Top 25 Tracker (May 23)
1. Texas A&M
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 41-13, 20-10 in SEC (11-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 13-1
The Aggies were shut out at home for the first time in two years in a midweek loss to Sam Houston State, but they shook that off to take a weekend series from Mississippi, their third straight series win against a top-10 opponent. Although they came up a game short of winning the SEC regular-season title, they still only had one losing weekend all season and went 29-5 at home.
RESULTS:
May 17: Sam Houston State: L 5-0
May 19-21: (6) Mississippi: W 6-1, W 11-5, L 3-2
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: SEC Tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
2. Mississippi State
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 40-14-1, 21-9 in SEC (12-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-1
The Bulldogs claimed the 11th SEC regular-season title in program history with a sweep of Arkansas to finish a game ahead of Texas A&M and a half game ahead of South Carolina. Big weekends by Jake Mangum (9-for-13 for the weekend) and Dakota Hudson (complete-game shutout on Thursday) highlighted MSU’s third straight weekend sweep.
RESULTS:
May 19-21: Arkansas: W 7-0, W 5-1, W 9-4
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: SEC Tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
3. Miami
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 43-10, 21-7 in ACC (12-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 12-2
The Hurricanes had a banner weekend in Tallahassee, winning a weekend series from rival Florida State for the first time since 2009 and clinching their second ACC regular-season title in three years. Miami’s nine-game winning streak ended in the finale, but it nonetheless won 13 of its final 15 regular-season games.
RESULTS:
May 17: Florida Gulf Coast: W 8-3
May 19-21: @ (14) Florida State: W 4-2, W 8-5, L 3-2 (10 innings)
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: ACC Tournament @ Durham, N.C.
4. Florida
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 44-11, 19-10 in SEC (13-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-3-1
The Gators have at least been mortal on the road, ending the regular season with a 3-2-1 series record away from Gainesville. They had a disjointed weekend in Baton Rouge, with play in Thursday’s opener getting suspended in the third inning, and their normally lockdown defense making three errors in a one-run loss Friday. Alex Faedo did pick up his SEC-leading 11th win of the season as UF salvaged the finale.
RESULTS:
May 20-21: @ (8) Louisiana State: L 5-4, L 7-3, W 6-2 (7 innings)
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: SEC Tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
5. Texas Tech
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 40-14, 19-5 in Big 12 (9-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2-1
Having already wrapped up the Big 12 regular-season title, Texas Tech’s final series represented little more than a tune up, as it took two of three from West Virginia. Hunter Hargrove’s dramatic three-run homer in the seventh inning Friday made the difference in the series clincher and pushed Tech to the 40-win mark for the second time in coach Tim Tadlock’s four seasons in charge.
RESULTS:
May 19-21: West Virginia: W 2-1, W 4-2, L 8-7
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: Big 12 Tournament @ Oklahoma City
6. Louisville
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 46-10, 22-8 in ACC (11-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-4
The Cardinals swept Wake Forest, trailing for just three innings all weekend, to wrap up their second straight ACC Atlantic Division title. They’ll go into conference tournament week as hot as any team in the country, winners of 16 of their last 17 games, with their 46 wins overall matching the program record for regular-season wins.
RESULTS:
May 17: Indiana: W 9-2
May 19-21: Wake Forest: W 3-1, W 9-2, W 9-4
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: ACC Tournament @ Durham, N.C.
7. Louisiana State
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 39-17, 19-11 in SEC (7-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-4
LSU stretched its winning streak to 11 games before falling to Florida in Saturday’s finale, but it will nonetheless go into the postseason fresh off taking two of three from the then-No. 1 team in the nation. Kramer Robertson’s go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning Friday lifted LSU to an electrifying win, and the Tigers’ five-run fifth inning made the difference in the resumption of the suspended game Saturday.
RESULTS:
May 17: Northwestern State: W 7-2
May 20-21: (1) Florida: W 5-4, W 7-3, L 6-2 (7 innings)
UPCOMING:
May 24-29: SEC Tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
8. Virginia
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 36-18, 19-11 in ACC (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-4
The Cavaliers swept rival Virginia Tech, improving to 16-2 against the Hokies in Charlottesville since Virginia Tech joined the ACC. Adam Haseley’s complete-game two-hitter put the capper on things Saturday, Virginia’s 11th win in its final 12 regular-season games.
RESULTS:
May 17: Richmond: CCD
May 19-21: Virginia Tech: W 8-3, W 7-6, W 4-1
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: ACC Tournament @ Durham, N.C.
9. South Carolina
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 42-13, 20-9 in SEC (9-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-5-1
The Gamecocks earned their seventh SEC East title and first since 2012 with a road sweep of Alabama, in conjunction with Florida losing its series to LSU. Madison Stokes (7-for-9 on the weekend) and Dom Thompson-Williams (6-for-11) led the way as South Carolina swept an SEC road series for the second time this year.
RESULTS:
May 17: Citadel: W 16-4
May 19-21: @ Alabama: W 6-4, W 4-2, W 9-7
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: SEC Tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
10. Mississippi
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 40-16, 18-12 in SEC (7-10 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-4
The Rebels lost a series for the first time in over a month, dropping two of three at Texas A&M, though they gutted out a win in the finale as closer Wyatt Short escaped a bases-loaded jam in the ninth. That earned them their 40th win, tying the program record for wins in a regular season.
RESULTS:
May 17: Arkansas State: L 8-6
May 19-21: @ (2) Texas A&M: L 6-1, L 11-5, W 3-2
UPCOMING:
May 24-29: SEC Tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
11. Tulane
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 37-17, 15-7 in AAC (5-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-1-2
The Green Wave came out on top of a very tightly packed American Athletic Conference, sealing the deal with a three-homer win at Houston on Saturday. Tulane had to wait out a three-and-a-half hour rain delay, but it was worth the wait.
RESULTS:
May 17: Nicholls State: L 2-0
May 20-21: @ Houston: L 3-2 (13 innings), W 8-4, W 4-3
UPCOMING:
May 24-29: AAC Tournament @ Clearwater, Fla.
12. Vanderbilt
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 41-15, 18-12 in SEC (8-11 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-5
The Commodores responded from back-to-back losing weekends against Texas A&M and Florida with a clean sweep of Auburn. Vanderbilt finished third in the SEC East and earned a No. 6 seed in the SEC tournament.
RESULTS:
May 17: Morehead State: W 6-0
May 19-21: Auburn: W 9-3, W 5-2, W 4-3
UPCOMING:
May 24-29: SEC Tournament @ Hoover, Ala.
13. Florida Atlantic
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 37-15, 21-8 in CUSA (6-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-2-1
Conference USA belongs to Florida Atlantic after a sweep of Western Kentucky. Of the four teams vying for the conference crown, the Owls were the only team to have an undefeated weekend, maneuvering the schedule to get in all three games despite rainy weather.
RESULTS:
May 19-21: Western Kentucky: W 4-3, W 10-2, W 4-1
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: CUSA Tournament @ Hattiesburg, Miss.
14. Texas Christian
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 38-14, 15-9 in Big 12 (3-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-4
The Horned Frogs regrouped after dropping a series to Baylor the weekend before, sweeping Kansas State and coming on top in a pair of one-run nailbiters. Righthander Mitchell Traver, TCU’s expected ace in the preseason, continues to build up his post-injury pitch count, throwing 67 pitches and 4 1/3 innings Saturday. TCU will be the No. 3 seed in the Big 12 tournament.
RESULTS:
May 17: Stephen F. Austin: W 3-2
May 19-21: Kansas State: W 3-2, W 2-1, W 9-3
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: Big 12 Tournament @ Oklahoma City
15. Clemson
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 38-18, 16-14 in ACC (4-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-4
Clemson finished the regular season strong, sweeping Notre Dame on the road to extend its winning streak to five games. The Tigers avoided the play-in games of the ACC Tournament, qualifying directly for pool play. They will go to the tournament looking to polish their hosting resume, and will get the opportunity to do so as they open with games against Virginia and Louisville.
RESULTS:
May 17: Charleston Southern: W 3-2
May 19-21: @ Notre Dame: W 2-1, W 11-1, W 6-2
UPCOMING:
May 26-29: ACC Tournament @ Durham, N.C.
16. North Carolina State
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 34-18, 15-13 in ACC (4-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-4
Head coach Elliott Avent’s return from his snake bite was a triumphant one, as the Wolfpack took two of three from rival North Carolina for the first time since 2011, avoiding the ACC tournament play-in game and knocking the Tar Heels out of the tournament in the process. Wolfpack is the No. 5 seed in the tournament.
RESULTS:
May 19-21: North Carolina: W 6-4, L 16-4, W 10-1
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: ACC Tournament @ Durham, N.C.
17. Oklahoma State
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 35-18, 16-8 in Big 12 (4-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-4
The Cowboys breezed past Kansas to solidify second place in the Big 12. In a positive development for Oklahoma State, lefthander Garrett Williams turned in a strong three-inning, seven-strikeout performance out of the bullpen as he works his way back from injury.
RESULTS:
May 17: Oral Roberts: L 3-1
May 20-21: Kansas: W 4-3, W 9-2, W 8-1
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: Big 12 Tournament @ Oklahoma City
18. Florida State
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 34-19, 16-10 in ACC (8-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-4
The Seminoles were once in prime position in the ACC’s Atlantic Division, but after taking a series against Louisville, FSU dropped four of its final five ACC series, finishing with a series loss to rival Miami. The Seminoles earned a No. 4 seed in the ACC tournament.
RESULTS:
May 17: Stetson: CCD
May 19-21: (4) Miami: L 4-2, L 8-5, W 3-2 (10 innings)
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: ACC Tournament @ Durham, N.C.
19. Coastal Carolina
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 40-15, 21-3 in Big South (2-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-1
Coastal Carolina broke out its bats this weekend against Campbell, scoring 38 runs in a series sweep. The Chanticleers hit a program-record seven home runs in Saturday’s series finale, as they reached the 40-win milestone for the first time since 2012. That was also the last year Coastal Carolina won the conference tournament, to which it will now turn its attention.
RESULTS:
May 17: UNC Wilmington: W 4-1
May 19-21: Campbell: W 9-1, W 6-5, W 23-4 (7 innings)
UPCOMING:
May 24-28: Big South Tournament @ Lexington, S.C.
20. Southern Mississippi
Last Week: 0-3
Overall: 36-18, 20-10 in CUSA (5-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-3
The Golden Eagles were one of four teams with a chance to win the Conference USA regular season title, but they couldn’t get the job done at Florida International, where they were swept for the first time this season. Southern Miss earned the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament, which will be played in its home ballpark.
RESULTS:
May 17: Louisiana-Monroe: cancelled
May 19-21: @ Florida International: L 6-5, L 5-2, L 13-8
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: CUSA Tournament @ Hattiesburg, Miss.
21. Bryant
Last Week: 5-0
Overall: 44-10, 26-4 in NEC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 11-1
Bryant outscored Mount St. Mary’s 45-2 in a four-game sweep on the road to finish the regular season with 24 road victories, the most in the country. The Bulldogs are also one win away from matching the program record and are tied with Florida for second most in the nation, behind only Louisville. Bryant enters the Northeast Conference tournament as the top-seeded team for the fourth year in a row and will be looking for their third championship in that span.
RESULTS:
May 17: @ Massachusetts-Lowell: 15-4
May 19-21: @ Mount St. Mary’s: W 6-0, W 8-0 (7 innings), W 19-1, W 12-1 (7 innings)
UPCOMING:
May 26-28: NEC Tournament @ Norwich, Conn.
22. Long Beach State
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 35-18, 14-7 in Big West (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 12-2
The Dirtbags extended their winning streak to nine games with a win at Loyola Marymount and a sweep of UC Davis. Long Beach moved within a game of first-place Cal State Fullerton in the Big West Conference standings, setting up a de facto championship series this weekend against their archrivals. With a series win against the Titans, the Dirtbags would claim their first conference championship since 2008 and the Big West’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
RESULTS:
May 17: Loyola Marymount: W 5-2
May 20-22: @ UC Davis: W 6-3, W 14-1, W 11-1
UPCOMING:
May 26-28: (23) Cal State Fullerton
23. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 33-19, 15-6 in SEC (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-5
The Titans now barely cling to the Big West lead after dropping two of three against Hawaii. Cal State Fullerton will play for all the marbles at Long Beach State this Upcoming: weekend. The Dirtbags are one game behind the Titans in the conference standings, and the series will not only decide the standings but could also factor into the hosting discussion as well.
RESULTS:
May 20-22: Hawaii: L 6-3, W 8-3
UPCOMING:
May 24: Southern California
May 26-28: @ (22) Long Beach State
24. Louisiana-Lafayette
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 37-19, 21-9 in Sun Belt (1-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 12-1
Louisiana-Lafayette finished the regular season with a sweep of Louisiana-Monroe, its ninth straight weekend series victory. ULL’s strong finish to the season helped it chase down South Alabama in the Sun Belt Conference standings and grab a share of the regular-season title. The Ragin’ Cajuns will carry a six-game winning streak into the SBC Tournament and will look to ride that momentum to a third straight tournament title.
RESULTS:
May 17: @ New Orleans: W 17-3 (7 innings)
May 20-21: Louisiana-Monroe: W 8-2, W 6-5 (11 innings), W 6-5
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: Sun Belt Tournament @ San Marcos, Texas
25. Rice
Last Week: 0-4
Overall: 31-20, 19-10 in CUSA (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-3-1
Results::
For the first time since joining Conference USA in 2005, Rice was swept by a conference opponent—an end to an impressive 11-year feat. With the sweep, the Owls fell to fourth in the conference. Rice has won 20 straight conference championships and will need to win the tournament to continue that run.
RESULTS:
May 17: vs. Houston @ Sugar Land, Texas: L 24-6
May 19-21: @ Louisiana Tech: L 12-2, L 4-3 (15 innings), L 10-5
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: CUSA Tournament @ Hattiesburg, Miss.
DROPPED OUT
Minnesota
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 34-18, 16-7 in Big Ten (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-4
The Golden Gophers went through a very emotional week. On Tuesday, they learned longtime pitching coach Todd Oakes, who has battled cancer since being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in June 2012, had been moved to hospice care. With Friday’s victory, they won the Big Ten Conference regular season championship for the first time since 2010. But Minnesota lost the series to Ohio State, and has lost two of its last three series going into the Big Ten tournament this week in Omaha.
RESULTS:
May 17: South Dakota State: L 7-6 (10 innings)
May 19-21: Ohio State: L 3-2, W 4-3, L 6-5 (10 innings)
UPCOMING:
May 25-29: Big Ten Tournament @ Omaha
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