Top 25 Tracker (May 8)
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: 38-4, 21-3 in Pac-12 (6-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-0
The Beavers haven’t lost a weekend series yet this season, and they show no signs of doing so anytime soon. Junior lefthander Luke Heimlich reprised his weekly role as shutdown ace, throwing eight scoreless innings Friday to improve to a sparkling 7-1, 0.71 on the year. Starting with a midweek win against rival Oregon and finishing with a sweep of California, the Beavers are rolling.
Results:
May 2: Oregon: W 4-1
May 5-7: California: W 8-0, W 11-10, W 10-2
Upcoming:
May 11-13: @ Oregon
2. Louisville
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 42-6, 20-4 in ACC (6-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 11-0
In this week’s edition of What Did Brendan McKay Do, McKay threw eight scoreless, one-hit innings to start the weekend against Notre Dame, and he finished it by going 4-for-4 and homering in the Sunday game. Add in a strong Saturday start from righthander Kade McClure and it was yet another dominant weekend for the Atlantic Coast Conference’s leading team.
Results:
May 2: Miami (Ohio): W 6-5
May 5-7: @ Notre Dame: W 2-0, W 5-1, W 9-4
Upcoming:
May 9: Vanderbilt
May 12-14: @ (11) Clemson
3. North Carolina
Last Week: 1-0
Overall: 37-9, 19-5 in ACC (10-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-1
The Tar Heels had a light week due to final exams. They won their only game, against Richmond, in comeback fashion on Tuesday night.
Results:
May 2: Richmond: W 5-4
Upcoming:
May 9: Davidson
May 10: UNC Asheville
May 12-14: Virginia Tech
4. Texas Tech
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 39-13, 13-8 in Big 12 (6-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-2
The Red Raiders followed up a huge series win against Texas Christian with another impressive Big 12 Conference series win at West Virginia. It was a closely fought series with all three games decided by one run. Erikson Lanning was stellar on the mound Friday while Cody Farhat drove in the go-ahead run Saturday in the ninth to claim the series.
Results:
May 3: @ Ohio State: W 5-3
May 6-7: @ West Virginia: W 1-0, W 4-3, L 3-2
Upcoming:
May 18-20: Kansas
5. Texas Christian
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 35-11, 15-6 in Big 12 (10-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-3
After dropping a series to Texas Tech, the Horned Frogs quickly regrouped and took a series against Texas, who just joined the Top 25 at No. 25. It was a battle, with two games going into extras. Catcher Evan Skoug continued his offensive renaissance, homering twice in the opener. The Horned Frogs remain in first in the Big 12.
Results:
May 2: Abilene Christian: W 3-0
May 5-7: (25) Texas: W 11-10 (11), W 8-2, W 4-3 (10)
Upcoming:
May 12-14: @ (24) Oklahoma
6. Mississippi State
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 32-17, 16-8 in SEC (11-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-3
Despite an injury-shortened roster, coach Andy Cannizaro’s Bulldogs keep finding ways to win series. Mississippi State had strong performances from relievers Cole Gordon and Riley Self in back-to-back games, and scored three runs in the seventh of Sunday’s game to claim a big series against the Aggies.
May 4-6: @ (16) Texas A&M: L 9-2, W 5-1, W 4-3
Upcoming:
May 12-14: @ Georgia
7. Florida
Last Week: 5-0
Overall: 35-13, 16-8 in SEC (3-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-2
Florida extended its winning streak to nine games with a perfect week capped by a sweep of Mississippi. The Gators have ascended to first place in the SEC East and are tied with West Division leader Mississippi State for the overall conference lead. Florida’s offense has found its stride, scoring 24 runs on the weekend off Ole Miss, which came into the series leading the SEC in ERA. Florida will look to continue its hot streak back at McKethan Stadium this week against South Florida and Alabama.
Results:
May 2: Florida A&M: W 8-7
May 3: Jacksonville: W 6-2
May 5-7: Mississippi: W 11-2, W 7-4, W 6-4
Upcoming:
May 9: (23) South Florida
May 12-14: Alabama
8. Long Beach State
Last Week: 2-1-1
Overall: 30-15-1, 15-3 in Big West (6-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2
Just when it seemed as though Cal Poly was about to make it a three-team race in the Big West Conference, the Dirtbags held strong and took the series to widen their lead on the Mustangs to 4 1/2 games. Darren McCaughan threw his fourth complete game and second shutout of the year in the Friday opener.
Results:
May 2: @ San Diego: T 9-9 (10)
May 5-7: Cal Poly: W 3-0, L 6-3, W 5-2
Upcoming:
May 12-14: @ Minnesota
9. Kentucky
Last Week: 1-2
Overall: 32-16, 15-9 in SEC (12-8 vs. Top 25)
The Wildcats lost their first series in a month as they were unable to contain visiting Georgia’s offense. In the one win for Kentucky, Troy Squires drove in four runs and Zach Logue struck out a career-high 11. With the series loss, Kentucky lost its first-place position in the SEC East to Florida. The Wildcats will look to bounce back against Tennessee.
Weekend Series: 8-3
Results:
May 5-7: Georgia: L 5-3, W 7-4, L 6-3
Upcoming:
May 9: Indiana
May 12-14: Tennessee
10. Stanford
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 30-13, 13-8 in Pac-12 (7-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3-1
The Cardinal has established itself as the second-best team in the Pac-12, albeit with a 6 1/2-game gap behind No. 1 Oregon State. Stanford followed up sweeps of Oregon and Arizona with a series win at Arizona State. Stanford appears on track to end the Mark Marquess era on a high note.
Results:
May 2: San Jose State: W 4-3
May 5-7: @ Arizona State: W 7-5, W 13-8, L 9-6
Upcoming:
May 9: San Francisco
May 13-15: @ California
11. Clemson
Last Week: 1-1
Overall: 35-12, 16-8 in ACC (6-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series:
Coming off a sweep at the hands of North Carolina, the Tigers split their first two games against non-conference foe Nevada, a team that ranks No. 210 in the RPI. Clemson will finish that series today, and will need to be in top shape heading into a weekend series against ACC tlantic Division leader Louisville.
Results:
May 6-8: Nevada: W 5-2, L 7-5
Upcoming:
May 9: @ Furman
May 12-14: (2) Louisville
12. Virginia
Last Week: 1-0
Overall: 36-11, 14-10 (3-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-3
The Cavaliers played just one game due to final exams, winning a Tuesday night battle against Liberty. They’ll resume conference play against Miami this weekend.
Results:
May 2: Liberty: W 8-7
Upcoming:
May 12-14: Miami
13. Auburn
Last Week:
Overall:
Weekend Series: 10-2
The Tigers have roared through conference play, losing only one series—to Texas A&M—before this weekend. However, Auburn stumbled against rival Alabama, coming up short with late rallies in all three games against a team that is 18-29 on the season. The finale went 15 innings, with both sides answering their opponent’s rallies until the Crimson Tide shut the door in the bottom of the 15th.
Results:
May 6-7: Alabama: L 4-3, L 7-6, 11-9 (15)
Upcoming:
May 9: @ Alabama-Birmingham
May 11-13: @ (15) Louisiana State
14. Cal State Fullerton
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 28-16, 10-5 in Big West (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2-1
After splitting the first two games at Hawaii, Cal State Fullerton claimed the series with a win in the rubber game. The Titans’ pitching staff delivered again, holding the Rainbow Warriors to seven runs on the weekend. Fullerton returns to the mainland this week and will try to cut into Long Beach State’s 3 1/2-game lead in the Big West standings when it takes on UC Santa Barbara on the weekend.
Results:
May 5-7: @ Hawaii: W 3-1, L 4-1, W 6-2
Upcoming:
May 9: UCLA
May 12-14: UC Santa Barbara
15. Louisiana State
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 32-16, 15-9 in SEC (4-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3
The Tigers got off to the wrong foot Friday as Alex Lange’s complete game came in a losing effort, but they rallied back to deal the Gamecocks their sixth straight SEC series loss, winning Saturday behind Jared Poche’ and forcing extras Sunday to finish off South Carolina. LSU will host Auburn this weekend in a key SEC West battle.
Results:
May 5-7: South Carolina: L 3-2, W 5-2, W 7-6 (10)
Upcoming:
May 9: South Alabama
May 11-13: (13) Auburn
16. Wake Forest
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 32-14, 15-9 in ACC (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-2
Coming off its finals break, Wake Forest split a pair of blowouts against Boston College before claiming the series with a win in the rubber game. With the victory, Demon Deacons improved to 6-1 in rubber games this season. Wake Forest has a busy schedule this week with a pair of midweek games on the docket before a trip to Florida State.
Results:
May 5-7: Boston College: W 15-5, L 8-0, W 5-2
Upcoming:
May 9: High Point
May 10: @ Radford
May 12-14: @ Florida State
17. Arizona
Last Week: 4-0
Overall: 31-15, 12-12 in Pac-12 (3-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-3
After back-to-back sweeps in Pac-12 play, Arizona got back on track with a sweep of its own against Washington. The Wildcats got back to .500 in league play and climbed to fourth place in the standings. Arizona steps out of Pac-12 play this week for a nonconference game against rival Arizona State, before a cross-country trip to College of Charleston.
Results:
May 1: @ Santa Clara: W 16-10
May 5-7: Washington: W 5-4, W 3-1, W 12-11
Upcoming:
May 9: Arizona State
May 12-14: @ College of Charleston
18. Arkansas
Last Week: 1-1
Overall: 35-13, 14-9 (4-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-3-1
Arkansas’ series at Tennessee was reduced to a doubleheader due to rainy weather in Knoxville over the weekend. The teams split the twinbill, leaving the Razorbacks without a series win in the last three weeks. But they remain just 1 1/2 games out of first place and in the mix to host regionals. Arkansas will look to solidify its status this week when it welcomes Vanderbilt to Baum Stadium.
Results:
May 6: @ Tennessee: L 5-4, W 2-0
Upcoming
May 12-14: Vanderbilt
19. Southern Mississippi
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 37-12, 19-5 in CUSA (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2
Southern Miss entered the weekend holding a one-game lead on Florida Atlantic in the Conference USA standings. The Golden Eagles swept the series, solidifying their hold on first place. With two weekends to play, Southern Miss leads Old Dominion by three games. It will try to move closer to clinching the conference championship this weekend against Alabama-Birmingham.
Results:
May 5-7: Florida Atlantic: W 11-2, W 6-5, W 5-4 (11)
Upcoming:
May 12-14: Alabama-Birmingham
20. Texas A&M
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 34-15, 14-10 in SEC (6-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 9-2
Texas A&M won the opening game of its series against Mississippi State, but was unable to close out a series win against the SEC leaders. The Bulldogs held the Aggies to four runs while winning the last two games of the series to drop Texas A&M to two games off the pace in the standings. Texas A&M will hit the road this weekend to take on Mississippi in another tough SEC West showdown.
Results:
May 2: Houston Baptist: W 8-2
May 4-6: (9) Mississippi State: W 9-2, L 5-1, L 4-3
Upcoming:
May 12-14: @ Mississippi
21. Michigan
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 35-11, 11-7 in Big Ten (3-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-2-1
After losing all five games to rival Ohio State last season, Michigan won the first two games of the weekend to claim this year’s series. The Wolverines’ pitching staff was excellent throughout the series, holding the Buckeyes to six runs and striking out 40 batters. Michigan will go for its third straight series win this weekend at Purdue.
Results:
May 5-7: Ohio State: W 6-0, W 5-2, L 4-2
Upcoming:
May 9-10: vs./@ Central Michigan
May 12-14: @ Purdue
22. St. John’s 
Last Week: 3-1
Overall: 34-8, 8-4 in Big East (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-1
It took a furious ninth-inning comeback in the series finale, but St. John’s claimed its fourth straight series win with a pair of victories at Georgetown. Sunday’s win also marked the 750th of coach Ed Blankmeyer’s career. The Red Storm returns home this week for a crucial Big East Conference series against Xavier, which sits just ahead of the St. John’s in the standings.
Results:
May 2: Iona: W 16-4
May 5-7: @ Georgetown: W 7-1, L 13-5, W 9-8 (11)
Upcoming:
May 12-14: Xavier
23. South Florida
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 37-10, 12-6 in AAC (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 10-2
A week ago, there was a five-way tie for first place in the American Athletic Conference. Following South Florida’s sweep of East Carolina, the Bulls stand alone atop the standings. South Florida has won five straight games and will look to stay hot as it hits the road this week. The Bulls have played just 10 road games so far this season, but will have ample opportunity to prove they can win away from home down the stretch, as they finish the regular season with eight road games.
Results:
May 5-7: East Carolina: W 8-6, W 5-4, W 6-3
Upcoming:
May 9: @ (7) Florida
May 12-14: @ Connecticut
24. Oklahoma
Last Week: 2-1
Overall: 32-17, 10-8 in Big 12 (8-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 8-3
Oklahoma has pulled out of its midseason swoon to win back-to-back road Big 12 series and climb back to third place in the standings. The Sooners are still alive in the conference title chase going into their series this weekend against first-place Texas Christian.
Results:
May 5-7: @ Kansas State: W 11-5, L 9-7, W 3-0
Upcoming:
May 12-14: (5) Texas Christian
25. Nebraska
Last Week: 3-0
Overall: 29-16-1, 12-5-1 in Big Ten (3-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 7-2-1
Nebraska extended its winning streak to five games with a sweep of Rutgers. The sweep propelled the Cornhuskers to first place in the Big Ten Conference standings, edging in front of Maryland. Nebraska will look to stay hot this week as it travels to Omaha to take on in-state rival Creighton, before returning home to play Michigan State as it goes for its fourth straight series win.
Results:
May 5-7: Rutgers: W 8-5, W 9-3, W 7-6
Upcoming:
May 10: @ Creighton
May 12-14: Michigan State
DROPPED OUT
Maryland
Last Week: 2-2
Overall: 31-15, 14-7 in Big Ten (3-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-4
Results:
May 3: vs. Towson @ Aberdeen, Md.: W 6-5
May 5-7: @ Illinois: W 9-4, L 6-2, L 8-6
Maryland won the first game of its series at Illinois, but took its second straight series loss after losing the final two games in Champaign. The Terrapins also fell out of first place in the Big Ten, slipping just behind Nebraska in the standings. Maryland returns home for five games this week and will look to get back on track at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium, where it is 18-1.
Upcoming:
May 9: Maryland-Baltimore County
May 10: James Madison
May 12-14: Northwestern
Texas
Last Week: 1-3
Overall: 31-19, 9-11 in Big 12 (4-10 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 6-5-1
Texas traveled to Texas Christian having won eight of its past nine games to climb to fourth place in the Big 12. The Longhorns ran into one of the best teams in the country in Fort Worth, however, and were swept for the first time since March when they faced Texas Tech on opening weekend of conference play. Texas will have a chance to regroup this week as it is off for a finals break.
Results:
May 2: Texas-Arlington: W 4-1
May 5-7: @ (7) Texas Christian: L 11-10 (11), L 8-2, L 4-3 (10)
Upcoming:
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