Regional roundup: Sunday edition

REGIONALS: Atlanta | Austin | Chapel Hill | Charlottesville | Clemson | College Station | Columbia | Corvallis | Fort Worth | Fullerton | Gainesville | Houston | Los Angeles | Nashville | Tallahassee | Tempe

The skinny: On the brink of elimination, Georgia Tech starting pitcher Buck Farmer struck out nine batters and allowed just two runs (one earned) on five hits in a complete game performance in a dominant 12-2 win over Austin Peay ... Mississippi State starting pitcher Nick Routt struck out six and allowed just three runs (two earned) on six hits in a complete game performance as the Bulldogs captured a 7-3 win over Georgia Tech to advance to the Gainesville Super Regional next weekend.

Player of the day: P Nick Routt, Mississippi State -- The Bulldogs hadn't pitched at an extremely high level the past few weeks, but Routt and other arms rose to the occasion this weekend. Routt's complete game performance against Georgia Tech set the tone in the game and finished off the weekend in special fashion. Much love also should be given to State leadoff hitter C.T. Bradford, who went 3-for-5 with a run scored and four RBIs.

What we learned: No matter what happens next weekend against Florida, the Bulldogs took a huge step forward this season. They reached the NCAA postseason and took care of business in an NCAA Regional on the road. While State took a huge step forward this season, Georgia Tech's young team had promise but resorted to playing like a young team in the Atlanta Regional. It's yet another postseason failure for the Jackets, but this team really overachieved for much of the season.

The skinny: With its season on the line against in-state foe Texas State, Texas sent right-hander Cole Green to the mound. He struck out eight and allowed just two runs on four hits in eight innings as the Longhorns captured a hard-fought 4-3 triumph over the Bobcats ... Texas reliever Nathan Thornhill struck out seven batters and allowed just a run on three hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Longhorns forced a second title game at the Austin Regional with a solid 9-3 triumph over previously perfect Kent State.

Player of the day: P Nathan Thornhill, Texas -- The Longhorns used No. 2 starting pitcher Cole Green Sunday morning against Texas State, and had hoped to get a solid start from Hoby Milner. Milner, though, was lifted after 2 2/3 innings after allowing two runs on five hits. Thornhill, though, came in, struck out seven batters, and allowed the Longhorns to seize control.

What we learned: We learned yet more about the Longhorns' mental makeup. They suffered a tough loss to Kent State on Saturday, but set the tone early on Sunday with some key hits and never looked back on the way to the easy win. Interestingly, usually flawless Kent State starting pitcher David Starn allowed six runs on seven hits in six innings.

The skinny: Fighting to stay alive in the postseason, James Madison starting pitcher Evan Scott struck out four and allowed just two runs on four hits in 7 1/3 innings as the Dukes defeated Maine 5-2 ... North Carolina used seven pitchers to take a 9-3 win over James Madison and the Chapel Hill Regional title. But the biggest story were the offensive performances from Chaz Frank, Tommy Coyle and Brian Holberton.

Player of the day: OF Chaz Frank, North Carolina -- The Tar Heels had an ultra productive day at the plate and Frank led the charge by going 2-for-5 with three RBIs. It's also worth noting Tommy Coyle and Brian Holberton each recorded three hits and knocked in two runs.

The skinny: East Carolina third baseman Corey Thompson went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, while reliever Brad Mincey allowed just a run on five innings in a 6-4 win over St. John's in an elimination game ... Virginia starting pitcher Tyler Wilson struck out seven and allowed just a run on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings as the Cavaliers advanced to an NCAA Super Regional with a 13-1 triumph over East Carolina.

Player of the day: SS Chris Taylor, Virginia -- The Cavaliers had a very productive day at the plate and Taylor led the charge. He went 3-for-6 with two runs scored and four RBIs to lead the way, while third baseman Steven Proscia went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBIs.

The skinny: Connecticut first baseman Mike Nemeth went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and LJ Mazzilli and John Andreoli each had had three hits as the Huskies stayed alive early Sunday with a 12-6 triumph over Coastal Carolina ... After beating Coastal Carolina earlier in the day to stay alive in the Clemson Regional, the Huskies forced a second title game by earning a thrilling 7-6 win over Clemson in the nightcap with catcher Doug Elliot leading the way.

Player of the day: C Doug Elliot, Connecticut -- The Huskies took care of business against Clemson in the nightcap and Elliot was the headliner. He went 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and three RBIs. It's also worth noting shortstop Nick Ahmed went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI.

The skinny: Arizona started the weekend off on a sour note on Friday, but has since looked solid. Wildcats starting pitcher Konner Wade struck out two and allowed just three hits in seven shutout innings in a 6-0 win over Seton Hall. It's also worth noting solid prospect and reliever Bryce Bandilla tossed two shutout frames to end the contest ... After taking care of business against Seton Hall earlier in the day, Arizona reliever Nick Cunningham rose to the occasion in the nightcap against Texas A&M, as the Wildcats captured a 7-4 victory to force a second NCAA Regional title game.

Player of the day: P Nick Cunningham, Arizona -- The Wildcats were in a predicament after starting pitcher Tyler Hale left the game after getting hit in the arm by a line drive. Cunningham, though, rose to the occasion in impressive fashion. He struck out four batters and allowed just two hits in 5 1/3 shutout innings. He allowed the Wildcats to take total control.

The skinny: Stetson was on the brink of elimination entering Sunday, but responded in solid fashion early in the day with a 5-3 win over N.C. State. Hatters starting pitcher Robbie Powell allowed two runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings, while relievers Tucker Donahue and Jake Boyd threw at a high level ... South Carolina was leading Stetson 4-1 in the top of the fifth inning before storms rolled in and forced the action to halt for the night. The Gamecocks had bases loaded when action was halted, so it'll be interesting to see how things unfold when play resumes Monday.

Player of the day: P Tucker Donahue, Stetson -- Stetson starting pitcher Robbie Powell allowed just two runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings, but reliever Tucker Donahue was the player of the day. He struck out three batters and allowed just a run on four hits in 3 2/3 innings in the winning cause over N.C. State.

The skinny: Georgia starting pitcher Ben Cornwell struck out four and allowed just two runs on five hits in five innings as the Bulldogs defeated Creighton 5-4 to stay alive. Kyle Farmer also had a huge game, hitting a home run and finished the afternoon with two hits and two RBIs ... Two and three-hole hitters Brian Stamps and Kavin Keyes each had two hits and an RBI as Oregon State advanced to an NCAA Super Regional with a thrilling 6-4 win over Georgia. Andrew Susac and Carter Bell also had hits in the game.

Player of the day: OF Brian Stamps, Oregon State -- With Blake Dieterich recently throwing well for Georgia, the Beavers knew offensive production might be limited on Sunday. Stamps, though, rose to the occasion by going 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and an RBI. He was there when the Beavers needed him most.

The skinny: TCU veteran starting pitcher Kyle Winkler left the game in the first inning with an injury and the Horned Frogs were never able to mentally recover in a 8-4 loss to Oral Roberts. ORU used six pitchers to get past the Horned Frogs ... Oral Roberts left-handed pitcher Mark Guest struck out two batters and allowed just two runs on five hits in a complete game performance as the Golden Eagles defeated Dallas Baptist 7-2 to force another title game. It's also worth noting outfielder Brandon King went 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and three RBIs.

Player of the day: P Mark Guest, Oral Roberts -- After losing to TCU on Friday, the Golden Eagles were forced to fight through the loser's bracket. Well, they've done that the past two days, and Guest did them a favor by throwing a complete game and saving pitching for the second title game. It's important to note he forced an 0-for-4 performance from DBU stud Jason Krizan.

The skinny: Illinois starting pitcher Corey Kimes put together a solid start and reliever Chris Pack also was solid as the Fighting Illini eliminated Cal State Fullerton from the postseason with a 7-5 triumph ... In the nightcap, Illinois' potential run with destiny came to an end as Stanford starting pitcher Danny Sandbrink was solid and its offense exploded en route to an impressive 14-2 victory. Stanford advanced to another NCAA Super Regional with the triumph.

Player of the day: DH Ben Clowe, Stanford -- The Cardinal needed some solid offensive performances on Sunday and got what they needed and more from Clowe. Clowe had a huge day at the plate, collecting four hits, two of them home runs, and knocking in four runs. He also scored three runs on the night.

The skinny: Miami starting pitcher Bryan Radziewski struck out seven batters and allowed just three runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Hurricanes eliminated Jacksonville from the postseason with a 6-3 triumph ... In the nightcap, Florida starting pitcher Alex Panteliodis allowed a run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings, while the Gators offense took care of business in an 11-4 triumph to advance to an NCAA Super Regional. Preston Tucker, Vickash Ramjit and Bryson Smith led the way at the plate.

Player of the day: OF Preston Tucker -- The Gators lost offensive cog Austin Maddox for much of the weekend, but Tucker and others more than made up for his departure. Tucker had another huge night, going 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and five RBIs. The Gators couldn't have asked for much more than they got from Tucker this weekend.

The skinny: California did just enough offensively and relievers Logan Scott and Matt Flemer threw at a high level as the Golden Bears captured a 6-3 win over Rice to stay alive in the postseason. Cal first baseman Devon Rodriguez finished the contest with a pair of hits ... Cal outfielder Chad Bunting had a huge day at the plate, but starting pitcher Kyle Porter set the tone with a brilliant outing. He struck out nine and allowed just three hits in 6 2/3 innings. as they forced a second title game with an 8-0 triumph over Baylor.

Player of the day: OF Chad Bunting, California -- The hard-hitting outfielder couldn't have had a better day. He went a perfect 3-for-3 with a pair of home runs, two runs scored and four RBIs.

The skinny: UCLA freshman starting pitcher Adam Plutko struck out six and allowed just a hit in 7 2/3 shutout innings as the Bruins earned a 4-1 win over San Francisco to stay alive in the Los Angeles Regional ... UC Irvine starting pitcher Andrew Thurman threw 5 1/3 respectable innings and the bullpen did a solid job as the Anteaters scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to beat UCLA 4-3 and to advance to an NCAA Super Regional. The win was payback for the Bruins knocking the Anteaters out of the Los Angeles Regional last season.

Player of the day: C Ronnie Shaeffer, UC Irvine -- The Anteaters didn't muster a lot of offense against UCLA, but got just enough with Shaeffer leading the charge. He went 2-for-3 with a run scored and two RBIs. It's also worth noting second baseman Tommy Reyes finished the contest with a pair of hits.

The skinny: Belmont talented two-way player Nate Woods allowed just a run on four hits in five innings on the mound and had a hit at the plate as the Bruins advanced to the Nashville Regional title game with a 5-2 triumph over Troy ... Vanderbilt starting pitcher Taylor Hill put together yet another solid start and third baseman Jason Esposito had a huge day at the plate as the Commodores advanced to another NCAA Super Regional with a 6-1 triumph over Belmont.

Player of the day: P Taylor Hill, Vanderbilt -- The Commodores had plenty of offensive production on Sunday, but Hill certainly set the stage. He struck out 13 and allowed just a run on five hits in eight innings. The win was Hill's fifth of the season.

The skinny: Alabama starting pitcher Jonathan Smart allowed two runs on four hits in eight innings as the Crimson Tide stayed alive in the Tallahassee Regional with a 12-5 triumph over UCF ... Florida State was beating Alabama 8-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning before inclement weather caused the contest to be postponed until Monday. FSU starting pitcher Mike McGee put together an impressive start against the Crimson Tide.

Player of the day: OF Taylor Dugas, Alabama -- There are few players in college baseball more fun to watch than the gritty Alabama outfielder. Dugas was fantastic against UCF going 2-for-4 with a home run, two runs scored and three RBIs.

The skinny: Arkansas freshman pitcher Ryne Stanek put together his second-straight solid start as the Hogs took care of business in an elimination game with an 11-3 win over Charlotte. Stanek struck out six and allowed just three runs on six hits in a complete game performance ... Arizona State designated hitter Joey DiMichele capped off the Tempe Regional in style as the Sun Devils blitzed Arkansas 13-4 to advance to the Super Regional round.

Player of the day: DH Joey DiMichele, Arizona State -- With what he did the entire weekend, it's hard not to go with DiMichele in this category. The hard-hitting sophomore had another solid night, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a run scored and four RBIs.