Top 25 Tracker (March 7)
The Top 25 Tracker, powered by Louisville Slugger, recaps the week’s action.
1. Florida
Last week: 5-0
Overall: 12-1, 0-0 in SEC (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
The Gators had a couple closer-than-expected calls against Dartmouth, needing Buddy Reed’s walk-off homer to win on Saturday and overcoming an early 3-0 deficit Sunday, but they nonetheless ran their winning streak to six games.
RESULTS
March 1-2: @/vs. Central Florida: W 9-5, W 4-0
March 4-6: Dartmouth: W 7-0, W 4-3 (12 innings), W 8-6
UPCOMING
March 8-9: @/vs. North Florida
March 11-13: Harvard
2. Texas A&M
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 11-1, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
Part II of the unofficial SEC-Ivy League challenge wasn’t as competitive as Dartmouth-Florida, as the Aggies routed Yale by a combined 35-7 count. Sunday’s game was at least closer than the score appeared, as Yale led 2-1 after six innings before A&M exploded for nine runs in the seventh.
RESULTS
March 1: Houston Baptist: W 3-2 (13 innings)
March 4-6: Yale: W 12-5, W 13-0, W 10-2
UPCOMING
March 8-9: Northwestern State
March 11-13: Fresno State
3. Oregon State
Last week: 3-0
Overall: 10-1, 0-0 in Pac 12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
Logan Ice’s 6-for-7 day in Saturday’s split doubleheader against USD and William & Mary was the headliner as the Beavers finished their season-opening road swing with just one loss. They’ll finally play their home opener on Friday.
RESULTS
March 4-5: @ San Diego: W 7-2, W 5-2
March 5: vs. William & Mary: W 12-3
UPCOMING
March 11-13: San Francisco
4. Louisville
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in ACC (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1
Brendan McKay’s scoreless innings streak ended at 23 2/3 on Saturday, but that was about the only thing that went wrong for the Cardinals as they rebounded from their series loss to Mississippi with a sweep of Princeton.
RESULTS
March 2: Morehead State: W 9-5
March 4-6: Princeton: W 4-2, W 9-1, W 11-0
UPCOMING
March 8: Longwood
March 11-13: Notre Dame
5. Vanderbilt
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 10-1, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
Bad weather made for an unusual schedule for the Commodores and Stanford, as the teams played a doubleheader Thursday and then didn’t get back on the field until Sunday. Vandy took its first loss of the season in the opener but surged back to win the series, allowing just three runs over the final two games.
RESULTS
March 2: Tennessee Tech: PPD
March 3-6: @ Stanford: L 4-1, W 4-1, W 5-2
UPCOMING
March 8-9: Radford
March 11-13: Xavier
6. Miami
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in ACC (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1
The Hurricanes breezed past Manhattan in their last tune-up before ACC play, never trailing at any point in the three games. Junior DH Edgar Michelangeli led the Canes, going 9-for-14 on the weekend.
RESULTS
March 2: Florida Gulf Coast: W 6-2
March 4-6: Manhattan: W 10-0, W 14-4, W 7-4
UPCOMING
March 8: Maine
March 9: Stetson
March 11-13: @ Virginia Tech
7. Louisiana State
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in SEC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
The Tigers rolled to easy wins in their first two games against Fordham, but a rare rocky outing for Alex Lange (5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER) left them trailing 7-3 in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader. They stormed back though, hanging a seven on the board in the bottom of the seventh.
RESULTS
March 2: @ Nicholls State: W 9-4
March 4-5: Fordham: W 12-1, W 15-1, W 10-7
UPCOMING
March 8: Louisiana Tech
March 9: McNeese State
March 11-13: Ball State
8. Texas Christian
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 9-2, 0-0 in Big 12 (2-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
Gonzaga scored a pair of late runs to upset TCU on Friday, but the Frogs dominated the rest of the weekend, scoring 26 runs on 29 hits over the next two days.
RESULTS
March 1: Texas-Rio Grande Valley: W 13-0 (7 innings)
March 46: Gonzaga: L 4-3, W 10-2, W 16-1
UPCOMING
March 8: Texas-Arlington
March 11-13: Southern California
9. California
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 9-3, 0-0 in Pac 12 (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-1
The Bears have gone 8-1 since losing their season-opening series at Duke. They became the first team to ever sweep Texas in a four-game series in Austin, capped off by their overcoming a 7-0 deficit in the eighth inning on Sunday to win in extras.
RESULTS
Feb. 29: (20) Michigan: L 5-0
March 36: @ Texas: W 4-1, W 4-3, W 6-0, W 10-7 (11 innings)
UPCOMING
March 11-13: Texas Tech
10. Virginia
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 7-4, 0-0 in ACC (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
The Cavaliers got a run for their money from 3-7 Monmouth. Virginia blew a 9-0 lead on Saturday before winning in extras, and there would be no escaping Sunday as the Cavs stranded 11 runners in a 6-4 loss.
RESULTS
March 1: William & Mary: W 16-8
March 4-6: Monmouth: W 4-2, W 11-10 (11 innings), L 6-4
UPCOMING
March 8-9: Wagner
March 11-13: @ Duke
11. Oregon
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 8-2, 0-0 in Pac-12 (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
The Ducks’ starting pitching is more than living up to the preseason hype. Lefthanders Cole Irvin, Matt Krook and David Peterson haven’t allowed an earned run in their last 34 1/3 innings, and they were a huge reason why the Ducks cooled off a hot UC Santa Barbara team.
RESULTS
March 46: UC Santa Barbara: W 13-1, L 1-0 (14 innings), W 3-1
UPCOMING
March 10: @ (23) Alabama
March 11-13: @ (24) Mississippi State
12. North Carolina
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 9-1, 0-0 in ACC (5-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
The Tar Heels received a scare from feisty Fairfield on Friday night, but they were able to walk off for the fourth time on the young season and didn’t look back, exploding for double-digit runs the next two games. UNC has now won eight straight.
RESULTS
March 2: Winthrop: W 11-6
March 46: Fairfield: W 4-3 (13 innings), W 10-2, W 11-0
UPCOMING
March 8: Gardner-Webb
March 11-13: Pittsburgh
13. Mississippi
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 10-1, 0-0 in SEC (3-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Rebels are rolling right now, scoring seven runs or more in four straight games. After taking two out of three from then-No. 2 Louisville last week, Ole Miss kept up the momentum at the Chanticleer Classic, sweeping the competition and beating a ranked opponent in Coastal Carolina.
RESULTS
March 2: Memphis: W 9-7
March 4-6: @ Chanticleer Classic, Conway, S.C.:
Ball State: W 7-3
(19) Coastal Carolina: W 8-2
Cincinnati: W 7-1
UPCOMING
March 8-9: Southeast Missouri
March 11-13: Grambling State
14. UCLA
Last week: 3-1
Overall: 6-5, 0-0 in Pac-12 (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
The Bruins entered the weekend just 3-5, but may have turned a corner with a perfect weekend in the Dodger Stadium Classic. Pitching continues to be UCLA’s strength, and sophomore righthander Griffin Canning looked ready to lead the rotation after a high-profile start against Mississippi State.
RESULTS
March 1: @ UC Santa Barbara: L 11-6
March 46: Dodger Stadium Classic, Los Angeles:
(24) Mississippi State: W 2-1
Oklahoma: W 4-2
Southern California: W 5-3 (14 innings)
UPCOMING
March 8: @ Cal State Northridge
March 11-13: Texas
15. Florida State
Last week: 3-2
Overall: 8-3, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 3-0
The Seminoles had an up-and-down week, with two tough midweek games. They blew past St. John’s in the first two games of the weekend before the Red Storm roughed up touted freshman Cole Sands on Sunday. They’ll be challenged early in conference play with Georgia Tech coming to Tallahassee.
RESULTS
March 1: Jacksonville: L 7-3
March 2: Villanova: W 11-10 (14 innings)
March 46: St. John’s: W 16-4, W 9-2, L 5-1
UPCOMING
March 8: South Florida
March 9: Toledo
March 11-13: (20) Georgia Tech
16. Louisiana-Lafayette
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 8-4, 0-0 in Sun Belt (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Ragin’ Cajuns won’t lose many series if they continue to pitch the way they did last weekend. Starters Gunner Leger, Wyatt Marks and Nick Lee combined to allow just two earned runs in 18 innings in a smooth three-game sweep of Sacred Heart. A midweek tilt against Tulane should provide a stiffer test.
RESULTS
March 1: New Orleans: W 7-4
March 2: @ McNeese State: L 7-2
March 4-6: Sacred Heart: W 8-0, W 9-3, W 4-0
UPCOMING
March 8: @ Tulane
March 11-13: @ Troy
17. North Carolina State
Last week: 5-0
Overall:10-2, 0-0 in ACC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-0
The Wolfpack put together a perfect week, with quality wins against both UNC Wilmington and 9-2 Alabama in the Irish Classic. N.C. State is firing on all cylinders, particularly senior catcher Chance Shepard, who has homered in seven of his last eight games—and at one point, in a program-record six straight.
RESULTS
March 1: UNC Greensboro: W 8-4
March 2: UNC Wilmington: W 5-2
March 4-6: Irish Classic, Raleigh, N.C.:
Niagara: W 7-1
Alabama (@ Cary, N.C.): W 2-1
Bucknell: W 5-2
UPCOMING
March 8-9: Fairfield
March 11-13: Boston College
18. Arkansas
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 10-2, 0-0 in SEC (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
After a very loud weekend at the Shriners Hospitals for Children College Classic in Houston, the Razorbacks scuffled a bit in a 2-2 week at home. They lost a midweek bout with Louisiana Tech and nearly lost a series to Eastern Illinois, but they walked off—with a walk—on Sunday to salvage the series win.
RESULTS
March 2: Louisiana Tech: L 3-2
March 4-6: Eastern Illinois: W 5-2, L 10-8 (12 innings), W 3-2
UPCOMING
March 8-9: Gonzaga
March 11-13: Western Illinois
19. Michigan
Last week: 2-1
Overall: 7-3, 0-0 in Big Ten (1-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
The Wolverines began the week on a high note with a Monday night win against then-No. 10 California, but then rain essentially washed away the rest of their week, with Michigan and UC Davis getting in just one game of a three-game series.
RESULTS
Feb. 29: @ (10) California: W 5-0
March 2: @ San Jose State: W 6-5
March 3-5: @ UC Davis: L 4-3, CCD, CCD
UPCOMING
March 10-12: @ Hawaii
20. Georgia Tech
Last week: 4-0
Overall: 11-0, 0-0 in ACC (0-0 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Yellow Jackets are one of two undefeated teams in the country (Gardner-Webb), and off to their best start since 2006. Their freshman pitchers have been excellent for the first three weeks of the season, but the competition takes a sizable step up this week with trips to Auburn and Florida State.
RESULTS
March 1: Georgia State: W 11-6
March 4-6: Western Carolina: W 5-4, W 14-3, W 4-3
UPCOMING
March 8: @ Auburn
March 11-13: @ (15) Florida State
21. Houston
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 6-5, 0-0 in American (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Cougars snapped out of their five-game losing streak Saturday against Baylor and finished off a series win Sunday. They also welcomed sophomore lefthander Seth Romero back from suspension, which should help their rotation in the weeks to come.
RESULTS
March 1: Texas-San Antonio: L 3-2
March 4-6: Baylor: L 4-2, W 10-4, W 11-2
UPCOMING
March 8: Prairie View A&M
March 11-13: @ (23) Alabama
22. Oklahoma State
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 6-6, 0-0 in Big 12 (0-3 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 1-1
After getting swept last weekend at North Carolina, losing all three games on walk-offs, Oklahoma State returned home and got back on track. The Cowboys are still waiting for their offense to break out, but their pitching (2.45 ERA) has been good enough to carry them thus far.
RESULTS
March 1-2: Incarnate Word: W 7-1, W 3-2
March 46: Indiana State: W 1-0, W 9-2, L 2-0
UPCOMING
March 8: @ Missouri State
March 11-13: Abilene Christian
23. Alabama
Last week: 4-1
Overall: 10-2, 0-0 in SEC (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Crimson Tide ran their winning streak to eight games before falling Saturday at North Carolina State. Alabama faces another tough week, as Oregon and Houston come to the new Sewell-Thomas Stadium.
RESULTS
March 1: @ Troy: W 2-1
March 4-6: @ USA Baseball-Irish Classic, Cary, N.C.:
Notre Dame: W 4-0
Niagara: W 8-4
(18) North Carolina State: L 2-1
Brown: W 2-0
UPCOMING
March 10: (11) Oregon
March 11-13: (21) Houston
24. Mississippi State
Last week: 2-1-1
Overall: 8-3-1, 0-0 in SEC (0-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
After splitting three tight games in the Dodger Stadium Classic, Mississippi State returns home for a tough week against South Alabama and Oregon. The Bulldogs haven’t hit their stride yet, but with DH Jack Kruger locked in at the plate and righthander Dakota Hudson pitching on Fridays, they are capable of competing with the best teams in the country.
RESULTS
March 1: Alcorn State: W 14-0
March 4-6: Dodger Stadium Classic:
(14) UCLA: L 2-1
Southern California: W 8-7
Oklahoma: T 5-5
UPCOMING
March 8: South Alabama
March 11-13: (11) Oregon
25. East Carolina
Last week: 2-2
Overall: 8-3, 0-0 in AAC (2-1 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 2-0
The Pirates found a way to win a pair of one-run games in the LeClair Classic and finish off a third-straight winning weekend to start the year. Freshman outfielder Dwanya Williams-Sutton (.395/.489/.632) has been a catalyst in the middle of the lineup.
RESULTS
March 2: Elon: L 8-7 (10 innings)
March 4-6: Keith LeClair Classic, Greenville, N.C.:
Southeastern Louisiana: W 2-1
Tennessee: L 5-2
Maryland: W 4-3
UPCOMING
March 8-9: George Mason
March 11-13: @ Rice
DROPPED OUT
Coastal Carolina
Last week: 2-3
Overall: 6-5, 0-0 in Big South (1-2 vs. Top 25)
Weekend Series: 0-0
The Chanticleers hosted their third straight weekend tournament, and this one proved to be the toughest. It was a difficult week for Coastal, falling to College of Charleston midweek, then losing to winless Cincinnati and smoking hot No. 13 Mississippi.
RESULTS
Feb. 29 vs. Ohio State: W 3-2 (10 innings)
March 2: @ College of Charleston: L 7-4
March 46: Chanticleer Classic, Conway, S.C.:
Cincinnati: L 10-7
(13) Mississippi: L 8-2
Ball State: W 12-5
UPCOMING
March 8-9: Wake Forest
March 11-13: Coastal Carolina Invitational, Conway, S.C.:
UNC Greensboro, Illinois
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