Sizzlin'
* College of Charleston (3-1 last week, 15-9 overall, 3-0 CAA) - A sweep of Northeastern to open Colonial Athletic Association play mitigated the effects of a midweek loss at Georgia Southern. Preston Hall (.289) homered in consecutive games and has a team-high six. J.T. Marr (.380) has reached base in all 24 games this season and leads the Cougars with 20 RBI. Trotter Harlan (.325) was 6-for-13 last week while Tyler Sorrentino (.299) was 6-for-13 against Northeastern. William Privette (0.70) struck out 7 Huskies in 4 innings over two appearances and has fanned 35 in 25 2/3 innings this season. Up next in CAA: at Hofstra
* North Greenville (4-0, 26-5, 15-3 Conference Carolinas) - Just another ho-hum perfect week for the Crusaders, who are on a nine-game winning streak. First up was a rout of Lenoir-Rhyne, which was 26-3 coming in. Then. they dispatched sometime nemesis Mount Olive in a conference series. Pat Monteith (.372, 5 HR, 23 RBI) hit a grand slam to turn around the opener, then Josh Senter (294, 6, 24) delivered walk-off hits in both ends of Saturday's doubleheader. As might be expected on a team hitting .328, the offensive standouts are numerous. How about Jax Cash (.400), John Michael Faile (.386, 9, 43) or Marek Chlup (.374, 6, 37, 16 steals)? Add in Gehrig Octavio (.365, 39 runs) and Ethan Stringer (.310) and ... you get the picture. Cash (2-1, 3.27) has also been effective on the mound in limited innings. Tristen Hudson (2-0, 0.78, 3 saves) and Reece Fields (5-1, 3.70, 57 strikeouts in 41 1/3 innings have been among the best on a solid pitching staff, Up next in Conference Carolinas: at UNC Pembroke, which has a percentage-points lead over the Crusaders.
* Spartanburg Methodist (4-0, 20-11, 11-1 NJCAA Region 10) - It was a tough call between coach Tim Wallace's Pioneers and his alma mater, Wofford, for state team of the week last week, but I went with the Terriers. That's nothing against SMC, which run-ruled USC Lancaster four times to extend its winning streak to nine games The Pioneers hit .578 (78-for-135) and scored 73 runs with 10 home runs in 21 innings at Lancaster and have gone 122-for-232 (.526) in their last seven region games. The team batting average is .340. The production begins with the top two in the lineup. Dariyan Pendergrass (.486) was 12-for-18 at USCL. A'shani McFarland (.414) went 12-for-17 with 14 RBI at Lancaster and has a 17-game hitting streak. Need more? How about Jordan Young (.421), who was 10-for-15 against the Lancers, or Davis Campbell (.406, 9-for-17) or Brandon Moser (.341, 7-for-13, 3 homers). The pitching's been just fine, too. How about a staff ERA of 2.14 last weekend and 1.49 in the last eight league games? Graham Edwards (5-1, 2.15, 54 K in 46 IP), Myles Daniel (4-1, 2.29, 51 in 39 1/3) and B.J. Bailey (3-1, 2.567, 52 in 31 1/3) give the Pioneers a phenomenal 1-2-3 punch Up next in Region 10: Florence-Darlington Tech April 9-10 after playing Gaston College on SMC's region bye weekend
* The Citadel (3-1, 16-7, 0-0 SoCon) - The Bulldogs numbered a come-from-behind over South Carolina among its six straight wins, and but for a late comeback by George Mason on Sunday would be sitting on a seven-game streak today. The pitching has been very good, and the offense has taken advantage of its opportunities. Devin Beckley (3-1, 2.30) was roughed up a little by George Mason but still has good numbers. Ben Hutchins (4-0., 3.09) and Cameron Reeves (2-1, 3.77) were effective in their weekend outings. Ryan McCarthy (.342) has a six-game hitting streak. Up next: SoCon play is still a ways away, so the Bulldogs play at Creighton after a midweek home game with North Florida
* Wofford (4-0, 17-8, 0-0 SoCon) - One place to look when searching for an explanation for the Terriers' five-game hitting streak is batting average. A .327 team mark over the past five games has given pitchers decent comfort level - not that they need much of one. The staff ERA over that span is 2.60. John Dempsey (.391) was 6-for-16 and Brennen Dorighi (.342) was 6-for-12 last week. Brice Martinez (.341) is on a six-game hitting streak and Nolen Hester has brought his average up to .296. On the mound, Dalton Rhadans (4-1, 1.99 had seven more shutout innings last week and hasn't given up a run in 24 2/3 innings covering 11 appearances. He's struck out 24 while walking none in that period. Up next: SoCon play doesn't start until the first full weekend in April so the Terriers visit Dallas Baptist.
Simmerin
* Coastal Carolina (2-2, 13-9-1, 2-3-1 Sun Belt) - It was a week that started on a high and ended on a low. The Chanticleers scored 10 runs in the first inning of a Tuesday rout at Clemson, then saw a three-run eighth-inning double by host Texas State to turn a two-run deficit into a five-run mountain to spoil realistic hopes for a ninth-inning comeback in the series' rubber game against a nationally ranked conference opponent. Tyler Johnson (.378) homered twice in a game twice last week and reached base five times on Sunday. Dale Thomas (.313) missed the Clemson game, but was 5-for-12 with a pair of homers and 5 RBI at Texas State. Reid VanScoter struck out a career-high nine against the Bobcats in 7 2/3 innings on Saturday. Up next in Sun Belt: at Arkansas State to complete a stretch of eight straight road games.
* Coker (3-1, 12-20, 7-5 SAC) - The Cobras won a second straight conference series as part of a 3-1 week. Also included was a nice road win over Belmont Abbey thanks to a four-run ninth inning. They still have a way to go to reach .500 overall, but slow and steady can sometimes win the race. Coaches picked them to finish ninth in the conference, but they currently share fifth place. Phill Griffor (.365) hit safely in every game last week. Up next in SAC: at home against Queens.
* Florence-Darlington Tech (2-2, 28-9, 10-2 Region 10) - The Stingers had their 17-game winning snapped in USC Sumter's sweep on Saturday, but came out with bats blazing on Sunday, hitting almost 100 points better than Saturday, to get a series split. Dylan Johnson (.403) is the only player hitting above .400, but seven others with plenty of at-bats are above .300. Scott McDonough (.306) has a team-high 7 homers, while Jackson Hoshour (.319) leads with 31 RBI, one ahead of Tre Williams (.331). Trent Simmons (1-0, 1.35, 4 saves) and Landon Gaddis (2-0, 2.53, 6) have been dependable out of the bullpen. The starting pitching has been sharp with Landon Mills (6-1, 2.78) and Austin Windham (6-1, 3.35) leading the way. Up next in Region 10: USC Lancaster
* Francis Marion (2-1, 17-11, 7-8 Conference Carolinas) - The Patriots bounced back well from a one-sided loss in the series opener to pound Emmanuel twice to complete the series win. As a .410 (50-for-122) batting average for the series would suggest, there were lots of big offensive performances. Todd Mattox (.393) has reached base safely in 71 consecutive games, 18 shy of the NCAA Division II record. Leniel Gonzalez (.382) was 5-for-12 and drove in five runs. Will Hardee (.372) was 6-for-15 and Darius Nobles (.372) was 7-for 13 with 2 homers and 8 RBI. Nick Palumbo (1-1, 0.71) didn't add to his team-leading five saves last week, but he did strike out 2 in 1 2/3 innings. Up next in Conference Carolinas: at Southern Wesleyan
* South Carolina (2-2, 12-11, 2-4 SEC) - Will the series win over No. 4 Vanderbilt get the Gamecocks going, or do they lay another egg (OK, a physical impossibility, I know) this week? Carolina followed up a series win over Texas with five straight losses - three to a Tennessee team probably better than many have realized. That was followed by a one-run loss at The Citadel in which the Gamecocks missed numerous opportunities to break the game open. A 10-0 loss to Vandy - Carolina's second by that score in the slide - had the naysayers energized. Then came wins over the Commodores in the final two games. Will Sanders (4-1, 3.44, 43 K in 36 2/3 IP) benefited from getting an early 7-0 lead on Friday and struck out 11 Commodores. Freshman Matthew Becker (1-1, 3.74, 34 in 21 2/3) was hurt by control issues and defensive lapses on Saturday, but Braylin Wimmer's (.348) first two home runs of the season helped forge a comeback win. Freshman Aidan Hunter (4-2, 3.51) has six decisions in 10 appearances and redshirt freshman Cade Austin (1-0, 3.42) got his first save after closer Michael Braswell's struggle at The Citadel. Andrew Eyster (.367, 4, 27) his his first home run in a while and Brandt Belk (.346) has a 12-game hitting streak. He is hitting .429 in his last 10 games. Braswell (.333) hit safely in all three games against the Commodores after going hitless in four straight. Next chores for Carolina are bolstering the bottom-of-the-order offense and getting more pitchers healthy. Veteran Brett Thomas made his first appearance of the year at The Citadel and could provide depth if he remains healthy. At least seven pitchers have been dealing with injuries and freshman infielder Julian Vasquez has already pitched three times in mopup duties during blowouts. Up next in SEC: at Missouri.
* USC Union (2-2, 15-11, 3-7 Region 10) - A 2-2 series with Louisburg helped the young Bantams program set a record for wins in a season with more than a month to go. Antonio Gleaton (.359) was 4-for-11 with three runs scored. Trevor Linaman (2-2, 5.04) evened his record and Bryson Daniel (2-1, 4.91) got the other win. Up next in Region 10: at USC Salkehatchie
* USC Upstate (2-2, 16-8, 5-1 Big South) - Getting series road wins are what keep teams in contention for conference championships, and the Spartans did just that with a 2-1 series at Radford. The offense came back strong in Game 2 after being held to a run on three hits in the opener. Austin Morgan (3-1, 6.04) struck out eight while allowing a run on four hits over seven innings. The rubber game was a slugfest, with each team getting 13 hits. Devin Buckner (.341) was 5-for-12 at Radford and 6-for-16 for the week including the midweek loss to Wofford. Noah Sullivan (.341) was 4-for-10 against the Highlanders. Cole Caruso (.313) was 6-for-13. Up next in Big South: High Point.
So-So
* Bob Jones (0-0 last week, 2-16 overall, independent) - The Bruins were idle last week, and are halfway through a stretch of 10 straight road games. Up next: at Maryville
* Columbia International (1-1, 12-23, 3-14 Appalachian Athletic Conference) - The Rams had a four-run 10th inning to win the opener of their conference doubleheader at Montreat, but couldn't follow it up in Game 2. Justin Parish (2-4, 3.86) struck out eight in seven innings in the win, but got no decision. Shane Hammonds (.180) has struggled this season, but had four RBI against the Cavaliers. Up next in the AAC: a win at Montreat on Monday to complete a rain-altered series (I'll include it next week), then at home to St. Andrews over the weekend.
* Erskine (2-2, 16-15, 8-10 Conference Carolinas) - The Flying Fleet started the week 0-2, including a loss to a struggling Limestone squad, before taking the final two games over King. Erskine exceeded its run total (13) of the previous four games in the 15-5 win in the nightcap. One offensive big stick was wielded by Fisher Kane (.372), who was 5-for-11 with three homers and seven RBI last week. Armando Becerra (.351) pushed his hitting streak to 17 games and Kyle Marti (.330) was 7-for-15 with five runs. Johnny Hummel remained unscored on in 20 2/3 innings with two shutout innings last week. He has fanned 34 batters and opponents are hitting .075. Parker Cassell (1.78, in a DII-leading 19 appearances) gave up two earned runs over three appearance last week but still has sterling numbers. Up next in Conference Carolinas: at Chowan.
* Lander (2-2, 15-14, 5-7 Peach Belt) - The Bearcats had a five-game winning streak snapped by Georgia Southwestern and went on to lose the league series to a program that is performing above its norm of recent seasons. Vincent DeRubeis (.372) went 6-for-13 last week. Connor Droze (.352) had an 11-game inning streak snapped in the series final against Georgia Southwestern. I don't know the particulars, but Bennett Sloper, (3.24. 3-2), who has the best numbers among Lander's starting pitchers, didn't face the Hurricanes. Up next in Peach Belt: Augusta.
* USC Beaufort (2-2, 17-18, 4-8 Sun Conference) - There aren't many gimmes in the Sun Conference, so getting a series-opening win over a ranked St. Thomas team was a nice coup for the Sand Sharks, who started league play 0-6. The Bobcats rallied late to win Game 2, then got a shutout in Game 3. Leandy Castro (.389) had a 13-game hitting streak snapped in the series finale. Kyran Russ (.360) was 5-for-14 last week, while Nick Milhan (.350) was 5-for-13 at St. Thomas. Scott Matthews (2-5, 3.70) and Brandon Blume (5-2, 4.25) allowed two runs in seven innings in their respective starts, while Tucker Perry (1-1, 2.13) got his third save of the season. Up next in Sun Conference: at home against Keiser.
* USC Salkehatchie (1-2, 4-28, 0-8 NJCAA region 10) - A break from the region schedule provided the Indians an opening to get their fourth win of the season and end a 12-game losing streak. Rushton Bowles (.318) had a good weekend, going 6-for-11 with a double, his first homer of the season and 6 RBI. Kenny Miller (1-1, 4.50, 44 K in 26 IP) struck out 11 on Saturday as he got his first win of the season. Up next in Region 10: USC Union.
* Winthrop (1-3, 6-16, 1-2 Big South) - Coming off two one-run losses to open a series at High Point, the Eagles were in position for a demoralizing loss and a series sweep, but refused to lose in the series finale. A 9-4 lead evaporated into a 9-9 tie in the bottom of the eighth before the Eagles escaped further damage. Joey Tepper's RBI single gave Winthrop a ninth-inning lead, but High Point got its first two batters on bases in the bottom of the inning. Aaron White came on to get the final two outs for his first save and end a five-game losing streak. Tepper was 7-for-17 last week, raising his batting average to .264. Up next in Big South: Radford
Shiverin'
* Anderson (0-4, last week, 15-13, overall, 2-10 SAC) - That 13-1 start to the season seems like it was a long time ago. Anderson has lost five straight and nine of its last 10. The Trojans fell behind early in three of four games last week. In the other, they built a 6-0 lead only to be outscored by Mars Hill 19-1 the remainder of the game. Nick Vella (.402) hit safely in every game last week and has hits in 16 of his last 17. Carlos Hernandez (.353) was 8-for-15 last week, even with an 0-for- 5 in the opener at Mars Hill. Up next in the SAC: a home series with Newberry* Benedict (1-6, 3-24, 2-14 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) - It was a busy, if unsuccessful, week for the Tigers. One constant has been senior Bradon O'Connor (.494). He was 13-for-23 last week and is on a 14-game hitting streak (he missed three-game series at Spring Hill). He was 14-for-15 in stolen bases and is 56-for-60 this season. He's now 157-for-170 (92.3 per cent) for his career. O'Connor leads NCAA Division II in stolen bases, with teammate Jamell Mitchell second at 42-for-48. The Tigers have led Division II in total steals seven times (and steals per game eight times) in coach Selwyn Young's tenure and are on track for total steals title No. 8. They have a 50-steal lead over No. 2 Newberry (118). Speaking of stolen bases in Division II, North Greenville (72) is tied for seventh and Erskine (67) is tied for 12th. The Wolves' Braylin Marine (25-for-31) is tied for third individually and teammate Zane Tarrance is fourth at 24-for-29. Erskine's Cal Bocchino is tied for ninth at 19-for-19. Up next in SIAC: at Morehouse.
* Charleston Southern (0-4, 10-16, 2-4 Big South) - The Buccaneers were tantalizingly close to winning a second straight conference series, but instead went back southeast on I-26 with an 0-3 ledger at UNC Asheville. The host Bulldogs twice scored the winning run in the eighth inning. Sunday's finale may have been particularly disappointing. The Bucs rallied from a 9-1 deficit to take a 13-12 lead in the eighth, only to give up two runs in the bottom of the frame. Hayden Harris (.377) extended his hitting streak to 10 games and is 16-for-24 over his last six games. CSU catcher Hogan McIntosh had to leave Saturday's game when he was hit on his helmet ear flap by a pitch. Coach Marc MacMillan said in a post on Twitter that McIntosh was taken to a hospital for evaluation and rejoined the team. CmINtosh did not play Sunday. Up next in the Big South: North Carolina A&T.
* Claflin (0-3, 1-14, 0-12 Peach Belt) - It's been a struggle for the Panthers ever since they moved from the SIAC to the Peach Belt for baseball. Add in the weekend sweep by Augusta and Claflin's conference opponents have scored 10 or more runs in every game. Leading hitting Steve Joyner (.533) hasn't played in the last five games of the Panthers' 14-game losing streak. Rufus Hurdle Jr. (.237) has a four-game hitting streak and was 6-for-12 against Augusta. Up next in Peach Belt: at USC Aiken
* Clemson (1-3, 16-7, 1-4 ACC) - The Tigers were really shiverin' last week, giving up 10 runs before coming to bat against Coastal Carolina on Tuesday, then getting hammered at Pitt twice in brutal weather on Friday in their first games outside the Palmetto State. Mercifully, forecasts of even worse weather the remainder of the weekend led the cancellation of Game 3. Pitt hit two homers in the opener, and it could have been worse but for a great over-the-fence catch/drop/recatch by center fielder Dylan Brewer to prevent a second-inning grand slam. Of course, defense giveth as well as taketh away. Brewer and Caden Grice had a little Alphonse-and-Gaston act in the fifth inning, leading to a three-base error by Brewer as part of a three-run frame. Six runs in the final three innings after falling behind 9-1 in Game 2 made that score look more respectable. Cooper Ingle (.391) homered twice last week and has hits in eight straight games. Max Wagner (.380) also homered twice a week ago and is on a six-game hitting streak. Grice (.226), expected to be one of the offensive leaders, is at a season low in batting average and has one homer over his last 18 games. Pitching, a strength during a the 14-0 start has really struggled recently. The staff ERA rose from 3.14 to 4.06 in a week and opponents hit .315 with eight homers. Up next in the ACC: N.C. State
* Limestone (1-3, 4-30, 1-14 SAC) - The Saints got a nice midweek win over a solid Erskine team, but couldn't extend that momentum in the weekend series against national No. 2 Wingate despite some pretty good pitching. Saints pitchers allowed 19 runs, the fewest in a three-game series this season, but Limestone batters hit .194 (20-for-103). Dylan Shugan (.266) went 5-for-9 in the final two games with Wingate, doubling, homering and driving in three runs. Up next in SAC: at Carson-Newman.
* Newberry (2-2, 26-6, 9-3 SAC) - Only in its fourth season, Queens' baseball program has mostly been taking baby steps. But the Royals took a couple of giant leaps with its South Atlantic Conference series win over Newberry. The Wolves coasted to a shutout win in the opener behind Joe LaFiora (5-1, 2.95) and his seven strikeouts in seven innings, but found the going considerably tougher on Saturday. Queens rallied from two runs down to force extra innings in the opener, then pushed across five run in the 14th to win. Another rally from two down led to a 6-3 Royals win in Game 2. The Wolves had 10 or more hits in 16 of their first 28 games, but did that just once last week. Henry Gibson (.398) was 7-for-13 last week, but Braylin Marine (.388, 3-for-16 last week) and others didn't perform as well as they have most of the season. Tyler Chinpire (2-1, 2.31) pitched five shutout innings on Saturday. Up next in SAC: at Anderson.
* Presbyterian (1-2, 9-14, 1-5 Big South) - Just about anything the Blue Hose did last week was overshadowed by Sunday, when they were walloped by Campbell, 36-4, in a conference series finale and rubber game. The Camels belted 10 homers, including three grand slams. Two of the slams came in as 12-run third inning. Campbell added 11 runs in the eighth for good measure. PC had snapped a six-game losing streak with a solid offensive performance in a 12-8 win in the series' middle game. Jay Wetherington (.333) was 2-for-14 last week, but still shares the team lead in batting average with Jack Gorman. Chris Veach (.327) was 5-for-11 with a pair of homers, while Eric Toth (.326) was 3-for-11 and got his third save of the season. Up next in Big South: UNC Asheville
* USC Aiken (1-3, 11-18, 4-8 Peach Belt) - The Pacers have lost six of their last seven games and are going to need a strong closing kick to avoid their first losing season since 1999. Jeff Cyr (.354) was the offensive bright spot in the 2-1 conference series loss at Flagler, going 6-for-12. The other offensive weapons were mostly neutralized, as USCA hit .179 as a team. Joel Haney (4-2, 1.09) continued a good season, allowing two runs over six innings in Saturday's win. Up next in Peach Belt: Claflin.
* USC Lancaster (1-5, 8-17, 1-5 Region) - The Lancers ran into one of the hottest teams in the state in Spartanburg Methodist, and the ERA suffered because of it. Lancaster hit .287 - not terrible - but scored just 13 runs and was run-ruled four times. Leading hitter Jonah McElheney (.388) was 2-for-11. Using the standard nine-based component to determine ERA and the Lancers had a 27.00 ERA for the weekend. Even using a seven-based component because region doubleheaders are scheduled for seven games the ERA was 21,00. Ugly. Up next in Region 10: at Florence-Darlington Tech.
* Voorhees (0-3, 7-13) - The Tigers had a modest two-game winning streak snapped when as they were swept by Edward Waters. Miles McCoy (.364) went 4-for-8 last week with a double and two stolen bases. Up next: Morris
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