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PREMIUM: Scouting report on prospect John Stilson, more on OSU-A&M GM1
PREMIUM: Saturday's RPI report
Stetson: The Hatters have their stiffest Atlantic Sun test this weekend, and it’s so far so good after earning an impressive 14-6 win in the series opener. Stetson starting pitcher Kurt Schluter allowed just three runs in six innings, while the offense did a great job with first baseman Ryan Lashley leading the charge. Lashley recorded three hits, one a home run, in the contest to lead the Hatters.
Texas: Kansas has played well at home this season, so it was natural to think it had a chance to take two of three from the Longhorns. Well, someone forgot to tell that to the ‘Horns. Texas put together another dominant performance in a 9-1 series clinching victory over the Jayhawks. UT starting pitcher Cole Green tossed seven shutout innings while third baseman Erich Weiss recorded three hits and knocked in three runs. Tant Shepherd chipped in a four-hit performance.
Texas A&M: Aggies starting pitcher John Stilson picked the right night to have his best performance of the season. Stilson tallied a career-high 12 strikeouts as the Aggies captured a dominant 11-2 win over Oklahoma State. Stilson tossed a complete game for the Aggies, allowing just two runs (none earned) and four hits in the performance. OSU starting pitcher Mike Strong had control issues and was lifted after allowing five runs in 3 1/3 innings.
Troy: The Trojans surprised the rest of the Sun Belt when they dropped a road series to Middle Tennessee State last weekend. They responded from that series in a big way Friday with a 6-3 win over Western Kentucky in a huge conference bout. Troy starting pitcher Tyler Ray was fantastic, striking out five and allowing just three runs on nine hits in a complete game performance.
UC Riverside’s Matt Andriese: Highlanders talented right-handed pitcher Matt Andriese picked a great night to have a phenomenal start. The righty struck out just three batters but allowed just a hit in a complete game performance as the Highlanders defeated Cal State Bakersfield 2-0. His performance overshadowed the start by Bakersfield’s Mike McCarthy, who allowed two runs in a complete game.
UCLA’s Trevor Bauer: After losing the series opener to Stanford, the Bruins desperately needed a strong start from Bauer. The right-handed pitcher once again rose to the occasion. He struck out an amazing 17 batters and allowed just a run on four hits in a complete game performance and 4-1 win over the Cardinal. Cody Keefer led the Bruins at the plate with a three-hit performance.
South Carolina: Gamecocks slugger Jackie Bradley Jr. might be struggling at the plate, but his team continues to win at a high level. South Carolina starting pitcher Michael Roth allowed just one earned run in 6 1/3 innings as his team defeated Mississippi State on the road 8-2. Offensively, Evan Marzilli collected two hits, one a home run, and knocked in two runs. Pete Mooney also collected two hits and knocked in two, while Christian Walker chipped in four hits.
Vanderbilt: The Commodores wasted little time bouncing back from last weekend’s tough series loss to South Carolina. Vandy starting pitcher Sonny Gray allowed three runs in seven innings as his team defeated struggling LSU 11-3. Vandy catcher Curt Casali collected three hits in the game, while third baseman Jason Esposito went 2-for-3 with a double, triple and two RBIs.
Florida: The Gators finally were back home on Friday and returned to their dominant ways with a 7-0 triumph over Alabama. UF starting pitcher Hudson Randall struck out just one but also allowed just four hits in 6 1/3 shutout innings. Leadoff hitter Nolan Fontana collected three hits in the game, while Preston Tucker and Josh Adams each hit a home run and knocked in three runs in the game. While UF is playing well, ‘Bama seems to be struggling.
Arizona State: Getting swept on the road by Oregon State a couple of weeks ago must’ve got the Sun Devils’ juices flowing. They swept Washington State at home last weekend and clinched a series win over California on Friday with an impressive 5-0 victory. ASU starting pitcher Kramer Champlin struck out five and allowed just five hits in a complete game shutout. Riccio Torrez and Deven Marrero led the Sun Devils at the plate with two hits each.
Cal Poly: The Mustangs struggled mightily in non-conference play, but they’ve played well in Big West play. The Mustangs captured a surprising series win over Cal State Fullerton with a 4-2 triumph on Friday. Cal Poly starting pitcher Steven Fischback was fantastic for the Mustangs, striking out seven and allowing just two runs on five hits in a complete game performance. The Mustangs now are tied for first in conference.
Florida State’s Sean Gilmartin: It has been a treat to watch FSU left-handed pitcher Sean Gilmartin return to his freshman form this season. The talented lefty once again was fantastic on Friday as his team captured a 2-1 win over Duke. Gilmartin struck out 13 and allowed just a run on three hits in eight innings. The Blue Devils wasted some performance from Dennis O’Grady and Chase Bebout.
Oregon State: No matter what happens, the Beavers just seem to find a way to get things done. Beavers starting pitcher Sam Gaviglio allowed six runs in 6 2/3 innings against Washington State, but his team still clinched a series win over the Cougars in a 7-6 triumph. Danny Hayes and Tyler Smith led the Beavers at the plate with three hits each. OSU improved to an impressive 10-1 in Pac-10 action.
Georgia Tech’s Mark Pope: The Yellow Jackets continue to get solid performances from the talented right-handed pitcher. Pope put together a solid start as the Yellow Jackets defeated ACC foe Boston College 2-0 on Friday. Pope struck out five and allowed just eight hits in a complete game shutout. It was Pope’s fifth complete game of the season. Interestingly, the Eagles used eight pitchers in the losing cause.
Charlotte: The 49ers might have a great record, but there’s a serious chance they could lose the conference title to … Fordham. The Rams defeated the 49ers in the first game of a three-game set, and moved within a game of first place. Fordham starting pitcher Brian Pendergast allowed just a run on two hits in 7 1/3 innings, while relievers Rich Anastasi and Tim Swatek also threw at a high level. The Niners need to bounce back in Games 2 and 3.
Clemson: We said this a few weeks ago, but keep an eye on the Tigers heading down the stretch. Though they’ve played a poor brand of baseball for much of the season, they’re due for a big-time run. The Tigers began their series at Wake Forest with a 2-0 victory on Friday. Clemson starting pitcher Dominic Leone was fantastic, striking out 10 and allowing just three hits in 8 1/3 shutout innings.
Kansas State: The Wildcats might’ve passed up Texas Tech in the Big 12 postseason pecking order on Friday with a series-clinching 4-3 triumph over the Red Raiders. The Wildcats didn’t have a great night at the plate, but the pitching staff rose to the occasion. Starting pitcher Kyle Hunter allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings, while relievers Evan Marshall and James Allen were solid.
Connecticut: Remember when the Huskies suddenly became an afterthought? Well, these guys just continue to take care of business in Big East play. The Huskies improved their conference record to 13-2 with a doubleheader sweep over Georgetown. Interestingly, the Huskies now have an overall record of 26-12, but still need to win the Big East tournament to reach the postseason. That, of course, is as of today.
Long Beach State: The Dirtbags have been a long shot to reach the NCAA postseason for a couple of weeks, and they took another step back this weekend with a series loss to UC Santa Barbara. The Gauchos clinched a series win over the Dirtbags with a 7-2 triumph on Friday. UCSB starting pitcher Greg Davis was solid, allowing just two hits in a complete game performance. LBSU starter Shawn Stuart allowed four runs in just an inning.
Central Florida: The Knights would get right back in the NCAA postseason mix with a road series win over Memphis this weekend. The Knights took a step forward on Friday with a thrilling 5-4 victory in 10 innings over the Tigers. Beau Taylor led the way at the plate with two hits (one a home run) and three RBIS. On the mound, Brian Adkins allowed three runs in seven innings while reliever Joe Rogers allowed a run in three innings.
USC: Could the Trojans actually be working their way toward an NCAA postseason appearance? Well, they still have a plethora of work to do to even join consideration, but they’re headed the right direction. USC captured a series-clinching 12-9 win over Washington on Friday. Kevin Roundtree and Ricky Oropesa each hit a home run in the game to lead the offensive cause. The Trojans now have won three-straight Pac-10 series, the other two against Stanford and Oregon.
Georgia: The Bulldogs put themselves in such a hole early in the season, they must earn some solid wins down the stretch to make an NCAA Regional. The Bulldogs dropped a heartbreaking 5-4 decision to Tennessee on Friday, dropping their overall record to 19-20, which of course, would not make them postseason eligible. Strangely, the Bulldogs still have a respectable 9-7 mark in the SEC. Georgia needs to bounce back the rest of the weekend.
Georgia Southern: Someone finally cooled off Elon in Southern Conference play, but we’ll see if it lasts the entire weekend. Georgia Southern defeated the Phoenix 6-3 in the important series opener. Eagles starting pitcher Chris Beck allowed just three runs in seven innings, while reliever Matt Murray earned his seventh save in two innings of relief work. Can the Eagles seal the deal?
Florida Atlantic: The Owls were in our latest NCAA postseason projections, but they, as with many others, have little for error down the stretch. FAU will have to bounce back the rest of the weekend after dropping a 2-1 decision to Arkansas State on Friday. FAU starting pitcher Ryan Garton allowed a run in 7 1/3 innings, while Arkansas State reliever Cory Kyle was fantastic with five shutout innings of work. It’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the weekend progresses.
Oklahoma: The Sooners have disappointed in Big 12 play so far this spring, but they took a step forward on Friday with a dominant 9-2 win over Nebraska. OU starting pitcher Michael Rocha again was solid, striking out five and allowing just two runs on eight hits in a complete game performance. Offensively, Eric Ross and Garrett Buechele each finished the game with three hits, with Buechele also knocking in three runs.
Rice: Owls talented freshman pitcher Austin Kubitza didn’t have the greatest start against UAB on Friday, but the Owls still captured a solid 9-5 road win to begin an important Conference USA series. Though Kubitza struggled, Rice relievers Tyler Duffey and Tony Cingrani were solid. Offensively, Ryan Lewis went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and four RBIs. The Owls will need a strong rest of the weekend to keep pace with conference co-leader Southern Mississippi.
Creighton: The sign of a good team is how they respond from adversity. The Bluejays dropped a heartbreaking contest to in-state rival Nebraska earlier this week, but responded on Friday with a 5-4 league victory over Southern Illinois. CU starting pitcher Ty Blach struck out nine and allowed just two runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings in the winning cause.
Kendall Rogers is the college baseball editor for Perfect Game USA and has covered the sport for over 10 seasons. He can be reached at kendall@perfectgame.org