PREMIUM ANALYSIS: Saturday's RPI Report
Looking back at Friday
North Carolina
The Tar Heels entered the weekend hoping to nail down a postseason national seed, and they likely did that with an impressive 2-1 series-clinching win over Virginia. UNC starting pitcher Kent Emanuel struck out seven (walked six) and allowed just a run on two hits in six innings in the winning cause. Interestingly, the Tar Heels won despite a great showing by Virginia top prospect Danny Hultzen. Hultzen struck out 10 and allowed two runs on four hits in 7 2/3 innings.
South Carolina
The Gamecocks suffered a tough loss in the series opener against Alabama, but responded in solid fashion on Friday with a 6-3 triumph. South Carolina starting pitcher Forrest Koumas once again was solid, striking out five and allowing just a run on five hits in five innings. The Crimson Tide wasted a solid start from left-hander Adam Morgan, who allowed three runs in seven innings. The Gamecocks are back atop the national rankings with a win in the series finale.
Vanderbilt
The Commodores dropped a tough contest to Georgia in the series opener, and things didn’t exactly look good after 2 2/3 innings on Friday after starting pitcher Grayson Garvin was lifted. The ‘Dores, though, regrouped in impressive fashion and earned a convincing 9-3 win over Georgia. Vandy relievers T.J. Pecoraros and Kevin Ziomek were fantastic in relief, combining to throw 6 1/3 shutout innings, while right fielder Mike Yastrzemski led the way at the plate with three hits. Georgia desperately needs to win the series finale.
Kentucky
Florida hadn’t allowed more than 11 runs the entire season, but that changed against the unlikeliest of foes on Friday, as the Wildcats went crazy at the plate and were great on the mound in a 14-1 triumph over the Gators. UK starting pitcher and top prospect Alex Meyer struck out nine and allowed just a run on five hits in seven innings, while third baseman Thomas McCarthy recorded a team-high four hits. UK has had a tough campaign, but this victory had to be sweet.
Clemson
After dropping the series opener to Florida State on Thursday, the Tigers responded in solid fashion on Friday with a fast start en route to a solid 7-4 victory. Brad Miller, Will Lamb and Jeff Schaus each had three hits in the game, while starting pitcher Justin Sarratt put together a respectable start, allowing two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. While the Tigers need another win this weekend to at last stay in the hunt for an NCAA Regional host, the Seminoles need another win this weekend to stay in the national seed hunt.
Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets really helped their case for a national seed last weekend with a home series win over North Carolina, but could take a gigantic step back this weekend if they don’t take care of business in the series finale against Virginia Tech. The Jackets dropped a 7-5 decision to the Hokies on Friday and top prospect and starting pitcher Jed Bradley was bad. Bradley struck out six batters and allowed seven runs on 10 hits in just 3 2/3 innings. The series finale is huge for Tech.
Rice
The Owls sure have picked the right weekend to do everything right. The Owls won the series opener against Southern Mississippi in solid fashion and were fantastic in a 16-2 series-clinching victory on Friday. Rice starting pitcher Matthew Reckling wasn’t great, but the bullpen rose to the occasion. The offense, though, led the way with second baseman Michael Ratterree hitting a home run and going 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs. A series sweep over the Golden Eagles would give the Owls an outright Conference USA title.
Miami
The Hurricanes entered the weekend as a long shot to host an NCAA Regional, but they’re another loss to Duke away from solidifying that position. Duke starting pitcher Dennis O’Grady struck out six and allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings as the Blue Devils defeated the Hurricanes 2-0. The ‘Canes wasted a solid start from Eric Whaley, who allowed two runs on five hits in eight innings.
Connecticut
The Huskies are playing a solid brand of baseball and continue to find ways to win. They defeated Cincinnati 9-5 on Friday to clinch another Big East series win. Huskies starting pitcher Greg Nappo wasn’t sharp, allowing five runs in 5 2/3 innings. However, reliever David Fischer was fantastic and didn’t allow a hit or run in 3 1/3 innings of work. The Huskies will be a dangerous team to deal with in the NCAA tournament.
Stetson
The Hatters likely have lost too much lately to stay put as an NCAA Regional host, but their chances would take a huge hit on Saturday if they don’t take care of business against Belmont. The Hatters dropped a disappointing 5-2 decision to the Bruins on Friday. Stetson starting pitcher Will Dorsey allowed four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, while Belmont starter Matt Hamann allowed two runs on four hits in eight innings.
East Carolina
The Pirates have picked a good weekend to play a solid brand of baseball. They clinched an important road series win over Tulane on Friday with a 6-2 triumph. ECU starting pitcher Seth Maness allowed just a run on four hits in six innings, while relievers Shawn Armstrong and Seth Simmons closed things out. While the Pirates took a step forward, Tulane’s postseason situation suddenly is looking bleaker.
East Tennessee State
Speaking of teams that just might be ruining their postseason chances, welcome ETSU to the discussion. The Buccaneers were in solid shape entering the weekend, but they’ve since dropped two games to Mercer, including a 12-2 decision on Friday. ETSU starting pitcher Derek Bushey had a difficult day on the mound, allowing eight runs on six hits in just four innings. ETSU must avoid getting swept.
St. John’s
The Johnnies are another bubble team to watch as the weekend progresses. They dropped a tough bout to Villanova to begin the series on Thursday, but responded in style on Friday with an 8-7 triumph. The Johnnies must win the series finale against the Wildcats to have a chance to reach the NCAA tournament. We’ll see how they deal with the pressure on Saturday.
Coastal Carolina
We said earlier this week the only thing that could change Coastal’s postseason situation was a series loss to Charleston Southern. Well, after Saturday’s 4-3 loss, that possibility is becoming closer to a reality. CSU starting pitcher Jesse Cadenhead allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings, while relievers Ali Williams and Charlie McCready were solid. Coastal needs to finish the weekend with a series win to feel great about their postseason chances.
Creighton
The Bluejays have put together an impressive campaign and reached a key goal on Friday with a 3-1 win over Missouri State, thus clinching the Missouri Valley regular season title. Creighton starting pitcher Ty Blach struck out eight and allowed just a run on four hits in eight innings, while reliever Kurt Spomer closed things out for Ed Servais’ club. Servais has done a tremendous job with his club this spring. CU is in the NCAA tournament no matter what happens in the conference tournament.
Mississippi State
LSU has played well for the most part throughout the weekend, so Mississippi State appeared to be in bad shape entering the bottom of the ninth inning down 5-4 to the Tigers on Friday. Well, the Bulldogs proceeded to rally for two runs to earn a solid 6-5 win over the Tigers. State reliever Devin Jones essentially saved the game, allowing no runs in 5 1/3 innings of work. While State is in solid shape to reach the NCAA tournament, it’s our belief that Saturday’s contest is a must-win for LSU.
Sam Houston State
The Bearkats entered the weekend on the bad side of the NCAA bubble, but at least were in the discussion. Well, that probably won’t be the case when we reconvene for projections next week. SHSU has dropped both games to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to begin the weekend, including a 5-1 setback on Friday. TAMUCC starting pitcher Todd Simko allowed just a run on six hits in eight innings to lead the Islanders. SHSU likely must win the conference tournament to make the NCAA field.
Florida Atlantic
The Owls entered the weekend slightly on the good side of the NCAA bubble, but things looked bleak after losing the series opener to Florida International. FAU, though, regrouped and put together a solid performance Friday in a 2-0 triumph. FAU starting pitcher Paul Davis struck out nine and allowed nine hits in a complete game shutout. The series finale is huge for the Owls.
Troy
After losing the Sun Belt lead on Thursday with a setback to South Alabama, the Trojans responded in impressive fashion on Friday with an 11-6 triumph. Troy starting pitcher Jimmy Hodgskin allowed three runs (two earned) on nine hits in 6 1/3 innings, while left fielder Jeff DeBlieux led the offense with a three-hit performance. With the win, the Trojans climbed back ahead of FIU in the standings. A win tomorrow gives them the Sun Belt regular season title.
Texas
The Longhorns earned a thrilling win over rival Texas A&M in the series opener on Thursday, and continued their successful ways on Friday with a 6-4 triumph. UT starting pitcher Cole Green allowed four runs on seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, but relievers Hoby Milner and Corey Knebel rose to the occasion. Milner tossed 2 2/3 shutout innings while Knebel closed the game in impressive fashion. UT clinched at least a share of the conference crown with the victory.
Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are solidly in the NCAA tournament, but Texas Tech is one of those teams that must win this series and play extremely well in the Big 12 tournament to even have a chance to reach the postseason. Well, the Red Raiders began the series in negative fashion with an 11-10 setback. Five OSU hitters recorded two hits in the game, while relievers Andrew Heaney and Chris Marlowe were able to hold things steady to finish the contest.
Oregon State
The Beavers have been extremely consistent in Pac-10 play this season, and that trend continued on Friday with a solid 7-2 win over USC. Oregon State starting pitcher Sam Gaviglio struck out six and allowed two runs on four hits in 6 2/3 innings, while relievers Scott Schultz and Matt Boyd also threw well. Offensively, Jared Norris went a perfect 3-for-3 with two runs scored and two RBIs. OSU is an easy national seed with two series wins to finish the regular season.
Fresno State
We’ve talked about the Bulldogs as a potential NCAA Regional host the past few weeks, but they could squander that opportunity against Cal State Bakersfield this weekend. The Bulldogs dropped a 6-0 decision to the Roadrunners on Friday. CSB starting pitcher Mike McCarthy struck out 12 and allowed just four hits in a complete game performance. The Bulldogs must finish the weekend with a pair of wins to remain in the hunt for a host spot.
California
UCLA starting pitcher and top prospect Gerrit Cole struck out six and allowed a run on six hits in seven innings, but he was bested by the California pitching staff, particularly starter Erik Johnson, in a 4-0 loss. Johnson had a great night, striking out seven and allowing two hits in seven shutout innings. Cal reliever Kyle Porter also was solid, striking out three and allowing just one hit in two innings. The Golden Bears are an excellent club when they want to be. It’ll be interesting to see how they fair in the NCAA tournament in a couple of weeks.
Stanford
The Cardinal hasn’t been incredibly consistent this spring, but they put the important pieces together in a 1-0 win over Arizona. Stanford starting pitcher and top 2012 draft prospect Mark Appel was fantastic. He struck out nine and allowed just six hits in eight shutout innings. Chris Reed finished the extra-inning contest with a pair of strikeouts in three shutout innings of relief work. Both teams need an impressive series win this weekend.
Arizona State
The Sun Devils took a step back last weekend with a road series loss to USC, but they started the Washington series on a positive note with a 6-0 triumph. ASU starting pitcher Brady Rodgers struck out nine and allowed just five hits in a complete game performance, while leadoff hitter Johnny Ruettiger led the offensive charge with a three-hit performance. A road series win over the Huskies would keep the Sun Devils solidly in the hunt for a national seed.
Oklahoma
After the Bears took the series opener on Thursday, the Sooners needed a win on Friday to keep their NCAA Regional hosting hopes alive. Well, the Sooners got exactly what they needed in a thrilling 5-4 triumph over the Bears. OU starting pitcher Burch Smith allowed three runs on six hits in 5 1/3 innings, while relievers Bobby Shore and Ryan Duke were solid. Offensively, OU third baseman Garrett Buechele had a huge night, going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs. The series finale between the two teams should be a dandy.
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