3/2/2011 12:49:36 PM
We have an exciting weekend of college baseball coming up, but there have been some solid midweek bouts so far this week with several teams making statements.
Here are a few results that stood out on Tuesday:
* Florida State handed Florida its first loss of the season with starting pitcher Scott Sitz leading the way in a 5-3 victory. Sitz allowed just a run on four hits in five innings. UF starter Tommy Toledo, meanwhile, was lifted from the game after allowing three runs in just 2 1/3 innings of work. FSU hadn't been tested in a big way so far this season and passed its first big test in impressive fashion. That's an impressive win for the Seminoles, and a tough loss for the Gators.
* Though William & Mary isn't a great opponent we continue to be extremely impressed with the dominance Virginia is showing. The Cavaliers beat the Tribe 9-0 behind a stellar pitching performance by Kyle Crockett, where he allowed two hits in four shutout innings.
* TCU needs to get back on track this weekend against Texas Tech. The Horned Frogs got tripped up again on Tuesday, dropping a 4-3 decision to Dallas Baptist. The Frogs' pitching once again was solid, but getting slugger Jason Coats in a groove is imperative. Coats had an 0-for-4 performance against the Patriots, and now is hitting .125. Coats will get going at some point, it's just a matter of when.
* LSU recorded a very solid 7-3 win over Southeastern Louisiana. LSU starting pitcher Tyler Jones allowed just two runs on five hits in 6 1/3 innings, while relievers Ryan Eades and Matty Ott were solid. The Tigers are playing a great brand of baseball right now. But most impressive about their hot start is the fact the pitching staff, which was expected to be in rebuilding mode, is leading the way. Great coaching job going on in Baton Rouge, La., right now.
* In terms of upsets, there were a few of them on Tuesday. McNeese State tripped up Arkansas 8-6, South Florida defeated Miami 4-2, Cal Poly took care of Fresno State 11-4 and Portland made Oregon's offensive woes continue in a 5-3 victory.
* Arizona surprised some when it announced it would start usual weekend starters Kurt Heyer and Kyle Simon during the midweek. But if Heyer's innings logged Tuesday is any indication of how Simon will be used Wednesday, their starters are nothing more than a glorified bullpen session. Arizona defeated Rice 10-8 in Game 1 of the series, and Heyer struck out four in 2 2/3 innings. Grabbing two wins over Rice would be a boost and step forward for the Wildcats.
* Other interesting results include Cal State Fullerton defeating red-hot Loyola Marymount 5-1, UC Riverside beating San Diego 11-8 in a surprisingly offensive contest and Texas Tech defeating UNLV 9-4 in the first of two games. That win over the Rebels for the Red Raiders is impressive, as both teams are off to tremendous starts this season. Both teams have solid coaches and confidence, so it'll be interesting to watch both teams as the season progresses.