Wright State ace Alex Kaminsky threw a gem to beat the Cavaliers on Friday, but they rebounded to finish the week 3-1. Virginia's pitching is steady, but its offense is really doing the heavy lifting (.381/.461/.559). Keith Werman and Phil Gosselin (.451/.473/.667 on the year) had great weeks. The upcoming UVa./Florida State weekend matchup will be enthralling.
2. LSU (2)
The undefeated Tigers continued to tear the cover off the ball this week. LSU will need ace Anthony Ranaudo back soon, but Micah Gibbs (.436/.500/.667), Trey Watkins (.366/.519/.561 with 6 SB), Matt Gaudet (.359/.457/.769 with 5 HR) and others are doing a fine job carrying the team on their back.
3. Texas (3)
Questions linger about the Longhorns' bats, but they managed to go 2-1 at the Houston College Classic over the weekend. Once Kevin Keyes, Connor Rowe, Cameron Rupp, and Russell Moldenhauer get going I don't think Texas will have as many struggles scoring runs. RHPs Taylor Jungmann (7.2 IP, 1 R, 8 K) and Brandon Workman (8 IP, 1 R, 7 K) were stellar on Friday and Saturday, respectively.
4. Florida State (5)
The Seminoles can make a case for being the most impressive team in the country over the season's first three weeks. FSU decimated Georgia this weekend and is now 10-0. The 'Noles unbelievably have a .511 team OBP and 5 batters with slash stats of .400/.500/.600 or above. LHPs Sean Gilmartin and John Gast are forming a nice duo atop the rotation.
5. Georgia Tech (4)
Georgia Tech pounded Rutgers by a combined score of 33-9 in 3 games. Deck McGuire dazzled once again (8 IP, 0 R, 9 K) and lefty Jed Bradley regained form (6 scoreless with 9 K) to lead the pitching staff. C Cole Leonida (.474/.545/.789) and OF Chase Burnette (.465/.489/.791) are blistering the ball this year and the Yellow Jackets have cracked 21 home runs already.
6. Arizona State (6)
The Sun Devils still haven't been tested much this season. They did stay undefeated on the year and scored 38 runs in 4 games on the week. A variety of hitters including Drew Maggi, Kole Calhoun, and Zach Wilson had strong weeks at the dish. I'm excited to catch some of the ASU/Auburn series this weekend (and hopefully ASU ace Josh Spence will be healthy by then).
7. Florida (7)
Florida had a solid week and won a series at rival Miami. The Gators still stand out for their deep roster, but they are still figuring out who will fill what roles.
8. Rice (8)
The Owls went 4-1 on the week, only losing a one-run game to Texas at the Houston College Classic. The best sign is that they had solid pitching from weekend starters Taylor Wall (7.1, 2 R, 8 K), Tony Cingrani (6.2, 2 R), and Boogie Anagnostou (7 IP, 1 R).
9. Coastal Carolina (9)
Coastal had a perfect week and has to be pleased with the efforts of aces Cody Wheeler (6.1, 3 R) and Anthony Meo (6 IP, 2 R). The Chanticleers' offense has been ignited by Rico Noel (.381/.552/.667 with 15 SB on the year).
10. Louisville (10)
The Cardinals continued to play like an Omaha team, playing well offensively and defensively despite being without 1B Andrew Clark and OF Josh Richmond. Louisville's trip to Oxford to take on #18 Mississippi will be a marquee matchup this weekend.
11. TCU (12)
The Horned Frogs lost a close one to Rice at the Houston College Classic, but won the rest of their games on the week. TCU is in fantastic shape in all phases of the game, and received strong weekend starts from Steven Maxwell (6 IP, 2 R), Matt Purke (5.1 IP, 1 R, 7 K), and Kyle Winkler (6.1 IP, 3 R).
12. East Carolina (11)
LHP Kevin Brandt moved up to Friday and continued to throw well (6 IP, 1 R, 8 K). ECU also got strong pitching from RHPs Seth Maness and Zach Woods (who relieved Brad Mincey on Saturday after he went down with an injury). The Pirates had a perfect week.
13. Clemson (13)
Clemson posted an impressive series victory over South Carolina over the weekend. The Tigers have to like that OF Chris Epps's bat is starting to heat up.
14. UCLA (16)
UCLA remained undefeated largely on the strength of its elite pitching. Gerrit Cole, Trevor Bauer, and Rob Rasmussen each surrendered just one run in their starts. The Bruins' offense (Tyler Rahmatulla, Dean Espy, and Cody Regis especially) have been doing their part as well, perhaps due to the influence of Assistant Coach Rick Vanderhook.
15. Arkansas (17)
Righty Mike Bolsinger pitched well on Friday (7 IP, 3 R) to help the Razorbacks take a series from Cal. Zack Cox, Andy Wilkins, and Tim Carver had nice weeks at the dish. Arkansas is now 8-2 overall.
16. North Carolina (18)
The Tar Heels swept Michigan to improve to 10-1. Junior RHP Matt Harvey was brilliant on Friday (8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 11 K) to set the tone for the remainder of the weekend. 1B Dillon Hazlett (.395/.490/.579) has been the club's top hitter so far, and OF Ben Bunting (.464 OBP) has been very solid.
17. UC Irvine (14)
Irvine didn't play great this week, but did manage to win a weekend series versus St. Mary's. Eric Pettis was fantastic for the 'Eaters, throwing 8 innings on Saturday after finishing a game on Friday. LHP Daniel Bibona (7 IP, 2 R, 11 K) was also sharp, and I have little long-term concern for UCI. Its line drive-oriented offense will come around soon.
18. Ole Miss (19)
The Rebels won a good series at Tulane. Drew Pomeranz (6 IP, 1 R, 6 K) and Aaron Barrett (6.1 IP, 1 R, 7 K) performed well, but Trent Rothlin was tripped up (3.2 IP, 6 R) in a loss on Sunday.
19. Oregon State (21)
OSU lost to Arizona State but beat two weaker opponents at a tournament in Arizona. Lefties Tanner Robles (7.2 IP, 9 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K) and Matt Boyd (6.2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 BB, 7 K) stole the show in the two victories.
20. Miami (20)
Miami had a fairly uninspiring weekend, losing to Florida. The 'Canes will look to turn it around against Central Florida and Boston College in the upcoming week.
21. Ohio State (24)
Ohio State scored 12 runs per game this week and looks impressive (though it has not faced elite competition thus far). OF Michael Stephens (.481/.531/.889) and Zach Hurley (.409/.480/.705) are both seeing the ball well.
22. Vanderbilt (23)
Vandy didn't play its best, but did sweep three games in the Music City Classic. Sonny Gray (7 IP, 1 R, 10 K) and Taylor Hill (7.1 IP, 2 R) pitched well again. 1B Curt Casali tore it up at the plate and is now hitting .486/.592/.811, but will miss about two weeks with a hamstring injury. Bryan Johns continues to swing a hot stick and freshman SS Anthony Gomez has played terrifically when he has gotten the opportunity. The Commodores could use more consistency out of Sunday starter Jack Armstrong.
23. Stanford (NR)
Stanford beat UC Davis in a mid-week game then won a series against UC Santa Barbara this week. Youth still abounds in Stanford, as a bevy of underclassmen is getting its chance. OF Jake Stewart (.570 OPS) is struggling, but fellow super-frosh Kenny Diekroeger (.382/.447/.559) is still hot. The Trees have a nice matchup against Pepperdine coming up.
24. Cal State Fullerton (15)
What's up with the Big West superpowers? UC Irvine is just 6-5 while preseason #3 Fullerton has dropped two of three weekend series. Talented juniors Christian Colon (.225/.326/.325) and Gary Brown (478/.489/.826 with 7 SB) are trending in opposite directions. RHPs Noe Ramirez and Tyler Pill pitched well this week and I think the TItans will be turn everything around soon, but can't afford for ace Daniel Renken to miss much time (he left Friday's game with back stiffness).
25. Kentucky (25)
Alex Meyer was hit hard in a loss to San Diego State, and Taylor Rogers (2.1 IP, 10 R) flopped versus Monmouth, but the Wildcats won the three of four games on the week. LHP Logan Darnell tossed a complete-game shutout and 3B Andy Burns had a good week offensively.
Out
San Diego (22)
Next Tier
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Texas A&M
New Mexico
Kansas
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