College Baseball Top 25 Rankings

&

Image credit: (Photo by Eddie Kelly / ProLook Photos)

Arkansas remains No. 1 in the Baseball America Top 25 after a 4-0 week to extend its winning streak to 13 games. 

The Razorbacks allowed just three runs in four games this week and at one point had a 25-inning scoreless streak. They are No. 1 in the Top 25 for the second straight week.

Vanderbilt, which also is on a 13-game winning streak, rises to No. 2. Clemson jumps to No. 3 after winning a series at Duke. Oregon State and LSU round out the top five.

Four new teams join the Top 25, led by Oklahoma at No. 14. The Sooners have swept back-to-back series to open Big 12 play, this weekend at TCU. Mississippi State and Mississippi enter the rankings at No. 16 and 17, respectively, after home series wins to open SEC play. Southern Miss enters at No. 25 after a perfect 4-0 week.

NC State, Auburn, Texas and Texas Tech dropped out of the Top 25.

The staff of Baseball America determines the Top 25 rankings. Records indicated are through March 17.

Weekend Record reflects a team’s weekend results as a collective unit in an effort to incorporate tournament results and not just reflect a team’s record in weekend series. 

Related content

1. Arkansas

Previous ranking: No. 1
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 17-2, 3-0 in SEC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12: Oral Roberts: W 4-2
March 15-17: Missouri: W 8-0, W 6-0, W 9-1

Upcoming

March 21-23: @ Auburn

Arkansas beat Oral Roberts and swept Missouri to extend its winning streak to 13 games and remain No. 1 for another week. The Razorbacks had a 25-inning scoreless streak this week and shut out the Tigers until the seventh inning Sunday. Their 2.35 team ERA is the best in the nation. Arkansas will look to keep its impressive run going this week as it travels to Auburn.


2. Vanderbilt

Previous ranking: No. 8
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 18-3, 3-0 in SEC (4-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12: Indiana: W 13-5
March 15-17: (17) Auburn: W 11-1 (8), W 13-5, W 9-6

Upcoming

March 19: vs. Belmont (First Horizon Park)
March 22-24: @ (21) South Carolina

Vanderbilt extended its winning streak to 13 games with a rout of Indiana and then a sweep of Auburn to open SEC play. The Commodores scored 46 runs on the week, led by catcher Alan Espinal, who went 10-for-16 with two doubles and a home run. After a crosstown matchup against Belmont, Vanderbilt this weekend hits the road to take on South Carolina.


3. Clemson

Previous ranking: No. 9
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 17-2, 2-1 in ACC (4-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12-13: Manhattan: W 13-1 (7), W 5-1
March 15-17: (3) Duke: L 5-2, W 8-7, W 8-6 (10)

Upcoming

March 19: Winthrop 
March 20: vs. Presbyterian (Greenville, S.C.)
March 22-24: (7) Florida State

Clemson bounced back from a loss Friday against Preseason All-American Jonathan Santucci to win a tough series at Duke. The Tigers secured the series with a wild win in Sunday’s rubber game, throwing the would-be winning run out at home to end the ninth and then hitting two home runs in the 10th inning. Clemson has a busy week ahead, culminating with a series against Florida State, the last undefeated team in the country.


4. Oregon State

Previous ranking: No. 4
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 17-2, 2-1 in Pac-12 (1-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 15-17: @ Utah: W 7-5, W 8-1, L 14-11

Upcoming

March 19: @ Portland
March 22-24: Washington

Oregon State got all it could handle at Utah, but came away with a road series win to open Pac-12 play. The Beavers scored five runs in the ninth Friday to score a comeback win and Saturday’s series-clincher was scoreless until they put up a seven-spot in the eighth inning. Oregon State jumped out to a big, early lead in the finale but couldn’t hold on for the sweep. They’ll return home this weekend to host Washington.


5. LSU

Previous ranking: No. 2
Last week: 3-2
Overall: 17-4, 1-2 in SEC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-1

Results

March 12-13: North Dakota State: W 6-1, W 7-0
March 15-17: @ Mississippi State: L 10-4, W 9-8, L 15-5 (8)

Upcoming

March 19: Louisiana Tech
March 22-24: (8) Florida

The Tigers faltered at Mississippi State, giving up 33 runs in a series loss. While the pitching faltered, LSU blasted seven home runs on the weekend, including three from All-American third baseman Tommy White. LSU returns home for a big week ahead, as it hosts Louisiana Tech and then Florida for a rematch of last year’s College World Series championship series.



6. Duke

Previous ranking: No. 3
Last week: 2-3
Overall: 15-5, 3-3 in ACC (4-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-1

Results

March 12-13: Rider: L 6-2, W 18-4
March 15-17: (9) Clemson: W 5-2, L 8-7, L 8-6 (10)

Upcoming

March 19: Towson
March 22-24: @ NC State

Coming off last weekend’s series win at Wake Forest, Duke had an up-and-down week. It started with a perplexing loss to Rider and ended with a tough series loss to Clemson. The Blue Devils nearly came away with a wild win in Sunday’s finale, but Alex Stone was thrown out at the plate to end the ninth inning and they brought the tying run to the plate in the 10th. Duke will look to bounce back this weekend as it makes the short trip to NC State.


7. Florida State

Previous ranking: No. 21
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 18-0, 3-0 in ACC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12: @ (10) Florida: W 12-8
March 15-17: Notre Dame: W 8-4, W 4-2, W 4-3

Upcoming

March 19: Stetson
March 22-24: @ (3) Clemson

Florida State is the last undefeated team left standing after its 4-0 week. The Seminoles are off to the second-best start in program history and have a 20-game winning streak dating to last year. This week they beat rival Florida in Gainesville on Tuesday and then opened SEC play with a sweep of Notre Dame. Florida State faces a big test this week, as it hosts Stetson before traveling to Clemson for its first true road series of the year.


8. Florida

Previous ranking: No. 10
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 12-7, 2-1 in SEC (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-1

Results

March 12: (21) Florida State: L 12-8
March 15-17: (5) Texas A&M: W 8-6, L 10-6, W 4-2

Upcoming

March 19: Jacksonville
March 22-24: @ (5) LSU

The Gators put together another week of mixed results, but again ended the week strong with a series win. They lost at home Tuesday against rival Florida State but bounced back for a series win against previously undefeated Texas A&M. Florida blasted eight home runs against the Aggies and closer Brandon Neely threw five scoreless innings on the weekend to earn his first win and save of the season. Florida faces another tough weekend as it travels to LSU for a College World Series championship series rematch.


9. Alabama

Previous ranking: No. 18
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 17-3, 2-1 in SEC (3-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12: @ Southern Miss: L 9-7
March 15-17: (6) Tennessee: L 11-3, W 6-3, W 7-6

Upcoming

March 19: @ Alabama State
March 22-24: @ Georgia

The Crimson Tide took a couple tough losses to open the week before bouncing back to beat Tennessee twice and pick up a key series win to open SEC play. The Crimson Tide needed a late comeback in Sunday’s finale, as Gage Miller hit a three-run, go-ahead homer in the eighth inning and Aidan Monza wriggled out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth. Alabama this week hits the road to take on Alabama State and Georgia.


10. Texas A&M

Previous ranking: No. 5
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 18-2, 1-2 in SEC (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-1

Results

March 12: Sam Houston State: W 9-8
March 15-17: @ (10) Florida: L 8-6, W 10-6, L 4-2

Upcoming

March 20: Prairie View A&M
March 21-23: (16) Mississippi State

After extending its winning streak to 17 games to open the season with a walk-off Tuesday against Sam Houston State, Texas A&M tumbled from the unbeaten ranks Friday in Gainesville. The Aggies bounced back for a win Saturday, before a tough loss Sunday in the rubber game. A&M will look to get back on track back in College Station, but a tough series against Mississippi State lies ahead.


11. Tennessee

Previous ranking: No. 6
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 18-3, 1-2 in SEC (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-1

Results

March 12: Eastern Kentucky: W 17-2 (7)
March 15-17: @ (18) Alabama: W 11-3, L 6-3, L 7-6

Upcoming

March 19: Xavier
March 22: (17) Mississippi

The Volunteers ran their winning streak to 17 before losing the last two games of their series at Alabama. The winning streak was the second-longest in program history, trailing only their 23-game winning streak in 2022. After a pair of tough losses, Tennessee this week returns home and will take on Xavier and Ole Miss.


12. ECU

Previous ranking: No. 13
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 14-4, 0-0 in American (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12: @ UNC Wilmington: W 8-7 (10)
March 15-17: Columbia: W 17-3, W 8-0, W 8-6

Upcoming

March 19: @ Elon
March 22-24: @ UTSA

The Pirates this week kept rolling, extending their winning streak to seven games. Their closest game was a back-and-forth, extra-innings affair at UNC Wilmington on Tuesday before they swept Columbia. ECU this weekend travels to UTSA to open American Athletic Conference action.


13. Virginia

Previous ranking: No. 15
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 15-4, 3-3 in ACC (4-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-1

Results

March 12: William & Mary: W 6-2
March 15-17: (7) Wake Forest: W 16-10, L 9-3, W 11-10 (10)

Upcoming

March 19: Georgetown
March 22-24: @ Pittsburgh

The Cavaliers slugged their way to a series win against Wake Forest by scoring 29 runs. Catcher Jacob Ference hit three home runs in the series, including two in Sunday’s wild, extra-innings finale. Virginia will look to keep its momentum going this weekend when it travels to Pittsburgh.


14. Oklahoma

Previous ranking: NR
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 13-6, 6-0 in Big 12 (4-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-1

Results

March 12: Oklahoma State: L 14-5
March 13: @ Texas-Arlington: W 5-1
March 15-17: @ (11) TCU: W 7-3, W 7-5, W 9-4

Upcoming

March 19: (20) Dallas Baptist
March 22-24: West Virginia

Oklahoma makes its season debut in the Top 25 after sweeping TCU in Fort Worth. It was the Sooners’ first sweep of TCU since 2013 and moves them into first place in the Big 12 at 6-0. Oklahoma this week returns home for a tough slate, starting Tuesday against Dallas Baptist.


15. Wake Forest

Previous ranking: No. 7
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 13-6, 2-4 in ACC (2-5 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 3-2

Results

March 12: @ (22) Coastal Carolina: L 17-9
March 15-17: @ (15) Virginia: L 16-10, W 9-3, L 11-10 (10)

Upcoming

March 19: High Point
March 21-23: Louisville

Wake had a week to forget. It began with a rout Tuesday at Coastal Carolina and then carried over into a tough series loss at Virginia that saw the Demon Deacons blow late leads both Friday and Sunday. In between, Chase Burns turned in another dominant outing, striking out 13 in seven innings in Saturday’s victory. Wake this week will look to get back on track back at home.


16. Mississippi State

Previous ranking: NR
Last week: 3-2
Overall: 15-6, 2-1 in SEC (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

Hancock Whitney Classic (Biloxi, Miss.)

March 12: vs. South Alabama: L 6-5
March 13: vs. New Orleans: W 2-1 (11)
March 15-17: (2) LSU: W 10-4, L 9-8, W 15-5 (8)

Upcoming

March 19: Memphis
March 21-23: @ (10) Texas A&M

Mississippi State bashed its way into the Top 25 for the first time this season. The Bulldogs scored 33 runs in a series win against LSU. First baseman Hunter Hines hit three home runs in the series and outfielders Aaron Downs (7-for-14, 5 R) and Connor Hujsak (6-for-12, 6 R) both had big weekends. Mississippi State has won 12 of its last 14 games and will look to keep that momentum going this week, though a tough trip to Texas A&M is on deck.


17. Ole Miss

Previous ranking: NR
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 15-6, 2-1 in SEC (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-0-1

Results

March 12: @ Louisiana-Monroe: W 5-3
March 15-17: (12) South Carolina: W 5-4, W 12-3, L 6-3

Upcoming

March 19: vs. (25) Southern Miss (Pearl, Miss.)
March 22-24: @ (11) Tennessee

Ole Miss ran its winning streak to nine games before losing Sunday’s series finale against South Carolina. But before that loss, the Rebels clinched a key series win to open SEC play behind a solid performance on the mound. Starters Gunnar Dennis and Liam Doyle pitched well and five relievers combined to hold the Gamecocks to one run in 7.2 innings over the two wins. Ole Miss faces a tough week ahead, starting with a game against Southern Miss.


18. TCU

Previous ranking: No. 11
Last week: 1-3
Overall: 15-5, 1-5 in Big 12 (4-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 3-2

Results

March 12: @ (20) Dallas Baptist: W 9-6
March 15-17: Oklahoma: L 7-3, L 7-5, L 9-4

Upcoming

March 19: Texas-Arlington 
March 22-24: @ Oklahoma State

The Horned Frogs started the week with a quality win Tuesday at Dallas Baptist. But they were unable to keep that momentum going on the weekend and they were swept at home by Oklahoma for the first time ever. TCU has lost its first two Big 12 series of the season and needs to reverse that slide this weekend at Oklahoma State.


19. UC Irvine

Previous ranking: No. 19
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 15-3, 2-1 in Big West (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 13: UConn: L 5-0
March 15-17: UC Davis: W 1-0, W 6-1, L 12-10 (11)

Upcoming

March 22-24: Cal State Bakersfield

The Anteaters opened Big West play with a series win against UC Davis. They looked to be on their way to a series sweep but they blew an eight-run lead in the ninth inning of the finale. Still, UCI has yet to suffer a losing weekend, a streak it will look to continue against Cal State Bakersfield.


20. Dallas Baptist

Previous ranking: No. 20
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 16-3, 0-0 in C-USA (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12: (11) TCU: L 9-6
March 15-17: Texas A&M-Corpus Christi: W 10-5, W 11-1, W 5-4

Upcoming

March 19: @ (14) Oklahoma
March 22-24: @ Sam Houston State

TCU bounced back from a midweek loss against TCU to sweep Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in its final tuneup before the start of Conference USA action. The Patriots will open the defense of their conference title this weekend at Sam Houston State, one of their chief competitors for the championship.


21. South Carolina

Previous ranking: No. 12
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 15-5, 1-2 in SEC (0-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 3-2

Results

March 12: vs. Georgia State (North Augusta, S.C.): W 4-3
March 15-17: @ Mississippi: L 5-4, L 12-3, W 6-2

Upcoming

March 19: S.C.-Upstate
March 22-24: (2) Vanderbilt

South Carolina took a tough road series loss at Ole Miss to open SEC play. The Gamecocks on Sunday salvaged a win from the series behind a strong relief outing from Matthew Becker. South Carolina this week will look to get back on track in Founders Park, but a very difficult series against Vanderbilt awaits.


22. Coastal Carolina

Previous ranking: No. 22
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 17-3, 2-1 in Sun Belt (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 4-1

Results

March 12: (7) Wake Forest: W 17-9
March 15-17: James Madison: W 12-1 (8), L 7-4, W 11-10 (13)

Upcoming

March 19: @ N.C. State
March 22-24: @ Appalachian State

The Chanticleers ran their winning streak to 15 games with big wins against Wake Forest and James Madison to open the week. But Coastal got all it could handle from JMU over the next two days. The Chants on Saturday had their streak snapped and then on Sunday needed to erase multi-run deficits in the ninth, 11th and 13th innings to walk-off with a win in the series finale. Coastal leaves the friendly confines of Springs Brooks Stadium for four games this week.


23. North Carolina

Previous ranking: No. 14
Last week: 3-2
Overall: 17-4, 4-2 in ACC (2-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 3-2

Results

March 12-13: Rutgers: W 13-7, W 9-8
March 15-17: @ Miami: L 14-1 (7), L 2-1, W 18-6 (7)

Upcoming

March 19: UNC Wilmington
March 22-24: Georgia Tech

UNC opened its week with a pair of hard-fought wins against Rutgers before going to Miami for what proved to be a wild series. The teams traded blowout victories and the Hurricanes walked off with a 2-1 win Saturday, which proved to be the difference in the series. The Tar Heels return home this week with a series against a powerful Georgia Tech team on tap.


24. Campbell

Previous ranking: 25
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 15-4, 0-0 in CAA (1-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12: Lafayette: W 11-5
March 15-17: Valparaiso: W 10-9, W 13-4, W 18-7

Upcoming

March 19: Charleston Southern
March 22-24: Delaware

Campbell extended its winning streak to seven games, as its offense powered it to victory against Lafayette and a sweep of Valparaiso. The Camels this week open their maiden season in the Coastal Athletic Association with a series against Delaware.


25. Southern Miss

Previous ranking: NR
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 14-6, 3-0 in Sun Belt (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend record: 5-0

Results

March 12: (18) Alabama: W 9-7
March 15-17: Marshall: W 8-4, W 2-1 (13), W 7-5

Upcoming

March 19: vs. (17) Mississippi (Pearl, Miss.)
March 22-24: @ Georgia Southern

Southern Miss started its week with a win against Alabama and then swept Marshall to open Sun Belt action. The Golden Eagles are a perfect 5-0 in weekend series this season and have won six of their last seven games. They’ll face another SEC foe on Tuesday, as they travel to Pearl, Miss., to take on Ole Miss.

Comments are closed.

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone