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How To Watch NCAA Baseball Top 25 Teams, Best Matchups & More This Weekend: Week 9

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Image credit: Jace LaViolette (Danny Parker/Four Seam Images)

It seems hard to believe, but there are just six weekend series left in the regular season. Outside of Arkansas and Clemson at No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, there has been plenty of movement each week within the Top 25. The rankings are as volatile ever which—to me, at least—has made this season extra fun to follow. Even in the last 48 hours, 11 different ranked teams have dropped midweek games. Switching gears to this weekend, there are plenty of marquee matchups to keep a close eye on. Outside of a top-five showdown in College Station, there is a key Big 12 series as well as a pair of intriguing series out West.

Additionally, here are some helpful links to aid your college baseball consumption this weekend…

No. 5 Vanderbilt (26-7, 8-4 SEC) at No. 3 Texas A&M (29-4, 8-4 SEC)

The eyes of the college baseball world this weekend will be on Blue Bell Park, where the fifth-ranked Commodores will clash with No. 3 Texas A&M. Vanderbilt heads into this weekend riding a pair of consecutive SEC series wins over Missouri and LSU, respectively. While it has been a difficult season for LSU, last weekend’s series win was still impressive given that Alex Box Stadium is one of the most hostile road environments in all of college baseball. Texas A&M has been firing on all cylinders all season. Outside of a series loss at Florida almost a month ago, the Aggies do not have a hiccup to speak of.

Given how tough of a task it is to win two-straight road games at A&M, Friday’s game feels like an important one for Vanderbilt. The ‘Dores will turn to junior righthander Bryce Cunningham (4-1, 3.64 ERA)—who has seen his draft stock soar this spring—to set the tone. Cunningham got hit around last week and surrendered three home runs, but he has been fantastic otherwise. Speaking of fantastic, rotation mate Carter Holton (5-0, 3.27 ERA) has spun five consecutive quality starts and has looked like one of the best arms in the SEC. 

For as good and as deep as Vanderbilt’s lineup is, it feels like for the Commodores to come away with a series win, it will need its arms to step up in a major way. Texas A&M’s lineup is by far the most potent offense Vanderbilt’s pitching staff has had to navigate, but between its one-two punch in the rotation and army of bullpen arms, it has what it takes to leave College Station with a massive series win.

There is an argument to be made that Texas A&M is the most complete team in all of college baseball. Its team ERA of 3.20 ranks second nationally, while its lineup is hitting a combined .303. The Aggies’ lineup is a melting pot of returners, impact freshmen, high-profile transfers and veterans. Braden Montgomery (.389/.516/.889) and Jace LaViolette (.293/.460/.732) provide the star power, but Pennsylvania transfer Jackson Appel (.358/.483/.653) and Columbia transfer Hayden Schott (.323/.387/.489) are two steady, veteran presences who provide the lineup with invaluable experience. Gavin Grahovac (.317/.410/.626) has continued to look like one of the best freshmen hitters in the country, while slick-fielding shortstop Ali Camarillo (.300/.401/.400) has come on as of late.

A&M’s pitching staff also matches up well with Vanderbilt’s arms. It has more depth as a whole and boasts an impressive one-two punch of its own in Ryan Prager (6-0, 2.30 ERA) and Justin Lamkin (2-1, 3.41 ERA). The Aggies have a bevy of reliable bullpen arms, but will especially rely on Evan Aschenbeck (4-0, 1.12 ERA), Shane Sdao (2-0, 3.32 ERA) and Chris Cortez (4-1, 2.70 ERA). Additionally, look for Brad Rudis (1-0, 0.50 ERA) and Joshua Stewart (1-1, 2.08 ERA) to also play vital roles this weekend.

This weekend has the feel of a classic heavyweight SEC series. It should be highly contested, well-played and seems inevitable to be decided on Sunday in a decisive rubber game. I think Vanderbilt comes away with at least one win, but it is hard to not give the slight edge to Texas A&M, given its home-field advantage and impressive depth on both sides of the baseball.

How To Stream

Both Friday and Sunday’s games can be streamed on SEC Network+, while Saturday’s game will be broadcast nationally on SEC Network.

No. 19 Central Florida (21-9, 8-7 Big 12) at West Virginia (19-13, 8-4 Big 12)

The Big 12 this year has arguably been the toughest conference to figure out. Six different teams at the top of the standings are separated by just one game, while a handful of others—including UCF—are within striking distance. The Golden Knights skyrocketed inside the top 20 of this week’s Top 25 thanks to a big-time series win over Kansas State. They have won four straight Big 12 series, and are squarely in the hosting race thanks to their No. 7 RPI.

This weekend is a big one for a number of reasons for UCF. First, it is looking to bounce back from a midweek loss against in-state rival Stetson. Second, West Virginia is currently atop the Big 12 standings. A road series win over the Mountaineers would not only go a long way both in determining the Big 12 hierarchy, but would also be a huge resume boost when it comes to hosting. The Golden Knights do not have the most “prospecty” group, but they have weapons on both sides of the baseball. They feel like a bit of a throwback team in today’s day in age, as they don’t give up free bases, play excellent team defense and consistently string together quality at-bats.

Ben Vespi (2-1, 5.00 ERA) and Dominic Stagliano (2-2, 3.74 ERA) are both solid rotation arms, but the bullpen is undoubtedly the team’s biggest strength. Kyle Kramer (5-1, 2.70 ERA), Spencer Bauer (0-0, 1.93 ERA) and Chase Centala (3-0, 2.61 ERA) have all been fantastic and have routinely flashed the ability to put a stranglehold on games in the later innings. There is no doubt their services will again be needed in Morgantown if the Golden Knights want to extend their series winning streak to five.

After an impressive road sweep last weekend of Kansas, West Virginia has quietly played itself to the top of the Big 12 standings. Last weekend also saw the return of JJ Wetherholt to the lineup, who had missed an extended period of time nursing a hamstring injury. It is impossible to measure the value that Wetherholt brings to the offense. There is an argument to be made that he is the best pure hitter in the country, and he makes an already-deep lineup that much more imposing. On top of Wetherholt, Logan Sauve (.367/.472/.617)—who also recently returned to action after being banged up—Reed Chumley (.330/.421/.703) and Sam White (.328/.419/.500) have all swung the bat well.

The Mountaineers’ lineup gets a lot of love—and rightfully so—but there is also a plethora of quality arms on their pitching staff. Aidan Major (3-2, 4.02 ERA) has been a tone-setter on Friday nights and possesses thunderous stuff, while bulldog lefthander Derek Clark (3-0, 1.70 ERA) is the definition of an “innings eater.” The veteran southpaw has thrown three straight complete games and is fresh off a shutout against Kansas. He has plus command and control and consistently stays off the barrel of opposing hitters.

There are also a few reliable arms in the bullpen, but especially Maxx Yehl (3-0, 3.66 ERA), Carson Estridge (0-1, 4.22 ERA) and David Hagaman (2-3, 6.46 ERA). Don’t let the numbers on the back of the baseball card fool you with Hagaman. His stats are inflated due to a couple of rough appearances and he has the makings of a day two pick this July.

For as good as Central Florida has been this season, I think the Mountaineers keep rolling this weekend and notch a huge ranked series win. Between last weekend’s sweep of Kansas, the return of JJ Wetherholt and having home-field advantage this weekend, they have all the momentum in the world.

How To Stream

First pitch tomorrow night is at 6:30 p.m. ET and all games can be broadcast via ESPN+.

No. 17 Oregon (23-9, 8-4 Pac-12) at Southern California (16-16, 9-5 Pac-12)

In what is perhaps the most underrated series on the entire weekend slate, the Ducks fly south for a tricky road matchup against USC. Like the Big 12, the Pac-12 this year has also been tough to figure out. No. 8 Oregon State (27-4, 8-3) is without a doubt the team to beat, but it is crowded at the top of the conference standings. Five teams are jockeying for position, including Oregon and USC.

The Ducks have yet to lose a conference series, and while their schedule has not necessarily been a gauntlet, they do have a few quality series wins on their resume. They’re a balanced bunch with valuable pieces both in their lineup and on their pitching staff. Jacob Walsh—who has massive raw power—has been the team’s most productive hitter to the tune of 12 home runs and 37 RBIs, while Sacramento State transfer Jeffery Heard leads the team with a .333 average. Sprinkled within the lineup are key depth pieces, such as Drew Smith (.318/.440/.418), Anson Aroz (.314/.368/.523) and Carter Garate (.308/.434/.375). It lacks some thump outside of Walsh, but the lineup routinely turns in competitive at-bats.

The rotation trio of RJ Gordon (4-2, 4.07 ERA), Grayson Grinsell (3-2, 3.79 ERA) and Kevin Seitter (4-1, 5.02 ERA) has collectively thrown the ball well, while Bradley Mullan (4-0, 1.74 ERA) and Logan Mercado (0-0, 3.43 ERA) make for a dynamic bullpen duo.

After coming into this season with plenty of hype, almost everyone wrote off USC after its dreadful start. However, since March 16 the Trojans are 11-3 with series wins over Stanford, No. 8 Oregon State, Washington and a midweek win over No. 11 UC Irvine. Their 9-5 conference record is good enough for fourth in the standings and they are just one full game behind second-place Arizona.

Sophomore catcher Jacob Galloway (.364/.480/.568) has led the charge offensively, but Ryan Jackson (.287/.380/.426) has also enjoyed a productive season and sophomore infielder Ethan Hedges (.264/.328/.406) has really come on as of late. The Trojans’ pitching staff isn’t necessarily the most threatening in the Pac-12, but strike-thrower Caden Aoki (2-3, 4.91 ERA) has been a reliable rotation arm while Josh Blum (2-0, 3.31 ERA), Brodie Purcell (0-0, 4.30 ERA) and Fisher Johnson (3-0, 0.82 ERA) have anchored the bullpen.

Oregon is certainly the favorite this weekend, but both the landscape of the Pac-12 and USC’s resume will get a heck of a lot more interesting if the Trojans are able to pick up their third straight series victory.

How To Stream

The series gets underway tomorrow night at 8:05 p.m. ET and all games can be streamed via Oregon’s live stream. 

No. 11 UC Irvine (24-5, 10-2 Big West) at UC San Diego (21-10, 8-4 Big West)

Sticking out West, No. 11 UC Irvine makes the short trip to UC San Diego for a dangerous series. The Tritons have largely flown under the national radar due to the fact that they are still in the transition period since making the jump from Division-II. This means they are not eligible to make the tournament even if they repeat as Big West champions. However, they will officially complete the transition this July and will be eligible for the field of 64 going forward.

I went in-depth on the Anteaters last week, and they have since picked up a marquee series win over UC Santa Barbara. Both Nick Pinto (7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K) and Brandon Luu (7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K) turned in quality starts, while on offense Jo Oyama led the way with five RBIs and six other hitters had multiple RBIs. Outside of potential No. 1 pick Travis Bazzana, sophomore first baseman Anthony Martinez has continued to look like the best pure hitter on the West Coast to the tune of a .364/.473/.537 slash line with four home runs and a team-leading 38 RBIs.

Both Caden Kendle (.434/.520/.646) and Woody Hadeen (.395/.514/.447) look like potential day two draft picks, while the exciting Jo Oyama (.313/.446/.571) has started to get hot at the perfect time. Pinto (6-1, 2.01 ERA) and Luu (4-0, 3.56 ERA) have been reliable rotation arms all season, but the pitching depth does not stop in the rotation. The bullpen trio of Ricky Tibbett (1-0, 3.68 ERA), Ryder Brooks (1-0, 1.56 ERA) and Ricky Ojeda (3-0, 2.45 ERA) are all arms that head coach Ben Orloff is extremely comfortable turning to in key moments.

The foundation of UC San Diego is its pitching staff. Matthew Dalquist (5-0, 3.15 ERA) and Anthony Eyanson (4-1, 2.72 ERA) have both been outstanding in the rotation, while veteran lefthander Izaak Martinez (2-1, 0.49 ERA) has been untouchable in the bullpen. On top of Martinez, a host of other arms have had strong seasons such as Spencer Seid (3-1, 3.64 ERA), Donovan Chriss (0-0, 4.32 ERA) and Julian Custer (1-1, 4.32 ERA). All are versatile in that they can either be used as a starter or in relief, and can make multiple appearances each weekend.

Like it will in every series for the rest of the regular season, UC Irvine is the favorite this weekend. For as good as UC San Diego’s pitching has been to this point, they have not had to contend with an offense that is close to the caliber of Irvine’s. I think it will be a competitive series and would not be shocked in the slightest if the Tritons steal a game, but the Anteaters right now are a runaway train.

How To Stream

The series begins tomorrow night at 9:00 p.m. ET and each game can be streamed via ESPN+.

Other Notable Matchups
  • No. 1 Arkansas (29-3, 11-1 SEC) at No. 16 Alabama (22-11, 4-8 SEC)
  • N.C. State (18-12, 8-7 ACC) at No. 2 Clemson (28-4, 10-2 ACC)
  • LSU (22-12, 3-9 SEC) at No. 4 Tennessee (27-6, 7-5 SEC)
  • No. 15 Mississippi State (21-12, 6-6 SEC) at Mississippi (18-15, 3-9 SEC)
  • San Diego (21-10, 7-2 WCC) at Portland (20-10, 6-0 WCC)
  • Wright State (18-14, 8-4 Horizon League) at Northern Kentucky (20-11, 10-2 Horizon League)
Prospect Watch: Where To Watch Baseball America’s Top 10 College Prospects (listed alphabetically)

1. Travis Bazzana, Oregon State

2. Chase Burns, Wake Forest (pitching on Friday)

3. Jac Caglianone, Florida (pitching on Sunday)

4. Charlie Condon, Georgia

5. Vance Honeycutt, North Carolina (series begins tonight)

6. Seaver King, Wake Forest

7. Nick Kurtz, Wake Forest

8. Braden Montgomery, Texas A&M

9. Hagen Smith, Arkansas (pitching on Friday)

10. JJ Wetherholt, West Virginia

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