4/13/2011 12:42:20 AM
Another important weekend of college baseball action is on the horizon and it's always important keep track of the interesting happenings when it comes to intriguing midweek action.
Here are a few things that stood out on Tuesday:
* What Vanderbilt continues to do as a pitching staff is unbelievable. The Commodores pitched another shutout on Tuesday, defeating in-state rival Middle Tennessee State 1-0. Commodores starting pitcher T.J. Pecoraro struck out four in five shutout innings, while five other relievers combined to seal the deal. The performances on the mound for the 'Dores wasted a solid collection of performances by Blue Raiders pitchers.
* Speaking of Vanderbilt, its weekend opponent, South Carolina, had a tough go at it on Tuesday in a 2-0 loss to The Citadel. The Gamecocks loaded the bases in the ninth inning but were unable to score a run. The Citadel starting pitcher Logan Cribb put together a great start, allowing no runs in eight innings. Offensively for the Gamecocks, Brady Thomas was the lone bright spot with a perfect 4-for-4 night. Now the Gamecocks must rebound from the loss when they host Vandy this weekend.
* Florida State's mastery of rival Florida isn't going to stop this season. The Seminoles used a great start from Hunter Scantling to silence the Gators on the way to a 3-1 victory. Scantling struck out seven and allowed no runs on just three hits in seven innings. Offensively, FSU first baseman Jayce Boyd led the Seminoles with a pair of hits. FSU improved to 3-1 against the Gators this weekend.
* North Carolina continued its successful ways on Tuesday with a 5-3 triumph over in-state rival East Carolina. UNC starting pitcher Bryan Gaines allowed three runs in four innings, while Michael Morin closed the game with 2 1/3 shutout innings. The Pirates were hampered by five crucial errors in the game, while the Tar Heels were led at the plate by shortstop Levi Michael, who finished the contest with three hits. While ECU is reeling, UNC couldn't be feeling better about its situation.
* Rice moved freshman right-handed pitcher John Simms back to the starter role against Texas A&M on Tuesday, and it's safe to say the move paid off as the Owls defeated the Aggies 2-0. Simms struck out 11 and allowed just three hits in 7 2/3 innings. Rice reliever Tony Cingrani, who has added velocity this spring, finished the contest with 1 1/3 shutout innings. The win was huge for the Owls, and wasted a solid pitching performance by A&M starter Brandon Parrent, who allowed no earned runs in six innings. Rice is 2-0 against A&M this season.
* Oklahoma suffered a tough series loss to Kansas State last weekend, but responded in style on Tuesday with an impressive 13-6 win over TCU. The Sooners touched TCU starting pitcher Erik Miller for five runs on four hits in 2 2/3 innings. Evan Mistich and Cam Seitzer each had two hits in the game, while Tyler Ogle hit a home run, scored two runs and knocked in two runs. It'll be interesting to see if the Sooners can build off the win over the Horned Frogs. They have a huge series comping up this weekend against chief rival Oklahoma State.
* Georgia Tech suffered a tough series loss to Virginia at home last weekend, but responded in a big way on Tuesday with another win over in-state rival Georgia. Yellow Jackets freshman right-handed pitcher Matt Grimes said he felt the best he ever has this season, as he struck out 10 and allowed just two runs on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings. Tech freshman slugger had another productive night at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a home run (his seventh) and two RBIs. Nice job of responding from the weekend by the Jackets.
* After losing a midweek game to Mississippi State last week and dropping a tough series to Memphis, the Golden Eagles needed to show Tuesday they could respond from a tough week against in-state rival Mississippi. The Eagles did just that, beating the scuffling Rebels 8-6 in 12 innings. USM reliever Collin Cargill finished the contest with 3 2/3 solid innings of relief work, while the Eagles were led at the plate by first baseman Adam Doleac, who went 4-for-6 with three RBIs.
* Nebraska has some work to do to get back in the NCAA postseason picture, but it at least took a small step forward on Tuesday with a 5-4 triumph over Wichita State. NU starting pitcher Tyler Niederklein allowed just three runs on seven hits in six innings, while reliever Dylan Vogt also threw at a high level. NU was led at the plate by Kale Kiser and Kash Kalkowski, who each finished the contest with two hits and two RBIs. The Huskers need to establish some consistency in Big 12 play.
* Washington State has been a disappointment so far this season, but it earned a nice midweek win over Gonzaga to the tune of 3-1. Cougars starting pitcher Kellen Camus allowed just a run on four hits in five innings, while J.D. Leckenby and Paris Shewey also threw at a high level. First baseman Taylor Ard led the way with two hits in the game. Perhaps this will get the .500 Cougars going.
* UPSET ALERTS
-- Northwestern State defeated LSU 5-2
-- Oakland defeated Michigan State 9-7 in Game 2 of a DH
-- Florida Atlantic defeated Central Florida 3-2
-- Appalachian State defeated Tennessee 6-5
-- Jacksonville State defeated Troy 7-6