nebraska, as they were shut out for the first time since May 20, 2016. Arizona returns home this week and will face Texas Tech, another 2016 CWS participant.
Results:
Frisco College Baseball Classic, Frisco, Texas
March 3: Arkansas: W 3-0
March 4: (24) Oklahoma State: W 10-9
March 5: Nebraska: L 1-0
Upcoming:
March 7: @ (14) Texas Tech
March 10-12: Hartford
12. Washington
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 7-4, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0-1
After running into a buzzsaw Friday in the form of Sacramento State righthander Justin Dillon, who has allowed just two hits in 22 innings this year, Washington regrouped to sweep the rest of the series. The Huskies got some heroics in the second game of the series on a three-run walk-off home run by Gage Matuszak.
Results:
March 3-5: Sacramento State: L 7-1, W 8-5 (10), W 3-2, W 4-0
Upcoming:
March 10-12: Indiana State
13. Virginia
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 12-1, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Junior two-way player Adam Haseley, Virginia’s most experienced starting pitcher and starting center fielder, continues to fuel the Cavaliers. In an 18-3 win over La Salle on Sunday, Haseley hit his fifth homer of the year and threw 6.1 strong innings, allowing only two unearned runs. The Cavaliers haven’t faced premium competition, but they will be tested this weekend when they visit North Carolina to open ACC play.
Results:
Feb. 28: William & Mary: W 11-3
Virginia Tournament
March 3: Niagara: W 5-3
March 4: La Salle: W 12-3
March 4: Niagara: L 8-5
March 5: La Salle: W 18-3
Upcoming:
March 7: @ George Washington
March 10-12: @ (17) North Carolina
14. Texas Tech
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 11-2, 0-0 in Big 12 (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
Texas Tech finished its trip to the Shriners College Classic with a walk-off win against Louisiana State to cap a winning weekend. The Red Raiders offense was silenced Friday by Texas A&M, but bounced back to finish 2-1 in the tournament for the second straight year. Texas Tech will welcome Arizona to Lubbock on Tuesday in a matchup of 2016 College World Series teams.
Results:
Feb. 28: New Mexico: W 7-2
Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
March 3: (25) Texas A&M: L 9-0
March 4: (20) Mississippi: W 5-1
March 5: (4) Louisiana State: W 5-4
Upcoming:
March 7: (11) Arizona
March 10-12: Texas-San Antonio
15. Louisiana-Lafayette
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 6-4, 0-0 in Sun Belt (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Louisiana-Lafayette opened the newly renovated M.L. “Tigue” Moore Field with a series victory against Southern Mississippi. It was Louisiana’s second straight weekend series win against a team that made regionals last year, following its victory at Sam Houston State last weekend. The Cajuns continued to pitch at a high level, and closer Dylan Moore picked up his 31st career save Saturday, tying the all-time Sun Belt Conference record.
Results:
Feb. 28: @ Northwestern State: W 8-6 (12)
March 3-5: Southern Mississippi: W 3-1, W 5-4, L 15-11 (11)
Upcoming:
March 7: @ Tulane
March 10-12: St. Peter’s
16. Stanford
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 9-3, 0-0 in Pac-12, (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1
Stanford’s six-game winning streak came to an end Thursday in the series opener against Texas, but the Cardinal bounced back to win the next three game to claim the series. Preseason All-American outfielder Quinn Brodey delivered back-to-back walk-off hits in the middle two games of the series and Stanford’s pitching staff continued its commanding start to the season. The Cardinal have a team ERA of 2.09 and are averaging nine strikeouts per nine innings.
Results:
Feb. 28: UC Davis: W 8-2
March 2-5: Texas: L 4-0, W 3-2, W 5-2 (10), W 2-1
Upcoming:
March 9-12: @ Rice
17. North Carolina
Last Week: 2-3
Overall: 9-3, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1
The Tar Heels scuffled for the first time this season, falling to St. John’s midweek before dropping the first two against Long Beach State—a preseason Top 25 team. Ace righthander J.B. Bukauskas continued to dominate (7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 9 K), but four errors behind him helped spark a Dirtbags win in the first game. The Tar Heels salvaged the series in the Sunday game, led by left fielder Tyler Lynn’s three RBIs.
Results:
Feb. 28: Winthrop: W 11-0
March 1: St. John’s: L 5-4
March 3-5: Long Beach State: L 5-2, L 4-1, W 8-5
Upcoming:
March 7: Virginia Commonwealth
March 10-12: (13) Virginia
18. Coastal Carolina
Last Week: 5-1
Overall: 9-5, 0-0 in Sun Belt (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
Coastal Carolina completed its most successful week of the season, finishing with a five-game winning streak and a four-game sweep in the Tidelands Health Classic. The Chanticleers’ starting pitchers all set career highs for strikeouts over the weekend, highlighted by righthander Alex Cunningham’s program-record 14 whiffs Friday night. After playing three tournaments to start the season, Coastal will host Illinois this week in its first weekend series of the year.
Results:
Feb. 27: West Virginia: L 4-1
March 1: @ UNC Wilmington: W 4-1
Tidelands Health Classic, Conway, S.C.
March 3: San Francisco: W 7-5
March 4: Winthrop: W 8-3
March 4: Albany: W 14-0 (7)
March 5: San Francisco: W 6-1
Upcoming
March 8: Wake Forest
March 10-12: Illinois
19. Georgia Tech
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Georgia Tech won the first two games of its series against Belmont to claim its final weekend series before Atlantic Coast Conference play begins this weekend. Much like a week ago against Youngstown State, Georgia Tech’s offense piled up 22 runs in the first two games of the series before being quieted in a loss in the series finale. Sophomore catcher Joey Bart hit four home runs on the weekend and has seven this season.
Results:
Feb. 28: Georgia State: W 12-5
March 3-5: Belmont: W 12-3, W 10-2, L 11-5
Upcoming:
March 7: @ Kennesaw State
March 10-12: @ Miami
20. North Carolina State
Last Week: 2-3
Overall: 6-5, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Wolfpack had won back-to-back series to open the season before stumbling last week. Starting with a midweek loss to Charlotte, the Wolfpack proceeded to lose its first two games in the USA Baseball-Irish Classic, shut down by Rhode Island lefty Tyler Wilson and Maryland righty Taylor Bloom.
Results:
Feb. 28: @ UNC Greensboro: W 8-2
March 1: Charlotte: L 6-5
USA Baseball-Irish Classic, Raleigh, N.C./Cary, N.C.
March 3: Rhode Island: L 5-2
March 4: vs. Maryland: L 9-2
March 5: Massachusetts-Lowell: W 8-0
Upcoming:
March 6: Western Carolina
March 8: @ UNC-Wilmington
March 10-12: @ Wake Forest
21. Mississippi
Last Week: 0-4
Overall: 7-4, 0-0 in SEC (3-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
After starting the season 7-0, Mississippi hit a skid this week, dropping a midweek game to Memphis and then getting swept at the Shriners College Classic. After averaging 7.63 runs per game in their first eight games, the young Rebels struggled to get going offensively in Houston and were held to a total of four runs. Ole Miss returns home this week looking to get back on track before the start of Southeastern Conference play next weekend.
Results:
Feb. 28: Memphis: L 9-6
Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
March 3: Baylor: L 4-0
March 4: (21) Texas Tech: L 5-1
March 5: (1) Texas Christian: L 5-3
Upcoming
March 7-8: Georgia State
March 10-12: Furman
22. St. John’s
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 10-1, 0-0 in Big East (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
St. John’s won its first two games of the week to run its record to 9-0, its best start since 1981. After suffering its first loss of the season at East Carolina on Saturday, the Red Storm bounced back Sunday and finished the LeClair Classic at 2-1. After going 9-1 in three tournaments to open the season, St. John’s will take on Liberty this week in its first weekend series of the year.
Results:
March 1: @ (13) North Carolina: W 5-4
Keith LeClair Classic, Greenville, N.C.
March 3: Appalachian State: W 7-3
March 4: @ (9) East Carolina: L 7-4
March 5: Western Carolina: W 9-1
Upcoming:
March 7: @ Iona
March 10-12: @ Liberty
23. Oklahoma State
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 6-5, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
Oklahoma State went 2-1 in the inaugural Frisco Classic, with only a 10-9 walk-off loss in a College World Series rematch against Arizona denying it the tournament championship. The Cowboys continue to sort out their pitching staff, but got a strong start Friday from ace Tyler Buffett, who threw 7.1 scoreless innings against Nebraska. The Cowboys will try to build their momentum when they return home this week.
Results:
March 1: Saint Louis: L 10-7
Frisco College Baseball Classic
March 3: Nebraska: W 1-0
March 4: (19) Arizona: L 10-9
March 5: Arkansas: W 8-3
Upcoming:
March 7: Missouri State
March 10-12: South Dakota State
24. Baylor
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 11-1, 0-0 in Big 12 (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Baylor entered the Shriners College Classic as the lone unranked team in the six-team field. But the Bears were undaunted as they went 2-1 in the event, closing the tournament with a dramatic victory against Texas A&M on a walk-off grand slam against Preseason All-American reliever Corbin Martin. The Bears are off to their best start since 2008.
Results
Feb. 28: Arkansas-Pine Bluff: W 17-3
Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
March 3: (20) Mississippi: W 4-0
March 4: (4) Louisiana State: L 4-0
March 5: (25) Texas A&M: W 6-3
25. Texas A&M
Last Week:
Overall:
Weekend Series:
Following a decisive win against Texas Tech to open the Shriners College Classic, Texas A&M suffered a pair of devastating walk-off losses on the next two days of the tournament. The Aggies blew a five-run lead in the ninth inning Saturday against Texas Christian and went on to lose in 15 innings, and then lost the tournament’s finale to Baylor on a walk-off grand slam. A&M will look to bounce back this week with five home games.
Results:
Feb. 28: Prairie View A&M: W 9-2
March 1: Incarnate Word: W 12-5
Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic, Houston
March 3: (21) Texas Tech: W 9-0
March 4: (1) Texas Christian: L 11-10 (15)
March 5: Baylor: L 6-3
Upcoming:
March 7-8: Texas-Rio Grande Valley
March 10-12: Brown
DROPPED OUT
14. Vanderbilt
Last Week: 3-2
Overall: 7-5, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-2
The Commodores have gotten off to an uncharacteristically slow start, despite the talent that pervades their roster. Vanderbilt has now dropped back-to-back series against Illinois-Chicago and Cal State Northridge and will have one more non-conference weekend to right the ship before starting Southeastern Conference play at Mississippi.
Results:
Feb. 28-March 1: Southeastern Louisiana: W 9-6, W 4-2
March 3-5: Cal State Northridge: L 6-4, L 4-1, W 11-3
Upcoming:
March 7-8: Central Arkansas
March 10-12: Saint Mary’s
23. UC Santa Barbara
Last Week: 0-3
Overall: 4-7, 0-0 in Big West (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-2
Coming off a sweep of Tulane last weekend, UC Santa Barbara was unable to sustain that momentum this week. The Gauchos lost all four of their games as their offense was held to just five runs. Through 11 games, UCSB is averaging 3.7 runs per game and hitting .213/.303/.306 as a team.
Results:
March 28: St. Mary’s: L 4-1
March 3-5: @ Kentucky: L 2-1, L 3-2, L 12-1
Upcoming:
March 9-11: @ Brigham Young
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