College Baseball Midseason Update: Tennessee Dominates, Texas Climbs, and SEC Drama Unfolds
As we approach the midpoint of the college baseball season, the Tennessee Volunteers continue to assert their dominance, holding firm at the top of the rankings. Their recent sweep of South Carolina on the road has only solidified their position. This weekend, they are set to host a struggling Texas A&M team, which could further cement their status as the team to beat.
The top five rankings have seen some movement, with Texas making a notable rise to the No. 5 spot. This comes as Oregon State, previously in the top 10, has dropped to No. 11 after losing two games to an unranked Nebraska team. It’s a reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in college baseball.
UCLA has been one of the biggest movers this week, climbing an impressive 10 spots after a dominant performance against Purdue on the road. On the flip side, Auburn has dropped five spots following a series loss to No. 3 Georgia, and Vanderbilt has slid nine spots after being swept by No. 2 Arkansas.
Newcomers to this week’s rankings include Coastal Carolina, Kansas State, and Arizona State, who have taken the places of Wake Forest, Stanford, and Arizona. It’s always exciting to see fresh faces in the rankings, and these teams will be looking to make their mark as the season progresses.
Here’s a look at the entire top 25 rankings as of March 31, along with a breakdown of the controversy in College Station, a highlight of one of our favorite plays, and what we’re watching for in the week to come.
Weekend Controversy: SEC Travel Curfew Drama
Before diving into the highlights from the past week, let’s address the drama that unfolded between Kentucky and Texas A&M. The SEC has a rule known as the getaway day travel curfew, which states that no new inning can start after 4:30 p.m. local time on the final game of a series on a Sunday. This rule is designed to ensure that the visiting team can travel home without any potential delays.
During their matchup, Kentucky was up 10-5 in the eighth inning. Kentucky head coach Nick Mingione appeared to employ stalling tactics, including mound visits and defensive meetings, to prevent the final inning from starting before the 4:30 p.m. curfew. This strategy did not sit well with Texas A&M coach Michael Earley.
Michael Earley expressed his frustration with the situation, stating, “It’s like even embarrassing to talk about, but I told Royo if Kaeden got out, strikeout on purpose…” Ultimately, Kentucky secured the win, marking their first conference series victory of the season.
Play of the Week: Tatum Marsh’s Incredible Catch
Stanford may have dropped out of the rankings this week, but Tatum Marsh’s incredible diving catch against Virginia was a highlight that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. Marsh’s full-stretch dive to end the inning was a testament to his athleticism and determination, and it was a play that had fans and commentators alike buzzing.
Player to Watch: Alex Lodise, Florida State
Florida State’s Alex Lodise is a player to keep an eye on. He recently delivered a walk-off grand slam to secure an 8-4 win over Florida, a moment that could have easily been our play of the week. Lodise has been a key contributor to Florida State’s success this season, boasting 11 home runs and 34 RBIs. With Florida State hosting Wake Forest this weekend, Lodise will have another opportunity to showcase his talents.
Series to Watch: No. 7 LSU at No. 10 Oklahoma
- 7 p.m. ET on Thursday (ESPN2)
- 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday (SECN+)
- 3 p.m. ET on Saturday (SECN+)
Oklahoma, a newcomer to the SEC, is already proving to be a formidable force in the conference. Despite dropping a couple of close games to Alabama over the weekend, the Sooners are eager to prove themselves against LSU. The Tigers, ranked No. 7, have only lost three games this season and are coming off a 17-run performance against Mississippi State. This series promises to be an explosive matchup, with LSU’s freshman Jared Jones leading the charge with 10 home runs and 45 RBIs.
Updated Top 25 Rankings
Here are D1baseball.com’s latest rankings, plus information on each team’s next game. All times Eastern.
1. Tennessee Volunteers
Previous rank: 1
Record: 26-2
Next game: vs. Tennessee Tech, 6 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
2. Arkansas Razorbacks
Previous rank: 2
Record: 26-3
Next game: at Grambling, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
3. Georgia Bulldogs
Previous rank: 3
Record: 28-2
Next game: vs. Queens University of Charlotte, 3 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
4. Florida State Seminoles
Previous rank: 4
Record: 23-4
Next game: vs. Jacksonville, 6 p.m. on Tuesday (ACCNX)
5. Texas Longhorns
Previous rank: 7
Record: 23-3
Next game: vs. Texas State, 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
6. Clemson Tigers
Previous rank: 6
Record: 26-5
Next game: vs. Georgia Southern, 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
7. LSU Tigers
Previous rank: 8
Record: 26-3
Next game: vs. Louisiana Tech, 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
8. Alabama Crimson Tide
Previous rank: 12
Record: 25-4
Next game: vs. Samford, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
9. Ole Miss Rebels
Previous rank: 15
Record: 21-6
Next game: vs. Jackson State, 5 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
10. Oklahoma Sooners
Previous rank: 9
Record: 22-5
Next game: at Texas Tech, 7:30 pm. on Tuesday
11. Oregon State Beavers
Previous rank: 5
Record: 20-6
Next game: vs. UC Irvine, 8:35 p.m. on Friday
12. UC Irvine
Previous rank: 19
Record: 21-5
Next game: vs. San Diego, 9 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
13. Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles
Previous rank: 13
Record: 20-8
Next game: vs. Tulane, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
14. UCLA Bruins
Previous rank: 24
Record: 22-5
Next game: vs. Pepperdine, 9 p.m. on Tuesday
15. Oregon Ducks
Previous rank: 10
Record: 20-7
Next game: at Portland, 8:02 p.m. on Wednesday (ESPN+)
16. Auburn Tigers
Previous rank: 11
Record: 20-8
Next game: vs. UAB, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
17. Dallas Baptist Patriots
Previous rank: 17
Record: 18-9
Next game: vs. UT Arlington, 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
18. Louisville Cardinals
Previous rank: 18
Record: 20-7
Next game: at Indiana, 7 p.m. on Tuesday
19. North Carolina Tar Heels
Previous rank: 21
Record: 21-7
Next game: vs. Gardner-Webb, 6 p.m. on Tuesday (ACCNX)
20. Troy Trojans
Previous rank: 22
Record: 21-8
Next game: vs. Florida A&M, noon on Wednesday (ESPN+)
21. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Previous rank: NR
Record: 20-8
Next game: vs. Campbell, 6 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
22. Kansas State Wildcats
Previous rank: NR
Record: 19-8
Next game: at Wichita State, 7 p.m. on Wednesday (ESPN+)
23. Vanderbilt Commodores
Previous rank: 14
Record: 19-5
Next game: vs. Western Kentucky, 7 p.m. on Tuesday (SECN+)
24. Arizona State Sun Devils
Previous rank: NR
Record: 19-9
Next game: vs. Cal State Fullerton, 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday (ESPN+)
25. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Previous rank: 25
Record: 22-6
Next game: vs. Mercer, 8 p.m. on Tuesday (ACC Network)
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
