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We are now in conference play for both the ACC and SEC while the west coast schools continue to play out of conference matchups.
- The biggest matchup this weekend is taking place in Baton Rouge, Louisiana as the Florida Gators are taking on the LSU Tigers. The opener between the two schools saw the LSU Tigers holding a 3-2 lead heading to the top of the ninth. After Matty Ott got Brian Johnson to ground out for the first out of the inning, Mike Zunino would find a slider coming down the heart of the plate which he put over the left field wall to tie the game at 3. The inning continued for the Gators as Kamm Washington got a pinch hit single which was followed by a Austin Nola error on a routine grounder by Josh Adams to put runners on first and second. Jeff Moyer then loaded up the bases after a long battle with Ott with a single to shallow left which loaded up the bases. Nolan Fontana drove in two runs with a single threw a drawn in infield to give the Gators the 5-3 lead. Anthony DeSclafani gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth but was able to strand the tying run on second base to give the Gators the 5-4 win.
- The other big matchup is the Florida State Seminoles heading to Virginia for a three game set. The Noles were able to get to Virginia stud lefty Danny Hultzen for three runs but Sean Gilmartin also gave also gave up three runs. Stephen Proscia eventually won the game for the Cavs with an RBI single in the 11th inning off of Daniel Bennett to give the Noles their second straight loss. The win by Virginia ups their record to 18-1 while FSU drops to 15-3.
- Georgia continues to turn it around as they beat South Carolina 4-2 in Columbia. Alex Wood scattered seven hits over 8.1 innings, striking out six. Michael Roth pitched well, but the South Carolina defense gave up five errors in defeat.
- The Rhode Island Rams played well in a couple of games against the Florida Gators but they were outstanding today as they hammered the UConn Huskies 18-3. The Rams were able to pound out 21 hits especially hitting UConn reliever Stephen Catalina for eight runs in 1.1 innings pitched. This was especially concerning for UConn as this loss drops their record under .500 again at 7-8. They will need to turn it around quickly if they will host a regional again this year. Notre Dame and Louisville also lost out of conference matchups in a down day for the Big East.
- Oregon State continued their strong start to the season by defeating Long Beach State Friday night 4-0 behind Sam Gaviglio. He gave up only one baserunner which came in the eighth inning to Mike Marjama as he pitched a complete game shutout while striking out 14 batters. Gaviglio has thrown 37 straight scoreless innings since giving up two unearned runs in the first inning on opening day against Gonzaga. Danny Hayes was the offensive star as he went 3-3 with three RBI and one run scored, while Andrew Susac homered in the 4th.
- Michael Rocha continued to dominate opponents by pitching 8.2 scoreless innings giving up three hits. He struck out 13 batters in the 1-0 victory over the Texas A&M Aggies. Ryan Duke got the final out of the game for his 29th career save.
- Congrats to Stony Brook freshman Frankie Vanderka pitched a no-hitter against NJIT in only his second career start as the Seawolves won 14-1. Vanderka ended up walking two batters, hitting one, and having a batter reach base on an error while striking out 13 batters.
- Cal State Fullerton got back on the winning track with an 11-3 victory over Washington. Noe Ramirez struck out eleven, giving up three earned over six innings pitched. Freshman RF Michael Lorenzen went 3-4 with a stolen base and was a homer short of a cycle. Mark talked with coach Serrano after Friday’s contest.
