College Baseball 2024

[Boston Red]

Sadly, the 2024 season starts with the passing of coaching legend Mike Martin at 79.

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/39437271/mike-martin-florida-state-baseball-coach-40-seasons-dies-79

[Assembly Hall]

Bump


Go Hoosiers!

[Sea Ray]

My 9th ranked Tennessee Volunteers opened their season last night with a 6-2 win over 11th ranked Texas Tech. They struck out 17 and walked only one. Several transfers looked really good. Their cleanup hitter is a transfer from NC State where he was their leading hitter.

Great time to be a Vol fan. Granted, no championships yet but football to basketball to baseball seasons, all kinds of winning


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[Assembly Hall]

My Hoosiers fall to #12 Puke. 6-3.

[Boston Red]

A kid from Sacramento State got hit by pitch seven (seven!) times yesterday in a doubleheader by Loyola Marymount.

[RedTeamGo!]

A kid from Sacramento State got hit by pitch seven (seven!) times yesterday in a doubleheader by Loyola Marymount.

I saw the highlights from that. Dude looked like he was standing directly on top of the plate ha.

[SunDeck]

I saw the highlights from that. Dude looked like he was standing directly on top of the plate ha.Like Bob Gibson used to say, "I never hit anyone, they got themselves hit."

[Sea Ray]

Arkansas starting pitcher struck out 17 in just 6 innings yesterday vs a decent team, Oregon St

https://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2024/feb/23/arkansas-oregon-state-baseball-friday-score-globe-life-field/


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[Kingspoint]

From Baseball America...

4. Oregon State

Previous ranking: No. 4
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 7-1, 0-0 in Pac-12 (1-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 2-0

Results

Feb. 19: vs. Minnesota (Surprise, Ariz.): W 6-1
Arlington, Texas
Feb. 21: vs. (17) Texas Tech: W 10-4
Feb. 23: vs. (3) Arkansas: L 5-4
Feb. 24: vs. Michigan: W 11-1 (7)
Feb. 25: vs. Oklahoma State: W 8-1

Upcoming

Feb. 29-March 3: North Dakota State

Oregon State put together a strong week, going 4-1 against Power Five competition. The Beavers’ lone loss was a tough, one-run game against Arkansas on a night that Razorbacks lefthander Hagen Smith looked like he belonged in the big leagues. Otherwise, Oregon State’s offense continued to pummel opposing pitchers, piling up 35 runs in its four wins. After spending the first two weeks on the road, the Beavers now return to Corvallis for their home opener.

- - - Updated - - -

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-baseball-top-25-rankings/

[Sea Ray]

From Baseball America...

4. Oregon State

Previous ranking: No. 4
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 7-1, 0-0 in Pac-12 (1-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 2-0

Results

Feb. 19: vs. Minnesota (Surprise, Ariz.): W 6-1
Arlington, Texas
Feb. 21: vs. (17) Texas Tech: W 10-4
Feb. 23: vs. (3) Arkansas: L 5-4
Feb. 24: vs. Michigan: W 11-1 (7)
Feb. 25: vs. Oklahoma State: W 8-1

Upcoming

Feb. 29-March 3: North Dakota State

Oregon State put together a strong week, going 4-1 against Power Five competition. The Beavers’ lone loss was a tough, one-run game against Arkansas on a night that Razorbacks lefthander Hagen Smith looked like he belonged in the big leagues. Otherwise, Oregon State’s offense continued to pummel opposing pitchers, piling up 35 runs in its four wins. After spending the first two weeks on the road, the Beavers now return to Corvallis for their home opener.

- - - Updated - - -

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-baseball-top-25-rankings/

Glad to see you back KP...you were missed

[Kingspoint]

Glad to see you back KP...you were missed

Been really busy working. 3-month training on a new job. Watched that 1st pre-season game against CLE today. Nice to see baseball back. Was going to see the REDS in SEA April 15-17. Spouse already had the days off, but with only 2 weeks of vacation (plus 4 personal days) and 6 of them used up this coming June in Bend, going to use the 15th to go to Woodburn for the Tulip Festival and take her Mom (whose dementia is increasing). I have the mlb package, so I can pick and choose parts of games to watch here and there of the REDS. Just wish when I watch an archived game, that the recording was the same as the mlb live version. I imagine you'll be in Seattle. Sorry I'll miss you.

Everyone acts like the Chiefs are invincible, but the Bengals and Burrow handled them pretty easily the last couple of years. With Higgins remaining at least another year and our DB's getting another year of experience and a new 1st Rd RT, we should be in pretty good shape. Hope we can keep our backup QB now that he has some experience.

Somehow, Chauncey Billups still has a job.

[Sea Ray]

Been really busy working. 3-month training on a new job. Watched that 1st pre-season game against CLE today. Nice to see baseball back. Was going to see the REDS in SEA April 15-17. Spouse already had the days off, but with only 2 weeks of vacation (plus 4 personal days) and 6 of them used up this coming June in Bend, going to use the 15th to go to Woodburn for the Tulip Festival and take her Mom (whose dementia is increasing). I have the mlb package, so I can pick and choose parts of games to watch here and there of the REDS. Just wish when I watch an archived game, that the recording was the same as the mlb live version. I imagine you'll be in Seattle. Sorry I'll miss you.

Everyone acts like the Chiefs are invincible, but the Bengals and Burrow handled them pretty easily the last couple of years. With Higgins remaining at least another year and our DB's getting another year of experience and a new 1st Rd RT, we should be in pretty good shape. Hope we can keep our backup QB now that he has some experience.

Somehow, Chauncey Billups still has a job.

Our backup QB is completely controlled by the Bengals. He doesn't have enough service time to leave

[j.u.FAIRFIIELD]

A couple of interesting games today.

Vanderbilt curb-stomped Indiana State 20-4 in a mercy killing.
I have no way of evaluating how PFW beat the Hoosiers 9-6.
Why was Grambling playing Arkansas?

[Boston Red]

If you enjoyed Grambling at Arkansas, mark your calendar for April 30 when Grambling visits LSU.

[Assembly Hall]

A couple of interesting games today.

Vanderbilt curb-stomped Indiana State 20-4 in a mercy killing.
I have no way of evaluating how PFW beat the Hoosiers 9-6.
Why was Grambling playing Arkansas?

Hoosiers reading their own press clippings.

[Boston Red]

Xavier beat LSU today. In baseball.

[RedTeamGo!]

Xavier beat LSU today. In baseball.

Well, X is certainly no longer a basketball school, so they’ve gotta have something!

[Boston Red]

Well, X is certainly no longer a basketball school, so they’ve gotta have something!

A Dayton fan would certainly know the symptoms of no longer being a basketball school. Bummer for X, then.

[RedTeamGo!]

A Dayton fan would certainly know the symptoms of no longer being a basketball school. Bummer for X, then.

Not so fast, my friend, Flyers are going dancing this year

[Sea Ray]

Xavier beat LSU today. In baseball.

Yes, they did squeak out a 2-1 win but they also lost 4-0 and 8-2. It's baseball. Losses happen.

Now Tennessee on the other hand is worth bragging about. They're 18-2 and ranked 5th in the country. They will be Xavier's opponent on Tuesday

- - - Updated - - -


Well, X is certainly no longer a basketball school, so they’ve gotta have something!

Their baseball team is 8-11. Is that "something"?

[Boston Red]

Given the early schedule, it's actually not too bad. Good for #45 in the RPI.

[Sea Ray]

Given the early schedule, it's actually not too bad. Good for #45 in the RPI.

Yeah, they're hangin' right there with Rutgers and McNeese. Their schedule's been hard but they haven't done much with it. 6 of their 8 wins have been vs quad 4 teams. Amazing that going 2-9 vs quads 1-3 gets you a #45 RPI ranking but such is the case

[Kingspoint]

With the exception of Duke, very few top-25 teams have played each other so far this season.

[Sea Ray]

With the exception of Duke, very few top-25 teams have played each other so far this season.

There will be a lot of top 25 matchups in the SEC now that they've started conference play. Tennessee has already played top 25 teams 4x, (3 with 'Bama and 1 with Tx Tech)

[Sea Ray]

Given the early schedule, it's actually not too bad. Good for #45 in the RPI.

Xavier does have some decent pitchers. Their 6’5” right hander Bailey was particularly impressive. They kicked the ball around a bit defensively early but Tennessee won as expected, 10-2. Xavier had only 4 hits


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[Boston Red]

We had quite a throwback weekend here in Wichita: Rice vs. Wichita State. Late '90s/early '00s would have been two of the premier programs in college baseball going after it. In 2024, it was a horrible team getting swept by a mediocre one. Kind of sad.

[Kingspoint]

After sweeping #9 LSU over the weekend, Arkansas cemented their hold of #1 overall in BA's Top-25.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-baseball-top-25-rankings/

Clemson holds @ #2, holding MIA to only 5 runs over the weekend in Florida.

Texas A&M pulled off a sweep of Arkansas, despite giving up at least 7 runs in every game. They'll take their #3 ranking @ #15 South Carolina this weekend.

After losing badly (10-run rule) to #12 Florida State early in the weekend, #4 Florida came back to take 2 of 3 from #17 Mississippi State and take over as the new #4 team in the nation.

Tennessee rounds out the Top-5 this week after taking 2 of 3 from #24 Georgia in Tallahassee, where the Vols love to play (21-2 at home this season).


Oregon State fell from #3 to #9 after losing 2 games to USC in Los Angeles, the second one and ugly 17-4 loss.

LSU had the biggest drop falling from 9th to 25th after getting swept by Arkansas in a 3-game series, falling to 2-7 in the ACC and 2-5 vs top-25 teams.

Oregon had the biggest rise to get into the rankings reaching 20th overall after not being ranked last week. They currently lead the Pac-12 at 6-3 and have won 9 of 10.

North Carolina had the biggest jump moving up 6 spots from #19 to #13 after sweeping #13 Wake Forest. Their power was on display with 14 homeruns over the week, including 4 against Chase Burns, giving Burns his first loss of the season. They'll try to continue this momentum during a 3-game set @ #12 Virginia this weekend.

[Sea Ray]

Tennessee rounds out the Top-5 this week after taking 2 of 3 from #24 Georgia in Tallahassee, where the Vols love to play (21-2 at home this season).





Tennessee did take two out of three from Georgia this weekend (they run ruled them in those 2 games) but they played in Knoxville

[Kingspoint]

Tennessee did take two out of three from Georgia this weekend (they run ruled them in those 2 games) but they played in Knoxville

All I know about Tennessee is that Graceland is in Memphis.

[Kingspoint]

The latest Top-25 from Baseball America that came out Monday, April 8th.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-baseball-top-25-rankings/

The biggest surprise was Kentucky's dominating sweep of Alabama, moving the Wildcats to an SEC tying lead at 11-1 in Conference. They held Alabama to just 3 runs over the weekend.

#3 Texas A&M will host #5 Vanderbilt this weekend.

Biggest jump to get into the rankings is #18 Wake Forest, who swept a series at then #17 Virginia Tech thanks to #1 Prospect Nick Kurtz going bananas with 6 homeruns during the week.

[Kingspoint]

#2 Clemson is now 28-4 after losing tonight to South Carolina Upstart.

South Carolina Upstate?

What kind of degree do you get there?

I know early week games don't count or really mean anything as players deep on the depth chart play and pitch for the better squad, but still, I thought I had heard of every college.

That's gotta be a Southern language thing.

Where do you go to school.

Well, I go Upstate in South Carolina.

https://uscupstate.edu/

[Boston Red]

Used to be USC-Spartanburg. Not sure why the name change.

[Kingspoint]

Used to be USC-Spartanburg. Not sure why the name change.

That's interesting. Saw that their mascot is still the Spartan. Maybe they had an inferiority complex with the University of Southern California.

[westofyou]

I lived in upstate South Carolina once.

Pretty swampy down state, low country

[Kingspoint]

https://external-content.duckduckgo.com/iu/?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftse3.mm.bing.net%2Fth%3Fid%3DOIP. DO9Q7gxQrf7PZH6Z0JGG6AAAAA%26pid%3DApi&f=1&ipt=28e5acf46e5811f16798ca2f0e298aec2ee27d0780b4b2 4c6e8c96c7147375ae&ipo=images

[Sea Ray]

Given the early schedule, it's actually not too bad. Good for #45 in the RPI.

Xavier is well ahead of LSU in the RPI now

[Boston Red]

Xavier is well ahead of LSU in the RPI now

With the Muskies' stellar 17-18 record! Big series win over Creighton this past weekend.

Xavier currently has the #8 rated schedule in the nation. That's about to change a lot with #174 Seton Hall on tap next weekend, a mid-week against #220 Miami and #140 Bulter and #168 Villanova series coming soon. The mid-weeks against Kentucky and Oklahoma aren't going to offset those opponents!

Bottom line: despite the #33 RPI, Xavier best win the Big East Tournament if they want to play in the NCAA Tournament. But if they do that, they'll absolutely be a #3 seed and not a #4, which is nice.

[Sea Ray]

LSU has been a huge disappointment

[RichRed]

JMU is 21-14 with a #26 RPI but I’m expecting the usual mid-to-late season descent into mediocrity.

The Dukes’ best player is Fenwick Trimble, who could become a Hogwarts teacher if pro baseball doesn’t pan out for him.

[Sea Ray]

It ain't easy playing baseball in the SEC. In this poll the top 4 teams are from that conference. I suppose weather has something to do with it

https://d1baseball.com/rankings/d1baseball-top-25-oklahoma-leads-three-entrants-to-rankings/

[Kingspoint]

It ain't easy playing baseball in the SEC. In this poll the top 4 teams are from that conference. I suppose weather has something to do with it

https://d1baseball.com/rankings/d1baseball-top-25-oklahoma-leads-three-entrants-to-rankings/

The conference playoffs from all of the conferences will be great to watch.

Baseball America has always been a much better ranking system, and more true of the real rankings. They always do a better job with their voting and it's always clear that their voters actually watch a wider variety of games instead of focusing on one conference or a smidgen of the teams in the NCAA.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-baseball-top-25-rankings/

1. Texas A&M
Previous ranking: No. 1
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 35-5, 13-5 in SEC (11-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-1

Results

April 16: Air Force: W 15-5 (7)
April 19-20: @ (12) Alabama: W 10-5, W 18-9, L 10-9

Upcoming

April 23: Houston
April 26-28: Georgia

The Aggies kept rolling and became the first team this season to win a series at Alabama, something Arkansas, South Carolina and Tennessee all previously failed to do. A&M broke out its big bats to do so, scoring 38 runs in the series. The Aggies hit nine home runs in the series, including two each from Jackson Appel, Braden Montgomery and Caden Sorrell. A&M this week hosts Georgia in what could be another slugfest, as the Bulldogs rank second in the country in home runs.

2. Arkansas
Previous ranking: No. 2
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 34-6, 14-4 in SEC (7-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-1

Results

April 16-17: Texas Tech: W 9-8, W 5-4
April 19-20: @ (19) South Carolina: W 2-1, L 6-3, W 9-6

Upcoming

April 23: vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff (North Little Rock, Ark.)
April 26-28: Florida

After last week taking its first series loss of the season, Arkansas bounced back in a big way. First, it swept Texas Tech in a midweek series, including erasing a seven-run deficit in Tuesday’s victory. Then it grabbed a huge road series win at South Carolina. The Razorbacks got quality starts in its two wins from Hagen Smith (6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 5 BB, 11 K) and Brady Tygart (6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 6 K) to lead the way. Arkansas this weekend returns home to host Florida.

3. Tennessee
Previous ranking: No. 3
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 33-7, 12-6 in SEC (8-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-1


Results

April 16: Bellarmine: W 20-5
April 19-21: @ (7) Kentucky: L 5-3, W 9-4, W 13-11

Upcoming

April 23: Western Carolina
April 25-27: Missouri

Tennessee continued to roll with a statement road series win at No. 7 Kentucky. After dropping the first game, the Volunteers responded with wins Saturday and Sunday. In the finale, they stormed back from a 6-2 deficit due in large part to three home runs off the bat of Christian Moore who this weekend went 9-for-15 with nine RBIs and four homers. Kavares Tears delivered what was perhaps the swing of the weekend, as on Sunday he blasted the go-ahead, two-run home run. The Vols this week return home and will take on Western Carolina and Missouri.

4. Clemson
Previous ranking: No. 2
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 32-7, 13-5 in ACC (4-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-1

Results


April 16: Charlotte: W 8-5
April 19-20: Pittsburgh: W 6-4, L 8-4, W 9-2

Upcoming

April 23: @ Georgia
April 26-28: @ Louisville

After last week losing its first series of the season, Clemson bounced back with a solid week at home. After splitting the first two games of its series against Pitt, Clemson left no doubt in the series finale. Jimmy Obertop homered three times in that game and went 7-for-14 with five home runs in the series to lead the Tigers. They have a tough week on the road ahead, starting Tuesday with a rivalry game at Georgia before a trip to Louisville on the weekend.

5. Duke
Previous ranking: No. 6
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 29-11, 13-8 in ACC (6-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-2

Results

April 16: Gardner-Webb: W 2-1
April 19-21: @ Virginia Tech: W 9-8 (11), L 2-1 (11), W 13-10


Upcoming

April 23: @ Campbell
April 26-28: (6) Florida State

The Blue Devils picked up a trio of hard-fought wins this week, headlined by a series win over Virginia Tech. Veteran Ben Miller was the hero Friday night, as after belting a game-tying home run in the top of the ninth he laced the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 11th. In the finale, the Blue Devils stormed back from a 9-4 seventh-inning deficit to take the series. They crushed six home runs—including two from freshman AJ Gracia—and Charlie Beilenson, who fired four scoreless innings to earn the win Friday, slammed the door with a scoreless ninth inning. A difficult week lies ahead for Duke, which will take on Campbell before a weekend showdown against Florida State.


6. Florida State
Previous ranking: No. 5
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 31-8, 11-7 in ACC (3-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-2

Results

April 16: Mercer: L 13-6
April 19-21: @ (14) Wake Forest: L 5-4, W 9-6, L 10-9


Upcoming

April 23: North Florida
April 26-28: @ (5) Duke

The Seminoles endured a tough week. They lost a non-conference game for the first time this season, falling on Tuesday to Mercer. Florida State then traveled to Wake Forest for what turned out to be a thrilling series, though one that it came up just shy in. All three games were decided in the final innings and Florida State’s win in the middle game came when it scored three runs in the ninth inning on an RBI double from Marco Dinges and a two-run home run from Jaime Ferrer. Florida State this weekend faces another difficult road series, as it visits Duke.

7. Kentucky
Previous ranking: No. 7
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 32-7, 15-3 in SEC (7-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-2

Results

April 16: @ Louisville: W 17-13
April 19-21: (3) Tennessee: W 5-3, L 9-4, L 13-11

Upcoming


April 26-28: @ (22) South Carolina

After picking up a pair of big wins to begin the week, Kentucky dropped the final two games of its series against Tennessee. Sunday’s loss was particularly hard to swallow given the fact it led 6-2 in the sixth inning. The biggest bright spot this week for the Wildcats was outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt, who went 10-for-18 with three doubles, four home runs and 11 RBIs across four games. Kentucky is still atop the SEC standings and will travel this weekend to South Carolina.

8. East Carolina
Previous ranking: No. 10
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 32-7, 11-4 in American (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-1

Results

April 16: @ William & Mary: W 14-13 (13)
April 19-20: Wichita State: W 6-4, W 11-7, W 11-4

Upcoming

April 23: (17) NC State
April 26-28: @ Memphis


The Pirates rolled to a 4-0 week and have now won nine of their last 10 games. It wasn’t easy for ECU, however. On Tuesday at William & Mary, ECU needed 13 innings to put the Pride away, despite getting them down to their final out in the ninth and 11th inning. Against Wichita State, ECU fell behind early in both games of Saturday’s doubleheader before exploding for 11 runs in each game. ECU this week takes on in-state rival NC State before traveling to Memphis.

9. Vanderbilt
Previous ranking: No. 13
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 29-11, 10-8 in SEC (6-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-2

Results

April 16: @ Lipscomb: W 15-4 (7)
April 18-20: Florida: W 10-5, W 5-2, L 6-2

Upcoming

April 23: Tennessee-Martin
April 26-28: Mississippi State

After getting swept last week at Texas A&M, Vanderbilt bounced back with a solid week in Nashville. After blowing out crosstown rival Lipscomb on Tuesday, it won a series against Florida. Catcher Alan Espinal went 5-for-14 and homered twice to lead the lineup against the Gators. Vanderbilt remains at home this week, welcoming Mississippi State to Hawkins Field.

10. Wake Forest
Previous ranking: No. 14
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 26-13, 11-10 in ACC (7-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 7-3

Results

April 16: vs. UNC Wilmington (Durham, N.C.): L 8-5
April 19-20: (5) Florida State: W 5-4, L 9-6, W 10-9

Upcoming

April 23: @ Elon
April 26-28: @ Notre Dame

Wake lost a tough game Tuesday against UNCW but bounced back for a hard-fought series win against Florida State. The series came down to the wire and the Demon Deacons scored the winning run when Cameron Gill raced home from third on a wild pitch to walk off with the victory. For the third time in four weeks, Wake this weekend will be back on the road in ACC play, this time visiting Notre Dame.

11. Virginia
Previous ranking: No. 9
Last week: 2-3
Overall: 29-11, 12-9 in ACC (7-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 7-3

Results

April 16: @ Old Dominion: L 7-4

April 17: George Mason: W 11-5
April 19-21: Georgia Tech: L 13-2 (8), W 8-7 (11), L 17-12

Upcoming

April 23: Liberty
April 25-27: @ Boston College

Following an upset loss at Old Dominion, Virginia dropped its series against Georgia Tech in underwhelming fashion. It bounced back from a run-rule loss in the series opener by notching a hard-fought, 11-inning win Saturday, but gave up a whopping 25 hits in Sunday’s shootout loss. A handful of hitters enjoyed productive weekends, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the struggles on the mound. The ‘Hoos this week will host Liberty before heading north to take on a struggling Boston College team.

12. North Carolina
Previous ranking: No. 11
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 30-10, 15-6 in ACC (7-8 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 6-4

Results

April 16: (21) Coastal Carolina: L 5-4
April 18-20: @ (22) NC State: L 9-8, L 5-4, W 14-3

Upcoming

April 23: Gardner-Webb
April 26-28: Virginia Tech

The Tar Heels lost a trio of tough, one-run games this week. On Tuesday, UNC lost at home to Coastal Carolina, snapping their 27-game home winning streak that dated to last season. It then lost the first two games of its series at NC State, with both losses coming in the late innings. The Tar Heels bounced back for a blowout victory in Saturday’s finale, led by four-hit days from Vance Honeycutt and Colby Wilkerson. UNC returns home for four games this week and will look to start a new winning streak at Boshamer Stadium.

13. Oregon State
Previous ranking: No. 8
Last week: 1-4
Overall: 30-9, 10-7 in Pac-12 (1-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-2

Results

April 16-17: @ Nevada: W 12-5, L 11-10
April 19-21: @ California: L 10-8, L 8-7, L 4-3

Upcoming

April 23: vs. Portland
April 26-28: (18) Oregon

It was a week to forget for the Beavers, who after blowing a six-run lead Wednesday at Nevada were swept by California. Their lineup was relatively productive, but their pitching and defense both struggled and surrendered far too many free bases. Oregon State will look to get back to its winning ways this weekend as it hosts Oregon in a rivalry series.



Oregon State has some issues to fix before the conference playoffs begin. They're right now on the edge of being able to host a Regional, and would be on the road for a Super Regional.

[Sea Ray]

What does "weekend record" refer to?

[Kingspoint]

What does "weekend record" refer to?

Because the Top-50 teams generally use Freshmen and players who never see an at-bat or throw a pitch on the weekend during the games on Tue/Wed/Thur against much lower-ranked and often not even D-1 teams, those results shouldn't factor into a team's record. They're playing against lower-ranked teams top players, but they are using their own rarely used players. Because the Saturday/Sunday games are chances to win a series, and winning series is how every team judges itself (including the REDS and Major League teams), the Saturday and Sunday games have more importance to them and give a better feel for how a team will perform under pressure (like the NCAA playoffs). Consider them "quality wins" or "quality losses".

Btw, this weekend's series loss to the Mets was the first time in 13 years that the Dodgers lost 3 series in a row.

And, congratulations on another great regular season performance by the Vols this season, over-achieving their expected results so far. Like you stated, the SEC is the strongest conference again this season, and they are looking great again. All great teams have great players and great programs with great coaches driving those machines.

[Sea Ray]

Because the Top-50 teams generally use Freshmen and players who never see an at-bat or throw a pitch on the weekend during the games on Tue/Wed/Thur against much lower-ranked and often not even D-1 teams, those results shouldn't factor into a team's record. They're playing against lower-ranked teams top players, but they are using their own rarely used players. Because the Saturday/Sunday games are chances to win a series, and winning series is how every team judges itself (including the REDS and Major League teams), the Saturday and Sunday games have more importance to them and give a better feel for how a team will perform under pressure (like the NCAA playoffs). Consider them "quality wins" or "quality losses".

Btw, this weekend's series loss to the Mets was the first time in 13 years that the Dodgers lost 3 series in a row.

And, congratulations on another great regular season performance by the Vols this season, over-achieving their expected results so far. Like you stated, the SEC is the strongest conference again this season, and they are looking great again. All great teams have great players and great programs with great coaches driving those machines.

OK, so weekend refers to Sat/Sun games. I did not know that teams generally played those games differently than Friday games. I was aware of the difference between those games and Tues/Wed games of course. I actually thought that teams often started their aces on Friday. Thanks for filling me in. Definitely my Vols do better on Sat/Sun than Friday

[Boston Red]

Friday is part of the weekend for sure.

And most teams don't play Tuesday/Wednesday that different from the weekend other than the pitching. But not throwing any of your top 3 starters (and often holding out or limiting top relievers) is a pretty huge difference.

[Sea Ray]

Friday is part of the weekend for sure.

And most teams don't play Tuesday/Wednesday that different from the weekend other than the pitching. But not throwing any of your top 3 starters (and often holding out or limiting top relievers) is a pretty huge difference.

Apparently that site doesn’t consider Friday games “weekend “ games. I too found that curious


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[Kingspoint]

Friday is part of the weekend for sure.

And most teams don't play Tuesday/Wednesday that different from the weekend other than the pitching. But not throwing any of your top 3 starters (and often holding out or limiting top relievers) is a pretty huge difference.

Personally, I would count Friday's games. I don't know why they don't.

And, it's not only your top pitchers who don't play, but half of the 8 Starters in the field are usually replaced with Freshman and others who don't play on the weekends.

[Kingspoint]

OK, so weekend refers to Sat/Sun games. I did not know that teams generally played those games differently than Friday games. I was aware of the difference between those games and Tues/Wed games of course. I actually thought that teams often started their aces on Friday. Thanks for filling me in. Definitely my Vols do better on Sat/Sun than Friday

I am only speculating why they don't include Friday games as I agree with you that most teams do start their Aces on Friday's, just in case there are rainouts, I suppose. You don't want to not be using your best Pitchers if it becomes a 2-game series.

[Sea Ray]

As with every Monday, college baseball polls are rolling out now and pretty much all of them have

1) Texas A&M
2) Arkansas
3) My Tennessee Vols

On another note,

Notre Dame attendance for this past weekend series against a ranked Wake Forest team:

493
1,003
792

There were more people than that in the beer line on first base plaza in Knoxville. Notre Dame did win 2 out of 3

[Kingspoint]

Biggest news of the week was now #5 Florida State taking 2 of 3 last week's #5 Duke @ Duke this weekend.

Maybe Duke was focusing on their Finals that they have this week.

- - - Updated - - -

#9 Kentucky suffered it's 2nd Straight Series Loss over the weekend, this time @ then #22 South Carolina.

[Kingspoint]

Draft stock watch....

Oregon State's Aiden May tossed 8 innings on Friday against then #18 Oregon in bad weather, giving up only 1 hit while striking out 14.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/oregon-state-blanks-oregon-in-rivalry-series-opener-highlighting-college-baseball-roundup/

April 27, 2024 by Teddy Cahill

On an emotional night at Goss Stadium, Oregon State righthander Aiden May more than rose to the occasion against archrival Oregon. In the opener of the final series between the two in-state rivals as conference foes, May delivered the best game of his career. He threw eight scoreless innings and held the Ducks to one hit, leading No. 13 Oregon State to a 2-0 victory against No. 18 Oregon. May and closer Bridger Holmes, who threw a perfect ninth inning, combined for the one-hit shutout. It was the first time the Ducks had been shut out in more than a year and the first time they had been held to just one hit since May 10, 2022. May struck out 14 batters and walked one. He held the Ducks hitless through the first four innings before Drew Smith hit a one-out single in the fifth. That would be their lone hit of the night, however, as their bats were silenced by May and Holmes.

May transferred to Oregon State from Arizona after last season and quickly emerged as the Beavers’ top starter, earning the nod on Opening Day. But it hasn’t been all smooth sailing this year, as he missed a month due to injury. And just a week ago, he gave up six runs on nine hits in five innings in a loss at California. But on Friday night, May showed off just how good he can be. His fastball ran into the mid 90s and he mixed in a sharp slider. Oregon coach Mark Wasikowski asked for the umpires to check May for a foreign substance, but the check came back clean and only seemed to motivate the righthander, who struck out eight of the last 11 batters he faced. He is now 3-0, 3.63 with 45 strikeouts and 12 walks in 39.2 innings on the season.

Holmes, meanwhile, got three quick outs to end the game and earn his ninth save of the season. He is 2-3, 1.19 with 31 strikeouts and 10 walks in 22.2 innings. Oregon State (32-9, 11-7) got its runs early, thanks to solo home runs from Brady Kasper and Travis Bazzana. Oregon righthander RJ Gordon (6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 9 K) held them in check from there, but the Beavers had all the runs they needed. Bazzana’s home run was his 20th of the season and the All-American second baseman is now hitting .427/.584/.965 with 49 walks and 18 strikeouts. He is one home run shy of the program’s single-season record, which has stood since 1982.

The win was a big one on a number of levels for the Beavers. They needed a response this weekend after getting swept last week by California, especially with Arizona (26-14, 14-5) threatening to open up a significant gap in the Pac-12 standings. This is also an emotional weekend in Corvallis because of what it represents in the rivalry. Oregon after this season will leave the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, leaving Oregon State behind. This year’s Beavers have said they aren’t using the fallout of conference realignment as motivation. But the 3,943 fans that on Friday night packed into Goss Stadium certainly made the rivalry’s stakes felt.

Perhaps most importantly, however, Friday night showed how good May and Oregon State can be. With him at his best, Oregon State can match up against any team in the country. Earlier this season, it was May that went toe-to-toe with Arkansas and Hagen Smith, when the All-American lefthander struck out 17 batters in Arlington, Texas. On Friday, he silenced the Ducks, who came into the game averaging 7.6 runs per game, second only to the Beavers in the Pac-12. Oregon State has national championship aspirations. The Beavers have had some ups and downs this season, but on Friday, they looked like a team that can do damage in June.

[Kingspoint]

Vanderbilt continues to fall in the standings, going from #9 last week to #13 this week, now 11-10 in the SEC, a sub-.500 record vs Top-25 teams, after losing a home weekend series to Mississippi State. Their lone bright spot was the start by pitching prospect Bryce Cunningham, who tossed a 2-hit shutout.

[Kingspoint]

Wake Forest had a week to forget as it fell from #10 to #15 this week. They were shutout by the great team of Elon mid-week before losing Saturday and Sunday @ Notre Dame in front of their spattering of fans (thanks SeaRay for showing the true interest of baseball by the University of Notre Dame).

That said, Chase Burns struck out 14 batters in a quality start on Friday.

[Kingspoint]

South Carolina had it's best week of the season with that series win mentioned over 1st Place in the SEC Kentucky. The way they won was most impressive, demoralizing Kentucky in Friday's win, and then embarassing them in the Series Clincher on Sunday.

The Gamecocks hit three homers in the bottom of the ninth to force extra innings and then won it on a two-run, walk-off home run from Blake Jackson. After a tough loss Saturday, South Carolina rebounded for a run-rule, series-clinching victory in the finale.

[Kingspoint]

Mississippi State picked up a series win at Vanderbilt in dramatic fashion and returned to the Top 25 for the first time in three weeks, having won seven of its last eight games. The Bulldogs were trailing, 7-6, with two outs in the ninth inning Sunday when Hunter Hines connected for a two-run, go-ahead home run, lifting them to their first road series win of the year. Mississippi State faces a big week ahead, first taking on archrival Ole Miss in the Governor’s Cup and then hosting Alabama in a key SEC West showdown.

[Kingspoint]

UC Santa Barbara is going to be a team capable of winning a Regional as a non-host.

UCSB swept Fullerton for the first time since 1986 and returned to the Top 25 for the first time in four weeks. The Gauchos were excellent on the mound all weekend, holding the Titans to three runs in the series. All three of its starters pitched into the eighth inning and saved the best for last, as Tyler Bremmer (8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K) starred in Sunday’s finale. UCSB is part of a three-way tie atop the Big West standings but faces another tough series this weekend, as it hosts UC San Diego, the reigning champion.

[Sea Ray]

So proud of my Vols...this according to Baseball America:


Tennessee ranked as new No. 1 team in college baseball

https://twitter.com/GoVols247/status/1787471566218965436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1787471566218965436%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[Boston Red]

Big deal. Xavier swept three at Butler last weekend. THAT's a real accomplishment (please note sarcasm).

X does bring #6 (and somehow still #4 in the SEC) Kentucky to town for mid-week game.

[Kingspoint]

So proud of my Vols...this according to Baseball America:



https://twitter.com/GoVols247/status/1787471566218965436?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1787471566218965436%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

Pretty impressive. They have a young roster, too.

1. Tennessee
Previous ranking: No. 3
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 39-9, 17-7 in SEC (8-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-1

Results

April 30: Lipscomb: L 9-6
May 3-4: @ Florida: W 6-2, L 4-3, W 16-3 (7)

Upcoming

May 7: Queens
May 10-12: @ Vanderbilt


Tennessee takes over atop the rankings for the first time since the end of the 2022 regular season. It this weekend bounced back from its first midweek loss of the season to win a series at Florida. The Volunteers impressed on the mound all weekend, holding the Gators, who came into the series 19th in the nation in scoring (9.0 runs per game), to just nine runs (seven earned). Drew Beam delivered in a quality start, while AJ Causey (5 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K) and Nate Snead (5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K) excelled out of the bullpen in piggyback roles. Tennessee this week faces another big SEC East road series, as it travels to Vanderbilt for a rivalry series.


This is what I mean by the early week games do not matter as the better team only uses half of their best players and gives opportunities to players who don't play on the weekend games.

[Kingspoint]

FYI,...Texas A&M is 29-2 at home this season. They will be hosting both a Regional and a Super Regional, most likely, almost ensuring them of getting to the College World Series.

[Kingspoint]

Arkansas' Hagen Smith was very impressive on Friday, giving his team its only victory against Kentucky over the weekend. The games were in Kentucky. (6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 14 K)

[Boston Red]

The midweek games matter. Note from the story that it was Tennessee's first midweek loss of the season. It's obviously not the same as weekend conference games, but they matter.

[Kingspoint]

The midweek games matter. Note from the story that it was Tennessee's first midweek loss of the season. It's obviously not the same as weekend conference games, but they matter.

They don't matter at all when teams are evalauted with regard to the rankings. That's why they moved up in the standings even though they lost a game to a team they will beat 50 out of 50 times had it been played Fri-Sun. They won 2 of 3 against a non-ranked opponent Florida and still moved up in the standings. If the mid-week game mattered, they would have dropped in the standings. It's basically a team's JV roster that plays in those games against an inferior program.

[Kingspoint]

SEC Baseball Standings:

https://www.secsports.com/standings/baseball

Big Series this weekend:

Georgia @ South Carolina

Mississippi State @ Arkansas

Conference Tournament begins May 21st.

[Boston Red]

They don't matter at all when teams are evalauted with regard to the rankings. That's why they moved up in the standings even though they lost a game to a team they will beat 50 out of 50 times had it been played Fri-Sun. They won 2 of 3 against a non-ranked opponent Florida and still moved up in the standings. If the mid-week game mattered, they would have dropped in the standings. It's basically a team's JV roster that plays in those games against an inferior program.

I mean, you can look at who played against Lipscomb vs. who played against Florida. Right there on the website.

I can assure you those games matter when doing seeding for the tournament.

[Kingspoint]

I can assure you those games matter when doing seeding for the tournament.

..and who pitched?

They mean absolutely nothing. They haven't meant anything to the selection committee in years and they haven't meant anything to BA writers, either, as they shouldn't.

Duke just lost 24-7 in the middle of the week last week. Think anyone cares? Only the team they lost to cares.

[Boston Red]

Of course the pitching is different, and that's a huge difference, but that's not what you said. Tenneessee has played 48 games now. The 9 guys who started in the lineup against Lipscomb have played in 47 games (47 starts), 47 (47), 40 (40), 46 (45), 42 (42), 36 (22), 22 (3), 28 (24) and 38(21). So it looks they played basically one sub, and halfway through replaced him with a guy who has played in 46 games and started 44.

Game one against Florida they started guys who'd played in 47 games (47 starts), 47 (47), 40 (40), 46 (45), 43 (35), 42 (42), 36 (22), 22 (5) and 31 (24).

The Lipscomb lineup seems hardly to be Tennessee's "JV lineup".

[Sea Ray]

The loss to Lipscomb was all about the pitching. Not the lineup

I am interested to see how Xavier fares vs UK

[Boston Red]

I am interested to see how Xavier fares vs UK

I suspect it will go....poorly. Or "pourly". Might rain.

[Sea Ray]

The midweek games matter. Note from the story that it was Tennessee's first midweek loss of the season. It's obviously not the same as weekend conference games, but they matter.

If Tennessee is the proper exhibit, it does appear that the midweek games don't matter. Otherwise, why would a 2-2 week leapfrog to #1? The only explanation is that the loss to Lipscomb didn't matter. It appears that UT's 2-1 weekend trumped other team's 1-2 and that's that. The other UT midweek wins were already "baked in" before last week

[Boston Red]

If UT were 0-15 instead of 14-1 (or whatever) in the midweek, I assure you they'd not be #1. I mean, they really weren't very impressive on the weekend, either, because Florida is pretty mediocre. They more benefitted from others' lack of success this particular week. Absolutely more of a reward for season long excellence for Tennessee than anything they did this week. Honestly, this was probably their second worst week of the season.

[Sea Ray]

If UT were 0-15 instead of 14-1 (or whatever) in the midweek, I assure you they'd not be #1. I mean, they really weren't very impressive on the weekend, either, because Florida is pretty mediocre. They more benefitted from others' lack of success this particular week. Absolutely more of a reward for season long excellence for Tennessee than anything they did this week. Honestly, this was probably their second worst week of the season.

It's not like the teams around them in the rankings were swept or anything.

[Sea Ray]

I suspect it will go....poorly. Or "pourly". Might rain.

You got that right


Due to the forecast of severe weather, including the potential for tornadic activity, in the Cincinnati area and with the health and safety of both players and fans in mind Tuesday night’s game against Xavier has been cancelled

https://twitter.com/UKBaseball/status/1787851450686578747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1787851450686578747%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[Sea Ray]

UT softball team is #2 in the country right now. They're playing some good ball in Knoxville this year

https://twitter.com/More_Issues/status/1787573128178143486?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1787573128178143486%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[Sea Ray]

Let's see how long they can hold onto it. I think they had a better team 2 yrs ago


Tennessee is the consensus No. 1 team in the country.

#Vols are ranked No. 1 by all five major college baseball polls (D1Baseball, Baseball America, Perfect Game, NCBWA and Coaches Poll).

https://twitter.com/benmckee14/status/1787580254942363680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1787580254942363680%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[Kingspoint]

NCAA TOURNAMENT BUBBLE WATCH

May 7, 2024, by Teddy Cahill

With less than three weeks until Selection Monday, the race for the NCAA Tournament is reaching its home stretch. As Selection Monday approaches, I’ll be tracking the development of the Field of 64 and, most importantly, what every team needs to do to secure an at-large bid. For these purposes, I’ll sort teams that are in at-large contention into three camps:

1) Locks. Reserved for teams that could lose out and still make the NCAA Tournament. That’s a bit nit-picky, but when I say lock, I mean it.

2) Should be in. Generally, a team that would be solidly in if the field was selected today.

3) Work to do. Nothing is guaranteed for these teams.

At this stage, the difference between “should be in” and “work to do” is somewhat nebulous. By the end of the month, it will matter much more. In the conference records listed, I include any win or loss against a conference team, whether it counts toward the conference standings or not because that is how the information is presented to the selection committee. So, for instance, Oklahoma State gets credit for a conference win for its mid-week victory against Oklahoma. Overall records do not include any wins or losses against teams outside of Division I, as those do not appear in the information presented to the selection committee and do not factor into RPI’s calculation, which midweek is the only time Division I teams play non-Division I teams. Buckle up and get ready for an exciting few weeks as we push ever closer on the Road to Omaha.


A great read for every Conference and every school's current situation over the next 3 weeks.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/ncaa-baseball-tournament-bubble-watch-5-7-24/

[Kingspoint]

Of course the pitching is different, and that's a huge difference, but that's not what you said. Tenneessee has played 48 games now. The 9 guys who started in the lineup against Lipscomb have played in 47 games (47 starts), 47 (47), 40 (40), 46 (45), 42 (42), 36 (22), 22 (3), 28 (24) and 38(21). So it looks they played basically one sub, and halfway through replaced him with a guy who has played in 46 games and started 44.

Game one against Florida they started guys who'd played in 47 games (47 starts), 47 (47), 40 (40), 46 (45), 43 (35), 42 (42), 36 (22), 22 (5) and 31 (24).

The Lipscomb lineup seems hardly to be Tennessee's "JV lineup".

Even in this "extreme" example, there's still only four players, exactly what I said, who regularly start most games. The other four positions are filled with players who sometimes start or sometimes play, and most of the times the mid-week games include players who only play during the entire season during mid-week. A lot of Freshmen get to start or finish the mid-week games. The regulars and semi-regulars (that half of the positions that don't have full-time starters) may get one-time through the lineup and then come out. Fridays and Saturdays have the most consistent lineup of Starters.

[Rojo Rijo]

Going to be right on the line for Florida. On one hand they're at risk of not making it because at large teams have to have a winning record. After beating USF last night they are 25-23 with 6 left plus the SECT. On the other hand their SOS has been nothing short of elite.

v. #4 Texas A&M
at #5 LSU
v. #21 Mississippi St.
at Missouri
v. South Carolina
at #13 Vanderbilt
at #2 Arkansas
v. #3 Tennessee
v. #3 Kentucky
at Georgia
3 games vs. FSU (NR/#17/#10)

Either way, gotta finish with a winning record to get an at large bid.

[Sea Ray]

How good is the SEC this season? Auburn is dead last in the SEC with a 4-20 conference record. They are also 19-4 in non conference games and 2-1 vs the ACC.

If Auburn played in the ACC we’d be talking regular season title race

https://twitter.com/sthorn_23/status/1788031253096137045?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1788031253096137045%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[Big Red Smokey]

So UK is #1 overall seed in D1 and Baseball America's Bracket Watch that came out today somehow

[Kingspoint]

So UK is #1 overall seed in D1 and Baseball America's Bracket Watch that came out today somehow

Link, please to that BA bracket. You must be looking at something from a different date. Kentucky isn't the #1 Seed. Not even close.

I see what they are doing. They are projecting what they think the selection committee will do. BA's opinion doesn't have Kentucky close to the best team in baseball, though. They rank Kentucky 6th overall right now.

Before this last weekend's seris win against Arkansas, Kentucky had lost their last two series. That's not a #1 team.

That last series against Florida is going to be very important for Florida as they are on the bubbl-watch.

6. Kentucky
Previous ranking: No. 9
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 35-10, 18-6 in SEC (10-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-3

Results

May 3-5: (2) Arkansas: L 10-3, W 11-3, W 7-4

Upcoming

May 7: @ Xavier
May 10-12: @ Florida

Kentucky bounced back from consecutive series losses by notching its most impressive series win of the season to take sole possession of first place in the SEC standings. The Wildcats dropped Friday night’s series-opener in convincing fashion before picking up a pair of massive victories Saturday and Sunday. Both Dominic Niman (5.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 BB, 4 K) and Mason Moore (5 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 4 BB, 6 K) turned in strong starts, while Emilien Pitre and Nick Lopez paced the offense with six RBIs apiece. Kentucky will spend this week on the road where it will take on Xavier before a difficult series at Florida.

[Kingspoint]

...

[Sea Ray]

#1 Tennessee continues their roll. They’ve won the first two games of their 3 game series vs Vanderbilt. In fact they’re currently on an 8 game winning streak vs the Commodores. Vandy is no longer the biggest powerhouse in the SEC (in baseball)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Kingspoint]

#1 Tennessee continues their roll. They’ve won the first two games of their 3 game series vs Vanderbilt. In fact they’re currently on an 8 game winning streak vs the Commodores. Vandy is no longer the biggest powerhouse in the SEC (in baseball)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

jinx

[Sea Ray]

jinx

(I thought I'd get in the bragging before they had a chance to lose the finale)

[Kingspoint]

Tennessee remains No. 1 in the Baseball America College Baseball Top 25 Rankings after another SEC series win, its eighth straight.

The Volunteers won their first two games at Vanderbilt to claim the in-state rivalry series. This is Tennessee’s second straight week at No. 1.

Kentucky rises to No. 2, matching its highest ever ranking in the Top 25. It was last No. 2 in April 2012.

Arkansas, North Carolina and Texas A&M round out the top five.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/college-baseball-top-25-rankings/

Two new teams join the Top 25, both from the Sun Belt Conference. Louisiana rejoins the Top 25 at No. 22 after one week out of the rankings. Southern Miss rounds out the rankings at No. 25. It was last ranked in March.

South Carolina and Troy dropped out of the Top 25 after losing series.

[Kingspoint]

2. Kentucky
Previous ranking: No. 6
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 37-11, 20-7 in SEC (10-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 10-3

Results

May 10-12: @ Florida: W 12-11 (10), L 10-1, W 7-5 (10)

Upcoming

May 14: Wright State
May 16-18: Vanderbilt

Kentucky earned a gritty series win at Florida, twice beating the Gators in extra innings. The Wildcats on Sunday matched the program record for SEC wins in a season, set in 2006. Now, they will try to match the 2006 team in an even more significant way, as they are aiming to win the program’s first conference title since then. Kentucky holds a one-game lead going into the season’s final week.

[Kingspoint]

Greatest Risers this week, we have a tie:

6. Georgia
Previous ranking: No. 14
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 38-12, 16-11 in SEC (13-6 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4

Results

May 9-11: @ (16) South Carolina: W 14-10, W 11-5, W 14-6

Upcoming

May 16-18: Florida

The Bulldogs rolled to a sweep at South Carolina, extending their winning streak to eight games. Georgia scored 39 runs on the weekend and bashed 11 home runs—though only one of those was by Charlie Condon, who on Thursday set the 21st century single-season home run record with his 34th home run of the year. Georgia’s winning streak has seen it surge into third place in the SEC ahead of this week’s rivalry series against Florida.


7. Wake Forest
Previous ranking: No. 15
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 36-16, 15-12 in ACC (10-9 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4

Results

May 8: North Carolina A&T: W 24-7 (7)
May 10-12: (4) Clemson: W 4-2, W 8-5, W 13-3 (8)

Upcoming

May 14: Liberty
May 16-18: @ (9) NC State

Wake stayed red-hot with a 4-0 week, highlighted by a sweep of Clemson, which came into the weekend tied for first place in the ACC. The Demon Deacons have won nine straight games and are 19-6 since the start of April. Righthander Chase Burns struck out 16 batters in seven innings on Friday and broke the program’s single-season strikeout record, as he’s now piled up 156 strikeouts in 82 innings. Wake faces another difficult test this weekend, as it travels down I-40 to take on NC State.

[Kingspoint]

8. Oregon State
Previous ranking: No. 11
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 39-12, 17-9 in Pac-12 (3-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-2

Results

May 6: @ Gonzaga: W 20-13
May 10-12: UCLA: W 11-0, W 12-11, W 15-1 (7)

Upcoming


May 16-18: @ (21) Arizona

Oregon State’s offense exploded for 58 runs en route to a perfect week. In addition to a productive week from nearly every lineup regular, the Beavers also welcomed back spark plug centerfielder Micah McDowell back to the lineup. Aiden May spun six shutout innings in which he notched nine strikeouts to extend his scoreless inning streak to 22.1, while freshman Eric Segura on Sunday allowed just one run across five innings. Oregon State this weekend has a huge road series at No. 21 Arizona that will determine the regular season Pac-12 champion.

[Kingspoint]

Fading fast...

10. Clemson
Previous ranking: No. 4
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 37-13, 17-10 in ACC (4-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-2

Results

May 7: @ Charlotte: W 14-12
May 10-12: @ (15) Wake Forest: L 4-2, L 8-5, L 13-3 (8)

Upcoming

May 14: @ Coastal Carolina
May 16-18: Boston College

After scoring four runs in the ninth inning in Tuesday’s win against Charlotte, Clemson was soundly swept at Wake Forest. Outside of Ethan Darden, no starter was able to make it out of the fifth inning. The Tigers’ bats also struggled mightily and on the weekend hit just .202. Outfielder Tristan Bissetta was the team’s lone bright spot, as he hit two home runs and accounted for five of the team’s 10 RBIs. Clemson will look to bounce back this weekend at home against Boston College.


11. Florida State
Previous ranking: No. 5
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 37-12, 15-11 in ACC (6-7 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-3-1

Results

May 7: Jacksonville: W 7-6 (11)
May 10-12: @ Pittsburgh: L 1-0, L 9-7, W 15-4 (8)

Upcoming

May 14: @ Stetson
May 16-18: Georgia Tech

Following an 11-inning win Tuesday against Jacksonville, Florida State suffered an upset series loss at Pittsburgh. Jamie Arnold on Friday struck out 17—the most in a single-game by an FSU pitcher since 1987—but the Seminoles were shutout and held to just three hits. However, there were some positives to take away from the weekend. On top of their 15-4 run-rule win on Sunday, righthander Conner Whittaker made his first appearance since April 6 against Boston College. Florida State this weekend will look to end the regular season on a high note against Georgia Tech.


12. East Carolina
Previous ranking: No. 7
Last week: 0-4
Overall: 37-13, 16-8 in American (4-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 11-2

Results

May 7: (9) Duke: L 5-2
May 10-12: @ Tulane: L 6-5, L 7-3, L 10-9 (10)

Upcoming

May 14: Campbell
May 16-18: Rice

It was a week to forget for East Carolina, which—after a midweek loss to Duke—was swept by Tulane. The Pirates’ starting pitching struggled mightily, as across 11.1 total innings they combined to allow 12 earned runs. It is hard to take any positives away from this weekend for ECU other than the fact that it still sits atop the AAC standings, though only by a game. The Pirates have now lost five-straight and will look to right the ship this week at home against Campbell and Rice.

[Kingspoint]

Honorable Mention:

16. Oklahoma
Previous ranking: No. 17
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 32-17, 21-6 in Big 12 (4-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-5

Results

May 10-11: Baylor: W 19-7, W 9-1, W 19-7 (7)

Upcoming

May 14: @ Xavier
May 16-18: @ Cincinnati

Oklahoma swept Baylor to clinch the Big 12 title, its first conference championship since 1995 when the league was still the Big Eight. The Sooners’ offense exploded for 47 runs on the weekend, led by leadoff hitter John Spikerman, who went 9-for-14 with three doubles, two home runs and scored nine runs. Oklahoma has a tough week on the road, as it travels to Cincinnati for a game Tuesday at Xavier and its final Big 12 series against the Bearcats.


21. Arizona
Previous ranking: No. 23
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 32-18, 19-8 in Pac-12 (3-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 8-5

Results

May 7: @ Arizona State: W 5-3
May 10-12: @ Utah: L 6-1, W 8-4, W 10-4

Upcoming

May 16-18: (8) Oregon State

Arizona went 3-1 against Pac-12 competition in a tough week on the road. After getting stymied on Friday by Utah ace Bryson Van Sickle, the Wildcats offense bounced back for 18 runs over the next two days, led by Andrew Cain, who homered in both wins. Arizona holds a 1.5 game lead over Oregon State in the Pac-12 standings going into this weekend’s showdown and needs just one win to capture its first conference title since 2021.


22. Louisiana
Previous ranking: NR
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 38-15, 21-6 in Sun Belt (1-4 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 9-4

Results

May 7: Jackson State: W 5-0
May 10-12: @ Georgia Southern: W 19-3 (8), W 6-4, W 9-2

Upcoming

May 16-18: South Alabama

Louisiana returns to the Top 25 after missing last week. The Ragin’ Cajuns rolled to a 4-0 week, including a sweep on the road of Georgia Southern, and have clinched the Sun Belt Conference title, their first since 2016.[B][COLOR="#B22222"]Shortstop Kyle DeBarge led the lineup, going 7-for-13 with two doubles and two home runs in the series. Louisiana will conclude the regular season at home against South Alabama.


23. Indiana State
Previous ranking: No. 24
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 36-11, 19-5 in Missouri Valley (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 12-1

Results

May 10-12: Evansville: W 5-4, W 6-4, L 7-6

Upcoming

May 14: @ Ball State
May 16-18: @ Valparaiso

Indiana State won its series against Evansville—its 18th straight Missouri Valley Conference series win. It also this weekend clinched the conference championship for the second straight season, marking the first time in program history that the Sycamores have won consecutive MVC titles. Indiana State this week hits the road and will aim to finish the regular season on a high note at Ball State and Valparaiso.

[Sea Ray]

This is kinda nice:


Tennessee Baseball currently has the BEST odds to win the National Championship at +550, per @DraftKings.

The next best odds are Texas A&M at +600

https://twitter.com/AllVolReport/status/1790470507466297768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1790470507466297768%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

[Kingspoint]

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/oregon-state-baseball-weekend-primer-aiden-may-s-arizona-return-offensive-eruption-beavers-need-tucson-sweep/ar-BB1ms19K

The weekend rotation of Jackson Kent, Clark Candiotti and Cam Walty has been both consistent and dominant, combining for 18 quality starts and a record of 17-5. They rank seventh in the nation among weekend rotations in combined ERA (3.31) and all three hurlers rank among the top five in the Pac-12 in ERA. On paper, the series will be a classic matchup between one of the best lineups in the nation (Oregon State) and one of the stingiest staffs in the nation (Arizona).

MAY’S TUCSON RETURN

An enticing subplot to the nationally-ranked series is that May, the Beavers’ red-hot Friday night starter, will be returning to Tucson for the first time since he transferred from Arizona to Oregon State during the offseason. After overcoming a minor arm injury that sidelined him for roughly a month early in the season, May has emerged as the top-of-the-rotation ace OSU projected him to be. The 6-foot-2 right-hander is 4-0 in his last five starts and has been overpowering in recent outings, bringing a 22 1/3-innings scoreless streak into the Arizona series. May was named the National Pitcher of the Week on April 29 after a brilliant outing against Oregon, the first of a three-game run in which he has recorded 30 strikeouts and surrendered just 10 hits. It’s the most dominant stretch of his college career.

May downplayed his return to Arizona last week, saying he hadn’t given much thought to facing his former team because the Beavers were in the thick of a chase for the Pac-12 title. But as the reunion nears, there’s no doubt the emotion — and motivation — will intensify. “Obviously, I know the implications of everything,” May said. “Obviously, I know that Arizona has been doing really well this year and I have a lot of buddies on that team. “It’s one of those things that, I guess, (happens) in the moment, and it’s hard to really prep for that until you’re there. And so I’m just trying to take it one day at a time and just prep as best as possible and just keep a cool head.”

EXPLOSIVE END TO REGULAR SEASON

After a spring skid that saw the Beavers average just 4.3 runs and 6.0 hits during a discouraging nine-game run, OSU’s lineup has rebounded — and then some — as they charge toward the postseason. The Beavers are hitting .333 with 26 home runs, 17 doubles and 77 runs scored in seven May games, a blistering stretch that has seen them go 6-1. The lineup was notably explosive in last weekend’s sweep over the Bruins, scoring 38 runs on 37 hits, including 12 homers. The hot streak has boosted Oregon State’s national standing in a host of offensive categories, and they enter the Arizona series ranked fourth in the nation in slugging percentage (.582), sixth in on-base percentage (.430), seventh in homers (109), 12th in runs scored (458), 15th in scoring (9.0 runs per game) and 33rd in batting average (.305).

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS

Friday: OSU RHP Aiden May (5-0, 2.77 ERA) vs. LHP Jackson Kent (3-2, 3.12)

Saturday: OS U RHP Jacob Kmatz (5-2, 3.64 ERA) vs. RHP Clark Candiotti (6-2, 3.01)

Sunday: OSU RHP Eric Segura (6-1, 4.84 ERA) vs. RHP Cam Walty (8-1, 2.83)

PAC-12 STANDINGS

1. Arizona Wildcats (19-8)

2. Oregon State Beavers (17-9)

3. Oregon Ducks (16-11)

3. Utah Utes (16-11)

[Kingspoint]

NCAA Bubble Watch, May 15th edition...

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/ncaa-baseball-tournament-bubble-watch-5-14-24/


May 14, 2024 by Teddy Cahill


With less than two weeks until Selection Monday, the race for the NCAA Tournament is reaching a fever pitch.

As Selection Monday approaches, I’ll be tracking the development of the Field of 64 and, most importantly, what every team needs to do to secure an at-large bid.

For these purposes, I’ll sort teams that are in at-large contention into three camps:

1) Locks. Reserved for teams that could lose out and still make the NCAA Tournament. That’s a bit nit-picky, but when I say lock, I mean it.

2) Should be in. Generally, a team that would be solidly in if the field was selected today.

3) Work to do. Nothing is guaranteed for these teams.


In the conference records listed, I include any win against a conference team, whether it counts toward the conference standings or not because that is how the information is presented to the selection committee. So, for instance, Illinois gets credit for a conference win for its victory against Michigan State in an early season tournament. Overall records do not include any wins against teams outside of Division I, as those do not appear in the information presented to the selection committee and do not factor into RPI’s calculation.

RPI remains the selection committee’s primary metric, but this year it has also brought KPI into the mix. It’s unclear how much emphasis KPI will be given in the selections, so while I’m looking at it and referencing it, I haven’t presented those rankings here for the sake of keeping this a bit more easily digestible.

ACC Work to do: Georgia Tech, Louisville, Virginia Tech

Big 12 Work to do: Cincinnati, Kansas, Kansas State, TCU, UCF

Big Ten Work to do: Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Purdue

PAC-12 Work to do: California, Utah

SEC Work to do: Alabama, Florida, LSU, Mississippi, Vanderbilt

Sunbelt Work to do: Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, James Madison

Others Work to do: Charleston, East Tennessee State, Northeastern, St. John’s, UNC Greensboro, Xavier

[Kingspoint]

Others:
Lock: East Carolina, Indiana State, San Diego

Should be in: UConn, Dallas Baptist, Louisiana Tech, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UNC Wilmington

Sun Belt
Lock: Louisiana

Should be in: Southern Miss, Troy

SEC
Locks: Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas A&M

Should be in: South Carolina

Pac-12
Lock: Arizona, Oregon State

Should be in: Oregon

Big Ten
Lock: Nebraska

Should be in: None

Big 12
Lock: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, West Virginia

Should be in: Texas

ACC
Locks: Clemson, Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Wake Forest

Should be in: None

[Sea Ray]

Others:
Lock: East Carolina, Indiana State, San Diego

Should be in: UConn, Dallas Baptist, Louisiana Tech, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UNC Wilmington

Sun Belt
Lock: Louisiana

Should be in: Southern Miss, Troy

SEC
Locks: Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Texas A&M

Should be in: South Carolina

Pac-12
Lock: Arizona, Oregon State

Should be in: Oregon

Big Ten
Lock: Nebraska

Should be in: None

Big 12
Lock: Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, West Virginia

Should be in: Texas

ACC
Locks: Clemson, Duke, Florida State, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia, Wake Forest

Should be in: None

No Xavier?

[Boston Red]

No Xavier?

Xavier is a 3 seed in BA's bracket projection. Not one of the last four in, so RELATIVELY comfortably in at this point according to BA. But they have a series against a terrible Villanova team this weekend, and so there is certainly "work left to do". Have to AT LEAST get 2 of 3 from Nova. Really should sweep them to feel safe.

[Kingspoint]

Kentucky still holding down the #1 overall expected seeding from the BA staff going into this weekend.

[Sea Ray]

Kentucky still holding down the #1 overall expected seeding from the BA staff going into this weekend.

Kentucky’s loss and Tennessee’s win yesterday gives the Vols the #1 seed in the SEC tournament this week. Tennessee has a better ranking and overall record than the Wildcats. They also won the head to head which was played in Lexington


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[Kingspoint]

Oregon State's Achille's Heal bit them yesterday.

Their Relievers couldn't hold a lead.

Led 2-1 going into the bottom of the 7th and they let the tying run score.

Led 3-2 going into the bottom of the 9th and they let the tying and winning runs score.

Their Relievers are much better than last season, but it's still going to determine how far they get in the playoffs this season.

Win yesterday and they win the Pac-12 regular season, but Arizona got the win and they win the Pac-12 regular season.

In last year's Pac-12 playoffs, Arizona beat Oregon State 13-12 in the bottom of the 9th to advance.

Arizona has a chance to get a Regional Seed. Oregon State will have a chance to get a Super Regional seed should they win their Regional in Corvallis. Depends upon who many of the top-8 seeds advance, while it's possible that Oregon State is a top-8 seed still having dominated the first two games of the series in Scottsdale this weekend, 9-2 and 16-1.

[Kingspoint]

LSU with the upset win over Georgia in the SEC tournament drubbing them 9-1 w/ Condon going 0-4. That's it for Condon until the Regionals.

Vanderbilt takes out Florida 6-3 in the SEC Tourney.

South Carolina beat Alabama 10-5 in the SEC Tourney.

Florida State beats Georgia Tech in the ACC tourney 12-9.

Duke handles Virginia Tech 9-5 in the ACC tourney.

https://www.espn.com/college-baseball/scoreboard

[Kingspoint]

Kentucky lost their opening game in the SEC tournament as their bats disappeared. Only 1 hit for the Wildcats in an 11-0 drubbing from LSU.

Arkansas lost their opening game in their tournament losing to South Carolina 6-5.

Oregon State's bats went quiet for the 2nd game in a row, this time mustering only a 9th inning run falling to Stanford 2-1 and are out of the Pac-12 tournament.

That's three of the top-six teams in the nation that lost their 1st Round Tournament game (SEC has double-elimination, so Arkansas and Kentucky and Georgia all get another shot, but the Pac-12 has pool play and Stanford won 2 already in Oregon State's pool, so that pool is done).

It should be said that teams that know they are in and hosting a Regional are setting up their pitching rotations this week for when the NCAA tournament begins.

[Sea Ray]

Kentucky lost their opening game in the SEC tournament as their bats disappeared. Only 1 hit for the Wildcats in an 11-0 drubbing from LSU.

Arkansas lost their opening game in their tournament losing to South Carolina 6-5.

Oregon State's bats went quiet for the 2nd game in a row, this time mustering only a 9th inning run falling to Stanford 2-1 and are out of the Pac-12 tournament.

That's three of the top-six teams in the nation that lost their 1st Round Tournament game (SEC has double-elimination, so Arkansas and Kentucky and Georgia all get another shot, but the Pac-12 has pool play and Stanford won 2 already in Oregon State's pool, so that pool is done).

It should be said that teams that know they are in and hosting a Regional are setting up their pitching rotations this week for when the NCAA tournament begins.

Tennessee also lost. Got drubbed by Vanderbilt, 13-4

Question: Is there anything like an automatic bid at stake for the winners of these conference tournaments?

[Boston Red]

Question: Is there anything like an automatic bid at stake for the winners of these conference tournaments?

I'm not sure I understand the question, but there obviously IS an automatic bid for conference tournament winners. Generally not important for the SEC, but for the majority of leagues, they're deciding this week who their lone representative in the NCAA Tournament will be.

[Kingspoint]

Tennessee also lost. Got drubbed by Vanderbilt, 13-4

Question: Is there anything like an automatic bid at stake for the winners of these conference tournaments?

I don't think so. I believe the automatic bids come from the regular season Conference Winner, as it should be, unlike NCAA basketball, which has always been stupid.

[dabvu2498]

I don't think so. I believe the automatic bids come from the regular season Conference Winner, as it should be, unlike NCAA basketball, which has always been stupid.

Nah. It’s just like basketball. The only automatic bids thus far are Penn and Army, winners of the Ivy and Patriot Leagues, respectively. Both their tournaments have already wrapped up.

https://d1baseball.com/postseason/2024-ncaa-tournament-auto-bid-tracker/

[Kingspoint]

Nah. It’s just like basketball. The only automatic bids thus far are Penn and Army, winners of the Ivy and Patriot Leagues, respectively. Both their tournaments have already wrapped up.

https://d1baseball.com/postseason/2024-ncaa-tournament-auto-bid-tracker/

Darn.

[Boston Red]

Don't send your pro prospect pitchers to college. Wichita State has made a surprise run to the American championship game. Their starter this afternoon pitched 6.2 innings Thursday afternoon and three 115 pitches. Back out on 2 days rest.

Forgot to mention that he's a freshman.

[Sea Ray]

After losing game one, Tennessee came back to win the SEC tournament after winning the regular season championship as well (tie breaker with Kentucky). Quite an accomplishment


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[RichRed]

Bubble team JMU made it in, one of four Sun Belt teams selected. Dukes are in the Raleigh regional with South Carolina, NC State, and Bryant.

[Kingspoint]

After losing game one, Tennessee came back to win the SEC tournament after winning the regular season championship as well (tie breaker with Kentucky). Quite an accomplishment


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That was an impressive run after that first loss. Most impressive run of any team of any tournament.

- - - Updated - - -


Bubble team JMU made it in, one of four Sun Belt teams selected. Dukes are in the Raleigh regional with South Carolina, NC State, and Bryant.

Definitely think Duke wins it.

- - - Updated - - -


Don't send your pro prospect pitchers to college. Wichita State has made a surprise run to the American championship game. Their starter this afternoon pitched 6.2 innings Thursday afternoon and three 115 pitches. Back out on 2 days rest.

Forgot to mention that he's a freshman.

Wonder how his father felt about that. Probably ready to rip the baseball coaches head off. Play for pay is going to change these things. Can't treat them like slaves anymore.

[Boston Red]

In the enjoy it while it lasts category: Wofford leads LSU 2-0 in the bottom of the 4th. Less surprising is Vandy trailing Coastal 5-0 in the 3rd. Coastal won a national title in the last decade, so I can't be too surprised at them having success against other powerhouse programs, but I'm still happy about it.

[Boston Red]

Wofford held onto the lead until the bottom of the 9th before falling 4-3. Vandy is obviously not typical Vandy this year, and Coastal is reminding them of that fact, 13-1. Kentucky has blown most of a big lead against Western Michigan but still leads 10-8 in the 7th. Army is giving Georgia a battle, 4-4 in the 5th.

[texasdave]

Charlie Condon has singled, doubled and homered to go along with two walks.

[Boston Red]

Georgia got one in the 8th to escape Army 8-7.

[RichRed]

Down to their last strike, South Carolina gets a HBP and a game tying HR, before beating JMU 8-7 in 10 innings. That stings.

[Kingspoint]

In the enjoy it while it lasts category: Wofford leads LSU 2-0 in the bottom of the 4th. Less surprising is Vandy trailing Coastal 5-0 in the 3rd. Coastal won a national title in the last decade, so I can't be too surprised at them having success against other powerhouse programs, but I'm still happy about it.

Wofford's Relief Pitcher comes in to pitch the bottom of the 8th and up 3-1. He gives up 2 HR's. First guy he faces in the bottom of the 9th walks it off.

- - - Updated - - -


Georgia got one in the 8th to escape Army 8-7.

Army's relief pitcher completely lost it, hitting 2 guys back-to-back before giving up the walk-off single.

[Sea Ray]

Charlie Condon has singled, doubled and homered to go along with two walks.

Tennessee's Christian Moore has better stats in SEC games than Charlie Condon

https://x.com/tedcahill/status/1791246070984417376

[Kingspoint]

What a day for Travis Bazzana on Friday in the 1st game of their Regional in Corvallis.

He grounds out 1st AB, then they intentionally walk him his next at-bat. With the Beavers down by one in the bottom of the 5th, there's a man on 1st w/ nobody out. What does he do? The smartest thing, of course. He always does the smartest thing. The REDS really need this type of player. He makes certain that the tying run gets into scoring position and laces a Single into LF. Tying run on 2nd and go-ahead run on 1st w/ nobody out. That's smart baseball.

A couple of batters later, Gavin Turley hits his 5th Grand Slam of the season. Yes. 5th of the season. That doesn't even happen in Little League.

Next time up, they intentionally walk him again.

Next time up, probably his last, in the bottom of the 8th and the Beavers up 9-4 w/ nobody on base, he went medievil on his first swing of the at-bat sending the ball at 110+ mph 443 feet over the Left Centerfield bleachers.

Oh, and he stole 2nd a couple of times, well, because it was there for the taking.

He plays 2nd Base, too. Not sure where he'll settle in for the REDS, but I'm guessing LF with McLain at 2B.

Bazzana is by far the best player in this draft, which means that Cleveland will take him, so it's all moot. Welcome to Cincinnati, Charlie Condon. Enjoy the next 10 years at 1B and in the #4 hole.

[Sea Ray]

Tennessee hammers IU with 4 HRs including a grand slam

The #1 Vols continue on


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[Sea Ray]

Vols sweep the weekend. Onto the regionals

21316

[Boston Red]

The Birmingham Southern story was kinda cool but sad.

[Sea Ray]

https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/40265187/birmingham-southern-run-ends-d3-college-world-series-days-school-closing

[Boston Red]

East Carolina shocked at home by Evansville. Did not expect that one!

[Boston Red]

UConn finished off OU in Norman to complete the Supers. If you're looking for a Cinderella story, UConn and Evansville are the picks, but I'm not feeling too good about the Aces' chances in Knoxville!

LSU was one out away from advancing over UNC, but the Heels got a clutch RBI single to tie and then won in extras.

[Slyder]

UConn finished off OU in Norman to complete the Supers. If you're looking for a Cinderella story, UConn and Evansville are the picks, but I'm not feeling too good about the Aces' chances in Knoxville!

LSU was one out away from advancing over UNC, but the Heels got a clutch RBI single to tie and then won in extras.

Another "cinderella" is WVU. Long time baseball coach Randy Maize is retiring after this year.

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/06/03/players-take-pride-in-prolonging-mazeys-coaching-career-through-west-virginias-first-berth-in-super-regional/

I'm so sad seeing OU season ended by one of the old foes... not really good riddance.

[BlackPete Ibold]

Another "cinderella" is WVU. Long time baseball coach Randy Maize is retiring after this year.

https://wvmetronews.com/2024/06/03/players-take-pride-in-prolonging-mazeys-coaching-career-through-west-virginias-first-berth-in-super-regional/

I'm so sad seeing OU season ended by one of the old foes... not really good riddance.

Great game and win tonight for my Tar Heels. Vance Honeycutt might have real flaws, but coming up big ain't one of them...

Also, have to say that the WVU coach allowing his SP to throw 144 pitches is abuse level nonsense. Kid might be willing to give his arm for the program, coach has to be adult enough to prevent that.

[Sea Ray]

The beat goes on for Tennessee, beating Evansville 11-6. Every College WS game for the Vols this year has resulted in a 5+ runs win margin

[Sea Ray]

UConn finished off OU in Norman to complete the Supers. If you're looking for a Cinderella story, UConn and Evansville are the picks, but I'm not feeling too good about the Aces' chances in Knoxville!

LSU was one out away from advancing over UNC, but the Heels got a clutch RBI single to tie and then won in extras.

The Aces did score 10 in beating the Vols yesterday but their pitching ran out today as the Vols took 'em in the deciding game 12-1. No run rule in the College World Series

A couple SEC vs Pac12 games going on now. Oregon/Texas A&M and Oregon St/Kentucky

[Boston Red]

Oregon State with one hit in 13 innings in Lexington. Not am impressive showing by Kingspoint's guys so far. But somehow they're still right in this Super.

[RedTeamGo!]

Isn’t Oregon St supposed to have the best fundamentals in the sport? Covering home plate is like little league stuff.

[Boston Red]

Isn’t Oregon St supposed to have the best fundamentals in the sport? Covering home plate is like little league stuff.

Yeah, my bad 13U team wouldn't do that. OK, most of them wouldn't. Sometimes.

But that was brutally bad baseball.

Seriously, though, there's no way you should leave a kid in after making a mental error that egregious.

[Sea Ray]

Between that play in Lexington and the boondoggle by Oregon vs Texas A&M, the PAC12 is looking horrible tonight. I lost track of how runs they walked in or forced in with a HBP

[Boston Red]

Bazzana needs his dad to go back to Australia. He's been terrible so far this weekend.

[Boston Red]

How can you walk the 9 hitter to get to Bazzana?!? Crazy.

[Sea Ray]

The Beavers seem very weak on offense. Can't hit worth a lick. I think Evansville is a better hitting team

- - - Updated - - -


How can you walk the 9 hitter to get to Bazzana?!? Crazy.

It does add some drama

[Sea Ray]

Interesting strategy there. UK did not hold the runner (who represented the tying run) on at 1B. They would give him 2nd base because if he stole it they would have walked Bazzana

[Boston Red]

Oregon State needs a wild pitch now. No way they're getting another hit. Lol

[RedTeamGo!]

What in the world is going on. Was clearly interference by UK 1B

[Boston Red]

It probably was, but he hit that so hard he wasn't getting to second anyway.

[Sea Ray]

What in the world is going on. Was clearly interference by UK 1B

I don't know. I don't think it's as obvious as the announcers made it sound. Very little contact. Call could have gone either way

[RedTeamGo!]

I am fully team Condon right now. Bazzana kind of seems like a pac 12 mirage

[Boston Red]

Nice AB to end the game there. Yikes.

[Sea Ray]

Nice AB to end the game there. Yikes.

Horrible. Three straight called strikes. Bat didn't leave his shoulder. Horrible, horrible game from Ore St

[RedTeamGo!]

Horrible. Three straight called strikes. Bat didn't leave his shoulder. Horrible, horrible game from Ore St

I think he swung at 2nd pitched and missed badly

[Sea Ray]

I think he swung at 2nd pitched and missed badly

Thanks for the correction. You're absolutely correct. Thanks for setting me straight :thumbup:

[Sea Ray]

College World Series in Omaha will consist of only SEC and ACC teams. Everyone else is out

https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2024-06-08/2024-ncaa-baseball-bracket-mens-college-world-series-scores-schedule?amp


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[cumberlandreds]

Kentucky made it for the first time in school history. I always wanted to see them make it but usually they were never very good. Hope they do well in their initial world series. Hopefully catch some of it even though I don't follow college baseball at all any more.

[BlackPete Ibold]

Vance Honeycutt with another walk off winner for the Heels.

Like I said previously, he is not without flaws but that dude does not shrink from the moment.

[Kingspoint]

Kentucky made it for the first time in school history. I always wanted to see them make it but usually they were never very good. Hope they do well in their initial world series. Hopefully catch some of it even though I don't follow college baseball at all any more.

Mitch Barnhardt was a very good AD at Oregon State, and when Kentucky hired him many years ago, I commented here that Kentucky is going to be more than just a basketball school.

- - - Updated - - -


College World Series in Omaha will consist of only SEC and ACC teams. Everyone else is out

https://www.ncaa.com/news/baseball/article/2024-06-08/2024-ncaa-baseball-bracket-mens-college-world-series-scores-schedule?amp


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That's amazing. Has to be the first time ever that only 2 conferences were represented.

[Sea Ray]

Tennessee won in amazing fashion last night. Down 5 runs late, they pulled out a 12-11 win in walkoff fashion. Usually the pitching precludes such a win in Omaha. I must say I didn’t watch it live. I got disgusted and turned it off


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[BlackPete Ibold]

1st inning of Heels/Vols and Heels ss has a heckuva play, possible top 10 plays on SportsCenter.

Then Vols CF says 'hold my beer' and almost Bump Bailey's himself... if that isn't top play then whatever is better be saying 'hold my case of beer'

[Ky Fried Redleg]

Tennessee won in amazing fashion last night. Down 5 runs late, they pulled out a 12-11 win in walkoff fashion. Usually the pitching precludes such a win in Omaha. I must say I didn’t watch it live. I got disgusted and turned it off


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Vols hitter didn't check in time on the pitch that should have ended the game. Third base ump chose not to let the game end on a check swing. Vols steal one.

[WVRed]

Mitch Barnhardt was a very good AD at Oregon State, and when Kentucky hired him many years ago, I commented here that Kentucky is going to be more than just a basketball school.

- - - Updated - - -



That's amazing. Has to be the first time ever that only 2 conferences were represented.His entire tenure at Kentucky has been entirely hit or miss. But they have improved everywhere else though.

He hit on Rich Brooks, completely whiffed on Joker Phillips before making Mark Stoops the Kirk Ferentz of the SEC.

Basketball was running Tubby off, hiring Gillespie and not even signing a contract, Calipari which included a lifetime extension that never should have been done, running off Calipari to Arkansas and settling on Mark Pope after getting turned down by the one person he really wanted (Scott Drew).

Women's basketball was Matthew Mitchell and then underachieving by Kyra Elzy. Kenny Brooks looks like a home run hire so far.

With baseball, hit with John Cohen, missed with Gary Henderson and struck big with Nick Mangione.

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[Sea Ray]

Vols hitter didn't check in time on the pitch that should have ended the game. Third base ump chose not to let the game end on a check swing. Vols steal one.

That was a nice call for the Vols. No argument from me there. But the teams gotta play the way umps see it. The Vols did what good teams do

[Sea Ray]

That's amazing. Has to be the first time ever that only 2 conferences were represented.

First time since 1948

[Kingspoint]

His entire tenure at Kentucky has been entirely hit or miss. But they have improved everywhere else though.

He hit on Rich Brooks, completely whiffed on Joker Phillips before making Mark Stoops the Kirk Ferentz of the SEC.

Basketball was running Tubby off, hiring Gillespie and not even signing a contract, Calipari which included a lifetime extension that never should have been done, running off Calipari to Arkansas and settling on Mark Pope after getting turned down by the one person he really wanted (Scott Drew).

Women's basketball was Matthew Mitchell and then underachieving by Kyra Elzy. Kenny Brooks looks like a home run hire so far.

With baseball, hit with John Cohen, missed with Gary Henderson and struck big with Nick Mangione.

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It's always been the A. D. that determines College programs even though Coaches get all the money and the recognition. It's so important to have an A. D. that is open-minded and is willing to take good cuts. Gonna miss on some and hit on some, but if they aren't swinging to hit a homerun, they never will. Very important to do it with multiple sports with both sexes.

[WVRed]

It's always been the A. D. that determines College programs even though Coaches get all the money and the recognition. It's so important to have an A. D. that is open-minded and is willing to take good cuts. Gonna miss on some and hit on some, but if they aren't swinging to hit a homerun, they never will. Very important to do it with multiple sports with both sexes.The one thing that stood out I think 2 years ago, Kentucky basketball was playing in the Bahamas and Cal was plugging to get a new practice facility. The Craft Center is 17 years old and really not in need of replacement. Cal went on TV and said that UK was a basketball school which completely caused a firestorm in the UK athletic department.

Barnhart told him not to make any more statements and held a joint press conference with Stoops and basically sided with the football coach. That was the beginning of the end for Cal.

Barnhart has been good for all the other programs except for basketball which with football drives the bus at Kentucky. The lifetime contract was unforgivable but he made Cal miserable enough that when he tried to leverage his way out again he had no choice but to leave which negated the buyout of the contract.

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[Kingspoint]

The one thing that stood out I think 2 years ago, Kentucky basketball was playing in the Bahamas and Cal was plugging to get a new practice facility. The Craft Center is 17 years old and really not in need of replacement. Cal went on TV and said that UK was a basketball school which completely caused a firestorm in the UK athletic department.

Barnhart told him not to make any more statements and held a joint press conference with Stoops and basically sided with the football coach. That was the beginning of the end for Cal.

Barnhart has been good for all the other programs except for basketball which with football drives the bus at Kentucky. The lifetime contract was unforgivable but he made Cal miserable enough that when he tried to leverage his way out again he had no choice but to leave which negated the buyout of the contract.

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A University can't be held hostage by a "name" coach.

[Sea Ray]

SEC has dominated the ACC to this point in Omaha. I think they're 4-0

[Boston Red]

UNC the last remaining hope...

[Sea Ray]

UNC the last remaining hope...

Isn't FSU still in it?

[Boston Red]

Isn't FSU still in it?

FSU and UNC the last remaining hopes....

Looks like they play today, so by this afternoon there will only be one.

[Sea Ray]

FSU and UNC the last remaining hopes....

Looks like they play today, so by this afternoon there will only be one.

Yep. That's what I thought. Tennessee gets the winner, I believe

[Boston Red]

10am bonus baseball in Omaha! Nice to have something to pay attention to until its time for the Reds game. Lots of offense early 3-1 Florida B1, still only one out and the Kentucky starter is already done.

Ooh, 7-1 now. Not sure it will hold my attention until the Reds game.

[Sea Ray]

10am bonus baseball in Omaha! Nice to have something to pay attention to until its time for the Reds game. Lots of offense early 3-1 Florida B1, still only one out and the Kentucky starter is already done.

Ooh, 7-1 now. Not sure it will hold my attention until the Reds game.

Kentucky left no doubt that they're not ready for prime time. Kingspoint told us a couple years ago that teams need CWS experience and if they don't have that, don't expect much from them regardless of how well they do in the regular season

[WVRed]

Kentucky left no doubt that they're not ready for prime time. Kingspoint told us a couple years ago that teams need CWS experience and if they don't have that, don't expect much from them regardless of how well they do in the regular seasonThat's kind of what I was afraid of.

It's not to take away from the season they had because the furthest they had gotten beyond this season was the Super Regional which were both quick exits.

They had dodged Texas A&M in the regular season and had to face an All American ace with everything on the line.

It's kind of like Kentucky football. They can beat who they are supposed to be at most of the time but when they are in prime time they falter.

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[Sea Ray]

The SEC faced the 2nd best conference in the country in Omaha and beat them up 5-0. Makes ya wonder if more SEC schools should have made the tournament. It's an all SEC final, Texas A&M vs my Vols from Knoxville

[Kingspoint]

Kentucky left no doubt that they're not ready for prime time. Kingspoint told us a couple years ago that teams need CWS experience and if they don't have that, don't expect much from them regardless of how well they do in the regular season

It was pretty obvious that Oregon State didn't have that extra kick this season needed to go far in the post-season. Once games started counting and the pressure was getting higher, this team didn't have it. Some of that is Mitch Canham, an extremely young coach who just doesn't have the experience yet. He's getting it, though. As Pat Casey's personally hand-picked successor, he is the right player to get them back to the World Series. Can he inspire a team enough to do so. Proof is in the pudding. We'll see.

Probably not a coincidence that the 8 teams were represented by two conferences, where the level of competition is just so much greater than everywhere else. Every Weekend is like a Regional tournament.

No matter who graduates, I expect Kentucky to get back to the World Series again either next season or the year after. They've set themselves up for it mentally.

Even though TEN had a better regular season team two years ago, this team has the experience that one didn't have. They expect to be where they are. The last 3 outs in a College Baseball World Series game are the most-pressure packed moments in baseball anywhere.

[texasdave]

The Aggies take down the Volunteers in Game One of the CWS. Tennessee will have to come out throwing haymakers today.

[Kingspoint]

The Aggies take down the Volunteers in Game One of the CWS. Tennessee will have to come out throwing haymakers today.

First time a team has won their first nine post-season games since 2014 (or 2013,...forgot which it was).

[Sea Ray]

The Aggies take down the Volunteers in Game One of the CWS. Tennessee will have to come out throwing haymakers today.

The Vols won today 4- 1 to force a winner take all game tomorrow


https://x.com/Vol_Baseball/status/1804995111605965230?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1804995111605965230%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=


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[Sea Ray]

After a fabulous season, the Vols are in the College World Series finals tonight. I've enjoyed this season and the distraction it's provided from the Reds' poor performance. Win or lose, it's been a great ride. My Big Orange UT flag has been proudly flown all day today. First pitch in just a little under 2 hours.

[Boston Red]

This has been a terrific game. Lots of drama. Two more outs for the Vols...

[Kingspoint]

Congratulations, Sea Ray!

[Sea Ray]

21443


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[Kingspoint]

It's all about the craziness after the win.

[RedTeamGo!]

Best team won, congrats

Also, respect to TAMU for not going out quietly.

[Sea Ray]

Best team won, congrats

Also, respect to TAMU for not going out quietly.

Both teams had chokers tonight. Tennessee was one run better…but they should’ve won by more

I’ve already ordered my sweatshirt and license plate frame. Champions!


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[Boston Red]

Why was Grambling playing Arkansas?


Went back to the first page of this thread of some reason and noted this comment. Grambling ended up being an NCAA Tournament team. Had to go to College Station and lose to Texas A&M by a reasonably respectable 8-0 count. I also mentioned that Grambling had a potentially ugly date with LSU coming up....LSU nipped Grambling 27-2 in 7 innings. Yikes.

But how would you like to be Alcorn State? They played a doubleheader at Grambling and lost 28-3 and 18-2. Were they able to play that double header in less than 10 hours?

[Sea Ray]

Texas A&M head coach is now heading to the Texas Longhorns. Another reminder of which school runs the state. He’ll likely take the Aggies’ best players with him. Here’s what he said yesterday:

https://x.com/dennisonfox7/status/1805437749975031859?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5 Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1805437749975031859%7Ctwgr% 5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=

He owes that reporter an apology

Not a good day in College Station


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[KronoRed]

Lol..you'll always be little brother A&M.

[Boston Red]

Schlossnagle is a snake.