Top 25 Tracker (May 22)
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: 4-0
Overall: 45-4, 27-3 in Pac-12 (6-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 12-0
Oregon State finished a dominant season in a predictably dominant fashion, sweeping Washington State to further pad a conference lead that was already firmly out of reach. The Beavers finished with 27 wins in conference play—the most since Arizona State won 26 in 1981. That 27th win will assure that the Beavers will win the conference by at least six games.
Results:
May 16: Portland @ Keizer, Ore.: W 7-1
May 19-21: Washington State: W 4-3, W 5-0, W 14-3
Upcoming:
May 25-28: Abilene Christian
2. North Carolina
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 44-11, 23-7 in ACC (10-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 12-1
After missing the ACC tournament entirely last season, the Tar Heels rebounded in a huge way, winning every ACC series they played this spring and capping off that slate with a series win against rival Duke. UNC has just one series loss on its resume—a March series against Big West winner Long Beach State. Otherwise, the Tar Heels have done very little wrong, ranking No. 2 overall behind Oregon State in the RPI.
Results:
May 16: UNC Wilmington: W 7-2
May 18-20: Duke: L 8-4, W 3-2 (11), W 9-7
Upcoming:
May 23-28: ACC tournament @ Louisville
3. Texas Tech
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 42-13, 16-8 in Big 12 (6-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2
Coming into the weekend, Texas Tech needed a sweep in order to win its second consecutive Big 12 crown. The Red Raiders did just that. Facing Kansas, a team on the NCAA tournament bubble, the Red Raiders blew out the Jayhawks across three games, outscoring Kansas, 35-14. The second straight conference title is the first time Texas Tech has accomplished that feat in program history.
Results:
May 18-20: Kansas: W 10-6, W 16-4, W 9-4
Upcoming:
May 24-28: Big 12 tournament @ Oklahoma City
4. Florida
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 40-15, 21-9 in SEC (5-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 12-2
The Gators were the highest-ranked preseason SEC team, and though they took somewhat of a circuitous route, they wound up winning the conference. Hosting Kentucky in a battle for the SEC East, Florida bounced back from a blowout loss Thursday to claim the final two games. The Gators tied with Louisiana State for top conference record, but because they beat the Tigers head-to-head, they came away with the No. 1 seed.
Results:
May 18-20: (8) Kentucky: L 12-4, W 14-3, W 6-4
Upcoming:
May 23-28: SEC tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
5. Louisville
Last Week: 0-3
Overall: 46-9, 23-6 in ACC (9-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 12-1
Since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference, Louisville hadn’t lost a single conference series at home. That changed this weekend when Florida State, a team very much in need of a resume-boosting win, took the series with back-to-back wins before the final game was rained out. The loss was also Louisville’s first weekend series loss this year. Despite that, the Cardinals earned the No. 1 seed in the ACC tournament and should be primed for another run toward Omaha after back-to-back years in super regionals.
Results:
May 16: @ Indiana: L 4-3
May 18-19: Florida State: L 12-9, L 8-2
Upcoming:
May 23-28: ACC tournament @ Louisville
6. Texas Christian
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 38-14, 16-8 in Big 12 (11-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-4
Texas Christian was the top team in the Big 12 standings heading into the weekend, but the Horned Frogs’ had no way to defend that lead as their conference slate had been completed. Although they won their non-conference series at California, the Horned Frogs saw their Big 12 lead dissipate due to Texas Tech’s sweep of Kansas.
Results:
May 16: Texas-Arlington: W 6-1
May 18-20: @ California: W 3-0, W 5-4, L 8-3
Upcoming:
May 24-28: Big 12 tournament @ Oklahoma City
7. Long Beach State
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 35-16-1, 18-3 in Big West (6-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 11-2
Long Beach State clinched the Big West title this weekend with a sweep of Hawaii and a loss by Cal State Fullerton, taking some of the air out of the upcoming Fullerton-Beach showdown this weekend. The Dirtbags have yet to lose a conference series and will try to continue that against their rivals.
Results:
May 19-21: Hawaii: W 2-1, W 8-4, W 2-1
Upcoming:
May 25-28: @ (14) Cal State Fullerton
8. Louisiana State
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 39-17, 21-9 in SEC (10-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-3
A few weeks ago, the Tigers were behind both Mississippi State and Auburn in the SEC West standings. And how did they respond? In the last two weekends, LSU swept both teams to claw back up to the top. The Tigers impressively swept Mississippi State in Starkville to win the SEC West crown. They tied with Florida for the overall conference title, but they’re the No. 2 seed due to Florida winning the head-to-head matchup.
Results:
May 16: Northwestern State: W 9-3
May 18-20: @ (11) Mississippi State: W 3-1, W 11-5, W 11-7
Upcoming:
May 23-28: SEC tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
9. Stanford
Last Week: 4-1
Overall: 37-14, 18-9 Pac-12 (7-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-3-1
While it might be hard to see behind Oregon State’s dominance this season, Stanford has been one of—if not the—hottest teams in the country over the last 20 games, with the Cardinal winning 18 of them. Certainly, the Cardinal is ending Mark Marquess’ tenure on a strong note and could be entering the national seed race with this last push.
Results:
May 15: @ California: L 5-3
May 17: @ Santa Clara: W 15-9
May 19-21: Washington: W 8-4, W 7-5, W 6-5 (10)
Upcoming:
May 25-27: @ Washington State
10. Kentucky
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 38-18, 19-11 in SEC (13-10 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-4
The Wildcats need to win against Florida this weekend to claim the SEC East title, and while they got off to a strong start with a 12-4 blowout Thursday, they weren’t able to seal the deal the next two days. Regardless, the Wildcats have had a season to be proud of in Nick Mingione’s first year at the helm and could potentially earn a national seed depending on how they perform this week in Hoover.
Results:
May 16: Northern Kentucky: W 10-1
May 18-20: @ (5) Florida: W 12-4, L 14-3, L 6-4
Upcoming:
May 23-28: SEC tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
11. Virginia
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 41-13, 18-12 in ACC (3-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-3
Virginia has been as steady as they come this season, beating the teams it’s supposed to beat and for the most part holding its own against premium competition. The Cavaliers are in strong shape for hosting nod and could perhaps emerge as a national seed if they can go on a run in the ACC tournament.
Results:
May 16: Richmond: W 8-3
May 18-20: @ Georgia Tech: L 14-7, W 16-3, W 10-9
Upcoming:
May 23-28: ACC tournament @ Louisville
12. Wake Forest
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 38-17, 19-11 in ACC (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series:
Wake Forest quietly has one of the strongest resumes in the ACC and could potentially vie for a national seed at this week’s ACC tournament. The Demon Deacons finished second in the Atlantic Division, behind No. 1 seed Louisville and leapfrogging Clemson.
Results:
May 16: @ Appalachian State: W 10-3
May 18-20: PIttsburgh: W 7-4, L 5-4, W 14-4
Upcoming:
May 23-28: ACC tournament @ Louisville
13. Arkansas
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 39-15, 18-11 in SEC (6-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 9-3-1
Arkansas took two of three from then-No. 23 Texas A&M, dropping the Aggies out of the rankings. In Sunday’s rubber game, Chad Spanberger hit two solo home runs and Dominic Fletcher was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.
Results:
May 18-20: @ (23) Texas A&M: W 6-4, L 5-2, W 8-0
Upcoming:
May 23-28: SEC tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
14. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 33-19, 14-7 in Big West (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 11-2-1
The Titans would’ve had a chance at the Big West title this weekend had they swept Cal State Northridge. Instead, they lost the finale and dropped to four games back of Long Beach State heading into this weekend. The Big West has been a two-dog race and will be a two-bid league with both teams locks to get in.
Results:
May 15: Saint Mary’s: L 12-4
May 19-21: @ Cal State Northridge: W 3-2, W 16-7, L 8-4
Upcoming:
May 25-28: (7) Long Beach State
15. Southern Mississippi
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 44-12, 25-5 in CUSA (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 11-2
Southern Miss rolls into the CUSA tournament as the top seed and will again play Texas-San Antonio after blitzing UTSA over the weekend.
Results:
May 16: vs. Southeastern Louisiana in Biloxi, Miss.: W 11-3
May 18-19: @ Texas-San Antonio: W 9-3, W 15-1, W 15-9
Upcoming:
May 24-28: Conference USA Tournament in Biloxi, Miss.
16. Arizona
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 36-17, 15-12 in Pac-12 (3-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 10-3
The Wildcats have won five in a row after sweeping hated rivals ASU this weekend for the first time since 1992. Arizona shook up the lineup, hitting Jared Oliva leadoff, J.J. Matijevic second and Cal Stevenson ninth, and Stevenson reached base five times in the finale.
Results:
May 18-20: @ Arizona State: W 6-5, W 3-1, W 9-5
Upcoming:
May 26-28: vs. Cal
17. Clemson
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 39-17, 17-13 in ACC (6-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-5
After looking like a shoo-in for a national seed, the Tigers have stumbled down the stretch, dropping three straight ACC series—two via sweep. Clemson will have some work to do in Louisville but should remain in at least the hosting conversation unless it goes 0-2 in the ACC tournament.
Results:
May 16: Coastal Carolina: W 11-8
May 18-20: @ North Carolina State: L 3-2, L 12-10, W 15-6
Upcoming:
May 23-28: ACC tournament @ Louisville
18. Mississippi State
Last Week: 0-3
Overall: 33-22, 17-13 in SEC (11-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-5
At one point the top dogs in the SEC West, the Bulldogs were unable to defend that mantle against visiting LSU this weekend, dropping all three games against head coach Andy Cannizaro’s former employer. Mississippi State, shorthanded due to injuries, has lost three of its last four series down the stretch and likely needs to rebound in Hoover to have a chance at hosting.
Results:
May 18-20: (10) Louisiana State: L 3-1, L 11-5, L 11-7
Upcoming:
May 23-28: SEC tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
19. Michigan
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 42-13, 16-8 in Big Ten (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 9-2-1
The Wolverines have won six of seven after taking two of three from rival Michigan State. Michigan is the No. 2 seed and will face seventh-seeded Northwestern.
Results:
May 16: Eastern Michigan: W 12-4
May 18-20: @/vs. Michigan State: L 6-1, W 11-6, W 2-1 (10)
Upcoming:
May 24-28: Big Ten tournament, @ Bloomington, Ind.
20. Auburn
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 34-22, 16-14 in SEC (9-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 11-3
Auburn just took two of three from Ole Miss this weekend and turns around to face the No. 9 seed Rebels on Wednesday in Hoover.
Results:
May 18-20: Mississippi: W 4-1, W 9-1, L 8-4
Upcoming:
May 23-28: SEC tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
21. St. John’s 
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 40-9, 13-5 in Big East (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 9-1
Sunday’s loss to Villanova locked up the Big East regular season title and tournament top seed for Creighton, while St. John’s is No. 2 and will face Xavier in the tournament starting Wednesday in Omaha.
Results:
May 16: @ Long Island: W 9-4
May 18-20: Villanova: W 15-1, W 6-0, L 9-6
Upcoming:
May 25-28: Big East tournament, @ Omaha
22. Nebraska
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 34-18-1, 16-7-1 in Big Ten (3-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2-1
The Huskers claimed their first Big Ten tile by beating Penn State on Saturday, assuring an automatic regional berth. They’ll face No. 8 seed Purdue, who they did not play this season, in their face game Wednesday.
Results:
May 18-20: @ Penn State: L 8-7, W 3-1, W 21-3
Upcoming:
May 24-28: Big Ten tournament, @ Bloomington, Ind.
23. Central Florida
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 38-18, 15-9 in AAC (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 12-2
UCF completed its worst-to-first turnaround under first-year coach Greg Lovelady by taking two of three from USF and is the top seed in the AAC tournament. UCF will face preseason conference favorite East Carolina.
Results:
May 16: @ Florida Atlantic: L 9-4
May 18-20: (25) South Florida: L 7-4, W 9-1, W 3-2
Upcoming:
May 23-28: American Athletic Conference tournament, @ Clearwater, Fla.
24. Oklahoma
Last Week: 0-2
Overall: 34-20, 12-11 in Big 12 (10-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 9-4
OU dropped the rain-shortened Bedlam series to Oklahoma State, but still locked up the No. 3 spot in the Big 12 tournament. The Sooners will face No. 6 seed Texas, against whom they are 1-4 in the tournament all-time.
Results:
May 20: vs. Oklahoma State in Oklahoma City: L 9-7, L 5-2
Upcoming:
May 24-28: Big 12 tournament @ Oklahoma City
25. Houston
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 36-19, 15-9 in AAC (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 8-3-1
The Cougars entered the weekend in a three-way tie for the AAC lead and even though they won two of three against Cincinnati, they lost the tiebreaker to UCF. Houston will face Memphis in the AAC tournament.
Results:
May 16: @ McNeese State: W 5-4
May 18-20: Cincinnati: L 8-6 (10), W 8-3, W 7-6
Upcoming:
May 23-28: American Athletic Conference tournament, @ Clearwater, Fla.
DROPPED OUT
Texas A&M
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 36-20, 16-14 in SEC (7-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend series: 9-4
The Aggies closed the season losing five of six to drop out of the Top 25 and into the seventh seed in the SEC tournament. A&M will face No. 10 Missouri
Results:
May 16: Sam Houston State: L 8-2
May 18-20: (16) Arkansas: L 6-4, W 5-2, L 8-0
Upcoming:
May 23-28: SEC tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
South Florida
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 41-14, 14-10 in AAC (4-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-4
USF lost two of three to UCF, giving the Knights the AAC regular season title. USF is still in good position with a better RPI than Central Florida.
Results:
May 16: @ Jacksonville: L 11-9
May 18-20: @ Central Florida: W 7-4 (11), L 9-1, L 3-2
Upcoming:
May 23-28: American Athletic Conference tournament, @ Clearwater, Fla.
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