CB360’s Tribute to the 2010 CWS Primetime Performers

For the first time since mid-February, we are coming out of a weekend that featured no college baseball. A few days earlier, the season concluded in Omaha with South Carolina’s extra-inning victory over UCLA. CollegeBaseball360.com recently announced its latest edition of the Primetime Performer Honor Roll – with 14 players recognized for their clutch play during the 2010 College World Series.  (front-page photo courtesy of TCU)

A full tribute to the CWS Primetime Performers follows below, featuring headshots and action photos – along with expanded bio./accomplishment capsules – for each of the 14 players.

Leading the way are TCU senior catcher Bryan Holaday (Dallas, Texas) and South Carolina sophomore lefthander Michael Roth (Greer, S.C.), the respective Primetime Player and Primetime Pitcher of the 2010 College World Series (as selected by CollegeCaseball360.com).

CLICK HERE for the CB360 Primetime Performer archive.

CLICK HERE for CWS team/players stats package (provided exclusively by CollegeBaseball360.com)

Roth is joined by four other South Carolina players on CB360’s 2010 CWS Primetime Performers Honor Roll: senior RHP Blake Cooper (Neeses, S.C.), sophomore centerfielder Jackie Bradley, Jr. (Prince George, Va.), freshman first baseman Christian Walker (Limerick, Pa.) and fr./so. RH closer Matt Price (Sumter, S.C.). Holaday was one of three TCU players named to the Primetime team, along with sophomore shortstop Taylor Featherston (Katy, Texas) and freshman LHP Matt Purke (Spring, Texas).

UCLA – which finished as runner-up but had inconsistent performances from numerous individual players – is represented on the CWS Primetime Perforemrs list by freshman centerfielder Beau Amaral (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and sophomore righthanded strikeout machine Trevor Bauer (Valencia, Calif.). Two Oklahoma players – who both hail from the home state of rival Texas – also are Primetime honorees: sophomore catcher Tyler Ogle (San Antonio) and junior RHP Zach Neal (Flower Mound). Two other players round out the 2010 CWS Primetime Honor Roll: Florida State junior centerfielder Tyler Holt (who hails from Gainesville, site of rival University of Florida) and Clemson jr./so. third baseman John Hinson (Asheville, N.C.)

The CWS Primetime honorees include five starting pitchers (RHPs Cooper, Bauer and Neal; LHPs Roth and Purke), three centefielders (Bradley, Amaral and Holt) and a pair of catchers (Holaday and Ogle), plus the first baseman Walker, shortstop Featherson, third baseman Hinson and closer Price. The 14 selections feature the battle-tested seniors Holaday and Cooper, three juniors (Hinson, Holt & Neal), a group of six sophomore that includes several likely high draft picks in 2010 (Bradley, Bauer, Featherston, Ogle, Price and Roth), and the promising freshman trio of Amaral, Purke & Walker.

The honorees hail from seven different home states, led by five from Texas (the TCU and Oklahoma players) and three of the South Carolina players who are native sons (Cooper, Price & Roth), plus the UCLA duo (both in-state California products) and one each from Florida (Holt), North Carolina (Hinson), Pennsylvania (Walker) and Virginia (Bradley).

… ROTH rose to the occasion during four appearances at the 2010 College World Series, where he compiled a 1.10 ERA and answered the call with strong outings in his first two starts of the season (he also made only two starts as a freshman, in 2009). His most impressive appearance came in his first start, as the 6-1, 210-pound lefthander went the distance in 3-hit fashion to defeat in-state rival Clemson (5-1) – in what was SC’s third of four straight wins when facing elimination. Over the course of his 16.1 innings at the CWS, Roth limited the opposition to a .167 combined batting avg. (9 H) and had three times as many strikeouts (9) as walks (3, also 3 hit batters and 20 groundouts).

During his four appearances, Roth allowed 4-of-16 leadoff batters to reach base – but the opposition hit only 3-for-20 (.150) vs. him with runners on base and Roth closed out innings with near-perfect efficiency (limiting opponents to 1-for-17 hitting/.059 with 2-outs).

Roth’s first appearance came in relief of Blake Cooper, retiring 4-of-5 batters he faced (HBP, K) in the 6th/7th to maintain a 3-2 deficit vs. Oklahoma (SC rallied but still lost its opener, 4-3). Four days later, the scenario repeated itself – as Roth again relieved Cooper (with another narrow deficit vs. OU, 1-0) and retired all 4 he faced (K) – but this time the Gamecocks completed their rally for a 3-2, 12-inning win.

Less than 24 hours later, Roth was back on the mound as a surprise starter vs. rested in-state rival Clemson. His complete-game masterpiece in that 5-1 win saw virtually all of Clemson’s 33 batters fail to drive the ball out of the infield. Roth allowed only thee runners into scoring position (one reached third base), with his 9.0 innings featuring a 2nd-inning double/run scored, singles in the 8th and 9th, 16 groundball outs, 4 Ks, 2 foulouts, an infield lineout double play (4-3) and 3 flyouts (also a walk,  2 hit batters and a runner who reached on an E4 throw).

Richie Shaffer’s 3rd-inning leadoff double represented the only ball vs. Roth that reached the outfield until Spencer Kieboom’s flyout to right ended the 5th. Roth located 67 of his 108 pitches for strikes and did not allow a hit from Clemson’s #1 thru #4 spots in the batting order (0-for-14, BB, HBP, K … Chris Epps/John Nester, Mike Freeman, Jess Schaus and Kyle Parker).

Clemson twice put the leadoff man on vs. Roth, who proved extra-tough with runners on base (1-for-10 opp. batting) and with 2-outs (1-for-9).

Roth’s strong start vs. UCLA in the title-clinching win set up the 2-1 final score, with the decisive run coming in the bottom of the 11th. His 5.0 innings included the lone run scored on 6 hits and 2 walks, with 3 strikeouts. The Bruins failed to generate a 2-out hit vs. Roth (0-for-5), who avoided the big inning and laid the groundwork for the rare 1-1 game through 9-plus innings.

Roth finished the season with a team-best 1.34 ERA and 3.5 K-to-walk ratio (35/10) spanning 37 appearances and 40.1 innings (27 hits allowed, .196 opp. avg.).

HOLADAY reached base multiple times in each of TCU’s five games in Omaha and hit more home runs (4) than any other player in the 2010 CWS (no other players had more than 2 HR). He joined SC’s Walker (.414) as the only players with 17-plus ABs who hit above .400 in the CWS (.409; 9-for-22), with his other stats including 5 RBI, a CWS-leading 8 runs scored, a double (part of his 1.000 slugging pct.) and a walk. His 1.458 OPS (.458 on-base) ranked second only to Ogle’s 1.624, among the players in the eight-team CWS field.

Situationally, the 5-11, 190-pound righthanded-hitting Holaday batted equally well against lefthanded (3-for-8/.375) and RH pitching (6-for-14/.429) and went 3-for-4 (3 RBI) with 2-outs on the board (also 3-for-9 w/ runners on).

Beyond his offensive numbers, Holday continued to direct the talented TCU pitching staff and made an ever bigger impression on observers due to his leadership and inspiring play. Several opposing coaches at the CWS singled out Holaday for his all-around contributions to TCU’s success.

Holaday had a big debut in the CWS opener vs. Florida State (8-1 win), batting 3-for-5 from his customary 2-hole spot (a rare lineup position for a catcher on any level). His single and run scored helped the Frogs jump out to a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning, and he added another single in the 2nd before sending his 14th home run of the season over the leftfield fence (for a 7-1 cushion in the 4th).

Two days later, vs. UCLA ace Gerrit Cole, Holaday reached base twice (HBP, BB) but the TCU offense failed to generate enough runs (in a 6-3 loss). Holaday then helped his team rally to avoid elimination, in an 11-7 comeback vs. Florida State. The veteran catcher scored a run in the 3rd and had a 5th-inning single, before playing his part in the 8th-inning eruption that saw TCU turn a 4-run deficit into a 4-run lead.

With one run on the board in the top of the 8th and TCU still trailing (7-4), Holaday stepped in with 2-outs and FSU relief ace Mike McGee on the mound. He took the first pitch for a ball before connecting on an RBI double to left field. Two batters later, Matt Curry’s grand slam vaulted TCU into the lead – but Holaday’s clutch 2-out double had helped set the table for that huge home run.

Two days later, Holaday’s 1st-inning single and run scored helped put TCU on its way to avenging the earlier loss to UCLA (6-2). He added a home run in the 8th for the final cushion – and homered twice twice more (once to left-center, once dead-center) in the third game vs. the Bruins, a 10-3 loss.

The recipient of the Johnny Bench Award – recognizing college baseball’s top all-around catcher in 2010 – Holaday finished the season with a .355 batting avg., 53 RBI, a team-best 72 runs scored, 42 extra-base hits (17 HR, 3B, 24 2B), 42 free passes (29 BB, 13 HBP) and a gaudy 1.069 OPS (.438 on-base plus .631 slugging).

Criteria for the Primetime Performer awards (and for determining the Primetime Player/Pitcher) extends beyond raw stats, with the other factors that play a role in the selection process including:

• Consistency of play throughout the team’s games during the CWS (i.e. started strong and finished strong)
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, etc.
• Contribution to team success
• Defensive play (routine and sensational)
• Leadership and other intangible factors
• General impact on the game
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual)
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS HONOR ROLL #18
(College World Series; June 19-29, 2010)
presented by CollegeBaseball360.com

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

note: all photos courtesy of the respective schools (action photo of Walker will be added when provided/located)

BEAU AMARAL (CF … #25)
UCLA  •  Fr.
Huntington Beach, CA  •  Huntington Beach HS
5-10  •  175  •  Bats: Left

Top of the lineup batter (leadoff/2-hole) who hit team-best .375 (9-for-24) during six CWS games (with 2 RBI, 4 runs, 3 doubles, 2 walks, 2 HBP and a stolen base) … compiled a .964 OPS (.464 on-base, .500 slugging pct.) during his stay in Omaha (he was the only player to hit more than 2 doubles) … picked up the slack for UCLA offense that averaged only 5.2 runs per game in Omaha (the rest of the team hit .257 at the CWS) … hit for the same avg. (.375) vs. LH and RH pitchers, also batting .417 (5-12) with runners aboard during the CWS … proved to be an effective table-setter , reaching on 4-of-7 leadoff plate appearances … reached on his first five trips to the plate (3-for-4, BB, HBP, RBI, R, SB) during 11-3 opening win over Florida (#6 seed over #3) … got aboard on 1st-inning HBP during that game, followed by a single/SB/R in the 3rd, a walk in the 4th and two more singles  (in the 5th and 7th) … led from the leadoff spot in key 6-3 winners-bracket win over TCU (3-for-3, BB, RBI, 2R) … walked and scored in the 1st inning of that game, followed by singles in the 2nd and 4th and a 7th-inning double down the leftfield line that led to him scoring team’s final run … joined his teammates in suffering through 4-hit loss vs. TCU four days later, but he and the Bruins bounced back to beat the Frogs again (10-3) for a spot in the championship series … UCKA endured 4-hit loss vs. South Carolina in title-series opener (7-1) before more competitive second game (2-1 decisive loss, in 11 inn.) … had a single and double in that final game, but was stranded each time … earned second team all-Pac-10 honors in 2010, en route to team-best .354 season batting avg. (31 RBI, 45 R, 4 HR, 12 2B, 20 BB, 16 HBP, .442 on-base, 9 SB).

TREVOR BAUER (RHP … #47)
UCLA  •  So.
Valencia, CA  •  Hart HS
6-1  •  175

Struck out 24 batters spanning 15 innings pitched in Omaha (14.4 Ks/9 IP), with only 4 walks in his pair of outings (6:1 K-to-walk ratio) … allowed 6 runs (5 earned; 3.00 ERA) en route to picking up key wins over Florida (11-3) and TCU (10-3; bracket final) … limited opposing hitters to a .182 combined batting avg. (10 H), with his other CWS stats including a  pair of wild pitches and 2 balks … proved equally tough vs. righthanded (.188 batting avg.) and lefthanded hitters (.174) … allowed only 3 hits with men on base (.176) and surrendered only 4 two-out hits (.200) … struck out 11 (4 “looking) in the opening win over Florida, with 3 runs, 6 hits and a pair of walks allowed in that 7-inning outing (2 BK) … 17 of his 21 outs vs. the Gators came via Ks or groundouts (6) … proved tough to hit for the UF righthanded hitters (2-for-12; also 2-for-12 w/runners on and 2-for-10 with 2-outs) … his elimination-game win over TCU included 8.0 strong innings (30 batters faced), with more than half of his strikeouts (7 of 13) coming on called strike-3s … limited Horned Frogs to 3 runs (2 earned) on 4 hits and pair of walks (2 WP) … allowed leadoff baserunner only twice in the TCU game (also did not allow a lefthanded hit, 0-for-7, while limiting Frogs to 1-for-5 batting with runners on and 2-for-20 w/ 2-outs) … struck out the final four TCU batters he faced, en route to his 8th double-digit K game of the season … became first UCLA pitcher ever to post three wins in one NCAA Tournament … ended his All-America 2010 season with UCLA-record and nation-leading 165 strikeouts (in 131.1 innings; 11.3 Ks per 9 IP), plus a 3.02 season ERA, 12-3 record, 41 walks (4-to-1 K/walk ratio) and a .244 opponent batting avg. … first UCLA pitcher with 12-plus wins since 1997 (when future big-leaguer Jim Parque won 13).

JACKIE BRADLEY, Jr. (CF … #19)
South Carolina  •  So.
Prince George, VA  •  Prince George HS
5-10  •  175  •  Bats: Left

Talented all-around player and 3-hole hitter who stormed out of the gate at the CWS, batting 5-for-8 with 7 RBI and a pair of home runs in the first two games … ended up leading all players at the 2010 CWS with 9 RBI, while batting .345 (10-for-29) with 5 runs scored and a 1.027 OPS (.441 on-base plus .586 slugging pct.; 3BB, 2HBP, 2HR, 2B) …hit 4-for-10 in Omaha with runners in scoring position (also 4-for-10/3 RBI with 2-outs) … kept Gamecocks in the game during opening 4-3 loss to Okahoma (2-for-4, 2RBI-HR-BB) … sent ball over rightfield fence to forge 4th-inning tie in that first game vs. OU (2-2) … also had 1st-inning single and 2-out walk in the 9th, as SC rallied to nearly tie the game (1R in 9th, left bases loaded) … drove in 4 runs to help eliminate top seed Arizona State, 11-4 (3-for-4, HR, HBP) … had 1st-inning single in that game, then launched huge 3-run HR to left-center as part of crushing 8-run bottom of the 2nd (also had bases-loaded HBP in the 3rd and singled in the 9th) … his only hit in elimination game vs. Oklahoma was a big one: a 2-out single to right that tied the game in the 12th (he scored moments later on a Brady Thomas single, for 3-2 win) … stroked a 3rd-inning RBI double the next day, for early 3-0 lead vs. in-state rival Clemson (5-1 win; also walked in 8th) … had early single and a HBP in bracket final rematch vs. the Tigers, later earning an intentional walk and coming around to score 7th-inning run that secured final margin in that 4-3 game … opened the title series vs. UCLA with a 2-out bunt single and run scored, adding another infield single in that 7-1 win … helped clinch title in 2-1, 11-inning thriller vs. UCLA … a second team all-SEC performer in 2010, with his final stats including team-best totals in batting avg. (.368) and RBI (60), plus 56 runs scored, 26 extra-base hits (13 HR, 3B, 12 2B), four more walks than strikeouts (41/37, plus 8 HBP), an impressive 1.060 OPS (.473 on-base plus .587 slugging pct.), 7 stolen bases and a .933 fielding pct. (1 error).

BLAKE COOPER (RHP … #27)
South Carolina  •  Sr.
Neeses, SC  •  Edisto HS
5-10  •  180

Battle-tested veteran who made three starts at the CWS, logging 300 total pitches and a 2.41 ERA while going 1-1 with 21 strikeouts, only 5 walks, 3 hit batters and 13 hits allowed (.197 opp. batting avg.) in 18.2 innings … proved tough against lefthanded batters (1-for-6) … allowed 8-of-20 leadoff batters to reach, but limited the opposition to .179 batting with runners on base (12-for-60) and .150 w/ 2-outs (3-for-20) … had a solid outing but limited run support in CWS opener vs. Oklahoma (4-3), taking the loss after 5 IP (3R-6H-BB-5K-22BF-67 pitches) … returned to the mound four days later for strong start in 12-inning elimination-game rematch vs. OU (3-2 win) … allowed a single run over 5.2 innings during that clutch outing (4H-2BB-HB-6K-22BF-98p), limiting OU to 1-for-7 batting with runners on (0-for-4 w/ 2-outs) … was back on the mound four days later, picking up huge 7-1 win vs. UCLA in title series opener (8+IP-R-3H-BB-10K-10 groundouts-32BF-136p) for his 34th career victory with the Gamecocks … took a no-hitter into 5th inning of that game and carried a 1-hitter into the 8th … allowed a ball out of the infield only three times through the first 8.0 innings (2 flyouts; his 24 outs included the 10 Ks, 10 GOs, a foulout to the 2B and a lineout back to the mound) … limited UCLA leadoff batters to reaching only twice (plus 1-for-11 with runners on, 0-for-8 w/ 2-outs) … a first team all-SEC selection in 2010, when he finished the season with a 2.76 ERA, 13-2 record and 3.2 K-to-walk ratio (126/39) in 137 innings (111 H, .223 opp. avg., 15 HB, only 1 wild pitch).

TAYLOR FEATHERSTON (SS … #12)
TCU  •  So.
Katy, TX  •  Taylor HS
6-1  •  175  •  Bats: Right

Slick-fielding shortstop who played error-free in four CWS games (19 fielding chances; three double-plays) while providing a huge offensive boost from the 7-hole … racked up a 1.183 OPS (.450 on-base plus .733 slugging pct.) in Omaha, after batting 6-for-15 (.333) with 12 total bases (HR-3B-2B) and 4 walks (also a sac.-fly) … his .733 slugging was 4th-best among all players at the 2010 CWS … joined South Carolina RF/3B Whit Merrifield as only players that hit for the cycle over the course of their respective CWS games (not in one game) … finished second at the CWS with 7 RBI (behind SC’s Jackie Bradley, Jr., who drove in 9 runs) … 4 of his RBI came with 2-outs (also hit 3-for-5 w/ runners in scoring position) … had early sac.-fly and nearly scored in the 3rd inning (BB/reached 3rd) to help beat Florida State in 8-1 CWS opener … delivered one of the most exciting moments of the 2010 CWS two days later, when his 2-out, bases-clearing triple cut UCLA’s lead in half (6-3) with two full innings still to play (the Bruins held on to that final margin) … his single was part of TCU’s thrilling 8-run top of the 8th, as the Frogs rallied to beat FSU again (11-7, this time in an elimination game) … two days later, he reached base in all four of his plate appearances (2-for-2, 2 BB, 3 RBI) to help beat UCLA, 6-2 … walked with the bases-loaded in that game, then singled and stole a base, walked again and launched 2-run HR over leftfield fence to turn a 3-2 game into a 5-2 cushion heading into the 8th … closed with a double and walk in decisive third game vs. UCLA (10-3 loss) … a first team all-Mountain West Conference selection (also MVP of the NCAA Ft. Worth Regional), he hit .338 during the 2010 season, with 52 RBI, 59 runs scored and an impressive extra-base combination (16 2B, 7 3B, 8 HR), plus 23 walks and a .991 OPS (.420 OB, .571 slug.).

JOHN HINSON (3B … #4)
Clemson  •  Jr./So.
Asheville, NC  •  Reynolds HS
6-0  •  175  •  Bats: Left

Six-hole batter who led Clemson to a 2-0 start at the CWS and ended up hitting team-best .438 (7-for-16) during four games in Omaha (3B, BB, 2 SB; no errors at the hot corner) … his .438 batting was best at the CWS among players with 12-plus at-bats … factored into nearly one-third of his team’s 16 runs (3 RBI, 3 R) in Omaha … hit 3-for-5 with runners in scoring position and reached 2-of-4 times as leadoff batter … helped knock off top-seeded Arizona State (6-3), with an RBI single and run scored to cap a 3-run top of the 5th (also singled in the 7th) … returned to Rosenblatt two days later and was the offensive hero in 6-4 winners-bracket win over Oklahoma (3-for-4, 2 RBI, R, 2 SB) … sent 4th-inning RBI single to center field, stole second and scored, for 4-1 midgame lead on the Sooners (added RBI single in the 5th) … part of Tigers team that totaled only 3 hits in 5-1 loss vs. in-state rival South Carolina, followed by 2-for-5 effort (5th-inning RBI single/run) in elimination-game rematch vs the Gamecocks (6-3 loss) … finished second on the 2010 Tigers in season batting avg. (.351), RBI (75) and home runs (17), adding a team-best 25 stolen bases, plus 60 runs scored, 9 doubles, a triple, 26 walks and a 1.008 OPS (.410 on-base; .598 slugging).

*BRYAN HOLADAY (C … #16)
TCU  •  Sr.
Dallas, TX  •  North Central Texas JC/W.T. White HS
5-11  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Reached base multiple times in each of TCU’s five games in Omaha and hit more home runs (4) than any other player in the 2010 CWS (no other players had more than 2 HR) … one of two players with 17-plus ABs who hit above .400 in the CWS (.409; 9-for-22), adding 5 RBI, a CWS-leading 8 runs scored, a double (part of his 1.000 slugging pct.) and a walk .. his 1.458 OPS (.458 on-base) ranked second at the CWS … batted equally well against lefthanded (3-for-8/.375) and RH pitching (6-for-14/.429) and went 3-for-4 (3 RBI) with 2-outs (3-for-9 w/ runners on) … continued to direct talented pitching staff and made an ever bigger impression on observers due to his leadership and inspiring play … had big debut in CWS opener vs. Florida State (8-1 win), batting 3-for-5 from his customary 2-hole spot (a rare lineup position for a catcher on any level) … his single and run scored helped Frogs jump out to a 5-0 lead in the 1st inning, and he added another single in the 2nd before sending ball over leftfield fence for 7-1 cushion in the 4th … two days later, vs. UCLA ace Gerrit Cole, he reached base twice (HBP, BB) but the TCU offense failed to generate enough runs in  6-3 loss) … helped his team rally to avoid elimination, in 11-7 comeback vs. FSU … scored in the 3rd and had a 5th-inning single, before playing his part in 8th-inning eruption that saw TCU turn a 4-run deficit into a 4-run lead … with one run on the board in the top of the 8th and TCU still trailing (7-4), he stepped in with 2-outs to face FSU relief ace Mike McGee, connecting on a 0-1 pitch for an RBI double to left field (minutes before Matt Curry’s grand slam) … two days later, his 1st-inning single and run scored helped put TCU on its way to avenging earlier loss to UCLA (6-2) … added a home run in the 8th for final cushion – and homered twice twice more (once to left-center, once dead-center) in third game vs. the Bruins, a 10-3 loss … recipient of the Johnny Bench Award, recognizing college baseball’s top all-around catcher in 2010 … finished season with .355 batting avg., 53 RBI, team-best 72 runs scored, 42 extra-base hits (17 HR, 3B, 24 2B), 42 free passes (29 BB, 13 HBP) and a gaudy 1.069 OPS (.438 on-base, .631 slug.).

TYLER HOLT (CF … #15)
Florida State  •  Jr.
Gainesville, FL  •  Gainesville HS
6-0  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Leadoff batter who hit .417 at the CWS (5-for-14), with a .533 on-base pct. (3 walks), 4 runs scored, 2 RBI, a home run and only a single strikeout … his .417 batting was 2nd-best at the CWS among players with 12-plus ABs … compiled the 4th-best OPS (1.200; .533 on-base plus .667 slugging pct.) among players at the 2010 CWS … reached base 3-of-5 times when leading off the inning … singled vs. TCU ace Matt Purke and scored to open the scoring at the 2010 CWS (also walked in next trip to the plate; 8-1 loss) … reached base four times (3-for-4, BB) to lead 8-5 elimination-game victory over in-state rival Florida (2 RBI-3R-HR) … led off the bottom of the 1st in that game with a home run to center field (vs. Hudson Randall), later adding a walk/run (sparking 3-run bottom of 3rd), a single up the middle/run and an RBI single into the right-center gap … singled and scored in the 5th for 5-2 lead in elimination-game rematch vs. TCU (later drew 8th-inning walk to load the bases, but TCU escaped en route to closing out a thrilling 11-7 comeback win) … his 2010 All-America season included an impressive all-around collection of statistical accomplishments, with a team-best .355 batting avg., 87 runs scored, 48 RBI and 30 stolen bases on 33 attempts, plus 13 home runs among his 42 extra-base hits (26 2B, 3 3B), 11 more walks than strikeouts (59/48, plus 4 HBPs), a 1.100 OPS (.471 on-base; .629 slug.) and a .994 fielding pct. (only 1 E).

ZACH NEAL (RHP … #32)
Oklahoma  •  Jr.
Flower Mound, TX  •  Howard JC/Sam Houston St./Flower Mound HS
6-2  •  210

Likely would have picked up elimination-game win versus eventual NCAA champion South Carolina, but he received only one supporting run from the OU offense as Sooners lost, 3-2 in 12 innings … logged 7.0 shutout innings before allowing leadoff hit in the 8th (his final batter faced, with the runner coming around to tie the score) … retired 14 straight at one point and faced only 28 batters, with 5 hits allowed, a walk, hit batter and 7 strikeouts … limited the SC lefthanded hitters to 1-for-8 combined hitting and allowed only a pair of 2-out hits (2-for-9) … the 104-pitch outing (62 strikes) easily ranked as one of his best of the season (4.23 final ERA), matching his fewest earned runs allowed in 18 starts during the 2010 season … earlier had an 8-inning no-decision in the NCAA Regional round vs. North Carolina (3R-8H-3BB-10K; OU won 7-6 in 10) … earned 2010 second team all-Big 12 honors, with his other season stats including an 8-3 record, nearly a 4-to-1 K/walk ratio (95/24, in 105.2 innings) and a .275 oppnent batting avg.

TYLER OGLE (C … #35)
Oklahoma … So. … San Antonio, TX
5-10  •  180  •  Bats: Right

Cleanup hitter whose .455 batting (5-for-11) at the CWS picked up the slack for an OU offense that hit only .196 during its three games in Omaha (rest of team was .165) … factored into half of team’s 10 runs at the CWS (4 RBI-3R-2HR) while compiling a CWS-best 1.629 OPS (.538 on-base plus a CWS-leading 1.091 slugging pct.; 2B, 2 BB, sac-bunt) with no strikeouts … hit 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position and 2-for-4 with 2-outs (reached as leadoff batter 3-of-5 times) … brought home the game’s first run with 2-out single in the 1st, as OU beat eventual NCAA champ South Carolina (4-3) … two days later, he had a walk, 8th-inning home run and RBI double in the 9th but the Sooners lost to Clemson in the winners-bracket (6-4) … nearly carried OU to elimination-game win vs. SC (3-2 loss, in 12 inn.) … led off 2nd inning of that game with single and run scored, adding sac. bunt and a walk as Sooners endured nine scoreless innings … was in line to be the 12th-inning hero, when his home run cleared the centerfield fence to lead off the top of the inning (1-0 pitch from Ethan Carter; SC scored twice in bottom of 12th) … his 2010 final statistics included a .331 batting avg. (2nd-best among the OU regulars), plus 46 RBI, 39 runs, 11 home runs, 11 doubles, an equal number of walks vs. strikeouts (26; plus 4 HBP) and a 1.040 OPS (.439 on-base; .601 slug.).

MATT PRICE (RHP … #22)
South Carolina  •  So./Fr.
Sumter, SC  •  Sumter HS
6-2  •  215

Closer for national champs who compiled a 0.93 ERA spanning four CWS appearances … his two wins included decisive game that won national title (2-1, in 11 inn.) …. allowed a single run in his 9.2 innings while racking up 15 Ks to only a single walk … held opposing hitters to a .189 combined batting avg. (7-for-27) and had a “WHIP” (walks + hits per 9 IP) of 7.72 … a triple was his only extra-base hit allowed (also had three HBPs and faced 41 total batters) … allowed a couple inherited runners to score but still closed out the huge win that eliminated #1 seed Arizona State, 11-4 (1.2 IP, 3 H, 4 K, HB, 9 BF) … returned to the mound two days later for an impressive performance in another elimination game (3-2 vs. Oklahoma, in 12 inn.) … faced only 10 batters while pitching the 9th-11th innings of that thriller (HB, 5 Ks) … was the pitcher of record in 4-3 win over in-state rival Clemson, sending Gamecocks on to the title series (1.2IP-R-3H-3K-10BF) … closed title-clinching win vs. UCLA, with 2.2 shutout innings (H-BB-HB-3K-12 BF) … a second team all-SEC selection, he finished the 2010 season with a 2.26 ERA, 10 saves and a 4-1 record in 31 relief appearances, along with a 4.4 K-to-walk ratio (83/19), a lowly .183 opp. batting avg., an impressive 9.05 “WHIP” (37 H; had 19 more innings pitched than hits allowed), 9 hit batters and no wild pitches.

MATT PURKE (LHP … #47)
TCU  •  Fr.
Spring, TX  •  Klein HS
6-4  •  180

Rookie sensation and 2009 MLB Draft 1st-rounder who lived up to his billing while pitching on the big stage at the CWS, where he won both of his starts en route to compiling a 1.35 ERA over 13.1 innings (9 Ks, 6 BB, HB, WP, 7 H, .152 opp. batting avg.) … allowed only a pair of hits from lefthanded batters (2-for-17; .118) during the wins over Florida State (8-1) and UCLA (6-2) … surrendered a leadoff baserunner four times in Omaha, but opposing hitters were only 3-for-18 with runners on base (.168) and 1-for-13 with 2-outs (.077) … 35 of his 40 outs at the CWS came via strikeouts or groundball outs (26) … was touched for only one run (unearned) in his CWS debut vs. FSU (7IP-7K-4BB-4H-11GO-28BF-115 pitches) … held the Seminoles’ lefthanded bats to 1-for-8 while working out of several jams (FSU was 2-for-13 w/ runners on and 0-for-6 w/ 2-outs) … returned six days later to help beat UCLA and stave off elimination, with 14 groundouts in that 6.1-inning appearance (2R-3H-2K-2BB-HB-25BF-107 p) … allowed only 1-of-7 Bruins leadoff batters to reach (1-for-5 UCLA batting w/ runners on, 1-for-7 w/ 2-outs, 1-for-9 by lefties) … ended his All-America season as national leader in wins (16-0; 20 appearances/18 starts), along with a 3.02 ERA, a 4.2 K-to-walk ratio (142/34 in 116.1 innings; 11.0 Ks per 9 IP), and 25 more innings pitched (116.1) than hits allowed (91; .212 opp. batting avg.).

*MICHAEL ROTH (LHP … #29)
South Carolina  •  So.
Greer, SC  •  Riverside HS
6-1  •  210

Rose to the occasion during four appearances at the CWS, where he compiled a 1.10 ERA and answered the call with strong outings in his first two starts of season (also made only two starts in ‘09) … limited CWS opposition to .167 batting avg. (9 H) and had three times as many strikeouts (9) as walks (3, also 3 HB & 20 groundouts) … allowed 4-of-16 leadoff batters to reach, but the opposition hit only 3-for-20 (.150) with runners on base and  1-for-17 hitting (.059) w/ 2-outs … his first appearance came in relief of Blake Cooper, retiring 4-of-5 batters (HBP, K) in the 6th/7th to maintain 3-2 deficit vs. Oklahoma (4-3 loss) … four days later, the scenario repeated itself – as he again relieved Cooper (with another narrow deficit vs. OU, 1-0) and retired all four he faced (K) as SC went on to win 3-2 in 12 … was back on the mound less than 24 hours later, as surprise starter vs. rested in-state rival Clemson … his 3-hit masterpiece in that 5-1 win saw virtually all of Clemson’s 33 batters fail to drive the ball out of the infield … allowed only three runners into scoring position (one reached third), with his 9.0 innings featuring a 2nd-inning double/run scored, singles in the 8th and 9th, 16 groundball outs, 4 Ks, 2 foulouts, an infield lineout double play (4-3) and 3 flyouts (BB,  2 HB, E4 throw) … located 67 of 108 pitches for strikes and did not yield a hit from Clemson’s #1 thru #4 batters (0-for-14) … allowed Clemson leadoff batters on-base twice and proved extra-tough with runners on (1-for-10 opp. batting) and 2-outs (1-for-9) … his strong start vs. UCLA in title-clinching win set up 2-1 final score (11 inn.) … his 5.0 innings included the lone run scored on 6 H and 2 BB (3 Ks) … the Bruins failed to generate a 2-out hit vs. him (0-for-5) … finished season with team-best 1.34 ERA in 37 appearances (2-1, 3 saves, 35K/10 BB, 27H/.196 opp avg., 40.1 IP).

CHRISTIAN WALKER (1B … #13)
South Carolina  •  Fr.
Limerick, PA  •  Kennedy-Kendrick HS
6-0  •  210  •  Bats: Right

Cleanup hitter who led the national champions with a .414 battting avg. (12-for-29) during the CWS, with the 12 hits representing the most of any player (also had top CWS batting avg. among players with more than 16 ABs) … homered twice at CWS, with 5 RBI, 3 runs scored, a 1.090 OPS (.469 on-base plus .621 slugging pct.), 3 walks and struck out only once … had solid game (2-for-3, HR, BB) in 4-3 opening loss vs. Oklahoma, with game-tying blast in the 2nd (1-1), a single in the 4th and walk in the 8th … drew a walk in 11-7 win that eliminated top-seeded Arizona State, followed by big game in another elimination game (3-2 vs. OU in 12 inn.; 3-for-5, RBI, BB) … reached base in his final four plate appearances during that thriller, with singles in the 6th, 8th (tying hit to left scored Evan Marzilli) and 11th – plus 2-out walk in the 12th that advanced the eventual winning run (Jackie Bradley, Jr.) … had a single but was stranded in 5-1 win over Clemson before playing key role in 4-3 rematch vs. the rival Tigers (sending SC to title series) … led off 4th inning of that game with home run to left (2-1 lead) and later supplied clutch 2-out single to center, forging 3-3 tie in the 7th … his 2-for-5 effort in 7-1 win over UCLA included 2-out single/run scored in the 1st (for quick 2-0 lead) … reached base three times in title-clinching win vs. Bruins (2-1, in 11), with 2nd-inning walk and singles in the 5th and 7th … earned spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team, with his final 2010 stats including a .327 batting avg., 51 RBI, 35 runs, 23 extra-base hits (9 HR, 2 3B, 12 2B), an equal number of walks and strikeouts (18, plus 4 HBP) and a .902 OPS (.384 OB, .518 slug.).

* – Holaday has been honored by CB360 as the CWS Primetime Player while Roth is the Primetime Pitcher for the 2010 CWS.

SC’s Roth, TCU’s Holaday Headline CWS Primetime Performers

With the 2010 college baseball season having come to an end, CollegeBaseball360.com has announced its latest edition of the Primetime Performer Honor Roll – with 14 players honored for their clutch play during the 2010 College World Series. Leading the way are TCU senior catcher Bryan Holaday (Dallas, Texas) and South Carolina sophomore lefthander Michael Roth (Greer, S.C.), the respective Primetime Player and Primetime Pitcher of the 2010 College World Series (as selected by CollegeCaseball360.com).

Note – CLICK HERE for CB360’s full tribute to the CWS Primetime team (with photos and expanded info. capsules on each of the 14 players).

CLICK HERE for the CB360 Primetime Performer archive.

Criteria for the Primetime Performer awards extends beyond raw stats, with the other factors that play a role in the selection process including:

• Consistency of play throughout the team’s games during the CWS (i.e. started strong and finished strong)
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, etc.
• Contribution to team success
• Defensive play (routine and sensational)
• Leadership and other intangible factors
• General impact on the game
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual)
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS HONOR ROLL #18
(College World Series; June 19-29, 2010)
presented by CollegeBaseball360.com

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Clemson – John Hinson
Florida State – Tyler Holt
Oklahoma – Zach Neal and Tyler Ogle
South Carolina – Jackie Bradley, Jr., Blake Cooper, Matt Price, *Michael Roth and Christian Walker
TCU – Taylor Featherston, *Bryan Holaday and Matt Purke
UCLA – Beau Amaral and Trevor Bauer

* – Holaday has been honored by CB360 as the CWS Primetime Player while Roth is the Primetime Pitcher for the 2010 CWS.

Super-Regional Primetime Performers

(Full Release)

Oklahoma cleanup/5-hole batter Reine & TCU game-3 pitcher Winkler were “extra-Super” in helping lead their teams to Omaha …

Two sophomores who helped take their teams to Super-Regional series wins on the road are the featured individuals on the latest edition of CB360’s exclusive Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, for the NCAA Super-Regional round spanning games played on June 11-14. (front-page photo courtesy of Oklahoma)

Oklahoma rightfielder Cody Reine (Walker, La.) is the Primtime Player of the Week and TCU righthander Kyle Winkler (Sugar Land, Texas) the Primetime Pitcher of the Week, with 11 others joining them on the Primtime Honor Roll (as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com). Reine and Winkler headline the 17th installment of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, which includes 11 other players who helped carry their teams to the College World Series (or, in a few cases, to the brink of advancing).

CLICK HERE for the Primetime Honor Roll archive (scroll down on that page for the 16 previous Honor Roll releases).

REINE – who also was a CB360 Primetime Honor Roll selection following the NCAA Regional round – showed that he packs plenty of power into his 5-9, 215-pound frame, as the lefthanded-hitting cleanup hitter posted a pair of 2-HR games while sparking Oklahoma to the Super-Regional series win at #5 national seed Virginia (2-3, 10-7, 11-0). During the two wins, Reine racked up 11 RBI and hit 5-for-8 (plus a walk) while batting in the #5 spot.

In the Super-Regional opener, Virginia ace Danny Hultzen limited Reine (batting cleanup) and six other Oklahoma starters to 0-1 hits, but Reine’s power stroke quickly put the Sooners back in the series. He drove in half of his team’s runs (5 of 10) in the game-2 win, starting with a 3-run blast in the 1st inning (0-1 pitch from Robert Morrey) as OU claimed an early 4-2 cushion.

Five innings later, with the Sooners holding a 6-4 lead, Reine jumped on a 1-1 pitch from Cody Winiarski and drove the ball over the fence in right-center for another 2-run shot.

The deciding game saw Reine rise up for 6 RBI, including a 1st-inning home run for the second straight day (this 3-run blast came with 2-outs, on a 1-0 pitch from Branden Kline).  He added another 3-run HR in the 8th, as OU inched closer to Omaha.

Reine is batting .341 for the season, with 42 RBI and 10 home runs.

WINKLER was placed into a pressure-packed spot for game-3 of the Super-Regional series at #2 national seed Texas. Not only did he have the chance to pitch TCU to the program’s first CWS trip, but such a victory would come against the in-state rival that had knocked off the Horned Frogs one year earlier in the same Super-Regional round.

With so much riding on his shoulders – and Texas talented #3 starter Brandon  Workman opposing him – Winkler met the challenge head-on by working into the 8th while Workman (5IP-R-4H-4K) was forced out three innings earlier. The TCU sophomore was the much-deserved pitcher of record in the historic 4-1 victory, after limiting Texas to 5 hits and 3 walks in his 7.2-inning shutout stint (he struck out six 0f his 32 batters faced, during the 112-pitch outing).

Winkler will enter the College World Series with a 2.84 season ERA and 12-1 record in 17 starts this season, plus 90 strikeouts, 33 walks and 103 hits allowed (.242 opp. batting avg.) in 114 innings pitched.

Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification/advancement; made significant contribution to team’s postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

The other 11 members of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for the NCAA Regionals include (see capsules for each player at bottom of release): Vanderbilt jr. DH Curt Casali (New Canaan, Conn.) … Florida State so. 3B Sherman Johnson (Tampa, Fla.) … Arizona State so. LHP Mitchell Lambson (Tualatin, Ore.) … Florida so. LHP Alex Panteliodis ( Tampa, Fla.) … TCU fr. LHP Matt Purke (Spring, Texas) … UCLA so. 2B Tyler Rahmatulla (Mission Viejo, Calif.) …UCLA jr. LHP Rob Rasmussen (Arcadia, Calif.) … Clemson fr. 1B Richie Shaffer (Charlotte, N.C.) … Oklahoma jr. RHP Bobby Shore (Oceanside, Calif.) … Alabama sr. 3B/RHP Jake Smith (Shannon, Ala.) … and South Carolina fr. 1B Christian Walker (Limerick, Pa.).

The week-17 honorees include four impressive lefthanded pitchers (Lambson, Panteliois, Purke and Rasmussen), along with righthanders Winkler and Shore, the two-way talent Smith (3B/RHP), a pair of first basemen (Shaffer and Walker), second baseman Rahmatulla, third baseman Johnson, rightfielder Reine and DH Casali. The 13 selections feature the lone senior Smith, three juniors (Casali, Rasmussen and Shore), six sophomores (Reine, Winkler, Johnson, Lambson, Panteliodis and Rahmatulla), and the freshman trio of Purke, Shaffer and Walker.

The honorees hail from nine different home states, including a pair of players (Johnson and Panteliodis) who were teammates at Alonso High School in Tampa, Fla. There also are three California products – Shore and UCLA teammates Rahmatulla and Rasmussen – along with two who have Texas hometowns (Winkler and Purke), plus one each from: Alabama (Smith), Connecticut (Casali), Louisiana (Reine), North Carolina (Shaffer), Oregon (Lambson) and Pennsylvania (Walker).

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #17
(NCAA Super-Regionals; June 11-14, 2010)
presented by CollegeBaseball360.com

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

CURT CASALI (DH … #9)
Vanderbilt  •  Jr.
New Canaan, CT  •  New Canaan HS
6-2  •  215  •  Bats: Right

5-hole hitter who batted .500 (7-for-14) during tight Super-Regional series at Florida State, with FSU posting pair of 1-run wins (9-8, 7-6) while Commodores took game-2 (6-2) … had pair of RBI doubles (one in the 1st and another in 8th, for 4-2 lead) during win over the Seminoles (also scored a run) … his strong game in opener (4-for-5, 8th HR of season, 2-out RBI double) nearly carried Commodores to game-1 win … also had a pair of RBI in close series finale.

SHERMAN JOHNSON (3B … #32)
Florida State  •  So.
Tampa, FL  •  Alonso HS
5-10  •  180  •  Bats: Left

Repeat CB360 Primetime honoreee who followed up clutch performances in the Regional round by delivering several key plays in hard-fought Super-Regional series vs. Vanderbilt (9-8, 2-6, 7-6) … factored into 3 runs (2RBI-2R; 9th HR of season) during the tight opener, also adding a single in 7th-inning rally that tied score (7-7) … singled and reached on a HBP in game-2 before driving in four of FSU’s 7 runs in the decisive third game (his 2-out/3-run double in the 8th turned a 4-3 lead into a 7-3 cushion … played error-free at the hot corner during the three games.

MITCHELL LAMBSON (LHP … #40)
Arizona State  •  So.
Tualatin, OR  •  Tualatin HS
6-1  •  195

Faced the minimum 15 batters in huge 5-inning relief appearance that closed 12-inning win (7-6) over Arkansas in Super-Regional opener … allowed pair of baserunners (H-BB) that were erased on a pickoff move and a batters-interference call … his 7 strikeouts included 3-up/3-down in the 11th.

ALEX PANTELIODIS (LHP … #24)
Florida  •  So.
Tampa, FL  •  Alonso HS
6-2  •  235

Continued his stellar season with yet another appearance on the Primetime Honor Roll, after logging complete-game victory in Super-Regional opener vs. in-state rival Miami (7-2) … faced only 30 batters (3 over min.; 3H-BB) while recording 22 of his outs via strikeouts (12) or groundball outs (10, including a double-play) … retired finaal 14 batters he faced (6 Ks, 7 GOs) … located nearly 75% of his pitches for strikes (85 of 116).

MATT PURKE (LHP … #47)
TCU  •  Fr.
Spring, TX  •  Klein HS
6-4  •  180

Extended his stellar rookie campaign by winning Super-Regional series opener at #2 national seed Texas (3-1), getting the best of pitchers duel opposite Cole Green (who dropped to 11-2, after 5.2IP-3R-5H-3BB-4H) … allowed the lone run while working into the 8th (7.2), with 19 of his outs coming via Ks (11) or groundouts (8) … faced only 28 batters (3H-BB-HB) in the 110-pitch outing, en route to a 14-0 season record.

TYLER RAHMATULLA (2B … #5)
UCLA  •  So.
Mission Viejo, CA  • Mater Dei HS
5-11  •  180  •  Bats: Right

3-hole batter who delivered one of the biggest hits in the entire 2010 NCAA Tournament, driving 3-1 pitch over left-center fence for 2-out/2-run blast in 9th inning of game-2 vs. Cal State Fullerton … that home run lifted UCLA into 7-6 lead and Bruins went on to force game-3 by winning in the 10th (11-7) … played error-free in the series (14 fielding chances) … also had pair of doubles in 4-3 opening-game loss (RBI, R) and closed 2-for-4 with an RBI in the 8-1 clincher.

ROB RASMUSSEN (LHP … #27)
UCLA  •  Jr.
Arcadia, CA  •  Pasadena Poly HS
5-11  •  170

Lived up to his reputation as nation’s top #3 starter in the rotation, with 2-hitter that beat Fullerton in Super-Regional finale (8-1) … faced only 32 batters in that 112-pitch outing, limiting the potent Titans lineup to a pair of hits and a single walk (2 HB) while striking out 9 CSF batters.

*CODY REINE (RF … #11)
Oklahoma  •  So.
Walker, LA  •  Grayson JC/Walker HS
5-9  •  215  •  Bats: Left

Cleanup/5-hole batter who filled that role in timely fashion by batting 5-for-8 in pair of wins over #5 national seed Virginia (with 2 HRs in each game), as Sooners overcame game-1 loss to win Super-Regional series on the road (2-3, 10-7, 11-0) … hit 2–for-3 with a walk and 5 RBI in game-2 before driving in 6 runs (3-for-5) during the stunning runaway clincher.

RICHIE SHAFFER (1B … #8)
Clemson  •  Fr.
Charlotte, NC  •  Providence Senior HS
6-2  •  190  •  Bats: Right

7-hole batter who had totaled only 2 home runs this season before besting that total with 3 HRs in Super-Regional series vs. Alabama (4-5, 19-5, 8-6) … hit 4-for-10 with 7 RBI in pair of wins over the Crimson Tide … smacked pair of home in decisive third game (3 RBI), after also homering in game-2 blowout (4 RBI, sac-fly) … drew a walk in low-scoring opener.

BOBBY SHORE (RHP … #16)
Oklahoma  •  Jr.
Oceanside, CA  •  Palomar JC/Oceanside HS
6-1  •  175  •  Bats: Right

Rose to the occasion in decisive third game of Super Regional at #5 national seed Virginia (11-0 win) … faced only 29 batters in his 8.0 shutout innings, allowing 4 hits and a pair of walks with 5 strikeouts in the 99-pitch outing … his clutch appearance helped Sooners complete series comeback, after narrow 3-2 loss in opener (won game-2, 10-7).

JAKE SMITH (3B/RHP … #14)
Alabama  •  Sr.
Shannon, AL  •  Hueytown HS
6-2  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Two-way talent who played big role in 5-4 win during Super-Regional opener at Clemson … went 2-for-4 from the 5-hole and smacked his 14th home run of the season, before closing the final 2.0 innings for his 6th save of the season (H, 2 Ks) … also homered in game-2 and had a walk and run scored in tight finale (8-6 loss).

CHRISTIAN WALKER (1B … #13)
South Carolina  •  Fr.
Limerick, PA  •  Kennedy-Kendrick HS
6-0  •  210  •  Bats: Right

5-hole hitter who helped South Carolina win Super-Regional series at #4 national seed Coastal Carolina (4-3, 10-9) … batted 2-for-5 in each of the wins, adding 5 RBI, 2 runs scored, a home run and hit-by-pitch … his 2-run single sparked SC to 3-0 lead in 1st inning of game-1 … supplied the big hit in the clinching win, as his 3-run blast in the 8th provided the final 10-9 margin (Coastal held an early 5-2 lead).

*KYLE WINKLER (RHP … #8)
TCU  •  So.
Sugar Land, TX  •  Kempner HS
5-11  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Delivered game-3 Super-Regional win at Texas (4-1) that sent Horned Frogs to Omaha for the program’s first College World Series appearance … worked into the 8th to outduel Brandon Workman (5IP-R-4H-4K), logging 7.2 shutout innings with 5 hits and 3 walks allowed … struck out 6 of his 32 batters faced, during 112-pitch outing.

NCAA Regional Primetime Performers

THE FINAL RELEASE

Coastal Carolina centerfielder Rico Noel, Vanderbilt setup man-turned-starter Richie Goodenow lead the way among CB360’s 16th installment of Primetime Performers …

With the Super-Regional round fast approaching, CB360 takes a look back at the Primetime Performers from the Regional Round that wrapped up on Tuesday during this condensed week. Coastal Carolina junior centerfielder Rico Noel (Lawton, Okla.) has been selected the national Primetime Player of the Week while Vanderbilt junior lefthander Richie Goodenow (Nashville, Tenn.) is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week. (front-page photo courtesy of Coastal Carolina)

It doesn’t get much more “primetime” than during NCAA Tournament play, with 104 high-stakes games played over the five-day stretch of June 4-8. Noel and Goodenow are joined by 19 others in comprising CollegeBaseball360.com’s latest installment of the Primetime Performer Honor Roll, which included a player from each of the 16 advancing teams (plus one each from the five runner-up teams that were playing on the road and forced a game-7 finale).

NOEL supplied his all-around game througout the regional, with Coastal Carolina serving as the host and top seed at BB&T Field in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The Chanticlers battled back from a 16-6 loss vs. 2-seed College of Charleston (in the winners-bracket), winning three straight games to earn a spot in the Super-Regional round.

Over the course of the five regional games, Noel patroled center field while batting .435 (10-for-23) from the 2-hole/leadoff spots. He factored into 12 of Coastal’s runs (7 RBI, 7 R, 2 HR). The speedy veteran swiped six bases during the regional, yielding a nation-leading 56 stolen bases for the season.

The 5-foot-9, 170-pound righthanded hitter went 5-for-13 in three showdown games vs. Charleston (6-16; 8-7; 11-10, in 10) – highlighted by his 9th-inning home run as the Chanticleers were 2-outs away from elimination. That home run (his 11th of the season) came on a 1-2 pitch, with the ball sailing over the leftfield wall to turn a 1-run deficit into a 1-run win. His final line in that dramatic game also included batting 4-for-5 with 5 RBI and his 18th double of the season.

Noel collected three stolen bases in Monday’s clinching win, also batting 3-for-6 with a triple in that extra-inning finale. Earlier in the tournament, he helped post a pair of wins (6-0, 25-7) over a scrappy Stony Brook squad that upset 3rd-seed North Carolina State.

In addition to his 56 stolen bases, Noel ranks second on his team in season batting average (.348) and has motored home for a team-leading 81 runs, plus 62 RBI and 40 walks (.464 on-base pct.).

GOODENOW had been a solid lefthanded setup man for Vanderbilt throughout the 2010 season, making 28 appearances before being tabbed for his first start of the season in a pressure-packed situation. Homestanding and top-seeded Louisville was awaiting with a fresher and deeper pitching staff, along with a potent offense that ultimately finished the season with a .314 team batting average and 88 home runs.

With his team needing to beat Louisville in that Sunday game (and again on Monday), Goodenow delivered a complete game that preserved the bullpen and set up the clinching Monday win. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound lefthander fashioned a 2-hit shutout (7-0) while facing only two batters over the minimum (29, with a pair of walks). He located 60 of 99 pitches for strikes, with 19 of his outs coming via strikeouts (5), groundballs (12, including pair of double-play balls) or infield popups (2).

A third-inning double represented the only Louisville batter who reached second base during the entire game.

Goodenow retired the first five batters he faced (four on strikeouts) before allowing a double by Cade Stalling (before a 4-3 groundout and F-9 flyout). Ryan Wright later was stranded after a 2-out walk in the 4th, with Goodenow then retiring seven straight before Andrew Clark’s leadoff walk in the 7th (followed by a 5-4 groundout and 4-6-3 double play).

The Cardinals’ fourth and final baserunner came in the 8th, when Josh Richmond sent a 1-out double up the middle but quickly was erased on a 4-6-3 double play.

Louisville’s #1 thru #6 hitters all went hitless (0-for-18 combined) during Goodenow’s masterpiece.

Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification/advancement; made significant contribution to team’s postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

The other 19 members of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for the NCAA Regionals include (see capsules for each player at bottom of release): St. John’s fr. LF Jeremy Baltz (Vestal, N.Y.) … Virginia jr. DH John Barr (Ivyland, Pa.) … Washington State sr. 2B Cody Bartlett (Kent, Wash.) … UCLA so. RHP Trevor Bauer (Valencia, Calif.) … Arizona State sr. RF Kole Calhoun (Buckeye, Ariz.) … Cal State Fullerton jr. SS Christian Colon (Corona, Calif.) … South Carolina sr. RHP Blake Cooper (Neeses, S.C.) … Texas A&M jr. catcher Kevin Gonzalez (Houston, Texas) … Clemson jr. 3B  John Hinson (Asheville, N.C.) … College of Charleston jr. SS Jamie Holler (Rock Hill, S.C.) … Florida State so. 3B Sherman Johnson (Tampa, Fla.) … Texas so. RHP Taylor Jungmann (Temple, Texas) … Arkansas so. LF Collin Kuhn (Beaver Dam, Wis.) … Miami sr. 2B Scott Lawson (Grapevine, Texas) … TCU sr. RHP Steven Maxwell (The Woodland, Texas) … Alabama so. LHP Adam Morgan (Marietta, Ga.) … Oklahoma so. RF Cody Reine (Walker, La.) … Minnesota jr. RHP Seth Rosin (Shoreview, Minn.) … and Florid so. LF Tyler Thompson (Tequesta, Fla.).

The week-16 honorees ended up including at least one player from every position, with seven total pitchers (five RHPs and a pair of LHPs), three leftfielders, two shortstops, two third basemen and two rightfielders, plus a catcher, first baseman, second baseman, centerfielder and DH. The 21 selections feature five seniors, eight juniors, seven sophomores and the freshman Balyz. The honorees hail from 15 different home states, led by four from Texas and two each from California, Florida and South Carolina – plus one each from Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Minnesota, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #16
(NCAA Regionals; June 4-8, 2010 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

JEREMY BALTZ (LF … #18)
St. John’s  •  Fr.
Vestal, NY  •  Vestal HS
6-3  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Power-hitting rookie (finished with 24 HR) who wrapped up impressive first season by batting 7-for-16 (.438) with 19 total bases (4 HR) and 13 times on-base (3BB-3HBP) spanning five regional games at Virginia, as 3rd-seed SJU reached the final game … racked up a 1.779 OPS (.591 on-base + 1.188 slugging pct.) at the regional, highlighted by 2-HR game in 6-5 win over the top seed/host Cavaliers … his 2-run blast in the bottom of the 8th of that game sent Red Storm from brink of elimination into Monday rematch (won by UVa, 5-3; Baltz had RBI 1B) … helped eliminate 2-seed Ole Miss (20-16; 1-for-3, RBI-2R-BB-2HBP), after homering in earlier 10-5 loss to the Rebels (2-for-3; 3RBI-2BB) … collected his other HR in 8-6 win over VCU (2RBI, HBP, sac-fly).

JOHN BARR (DH … #7)
Virginia  •  Jr.
Ivyland, PA  •  Germantown Academy
6-2  •  195

Provided bonus production from the 9-hole in key 13-7 winners-bracket game vs. 2-seed Mississippi (4-for-4, 4 RBI, 2B, HBP) … also had some timely offensive moments in pair of games vs. upstart St. John’s (R, BB in 6-5 loss … BB, HBP in 5-3 clinching win) … hit .500 in the four regional games (6-12; 5RBI-2R-2B-2BB-2HBP-SB), including 15-4 opener vs. Virginia Commonwealth (RBI-R-SB).

CODY BARTLETT (2B … #2)
Washington State  •  Sr./Jr.
Kent, WA  •  Kentwood HS
5-8  •  170  •  Bats: Right

Flashed his shortstop background with error-free showing (22 fielding chances) at the regional, also batting .381 (8-for-21) with several key plays from the 2-hole  … factored into 10 runs (4RBI-8R-2HR; 2BB) for 3rd-seeded Cougars squad that made run to regional’s final day … walked and scored twice in 10-7 win over top seed/host Arakansas, forcing the final game … helped knock off #2 seed Kansas State on opening day (9-6; 2-for-4, R-BB) and later smacked huge 8th-inning HR in elimination-game win over KSU (8-6; 3-for-5, 2RBI-3R) … also homered in winners-bracket loss vs. Arkansas (6-4;2-4, 2RBI-R) and had a single/run in 7-2 loss to the Razorbacks.

TREVOR BAUER (RHP … #47)
UCLA  •  So.
Valencia, CA  •  Hart HS
6-1  •  175

Came through in 6-3 winners-bracket victory over LSU, allowing only a single earned run (plus 2 UERs) in 8.0 strong innings … struck out 11 of the 33 batters he faced in that 121-poitch outings, with 7 hits allowed and a pair of walks.

KOLE CALHOUN (RF … #49)
Arizona State … Sr.
Buckeye, AZ  •  Yavapai JC/Buckeye HS
5-11  •  190  •  Bats: Left

Helped Sun Devils reach 50-win mark, following victories over Milwaukee (6-2) and Hawaii (12-1, 8-4) … homered in all three games (giving him 16 HR for the season) while reaching base seven times … factored into four runs vs. Milwaukee (3RBI-2R-HR; BB-HBP) … hit 2-for-4 to help close out Hawaii (BB).

CHISTIAN COLON (SS … #4)
Cal State Fullerton  •  Jr.
Corona, CA  •  Canyon HS
6-0  •  180  •  Bats: Right

Helped Titans win their 4th straight elimination game (9-5 clincher vs. Minnesota) – on the same day he was selected 4th overall in the MLB draft … hit .476 (10-for-21) while factoring into 15 runs (9RBI-8R-2HR) during the five regional games … top-seeded and host team Fullerton had been upset by Minnesota in opener (3-1) before staying alive with 6-5 win over 2-seed Stanford, with Colon homering twice in that key win (4RBI) … went 3-for-5 later that day to help eliminate New Mexico, 11-3 (2RBI-3R-2B-BB) … helped beat Minnesota on Sunday night (7-2; 2-for-4, BB) to force decisive 9-5 finale in which he went 3-for-4 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored (2 2B, HBP).

BLAKE COOPER (RHP … #27)
South Carolina  •  Sr.
Neeses, SC  •  Edisto HS
5-10  •  180

Battle-tested veteran who delivered victory for his team in top pitching matchup opposite The Citadel’s ace Asher Wojciechowski, during 9-4 winners-bracket game … did not allow an earned run (4 UER) in game that saw Citadel holding a 4-2 lead entering the 7th … struck out 12 while allowing 6 hits and 3 walks over 7.1 innings, en route to boosting his season record to 11-1.

KEVIN GONZALEZ (C … #10)
Texas A&M  •  Jr.
Houston, TX  • Mayde Creek HS
5-10  •  195  •  Bats: Right

Veteran catcher who supplied bonus offense from the 8-hole, as 2nd-seeded Aggies reached final game in regional … launched huge solo HR in top of 9th vs. Dartmouth, as A&M rallied to avoid elimination with 4-3 comeback win … hit .389 (7-for-18) with an .889 slugging pct. (2 HR, 3 2B) in five games at the regional (5RBI-3R) … helped blow out surging 3-seed Florida International in 17-3 opener (2-for-5, 2RBI-R-HR) … went 2-for-5 with a double in 11-7 win over host team Miami and then 2-for-4 (2RBI-R-2B) in final game, a 10-3 loss to the ‘Canes.

RICHIE GOODENOW (LHP … #15)
Vanderbilt  •  Jr.
Nashville, TN  •  Overton HS
6-2  •  200

Setup man who rose to the occasion in his first start of the season with 2-hit shutout vs. top seed Louisville (7-0), helping his 2nd-seed team rally to beat the host team twice … faced only 29 batters (2 over the minimum) in masterful outing vs. potent Cardinals offense … issued only a pair of walks in the 99-pitch outing that includes 60 strikes thrown … 19 of his outs came via strikeouts (5), groundballs (12, including pair of double-play balls) or infield popups (2) – while a 3rd-inning double represented the only Louisville player that reached scoring position … held each of Louisville #1 thru #6 batters hitless (0-for-18 combined).

JOHN HINSON (3B … #4)
Clemson  •  Jr./So.
Asheville, NC  •  Reynolds HS
6-0  •  175  •  Bats: Left

Delivered clutch play at the hot corner (no errors) and from the 6-hole, batting .563 (9-for-16) with and 19 total bases (3HR-2B; 5RBI-5R-BB-HBP) for 2nd-seeded Clamson … turned in strong efforts during three games (10-1, 10-11, 13-7) vs. top seed Auburn (7-for-12, 4RBI-4R-2HR-2B-BB-HBP) … had a pair of singles and an RBI in winners-bracket game and closed 2-for-3 in clinching win (RBI-3R-HR-2B-BB-HBP) … helped team nearly win second game vs. Auburn (3-5, 2RBI-R-HR) … opened regional going 2-for-4 with a HR vs Southern Mississippi.

JAMIE HOLLER (SS … #4)
College of Charleston … Jr.
Rock Hill, SC  •  Sumter JC/Northwestern HS
6-0  •  170  •  Bats: Right

Slick fielder who made no errors in four regional games (22 fielding chances) while coming through with some timely offense from the 9-hole for 2nd-seeded Cougars … played lead role in 16-6 winnners-bracket victory over top seed and host Coastal Carolina (3-for-5, 2RBI-2R) … connected on a 2-out/2-run blast for his 4th HR of season in that win over CC … batted 7-for-14 in three games vs. Coastal (pair of 1-run losses, 8-7 & 11-10, in 10), factoring into 7 of his team’s runs (3RBI-5R-HR-2B) … also singled and scored in opening win over N.C. State (9-6).

SHERMAN JOHNSON (3B … #32)
Florida State  •  So.
Tampa, FL  •  Alonso HS
5-10  •  180  •  Bats: Left

Steady 2-hole hitter who helped Seminoles advance from a rare road regional, in Norwich, Conn. (11-3 vs. Central Connecticut; 6-4 and 5-3 vs. Oregon) … hit .417 (5-12) with a pair of HR and a double while factoring into seven of team’s runs (4RBI-5R) during the three games (2 BB, SB) … went 2-for-3 with his 8th HR of season in final win over the Ducks (2RBI-BB) … also homered and hit his 14th 2B in earlier win over Oregon (2R).

TAYLOR JUNGMANN (RHP … #26)
Texas  •  So.
Temple, TX  •  Georgetown HS
6-6  •  195

Closed out home regional with impressive outing that helped beat 2nd-seed Rice, 4-1 … faced only 25 batters (2 over the min.) in 7.2 innings, while improving to 7-3 for the season … allowed the lone run on 2 hits and 2 walks, with 7 strikeouts and 9 groundball outs in that 84-pitch outing.

COLLIN KUHN (LF … #25)
Arkansas  •  So.
Beaver Dam, WI  •  Beaver Dam HS
5-11  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Leadoff batter who blasted 4 home runs in the regional … hit 4-for-9 and factored into six runs (4RBI-3R-HR; 2 2B-BB-HBP) during pair of wins vs. Washington State (6-4 winners-bracket; 7-2 finale) … hit .412 (7-16) at the regional and had a hand in 11 of the team’s runs (7RBI-8R-4HR; 2 2B-3BB-2 HBP-SB), with the other games including 19-7 win over Grambling and 10-7 loss to WSU (16th HR of season) … went 3-for-5 with 2RBI-2R-HR-2B in the pivotal first win over the Cougars.

SCOTT LAWSON (1B … #2)
Miami  •  Sr.
Grapevine, TX  •  Grayson JC/Colleyville Heritage HS
5-10  •  185  •  Bats: Left

One of a handful of players across the nation with a 3-HR game during regional round, doing so from the 2-hole in 14-1 winners-bracket win over 2-seed Texas A&M … went 4-for-6 in that game while factoring into 7 of the Hurricanes runs (6RBI-4R-3HR) … hit .529 (9-17) with 22 total bases in the four regional games (6RBI-5R-4HR-2B-4BB), with a single, walk and two runs scored in 10-3 clinching win over A&M … opened regional batting 2-for-4 in 12-8 win over Dartmouth (3RBI-R-BB) and added another 2-for-4 game in 11-7 loss to A&M (HR-2B).

STEVEN MAXWELL (RHP … #4)
TCU  •  Sr./Jr.
The Woodlands, TX  •  The Woodlands HS
6-0  •  180

Veteran leader of strong 3-man rotation, delivering key victory in 9-0 winners-bracket game vs. Baylor … faced only 27 batters (3 over the min.) in 8.0 strong innings … struck out 10 while holding the Bears to 3 hits and a pair of walks in the 114-pitch outing.

ADAM MORGAN (LHP … #32)
Alabama  •  So.
Marietta, GA  •  Kell HS
6-1  •  180

Surging lefthander whose complete game sparked a regional-winning rally by 2nd-seeded ‘Bama … picked up the Sunday-night win (8-1) over top seed/host Georgia Tech, forcing the decisive game on Monday … faced only 33 batters in that 114-pitch outing (75 strikes), with only 5 hits allowed and a walk while totaling 9 strikeouts and 10 groundouts … limited GT’s #1 thru #5 hitters to a combined 3-for-19 batting.

RICO NOEL (CF … #1)
Coastal Carolina  •  Jr.
Lawton, OK  •  Lawton HS
5-9  •  170  •  Bats: Right

Talented all-around hitter from the 2-hole/leadoff spots, batting .435 (10-for-23) and factoring into 12 runs (7RBI-7R-2HR) during five regional games … hit 5-for-13 in three showdown games with the College of Charleston (6-16; 8-7; 11-10, in 10) – including the 9th inning, 1-out/2-run HR that won the middle game in dramatic fashion … racked up six stolen bases in the regional, pushing his season total to a nation-leading 56 … his big game in the 8-7 win over CofC included batting 4-for-5 with 5 RBI, his 11th HR of season and 18th 2B … came back next day to hit 3-for-6, triple score twice and collect 3 SBs in clinching win … also helped post pair of wins over scrappy Stony Brook squad (6-0, 25-7).

CODY REINE (RF … #11)
Oklahoma  •  So.
Walker, LA  •  Grayson JC/Walker HS
5-9  •  215  •  Bats: Left

Provided several key offensive plays from the 6-hole, as Sooners advanced with three 1-run wins (7-6 vs. Oral Roberts in 10; 7-6 vs. North Carolina in 10; and 3-2 vs. UNC) … his 7th-inning, 2-out single scored final run in finale vs. the Tar Heels … sparked 10th-inning rally vs. ORU with 1st-pitch/1-out single up the middle (went on to score winning run) … hit 2-for-5 with a sac.-bunt in crucial first win over UNC … batted 5-for-11 in the regional (2RBI-3R-HR-2BB-HBP-SAC).

SETH ROSIN (RHP … #29)
Minnesota  •  Jr.
Shoreview, MN  •  Mounds View HS
6-6  •  245

Shocked top seed and host team Cal State Fullerton with 8.0 dominating innings, as 4th seed Minnesota won its opening game at the regional (9-4) … allowed a single run on 3 hits and no walks, with 7 strikeouts and 6 groundouts among his 26 batters faced (2 over the min.).

TYLER THOMPSON (LF … #18)
Florida  •  So.
Tequesta, FL  •  Jupiter HS
6-1  •  190  •  Bats: Left

Platoon starter in left field who picked perfect time for best game of his career, leading the way regional clinching win over 2-seed Florida Atlantic (15-0) … batted 4-for-5 out of the 9-hole in that game, with his 3 home runs matching his career total entering the game … factored into 7 runs during that final win (6RBI-4R-3HR-2B) … tied program record for total bases (14) while becoming first Gator with 3HR in an NCAA Tournament game (his RBI 2B opened the scoring) … earlier hit 2-for-4 (R-3B) in 10-2 winners-bracket game vs. Oregon State.

* – Coastal Carolina’s Noel is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week and Vanderbilt’s Goodenow the Primetime Pitcher of the Week … primary class years are based on academic standing (some players may have an extra year of eligibility)

CB360 Primetime Performers #15 (6/1; full release)

Southern Miss. Ace Copeland, Lamar Centerfielder Moore Are Top Primetime Performers …
(full release now posted, with expanded info., player capsules, photos, etc.)

A pair of senior Texas natives – Lamar centerfielder Anthony Moore (Cedar Hills) and Southern Mississippi righthander Scott Copeland (White Oak) – rose to the occasion during conference tournament week and earned top honors among the 15th group of honorees in the CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll. (front-page photo courtesy of Lamar)

Moore has been named the national Primetime Player of the Week and Copeland is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week, while 15 others (listed below) join them in comprising the Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com. Moore combined clutch hitting (10-for-16, 10 RBI, 2 2B), timely power (3 HR) and slick fielding to lead 7th-seeded Lamar to the Southland Conference Tournament title and an automatic bid into the NCAAs.

Copeland faced only five batters over the minimum (45) during 13.1 scoreless innings at the Conference USA Tournament (4H-2BB-4K-30BF). He improved to 10-0 with a dominant complete game in the 9-3 opener vs. Memphis (4H-K) before coming out of the bullpen to quiet Rice’s red-hot offense and pick up his 11th win in the title-game showdown with the top-seeded Owls (4.1IP-2BB-3K-15BF).

CLICK HERE for the archive of previous CB360 Primetime award winners (scroll down on page for earlier weeks).

MOORE was a leading force behind Lamar’s historic run to the Southland Conference Tournament title. The 5-11, 195-pound lefthanded hitter went 10-for-16 (.625) from the 6-hole during four games at the tournament, with 10 RBI, three home runs and a pair of doubles (6R-BB) – as the 7th-seeded Cardinals bested a tournament field that included three NCAA hopefuls/bubble teams.

Lamar faced a tough task in its opening game, against the #2 seed Northwestern (La.) State team that was on a roll over the final weeks of the regular season. Moore batted 2-for-4 in that tight 4-3 win, including a double during the decisive 7th (when the Cardinals scored the game’s final run). He then homered in both wins over McNeese State (10-7, 9-3), batting 6-for-7 in that pair of games to help secure Lamar a spot in the title game (4RBI-4R-SB).

Moore’s home run in the first win over McNeese (his 8th HR of the season) forged a 2-2 tie in the 4th inning and helped spark the comeback victory. One day later, he did his damage earlier with a 2-run long ball over the rightfield fence for a 4-0 Lamar lead in the 1st inning.

Moore homered for the third straight game in the 17-7 title game versus top seed Texas State, batting 2-for-5 with two RBI, a pair of runs scored, a double and a walk. His defense helped set an early tone, with a sliding 1st-inning catch that helped negate a teammate’s error moments earlier. One inning later, after the Bobcats had scored four runs in the top of the 2nd, Moore hit an early 2-run blast fort he second straight day (this time to the opposite field, in left), as Lamar put five runs on the board for a 6-4 lead that they never relinquished.

COPELAND was one of the primary factors in helping Southern Miss jump off the bubble and into an automatic spot for the NCAA Tournament. The 6-4, 210-pound righthander first took the mound for 9-3 opening-game win vs. a #3-seeded Memphis team that had posted several upset wins during the 2010 season. Copeland limited the Tigers to four hits and a pair of walks in the complete-game effort, with four strikeouts and nine groundball outs (including two double plays). He needed only 106 pitches to close out the game, locating 77 of those pitches for strikes while pushing his season record to 10-0.

Three days later, in the 7-4 title-game win over top seed Rice, Copeland answered the call out of the bullpen to pick up the clinching win for a Southern Miss program that was in danger of missing the NCAAs one year after reaching the College World Series. He closed the game with 4.1 scoreless innings (2BB-3K-15BF) against a Rice offense that had totaled 53 runs in its previous three C-USA Tournament games.

Copeland – who retired 10 of the 15 batters he faced in the title game via groundouts (7) or strikeouts – entered a tense situation in the 5th, with his team clinging to a 5-4 lead, 2-out and two runners aboard. Steven Sulzbaugh had a chance to give Rice the lead, but Copeland blew an 0-2 pitch past him to end the threat.

Over the final 4.0 innings of the championship game, Copeland allowed only a pair of 2-out walks (in the 7th and 8th) and did not permit any runners into scoring position. The pitcher of record located 44 of his 63 pitches for strikes (70%), including the final pitch of the game that produced a groundout to first base.

Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

The other 15 members of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for May 24-30 include (see capsules for each player at bottom of release): Rider jr. 2B A.J. Albee (Ashley, Pa.) … Milwaukee sr. 3B Dan Buchholz (Racine, Wis.) ... Saint Louis sr. RHP Bryant Cotton (Omaha, Neb.) … Central Connecticut jr. LF Pat Epps (Waterford, Conn.) … LSU so. 2B Tyler Hanover (Kernersville, N.C.) …St. John’s fr. RHP Kyle Hansen (Glen Cove, N.Y.) …Baylor sr. RHP Willie Kempf (Castroville, Texas) … Minnesota sr. catcher Kyle Knudson (Maple Grove, Minn.) …Florida International so. 3B Jeremy Patton (St. Louis, Mo.) … North Carolina State so. 1B Harold Riggins (Normal, Ill.) … Jacksonville State sr. 2B Bert Smith (Helena, Ala.) … Mercer so. 3B Jacob Tanis (Peachtree City, Ga.) … Grambling jr. LHP Adrian Turner (Kenosha, Wis.) … Virginia Commonwealth sr. 3B Joe Van Meter (Oyster Bay, N.Y.) … and Hawaii so. 2B Kolten Wong (Hilo, Hawaii).

The week-15 honorees included several clutch infielders from both sides of the diamond, with four third basemen and four at second base, plus four righthanded pitchers, a catcher, first baseman, leftfielder, centerfielder and lefthanded pitcher. The 17 selections feature eight seniors, three juniors, five freshmen and the freshman Hansen. The honorees hail from 13 different home states, led by three from Texas and two each from New York and Wisconsin, plus one each from the home states of Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #15
(June 1, 2010 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Player (Pos.) … School … Yr. … Hometown … Stats & Notes

A.J. ALBEE (2B … #2)
Rider … Jr.
Ashley, PA
5-11  •  180  •  Bats: Right

3-hole batter who hit 4-for-8 (4RBI-3R-HR-2B-2BB) in pair of wins over top seed Canisius (10-5, 4-2), as the 3rd-seeded Broncs earned NCAA berth with tournament title in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) … closed with strong effort in title game, batting 3-for-5 while factoring into six of team’s runs (4RBI-3R-HR-2B) … doubled and scored twice in opening win over #2 seed Marist (10-7).

DAN BUCHHOLZ (3B … #2)
Milwaukee … Sr.
Racine, WI
6-2  •  220  •  Bats: Right

Potent 3-hole/cleanup batter who capped hot-hitting week by going 6-for-10 with 4 RBI and 4 runs scored, in pair of wins (14-7, 6-3) versus top seed Wright State – as Panthers won Horizon League Tournament to claim automatic NCAA bid … his 3-run HR sparked first win over Huskies, forcing decisive final game … earlier hit 4-for-8 (3RBI-R) in pair of wins over #4 seed Valparaiso.

*SCOTT COPELAND (RHP … #34)
Southen Mississippi … Sr.
White Oak, TX
6-4  •  210

Pushed his season record to 11-0 with pair of wins at Conference USA Tournament, as #2-seeded Golden Eagles ensured their NCAA spot by claiming tourney title … racked up 13.1 scoreless inning in two appearances (4H-2BB-4K-45BF) … had dominating complete game in key 8-2 opening win over #3 seed Memphis (4H-K) before coming out of the bullpen to quiet Rice’s red-hot offense in the title-game showdown with the top-seeded Owls (4.1IP-2BB-3K-15BF).

BRYANT COTTON (RHP … #5)
Saint Louis … Sr. … Omaha, NE … 6-2  •  190

Tossed complete game vs. top seed Charlotte and then closed title game on one day’s rest, leading #5 seed Billikens to Atlantic-10 Tournament title and NCAA bid … knocked off top seed Charlotte in tight 3-2 game (4H-BB-5K-31BF) and foiled the 49ers again in 5-4 finale … entered that game with bases loaded and 2-outs, delivering 1-2 slider for the title-clinching strikeout vs. 3-hole batter Corey Shaylor (a .388 hitter).

PAT EPPS (LF … #32)
Central Connecticut … Jr. … Waterford, CT
6-3  •  225  •  Bats: Right

Cleanup batter who helped #2-seeded Blue Devils rally to win Northeast Conf. Tournament, with pair of victories over top seed Sacred Heart (9-6, 9-3) …hit 4-for-7 with 6 RBI in the wins over the Pioneers (3R-HR-3B), including 2-run blast in the 7th that produced 5-3 lead in the first win.

TYLER HANOVER (2B … #11)
LSU …So.
Kernersville, NC
5-6  •  160  •  Bats: Right

2-hole batter who hit 10-for-19 (5RBI-3R-3 2B-SB) and played error-free up the middle (21 fielding chances), as #8 seed Tigers won SEC Tournament … supplied the 11th-inning single that plated winning run in 4-3 title game vs. Alabama (hit 3-for-5) … helped upset top seed Florida on day-1 (10-6; 2-for-5, R-2B), also batting 2-for-5 in 7-5 win over Vanderbilt (RBI-R-2B) and 3-for-4 during 6-0 shutout of Ole Miss (3RBI-R-2B-SB)

KYLE HANSEN (RHP … #39)
St. John’s … Fr. … Glen Cove, NY … 6-7  •  195

Allowed only one run in 14.2 innings (0.61 ERA) while picking up pair of wins at BIG EAST Tournament, as Red Storm advanced to NCAAs (5H-6BB-13K) … won 3-0 title game vs. #2 seed UConn (6.1IP-2H-5BB-5K), after 3-2 opening win over #5 South Florida (8IP-R-3H-BB-8K) … brother of former SJU dominant pitcher (and current Pittsburgh Pirate) Craig Hansen.

WILLIE KEMPF (RHP … #26)
Baylor … Sr.
Castroville, TX
6-0  •  195

Veteran pitcher who led 6th-seeded Bears to brink of winning Big 12 Conference Championship (while helping team earn NCAA berth) … had relief win in opening game vs. #3 seed Kansas State, after logging 4.1 shutout innings (H-BB-2K-16BF) … drew start four days later in title game vs. #5 seed Texas A&M, putting Bears in prime position for win (7.1IP-R-5H-5K-26BF), but A&M won 5-3 in 10 … his combined stats at the Big 12 tourney included 0.77 ERA, 6H-BB-7K-42BF-11.2IP).

KYLE KNUDSON (C … #6)
Minnnesota … Sr. … Maple Grove, MN
6-3  •  205  •  Bats: Right

Cleanup batter who drove in six runs, as Gophers lived up to their top seed in winning Big Ten Tournament … played lead role in 10-8 opening win over Indiana (3-for-5, 3RBI-R) … singled and scored tying run in 8th inning vs. #2 Michigan (4-3 win in 11; also 2H, R) … added a double and pair of RBI in final win over Iowa (15-4).

ANTHONY MOORE (CF … #42)
Lamar … Sr.
Cedar Hill, TX
5-11  •  195  •  Bats: Left

Provided key production from the 6-hole, combining clutch hitting (10-for-16, 10 RBI, 6R, 2 2B, BB), timely power (3 HR) and slick fielding to lead 7th-seeded Lamar to the Southland Conference Tournament title and an automatic bid into the NCAAs … helped knock off #2 seed Northwestern (La.) St. on opening day (4-3; 2-for-4), including a 7th-inn. double as team scored game’s final run … homered for third straight game, as Cardinals handed top seed Texas State a 17-7 loss in title game (2-for-5, 2RBI-2R-2B-BB).

JEREMY PATTON (3B … #22)
Florida International … So.
St. Louis, MO
6-0  •  190  •  Bats: Left

Cleanup batter for surging team that took itself off the NCAA bubble (and into the field) by winning the Sun Belt Tourmanent, as #4 seed … hit 12-for-23 (.522) in six tournament games, with 4 HR-10RBI-8R-4 2B-7BB-SB while amassing 1.760 OPS (.633 on-base plus 1.127 slugging pct.) … led team to five straight wins (after opening loss), including two key victories over top seed Florida Atlantic (18-16/11-9; combined 4-for-8, 4BB-4RBI-3R-2HR) and the 14-10 title game vs. Troy (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2R, HR, 2B, BB).

HAROLD RIGGINS (1B … #25)
North Carolina State … So. … Normal, IL
6-3  •  230  •  Bats: Right

5-hole hitter who helped vault #7 seed Wolfpack into NCAAs, with runner-up finish at ACC Tournament … hit 9-for-16 (.563)  vs. four of nation’s top teams (5RBI-4R-2HR-3B-2B-2BB-HBP) … played key role in 13-8 opening win over #2 seed Clemson (2-4, 2RBI-R-3B-HBP) … hit 4-for-5 as ‘Pack fought off elimination with 10-9, 10-inning comeback vs. #6 seed Virginia Tech (RBI-2R-HR-2B-BB) … also had solid games vs. #3 seed Georgia Tech and #5 Florida State (title game; 2-for-3, 2B-BB).

BERT SMITH (2B … #3)
Jacksonville State … Sr.
Helena, AL
5-9  •  160  •  Bats: Right

2-hole hitter who went 5-for-9 with 5 RBI in pair of close wins over top seed Tennessee Tech (9-7, 10-8), helping win Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and punching ticket to the NCAAs … his other stats in those two key wins included a pair of doubles, two stolen bases, a run scored and a sacrifice bunt … also helped beat preseason favorite Eastern Illinois (7-5; 2-for-5, RBI), as Gamecocks went undefeated in their run to the title.

JACOB TANIS (3B … #31)
Mercer … So.
Peachtree City, GA
6-1  •  190  •  Bats: Right

3-hole hitter who rapped out four extra-base hits (2HR-3B-2B) as part of his 6-for-14 week during the Atlantic Sun Tournament, as the #2 seed Bears won their first conference title since ‘83 and secured a spot in the NCAAs (his other tourney stats included 3RBI-6R-2BB-HBP-2SB) … led team to sweep of its four games, with pair of wins over #3 East Tennessee (10-7, 3-1 final) and #5 Jacksonville (10-1, 7-3) … hit solo HR in tight tournament-clinching win over ETSU.

ADRIAN TURNER (LHP … #20)
Grambling … Jr.
Kenosha, WI
6-1  •  205

Talented southpaw who picked up pair of wins for #6-seeded squad that won Southwestern Athletic Conf. Tournament to earn NCAA berth … won 8-4 opening game vs. #3 seed Mississippi Valley St. (5IP-2R-5H-4BB-3K) and then went the distance in 15-2 title game vs. #5 Alcorn State (7H-BB-7K).

JOE VAN METER (3B … #4)
Virginia Commonwealth … Sr./Jr.
Oyster Bay, NY
6-2  •  195  •  Bats: Right

3-hole hitter whose 12th-inning HR provided winning margin in Colonial Ath. Association Tournament final vs. #4 seed UNC Wilmington (7-5) … the #3 seed Rams had quickly rebounded from 10-0 loss to UNC-W by winning the rematch to earn NCAA bid … hit 8-for-17 in the tournament (6RBI-4R-HR-3B-2B-2BB), including 4-for-5 in 7-4 opener vs. #2 seed Georgia State (4RBI-3B-2B).

KOLTEN WONG (2B … #14)
Hawaii … So. … Hilo, HI
5-9  •  190  •  Bats: Left

Leadoff batter who used the long ball and steady on-base efforts to help 4th-seeded Rainbows win Western Athletic Conference Tournament and earn trip to NCAAs … his late-game heroics avoided opening loss to Louisiana Tech, with 8th-inning, 2-out/2-run blast that ultimately forced extra innings before winning game with another 2-out/2-run HR in the 10th (8-7) … played lead role in pair of wins (11-3/9-6 title game) over top seed Fresno State (3-for-5, 4BB-3RBI-2R-HR-2B-SF).

* – Lamar’s Moore is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week and Southern Mississippi’s Copeland the Primetime Pitcher of the Week … note that rankings above refer to the top-50 of the CB360 Composite National Rankings (CNR) … primary class years are based on academic standing (some players may have an extra year of eligibility)

CB360 Primetime Performers #15 (5/31; pre-release)

CB360 Primetime Performers #14 (5/24; full release)

Auburn’s Patterson, Pepperdine’s Bywater Top Week-14 Primetime List …
(full release now posted, with expanded info., player capsules, photos, etc.)

Auburn junior designated hitter Kevin Patterson (Birmingham, Ala.) and Pepperdine junior lefthander Matt Bywater (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) headline the 14th group of honorees in the CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll, recognizing clutch efforts for the week of May 17-23.

Patterson has been named the national Primetime Player of the Week and Bywater is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week, while 16 others (listed below) join them in comprising the Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com. Pattrerson’s power stroke helped lift Auburn to the SEC West title following a series sweep at Mississippi, while Bywater set a Pepperdine record with his fourth solo shutout of the season in a win over San Diego that halted USD’s quest for an unbeaten run through the WCC.

CLICK HERE for the archive of previous CB360 Primetime award winners (scroll down for earlier weeks).

As a designated hitter, PATTERSON’s primary function is to provide clutch hits and power from the left side of the plate. With Ole Miss ace lefthander Drew Pomeranz starting game-1 on May 20, Patterson did not start the game – but the imposing 6-foot-4, 235-ponder came off the bench to shift the game with one swing of the bat.

The Rebels (CB360 #17) were clinging to a 3-2 lead, when Pomeranz departed with two runners aboard. Moments later, with 2-outs and the runners still on base, Patterson was announced as a pinch-hiiter and took the first pitch (ball) from RHP Brett Huber before pulling a 2-out, 3-run home run down the rightfield line. A 3-2 deficit suddenly had transformed into a 5-3 lead, and Auburn went on to post a valuable win over the Pomeranz-led Rebels.

One day later, Patterson launched another 3-run bomb as the Tigers ran away with the game-2 win that clinched the SEC West Division title (he also had a walk and second run scored in that title-clinching victory).

BYWATER set the Pepperdine record with his fourth solo shutout of the season, after facing a surging San Diego team (#20 in the CB360 Composite National Rankings) that had yet to lose in West Coast Conference action and was led by ace pitcher Seth Blair.

The four shutouts surpass the record (3) previously shared by legendary Pepperdine pitchers Mike Scott, Randy Wolf and Patrick Ahearne. The San Diego offense (.314 team batting avg.) managed nine hits and three walks, but Bywater worked out of several jams – thanks to five timely strikeouts, 10 outs via ground balls (including three induced double plays) and even his first pickoff of the season).

Strong pitching from Bywater and Blair kept the game scoreless through the first four innings, but USD’s biggest threat came in the 6th (with two in scoring position and no outs). Bywater then rose to the challenge, as he caught cleanup batter Tony Strazara looking at strike-3 before Nick McCoy went down swinging and Zach Kometani had a routine 4-3 groundout – as Bywater snapped back to form in impressive fashion to maintain the shutout.

Bywater’s 114-pitch outing produced his fifth complete game of 2010 while dropping his season ERA to 2.29. The win also ended Pepperdine’s seven-game losing streak vs. the rival Toreros.

Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

The other 16 members of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for May 17-123 include (see capsules for each player at bottom of release): Florida jr. 2B Josh Adams (Jacksonville, Fla.) … College of Challeston sr. 1B Greg Blake (Westerly, R.I.) …Clemson 5th-yr.-sr. CF Wilson Boyd (Hickory, N.C.) …Washington sr. 2B Doug Cherry (Redwood, Wash.) … Binghamton so. 1B Dave Ciocchi (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) … Northwestern (La.) State sr. LF Eric DeBlanc (Scott, La.) … Minnesota so. 2B/3B Kyle Geason (Eden Prairie, Minn.) … North Carolina sr. SS Ryan Graepel (Greensville, N.C.) … Oklahoma so. catcher Tyler Ogle (San Antonio, Texas) … Seton Hall fr. RHP Jon Prosinski (Skillman, NJ) …Bucknell jr. 1B Doug Shribman (Marblehead, Mass.) … Alabama sr. 3B/RHP Jake Smith (Shannon, Ala.) … Oregon State fr. catcher Andrew Susac (Roseville, Calif.) … Florida International so. SS Garrett Wittels (Bay Harbor Island, Fla.) … The Citadel jr. RHP Asher Wojciechowski (Sturgis, Mich.) … and Boston College so. SS Brad Zapenas (Nashua, N.H.).

The week-14 honorees include a two-way talent (3B/RHP), three first basemen and three shortstops, plus two catchers, a pair of second basemen, two righthanded pitchers, a utility infielder (2B/3B), leftfielder, centerfielder, DH and lefthanded pitcher. The 18 selections feature a 5th-year senior, five seniors, six juniors, five sophomores and a freshman. The honorees hail from 13 different home states, led by three from Florida, plus two each from Alabama, California and North Carolina, along with single players from the home states of Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas and Washington.

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #14
(May 24, 2010 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Player (Pos.) … School … Yr. … Hometown … Stats & Notes

JOSH ADAMS (2B … #2)
Florida … Jr.
Jacksonville, FL
5-11  •  195  •  Bats: Right

Clutch 9-hole hitter, as Gators won first two games at #9 South Carolina (3-2/5-2) to win series that decided SEC title … brought home eventual winning run in opener before factoring into 4 runs (3RBI-R) in game-2 win that clinched title (in front record crowd of 8,242 at Carolina Stadium) … rose to occasion in 7th inn. of that game, breaking 2-2 tie with 2-out, 2-run 2B (later 2-out RBI single in 9th, on 0-2 pitch) … moved up to 5-hole in game-3 (3-5, RBI, R; 11-6 loss).

GREG BLAKE (1B … #24)
College of Charleston … Sr.
Westerly, RI
6-2  •  225  •  Bats: Left

Supplied game’s biggest hit from 6-hole, as Cougars posted big midweek none-conference win over #5 Coastal Carolina (12-4; played in Myrtle Beach, S.C.) … his 2-out, 3-run double highlighted 5-run top of the 7th that broke open a 4-4 game … went on to hit 3-for-4 (RBI, R, 3B, BB) in 10-8 win over UNC Wilmington.

WILSON BOYD (CF … #12)
Clemson… 5th-Yr.-Sr. … Hickory, NC
5-8  •  175  •  Bats: Left

His production from bottom of order (8/7-hole) helped Tigers sweep #10 Florida State (9-8/8-4/8-3), en route to winning ACC Atlantic Div. title … provided 2-out, 8th-inning single that plated decisive run in opener … hit 5-for-9 in FSU series (4RBI, 3R, HR, 4 BB).

*MATT BYWATER (LHP … #13)
Pepperdine … Jr.
Thousand Oaks, CA
6-2  •  195

Set Pepperdine record with his fourth solo shutout of the season (5-0), as Waves ended 7-game losing streak vs. San Diego and halted USD’s quest for an undefeated run through the WCC (9H, 3 BB, 5 Ks) … his 114-pitch outing included 10 outs via groundballs (induced three clutch double-plays and completed his first pickoff of the season).

DOUG CHERRY (2B … #3)
Washington … Sr.
Redwood, WA
5-10  •  175  •  Bats: Right

2-hole batter who played lead role in stunning 14-11 win over visiting #23 Oregon, as Huskies scored 2 in 9th, 4 in 10th and 2 in 11th … went 4-for-5 and factored into 6 runs (4 RBI, 2R; 2 2B, BB) during wild win … had leadoff single and scored to help force extra innings … came up again in the 10th and drove 2-run 2B to left, scoring moment’s later on Caleb Brown’s tying HR.

DAVE CIOCCHI (1B … #32)
Binghamton … So.
Hopewell Junction, NY
5-10  •  190  •  Bats: Left

3-hole batter who helped America East Conference champs extended win streak to 14 games, with series sweep at league runner-up Stony Brook (5-4/2-1/13-6) … hit 4-for-10 in the series, with 3 RBI, and 3 R (2 BB, HBP) … went 3-for-3 in the tight opener (RBI/R) and later hit huge 2-out/2-run triple in the 8th inning of series finale, helping turn 2-1 deficit into 8-2 lead.

ERIC DeBLANC (LF … #9)
Northwestern (La.) State … Sr.
Scott, LA
6-0  •  200  •  Bats: Right

Classic table-setter whose solid series helped sweep at #34 Southeastern Louisiana (first sweep of Lions this season), as Demons nearly claimed Southland title (8-5/8-4/10-7) … extended his hitting streak to 28 games, with multiple hits in each game … batted 8-for-14 from top of the order during the series, with 5 RBI, 2 runs, a double and a walk.

KYLE GEASON (2B/3B … #4)
Minnesota … So. … Eden Prairie, MN
6-2  •  195  •  Bats: Right

Another clutch 9-hole hitter whose huge effort in series-opening rout at Ohio State (4-for-6, 4 RBI, 4 R, 2 HR) sent Gophers on to series win (16-2/4-3/6-9) and Big Ten title, while also dropping OSU out of Big Ten Tournament that will be held on its home field.

RYAN GRAEPEL (SS … #24)
North Carolina … Sr. … Greensville, NC
6-2  •  170 … Bats: Right

Played steallar defense up the middle (no Es on 13 fielding chances) while batting 5-for-13 with 7 RBI, as UNC stayed in running for ACC Tournament with sweep of #21 Virginia Tech (13-6/5-3/10-2) … set tone for series with early HR in opener … his other series stats included a pair of doubles, a walk and a sacrifice fly.

TYLER OGLE (C … #35)
Oklahoma … So. … San Antonio, TX
5-10  •  180  •  Bats: Right

5-hole batter who helped Sooners post big 5-0 week that included 5-2 win vs. #14 Arkansas and sweep at Kansas (14-4/8-7/9-6) … delivered in 9th inning of game-2, driving 2-out, 3-run double to right-center for final 8-7 margin … reprised his heroics one night later, with 3-run HR in 9th for 9-6 win … earlier hit 2-for-4 with an RBI in upset win over Arkansas … went 4-for-11, reached 4 other times (3BB, HBP) and totaled 6 RBI in sweep at KU (3R, HR, 2B).

*KEVIN PATTERSON (DH … #21)
Auburn … Jr.
Birmingham, AL
6-4  •  235  •  Bats: Left

Imposing 5-hole batter whose pinch-hit, 2-out HR plated 3 runs in the 8th for 5-3 win at #17 Mississippi, in series opener (Tigers added 18-4 & 11-1 wins for sweep and SEC West title) … added another 3-run bomb (plus earlier BB/R) in game-2 victory that clinched the divisional title.

JON PROSINSKI (RHP … #29)
Seton Hall … Fr.
Skillman, NJ
6-3  •  185

Proven game-3 pitcher (with earlier wins over BIG EAST top teams Louisville and Pittsburgh) who helped beat yet another conference frontrunner, in 3-2 victory at #19 Connecticut … that result helped Louisville slide past UConn as the BIG EAST regular-season champ (a flip of positions that could affect both teams’ NCAA placement) … allowed only a single earned run (1 UER) in 7 IP at UConn (8 H, 2 BB, K; no-dec.).

*DOUG SHRIBMAN (1B … #26)
Bucknell … Jr.
Marblehead, MA
6-4  •  220  •  Bats: Right

The reigning CB360 Primetime Player of the Week who delivered in the clutch once again, as the Bison took the championship series vs. Holy Cross (7-8/4-2/12-7) to win Patriot League Tournament and qualify for the NCAA Championship … launched 3 home runs in Sunday’s pair of games (7 total RBI), including 3-run blast for 9-7 lead in 7th inning of the series finale.

JAKE SMITH (3B/RHP … #14)
Alabama … Sr.
Shannon, AL
6-2  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Delivered key offense in series sweep (11-3/4-2/9-7) at #48 Tennessee (as #5/#6 hitter),  as Tide beat fellow postseason contender en route to securing one of the final spots in the SEC Tournament … hit 2-run HR in top of 11th and picked up first win of his college career with two scoreless innings, during game-2 win that clinched SEC bid … had pair of HRs and 6 RBI in the series (4-13; 3R, 2B, SAC, SF).

ANDREW SUSAC (C … #10)
Oregon State … Fr.
Roseville, CA
6-1  •  200  •  Bats: Right

Unlikely offensive hero and 7-hole batter who turned in his first 3-hit game of the 2010 season – including key 2-run double in the 7th for 9-6 lead – as the NCAA hopefuls posted a key game-3 win at #1 Arizona State (9-8) …. factored into 4 of his team’s runs during that tightly-contested Pacific-10 Conference victory (3RBI, R).

GARRETT WITTELS (SS … #10)
Florida International … So.
Bay Harbor Island, FL
6-1  •  200  •  Bats: Right

3-hole batter who hit safely in all three games at Sunbelt Conference leader Florida Atlantic (CB360 #37), extending his hitting streak to 48 games (2nd-longest in NCAA history, behind Robin Ventura’s 58-game streak with the 1987 Oklahoma State squad) … went 2-for-5 (RBI, 2R, 2B) to help FIU win 12-4 opener and stay in running for 3rd-place Sunbelt fiinish … hit .500 in the series (7-for-14; 5 RBI, 3R, 3 2B, HBP) while playing error-free on 15 fielding chances.

ASHER WOJCIECHOWSKI (RHP … #9)
The Citadel … Jr.
Sturgis, MI
6-4  •  235

Southern Conference pitcher of the year who posted complete-game win in opener of showdown series at Georgia Southern (9-4), clinching share of SoCon title for Bulldogs … sparked team to series sweep and outright conference title … took a shutout into the 8th inning (as his offense built 9-0 lead), before allowing 4 runs (3 on a HR) … finished with 9 strikeouts, 10 groundouts, 9 hits allowed and only a pair of walks while setting tone for key series against SoCon contender.

BRAD ZAPENAS (SS … #2)
Boston College … So.
Nashua, NH … 6-1  •  180  •  Bats: Right

His first home run of the season was a huge one, going opposite-field in the 6th inning for 5-3 lead on #8 Georgia Tech en route to 6-3 win that secured BC the final spot in the ACC Tourmament (2-for-4, 2R) … hit 5-for-11 in the series from his #8 spot (4R, RBI, HR, 2B, BB), while facing talented GT pitching staff.

* – Auburn’s Patterson is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week and Pepperdine’s Bywater the Primetime Pitcher of the Week … note that rankings above refer to the top-50 of the CB360 Composite National Rankings (CNR) … primary class years are based on academic standing (some players may have an extra year of eligibility)

CB360’s Primetime Performers #14 (5/24; pre-release)

Auburn’s Patterson, Pepperdine’s Bywater Top Week-14 Primetime List …

** Note – With the short week, CB360 has bumped up its weekly release schedule. This is a preliminary release of the Primetime Performers – check back later tonight for full release, similar to past weeks, with photos, expanded data, etc.

CLICK HERE for the extended/full release

Auburn junior designated hitter Kevin Patterson (Birmingham, Ala.) and Pepperdine junior lefthander Matt Bywater (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) headline the 14th group of honorees in the CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll, recognizing clutch efforts for the week of May 17-23. (front-page photo courtesy of Pepperdine)

Patterson has been named the national Primetime Player of the Week and Bywater is the Primetime Pitcher of the Week, while 16 others (listed below) join them in comprising the Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com. Pattrerson’s power stroke helped lift Auburn to the SEC West title following a series sweep at Mississippi, while Bywater set a Pepperdine record with his fourth solo shutout of the season in a win over San Diego that halted USD’s quest for an unbeaten run through the WCC.

CLICK HERE for the archive of previous CB360 Primetime award winners (scroll down for earlier weeks).

Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #14
(May 24, 2010 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

(list to be expanded with bio. data, stats, notes, etc.)

Alabama – Jake Smith
Auburn – *Kevin Patterson
Binghamton – Dave Ciocchi
Boston College – Brad Zapenas
Bucknell – Doug Shribman
The Citadel – Asher Wojciechowski
Clemson – Wilson Boyd
College of Charleston – Greg Blake
Florida – Josh Adams
Florida International – Garrett Wittels
Minnesota – Kyle Geason
North Carolina – Ryan Graepel
Northwestern (La.) State – Eric DeBlanc
Oklahoma – Tyler Ogle
Oregon State – Andrew Susac
Pepperdine – *Matt Bywater
Seton Hall – Jon Prosinski
Washington – Doug Cherry

* – Auburn’s Patterson is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week and Pepperdine’s Bywater the Primetime Pitcher of the Week.

CB360 Primetime Performers #13 (May 18)

Bucknells’s Shribman, SC’s Dyson Headline Week-13 Primetime Performers …

Bucknell junior first baseman Doug Shribman (Marblehead, Mass.) and South Carolina junior righthanded Sam Dyson (Tampa, Fla.) rose to the occasion during the first full week of May and lead the way for the 13th group of honorees in the CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll. (front-page photo courtesy of Bucknell)

Dyson has been named the national Primetime Pitcher of the Week and Shribman is the Primetime Player of the Week, while 16 others (listed below, with headshots and info. capsule) join them in comprising the Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com. Dyson’s 6-hit shutout helped career the Gamecocks to a sweep of its SEC showdown series at Arkansas, while Shribman hit 8-for-11 with 9 RBI and 4 home runs in leading 4th-seeded Bucknell to an upset of top seed Army in their Patriot League semifinal series.

CLICK HERE for the archive of previous CB360 Primetime award winners (scroll down for earlier weeks).

SHRIBMAN helped move Bucknell closer to its second Patriot League tournament title during the past three years, as the Bison next will face Holy Cross in the upcoming Patriot League Championship series (Bucknell opened the ‘08 NCAAs with a huge upset of Florida State). The 6-4, 220-pound righthanded hitter batted 8-for-13 (.615) from the 5-hole during the Army series (11-9/4-6/11-7), with his 3-game totals including 9 RBI, 7 runs, 4 home runs, 2 doubles and 3 walks.

In the tight series opener, Shribman batted 4-for-5 and launched a pair of home runs (plus 2 doubles) – as the Bison beat Patriot League pitcher of the year Matt Fousch. Andrew Brouse homered to lead off the 7th and Shribman left the yard moments later, extending the lead to 8-5. Two innings later, Shribman’s leadoff blast in the 9th provided a key insurance run as Bucknell closed out the game-1 win.

Shribman’s third home run of the series (a 2-run shot in the 4th) gave the Bison a 3-1 lead in game-2, but Army rallied to force a third and deciding game. With his team’s season on the line, Shribman responded by batting 3-for-4 with 5 RBI and his third straight game with a home run (also 2R, 2 BB) – a grand slam in the 7th that ultimately supplied the winning 4-run margin.

In addition to receiving first team all-Patriot League honors this season, Shribman was a second team all-league selection in 2009 (he played sparingly in ‘08, with only 5 at-bats and 23 innings pitched). He is batting .372 this season with 17 home runs (a team and league record), 53 RBI and 16 doubles.

DYSON entered the series at Arkansas with only a 4-4 record, but the game-2 starter (behind ace Blake Cooper) navigated through plenty of traffic to post the clutch shutout win vs. a Razorbacks offense that owns a .314 team batting avg., 72 home runs and 8 runs per game. The win sent South Carolina (#14 in the CB360 Composite National Rankings) onto a sweep of #7 Arkansas, allowing the Gamecocks to keep pace with Florida atop the SEC standings.

Dyson twirled a 6-hit shutout, but Arkansas had several other baserunners thanks to a pair of walks and three hit-by-pitch. The 6-foot, 195-pound righthander faced 37 batters over the 123-pitch outing and worked to a 3-ball count only three times – with 20 of his outs coming via strikeouts (8) or groundballs (12, including a key early double-play)

Arkansas had two men in scoring position to start the day, but Dyson caught Tom Hauskey looking at strike-3 to end the threat. One inning later, he hit Travis Sample with a pitch but promptly rolled up a double-play ball. Bo Bigham ended up in scoring position in the 3rd (after a 1-out single and groundout), but Dyson again worked out of the jam.

Dyson continued to manage the game in the 4th – after hitting Hauskey with a 1-out pitch, giving up a single to Sample and seeing the runners move up on a groundout – as James McCann went down swinging to strand the runners and keep SC’s cushion at 3-0. That timely strikeout sparked eight straight outs from Dyson, before Tim Carver hit a 1-out single in the 7th (followed by two more groundouts). Brett Eibner reached on a 2-out HBP in the 8th (Dyson then got Andy Wilkins on a KL) and Carver stroked a 2-out triple in the 9th – with Dyson then walking McCann and getting Collin Kuhn to bounceout to the mound for the final out.

(note: additional action photos for some of the other honorees may be added to this page, time permitting).

Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

The other 16 members of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for May 10-16 include (see capsules for each player at bottom of release): St. John’s fr. LF Jeremy Baltz (Vestal, N.Y.) … Air Force fr. catcher Garrett Custons (Sarasota, Fla.) … Vanderbilt so. 3B Jason Esposito (Bethany, Conn.) … South Florida jr. RHP Randy Fontanez (Oviedo, Fla.) … Baylor sr. csatcher Gregg Glime (Aurora, Colo.) … Louisiana (Lafayette) senior catcher Chad Keefer (Sasakwa, Okla.) … Southrern Mississippi jr. RF Tyler Koelling (Luling, La.) … Georgia Tech jr. RHP Deck McGuire (Richmond, Va.) … UC Santa Barbara jr. RHP Jesse Meaux (Glendale, Calif.) …Nicholls State sr. RHP Tyler Minto (Mobile, Ala.) … Alabama jr. RHP Jimmy Nelson (Niceville, Fla.) … Kentucky 5th-yr.-sr. catcher Marcus Nidiffer ( Bristol, Tenn.) … Coastal Carolina jr. CF Rico Noel (Lawton, Okla.) … Cincinnati fr. RHP Andrew Strenge (Yardley, Pa.) … Washington State sr. 1B Michael Weber (Seattle, Wash.) … Wake Forest so. RF Mac Williamson (Wake Forest, N.C.).

Four different catchers – the most ever from one CB360 Primetime Performer Honor Roll – are among the week-13 honorees, along with seven righthanded pitchers, a pair of first basemen, two rightfielders, a third baseman, leftfielder, centerfielder. and rightfielder. The week-13 selections feature a 5th-year senior, four seniors, eight juniors, twp sophomores and three freshmen. The honorees hail from 14 different home states, led by four from Florida and two who call the state of Pklahoma home, plus two each from Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #13
(May 18, 2010 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Player (Pos.) … School … Yr. … Hometown … Stats & Notes

JEREMY BALTZ (LF … #18)
St. John’s … Fr.
Vestal, NY
6-3  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Rookie cleanup batter who turned in rare 4-home run game (7 RBI) during series-opening win at #6 Louisville (8-5) … tied the BIG EAST record for home runs in a game while pushing his season HR total to 18 (tops among the nation’s freshmen) … hit 9-for-18 in four games during the week (9 RBI, 9 R, 5 HR, 2 2B) … compiled a 1.980 OPS (.526 on-base plus 1.444 slugging) during the week … already has set SJU records for HR (18) and RBI (68) in a season.

GARRETT CUSTONS (C … #4)
Air Force … Fr.
Sarasota, FL … 5-10  •  185

Cleanup batter who stroked a 2-out/2-run triple in 9th inning of series opener at #11 TCU, providing final margin in that 4-2 game (AFA’s second Mt. West win of season) … also singled and scored in game-2 (8-2 loss) and launched home run that opened scoring in close finale (Falcons led 3-2 thru 6 innings; lost 5-3).

*SAM DYSON (RHP … #20)
South Carolina… Jr.
Tampa, FL
6-2  •  195

Game-2 pitcher (behind ace Blake Cooper) who delivered in the clutch at #7 Arkansas, tossing 6-hit shutout that helped sent Gamecocks on to huge road sweep that kept SC tied with Florida atop the SEC standings … shutout potent Arkansas offense that scratched out 6 hits and a pair of walks … faced 37 batters in the 123-pitch outing, with 20 of his outs coming via strikeouts (8) or groundballs (12) … reached a 3-ball count only 3 times over the course of the game.

JASON ESPOSITO (3B … #22)
Vanderbilt … So.
Bethany, CT
6-1  •  200

3-hole hitter who has active streak of 15 consecutive times on-base (breaking 27-yr.-old Vanderbilt record and three shy of tying NCAA record, set by Cal State Northridge’s Shaun Larkin in 2002) … batted 10-for-19 during week that included huge RPI-boosting win at #6 Louisville (11-10, in 17 inn.) and series sweep at Mississippi State (13-8/13-7 in 10/14-4) that helped solidify SEC Tournament spot … his week included 7 runs scored, 6 extra-base hits (HR, 2 2B) and 18 times on-base (5 BB, HBP; also 2 RBI, 3 SB) … his 17th-inning HR provided the final margin in marathon game at Louisville … had rare dual accomplishment at Mississippi State, with a 5-hit effort in game-2 and a 5-walk game in the finale.

RANDY FONTANEZ (RHP … #7)
South Florida … Jr.
Oviedo, FL
6-1  •  195

Second-time selection to the CB360 Primetime Honor Roll who knocked off BIG EAST Conference leader and #19 Connecticut, during 12-1 series opener … limited the Huskies to the lone run on 4 hits and no walks over 7.0 innings … struck out 6 of the 25 batters he faced during that 84-pitch outing … the win helped put South Florida back into contention for a top-4 finish in the BIG EAST.

GREGG GLIME (C … #13)
Baylor … Sr.
Aurora, CO
6-0  •  210

Provided key production from the 7-hole, as the Bears took Big 12 Conference series from #45 Texas Tech (6-2, 3-5, 12-5) … supplied the big hit in the series-clinching final game, as his 5th-inning grand slam pushed Baylor into the lead, 6-3 (he batted 2-for-4 in gm-2, with 5 RBI and  2 runs scored) … earlier hit 2-out RBI double for early 2-0 lead in series opener.

CHAD KEEFER (C … #34)
Louisiana (Lafayette) … Sr.
Sasakwa, OK
6-3  •  215

Cleanup batter who launched 6th-inning grand slam that gave the Ragin’ Cajuns an 8-5 lead in Sunbelt Conference series-tying game versus #44 Western Kentucky (3-for-5, 5 RBI, 2 R) … Louisiana-Lafayette went on to win that pivotal  series, boosting its standing within the Sunbelt Conference and as a potential NCAA at-large entrant … hit safely in all three games of the series versus the Hilltoppers (2-1 opening loss; 4-3 clinching win in 10 innings).

TYLER KOELLING (RF … #11)
Southern Mississippi … Jr.
Luling, LA
6-0  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Turned in big game from his 9-hole spot (5-for-5, 4 RBI, 2 R, HR, 2B), as team won opener at #21 Rice (11-10) to post key result on its NCAA at-large resume … his third HR of season proved to be a big one, as his 3-run blast opened the scoring in eventual 1-run win over the Owls … also had a hit in game-2 (10-2 loss) and an RBI, run scored and HBP in high-scoring finale (21-14 defeat).

DECK McGUIRE (RHP … #25)
Georgia Tech … Jr. … Richmond, VA … 6-6  •  215

Won opener of ACC showdown series vs. #13 Miami (14-3; GT went on to win game-3 and claim series) … allowed only a single run in 7.0 innings pitched, after limiting the Hurricanes offense to 4 hits (plus 3 walks) … struck out 9 of the 35 batters he faced, in the 100-pitch outing.

JESSE MEAUX (RHP … #28)
UC Santa Barbara … Jr.
Glendale, CA
6-4  •  210

Flashed his stuff in series finale vs. UC Irvine squad that is known for its own quality starting pitchers … worked the full 9 innings of game-3 pitchers duel opposite Eric Pettis (who went 8.1 IP-2R-5H-7K)  … picked up the win in that 2-1 nailbiter, allowing the single run on 8 hits and 2 walks … struck out only 2 of the 33 batters faced but also rolled up 13 groundball outs in upset of Anteaters squad that is bidding for an at-large spot in the NCAA Tournament.

TYLER MINTO (RHP … #6)
Nicholls State … Sr.
Mobile, AL
6-2  •  195

Went the distance in game-3 series clincher (6-2) vs. Southland Conference leader Texas State, putting a dent in the Bobcats’ NCAA at-large hopes should they fail to win the Southland Tournament … racked up 15 strikeouts while holding Texas State to the 2 runs, on 9 hits and no walks … faced 37 batters in the pressure-packed outing, with 117 pitches.

JIMMY NELSON (RHP … #40)
Alabama … Jr.
Niceville, FL
6-6  •  235

Veteran pitcher who picked perfect time for possible his biggest outing of the season, logging a complete game in 4-1 win over #15 Mississippi … that victory squared the Southeastern Conference series, with the Crimson Tide going on to win game-3 and move into a tie for an SEC Tournament spot … struck out 11 while holding the Rebels to the lone run on 4 hits and a pair of walks … faced only 32 batters (five over the minimum) in his 127-pitch outing.

MARCUS NIDIFFER (C … #12)
Kentucky … 5th-Yr. Sr. … Bristol, TN … 6-2  •  200

Helped Wildcats bounce back from pair of midweek losses (18-17 at Indiana/10-8 vs. Lipscomb) by leading team to sweep of #24 LSU (9-4/6-4/6-3; program’s first seep of Tigers since ‘91) that lifted Kentucky back into the SEC Tournament picture … hit go-ahead grand slam. vs. All-American Matty Ott, for winning margin in the series finale … his 11-for-22 with 11 RBI during the week (2HR-2B-2BB-HBP, only 1 K) … posted career-high totals in hits (5) and runs (4) during the wild 10-inning game at Indiana … hit 3-for-5 in series-clinching win vs. LSU.

RICO NOEL (CF … #1)
Coastal Carolina … Jr.
Lawton, OK
5-9  •  170

Leadoff batter who sparked key Monday series-clinching win over Winthrop (10-4) and Big South sweep at #39 Liberty (5-2/7-1/5-0) … racked up a gaudy 1.881 OPS (.714 on-base pct. plus 1.167 slugging) over the four games, with his impressive all-around offense including: 6-for-12 batting, 6 R, 3 RBI, 2 HR (8 for season), 2 2B, 8 BB, 5 SB and an outfield assist (scored/drove in 8 runs; 14 total bases on his 6 hits; and 14 times on-base) … played lead role in close opener at Liberty (2-for-3, HR, 2B, 2 BB, SB).

*DOUG SHRIBMAN (1B … #26)
Bucknell … Jr.
Marblehead, MA
6-4  •  220

5-hole hitter who homered in all three game (4 total HR) and drove in 9 runs, as #4-seeded Bison knocked off top seed Army in Patriot League semifinal series (11-9/4-6/11-7) … batted 8-for-13 in the series (.615; also had 7 runs, 2 doubles and 3 walks) … his grand slam provided final margin in series finale (3-for-4, 5 RBI, 2R, HR, 2 BB) and gave him 17 HR for season (team & league record) … homered twice in tight opener (4-for-5, 4 RBI, 2R, 2 2B), helping beat Patriot League pitcher of the year Matt Fousch … his 2-run blast in game-2 gave Bison 3-1 midgame lead.

ANDREW STRENGE (RHP … #26)
Cincinnati … Fr.
Yardley, PA
6-1  •  180

Repeat selection to Primetime Honor Roll, adding game-3 win over #30 Pittsburgh (one week after helping upset UConn) … has not allowed an earned run in 22.2 consecutive innings (nation’s longest active streak and 6th-longest by D-I pitcher this season) … allowed only an unearned run in 8.0 innings of the 3-1 win versus the Panthers … faced only 30 batters in that 117-pitch outing, with 9 strikeouts, 8 hits allowed and no walks.

MICHAEL WEBER (1B … #10)
Washington State … Sr.
Seattle, WA
6-0  •  200

Another back-to-back member of the Primetime Honor Roll, after helping lead WSU back into the NCAA Tournament discussion with a strong 4-1 week vs. fellow NCAA hopefuls (9-4 vs. #26 Cal; 6-5 at Portland; and 7-8/6-5/9-3 series win at #28 Stanford) … entered week with only 2 HR this season but hit 4 homers from the 3-hole, spanning the 5 games (9 RBI-7R-BB) … played huge role in comeback that won Stanford series (2-run HR in 6th to tie game; then grand slam as part of 7-run rally in top of 9th) … also had early 2-run HR at Portland and another blast in opener at Stanford (cutting Cardinal lead to 3-2).

MAC WILLIAMSON (RF … #7)
Wake Forest … So./Fr.
Wake Forest, NC
6-4  •  220  •  Bats: Right

Delivered several key hits from the #6 spot in the batting order, as Demon Deacons posted series upset of #23 Clemson (9-5/5-17/11-2) … entered series with only 5 home runs this season but left the yard twice (4 RBI) in opening upset of the Tigers … collected hits in all three games of the series, contributing a run scored, walk and stolen base in the series-clinching win.

* – Bucknell’s Doug Shribman is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week and South Carolina’s Sam Dyson the Primetime Pitcher of the Week … note that rankings above refer to the top-50 of the CB360 Composite National Rankings (CNR) … primary class years are based on academic standing (some players may have an extra year of eligibility)

CB360 Primetime Performers #12 (May 11)

New Mexico’s Kesler Joins Bakersfield’s Rodriguez as Week-12 PTP Leaders …

New Mexico senior righthander Willy Kesler (Thornton, Colo.) and Cal State Bakersfield sophomore catcher Jeremy Rodriguez (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) rose to the occasion during the first full week of May and lead the way for the 12th group of honorees in the CB360 Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll. (front-page photo courtesy of New Mexico)

Kesler has been named the national Primetime Pitcher of the Week and Rodriguez is the Primetime Player of the Week, while 18 others (listed below, with headshots and info. capsule) join them in comprising the Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll, as selected by CollegeBaseball360.com. Kesler went the distance in a crucial 3-2 win over #12 TCU (4H-2BB-9K), while Rodriguez led the second-year Bakersfield program to a series win at #21 Arizona (7-for-12, 9RBI-5R-5BB-2 2B).

CLICK HERE for the archive of previous CB360 Primetime award winners (scroll down for earlier weeks).

Kesler rose to the challenge during game-2 of the Mountain West Conference showdown series versus a potent TCU squad that was 12th in the CB360 Composite National Rankings (UNM was #32). The 6-foot, 215-pound righthander went the distance in the near-shutout win (3-2), outdueling TCU sophomore RHP Kyle Winkler (who entered the game with a 7-0 record).

TCU’s four hits versus Kesler are the fewest in a game this season for a Frogs offense that is batting .338 as a team (with 72 home runs and 8.8 runs/gm). Kesler’s clutch outing came one day after the Lobos lost by the same score and one day before TCU erupted for 34 hits in the 26-4 series finale.

When the dust has settled on the 2010 regular season and conference tournaments, Kesler’s win over TCU could prove be a big feather in the cap for a New Mexico baseball program that is bidding for its first NCAA Tournament appearance in nearly 50 years. Kesler has been on a roll over his past three starts and had not allowed an earned run for 28.1 innings – before TCU hit a 2-out, 2-run home run in the 9th inning of Saturday’s game.

An Isotopes Park crowd of 3,000-plus saw Kesler rack up nine strikeouts and nine groundball outs while allowing only a pair of walks, in a 140-pitch outing that featured 33 batters faced (six over the minimum). Kesler breezed through the first four innings, with the only baserunner coming in the 2nd when DH/5-hole hitter Josh Elander poked a 1-out single throught the right side.

Elander later drew a leadoff walk in the 5th and catcher/2-hole hitter Bryan Holaday sent a 2-out single up the middle in the 6th – but no TCU baserunner reached second base until the 7th, when first baseman/cleanup batter Matt Curry earned a leadoff walk and advanved on a wild pitch (Kesler responded with three straight Ks).

Kesler posted his fourth 1-2-3 inning of the game in the 8th, but leftfielder/3-hole batter Jason Coats sent a 1-out single to right field in the 9th, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on Curry’s 11th home run of the season (over the fence in left). With the game suddenly hanging in the balance, Kesler struck out Elander (preventing him from a third time on base) and induced a 4-3 groundout from Jerome Pena, ending the emotionally-charged game.

Rodriguez – a key top-of-the-lineup switch-hitter (#2/#3 spot) – batted 7-for-12 while factoring into 14 of Bakersfield’s runs (9 RBI, 5 R) and reaching base 12 times (5 BB; also had pair of doubles) during the Roadrunners’ series win at #21 Arizona (7-1 in 11 innings/6-17/22-5).

Arizona held a 2-0 lead through three innings in the opener, before Bakersfield rallied to force extra innings and win in the 11th. Rodriguez walked on four pitches to load the bases with 2-outs in the top of the 7th, extending the inning as the Roadrunners scored to forge a 2-2 tie.

Four innings later, in the top of the 11th, Rodriguez delivered the game’s biggest blow with a 2-run, bases-loaded single that carried through the left side of the infield and sparked a decisive 5-run spurt for the visitors.

Rodriguez (2-for-3, 2 RBI, BB) was one of Bakersfield’s bright spots in the game-2 loss, before closing with a huge effort in the 22-5 finale. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound switch-hitter reached base six times in the blowout victory (3-for-4, 3 BB) and scored or drove in nine of his team’s runs (5 RBI, 4 R, plus 2 2B).

A Rodriguez 1-out walk and run scored helped give Bakersfield an early 3-0 lead in the series finale – and the offense kept rolling in the 2nd inning, with Rodriguez driving a 1st-pitch offering from Daniel Workman into the left-center gap to chase home three runs and chase Workman from the game. Rodriguez later had a bases-loaded walk and came around to score in the 7-run top of the 6th, followed by an RBI double/run in the 7th and a single/run in the 9th.

(note: additional action photos for some of the other honorees may be added to this page, time permitting).

Primetime Performer Award Criteria (not based solely on raw stats, but rather …)
• Must have been playing for or against a CB360 top-50 team (in the Composite National Rankings) or performed a high level in games that could be key to a team’s conference/NCAA postseason qualification; made significant contribution to team’s postseason positioning (single-game wins, “quality” wins, series wins, road wins, etc.).
• Involved in clutch performances, such as late game-winning hits, noteworthy comebacks, game-changing plays, team leadership, key defensive efforts, etc.
• Performed at a top level against a team rated highly nationally (or within its conference), with bonus consideration given for key performances away from home field and vs. traditional rivals.
• Overcame adversity or extreme circumstances (for the team and/or individual).
• Any accomplishment that is rare, historic, record-setting, etc., on a national level.

The other 18 members of the CB360 Primetime Performer Weekly Honor Roll for May 3-9 include (see capsules for each player at bottom of release): The Citadel’s 5th-yr.-sr. 2B Bryan Altman (Summerville, S.C.) … Mississippi sr. RHP Aaron Barrett (Evansville, Ind.) … College of Charleston sr. SS Joey Bergman (Jacksonville, Fla.) …San Diego jr. RHP Kyle Blair (Monte Sereno, Calif.) …Arkansas sr. RHP Mike Bolsinger (McKinney, Texas) … Kentucky fr. RHP Jordan Cooper (Shelbyville, Tenn.) … Oregon State sr. LF Rob Folsom (Medford, Ore.) … Marshall jr. catcher Victor Gomez (Miami, Fla.) … Vanderbilt jr. RHP Taylor Hill (Coppell, Texas) … Kansas State so. LHP Kyle Hunter (Galesburg, Ill.) … Georgetown jr. RHP Tommy Isaacs (Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.) … Portland fr. RHP Chris Johnson (Edmonds, Wash.) … Arkansas-Little Rock jr. 3B Casey McCollum (Tupelo, Okla.) … Florida Atlantic jr. RF/RHP Andy Mee (Palm Beach, Fla.) …TCU so. RF Brance Rivera (Muscatine, Iowa) … Cincinnati fr. RHP Andew Strenge (Yardley, Pa.) … Washington State sr. 1B Michael Weber (Seattle, Wash.) … and Dartmouth sr. DH Jim Wren (Granbury, Texas).

It was an impressive week for pitchers in pressure-packed situations, as half of the Primetime honorees (10 of 20) are righthanders, along with a two-way talent (RF/RHP), two catchers, a first baseman, second baseman, shortstop, third baseman, leftfielder, rightfielder and designated hitter. The selections feature a 5th-year senior, seven seniors, six juniors, three sophomores and three freshmen. The honorees hail from 13 different home states, led by four from Florida and three who call the state of Texas home, plus two each from California and Washington, and one each from Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee.

PRIMETIME PERFORMERS WEEKLY HONOR ROLL #12
(May 11, 2010 … presented by CollegeBaseball360.com)

“It’s not so much what you do, as it is when you do it.”

Player (Pos.) … School … Yr. … Hometown … Stats & Notes

BRYAN ALTMAN (2B … #23)
The Citadel … 5th-Yr.-Sr.
Summerville, SC
6-1  •  185  •  Bats: Right

Leadoff batter who helped Bulldogs salvage third game at #33 College of Charleston (6-3) to inch back atop the Southern Conference standings (2-for-3, 3 RBI, R, 2B, HBP; no errors in 10 chances) … delivered 3-run double in decisive 5-run top of the 8th … one of team’s top players during first two games of that SoCon showdown series (3-for-8, 3 RBI, 2R, HR, 2B, BB).

AARON BARRETT (RHP … #30)
Mississippi … Sr.
Evansville, IN … 6-4  •  220

His win in the pressure-packed middle game of series versus #7 Arkansas (3-2) helped keep the Rebels in the midst of a five-team battle for the Southeastern Conference regular-season title … limited the dangerous Razorbacks offense to a single run in his 8.0 innings, allowing only 6 hits and a pair of walks with 6 strikeouts (30 batters faced; located 72 of his 111 pitches for strikes).

JOEY BERGMAN (SS … #2)
College of Charleston … Sr.
Jacksonville, FL
6-0  •  200  •  Bats: Left

Leadoff batter who registered multiple hits in every game of key Southern Conference series win vs. #33 The Citadel (13-9/7-3/3-6) … scored 5 runs in series while rapping out 3 extra-base hits (3B, 3 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB) … played error-free on 13 fielding chances … hit 3-for-5 in opener (3 RBI, R, 2 2B) and 2-for-3 in clinching win (2R, 2B, 2 BB).

KYLE BLAIR (RHP … #26)
San Diego … Jr.
Monte Sereno, CA
6-3  •  200

Faced only 29 batters and struck out more than half of them (15; 7 “looking”) in dominating near-no-hitter at #43 Portland (2-1), opening series between West Coast Conference’s top teams … located 80 of his 128 pitches for strikes, with only 3 walks … came 1-out away from a no-hitter, with little margin for error as Portland’s ace Kyle Kraus was strong over 8.1 (2R-7H-BB-10K) … 21 of his outs came via Ks, groundouts (4) or infield popups (2).

MIKE BOLSINGER (RHP … #32)
Arkansas … Sr.
McKinney, TX
6-2  •  210

Versatile veteran who registered one of the best outings of his career – despite not having started for five weeks – in series-clinching finale at #15 Mississippi (7-0) … posted career highs in strikeouts (11) and innings (8.0) while limiting Rebels to a pair of hits (singles in the 2nd and 8th) and 3 walks (HB, 30 BF, 115 pitches).

JORDAN COOPER (RHP … #31)
Kentucky … Fr.
Shelbyville, TN
6-3  •  205

Young pitcher who performed like a veteran in tightly-contested game-2 win vs. #11 South Carolina (2-1), helping Wildcats boost their NCAA hopes as the first SEC team to take a series from the Gamecocks this season (9-13/2-1/9-3) … logged season-high 6.2 innings while limiting South Carolina offense to a single run on 4 hits and 2 walks (5 Ks, 27 BF, 101 pitches).

ROB FOLSOM (LF … #13)
Oregon State … Sr.
Medford, OR
5-9  •  185  •  Bats: Right

5-hole batter who stroked game-winning double in 9th inning, as previously-slumping Beavers completed sweep of three 1-run games (two extra-innings) vs. #20 Oregon (2-1 in 10/4-3 in 11/6-5) … had several key plate appearances during the series finale, batting 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and a run scored (also reached when hit-by-pitch) … provided 11th-inning hit as part of sequence that won game-2.

VICTOR GOMEZ (C … #32)
Marshall … Jr.
Miami, FL
6-1  •  230  •  Bats: Right

Cleanup batter who smacked a pair of solo home runs and added a sacrifice fly (plus a walk), as Thundering Herd upset surging C-USA leader Rice (#23 in CNR) … one of team’s top players in pair of losses vs. talented Owls squad (3-for-5, R, HBP).

TAYLOR HILL (RHP … #24)
Vanderbilt … Jr.
Coppell, TX
6-0  •  210

Rose to the occasion with complete-game win in front of 10,000-plus fans at #16 LSU, as Commodores won game-2 (6-2) and went on to claim the SEC series … struck out 8 while holding back potent Tigers lineup (7 hits, 1 walk, 36 batters faced, 130 pitches).

KYLE HUNTER (LHP … #32)
Kansas State … So.
Galesburg, IL … 6-2  •  200

Won 2-1 pitchers duel vs. Taylor Jungmann, as Kansas State snapped the Texas 21-game win streak that included 17 straight in the Big 12 Conference (a league record) … logged 5.0 shutout innings and then allowed a single run in the 6th (7 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, 27 batters faced, 96 pitches) while improving his season record to 8-0.

TOMMY ISAACS (RHP … #28)
Georgetown … Jr.
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL … 6-2  •  205

Shut down potent #5 Lousville squad (.319 team batting avgerage, 71 home runs, 7.4 runs per game) in tense game-2 battle (ended in a 2-1 Hoyas win, in 10 innings) … limited the Cardinals offense to the single run on a pair of hits and 6 walks over 6.1 innings (3 strikeouts, 9 groundouts, 22 batters faced, 95 pitches) … game was played at GU’s home park, Shirley Povich Field, in Bethesda, Md. … ranks as possibly the biggest upset in the BIG EAST Conference this season.

CHRIS JOHNSON (RHP … #32)
Portland … Fr.
Edmonds, WA
6-4  •  195

Logged 7.0 shutout innings to help ignite Portland’s NCAA Tournament at-large chances, in 3-1 midweek win at #20 Oregon … faced only 26 batters while limiting Ducks to 7 hits and a walk (5 strikeouts, 93 pitches).

*WILLY KESLER (RHP … #14)
New Mexico … Sr.
Thornton, CO
6-0  •  215

Delivered huge game-2 win for NCAA Tournament hopeful squad, in 3-2 battle vs. #12 TCU (one day after Lobos lost by same score) … rattled off 9.0 strong innings (2R-4H-2BB, 9 Ks, 33 BF, 140 pitches) vs. potent Frogs offense that went on to erupt for 26 runs and 34 hits in series finale (TCU is batting .338 as a team, with 72 HRs and 8.8 runs/gm; the 4H are lowest by TCU in a game this season).

CASEY McCOLLUM (3B … #2)
Arkansas-Little Rock … Jr.
Tupelo, OK
6-0  •  195

Leadoff batter who provided 11th-inning RBI single, as Trojans won game-2 (8-6) at #34 Western Kentucky (the Sunbelt Conference preseason favorite) … hit 3-for-6 in that middle game of the series, with a triple and a pair of runs scored … also helped Arkansas-Little Rock win finale (4-2) to complete the series upset.

ANDY MEE (RF/RHP … #8)
Florida Atlantic … Jr.
Palm Beach, FL
6-0  •  190  •  Bats: Right

Two-way talent who batted 7-for-13 with 7 RBI in challenging Sunbelt Conference series (7-2/5-6/6-3) at South Alabama (2 R, HR, 2B, BB, SB, SF) … turned in a 5-for-5 game (3 RBI, HR, SB) in series finale that also saw him close it out for his 11th save of season (1.0 IP, H, 3 BF).

BRANCE RIVERA (RF… #5)
TCU … So.
Muscatine, IA
6-3  •  170

Leadoff batter who hit 6-for-10 in series win at Mountain West Conference contender New Mexico (#32 in the CNR) … hit pair of solo home runs (also had sac. bunt) in tightly-contested series opener (3-2) … closed series by batting 4-for-7 in 26-4 finale, as team co-leader in hits during that 34-hit explosion (RBI, R, 2B, BB).

*JEREMY RODRIGUEZ (C … #7)
Cal State Bakersfield … So.
Thousand Oaks, CA
5-8  •  185  •  Bats: Switch

Key top-of-lineup switch-hitter (#2/#3 spot) who led 2nd-year program to series win at #21 Arizona (7-1 in 11 inn./6-17/22-5) … hit 7-for-12 in the series and scored or drove in 14 of team’s runs (9RBI-5R) while reaching base 12 times (5 BB; also 2 2B) … delivered 2-run single in 11th inning of opener (2-for-5, R, BB) … sparked blowout win in the series finale (3-for-4, 3 BB, 5 RBI, 4R, 2 2B).

ANDREW STRENGE (RHP … #26)
Cincinnati … Fr.
Yardley, PA
6-1  •  180

Rookie pitcher whose complete game beat #19 Connecticut in series finale … did not allow an earned run during that road challenge (2 UER), with the potent Huskies offense managing only 7 hits and no walks (6 strikeouts, hit-batter, 35 batters faced, 113 pitches).

MICHAEL WEBER (1B … #10)
Washington State … Sr.
Seattle, WA
6-0  •  200

3-hole hitter who helped Cougars boost their NCAA resume with Pac-10 sweep of #24 California (13-10/11-9/9-6; Sat.-Mon.) … his 3-run HR highlighted WSU’s 9 runs in 6th inning of gm-2, reversing a 6-1 deficit and sending Cougars on to series-clinching win (2-for-4, 2R, HBP) … had an RBI and run scored in opener (1-for-3, BB, HBP) and scored twice in finale (1-for-4).

JIM WREN (DH … #15)
Dartmouth … Sr.
Granbury, TX
6-0  •  185  •  Bats: Right

Cleanup batter who delivered several key hits in Ivy League title series, as Big Green bounced back from 13-2 opening loss to win game-2 (15-10) and decisive third game (sending Dartmouth on to NCAAs) … hit 5-for-8 in series and factored into 11 of team’s runs (7 RBI, 5R, HR, plus 2B-BB-SF) … went 4-4 and hit clinching grand slam, as team fought off elimination for comeback win in gm-2 (5 RBI-4R-2B) … helped win finale to give Dartmouth repeat Ivy League title (1-for-3, 2 RBI, R, BB, SF).

* – Cal State Bakersfield’s Rodriguez is the CB360 Primetime Player of the Week and New Mexico’s Kesler the Primetime Pitcher of the Week … note that rankings above refer to the top-50 of the CB360 Composite National Rankings (CNR) … primary class years are based on academic standing (some players may have an extra year of eligibility).

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