Opening Week in Division I college baseball usually features several lopsided matches for some of the nation’s top teams, but also plenty of noteworthy upsets and marquee matchups along the way. That certainly proved to be the case over the 2015 opening-week slate of games, as 12 series resulted in upsets for higher-ranked teams in the CB360 Top-50 Composite National Rankings. The four head-to-head series within the CB360 Top-50 included [9] Texas at [15] Rice (a four-game split), and [7] Oklahoma State at [15] Arizona State (won by ASU).
Note: scroll down for all of the Opening Week results in the CB360 Top-50.
Here are the 12 Opening-Week series within the CB360 Top-50 that resulted in the unranked/lower-ranked team taking the series – highlighted by sweeps from Baylor (vs. Cal Poly) and Fresno State (vs. UC Irvine).
• at [15] Arizona State … vs. [7] Oklahoma State (2 games to 1)
• Indiana … at [22] Stanford (2–1)
• at UNLV … vs. [26] Nebraska (2–1)
• West Virginia … at [27] Clemson (2–1)
• at Baylor … vs. [28] Cal Poly (3–0)
• at Florida International … vs. [30] Tennessee (2–1)
• at Fresno State … vs. [41] UC Irvine (3–0)
• at Winthrop … vs. [42] Kent State (2–1)
• at [47] Sam Houston State … vs. [43] Wichita State (2–1)
• at Texas-San Antonio … vs. [44] Louisiana-Lafayette (2–1)
• Tulane … at [45] Pepperdine (2–1)
• Morehead State … at [48] San Diego (3–1)
In addition to ASU–vs.–OK State and Sam Houston–vs.–Wichita, there were two other head-to-head Opening Week series within the CB360 Top-50:
• at [14] Rice split four games vs. [9] Texas
• at [11] South Carolina won 2-of-3 vs. [34] College of Charleston
Over the seven-year history of the CB360 Top-50, the higher-ranked teams typically win at a 70% clip, and that essentially proved to be the case during all three days of the 2015 Opening Week:
CS360 Top-50 Higher-Ranked Teams (2015 Opening Week)
28–14 (67%) – Friday
44–17 (72%) – Saturday
20–10 (67%) – Sunday
combined: 92–41 (69%)
These 16 CB360 top-50 teams all swept their season-opening series:
• [2] Virginia … at East Carolina
• at [3] TCU … vs. Southern Illinois
• at [4] Florida … vs. Rhode Island
• at [5] LSU … vs. Kansas
• at [6] UCLA … vs. Hofstra
• at [8] … vs. Minnesota
• at [12] North Carolina … vs. Seton Hall
• at [13] Florida State … vs. Oakland
• at [17] Texas Tech … vs. San Francisco (4 games)
• at [18] Miami … vs. Rutgers (4 games)
• at [32] Loyola Marymoutn … vs. San Jose State
• [33] at Texas A&M … vs. Holy Cross
• at [35] Alabama … vs. UMES
• at [36] Arkansas … vs. North Dakota
• at [38] UCF … vs. Siena
• at [50] Dallas Baptist … vs. Monmouth
Finally, two four-game series are set to conclude on Monday: [21] Oregon at Hawaii (Ducks lead 2–1) and [25] UC Santa Barbara vs. BYU (UCSB leads 3–0).
… also always be sure to follow on Twitter, via the @CB360updates feed.
… CLICK HERE for complete rundown of Opening Day’s 43 games involving CB360 top-50 teams (includes some postgame links and embedded video).
____________________________
– OPENING WEEK’S TOP SERIES (Feb. 13–15, 2015)
(both teams in CB360 Top-50 Composite National Rankings)
• [15] ARIZONA STATE won series vs. [7] OKLAHOMA STATE, in Phoenix (4–3 in 10 … 5–3 … 8–9)
gm-1: Arizona State 4–12–0 … def. Oklahoma State 3–7–1 (10)
gm-2: Arizona State 5–3 vs. Oklahoma State
gm-3: Oklahoma State 9–8 vs. Arizona State
________
• at [14] RICE split 4-game series vs. [9] TEXAS (1–3 … 10–9 … 5–2 … 4–3)
gm-1: Texas 3–6–1 … won at Rice 1–10–2
gm-2 (Sat.): at Rice 10–9 vs. Texas
gm-3 (Sat.): at Rice 5–2 vs. Texas
gm-4: Texas 4–3 at Rice (10 inn.)
________
• at [11] SOUTH CAROLINA won series vs. [34] College of CHARLESTON (3–6 … 7–1 … 8–3)
gm-1: College of Charleston 6–14–2 … won at South Carolina 3–4–0
gm-2 (Sat.): at South Carolina 7–1 vs. College of Charleston
gm-3 (Sat.): at South Carolina 8–3 vs. College of Charleston
________
• [23] KENNESAW State went 2–1 in home games vs. top-50 teams
(11–9 vs. [29] Liberty … 2–6 and 10–5 vs. [40] St. John’s)
Fri.: at Kennesaw State 11–10–4 … def. Liberty 9–8–2
Sat.: St. John’s 6–2 at Kennesaw State
Sat.: at Kennesaw 10–5 vs. St. John’s
________
• [40] ST. JOHN’S went 2–1 vs. fellow top-50 teams
(3–17 at [39] Georgia Tech … 6–2 and 5–10 at [23] Kennesaw St.)
Fri.: at Georgia Tech 17–19–2 … def. St. John’s 3–6–0
Sat.: St. John’s 6–2 at Kennesaw State
Sat.: at Kennesaw State 10–5 vs. St. John’s
________
• at [47] SAM HOUSTON STATE won series vs. [43] WICHITA STATE (8–5 … 3–4 … 9–3)
gm–1: at Sam Houston State 8–12–1 … def. Wichita State 5–9–3
gm–2: Wichita State 4–3 at Sam Houston State
gm–3: at Sam Houston State 9–3 vs. Wichita State
____________________
– Others that faced fellow top-50 teams (Feb. 13–15, 2015)
(both teams in CB360 Top-50 Composite National Rankings)
• [10] LOUISVILLE went 2–1 at tournament in Clearwater, FL
(5–1 vs. Alabama State … 7–3 vs. South Florida … 6–8 vs. [16] CS Fullerton)
Fri.: Louisville 5–11–0 … def. Alabama State 1–3–2 (Clearwater, FL)
Sat.: Louisville 7–3 vs. South Florida
Sun.: CS Fullerton 8–6 vs. Louisville
________
• [16] Cal State FULLERTON went 1–2 at tournament in Clearwater, FL
(1–2 vs. South Florida … 2–3 vs. Alabama State … 8–6 vs. [10] Louisville)
Fri.: SOUTH FLORIDA 2–5–1 … def. CS FULLERTON 1–2–0
Sat.: Alabama State 3–2 vs. CS Fullerton
Sun.: CS Fullerton 8–6 vs. Louisville
________
• [29] LIBERTY went 2–1 in three road games
(9–11 at [23] Kennesaw State … 10–7 and 9–1 at Georgia State)
Fri.: at Kennesaw State 11–10–4 … def. Liberty 9–8–2
Sat.: Liberty 10–7 at Georgia State (11 inn.)
Sat.: Liberty 9–1 at Georgia State (11 inn.)
________
• at [39] GEORGIA TECH went 2–1 at home
(17–3 vs. [40] St. John’s … 4–9 and 7–5 vs. Fordham)
Fri.: at Georgia Tech 17–19–2 … def. St. John’s 3–6–0
Sat.: Fordham 9–4 at Georgia Tech
Sat.: at Georgia Tech 7–5 vs. Fordham
________
• [46] BALL STATE went 0–2 in tournament at UNC Wilmington
(7–11 vs. [49] Kentucky … 2–4 at UNCW)
Fri.: Kentucky 11–7–2 … def. Ball State 7–11–1
Sat.: at UNCW 4–2 vs.Ball State
________
• [49] KENTUCKY went 1–1 in tournament at UNC Wilmington
Fri.: Kentucky 11–7–2 … def. Ball State 7–11–1
Sat.: Kentucky 10–0 vs. Richmond
____________________
… CLICK HERE for complete rundown of Opening Day’s 43 games involving CB360 top-50 teams (includes some postgame links and embedded video).
– OTHER KEY OPENING-WEEK GAMES (Feb. 13–15, 2015)
(based on CB360 Top-50 Composite National Rankings)
• at [1] VANDERBILT won series vs . SANTA CLARA (4–0 … 6–7 … 6–5, in 10)
gm-1: at Vanderbilt 4–8–0 … def. Santa Clara 0–3–2
gm-2 (Sat.): Santa Clara 7–6 at Vanderbilt
gm-3 (Sat.): at Vanderbilt 6–5 vs. Santa Clara (10 inn.)
________
• [2] VIRGINIA swept at EAST CAROLINA (3–1 … 9–2 … 4–2)
gm-1: Virginia 3–10–1 … won at East Carolina 1–5–2
gm-2 (Sat.): Virginia 9–2 at East Carolina
gm-3 (Sat.): Virginia 4–2 at East Carolina
________
• at [3] TCU swept SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (5–0 … 16–4 … 11–0)
gm-1: at TCU 5–7–0 … def. Southern Illinois 0
gm-2: at TCU 16–4 vs. Southern Illinois
gm-3: at TCU 11–0 vs. Southern Illinois
________
• at [4] FLORIDA swept RHODE ISLAND (9–1 … 22–3 … 6–1)
gm-1: at Florida 9–10–1 … def. Rhode Island 1–5–5
gm-2: at Florida 22–3 vs. Rhode Island
gm-3: at Florida 6–1 vs. Rhode Island
________
• at [5] LSU swept KANSAS (4–1 … 8–5 … 7–4)
gm-1: at LSU 4–6–0 … def. Kansas 1–4–1
gm-2: at LSU 8–5 vs. Kansas
gm-3: at LSU 7–4 vs. Kansas
________
• at [6] UCLA swept HOFSTRA (14–2 … 11–1 … 11–1)
gm-1: at UCLA 14–14–1 … def. Hofstra 2–6–2
gm-2: at UCLA 11–1 vs. Hofstra
gm-3: at UCLA 11–1 vs. Hofstra
________
• at [8] HOUSTON swept MINNESOTA (9–1 … 5–0 … 5–4)
gm-1: at Houston 9–10–1 … def. Minnesota 1–6–3
gm-2: Houston 5–0 vs. Minnesota
gm-3: Houston 5–4 vs. Minnesota
________
• at [12] NORTH CAROLINA swept SETON HALL (7–1 … 10–4 … 9–1)
gm-1: at North Carolina 7–9–0 … def. Seton Hall 1–9–0
gm-2 (Sat.): at North Carolina 10–4 vs. Seton Hall
gm-3 (Sat.): at North Carolina 9–1 vs. Seton Hall
________
• at [13] FLORIDA STATE swept OAKLAND (7–3 … 15–2 … 5–1)
gm-1: at Florida State 7–10–3 … def. Oakland 3–8–0
gm-2: at Florida State 15–2 vs. Oakland
gm-3: at Florida State 5–1 vs. Oakland
________
• at [17] TEXAS TECH swept 4-gm series vs. SAN FRANCISCO (9–7 … 15–6 … 13–5 … 9–7)
gm-1: at Texas Tech 9–10–3 … def. San Francico 7–9–1
gm-2 (Sat.): Texas Tech 15–6 vs. San Francisco
gm-3 (Sat.): Texas Tech 13–5 vs. San Francisco
gm-4: Texas Tech 9–7 vs. San Francisco
________
• at [18] MIAMI swept 4-game series vs. RUTGERS (5–2 … 9–5 … 9–3 … 25–4)
gm-1: at Miami 5–7–2 … def. Rutgers 2–10–3
gm-2 (Sat.): at Miami 9–5 vs. Rutgers
gm-3 (Sat.): at Miami 9–3 vs. Rutgers
gm-4: at Miami 25–4 vs. Rutgers
________
• at [19] MISSISSIPPI STATE went 4–0 at home tournament (6–0, 17–5 & 16–7 vs. Cincinnatti … 7–1 vs. Miami OH)
Fri.: at Mississippi State 6–10–0 … def. Cincinnati 2–7–3
Sat..: at Mississippi State 7–1 vs. Miami (Ohio)
Sat.: at Mississippi State 17–5 vs. Cincinnati
Sun.: at Mississippi State 16–7 vs. Cincinnati
________
• [20] MARYLAND went 3–0 at tournament in Myrtle Beach, SC (7–3 vs. WKU … 8–4 vs. Canisius … 5–2 vs. ODU)
gm-1: Maryland 7 -12–0 … def. Western Kentucky 3–4–0
gm-2 (Sat.): Maryland 8–4 vs. Canisius
gm-3 (Sat.): Maryland 5–2 vs. Old Dominion
________
• [21] OREGON leads 4–game series at HAWAII (12–0 … 3–2 … 1–10 … gm-4 Mon. at 1 HT)
gm-1: Oregon 12–12–1 … won at Hawaii 0–4–6
gm-2: Oregon 3–2 at Hawaii
gm-3 at Hawaii 10–1 vs. Oregon
gm-4: Monday at 1 HT
________
• INDIANA won series at [22] STANFORD (4–2 … 4–3 … 3–4)
gm-1: Indiana 4–9–0 … won at [22] Stanford 2–9–0
gm-2: Indiana 4–3 at Stanford
gm-3: at Stanford 4–3 vs. Indiana
________
• at [24] MISSISSIPPI won series vs. WILLIAM & MARY (9–4 … 1–8 … 16–2)
gm-1: at Ole Miss 9–7–2 … def. William & Mary 4–10–2
gm-2 (Sat.): William & Mary 8–1 at Ole Miss
gm-3 (Sat.): at Ole Miss 16–2 vs. William & Mary
________
• at [25] UC SANTA BARBARA has clinched 4-gm series vs. BYU (8–1 … 6–0 … 2–1 … gm-4 Mon.)
gm-1: at UC Santa Barbara 8–10–0 … def. BYU 1–12–2
gm-2 (Sat.): at UC Santa Barbara 6–0 vs. BYU
gm-3 (Sat.): at UC Santa Barbara 2–1 b vs. BYU
gm-4: Monday
________
• at UNLV won series vs. [26] NEBRASKA (0–2 … 5–3 … 3–0)
gm-1: Nebraska 2–7–0 … won at UNLV 0–8–0
gm-2: at UNLV 5–3 vs. Nebraska
gm-3: at UNLV 3–0 vs. Nebraska
________
• WEST VIRGINIA won series at [27] CLEMSON (2–0 … 4–2 … 6–1)
gm-1: West Virginia 2–5–0 … won at [27] Clemson 0–6–0
gm-2: at Clemson 4–2 vs. West Virginia
gm-3: West Virginia 6–1 at Clemson
________
• at BAYLOR swept [28] CAL POLY (8–6 … 8–6 … 6–0)
gm-1: at Baylor 8–7–2 … def. Cal Poly 6–12–3
gm-2: at Baylor 8–6 vs. Cal Poly
gm-3: at Baylor 6–0 vs. Cal Poly
________
• at Florida International (FIU) won series vs. [30] TENNESSEE (4–3 … 2–9 … 3–0)
gm-1: at FIU 4–5–4 … def. Tennessee 3–7–5
gm-2: Tennessee 9–2 at FIU
gm-3: at FIU 3–0 vs. Tennessee
________
• [31] OREGON STATE went 2–1 at tournament in Surprise, AZ
(2–1 vs. Northwestern … 4–3 vs. Michigan St. … 4–7 vs. New Mexico)
Fri.: Oregon State 2–8–1 … def. Northwestern 1–6–0
Sat.: Oregon State 4–3 vs. Michigan State
Sun.: New Mexico 7–4 vs. Oregon State
________
• at [32] LOYOLA MARYMOUNT swept SAN JOSE STATE (5–2 … 3–1 … 16–4)
gm-1: at [32] LMU 5–10–1 … def. SAN JOSE STATE 2–7–1
gm-3: at LMU 3-1 vs. San Jose State
gm-4: at LMU 16-4 vs. San Jose State
________
• at [33] TEXAS A&M swept HOLY CROSS (19–2 … 16–11 … 6–1)
gm-1: at Texas A&M 19–15–2 … def. Holy Cross 2–5–2
gm-2: at Texas A&M 16–11 vs. Holy Cross
gm-3: at Texas A&M 6–1 vs. Holy Cross
________
• at [35] ALABAMA swept Maryland-Eastern Shore (UMES) (6–0 … 11–0 … 19–0)
gm-1: at Alabama 6–11–0 … def. UMES 0–5–1
gm-2: at Alabama 11–0 vs. UMES
gm-3: at Alabama 19–0 vs. UMES
________
• at [36] ARKANSAS swept NORTH DAKOTA (11–4 … 13–2 … 12–1)
gm-1: at Arkansas 11–18–0 … def. North Dakota 4–7–4
gm-2: at Arkansas 13–2 vs. North Dakota
gm-2: at Arkansas 12–1 vs. North Dakota
________
• [37] ILLINOIS went 4–0 in tournament at Lamar
(5–1 & 4–2 vs. New Mexico State; 8–1 & 9–3 vs. Lamar)
Fri.: Illinois 5–13–1 … def. New Mexico State 1–5–2 (10 inn.)
Sat.: Illinois 8–1 at Lamar
Sat.: Illinois 4–2 vs. New Mexico State
Sun: Illinois 9–3 at Lamar
________
• at [38] Central Florida (UCF) swept SIENA (4–1 … 12–4 … 11–0)
gm-1: at UCF 4–8–1 … def. Siena 1–8–1
gm-2: at UCF 12-4 vs. Siena
gm-3: at UCF 11-0 vs. Siena
________
• at FRESNO STATE swept [41] UC IRVINE (5–4 … 7–5 … 7–5)
gm-1: at Fresno STATE 5–14–3 … def. UC IRVINE 4–9–3
gm-2: at Fresno State 7–5 vs. UC Irvine
gm-3: at Fresno State 7–5 vs. UC Irvine
________
• at WINTHROP won series vs. [42] KENT STATE (9–1 … 2–1 … 5–9)
gm-1: at Winthrop 9–7–0 … def. Kent State 1–5–5
gm-2: at Winthrop 2–1 vs. Kent State
gm-3: Kent State 9–5 at Winthrop
________
• at Texas-San Antonio (UTSA) won series vs. [44] LOUISIANA-Lafayette (8–5 … 2–8 … 11–5)
gm-1: at UTSA 8–11–4 … def. Louisiana-Lafayette 5–12–2
gm-2: Louisiana-Lafayette 8–2 at UTSA
gm-3: at UTSA 11–5 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette
________
• TULANE won series at [45] PEPPERDINE (9–3 … 9–5 … 1–2)
gm-1: Tulane 9–13–0 … won at Pepperdine 3–7–1
gm-2: Tulane 9–5 at Pepperdine
gm-3: at Pepperdine 2–1 vs. Tulane
________
• MOREHEAD STATE won series at [48] SAN DIEGO (10–3 … 8–5 … 4–2 … 5–6)
gm-1: Morehead State 10–12-0 … won at San Diego 3–9–2
gm-2 (Sat.): Morehead State 8–5 at San Diego
gm-3 (Sat.): Morehead State 4–2 at San Diego
gm-4: at San Diego 6–5 vs. Morehead State
________
• at [50] DALLAS BAPTIST swept MONMOUTH (15–1 … 6–1 … 7–2)
gm-1: at Dallas Baptist 15–16–2 … def. Monmouth 1–6–0
gm-2: at Dallas Baptist 6–1 vs. Monmouth
gm-3: at Dallas Baptist 7–2 vs. Monmouth
… CLICK HERE for complete rundown of Opening Day’s 43 games involving CB360 top-50 teams (includes some postgame links and embedded video).