The first full weekend of May was chock full of key series throughout the nation – as various teams solidified their postseason positioning while others remained firmly on the bubble for a potential NCAA Tournament at-large berth.
Also CLICK HERE for similar rundown of key midweek games for May 4–6, 2015.
Scroll down for complete rundown of all weekend action within the CB360 Top–50 Composite National Rankings, plus additional result info. for projected NCAA Tournament teams from conferences not in the current Top–50.
As always, also be sure to follow only via Twitter – @CB360updates – for details, notes, etc. from key results.
front-page photo courtesy of Columbia
… Here are some summary highlights from the weekend (scroll down for full results from 66 top teams):
• Marathon Heartbreak & Sweep-Avoding Win – After a heartbreaking, 17–inning loss in the early hours of Sunday morning, Arizona State (cb360 #16) – which lost its series the previous week at Cal –bounced back to edge [2] UCLA in the 2–1 series finale (averting a Bruins sweep). That result left UCLA (18–6) with a three-game lead atop the Pac–12 (ASU, Cal and USC all are 15–9) – with two series remaining.
• Cards Soar Over ‘Noles – [6] Louisville won the ACC showdown series vs. visiting [9] Florida State, as the Cards (23–4) have clinched the ACC Tournament top seed in runaway fashion (Miami is 19–8; FSU 17–10). Louisville also became more firmly entrenched as a potential top–8 national seed, following the big series win.
• National Seed Implications? – [11] Florida and [10] Vanderbilt both are in the mix for a top–8 national seed (inside track to hosting Super Regional) and those teams met over the weekend in Nashville, with the Gators overcoming a gm–1 loss to win the pivotal series. Head-to-head results rarely play a huge role in NCAA seeding/selection … but in this case, the two Florida wins over Vandy could prove to be huge in determining if either gets a coveted top–8 national seed.
• Hooo Won, you ask? – It was a sweep for [23] Rice at [13] Florida Atlantic, in the Owls–vs.–Owls series that pushed Rice (20–7) atop the Conference USA standings, ahead of Middle Tennessee (19–8) and FAU (17–10). Florida Atlantic was being projected as a potential NCAA Regional top seed (top–16 in the 64–team field) but certainly still has some work to do in order to solidify that status.
• Titanic Series Win – Yet another showdown series was playing out in Southern California, and [34] Cal State Fullerton won the first two games en route to the series win vs. [14] UC Santa Barbara. Two other teams in the mix for the Big West title – Cal Poly at [32] UC Irvine – also met over the weekend, with UCI winning 2-of-3. As a reminder, the Big West automatic NCAA bid goes to the regular-season champion … with two series remaining, Fullerton & Irvine both sit at 13–5, UCSB is 12–6 and Cal Poly 10–8 (CP’s only shot at the NCAAs is the auto. bid).
• CofC Wins CAA – Sticking to the showdown series theme for one more early-May matchup, [17] College of Charleston left no doubt en route to a sweep of visiting [39] UNC Wilmington. CofC – which won the 2014 NCAA Regional at Florida (as that site’s 4–seed) – already has secured the 2015 Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title, at 19–2 (UNCW is 15–6).
• Another Huge Sweep for Irish – [45] Notre Dame – which had gone only 6–8 since its huge series sweep of Florida State – was firmly on the NCAA Tournament bubble before responding with another sweep of a top ACC team, [21] North Carolina. The Irish had riden their pitching staff in the earlier sweep of FSU while more solid pitching – plus a blitz of clutch home runs – helped deliver the sweep of UNC. Late home runs from Jake Shepski and Ryan Bull powered ND’s comeback from a 5–2 deficit in the series opener (10–5 final), before a 5-home-run assault launched the Irish to the series-sweeping victory (8–7; with Cavan Biggio’s HR preceding the tying run in the 8th, and Kyle Richardson’s blast winning it in the 9th).
• Shell Uncracked – One week after being swept by Illinois, [30] Ohio State had a chance to bounce back but visiting [36] Maryland took 2–of–3, helping ease the Terps off the NCAA bubble (for now, with Maryland’s RPI improving from 51 to 38).
• SEC Road Rally – With time running out to improve its NCAA resume, South Carolina responded big-time by winning its series at [3] Texas A&M. Elsewhere in the SEC, Alabama also delivered some huge results by sweeping its series at arch-rival [27] Auburn. In another intense rivalry series, [46] Mississippi swept visiting Mississippi State. The Rebels boast a solid RPI and the nation’s top strength of schedule – but Ole Miss had been in danger of finishing sub-.500 (ineligible for NCAA at-large bid). Following the rivalry sweep, Ole Miss now sits four games over .500 (28–24). Unlike the three teams highlighted above, [49] Kentucky took a step back by losing its home series vs. Georgia.
• … SEC Tournament Chase – Following the key series mentioned above (plus Tennessee splitting two vs. Arkansas), it’s still a tight four-team race for the final two SEC Tournament spots (determined by win pct.): Alabama 11–16 … Georgia 9–17 … Tennessee 8–18 … Mississippi State 8–19.
• Midwest Bubble Teams – [37] Bradley lost 2-of-3 in its home series vs. Illinois State while [38] Nebraska suffered a costly home series loss vs. Purdue (rpi–195). Two weeks ago, the Huskers owned the nation’s 20th-best RPI but now sit at 45 (after being swept at Iowa, losing a game at Northwestern and then dropping the series vs. the Boilers).
• All or Nothing? – The American Athletic Conference featured two head-to-head series between NCAA bubble teams: as Tulane won 2–of–3 vs. visiting [47] South Florida while UCF (Central Florida) won its own home series vs. [48] Memphis. All four of those teams – or none of them – could find themselves in the 2015 NCAA field two weeks from now … as could yet another AAC bubble team, [44] East Carolina (which lost 2-of-3 at league leader and cb360 #20 Houston).
• Olé: Toreros Take WCC – San Diego – a couple weeks removed from being swept by San Francisco – continued its rollercoaster season by winning its home series vs. Pepperdine. USD (19–8) has clinched the WCC regular-season title, ahead of the Waves and Dons (both 15–9).
• Lions Snare First NCAA Bid – Columbia became the first team to claim an NCAA automatic bid (pictured at right), after winning the Ivy League Championship Series vs. visiting Dartmouth. … The Patriot League semifinal series saw both of the home teams advance (each in 3 games): top seed Navy vs. Lafayette and 2–seed Lehigh vs. Holy Cross.
• Jags Keep Rising – Surging South Alabama – following series sweeps over Georgia State and Georgia Southern – added another key series win, after taking 2–of-3 at Louisiana (Lafayette). The Jags (19–8) now sit atop the Sun Belt standings, followed by Troy (17–10) and Georgia Southern (16–11).
• MAAC Scramble Continues – In a matchup between two Metro Atlantic (MAAC) top teams, Rider won 2–of–3 vs. visiting Quinnipiac (done w/ conf. play at 15–9/.625). The victorious Broncs sit atop the MAAC standings at 13–5 (.722) … with the five teams still in the running also including Monmouth (13–8), Canisius (13–8) and Siena (11–7). Final-week series include: Monmouth at Rider … Siena at Fairfield … and Niagara at Canisius.
• A–10 Musical Chairs – The Atlantic–10 – another league with numerous title contenders – saw Saint Louis win 2–of–3 at George Washington … leaving three teams (SLU, Richmond and Rhode Island) deadlocked atop the standings at 14–7, followed by GW (13–10; done w/ conf. play) and Davidson (12–9). The final-week musical chairs will play out via the following series: St. Louis at St. Joseph’s … La Salle at Rhode Island … and Richmond at Davidson.
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TOP WEEKEND MATCHUPS (May 7–11, 2015)
(both in CB360 Top–50 Composite National Rankings)
• [43] MISSOURI… at [1] LSU – LSU swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – LSU won 8–3
gm–2 (Sat.) – LSU won 8–2 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – LSU won 6–5 (10 inn.; series sweep)
• [2] UCLA … at [16] ARIZONA STATE– Bruins won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – UCLA won 9–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – UCLA won 11–5 (17 inn.; clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – ASU won 2–1 (UCLA won series, 2–1)
• [9] FLORIDA STATE … at [6] LOUISVILLE – Cards won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – FSU won 13–4
gm–2 (Sat.) – Cards won 7–0 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Cards won 6–5 (won series, 2–1)
• [11] FLORIDA … at [10] VANDERBILT– Gators won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Thur.) – Vandy won 2–0
gm–2 (Fri.) – Gators won 7–3 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sat.) –Gators won 9–7 (10 inn.; won series, 2–1)
• [23] RICE … at [13] FLORIDA ATLANTIC – Rice swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – Rice won 6–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – Rice won 5–1 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Rice won 5–2 (series sweep)
• [14] UC SANTA BARBARA … at [34] Cal State FULLERTON – Titans won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Titans won 3–0
gm–2 (Sat.) –Titans won 10–1 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) –UCSB won 3–2 (CSF won series, 2–1)
• [39] UNC WILMINGTON … at [17] College of CHARLESTON – CofC swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – CofC won 13–4
gm–2 (Sat.) – CofC won 5–4 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – CofC won 11–7 (series sweep)
• [44] EAST CAROLINA … at [20] HOUSTON – Coogs won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Coogs won 10–1
gm–2 (Sat.) – ECU won 4–1 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Coogs won 11–1 (7 inn.; won series, 2–1)
• [21] NORTH CAROLINA … at [45] NOTRE DAME – ND swept series
gm–1 (Sat.) – ND won 10–5
gm–2 (Sat.) – ND won 3–1 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – ND won 8–7 (series sweep)
• [36] MARYLAND … at [30] OHIO STATE – Terps won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Terps won 13–4
gm–2 (Sat.) – OSU won 13–12 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Terps won 14–10 (won series, 2–1)
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OTHER TOP TEAMS (May 7–11, 2015)
(based on CB360 Top–50 Composite National Rankings)
• at [3] TEXAS A&M … home vs. SOUTH CAROLINA – SC won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – SC won 9–7
gm–2 (Sat.) – A&M won 15–14 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – SC won 8–7 (won series, 2–1)
• at [4] TCU … home vs. KANSAS – Frogs swept 2–gm series
gm–1 (Fri.) – Frogs won 4–2
gm–2 (Sat.) – Frogs won 2–1 (10 inn.)
gm–3 (Sun.) – canc.
• at [5] ILLINOIS … home vs. RUTGERS – Illini swept series
gm–1 (Sat.) – Illini won 5–4
gm–2 (Sat.) – Illini won 6–2 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Illini won 28–13 (series sweep)
• at [7] DALLAS BAPTIST … home vs. SAN FRANCISCO – DBU swept 2–gm series
gm–1 (Fri.) – DBU won 8–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – DBU won 1–0 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – canc.
• at [8] MIAMI … home vs. NEW YORK TECH – ‘Canes swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – ‘Canes won 26–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – ‘Canes won 13–1 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – ‘Canes won 19–1 (series sweep)
• [12] MISSOURI STATE … at SOUTHERN ILLINOIS – Bears swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – Bears won 1–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – Bears won 5–0 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Bears won 5–3 (series sweep)
• at [15] OKLAHOMA STATE … home vs. WEST VIRGINIA – WVU won lone game
gm–1 (Fri.) – susp.
gm–1 (Sat.) – WVU won 5–4
gm–2 (Sat.) – canc.
gm–2 (Sun.) – canc.
• at [18] IOWA … home vs. MINNESOTA – Hawketes swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – Hawkeyes won 7–3
gm–2 (Sat.) – Hawkeyes won 10–2 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Hawkeyes won 7–1 (series sweep)
• at [19] USC … home vs. STANFORD – Trojans won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Trojans won 1–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – Cardinal won 3–2 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Trojans won 2–0 (won series, 2–1)
• at [22] OREGON STATE … home vs. UTAH– Beavs won series, 2–0–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Beavs won 3–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – Beavs won 2–0 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – finished tied, 2–2 (15 inn.)
• [24] NEVADA … at CREIGHTON – ‘Pack swept 2–gm series
gm–1 (Fri.) – ‘Pack won 5–4
gm–2 (Sat.) – ‘Pack won 4–0
gm–3 (Sun.) – canc.
• at [25] ARKANSAS … home vs. TENNESSEE – split 2-gm series
gm–1 (Fri.) – Vols won 5–4
gm–2 (Sat.) – ppd to Sun.
gm–2 (Sun.) – Hogs won 5–2 (7 inn.; series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – canc.
• [26] CALIFORNIA … at CAMPBELL –Cal won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Camels won 5–3
gm–2 (Sat.) – Cal won 4–0 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sat.) – Cal won 9–4 (won series, 2–1)
• at [27] AUBURN … home vs. ALABAMA – Tide swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – Tide won 4–2
gm–2 (Sat.) – Tide won 7–6 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Tide won 14–4 (series sweep)
• at [28] COASTAL CAROLINA … home vs. LIBERTY – CC won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Flames won 7–5
gm–2 (Sat.) – CC won 7–4 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – ppd to Mon.
gm–3 (Mon.) – CC won 12–1 (5 inn.; won series, 2–1)
• at [29] RADFORD … home vs. CHARLESTON SOUTHERN – Highlanders swept seroes
gm–1 (Fri.) – RAD won 7–2
gm–2 (Sat.) – RAD won 5–4
gm–3 (Sun.) – RAD won 6–2
• [31] ORAL ROBERTS … at IPFW – ORU swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – ORU won 13–3 (7 inn.)
gm–2 (Fri.) – ORU won 4–3 (clinched series
gm–3 (Sat.) – ORU won 14–3 (7 inn.; series sweep)
• at [32] UC IRVINE … home vs. CAL POLY – UCI won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – CP won 9–6
gm–2 (Sat.) – UCI won 9–6 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – UCI won 6–5 (won series, 2–1)
• at [33] GEORGIA TECH … home vs. PITTSBURGH – GT won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – GT won 9–1
gm–2 (Sat.) – Pitt won 8–6 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – GT won 10–3 (won series, 2–1)
• [35] NORTH FLORIDA … at S.C. UPSTATE – UNF swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – UNF won 8–2
gm–2 (Sat.) – UNF won 12–6 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – UNF won 8–2 (series sweep)
• at [37] BRADLEY … home vs. ILLINOIS STATE – ISU won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – ppd tp Sat.
gm–1 (Sat.) – Braves won 7–3
gm–2 (Sat.) – Redbirds won 8–0 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Redbirds won 13–4 (won series, 2–1)
• at [38] NEBRASKA … home vs. PURDUE – Boilers won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Sat.) – Huskers won 9–6
gm–2 (Sun.) – Boilers won 2–1 (series tied)
gm–3 (Mon.) – Boilers won 9–6 (won series, 2–1)
• at [40] SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA … home vs. CENTRAL ARKANSAS
– Lions won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – SE La. won 6–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – UCA won 10–9
gm–3 (Sun.) – SE La. won 11–5
• at [41] VIRGINIA … home vs. DUKE – UVa won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – UVa won 3–1
gm–2 (Sat.) – Duke won 9–7 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – UVa won 10–3 (won series, 2–1)
• at [42] MICHIGAN STATE … home vs. PENN STATE – MSU won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – PSU won 5–3
gm–2 (Sat.) – MSU won 5–4 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – MSU won 3–1 (won series, 2–1)
• at [46] OLE MISS … home vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE – Rebs swept series
gm–1 (Thur.) – Rebs won 4–3
gm–2 (Fri.) – Rebs won 13–10 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sat.) – Rebs won 8–7 (10 inn.; series sweep)
• [47] SOUTH FLORIDA … at TULANE – Wave won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Bulls won 12–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – Wave won 5–3 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Wave won 4–3 (won series, 2–1)
• [48] MEMPHIS… at UCF – Knights won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – UCF won 10–2
gm–2 (Sat.) – MEM won 6–5 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – UCF won 4–1 (won series, 2–1)
• at [49] KENTUCKY … home vs. GEORGIA – UGa won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – ‘Cats won 6–2
gm–2 (Sat.) – UGa won 12–3 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – UGa won 6–1 (10 inn.; won series, 2–1)
• [50] NORTH CAROLINA STATE … at WAKE FOREST – NC St. swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – NC St. won 19–1
gm–2 (Sat.) – NC St. won 3–2 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Mon.; 7 ET on ESPNU) – NC St. won 9–6 (series sweep)
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Other weekend games for projected NCAA Tournament teams
(for conferences not in CB360 Top–50; May 7–11, 2015):
• at SAN DIEGO (WCC) … home vs. PEPPERDINE – USD won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – USD won 12–1
gm–2 (Sat.) – PEP won 4–2 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – USD won 10–6 (won series, 2–1)
• MERCER (SoCon) – idle
• WRIGHT STATE (Horizon) … at MILWAUKEE – Raiders won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Raiders won 7–1
gm–2 (Sat.) – Raiders won 14–6 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sat.) – Panthers won 5–4 (WSU won series, 2–1)
• at ST. JOHN’S (BIG EAST) … home vs. XAVIER – SJU swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – SJU won 9–5
gm–2 (Sat.) – SJU won 5–0 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – SJU won 8–6 (series sweep)
• ALABAMA STATE (SWAC) – idle
• at COLUMBIA (Ivy League) … vs. DARTMOUTH – Lions won Champ. Series/NCAA bid, 2–1
gm–1 (Sat.) – Big Green won 7–6
gm–2 (Sat.) – Lions won 7–2 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Lions won 10–7 (won series, 2–1)
• SOUTH ALABAMA (Sun Belt) … at LOUISIANA (Lafayette) – Jags won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Jags won 5–0
gm–2 (Sat.) – Jags won 4–3 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Cajuns won 3–2 (Jags won series, 2–1)
• SOUTHEAST MISSOURI State (Ohio Valley) … at INDIANA STATE – ISU swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – ISU won 8–7
gm–2 (Sat.) – ISU won 4–3 (14 inn.; clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – ISU won 8–7 (series sweep)
• STONY BROOK (America East) … at UMASS-LOWELL – Seawolves swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – SB won 5–3
gm–2 (Sat.) – SB won 9–3 (7 inn.; clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – SB won 9–0 (series sweep)
• at RIDER (MAAC) … home vs. QUINNIPIAC – Broncs won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – Broncs won 4–2
gm–2 (Sat.) – Broncs won 9–0 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – QUIN won 9–7 (Broncs won series, 2–1)
• SAINT LOUIS (A-10) – at GEORGE WASHNGTON – SLU won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – GW won 6–4
gm–2 (Sat.) – SLU won 5–2 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – SLU won 6–3 (won series, 2–1)
• CENTRAL MICHIGAN (Mid-American) … at BALL STATE – CMU won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – CMU won 18–7
gm–2 (Sat.) – CMU won 21–2 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – BSU won 15–7 (CMU won series, 2–1)
• at BRYANT (Northeast) … home vs. FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON – ‘Dogs swept series
gm–1 (Fri.) – ‘Dogs won 8–7
gm–2 (Sat.) – ‘Dogs won 6–5 (clinched series)
gm–3 (Sun.) – ‘Dogs won 11–3 (seres sweep)
• Cal State BAKERSFIELD (WAC) … at GRAND CANYON – ‘Lopes won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Fri.) – CSUB won 4–2
gm–2 (Sat.) – GCU won 4–2 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – GCU won 6–4 (won series, 2–1)
• at NAVY (Patriot League) … vs. LAFAYETTE (PL Semifinal Series) – Mids won, 2–1
gm–1 (Sat.) – Leopards won 10–8
gm–2 (Sat.) – Mids won 12–0 (series tied)
gm–3 (Sun.) – Mids won 8–0 (won series, 2–1)
… note: 2–seed Lehigh won its semifinal home series vs. 3–seed Holy Cross (6–2; 4–7; 7–1)
• at NORFOLK State (MEAC) – home vs. JACKSON STATE – Norfolk won series, 2–1
gm–1 (Thur.) – Norfolk won 8–0
gm–2 (Thur.) – JS won 9–0 (series tied)
gm–3 (Fri.) – Norfolk won 7–3 (won series, 2–1)