Baseball America College Baseball Notebook for February 24

Posted: Mon Feb 24 19:30:35 2003 EST

#Baseball America College Baseball Notebook for February 24#

By John Manuel Baseball America WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (Ticker) - Cold and wet are not adjectives usually used to described optimal conditions for a pitcher. But the weather was fine for Wake Forest's Kyle Sleeth on

Friday, even though the conditions didn't suit the scouting directors (at least two) and other scouts who huddled behind home plate. Sleeth's outing at Hooks Stadium, when the seventh-ranked Demon Deacons took on James Madison, also marked the debut of Baseball America's new Stalker Sport radar gun, which will enable us to pretend we are scouts like never before. I missed the first inning, and apparently that was as close as the Dukes would get to hitting Sleeth hard. Brent Metheny and Mitch Rigsby led off the game with singles, and after a popup, senior first baseman Eddie Kim - who hit .421-12-74 last year - ripped a liner to second, but freshman Chris Getz was right there and started a double play. "We hit him hard that inning, and that was about it," James Madison coach Spanky McFarland said. "He made the adjustment after that. He wasn't throwing as many fastballs and he had good command of his offspeed stuff. "He might be the best pitcher in the country. His mechanics are very smooth and he looked pretty good for the weather and the time of year." Sleeth's fastball was easy to follow on the Stalker, consistently registering 91-93 miles per hour strong through the seventh. In the eighth, as he neared 100 pitches, he dipped down to 89, and coach George Greer took him out after 102 pitches. The nine strikeouts (without a walk) in six scoreless innings and 15-0 lead seemed to be enough. "Kyle's more than just a good pitcher, he's a remarkable person," Greer said. "This stuff (weather) doesn't matter to him. His makeup is what sets him apart. He's matured and he prepares so well. He's professional about the way he approaches pitching." Sleeth's slider was generally in the 79-82 mph range with a curveball that was closer to
75. He threw both pitches for strikes to both sides of the plate and had a pair of seven-pitch innings that included two strikeouts apiece. He retired 16 of 17 at one stretch while mixing in the occasional changeup. Junior righthander Greg Russell gave up six runs to start the ninth - three on a homer by Kim - that made spectators wait a little longer than they wanted for the game to end. The rain fell harder and harder, and Sleeth finished his work day by helping the other Demon Deacons pull the tarp back onto the sodden field. "There's been some maturing, but he was prepared and worked hard as a freshman," Greer said. "He's our best player, and he sets the example." Around The Nation: Several teams that haven't cracked the Top 25 are enjoying excellent starts. To wit: Tennessee has matched the best start in school history that was set in 1992 by going 8-0. A sweep of a doubleheader

Sunday against Bowling Green - the only games the two clubs could get in this weekend - was the latest example of coach Rod Delmonico's new-look Volunteers. Junior catcher Javi Herrera is probably the team's biggest name, thanks to being a freshman All-American in 2001 as the Vols went to Omaha. But even Herrera had doubters coming into the season thanks to hand and hamstring injuries that sidelined him for most of
2003. He's off to a strong start, though, hitting .370 with two homers and helping handle a pitching staff that has set a blistering pace. Delmonico had high praise for freshman righthander Luke Hochevar, and that was before his work this weekend, when he struck out five in three shutout innings to get a relief win. "He could move into the rotation soon, and he's going to be a good one," Delmonico said. "He's a 6-foot-5 freshman who has been throwing 91-92 (mph) and touching 94, and he's throwing strikes with it right now. It's exciting." Hochevar has yet to allow a run in 10 1/3 innings and has struck out 13 while walking one. Junior righty Dusty Johnson also picked up a relief win on the weekend, and Volunteers relievers are a combined 5-0, 1.31 with a pair of saves in 34 1/3 innings. Delmonico also likes Tennessee's strength up the middle of the field, with Herrera, juco transfer Brian Cleveland at shortstop, senior Walter Sevilla at second base and Jordan Czarniecki in center field. The trio has combined for 33 RBIs, 28 runs and a .378 average. "We feel that's a strength for us," he said. "It reminds me a little bit of Alabama last year, how they were built around being strong up the middle. "We're throwing strikes, we're working hard, and we're healthy right now. I feel good about the way we're playing." ... North Carolina-Greensboro also is off to an 8-0 start, and it's the best one in school history. The Spartans have outscored opponents 105-23 thus far. ... Alabama-Birmingham, which wants to be called UAB, swept Ball State this weekend to move to 8-0 as well, the Blazers' best start since
1990. The Top 25:
1. GEORGIA TECH This Week: 4-0. Overall: 6-0 (0-0 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
1. NOTES: Yellow Jackets continue to roll, sweeping a tournament at Savannah, Ga. Exhibition game coming up this week against ATL Braves. Yellow Jackets broke 6-6 tie in 9th w/Michigan on SS Tyler Greene's RBI single to get a win for fellow Fr. Micah Owings, who got game's last two outs and hit two solo HRs. LF Matt Murton w/homer-saving catch in top of 9th, then key two-run triple vs. Arm. Atlantic. Soph. RHP Kyle Schmidt with solid week, 3 scoreless IP vs. Mercer and 5 IP, 5 Ks, 2 ER vs. Arm. Atl. on SUN. Fr. RHP Jason Neighborgall starts career w/4 shutout IP, 3 vs. Mercer (45 pitches, 22 strikes), 1 in relief SUN (6 pitches, 3 groundouts). RESULTS: Feb. 20: @ Mercer: W, 9-1 Feb. 22: vs. Rider: W, 8-1 Feb. 23: vs. Michigan: W, 7-6 Feb. 23: vs. Armstrong Atlantic: W, 12-4
2. RICE This Week: 5-0. Overall: 8-1 (4-0 vs. top 25). New Rank:
2. NOTES: Look no further if you're looking for the nation's best pitching staff, as Rice throws four shutouts in one week. Then factor in defense, which Rice has been criticized for (here) in the past. Owls have made one error all year--79 1/3 inning errorless streak. Team fielding % is a shocking .997; team ERA is 2.67. TUE Owls beat Houston ace Brad Sullivan, as Wade Townsend went 6.1 IP, 8 Ks, combined on SHO w/Jeff Niemann. The duo reversed roles SAT vs. Mississippi as Niemann went 7 w/7 Ks while Townsend fanned four in 2 IP. WED, Fr. Colin Matheny also threw 6.1 shutout IP. In SUN finale of Crowne Plaza/Rice Invitational, OF Austin Davis singled in Chris Kolkhorst in the 10th to back combined shutout by Josh Baker (7.1 IP, 7 Ks) and David Aardsma (2.2 IP). Soph. 1B Vincent Sinisi goes 10-for-23 w/4 RBIs on the week to pace the offense, off to 16-for-40 start. RESULTS: Feb. 18: @ Houston (20): W, 3-0 Feb. 19: @ Southwest Texas State: W, 6-0 Feb. 22: Stetson (23): W, 11-6 Feb. 22: Mississippi (25): W, 6-0 Feb. 23: Texas-Arlington: W, 1-0 (10)
3. FLORIDA STATE This Week: 3-0. Overall: 11-0 (2-1). New Rank:
3. NOTES: To quote a scout who has seen the Mountaineers, "They're no good." So not much of a test for the Seminoles, who are good. FRI game was tied at 5 until FSU's 11-run 6th (13 straight batters reached), after which game was called. Seminoles pitchers responded the rest of the weekend; Fr. Mark Sauls continued strong start w/5 1-hit IP, 4 Ks, retired 14 straight before leaving. SUN, Jr. LHP Trent Peterson tied career high w/10 Ks in 5 1-hit IP, and FSU had its second 11-run 6th inning of the weekend; this time 14 straight hitters reached. RESULTS: Jan. 31-Feb. 2: vs. VMI (@St. Petersburg): W, 12-4; W, 5-1; W, 10-3 Feb. 7-9: @ Stanford (3): L, 1-2 (12); W, 4-3; W, 10-8 (12) Feb. 14-16: Evansville: W, 13-2; W, 14-3; W, 11-1 Feb. 21-23: Appalachian State: W, 16-5; W, 9-1; W, 17-0
4. TEXAS This Week: 2-2. Overall: 12-3 (1-2 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
6. NOTES: Win vs. UTSA significant because Jr. OF Eric Sultemeier w/2 HRs, 5 RBIs. Then the Cardinal comes in and beats Texas twice SAT in front of 6,799 at Disch-Falk Field. In opener, Cardinal tag Danny Muegge for 6 H, 7 R in 1.1 IP, 'Horns rally falls short despite 6 IP, 0 ER by reliever Sam LeCure. Then Stanford chases LHP Justin Simmons after 2.1 IP. SUN, Texas pitchers come back in front of 6.017, 3 RBIs, HR for RF Dustin Majewski, 4.1 shutout innings by bullpen. 2B Tim Moss w/7 hits on series, Sultemeier goes 3-for-4 SUN. RESULTS: Feb. 18: UT-San Antonio: W, 14-1 Feb. 22-23: Stanford (10): L, 7-11; L, 7-8; W, 7-1
5. ARIZONA STATE This Week: 4-0. Overall: 21-1 (4-1 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
4. NOTES: Win No. 700 for coach Pat Murphy comes at the hands of Notre Dame, his former employer. Sun Devils rallied SUN after ND had taken the lead with a seven-run 6th inning. ASU answered with a nine-spot in its half of the 6th, all coming with two outs. Irish held in check the rest of the way by Jr. RHP Ryan Schroyer, who hasn't given up a run in 13.1 IP and has 18 Ks, 4 SV. Other key arm so far for Sun Devils: Sr. RHP Jared Liebeck, 7 scoreless IP vs. Dayton, now 4-0. Jr. DH Jeremy West, expected to produce power, did so this weekend, 3 HRs, 10 RBIs on the week, including two HRs, 6 RBIs in 16-3 win vs. ND. Soph. 1B/3B Jeff Larish continues to rack up gaudy numbers--8 HRs, 42 RBIs, 32 BB in 22 games, grand slam that broke open first win vs. ND. RESULTS: Feb. 17: Gonzaga: W, 17-5 Feb. 21: Dayton: W, 10-1 Feb. 22-23: Notre Dame (11): W, 16-3; W, 14-8
6. CAL STATE FULLERTON This Week: 3-0. Overall: 11-1 (3-0 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
5. NOTES: Another strong showing by the Titans, who tuned up for next weekend's Kia Bash and the return of Augie Garrido to Fullerton. FRI, Nevada led 9-0 (got 7 runs off CSUF ace Wes Littleton, who had 9 Ks, 0 BB in 7 IP) before Titans got one in 8th and 8 in 9th for greatest 9th-inning comeback in school history. Ninth-inning rally included tying run scoring on Kyle Boyer's IF grounder as Joe Turgeon beat throw to 2nd. Titans won it in 14th on Boyer's RBI single, and Titans went on for 21-inning scoreless streak. Boyer went 5-for-13, 3 RBIs on weekend. CSUF freshmen shined--LHP Ryan Schreppel goes 7 IP, 6 Ks, 3 H, 1 BB on SAT, he's 4-0, 0.82. SUN, redshirt RHP Dustin Miller Ks 13 in 6.1 IP as Titans match best start since
1996. Combined, Titans pitchers K 41, walk 3 on weekend. RESULTS: Feb. 21-23: Nevada: W, 10-9 (14); W, 7-0; W, 5-2
7. WAKE FOREST This Week: 2-0. Overall: 4-1 (0-0 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
7. NOTES: In the words of Madison coach Spanky McFarland, "We're just not ready to play ranked teams right now." Apparently not, as the Demon Deacons spank the Dukes twice. FRI, Jr. RHP Kyle Sleeth shines, 8 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 9 Ks, and RF Ryan Johnson cranks a pair of HRs, 5 RBIs. SUN, Seth Hill almost matches Sleeth, 1 ER in 7 IP, 5 Ks. Deacs had a 9-run 6th after Dukes pulled to 3-2, led by Jr. 3B Jamie D'Antona. He had career-best 6 RBIs, including 3-run HR in 6th, one of 3 HRs in inning. Fr. OF Chris Getz swung hot bat all weekend, had two hits, 3 RBIs in 6th-inning uprising and two hits FRI. RESULTS: Feb. 11: Appalachian State: W, 26-0 Feb. 12: @ Elon: L, 1-4 Feb. 15: West Virginia: W, 10-2 Feb. 21, 23: James Madison: W, 15-6; W, 13-2
8. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA This Week: 0-4. Overall: 5-6 (4-5 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
16. NOTES: Trojans lose all four on the week and get swept for the second straight year by the Bears, who did it last year at Dodger Stadium. This one is by a combined 4 runs. No Sr. RHP Anthony Reyes for the Trojans this weekend; we're still checking into why. Fr. LHP Bobby Paschal deserves better, losing both of his starts (to Pepp., SUN vs. Baylor) despite 12 Ks, 1 BB in 13 IP. Jr. RHP Brian Bannister also w/strong start FRI, 7.1 IP, 1 ER, but USC is struggling offensively w/3 1-run games this week. Team hitting just .271, and while it has 12 HRs, 5 are from Fr. C Jeff Clement, who hit four in two games last weekend. RESULTS: Feb. 19: Pepperdine: L, 1-4 Feb. 22-23: @ Baylor (9): L, 1-2 (12); L, 8-9; L, 1-3
9. BAYLOR This Week: 4-0. Overall: 8-3 (4-1 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
8. NOTES: The Bears sweep series vs. USC in matchup of senior-laden teams. Baylor's pitching starts matching its hitting as it sweeps the Trojans for the second straight year. Big week for Sr. CF Chris Durbin, whose solo HR on FRI in 12th delivered game one win, as did his pair of solo shots SUN. His HR on FRI came too late for Sr. RHP Steven White to get the win, but White pitched career-high 10 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 Ks. Sr. closer Zane Carlson closed out last two wins, wriggling out of bases-loaded jam (not of his making) in 8th on SUN for 25th career save, three shy of Big 12 record. RESULTS: Feb. 18: UT-Arlington: W, 9-2 Feb. 22-23: Southern California (8): W, 2-1 (12); W, 9-8; W, 3-1
10. STANFORD This Week: 3-1. Overall: 9-6 (3-6 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
9. NOTES: Most impressive week of the year for the Cardinal as they go on the road and win a series at Texas, which beat Stanford twice last June in Omaha. Cardinal pounds out 17 hits in opener--Jr. OF Carlos Quentin goes 5-for-6, Fr. 3B Jed Lowrie w/4 hits--to back Jr. RHP John Hudgins, 7 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO. Quentin w/2 more hits in nightcap while DH Ryan Garko goes 2-for-3, 3 RBIs, CF Sam Fuld w/key RBI single in 7th for eventual game-winner. SUN starter mystery deepens as Jonny Dyer starts, lasts just 3 IP; only Jeff Gilmore comes away unscathed by Texas bats. Career win No. 1,100 MON for coach Mark Marquess. RESULTS: Feb. 17: Nevada: W, 5-4 Feb. 22-23: @ Texas (4): W, 11-7; W, 8-7; L, 1-7
11. NOTRE DAME This Week: 2-2. Overall: 2-2 (0-2 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
14. NOTES: The Fighting Irish get pounded by Arizona State in opening weekend, though to be fair, ASU had played 20 games and ND two when the teams met. Jr. 2B Steve Sollmann w/8 hits in 17 trips to start the season, 0 SO, 6 R. Irish blew 9-4 lead vs. Dayton before 8th-inning HR by Sr. RF Kris Billmaier. In opener vs. ASU, soph. SS Matt Macri boots routine ground ball (probable DP) that leads to big inning and Jeff Larish's grand slam. Irish had 13 LOB, then blew 8-4 lead in 53-minute 6th inning in finale; Macri w/2-run HR. RESULTS: Feb. 21: vs. Dayton: W, 10-9 Feb. 22: vs. Newman: W, 15-5 Feb. 22-23: @ Arizona State (5): l, 3-16; L, 8-13
12. SOUTH CAROLINA This Week: 4-0. Overall: 8-1 (0-0). New Rank:
10. NOTES: Gamecocks win rescheduled game w/The Citadel, then sweep Duquesne at home behind Jr. C Landon Powell, who's heating up, and solid pitching. Powell had poor opening weekend but is up to .382 w/team-best 11 RBIs, went 9-for-14 this week. Soph. RHP Aaron Rawl w/10 Ks in start vs. Citadel, he's 3-0, 2.51, 20 Ks in 14.1 IP. LHP David Marchbanks wins FRI, he's 3-0, 2.21, but most impressive outing came SUN, as soph. LHP Matt Campbell goes 8 1-hit frames (7.1 no-hit), 9 Ks, 1 BB. Campbell K'd 5 in 1.1 IP vs. Citadel for a save--yes, 5 (one batter reached in 4-K 9th on wild pitch). RESULTS: Feb. 19: @ The Citadel: W, 7-5 Feb. 21-23: Duquesne: W, 12-2; W, 7-5; W, 9-0
13. LONG BEACH STATE This Week: 2-1. Overall: 8-4 (3-3 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
11. NOTES: Most Pac-10 teams would take an 8-4 start in conference play, and the 49ers boast an 8-4 record against all Pac-10 competition. They win a tight series with a good California team without leading slugger 1B Mike Hofius, out w/sprained ankle. Big win SUN, Beach scores its six runs in last two at-bats, 4 RBIs from 8th spot in order on PH HR by Sean Boatright, two more from reserve SS Troy Tulowitzki. Team gets its first two HRs of the year from Boatright and C Todd Jennings. Fr. Cesar Ramos goes 5 IP, 1 ER in his turn as SUN starter. Pair of saves on the weekend for Carlos Muniz, who finished FRI combined shutout (started by Jr. LHP Abe Alvarez). SAT, soph. RHP Jered Weaver retires last 18 hitters after giving up four runs in first. RESULTS: Feb. 21-23: California: W, 1-0; L, 3-6; W, 6-1
14. LOUISIANA STATE This Week: 2-1. Overall: 6-4 (1-1 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
13. NOTES: Tigers bounce back from getting swept with a winning week. Key two-run homer SUN by 3B Ivan Naccarata, Canadian JC transfer (Chipola, Fla., JC) who has hit in his last seven games. He started two games at 3B vs. Houston after starting six at 2b. Homer backed strong outing by Jr. RHP Brian Wilson who out-dueled Brad Sullivan, 7 IP, 6 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO. Solid outing in relief by Sr. RHP Bo Pettit, got out of bases-full jam in 8th and notched first save. Jr. SS Aaron Hill has 10 BB (only 1 SO), team has just 54 SO on the year. RESULTS: Feb. 18: Louisiana-Monroe: W, 9-4 Feb. 22-23: Houston (20): L, 2-7; W, 5-2
15. RICHMOND This Week: 2-0. Overall: 2-0 (0-0). New Rank:
12. NOTES: Feb. 18 vs. George Mason cancelled, as was SAT game vs. NC State, and Spiders slug out a pair of victories despite subpar pitching. Jr. RHP Tim Stauffer gave up 7 R (5 ER) and 9 H in 5 IP, 8 SO, 1 BB, but Spiders rally. According to one scout, his stuff was just a bit shy of mid-season form, and some dinks and dunks contributed to the Drexel rally. SUN, Jr. RHP Mike McGirr out-shines Stauffer, going 6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO, Kentucky ralles w/4 in 9th off reliever Matt McLaughlin but falls short. CF Bryan Pritz w/big weekend, 4-for-5, 4 RBIs SUN; on FRI, knocked in tying run in three-run 9th and scored game-winner. RESULTS: Feb. 21: Drexel: W, 10-8 Feb. 23: Kentucky: W, 11-10
16. AUBURN This Week: 2-2. Overall: 8-3 (4-2 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
15. NOTES: Tigers get plastered by hungry South Alabama team TUE, but rebound to win series vs. Clemson, which had swept AU last year to open the season. LHP Arnold Hughey moves into weekend rotation in style, combined w/Cory Dueitt for two-hitter in weekend opener; Hughey 6 IP, both hits, 1 ER, Dueitt w/3 scoreless, 4 SO. First time since 2000 Clemson has been two-hit. Six RBIs in DH by Jr. Karl Amonite. SUN win in rubber match keyed by 3 hits, 3 RBIs by SS Chuck Jeroloman, 5 strong IP by Jr. RHP Eric Brandon. Fr. C/DH Josh Bell had hit safely in all 11 games, batting .429 w/team-best 12 R, .667 slugging. RESULTS: Feb. 18: South Alabama: L, 3-17 Feb. 22-23: Clemson (18): W, 8-1; L, 8-11; W, 7-3
17. MISSISSIPPI STATE This Week: 2-1. Overall: 2-1 (0-0). New Rank:
17. NOTES: Bulldogs drop their opener at home to Birmingham-Southern before sweeping a pair from Connecticut. BSU beats preseason A-A choice Paul Maholm on SAT, though Maholm fanned 6 in 7 IP, gave up just 1 ER. Jr. 3B Steve Gendron went 5-for-11 on the weekend; Jr. 2B Tyler Scarbrough had two HRs, 4 RBIs in Division I debut. RESULTS: Feb. 22: Birmingham-Southern: L, 3-4 Feb. 23: Connecticut: W, 4-3; W, 11-2
18. CLEMSON This Week: 1-2. Overall: 1-2 (1-2). New Rank:
19. NOTES: Tigers stumble out of the games with a tough series at Auburn, losing two of three and getting two-hit on FRI, just second time since
1996. Soph. LHP Tyler Lumsden pitched well in victory, 6 IP, just 1 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 3 Ks, while Fr. RHP Kris Harvey follows in dad Bryan's footsteps, getting the save w/3 IP despite giving up 5 R in 9th. Big weekend for Sr. 1B Michael Johnson, who hit pair of HRs (Nos. 47 & 48 career). DH Garrick Evans goes 7-for-15 in first weekend as a starter. RESULTS: Feb. 22-23: @ Auburn (16): L, 1-8; W, 11-8; L, 3-7
19. NEBRASKA This Week: 2-1. Overall: 4-2 (0-0). New Rank:
18. NOTES: Huskers get Sr. DH Matt Hopper back from thumb, arm injuries, and he looks great in return to lineup. Hopper had six hits in 9 ABs, 3 HRs, 7 BB, 0 SO, 6 RBIs--quite a debut. Huskers blew 5-2 lead in DH opener as La. Tech's John Brandon hit granny in the 7th. Soph. LHP Brian Duensing fanned 8 in 5.2 IP to get the win in DH nightcap. Jr. OF Brandon Fusilier had 7 RBIs in the last two games of the series, including 2-run HR in first inning SUN. Sr. CF Jeff Leise breaks out of 4-for-22 slump w/4-for-5 day, 2 RBIs, 2 SB. RESULTS: Feb. 22-23: @ Louisiana Tech: L, 5-6; W, 14-3; W, 13-8
20. HOUSTON This Week: 1-2. Overall: 3-6 (1-3 vs. Top 25). New Rank: Out of poll. NOTES: Sr. LHP Danny Zell has all three of the Cougars' wins, beating LSU on SAT w/6 two-hit IP, 2 BB, 3 Ks. Got relief help from soph. Ryan Wagner, who fanned 7 in 2.2 IP, has 23 Ks in 11.1 IP. Three straight losses for Jr. RHP Brad Sullivan (from now on, we'll just call him Zell's roommate), though he pitched well in losses to Rice and LSU, he's 0-3, 4.19, but 20 SO, 5 BB, 17 H in 19.1 IP. Team's hitting just .221, 27 R (3 per game), outscored 26-8 in Sullivan's starts. Jr. 1B-DH Thanos Papavasiliou team's leading hitter, .345, 4 RBIs. RESULTS: Feb. 18: Rice (2): L, 0-3 Feb. 22-23: @ LSU (14): W, 7-2; L, 2-5
21. NORTH CAROLINA This Week: 4-0. Overall: 4-0 (0-0). New Rank:
20. NOTES: Tar Heels, who have won their last six openers, break out the offense and some pretty strong pitching in sweeping Seton Hall. Starters Daniel Moore, Scott Manshack, Garry Bakker and Bo Dickerson combine for 21 IP, 18 Ks, just three ER. DH Sammy Hewitt, who missed all of last year w/shoulder injury, had HR, 7 R, 6 RBIs in his first four games. Heels blew 3-1 lead as SHU scored 5 in top of 7th, but UNC came back, capped by two-run single by Sr. LF Sean Farrell. RESULTS: Feb. 20: Delaware State: W, 19-8 Feb. 21, 23: Seton Hall: W, 18-2; W, 6-1; W, 7-6 (7)
22. FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL This Week: 2-2. Overall: 12-3 (1-0 vs. Top 25). New Rank: Out of poll. NOTES: Golden Panthers lose a series to the struggling B-CC, but Jr. RHP Josh Banks continues to sizzle with another shutout of Fla. Atlantic. He went 7 IP, 3 H, 0 BB, 6 SO and has pitched 29 scoreless innings to start the season (new school record); he's 2-0 w/37 Ks. Five errors SUN contribute to loss to B-CC's John Gragg, who fanned 8 in CG. FIU rallied for six runs in 9th FRI, only win in series in a wild game that included a brawl in 8th (each team had a player ejected). 3B Skip Adams homered to lead off 9th; FIU loaded bases w/two outs and got pair of two-run singles before Adams finished rally w/RBI single. RESULTS: Feb. 19: Florida Atlantic: W, 9-0 Feb. 21-23: Bethune-Cookman: W, 9-8; L, 6-8; L, 4-5
23. STETSON This Week: 0-3. Overall: 3-6 (0-2 vs. Top 25). New Rank: Out of poll. NOTES: Difficult start continues for the Hatters, who go winless in Rice's Crown Plaza invitational despite being the only team all week to score against the Owls' stellar pitching. Jr. 2B Brian Snider and 1B Bryan Zenchyk w/pair of HRs in loss to Owls, and Snyder also went deep vs. UT-Arlington. Hatters return home for one vs. Michigan and must get right before starting conference play next weekend at Jacksonville State. RESULTS: Feb. 22: @ Rice: L, 6-11 Feb. 22: vs. UT Arlington: L, 3-6 Feb. 23: vs. Mississippi: L, 2-5
24. TULANE This Week: 3-0. Overall: 8-1 (0-0). New Rank:
21. NOTES: Strong weekend for the Green Wave, who lost this series last year in Malibu. Fr. Matt Goebel got the ball first and went 7.2 IP in his first start, 4 SO, 0 BB, backed by three hits apiece from SS Tony Giarratano, Michael Aubrey. Giarratano, a Freshman All-American in '01 who struggled last year, also had 3 H on SUN to back Cory Hahn, who threw 6 IP scoreless out of the bullpen. Jr. LHP Joey Charron saved first two games of series and Wave scores six in last two frames of 2nd game SAT. Tulane heads for Kia Bash at Fullerton next weekend with CSUF, Texas and UCLA. RESULTS: Feb. 22-23: Pepperdine: W, 6-3; W, 7-3; W, 11-4
25. MISSISSIPPI: This Week: 1-3. Overall: 3-3 (1-1 vs. Top 25). New Rank: Out of poll. NOTES: Tough week in the poll for the Rebels, who saw a lot of good pitching. Shut down WED by Southwest Missouri State senior ace Brad Ziegler, then shut out by Rice on SAT. In between, a devastating loss to UT-Arlington in which tying and winning runs scored on bottom-of-9th, two-out flyout to CF that was dropped. Team shows some resilience to come back SUN and win behind Stephen Head, who scored winning run and got the win in relief (3 IP, 0 ER). RESULTS: Feb. 19: Southwest Missouri State: L, 2-4 Feb. 22: UT-Arlington: L, 7-8 Feb. 22: @ Rice (2): L, 0-6 Feb. 23: Stetson (23): W, 5-2 OTHERS TO CONSIDER: MIAMI This Week: 3-0. Overall: 7-2 (0-0). New Rank:
22. NOTES: No ranked teams when they played, but some impressive wins so far for the Hurricanes, who sweep coach Gwynn's Aztecs. as Aztecs left SUN finale included three-run rally in 8th to give reliever J.D. Cockroft his second win, 3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER. Big weekend for Jr. 1B Jim Burt, who went 7-for-10, including go-ahead homer on FRI, has 4 HRs for year to lead team. Soph. Vince Bongiovanni got win SAT, 5.2 IP, 6 Ks. FRI, Dan Touchet and Cockroft (3 more IP) combine on win, Touchet w/9 Ks in 6 IP, they were backed by five-run rally in 6th. RESULTS: Feb. 3: Fla. International: W, 12-7 Feb. 6-8: Campbell: W, 13-2; W, 10-3; L, 9-12 Feb. 14-15: @ Florida: W, 9-2; L, 3-5 Feb. 21-23: San Diego State: W, 6-3; W, 4-1; W, 6-3 KANSAS This Week: 2-0. Overall: 11-3 (3-0 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
23. NOTES: Jayhawks handle success just fine and win a pair against solid Eastern Michigan club after last weekend's sweep of LSU. Sr. RF/LHP Kevin Wheeler sets tone in the cold on FRI, carries shutout into the 9th and strikes out career-high 12th before tiring in the 9th, needed help for last out. Has 20/3 K/BB ratio so far. Backed by two-run HR by DH Jason Apphun in 8th. West Coast offense shines w/10 SB in 11 attempts, led in part by Sr. LF Casey Spanish, 3-for-5, two BB, 3 SB on the weekend. RESULTS: Feb. 22-23: Eastern Michigan: W, 3-1; W, 6-2 TEXAS A&M This Week: 4-1. Overall: 7-2 (0-1 vs. Top 25). New Rank:
24. NOTES: Aggies still playing in the Domino's Pizza Aggie Classic today, a tournament that tests their pitching. So far, TAMU is more than up to the challenge--in five games on the week, Aggies have given up just 12 runs. Soph. RHP Logan Kensing, in the words of SID Chuck Glenewinkel, "continues to deal". He gave up just one earned run in 7 IP, 4 Ks, 3 H; Jr. RHP Matt Farnum also deals w/7 Ks, 3 H, 1 R in 6 IP vs. Creighton. JC transfer Cory Patton continues strong season, has two HRs, 9 RBIs so far on the tournament. RESULTS: Feb. 18: @ Sam Houston State: W, 8-0 Feb. 22: Creighton: W, 7-4 Feb. 22: Utah: L, 1-4 Feb. 23: UCLA: W, 7-2 Feb. 23: Creighton: W, 7-2 WICHITA STATE This Week: 6-1. Overall: 9-1 (0-0 vs. Top 25). NOTES: The Shockers played seven games at Hilo overall, winning them all by a combined score of 90-16 and posting three straight shutouts. Junior 3B/C Cody Clark was one of the hitting heroes, going 9-for-22 with eight RBIs and a homer, with two RBIs in the 4-3 win vs. the Rainbows. Excellent crowds in Hawaii with more than 9,200 on hand for the games. Redshirt Fr. LHP Steve Uhlmansiek, coming off strong summer in Jayhawk League, has struggled with control so far, 9 BB but also 12 SO in 8 1/3 IP over two starts, combined on one of the Hilo shutouts. RESULTS: Feb. 17-19: @ Hawaii-Hilo: W, 21-0; W, 10-0; W, 12-0; W, 13-4 Feb. 21-23: @ Hawaii: L, 3-7; W, 4-3; W, 6-4