College Top 25

Previous ranking: No. 2
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 45-7, 22-5 in SEC (8-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 12-1
Results
May 10: Bellarmine: W 11-5
May 12-14: Georgia: W 5-2, W 9-2, L 8-3
Upcoming
May 17: Belmont
May 19-21: @ Mississippi State

Tennessee moves back to No. 1 after it won its series against Georgia and clinched its first outright SEC title since 1995 along the way. The Vols changed up the pitching plan in game 1 of the series, with righthander Chase Dollander getting the start. He threw six innings, giving up three hits and one run with no walks and six strikeouts. Righthander Chase Burns, who previously was tasked with leading the rotation, was used in relief of Dollander. DH Blake Burke led the lineup in the opener, going 3-for-4 with two home runs. In game 2, righthanders Blade Tidwell, who threw four innings, and Camden Sewell, who threw three innings, combined to hold Georgia to two runs on seven hits in the first seven innings, and relievers Mark McLaughlin and Kirby Connell closed the win with a scoreless inning each. Offensively, second baseman Jorel Ortega went 3-for-5 and catcher Evan Russell clubbed two homers. The Bulldogs salvaged a game on Saturday, scoring three runs against righthander Ben Joyce in his first career start, but it was still a good bounceback series win for Tennessee after dropping the series to Kentucky.

Previous ranking: No. 1
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 40-11, 19-8 in Pac-12 (7-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-2
Results
May 10: Portland: W 4-0
May 13-15: @ Arizona: W 12-9, L 5-2, L 10-5
Upcoming
May 19-21: (22) UCLA

Oregon State was quickly bounced from the No. 1 spot after a series loss at Arizona. Friday’s win was a back-and-forth game until the top of the eighth when the Beavers broke it open with a seven-run inning that was highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of first baseman Garret Forrester. Left fielder Wade Meckler had a big game out of the leadoff spot, going 4-for-5, and center fielder Jacob Melton went 3-for-6. Lefthander Cooper Hjerpe had a tough start, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits in 4.1 innings, but the offense picked him up. The next two days were more of a struggle in various ways. Saturday’s loss came when OSU’s lineup managed just two runs on six hits against Arizona pitching and the Wildcats broke through with a four-run bottom of the seventh. In the finale, Oregon State held a 5-1 lead at the halfway point, but Arizona put up three runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to break the game open. Six different OSU pitchers took the mound in that one and five of them ended up giving up at least one run. Meanwhile, the Arizona bullpen held the Beavers scoreless over the final five innings. Oregon State’s final regular season series will come against UCLA.

Previous ranking: No. 4
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 36-11, 16-9 in ACC (9-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 12-1
Results
May 11: Liberty: W 2-1
May 13-15: (7) Louisville: L 8-1, W 4-3, W 6-4
Upcoming
May 17: Kansas State
May 19-21: Duke

Virginia Tech continues to build a very solid top-eight resume, this time with a series win against Louisville, a feat made all the more impressive by the fact that it lost the opener, 8-1. In game 2, righthander Drue Hackenberg turned in a solid start, giving up two runs on five hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 6.1 innings. The offense grabbed a 3-0 lead in the third on a two-run homer for center fielder Gavin Cross and a sacrifice fly off the bat of second baseman Eduardo Malinowski, and after Louisville fought its way back into it, the Hokies scored an insurance run in the eighth on an RBI single for third baseman Carson DeMartini. That run became even more important once the Cardinals scored a run in the ninth and threatened to tie it before lefthander Henry Weycker buckled down and stranded the tying run on second base. The finale was a back-and-forth battle typical of Sunday games in conference play. Despite out-hitting Louisville 12-6, the Cardinals were still in position to tie it late, as they put two men on base in the ninth, but righthander Kiernan Higgins got the last two batters to end it and secure the series win. Cross had a big game in that one, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. The Hokies have put together an absurdly strong regular season. They’ve lost just one weekend series and now own series wins over Miami, Virginia and Louisville, the top three teams competing with Virginia Tech to win the ACC.

Previous ranking: No. 12
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 33-16, 17-10 in SEC (9-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4
Results
May 13-15: Mississippi State: W 8-7, W 9-6, W 8-2
Upcoming
May 19-21: @ Mississippi

Texas A&M kept rolling with a series sweep of Mississippi State. The opening game was a roller coaster, as Texas A&M took a 4-0 lead after two innings, with the last of those runs coming on a solo homer for third baseman Trevor Werner, then Mississippi State pushed ahead 7-4 in the middle innings, only for the Aggies to storm back and score four runs in the seventh on a bases-loaded walk to DH Austin Bost and a three-run double off the bat of catcher Troy Claunch to take back the lead for good. Game 2 was tight late as well, as MSU scored a run in the top of the eighth to tie it 6-6, but A&M answered with three runs in the bottom half of the frame on an RBI double for second baseman Ryan Targac, a sacrifice fly for center fielder Jordan Thompson and a Werner RBI single. Werner also homered for the second straight day and drove in three runs. Freshman righthander Chris Cortez was excellent in relief, allowing one run in five innings of work. Sunday’s win was the most routine of the bunch. The Aggies got good pitching from lefthander Ryan Prager (4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 0 ER), righthander Robert Hogan (2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R) and lefthander Will Johnston (2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), and Targac paced the offense by going 3-for-3. A road series against a resurgent Mississippi is up next.

Previous ranking: No. 9
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 33-14, 15-9 in Pac-12 (5-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-3
Results
May 10: @ San Francisco: W 9-7
May 13-15: @ Utah: W 5-0, W 8-2, W 7-6
Upcoming
May 17: @ Santa Clara
May 19-21: Southern California

Stanford continued its push toward hosting a regional with a sweep of Utah on the road. Righthander Alex Williams set the tone with his performance Friday. He gave up three hits and one walk with six strikeouts in eight scoreless innings. Quietly, Williams has been one of the best pitchers in college baseball this season. He’s 7-1 with a 1.75 ERA and a .199 opponent batting average in 77.1 innings, and his ERA drops to 1.41 in 57.1 innings in conference play. Center fielder Brock Jones supported Williams by hitting two home runs, and first baseman Carter Graham and catcher Kody Huff both had three hits. In game 2, Graham, second baseman Brett Barrera and right fielder Braden Montgomery each had two hits, with Graham and Barrera also homering. Righthander Joey Dixon gave up two runs in five innings, and the bullpen duo of lefthander Ryan Bruno and Montgomery, a righthander, threw two scoreless innings each to close it out. Stanford came from behind to clinch the sweep Sunday. Trailing 6-4, the Cardinal scored three runs in the top of the eighth on a Graham bases-loaded hit by pitch and a two-run single off the bat of Barrera. Lefthander Quinn Mathews was in good form in relief, throwing four scoreless innings to finish the game. Stanford finishes the regular season against last-place Southern California.

Previous ranking: No. 15
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 34-16, 14-7 in Big 12 (5-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-3-1
Results
May 13-15: @ (3) Oklahoma State: W 7-6, W 9-3, W 6-4
Upcoming
May 19-21: (24) Oklahoma

Texas Tech swept its series at Oklahoma State. In game 1, with the score 2-0 Oklahoma State, a five-run fourth inning highlighted by a grand slam for first baseman Cole Stilwell put the Red Raiders ahead for good. Oklahoma State kept the pressure on throughout the game, making it a one-run game on two different occasions down the stretch, including in the ninth inning, but the Red Raiders erased the tying run on third in the ninth to end the game. In game 2, a seven-run fifth inning that featured a grand slam for right fielder Owen Washburn broke open what had been a 1-1 game. On the mound, righthander Brandon Birdsell was very good, giving up three hits and two runs with two walks and five strikeouts in seven innings. To finish the sweep, Texas Tech got great work from righthander Chase Hampton, who gave up one run in five innings. Offensively, things got started quickly with a solo homer for second baseman Jace Jung in the first inning and the lineup didn’t let up until it had already built a 6-1 lead. OSU fought back late, but righthander Austin Becker tossed two scoreless innings to close it out and left the bases loaded in the ninth. The Red Raiders are a half-game back of Texas Christian for the Big 12 conference lead and will finish the regular season at home against Oklahoma with a chance to win the title.

Previous ranking: No. 5
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 37-14, 17-10 in SEC (6-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-3
Results
May 13-15: (25) Vanderbilt: L 9-6 (10), W 11-6, L 5-0 (7)
Upcoming
May 19-21: @ Alabama

Arkansas lost a home series against Vanderbilt. On Friday, the Razorbacks lost the kind of chaotic, dramatic game that they often find a way to win. Tied 6-6 in the 10th, Vanderbilt jumped ahead for good on a three-run homer for center fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. Arkansas was fairly efficient offensively, as it scored six runs on just eight hits, with first baseman Brady Slavens homering twice and second baseman Robert Moore adding a home run of his own, but it just couldn’t keep Vandy off the scoreboard enough. The Hogs fought back for a win in game 2, a contest that was suspended Saturday night and finished Sunday. After the Commodores scored five runs in 2.2 innings against lefthander Hagen Smith, the bullpen trio of Zack Morris, Zebulon Vermillion and Will McEntire held them to one run over the final 6.1 innings. Meanwhile, the offense got a big game from third baseman Cayden Wallace, who hit two home runs and drove in four, and took advantage of 10 walks issued by Vanderbilt pitchers. Arkansas was never really in it, especially offensively, in the series finale, which was a seven-inning game per SEC rule. The lineup managed just two hits and four walks on the way to being shut out by Vanderbilt lefthander Carter Holton. Righthander Jaxon Wiggins threw the ball pretty well, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk with eight strikeouts in 4.1 innings, but it wasn’t enough. A series at Alabama will wrap up the regular season.

Previous ranking: No. 8
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 31-11, 15-9 in ACC (5-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-3
Results
May 10: Michigan State: W 15-6
May 13-15: Pittsburgh: W 8-3, W 8-1, L 5-2
Upcoming
May 17: @ Northwestern
May 19-21: @ (9) Miami

Notre Dame won its series against Pittsburgh. It secured the series with relatively routine wins Friday and Saturday. In the opener, the Irish scored five runs in the first inning on a combination of clutch hits and some ill-timed Pittsburgh errors and never looked back. Lefthander John Michael Bertrand was outstanding, giving up two runs on six hits with no walks and nine strikeouts in seven innings. Right fielder Brooks Coetzee led the offense by going 3-for-4 with a home run. In game 2, Notre Dame got great pitching from the trio of righthander Austin Temple (4.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 10 K), lefthander Will Mercer (3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and righthander Matt Bedford (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R). The offense was also relentless, scoring runs in five different half-innings with nine different batters collecting at least one hit and eight batters driving in a run. Pitt salvaged a game Sunday when it held the Irish to two runs on six hits. A series at Miami will wrap up Notre Dame’s regular season.

Previous ranking: No. 6
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 37-14, 18-9 in ACC (10-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4
Results
May 11: Central Florida: W 16-10
May 14-15: @ (13) Florida State: W 8-2, L 6-4, L 6-4
Upcoming
May 17: Florida Gulf Coast
May 19-21: (8) Notre Dame

Miami dropped a series at rival Florida State. With Friday’s game washed out, things began with a doubleheader Saturday. Miami won the opener behind strong work on the mound by lefthander Carson Palmquist (6 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 0 ER) and righthander Gage Ziehl (3 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and a 12-hit attack on offense that was led by shortstop Dominic Pitelli, who went 3-for-4, and third baseman Yohandy Morales, who had two hits, including a home run. The Hurricanes came up just short in each of the next two games, however. In game 2, the FSU offense scored six runs off of righthander Karson Ligon in his five innings of work, and while the UM lineup was efficient in scoring four runs on just six hits, it came up short. The biggest missed opportunity came in the seventh when the Canes loaded the bases with no outs but came away with just one run on a passed ball. In the finale, FSU took a 5-3 lead with a three-run fourth inning and kept UM at an arm’s length for the rest of the game. The bullpen was a real strength for Miami in the last two games, as it gave up one run in a combined 9.1 innings Saturday and Sunday, but the offense couldn’t quite get back in either game. A series against Notre Dame will end Miami’s regular season.

Previous ranking: No. 10
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 32-13, 18-6 in WCC (4-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-1-1
Results
May 13-15: Santa Clara: W 3-2, W 5-3 (15), W 4-1
Upcoming
May 17: @ Oregon
May 19-21: @ San Diego

Gonzaga swept its series against Santa Clara, getting walk-off wins in each of the first two games. In the opener, Santa Clara took a 2-1 lead to the bottom of the ninth, but the Zags won it with a two-RBI single off the bat of left fielder Dylan Johnson. Righthander Gabriel Hughes turned in a good start to keep the Broncos from opening up too big a lead. He threw seven innings, giving up four hits and two runs with four walks and seven strikeouts. The second game followed a similar pattern. Santa Clara took a 3-0 lead in the third inning, but Gonzaga fought back to score one in the sixth on an RBI single for DH Tyler Rando. Then, it tied the game in the eighth on a Rando RBI double and an RBI single for third baseman Cade McGee. The game remained tied until the 15th, when Gonzaga walked off on a two-run Rando home run. Four of Gonzaga’s eight hits on the day belonged to Rando, as did four of its five RBIs. Righthander Michael Spellacy is the unsung hero of that win, as he threw 5.1 scoreless innings in relief, all of which came in the ninth inning and later. Sunday’s win didn’t require a walk-off, as the Zags led the entire way and didn’t give up a run to the Broncos until the ninth inning. Righthander William Kempner, in just his second outing since March 5, threw 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing two hits and four walks with eight strikeouts. Righthander Owen Wild followed him up and gave up one run on three hits and one walk with seven strikeouts in 4.1 innings. Gonzaga’s first sweep in WCC play since the opening weekend of conference play in mid-March provides a boost to its hosting hopes.

Previous ranking: No. 11
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 35-13, 16-11 in ACC (1-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-3
Results
May 11: Longwood: W 8-3
May 13-15: Clemson: W 11-6, L 8-2, W 6-3
Upcoming
May 17: Mount St. Mary’s
May 19-21: @ (14) Louisville

Virginia battled rain drops and Clemson to win a series at home. In the opening game, a contest that was halted Friday and resumed Saturday due to poor weather, Clemson led 4-0 after two innings, but Virginia turned the game around with a seven-run fourth inning that included a two-run triple for DH Ethan Anderson. And after Clemson fought back for two runs in the fifth to make it a 7-6 game, the bullpen trio of Matthew Buchanan (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Jay Woolfolk (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Brandon Neeck (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R) held the Tigers scoreless the rest of the way while the lineup added four more insurance runs in the eighth. The second game, which was pushed from Saturday to a Sunday morning first pitch due to more bad weather, was never all that close, as Clemson grabbed a 5-2 lead after three innings and never looked back. In the finale, which was, you guessed it, delayed significantly by bad weather, Virginia took its first lead on a two-run homer for Anderson and then really broke it open with a three-run fifth highlighted by a two-run homer for third baseman Jake Gelof. Virginia finishes its regular season at Louisville.

Previous ranking: No. 13
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 32-18, 15-12 in ACC (8-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-3
Results
May 10: Jacksonville: W 2-1 (7), W 5-4 (7)
May 14-15: (6) Miami: L 8-2, W 6-4, W 6-4
Upcoming
May 17: @ Florida
May 19-21: @ North Carolina

Florida State won a rivalry series against Miami, a massive result in FSU’s quest to host a regional. The Seminoles lost the opener when the Hurricanes got to lefthander Parker Messick for five runs on seven hits in 5.1 innings, but bounced back to win the next two. In game 2, lefthander Bryce Hubbart turned in a solid start, giving up three runs (one earned) on four hits with two walks and 10 strikeouts in five innings and lefthander Wyatt Crowell was excellent in relief, allowing one unearned run over four innings with seven strikeouts to keep UM from making a comeback late. DH Tyler Martin and second baseman Brett Roberts led the way with three-hit games. Sunday’s game was similar, as FSU grabbed an early lead and hung onto it the rest of the way. After getting just 1.2 innings from righthander Carson Montgomery in his start, with lefthander Jonah Scolaro giving up two runs in 1.1 innings behind him, lefthander Ross Dunn really came on and settled things down. He threw five innings, giving up three hits and one run, and ended up with the win thanks to a three-run fourth inning that gave the Seminoles the lead for good. Right fielder Jaime Ferrer paced the offense by putting up two hits, including a home run, and three RBIs. A road series with a North Carolina team battling to get into the postseason is next up for Florida State.

Previous ranking: No. 3
Last week: 0-4
Overall: 34-17, 13-8 in Big 12 (6-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-3
Results
May 10: @ Dallas Baptist: L 8-7
May 13-15: (15) Texas Tech: L 7-6, L 9-3, L 6-4
Upcoming
May 19-21: @ Baylor

Oklahoma State got swept by Texas Tech. Big innings were an issue in the first two games of the series. In the opener, with the Cowboys up 2-0, the Red Raiders put together a five-run fourth inning to take control of the game. OSU would continue to push as the game moved on. A 513-foot solo home run for Griffin Doersching in the seventh made it a one-run game, and after Tech added an insurance run in the eighth, Oklahoma State again made it a one-run game in the ninth and got the tying run to third with two outs, but pinch-runner Jaxson Crull got caught in a rundown when he tried to score on a dirt ball that didn’t get far enough away from the catcher. In game 2, with the game tied 1-1, Texas Tech scored seven runs in the fifth to break the game open. Meanwhile, the lineup didn’t muster all that much offense, eventually scoring three runs on just four hits. OSU got off to a slow start Sunday, putting up one run in the first six innings while falling behind 6-1. The offense woke up late in the game, but ultimately fell short, including in the ninth inning, when the game ended with the bases loaded. The Cowboys will look to bounce back at Baylor.

Previous ranking: No. 7
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 35-15-1, 16-10-1 in ACC (6-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-4-1
Results
May 10: Indiana: W 7-2
May 13-15: @ (4) Virginia Tech: W 8-1, L 4-3, L 6-4
Upcoming
May 17: Eastern Kentucky
May 19-21: (11) Virginia

Louisville fought hard but ultimately lost a series at Virginia Tech. Things started well, though, as Louisville won a game Friday that was much tighter than the final score suggests. Louisville held a 2-1 lead after six innings thanks to a solo homer by right fielder Isaac Humphrey in the second and a run-scoring wild pitch in the sixth, but then really broke it open with two runs in the eighth and four more in the ninth, including one on a solo homer for DH Dalton Rushing. On the mound, righthander Jared Poland was very good, giving up one run on six hits in 6.1 innings and lefthander Tate Kuehner was just as good out of the bullpen, throwing 2.2 scoreless frames to close it out. Over the next two days, the Cardinals fought hard, but ultimately came up short. On Saturday, they scored a run in the ninth on an RBI single for second baseman Logan Beard, but left the tying run stranded on second base. That dealt a hard-luck loss to lefthander Carter Lohman, who gave up three runs in six innings. On Sunday, the Cardinals put two men on with one out in the ninth, but couldn’t advance them any further. Louisville will wrap up the regular season with a series against Virginia.

Previous ranking: No. 20
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 32-18, 16-8 in Big 12 (6-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-5
Results
May 10: Incarnate Word: W 11-7 (11)
May 13-15: @ Kansas: W 15-6, W 30-3, W 8-2
Upcoming
May 19-21: Santa Clara

The TCU bats really came to play in a sweep at Kansas. The Jayhawks on Friday actually led 5-3 after two innings of play, but the TCU offense came alive after that point on the way to scoring 15 runs on 17 hits and 10 walks. Center fielder Elijah Nunez went 4-for-5 out of the leadoff spot and both DH Kurtis Byrne and right fielder Luke Boyers drove in four runs. Righthander Cam Brown was also very good in relief, giving up one run on four hits in 5.1 innings. In game 2, TCU scored seven runs in the first inning and never really stopped scoring. It collected 18 hits, drew 17 walks and was hit by a pitch three times. Left fielder Porter Brown had a game that has to go down as one of the best individual offensive games in TCU baseball history. He had four hits, including two home runs, and drove in 10 runs. Second baseman Gray Rodgers also had three hits with a home run and seven RBIs. On the mound, righthander Marcelo Perez gave up three runs in six innings. Sunday’s game was a bit tamer, but it was still a comprehensive win for the Horned Frogs. Righthander Riley Cornelio, in his return to the rotation after being skipped last weekend, gave up four hits and two runs (one earned) in 4.1 innings and the offense was led by a three-RBI day with a home run for third baseman Brayden Taylor. TCU currently has a half-game lead on Texas Tech in the Big 12 standings, but it is out of conference play this weekend, so it will have to scoreboard watch to see how it plays out.

Previous ranking: No. 16
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 41-11, 23-4 in Sun Belt (3-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 12-1
Results
May 13-15: Louisiana-Lafayette: W 7-5, W 6-4, W 11-9
Upcoming
May 19-21: @ Georgia State

It was a real battle, but Texas State swept its series against Louisiana. It looked like the Bobcats might cruise in the first game of the series. They took a 3-0 lead in the first on a three-run homer for DH Wesley Faison and led 5-0 after two more runs scored in the fifth, one of which came on a Faison solo homer. But after the Ragin’ Cajuns got back in it with a four-run sixth inning, Texas State needed some clutch hits to stay out ahead and got them from shortstop Dalton Shuffield, who hit solo home runs in the sixth and eighth to provide the necessary insurance. The bullpen duo of Triston Dixon and Tristan Stivors was outstanding, as they have so often been this season, throwing a combined 3.1 innings with one run allowed. On Saturday, the Cajuns grabbed a 4-3 lead in the middle innings, but the Bobcats punched back in the eighth. A sacrifice fly off the bat of third baseman Justin Thompson tied the game and right fielder John Wuthrich connected for a two-run homer to give his team the lead for good. The bullpen was very good for the Bobcats once again, as Austin Smith, Matthew Nicholas, Cameron Bush and Tristan Stivors held the Cajuns scoreless over the final 4.1 innings. The Bobcats finished the sweep on Sunday by scoring nine runs in the first three frames, holding on most of the rest of the way, and then scoring two crucial insurance runs in the seventh as the Cajuns mounted a comeback. Left fielder Jose Gonzalez led the way by going 3-for-5 with two home runs and six RBIs. Texas State’s magic number to clinch the Sun Belt regular season title is one.

Previous ranking: No. 19
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 41-10, 16-5 in Big Ten (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-2
Results
May 9: @ Rutgers: W 9-4
May 13-15: Michigan: W 8-7, W 20-6, W 15-10
Upcoming
May 17: James Madison
May 19-21: @ Purdue

Maryland continues to build a case to host a regional, this time with a series sweep against Michigan. Friday’s game had some serious ups and downs. The Terrapins opened a 7-0 lead with two runs in the first on solo home runs by third baseman Nick Lorusso and shortstop Matt Shaw and five runs in the fourth, capped off by a two-run homer by second baseman Kevin Keister. With righthander Jason Savacool having given up just one run in six innings, Maryland looked to be in control, but the Wolverines scored six in the top of the seventh to tie the game. Rather than let that sink them, the Terrapins scored a run in the eighth on a wild pitch to take the lead again, and righthander Nigel Belgrave closed it out with a scoreless ninth. Michigan scored five runs in the first three innings of game 2, which you would normally take as a bad sign for Maryland, but in this case, the Terps scored seven runs in the second inning alone on the way to a 20-6 win. Shaw had three home runs among his four hits and drove in eight runs, Lorusso hit a three-run homer to cap the day’s scoring and left fielder Bobby Zmarzlak went 4-for-5. Sunday’s game was similar to Saturday’s in that Michigan put up some runs, but Maryland’s offensive outburst was just too much for the Wolverines to overcome. Michigan actually led 3-0 halfway through, but the Terrapins scored eight runs in the bottom of the fifth, four more in the bottom of the sixth and three in the bottom of the seventh to put the game out of reach. They hit five homers as a team Sunday, including two more for Shaw and another for Lorusso, who had one in each game. Maryland finishes the regular season on the road against Purdue.

Previous ranking: No. 17
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 38-14, 20-7 in C-USA (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-3
Results
May 11: Mississippi: L 4-1
May 13-15: Texas-San Antonio: L 8-7, W 8-3, W 9-5
Upcoming
May 19-21: @ Middle Tennessee State

Southern Miss started the weekend with a tight 8-7 loss at home against UTSA, but rallied the next two days to win the series. In game 2, righthander Hunter Riggins threw the ball well, giving up three runs in six innings, and lefthander Dalton Rogers was outstanding out of the bullpen, tossing three hitless frames. The offense was led by center fielder Gabe Montenegro, who had three hits out of the leadoff spot, and right fielder Carson Paetow, who had two hits including a home run. In the finale, after UTSA scored five runs against righthander Hurston Waldrep in three innings, the bullpen picked up the slack, with Matthew Adams (1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Justin Storm (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Garrett Ramsey (1 IP, 3 H, 0 R) and Landon Harper (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R) combining to hold the Roadrunners off the scoreboard over the final six innings. The offense chased UTSA starter Drake Smith in the first inning and would go on to score nine runs on 12 hits, including six home runs. First baseman Christopher Sargent had three homers on his own, with left fielder Reece Ewing, DH Slade Wilks and Paetow adding one each. A series at Middle Tennessee State is the last series of the regular season for the Golden Eagles.

Previous ranking: No. 18
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 42-10, 16-2 in Big East (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 13-0
Results
May 10: Northeastern: L 9-4
May 13-15: Xavier: L 7-2, W 11-3, W 17-6
Upcoming
May 17: @ Bryant
May 19-21: @ Georgetown

Connecticut lost the series opener to Xavier, but its offense led the way in winning each of the next two games to secure the series win. A six-run first inning in Saturday’s game that featured a grand slam for catcher Matt Donlan and a solo shot for shortstop Bryan Padilla set the tone, and a strong outing from righthander Pat Gallagher (6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 7 K) made that lead hold up. On Sunday, the lineup really poured it on with 17 runs on 16 hits and eight walks issued by Xavier pitching. All nine starters for UConn had at least one hit, and seven different batters had at least two hits. Donlan, second baseman David Smith and left fielder Korey Morton all homered as well. The win Sunday sewed up the regular season title for UConn, which was a mere formality after its sweep of Creighton two weekends ago. The Huskies, who haven’t had a single losing weekend this season, will finish the regular season at Georgetown.

Previous ranking: No. 20
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 35-16, 15-11 in SEC (8-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-5
Results
May 10: @ Troy: W 11-4
May 13-15: Alabama: W 3-2, W 6-4
Upcoming
May 17: @ Samford
May 19-21: @ Kentucky

Auburn bounced back from hard-fought series losses to Tennessee and Arkansas by sweeping rival Alabama in two games at home. The Tigers got a good team pitching effort in the opener. Righthander Mason Barnett gave up two runs in 5.1 innings, righthander John Armstrong followed with 2.2 scoreless innings and righthander Blake Burkhalter threw a scoreless ninth for his 12th save of the season. The winning run came across in the sixth, when DH Brooks Carlson doubled home a run to break a 2-2 tie. In game 2, Alabama jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, chasing starter Trace Bright after that first frame, but the trio of lefthander Tommy Sheehan (4 IP, 1 H, 0 R), righthander Carson Swilling (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and righthander Chase Allsup (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R) held the Crimson Tide scoreless on two hits the rest of the way. After clawing their way back in it in the middle innings, the Tigers finally took the lead in the seventh on an RBI single for right fielder Bobby Peirce and a wild pitch that later scored Peirce. Third baseman Blake Rambusch went 3-for-4 to lead the lineup and Peirce had two hits of his own, including a solo homer in the fourth. Sunday’s game was tied 1-1 in the fifth when it was called off due to weather and ruled a no contest. The Tigers finish the regular season at Kentucky.

Previous ranking: No. 25
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 34-16, 14-13 in SEC (7-12 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-5
Results
May 10: Indiana State: W 8-7 (11)
May 13-15: @ (5) Arkansas: W 9-6 (10), L 11-6, W 5-0 (7)
Upcoming
May 17: Middle Tennessee State
May 19-21: Louisiana State

Vanderbilt has been waiting on a truly marquee series win all season and it got one in taking two of three at Arkansas. Vanderbilt won a back-and-forth battle to begin the series. After jumping out to a 5-0 lead after three innings, with the first two runs of the game coming on a two-run homer for DH Parker Noland, Arkansas battled back and the teams ended up in extra innings tied 6-6. In the top of the 10th, Vanderbilt took back the lead on a three-run home run for center fielder Enrique Bradfield Jr. Credit is also due to righthander Thomas Schultz, who threw three scoreless innings to give the offense time to work. After dropping the middle game when the Arkansas offense ran away with things late, Vanderbilt got a stellar performance from freshman lefthander Carter Holton in a seven-inning finale to secure the series win. Holton threw a complete game, giving up two hits and four walks with five strikeouts. First baseman Dominic Keegan provided all of the offense early, as he had a sacrifice fly in the third inning and a two-run single in the fifth, and second baseman Tate Kolwyck capped the scoring with a two-run homer in the sixth. Bradfield Jr. also stole three bases in the game, making him a perfect 39-for-39 this season. The Commodores finish with a series against Louisiana State.

Previous ranking: No. 22
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 33-18, 17-10 in Pac-12 (8-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-3
Results
May 10: @ Cal State Fullerton: L 9-2
May 13-15: Washington State: W 4-0, W 10-1, W 8-7
Upcoming
May 17: @ UC Irvine
May 19-21: @ (2) Oregon State

UCLA’s pitching stifled Washington State in the first two games in Los Angeles. On Friday, righthander Max Rajcic struck out 14 and allowed one hit in eight shutout innings, and righthander Alonzo Tredwell closed it out with a perfect ninth. All of the runs the Bruins would need came in a four-run first inning that featured a two-RBI double for second baseman Ethan Gourson, an RBI single for DH Daylen Reyes and an RBI double for center fielder Carson Yates. In game 2, the quartet of Ethan Flanagan (4 IP, 3 H, 0 R), Charles Harrison (2 IP, 2 H, 2 R), Luke Jewett (2 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and Jack Filby (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) held the Cougars to one run on seven hits while the lineup scored 10 runs in the first three innings, highlighted by a three-run home run for third baseman Kyle Karros in the first inning. Gourson, first baseman Jake Palmer and left fielder Kenny Oyama all finished the game with three hits. Sunday’s game was more of a battle, but UCLA came out on top. Tied 7-7 in the bottom of the ninth, the Bruins walked off with a win on an RBI single for shortstop Cody Schrier. Righthander Kelly Austin pitched well in his start, giving up three hits and one run in five innings, and the lineup was led by a three-hit day for right fielder Michael Curialle and a three-RBI game with a home run for Karros. A series at Oregon State will be intriguing this weekend.

Previous ranking: No. 23
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 37-11, 21-3 in Big West (0-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 12-0-1
Results
May 10: Saint Mary’s: W 4-2
May 13-15: Dixie State: W 8-0, W 7-6 (10), W 8-7
Upcoming
May 17: Southern California
May 20-22: UC Riverside

UC Santa Barbara jumped out of conference play and swept a series against Dixie State. Righthander Cory Lewis was excellent in the opener. He threw seven scoreless innings, giving up two hits and one walk with five strikeouts. He was supported offensively by a seven-run first inning that was capped off by a two-run home run off the bat of shortstop Zander Darby. Game 2 was much more dramatic, as Dixie State held a 5-4 lead going to the bottom of the ninth. In the bottom of the ninth, however, UCSB tied the game on an RBI single for right fielder Broc Mortensen. In the 10th, Dixie State jumped out in front, but the Gauchos answered with two runs in the bottom of the 10th on a two-run single for first baseman Kyle Johnson to walk off with the win. Five different UCSB batters had at least two hits as part of a 15-hit day, including shortstop Jordan Sprinkle, who went 4-for-5. Sunday’s game got dicey late as the Trailblazers pushed to within a run in the ninth, but lefthander Hayden Hattenbach closed it out. Catcher Gianni Bloom led the lineup by putting up two hits, a home run and three RBIs, with Mortensen chipping in with a homer of his own. UCSB takes on UC Riverside this week with a chance to wrap up the Big West title.

Previous ranking: No. 24
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 31-18, 13-8 in Big 12 (6-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4
Results
May 13-15: West Virginia: W 15-1, L 9-8, W 17-7 (7)
Upcoming
May 19-21: @ (6) Texas Tech

Oklahoma won a series against West Virginia. Friday’s win was a breeze, as the offense scored 15 runs on 14 hits and 10 walks issued by WVU pitchers. Five different batters had two hits, second baseman Jackson Nicklaus homered and third baseman Clark Wallace drove in four runs. On the mound, lefthander Jake Bennett gave up one unearned run on three hits in six innings with no walks and seven strikeouts. After dropping the second game when a ninth-inning rally ended with the tying run on third base, the Sooners fought back to win the finale by run rule. DH Brett Squires went 4-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs, second baseman Diego Muniz went 3-for-4 and center fielder Tanner Tredaway had a home run and three RBIs. Righthander Trevin Michael was good out of the bullpen, giving up one run on two hits in four innings. A series at Texas Tech rounds out the regular season for Oklahoma and the Sooners still have a path to the Big 12 title.

Previous ranking: NR
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 35-18, 16-11 in Pac-12 (5-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-5
Results
May 13-15: (1) Oregon State: L 12-9, W 5-2, W 10-5
Upcoming
May 19-21: @ Oregon

Arizona jumps back into the Top 25 after a series win against Oregon State. The series opener was tied 5-5 until the top of the eighth, when OSU broke it open with a seven-run inning to take a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. Game 2 was similarly close late in the proceedings, as the teams were tied 1-1 in the bottom of the seventh, but this time, it was the Wildcats who enjoyed the big inning. They scored four runs in the frame, two on a two-run homer for DH Noah Turley and two more on a two-run double for catcher Daniel Susac. That rewarded lefthander Garrett Irvin with a win for his efforts. He threw seven innings, giving up three hits and one run with three walks and nine strikeouts. In the finale, Arizona fell behind 5-1 after four innings, but stormed back to take the lead for good with three runs in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings. Susac led the offense by going 4-for-6, while left fielder Chase Davis and center fielder Mac Bingham had home runs. After righthander Anthony Susac gave up five runs in three-plus innings, the quartet of Javyn Pimentel (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R), Chris Barraza (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), Trevor Long (2 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Quinn Flanagan (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) combined to hold OSU scoreless over the final six innings. Arizona continues to have perhaps the strangest overall resume of any team in the country. It has series wins against Oregon State and Stanford, the two top teams in the Pac-12 but also has series losses to Utah, Washington and Southern California, the three teams currently in position to miss the eight-team Pac-12 Tournament. The Wildcats finish the regular season at Oregon.