3/24/2011 12:34:29 AM
It was another busy day on the diamond for several college baseball teams around the country, and here's an inside look at some of the highlights and lowlights from the day's action.
* Florida starting pitcher Alex Panteliodis allowed just three hits in six shutout innings as the Gators improved to 20-2 with a 10-0 victory over Winthrop. The Gators swept the two-game series from the Eagles by a combined score of 32-5. They carry a wealth of momentum into this weekend's home series against South Carolina.
* Speaking of impressive pitching, Virginia didn't allow a run in two midweek games against Towson. Cavaliers starting pitcher Whit Mayberry struck out four and allowed just four hits in five innings in his team's 5-0 win over the Tigers. Keith Werman, John Hicks and Ryan Levine led the way at the plate with two hits a piece. The Cavaliers improved to 21-2 with the victory.
* After dropping a tough contest to Cal State Fullerton on Tuesday, Arizona State returned the favor on Wednesday with an impressive 10-1 victory. ASU starting pitcher Alex Blackford struck out five and allowed just a run on three hits in six innings, while the offense did the rest with Zach Wilson hitting a home run, Riccio Torrez collecting three hits and Johnny Ruettiger, Joey DeMichele, Matt Newman, Deven Marrero and Andrew Aplin each collecting two hits. Next up for the Devils is a huge three-game set with rival Arizona.
* Stetson hit the road on Wednesday aiming for a huge midweek win that could bolster its postseason resume. It accomplished that goal with a 6-4 triumph over Florida State. Hatters starting pitcher Will Dorsey struck out seven and allowed just two runs on five hits in five innings, while reliever Robbie Powell did a fantastic job out of the bullpen with allowing just a run on five hits in 3 2/3 innings. The Hatters recorded a victory that will help them moving forward.
* Clemson is starting to get hot again at exactly the right time. The Tigers defeated Elon on Tuesday before sweeping the two-game midweek set from the Phoenix with a 9-2 victory on Wednesday. Tigers starting pitcher Will Lamb allowed two runs in four innings, while relievers David Haselden, Jon Surber and Joseph Moorefield did solid jobs out of the bullpen. Offensively, leadoff hitter Dominic Attanasio had a performance to remember, going 3-for-4 with a home run, three runs scored and two RBIs. The Tigers are getting some solid contributions from new guys with John Hinson and Brad Miller out of the lineup.
* UC Irvine hit the road hoping to earn a solid victory while UNLV hoped to protect its home field with a solid win. Well, in the end, the Rebels were happy with a 4-3 triumph over the Anteaters. UNLV starting pitcher Buddy Borden was lifted after 3 2/3 innings, while relievers Max Javate and Brady Zuniga did fantastic jobs out of the bullpen. Javate allowed just two hits in 2 1/3 shutout innings while Zuniga struck out three in three perfect innings.
* Even with some injury issues, Rice suddenly is playing a solid brand of baseball. The Owls recorded a 7-2 victory over crosstown rival Houston on Wednesday. The Rice pitching staff did a solid job with Taylor Wall, Tyler Spurling, J.T. Chargois and Tony Cingrani leading the charge. Meanwhile, the biggest story of the night was Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon, the nation's top prospect, returning to the field at third base. He recorded one hit, a double, in the contest, while Keenan Cook, Chargois and Michael Ratterree each had three hits.
* In other interesting results, Central Arkansas cruised past struggling Missouri 9-3, Southern Miss crushed South Alabama 15-3, Alabama defeated Jacksonville State 9-5, Oregon won its seventh-straight with a 6-1 win over San Francisco, Holy Cross defeated Boston College 3-2 and South Carolina blasted Rhode Island 17-8.