Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Waves Swept Away

The Brooms are out and the series is over with San Diego logging a dominant 3-0 series win over the Waves capped by today's 7-3 victory. It was a dominant series in every manner with the Waves only threatening for a short time in the sixth inning today. USD won 10-3 on Friday and 5-0 on Sunday.

The sweep marks the first time the Toreros have swept Pepperdine in three games and the first time Pepperdine has been swept in a three-game series this season. The series victory also secures a commanding three-game lead for USD in the WCC standings with the postseason looming.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Three More Outs

Heading into the ninth, San Diego picked up one more insurance run to increase the lead to 7-3. A.J. Griffin is still on the mound to try to complete the save after taking over for starter Matt Couch in the sixth inning.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Waves Strand Three Again

This is becoming a habit. For the fourth time this game, a team left the bases loaded. A.J. Griffin held the Waves at bay in the eighth, stranding three more runners to hold the 6-4 lead.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Another Costly Error

Just when the Waves were back in the game, they commited their fifth error, and it was costly. With two runners on in the seventh inning, Kevin Hansen hit a line drive to center field. It was hit hard, but right at Adrian Ortiz, but the ball bounced off Ortiz's glove and Daniel Magness and Logan Gelbrich had plenty of time to run home to pad the USD lead to 6-3.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Waves Load Bases, Pick up Run

Pepperdine picked up another run in the seventh to cut the deficit to 4-3, but it looked like it was going to be a lot worse for the Toreros. Ryan Heroy led off the inning with a single and the next two batters reached on bunts. Luke Salas placed a great bunt and simply outran the throw at first while Denny Duron reached when pitcher Matt Couch misplayed the ball.

San Diego coach Rich Hill had seen enough and brought freshman reliever A.J. Griffin out of the bullpen. Griffin built a 1-2 count against pinch hitter Joseph Evans but ended up hitting Evans with a 2-2 count to force in a run.

Matt Aidem was the second pinch hitter of the inning and fouled out to Shane Buschini in right field. Buschini made a great play to get the ball back to the infield to hold Salas at third. Then leadoff hitter Adrian Ortiz hit a ground ball to short that forced out Salas at home. Salas ran into catcher Jordan Abruzzo on his slide and the home plate umpire called interference as Abruzzo threw to first base for the third out.

This is the third bases-loaded situation of the game and they’ve only amounted to one run scored.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Waves Waking Up

The Waves have suddenly swung momentum in their favor. The Pepperdine bats caught fire in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 4-2. Trent Diedrich led the inning off with a single and Danny Worth crushed a ball to center field to send Diedrich home with an RBI double.

Eric Thames followed up with a dribbler past second base to get to first. Shane Buschini misplayed the ball in right field, allowing Worth to score and Thames to get to second.

The Waves made a pitching change as well, with Jordan Durrance taking over in the bottom of the sixth. He established control after allowing Justin Snyder to reach on a single. He got USD RBI leader Jordan Abruzzo to ground into a double play and retired Shane Buschini to quickly end the inning.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Toreros Working Hunter Hard

Brett Hunter is working way too hard to have a 4-0 deficit. The Pepperdine pitcher got in trouble again early in the fifth, with two base runners reaching on a walk and an error before he got his first out. Kevin Hansen ended up knocking in Josh Romanski from third on a groundball to third to increase USD’s lead to 4-0.

Hunter has had to work hard for the outs that he’s gotten as well. He’s already faced five full counts to bump his pitch count to over 100 and when he’s forced bad swings from San Diego batters, he hasn’t gotten much help. Pepperdine now has more errors (three) than hits (two).

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Big Scare for Pepperdine

Just when it looked like the game was getting out of hand for Pepperdine, Brett Hunter got out of a big jam.

He started the third inning allowing consecutive hits to Daniel Magness and Josh Romanski before walking Logan Gelbrich to load the bases with no outs. He managed to find a rhythm to close the inning though, as the final three batters all recorded outs with infield fly balls. I just heard the radio announcer say that Hunter's pitch count is already over 80, though, so he likely won't be around for long.

Meanhwhile, San Diego's Couch just keeps on cruising as he's gotten through four innings with two hits and no runs allowed. The Toreros' three first-inning runs are still the only score of the day.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Blogging in the Sun

I'm hanging out in the stands for today's game. With the extra media attention around the USD-Pepperdine matchup, including several regional television stations and our own CSTV cameras, the six-man press box at Cunningham Stadium isn't quite big enough.

Not that I'm complaining. I'm wearing shorts and sandles to work today and sitting in the San Diego sun. I'm just glad they've got their wireless network working.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Pepperdine in Trouble Already

Things have picked up where they left off on Sunday. San Diego starting pitcher Matt Couch retired the first three Pepperdine batters of the day. The Toreros took advantage and jumped out to an early lead when Daniel Magness knocked a one-out laser down the left field line to score Jordan Abruzzo and Shane Buschini for a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

But San Diego wasn't done. The score prompted a meeting at the mound with pitcher Brett Hunter just one out into the game. Two batters later, Hunter plucked Logan Gelbrich at the plate, setting up Sean Nicol, who hit a ground ball through the legs of Pepperdine third baseman Matthew Frazee. The error allowed Magness to score from second. The inning mercifully ended for Hunter with the bases loaded when Mike Metzger, the ninth batter of the inning, couldn't check his swing for strike three.

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Monday, 04/30/07

San Diego: Sweep for San Diego?

In what was billed as a powerhouse matchup between the top WCC teams, Peppderdine is playing to avoid a sweep to San Diego today. Coming into the series, the Waves and Toreros were tied for first place in the conference standings; now the Waves are coming off of two blowout losses and looking to prevent digging a three-game hole behind San Diego at the top of the standings.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Triple Play Of The Day

PISCATAWAY, N.J.-- Well, I've heard before that seeing a triple play in a given inning is 1 in 10,000. In that case, all 1,024 of us in attendance at Rutgers today should go out and buy a Mega Millions lotto ticket. In the top of the 6th, the Scarlet Knights executed a 5-4-3 triple play. A hot shot down the line was snared by the third baseman Tim Querns who stepped on the bag, threw to Mike Bionde at second, who relayed on to Tom Edwards to complete the feat. The only announcement about it was that it was the first ever at Bainton Field.

That crowd i mentioned was a record for Rutgers. A gorgeous day and having Notre Dame in town led to it, but fans were treated to a see-saw battle in the rubber match of the three game set in which the Fighting Irish took with a 6-4 final.

Observations
-Rutgers' star SS Todd Frazier had a tough day at the plate a day after beaking the Rutgers single-season and career home run records. I will have a feature on Frazierr this week.
-Rutgers had one of the strangest field I have ever seen. The Scarlet Knights used a 1.25 million dollar donation to install FieldTurf, but instead of just installing it where the grass would be, they put it where in the basepaths as well! Meaning that the only way to make the equipment manager unhappy with you is to slide into home. The rubberized carpet (by the way, the basepaths are a brown color), is a cause for some funky hops and some interesting slides, but it makes total sense. Last Friday when it rained all over the state, Rutgers was still able to get out and practice despite most of the area being under water.
-Rutgers may cause some problems for teams in the postseason if they can come out of Coney Island. They have a tough lineup 1-9 (some real big guys, including the junior Frazier who is slated as a first round draft pick WHEN he decides to leave after his junior season at the end of the year), and a pitching staff that can cause some problems. Casey Gaynor threw seven and two-thirds innings for RU, and only made one or two mistakes. Gaynor gave up five hits and four runs and received a no-decision.
-Rutgers DH Jon Gossard hit a clutch two out homerun to tie the game in the 8th inning for Rutgers, after Notre Dame had taken the lead on a two run base hit in the top half of the inning. But it was a tie game for only a short while. Rutgers reliever Chris Lillis gave up a two run triple in the top of the ninth that sealed the deal. Despite sthe Knights getting two runners in scoring position in the bottom half before Sam Elam struck out Tom Edwards to end the ballgame.

Notre Dame struggled out of the gate this year, and we'll see if they can get the ship totally turned around before they return to the NY area at the end of the month.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Bulldogs take game three

Mississippi State won the marathon game 4-1 in 17 innings.
Longest game in school history for both schools.
OM RF Jordan Henry tied the school record with eight at bats. He had four hits.
Jeffrey Rea and Jet Butler were 2-for-7 and Connor Powers was 2-for-6 to lead MSU.
Mitch Moreland threw a career long four innings to earn the win and improve to 3-0. He allowed no runs and four hits.
Scott Bittle (2-5) allowed three runs on five hits in the 17th to take the loss.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Stanford: OSU takes Game 3, 8-6

A Stanford rally fell short in the bottom of the ninth, as the Beavers hit three home runs and got a solid starting performance from Jorge Reyes to take a 8-6 win. Stanford put the tying run on base and brought the winning run to the plate with one out in the ninth, but Eddie Kunz quickly ended Stanford's hopes with pop out and ground out to end the game.

Jason Ogata, Mike Lissman and Darwin Barney all hit home runs for OSU, who took the lead for good in the second inning. Stanford got three runs in the bottom of the first on hits from Adam Sorgi (8-for-13 for the weekend with five RBIs) and Randy Molina. But after a rocky first, Reyes settled down and threw five more innings without allowing a run.

After two Stanford coaches were ejected on Saturday, no one was tossed from today's game, but each coach came out of the dugout at least once to argue. This was one of the worst called series of any series I've ever seen--inconsistent strike zones, indecisive decisions on interference calls, and a couple of blown calls on various other plays. I don't think the decisions particularily favored one side, but by the end of the series I think both coaching staffs were frustrated with the men in blue. Not a good weekend for Pac-10 umpires.

Stanford now needs to win its final nine Pac-10 games to crack .500 in the conference. They have their three weakest opponents left (Washington at home and Washington State and USC on the road), but that is still a tall task. Next week it is a Saturday through Monday series in Pullman against the second-to-last Cougars. It might be a series for pride at this point, but it will be one the Cardinal badly want to win.

OSU moves to 6-6 in conference with the win. I think they have the pitching to go deep in the postseason, even if they come up short in the Pac-10 race. With UCLA and ASU both losing the Beavers are four games back with 12 to play. Not an impossible gap to make up, but with so many teams ahead of them, it will be tough.

Reyes looked like the real deal today once he found his groove and he should compete with Daniel Turpen for the third starter spot down the stretch. I think the starters aren't quite as strong as the bullpen, but it could definitely be good enough to carry the Beavers to Omaha.

That's pretty much it for me here at Sunken Diamond. It has been a lot of fun again this weekend. For my money, it doesn't get much better than Pac-10 baseball. Thanks for reading and hopefully I'll be back one more time as the season winds down.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: State breaks through

Mississippi State broke through for three runs off Ole Miss pitcher Scott Bittle to lead 4-1 heading into the bottom of the 17th.
Jet Butler had an RBI-infield single to first base and Nick Hardy hit a two-run single with two outs and the bases loaded.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Bring on 17

Ole Miss just hit into an inning-ending double play for the third time today.
Now tied for the longest game in Ole Miss history. Already the longest in MSU history.
1-1 entering the 17th.
Ole Miss has had a leadoff single now in five of the last six innings.
Scott Bittle now pitching for Ole Miss.
Also forgot to note early, there was a moment of silence before the game for Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock, who died in a car accident last night. Hancock's brother Jon-Jon played for the Rebels the last two years but was dismissed from the team before this season.
That moment of silence was a long time ago.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: And they're repeating songs

Still tied at one heading into the bottom of the 16th.
And they're playing "Sweet Caroline" for the second time today. Game is so long they're repeating songs.
Ole Miss has one run on 13 hits. MSU has a run on eight hits.
Cody Satterwhite has thrown nine scoreless innings. Can you call that a complete-game shutout?

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Historic

We're now playing the longest game in Mississippi State history.
Still tied at 1 heading into the 16th inning. Ole Miss has lead off with a single in four of the last five innings. They've gotten a singlein each of the last five innings.
And no runs.
Crowd has slimmed down significantly.
OM closer Cody Satterwhite is out for his ninth inning of work. Satterwhite started a bit last year, but this is a career long. He's allowed no runs and thrown 98 pitches.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: Romanski, Toreros Make Statement

Josh Romanski didn't let it get interesting in the ninth. He finished off the shutout of Peppedine in three outs, striking out two of the three to finish with a 5-0 USD win. The Toreros take a two-game lead in the three-game series that was billed as a showdown for the WCC lead.

So far, though, it hasn't even been close. Behind an 11-strikeout performance from Brian Matusz on Friday and today's shutout from Romanski, San Diego has absolutely dominated the Waves and pulled off its 11th straight conference win.

And it hasn't just been pitching. They haven't needed most of them, but the Toreros have racked up 15 runs in two games to back up the stellar performances on the mound. If Romanski and Matusz are able to keep up their current pace, the Toreros are a threat to go deep into the postsesaon.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: Self-Insured

Josh Romanski does it all. With two on and two out, the San Diego pitcher stepped up to the plate and clocked an Adam Olbrychowski pitch over center fielder Adrian Ortiz's head to score Jordan Abruzzo and pinch runner Kevin McCoy. The runs pad his lead to 5-0 heading into the ninth.

It's not like he really needs them, though. Romanski is warming up for the ninth inning and looks poised to finish the complete game shutout. Unless the Waves have suddenly found the answer for Romanski, it looks like he's well on his way to his eighth win of the season.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: 26 year streak ends

For the first time since the inception of Allie P. Reynolds stadium, which was 26 years ago, the Oklahoma State Cowboys have lost three straight games. The series against the Longhorns was billed as the battle for Big 12 supremacy, but only the Longhorns can say they are supreme. Not only did the Longhorns snap a 26 year streak, they also shut out the Cowboys at home, which has not happened since 1998. The Cowboys inserted foot in mouth with their chances of possibly hosting a regional series. Are the Cowboys good enough to host yes, did they prove they could with their performance this weekend, no. For the Longhorns you could probably go ahead and stamp their name on the College World Series ticket.

There is still a lot of games to be played for both teams, so anything can happen from this point. The Longhorns have two Big 12 series remaining, they face second place Missouri next weekend, then face a talented Texas A&M squad to end the regular season. For the Cowboys they have the pleasure of facing in-state rival Oklahoma this coming weekend for "Bedlam". Last season the Cowboys swept the Sooners and will look to do it again after taking one on the chin from the Horns. After Oklahoma the Cowboys travel to Lubbock, Tx to face Texas Tech, after Tech the Cowboys will head to Wichita to face the Shockers in a mid-week game that will feature major post-season implications. The Cowboys will wrap up the regular season at home against the Missouri Tigers. So with a major disappointment on their hands from this weekend the Cowboys still have a chance to pick up the pieces. The Longhorns will most likely motor on to another Big 12 championship.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Still playing

Ole Miss had runners on first and second with one out in the 13th before Cody Overbeck hit into a 5-4-3 doubleplay.
Heading into the 14th tied at one.
Ole Miss' 3-4-5 hitters are 1-for-16.
Closers still in. MSU's Weatherford has thrown seven innings and 93 pitches. OM's Cody Satterwhite is working on his seventh inning. He's thrown 73.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: Shutout Still Intact Through Eight

With a runner on third and two outs, San Diego third baseman Kevin Hansen helped maintain Romanski's shutout with a nice play off the bag. He picked up a hard hit grounder off of Danny Worth's bat to throw him out at first and send USD to the bottom of the eighth with a 3-0 lead.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: Romanski on Fire

With a chance to seal the weekend series in two games and secure a two-game lead in the WCC, Toreros pitcher Josh Romanski continues to plow through the Pepperdine lineup.

Through seven innings, Romanski is still sporting a shutout, has four strikeouts, no walks and has given up just three hits to maintain USD's 3-0 lead. And he isn't even the staff ace. With a pair of left-handed studs in Romanski and Matusz, the Toreros have shut down the powerful Waves and look capable of playing with any team in the country in a three-game series.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: On to the 12th

Still tied at one heaiding into the 12th.
MSU has six hits and Ole Miss had eight.
Both teams still have their closers in. MSU's Aaron Weatherford has thrown five innings and Ole Miss' Cody Satterwhite is working on his fifth.
Ole Miss had an opportunity in the 11th after Justin Henry led off with a single, but Zack Cozart popped out on a bunt, Cody Overbeck popped out to second and Logan Power flew out.
Good thing there is no travel curfew.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: Pepperdine Pitching Change Backfires

With USD holding a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth, Pepperdine manager Steve Rodriguez surprisingly decided to give Dickmann the hook. San Diego had two on with two outs and RBI leader Jordan Abruzzo was at the plate, but Dickmann had been pitching a solid game and gotten Abruzzo out twice already.

The move backfired when Abruzzo slugged reliever Adam Olbrychowski's first pitch to right field, scoring Mike Metzger from third. To compound matters, right fielder Donald Brown misplayed the ball, allowing Justin Snyder to score on an error, giving USD a 3-0 lead.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: Toreros Strike First

After flirting with a score in the third, USD got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. Shane Buschini reached first on a ground ball through first and second and advanced to third when Daniel Magness hit a laser down the first base line.

Logan Gelbrich hit into a double play on the next at bat, but it was good enough to get Buschini home and put the Toreros up 1-0. With the pace of the game so far, that could end up being a valuable run.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Bottom 9

Still tied going into the bottom of the ninth,
Ole Miss fan is walking through the stands holding a poster board with the message "Cow bells are in Cow hell." Another fan behind him is holding a broom.
1-1.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: That's Why They Wear Helmets

In the bottom of the third, San Diego's Mike Metzger reached second on a long drive over the right fielder's head. When he took a big lead off the bag, Dickmann threw a pickoff attempt that hit Metzger squarely on the head, knocking his helmet off. We could hear the smack of the ball in the press box. He shook it off though, but not much avail.

With RBI leader Jordan Abruzzo at the plate with two on and one out, it looked like the Toreros were ready to break the scoreless tie, but Abruzzo grounded into a double play to end the inning.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Bold move and it works

Ole Miss put runners on the corners with one out in the bottom of the eighth.
MSU pitcher Aaron Weatherford then fell behind 2-0 to OM leading hitter Justin Henry so the Bulldogs intentionally walked Henry to load the bases for All-American Zack Cozart.
The move drew a loud applause for Cozart from the OM crowd.
Cozart then hit a ball to MSU third baseman Connor Powers who threw out pinch runner JoJo Tann at first. MSU catcher Edward Easley nearly completed the double play, but his throw to first hit off Cozart allowing him to reach. Cody Overbeck then grounded out to short to end the inning.
Still tied at 1 with one out in the top of the ninth.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Cowboys look for 9th inning rally

After nine and a half innings the Texas Longhorns have completely controlled this game. The Cowboys have one final curtain call to try and curtail this Longhorn bashing. Lets see what happens.

Randy Boone in for the Longhorns to close out the game. Cowboys have runners on the corners with only one out. Rebel Ridling to the plate. Ouch he goes down swinging, one out remaining for the Cowboys. Pinch hitter Dusty Harvard strikes out looking. Down go the Cowboys and here come the Horns who leave Stillwater with a six game win streak.

Final score from Stillwater: 7-0 in favor of the Longhorns.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Controversy

Ole Miss just got out of the seventh inning jam on a tight play at first.
With MSU runner Mark Goforth on third and two outs, OM pitcher Cody Satterwhite worked the count to Joseph McCaskill to 3-2 (throwing two 96-mile-an-hour fastballs and two at 94). McCaskill then hit a hard bal to OM shortstop Zack Cozart. Cozart stabbed the ball and threw to first. It was a close play at first and first base umpire AJ Lostaglio called McCaskill safe drawing a heated protest from MSU first base coach Tommy Raffo. After much arm waving by Raffo, MSU head coach Ron Polk picked up the argument. No avail.
1-1 Bottom 8.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: To the closers

Score still tied at 1 in the eighth.
MSU went to closer Aaron Weatherford in the seventh. Weatherford touched 94 with his fastball and retired the Rebels in order strking out two.
MSU CF Mark Goforth just singled to lead off the eighth and OM replaced Nathan Baker with closer Cody Satterwhite.

more >
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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: Pitchers in Charge Early

Much like Romanski, Pepperdine's Robert Dickmann got out of the first inning with little trouble to go to the second with no score. The second inning was a repeat of the first with nobody sniffing home plate for either team.

While Friday's heavyweight matchup between Major League prospects Brian Matusz and Barry Enright was billed as the marquee matchup, today's pitchers aren't slouches. Romanski enters the game sporting a 7-1 record and 2.33 ERA while Dickmann claims a 5-2 record and 3.72 ERA. I'd be shocked to see anyone get close to the 10 runs that USD scored on Friday.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Ejections comith; Horns holding strong

In the bottom of the seventh inning Cowboy third baseman Matt Mangini was ejected after arguing a called third strike. Mangini was immediately ejected, but he was not ready to go, he threw off his helmet and got in the face of homeplate umpire Mike Morris. Mangini then threw his bat down and continued to give Morris some choice words I'm sure. Well after a few minutes Mangini left and Cowboy head coach Frank Anderson came in to continue the argument. He was not ejected but got at least a warning. The officiating crew held a brief meeting after Anderson went back to the Cowboy dugout. I said this game would get interesting and it has, just not by the actions of the actual game but by the actions of the fans, coaches and players arguing with the umpires.

Heading into the bottom of the eight inning Horns still lead 7-0. They will most likely hang on to this game as they have the sure handed strong arm Joseph Krebs on the mound to close the game out.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Tar Heels Take the Series

UNC has won the deciding game of the series, 7-5.

In the bottom of the ninth, Pat Ferguson led off with a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Wade Moore. Marcus Jones struck out on a check swing on which first base umpire Tony Gisondi ruled that he went around (care to guess how that was received by the home crowd?). Reid Fronk showed he has more than just a hot bat when he made a beautiful diving catch in LF to rob Dallas Poulk of a base hit. Andrew Carignan secured his 10th save by striking out Joe Florio to end the game.

UNC remains a half game behind ACC Coastal Division leader Virginia, which swept Maryland this weekend.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Mercer in for the Pokes; Streak about to end

Cowboy head coach Frank Anderson put in his third pitcher of the game by moving shortstop Jordy Mercer to the mound to try and contain the Longhorns sticks. Mercer gave up a double to the first batter he faced in Nick Peoples. Anderson could end up using two or three more pitchers before this game is even over.

With runners on first and second Brad Suttle hit a bloop shot to shallow left to score both runners to move the score to 6-0 and he moved to second base when left fielder Ty Wright fell down attempting to pick up the ball. Preston Clark was the next batter for the Horns and he singled in Suttle to increase the lead to seven.

So with a 7-0 score heading into the bottom of the seventh Cowboy fans are getting more and more nervous. As I said earlier, no Cowboy team has ever lost three games in a row at Allie P. Reynolds stadium. I repeat, there has NEVER been a Cowboy team to lose three games in a row at home since 1981.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

San Diego: Waves, Toreros Tangle Again

Game two between San Diego and Peppderdine is underway as the Waves look to recover from Friday's 10-3 shellacking and regain a tie for first place in the West Coast Conference.

Josh Romanski is on the mound for the Toreros, and while he didn't get off to the hot start that ace Brian Matusz did in striking out the first five batters of Friday's win, he got out of the first inning unscathed. Adam Ortiz reached on an infield hit and got to second on a throwing error when Romanski overthrew first base on a pickoff attempt. That was as far as he got though as Eric Thames struck out and Ryan Heroy grounded out.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Tough hit

Ole Miss just had a tough break on a single by All-American shorstop Zack Cozart.
Justin Henry walked to lead off the inning and stole second. On a 3-2 count, Cozart sent a hard-hit ball to the left side, but it hit Henry for an out.
Cody Overbeck then sent a deep fly ball to the warning track, but it was caught by MSU LF Joseph McCaskill.
Cozart was then caught stealing.
1-1, top 7.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Bottom of the Ninth

Carignan, who has allowed only two earned runs in 32+ innings this year, struck out Proskopf to end the eighth.

UNC wasted singles by Federowicz and Horton in the ninth when Federowicz was caught stealing and Chad Flack hit into a double play.

One last chance for NC State, with the bottom of the order due up.

It's good to see 3B Drew Martin back in the game after being injured last night. He has come in as a defensive replacement in the ninth.

As an aside, all of the UNC players and coaches had their heads shaved a few weeks back. Each shaved head raised $100 for children with cancer through donations from the public.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Rebels tie it

Second game in a row that C.J. Ketchum has gotten a big bloop single for the Rebels.
The senior who starts at 1b and DH blooped a changeup into left to score Evan Button from second and tie the game.
Ketchum had a bloop single to right to put the Rebels ahead yesterday.
1-1 in the top of the sixth.
As the Rebels came off the field last inning, fans were still booing the foul call on a ball OM 2B Zach Miller hit down the left field line. Miller later struck out.
They just played "Sweet Caroline" here (it has become a sixth inning tradition) and the fans were on their feet singing and swaying. Ala "Fever Pitch."

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Flyball Frenzy

At the end of the fifth inning in every Cowboy home game, the marketing team challenges a fan to catch three fly balls in right field. Well for the first time all season a fan has won the big prize by catching all three balls. The fan won a t-shirt, team colored crocs (a flip-flop type shoe), and a team autographed baseball. Congrats to him on the daring feat.

Have I mentioned the gorgeous weather for the third day in a row. It's a bright sunny day in Stillwater with the heat getting to 80 degrees and a slight breeze flowing from rightfield to leftfield. Another day that could help the Cowboys bats come to life. So far, no good.

At the end of the top of the sixth, Texas leads 4-0. They added another run on a bases loaded sac fly by Chais Fuller, so the bottom half of the Longhorns lineup continues to haunt and hurt the Cowboy hurlers.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Pitchers on

Through 4.5 innings, pitchers have been strong.
Ole Miss' Nathan Baker has allowed three hits and one walk. MSU's Josh Johnson has allowed a pair of hits and no walks. He's retired eight straight although OM second baseman Zach Miller just sent a ball down the left field line that looked fair but was called foul.
1-0 Bulldogs in the bottom of the fifth and the fans are still booing the call.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE:

Reid Fronk is on fire. He nailed a two run HR to left field off reliever Clayton Shunick to put UNC back on top 7-5. It seemed to get help from a right to left wind. That is Fronk's second HR of the day and third in the last two games. That equals his HR output for the year prior to last night and ties him for the team lead (6) with Seth Williams and Dustin Ackley and is his second career multi-homer game.

Rob Wooten was the 4th pitcher of the day for UNC and struck out the first two he saw before allowing a bloop single by Ryan Pond. UNC closer Andrew Carignan is now on to try to pick up his 11th save of the year. He'll have to face NC State's leading HR hitter, Mike Proskopf, who already has one today.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Even at 5 After Seven Innings; No Hat Trick

Following Fronk's homerun, UNC got Dustin Ackley on by an error and Tim Federowicz on by a single when he hit a high pop-up that got caught in the swirling winds so that 1B Pat Ferguson couldn't make the catch. Josh Horton hit his third deep shot of the game to left center, and Marcus Jones hauled it in near the wall once again. Chad Flack then hit into a force play to end the top of the eighth.

Danford got Poulk, Florio, and Mangum in order in the Wolfpack seventh so it's still deadlocked. Andrew Taylor is in in relief for NC State. He failed to retire any of the four batters he faced last night but has gotten both hitters he's seen so far today.

Today's attendance was just announced at 2,683. That is the smallest of the series, but the 3 game total attendance of 8,774 sets a stadium series record.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Horns in control

UT starter Austin Wood is in control of this game through four innings of work. Wood has two strikeouts and allowed only 2 hits. The Cowboys are hitting the ball hard for the third straight game, but for a third straight time OSU has hit right at the Longhorns. OSU better start finding the gaps soon or they will be in some serious trouble heading down the stretch of the season. With the Longhorns playing in tip-top shape they seem to be in total control of their destiny. Heading to the bottom of the fifth Horns lead 3-0.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Another great catch

Ole Miss junior shortstop Zack Cozart just made a great catch on a liner hit by MSU center fielder Mark Goforth. Goforth hit a low liner and Cozart ran toward second and dove to seize the ball while lying on his stomach.
It was Goforth who made a great catch earlier in the game.
1-0 Mississippi State Bottom 3.
Ole Miss just honored its SEC West champion tennis team to a good applause for the crowd.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Make it 21

Ty Wright came into today's game with a 20-game hit streak, well he made it 21 in the bottom of the third inning with two outs on a line drive hit to shallow left field. After Wright got his first hit of the game, UT pitching coach Skip Johnson made his way to the mound to visit with starter Austin Wood. Johnson took about five minutes in a team meeting at the mound. Well Cowboy fans where none to happy with that as not a single umpire made a move to the mound to break up the meeting, I guess that is their way of telling the Cowboy fans who is in charge.

End of the third, 3-0 Texas.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Miami-FSU: Miami wins one of three, 7-1

With the win, Miami improves to 27-19 and 12-12 in ACC. With the loss, Florida State drops to 39-7 and 17-4 in the ACC.

Miami got a great start out of Eric Erickson getting 6 innings of work and he only gave up one run.

Erickson is Miami most talented starter and gives Miami three great starters. It will be up to the bullpen as to whether Miami goes anywhere in the postseason.

FSU is an all around great team that got the job down. FSU came down and won two out of three on the road, against your blood rival. The coaches do not like each other in this rivalry and there is alot more bad blood in this baseball rival, then in the football rivalry between the two schools.

It will be disappointing for FSU Head Coach Mike Martin if he does not have a big year and at the very least go deep into Omaha.

Miami is just trying to extend its streak of consective postseason appearances. The Hurricanes should be alright, but Danny Gil is going to have to be a better closer as the 'Canes head into the postseason.

FSU has the talent to win it all and is clearly a better team then Miami. However, when the postseason comes, it is about who is hot and not always who is best.

The rivalry will pick up again, perhaps in the postseason?

Thanks for checking in with me this weekend and I hope I gave you a small taste of Miami/FSU baseball. It is something that is fun to be apart of.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Pack Back in Charge- Briefly

Luke Putkonen was pulled in the sixth with nobody out after giving up a leadoff double to Caleb Mangum, and Rob Catapano (who got the win last night while throwing only two pitches) walked the only batter he faced. Matt Danford then came on for his 22nd appearance of the year and promptly gave up a run scoring single to Ramon Corona to tie the game at four apiece. Danford then balked in the go ahead run (Tommy Foschi) when he threw to 3B Chad Flack, who wasn't on the bag. Danford escaped further damage by getting Pat Ferguson to take a third strike and inducing Marcus Jones to bounce into a force play to end the inning.

Reid Fronk just led off the 7th with a HR to right center field to tie it back up at 5-5. Fronk hit a HR last night on the second pitch of the game.

Unlike last night, when there were 21 total strikeouts, today we had only four after six innings. Alex White had ten K's himself after six innings last night.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Fans back at it

Well today's game does not have as many fans as the last two games had, but their voice sure is being heard today. The Cowboy fans are really giving to the officiating crew today louder than yesterday. The fans are not happy with the Cowboys losing two games in a row and as a fan who else can you blame but the umpires.

After three innings the Longhorns still lead 3-0

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Bulldogs: Nice catch

With no outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the first, MSU center fielder Mark Goforth made a long run and a diving catch on a ball hit into shallow left center field and Ole Miss left a runner on second.
1-0 Bulldogs in the top of the second.
Crowd smaller than in the first two games, especailly in left and right field although most grandstand seats are full.
Sunny day with temperatues in the mid 80s.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Miami-FSU: Last licks for FSU

Miami holds a 7-1 lead over FSU heading into the ninth. It will be 8-9-1 for FSU in the ninth.

Miami looks like they will take one of three games this weekend.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Heels Grab the Lead

UNC has regained the lead. Tim Federowicz led off the sixth with a single. Josh Horton, who hit a towering homer to RF in the ninth last night, was next up and nearly got drilled in the head by a pitch that got away from Jimmy Gillheeney. To his credit, Horton didn't seem to get angered and in fact was laughing with NC State catcher Caleb Mangum and home plate umpire David Savage. His bat did the talking on the very next pitch when he drilled a two run HR just inside the RF foul pole to give UNC a 4-3 lead. Gillheeney has given way to Jeff Stallings on the mound.

The NC State fans do the familiar "Left-Right-Left-Right" chant whenever an opposing batter strikes out and makes the walk of shame back to the dugout.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Horns strike first; Cowboys make pitching move

For the first time all weekend the Texas Longhorns scored the games first run. On Friday and Saturday the OSU Cowboys struck first by mounting a 2-0 lead in each game, but the Longhorns would go on to win each game. this time around the Horns struck first after they loaded the bases in the top of the third. Kyle Russell hit a sac fly to score the first run. So with only 1 out in the top of the third 1-0 Texas. Lets see if the lead stays the whole game or if it will be a little role reversal.

With the bases loaded for the second time in the third, OSU starter Joe Kent walked his second batter of the inning to put Texas up 2-0. After Kent walked in the second run he was relieved by Justin Friend, after a 2-2 count Friend balked in the third run for the Longhorns. Homeplate umpire Mike Morris has made five balk call this weekend, the first four where from Friday's game and the one today.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Oxford: Bulldogs strike first

Mississippi State up 1-0 going into the bottom of the first.
Jeffrey Rea hit a leadoff single, went to second on an error and scored on two ground outs.
MSU shortstop Brandon Turner is out of the lineup with a hamstring injury and right fielder Jeff Flagg is out with back spasms. Jet Turner is at short and Oxford native Cade Hoggard (red shirt freshman) is making his first career start in right.
OM RF Jordan Henry just led off the Rebel first with a single.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Miami-FSU: Can Miami's bullpen hold this lead?

Miami is leading 7-1 in the top of the 8th inning.

I said before that this game means the world to Miami as it would keep them at .500 in ACC play heading into the final three series against Wright St., Wake Forest, and Duke.

Miami needs the help in the RPI to make them a solid regional team.

FSU is far and away one of the top 2 or 3 teams in the nation and they already took 2 of 3 against their rival on the road. Miami needs to save face.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Wolfpack Hold Serve

NC State is hanging onto a 3-2 lead after five innings.

UNC wasted a single by Seth Williams in the 5th and couldn't score when Reid Fronk and Dustin Ackley hit flyouts to left field.

NC State then got a lead off single by Marcus Jones, who was bunted over to second by Dallas Poulk. Leadoff hitter Joe Florio then hit a line drive that was snared by SS Josh Horton, who outraced Jones to second base and doubled him up to end the inning.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Stanford: Rubber game at Sunken

Sunken Diamond has been a pretty bleak place to be in recent weeks. Before yesterday's game, Stanford was just 1-6 in Pac-10 play at home and just 12-11 overall at Sunken, a place where the Card normally dominate.

But today there is a different feel at the ballpark. A buzz that has eluded this team all year. Last night people around campus were talking about Stanford baseball in a positive way, and that is definitely a first this season. And it was all thanks to a walkoff three-run home run by Michael Taylor with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning that gave Stanford a dramatic 9-7 victory over Oregon State.

There is no doubt that the win should give the Cardinal a little bit of a spark, but the question is: was it in time to matter. Even if Stanford gets red hot a postseason berth may be out of reach. But today for the final game of the series there is a feeling of optimism among the Cardinal faithful.

Oregon State can ill afford a series sweep to Stanford, the last place team in the Pac-10. Arizona State and UCLA are still hot and a loss again today would push the Beavers two games under .500 in conference play. Surprisingly, OSU is going with freshman righthander Jorge Reyes who is making just his third start of the year. He is filling in for Daniel Turpen who had been a fixture this season in the Sunday starters spot. Turpen threw out of the bullpen yesterday and we could definitely see him again today if Reyes gets into trouble.

Junior righthander Erik Davis will make his first career weekend start today for the Cardinal. He pitched four innings on Wednesday in a makeup game against Fresno State, but threw under 60 pitches and Stanford coach Mark Marquess said he should be good to go as long as the Cardinal need him.

Today's game was pushed up to a 12:30 start time from a original 1:00 start to accomodate Oregon State's travel plans. It will be interesting to see how many fans actually make it for first pitch after the last minute change.

As usual, I'll be back postgame. The last two game have each lasted four hours, so it might be a while, but I will return.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: Russell moving around

The first inning went fast and efficient as each team went down in order. Interesting note is Longhorns power hitter, who is considered one of the best hitters in the nation has moved from the 3-hole to the 2-hole spot in the line-up. Russell is 1-7 in the series, Texas head coach Augie Garrido must be trying to shake things up to break him loose on the Cowboy pitching staff. It was to no avail as Russell struck out in his first at bat to move him to 1-8, good for .125 on the weekend. So hey Russell, where you at?

Score after the first 0-0.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Pack Breaks Through

The Wolfpack are on the board. Marcus Jones had a one out, infield single on a close play at first. Following a double to left center by Dallas Poulk, Jones scored on a ground out to first by Joe Florio.

UNC went scoreless in the fourth, so it's 2-1 Carolina. Gillheeney has retired 11 of the last 13 Tar Heels. Putkonen has also pitched well for UNC, allowing only 2 hits thus far. He is a kind of a cross physically between last year's two UNC pitching studs, Andrew Miller and Daniel Bard. He is nearly as tall as Miller but is a righthander built more like Bard.

Nice crowd again today, SRO along the concourse, but not 4 and 5 deep like last night. The attendance record should be intact.

Just as I wrote the above, Jeremy Pond doubled and Mike Roskopf homered off the scoreboard in left center to give NC State a 3-2 lead in the fourth.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

OSU-Texas: We must protect this house

The thoughts that run through any Oklahoma State fan on Sunday afternoon at Allie P. Reynolds is "I hope we don't get swept." The Texas Longhorns are looking to do something no team has ever done in the history of Allie P. Reynolds existence. Oklahoma State has never last three games in a row at Allie P., that goes all the way back to 1981, the year Allie P. was opened. Also this season OSU has not lost three games in a row, but Texas will look to get it's second conference sweep of the year.

Today will be interesting to see as each team will be sending pitchers by request. The Cowboys will be sending Joe Kent to the mound for his seventh start of the year, he is 4-0. The Longhorns will send Austin Wood, who has an 8-3 record.

Will the crowd pack the house for the third day in a row or Will the fans stay home and cheer after seeing the Longhorns win two straight?

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC SAE: Good Coaching Move

So far UNC coach Mike Fox's decision to play Garrett Gore has paid off. Gore hit a home run to left field from the number 9 spot in the top of the second to give the Tar Heels a 2-0 lead. He then started a 4-6-3 double play to end the Wolfpack half of the second inning. UNC went down in order in the third so we stand pat at 2-0 in the bottom of the third.

Reading Denis Brown's blog from Miami has my mouth watering for an Omaha Express shake. The Going Yard guys had a feature about those recently. Now all that food talk has me thinking about burgers and shakes at Zesto's, Omaha steak burgers, and thick whiskey sirloins at The Drover in Omaha. June can't get here soon enough.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Miami-FSU: Sobolewski breaks freshman hitting streak

Records are valuable. They mean alot in baseball. Hitting streaks are second only to home run records in baseball. UM freshman Mark Sobolewski extended his hitting streak to 17 games, which breaks the record held by his teammate Jemile Weeks from last year and Jim Maler in 1977, who played a few seasons of pro ball with the Seattle Mariners.

The all time hitting streak record for Miami is 28 games, for any player. Sobolewski came into the game with a .344 average with 5 home runs and 44 RBI. Sobolweski certainly has had a great freshman campaign here at Miami, as had many of the younger players. Miami seems like a team destined to do big things next year. UM Head Coach Jim Morris will return 8 starters and a majority of his pitching staff.

"I am amazed that I have had the record this long at Miami and I am glad that Mark Sobolewski got the chance to break the record," said Maler.

Maler was glad to be in the attendance to see the event and with all the great players at Miami, it took nearly 30 years to break the record.

Tradition is important in baseball and Miami certainly has alot of it.

FSU gets a run back in the sixth.

FSU 1
Miami 6
Bottom of the sixth

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Miami-FSU: Rally in the fifth

FSU isn't doing the little things right today. Travis Burge came into the game for FSU and now Jimmy Marshall is now in the game, after Burge gave up a couple of runs.

Centerfielder Blake Tekotte led off for Miami in the fifth and six straight runners reached, including that bunt single I wrote about in my last post by Roger Tomas and two throwing errors by FSU assist Miami in scoring the 5 runs in the fifth.

Thirdbasemen Gus Menendez just hit a sac fly to cap off the five run fifth.

Heading to the top of the sixth:
FSU 0
Miami 6

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Tempers Flaring Again Early

But this time it's between the red and navy blue, rather than Carolina blue. UNC has taken a 1-0 lead in the first on a walk by Reid Fronk and single by freshman stud Dustin Ackley. NC State coach Elliott Avent was upset at a 2-2 call to Ackley that apparently just missed the strike zone. He made his displeasure with home plate umpire David Savage known, and after Ackley's RBI base hit came out and argued with Savage, drawing an early written warning. The home fans are mockingly cheering every called strike now.

NC State escaped further damage after Tim Federowicz singled when Josh Horton drove a deep drive to left center that Marcus Jones caught against the wall. Chad Flack then grounded out to end the UNC first inning.

In the crowd, a bare-chested NC State student made a nice catch of a foul ball down the left field line. Don't worry- it was a guy.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Miami-FSU: Pitchers duel

Who would think that a relief pitcher and a starter coming back from injury would put together the two best pitching performances of the weekend. It is 1-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Danny Rosen for Florida State has pitched amazing giving up a single run in the first. Rosen will drop down from the side when he faces righters and come over the top against lefties, in order to cut down on the advantage for lefties.

The crowd is waiting for something good to happen and UM shortstop Roger Tomas may have just got something for them. Tomas put down a beautiful drag bunt and reaches first on the infield single. Now there is two on with no out for Yonder Alonso.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

UNC/NC STATE: Attendance Hat Trick?

Under mostly sunny skies in Raleigh with the temperature around 80, visiting UNC will take on NC State in the deciding game of this ACC series. The Wolfpack ran away with game one 11-1, and the Tar Heels used a six run seventh inning last night to win 9-3 and even the series. Unlike Eric Sorenson's painful-sounding 2 1/2 hour drive to Riverside yesterday, I had an uneventful twenty minute drive here and didn't have to ride my brakes the whole time.

Stadium attendance records have been set each of the last two nights. It's filling up fast twenty minutes before the first pitch, but I'm not sure we'll top last night's crowd of 3,109.

UNC will throw Luke Putkonen (6-1, 3.78), while NC State will go with Jimmy Gillheeney (3-2, 4.43). Lineup changes for today for UNC: Tim Federowicz (C) and Benji Johnson (DH) are swapping positions, and Garrett Gore is replacing Kyle Seager second base. For NC State: Joe Florio is at third base in place of Drew Martin, who was injured last night in the ninth inning when he ran into the rolled up tarp while snaring a pop foul. Mike Roskopf replaces Vince Gutierrez as the DH.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Miami-FSU: I love food

Little action so far in the game so I will take a chance to talk about the food here at Mark Light Field... I love it. I had some chicken tenders, fries, and a milkshake, as you can tell I have a well rounded diet.

The food is very well rounded however, especially when construction is done here at "The Light." While construction goes on, some of the regular vendors left and should be really filled in once everything is done.

The fries have extra salt, just like I like it. The chicken has an actually taste of chicken, which is different then some stadiums you go to. The milkshakes are the cream of the crop and something that non-milkshake drinkers have when they come to "The Light."

Better then anything else, it is inexpensive. You can get your meat of choice (burger, hot dog, chicken, ect.), fries or chips, and a drink for all under 10 dollars, something that makes someone like myself really happy.

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Sunday, 04/29/07

Miami-FSU: Miami should have the pitching advantage

UM's Eric Erickson is an established starter this year that just recently came off of some arm trouble, but is starting to get back into the groove he was in earlier in the season that allowed him to have a 2.29 ERA coming into the game.

Erickson made himself known here at Miami when he threw four innings of shutout baseball earlier in the season to secure a 1-0 victory for Miami in game one of a three game series when Miami swept then 11th ranked UCLA.

Erickson quickly found himself in the rotation and has been a mainstay every since.

FSU starter Danny Rosen is making his first start of the season and Rosen has never thrown more then three innings in a game this season.

We will see if Miami can win one game in this series.

Miami stikes quickly with in a Dennis Raben single to centerfield that allowed Roger Tomas to score.

FSU 0
Miami 1
Bottom of the first

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: Final Thoughts of the Night

Florida State is just better, that is what everyone that has watched the last two games thinks.

I was able to talk to FSU catcher Buster Posey after the game and he felt the turning point of the game was when UM DH Jemile Weeks walked and went to third after Mark Sobolewski singled to rightfield, which was the hit that extended Sobolewski's hitting streak to 16 games.

The play that changed the game was when Miami third basemen Gus Menendez grounded to third, Jason Stidham threw to second for FSU to get the force out and Weeks broke for home. The throw was made to home and Posey blocked the plate and tagged Weeks after he missed home plate. This double play killed a third inning rally when the 'Canes were only down a run.

Danny Rosen (1-0 3.28) a junior righty will start for FSU tomorrow. This will be his first start of the season against Eric Erickson (5-3, 2.29).

Game starts at noon. Miami will try to avoid being swept. UM is already under .500 in ACC play and this game means so much more to Miami then FSU at this point. Miami is a bubble team.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Fullerton-UC Riverside: Riverside wins 3-0, wins series

This is pretty stunning. Or maybe it shouldn't be?

We've been hearing all along from various pundits (like me) and rags that the best pitching staff in the Big West was here in Riverside. Guess what? We saw that tonight.

Rzepczynski was nails-tough, tossing a complete-game three-hitter to subdue a struggling Titan batting team.

Going to try to talk to UCR coach Doug Smith now. I'll write a bit more about this one in Extra Innings tonight.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Fullerton-UC Riverside: THIS is the kind of pitching UCR is finally living up to.

Still 3-0 here in the bottom of the 8th.

Marc Rzepcszynski has been on lock-down mode, man. This guy's been big time tonight.

Through eight Titan innings, MR has allowed just four baserunners, none of which have reached second base. And get this, only ONCE has a Titan batted ball traveled on the fly to the outfield. Khris Davis hit a flyout to center field in the 6th.

Other than that it's been all groundouts and strikeouts. Well Fullerton does have two hits.

Three more outs left for the Highlanders and this one's history.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: Seminoles win 13-8

FSU is going to hold on to win 13-8. I will be getting some quotes and thoughts from the main players involved in the game.

Buster Posey is the star of the game with 7 RBI.

I will come back with some closing thoughts, but FSU has a chance to sweep Miami in Coral Gables tomorrow at noon.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Fullerton-UC Riverside: 3 runs on 2 hits for Riverside

the Highlanders broke through here in the 6th inning.

The speed-merchant, Carl Uhl started off the inning wth a double to the wall. He moved to third on a ground out. Then Jaime Pedroza was intentionally walked to put men on 1st and 3rd. Uhl scored on a wild pitch, while Pedroza hustled all the way over the 3rd base on the play.

Fullerton's Kaplan then gave up another run on a deep SAC fly to center by Mark Samuelson.

Then, just when you thought things had calmed down and Kaplan had composed himself, Aaron Wible hit a towering shot just inside the left field fair pole.

It's now 3-zip with Fullerton batting here in the 7th. And Fullerton is not a big comeback team.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: A nail wasn't enough, FSU is digging the hole

Three runs scored as Miami elected to let Alex Koronis go out for another inning to pitch. For FSU, Jason Stidham singled, Ohmed Danesh flew out to center, Mark Gildea was hit by a pitch, Brandon Reichert singled.

This prompted UM Head Coach Jim Morris to come out and put John Housey in the game with his 6.50 ERA.

Housey got Tony Thomas Jr. to strike out with three straight pitches over the outside corner after getting down in the count, the last of which was looking.

However, a 2 RBI single by Mark Hallberg and a RBI single by Buster Posey gives FSU a 12-6 lead.

Miami gets one back in the bottom half of the seventh.

As I wrote before, Miami simply can't match up with FSU in the bullpen. Miami has a good offense and a solid rotation, but Florida State is good in all three areas.

Seminole fans have desended on Coral Gables and have showed up in packs at these games. They are tailgating outside in the parking lot and are extremely excited about this years team. They have good reason to, FSU is a really good team that has impressed me with their ability to not make the key mistake.

FSU now 13
Miami 6
Top of the 8th

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Fullerton-UC Riverside: Nothing happening here yet... any post-game fights in Raleigh?

(Here's to secretly hoping Kenny Cook finds out something juicy about the near-fisticuffs between UNC and State... like the coaches going after the same girl being the reason for the tension or something.)

We're through four innings here in Riverside as each pitcher is cruising. Riverside had guys on 1st and 2nd with one out, but a double-play snuffed that threat. Still 0-0.

And there are ashes falling on my computer from the nearby wild-fire. (Probably started by some idiot SoCal driver that flicked a cig out of his car... while on a damned cell phone too.)

Riverside has two hits. Fullerton has one. I'll let you know when someone breaks through.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC STATE: Final in Raleigh

UNC wins it 9-3.
Rob Catapano got his first win of the year after facing just one batter. Andrew Carignan picked up his 10th save. Eryk McConnell takes the loss for NC State.

I'll be back for the rubber game tomorrow afternoon.

Now downstairs to hear what the coaches have to say about the fracas earlier in the game.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: A grand sixth

A nail in the coffin?

FSU catcherBuster Posey just hit a 366 foot home run to the 365 foot part of the park in right centerfield. FSU now holds a 9-4 lead in the sixth. This game is all but over, Head Coach Jim Morris sat down David Gutierrez who is one of Miami's better relievers in favor of John Housey. Neither saw action because the current reliever Alex Koronis worked out of the top of the inning.

The bullpen matchups simply do not favor Miami. FSU has the better all around bullpen and Miami simply does not have many dependable arms to go to. UM doesn't have a true closer and have overused the decent pitchers that they do have in the bullpen.

Florida State is a number one team in the nation and they may well sweep this weekend rivalry if Miami does not get anything going later today or tomorrow. FSU looks like the better team though, good teams don't beat themselves and this is why the Hurricanes aren't playing like a good team.

Miami just gets an RBI double by Roger Tomas... maybe a sign of life with Yonder Alonso coming up?

FSU 9
Miami 5
Bottom of the sixth

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Fullerton-UC Riverside: Worst drive ever.

Just got here to warm, smokey Riverside Sports Complex.

Usually I know when I shouldn't be on the freeways here in Fakeland. For some reason, today, I forgot that Saturday afternoons are usually pretty brutal. That's what I went through today. So my 75-mile drive from Venice turned into a two and a half hour horizontal elevator ride - and I was the operater. That sucked.

So I got here just after the Titan half of the first inning. The first two innings were harmless, neither team sending more than four batters to the plate in any inning. Going into the 3rd inning, it's 0-0. Jeff Kaplan (7-2, 3.20) is going up against Marc Rzepczynski (5-1, 3.28).

Oh, and it's smokey out here because of some wild fire in Mira Loma. I'm stupid enough to wear a long sleeve shirt and jeans, thinking it would be typically cool when the sun goes down. But it's too damn warm for my Scandanavian blood.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC STATE: 8-3 Heading to the Ninth

UNC wound up with 6 runs in the 8th, the last coming on a bases loaded fielder's choice by Seth Williams. Closer Andrew Carignan held the Wolfpack scoreless in the bottom of the inning, so it's still UNC by five in the top of the ninth. Joey Cutler is the sixth NC State pitcher of the evening.

Although a few fans have left the grass berm along the left field line, it's still a packed house with standing room only. Tomorrow's game should be full as well.

Check that score- Josh Horton blasted a home run high up in the trees in RF to make it 9-3. NCSU 3B made a great catch of a foul ball and the ran into the tarp against the wall. He walked off under his own power but had to leave the game, being replaced by Joe Florio.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: Mark Sobolewski ties a freshman record

Miami's left fieldfielder tied a Miami freshman record with a 16 game hitting streak. He singled to right field in the third inning to extend the streak. Sobolewski reached on a questionable error in the first where a slowly hit ball that was bobbled allowed Sobolewski to reach, but had the ball been fielded properly, he probably would have reached.

FSU 5
Miami 4
Top of the sixth

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC STATE: Heels Busting Out

Seth Williams led off the UNC eighth with a single and scored the tying run on a double by freshman of the year candidate, Dustin Ackley (his second double of the night). Ackley is running away with the team lead in hitting and RBI (.449, 51 RBS coming into the game) and is tied for the team lead with six home runs.

Ackley scored on a single to right center by Tim Federowicz to give UNC a 4-3 lead. Reliever Eryk McConnell got knocked out of a game for the first time all year when all 3 batters he faced got hits, and was replaced by lefty Andrew Taylor. UNC added its fifth run when Kyle Seager laid down a sacrifice bunt and 3B Drew Martin threw wildly to first, allowing Federowicz to score. Chad Flack accounted for the Heels sixth run when he singled sharply to left field to drive in Josh Horton. Tim Fedroff made it 7-3 when he singled back through the box to plate Seager. Taylor has just been replaced by the fourth Wolfpack pitcher, sidearmer Kyle Rutter (who entered the game to the AC/DC classic "Thunderstruck"). UNC has runners at first and second and still nobody out after seven batters.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC STATE: White and Brackman Done

UNC coach Mike Fox lifted White with 2 outs in the seventh. He finished with 11 K's, including at least one K in every inning, and he struck out every Wolfpack batter at least once. He only gave up 4 hits, while walking 3, and threw 113 pitches. Rob Catapano came on in relief for UNC and got an inning-ending groundout by Jeremy Synan, who had the big triple last inning. NC State is hanging on to a 3-2 lead.

Eryk McConnell has come on to replace Andrew Brackman, who gave up only 2 runs on 3 hits while walking 4 and striking out seven.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Stanford: Wild walkoff win for the Card

It took 11 innings and two Stanford comebacks, but the Cardinal have finally beaten Oregon State. Michael Taylor was the hero for Stanford, hitting a three-run home run with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning to give Stanford a 9-7 win. Oregon State was one strike away from winning its seventh straight over Stanford before Taylor took a 2-2 slider from Greg Keim out to left field.

Oregon State had two chances to close out the series win, once in the ninth and once in the 11th. The Beavers took a 6-4 lead into the bottom of the ninth, but OSU closer Eddie Kunz walked three and hit freshman outfielder Toby Gerhart to drive in the game tying run. Kunz did get Taylor to hit into an inning-ending double play, however, to send the game to extras.

The Beavers also had a chance to win it in the 11th. Jordan Lennerton hit his second home run of the game to lead off the top of the inning, but the champs stranded two runners that could have added some insurances. Stanford outfielder Joey August led off the bottom half of the inning with a single off of Anton Maxwell and Sean Ratliff walked two batters later to set up Taylors heroics. With two gone and runners at first and second Taylor hit a 2-2 pitch out for the walkoff win.

Two Stanford coaches were ejected in the game. Head coach Mark Marquess was thrown out for arguing balls and strikes in the top of the 10th. He did not go down quietly and I really think that that fired Stanford's guys up. Third base coach Dean Stotz was actually ejected as he was walking off the field after Taylor's home run and didn't realize it until well after the game had ended. It was heated all through the extra innings, especially after Marquess got tossed.

Taylor had another big play in the extra frames when he threw out a runner trying to score from second on a base hit from right field. With one out in the 10th and runners at first and second, Mitch Canham singled sharply to right. Joey Wong tried to score from second, but Taylor gunned him out by at least a step.

Oregon State was 28-0 before today when leading after eight innings, which is a testament to Kunz and the whole OSU bullpen. But today, they looked vulnerable and wild. Maxwell took the loss, but Kunz and Keim also struggled. Nolan Gallagher took the win for Stanford in his third relief appearance of the season after starting ten games in the weekend rotation. The junior righty threw five innings in relief of Jeffrey Inman and surrendered three runs. OSU starter Joe Paterson took a ND after giving up four runs in seven innings.

Really a wild one from start to finish. Stanford took a couple of early leads, but could never gain any traction. Every time the Cardinal scored, OSU answered right back, until the Beavers finally took the lead in the eigth. Jeff Whitlow hit a solo home run for Stanford early.

The two teams will be back at it again tomorrow and if the first two games are any indication, Sunday's game could be another good one. Last night's contest was really closer than the 13-7 score would indicate (OSU scored three in the ninth to put it away) and today was hands down the most exciting game I have seen all season.

Stanford needed a win today to keep their slim/very, very slim postseason hopes alive. They need another victory tomorrow, and probably need to win 14 of their last 16 games to have any shot. OSU's chances of winning the Pac-10 took a little bit of a hit, especially with UCLA and Arizona State each winning. That OSU/ASU series in Corvallis in three weeks will be huge. The Beavs also close out the regular season at UCLA.

I'll be back tomorrow with the rubber game. It will be Erik Davis throwing for Stanford and Jorge Reyes going for OSU. Davis got some national attention when he was hit in the face with a line drive while pitching in the Cape Cod League last summer. Davis required multiple facial surgeries and was forced to undergo a legnthy recovery process. Amazingly, Davis was back and pitching last fall and has been one of Stanford's top pitchers this year out of the bullpen. He started last Wednesday against Fresno State, but will be called on again on short rest to make his first career weekend start.

As usual I'll bring a little pregame analysis and follow it up with a recap. It was a wild one today, and it should be just as fun tomorrow.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: A gift run

Hit by pitch, two straight walks, and a wild pitch gives Miami a run.

We are all tied in the third.

FSU 4
Miami 4
Top of third.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC STATE: Tempers Flaring in Raleigh

UNC scored a run in the sixth when Dustin Ackley doubled to lead off the inning, moved to third on a fly ball to RF by Tim Federowicz, and score on a fielder's choice by Josh Horton when 2B Dallas Poulk threw wildly to home plate.

NC State answered with a single by Caleb Mangum and a triple by Jeremy Synan. Marcus Jones had a two out bunt to score Synan with the go ahead run on what was ruled an error on 3b Chad Flack (although it looked like it should have been a hit because Flack would have never thrown out Jones even with a perfect throw). The Wolf Pack faithful were irate when the inning ended on a close play at first base after Kyle Seager bobbled a ground ball at 2B before throwing to first to nip Dallas Poulk. It's now 3-2 NC State after six innings. Alex White has struck out 10 batters to tie a career high.

We nearly had fisticuffs in the inning when Alex White hit Ryan Pond with a pitch and Pond flipped his bat and started walking to the mound while jawing at White. The freshman didn't back down as he yelled back at Pond while both teams started advancing toward each other. Just as order was being restored by the umpires, NC State head coach Elliot Avent went after UNC pitching coach Scott Forbes and they had to be separated by the umpires. I get the feeling we haven't seen the last of the hard feelings in this series, since these two are bitter rivals.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: Richard O'Brien strikes again

Two run homer by Richard O'Brien to bring Miami within one run.

He got a pitch up from Ryan Strauss and handled it to left centerfield over the 365 foot sign.

Third homer given up by Strauss on the season. Miami has new life, but Enrique Garcia is not going to be long for this game for Miami if he continues to throw alot of pitches. He struggled through the second inning.

Miami has two on for Yonder Alonso, but we will have a meeting on the mound. Strauss has not brought his A game today.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC State: Another Attendance Record

Tonight's attendance is 3,109 to break the record set last night (2,982). Now I REALLY hope the fire marshal isn't reading this.

The score is still 1-1 after five innings in what is shaping into a great pitching match up. Andrew Brackman has thrown 74 pitches, struck out 6, and limited UNC to 2 hits. Alex White has thrown 79 pitches, struck out 8, and held NC State to 2 hits.

Tim Fedroff is wearing #47 tonight for UNC (he usually wears #16). Maybe there's something to switching numbers, since Tennessee catcher J.P. Arencibia had to wear a different number at LSU last night when he forgot to pack his black game jersey (or so the equipment manager says). He had a three-run double to help lead the Vols past LSU 7-1. So far tonight Fedroff is 1 for 2 with a double.

In what seems to be mandatory for college baseball games, there is a train currently on the tracks going past Doak Field. There seem to be quite a few college parks situated right next to train tracks (LSU's Alex Box Stadium and South Carolina's Sarge Frye Field are others that come to mind.)

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: Miami strikes back, but it could of been worse

Miami comes back with one run in the bottom of the first. Centerfield Blake Tekotte led off with a double and shortstop Roger Tomas reached on an error, putting runners at first and third. It was the decision to have Tomas run on a 3-1 pitch and getting caught stealing at second that killed the inning.

Eventually, Tekotte came in on a RBI sac fly by Dennis Raben.

FSU 4
Miami 1
Top of second

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: Well, Miami finally recorded an out

FSU had their first four batter reach, on a hit by pitch, single, double, and home run.

Right fielder Jack Rye planted his seventh home run to right field to give FSU the 4-0 lead.

Miami hasn't even batted.

FSU 4
Miami 0
Top of the first

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC State

Still 1-1 going to the bottom of the 4th. UNC got its first two batters on in the fourth, but Kyle Seager grounded into a double play and Chad Flack lined out to first baseman Pat Ferguson to end the inning.

Brackman has six K's in four innings, and Alex White has four in three innings. Home plate umpire David Pritchett has a rather vanilla punch-out move for called third strikes. Nothing like the double-clutch, double-fist pump of frequent College World Series umpire Al Davis.

Among the variety of songs played at the park so far tonight:
"Good Times" - Chic
"Kryptonite"- Three Doors Down
"Smoke on the Water"- Deep Purple
"A Little Less Conversation"- Elvis
the aforementioned "The Beautiful People"- Marilyn Manson

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: Start time set for 7:40

We will be playing baseball here in Coral Gables at 7:40.

Stay tuned for updates as the game gets going.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Gamecocks close it out

Jeff Jeffords nailed down the save as the Gamecocks win 4-1 to even the series.

Starter Arik Hempy (4-1) worked a season-high seven 1/3 innings scattering seven hits and allowing one run. He struck out seven and walked two in his 93 pitch outing.

Alabama starter Miers Quigley (4-4) has been given 0,1,1, and now 1 run in run support in his last four decisions, all losses.The southpaw did notch nine strikeouts in his eight inning stint. He allowed nine hits and four runs - three earned,

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC State: Deadlocked After Two

After Fronk's first inning home run, Brackman has the Tar Heels completely off balance with mostly offspeed pitches. He has retired six in a row, five of them on strikeouts.

Alex White cruised in the first, setting NC State down in order, but had a rough second inning. He gave up one single to Ryan Pond and walked Ramon Corona and last night's hero Marcus Jones to load the bases. White then uncorked a wild pitch and Corona scored from third to tie it up at 1-1.

Tim Fedroff has just led off the top of the third with a double off the top of the left field wall.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: The weather looks fine...

I don't know what is up. They say there is thunder storms in the area but it looks pretty nice here. I am not even sure if the people that paused the game know why they paused the game. If there really is a storm, the only positive is that the starting pitchers won't be in bad shape. But it is 7:25 and no sign of what is going on. I will keep you updated.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC State: Heels Strike Quickly

Almost as soon as Marilyn Manson's "The Beautiful People" stopped playing over the loudspeakers just before the game started, Reid Fronk took Andrew Brackman's second pitch of the game over the scoreboard in left center field to give UNC a lightning-quick 1-0 lead. This already matches last night's total scoring output for the visiting Heels.

Brackman rebounded to retire the next three batters, two of them on strikeouts. So it's 1-0 UNC heading into the bottom of the first.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Oxford: Rebels take series

Ole Miss wins game two 5-1. The Bulldogs held a 1-0 lead but the real turning point came in the top of the fifth when Ole Miss pitcher Lance Lynn got out of a bases loaded no-out jam.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Defense on the corners

South Carolina has gotten very good defense up the middle with second baseman Travis Jones and shortstop Reese Havens. They got big web gems in the seventh to stop an Alabama rally.

UA's Jeff Texada led off the seventh with a bunt single and Greg Paiml followed with a single. After a sac bunt advanced the runners, Kyle Moore lined to third with James Darnell making the quick reflexes stab for the second out. After a walk loaded the bases, Brandon May popped down the right field line. The first baseman Smoak made a running catch with his back to the plate to end the threat.

James Darnell just homered to stretch the lead to 4-1.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Miami-FSU: Part Two

Similar starting lineups tonight, with only FSU starting Ohmed Danesh in left field.

Miami will try and rebound from a disappointing game on their side. The Hurricanes had the number one team in the nation down three runs in the ninth at home and blew the game. That is about as bad of a loss as one can have.

I am currently enjoying an Omaha Express, which is a famous milkshake here at Mark Light Field. The milkshakes at "The Light," is one of the things that makes the experience of watching a game here special.

Rain and Thunder delay, could be a delay of up to a half hour. I will be back with delays when I figure out what is going on.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

UNC/NC State: Game 2 From Tobacco Road

Under clear skies with mid-70s temperatures, we're about to get game 2 going. The home Wolfpack took game one last night from the highly ranked Tar Heels, winning 11-1 behind Eric Surkamp's strong seven inning start. Robert Woodard lost consecutive starts for UNC for the first time in his career. Even still, he's an amazing 30-5 in four years in Chapel Hill. Tonight it's UNC freshman Alex White (4-3, 3.26) going against 6'10" Andrew Brackman (6-4, 3.90). Because Brackman is pitching, the pass list for professional scouts was rather lengthy.

Last night's crowd of 2,982 was a record for Doak Field at Dail Park. It looks like tonight's crowd may surpass that record. Hope the fire marshal isn't reading this. The NC State red in the crowd far surpasses the Carolina blue, but this series was sold out well in advance so about the only Tar Heel fans here will be the ones getting Will Call tickets from UNC players.

I thought I was seeing double when I walked in the front gate, as the ticket takers were two women who are identical twins. Interestingly, they were also taking tickets at the East Carolina/Rice series I attended in Greenville, NC over the Easter weekend. One of these nice ladies told me they like to travel around and work games at different campuses.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Texas picks up five game win streak

In today's match-up the Longhorns took advantage of the Cowboy pitchers making mistake pitches for the second consecutive game. The Longhorns take game two 7-2 and look to sweep the Cowboys for the second consecutive year. The Cowboys have never last three games in a row since the inception of Allie P. Reynolds stadium in 1981, that is good for a 26 year streak. For tomorrow the Cowboys will look to get back in the win column and protect the home field streak. The Cowboys this season have not lost more than two games in a row.

I have now seen and understand why the Texas Longhorns are so good. The have good pitching and do all the little things to give the team its strong swagger. Head coach Augie Garrido seems to think the only reason the Cowboys have not fared better against the 'Horns through the two games is because the Cowboys are hitting the ball hard, but right at his players. Can't complain about good luck like that. Oh the game of baseball and how the tides can turn so quickly. See all tomorrow for game three at 1 p.m. in Stillwater.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Third time through

South Carolina finally got a bead on Miers Quigley in the sixth as the order rolled around for the third time.

Andrew Crisp slammed a solo home run to left - his fourth of the season. Later in the inning, Justin Smoak smacked one off the wall in center and Phil Disher singled. Smoak scored on a Trent Kline fielder's choice.

Gamecocks lead 3-1 in the top of the seventh. Hempy still cruising.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Oxford: Crowd chants

Ole Miss pitcher Lance Lynn just induced Mississippi State's Mitch Moreland to fly out to left for the third out of the eighth as the Rebel crowd chanted "O-U-T out."
Bulldogs strand a leadoff single by Jeffrey Rea and Ole Miss leads 5-1 in the bottom of the eighth.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Halfway Home

Alabama tied the game in the fourth on singles by Brandon May and Kent Matthes and a Matt Bentley sac fly.

Both starters have been on their games thus far. SC's Hempy has scattered four hits while UA's Quigley has allowed just two hits.

Hempy is making his seventh start of the season after an arm injury caused him to miss the end of last season and the start of this one. In those six starts this season, he has logged just over 26 innings. He has been going deeper into his starts each week and may be ready for a stretched-out effort today. He hasn't allowed many good swings as the Tide hitters have scuffled to mount much of an attack.

Quigley has a lot of late life on his pitches and as a result has not given up many hard hit balls either. Quigley has rebounded nicely after getting knocked out in the second inning at Auburn last Friday.

We're tied at 1 in the bottom of the fifth.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Cowboys have lost faith

You can see it in their body language as they trudge around the field and to the batters box. Going into the top of the ninth the Cowboys send their fifth pitcher of the game to the mound. Freshman Tyler Blandford gets the call now. I just have the feeling the coach Frank Anderson may be throwing in the towel for this game. Why send in another pitcher when the last pitcher Josh Fritsche shuts the 'Horns down with ease? Don't know what's going on, but something just doesn't seem right for the Cowboys.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Oxford: Rebels in the lead

Ole Miss just moved ahead 3-1 after six.
Cody Overbeck doubled and scored when Logan Power hit a changeup into left for an RBI single.
Zach Miller walked and C.J. Ketchum blooped a single in front of MSU right fielder Andy Rice who seemingly couldn't see the ball. Bulldogs second baseman Jeffrey Rea couldn't get back in time, and two runs scored on the play.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Questionable calls end Cowboys chances

Homeplate umpire John Ausmus drew the ire of Cowboy fans as he produced some questionable calls on way inside corners to halt the Cowboys comeback chances in the seventh. The Cowboys loaded the bases with only one out, just to see two of the Cowboys best hitters in Corey Brown and Tyler Mach strikeout looking. The calls drew the ire of the fans and the batters as both chatted it up with Ausmus.

At the end of the seventh still 7-2 Longhorns. Boy I tell you this series has not gone anything like I thought it would have.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Cowboys load the bases

In the bottom of the seventh Donnie Webb doubled give OSU it's first extra base hit since Corey Brown's homerun in the first inning.

Alaniz looks to be stuggling, he loads the bases with one out to bow out and be replaced by Josheph Krebs, who got the win last night to improve to 6-0 on the season. Lets see what he can do in a jam situation with the meat of the Cowboys lineup at the plate.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Gamecocks strike first

South Carolina scored an unearned run in the second on Trent Kline's RBI double.

Gamecock starter Arik Hempy has been very sharp notching three Ks and two groundouts, one a double-play.

We had to the bottom of the third with the Gamecocks up 1-0.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Oxford: diving stop

Big stop for Mississippi State in the bottom of the fifth.
Ole Miss got a runner on second with two outs after Jordan Henry singled and stole second. MSU pitcher Justin Pigott got Justin Henry to hit a ground ball in front of the mound. Pigott dove to field it, bounced up and threw Henry out at first.
1-0 MSU going into the sixth.
The crew is dragging the field and 'Sweet Caroline' is playing and drawing a big fan reaction (pumping fists, chanting so good and swaying)

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Oxford: Great escape

Mississippi State loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the fifth but the Rebels escaped without alloing a run.
Jeffrey Rea was jammed on a Lance Lynn fastball and hit a liner that Ole Miss third baseman Cody Overbeck caught. Overbeck then beat MSU left fielder Joseph McCaskill back to third base after McCaskill had gone on contact.
Lynn then struck out Jet Butler (who had replaced SEC-leading hitter Brandon Turner after Turner got hurt) on back to back curvebals. Ole Miss catcher Bret Basham pumped his fist and then spiked the ball back to the mound.
1-0 Mississippi State bottom 5.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Alaniz motors on

After giving up a 2-run homer in the first Adrian Alaniz has shut out the Cowboys for five straight innings. He has not shown great stuff but has continually forced the Cowboys to hit right at his position players.

Alaniz's line so far: 6 innings, 5 hits, 2 runs, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts, 1 wild pitch, and 99 pitches.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Cowboys have no answer

Adrian Alaniz has not looked great, but has looked good. He will benefit from his offense bailing him out this game and the fortunate efforts of Cowboy hitters to only hit right at the defensive players. At the end of the fifth inning the Longhorns lead the Cowboys 7-2. This is a stark contrast to what each team was supposed to bring. The Cowboys are the hitters and the Longhorns have the arms, well it looks like through one and a half games the 'Horns have the bats, arms and the good fortune of a little luck if you will.

Weinhardt has come in and pitched effectively since the Longhorns busted out the big sticks in the fifth. The Longhorns big hitter is struggling mightily, currently Russell is 1-7 with a walk and he has struck out twice today.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Oxford: A catch and a fall

Ole Miss pitcher Lance Lynn just got out of the fourth inning by getting Mississippi State's Connor Powers to pop out to him for the third out.
Powers sent the ball high in the air to the front of the mound. Lynn got under the ball but came in a little too much so when he stetched out to catch the ball, he had to lead back, lost his balance and fell on his back. He bobbled the ball a little but caught it.
Meanwhile, MSU's Justin Pigott has thrown four scoreless innings and throw just 41 pitches.
1-0 Mississippi State after four. A lot less offense then there was at this point yesterday, when Ole Miss had 14 runs and 17 hits after three innings.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

A Hall of Famer

Alabama honored Joe Sewell, a former Crimson Tide player and coach who was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame this season. Sewell, whose name is on Alabama's baseball facility, was known in his fourteen year big league career as a good stick man. Sewell, who was Lou Gehrig's Yankee roommate, set the MLB record for fewest strikeouts in a season with four and career 114.

He returned to Alabama in 1964 at the age of 65 to coach for five seasons before the state's mandatory retirement age ended his career in 1970.

On the field, USC is going with Arik Hempy (3-1/2.05) while Alabama goes with Miers Quigley (4-3/3.76).

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Oxford: Contrast in styles

Today's game features right-hander Lance Lynn pumping in mostly fastballs in the low to mid 90s against "crafty" Mississippi State left-hander with an assortment of offspeed pitches.
Both have been effective. Lynn had allowed one hit through 2.2 scoreless innings before allowing Jeffrey Rea's first home run of the year with two outs in the third.
Pigott threw just 19 pitches through two scoreless innings. Both hits he allowed were infield singles.
1-0 Mississippi State in the bottom of the third.
MSU freshman shortstop and SEC-leading hitter Bradon Turner just hurt himself (grabbed his hamstring) running out a ground out and has been replaced at short by Jet Butler.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Moldenhauer does damage

Well Oliver Odle lasted only 4 1/3 innings in today's game. In the same inning Odle loaded the bases just to get relieved by freshman Tyler Lyons. On Lyons second pitch Russell Moldenhauer launched a 1-0 pitch straight down the right field line for a grand slam and give the Longhorns 6-2 lead. Lyons fared no better against Nick Peoples who sent a shot to right field as well, this time off the Carl's Jr. sign just above the right fielder Corey Brown's head.

The score moves to 7-2 and Lyons gets removed after a dismal performance. Lyons is replaced by Robbie Weinhardt, who comes in and gets out of the inning without giving OSU anymore damage.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Clark answers for the 'Horns

With the last few innings going silent except for the occasional crowd displeasures. Longhorns catcher Preston Clark hit a shot to right center for a two-run homerun and tie the game up at two apiece (2-2).

After struggling a little in the fourth Oliver Odle looks like his day may be coming to and end. Odle did get out of the fourth when he forced 'Horns Travis Tucker to groundout into a double play to end the fourth.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Oxford: And the home of the...

Ole Miss redshirt freshman reserve catcher Ryan White sang the national anthem before today's game. They also honored the 1977 SEC Tournament championship team before the game and former Ole Miss player and coach (and former New York Yankee) Jake Gibbs threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
Ole Miss' Lance Lynn and Mississippi State's Justin Pigott both put up scoreless first innings.
Another large crowd at Oxford-University Stadium on a great spring day. Both outfields look a less less crowded than last night, but the grandstand appears to have more fans.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Odle strutting his stuff; Fans voice their opininon

Starting pitcher Oliver Odle for the Cowboys has only one strikeout so far, but for him thats the norm. Odle is a pitcher that forces batters into a lot of ground ball and some fly balls as well. Odle makes very few mistakes on the mound. He has only given up one hit against the very talented Texas Longhorns.

OSU fans are still very upset with this officiating crew. Every few pitches you can hear the sounds of "that's a balk'" which is from yesterdays game the Cowboys received four balk calls, some other sounds you can hear which are not to harsh are, "you suck" and some others that will have to remains unsaid for extreme fowl language.

Going into the bottom of the second score still 2-0, OSU.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: Alaniz struggling, Cowboys countering

Adrian Alaniz is not who I thought he was. It may not make sense, but Alaniz was billed to me as one of the best pitchers in the Big 12 and the best the 'Horns have. Well in the bottom of the first Alaniz has allowed a two-run homerun Brown, three hits, and one walk. He did survive the inning though after a brief mound visit from Longhorn pitching coach Skip Johnson. Alaniz did face seven Cowboy hitters in the inning.

End of the first: 2-0 in the Cowboys favor.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

OSU-Texas: 20-hits and counting and a Brown blast

Oliver Odle started the game off strong by getting his first two batters out, then he walked the feared 'Horns hitter Kyle Russell who moved to third on a Brad Suttle single down the right field line. Odle battled back and forced Russell Moldenhauer to ground out to end the top of the first.

Adrian Alaniz started the first with a one pitch line-out for Keanon Simon, then Ty Wright stepped to the plate with a 19-game hit streak, well he made it to 20-games with line shot up the middle. Then Cowboys homerun leader Corey Brown sent a rocket of a shot to righ field that landed in the yard of a house on the other side of the street from the ballpark.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Aces to the mound

With last nights game turning out to be a role reversal of sorts with the Texas Longhorns hitting two home runs and taking game one of the three game series 3-2.

Today's game is a match-up of each team's ace pitcher. Adrian Alaniz hits center stage for the 'Horns sporting a 10-2 record and a 2.54 ERA. Alaniz will be matched up against the Cowboys ace Oliver Odle, who come in with a 4-3 record and a 4.80 ERA.

Well the attendance was nice last night in an almost capacity crowd at Allie P. Reynolds stadium. I thought that it may be due to the game being on TV, well the crowd has come out in droves today as well. OSU must have put the good word out that there are some huge baseball games this weekend. Message received and why not, the weather is great today as was yesterday. Todays temps are high 70s to low 80s with the wind blowing south, which is directly towards homeplate.

OSU basketball player Byron Eaton threw out first pitch for a strike in todays rubber match. Eaton is famous for his acrobatic half court shot in the triple over-time game against none other than the Texas Longhorns, which the Cowboys went on to win.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Stanford: Stanford-OSU, Game 2

There are plenty of questions to be answered in Game 2 of the series between Oregon State and Stanford here at Sunken Diamond: Will Stanford ever again beat OSU? (Answer: Probably, but it might be a while.) Will the Card have any shot of making the postseason? (Answer: No chance.) How sunburned will I get if I can't find someone with some sunscreen? (Answer: Extremely. I better get on that.)

A loss today for Stanford would probably solidify them as a non-postseason team, so this usually charged matchup has a little extra going, despite the apparent mismatch between the teams. Last nights 13-7 OSU win really showed the difference. Every chance OSU got, they took advantage (the Beavers scored 13 runs on just eight hits). Stanford, meanwhile, struggled in clutch spots as they had all year (seven runs on 14 hits). That's why Oregon State will still be playing through June, while Stanford will be taking their finals at home for the first time in years. I feel bad writing the Cardinal off with so many games left to play, but the record (17-22, 2-11 Pac-10) and the RPI (81) speak for themselves.

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Saturday, 04/28/07

Stanford: Beavers win marathon at Sunken

Mitch Canham and Jordan Lennerton had three RBIs each to propel Oregon State to a 13-7 win over Stanford in a game that took over four hours. Mike Stutes and Jeremy Bleich both looked very hittable in a matchup of Friday night starters that looked more like a midweek pitching showdown. Stutes surrendered six earned runs in 4 1/3 innings, whil Bleich gave up nine runs (seven earned) while also lasting 4 1/3.

Oregon State took advantage of a number of free passes issued by the Cardinal, needing only eight hits to tally their 13 runs. Canham and Lennerton each had bases-clearing doubles after Stanford pitchers allowed multiple walks and hit batsmen. Stanford, on the other hand couldn't take care of business in key spots and used 14 hits to score their seven runs.

The loss may mean the end of Stanford's already miniscule hope of reaching an NCAA Regional. The Card are now 2-11 in the Pac-10 with just 11 conference games left to play. Another loss to the Beavers (or anyone else, for that matter) would almost certainly be the final blow. Stanford was in last place in the Pac-10 last season at the midway point of the season and came back to make a Regional last season, but the Card also had five wins over Texas and Cal State Fullerton under their belts. This year, Stanford went just 1-5 against those two teams. Hard to believe Stanford may be out of it already with still a month to go in the regular season.

Oregon State, on the other hand, showed that even when their pitching struggles, the offense can pick up the slack. Entering the game Oregon State sported a .295 team batting average, nothing special for the Pac-10. But tonight, when their ace Stutes didn't have his best stuff, they took advantage of every opportunity that Stanford gave them. They have the look of a team that could easily find themselves back in the CWS, especially if they get a Regional and a Super at home, which is very possible and probably deserved. It's especially amazing considering that six of eight position players are basically new to the lineup and the top three pitchers from a year ago are all playing pro ball.

Stanford has seen the best of the Pac-10 so far this year and Oregon State gave me the impression that they could repeat. I still think ASU is the team to beat in the conference race, but OSU has the experience and the talent to compete. I think Arizona will continue to cool off and UCLA will run into trouble when they face the top teams in the conference (they opened with Stanford, Washington, USC--not exactly the toughest road to the top).

Game Two will be tomorrow at 1:00 here on the West Coast. It will be Joe Paterson going for the Beavers facing freshman righthander Jeffrey Inman for Stanford. I'll be back with some pregame coverage as always before hitting the air waves.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: Rebels take Game One

Not your typical Friday night game. Rebels take the opener 17-7.
Rebels had a season-high 22 hits. Bulldogs made five errors.
Ole Miss right fielder Jordan Henry was 5-for-6 with four runs, a double and a triple.
Logan Power and Zach Miller each had three hits, and Justin Henry, Cody Overbeck and Brett Basham all had two for Ole Miss. Zack Cozart extended his career long hitting streak to 16 games.
Connor Powers had three hits for Mississippi State, which finished with 11 hits. Jeffrey Rea and Jeff Flagg each had two. Oxford native Cade Hoggard had a pinch-hit double and drew a good applause from the crowd. Freshman shortstop Brandon Turner was 0-for-6 to end an 18-game hitting streak.
Rebels improve to 29-15 overall, 11-8 in the SEC. MSU goes to 27-11, 9-8.
Ole Miss starter Will Kline lasted just 4.2 innings (six earned runs) and didn't get the win despite getting a 14-1 lead. Instead reliever Brett Bukvich improved to 5-2, allowing a run on three hits in 4.1 innings.
MSU starter Chad Crosswhite (5-2) allowed 11 runs (eight earned) on 12 hits in 2.1 innings.
Each team only threw two pitchers to save their bullpens despite the onslaught of runs.
Time of game was 3 hours, 27 minutes.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Can the Cowboys answer the toll of the bell?

Heading into the bottom of the ninth the Cowboys trail 3-2. First up to the plate is Donnie Webb, a pinch hitter. Webb walked and I believe OSU head coach Frank Anderson just signaled for a 30-second timeout.
The timeout was to put in pinch runner Dusty Harvard, the fastest Cowboy on the team.

Frank Anderson was just tossed from the game after running to second base to argue the call that Harvard was safe after he was thrown out after Matt Lopez laid down a sweet bunt. The call at second was close, but it sure looked like he was safe to all those in the box.

Cowboy fans give it to the ump's after their Cowboys fail to answer the toll of the bell.

Game time for tomorrow is 2 p.m. CST.

Final score from Stillwater 3-2 Longhorns.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: FSU #1 for a reason

FSU wins 7-6. Horrible loss for Miami. Miami is a bubble team to make the Regionals and FSU and is a really good team. Great game for the FSU fans and another classic in the series.

Be back tomorrow with game 2 of this series.

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Friday, 04/27/07

FINAL in T-town

FINAL in T-town and the locals are happy. Will Stroup slammed the door getting the final eight outs of the game to lift Alabama to a 10-5 victory. The eight run sixth was obviously the difference as Alabama impoved to 24-19 and 9-10. South Carolina fell to 32-12 and 10-9.

Tommy Hunter (5-3) got the win. Harris Honeycutt (7-3) took the loss.

The teams continue the series Saturday at 4 CT. Arik Hempy goes for SC against UA's Miers Quigley.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oklahoma State spirit run to the rescue? Not this time

In the middle of the eight inning the OSU marketing team took the orange and black "O" flag for a trip around the ballpark to get the fans fired back up. Can it help fire up the spirit of OSU bats? After the 'Horns McCrory got Matt Mangini to strikeout he was replaced by Randy Boone, who picked up right where McCrory left off. Boone struck out Rebel Ridling and Jordy Mercer of the Cowboys.

The Cowboys have struck out seven of the last eight hitters they have sent to the plate. Terrible for a team that leads the Big 12 and is top five in the nation in hitting.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: Warning issued

Rivalry week.
Mississippi State pitcher Jesse Carver just hit Ole Miss' Justin Henry with a pitch. Nothing seemed intentional, but home plate umpire A.J. Lostaglio just issued a warning to both dugouts.
16-6 Ole Miss bottom 6.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Hunter implodes

I lost my keys one time. It wasn't much fun. That must be how Tommy Hunter feels right now after losing the strike zone with four walks and hit batsman in one inning - three of which came with the bases loaded.

After Alabama's big rally, South Carolina scored three run on just one hit. They loaded the bases with one out on a Phil Disher single and a pair of walks. Hunter walked his third consecutive hitter to force in a run and then followed by hitting Jones to send another run home. After his fourth walk of the inning forced in the SC run of the frame, Alabama's Jim Wells pulled Hunter in favor of Will Stroup. Stroup coaxed a popup and a groundout to end the threat.

Alabama leads as we stretch 10-5.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Wright to the rescue; Fans voice displeasures

With runners on first and second, Ty Wright grabbed a line shot to left and threw a rocket to second to double up Preston Clark. That was an inning saving play and now he goes to the plate as the first batter of the inning in the bottom of the seventh. Wright strikes out looking on a pitch that looked to catch him on the arm. Wright voices his issues right along with the crowd with the homeplate ump. The crownd groans continue as the homeplate ump continues with his calls. I would have to agree with the fans on some of those calls.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Friend balks go ahead run

With runners on the corners Friend balks to send the go ahead run across the plate. After Friend balked, he walked Chais Fuller to put runners on first and second. What a shame.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: Season record attendence

Announced attendence 7,638 fans. Largest crowd of the year.
Rivalry is alive, especially with both teams ranked.
Just looked around in my binoculars and I don't see any available room for seating in left field.
Lots of people on the hill down the third-base line too.
16-6 Ole Miss top 6.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: FSU wins

UM third basemen singled down the right field line and credit FSU right fielder Jack Rye with the play of the game by cutting off the ball in the corner and holding Menendez to a single. A sac bunt, a pop out, and a fly out later and FSU wins.

I will be back with some final thoughts after getting a player interview.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: No decision

Despite being handed a 14-1 lead, Ole Miss junior right-hander Will Kline will not be able to get a decision.
The Bulldogs chased Kline after 4.2 innings making him inelligible for a decision.
Kline left the bases loaded with two outs. Reliever Brett Bukvich got Jeffrey Rea to hit a fly ball into left field and Ole Miss left fielder Justin Henry took a bad angle but made a circus catch to end the inning.
14-6 Ole Miss going into the bottom of the fifth.
Kline allowed six runs on eight hits and five walks. He struck out two.

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Friday, 04/27/07

McCrory takes over, just to get relieved; Breedlove trucks on

Pat McCrory was supposed to come in and relieve Russell after he struggled in the fifth. Well McCrory came into the game and threw seven consecutive ball and and his eight pitch he finally got his first strike, but the next pitch was a ball and that put two runners on the bags.

The Cowboys pinch hit for Kendall Horner and sent Steve Ptak to get a sac-bunt that moved the runners into scoring position. The Longhorns make another pitching change, this time sending the reliable Joseph Krebs.

Krebs does his job by sitting down Keanon Simon for the Cowboys to end the sixth and get a sigh of relief from the Longhorn fans in attendance. Head coach Frank Anderson must be shaking his head in disappointment after his Cowboys could not plate any runs. Going into the top of the seventh the score is still tied 2-2.

Anderson may be disappointed with the bats, but he has got to be pleased with Breedlove's outing. He just gave up his fourth hit of the game, which resulted in a Nick Peoples triple.
Can the 'Horns capitalize?

Anderson unhappily trudges to the mound to inform Breedlove that his best outing of his career has to end after he intentionally walked Chais Fuller, but he leaves to a standing "O". Justin Friend is in for relief duty.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: FSU storms back-to-back

FSU second basemen Tony Thomas Jr. destroys a ball to deep left to tie the game on a two run homer. Shortstop Mark Hallberg goes back-to-back to right and FSU leads.

FSU 7
Miami 6
Top of the ninth
1 out

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Friday, 04/27/07

Breedlove does it all, then coughs it up

Breedlove let's a runner on base thanks to a catcher interference call. Jordan Danks tried to lay down a bunt, but popped up to Breedlove, he then picked off Danks on first after about thirty attempts at him.

The Longhorns Chance Wheeless hits a huge bomb in the top of sixth to tie the game. It is Wheeless' fourth of season.

Looks like this game is finally getting a little more exciting. You can feel the anticipation from the crowd and both teams, that it's about time for one of these teams to explode. Whoever strikes next could unload for some runs and eventually take the game.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: Miami leads 6-4 in 9th, more bad defense

UM outfielder Nick Freitas who came in as a defensive replacement misplaced a fly ball which lead to FSU having runners at second and third. A passed ball later and FSU is down 2 with the tying run at the plate and one outs.

FSU 4
Miami 6
Top of ninth

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Friday, 04/27/07

USD-Pepperdine: USD wins it 10-3.

Brian Matusz gets the win to improve to 9-2. But he did give up a two-run tater to No. 8 hitter Travis Tartamella in the 9th before getting yanked. So while his strike out total increased by 11 today, his ERA took a small hit.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Tidal Wave

Well, so much for our tie game. Alabama sent 12 men to the plate and scored eight runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Harris Honeycutt hit the showers after just five innings. He allowed just five hits but did struggle some with his control. He allowed a hit to Alex Avila and walked the next hitter Kent Matthes. After starting Matt Bentley with ball one, SC coach Ray Tanner had seen enough. Will Atwood came in and finished the walk to load the bases.

Brandon May hit a two-RBI single. Greg Paiml had a run-scoring single. Kyle Moore got another run in with a safety squeeze and then Emeel Salem followed with another RBI single. After a Brandon Belcher double and Alex Avila hit batsman loaded the bases, Tanner came and got Atwood. Curtis Johnson then allowed a three-run double to Kent Matthes.

The rally came after South Carolina tied the game in the top of the frame on a long Travis Jones home run.

Alabama leads 10-2 after six.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Russell struggling but survives

Longhorns starter James Russell walked the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth after getting the first 2 hitters out. The inning was long, but Russell survived thanks to his good fielding teammates and timely mound visits from Longhorns head coach Augie Garrido and his catcher Preston Clark.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: Bulldog blast

Mississippi State right fielder Jeff Flagg just hit the heck out of a two-run home run to left field.
The 441-foot home run off Will Kline landed at the top of the left field terrace, and Ole Miss left fielder Justin Henry didn't even move on the ball.
14-4 Ole Miss in the top of the fourth.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: Gil battles back

Two on and two out, Gil down in the count 3-0. Gil battles back and gets three strikes to strike out FSU's Jason Stidham. Going to the bottom of the 8th. FSU will have last licks with 7-8-9 in the order.

FSU 3
Miami 6
Bottom of the 8th

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: We got drama

UM's Scott Maine is out and closer Danny Gil is in. Hits the first batter he faces and brings the tying run to the plate in the 8th inning.

FSU 3
Miami 6

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: One of those nights

Perhaps Mississippi State's night is best exemplified by a play that occurred in the bottom of the third inning. With Logan Power on first base, Mississippi State pitcher Jesse Carver threw wildly to first on a pickoff attempt. The ball got away allowing Power to go to third. Mitch Moreland's throw to third to retire Power bounced above Bulldog third baseman Connor Powers for the second error on the play and Power scored all the way from first.
Ole Miss has 17 hits through three innings and guys are already looking up the school record for hits in a game (don't know what it is yet). Rebels lead 14-2 in the top of the fourth.

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Friday, 04/27/07

USD-Pepperdine: Pepperdine breaks through for a run, USD scores some more.

Things got so bad for Matusz in the 8th inning, he actually gave up a run (gasp!). That caused an actual visit to the mound from Coach Rich Hill (scandalous!). It's now 10-1 going into the 9th.

Pepperdine 1B Ryan Heroy hit a bleeder between 1st and 2nd to score Adrian Ortiz to break the shutout. Matusz goes into the 9th inning with 11 Ks and has given up nine hits. There are two pitchers warming up in the bullpen, so we'll see if Matusz makes it back for a shot at a complete game.

USD has put up two more runs here in the bottom of the 8th

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Friday, 04/27/07

Stanford: The champs are here

It's been a while since I've been here, but with the national champs in town to face Stanford, I got the call back. It should be an exciting weekend with the Cardinal looking for a little revenge after losing five straight games to Oregon State last year, all in Corvallis, including a 15-0 Super Regional clinching win. Both of these teams look dramatically different than they did a year ago, but I still think the Card would love to keep the Beavers below .500 in the Pac-10.

As would be expected the champs bring a big crowd. It was a beautiful day in Palo Alto (it is still probably 80 degrees out) and they are giving away blankets to the first couple thousand fans. The TV crews are here as well. CSTV will be providing national coverage and that always adds a little mayhem to the press box.

It has been a long season for Stanford, especially since the Pac-10 season began. The Cardinal are 2-10 in the Pac-10 and have won just one midweek non-conference game since the Pac-10 season started. Losing like this is a new thing for most Stanford fans who are spoiled from the five straight World Series appearances early this decade. The Cardinal are last or next to last in nearly every relevant statistical category offensively, in pitching, and especially on defense. It has not been pretty. Obviously it does not get any easier tonight.

Pitching-wise tonight it will be Jeremy Bleich going against Mike Stutes. Bleich faced OSU once last year and gave up just one run, but still took the loss. Stutes is also familiar with the Cardinal, facing them not only last season, but also while he was with Santa Clara before transferring to OSU. Going strictly by the numbers this is a one-sided matchup. Stutes' ERA sits at 2.36 and he is 9-1, while Bleich is 1-7 with a 5.32 ERA (actually one of the better on the team).

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Friday, 04/27/07

Longhorns answer the call

Russell Moldenhauer answered for the Longhorns when he sent an off-speed pitch from Breedlove to right center for his third homer of the season and close the gap in the scoring column, but Breedlove answered right back by sitting the next three hitters down.

Singing of "YMCA" sends us to the bottom of the fifth with a 2-1 score.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Cowboys tally first runs; Russell struggles

Breedlove continued his domination over the Longhorns bats. He picked up his sixth strikeout in the fourth and has only allowed one hit thus far. For Cowboy pitching this season, this game is not what most expected from Breedlove, but to the surprise of all in the press box he has impressed and looks strong.

On a beautiful spring evening the ballgame thus far has produced only on the defensive side, until Rebel Ridling hit a sac fly to deep left center to give the Cowboys a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth and Jordy Mercer lined a hit to center to score Matt Mangini and move the score to 2-0 in the Cowboys favor.

Russell balk sends runners to second and third with only one out, which turned out to be costly for the 'Horns. Crowd really into game

Before the fifth inning Diamond Dolls lead fans in the chicken dance. Looks like the kids and a few parents are more into the fun than the college kids.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: Using your head...Did I mention Yonder Alonso is really good

FSU's Brandon Reichert is on first and leadoff hitter Tony Thomas Jr grounds to shortstop Ryan Jackson. Jackson fields the ball and throws to second baseman Roger Tomas who throws over Yonder Alonso's head at first. The errant throw allowed Thomas Jr. to be safe at first; however, the ball bounces right to Alonso off of the dugout fencing who tags out Thomas Jr. who made that turn towards second and was caught with no where to go.

FSU 3
Miami 6
Bottom of the seventh

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Friday, 04/27/07

Solo Singers - err Dingers

Check out this stat: Of Alabama's 40 home runs this season, 29 are solo.

Alex Avila slammed a solo home run in the fourth, his eighth home run of the season.

Both pitchers are still in command as the Gamecocks have three hits and Alabama has just a pair.

2-1 Tide entering bottom of the fifth.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: End of 6th

Travis Anderson hits a bomb to deep left clearing the palm trees that sit ten or so feet back from the wall. Scott Maine is still working strong and has outpitched Bryan Henry for Florida State.

FSU 3
Miami 6
End of six

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: Triples alley

Ole Miss got its second triple of the second inning when MSU center fielder Mark Goforth dove for and missed a ball hit into right center by Zach Miller.
Miller was stranded at third in the inning, as Ole Miss still leads 8-1 going into the third.
Ole Miss nearly had a team cycle in the second inning. They lacked a single.

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Friday, 04/27/07

OSU-Texas: Defense baby!

Senior Ryan Flavell got the first out of the top of the third by laying out behind the plate to snag a foul ball. Sophomore Jordy Mercer received a loud ovation when he doubled up the Longhorns by snagging a line shot to his left at shortstop and firing over to first to get Chais Fuller out and end the inning.

Dancing with the Dolls. Between the third inning the OSU Diamond Dolls lead all fans in dancing to a music choice that changes each game. What a way to keep fans involved early and often.

'Horns answer right back with some defense of their own, getting the Cowboys to go down 1,2,3 in untraditional fashion. The score in this early rubber match is 0-0 going into the top of the fourth inning.

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Friday, 04/27/07

MIami-FSU: Yonder Alonso is really really good

Yonder just went yard again for about another 400 yard blast. Two run homer.

Roger Tomas has three singles in front of Yonder.

Miami is firing on all cylinders now.

FSU 2
Miami 6
Top of 6th

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: Big crowd

Great spring night in Oxford, Mississippi and the crowd has continued to grow.
Several red, white and blue tents in the student section. And coolers, And dogs.
Outfield crowd stretches from line to line extending beyond both foul poles. The student crowd in right goes deep back on the hill too.
Ole Miss has already added four more runs with one out in the second to lead 8-1. Jordan Henry burned his way to a triple on a ball hit into the gap and Logan Power hit a three-run home run to left on a Chad Crosswhite changeup.

Ole Miss first baseman Evan Button made an interesting play in the top of the second. Ball hit off his leg and sat in front of the base while Button looked for it. He found it just in time for the out (as the crowd shouted its location to him...kind of like one of those game shows where the crowd guides a blindfolded contestant).
Couldn't fully hear from the press box, but it sounded like there were a few boos for Mississippi State center fielder Mark Goforth. Goforth is a transfer from Birmingham Southern. He nearly chose Ole Miss before going to Mississippi State.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Not a lot of good swings so far

Exactly zero good swings for Alabama off Harris Honeycutt. The SC righty struck out the side in the second.

Tommy Hunter has been pretty sharp himself. He did allow a bloop hit in the first followed by infield hit, a walk, and a sac fly. He finally allowed a hard hit ball as James Darnell took him to the deepest part of the ballpark before Emeel Salem donned boots and cap and scaled the wall to make the catch.

Alabama just tied the game in the third on a leadoff four-pitch walk, a bunt single, a sac bunt, a sac fly.

We're at 1-1 mid 3rd.

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Friday, 04/27/07

USD-Pepperdine: THIS isn't what I wanted to see today

San Diego has made this one ugly. It's now 7-0 here in the bottom of the 6th. Another pitching change is being made.

Not sure if I should read a lot into this one, Matusz is striking out everyone and Pepperdine looks like a team that is, indeed, in the middle of taking finals and preparing for graduation ceremonies.

Coach Steve Rodriguez told me back on Sunday that this is the time of year that so much is going on, he's not concerned no matter what the outcome of this series. After this weekend, Pepperdine is out of school for the year and, he said, his players can concentrate on just baseball. Which is good news, because it's just not happening for them today.

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Friday, 04/27/07

OSU-Texas: Breedlove Has the Goods

Breedlove is feeling it tonight. You can see it in his body language. Maybe a thanks is due to the home crowd who is helping give great energy to the home team. Breedlove has5 strikeouts in the first two innings, which is a career high for him. Three of the five have been looking.
Could this bode well for the Cowboys or induce a long game?

With Breedlove's flame throwing ability early the Cowboy hitters have no answer for Russell.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Oxford: High Scoring

It was billed as a matchup of Mississippi State's hitting (best in the SEC) against Ole Miss' pitching and defense (second and first in the SEC respectively).
The Bulldogs held up their end of the bargain with a run in the first. But Ole Miss' hitters then out did them in the bottom half with four runs of their own.

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Friday, 04/27/07

OSU-Texas: Tall order goes down in first; James Russell starts strong

The Longhorns feature a tall order lineup, literally. The first three hitters are each 6 foot 5 inches tall.

Jordan Danks started the game off for the 'Horns with a strikeout, while Chance Wheeless took a walk on five pitches.

Jeff Breedlove answered the call when he struck out the fiercest hitter in the conference and nation looking in Kyle Russell. Then Breedlove struck out Bradley Suttle to end the Top of the first. It is early in the game, but it more and more fans keep pouring into Allie P.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami-FSU: Defense Matters

Gus Menedez the Miami Hurricanes third basemen just made a great play knocking a hard hit ball down and throw across the diamond to a fully extended Yonder Alonso at first to tack out the lead off hitter. But...two tough plays in a row gives FSU a run.

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Friday, 04/27/07

USD-Pepperdine: Wicked-big home run ends Enright's day

Shane Buschini just parked a Barry Enright pitch on top of the four-story dorm building in right field to make it USD 4-0. Yikes!

Couple of notes:

- USD's Matusz has nine Ks through five innings of pitching. The only inning he hasn't collected a K is the PU 4th inning where he made two great defensive plays to retire the side after giving up a pair of lead-off singles.

- USD's Josh Romanski has made two incredible diving catches in center field. The first one saved two sure-fire Pepperdine runs in the third inning.

- Barry Enright's 4.0 inning stint today was the shortest outing of the season for the Wave ace. Last year, he went 3.1 innings in the Regional title game vs. Missouri for the shortest appearance of his career..

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Friday, 04/27/07

Tide has their bullet ready

Alabama is like Barney Fife. They have one bullet and they are firing it tonight.

Its a big bullet. A 6'2" 260 pound righthanded bullet named Tommy Hunter. Alabama needs a Herculean effort from the Judo Black belt Hunter as they try to snap a rough losing streak. They also lost Saturday starter Bernard Robert who was dismissed from the team yesterday.

South Carolina is trying to rebound from a series lost last weekend at Ole Miss and a midweek rivalry loss to Clemson. They go with Harris Honeycutt who is trying to rebound from a pair of losses the past two weeks.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Crowd and another homer

The crowd is really pumped up here and people continue to fill in as people get off from work. The crowd is expected at around 3,000 people for each game. All three games are sold out already and only some limited standing room only tickets are available.

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Friday, 04/27/07

USD-Pepperdine: Waves base-running blunders

USD still leads 2-zip after three and a half innings.

Pepperdine got a pair of singles to start the fourth inning, but a well-fielded bunt by USD pitcher Brian Matusz got the lead runner (Denny Duron) at third base. Then, Luke Salas got caught in a pickle between 2nd and 3rd, the tag on Salas and the subsequent throw to 2nd base got Travis Tartamella trying to advance a base. Double play. Threat over.

By the way, the play Matusz made fielding the bunt and gunning a guy out at 3rd base is one of the reasons I voted him higher than Vanderbilt's David Price in my Player of the Year voting on CSTV. He's solid defensively.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Miami Strikes first

Miami leads off by getting Blake Tekotte and Roger Tomas on to lead off the first inning on back to back singles.
Yonder Alonso followed it up with a fly out to right and Dennis Raben had an RBI ground out. Give up two outs to gain one run. Miami and Head Coach Jim Morris will take it.

This just in, Richard O' Brien solo homer in the second.

Miami 2
FSU 0

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Friday, 04/27/07

USD-Pepperdine: Toreros strike first... and second

Josh Romanski (the Saturday starter on the mound) and Sean Nichol started off the 2nd inning with back-to-back singles. Both eventually came around to score. Romanski's tally came on a sac fly RBI from Mike Metzger. Nichol scored on a single by Justin Snyder.

Matusz has six strikeouts through two innings.

It's now 2-0, USD.

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Friday, 04/27/07

FSU at Miami (Pregame thoughts)

The sold out crowd here at Mark Light Field features a pitching matchup of FSU's Bryan Henry (10-0, 2.24) against Miami's Scott Maine (3-5, 3.43). Miami (26-17, 11-10 ACC) is going to need its A-game tonight in order to beat Florida State (37-6, 15-3 ACC)

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Friday, 04/27/07

USD-Pepperdine: Matusz mowing, Enright does his thing

One inning down and Brian Matusz has three strikeouts in three batters faced. Barry Enright gave up a pair of flare singles, but no damage. It's 0-0 after one.

The one big giant grandstand is slowly filling up.

Pizza is wafting through the press box. Damn pizza... next to Gina Gershon movies, it's my weakness.

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Friday, 04/27/07

OSU-Texas: Throwing of the first pitch

Large crowd on hand to welcome the Longhorns and watch the most anticipated series of the season for Oklahoma State fans.
The series is so huge, OSU women's head basketball coach Kurt Budke threw out the first pitch. Budke is coming off a season in which he lead his Cowgirls to an NCAA tournament birth for the first time since 1996. The OSU band is on hand as well to help lead the fans in the school fight songs.

The crowd is probably the largest on hand in over a year.

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Friday, 04/27/07

USD-Pepperdine: Battle of WCC leaders

'bout to throw out the first pitch here at Cunningham Stadium. Enright vs. Matusz. Beauty.

And of course, the weather is perfect.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Ok State: Wind factors

As of 5:00 p.m. in Stillwater the wind is blowing north. At Allie P. that is dead center, so for the Cowboys it could be fruitful or futile. The Cowboys have the best bats in the Big 12 but the Longhorns have the best pitching. The game will be interesting to say the least, as both teams can produce the long ball. If the game comes down to batting the Cowboys have the upper hand, but if the wind plays an over-factor, the Longhorns have the better arms on the mound and the Cowboys have struggled with starting pitching all season.

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Friday, 04/27/07

Stillwater: Oklahoma State and Texas Battle for Big 12 Supremacy

The top two teams of the Big 12 face-off in a battle for Big 12 supremacy.

The OSU Cowboys will be taking on perennial powerhouse in the Texas Longhorns. The 'Horns come to Stillwater sporting a 34-12 record overall and a 14-4 league record and a #4 ranking. The Cowboys come into the series with a 31-10 overall and 10-5 in league play and a #12 ranking.

Tonights game will be featured on ESPNU, with a 6:30 CST start, so tune into your local listings to check what time and channel in your area.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Gamecocks win

South Carolina wins 11-9.
Rebels take series 2-1.
Eight home runs in game. Five by South Carolina, which was out-hit 16-9.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Bama-Auburn: Mercifully, it's over

It's tough to win when you're in a hole before you even get to bat. It's worse when the hole is nine runs deep.

Alabama rode its nine-run first inning and a complete game performance by Tommy Hunter to beat Auburn 12-4 this afternoon at Plainsman Park.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Vandy sweeps

Nothing is sweeter for Vanderbilt fans than to sweep in-state rival Tennessee, and that's what just happened.

Vandy's Pedro Alvarez laid off a change-up outside for a walk on a 3-2 pitch, and Ryan Flaherty, perhaps the team's best bunter, placed one perfectly between the pitcher, second baseman and first baseman for an infield hit.

UT relieved Jeff Lockwood, who threw a terrific 5 1/3 innings in relief himself, with Aaron Everett.

Shea Robin couldn't get a bunt down on the first at-bat, and eventually struck out for out one.

Ryan Davis pinch-hit for Matt Meingasner as the Vols played the lefty Davis not to pull and substituted Daniel Beasley, who has a better arm, for Jarred Frazier in left. Davis indeed pulled, hitting a ball a few feet inside the right-field line, and the Commodores stay atop the standings in the SEC East by a pair of games over Florida.

Weathers won or saved every game this weekend for the Commodores, and is insuring his status as a first-rounder this June.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Gamecocks take lead into ninth

South Carolina took a 10-9 lead on pinch hitter Drew Martin's pinch hit single in the eighth.
Ole Miss put runners on the corners with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, but South Carolina reliever Jeff Jeffords got Zach Miller to hit a foul pop and (with the crowd on its feet watching) Gamecock right fielder Harley Lail made a long run to snare it.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Weathers on

For the third-straight day, Tim Corbin has summoned Casey Weathers in the late innings for Vanderbilt.

Weathers relieved Cody Crowell, who walked leadoff hitter Tony Delmonico in the ninth with one ball to J.P. Arencibia. His pickoff throw to 5-foot-8 first baseman Brian Harris sailed into the photographer's well to put Delmonico on second, and Arencibia's ground-out got Delmonico to third.

As usual, Weathers bore down to strike out Yan Gomes and Jeff Lockwood (the second with a change-up on which Lockwood had no chance after getting blown away with about a 99 MPH heater on the previous pitch), sandwiching a two-out walk to Danny Lima in between.

So, the Commodores, who have won four of five SEC series but have yet to get the elusive sweep, go to the ninth against their in-state rivals in a tie game.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Christiani's done

Vandy's Nick Christiani was removed with two outs and a man on second in a tie game for lefty Cody Crowell, who got lefty Julio Borbon to ground to first to end the inning and keep the score tied at 6 here in the eighth.

I mentioned Vandy's problems with Sunday starters earlier after Stephen Shao was bombed... Christiani had that role until another disastrous performance in Lexington against Kentucky last weekend. Today, he pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up just one run on a homer to J.P.Arencibia, and by my count, just one hit otherwise with a couple of walks and hit-by-pitches thrown in.

UT's Jeff Lockwood has registered two quick outs here in the eighth, so it looks as if we may head to the ninth tied at 6.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: We are tied

Ole Miss second baseman Evan Button, known more for his defense than his pop, just hit his third home run over the last five games (and third of his career). It's also the eighth home run of the game and it ties the score at 9.
Rebels are out-hitting the Gamecocks 15-6.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: What was that?

South Carolina catcher Phil Disher just grouned out to short to end the Gamecock seventh.
Something fell white out of Disher's jersey as he ran to first. It was shaped like a support cup, but couldn't tell for sure from here. Maybe some kind of pad.
Disher was promptly replaced by catcher Trent Kline going into the bottom of the seventh.
Gamecocks lead 9-8.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Call to the pen

South Carolina has a runner on first with two outs and Ole Miss just brought in closer Cody Satterwhite.
Cryer left to a big ovation. He allowed three earned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out 10 over a career-long 5.2 innings.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Bama-Auburn: Playing out the string

After seven innings at emptying Plainsman Park, it's 12-4 Alabama.

Auburn has scored the only runs since my last update, pushing across a marker in the fifth when Robert Brooks doubled and scored on a sac fly, and two more in the seventh on a walk, a Ross Smith double, and a groundout.

The good news for Auburn is that Luke Greinke just extended his hitting streak to 18.

Auburn reliever Evan Crawford had fans cursing in the sixth when he retired the first two hitters of the inning, but walked the 7-8-9 hitters in succession. Emeel Salem grounded out to spare him, though. Crawford has pitched three scoreless innings, so I guess I shouldn't be busting on him.

Tommy Hunter is still on the mound for Bama. He has allowed eight hits, three earned runs, walked one, and fanned four. He has thrown 101 pitches, a lot for a guy who has been a reliever for the last several weeks, so he may not come out for the eighth.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Lockwood keeping the Vols in it

UT brought closer Jeff Lockwood on in the third, and the lefty's getting it done today at Hawkins Field.

It hasn't necessarily been pretty, as Lockwood has stranded at least one every inning and gotten some hard-hit outs. But the score's tied here as we go to the eighth after UT starter Lance McClain gave up five in the third because Lockwood and Vandy's Nick Christiani, who also relieved a starter in the third, have been so effective.

Lockwood's longest outing has been six innings this year in a similar situation against Alabama, relieving early and keeping the Vols in a game they eventually won in 10 innings.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Game tightens

Ole Miss scored twice in the sixth to cut the Gamecock lead to 9-8 heading into the seventh.
Meanwhile, South Carolina pitcher Wynn Pelzer and Ole Miss pitcher Justin Cryer have fared pretty well after all the early fireworks.
Cryer has struck out a career high eight while allowing three runs (all on two home runs) over five innings. Pelzer has allowed two runs over a season-long 3.1 innings.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: One swing ties it

My praise for Nick Christiani may have been a little premature. J.P. Arencibia just led off the top of the seventh with a homer to left-center, tying the game at six.

It's a long day at Hawkins Field, as we're two hours and 40 minutes into this one as the Vols have one out in the seventh.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Fan reaction

Home plate umpire Ricky Armstrong just got hit by a foul ball drawing applause from the Oxford-University Stadium crowd, which has been unhappy with Armstrong's balls and strikes (so long as they favored the Gamecocks) for much of the day. The crowd did clap again after Armstrong was examined by the training staff and was OK.
Offense has somewhat settled. 9-6 South Carolina top 6th.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Where'd this come from?

After walking the first hitter he faced in the third as he came to relieve Stephen Shao, Vandy's Nick Christiani has been terrific.

Christiani's intentional walk to Yan Gomes, which set up an inning-ending double play in the third, has been the only other baserunner he's yielded. He's thrown a perfect fifth and sixth, with four ground-ball outs and two pop-ups to shallow right as the Commodores still hold a 6-5 lead.

It's the first time in weeks that I can remember a reliever other than Casey Weathers pitching with any degree of effectiveness for Vandy.

Interestingly, Brian Harris has stayed in the game at first after pinch-hitting for Kurt Lipton last inning. The Commodores are really struggling to get offense from that spot right now, the 5-foot-8 Harris just got his first crack at first, and made a nice play to catch a wild throw and apply the tag for an out in the sixth.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

FSU: Tar Heels take it 10-6

Not even FSU's Danny Rosen, who saved both of the Seminoles' first two wins in the series, could stop the Tar Heels from extending their lead yet again. North Carolina scored two more runs in the top of the ninth to put the game out of reach and take a 10-6 win in the final game of the series.

Florida State needed something big in the ninth, but managed only a single from Mark Gildea and a Tony Thomas Jr. walk before the Tar Heels could seal the win.

The difference for Carolina was several multi-hit performances from a lineup that had for the most part been held in check for the first two games of the series. Center fielder Seth Williams finished 4-for-6 and was one of four Tar Heels with three or more hits on the day. No one from UNC had more than one hit in either of the team's first two matchups in Tallahassee.

Everyone in UNC's lineup got at least one hit on the day, while only two Seminole batters, missed out on the slug-fest that was game three.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Coaches' conference

Not sure the topic, but Ole Miss coach Mike Bianco came out to argue something with the umpires, and it turned into a discussion between Bianco and South Carolina coach Ray Tanner in front of home plate. Someone in the press box suggested it had something to do with South Carolina second baseman Travis Jones, who was batting at the time, being outside (or nearly outside) the batter's box.
9-6 South Carolina. Botom 4

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Bama-Auburn: More errors than hits is not good

The good news for Auburn is that they're on the board.

The bad news is that they had already handed Bama three more runs.

In the middle of the fifth, Alabama leads 12-1, and Auburn has three hits and four errors.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Bringing in the closer

With the offensive pace of this game, South Carolina turned to closer Wynn Pelzer to try to stop the damage.
Ole Miss got a two-run home run from Kyle Mills, the sixth home run of the game (also to left), a single by C.J.Ketchum and an RBI single by Jordan Henry to tie the game.
Pelzer needed six pitches to end the threat.
Since I've been typing South Carolina SS Reese Havens just hit a home run to right field. It was Havens' second home run of the game and South Carolina's fifth long ball in the first four innings, the first time this season they've hit five in a game.
South Carolina leads 9-6 in the top of the fourth.
Pelzer's longest outing of the year is three innings. He hasn't pitched two innings in an appearance since March 25, but he did throw nine innings as a starter last year.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Vandy leads

After getting an 0-2 count to pinch-hitter Brian Harris with men on second and third and two outs, UT's Jeff Lockwood missed with a change-up outside, then missed badly with a fastball outside that got by J.P. Arencibia, and Ryan Flahert (leadoff walk) raced home with the go-ahead run.

Harris fouled off a number of pitches with Andrew Giobbi at third, then coaxed a walk. That brings up hot-hitting David Macias, who was 2-3 with a pair of singles and a line-drive out.

However, Macias tapped to Tony Delmonico for an easy third out.

Vanderbilt 6, Tennessee 5 as five are complete. It's always an adventure when the Commodore bullpen takes the hill (at least, of late) so stay tuned, there are likely more fireworks to come.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

FSU: No quit 'Noles

Florida State struck back to score two runs in the bottom of the eighth as Carolina pitcher Andrew Carignan struggled through the inning. Carignan walked the first two batters of the inning and FSU catcher Buster Posey made contact to score first baseman Brandon Reichert after a fielding error.

The Tar Heels caught a lucky break, as right fielder Jack Rye sent a pitch barreling down the third-base line with runners on first and third. The ball flirted foul but looked to stay fair, much to the delight of the Garnet and Gold, but the umpire ruled it foul.

Carignan walked Rye to load the bases with two outs and walked another to score Mark Hallberg from third. UNC pulled Carignan for designated hitter Tim Federowicz, and escaped the inning as second baseman Kyle Seager reached up to snag a Tommy Oravetz's laser over the middle.

'Noles down 8-6 heading to the ninth after almost three and a half hours of play.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: And the crowd roars

Ole Miss just retired the Gamecocks in order. And got a standing 'O' from the Oxford-University Stadium crowd.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Christiani gets help from his "D"

Vandy's Nick Christiani gave up a double to Julio Borbon to lead off the fourth, then walked Tony Delmonico.

Cleanup hitter J.P. Arencibia inexplicably tried to bunt on the first pitch unsuccessfully, and eventually grounded out 1-3. Vandy's Tim Corbin ordered an intentional walk to Yan Gomes to load the bases with one out and a pitcher struggling with his control on the mound, a move that I thought was curious given that Danny Lima had hit into one double play al year.

No matter... Lima tapped the first pitch right to Pedro Alvarez at third, who fielded, took one step on the bag and fired a laser to first for a 5-3 inning-ending double play.

Vandy's David Macias just singled sharply to left to lead off the bottom of the fourth, but Alex Feinberg hit a laser to Julio Borbon in center for out one.

5-5, Commodores hitting with one out and a man on first in the bottom of the fourth.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: More runs

Another home run by South Carolina and some extra base hits for the Rebels.
It's 8-3 Gamecocks through 2.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Both starters KO'd

After Alvarez cleared the bases with his homer and Flaherty flied to deep right, Vandy's Shea Robin wlaked and Matt Meingasner slammed a double down the line in left, and Vandy has runners at second and third with two away.

UT's Rod Delmonico wasted no time in pulling starter Lance McClain for closer Jeff Lockwood... in the THIRD INNING.

Now, Andrew Giobbi greets Lockwood with a 3-1 bleeder through the right side of the infield.... two runs score, and that makes a five-spot for both teams here in the third.

We're tied 5-5, Vandy still hitting with a man on first and two away in the bottom of the third.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Alvarez learns

While we're sitting in the press box discussing the struggles of all-American third baseman Pedro Alvarez, who is being constantly pitched away with change-up after change-up on the outside part of the plate that he's tried to pull, the Vols' Lance McClain got Alvarez 0-2 with a strike looking and another one that Alvarez tried to pull, but shouldn't have.

Vanderbitl's Will Matthews, who also writes some for CSTV, mentioned after Alvarez went 0-2 how much he'd like to see Alvarez go the other way.

Three pitches later,Will got his wish. Alvarez went the other way to deep left-center on a ball that carried better than I thought it would, and he got it over the 375 mark for a three-run homer to bring Vandy within two runs of the Vols at 5-3.

Vandy's Ryan Flaherty lined one to deep right to follow, but the ball was caught on the warning track. The Commodores are hitting the ball well today, and with Vandy's pitching troubles, it may be a long day at the park here at Hawkins Field.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

FSU: UNC bats quiet crowd

With momentum looking good for Florida State in the bottom of the seventh, the 'Noles failed to make contact with runners in position and down 6-4, as Danesh struck out swinging to strand right fielder Jack Rye on third.

North Carolina took advantage of the missed opporunity in the top of the eighth, scoring two runs off of three hits to stretch the lead to four. Dustin Ackley doubled down the right-field line to put runners in position and Tim Federowicz and Josh Horton both had RBI in the inning.

The Tar Heels were refused in the top of the seventh as FSU's Ohmed Danesh took a running dive and snagged Tim Fedroff's shot to left field, in what was without a doubt the best play of the series. The catch came with a man on and one out to a thunderous round of applause.

UNC's not letting up in this one, and the 'Noles running out of time.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Bama-Auburn: Worst. Inning. Ever.

Prior to today, Auburn starter Justin Bristow had made five SEC appearances, including two starts, with a 12.46 ERA.

It's hard to believe, but that ERA is even higher now, as he was pulled with two outs in the first and charged with seven earned runs.

Alabama tacked on two more runs and leads 9-0 after one inning.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Rebels answer with singles

Ole Miss also got three hits in the bottom of the first. Unfortunately for the Rebels it only led to one run.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Third starter troubles for VU... again

Vandy's Tim Corbin has got to be pulling his hair out. He's got a very talented pitching staff full of high-school all-Americans and players who could have played anywhere, but other than starters David Price and Mike Minor and closer Casey Weathers, he can't find another pitcher to get a third out since SEC play started.

Vandy's Stephen Shao is the latest in a series of Sunday failures. Shao loaded the bases for a 3-2 count against No. 8 hitter Cody Brown, who went the other way and got one just inside the line at first to score all three runs.

The Commodores pulled Shao for Nick Christiani, the former No. 3 starter who couldn't even get to the second inning against Kentucky a week ago. Christiani hit the first batter, then threw a wild pitch to move runners to second and third before getting Andy Simunic, who started this whole five-run mess, with a change-up on a 2-2 pitch.

5-0 Vols, as the Commodores offense, which has struggled in the early innings all year, needs to get something going quickly.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

FSU: 'Noles not done yet

Seminole senior Luke Tucker did his part by pitching a scoreless sixth inning and Florida State got to swinging after a four-inning drought to cut the Tar Heel lead in half. The score now stands 6-4 after FSU first baseman Brandon Reichert blasted a two RBI double down the right-field line.

With runners on second and third, North Carolina pulled starter Luke Putkonen after 5 and 2/3 innings for reliever Andrew Carignan who had an ERA of 0.0 in his last 12.1 innings. Carignan faced Reichert, who wasn't aware of the numbers, and took the swing that got the Seminoles back in it.

The ballpark was pretty quiet but the Seminole faithful in the good seats did their best to start a rally and they did just that. Everybody's in it now as the 'Noles go to another reliever, sophomore Bo O'Dell in the top of the seventh.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Vols strike first

Tennessee got its first lead of the weekend as Andy Simunic and Julio Borbon led off the third with singles, and Tony Delmonico laid down a bunt to get them over a base.

Steve Shao then waked cleanup hitter J.P. Arencibia to pitch to No. 5 hitter Yan Gomes, who homered last night. Gomes hit the first pitch hard up the middle, scoring two runs and leaving men at first and second.

Vandy's third starter evidently will continue to be its achilles' heel for one more weekend unless Shao gets it together soon.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Shao wiggles out of trouble

Senior lefty Steve Shao gave up a leadoff single to Ian Gomes, then walked Jeff Lockwood with one out before balking both over with Cody Brown at the plate.

But Shao rebounded to strike out Brown with a nice change-up, then got a ground ball from Jarred Frazier for out three.

No score with Vandy coming to the plate in the bottom of the second.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Oxford: Gamecock offense

South Carolina's offense has found some life here in the first inning Sunday.

The Gamecocks scored as many runs in the inning as they did in the first two games of the series.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

NASHVILLE: Scoreless after one

It's a beatiful, 80-degree day in Nashville for game three between Vandy and Tennessee, with the Commodores going for the sweep.

Vandy got two on with two out in the first, and Ryan Flaherty hit a hard smash off lefty Lance McClain, but UT's Julio Borbon made a nice catch coming in to snare the liner.

Vandy's Stephen Shao, making his first start in a year, pitched a nice first inning, giving up a harmless single. The Commodores desperately need a solid No. 3 starter, and coach Tim Corbin is hoping his senior will deliver.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

FSU: 'Heels good for another

Florida State continues to search the bullpen as sophomore pitcher Caleb Graham surrendered another run to the Tar Heels in the top of the fifth. The Seminoles used six pitchers yesterday in game two and will likely dig just as deep today, as the fans are getting restless in Dick Howser trailing 6-2.

If anyone can step up and get the Tribe back into this one it's senior reliever Luke Tucker who came back from a shoulder injury about a week and a half ago. The senior came in to earn the last out of the fifth inning .

Other than Tucker's potential, the last thing going for the 'Noles, since the first inning anyway, was a fancy grab in the left-field stands as a fan stretched high to nab a deep foul ball. Well done young man.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

Bama-Auburn: Alabama Civil War, stitchball-style

So who cares about a game when the two teams are both underwater in conference play and unlikely to make the NCAA Tournament based on their body of work so far?

Well, when it's Alabama-Auburn, the whole state cares, especially Tiger fans as Auburn looks for the sweep today after blasting the Tide 12-5 Friday and rallying for a 6-5 win yesterday courtesy of five Bama errors.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

FSU: Silence short-lived

After a one-hour first inning with more hits than the entire second game, things quieted only momentarily here in Tallahassee. The teams' respective pitchers rebounded for scoreless second and third innings but the Tar Heels broke the silence in the top of the fourth adding two more runs to take a 5-2 advantage.

UNC designated hitter Tim Federowicz knocked in the two-RBI single after Florida State loaded the bases with two outs by intentionally walking first basebman Dustin Ackley, who's been Carolina's most consistent hitter this season.

Florida State pitcher Ryan Strauss was replaced by freshman left hander Matt Fairel after giving up a career highs in both runs (5) and hits (10).

The Tar Heels shutout FSU bats in the bottom of the fourth with a double play and an easy out to first.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

FSU: Plenty of hits to go around

Both teams are swinging away in this one. North Carolina received a quick response from the lineup change as the team's first three batters pounded base hits, as the Seminoles and pitcher Ryan Strauss dug a deep 3-0 hole for themselves in the top of the first.

Short stop Josh Horton knocked in the first RBI for the Tar Heels to score lead-off hitter Reid Fronk with the bases loaded. Minutes later Kyle Seager nailed a two-RBI shot up the middle with two out.

However, on the same play, Horton advanced to third on a fielding error, but was tagged out after over-running the base. The crucial error got the 'Noles out of the inning and was the spark behind a huge momentum swing.

Tony Thomas Jr. started things off for Florida State with a triple that probably would have gone over had UNC center fielder Seth Williams not batted it down. FSU went on to one-up the Tar Heels, as the 'Noles got hits from their first four batters and cut the deficit to 3-2.

Not wasting any time here, all that after one inning.

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Sunday, 04/22/07

FSU: Game 3: One for the road

Nothing but blue skies and baseball here in Tallahassee for game three of Florida State and North Carolina. The Seminoles have held the upper hand in the series so far, with the exception of a four-run sixth inning that almost cost them game two. After taking the first two matchups, the 'Noles are a perfect 6-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference series this season.

The Tar Heels have tweaked their lineup for game three and will lead off with first baseman Reid Fronk, followed by center fielder Seth Williams. Right fielder Tim Fedroff, who started at the plate for UNC in the first two games will bat ninth.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Vandy/Tennessee: Vandy wins before record crowd..

The Vanderbilt Commodores baseball team clinched its fourth straight SEC series win this season with a 4-3 victory over the Tennessee Vols on Satuday night. The game, which went 2 hours and 44 minutes took place in front of a Vanderbilt record crowd of 2,654. With the stadium seating packed, hundreds of onlookers lined the outside of Vanderbilt's Memorial Gym so they can see the action from left field. What they saw was senior closer Casey Weathers strikeout two and shutdown the Volunteer batters in the top of the nineth inning to give the Commodores their 34th win of the season while Tennessee drops to 22-16.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Vanderbilt/Tennessee: Vandy leads 4-3

With the majority of a capacity crowd cheering them on, the Vanderbilt Commodores plated 2 more runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. In one inning that was quite entertaining, first baseman Brad French led off the inning with a single to right, making it the fourth time in five innings that a Commodore leadoff hitter has reached first. Following a bunt single by the speedy David Macias, second baseman Alex Feinberg reached first on a bunt of his own towards third base. Vols first baseman JP Arencibia was charging in on the play, but Feinberg pulled the bunt to third on a beautifully executed play. Commodore right fielder Dominic de la Osa followed with a sac fly to center for his third RBI of the game. Pedro Alvarez then followed with his first hit of the series with double to left field, scoring Macias.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Rebels win 6-0

Ole Miss' Lance Lynn was masterful.
The sophomore right-hander who one-hit Vanderbilt earlier in the season, threw a complete-game shutout, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out a career high 12.
Of the three hits. One came on a vacated hole on a hit and run and the other two were infield hits to the right side.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Vandy/Tennessee: De la Osa continues hot bat

While most of the press has been in favor of Commodores all-american third baseman Pedro Alvarez and the talented Ryan Flaherty, two of the more impact level players in SEC play for Vanderbilt this season have been junior outfielder Dominic de la Osa and junior centerfield David Macias. Last night Dominic de la Osa hit his 10th homerun of the season for a very important insurance run in Vandy's 3-1 victory. Today de la Osa has already knocked in two runs for the Commodores in helping Vandy to a 2-1 lead in the top of the fifth against Tennessee.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Fan chants

Rebels added four runs on four hits and three errors in the third.
It started Rebel fan chants of "Over-rated."
Rebels lead 6-0 going into the ninth. Lynn back out for the Rebels.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Vanderbilt/Tennessee: Vandy strikes first in the first

Vanderbilt has struck first in game 2 of their series with Tennessee, scoring a run in the bottom of the first. After leadoff hitter David Macias drew a six pitch walk, Commodore second baseman Alex Feinberg singled up the middle advancing Macias to third. Commodore junior outfielder Dominic de la Osa continued his RBI pace in SEC play by knocking Macias home on a sac fly to right.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Crowd on its feet

A little wildness by Lynn gave South Carolina a threat but the Rebels escaped without damage.
After retiring the first two hitters, Phil Disher struck out but reached on a wild pitch and advanced to second on another wild pitch.
Lynn then got Trent Kline to ground out and was given a standing ovation.
Crowd then stayed on its feet for the seventh inning stretch.
2-0 Ole Miss going into the bottom of the seventh.
Kline has allowed one hit and two walks while fanning nine.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Vanderbilt/Tennessee: Vandy leads series 1-0

The No.1 ranked Vanderbilt Commodores (33-8) took game 1 of the series with in-state rival Tennessee (22-15), 3-1 on Friday night behind a solid outing by lefty sensation David Price. Price went 8 innings, striking out 14 while allowing only one earned run. Today's matchup will feature Vanderbilt freshman standout Mike Minor (6-0) against Tennessee standout senior Craig Cobb (6-2). Vanderbilt is looking to win their fourth straight SEC series.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Lynn still tough

Lynn, whose fastball has been 92-94, just struck out Travis Jones with a great curveball to end the sixth.
It was an eight-pitch inning for Lynn after his teammates gave him the lead.
Gamecocks have just one hit through six.
Heading into the bottom of the sixth, Rebels lead 2-0.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

LSU-MSU: LSU downs The Dude

LSU plated a run in the ninth with a two-out rally, then foiled LSU's attempted two-out rally in the bottom of the inning to escape with a 6-5 win.

Great weather, great baseball, great crowd. Just a great day at The Dude!

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Rebels break through

In his 10 starts this season, Ole Miss' Lance Lynn has gotten an average of just 3.4 runs of support.

He just got two in the fifth inning as Ole Miss leads 2-0 going into the sixth.

It was three Rebels who had been struggling who led to thre three runs. Second baseman Zach Miller was 0-for-4 with four stikeouts yesterday and 0-for-5 on the weekend before leading off the fifth by blooping a single to center. Designated hitter Kyle Mills entered with a .257 average but singled to right to put runners on the corners.
First baseman C.J. Ketchum (.245) then took an inside pitch the other way, bouncing a single ofver first baseman Justin Smoak to score Miller and put pinch runner Fuller Smith on third.
Catcher Brett Basham (.228 average) then got his 19th RBI of the year with a sac fly.

The crew came on to drag the field with Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" playing and Lynn has now retired two Gamecocks with Travis Jones batting in the sixth.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Still scoreless through four

Through four innings, South Carolina' s got one hit and Ole Miss has two as Arik Hempy and Lance Lynn remain locked in a duel.
Hempy looks strong in his second SEC start since returning from Tommy John surgery. His fastball has been in the low 90s and he's had a good curveball.
Lynn has hit 94 on several of his famous fastballs and mixed afw changups. Lynn has fanned five and Hempy has struck out four.
The country music is blaring. Wind has been flat but is beginning to blow slightly to left.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Good range

Gamecocks put together a threat in third after getting their first hit off Ole Miss starter Lance Lynn.
After Cheyne Hurst drew a one-out walk, Reese Havens perfectly excuted a hit and run as the left-handed hitter squeezed the ball through the hole vacated by Rebel shortstop Zack Cozart.
Lynn then struck out Harley Lail on a low 92 mile-an-hour fastball. Travis Jones sent a bounce over the middle that Cozart ran to his left, caught, pivoted and threw out a sliding Jones. Sliding into first.
Scorless in the bottom of the third.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Scoreless through two

Pretty good pitching duel so far between South Carolina's Arik Hempy and Ole Miss' Lance Lynn.
Good crowd, especially in left field with lots of tents and folding chairs set up on the terrace out there.
Best offensive chance come in the Ole Miss' second when Logan Power led off with an infield single. Hempy then retired the next three on a foul out and two strikeouts to leave Power at first.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

LSU-MSU: Still Locked Up

LSU and Mississippi State are still tied 5-5 in the middle of the eighth.

The Tigers actually got three walks in the top of the eighth, but never threatened because of two caught stealings in the inning.

MSU starter Justin Pigott was finally pulled after the second walk. His final line: 7.1 innings, 7 hits, 5 earned runs, 3 walks, 10 K's. 119 pitches. He should sleep well tonight. Rickey Bowen is on in relief.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

LSU-MSU: Slugfest at Starkville

In the middle of the sixth at Starkville, LSU has rallied to tie Mississippi State at 5-5.

The Tigers had cut the lead to one run in the fourth, thanks to an RBI double by Nicholas Pontiff, but the Bulldogs stretched it back out with a couple of runs in the fifth. Joe McCaskill led off with a double and Edward Easley followed with a walk. Both runners moved up on a sac bunt and scored when Brandon Turner lined a single to center to make it 5-2.

LSU immediately answered in the top of the sixth. With one out, Jared Mitchell was hit by a pitch and Jason Lewis doubled him to third. A wild pitch made it 5-3, and after a strikeout, Nicholas Pontiff snuck a big fly just inside the left field foul pole to tie it.

LSU starter Ryan Byrd is out of the game after five innings. Though he started extremely well, allowing only two singles his first time through the order, his final line is ugly -- eight hits, five earned runs, and no strikeouts. TJ Forrest is on in relief.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

Oxford: Warm day in Oxford

After a cold April, temperature is finally warming up across the Southeast. We're in the mid 80s here as Ole Miss and South Carolina get set for Game 2
Rebels in navy tops and white bants. Gamecocks in grey with red caps and numbering.
First pitch set for just after 4.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

LSU-MSU: Enjoying The Dude

After three innings at a packed Dudy Noble Field, Mississippi State leads LSU 3-1.

SS Michael Hollander got the Tigers on the board in the first with a laser-beam bomb into the Left Field Lounge. You know how some people say they don't watch college baseball because they can't stand the ping of the bats? I'm of the opinion that when you really hit a ball on the sweet spot, that loud, clear, ringing ping sounds much better than the crack of a wood bat, and Hollander's homer reeeeeally had that ping. Though he was stranded, Hollander also doubled in the third, so he's definitely the hitting star so far.

Though only one MSU starter is batting under .318, LSU Ryan Byrd went through the order quickly the first time and was doing a great job keeping the place quiet until his left-fielder misplayed leadoff hitter Jeff Rea's slicing fly ball into a double. After a walk, Edward Easley sliced a liner the other way that fell just fair for a two-run double. And with two outs, Brandon Turner blooped a fly ball between the center- and left-fielder to make it 3-1.

I'm headed out to the Left Field Lounge now to mingle. Back in a few. Maybe.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

FSU: Rosen saves the day

It's good to be Danny Rosen. With the Seminoles up one with two outs in the top of the ninth and 3,800 fans on their feet chanting "game time", the junior closer and fan favorite today in Tallahassee struck out North Carolina pinch hitter Drew Poulk to seal the 5-4 win.

Rosen struck out the last two batters of the ninth, recording his first two-inning save of the season. Adding to Rosen's status as fan favorite was that the first strikeout of the pair was good for another free hot dog. Seminole fans collect a ticket for a free one every time FSU reaches the eight-strikeout mark, something they've been able to accomplish in both games of the series.

The Seminoles used six pitchers in all, but survived a four-run sixth inning scare to beat the Tar Heels in game two for their 37th win of the season. FSU has now won 16 of its last 17 games against North Carolina on its home turf.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

FSU: What a relief

Still 5-4 'Noles as pitchers Travis Burge and Danny Rosen led Florida State through scoreless seventh and eighth innings as fans continue to give sighs of relief here at Dick Howser. Burge retired UNC batters one through three on consecutive fly-outs, while Rosen struck out one and relied on his defense for the remaining two.

Seminoles held their breath on the first hit of the seventh, a deep shot from UNC's Tim Fedroff, but center fielder Mark Gildea chased it down and bounced off the wall for the grab.

The 'Noles continue to go deep into their pitching rotation as Rosen came on in the top of the eighth as the sixth pitcher to see action today. Rosen has six saves on the year and senior Luke Tucker is ready in the bullpen if needed.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

LSU-MSU: Going Yard in Starkville today

Sunny, warm, gorgeous weather today at Dudy Noble Field in Starkville for LSU-Mississippi State, and the second day of my SEC weekend tour.

The Going Yard guys are even here! Actually they were also in Oxford last night, but I apparently missed them because they spent most of the night out in the right field student section ogling Ole Miss coeds. That made me envious.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

FSU: Carolina come back

Jack Rye's two-run shot over the right-field wall gave Florida State what looked to be a comfortable 5-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth with two out.

However, North Carolina quieted the crowd in the sixth after scoring four runs on four hits to clamp the Seminole lead to one at 5-4. Center fielder Seth Williams and third baseman Chad Flack both hit doubles down the left field line and accounted for one RBI apiece in the inning.

FSU pulled sophomore Jimmy Marshall, who pitched 1 and 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, which may not have been a good idea. Matt Fairel and Brian Chambers, the Seminoles' third and fourth pitchers on the day, each gave up two earned runs.

Chambers settled down to strike out Garrett Gore to stop the bleeding, but Seminole fans are still antsy and a little nervous here in Tallahassee.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

FSU: Big Swing

Florida State snuck out of the fourth inning as sophomore Jimmy Marshall replaced starter Michael Hyde on the mound and got UNC's Reid Fronk swinging with the bases loaded and two outs.

Left fielder Ohmed Danesh came up first for the Seminoles and slapped his first pitch down the right-field line and way out of the park to extend the lead to 3-0. Designated hitter Tommy Oravetz reached first on a fielding error but the Tar Heels ended the inning with a double play and a fly-out to right.

Hyde finished 3 and 1/3 innings with one hit and three strikeouts, and Marshall has stepped in nicely from the bullpen. He struck out UNC lead-off hitter Tim Fedroff and catcher Buster Posey caught Garrett Gore stealing second for the last two outs in the top of the fifth.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

FSU: 'Heels survive scare, give up one

North Carolina survived a scare as pitcher Alex White walked two and hit one to load the bases in the bottom of the second with one out. White toughed it out, convincing FSU's Brandon Reichert to fly out and then striking out second baseman Tony Thomas Jr. on a pitch that looked a little too outside to get out of the inning.

Meanwhile, Michael Hyde is keeping the Tar Heels in check and not wasting any time. He gave up one hit in the top of the third but needed just six pitches to strike out the next two batters. North Carolina's Tim Fedroff flied out to end the inning.

The Seminoles are back up and Mark Hallberg just nailed one off the wall just inches too high for UNC right fielder Fedroff to earn the double. Hallberg advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt, and scored on a sacrific fly from Jack Rye.

2-0 Seminoles after three.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

FSU: Steal Tony, steal

Florida State fans are up, yelling and awake after Tony Thomas Jr. worked his way around the bases and crossed the plate to give the 'Noles a 1-0 lead on an unearned run in the bottom of the first.

UNC's Alex White walked Thomas to first and the speedy second baseman teased the pitcher, stepping farther and farther away from the base. Seminole fans egged him on chanting "Steal Tony, steal." After several close pick-off attempts, White beamed one to first that resulted in an error and allowed Thomas to flash to third. He scored minutes later thanks to contact by short stop Mark Hallberg.

The Seminole faithful yelled in unison after the error, "Who are these guys the mumbling brothers? The circus is over there!" Then they pointed to the circus, the only collegiate circus in the country is at Florida State, and it can be seen right across from the ballpark. Too funny.

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Saturday, 04/21/07

FSU: 'Noles, Tar Heels round two

It's a sunny Saturday in Tallahassee and everyone's talking baseball as Florida State will take on North Carolina for game two of the series. The Seminoles took the first contest 4-2 thanks to seven scoreless innings from senior right hander Bryan Henry.

Today the 'Noles will send another senior, Michael Hyde (8-2), to the mound. Hyde is third on the team with a 2.84 ERA, but has lost two of his last three decisions. North Carolina will go with Alex White (4-2), the preseason ACC Freshman of the Year as named by Baseball America.

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Friday, 04/20/07

Oxford: Colonel Reb is smiiiiiiiiiiiiling...

Ole Miss capitalized on clutch hitting and South Carolina miscues to win the series opener, 8-5.

Seven of the Ole Miss runs scored with two outs, and four of the runs were officially unearned. South Carolina was charged with three errors, but also failed to make several plays a team of their caliber should make, one of which directly contributed to another run.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Weathers closes it out

Vandy's Casey Weathers was called on to protect a 3-1 lead in the ninth with two on and none out.

Weathers got a grounder from J.P. Arencibia that moved the runners up to second and third for the first out. Yan Gomes hit a 1-2 pitch down the line past Alvarez at third, which looked fair and would have scored two runs, but the umpiring crew called it foul, and surprisingly there was no argument from the UT dugout.

Instead of a tie game with Gomes on second, Weathers struck Gomes out on a fastball away.

Weathers then blew a fastball by Jeff Lockwood, missed with a fastball low and away, and got a foul ball to Matt Meingasner in left to end the game.

15 Ks for Vandy pitching, and the Commodores have a chance to assume sole possession of first place in the SEC East with Ole Miss leading South Carolina by three in the eighth.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: That's the night for Price

After being untouchable nearly all evening, Vandy's David Price has proven mortal here in the ninth.

With a 3-0 lead, Price gave up a bloop double to Andy Siminic to start the ninth, then Julio Borbon chopped a pitch to Alex Feinberg at shallow second. Feinberg threw low to Brad French at first, where umpire Fred Cannon ruled French bobbled the ball.

Siminic took third, then scored when Tony Delmonico singled sharply to center. That prompted Vandy's Tim Corbin to summon closer Casey Weathers from the 'pen.

Weathers will face former Team USA J.P. Arencibia with one out and two on in the ninth, VU up 3-1.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Dominic goes deep

Dominic de la Osa just lit into a James Adkins offering, hammering it to deep left, and the only question was whether the ball would stay fair or not.

It did, and moon shot landed on top of Memorial Gymnasium at least 400 feet away to extend the Vandy lead to 3-0 in the eighth.

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Friday, 04/20/07

Oxford: Gamecocks hand Rebs another

Ole Miss has added an insurance run, thanks again to shaky South Carolina defense, and leads 7-4 after seven innings.

Harris Honeycutt was done after six innings. His line: seven hits, six runs, but only two were earned, two walks and five strikeouts, plus he's on the hook for his second career loss unless the Gamecocks can rally.

Jeff Jeffords came on in relief, and was rudely greeted by a standup triple to the right-center gap by Jordan Henry. Jeffords, however, nearly worked around it. With the infield in, he got a sharp grounder and a strikeout, but then the defense made another mistake. Cody Overbeck chopped a hard grounder to short, and Reese Havens let the ball play him. He backed up on it and gloved it, but when he planted his back foot to throw, his foot was on the outfield grass. He slipped slightly and couldn't get enough on his throw. Overbeck was credited with an RBI single.

Will Kline is taking the mound to start the eighth in spite of having thrown 123 pitches.

Quick edit: Kline is out after allowing a leadoff double. Cody Satterwhite is on in relief.

Klein's partial line: five hits, four earned runs so far, two walks, eight strikeouts.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Price wiggles out of trouble

UT's Yan Gomes singled up the middle to lead off against Vandy's David Price, and Price balked him to second.

Price struck out Jeff Lockwood, but nicked Danny Lima with a pitch to give the Vols men on first and second with two outs.

No matter. Price fanned Shawn Griffin for strikeout No. 14, then got Cody Brown to pop right to David Macias in shallow center for out three.

Price is just amazing tonight, and has only gone to a three-ball count twice in throwing 93 pitches through eight. He's throwing four pitches for strikes, and the Vols have only one really good swing against him all night. In the hundreds of baseball games I've ever watched, this is as good as I've ever seen anyone pitch.

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Friday, 04/20/07

FSU: Tribe triumphs 4-2

UNC freshman Dustin Ackley homered to right field to cut the deficit to two, but Florida State's Danny Rosen helped close out the inning as FSU goes on to earn a 4-2 victory in game one of the series. The Seminoles have now recorded double digits in the hit column for 11 straight games.

Bryan Henry gets the win for the 'Noles improving to a career-high 10 wins for the season, while UNC's Robert Woodard picked up his first loss. The matchup looked to be a pitching battle early but the lineups got the best of the mound as the game went on.

Florida State continues to see contributions throughout the lineup as Mark Gildea finished 3-for-4 on the night , including three of the team's four RBIs, batting eighth. Eight members of tonight's Seminole lineup have batting percentages of .350 or better on the season, as compared to UNC's four.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Perfection no more

After Andy Siminic and Julio Borbon both struck out to start the seventh, UT's Tony Delmonico, son of UT coach Rod Delmonico, hit a soft liner over the head of second baseman Alex Feinberg into right-center to end the perfect game and no-hitter.

Price balked Delmonico to second, but fanned J.P. Arencibia on a hard slider around his shins and inside that Arencibia missed by about six inches.

Price has now fanned 12, and Vandy leads 2-0 after 6 1/2.

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Friday, 04/20/07

Oxford: Gamecocks hand back the lead

After rallying to tie the game in the top of the third, South Carolina threw the ball around and immediately handed the lead back to Ole Miss. In the middle of the sixth, the Rebels lead 6-4.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Another perfect frame for Price

David Price is perfect through six, with

Danny Lima hit a hard grounder to Ryan Flaherty at short to start the inning, and Flaherty's throw pulled Brad French off the bag at first. But French jumped off the bag and slapped a tag down on Lima for out one.

Price then fanned Shawn Griffin swinging and Cody Brown looking for the final outs.

Still 2-0 Vandy through 5 1/2.

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Friday, 04/20/07

FSU: 'Noles pull ahead

Mark Gildea game up clutch for the Seminoles again, launching a double down the right-field line to score two in the bottom of the eighth as the stands rang loud with the Florida State fight song.

North Carolina pulled Robert Woodard for Matt Cox after seven innings, eight strikeouts and two earned runs. However, Cox lasted only three batters after giving up a hit, a sacrifice bunt and commiting an error.

For Seminole fans the two runs were the only thing better than the free hot dog they received in the top of the inning as Bryan Henry got UNC's Garrett Gore looking for his eighth strikeout of the game. The Tar Heels flied out twice to end the inning, with the third out coming on a deep ball that came dangerously close but was caught at the wall.

The 'Noles will sit tight for one more inning with the three-run lead.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Price perfect

Vandy's David Price is absolutely brilliant at Hawkins Field tonight. He's stayed ahead of the hitters all night, and consequently has a perfect game through five innings. Price has struck out seven UT hitters.

UT's James Adkins has pitched respectably, giving up just three hits (two of which were not hit hard) and a walk, but trails 2-0.

Vandy's No. 9 hitter Brad French steps in to lead off the bottom of the fifth.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Another break, another run for VU

Vanderbilt's Ryan Flaherty hit what looked like a harmless blooper to left to lead off the bottom of the fourth, but UT left-fielder Shawn Griffin must have been playing him to pull as the ball hung in the air forever before dropping in fair territory, and a hustling Flaherty, whose nickname "Flash" is a good-natured jab at the shortstop's lack of speed, reached second in time.

After Pedro Alvarez's ground-out that moved Flaherty up a base, Shea Robin bled one through the infield that would up a double as the ball took so long to get to Griffin in left that Robin slid in ahead of the throw.

But Vandy couldn't get Robin in with two outs, and the 'Dores now lead 2-0 after four complete.

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Friday, 04/20/07

Oxford: Beer bad, liquor good!

After looking helpless through the first three innings, South Carolina just got to Will Kline in a big way. After three and a half innings, we're tied 3-3.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: E2, E8 means a run for Vandy

UT's James Adkins struck out David Macias for what looked like the third out, but catcher J.P. Arencibia dropped it and threw wild to first to give Vandy a man on first with two away.

Vandy's Alex Feinberg followed with a sharp single to Julio Borbon in center, and David Macias, off and running, sprinted towards third, and when Borbon hurried to field the ball bare-handed for a throw, the ball slipped through his fingers and Borbon then over-ran it.

Vandy coach Tim Corbin never hesitated to send Macias all the way home, and Vandy's got a 1-0 lead as Price records his fifth K to start the fourth and then quickly gets a ground-out.

Interestingly, Corbin coached both Arencibia and Borbon on this summer's national team.

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Friday, 04/20/07

FSU: Hot Dog

Jason Stidham blasted a pitch up the middle to score Mark Hallberg from second and put the Seminoles back on top 2-1 in the bottom of the sixth. It was Stidham's third hit of the game, but the 'Noles were content with the one-run lead, stranding two to end the inning.

The Tar Heels came up to bat in the seventh but were shut out by Bryan Henry and the Seminole outfield.

Florida State fans don't really need much to get them in the game, Dick Howser Stadium does all it can, but mainly free food. The fans' loudest cheer of the night consisted of "hot dog," a reward they receive if Seminole pitchers can account for eight strikeouts.

Henry's close with seven and the fans are egging him on for more. The crowd is getting fiestier by the minute and coming between them and their hot dogs may not be a good idea.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Pitchers' duel

Vandy's David Price has retired all nine men he's faced and struck out four, and UT's James Adkins has given up just a harmless two-out walk in his two innings.

My reports from Hawkins Field sound like such a broken record this year... once again, it's scoreless after 2 1/2.

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Friday, 04/20/07

Oxford: I'm in love

After two and a half innings in Oxford, Will Kline is cruising and Ole Miss leads 2-0. Nine up and nine down for the Gamecocks, five on K's.

And I am in love with Swayze Field.

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Friday, 04/20/07

FSU: Tar Heels strike back

The bats have picked up for both teams, but it was the Tar Heels who took advantage. Catcher Tim Federowicz singled to score Tim Fedroff from third with two outs and knot the game at one apiece. However, the ballpark erupted after Florida State made a play at the plate to throw out the go-ahead run on the same play.

The Tar Heels advanced right fielder Tim Fedroff to third base after FSU center fielder Mark Gildea couldn't come up with the diving catch on a Josh Horton single — much to the disapointment of the Seminole faithful.

Looks like the pitchers may be starting to wear down here against two powerful lineups.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Pitcher's umpire

I'm not saying that Tony Manners' judgment is bad, but it's obvious that tonight's home plate umpire is a pitcher's umpire.

Both Vandy's James Adkins and Vandy's David Price made a nice living near the corners of the plate in the first inning, and just about anything that looked as if it might be a strike was. As a result, both teams went 1-2-3, with both Price and Adkins recording strikeouts (Price's other two were tappers back to him).

No score, UT will hit momentarily in the top of the second.

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Friday, 04/20/07

NASHVILLE: Ready for baseball

The first pitch is just minutes away between in-state and SEC rivals Vanderbilt and Tennessee. Two locals--Murfreesboro lefty David Price (Vandy) and James Adkins (UT) face off in what should be a good one.

The No. 1 Commodores look to rebound after two startling mid-week losses to Lipscomb and MTSU on a clear, 70-degree night at Hawkins Field... one of just two or three decent days for baseball in Nashville all season.

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Friday, 04/20/07

Oxford: Celebrating 4/20!

I'm celebrating in style tonight with my drug of choice, college baseball, and this matchup isn't schwag, it's chronic!

I'm in Oxford, Mississippi for tonight's game between SEC heavyweights South Carolina and Ole Miss, with big timers Harris Honeycutt and Will Kline squaring off.

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Friday, 04/20/07

FSU: Seminoles holding on early

Florida State's Mark Gildea drilled a pitch to center field to score Jason Stidham from second and give the Seminoles a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Gildea's RBI broke the silence but FSU wasn't able to get anything else after a pop-fly ended the inning.

North Carolina came out hitting in the third, putting two runners in scoring position after a wild pitch, but Bryan Henry and the 'Noles settled down to survive the inning and keep the lead.

A packed house and a lot of pride here at Dick Howser Stadium and the home fans are starting to get excited as the bats are heating up in this one.

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Friday, 04/20/07

FSU: 'Noles, Tar Heels up and running

Clear skies in Tallahassee for what should be a good night of baseball between two of the nations best as the Seminoles of Florida State host the Tar Heels of North Carolina. The first game of the series features a duo of unbeaten right handers with FSU's Bryan Henry (9-0) going head-to-head with UNC's Robert Woodard (7-0).

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

Big Hits, Big Arms

I'll be honest. After South Carolina's back-to-back homeruns in the third inning (which made it four bombs on the night for them), I didn't think those would be the last runs we'd see for the Gamecocks.

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

State Champs

South Carolina has taken the season series from Clemson, as the Gamecocks have now won all three games in the season series. S.C. wins 4-2.

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

Carolina Cruisin'

Clemson may have just squandered its last chance in this one, as they got two men on with two men out in the 8th against Farotto. But S.C. coach Ray Tanner went to the 'pen to bring in righty Wynn Pelzer (the closer on this team, even though the team has a total of 2 on the season, he has one of them). Pelzer forced a weak pop up off the end of the bat to second base and the 'Cocks escpaed the top of the 8th sitll holding a 4-1 lead.

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

Dr. K

Well Cisco is done after going 6 innings, giving up four hits, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5K's, and throwing 75 pitches--45 for strikes.

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

Settling In Nicely

Things have finally settled down here after a wild first three innings for the Gamecocks. Starter Mike Cisco has been brilliant, allowing only one run so far to the Tigers, as the Gamecocks lead 4-1 as we play in the bottom of the 5th.

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

Bombs Away

Well they said that last Sunday was a launching pad for homeruns here at the park, today is no different. South Carolina is pouring it on here in the third inning, with three bombs here in the frame, and the fourth of the night...

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

Mr. Jones

South Carolina second baseman Travis Jones is hot. Real hot. Sarge Frye Field just isn't big enough for him.

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

Big, Big, And Bigger

Not only are we packed in like sardines here in the Sarge Frye Field pressbox, they are out in the stands too. As expected, many more fans clad in the Garnett attire, but there are a few Purple/Orange t-shirts in attendance for this huge rivalry.

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Wednesday, 04/18/07

Don't Like Rain

Last Wednesday, rain washed away what was supposed to be the third game of the season series between South Carolina and Clemson. Everyone has their fingers crossed that the April 25th meeting, won't be the 3rd meeting. A 40 percent chance of rain has this baseball editor nervous, especially after sitting at LGA since early this morning and enduring a 4 hour delay. But anyway, on to the baseball talk.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: St.Clair closes Owl victory

In by far his longest outing since returning from a shoulder injury, Cole St.Clair threw three innings of no-hit baseball, allowing just one baserunner--a walk to uber-hitter Kyle Russell. St.Clair threw his fastball 86-89 miles per hour, but it had enough movement to keep the Longhorn hitters off-balance.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Savery homer extends Owl lead

First baseman Joe Savery has been really hot at the plate in recent weeks, and that streak continued today with an opposite-field (I love it!) home run against Texas reliever Hunter Harris. Rice now leads 7-4.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Lonergan error costs Owls

Predictably, No. 9 hitter Travis Tucker, who has excellent speed, was bunting with runners on first and second. But Tucker executed poorly, and Lonergan had time to field the ball and get the lead runner at third base. He hurried the throw, though, and J.P. Padron couldn't reach it at third.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Lembeck delivers

Right-fielder Chad Lembeck, who entered today's game with a .330 on-base percentage and the same slugging percentage, drove in two more runs for Rice by ripping a double that was baaaarely fair down the third-base line.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Owls extend their lead

Designated hitter Aaron Luna busted out of a mini-slump (he was one-for-nine last weekend against Houston) with a clutch two-out double to give Rice a 4-1 lead (since narrowed to 4-2).

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Pitchers' duel continues

Augie Garrido had a quick hook--probably rightfully so--with starter Austin Wood, pulling him after a Jess Buenger single through the left side of the infield scored Joe Savery from second.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Texas ties game at one

The heart of the Texas lineup got to Chris Kelley in the top of the fourth, manufacturing a run to tie the game.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Kelley off to a good start, Wood hit hard

Rice's Chris Kelley struggled in his previous start against Texas, but he looked very good in the top of the first inning tonight.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Bad weather continues

So this is my fifth game for CSTV.com and the fourth time the weather has been absolutely horrendous. Of course, the weather has been pretty horrendous across the country for the past couple months or so. Tonight's game is a sellout, but the park is only about 40 percent full right now (2,000 people or so), and I doubt that will change much as the game gets started.

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Tuesday, 04/17/07

Rice: Longhorns v. Owls, part two

I present to you, loyal slog readers:

All You Ever Wanted to Know about the Rice-Texas Baseball Rivalry But Were Too Afraid to Ask.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UCLA-USC: It's over here. Bruins sweep.

UCLA wins this one 12-9.

Not only that, but they also bring their record to over .500 with the three wins, now 18-16 overall.

Also, with Arizona's loss at Stanford this afternoon, the Bruins move into a tie for first in the Pac 10 race at 8-1. You've gotta love teams with ugly overall records that lead their conference. Then again, according to our friend Boyd Nation, UCLA has played the third-toughest schedule in the country. No shocker there.

Nice weekend for the Bruins. The now-struggling Trojans are starting to show their youth as they have gone cold.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UCLA-USC: Two words- Grand. Salami.

New Trojan pitcher Hector Rabago was greeted into the game with a 4-stroke bomb by Bruin basher Cody Decker. The shot just cleared teh 395 sign at straightaway dead center field.

Goodness! It's now 11-6 Bruins.

I just looked over at a friend of mine who plays on my hockey team after the home run. He's a die-hard USC Trojan all decked out in Cardinal and Gold. But his wife is a UCLA grad. She was cheering wildly at the moment while my friend just sunk deeper into his seat. He's also been forced to sit on the UCLA side of the stadium. We know who wears the pants in that relationship... the baby blue pants.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UCLA-USC: Bruins go back up, 7-6 in 8th. USC angry at themselves.

An Alden Carrithers RBI single scored pinch runner Tim Murphy from 2nd base to put UCLA back up by one.

But on the play, Trojan 1st baseman J. J. Owen cut off the relay throw from right field, much to the anger of catcher Johnny Bowden and reliever Robert Stock. It was a great throw from Hector Rabago and probably would've cut down the speedy Murphy at home.

Stock just got pulled from the mound and moves to catcher. Rabago, so impressive with his throw from right, is now moved to the mound. Men on the corners with two out for UCLA.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UCLA-USC: on pace for 4.5 hours here. Maybe more.

It's all tied here in L.A., 5-5.

After UCLA fought back froma 4-0 hole, Ryan Babineaux, who came in hitting .277, smashed a two-run homer to put the Bruins ahead temporarily at 5-4. The Men of Troy came back to tie things up in the bottom of the 6th with a good bout of smal-ball.

17-year old phenom Robert Stock has come on in relief for USC. He's hitting mid-90s on the guns right now.

If form holds true, this will be a four and a half hour game. But then again, given the possibility of extra innings, we might want to get comfortable.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Catcher-to-pitcher a success... almost

John Cohen's desperation move of Tyler Howe to the mound worked brilliantly... for two hitters.

Howe got a soft liner from Kurt Lipton, and then displayed a nice slider in an at-bat in which he struck out Shea Robin looking.

But Ryan Davis, who pinch-hit last weekend, took advantage of the righty-on-lefty matchup by lining a ball that easily cleared the short 310-foot wall in right, and Vandy's got a 9-4 lead.

Casey Weathers, who retired all 12 hitters he faced on Friday in picking up a win, is in the 'pen and ready if needed in the ninth.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Rice takes Silver Glove (again)

After pounding out 15 hits in yesterday's eight-inning game, Rice added another 16 hits en route to an 11-6 win today. With the victory, the Owls regain sole possession of first place in Conference USA and win the Silver Glove Series for the seventh consecutive year.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UCLA-USC: Bruins cut into lead. But torrential downpour of sunshine has ceased.

An RBI single by Jermaine Curtis (I always have to be careful not to write "Jermaine Stewart" who sang that gawd-awful "We don't have to take our clothes off to have a good time" song back in the mid-80s) cut the Trojan lead to 4-2, then a bloop single by Cody Decker made it a one-run game (4-3) here in the fifth inning.

Right now, relief pitcher No. 1 Kevin Couture has been pulled and reliever No. 2 Shawn Olsen has taken over to try to stem the tide.

Also, the freakin' lights have been turned on here at Dedeaux Field. It's getting so overcast, I guess USC administrators think it has becoming dangerously dark to play this game without lights on. Damn horrible weather. It's affecting SoCal too now.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Commodores extend lead

Vanderbilt's hitting the ball hard in the ninth, and has already plated another run to extend its lead to 7-4.

Dominic de la Osa led off by getting a ball up in the stiff wind to right-center, and what should have been a harmless fly ball just kept carrying. Center fielder Antone de Jesus tried to leap when he may not have needed to do so, and the ball careened off the top of the wall and towards center.

De la Osa wound up on third easily, and Ryan Flaherty smacked a ball over the first wall in right, but the ball hit the big wall behind it, which is in play. Flaherty got a double out of it, and de la Osa easily scored.

That's all for James Paxton, and now UK"s John Cohen is pulling the unorthodox play of moving Tyler Howe from catcher to the mound. Howe pitched in JUCO ball, but has yet to throw an inning this year.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: French does it again

Vandy first baseman Brad French has not hit much this year, but has had some big hits this weekend.

He just smashed a double down the line that got into the left-field corner, scoring Ryan Davis, who pinch-hit with a leadoff single.

6-4 Vandy, David Macias pops up with one out and French on second, but John Cohen is now removing Ferguson for James Paxton, a lefty-on-lefty matchup with Pedro Alvarez coming up.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: And again

Anthony Ottrando also took advantage of the stiff breeze to right-center, getting one up in the wind and out for his first career homer.

Vandy's now given up a whopping seven runs in their last 1 2/3 innings, three on homers.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: More of the same

Just as Vandy opened up a four-run lead, Kentucky came right back. Antone de Jesus greeted Cody Crowell with a single, then Sawyer Carroll got one up in the wind to right for his second homer of the year.

How the Commodores must wish yesterday's game could have been completed. Lefty Mike Minor had retired the last 14 hitters he'd faced, but there was no way Tim Corbin was going to throw him on this cold day in Lexington to finish what he'd started.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Rice adds two more insurance runs

Well, this rubber game was interesting for six innings, at least.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

On pace for nearly four hours

As Murphy's Law goes, when the conditions are miserable, the game has to drag along. We've had delays for player and umpire injuries on pitched balls. We had a changing of umpires after the home plate umpire left for x-rays. We had 8-10 chasing cap delays. We've had step-outs during dust-flurries. We haven't had any insect delays yet but with the way this game has gone, it could come at any time.

Josh Dew hit a long home run for Troy that -- counting the roll - went close to 500 feet.

We're at 9-4 Troy in the eighth.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UCLA-USC: Estrella gives Trojans 4-0 lead.

SC is now up by four after Hector Estrella just hit an RBI double to the wall here in the 3rd inning. By the way, UCLA starter Gavin Brooks has committed a pair of throwing errors for the Bruins too.

Meanwhile, I just looked and saw that the other SC, South Carolina, is now in front of Auburn by a nasty 18-4 count. Isn't there a point where a team can "tap out" as they say?

Uh-oh, it's actually starting to get a little cloudy here in Smogland. Which one of you cold weather snowbirds down south sent this horrible cloud-cover to Dedeaux Field?

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Tech-UT: Horns finally break out the brooms

In a game completed in less than two and a half hours even with the bee delay, Texas broomed Texas Tech out of Austin with a 4-2 win.

Texas improves their record to 31-10, 12-3 in conference, and 5-5 on Sundays. Because of those Sunday struggles, this is only the Longhorns' third weekend sweep of the season.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Resuming unfinished business

Saturday's game has now resumed, and Vandy pinch-hit Jonathan White came up against Duran Ferguson, who pitched in the first game and is now on in relief of Andrew Albers, Saturday's pitcher of record.

With runners at the corners and Vandy leading 2-1, White struck out on a slider away. Vandy's Alex Feinberg popped to center, and Ryan Flaherty came home as out two was recorded.

On a hit-and-run, Brad French then singled just to where the second baseman had been, giving Vandy runners on the corners for David Macias, who singled to left for another run. Pedro Alvarez then blooped a single the other way to left for another run before Dominic de la Osa popped up to end the inning.

It's Vandy 5, Kentucky 1, with lefty Cody Crowell coming on to pitch for Vandy's Mike Minor, who retired the last 14 he faced yesterday.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Rice lead back to four runs

Chris Wright looked pretty good for the first two innings he pitched, allowing one run (a homer to Travis Reagan) on two hits. But Rayner Noble probably left him in one batter too long, as Jess Buenger crushed the first pitch he saw for a double into deep right-center.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Tech-UT: Bee Delay?

BTW, we had an apparent "bee delay" during the seventh inning. With the Tech pitcher toeing the rubber and looking in for the sign, all of sudden center fielder Taylor Ashby was standing about 10 feet behind the second baseman. Ashby spoke with a nearby umpire for a moment, then Red Raider coach Larry Hays came out for the conference. The three very slowly walked out towards center, stopped about where Ashby normally plays, looked around, pointed out towards the wall, and talked for several minutes while everyone in the stands wondered what the hell was going on.

The umpire walked back in and said something to a curious Augie Garrido, who walked back to the dugout and play resumed.

A fan near the dugout said they heard Garrido chuckle something about bees as he entered the dugout.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Josh Dew scouting report

Troy closer Josh Dew has been underused this season basically due to Troy's lack of closer opportunities. For that reason, the Trojans turned to Dew in the fourth inning today. The 6'5" righthander throws fairly hard - high 80s to low 90s - but he has a slider he throws most of the time. It reminds me of how Mariano Rivera throws one pitch over and over with effectiveness. Dew throws across his body and his ball sinks and dips toward the lefthanded batters box. It is like watching replays over and over as hitters take the ones that stay in the zone and wave at the pitches darting out of their reach.

He has been fun to watch so far.

It is 7-4 Troy mid 6th.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Tech-UT: Horns chase Colt

Texas has broken through in the seventh to take the lead and chase Colt Hynes. 4-2 Longhorns after seven.

Travis Tucker led off the inning with a walk, then stole second and third. Texas is now 8-for-8 in steal attempts this weekend. After a ground out, Jordan Danks lasered a single to center to tie it, then Kyle Russell doubled him home with a gapper. Travis Young was summoned from the bullpen and promptly wild-pitched Danks to third. That came back to haunt him on the very next pitch as Chance Wheeless scored Danks on a sac fly.

The line on hard-luck Red Raider Colt Hynes: 6.1 innings, 6 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, and 5 Ks.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UCLA-USC: SC strikes first. Up 2-0. But UCLA's athletic program is far better this year.

Matt Cusick and Grant Green both singled to start the Trojan lineup and ended up coming around to score on a sac fly by Lucas Duda and a bloop single by Hector Robago.

But I forgot to mention before the game, with UCLA's series clinching wins over USC on Friday and Saturday, that was enough to clinch the Lexus Gauntlet Challenge. That's a year-long competition between the two sports programs. If you're keeping score at home, UCLA's point total has increased 57.5 "points" while USC has just 22.5. (Five points are awarded for whoever wins the baseball series).

So if you look at it points-wise in the Lexus Gauntlet, UCLA's athletic program is vastly superior to USC's. Man, half my friends out here are going to love that. Half are going to hate that.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: UK evens the series

Pinch-hitter White hit a soft liner to short that Ryan Wilkes made a nice play diving to his left to snare, and Shea Robin popped to first baseman Matt McKinney to end it.

The Wildcats have tied the series, and we'll pick up where Saturday's game left off at about 4:30 Eastern.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Cougars chase Bramhall

Bobby Bramhall also had less than his best stuff for the Owls, struggling to find the plate in one-and-a-third innings in relief of Joe Savery.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Another change

John Paxton got a ground-ball out from Flaherty, and Cohen's pulled him for righty Brock Baber as Vandy gets set to send five consecutive right-handers to the plate.

Tim Corbin counters by pinch-hitting lefty Jonathan White, so stay tuned.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UCLA-USC: Just getting started. Cold song on P.A.

The P.A. is cranking out the Rolling Stones' "She's So Cold." But in truth it's a brisk 60-degree day here in South Central and full of sunshine. In other words, about 30 degrees warmer than any other college baseball locale in the country this weekend.

There's one of those Nike Football camps going on behind us where the SC football team usually practices. And the ladies water polo team (mmmmm. water polo chicks) are having a big shindig at the pools behone the right field foul territory.

Big day here at USC. But as you may know, UCLA has already won this series with yesterday's three-run ninth-inning rally.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Pitching change

Leading 8-6 in the seventh and last inning, UK's Duran Ferguson plunks leadoff man Dominic de la Osa with the first pitch.

That prompts John Cohen to bring on John Paxton, a curious choice as he's walked 14 men in 10.1 innings and is facing the patient Ryan Flaherty now.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Tech-UT: Moving right along

At the stretch, we're still moving along quickly (6.5 innings in about 1:45) and Texas Tech leads Texas 2-1.

The Red Raiders grabbed the lead in the fifth when Ben Baker walked, moved to second on a sac bunt, and scored on Kyle Martin's single.

Martin is an unlikely star of the game so far. In the first two games of the series, the little freshman was 0-for-6 with five strikeouts. Today, he doubled in the first, gave the Red Raiders the lead with his RBI single in the fifth, then preserved the lead in the bottom of the fifth when he leaped high and snared a line drive to strand a runner at second.

Though he's on the hook for the loss, Texas starter Joe Krebs had a good start, pitching a career-high six innings, allowing five hits, a walk, and only one earned run while fanning six. Closer Randy Boone came on to start the seventh for the Bovines.

Tech starter Colt Hynes has been even better, though. The soft-tossing lefty has allowed only four hits and a walk in six innings and has whiffed five.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: 'Cats get four off Shao

After Wilkes' leadoff double, Shao hit the first batter, Keenan Wiley, with a pitch.

Mike Brown sacrificed the runners up a base for Antone de Jesus, who fanned oin a pitch that looked as if it were six inches off the outer half of the plate.

That brought Sawyer Carroll to the dish. Carroll looked at a change-up for strike one, then Giobbi gave up a passed ball on a tough scorer's decision to score Wilkes from third, bringing UK within a run at 6-5.

Shao then grooved a pitch for Sawyer Carroll, who singled to center to tie it.

Sean Coughlin at the plate, a man on first and two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Sean Coughlin hit a wind-blown fly to deep center that got out of the park, and the 'Cats now lead by two.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Can we get him some barrettes?

We continue to get delays in the game today. No, not rain. We are having a cap delay.

UL Lafayette closer Danny Farquhar is losing his cap about every other pitch. Normally, he would just pick it up and prepare for the next pitch. But with winds gusting as high as 40 MPH, Farguhar is having to chase his cap around the infield. The first few times that brought a hearty applause from the diehards in attendance. After the fifth or sixth time, the fans are losing their patience with the process.

We just completed another delay as home plate umpire Raymond Gregson III took a pitch off his left hand. After half of the medical community in the southern half of Alabama attended to him, they wrapped it up and Gregson is umping with one hand held behind his back.

First base umpire Chuck Busse left the field to change into his home plate umpire gear and will take Gregson's place so he can head to a local hospital. Kudos to Gregson for gutting it out.

We are 5-4 Troy in the top of the fifth.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: "Bat 'Cats" coming back

Vandy's Pedro Alvarez missed a chance to extend a two-run lead by striking out with a man on second, and now Ryan Wilkes leads off the sixth of a seven-inning game by doubling to right.

That chases Ty Davis from the game, and Stephen Shao, a lefty, is on in relief. Shao pitched Friday with mixed success.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Another run for Vandy

Brad French just chopped a ball over the head of the third baseman, and the Commodores now have a 6-4 lead, as David Macias grounds out for out two.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Dombrowski issues a walk, and other strange things

Normally a one-out walk would not be noteworthy of a blog entry, but when it's Greg Dombrowski, it is.

The UK right-hander just walked Matt Meingasner for his first walk of the game, and fifth of the season in 50 innings. Last year, Dombrowsk had a streak of 42-consecutive innings

Now, Vandy's Alex Feinberg just hit what looked like a harmless ball to second, but with John Cohen's bizarre defensive alignment, a second baseman was not close enough to make a play. Meanwhile, the UK outfield defense was playing him more to pull, and the ball dribbled to the wall where Antone de Jesus slipped on the warning track trying to field it.

That allowed Meingasner to score, and John Cohen must know that Dombrowski was tying with the rare walk, becuase freshman Duran Ferguson is in to pitch.

5-4 Vandy, Commodores batting with a man on second and one out in the top of the sixth.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Graham goes to bullpen

Joe Savery just didn't have his best stuff on the mound today, and Wayne Graham responded by going to the bullpen when Savery issued a four-pitch walk to Dustin Kingsbury with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Passed ball cheats Weidlich out of a slam

Troy broke through with a four-run third as Shohei Fujita singled, advanced on a pair of walks, and scored on a passed ball. Immediately after the passed ball, Kevin Weidlich slammed a three-run home run. The passed ball cheated Weidlich out of a grand slam.

Troy got the lead and turned the ball over to closer Josh Dew. He only needs to get 18 outs.

We go to the fourth with Troy up 4-1.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Tech-UT: Eat your heart out, Etheridge

At the end of four innings, Texas and Texas Tech are tied 1-1 in an extremely fast-moving game.

And check out this weather.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Flaherty coming alive

Vanderbilt's Ryan Flaherty had slumped throughout the SEC season, but is getting in a groove here in Lexington.

Flaherty just lined a two-out single past second to score David Macias and tie the game at four. It's Flaherty's second RBI single of the day after a three-hit Friday evening.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: How windy is it?

It's so windy that when the press box door here at Cliff Hagan Stadium gets opened, about half the ceiling tiles get sucked back up and off their mountings to where we can see the lighting wires and all the other good stuff that might be up there.

The wind was blowing straight out to right, which no one has taken advantage of today, and now it's blowing more towards right-center.

Vandy's got David Macias on via a one-out single with Pedro Alvarez at the plate.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: UK takes back the lead

Kentucky got Keenan Wiley on with a wak to lead off the fourth, then Ty Davis walked Mike Brown.

Antone de Jesus sacrificed both up a base, and Sawyer Carroll popped one off his hands to medium right, but deep enough to score Wiley from third. Sean Coughlin missed a chance to do more damage when he grounded out to second.

It's UK 4, Vandy 3 as the Commodores get set to hit in the top of the fifth.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Flores unlucky, out of game

Rayner Noble had a veeeeeery quick hook with Luis Flores, pulling him after he allowed two runs in the top of the fourth inning.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Hold on to your kids folks

The wind has picked up - and it was 20 MPH to start with. The flags are stretching away from the poles and while I am heavy enough to resist this, I'm a bit concerned about some youngsters sitting down the first base line.

This wind looks like the footage you seen just before a hurricane comes in where entire rows of trees are bent over in in concert. But despite the hefty assists for the fly balls, we haven't had anything resembling a home run.

We are in the third with no score.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Bottom of Cougar lineup delivers

After retiring the first two batters in the bottom of the second, Joe Savery started nibbling against the bottom of the Cougars' lineup, allowing singles to Zak Presley and Bryan Pounds before walking Chris Wallace on a full count. Ryan Lormand followed by doing exactly what you would expect from a leadoff hitter: he worked a 3-1 count and then took what Savery gave him, punching the next pitch into short right-center to score two and give Houston a 2-1 lead.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Home run pool

With the 20+ MPH winds bending the trees over outside the stadium, the folks here at Pace-Riddle Stadium pressbox had some pregame predictions on how many home runs the teams would combine to hit. (for the record my guess was 8).

We are in the middle of the second inning with no score.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Flaherty ties it

UK's John Cohen has been shifting his second and third basemen and shortstop all over the diamond, but Ryan Flaherty beat the defense and lined a single up the middle to score Pedro Alvarez from second.

That tied it, and Ryan Flaherty and Andrew Giobbi singled to follow. But Shea Robin grounded to third, and it remains 3-3 heading to the bottom of the fourth.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Rice takes early lead

Centerfielder Tyler Henley crushed an 0-2 offering from Luis Flores over the wall in straightaway right field to give the Owls an early 1-0 lead.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Davis not much better

Vandy's Ty Davis got two quick ground balls to start the second, and appeared to be well on his way to getting out of the inning.

But then, Antone de Jesus singled the other way, and Davis walked Sawyer Carroll. Sean Coughlin singled sharply to right, and de Jesus scored.

Davis got a ground ball to third to end the inning, but Kentucky now has a 3-2 lead heading to the third.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Houston: Flores v. Savery in matchup of athletes

Right-hander Luis Flores will hit sixth for Houston, and left-hander Joe Savery will again bat cleanup for Rice, as both pitchers are playing both ways on a beautiful day (finally!) here in Houston.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Corbin wasting no time

Vandy's Tim Corbin saw enough of Nick Christiani's first inning to make a change. Ty Davis is now on to start the second.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: What's up with this?

Both coaches are having an animated discussion with the home plate umpires, as the dugouts have been warned for "talking." UK's John Cohen looked pretty upset in particular.

I didn't see anything out of the ordinary happening, and a petty warning was issued Friday for talk that was mild, at best. We'll see if this gets interesting later.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Lexington: Watching this Vanderbilt-Kentucky game on TV makes me cold

... and I'm Scandanavian.

Plus, I'm guessing a 33-minute first inning isn't what the crowd there needed either. Yeesh!

Screw this, I'm going to out to USC.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

Tech-UT: Horns try to stop Sunday struggles

So far, Texas Tech (22-15, 5-8 Big XII) has had a miserable weekend in Austin, losing 7-2 Friday and 10-1 yesterday.

Frankly, I can empathize.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

I didn't pack for this

The weekend was supposed to be wet. It was as thunderstorms rolled through Troy last night. It was not supposed to be cold. Well we have awful baseball conditions as it is low 40s with a brisk wind making it feel much colder.

My shortsleeve shirt was not going to work so I went shopping - on Sunday morning in small town Alabama. Not a lot of options for long-sleeve shirts in April down here is southern Alabama.

I finally found something suitable - am wearing it over my shortsleeve shirt - and still am cold as heck.

On the diamond today - we have a stiff breeze going out. That combined with Sunday pitching could make today a long game.

Gregory Harmon (1-0/4.10) goes on the hill for UL Lafayette while Ryan Ellison (2-1/6.75) is going for Troy. Gametime is 1 p.m. CT.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Back come the 'Cats

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Defense lets Dombrowski down

Vanderbilt got leadoff man David Macias on when a easy ground ball to Brian Spear at third went through his legs, and then Pedro Alvarez tapped one that wasn't hit hard, but was placed perfectly between the first and second basemen, and VU had runners on first and second with none out.

Dominic de la Osa then bounced a ball over second and into center, and when center fielder Antone de Jesus saw Macias take the turn at third, he kicked the ball and then overran it in haste to get it home.

By the time right fielder Sawyer Carroll picked it up, Alvarez rounded third, and when the throw was off-line, Alvarez slid in with the second run.

Vandy's Ryan Flaherty dragged a bunt and thought he'd reached, but was called out by Nelson Graham at first. De la Osa took third, and Dombrowski struck Andrew Giobbi out with a change-up on his hands. Shea Robin flied to right to end the inning, but the Commodores have a 2-0 lead with the Wildcats coming to face righty Nick Christiani for the first time.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Game one underway

It's cold, it's windy, but finally, we're playing baseball in Lexington. This is game one today, with yesterday's suspended game to be resumed from the top of the sixth with the Commodores leading 2-1 and runners on the corners at the completion of this seven-inning game.

Vandy's David Macias is now stepping in against righty Greg Dombrowski. The Commodores will send six right-handers to the plate to face the UK hurler.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

LEXINGTON: Football weather

As Vandy and Kentucky get set to play baseball in about 15 minutes, the weather couldn't be much nastier for mid-April. Game time temperature is 36 degrees, with a 12 MPH wind that gusts up to 26.

The first game will be a seven-inning affair, and at the conclusion of that, we'll resume yesterday's game, which ended in the top of the sixth with Vandy up 2-1 and runners on the corners with none out.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UC Irvine-Cal Poly: Irvine wins 3-2, Erickson gets the record.

A couple of quotes from tonight's game, in which UC Irvine reliever Blair Erickson set the NCAA saves record:

Blair Erickson:
On getting the saves record tonight and it being a weight off his shoulders:
"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't on my mind. It certainly feels good to get it over with and now we can move on and I can continue to go out there and pull out some games for us."

On how he felt tonight compared to some of his rough outings recently:
"I definitely felt better. There was a stretch there where things weren't going in the zone and it's hard to have confidence when you have outings like that. It was important to get my confidence back tonight and be able to throw strikes and have a good outing.

On what he'll do with the ball from tonight's game:
"I'll probably put it in a case and give it to my parents. I keep every one of them. Maybe when I have time to think about it more, it'll really hit me. I'm just fortunate that my team is able to keep me in games that many times.

On whether he'll sell the ball on Ebay:
"No." (editors note: sorry, I just had to ask... you know how those things pull good bucks nowadays)

UC Irvine coach Dave Serrano:
On what Blair Erickson means to this team:
"It's a special night for him and for us, obviously. In college baseball that's a huge record to have. It's a great tribute to Blair to get that record. I know the last few weeks he hasn't been pitching that great and it's been wearing on him, just like anyone that is coming up on a milestone like that."

On comparing Blair to some of the other pitcher's he's worked with over the years:
"I've told him this before, so I'm not afraid to say this publicly, stuff-wise he has as good as anybody I've been around. Command-wise, I've had some better in that situation. Chad Cordero was a strike-pounder. Kirk Saarloos was a strike-pounder. But Blair has a knack of taking years off my life, 'coz it's not always easy with him. Sometimes he tends to dig himself a hole and he has to claw his way out. Tonight was about as easy as it gets for him. It was good to get that one-run win tonight."

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UC Irvine-Cal Poly: Erickson about to make history

Blair Erickson on the mound in the 9th.

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Sunday, 04/15/07

UC Irvine-Cal Poly: 3-2 Irvine. Erickson toes the rubber

If any of you out there in America are still awake, it's now 9:05pm West coast time and we're going into the 9th inning out here in Irvine and Blair Erickson has taken over the pitching duties for Wes Etheridge. This is his chance to break the NCAA saves record.

This should be fun.

Etheridge did a bang-em-up job himself, going 8.0, giving up seven hits and striking out seven. He stands to improve to 9-1 if Erickson can pull the clamp-down job here.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

UC Irvine-Cal Poly: Okay, it's now UCI leading 3-1 in the 5th.

When the Anteaters take the field in the top of the 6th, I'm hoping it's already time for Blair Erickson to take the mound and get the record-setting save.

Matt Morris and Bryan Peterson both singled to lead off the 4th inning for UCI and came around to score on hits by Jeff Cusick, brother of USC's Matt, and Ollie Linton, who tore a new one in Fullerton when I saw them play last week.

But let's stop with the scoring now Anteaters. God knows we don't want you to build on your lead without giving Erickson a chance to pick up the save opportunity. C'mon Coach Serrano, let him toss the last four innings.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON (sigh): Call it a night

Just minutes after the tarp had been pulled, the umpires evidently decided there was too much standing water on the warning track and perhaps at places in the outfield, even though it was barely raining.

And just as the tarp went down, the rain picked up again after almost completely stopping.

And now, they've decided to call the game. There will be a seven-inning game starting tomorrow at 1, then this game will be completed at the completion of the first.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Re-start just minutes away

The tarp is off at Cliff Hagan Stadium, the Kentucky team is rolling it up, and baseball seems eminent as the rain has become just a drizzle, and the radar seems to indicate a clearing may be coming.

Vanderbilt will have runners on the corners with no outs, and No. 7-9 hitters Matt Meingasner, Alex Feinberg and Brad French--who have done all the damage tonight--coming up against UK starter Andrew Albers.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Houston: Rice evens Silver Glove Series

For the second straight year, the third game of the Silver Glove Series will be the decisive one.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Rain delay

Vanderbilt's Andrew Giobbi doubled off the top of the wall in right-center to start the sixth, then Shea Robin singled through short to give Vandy runners at the corners with nobody out.

It had been raining for pretty much the entire game, but then the bottom dropped out, and home plate umpire Richie Talent had no choice but to signal the players off the field.

The infield is already soaked with standing water in places as the Kentucky team covers the infield, as the rain has died down a bit but it's still raining steadily.

The Commodores still lead the Wildcats 2-1, the same score we've had since the top of the second inning.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: 14 in a row for Minor

Vandy's Mike Minor got a pair of ground-ball outs to Ryan Flaherty at short, then a liner to Flaherty to end the fifth. That's 14 hitters in a row that Minor's now retired.

Vandy sends No's. 5-7 Andrew Giobbi, Shea Robin and Matt Meingasner to face starter Andrew Albers in the top of the sixth.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Houston: Tacker's first start a success

With Ryne Tacker still building arm strength after spending the first three months of the season in the bullpen, Rice coach Wayne Graham inserted lefty Bobby Bramhall into the game to start the seventh inning.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

UC Irvine-Cal Poly: The real reason we're here tonight

I'm hoping to see history made.

UCI's Blair Erickson has the chance to break the NCAA career saves mark with his next save. He's currently tied at 49 saves with former USC hurler Jack Krawcyzk. He picked up his 49th save in Tuesday's win at UCLA.

By the way, on the drive down to the game here in Irvine, I was listening to the very, very-delayed Vanderbilt-Kentucky game. It sounded like that nasty rain stuff just wasn't going to go away anytime soon. Chris, if you're reading this, I hope you have a nice warm, dry seat in the press box. Oh and is Joe "String Music" Dean's grandson still the S.I.D. there in Bluegrass country? I think his name is Scott Dean, if I remember correctly.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Minor breezing

Vanderbilt freshman lefty Mike Minor has retired 11 hitters in a row after two errors led to Kentucky's one run in the first.

However, the Commodores haven't done a lot at the plate against Andrew Albers, excepting the two-hit, two-run second. It's still 2-1 Vandy as the Commodores get set to lead off the top of the fifth.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

UC Irvine-Cal Poly: Just getting started here

Just got to Anteater Ballpark here on the campus of UC Irvine (it was a nasty drive from Venice tonight). Tonight's game features one of the winningest pithcers in the nation in Irvine's Wes Etheridge (8-1, 2.37). Cal Poly, the surprising first place team in the Big West at 6-1, counters with Matt Leonard (2-3, 5.67).

Nice upgrades to the ballpark here. As you see in the photo below, that big brick building behind the home dugout on the 3rd base side is a new clubouse. UCI S.I.D. Fumi Kimura, one of the greatest people in the world, has promised to give me the dime tour later on in the game.

More stadium upgrades are on the way as well. (Oap! As I've been writing this, UCI has scored a single run in the bottom of the 1st inning - a sac fly RBI by Matt Morris, who by the way, has cooled off to .370 after spending most of February and March above .400.)

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Houston: Mop-up duty for Raviele

I figured Rayner Noble would leave John Touchton in the game for a while in order to save all of his bullpen arms for tomorrow, but after Touchton hit Danny Lehmann in the head with the first pitch of the sixth inning and allowed a single to Tyler Henley, Noble went to the 'pen.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: French puts Vandy on top

Kentucky's Andrew Albers was poised to breeze through the second after retiring the first two hitters on harmless ground balls, and No. 7 hitter Matt Meingasner at the plate.

But Meingasner singled, and Alex Feinberg added a rare walk. Brad French, mired in a huge slump, lined a looper to center that Antone de Jesus made a head-first diving attempt for, and nearly came up with a spectacular catch.

But he didn't; the ball went just under his glove, scoring Meingasner easily, and Vandy's Tim Corbin sent Feinberg home from first. The throw from left fielder Jason Kipnis hit the cutoff man, and the throw home was good, but Feinberg just beat it and slid around the tag.

Hot-hitting David Macias struck out to end the inning, however. It's 2-1 Vandy as the leadoff man steps to the plate in the bottom of the second.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Minor gets out of it

UK had Mike Minor on the ropes in the bottom of the first, but a bad break and a bat at-bat let the Commodore hurler get out of the inning without further damage.

Leading 1-0 with the bases loaded and one out, UK's Brian Spear screamed a liner towards Pedro Alvarez at third that Alvarez moved to his left and snagged eye-high for out two. Then, Minor struck out Jason Kipnis on four pitches, and the inning was done.

1-0 Wildcats, Vandy hitting with one out and none on in the second.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Houston: Gayhart adds to Rice's lead

The normally light-hitting Jared Gayhart (.379 slugging percentage entering the game) guessed correctly on the first pitch from John Touchton, pulling an 86-mile-per-hour fastball over the wall in straightaway left field for a three-run home run and a 5-0 Owl lead.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Here comes the rain (again)

My announcement of the rain's departure was premature. Within five minutes, it was sprinkling again, and now it's elevated back to something in the neighborhood of a downpour.

UK's Albers got out of the top of the first without yielding a run, and Vandy's Mike Minor is getting no help from the defense, himself included. Minor gave up what was ruled as an infield hit when, on a grounder to second, Brad French went over to field it, leaving Minor to cover the bag.

Minor got there in time, but instead of tagging the base, he straddled it, so UK had the leadoff man on. Then on a ground ball to Feinberg at second which might have been a 4-6-3 double play, Feinberg booted it and two were on. UK's Sean Coughlin singled sharply to right, and when right fielder Dominic de la Osa looked towards first, he saw a dark shirt thinking it was first baseman Brad French.

Instead, it was an umpire, and de la Osa tried to bring the ball back, but it was too late. It trickled towards first, scoring Brown and giving UK a 1-0 lead.

'Cats have men on the corners and one out, still hitting in the bottom of the first. The rain has subsided in its intensity, but it's still coming down.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Finally underway

Vanderbilt's David Macias steps in at 8:13 to face UK's Andrew Albers, and takes a ball outside. One hour and 45 minutes after the scheduled starting time, we're underway and more importantly, there's no rain.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Houston: Rice takes early lead

The early returns are good for Rice's Ryne Tacker, as the Owl offense staked him to an early 2-0 lead and Tacker helped himself with an outstanding defensive play.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Getting ready to play

Heavy rain moved in for about 10-15 minutes, then stopped in the blink of an eye. So, the tarp's being taken off, and we should play in a few minutes.

But first, Kentucky is having a small ceremony to honor John Hooker, a former UK player who passed away in a plane crash a year ago on ComAir Flight 5191 as he and his wife were on their honeymoon. They're having a moment of silence and a short few minutes of testimony, and Hooker's parents are here in a very touching ceremony.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Houston: Tacker gets first start

Senior right-hander Ryne Tacker will start tonight's game for the Owls, and my reaction is simple: it's about time.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Still waiting

The rain hasn't arrived, nor has the tarp been removed. So I'm guessing we'll be lucky to see the first pitch between Vanderbilt and Kentucky by 8:00 Eastern.

Stay tuned....

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: OK, now I get it

The decision to wait out the start time now makes more sense.

There is a line of thunderstoms coming in soon, but some smaller pockets of clearance followed by what looks like the front's passage is behind it. What officials are hoping for is that the fronts will pass rather than have the pitchers throw a couple innings, then sit for a while.

So, we'll wait and see what happens next.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Or, maybe not baseball

The game time has now been pushed back to 7:30 Eastern, which makes little sense to me.

There are storms coming in, but we're in the midst of a pocket of clearance and there has not been significant rain in almost four hours. You would think that they'd want to at least get in a few innings while they can, because even if they have to finish tomorrow, that's less baseball on Sunday.

But, the decision-makers don't share my sentiments, and we'll wait at least another 45 minutes.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Tech-UT: Everyone on Tech is hating Austin

Texas again pounded Texas Tech pitching, winning the second game of the series 10-2.

Adrian Alaniz shut down the Red Raiders over seven innings, and for the second game in row, every Longhorn starter reached base at least once.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Looks like we'll have baseball

I'm very surprised to say this, but tonight's game between Vanderbilt and Kentucky should go off as scheduled, with the first pitch slated for 6:30 Eastern. It has rained non-stop in Lexington since about 10 last night, but the precipitation began to slow down around 3.

The tarp's on the field, and the outfield must be saturated, but it looks like baseball's on. Let's hope the threat of more storms remain just that.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Tech-UT: I'd like to endow a relief pitcher, please

It's getting uglier here in Austin. Texas has pushed its lead to 8-0, and Tech is showing very little life.

Red Raider leadoff man Chris Hall at least got off the schneid in the sixth. No, he didn't get a hit, but when you've whiffed five times in a row, flying out to center is a huge moral victory.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Tech-UT: Chris Hall is hating Austin

After four innings in cool, windy Austin, Texas still leads Texas Tech 5-0.

Poor Chris Hall. The Tech leadoff hitter came into this weekend with only 19 strikeouts in 142 plate appearances, but he is in a deep, deep funk. Last night he struck out his first three times, then was lifted for a pinch-hitter. Today, he fanned to lead off the game, then fanned again to start the fourth.

The Red Raiders did break up Adrian Alaniz's perfecto in the fourth when Kyle Martin blooped one into no-man's land behind third base. He was immediately erased on a double play, though, so Alaniz has still faced the minimum with five K's through four innings.

Paul Gonzales is doing an excellent job in relief for the Red Raiders. He's up to 3.2 innings of work and has allowed only two hits and has struck out four.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Postgame from Troy

Sitting at 19-16 overall and 7-7 in the Sun Belt, Troy’s high expectations have wilted away with frustration taking its place.

"Our team has not hit the gear that I thought was there," Pierce said. "If that continues very much longer, it is obviously not our year. I still believe the team from a talent standpoint is good enough to make a run. Whether they do that or not is going to be up to their individual mentalities."

But for the Ragin Cajuns, things are looking up.

“It is big for us since we are on the road,” Robichaux said after Saturday‘s 4-3 win. “Our goal is to try to win every series every weekend. It is a rare opportunity to sweep someone on the road.”

They get the opportunity for the sweep Sunday at 1 p.m. CT. Or at least that is the plan. Mother Nature could have other ideas. Saturday’s game was moved from 6, to 1, back to 6, and then finally to 11 a.m.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Tech-UT: Not Tech's Day

Texas Tech is off to a reeeeeeeeeally bad start today. They've already added another notch in their loss column, and now they're behind 5-0 after one inning in the regularly scheduled game.

The Josh Scofield that pitched so well last weekend against Kansas State didn't show up today for Tech. The Josh Scofield with the 6+ ERA did. Though Texas sent three consecutive lefties to the plate against the lefty Scofield, it was 3-0 when they finished. Jordan Danks led off with a triple and scored on Kyle Russell's single. Then Chance Wheeless lofted a big fly up into the strong wind, which easily carried the ball over the right field wall. Brad Suttle followed with a single, and the Tech defense didn't help Scofield. Preston Clark lofted an easy fly to center, but Doug Thennis muffed it. After a sac bunt moved both runners into scoring position, Russell Moldenhauer drilled a single up the middle to score both.

That was it for Scofield -- he faced seven hitters and recorded one out, thanks to that sac bunt, and his ERA jumped from 6.23 to 7.34.

Paul Gonzales came on in relief, and did much better, getting the final two outs of the inning.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Tech-UT: Now It's Over!

In four minutes, Texas has officially closed out Tech 7-2.

Texas closer Randy Boone walked Matt Smith to load the bases, then struck out Geoff Byrns looking to end game one.

Both coaches are now meeting the umpires at the plate and Adrian Alaniz is walking in from the bullpen, so we'll be starting the second game soon.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Tech-UT: It Ain't Over Till It's Over

We have maybe the world's shortest doubleheader today in Austin. Last night, Texas led Texas Tech 7-2 with two out in the ninth when a line of storms blew in, the outfield lights went out, and the umpires decided that final out could wait.

Today, we'll finish up that game, then play the regularly scheduled game following a short delay so that the umpires can change and rotate.

Game one will start with two out, two on, and a 2-1 count on Tech's Matt Smith.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Cajuns win it 4-3

Troy needs a pair of runs in the bottom of the ninth to extend the game.

Bobby Pierce brought in a pinch-hitter for Shohei Fujita, a player with two hits today. However, he allowed nine-hole hitter Beau Brooks to hit despite a .180 average. That's why he is the coach and we aren't. Brooks smashed a line-drive home run over the wall in right to cut the lead to one.

That would be all they'd get.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

When leading after 8

When leading after 8, ULL is 23-0. They have to get three more outs here in Troy to take today's game and clinch the series.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Troy chases Moody

Hunter Moody took a shutout into the eighth before Edgar Ramirez two-run home run chased him from the game after 101 pitches.

Matt Pilgreen relieved Moody and allowed a single to Josh Dew and walked Trevor Tyre. He fanned Matt Tanzi to escape further damage.

Troy got another quality start from Clegg Snipes. After beginning the season as the staff ace, Snipes had struggled but has turned in a pair of quality efforts the past two weeks. Last Sunday he held Coastal Carolina in check. Saturday against UL-Lafayette, he logged seven innings of four hit ball. He allowed three runs - two earned. He walked one, hit two batters, and struck out five.

We are 4-2 Cajuns in the ninth

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Saturday, 04/14/07

This much

UL-Lafayette baseball SID Chris Whitehead just explained to me that the Ragin' Cajun baseball team motto is "This much". Last season, they missed out on the Sun Belt Conference regular season title by one game. They were one of the last teams left out of the Regional field. They missed both team goals by "this much".

Well, this season they are looking to avoid missing out on either. So far, so good.

They are leading the conference by two games and if the season ended now, would not only be in a Regional but also a #2 seed.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Back to Back Jacks

Back to back solo home runs in the fifth by Scott Hawkins and Nolan Gisclair. For Hawkins, it was his 11th on the season tying him for the team lead with Jonathan Lucroy. The eleven homers have the duo tied for second in the Sun Belt conference.

Gisclair's homer was his ninth of the season.

As he head to the seventh, UL-Lafayette leads 3-0

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Racing the rain

The rain is coming. It isn't here yet but both these pitchers are going like they are late for a date with Scarlett Johansson.

Louisiana-Lafayette's Hunter Moody has scattered three hits through four. Troy's Clegg Snipes has allowed just a pair of hits as he pitches in the fifth. A pair of defensive miscues in the first provide the ULL 1-0 lead in the fifth.

This is a homer-friendly park and both these teams are capable. ULL's Jonathan Lucroy has 11 homers while teammate Scott Hawkins has ten. Troy's Clint Robinson has 11 homers of his own.

With a stiff wind blowing in, this is definitely a day to be pitching.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

Checking in from Troy

We are playing early in Troy today. The start time has gone from 6, to 1, to 6, and finally 11 a.m. for game two of Troy's homestand against Louisiana-Lafayette.

Southpaw Hunter Moody (4-2/3.70) is going for the Ragin' Cajuns while Clegg Snipes (2-3/6.02) is going for Troy.

ULL took advantage of a dropped relay on a double-play grounder and a dropped fly ball in short center to score a run in the first.

As we head to the third, ULL leads 1-0.

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Saturday, 04/14/07

LEXINGTON: Vandy wins the marathon

Vanderbilt blew a four-run lead, but survived a 12-inning, 5:10 game in Lexington and came out on the winning end of a 10-8 win over Kentucky. Vandy's Casey Weathers was lights-out, hitting 100 on the radar gun and pitching four scoreless, hitless innings, striking out five to earn his seventh win.

Rain has set in, and the ability to play tomorrow is severely in doubt, so stay tuned tomorrow as we'll bring you news on the series status.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Can Weathers hold it?

Vandy closer Casey Weathers has thrown 45 pitches and three scoreless innings so far. The difference now is that he'll do it with a two-run lead in the 13th, as Alex Feinberg's grounder plated a run.

10-8 Commodores, with it now raining heavily at Cliff Hagan Stadium.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: And again

Vandy's Shea Robin singled sharply through short, nearly hitting Jonathan White, who had to retreat back to second to avoid having his teammate called out. Consequently, White could not score, but Vandy has men on the corners with one out up one.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON (Not Nashville): Finally. A run.

Ryan Flaherty took third on a wild pitch, and Jonathan White hammered a double to right that easily scored him.

9-8 Vandy, still nobody out and a man on second.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Tech-UT: Can't Beat Mother Nature

Well, they played "Texas Fight" and the teams shook hands, but it's not officially over.

I got word that they'll pick up the end of this game at 2pm tomorrow, before the start of the scheduled game.

Texas led Tech 7-2 in the top of the ninth with two outs and Red Raiders on first and second.

Texas SID Bill Little said he didn't know how much of a delay there would be between games, but he suspected that Texas will send Adrian Alaniz to the hill to get the final out, then have him start the next game as scheduled after a short (15 minutes?) break.

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Friday, 04/13/07

NASHVILLE: Trouble

Vandy's Ryan Flaherty leads off with a double, though Vandy having runners in scoring position have only proved problematic for Vandy here in extra innings. Stay tuned....

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Green is (not) good

At least that's what the weather guys say about this big green blob on the weather radar that's headed to Lexington. Let's hope this one finishes before storms set in.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Same song

Vandy closer Casey Weathers faced three hitters in the ninth. Once again, he recorded three outs, two by strikeout. Stop me if this is sounding familiar. :-)

Vandy will send Ryan Flaherty, Jonathan White and Shea Robin to the plate in the 13th, with the game time just 15 minutes shy of five hours.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Stranded again

Once again, Vandy got the leadoff hitter on in the 11th, but couldn't get him in.

Weathers still on, it's still late, and there's surprisingly still no rain in Lexington. Vandy 8, UK 8, we're starting the 12th.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Tigers sneak out with 7-6 win

K.K. Chalmers used his speed to add to give the Tigers an insurance run in the ninth. After a leadoff walk, he stole second and then beat the throw to third on a sacrifice attempt. He scored on a misplayed pop in short center.

That run was huge since UAB’s Ryne Lovdahl led off the bottom of the ninth with a solo home run.

After a two out single brought the potential game-winning run to the plate, Yokley struck out pinch hitter Billy Lichtner looking to end the game.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: 1-2-3 again

Vandy's Casey Weathers breezed through the 10th, getting a strikeout of Matt McKinney and fly-outs from Sean Coughlin and Anthony Ottrando.

Vandy sends Kurt Lipton, David Macias and Pedro Alvarez to face Aaron Lovett in the 11th.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Trouble no more

Vandy had a man on second with no outs, but couldn't get him in. We go to the bottom of the tenth tied in Lexington, as the game is now four hours and 10 minutes old.

Casey Weathers still on for Vandy.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Arm. No. 5 for 'Cats

James Paxton walked Jonathan White to lead off the 10th, and UK coach John Cohen, perhaps wary of Paxton's 14 walks in 10 innings this year, wasted no time in pulling Paxton for Aaron Lovett. Lovett will see Shea Robin, Matt Meingasner and Alex Feinberg if he can stick around.

Still tied in the 10th.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Weathers matches

After Vandy went 1-2-3 in the ninth, the Commodores' Casey Weathers breezed through the UK order and recorded three quick outs.

Now, we go to the 10th with game time approaching the four-hour mark.

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Friday, 04/13/07

UAB making it interesting

UAB mounted a rally in eighth loading the bases with no outs on a walk and two singles off tiring starter Ben Grisham. Tiger closer Matt Yokley entered and struck out Tyler Rollin but walked Steven Turner on four pitches to force in a run. Yokley rebounded to strike out Levi Patmon but Blazer Phil Bell smacked a 2-2 two-out pitch into left to score a pair.

We go to the ninth Memphis leads 6-5.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: 'Cats pen gets it done

UK's Brock Baber and James Paxton combined to retire No. 2-4 hitters Pedro Alvarez, Dominic de la Osa and and Ryan Flaherty in order, Alvarez and Flaherty on strikeouts, in the ninth.

Vandy has brought in bullpen ace Casey Weathers to face Nos. 9, 1 and 2 (Wiley, Brown, Carroll).

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Friday, 04/13/07

Houston: Cougars take game one

For the second consecutive year, Houston has taken the first of the three-game Conference USA series against Rice.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Tech-UT: Horns beat Raiders, weather

Texas just finished off Texas Tech 7-2 to take the opener.

I'm getting out of here fast, because a storm is going to hit in literally minutes.

The game was stopped with two outs in the ninth when the outfield lights went out. Maybe they'll finish it off tomorrow, but everyone's leaving.

James Russell gets his eighth win, with 6.2 innings of work and 11 strikeouts and no walks.

AJ Ramos takes the loss to drop to 7-2. He pitched 4+ and was charged with all seven runs.

Every Longhorn starter reached base tonight, but the 2-3-4 hitters in the Texas lineup did much of the damage. Brad Suttle had three hits and three ribbies, and Chance Wheeless and Kyle Russell both added two hits.

Game two tomorrow at 2 pm. Until then...

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Controversy

Vandy's Stephen Shao has done a good job of pitching here in the eighth with a man on second and no outs. He struck out Jason Kipnis looking, then got a ground ball from Ryan Wilkes, and Alex Feinberg's throw from second beat him by a step.

With sub Kurt Lipton at first, UK coach John Cohen gambled and sent pitch-runner Brock Wright all the way home on the play. Lipton immediately spotted Wright, and threw home but a little to the third base side and low. It appeared that Vandy's Shea Robin might have gotten the tag in time (actually, the replays were inconclusive, but the throw did beat him) and home plate umpire Nelson Graham made no hesitation in calling Wright safe.

An unhappy Vandy coach Tim Corbin argued the play for a minute or two, but to no avail. So, we've got a tie game as Shao got Antone de Jesus to line to right to end the inning.

8-8, we go to the ninth with Brock Baber on the hill against Vandy's 2-4 hitters.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Starters going deep

UAB starter Mitch Kloskowski has pitched well behind a heavy breaking curve ball. His fastball is mid-to-high 80s. Memphis' Joey Lieberman slammed a leadoff home run in the sixth to stretch the Tiger lead to 4-2.

Kloskowski just finished the seventh inning - likely his last. He allowed seven hits and four runs, fanned four and walked three logging 119 pitches.

Ben Grisham is still going for Memphis. He started the seventh with 94 pitches.

With a heavy weather front on the way, this series could be altered significantly. Saturday's game is set for 2 although the rain is expected to alter that start time. The teams will wait until the morning, watch the radar, and decide whether to try to play Saturday or schedule a seven-inning doubleheader Sunday.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Houston: Cougars add insurance run

It won't be recorded as unearned, but the Houston run that scored in the bottom of the seventh could have been avoided.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Wiley guns 'em out

The Commodores kept on hitting in the eighth when David Macias lined a single to right, and the Commodores sent Matt Meingasner from second to the plate.

It looked as if Meingasner would score without much of a problem, but UK right fielder Keenan Wiley threw a one-bounce laser on a line to catcher Sean Coughlin, and Meingasner was out by several feet.

Stephen Shao still on in the eighth against the 5-7 spots in the UK order.

It's 8-7 Vanderbilt, bottom of eight in Lexington.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Vandy re-takes the lead

After blowing a four-run lead, Vanderbilt has come back on Kentucky to re-take an 8-7 lead. Vandy's Ryan Davis just lined a 3-2 pitch off Scott Green up the middle to score pinch-runner Jonathan White from third.

Vandy has runners on first and second, two outs for the recently-hot David Macias. UK has brought on righty Brock Baber.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Tech-UT: Golden Sombrero Etiquitte Question

At the seventh inning stretch, Texas still leads 7-2.

Texas went to the bullpen to get the final out of the seventh. The final line on starter James Russell -- 6.2 innings, 9 hits, two runs, no walks and 11 strikeouts.

Can you split a Golden Sombrero between two players? Tech leadoff hitter Chris Hall fanned his first three times up. When his spot came due in the 7th, Chris Richburg was called on to pinch hit. Richburg was called out on strikes.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Vandy ties it

The Commodores got a run back when Shea Robin grounded out to score Ryan Flaherty, and had a man on third courtesy of a pair of wild pitches by reliever Scott Green on a pair of sliders he couldn't locate.

Matt Meingasner worked the count from 1-2 to 3-2, then took a walk on another slider outside with two outs. That brought up Alex Feinberg, who homered in his last at-bat, and then hit a 3-1 pitch up the middle to tie the game.

Commodores with men on first and second, two outs, 7-7 game in the eighth.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Houston: Kingsbury puts Cougars ahead

With a runner on second and two outs, Rice coach Wayne Graham elected to walk Houston's Jimmy Cesario in favor of pitching to cleanup hitter Dustin Kingsbury.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Irvin doubles for Tiger lead

As the UAB pep band plays Thriller, Memphis leads 3-2.

Josh Irvin just doubled in two more runs giving him a pair of doubles and three ribbies tonight.

This one should end up with a lot of runs before we are done. The batting orders are beginning to get a bead on the starting pitchers as we go through the order for the second time. Both teams have struggled in the pen with pitching depth.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Houston: Rice squanders scoring chance

After an inning of quick work, Aaron Brown struggled again in the fourth, but he escaped unscathed.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Just what he needed, except....

Vandy's Stephen Shao got the ground ball he needed to get an out in the seventh... except that ball was bounced just inside the line and dribbled into right field, scoring men from second and third.

Kentucky has come down from being no-hit through five, and trailing 4-0 after six, to take a 7-5 lead here in the seventh. 'Cats have a man on third and two away now.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Tech-UT: Texas Tees Off

The Longhorns have pounded Tech starter AJ Ramos and lead 7-2 after five innings.

Longhorn lefty James Russell has nine strikeouts through five innings. He has been particularly effective on the top of the Tech order -- the 1-2-3 hitters have fanned six times. Leadoff hitter Chris Hall is particularly hating life right now, as he has whiffed three straight times.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Price chased

Kentucky just chased starter David Price after Antone de Jesus fouled off a number of pitches, then on what was almost an "excuse-me" swing, went the other way to Pedro Alvarez at third. With men at first and second, Alvarez didn't think he had a play at second after looking there, then hesitated while de Jesus hustled and got to first before Alvarez could throw.

The 'Cats haven't hit the ball hard, but have a run in and the bases loaded with none out, and UK's Keenan Wiley singles sharply to right to plate two, and the game's tied at five.

Still no one out, Wildcats with men on first and second in the seventh.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: "Bat 'Cats" strike back

Kentucky hasn't done much off lefty David Price, but when the 'Cats do something, they're doing it in bunches and scoring runs.

Brian Spear took a leadoff walk in the bottom of the seventh, then took second on a flare single to left from Jason Kipnis. UK's Ryan Wilkes then had a solid single up the middle, scoring a run and cutting the margin to 5-3.

UK has just five hits, but has runners on first and second and none out here in the seventh.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: No Record Today, USD Wins

Steve Winnick has taken the mound in the top of the ninth, ending Matusz's quest for the single-game USD strikeout record. Overall though, it was a pretty good day for the USD ace. He leaves the game with a 15-1 lead, zero earned runs, four hits allowed, 13 strikeouts and 77 strikes on 107 pitches. Consider me impressed.

Meanwhile Winnick retired the side with two strikeouts to end the game, securing the 15-1 win for the Toreros to maintain their hold on second place in the WCC behind Pepperdine. The buzz is already active around the matchup in two weeks when the Waves come to town.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Rare power

Vandy second baseman Alex Feinberg, a three-year starter, had only two career home runs coming into a seventh-inning at-bat against Kentucky's Chris Rusin. But Feinberg just launched a no-doubter about 20 feet past the fence in left-center to lead off the seventh, and give the Commodores a run back after giving up two in the sixth.

5-2 Vandy, Commodores hitting with one on and one out in the seventh.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Houston: Lormand dazzles "crowd"

Houston second baseman Ryan Lormand has the play of the game early in this one, as he ranged to the outfield grass toward first base to make a great back-handed grab, turn, and throw to first in time to beat Jared Gayhart, who runs well.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Houston: Tied early at 1-1

Rice squandered an excellent opportunity for a big inning in the top of the first, getting runners on second and third with one out.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: One More Inning?

Matusz had little trouble disposing of the Pilots in the eighth inning, but is still one strikeout short of the team record. With the Toreros up 13-1, they certainly don't need to bring him out for the ninth. If they bring him out for the complete game, it'll only be for one reason.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Blazing start

UAB scored two in the first off Memphis starter Ben Grisham on three hits. J.R. Bond capped the rally with an RBI double. Memphis responded with a run on a Josh Irvin double.

Young Memorial Field has a few interesting quirks. They have a female PA announcer who immediately brings to mind the Bull Durham with the southern belle dialect.

They also have a pep band here that played the National Anthem and also plays between innings. There is an older gentleman throwing out candy here. That isn't unique here. Many places have that. But my guess is that this candyman is the only one who accidentally threw candy in a tuba.

2-1 mid 2nd

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: No more no-hitter

With one out in the sixth, UK's Mike Brown with the other way for a single to left field, breaking up David Price's no-hitter.

However, the Commodore all-American struck out Antone de Jesus looking on a fastball that appeared to catch the corner or be just off the plate, and now got leadoff hitter Mike Brown on a pitch that looked a couple inches inside, that one also looking.

The 'Cats Sawyer Carroll singled to right to give UK runners on the corners for Matt McKinney, who blooped one between the shortstop, second baseman and centerfielder. UK's John Cohen aggressively sent Carroll from first, and he beat the throw home to cut the margin to 4-2.

Price gets a grounder to end it, but three hits score two runs.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: Matusz One Away

Brian Matusz picked up his 12th and 13th strikouts in the seventh inning, leaving him one short of the all-time USD team record. His pitch count is reasonable right now, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the record fall today.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Price dominating

Vandy's David Price has his no-hitter intact, and has fanned seven UK hitters through five complete. Price got Antone DeJesus looking to end the fifth, and has retired the last seven he's faced.

Still 4-0 Vandy as the Commodores bat in the sixth.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Tech-UT: Longhorns Lead Early

Texas has jumped on Texas Tech and leads 4-1 in the middle of the third.

Whoops, update -- Brad Suttle just homered leading off the bottom of the third. 5-1 Texas.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Houston: Dreary day for baseball

The Silver Glove Series is about to get underway here in Houston, but the Cougars are already ahead in my book. Why? One word: socks.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: Matusz is Legit

His rocky start hasn't fazed hiim. Through six innings, Brian Matusz has logged 11 strikeouts, three short of the USD record of 14. He's allowed four hits and no earned runs as the Toreros hold an 11-1 lead. This is the seventh time in 12 games Matusz has reached double figures in strikeouts; he's had nine strikeouts in three games.

In contrast, Portland pitcher Justin Ehlers walked Kevin Muno on four pitches to start the bottom of the sixth and has the Pilots in trouble yet again.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Coach Rock

I visited with Memphis coach Daron Schoenrock a few minutes ago in the Tiger dugout. He was still stinging from a pair of midweek losses to Murray State.

Due to injuries, the midweek pitching options have been limited.

Six of their top arms from the fall out but the coach hopes to get three of them back.

They also hope to get a boost from the football team as Will Hudgens will come over fulltime after splitting between the sports this spring. Hudgens is playing in Memphis’ spring football game this weekend and did not travel to UAB. The quarterback, who has suffered a pair of broken legs in his Tiger football career, has been very impressive in ten appearances this fall. Hudgens is 3-0 with a 1.65 ERA in 16 1/3 innings.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Price owns it

David Price just struck out Brian Spear to end the fourth, so he's now passed Mike Willis for No. 1 on the all-time Vanderbilt career strikeout list.

Price still hasn't given up a hit, and has given up baserunners on a walk and his own error, as Vandy leads Kentucky 4-0 in the top of the fifth.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: Toreros Keep Rolling

Now this game's to the point that I'm just glad that I'm able to spend an absolutely gorgeous San Diego spring day in an open air pressbox where I have a great view of the USD coeds in the stands. The game itself is officially a snoozer.

Logan Gelbrich opened the fourth inning for San Diego with a solo home run and Justin Snyder added another run when he knocked in Daniel Magness with an RBI single to increase the USD lead to 10-1.

Meanwhile, in about the same time it took me to write the previous two paragraphs, Matusz plowed through the Portland lineup with two strikeouts and a fly out to advance to the bottom of the fifth.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Here come the Commodores

With one out, UK's Chris Rusin plunked Pedro Alvarez in the back, and Dominic de la Osa followed by slamming a double down the left-field line.

Vandy's Ryan Flaherty followed with a single up the middle just past the diving Mike Brown at second, and both runners scored.

4-0 Vandy after 2 1/2, as Rusin gets a ground-out and a pop-up to get out of the inning.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Seeing what all the fuss is about

The Memphis Tigers have caught my eye the past two weeks with a series sweep of Southern Miss and a road series win at Tulane. Wins over those two perennial powers has them in the CUSA race with a 5-4 mark. It also has them thinking about their Regional appearance since 1994.

Tonight the Tigers visit UAB who has a 4-2 CUSA record and has not lost a home CUSA game this season. Their new coach Brian Shoop is doing all he can to change the culture of losing at UAB.

We have a 7 p.m. CT starttime at Young Memorial Field. Ben Grisham (1-1/4.50) starts for Memphis while Mitch Kloskowski (4-2/3.67) goes for UAB.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: Toreros Pad Lead

Portland pitcher Ed Wakefield found himself in a jam in the third inning but escaped without too much damage. With the bases loaded and one out, he battled Shane Buschini through several long foul balls before he flied out to deep center field. The sacrifice advanced all the runners, giving USD an 8-1 lead and Josh Romanski struck out swinging to end the inning.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Price makes the record books

Vandy's David Price struck out two Kentucky hitters in the first inning, then struck out No. 4 and 5 hitters Sean Coughlin and Brian Spear swinging on ridiculous sliders.

The "K" of Spear gave Price 350 career strikeouts, which ties former Toronto Blue Jay Mike Willis's school record. However, Willis accomplished his feat in four years, wheras Price is just midway through his junior campaign.

Price walked Kentucky's Jason Kipnis, but got a weak bouncer from Ryan Wilkes back to the mound, and heads to the dugout with a 2-0 lead.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: 6-4-3 DP

Chris Rusin ran into some tough luck in the second when, with runners on second and third, he got ahead of Matt Meingasner 1-2, and appeared to perhaps nip the outside corner for a potential strike three on a 3-2 pitch, but didn't get the call.

Rusin's luck improved when he got a taylor-made 6-4-3 double play off Alex Feinberg's bat to follow, but the 'Dores plated a run on the play.

Brad French hit a fly ball to center to end the inning, and the Commodores have a 2-0 lead heading to the bottom of the second.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Tech-UT: Preview

Texas Tech is in Austin for a weekend with Big XII leader Texas.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: Matusz's Good Stuff

I'm starting to see what Matusz is all about. The nation's leader in strikeouts logged his third strikeout in two innings and left the second Pilot batter of the day staring at strike three without swinging. C.J. Cullen didn't even wait for the umpire's call before heading for the dugout. Matusz gave up another hit, but got out of the inning fairly easily with a pair of groundouts.

Meanwhile, things calmed down for Portland as it brought in Ed Wakefield in the second for the battered and bruised Sean Sargent. Wakefield got out of the inning with no more damage as USD maintains its 7-1 lead in the third.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Vandy breaks through

Whatever trouble the Commodores had hitting Chris Rusin in the first has disappeared in the second.

Ryan Flaherty led off with a solid single through the middle, and Andrew Giobbi went the other way lining one just in front of Flaherty as he made his way to second for another single. Shea Robin then ripped a 1-2 pitch down the line past Brian Spear at third to score Flaherty, and Vandy has men at second and third, no outs and a 1-0 lead.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: This Could Get Ugly

Ok -- I don't think Matusz is going to have too much trouble recovering from Portland's early 1-0 lead. He's got plenty of support as the Toreros absolutely rocked Portland pitcher Sean Sargent for seven runs in the bottom of the first. Everything that could possibly go wrong did.

Justin Snyder led off the inning with a single before Sean Nicol flied out to right field. From then on, it was a field day for USD. Jordan Abruzzo followed with a ground-ruled double that bounced over the center-field wall and would have surely scored Snyder from first. Not to worry -- the next three USD batters logged hits with two of them good for two bases.

Sargent followed up shortly by hitting Kevin Hansen with a pitch. Hansen then advanced to second and Logan Gelbrich to third on a wild pitch and Kevin Muno loaded the bases after being walked. Things then looked to be coming to a merciful end for Portland when Justin Snyder, in his second at-bat of the inning, hit a long fly ball to right fielder Danny Meier with two outs. But of course, Meier dropped the ball, allowing all three base runners to score before Nicol finally put the inning to an end when he flied out to left field.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Slow and slower

Those are the two speeds of UK lefty starter Chris Rusin, but they worked to perfection in the top of the first.

Rusin struck out David Macias, Pedro Alvarez and Dominic de la Osa in order with an unorthodox delivery that had a slight hesitation before slinging the ball home. Evidently, it's tough to pick up, as evidenced by how Rusin made the Commodores look foolish.

No score as the Bat 'Cats get set to hit off all-American lefty David Price.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: Pilots Open Early Lead

Matusz didn't get off to his best start against Portland as the Pilots logged a couple of hits and opened up a 1-0 lead in the first inning. The run doesn't count against Matusz after Kevin Hansen's throwing error kept the inning alive with two outs to set up an RBI double from Chase Powell.

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Friday, 04/13/07

LEXINGTON: Getting ready for baseball

It's a clear night in Lexington, Kentucky as we get set for Vanderbilt and Kentucky, but I'm not sure how long it'll be clear. We are expecting rain showers to move in around 10, and not move out until Saturday evening. So, it would not be a surprise to see the two teams play nine innings tonight, and a seven-inning doubleheader on Sunday.

In any event, tonight's not a night to be a lefthanded hitter. Roger Clemens Award David Price (6-0, 2.50, 99 K's in 68.1 IP), a lefty, will face off against UK lefty Chris Rusin (3-2, 4.53, 46 K's, 43.2 IP). The 'Cats lineup is loaded with left-handed hitters, and the Commodores' two best hitters, Pedro Alvarez and Ryan Flaherty, are also lefties.

If a lefty does get ahold of a ball, it's not hard to hit it out here at Cliff Hagan Stadium, as it's only 310 down the left-field line.

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Friday, 04/13/07

San Diego: Matusz on the Mound

With the postseason picture starting to take shape, I'm checking in from San Diego today to catch a glimpse of USD and its stud pitcher Brian Matusz as the Toreros make a run for a No. 1 Seed in the College World Series. Matusz, who checks in with a 2.96 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 73 innings pitched, looks to improve his record to 7-2 in a WCC matchup against Portland.

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Friday, 04/13/07

Houston: Cross-town rivals square off

I'm thrilled to be checking in with you for the 10th edition of the Silver Glove Series from Cougar Field in Houston.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: 'Tide takes game three

Vandy's David Macias laced a one-out single to center, then Pedro Alvarez took a four-pitch walk.

That brought Dominic de la Osa to the plate. De la Osa, who had homered and walked, struck out on a beautiful 2-2 change-up from Austin Hyatt for out two.

That brought the slumping Ryan Flaherty (1-5) to the dish. With the middle of the infield playing in the outfield, Flaherty squared to bunt, taking strike one, then took a couple of balls, then fouled one back to the screen, then struck out on a fastball to end the game.

'Bama wins 5-3, thus escaping being swept by the Commodores for the first time since 1986. The Commodores left 16 men on base, something that surely won't please coach Tim Corbin.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: 'Bama steals the lead

'Bama got a leadoff walk from pinch-hitter Del Howell to start the tenth, then walked Matt Bentley as he was trying to bunt.

Pinch-hitter Jeff Texada (pronounced "tay HAD uh") bunted both over a base for out one. Greg Paiml tried to go the other way against hard-throwing Casey Weathers with a drawn-in infield, and Brad French nailed Howell at home.

That brought up leadoff hitter Brandon Belcher. Weathers got a first-pitch strike looking, got strike two looking on what looked like a slider on the outside corner, then got a weak foul ball over the screen to hold the count at 0-2.

All of a sudden, runners broke from first and third on a straight steal with Weathers glaring in for the sign, and Weathers never saw it coming. The throw home to get pinch-runner Kyle Moore was too late, and 'Bama took a 4-3 lead.

Weathers got a ground ball from Brandon Belcher up the middle that Alex Feinberg should have held, as he had little shot to get Belcher at first. Instead, Feinberg threw to first wild, and the throw weint into the photographer's station, which by the ground rules advanced Belcher to second and brought Paiml home.

Weathers struck out Jake Smith to end it, but it's 5-3 'Bama with Vandy bringing No's. 9-1-2 (French, Macias, Alvarez) up in the bottom of the tenth.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Free baseball

Matt Meingasner smacked a one-out single to left in the ninth off Austin Hyatt, then on a 1-2 pitch to Ryan Davis, took second on a wild pitch.

Davis fouled off a pitch, then looked at ball just below his kneecaps, then struck out on a beautiful breaking ball from Hyatt for out two.

That brought Shea Robin (2-4 with an RBI) to the plate, who took a five pitch walk.

Alex Feinberg (2-4) was next, and on the first pitch, he popped foul to the catcher.

We head to the ninth, with Weathers heading out another inning to face hitters 6-8.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: 4-3 gets Vandy out of inning

Weathers got the ground ball he wanted one batter earlier when Alex Avila, who already had two homers, bounced to Alex Feinberg at second. The throw to first arrived in plenty of time, so the Commodores will send No's. 4-6 Ryan Flaherty, Matt Meingasner and Ryan Davis to the plate in a 3-3 game in the bottom of the ninth.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Matthes ties

Vandy's Casey Weathers hit leadoff batter Brandon Belcher with a 1-2 pitch, and Alabama's Jake Smith sacrificed him to second for the first out.

Weathers got all-SEC centerfielder Emeel Salem to fly the other way to left, then faced cleanup hitter Kent Matthes, who went the other way and singled to right to score Salem for the tying run.

'Bama hitting with two outs, Matthes on first in the ninth.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Last chance for the 'Tide

Alabama will send its No. 1-3 hitters--Brandon Belcher, Jake Smith and Emeel Salem--to the dish in the ninth to face ace closer Casey Weathers, who picked up a 1 2/3-inning save yesterday.

Should Weathers shut down the 'Bama hitters, it'll be Vandy's first sweep over Alabama since 1986.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: I guess this never posted, so here it is

Vandy's Dominic de la Osa hit a seventh-inning solo homer to put Vandy up 3-1 just before Avila's shot. I had it in the que, but I guess it never went live.

Anyway, Shao just got out of the inning for the Commodores, who hit with a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the eighth.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Avila strikes again

Alabama's Alex Avila just homered to almost the exact spot to which he hit his first-inning homer, pulling to within one of the Commodores at 3-2. That came off Stephen Shao, and is the first multi-homer game of Avila's career, and his seventh of the year.

Just before that, 'Bama pulled starter Tomy Hunter in favor of Austin Hyatt, who got the 'Tide out of a two-on, two-out jam to end the seventh.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: de la Outta-here

Vandy's Dominic de la Osa just hit about a 400-foot homer with one out in the seventh, giving Vandy a 3-1 lead in the seventh.

On the ensuing play, Vandy's Ryan Flaherty was thrown out on a close play at first. First base umpire Dennis McComb, trying to add a little flamboyance to the call by hopping on one foot and fist-pumping him out, appeared to cramp up or slightly pull a muscle for his efforts.

McComb's OK, and is now laughing at himself for his antics.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Pitching change

Vanderbilt's Stephen Shao is on in relief with Nick Christiani, who gave up a leadoff single to Brandon Belcher before striking out Jake Smith.

Shao, a senior lefty who's been money throughout his career when healthy, got the slumping Emeel Salem on a weak pop-up to short, before getting a high pop to shallow right to end it.

Still 2-1 Vandy after 6 1/2.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Squandered (again)

Another half-inning, another runner left on.

This time, Vandy misses a chance to get Alex Feinberg in from second with one out, as Brad French struck out and David Macias bounced to first.

Vandy 2, Alabama 0, both starters Christiani and Hunter still throwing as we head to the seventh.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Who wants to score?

Vandy and Alabama are locked up in a pitcher's duel as the Commodores hit in the bottom of the sixth, but both teams have squandered plenty of scoring opportunities. Vandy has left six men on base, the 'Tide eight.

The Commodores had the bases loaded in the fourth with two in, but missed a chance to do further damage with just one out at that point.

Meanwhile, 'Bama loaded the bases with one out via an error, a walk and an intentional walk, loading the bases for cleanup hitter Kent Matthes. Matthes struck out on three pitches, then Alex Avila grounded to Brad French on a high hopper at first to retire the side.

'Bama managed a two-out walk in the sixth, but couldn't score, and the half-inning before, 'Bama's Tommy Hunter retired the side in order.

Alex Feinberg has just laced a one-out double to deep right-center, giving the Commodores another scoring threat in the sixth.

Still 2-1 Vandy here at Hawkins Field.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Hit barrage

Vanderbilt came back with a vengance to take the lead against Alabama in the fourth, and some clutch pitching by Tommy Hunter kept it from being worse.

Matt Meingasner led off with a single, then Shea Robin hit one deep to the gap in left-center that nicked left fielder Brandon Belcher's glove, but got down for a double, scoring Meingasner.

Alex Feinberg followed by bouncing a single up the middle to score Robin, and Brad French blooped a single to left to give Vandy runners on the corners, then stole second.

David Macias popped to short, prompting 'Bama's Hunter to intentionally walk Pedro Alvarez to pitch to Dominic de la Osa with the bases loaded. De la Osa tapped a weak grounder to Jake Smith at third for out three.

2-1 Commodores, heading to the fifth.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Christiani finds groove

All year long with Vandy right-hander Nick Christiani, it's been a battle to survive the first two or three innings to see if he can get into the fourth, fifth and sixth, where he's been nasty.

Today was more of the same, as Christinai gave up five baserunners the first two innings. But in the third, Christiani found his groove an inning early, striking out the No. 2-4 hitters in order.

Christiani's pitches have crazy movement, but it seems to take him two or three innings to find them. If last inning was typical, the next few innigs for Alabama could be tough.

Still 1-0 Crimson Tide, as Vandy hits to begin the third.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Avila goes deep

No. 5 hitter Alex Avila just led off the second by taking Nick Christiani deep to right field on a 1-2 pitch, putting Alabama up 1-0 on Vanderbilt. It's Alabama's ninth hit of the weekend, and just the second extra-base hit of the series, the other being Greg Paiml's double down the line yesterday.

Christiani battles back to get a ground-out on the next at-bat.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Hunter bears down

Alabama's Tommy Hunter loaded the bases with a leadoff double, a walk and a single, but wiggled out of trouble by striking out Matt Meingasner on a 2-2 pitch and getting a weak grounder to short from Ryan Davis that resulted in a force at second.

Both teams seem intent on teasing their fan bases with mock rallies, but neither team has hit with runners in scoring position all weekend.

Not surprisingly, there's no score here after one inning.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: No More Lead Changes, Rice Sweeps

East Carolina went down in order in the ninth, and Rice has swept the series. Ryne Tacker (6-1) got the win in three innings of relief and Jason Neitz (3-1) took the loss for the Pirates.

Hard to believe that the East Carolina team that swept Cal State Fullerton a month ago has now lost 5 of its last 6 C-USA games and 6 of 7 overall. Rice moves to 8-1 in conference play, while ECU falls to 4-4.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Underway

The sun is shining, and it's a relatively-balmy 45 degree at Hawkins Field today, with an intermittent brisk wind that's blowing towards left when it blows.

Alabama, who had three hits Friday, three Saturday, and five on Wednesday against UAB, has two singles in its first three at-bats today, a blooper by Jake Smith and a hard single up the middle by Emeel Salem.

First and second, one out for the 'Tide... and as I write, cleanup hitter Kent Matthes bounces into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat.

Poor Jim Wells must be pulling his hair out... that's eight hits and two unearned runs in 19 innings of baseball in Nashville.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: No Surprise, Rice Regains Lead

Jess Buenger has just delivered a 2-run single off reliever Jason Neitz to put Rice back up 8-6 in the ninth. Three walks in the inning (including an intentional walk of Joe Savery) killed the Pirates. With one out, Rice has men on the corners.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: All Even Again After 8

Pirates Corey Kemp and Ryan Tousley, who had both singled, scored on a 2-run double into left field by Stephen Batts to tie it up at 6-6. Batts had been 0 for 8 in the series.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: And Now Rice Regains The Lead

Rice took a 6-4 lead in the top of the eighth on singles by Diego Seastrunk and Jess Buenger, a sacrifice fly by Danny Lehmann, and a 2-run home run into The Jungle in left field by replacement catcher Adam Zornes.

Zornes, who has only 8 hits on the season, has made them count since three of those were dingers. That's a .375 home run to hits average.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: Bucs Back on Top

A sacrifice fly by David Forbes and single by Harrison Eldridge (who has now reached base all four times today) has pushed ECU back into the lead 4-3 after 7 innings. The inning ended when Dale Mollenhauer, with runners at first and second, hit a one-hopper to second base which was fielded by Jess Buenger, who flipped to SS Jimmy Comerota for the second out. Comerota's relay to first was too late to get Mollenhauer but pinch runner Mark Letchworth got caught on his way to third. He had stayed close to second base because it looked like Buenger might catch the ball on the fly and got caught in a rundown between second and third. He was finally retired (4-6-3-5-6 if you're scoring, I think).

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Sunday, 04/08/07

NASHVILLE: Wells changes starters

Yesterday, Alabama announced that sophomore Austin Hyatt would get his first career SEC start. Evidently, coach Jim Wells had a change of heart overnight, deciding to go with ace closer Tommy Hunter instead.

This isn't a total shock, since Hunter has started four games already, and in my estimation is a pretty good move by Wells. The 'Tide can't afford to be swept with a 4-7 record already, so it makes sense to get their best arm in right away.

Hunter is 2-3 with a 2.94 ERA in 49 innings, striking out 53 and walking just eight. He played for Vandy coach Tim Corbin on Team USA last summer.

Vanderbilt will counter with Nick Christiani (5-2, 3.92, 43.2, 33, 20).

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: St. Clair Out Already

Cole St. Clair is gone after failing to retire any of the three batters he faced. Ryan Wood singled, Stephen Batts walked, and pinch hitter Jake Dean had a bunt single to load the bases for ECU. Ryne Tacker has come on for Rice, facing a bases loaded jam with nobody out and the tying run a t third.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: Rice Grabs the Lead

Much like yesterday when they put up 5 runs in the fifth to come back from a deficit, Rice has taken a 3-2 lead here in the 7th, thanks to three walks and two singles. Jared Gayhart's 2-run single to score Danny Lehmann and Aaron Luna (who had a pinch hit single) was the telling blow. Josh Dowdy (6.1 innings, 6 hits, 2 runs) has given way on the mound to Shane Mathews. ECU escaped a potentially worse inning when 3B Corey Kemp started a double play by fielding a high hopper, stepping on third for the second out, and throwing to first to retire Joe Savery for the final out of the inning.

Savery has left after six innings, and Cole St. Clair is on the mound for Rice. The huge left hander (6'6, 230) made his season debut this week with an inning of relief against Prairie View after missing the start of the season due to injuries.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: Owls On Board

Jordan Dodson led off the Owl 6th with a double down into the left field corner. He advanced to third on a long flyout to right field by Joe Savery and then scored on a single by Diego Seastrunk. Second baseman Ryan Wood started a 4-6-3 doubleplay to get ECU out of the inning, so the score is now 2-1 ECU in the bottom of the sixth.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: Savery Cruisin' But Still Losin'

After a shaky first inning, Joe Savery has allowed only 2 hits and 2 walks over the past four innings. Josh Dowdy has been even better for ECU, not allowing a Rice runner past second in the first 5 innings.

Harrison Eldridge has just reached base for the third time today for ECU (2 walks, hit by pitch) after walking three times last night.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: Pirate Fans Irate

3B Corey Kemp, who has made two nice defensive plays, led off the 4th for ECU with a double and moved to third on an infield groundout. He attempted to score on a flyout to right field, but Jared Gayhart cut him down at the plate on a very close play. Needless to say, the Pirate faithful begged to differ with the call by home plate umpire Dan O' Connell and were not timid in vocalizing their feelings. It remains 2 to zip ECU after four.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: Pirates Up By a Pair After 3

Neither team was able to score in the 2nd or 3rd innings, so it's still 2-0 ECU after three innings.

Some lineup changes for today: With Savery pitching and hitting for himself, DH Aaron Luna is out of the lineup. He's 4 for 8 in the series with 4 RBI. Catcher Danny Lehmann is at first base today and Travis Reagan is behind the plate. Regular SS Brian Friday is not playing for the second straight day.

For ECU, catcher Corey Kemp has moved from behind the plate to take over at the hot corner today.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: Pirates Strike First

ECU was undaunted by his laurels and roughed up Joe Savery a bit in the first, scoring 2 runs on 3 hits after leadoff batter Harrison Eldridge was hit by a pitch. Brandon Henderson and Ryan Wood had RBI singles in the inning for the Pirates.

As I was walking to my car after yesterday's game, I noticed the Rice team piling into a bunch of mini-vans, one of which was being driven by Coach Wayne Graham. One of the assistant coaches told me that whenever they have a road trip, they rent a group of vans to make it easier for the players to get back on forth from the team hotel and get dinner after the games. I guess we should expect an intelligent approach like this from a fine academic institution like Rice.

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Sunday, 04/08/07

ECU: Series Finale About to Start

Rice is going for the sweep against East Carolina here on Easter Sunday. The Owls took game one 4-0 and wrapped up the series yesterday with a come from behind 9-6 win. East Carolina will face a tall task in salvaging a win, having to face C-USA Preseason Player of the Year Joe Savery, who is on the mound today (4-1, 2.06).

Josh Dowdy (1-1, 2.40) takes the hill for the Pirates.

It's cold again here today (45 degrees at game time). However, it's clear, sunny, and less windy than yesterday.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: 'Eaters three outs away from impressive series win

It's 12-6 going into the 9th inning. Not counting my chickens here, but this is a great series win for UCI, beating Long Beach and Fullerton back-to-back in consecutive weekends. I'm a believer now.

Anyway, as I said, Fullerton still has three outs to work with. Just not a lot of hope.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: Rice 9, East Carolina 6 Final

ECU goes down in order in the 9th. Bobby Bramhall struck out six in four innings of relief to secure the series victory for Rice.

Rice pitchers were lucky to get away with only six runs, having given up nine walks in the game.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: Titans cut lead to 11-6, this game's cutting into my hockey national championship game watching plans

John Curtis smacked a two-RBI single and Evan McAurthur hit a sac fly RBI to tack on three runs for the Titans. It's now 11-6 going into the 8th.

But the NCAA hockey championship game between Boston College and Michigan State is now underway. I had planned to be home to catch most of it. That may be in jeopardy now that this game is taking an ice age to complete.

Oap! Bryan Peterson just crushed a home run into the right field arbouretum to put the Anteaters up by a 12-6 count now. I've got puck on my mind.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: One Last Chance for the Pirates

Rice added a run in the 9th, so it's 9-6 heading into the bottom of the ninth. ECU has its 4-5-6 hitters up in this frame. Bramhall is still going for Rice in his fourth inning of relief.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Vandy clinches series

Vanderbilt's Casey Weathers closed out a 4-2 win in the ninth, giving the Commodores a series-clinching win over Alabama on Saturday afternoon. Freshman Mike Minor went 5 1/2 innings, giving up three hits and two unearned runs to improve to 5-0 and lowering his ERA to 1.88.

Pedro Alvarez and Dominic de la Osa added solo homers for Vandy, and Matt Meingasner came through with three hits, two of which were huge, two-out RBI knocks.

The Commodores, ranked No. 1 in most major polls as well as the RPI rankings, figure to stay there another week. They improve to 29-4 overall and 7-4 in the SEC, a game behind Florida, who trailed South Carolina 8-2 but rallied for a 9-8 win, in the SEC East.

The Commodores have already played Ole Miss, Arkansas and South Carolina, arguably the three-toughest teams in the league besides themselves, so things look good for Vandy's title chances with a tough Alabama team nearly out of the way as well.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: "Just how the game is played"

Time after time the Beavers pull through.

9 to 8 OSU victory in eleven innings.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Weathers gets it done

Casey Weathers just did what he did best: strike out hitters and get ground balls. Weathers got cleanup hitter Kent Matthes to ground to second, walked No. 5 hitter Jake Smith, but struck out Ryan Rhoden to end the inning.

It's 4-2 Vandy over Alabama, as Vandy sends No's. 6-8 to the plate in the bottom of the eighth.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Here comes the hammer

Cody Crowell stuck out 'Bama star Emeel Salem to start the eighth, but with powerful Kent Matthes coming up, Vandy coach Tim Corbin is taking no chances.

The call has been made, and closer Casey Weathers, he of the 99 MPH fastball, has entered the game. Weathers is 5-1 with two saves, and a 1.23 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 22 innings.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: Still 8-6 Rice After 7

Both teams went down in order in the 7th, so it's still a 2 run lead for the Owls heading into the eighth.

Despite the cool weather, I have seen two ECU fans make nice barehanded catches of foul balls hit up into the stands.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Paiml keeps 'Bama in it

Dominic de la Osa slammed a one-out double to left to give the Commodores second and third with one out in the ninth for cleanup hitter Ryan Flaherty.

Flaherty smashed a ball that looked for everything like it would get through to score two runs. But Alabama shorstop Greg Paiml, playing unusally shallow to cut off a run at the plate in case of a ground ball, made a diving grab on the infield grass to snare the line drive in the air, and Josh Copeland got Shea Robin to ground weakly to third for the third out.

It's still Vandy 4, Alabama 2 as Cody Crowell takes the hill for the Commodores again in the top of the eighth, facing No's. 3-5 Emeel Salem, Kent Matthes and Jake Smith.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Time after Time

Lennerton walk of HR in the eleventh.

Johnny Drama! VICTORY!

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Pitching change

Cody Crowell survived the one-out walk and retired the last two hitters in the seventh.

Then, Vandy's David Macias did what he does best to lead off the bottom of the inning: Take a walk.

That brings all-American lefty Pedro Alvarez to the plate, who's already homered today. That prompted a pitching change from Jim Wells, who brought in lefty Will Stroup.

Stay tuned, as the Commodores have No. 2-4 coming up.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: Will CSTV fire me if I leave this game early?

We're into our second pitching change of the inning (Metallica playing during this one) and UCI has added to its lead by plating two here in the 6th. UCI CF Ollie Linton keeps impressing the hell out of me, this time beating out an infield single with blazing speed, giving The Anteaters their 11th run.

Linton has now gone:
double (eventually scoring on a suicide squeeze)
RBI single
bunt single
RBI infield single

Ahhhh! A harmless pop-up. Inning over. It's now 11-3 going into the bottom of the 6th.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: Welcome to The Jungle- Almost

ECU catcher Corey Kemp drilled a long fly ball to left that looked like it was heading into The Jungle, the tailgating area beyond the left field fence. Rice LF Jordan Dodson made a nice catch up against the fence to keep ECU from taking a 9-8 lead. After six, it's still Rice 8, East Carolina 6.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Never seen this before

Vandy's Cody Crowell had Alex Avila 0-2, then Avila bounced one towards first that Brad French was ready to field.

The ball then hit the bag, and bounced almost straight in the air but a little towards the mound. Crowell alertly didn't quit on the play, caught the ball in the air on the bounce and sprinted one more step to tag the bag in time.

Crowell now walks the next batter, No. 9 hitter Greg Paiml, so 'Bama has a man on and one out in the top of the seventh.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: Jolly Roger Flying Again

East Carolina is threatening in the bottom of the sixth, with the bases loaded and only out, trailing 8-5. Lefthander Bobby Bramhall is now toeing the rubber for Rice, making his 13th relief appearance of the year.

Ryan Tousley just hit a sacrifice fly, making it 8-6. Still two out in the bottom of the 6th.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: One batter too late

Alabama's Bernard Robert has pitched very well with the exception of the back-to-back bombs in the third. But Robert looked like he was tiring in the sixth, as he struggled to find the strike zone, prompting a long visit from coach Jim Wells.

The 'Tide appeared to have an arm or two ready to go in the bullpen as the Commodores had men on first and second with two outs during Wells' visit. Either Wells changed his mind or was talked out of pulling Hunter, as he jogged back to the dugout, and at that point, catcher Ryan Rhoden took it upon himself to take a visit to the mound just as time was called back in.

In any event, the delay tactics didn't work, and in hindsight Wells shoudl have stuck to his guns. Matt Meingasner lined a sharp single to left, plating a run and leaving runners on first and second.

Sidearmer Josh Copeland entered facing No. 9 hitter Brad French, who smashed a ball the opposite way to first baseman Matt Bentley, who made a diving stop going to his left and saving two runs.

Just after Alabama had cut the margin to one, it's now 4-2 Vandy, heading to the top of the seventh.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Extra Frames

Extra frames here in Corvallis. Kunz on the bump still against the bottom three of the Trojan line-up.

Strike out number one.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Crowell gets out of jam

Vandy's Cody Crowell did a nice job of getting out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam, getting ground balls from Ryan Rhoden and Matt Bentley to get out of the inning, though the first scored a run.

It's 3-2 Vandy over Alabama, with Vandy's No. 4-6 hitters coming to the plate in the bottom of the sixth.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: No drama here. My Entourage at Goodwin is bored

This game is moving at a freakin' glacial pace right now. It's Irvine 9-3 going into the 6th inning. So far this game is two hours and 10 minutes old. Emphasis on old.

So as Ari might say, since we'll be here a while, let's hug it out bitch.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: Rice Padding It's Lead

Joe Savery has just delivered a two run double to push the Rice lead to 8-5 in the sixth. DH Aaron Luna, with 3 RBI already today, was intentionally walked. The bases are juiced with two out after PH Derek Myers looked at a third strike.

There seems to be at least one confused fan at the game. A guy who is cheering for ECU is walking around with a South Carolina cap and a North Carolina sweatshirt. Maybe it's the cold weather.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Oh, Drama!

After the Barney double Mike Lissman (who I totally thought I jinxed) put a ball off the left field foul pole for a two run homer. 8 to 8 and new Trojan on the hill.

Speaking of Drama, anybody else psyched for Entourage returning tomorrow? I know I am.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Gotta love Oregon

You have to love this weather. It was pooring earlier, and now its sunny.

Beavers running out of options. Two quick fly outs in the bottom of the eighth. Lets see what Barney can do.

USC 8 OSU 6 in bottom of eighth.

Double down left field line by Barney with two outs.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: Owls Are Hooting

Rice has erupted in the top of the 5th for five runs to take a 6-5 lead. Aided by an error and two walks, the Owls came up with three hits, including a two run double by Aaron Luna. The sophomore DH has driven in half of the Rice runs today. ECU starter Dustin Sasser has given way to Brett Butts (try saying that name three times real fast).

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Bama chases Minor

Vandy's Mike Minor suddenly struggled with location in the sixth, and Alabama's making him pay with a lot of help from the Vandy defense.

Brandon Belcher reached on an error when Brad French couldn't handle a chopper, and with one out, Emeel Salem singled the other way through the hole between short and third.

The 'Tide tried a double-steal, and catcher Shea Robin double-clutched to throw Belcher out at third, then sailed a throw past Pedro Alvarez at third which scored Belcher and put Salem at second.

Cleanup hitter Kent Matthes singled sharply to right on perhaps the only hard-hit ball off him all day, advancing Salem to third. Now Minor hit Jake Smith with a pitch, prompting a second visit from coach Tim Corbin and mandating Minor's exit.

Minor had beel briliant until this inning, giving up just one hit and two walks coming into the inning. He leaves as lefty Cody Crowell takes the mound to try to get Vandy out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam with No. 6 hitter Ryan Rhoden stepping in shortly.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Trojans "Squeeze" out another run

Duda double moves to third on sac bunt. Scores on a squeeze bunt.by Roberto Lopez. Then we got a catchers interference call. Runners on first and second one out for USC now up 8 to 6.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Vandy adds another

The slumping Matt Meingasner just gave the Commodores a big 3-2, two-out double to deep left-center to score Shea Robin from third. It's now 3-0 Vandy, as we head to the top of the fifth at Hawkins Field.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: Owls scratch out a run

Rice plated a run in the 4th to make it a 5-1 game. Two walks and two singles, including an RBI base hit by DH Aaron Luna, accounted for the Owls' first run. ECU second baseman Ryan Wood made a nice backhanded stop to begin a double play that snuffed out any further scoring threat from Rice.

The Pirates failed to score in their half of the fourth.

If you haven't seen the announcement yet, Tulane's rebuilt Turchin Stadium will not be ready this year, so the Conference USA tournament has been moved here to Greenville, NC. Along those same lines, it looks like LSU's new Alex Box Stadium, originally scheduled to open in 2008, won't be ready until the 2009 season. Maybe FEMA has a hand in those rebuilding projects.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: Well it's not THAT warm here

It's Irvine 8-3 going into the bottom of the 3rd.

Just to be clear to the Doctor of College Baseball, who is covering the ECU-Rice game today, and anyone else out there in blogland. It's not exactly balmy here in Fullerton. It's low 60s and still overcast.

In fact, Doctor, I'm sporting my New Orleans 1984 World's Fair sweatshirt right now. But don't worry, I'm still refreshing myself with my usual Perriere with a twist of lemon.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: This is getting ugly, and by ugly I mean the play not score

Both third basemen have made the exact same error. Great play on a grounder and throwing it away up the line towards. With George on second after his double Canham hit a hard grounder at the third basemen who threw it under the bleacher down the right field line scoring George.

7 to 6 Trojans.

I am trying so hard to keep Trojans and Beavers clean.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Minor cruising, Salem struggling

Staked to a 2-0 lead, Vandy freshman lefty Mike Minor made it through the fourth unscathed, giving up just a full-count, two-out walk to cleanup Kent Matthes two pitches after it appeared Minor had him struck out, but didn't get a call from home plate umpire Joe Marion.

Minor has thrown 48 pitches, striking out three and giving up that walk and one hit.

Meanwhile, 'Bama all-American candidate Emeel Salem continues to struggle after his 43-game on-base streak was snapped last night by David Price (that was seven shy of the school record). Salem is now 0 for his last 13, a very uncharacteristic figure for a player who came in hitting .363 with a .471 on-base percentage.

This week has not been all bad for Salem, though. He won the prestigious Boyd McWhorter SEC Male Scholar Athlete of the Year, given to only one male athlete in all sports annually. He's got a 3.9 GPA with a double major in marketing and Spanish, and even though he was picked in the 10th round by the Orioles last June, chose to come back to Tuscaloosa for his senior year because he loved school.

Salem's one of the great stories in college baseball, and, of course, his Commodore opponents annually rank at the top of the NCAA in graduation rates. It's good to see real student athletes have success, and both programs deserve credit for doing things the right way.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: Oh my! This one is ugly now.

It's now Irvine up 8-1. The Anteaters half of the 2nd inning took nearly 30 minutes and saw 11 batters go to the dish.

Sean Madigan and Ollie Linton ended up getting back-to-back 2RBI singles to help blow things open here at Goodwin Field. Linton ended the inning by trying to stretch a single into a double and got nabbed.

Now, while taking an ice age to write the above paragraph, Nick Mahin just plastered a Bergman pitch over the left field wall to pull Fullerton within 8-3. Yes, things are changing that fast here. I've gotta quit typing so damn slow.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Turpen Troubles

Turpen who was throwing great, lost it in the sixth inning. after getting two quick outs Turpen hit Stock with a pitch. Owen gets an infield hit to third George tries to get him and throws it away moving the runners. Duda walks followed by another hit batter. Turpen gets yanked and replaced by Anton Maxwell.

Maxwell hits his first batter walking in a run. Estrella up with the bases loaded two outs... GRAND SLAM. Followed by another single. Maxwell is done here comes Eddie Kunz.

USC up 7 to 5 in the sixth.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Alvarez, de la Osa bust out

The slumping Pedro Alvarez, down 0-2 to Alabama's Bernard Robert, watched three balls and fouled off a couple of pitches before launching a ball about 410-415 feet to right-center and out of Hawkins Field, giving Vandy a 1-0 lead.

Unfortunately, David Macias was thrown out stealing two pitches prior, depriving the Commodores a run.

As a write, No. 3 hitter Dominic de la Osa launched a ball about that far as well, a towering shot to left-center in the at-bat that followed.

So it's 2-0 Commodores with one out in the third. The way the 'Tide have hit of late, and the way Mike Minor looks for Vandy today, that could hold up.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: Fireworks. UCI now leads 2-1 and still has bases loaded

Sean Urena lasted just 1.1 innings. Irvine was able to load the bases with no outs. Then, after getting an RBI single, UCI tried to pull off a suicide squeeze from 3rd, but the bunt went foul. Irvine coach Dave Serrano complained of catcher's interference. Umps said no dice.

Then, UCI pulled off a successful suicide squeeze two pitches later anyway. Ollie Linton was the runner doing all the dancing off third and scoring on the play. So it's now 2-1, bases still loaded with one out.

Still, both coaches are quite peeved. As are both fan bases here.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: 4-0 ECU after two

With apologies to ECU starter Dustin Sasser, it was Matt Langwell from Rice who walked three ECU batters in the first. Langwell is now gone after walking five of the ten batters he faced. ECU added two more runs in the 2nd on a single by Dale Mollenhauer and infield groundout by Ryan Tousley off reliever Scott Lonergan (both runs charged to Langwell).

I wish Eric Sorenson would send some of that warm southern California weather out here to the East Coast. Fortunately, Clark-LeClair Stadium has a wonderful press box, making the conditions much more bearable.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: 8, 10, 15

Those are the pitch counts, by inning, for Vandy's Mike Minor, who's faced one over the minimum so far. Minor gave up a two-out double down the third-base line that Pedro Alvarez probably should have fielded, but couldn't get to.

Minor got out of the jam, however, by retiring the next hitter, Brandon Belcher, on a pop to shallow left.

It goes without saying that the game is still scoreless after 2 1/2.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: USC on Board

USC just scored in the top of the fifth. 5 to 1 after Buss doubled and was hit in by Estrella.

They are showing CWS highlights on the Big Money Scoreboard, see this is something I wonder what other teams are thinking about it is not distasteful but...?

(Eric, I just don't know what they are talking about half the time and thanks for reminding me that the Masters is on I think I will pull that up myself.)

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: Hardman leads (weak?) Fullerton to 1-0 lead

Clark Hardman slammed a double to the centerfield wall to start the game for CSUF, and eventually came around to score. It's 1-0 Fullerton after one complete inning.

Looking at Fullerton's stat sheet, it's downright weird to see the Titans hitting just .273 as a team. Hardman leads things with his .344 average. Fullerton is rarely a big gorilla ball team, but this year they've hit just 12 home runs in 30 games.

The pitching staff is rather un-Fullertonlike as well, with a 4.03 team ERA. Yeah, I know that's pretty good, but by Titan standards...

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Hoods Up

Rain is back. Hoods are up and we are still playing it is Oregon you know.

In the bottom of the fourth, Lechelt doubles down the left field line. George follows with a double of his own scoring Lechelt. Canham RBI single. 5 to 0 OSU after four.

Oh, and by the time I finished typing this the rain stopped.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU: Bucs Strike First

Like John Rambo, the ECU Pirates drew first blood with 2 runs in the bottom of the first. Rice starter Dustin Sasser (3-1, 2.47) walked 3 batters in the first inning and couldn't escape the jam when Brandon Henderson drilled a 2 run single into left field.

There was a somewhat unusual play in the inning, when leadoff hitter Harrison Eldridge walked and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Dale Mollenhauer. The throw to second from 3B J.P. Padron went wildly into centerfield, but Eldridge was thrown out at third base when CF Tyler Henley threw to catcher Danny Lehmann (who was covering third). Eldridge rounded third and got tagged out by Lehmann as he tried to retreat to the bag. You don't see many 8-2 putouts in the infield.

Rice has gone down in order in the 2nd and still haven't had a runner reach base.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Vandy stars still slumping

Vanderbilt got two men on against Bernard Robert in the first, but stars Pedro Alvarez and Ryan Flaherty, hitting .211 and .167 respectively in SEC play, continue to slump and didn't help in this inning.

No. 2 hitter Alvarez popped to right with a man on first and nobody out, and Flaherty did the same with men on first and second and one out one batter later. Shea Robin then skied one to left to end the inning.

Once again, no score between Vandy and 'Bama after one.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: My first time to see UCI's Matt Morris

Irvine's Matt Morris (a .407 hitting left fielder) has earned some votes in CSTV's Player of the Year voting and this was the first time I'd had the chance to see him in person.

Morris came to the dish with men on 1st and 3rd with two out. He made good contact on a big shot to deep center field, but Titan outfielder Clark Hardman was able to run it down at the fence. Nice shot though.

It's all zeroes with Fullerton coming to the dish.

And Justin, Fullerton's dashing radio man extraordinaire just asked me if I was keeping up with the Masters on my computer... and he said this with a straight face. Man, you just don't ask a punk rock fan if he keeps up with golf.

(Ooh, and Casey. Going to the age card. Not good karma, mack.)

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Efficiency

As great a pitcher as Vandy all-American David Price is, he's not the most-polished pitcher on the staff. That honor belongs to true freshman Mike Minor, who just finished a 1-2-3 first inning on eight pitches.

While Price relies on a devastating fastball and hard slider (with a changeup that's also becoming increasingly effective), Minor gets his fastall to the plate around 91-92, and compliments it with an outstanding change-up that's indistinguishable from his fastball at the release point. Minor also has a great slider as well.

Anyway, Minor has just an unbelievable command of pitches, and unusual poise on the mound. One would NEVER guess that he was pitching against high school hitters a year ago (where he had a 0.08 ERA) as he looks like a big league veteran.

Alabama 0, Vandy with one out and a man on first in the bottom of the first.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Fullerton-UCI: Why I love SoCal weather

While most of you are freezin' your arse off, the temps are at mid-60s and overcast here in Disneyland. Sure it's a little cool and not quite sunny and all, but we're not in the 90s or like the rest of the country, suffering in biting cold conditions.

WTF is going on with the extended winter this year? Isn't the global warming thing supposed to be making us hotter... oh wait, it's supposed to bring more weather extremes. Nevermind. Mission accomplished Mother Nature.

We're 'bout to tip off... (er, damn, I can't shake my basketball mode), I mean, throw out first pitch here between the Titans and the Anteaters.

Sean Urena, who 1-hit Rice the last time I was here at Goodwin Field, goes pitch for pitch against UCI's Christian Bergman (0-2, 9.45).

And is Nebraska really beating Oklahoma State 8-1 already? Man.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Observations

Just a few things to note right now at the ball park.

1: Catcher Robert Stock of USC, is 17 years old. Kid is so athletic and smart he skipped his senior year of high school and got into SC.

2: Vasquez has a nice slow big breaking curve.

3: I wonder how opposing teams feel about the videos they play on the Big Money Scoreboard. Such as OSU beating USC in football.

4: I am MUCH MUCH younger then the other writers in the press box. They want to decorate with Farah Fawcett posters, is it sad that I know her only as a crazy lady who was at William Shatners roast?

5: Benny the Beaver finally has a baseball uniform.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

ECU/Rice

We're about to get going with game two of the Rice/East Carolina series from Greenville, NC. The eighth-ranked Owls took game one last night 4-0 behind a combined shutout by Ryan Berry and Ryne Tacker.

Thankfully, the ECU folks had the foresight to move this game up a few hours, since temperatures are expected to dip into the 20s later tonight. Right now it's mostly sunny but quite breezy, and the fans here at Clark-LeClair Stadium were wise enough to bundle up in ancticipation of the less than balmy weather.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Twenty Foot Stop

We have runs. Lechelt singles with two outs for OSU and moves up on a Drew George walk. Chris Hopkins with an infield single bases juiced for Canham. Canham delivers with a single to left center, scoring Lechelt and George. With runners on first and third Canham takes off on first movement stopping 20 feet short of second base, it worked as Hopkins snuck down the line to score. OSU 3 USC 0 after 2.

Big defense so far for the Beavs in the third. Wells made a great shoestring catch in right followed by a diving stop by Lechelt.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

NASHVILLE: Cold again

Not to be outdone by Friday's nastiniess, Saturday brings some unpleasantness of its own. We're 15 minutes from starting here at Hawkins Field, where the temperature is 38 degrees right now acccording to weather.com. For good measure, there has also been a slight breeze blowing a good bit of the day.

There are a few clouds in the sky, but at least the sun is shining between them for most of the time. I guess we'd better count our small blessings while we can, as tomorrow promises more of the same.

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Clouds...

Well the rain stopped for now but there are some HUGE clouds above us right now. Thank God for the turf infield.

Line-ups:
USC
Matt Cusic 2B, Grant Green SS, Robert Stock C, J.J. Owen DH, Lucas Duda LF, Nick Buss CF, Michael Torres RF, Hector Estrella 3B, Derek Perren 1B
Anthony Vasquez on the bump

OSU
Chris Hopkins CF, Mitch Canham C, Darwin Barney SS, Mike Lissman LF, Jason Ogata 1B, Braden Wells RF, Dale Solomon DH, Lonnie Lechelt 2B, Drew George 3B
Daniel Turpen on the hill

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Saturday, 04/07/07

Oregon State: Fingers Crossed

Well, Casey here once again. Linds is heading up towards home today to spend the holiday with the family. Bet that will please her mom. Mama Grogan was not to pleased when I told her I was not coming home for Easter, oh well.

Game has been pushed back 15 minutes to 12:15 due to good old Oregon weather. So those of you who want to see how this series winds up CROSS YOUR FINGERS!

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Friday, 04/06/07

Series evened up now

Well, despite good hitting from Mitch Canham and Darwin Barney (both went 2-for-4) the Beavs couldn't pull it out. They didn't necessarily hit poorly, USC just hit when they had more people on base. Green and Duda went 2-for-4 for the Trojans and Boxberger pitched a good game, striking out five in seven innings. Paterson, in contrast, struck out four in 7.1 innings.

OSU coach Pat Casey said in regards to it being a well pitched game, "it must have been, because we didn't put much up offensively."

"I think he had good command, I thought he really only had one pitch, but he threw it pretty well. We had opportunities and didn't take advantage of them," added Barney. "Paterson threw his ass off today and it's a shame we couldn't put some runs up for him ... We've gotta find someone to drive [runners] in."

In my humble opinion (which, as we've previously established, doesn't really mean crap) Paterson should have been pulled earlier. The eighth inning was kinda a disaster and I was surprised they didn't put Maxwell in earlier. But, these coaches know a lot more than I do, and Barney was right -- OSU HAS to hit the ball and get runners home if they want to win.

That's all for tonight. First pitch is supposed to be thrown tomorrow at noon. Turpen will start for the Beavs on the mound, so we'll see how that goes.

Adios!

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Price finishes it

All-American David Price just pitched a shutout ninth to improve to 6-0 on the season, as Vandy beats Alabama 3-0. Price's candidacy for the Roger Clemens Award just got stronger, as the junior lefty struck out 10 for his seventh double-digit strikeout effort in eight starts.

Price struck out Ryan Rhoden to lead off the ninth, then walked Matt Bentley. Jeff Texada tried to bunt, but popped it up, and Price sprinted to catch the ball just in foul territory before it hit the ground. It was one of the more athletic plays I've seen a pitcher make, not surprising considering that Price once had a basketball offer at Auburn.

Price got Brandon Belcher to bounce to second, and Alex Feinberg's flip to Ryan Flaherty at short ended it.

The No. 1-ranked Commodores improve to 28-4, and 6-4 in SEC play.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Vandy adds more

Vandy's Shea Robin added an RBI single to score Alvarez, then on Alex Feinberg's ground-out to first, a hustling Ryan Flaherty was going all the way from second. First baseman Matt Bentley didn't see him for a split-second, and when he did, catcher Rhoden couldn't handle a throw to the plate that probably wouldn't have been in time anyway.

That put Robin on third, and Matt Meingasner struck out. But the damage was done, and the Commodores have a 3-0 lead.

Perhaps just as importantly, 'Bama star Tommy Hunter came on in relief in the eighth. With Jim Wells struggling to find a third starter with Brandon Belcher unable to pitch, Hunter is the only good candidate for Wells to start on Sunday. However, that appears unlikely as Hunter threw about 18 pitches in the eighth.

Vanderbilt 3, Alabama 0 as Price trots out to pitch the ninth for Vandy.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Passed ball brings a run

Vanderbilt's David Macias led off the eighth with a walk, then on a perfectly-executed hit-and-run, the slumping Pedro Alvarez lined a sharp single to right for a first-and-third situation with none out.

With Dominic de la Osa at the plate, a Miers Quigley pitch got by catcher Ryan Rhoden, and Macias sprinted home before Rhoden's throw of the caroom off the brick wall beat him to the plate.

That gives Vandy a 1-0 lead, as Ryan Flaherty was intentionally-walked, and the Commodores have men at first and second with one away in the eighth.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Passed ball brings a run

Vanderbilt's David Macias led off the eighth with a walk, then on a perfectly-executed hit-and-run, the slumping Pedro Alvarez lined a sharp single to right for a first-and-third situation with none out.

With Dominic de la Osa at the plate, reliever Tommy Hunter's pitch got by catcher Ryan Rhoden, and Macias sprinted home before Rhoden's throw of the caroom off the brick wall beat him to the plate.

That gives Vandy a 1-0 lead, as Ryan Flaherty was intentionally-walked, and the Commodores have men at first and second with one away in the eighth.

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Friday, 04/06/07

Beavs have one more chance

OK since Reyes got out of that inning unscathed (struck out one looking, one swinging and Cusick popped one foul that Canham grabbed to end the inning), I get to make fun of him a little bit.

I work at the Barometer, OSU's daily student newspaper. I used to be the sports editor and am now the managing editor. Anyway, Reyes came into the office in and fall and applied to work. But instead of writing "photographer" as his first preference for a position, he wrote "picture taker."

We didn't hire him, if you were curious. And it's not just because his vocabulary is clearly lacking.

Drew George, the third baseman, leads off for the Beavs -- think they've got something in them to get this win?

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Price wiggles out of trouble

Vandy's David Price got in a jam through no fault of his own, but did a masterful job of pitching out of it in the eighth to keep the game scoreless.

With Alabama struggling to hit David Price, 'Bama's Brandon Belcher laid down a bunt to lead off the eighth and reached safely. Greg Paiml followed with a bunt to Pedro Alvarez at third, which Alvarez threw into center field to give the 'Tide men on second and third with none out.

Price got the dangerous Emeel Salem to pop to Matt Meingasner in shallow right, much too shallow for Belcher to tag and score. Price then intentionally walked Jake Smith to get a lefty-on-lefty matchup against No. 3 hitter Alex Avila, who'd fanned three times.

That prompted Jim Wells to bring in right-handed pinch-hitter Kyle Moore. Price threw a beautiful slider on a 1-1 count for strike two looking, then fanned Moore on either a cutting fastball or a slider just above his shoelaces.

That brought cleanup hitter Kent Matthes to the plate, who was 0-3. Matthes hit a weak chopper back back to first on the first pitch, and Price calmly flipped to Brad French at first for the putout.

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Friday, 04/06/07

Another frosh on mound for OSU

It looked, for a second, like OSU was going to score and make a comeback. With Canham and Barney on, Lissman struck out and Lennerton came to the plate. But Lennerton hit one right to the first baseman and the Trojans turned a double play to get out of the inning.

Already there's another guy on the hill for the Beavers. Jorge Reyes needs this inning to go a lot faster than the last time OSU was in the field if he wants OSU to have a chance to pull even or even pull ahead.

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Friday, 04/06/07

Another run for USC

Make that a 4-1 lead for the Trojans.

Buss hit one in front of the leftfielder and Duda scored from third base, giving USC another run. Duda was then caught stealing second, which, naturally, involved a dramatic call from the ump.

I'm telling you, these college officials are just in it hoping to get on TV with all their diva-like calls. Really.

Barney leads off for OSU here in the bottom of the eighth, and rips one down the middle, putting him on base.

The Trojans also have a new guy on the mound, Robert Stock. Don't know much about him, except that Canham just smacked one down the first baseline, moving Barney to third. It was Stock's first toss to Canham.

Hits are 8-5 in favor of USC, in case you were curious.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Still the same

Vanderbilt got the leadoff man on (Alex Feinberg) in the bottom of the seventh, and sacrificed him to second with one out. But Vandy's Ryan Davis grounded to second, and Brad French popped to right, and the game remains scoreless as we head to the eighth.

Vandy's David Price has thrown 97 pitches, 'Bama's Miers Quigley about 115.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: More of the same

We're in the seventh inning stretch, and Vandy and Alabama are still scoreless. 'Bama threatened with Jeff Texada's two-out walk in the seventh, but Vandy's David Price got him with a nice pickoff move to get Vandy out of the inning.

Price has struck out eight, given up two singles and walked two, and Alabama's Miers Quigley has fanned four and given up just three singles and walked a pair.

Vandy's No. 6-8 hitters coming to the plate now.

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Friday, 04/06/07

USC takes lead

Alright, USC was finally able to capitalize with runners on base.

After a single from Green, Owen shot one between first and second that advanced Green to third. USC then put in Mike O'Neill, a speedy freshman, to run for Owen. Duda was up next for the Trojans, and hit one just fair inside the first baseline. Kahalehoe, the OSU leftfielder, had to grab for it twice and the Trojans scored two. USC now leads 3-1.

Anton Maxwell is now in to pitch for the Beavs, as Paterson takes a seat on the bench. Me thinks they left Paterson in one inning too long -- before tonight, Paterson had never gone into the eighth from what we can gather. Kahalehoe just redeemed himself a bit with a diving catch for the second out of the inning.

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Friday, 04/06/07

That was weird

Paterson had to be sweating a little on that one.

Cusick, the top of the USC order, hit one right between first and second base, and Green's double moved Cusick all the way to third. The Beavs then got two outs, but both runners were still on. Then Paterson and Canham decided to intentionally walk Bowden. Kinda.

Paterson threw his first pitch high and right and then threw his second right down the middle for a strike. We're not sure if it was on accident or cleverness. Nonetheless, it was weird. Bowden did get intentionally walked, we decided, and then Paterson struck out Buss swinging. And then I'm sure Paterson gave a huge sigh of relief.

Still tied at 1-1.

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Friday, 04/06/07

That's outta here

Third baseman Hector Rabago just slammed one over the fence with no outs, so now we're tied up at 1 apiece.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Try something... ANYTHING

I just witnessed a rather unorthodox bit of strategy from Vandy's Tim Corbin that nearly backfired, then seemed to work like a charm, then ended harmlessly.

The Commodores pieced together consecutive two-out sigles from Matt Meingasner and Ryan Davis and had runners at the corners in the bottom of the fifth. On a 2-2 count to Brad French, the Commodores then attempted a double steal, and 'Bama pitcher Miers Quigley had Meingasner dead-to-rights at home.

But Meingasner put on the brakes, and on his retreat to third, 'Bama's Jake Smith got just a little too far inside the line, and Meingasner ran around him and slid back into third. Davis alertly took second on the play.

That seemed to rattle Quigley, who then walked French. But David Macias grounded to second to end the inning.

Still scoreless after five complete in Nashville. Vandy's David Price has struck out six.

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Friday, 04/06/07

Ding ding

Ugh, note to self: do not park so close to the stadium.

In that last inning alone, there were two or three foul balls that we could hear hit cars. And I'm sure one of them sounded like it was hitting MY car. Please don't let it be true.

Nothing too exciting -- three up, three down again. USC has just one hit so far in the game and that came in the first inning. They also have two errors, one of which just came that got Barney on base. One out ... and The Man, Canham is up.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Still scoreless

The temperature at Hawkins Field has dipped to 37 degrees, and the bats are just as cold. Alabama and Vandy have but one hit apiece after 3 1/2 innings in a scoreless game.

Vandy's David Price has struck out five, and the Tide's Miers Quigley three, as Quigley will see No's. 2, 3 and 4 Alvarez, de la Osa, and Ryan Flaherty.

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Friday, 04/06/07

Defensive mindset

And Joey Wong just proved why he was the best high school baseball player in the state last year.

Wong stopped a nasty grounder from Bowden that got the Beavs out of the inning. Before Bowden, LF Lucas Duda ripped a triple all the way to the fence, so the Trojans were in position to tie up the game. But Wong's quick glove saved the day. In the press box, the talk among all of us sports writers is that Wong might be as good -- and potentially better -- than last year's Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, Chris Kunda.

As you might remember, the Beavers lost a TON on the mound and a good portion of their infield, but Wong and other newcomers have filled in nicely.

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Friday, 04/06/07

OSU on scoreboard

There's a reason OSU has been winning so much lately. Well, actually, there are a lot of reasons, but one of them is Mitch Canham, who's off to one of the hottest starts in college baseball this spring. Coming into the game Canham was hitting .374 and he just came up big for the Beavs.

After a single and stolen base by Barney, Canham stepped to the plate and dropped one behind USC shortstop Green. Canham's single scored Barney, so OSU is up 1-0 as we start the top of the fourth.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: F9

"F9" is the scoring designation for a fly ball to right field, and after three innings in the field, I've written that exactly five times on Alabama's portion of the scorecard, as Vandy's right fielder Ryan Davis has already recorded five of the Commodores' nine outs made.

Considering that seven of 'Bama's nine hitters are right-handed, that's a statement of how hard David Price is to hit tonight.

No score after 2 1/2. as the Commodores' Matt Meingasner has just led off the bottom of the third with a single to center.

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Friday, 04/06/07

Good DNA

Still no score ... each team got a guy on base, but neither could score.

Boxberger, the true frosh on the mound for the Trojans, has some good pitching blood in him:his dad, Rod, went 12-1 with a 2.00 ERA in the CWS in 1978 when USC won the title. He was also named the CWS MVP.

So this kid's got a lot to live up to.

Three up, three down for the Beavs in the top of three.

I'm not sure how much you've heard about the new scoreboard out here at Goss Stadium, but it's pretty fancy for a so-called "cowtown." They haven't done any instant replay (though its said to have "instant replay capabilities") so instead they show two things repeatedly. OSU's run to the national championship and the football team's 33-31 upset win over USC this last fall.

WIld pitch by Boxberger and Wallace is on base for OSU. Barney's up for the Beavs (who, for the record, is probably the nicest Oregon State athlete you could hope to interview).

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Not to be outdone

more >
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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Price smoking after one

Vandy's David Price usually settles in around 93-94 MPH with his fastball, but can dial it up to 98 or 99 on a good night.

Tonight looks like a good night; I can't see the radar guns down on the field, but it looked to me like Price may be closer to the high end of his range. He had a little trouble spotting his pitches and walked Jake Smith, but struck out No. 3 hitter Alex Avila, then got Kent Matthes to fly the other way to deep right for the third out.

0-0, Commodores coming to bat.

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Friday, 04/06/07

Beavs have a chance, but no dice

OK, we're through 1 and no score. And man, OSU had a chance!

After Hopkins and LF John Wallace both grounded out, Barney got a single to get on base. Then, battling back from being two down, catcher Mitch Canham reached first on an error by USC shortstop Grant Green. Barney advanced to third, with Canham on first. DH Mike Lissman was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but first baseman Jordan Lennerton couldn't deliver. Lennerton struck out swinging, and according to the crowd, his second strike was a little questionable.

USC came out swinging but couldn't get anyone on base. It's probably a good sign for the Trojans though, if they're at least being agressive. In case you weren't around yesterday, USC started being agressive and getting on base a little too late.

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Friday, 04/06/07

Sunny weather again

OK, "sunny" might be a bit of a stretch because it's not exactly blazing sunshine, but it certainly isn't raining.

OSU and USC are gearing up for game 2 of the three-game series. OSU won 9-2 yesterday behind a great performance from outfielder Chris Hopkins. Hopkins went 2-for-4 with a double and 3 RBI and helped the Beavs cruise to their first Pac-10 win. USC pitcher Ryan Cook kind of fell apart on the mound, while OSU's Mike Stutes struck out six and improved his record to 7-1.

Coaches are at the plate, so we'll be under way soon. In the meantime, catcher Mitch Canham's rap, "O State Ballaz" is playing. Or was -- now it's Tim McGraw.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Underway

With snow flurries in the air and a game-time temperature of 38 degrees, Vandy's David Price gets all-SEC centerfielder Emeel Salem to ground to first in the game's first at-bat.

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Friday, 04/06/07

NASHVILLE: Typical baseball weather

On my drive to Vanderbilt's Hawkins FIeld, I saw snow flurries, not a normal site for a Nashville April day.

Then again, it's baseball weekend in Nashville, which is a sure-fire recipe for poor weather. While it's hard to feel too sorry for Commodore coach Tim Corbin, who has America's No. 1 team, you have to feel for his plight as he tries to build a fan base in Nashville.

The Hawk" is a beautiful, fan-friendly park with reasonable ticket prices and has just been expanded to almost 2,100 seats, but it's hard to build a fan base (which, BTW, was non-existent before his arrival) if it's 30-45 degrees every game, or raining if it's warmer.

Let's hope this doesn't hurt the Commodores' chances of hosting a Regional or a Super Regional; it shouldn't, as the turnouts have been good on the rare occasions when the weather has been nice, and reasonably good even on the bad weather days. But attendance figures are sometimes the bottom line, and if the selection committee is just looking at butts in seats and not considering how the climate is costing the team hundreds of fans a game... it shouldn't happen, but you never know.

In any case, it'll be Vandy's David Price (5-0, 2.88, 59.1 IP, 89 K's) vs. 'Bama's Miers Quigley (4-0, 2.63, 51.1 IP, 51 K's) in about an hour.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

And we're outta here

Beavers win, 9-5. The Trojans tried to make it interesting by scoring Hector Estrella on Green's hit, but the last batter flied out and and OSU picked up its first Pac-10 win.

Okay, faithful readers, I'm out of here as well. I won't be headed to the post game press conference tonight because I have a good amount of homework, but I'll be back for the rest of the series tomorrow and Saturday. I hope you all didn't mind reading Casey's work while I was gone. Who am I kidding? You probably liked reading his work a lot more than you do mine -- that kid is a baseball nut! I was off on other assignments for CSTV, but now I'm back. Not just for baseball though ... occassionally I attend class.

Thank you and good night!

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Thursday, 04/05/07

USC chips away in eighth

I was only out of the press box for like, five minutes, and so much happened! First, Oregon State turned a double play -- the stuff the Beavs are known for -- and then Owen hit his SECOND home run of the day, also knocking in Lopez. OSU is still up 9-4 and go tout of the inning without a lot of problems, but USC could pull off a miracle.

Mark Grbavac is in to throw for the Beavs. I always like when Grbavac does well because he went to Central Catholic High School, which was in the same conference as my high school, Sandy. The Mt. Hood Conference isn't exactly a powerhouse (with the exception of volleyball), so it's always nice to see MHC athletes get it done at the next level.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Beavs up 9-2

Lissman scored Barney on an overthrow to first base. Beavers now lead 8-2 with Lennerton at the plate.

Lennerton singles, and Lissman comes home from second. Make that 9-2.

Man, these USC pitchers can't catch a break. Shawn Olsen is in now and his first hitter was Lissman. Not fun for him.

In other news, there is a little girl yelling "Go Beavers!" at the top of her lungs who has been at it all game. I wonder if she's tired at all.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Wallace goes deep, Beavs up 7-2

Wallace just hit a double to the rightfield fence, scoring Hopkins.

And now Barney got on the hit board, scoring Wallace. You could be snoozing here in the press box and suddenly there is so much going on.

Encinas hasn't been on the mound long, but he's already falling apart. There's one out (in the top of the eighth in case you aren't paying close attention) and the Beavs have already scored two runs. OSU leads 7-2.

Encinas is gone, and Kevin Zelenay is going to warm up and see if he can stop the sudden barrage of Beaver hits.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

7th inning stretch

That didn't go so well: Buss ripped a double on Keitzman's first pitch, advancing Torres to third. The slow clap is starting now with two strikes and no balls.

Green smacked one to SS Barney, who picked it up and fired to first base for the third out. So the Beavers escape that inning and still lead 5-2.

Anthony Encinas is now pitching for USC and he walked Wong to start the inning.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Stutes done for day

With one runner on and two outs, Spencer just pulled Stutes in favor of freshman left-hander Blake Keitzman, who's from Roseburg, Ore.

Buss, the top of the Trojans' order, is at the plate right now. One runner on first ...

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Thursday, 04/05/07

And ... we're in top of 7

Stutes is still on the mound for the Beavs and first baseman J.J. Owen is leading off for USC.

It's still nice weather, which is shocking. There's also a nice crowd, and the stands on the first baseline are almost full.

Owen smacked a home run over the fence, and Spencer, the OSU pitching coach, came out to talk with Stutes and Canham about it. Beaver lead 5-2. Stutes is still throwing though, with Michael Torres at the plate.

Torres just hit a single, but Stutes is going to see a few more batters it looks like. He could really use an out right here.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

USC gets on board

Trojans finally scored as Matt Cusick hit a single, scoring Buss. Just one out, with Robert Stock on deck.

Are the Trojans mounting a comeback? I'm doubtful, because Stutes has done pretty damn well on the mound this evening.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Starting top of six

I was wrong -- Cook is still out on the mound. We'll see how long this lasts.

Okay in other news, since it was all over the Oregon media today, OSU unveiled a new athletic logo yesterday. This one doesn't have the "U" in it. It's similar to USC's, but (obviously) with an "O" and an "S."

Personally, I believe it's really ugly.

Canham's up ... pops one up. And Lissman flies out to end the inning. Lissman has absolutely ripped two shots, but both them them have been right to an outfielder. Nick Buss starts off the inning for USC at the plate.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Hopkins delivers

This kid deserves the player of the game award, in my counts-for-nothing opinion.

Hopkins just dropped a hit between the left and centerfielder, scoring Lennerton and Kahalehoe. Beavers are now up 5-0 with Wallace at the plate. Count's 2-1 ... I'm thinking this will be Cook's last inning.

Yikes! Wallace just fouled off a pitch that almost hit me! And when I say me I mean it came within 10 feet. Really, if it was going to hit anyone, it would have been the writer from The O. Or maybe the play-by-play guy, Mike Parker.

Wallace struck out, so we move onto the top of the fifth.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Still 3-0, OSU

Kahalehoe (my new goal for spring term is to be able to spell that kid's name without looking at the roster) knocked a hit that advanced Lennerton (who reached first on a walk) and now we've got the rook, Joey Wong, at the plate.

I'll confess that this is the first OSU baseball game I've been to, so I haven't seen Wong play in person yet. But I know he was a stud in high school, his dad is one of the coaches and he's already made an impact, so he could bring everyone home.

And ... he grounds out. Two outs for the Trojans and Hopkins is up to bat.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Canham walks

Cook walked Canham and then called his catcher to the mound, so I thought he might be losing his stuff. But USC got out of the inning when Lissman flied out. In the press box, we thought Lissman's shot might be going over the fence.

OSU still leads 3-0 and we're just about to start top of 4.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Beavs get on board

It worked! My plea for someone to score was answered. Hopkins got ahold of Ryan Cooks' pitch and hit one past the shortstop, knocking in a run. Then he (barely) stole second.

And Wallace hits a shot down the third baseline! (This is so much more fun to type as it's happening.) Hopkins crossed the plate.

And in the time it took me to type that, Wallace also scored on an error. What an exciting few minutes for all the Beaver fans here. Suddenly, OSU is up 3-0. They're finally getting ahold of the ball, stealing (USC overthrowing a few times is also helping) and getting to home. It's a good thing Wallce reached second on a balk because he's not exactly, uh, fast.

Canham's up now. 1-1 count ... really enjoys hitting with a full count. Talk about thriving under pressure.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Someone, please score

Alright, we're through 3.5 innings and ... nothing. USC's got a few guys on base, but can't score. Nick Buss reached first on a shot to left and Anthony Vasquez knocked one past Stutes but the Beavs scooped it up and hit first base before the Trojans could do any damage.

Koa Kahalehoe (what a name ... you wanna try to pronounce it?) just got hit by pitch, so he's on first now. Maybe OSU will finally be able to get on the scoreboard.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

No score after 1

Oh my God. I feel like I've gone back in time. That stupid "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play today" centerfield song is playing! Are we in Omaha? What's going on?!

Stutes started for the Beavs ... three up, three down.The writer from The Oregonian that's in the press box -- who was in Arizona to witness the massacre -- said OSU made more plays in that one inning than they did the whole weekend in Tucson. Man, it must have been ugly.

Hopkins and Lissman both ground out and Barney struck out.

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Thursday, 04/05/07

Corvallis: It's 75 degrees

That's right my friends, you read it correctly ... 75 degrees! In Oregon! In April!

It will probably last approximately 17 minutes longer, so I'll enjoy it while I can.

The defending champs are back home after a rough road trip to Arizona. The Beavers got swept by the Wildcats, 5-4, 8-2 and 17-14. It was a rough weekend. But now OSU is back home against the USC Trojans who are currently 1-2 in Pac-10 play.

Beavs are taking the field right now and USC is standing around swinging bats. Let's play ball!

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Turner wins it

Connor Powers led off the ninth with a single and took second on Nick Hardy’s pinch-hit sacrifice. After Marc Goforth’s groundout pushed Powers to third, Jeffrey Rea drew a five pitch walk from reliever Duran Ferguson.

Brandon Turner drove a ball to the wall to end the game.

Miss State wins the game 5-4 and the series 2to1.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Moreland ties it

After Brandon Turner led off the MSU eighth with a single, Kentucky almost erased him on a twin-killing. Edward Easely hit a sharp grounder to third. UK’s Matt McKinney made a quick throw to force the lead runner but Brian Spear came off a little premature on his pivot before throwing out Easley at first. MSU took advantage of the gift on the next pitch as Mitch Moreland slammed a home run to right to tie the game.

New ballgame here in Starkville tied at 4 bottom 8.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Cats crowding the plate

MSU starter Josh Johnson went five innings. He pitched well allowing just three hits and two runs. He walked three, struck out eight. But the standout statistic is that he hit four batters. Through seven innings, Kentucky has six hit by pitches. Coming into the game, they’ve been hit by 58 pitches in 28 games.

Brock Wright’s bases-loaded sac fly in the seventh gave Kentucky the lead.

3-2 in the top of the eighth.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

OU-UT: Sooners Avoid the Broom

Oklahoma again got very solid pitching, but also woke up the bats today and avoided a sweep with a 5-2 win over Texas. 5 runs, 11 hits, and 1 error for the Sooners; 2-7-0 for Texas.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Vandy wins two out of three

While South Carolina did win today's game 8-2 receiving great performances from DH Phil Disher and starter Blake Cooper. Nobody here will forget who the victor of this seies was. You can't take anything away from how well Carolina played today, and on Friday even in a loss, but the Commodores were able to go on the road and take two out of three from the previously No. 1 ranked Gameocks at their house.

Winning pitcher - Blake Cooper (4-0)

Losing pitcher - Nick Christiani (5-2)

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Sunday, 04/01/07

OU-UT: OU Gets Another

In the middle of the 8th, OU now leads 5-2.

Jackson Williams' solo homer in the eighth gave the Sooners a little insurance.

OU reliever Nich Conaway is coming out for his third inning of work, and he's tough. Coming into today's game, he had pitched 22 innings, allowed only 18 hits and 7 walks, and had fanned 33. He's got a good hard fastball and really comes after hitters. So far today he has thrown two hitless innings with a strikeout.

OU starter Joseph Hughes' final line: Five innings, six hits, two (earned) runs, one walk and three strikeouts.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Smack - we're tied

There is a sure way to not strand runners. After leaving eight on base through three, Sawyer Carroll took it upon himself to get his team on the board. He thwacked a Josh Johnson pitch well over the wall in right for a game-tying two-run homer.

2-2 in the MSU 4th.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

OU-UT: OU Fights Back

OU has countered UT's 4th-inning crooked two with an even more crooked three spot in the top of the fifth. After five innings, the Sooners lead 4-2. It's the first time all weekend that Oklahoma has put anything other than a one or zero on the board in an inning.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Bulldogs score first

For the first time in the series, Mississippi State scored first.

Mississippi State scored in the third after Jeffrey Rea singled and Brandon Turner drove him in with a double. Edward Easley followed with a gift-double as centerfielder Antone DeJesus lost the ball in the sun. That pushed Turner to third. He scored on a Mitch Moreland groundout.

Kentucky starter Greg Dombrowski is battling a back injury and was a last minute decision on whether he could today. He hasn't pitch badly, but has labored a bit with his delivery. He is likely on a short leash with the bad back.

2-0 Bullies in the fourth.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

No runs but plenty of action

Both teams have had men all over the bases early but neither has scored. Kentucky left the bases loaded in both the first and the second inning. After a flyout ended the UK second, Wildcat head coach John Cohen let his team have it in the dugout.

Mississippi State stranded a pair of runners in the first as well. Eventually, these teams are going to break through but so far the pitchers have pitched their way into and out of trouble.

No score in the Kentucky third.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

OU-UT: The Elusive Crooked Number

For the second time all weekend, someone put a crooked number on the scoreboard. Texas now leads OU 2-1 after four.

Oklahoma blew a huge chance to add to their 1-0 lead in the fourth. Devin Shepherd led off with a ground rule double, then moved to third when Aaron Reza hit a roller that scooted between short and third. Then on a hit-and-run play, Jackson Williams hit a grounder up the middle. Fortunately for Texas, second baseman Travis Tucker was covering on the play, so he was able to field the ball near the dirt cutout around second. More fortunately for Texas, Shephard got a terrible jump, and Tucker was able to throw him out at home. A backwards K and a fly out got the Longhorns out of the inning unscathed.

Texas took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Jordan Danks led off with a double, moved to third on a ground out, and scored on Kyle Russell's deep sac fly. Preston Clark followed with an absolute no-doubter that easily cleared the Texas bullpen behind the left field wall and landed somewhere near Pflugerville.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

OU-UT: Sooners Finally Get a Lead

After three innings in Austin, Oklahoma has its first lead of the series, 1-0.

In their first at-bat Texas uncharacteristically blew a chance to take control early. The first three Longhorns singled, but two were wiped out by baserunning blunders. OU catcher Jackson Williams picked Travis Tucker off second, then Chance Wheeless was doubled off after right fielder Joe Dunigan made a nice running catch.

Oklahoma took the lead in the third after the bottom of their order set the table. Vincent Biancamano (batting .178) and Aaron Ivey singled, and one out later, Joe Dunigan delivered a two-out single to get the Sooners on the board.

It's worth noting that Texas has had Sunday troubles before. The Horns are only 4-4 on Sundays this season, compared to 21-4 on the other days of the week.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Gamecocks in control

Heading into the bottom of the 8th, South Carolina leads this game 8-2. The Commodores picked up their first two runs of the game on consecutive Rbi doubles by center fielder David Macias and second baseman Alex Feinberg.

The runs chased Carolina starter Blake Cooper out of the game, but not until he went 7.2 innings allowing 2 earned runson just 6 hits. The Commodores were aggresive at the plate all day long, and he took advantage of it.

It appears that Carolina is well on their to avoiding the sweep here in Columbia.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Drying the field in Starkville

The rain is gone - at least for now and the sun is peeking out. We are going to play here at Dudy Noble Field.

Pat Green's "Wave on Wave" is playing on the PA (hey Sorenson, real music with words and everything). Wave on wave is kind of what these offenses have been doing in the first two games of the series.

In Friday's 10-7 MSU victory, The Bulldogs rallied from a 7-1 deficit to score seven in the seventh and two in the ninth.

Saturday Kentucky jumped out to a lead and extended it in a 10-6 victory.

Today both teams will turn to veterans to hold back these explosive hitters. MSU throws senior Josh Johnson (2-1/7.20) while Kentucky counters with junior Greg Dombroski (3-1/4.31).

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Sunday, 04/01/07

All Carolina early

The Gamecocks lead after 3 innings 5-0. Vandy starter Nick Christiani was chased out of the game after pitching just 2.1 innings. Meanwhile, Gamecocks starter Blake Cooper continues to roll in allowing just one hit.

This game has all the makings of a blowout. The Commodores may adjust by being more patient at the plate to make Cooper work. Vanderbilt will certainly need to make some adjustment as their current strategy has been ineffective at producing much at the plate.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Big start for home team

Just as Vanderbilt jumped out to a quick lead in yesterday's game, the Gamecocks did the same today. Third baseman James Darnell took a 1-1 pitch out to left field that bounced to the softball stadium adjacent to the outfield wall. After a four pitch walk to first baseman Justin Smoak, designated hitter Phil Disher stepped and smacked a 1-0 pitch out to left so hard that all left fielder Ryan Davis did was stop and look up.

On the mound, Carolina starter Blake Cooper has not allowed a runner to get past first base in two innings of work against Vanderiblt. In the bottom of the 2nd, the score is now 3-0 Gamecocks lead.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

OU-UT: Broom Day?

You honestly couldn't order up more perfect weather than we have today in Austin for round three of Texas-OU. We have a cloudless sky so blue it makes you squint, a light southeasterly breeze, and temps right around 80.

Oklahoma looks like a very good team, but they've run into a great team that really has their number. The Sooners haven't won a game in Austin since 1997, losing 15 in a row.

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Sunday, 04/01/07

Getaway Day in Columbia

The Gamecocks will try to salvage this weekend's series against Vanderbilt with a win at home wearing their Sunday garnet. The Commodores will look to sweep the Gamecocks wearing their gold uniforms. While there are not 6,000 fans in attendance at Sarge Frye Field, there is still a good crowd here.

The Commodores throw out Nick Christiani (5-1, 3.05 ERA, 33 K, 18 BB) against Carolina's Blake Cooper (3-0, 1.00 ERA, 17 K, 4 BB).

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