The Beavers evened the series with the shutout, which was the team's 10th of the season and second of the year for Moore, who improved to 11-1, becoming the Pac-12 Conference's first 11-game winner. The victory pushed the Beavers back ahead in the chase for the Pac-12 Championship, and now lead the Ducks by one game.

Oregon State (42-9 overall, 21-5 Pac-12), up 2-0 after seven, scored five in the eighth and two more in the ninth for the convincing win. The nine-run victory margin was the largest between the teams in a game that counts toward the Pac-12 standings since Oregon (43-12, 20-6) reinstated its program in 2009. It's the second-highest overall.

"This was a very important bounce back win for us," head coach Pat Casey said. "We battled through five tough innings against a very good starter in Cole Irvin. We were focused today and it showed."

Moore held Oregon to just two hits - a double by Ryon Healy in the fourth and a single by J.J. Altobelli in the sixth - while walking one. He only picked up two strikeouts, with both coming in the eighth.

Pitching in his hometown of Eugene for the first time at the collegiate level, he did so in fine fashion, and in the process, set the Oregon State freshman record for victories in a single season, surpassing Sam Gaviglio's 10 in 2009.

Moore also pushed his earned run average to 1.34 on the year.

The teams were embroiled in a scoreless tie through six but Conforto lofted a home run over the left field fence in the sixth off Irvin. Barnes did so in the seventh as well to put the Beavers in the driver's seat, 2-0.

Then came the eighth inning. Oregon State sent 10 batters to the plate with Barnes and Danny Hayes highlighting the inning. Hayes hit a two-run single and Barnes tripled to right for three of the inning's five runs. Andy Peterson, who went 4-for-4 with a walk, also drove in a run during the inning, which he followed in the ninth with another RBI.

Peterson's four hits led the Oregon State offensive attack, which finished with 12 hits off four Oregon pitchers. Conforto, Hayes and Barnes all had two hits as well.

Irvin took the loss and dropped to 10-3 on the year. The Oregon lefty allowed six hits and two runs with a walk and three strikeouts in seven innings.

In a pre-game ceremony that also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Bertman’s 1993 national championship team, the field was officially dedicated “Skip Bertman Field.”

“In a very fortunate lifetime of thrills and awards that were mostly deserved because of great players, this is at the very, very top,” Bertman said to a crowd of more than 10,000 Tiger fans.

Bertman was joined on the field by his wife, Sandy, his '93 squad and other players from the Bertman era that spanned from 1984-2001. Vice chancellor and director of athletics Joe Alleva officially christened the field and signaled for the unveiling of a new sign above the stadium’s press box that says “Alex Box Stadium, Skip Bertman Field.”

“This is truly the house that Skip built,” Alleva said.

Although the field will be called “Skip Bertman Field,” the name of the stadium remains “Alex Box Stadium” in honor of the former LSU student, baseball player, Purple Heart and Distinguished Cross recipient who was killed in North Africa during World War II.  The recommendation to name the field for Bertman came from the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame Election Board, which recommends honors for former coaches and student-athletes, and was approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors.

Bertman helped grow interest in the sport of baseball from an average attendance of less than 500 fans per game in 1983 to now become the annual NCAA attendance leader of more than 10,000 fans per game in a new stadium constructed under his direction as athletic director.

“This is truly the house that Skip built.”
--  Joe Alleva

In 18 seasons as head coach at LSU (1984-2001), he led the Tigers to five national championships (1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000) and seven Southeastern Conference championships. He finished his career with a total record of 870-330-3.

Bertman took LSU to 11 College World Series appearances, 16 NCAA tournament appearances and coached 31 LSU players who reached Major League Baseball. He was named National Coach of the Year six times (1986, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000) and SEC Coach of the Year seven times (1986, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997).

He represented LSU on the international stage as well, serving as assistant coach on several USA national teams, and the 1988 U.S. Olympic gold-medal-winning team. He was head coach of the 1996 U.S. Olympic Team in Atlanta that won a bronze medal.

Bertman also served as director of athletics at LSU from 2001-07, directing one of the greatest periods of facility growth and athletic accomplishments in the history of the institution.

Bertman is a member of the LSU Athletic Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the College Baseball Hall of Fame. Upon his retirement as baseball coach, his No. 15 jersey was retired at LSU.

Throughout his career and to this day, Bertman remains a pillar of the Baton Rouge community, serving on numerous philanthropic organizations such as United Way, Cancer Services and the Alzheimer’s Association and he has been honored by the likes of the Arthritis Foundation, the Boy Scouts of America and the Anti-Defamation League.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Center fielder George Salem's singled in a run in the top half of the 10th inning to give Alabama a 5-4 win against No. 1 Vanderbilt on Friday at Hawkins Field. With the victory, Alabama improved to 32-23 overall and 14-14 in Southeastern Conference play. With the loss, the Commodores fell to 47-7 overall and 25-3 in conference play.

Mikey White opened the 10th inning with his third hit of the game on a sharp single up the middle off Vanderbilt closer Brian Miller. After Andrew Miller was called out for runner’s interference on a sacrifice bunt, Chance Vincent was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. After a Kenny Roberts fly out, the Commodores called on lefty Jared Miller to face Salem with two outs. Salem hit a 2-1 pitch back up the middle that allowed White to score from second for the game-winning run.

“This was the biggest game of the year and the biggest win of the year for us,” Alabama head coach Mitch Gaspard said. “We felt like coming in here, a win would put us in great position to move on into the post-season play. This win is such a confidence booster for this team. We’ve played in so many games like this, against so many good teams, but haven’t been able to overcome."

After the Tide regained the lead, Alabama called on Ray Castillo to throw the 10th inning. After he retired the first two hitters, Spencer Navin singled with two outs, but Tony Kemp grounded out to second to end the game. The Tide’s third pitcher of the night, Jay Shaw (1-1), threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn the win. Vandy closer Brian Miller (5-1) allowed a run on two hits in 1.2 innings of work to take the loss.

“It was big for Ray [Castillo] to work a clean inning,” Gaspard said. “It’s just a big win for our players and I’m happy for our players because they have fought and grinded all season long. Even with some tough losses, they continue to show up and play hard every day.”

Offensively for Alabama, White led the way with a 3-for-5 night that included a pair of singles, a double, two runs and an RBI.

Kyle Overstreet extended his hitting streak to eight games with a 2-for-4, one-RBI performance. Vincent had a 2-for-4 night with a run scored and an RBI.

Alabama starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull did not factor into the decision after allowing two runs on seven hits with four walks and three strikeouts in 5.1 innings. Justin Kamplain threw 2.2 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on a hit with three strikeouts.

Vanderbilt starter Kevin Ziomek also had a no decision after throwing five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts. Tony Kemp was 2-for-6, Mike Yastrzemski was 2-for-5 and Rhett Wiseman was 2-for-2 with a walk for the Commodores.

The Commodores opened the scoring when Yastrzemski singled through the left side to drive in Kemp from second.

In the bottom half of the third, the Commodores extended their lead to 2-0 as Yastrzemski scored when Conrad Gregor grounded into a double play. Yastrzemski singled to open the inning and moved to third on a Connor Harrell single through the right side.

Bama got even in the fourth, scoring a pair of runs against Ziomek. The Tide loaded the bases with two walks and an error on a sacrifice bunt to open the inning. An infield single by White allowed Ben Moore to score the first run. On a fielder’s choice ground out by Vincent, Austen Smith scored the second run, tying the game at two.

Vanderbilt threatened again in the sixth inning when it loaded the bases with two outs. Alabama reliever Justin Kamplain struck out Kemp to end the inning and keep the score tied at two.

In the top of the seventh, Bama got a double by Vincent and a single by Roberts to open the inning off Fulmer. With runners on the corners and one out, Overstreet singled up the middle to plate Vincent to give the Tide a 3-2 advantage. Alabama couldn’t capitalize any further as Smith struck out and Booth popped out to end the inning.

The Tide added another run in the eighth inning to take a two-run lead. After White doubled to the left field gap to open the inning, Miller dropped a bunt to move him to third with one out. After Vincent struck out, White scored on a wild pitch by Fulmer to make the score 4-2.

The Commodores answered in the bottom of the eight with two runs to even the score at four. After the first two hitters reached on a single and a hit-by-pitch, pinch-hitter Andrew Harris moved the runners over with a sacrifice bunt. A ground ball to third allowed Conrad Gregor to score, but Roberts made a throwing error on the play, which allowed Vince Conde to reach and put runners on the corners. Vandy bunted again, as Spencer Navin laid down a bunt, allowing Kyle Smith to score the game-tying run.

Vanderbilt had the potential game-winning run at third base with two outs in the ninth, but Jay Shaw got Smith to fly out to right field to send the game into extra innings.

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- A six-run eighth inning propelled No. 4 North Carolina (47-7, 21-6 ACC) to its first ACC regular-season championship since 1990 on Friday as the Tar Heels downed No. 7 Virginia (44-9, 21-8 ACC) 8-5.

Trailing 5-2 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, the Tar Heels were facing an uphill battle as Virginia entered the contest 37-0 when leading after seven innings and had closer Kyle Crockett on the mound.

After a fly out put one out on the board, Brian Holberton hit a ball that short-hopped the shortstop to allow Holberton to reach first base on an error.

Michael Russell then turned on a Crockett offering and sent it into the left-center field gap for an RBI triple as the Tar Heels pulled within two at 5-3.

A hit-by-pitch put runners on the corners for Mike Zolk, who laced a pitch to right-center that one-hopped the wall. Russell walked home to score and Cody Stubbs raced around from first to tie the contest at five before Zolk slid around the tag at third for his first triple of the season.

Parks Jordan worked a full count before drawing a walk to put runners at the corners once again, this time for Chaz Frank.

Frank lined a ball past the third baseman and into right field to push the Tar Heels in front 6-5.

Landon Lassiter sent an offering from reliever Josh Sborz down the right field line to add another run ahead of a Colin Moran RBI fielder's choice.

Freshman closer Trent Thornton came on for the top half of the ninth inning and struck out all three Cavaliers he faced to earn his sixth save of the year.

Sophomore right-hander Chris McCue improved to 6-0 on the year as he kept the Tar Heels in the contest by allowing one run in 2.1 innings of work out of the bullpen.

Carolina fell behind 3-0 after three and a half innings of action. Mike Papi doubled in a run in the third inning against starter Benton Moss and the Cavaliers used a Brandon Downes solo home run and a Kenny Towns RBI single in the fourth.

Zolk came through with his first big hit of the night in the bottom of the fourth when he doubled off the right field wall, scoring Russell and Stubbs.

A solo home run off the bat of Papi opened the fifth inning for Virginia. The Cavaliers used a Reed Gragnani sacrifice fly in the eighth to add to their lead before the comeback by the Tar Heels in the bottom half of the frame.

Russell finished the night a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and an RBI. Lassiter contributed three hits and an RBI. Zolk matched a career-high four RBIs in the win for the Tar Heels.

K-State secures the No. 1 seed at next week’s Big 12 Baseball Championship a year after entering the postseason event as a No. 8 seed. Kansas State was picked to finish seventh in the league in this year’s Big 12 coaches’ preseason poll.

OU, which was selected as the preseason favorite, led the ‘Cats 4-0 through six innings. K-State cut the lead to one with three runs in the sixth and then chased Sooner ace and top prospect Jonathan Gray with a single run in the seventh to tie the game at 4-4. A Jon Davis triple followed by a Lance Miles pinch-hit single gave Kansas State the lead in the bottom of the eighth, but OU’s Jack Mayfield quickly tied the game with a solo home run in the ninth. Kansas State responded by loading the bases in the top of the ninth and win on a wild pitch, 6-5.

This marks the second time a Big 12 member has claimed regular season crowns in football, men’s basketball and baseball in the same year. Texas accomplished the feat during the 2005-06 season when the Longhorns won the Big 12 football south division title, shared men’s basketball with Kansas, and were the outright winners in baseball.

Kansas State cracked the top 25 in four polls this past Monday, ranking as high as 18th by Collegiate Baseball. Kansas State leads the Big 12 in eight offensive categories, including batting average, hits and runs.

With the win, the Wildcats set a school record for conference victories. K-State’s overall win total of 38 is five shy of the school-record 43-win season of 2009. The previous best finish for Kansas State in the Big 12 standings was third place in 2010.

The Wildcats are led by head coach Brad Hill, who is in his 10th season at the helm, and has led his team to the NCAA postseason in three of the past four seasons.

This also marks just the second time the regular season crown has been claimed by a Big 12 program not based in Texas. Former member Nebraska is the only other league team outside the state of Texas that accomplished the feat. Previous regular season champions include Texas (2002, ‘04, ‘06-’07, ‘09-’11), Texas A&M (1998-’99, 2008, ‘11), Baylor (2000, ‘05, ‘12), Nebraska (2001, ‘03, ‘05) and Texas Tech (1997).

The 2013 Big 12 Baseball Championship is slated for May 22, through May 26, at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Sophomore right-hander Daniel Gossett pitched six scoreless innings to lead No. 14 Clemson to an 8-2 win against eighth-ranked Florida State at Dick Howser Stadium on Thursday. The Tigers, who took a 1-0 lead in the series and won their ninth game in a row, improved to 39-15 overall and 18-10 in the ACC. The Seminoles dropped to 42-11 overall and 18-10 in ACC play.

Clemson scored six combined runs in the first four innings, then added two runs in the sixth inning to take an 8-0 lead. The Seminoles put up two runs in the seventh, but left the bases loaded and couldn't score any more. With the win, Clemson pulled even with Florida State atop the ACC Atlantic Division standings.

Gossett (9-3) earned the win, allowing just three hits, no runs and three walks with three strikeouts. Matt Campbell closed out the game with two hitless innings and three strikeouts. The four Tiger pitchers combined to yield only six hits, all singles, and stranded 10 runners on base.

Seminole starter Peter Miller (6-2) suffered the loss, as he surrendered three hits, two runs and two walks with one strikeout in 1.1 innings pitched.

Steve Wilkerson gave Clemson a 1-0 lead when he hit a home run to right-center field, his second of the season. It also marked the first home run allowed by Miller this year.

In the second inning, Jon McGibbon reached on an infield single with one out and Thomas Brittle was hit-by-pitch. Tyler Slaton ripped a double to right field to score McGibbon.

Garrett Boulware led off the third inning with a walk and Shane Kennedy lined a 1-2 pitch down the left field line for a single to advance Boulware to third and up his hitting streak to 11 games. Tyler Krieger's ground out to short plated Boulware. Two batters later, Thomas Brittle hit a line drive to left-center field. Center fielder Seth Miller missed the ball on a diving attempt and the ball rolled near the warning track. Brittle rounded the bases for an inside-the-park, two-run homer, his second home run of the season, to give Clemson a 5-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, Steven Duggar lined a two-out single to left-center field before Boulware was hit by a pitch. Kennedy followed with a single through the left side to score Duggar.

Marcus Davis led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a single off the wall in right field and Stephen McGee walked on four pitches. Two batters later, Jameis Winston drew a one-out walk to load the bases, but Casey Smit grounded a 3-1 pitch into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

In the sixth inning, Wilkerson lined a one-out single to left field and Duggar lined a single to right. After Boulware loaded the bases with a walk, Kennedy reached on a fielder's choice as Boulware was retired at second and Wilkerson scored. Duggar then scored on a passed ball to give Clemson an 8-0 lead.

John Sansone drew a one-out walk in the seventh inning and Giovanny Alfonzo reached on an infield single to short. Seth Miller reached on another infield single to short to load the bases. DJ Stewart hit a single through the left side to score Sansone and Alfonzo. Two batters later, McGee drew a two-out walk to load the bases, but Jose Brizuela flied out to left field to keep the Tigers ahead 8-2.

Wilkerson, Duggar, Kennedy and McGibbon had two hits apiece for the Tigers, who outhit the Seminoles 11-6. Clemson stole four bases and hit two home runs for the second time this year.

Seth Miller and Alfonzo had two hits apiece to pace Florida State.

NEW ORLEANS -- Stephen "Steve" Andrew Martin Sr., a pioneer in the desegregation of African-Americans in collegiate sports in the 1960s, passed away on Tuesday. Martin became the first African-American to compete in a varsity sport for any Southeastern Conference school when he took the field for the Tulane baseball team in 1966.

"Steve was a trendsetter and pioneer, who opened many doors for African-Americans, when he donned a Tulane uniform and took the field for the first time in 1966," Tulane Director of Athletics Rick Dickson said. "Through his heroic determination, he helped break down a racial barrier and advance collegiate athletics. This is a sad day for the Martin family and the entire Tulane community, but I have no doubt his legendary actions will remain as one of the great moments in our university's history."

A native of Marrero, La., Martin prepped at St. Augustine High School, where he received the prestigious Purple Knight Award. Following high school, Martin attended Tulane on an academic scholarship and was a member of the Green Wave baseball varsity squad from 1966-68 and the freshman team in 1965.

He made his Tulane debut against an SEC opponent when he played as a member of the freshman team at LSU on April 3, 1965. He had a sacrifice fly in the opener and an infield single in the second as Tulane split a doubleheader with a 4-0 win and a 3-1 loss.

A center fielder, Martin became the first African-American to compete in a varsity sport for any SEC school when he played in his first game against Spring Hill College in the 1966 season opener for the Wave. Tulane completed the '66 campaign with a 17-7 overall record. It also marked the Green Wave's final year as an SEC member.

During his varsity career, he played in 61 games and was a career .230 hitter with five home runs, 15 RBIs.

Martin and his wife, Brigid Cheri Martin, also a Tulane graduate, were married for 43 years and the couple had three children, Stephen Jr., Nicole and Dana.

Born Nov. 2, 1946, Martin was a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and earned his bachelor's degree in Latin from Tulane in 1968 and earned his master's in business administration from Tulane in 1973.

He served his country in the United States Army and retired as the Chief Financial Officer for Tuskegee University in 2012.

With both squads perched in the top 10 nationally -- OSU at No. 3 and Oregon at No. 6 -- and only one game separating the rivals for first place in the Pac-12 standings, this weekend has the makings of a classic at PK Park in Eugene.

“It’s a very emotional series no matter what’s going on as far as playoff implications,” senior shortstop Tyler Smith said.

“It’s big for the state, and big for the Northwest in terms of baseball,” senior left-hander Matt Boyd said.  “It’s pretty cool that we have two teams from the Northwest vying for a Pac-12 title.”

During the last decade, college baseball has gained more and more importance in the state of Oregon.  It started when OSU won back-to-back NCAA championships in 2006 and '07, and then picked up some more momentum when Oregon reinstated a dormant program in 2009.

“It says a lot how we’ve been able to build these programs over the last 10 years or so,” Smith said.  “It’s pretty crazy how Oregon, after we won those championships, wanted to get their program back to compete with us and they did.  They’ve got a great coach over there.  It says a lot that we can compete with the California and Arizona schools, and that we’re both at the top of the Pac-12.  It’s pretty special.”

The Beavers enter the series on a 12-game winning streak and a one-game lead on the Ducks in the Pac-12 standings with a 20-4 mark. Meanwhile, Oregon is doing its best to keep pace. The Ducks are on an eight-game winning streak and own a 19-5 record in Pac-12 play.

OSU’s pitching staff boasts the second-best ERA in the nation at 2.12 as the weekend rotation has churned out quality start after quality start.  Boyd, Andrew Moore and Ben Wetzler have started all 24 games for the Beavers during Pac-12 play, and are currently on an 18-game streak of quality starts. The trio has combined for an 18-3 record and 1.73 ERA while pitching 78 percent of the innings in Pac-12 action.

“From top to bottom, we’re one of the best pitching staffs in the nation,” Boyd said. “We all push each other on and off the field.  There’s been healthy competition all year, and it’s created the kind of atmosphere that breeds success.”

However, the Ducks aren’t far behind with a 2.62 ERA (10th in the NCAA), and they own a .980 fielding percentage, good for fifth in the nation. Plus, the Ducks won the first regular-season meeting between the two teams, 6-3, in Corvallis on April 9.

“I’ve said often that I hope one of these days that we both go to the College World Series,” Oregon head coach George Horton told the Daily Emerald. “In a perfect storm, we’d play each other for the national championship. There’s room for both of us in Omaha, and there’s room for both of us to host.”

Of note, each of the last three years has produced weekend sweeps. The Beavers swept Oregon in Corvallis in 2010 and 2012, while the Ducks took the series in Eugene in 2011.  This year’s three-game league series will be in Eugene, followed by a non-conference match-up in Corvallis on Tuesday.  Both teams will have one regular season Pac-12 series remaining after this weekend.

Friday’s game will start at 9 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday’s games will be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Networks at 5 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

• Sunday’s Division I men’s lacrosse quarterfinal matchup between North Carolina and Denver should offer plenty of offense as two of the nation’s top five scoring offenses take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. UNC is scoring 13.5 goals per game, which ranks fourth in Division I and is coming off a 10-goal first-round victory against Lehigh.  Of note, UNC’s top two goal scorers -– Marcus Holman and Joey Sankey -– have combined for one goal in the past two games, but have assisted on 15 of the Tar Heels’ 32 goals.

Denver is averaging 12.71 goals per game, and topped Albany 19-14 in first-round action last week. It was a season-high goal total for Denver. The Pioneers were sparked by Wesley Berg’s eight goals and assist for nine points, just one shy of the DU single game record.

“North Carolina was ranked No. 1 in all of the polls over the last few weeks, but somehow ended up seeded No. 5,” Denver head coach Bill Tierney said. “When you get to this time of year, you’re always going to play somebody great, and now it’s up to our guys to get ready. They’re already excited, and we know we will have our hands full.”

The game will be broadcast live at noon on ESPNU. The Tar Heels are seeing their first NCAA semifinal appearance since 1993, while Denver looks to return for the first time since 2011.

• South Alabama's softball team will host the program’s first NCAA Regional beginning Friday as the Jaguars earned the overall No. 13 seed of the tournament after winning the Sun Belt Conference Tournament for the second consecutive season.  It is only the Jaguars’ sixth season of softball.

“For such a young program, it is a huge accomplishment for our players to host a regional,” USA head coach Becky Clark said. “That’s the cool thing about starting a program -- there are a lot of firsts.”

USA (45-7) will host Florida State, Mississippi State and Mississippi Valley State for the four-team tournament in Mobile beginning Friday. The Jaguars defeated both FSU (41-16) and Mississippi State (32-22) during the regular season. MVSU is the Southwestern Athletic Conference champion, but owns a losing record at 24-26.  Each game of the regional will be broadcast on ESPN3.

• Division I women’s lacrosse quarterfinals are Saturday, and the four-game schedule is highlighted by an Atlantic Coast Conference clash between unseeded Virginia and No. 3 North Carolina in Chapel Hill at 1 p.m. 

UVa’s win against sixth-seeded Georgetown last weekend was the Cavaliers third victory against a top-10 opponent this season. Virginia has won four of its past five games, and have won two games in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2007 when the field was only 16 teams rather than its’ current total of 26 squads.  In UVa’s last trip to the NCAA quarterfinals in 2010, the team fell to North Carolina 17-7.

The Tar Heels have won 13 consecutive NCAA tournament home games after downing Loyola (Md.) 11-9 last weekend. UNC has advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals for the ninth consecutive season, but will be challenged by a Virginia team that only lost to the Tar Heels by one goal earlier on March 9.

• The Anderson (Ind.) softball team will be making its’ first appearance in the Division III championship on Friday when it faces Luther at 2:30 p.m., in Eau Claire, Wis. Anderson was seeded eighth in its NCAA Regional, but knocked off top-seeded Trine in the opening game. The Ravens then lost to Aurora, but battled out of the loser’s bracket to win five consecutive times to claim the program’s first regional championship. The Ravens are the only first-time participant in the eight-team NCAA Championship field. However, of the remaining seven, only one program has won a national title. Central (Iowa) has won four championships with its most recent coming in 2003.  

• There is another Anderson having postseason success in Division II softball. The Trojans from Anderson, S.C., advanced to the NCAA Super Regional round for the first time in school history after upsetting host Lenior-Rhyne in regional action. The Trojans are seeking to become the first team from the South Atlantic Conference to earn a spot in the Division II World Series. Anderson will travel to Armstrong Atlantic for a best-of-three series beginning Friday in Savannah, Ga.

• The Rollins women’s lacrosse team will look to avenge its only loss to the season when the Tars face No. 2 Limestone in the Division II semifinals on Saturday in Owings Mills, Md. Limestone topped the Tars 13-12 in early March. Rollins, which won its first postseason game in the quarterfinals against Lock Haven, will be vying for a spot in the NCAA final for the first time in program history. Limestone advanced to the championship game in 2011, but lost to Adelphi 17-3.

• The same four teams from last year’s Division III women’s lacrosse semifinals will be at it again this weekend in Owings Mills, Md., when Cortland State takes on defending NCAA champion Trinity (Conn.), and Salisbury tangles with Middlebury on Saturday at Stevenson University.  Trinity enters the semifinals on a 28-game winning streak dating back to last season. The Bantams are 20-0 this year heading into the rematch with the Red Dragons.

• The Division II men’s lacrosse semifinals will feature a rematch between Northeast-10 Conference foes Adelphi and Le Moyne. AU nipped the Dolphins 10-9 in overtime during the regular season, and Le Moyne topped the Panthers 7-5 in the NE-10 title game two weeks ago. In the last meeting, Le Moyne, the nation’s top scoring defense, held Adelphi to a season-low five goals. The Dolphins have not given up double-digit goals all season.  The most they have surrendered is nine against the Panthers in a regular-season loss on April 6.

• The top-seeded Florida women’s tennis team will face one of the two squads who defeated the Gators during the regular season when they take on Duke in the NCAA tournament Round of 16 on Friday in Champaign-Urbana, Ill.  The Blue Devils beat the Gators, 4-0, on Feb. 17 in Durham, but injuries have decimated that Duke squad.  The Blue Devils currently have four scholarship players and a soccer player in their lineup, and are forfeiting at No. 6 singles. Still, Duke rallied to defeat Texas Tech 4-3 on the road in second-round action. The Gators lead the all-time series against Duke 34-5 and are 6-0 against the Blue Devils in NCAA action. Last year, the two teams met in the NCAA semifinals, where Florida won a 4-3 decision and went on to claim its sixth national championship.

North Carolina senior Chaz Frank

North Carolina Athletics

• The North Carolina baseball team is poised to finish among the top five nationally in both team scoring and team ERA, a feat accomplished by only three other teams since 1989. 

The Tar Heels are the top scoring team in Division I, averaging 8.6 runs per game, while the pitching staff boasts a 2.44 ERA, good for fifth in the nation.

However, the No. 2 Tar Heels will face one of their toughest tests of the season when they host No. 7 Virginia for a three-game series beginning Thursday. UNC can secure its second consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division title with one win against Virginia this weekend. A victory would also give the Tar Heels their first ACC regular-season title since 1990, as well as the top seed in the league tournament.  To win the Coastal Division, Virginia must sweep the series. Carolina swept the Cavaliers last season, and has won six of the past seven meetings.

All three games can be viewed on ESPN3. 

• The Cal State Monterey Bay baseball team is not only heading to its first Division II tournament, but is also the No. 1 seed in the West Regional. Dixie State will host the six-team regional tournament in St. George, Utah. In just three seasons, California Collegiate Athletic Association Coach of the Year Walt White has turned around a program that posted an 8-41 record in 2010. Now, the Otters enter NCAA postseason play with a 38-15 mark, and an impressive 22-8 record against West Region teams with records of .500 or better. CSUMB is one of four first-time participants in the Division II championship, but the only one to earn a No. 1 seed.

"Advancing to the NCAA tournament is a great accomplishment and I couldn't be more proud of our players, coaches, and athletic department," White said. "It has taken everyone to get to this point and it will take all of us to advance. The West Region is one of the toughest in the nation and we will need to be at our best this coming weekend."

The Otters face sixth-seeded Chico State in the opening round of regional play on Thursday. 

• Two College of Charleston men’s golfers paired with two blind golfers in the eighth annual Charleston RiverDogs Golf Tournament to benefit the Medical University of South Carolina’s Storm Eye Institute. Senior John Duke Hudson and freshman Josh Lorenzetti played with Peter Alan Smith and Jim Gilstrap as the collegiate duo learned a whole new perspective on the game.

Smith and Gilstrap suffer from retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which is a degenerative eye disease that weakens vision. Smith is completely blind, while Gilstrap is legally blind and has limited sight.

Hudson will soon compete at PGA Tour Q-school, while Lorenzetti will represent CofC in the NCAA Regional Championship in Baton Rouge, La., beginning Thursday. Lorenzetti became the first CofC freshman to win the Southern Conference Championship, and will join junior Alex Ellis as at-large individual selections in the regional field.  It is the first time the Cougars have been represented in the NCAA postseason since 2003, and the first time the program has had two individuals in postseason competition.

You can read more about Hudson and Lorenzetti’s experience as seeing guides on the golf course by clicking here.

Follow Amy Farnum on Twitter: @NCAA_Amy

“We came to play, that’s for sure. Our bats woke up, finally. Hopefully we’re getting hot at the right time,” A&T head coach Joel Sanchez said. “It was a good win, a good way to start the tournament. It’s always a huge plus to be 1-0 instead of 0-1.  It’s big. Del is a tough team. We knew we’d have our work cut out and our guys showed up.”

The Aggies (16-36) rallied to take a two-run lead in the ninth, but the Hornets (33-14) came back to tie up the game on a pair of hits and a key A&T error. The Aggies rallied again to score five runs on six hits in the top of the 13th to win the game, their longest contest in terms of both time and innings of the season and move into the winners bracket.  

Junior right-hander Tyler Boone struck out six and allowed two unearned runs on four hits in eight innings of work to pick up the victory. But it was MEAC Player of the Year senior Kelvin Freeman’s sacrifice fly in the 13th that gave A&T the lead for good. First-team All-MEAC junior shortstop Luke Tendler led the team with four hits and four runs scored. Brandon Wilkerson, Cameron Jergens, Dairio Little and Mark Nales had three RBIs apiece.

“We had a quite a few guys get key hits who have not been doing that lately. Luke [Tendler] and Kelvin [Freeman] still swung the bat and we had some guys pick it up around them. I think that’s what it’s going to take for us to win this thing. We do have a shot,” Sanchez added.

Heading into the top of the ninth behind 9-7 the Aggie offense stirred. Tendler was hit by a pitch to start the rally. Freeman doubled down the left field line and Wilkerson walked to load the bags. Jergens capitalized with a two-run single to right field to tie the game. Little then slammed a two-run double to left-center field to give the Aggies an 11-9 lead.

But Delaware State wouldn’t go away. With one out, second baseman Cameron Onderko hit into what could have been a game-ending 6-4-3 double play. The throw from A&T second baseman Jeovanny Tolentino went wide and Onderko was safe at first on the fielder’s choice. Third baseman Cameron Cecil then grounded to Tolentino, but Freeman dropped the throw to first to put runners at first and second. Shortstop JP Frey drove in both runners with a double to right-center field to tie the contest.

After three scoreless extra innings, the Aggies finally broke through in the 13th frame. A&T collected singles from Tolentino and Tendler to get runners on the corners with no out.  Freeman hit a sacrifice fly to left to put A&T ahead 12-11. Tendler stole third and scored on a single by sophomore Dylan Hipp. Little hit an RBI single to add another insurance run for the Aggies. Nales doubled to left-center field to make it a 15-11 contest. Catcher Stefan Jordan kept the hit parade going with a single to left, which scored the 16th A&T run.

Boone retired the Hornets in order in the 13th to secure the victory for the Aggies.

“Tyler Boone—what more could you ask for, geez?” Sanchez said. “I think if we swing the bat like that, we’ll be okay. That’s huge win for us, coming against a No. 1 seed and I think we’re just as good as anybody here.”  
 

Austin Listi picked up a bases-clearing, two-out double in the decisive third inning and Boomer Collins belted an insurance homerun in the ninth as five different Patriot pitchers combined to limit the Sooners to five hits on the night.

Paul Voelker allowed one unearned run in his first Division I start and Aaron Gilbreath (2-0) was credited with the win after throwing two scoreless innings in relief. Cory Taylor, Brandon Koch, and Joseph Shaw -- the same three freshman who shut out the Sooners just two weeks ago in a 2-0 Patriot win -- finished the final four innings with only Taylor allowing a run on two hits. Shaw picked up his fourth save of the season.

It was the third inning that saw the Patriots deliver the big blow off Sooner starter Adam Choplick. Trailing 1-0 after Oklahoma scored an unearned run in the first, DBU sent ten batters to the plate in the third and scored five runs on five hits, all with two outs.

After Nash Knight grounded out to start the inning, Collins walked and Ronnie Mitchell lined out to rightfield. Three consecutive hits then loaded the bases for Austin Listi, who cleared them with a groundball double down the left-field line. Mike Wesolowski then walked ahead of a KJ Alexander RBI single up the middle and Wesolowski scored as Chane Lynch doubled off the wall in leftfield to close the Patriot scoring in the inning.

That was all for the Patriots until the ninth, after OU had closed the cap to 5-4. With one out, Collins hit a no-doubt shot to left on the first pitch he saw from reliever Kindle Ladd, the only run Ladd allowed in six innings of relief. Shaw pitched around a leadoff walk in the ninth to close out the game with his only strikeout in the game that took just under three hours.