By John Manuel
April 8, 2002

Conference USA is still trying to get its props as a power conference. It hasn't happened yet, and it may never happen in Division I-A football, where the big money is. And in men's basketball, the league got three NCAA tournament bids and saw Memphis win the NIT, but league champion Cincinnati was the first top seed to be eliminated, and both Charlotte and Marquette made first-round exits.

C-USA has started to make a solid reputation in baseball, though. It's generally considered one of the nation's top six or seven leagues, and often the first conference mentioned after the Big Four--ACC, Big 12, Pac-10 and SEC. The conference sent its first team to Omaha last season in Tulane, and has had the Green Wave and Houston (2000) play host to regionals.

The league gets respect from all sides, whether you're talking polls or regional bids. In 1998, Houston didn't get a bid at 34-25, 21-6 in the league. Since then, the Cougars have improved their non-league schedule, and the league's RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) has improved as a whole. Last year, C-USA was strong enough to get a pair of regional bids for borderline teams (30-29 Houston and 31-28 South Florida).

The 2002 conference race looks different this year, though. First, of course, new teams have entered the league in East Carolina and Texas Christian. The Pirates bring three consecutive No. 1 regional seeds with them. Second, no dominant team has emerged, as was the case with Tulane last year and Houston in 2000.

"It's a tough league," Houston assistant coach Todd Whitting said Friday, prior to the Cougars' opener at East Carolina. "Southern Mississippi is good, TCU's solid, Louisville and South Florida are better . . . It's going to take a good team to win this league."

So far, Southern Mississippi has the advantage at 9-3 in conference play, one game ahead of Louisville, Houston and TCU. South Florida checks in at 7-5, with East Carolina next at 6-5-1. The Pirates are still trying to bounce back from a home sweep at the hands of the Horned Frogs, but went a long way toward that recovery by beating the Cougars twice this weekend.

ECU's resilience will constantly be tested as coach Keith LeClair's health continues to deteriorate, but the team has drawn together and responded to his illness the only way it can--by playing hard.

"We're not always pretty, but we hustle," assistant coach Kevin McMullen said after the Pirates' 5-4 win Friday. "We can be a good team if we catch the ball and get timely hits. We've pitched well. I think we'll be all right."

Tulane coach Rick Jones, who took the first C-USA team to Omaha last year, wants to say the same thing for his club. The Green Wave will make history this Wednesday when it plays LSU in the Louisiana Superdome. The game already has presold more than 22,000 tickets and is certain to break the NCAA baseball attendance record (21,043 set March 4, 1996 by Texas and TCU), but neither team will be ranked when it happens.

"The year before I came here, we had sold fewer than 100 season tickets--now we're up over 2,000," said Jones, who arrived in New Orleans prior to the 1994 season. "But we're struggling. (Former LSU coach) Skip Bertman always talked about the responsibility of being good. We have learned that kind of the hard way.

"It's different having gone to Omaha. We get everybody's 'A' game."

What's more, the Green Wave has yet to bring its best, with sophomore lefthander/outfielder Michael Aubrey battling mediocrity, sophomore shortstop Anthony Giarratano sidelined by a knee injury (he returned to DH duty this weekend) and senior lefty Beau Richardson unable to find the strike zone.

"I think we'll be OK because our kids have a superb work ethic," Jones said. "We thought we'd pitch better, and we thought Aubrey and (outfielder) Jon Kaplan would have better years. We're sitting here at 18-16 (5-7 in the league) and we hope we can put on a run and make it to regionals."

C-USA fans hope the same thing, because TCU (just 17-17 overall) would probably have to win the league to get a regional bid. No team other than perhaps Houston, with its stout non-conference schedule and deep talent, is a mortal lock for a regional bid in C-USA.

1. CLEMSON
This Week: 4-1. Overall: 27-2, 5-1 ACC (2-0).
New Rank: 1.
NOTES: Well, the Tigers won't go 40-1 like Texas A&M in '89, but they still lead the Atlantic Coast Conference despite their first league defeat. Now the tough part begins, with back-to-back road series (at North Carolina, then at Duke) after spending almost the entire first 30 games of the year at home. Credit NCSU lefty Mike Prochaska (a redshirt sophomore) with a masterful CG SHO performance on SAT, 4-hitter vs. a predominantly RH-hitting lineup, just the second CG SHO at Clemson vs. a Jack Leggett coached team, he K'd 6, 4 BBs. Clemson won the rubber game after trailing 2-1 in the 6th behind HRs by Jeff Baker, Jarrod Schmidt and 6.1 IP by Jr. RHP B.J. LaMura, who has moved into the weekend rotation and is 3-0, 6 Ks.
RESULTS:
April 2: East Tennessee State: W, 7-1
April 3: Winthrop: W, 6-4
April 5-7: North Carolina State: W, 6-4; L, 0-3; W, 10-2

2. STANFORD
This Week: 3-0. Overall: 22-6, 2-0 Pac-10 (6-3).
New Rank: 2.
NOTES: Wild weekend vs. Wildcats for Cardinal. Sunday's game suspended after 8 IP w/Stanford trailing 15-13; game will be resumed Monday, April 15 after Wildcats finish next weekend's series at California. Game was suspended due to Stanford's travel plans. Cardinal will have to rally for sweep after taking two very different games to start series. FRI, game was 2nd-longest in Arizona history, RHP Ryan McCally worked 8 IP in relief of Jeremy Guthrie, who went 10. Stanford scored single runs in 12th and 15th innings; Arizona answered each time. Fr. Chris Carter scored winning run on 2B, wild pitch, two groundouts (that didn't score him) and a passed ball. SAT, soph. CF Sam Fuld missed the cycle by a single, 6 RBIs; Sr. 2B Chris O'Riordan w/2 HRs, SS Tobin Swope w/5 hits.
RESULTS:
April 2: San Francisco: W, 4-1
April 5-7: @ Arizona: W, 5-4 (18); W, 19-1

3. RICE
This Week: 2-2. Overall: 28-7, 11-1 WAC (5-1).
New Rank: 3.
NOTES: Owls denied a sweep for the first time in four WAC series at San Jose State, a solid veteran club that got a great pitching performance SUN from Fr. RHP Matt Durkin, who fanned 10, walked one in 9-hit CG win. That effort, plus the Houston shutout (three pitchers combined), more impressive knowing Rice is still hitting .332 as a team, and that SUN loss was first w/out at least 10 hits. FRI, Sr. RHP Steven Herce lowered his ERA for career to 2.61, sixth-lowest in school history. More good news: Sr. CF A.J. Porfirio, hit on right wrist w/pitch FRI and sore SAT, doesn't have a fracture. Fr. Paul Janish moves into starting SS job, had hits in ever game, 5-for-11 vs. SJSU. Another Fr., RHP Philip Humber, goes for CG on SAT, 4-hitter, 11 Ks, 4 BB, he's 6-1, 2.44 w/77 Ks in 59 IP.
RESULTS:
April 2: @ Houston (5): L, 0-1
April 5-7: @ San Jose State: W, 8-4; W, 8-2; L, 1-2

4. SOUTH CAROLINA
This Week: 1-2. Overall: 24-8, 6-5 SEC (7-5).
New Rank: 8.
NOTES: Gamecocks have their worst week of the year, dropping a pair at Arkansas and having SUN game washed out by rain for a key SEC series loss. Gamecocks are 1.5 games back of Georgia (17-10 but 8-4 in SEC) in East division. Those teams meet in the season's final weekend. Gamecocks lost a toughie on SAT, when Sr. 1B Yaron Peters tied the game in 9th w/2-run HR. S.C. took 1st lead in 14th on HR by Trey Dyson, but Arkansas tied it; S.C. took two-run lead in top of 15th on Peters' two-run single, but 'Cocks hit into DP to end threat, then gave up 3 in bottom half on walk-off HR by previously homerless Jeff Fletcher.
RESULTS:
April 3: Wofford: W, 11-0
April 5-6: @ Arkansas: L, 4-7; L, 7-8 (15)

5. HOUSTON
This Week: 2-2. Overall: 23-10, 8-4 C-USA (8-5).
New Rank: 7.
NOTES: Another tough weekend in the convoluted Conference USA, which Southern Miss leads at 9-3, with Houston, Louisville and TCU next at 8-4, followed by South Florida (7-5) and ECU (6-5-1). The Cougars get a combined shutout vs. Rice to win their first of the four-game set this year; drop Friday game after blowing leads of 3-0 and 4-3. SAT Houston made six errors, starter Keith Whatley walked three in 0.1 IP before getting the hook. Cougars win the finale behind 4-for-4 effort by soph. 1B Thanos Papavasiliou (6-for-8 on weekend) and nice work by relievers Danny Zell and Jesse Crain, who worked combined 5.2 shutout IP. Crain gets 2.2 scoreless, hitless IP, 23.2 consecutive scoreless innings.
RESULTS:
April 2: Rice (3): W, 1-0
April 5-7: @ East Carolina: L, 4-5; L, 4-11; W, 7-3

6. FLORIDA
This Week: 0-4. Overall: 24-10, 6-6 SEC (8-8 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 11.
NOTES: Not much more to say than an 0-4 mark, though of course Alabama has been playing exceptionally well at home. Florida has lost six straight series to the Tide dating back to 1995.Loss to the Dolphins was Florida's first midweek loss of the season. Redshirt Jr. Alex Hart takes his first defeat, still went 7.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 6 Ks. Just the third pitcher in Gators history to win eight straight decisions.
RESULTS:
April 3: @ Jacksonville: L, 2-7
April 5-7: @ Alabama: L, 1-4; L, 2-7; L, 5-6

7. WAKE FOREST
This Week: 3-1. Overall: 25-6, 8-3 ACC (7-3).
New Rank: 5.
NOTES: Six-run eighth-inning rally on SUN gives Demon Deacons the series win, their eighth straight in ACC play dating back to March 2001. Sweet redemption for Fr. SS Ben Ingold, who has three Carolina alums in the family and wanted to play for the Tar Heels but ended up at Wake; his two-run single off Chris Maples capped the big inning and the series victory. Soph. RHP Kyle Sleeth got the win on FRI, 7.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, he's 6-0, 3.58 overall; soph. 3B Jamie D'Antona w/2 HRs, 5 RBIs on FRI, also homered on SUN. Sr. closer David Bush got win and save on the weekend, he's 4-1, 2.10 w/7 saves. Demon Deacons achieve highest ranking ever.
RESULTS:
April 2: @ UNC Greensboro: W, 6-3
April 5-7: North Carolina (21): W, 8-2; L, 8-11; W, 7-6

8. WICHITA STATE
This Week: 4-1. Overall: 20-7, 9-3 MVC (2-3).
New Rank: 9.
NOTES: A couple of things on the plate: first, look at all those road games. Second, look at that shutout. Sr. Greg Wear did it for ISU, Tommy John alum who also beat Ole Miss earlier this season. Jr. RHP Adam Peterson goes 6 IP, 0 BB, 5 H, 1 R and 5 Ks in the loss. Jr. RHP John Tetuan has settled into the FRI role, goes 8 IP, 7 Ks, 2 BB and moves to 3-0, 2.60. Jr. 2B Brian Burgamy goes 8-for-19 on the week, 3 RBIs, and OF Randy Walter bashed two HRs, two 2Bs, had 5 RBIs. Shockers 2nd to SMS (9-3 vs. 7-1) in MVC.
RESULTS:
April 3: @ Kansas State: W, 9-5
April 5-7: @ Indiana State: W,10-2; L, 0-1; W, 6-1; W, 14-0

9. GEORGIA TECH
This Week: 5-0. Overall: 27-4, 6-2 ACC (0-3 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 6.
NOTES: The Yellow Jackets' record gets gaudier as their winning streak reaches nine games and 13 of 14. The sweep of cellar-dwelling Duke puts Tech in a second-place tie in the ACC with 9-3 North Carolina behind 5-1 Clemson, with Wake Forest at 8-3 percentage points in back. Senior shortstop Victor Menocal sets a new Tech record, extends hitting streak to 29 games through the weekend. Soph. LHP Kyle Bakker and RHP Brian Burks now joined on weekends by Fr. RHP Kyle Schmidt, who won a pair of games last week, once impressively (8 IP, 10 Ks vs. Ga. Southern), once not (5 IP, 10 H, 5 ER vs. Duke), but he's 3-0, 2.36. Jackets now stand 19-0 at home.
RESULTS:
April 2-3: Georgia Southern: W, 4-3 (10); W, 9-1
April 5-7: Duke: W, 4-2; W, 8-7 (10); W, 15-7

10. FLORIDA STATE
This Week: 2-1. Overall: 30-11, 3-6 ACC (7-4).
New Rank: 10.
NOTES: Seminoles win the series on a three-run redemption HR by Fr. SS Stephen Drew, whose error had led to Miami taking a 7-6 lead in the top of the 13th. FSU wins despite its hitters striking out 16 times Drew hit his fourth homer in just his 12th game of the season. Awesome crowds at Dick Howser Stadium despite Miami's down season--more than 13,500 for the three games. FSU also won with the long ball on FRI, five homers including one by Drew and two by Sr. Richie Smith. Smith also homered SUN. 'Noles rallied for run in bottom of 9th to send it into extra frames, but didn't score again despite having bases full an none out.
RESULTS:
April 5-7: Miami: W, 13-3; L, 2-5; W, 9-7 (13)

11. ALABAMA
This Week: 5-0. Overall: 28-5, 9-3 SEC (5-2).
New Rank: 4.
NOTES: The Tide goes back home and thrives again, sweeping Florida to take sole possession of first place in the SEC overall. Alabama, 22-0 at home this season and winner of 26 straight at Sewell-Thomas Stadium, leads Georgia (East) and Ole Miss (West) by 1 game apiece; no other SEC team is better than 6-5 in the league. Sr. RHP Lance Cormier became the program's all-time wins leader w/3rd CG, and doubters of Alabama's pitching should note this weekend, giving up just eight runs in 3 Gs vs. Florida's robust offense, which was averaging 11.6 runs and 14.6 hits per game and batting .386 entering the series. Tide has won last six series from Gators.
RESULTS:
April 2: Southern Mississippi: W, 4-3
April 3: Austin Peay: W, 12-10
April 5-7: Florida: W, 4-1; W, 7-2; W, 6-5

12. NEBRASKA
This Week: 4-1. Overall: 21-10, 9-6 Big 12 (6-5 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 12.
NOTES: Important series victory for the Huskers against a ranked team, especially considering they did it despite losing the game Shane Komine pitched on FRI. They also lost Komine for at least one start, he'll sit out vs. Mizzou next week with a sore arm. Also, Jr. DH Matt Hopper injured his shoulder diving back into first base FRI and missed SAT game. Jr. C Jed Morris helped pick up the slack, had 7 extra-base hits on the week, including two 2Bs each FRI and SAT, 7-for-12 in OU series, 5 R, limited Sooners to 1-for-6 in attempted SB. Hitting .462-3-13 w/10 2Bs during current 9-game hitting streak. Win on SAT was Nebraska's first 1-run win after 8 straight such losses; 8 of Huskers' defeats this year are by 1 run, including 5 of 6 in Big 12. Series drew school record 14,156, FRI crowd of 5,623 was biggest single-game in school history.
RESULTS:
April 2-3: Wisconsin-Milwaukee: W, 10-1; W, 16-1
April 5-7: Oklahoma: L, 4-5; W, 8-7; W, 12-2

13. CAL STATE FULLERTON
This Week: 3-0. Overall: 21-10, 5-1 Big West (8-7 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 13.
NOTES: Titans breeze past Hornets, improve to 15-4 at Goodwin Field with an easy sweep. Fullerton scored nine first-inning runs this season, continuing a trend, 1st is Fullerton's best inning. They also finish well--Tians have outscored opponents 55-25 over last three innings. Jr. 3B Mike Martinez returns to productivity after long bout with sciatic nerve pain, had two hits on SUN during the blowout. Another win on FRI improved soph. RHP Wes Littleton to 6-2, 1.25; he's given up 13 unearned runs and 10 earned runs in 72 IP, so his RA is 2.86, still impressive. Titans have won 9 of 10.
RESULTS:
April 5-7: Sacramento State: W, 3-1; W, 9-3; W, 22-0

14. LONG BEACH STATE
This Week: 2-0. Overall: 20-9, 6-0 Big West (5-6).
New Rank: 14.
NOTES: Dirtbags take the weekend off from Big West play and get a nice win against UCLA before just pounding Pepperdine, which has little pitching depth. Dirtbags have won five straight since getting swept by Titans. Sr. OF/3B Nick Covarrubias goes 5-for-5 vs. pepp., leads team w/.383 average, 25 R, 13 2B, 2nd LBSU player w/two five-hit games in a career. Injured 3B Edgar Varela, RHP Bo Ashabraner working back and both are close to returning to action.
RESULTS:
April 2: UCLA: W, 4-3
April 3: Pepperdine: W, 16-1

15. MISSISSIPPI
This Week: 4-0. Overall: 25-7, 8-4 SEC (2-4 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 15.
NOTES: With back-to-back sweeps (of teams at the bottom of the SEC), first time since 1972, vault Ole Miss into second place in the crowded league, one game back of Alabama. Current 10-game winning streak is longest since 1964. Outfield carries the offense load for Rebels; Sr. OF Burney Hutchinson is the rock, joined by Jr. Drew Rogers, who had a hit in 10 straight at-bats last week, second-longest streak in SEC history. Reached base for 12 straight PAs. Hutchinson knocked in two runs late SUN, including game-winner w/bases-loaded HBP, capping rally from 9-1 deficit. Ole Miss got three in the 8th and 5 in the 9th, capped by three-run HR by Sr. SS Chad Sterbens. SAT crowd largest in ballpark's 13-year history, 6,727.
RESULTS:
April 3: Mississippi State (@ Jackson): W, 8-4
April 5-7: Vanderbilt: W, 9-0; W, 6-1; W, 10-9

16. TEXAS
This Week: 3-1. Overall: 28-9, 7-5 Big 12 (2-4 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 16.
NOTES: The Big 12 standings are convoluted; Neb. Leads at 9-5, followed by Okla. State (7-4), Baylor (10-7) and then a three-team tie at 7-5 with Texas, A&M and OU. Kansas, just 2-10 overall now, gave the Longhorns all they could handle. Soph. LHP Justin Simmons continues to dominate with soft stuff, moving to 9-0 w/6.2 IP, but shutout string ended at 23.2 IP. Merle Jesen takes his stab at the closer role, finished up for Simmons. Soph. 3B Omar Quintanilla extends hitting streak to 15 games, went 10-for-17 on the week w/5 RBIs.
RESULTS:
April 2: UT San Antonio: W, 11-1
April 5-6: Kansas: L, 3-5; W, 8-3; W, 5-4 (11)

17. BAYLOR
This Week: 2-1. Overall: 22-12, 10-7 Big 12 (8-5).
New Rank: 17.
NOTES: Baylor now ensconced in third place behind Nebraska and Oklahoma State. Rained out Sunday in what would have been a crucial game for Bears, who haven't won their last three Big 12 series. They could have won both of these, blowing a 7-0 first-inning lead in the opener. Most notable week for Fr. 3B Michael Griffin, who had eight RBIs in three games, including a grand slam in 5^th vs. TCU that broke open 2-2 tie. Had two RBIs in SAT win.
RESULTS:
April 2: @ Texas Christian: W, 10-3
April 5-6: Oklahoma State: L, 10-11; W, 8-6

18. TEXAS A&M
This Week: 3-1. Overall: 26-11, 7-5 (6-4 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 18.
NOTES: Another week outside league play for the Aggies, who return to league action next weekend against Kansas State. More stellar pitching from the Aggies, who have shown excellent depth--11 pitchers have logged at least 10 IP, 6 w/20 or more IP, team has 289 Ks in 317.2 IP (8.2 per 9 IP). Despite that depth, soph. RHP Justin Moore still went 11 IP on FRI, Big 12 record, got the win in extra frames, 4 Ks, 1 BB, 9 H, efficient w/just 125 pitches. He's 3-1, 2.32, .220 opp. BA in 66 IP, just 12 BB. But Aggies are watching their arms, sending RHP Khalid Ballouli to showers after 3-hour, 26-minute rain delay.
RESULTS:
April 2: TAMU-Corpus Christi: W, 9-1
April 5-6: UT Pan American: W, 2-1; W, 6-5; L, 2-5

19. ARIZONA STATE
This Week: 2-2. Overall: 22-12, 6-3 Pac-10 (1-5 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 23.
NOTES: Wow, the Pac-10 has one elite team (Stanford) and the rest is pretty balanced. Arizona State wins the series at Washington State and Southern California, just 18-14 overall but 5-1 in the Pac-10, moves into second place in the league. Series had ugly potential for ASU before it rallied for seven runs in last two innings SAT and then went off SUN. Soph. RHP Ryan Schroyer has been a godsend out of the bullpen, has 0.61 ERA in 14.2 relief innings, 24 Ks, including 3 shutout IP on SAT for his first relief win; overall he's 2-1, 2.62, 3 of team's six SV. Soph. RF Andre Ethier keyed season-high offensive explosion SUN, had two HRs and 5 RBIs, he leads team at .381-4-36, also an HR for 1B Jeremy West, who leads in HR, RBIs at .376-11-46.
RESULTS:
April 1: @ UNLV: L, 7-11
April 5-7: @ Washington State: L, 4-7; W, 13-7; W, 22-4

20. OKLAHOMA
This Week: 1-3. Overall: 19-12, 7-5 Big 12 (6-7 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: Out of poll.
NOTES: The jumbled Big 12 Conference race has to take someone down each week, so OU tumbles from tie for first into tie for fourth just with a 1-2 series loss, on the road, against a Top 25 club. That's a tough league. OU squandered 4-1 lead FRI but rallied w/run in 9th for victory on solo HR by Jr. Luke Alexander, just his 3rd HR of season. Sooner rally on SAT got 2 in the 9th but fell a run short w/runners at corners to end the game.
RESULTS:
April 2: @ Texas-Arlington: L, 5-15
April 5-7: @ Nebraska (12): W, 5-4; L, 6-7; L, 2-12

21. NORTH CAROLINA
This Week: 3-2. Overall: 22-11, 9-3 ACC (4-2 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 21.
NOTES: Tar Heels remain in 2nd place in ACC behind Clemson, half-game up on Wake Forest, but missed a golden opportunity to take a road set vs. Top 10 team. Leading 6-1 entering the 8th, UNC can't hold the lead. Soph. LHP Daniel Moore was awesome through 7 (9 Ks), but didn't get an out in the 8th and reliever Chris Maples, whose two homers during the game were a big reason for the lead, can't put the fire out in time. Maples did get two saves on the week and homered twice, giving him 4 SV and 14 HRs. both team highs. Jr. IF Russ Adams played all three positions other than 1B and leads UNC in average (.372), SB (34), runs (47) and BB (27), not to mention hits (48) and 2B (14). Fr. RHP Garry Bakker is the team's top starter, had 21 straight shutout IP until giving up 4 in 6th on SAT, he's 4-1, 2.78.
RESULTS:
April 2: Liberty: W, 9-8 (11)
April 3: Coastal Carolina: W, 11-7
April 5-7: @ Wake Forest (7): L, 2-8; W, 11-8; L, 6-7

22. RICHMOND
This Week: 4-1. Overall: 28-3, 9-0 Atlantic-10 (0-0 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 22.
NOTES: The Spiders just continue to win and win big. Jr. 3B David Reaver extends his hitting streak to 24 games, seven shy of Sean Casey's school record, leads team w/17 SBs. Jr. LF Vito Chiaravalloti went 8-for-19 on the week, 9 RBIs, 9 R, 3 HR, he's hitting .418-12-41 overall. Jr. RHP Mike McGirr won twice and moved to 7-1, 4.34, but soph. RHP Tim Stauffer continues to be the ace, moves to 10-0, 1.20 w/CG win on SAT, 7 of 9 starts are CGs.
RESULTS:
April 1: Old Dominion: L, 4-7
April 3: @ George Mason: W, 9-5
April 6-7: @ St. Joseph's: W, 10-2; W, 11-5; W, 12-3

23. LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE
This Week: 1-1. Overall: 21-11, 4-2 Sun Belt (6-7 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: Out of poll.
NOTES: It's always hard to know what to do with a ranked team that doesn't play; if it's toward the bottom of the rankings, it often gets passed by other teams, and that's what happened to UL Lafayette. Ragin' Cajuns had the bye during conference play this week (remember, the Sun Belt lost Louisiana Tech to the WAC this year). Season-low 5 hits against Lamar, but came back w/11 hits and 12 runs to beat McNeese. Co-ace LHPs Justin Gabriel, Andy Gros combine for the win against McNeese, Gabriel struggled (8 H, 6 R in 4.2 IP) but Gros bailed the club out for the win.
RESULTS:
April 2: @ Lamar: L, 3-8
April 3: McNeese State: W, 12-9

24. FLORIDA ATLANTIC
This Week: 3-0. Overall: 29-6, 12-0 A-Sun (1-1 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 19.
NOTES: The winning streak is now 22 games as FAU wins its third conference road series out of four. FRI win was No. 500 for coach Kevin Cooney at FAU. SUN blowout came despite leaving the bases loaded in the first two innings. Derek Hutton goes 4-for-6, 3 RBIs, inside-the-park HR. Sr. OF L.J. Biernbaum continues to lead offense at .405-7-45; sophs. Chris Pillsbury (7-0, 3,18) and Travis Nesmith (5-0, 3.64) now front rotation.
RESULTS:
April 5-7: @ Belmont: W, 7-4; W, 5-1; W, 13-2

25. SAN DIEGO
This Week: 2-2. Overall: 27-10, 9-6 (1-0 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: Out of poll.
NOTES: Pretty important series loss for the Toreros, who have lost two straight now and remain in second place in their division. USD would have to play at Pepperdine now in the WCC title series, if the Toreros can make it that far. Redshirt soph. 3B David Bagley and Jr. OF/RHP Tom Caple continue to be the main stories; Caple got the win SAT to move to 7-1, Bagley went 5-for-6, 3 R, 3 RBIs.
RESULTS:
April 2: @ San Diego State: W, 4-3
April 5-7: @ Pepperdine: L, 3-4; W, 16-5; L, 1-7

EAST CAROLINA
This Week: 4-1. Overall: 23-7-1, 6-5-1 C-USA (2-1 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 20.
NOTES: Take out that lost weekend at home against TCU, and the Pirates might be a top 10 team. But it did happen, and so did this weekend as Pirates take 2-of-3 from Houston. Fr. 1B Darryl Lawhorn goes 7-for-10, 5 RBIs in the series, he's leading C-USA in HRs (13), RBIs (40) and total bases (102). He had 4 of team's 14 hits SAT, Cougars aided w/6 errors, Jr. RHP Davey Penny had 8 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 5 Ks. FRI game included two hits for Lawhorn, including two-run single in 7th to rally Pirates from 4-3 deficit. Fr. RHP Greg Bunn got his 3rd save, has 14 Ks (38 batters faced) and 0.96 ERA.
RESULTS:
April 2: Elon: W, 4-0
April 3: @ Campbell: W, 16-9
April 5-7: Houston (5): W, 5-4; W, 11-4; L, 3-7

OKLAHOMA STATE
This Week: 2-1. Overall: 22-8, 7-4 Big 12 (1-3 vs. Top 25).
New Rank: 24.
NOTES: With a good road split in the league, OSU moves into sole possession of second place, tied in games but percentage points behind Nebraska in the Big 12. Cowboys rallied from 7-0 deficit after first inning to beat the Bears on FRI, 3B Paul Powell goes 2-for-4, HR, 4 RBIs, SS Rob Watson two doubles, two RBIs during the comeback. Loss on SAT ended a 7-game winning streak, the game started three hours late and included a 48-minute delay in the 3rd inning. "We fought hard and I admire the kids for being able to play the game as well as it was played," said coach Tom Holliday. "We were out here since 11:30 this morning and if it weren't for television, I don't think this game would have been played. The rain delays took the air out of our sails."
RESULTS:
April 2: Arkansas State: W, 10-8
April 5-6: @ Baylor (17): W, 11-10; L, 6-8

JAMES MADISON
This Week: 6-0. Overall: 26-7, 4-1 CAA (0-1).
New Rank: 25.
Notes: This team has just gone off now, getting ranked for the first time since 1995. First road CAA sweep since 1996. Dukes pound Virginia Tech behind 8 RBIs from LF Steve Bellowe, including two SFs and two HRs, grand slame in 8th to cap nine-run inning. Jr. LHP Jared Doyle moved to 6-1 on SUN, 8 IP, 6 Ks, sixth straight win to finish sweep. He's now 6-1, 2.19, and LHP Dan Meyer (4-1, 3.22) makes a nice 1-2 punch. 1B Eddie Kim, all 6-foot-4, 265 pounds of him, leads offense at .442-4-33, but team's offense is balanced, with six regulars (20 or more starts) hitting .300 or better, and everyone on the team except Jason Cushman (.450 OBP) has a home run.
RESULTS:
April 1-2: Virginia (a/h): W, 3-2; W, 13-4
April 3: @ Va. Tech: W, 26-12
April 5-7: @ William & Mary: W, 4-0; W, 10-8; W, 8-2