A couple impressive feats took place over the last week, as one team twirled its second no-hitter of the season and another set an NCAA Division II record. On the docket this week? How 'bout three match-ups between Top 25 squads and a host of very important conference series' that will have a big effect on both conference title races and regional positioning? It was an eventful week and will be another eventful week coming up as we dive in to the most recent week of Division II baseball.
Findlay notched its second no-hitter of the year this past week in a victory over Saginaw Valley State. They only have 10 wins on the season, but two have come with a "0" in the hits column for the opponent. Earlier this season, Mark Demas twirled a no-no against Gannon at the RussMatt. This past week, it was Mason Mayberry, who struck out 12 and walked two in his nine-inning effort and 7-0 victory.
Additionally, Lander has had a resurgence this season after a bit of a disappointing year in 2015, but the record they set this past week has been years in the making. The Bearcats fell to Anderson, 9-7, on Wednesday, but set a record in the process. They have now went 264 consecutive games without being shutout, a streak that extends back to May 2nd, 2011. That mark bested Central Missouri, who had set the record back in 1996.
Although we have three Top-25 match-ups taking place this weekend, only one will get the nod as our Marquee Match-Up of the Week, and it will be...
#12 Florida Southern (25-9) at #9 USC Aiken (30-10)
Game One: Friday, 4/15, 7:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/16, 4:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Game Three: Sunday, 4/17, 1:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Projected Pitching Match-Ups
Game One: FSC Ben Richardson (9-1, 4.02) vs USC-A Erik Davis (3-2, 3.14)
Game Two: FSC Logan Browning (3-2, 5.08) vs USC-A Nick Yobbi (5-1, 5.87)
Game Three: FSC Cameron Hanes (3-4, 4.69) vs USC-A Joe Marlow (6-1, 4.32)
(Projected pitching match-ups are based exclusively on prior series' rotations and should not be considered official in any way.)
It isn't often that we get a non-conference series of this caliber this late in to the season, but here we are. Both teams are solidly in their regional races, and a series victory either way could be a movement of 1 or 2 spots come seeding time for both of these squads as they will qualify as some pretty outstanding victories.
Make no mistake, this series should have a lot of runs scored. Early and often. FSC bats .331 as a team and slugs .510, while USC-Aiken bats .332 with a .520 slugging percentage. The offensive numbers for both these teams are staggeringly similar.
The Mocs are led on offense by one of the best in the country in Sam Machonis. He is batting .418 with 11 doubles, 9 home runs, 41 RBI, a .705 slugging percentage and a .488 on-base percentage to go with 15 stolen bases, all of which lead the team outside of the doubles. He is flanked by Mitch Reeves (.388, 7 HR, 37 RBI, .612 SLG, .444 OBP), Dominic Brugnoni (.336, 9 2B, 4 HR, 33 RBI, .389 OBP, 11 SB) and utility man extraordinaire Logan Browning (.318, 12 2B, 7 HR, 27 RBI, .598 SLG, .432 OBP). Up and down the lineup, it is number after number that is impressive.
For the Pacers, the story is much the same. Max Schoen is batting an absurd .452, which ranks top 10 in all of Division II so far this year. He anchors an offense that is in the top 20 in the country in home runs (2nd), hits (3rd), runs (6th), home runs per game (11th), on-base percentage (16th), batting average (17th), hit by pitches (17th) and slugging percentage (20th). Schoen has 14 doubles, 6 homers, 39 RBI and carries an OBP of .509. And again, up and down the lineup, he has a lot of help just like Machonis at FSC. Jonathan Banks (.360, 8 2B, 26 RBI, .482 OBP), Mitchell Price (.360, 13 HR, 44 RBI, 9 SB, .687 SLG), Chaz Pal (.348, 13 2B, 7 HR, 39 RBI, .442 OBP), Zach Moon (.324, 9 2B, 12 HR, 46 RBI, .628 SLG, .443 OBP), Brian Parreira (.321, 8 2B, 10 HR, 30 RBI, .429 OBP, .564 SLG)...you get the picture. I wouldn't be shocked if we see some football scores out of this series.
Here are plenty of other top series' around the country to keep an eye on this weekend:
#14 Missouri Southern (25-11, 15-10 MIAA) at #22 Central Missouri (23-9, 21-4 MIAA)
Game One: Friday, 4/15, 7:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/16, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
Game Three: Sunday, 4/17, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
#20 Chico State (24-11, 14-9 CCAA) at #25 Cal Poly Pomona (22-12, 14-8 CCAA)
Game One: Saturday, 4/16, 3:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/16, 6:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
Game Three: Sunday, 4/17, 3:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio)
Augustana (20-8, 11-1 NSIC) at #1 St. Cloud State (26-2, 11-2 NSIC)
Game One: Saturday, 4/16, 2:30 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/16, 4:30 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Game Three: Sunday, 4/17, 1:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
Game Four: Sunday, 4/17, 4:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
St. Mary's (23-14, 9-6 Heartland) at #6 St. Edward's (28-9, 11-4 Heartland)
Game One: Friday, 4/15, 2:30 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Game Two: Friday, 4/15, 4:30 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
Game Three: Saturday, 4/16, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Video)
#8 Columbus State (30-10, 15-6 PBC) at Augusta (27-11, 16-5 PBC)
Game One: Friday, 4/15, 4:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/16, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
Game Three: Sunday, 4/17, 1:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
#10 West Florida (26-12, 18-6 GSC) at Delta State (27-11, 18-6 GSC)
Game One: Saturday, 4/16, 3:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio | Video)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/16, 6:30 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio | Video)
Game Three: Sunday, 4/17, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats | Audio | Video)
Erskine (32-10, 18-3 Conference Carolinas) at #18 Belmont Abbey (31-8-1, 18-3 Conference Carolinas)
Game One: Friday, 4/15, 6:00 PM ET (Audio)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/16, 12:00 PM ET (Audio)
Game Three: Saturday, 4/16, 2:00 PM ET (Audio)
North Greenville (31-11, 18-3 Conference Carolinas) at Barton (27-14, 12-9 Conference Carolinas)
Game One: Friday, 4/15, 2:30 PM ET (Live Stats)
Game Two: Saturday, 4/16, 12:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
Game Three: Saturday, 4/16, 2:00 PM ET (Live Stats)
And here is a recap/preview of everyone in this week's PerfectGame.org Top 25 rankings:
1. St. Cloud State (26-2): SCSU began the year with 23 straight victories but finally took a tally in the loss column this past week. The Huskies beat Upper Iowa 19-0 in the opener of a doubleheader before falling 3-1 in the nightcap. They rebounded with 13-10 and 14-4 victories the next day against the Peacocks. They then took on Concordia-St. Paul and were handed their second loss in the opener, 7-5, before picking up an 11-4 victory in the second game of the DH. They'll face Augustana this weekend and Mary on Wednesday.
2. Millersville (31-3): It is now eight straight victories for the Marauders after sweeping four games from Lock Haven over the weekend. They will take on Bloomsburg in four PSAC games this weekend before facing Lincoln for a doubleheader on Tuesday.
3. Franklin Pierce (28-4): The Ravens beat Saint Anselm (3-1) and split a doubleheader with Adelphi (5-3, 3-4) before sweeping a DH from Pace (15-3 and 9-7). They ended their week with a 5-3 setback to Southern New Hampshire at home this past Wednesday. They'll face Bentley for three games this weekend and then take on Bridgeport in a Wednesday contest as they look to rebound.
4. Colorado Mesa (31-6): CMU picked up a huge series victory by taking three-of-four from CSU-Pueblo last weekend (6-2, 3-2, 13-0, 2-4) to put a stronghold on the RMAC race. They'll take on Regis for four games at home this weekend.
5. Tampa (28-6): Tampa is back on the winning side of things, winning their last six games now after sweeping Catawba in a three-game series that was a rematch of last year's national title match-up. The Spartans scored double digits in each game (14-5, 11-7, 15-10), showing no ill effects of their recent struggles. They'll get back in to SSC play this weekend with three games at Lynn.
6. St. Edward's (28-9): The Hilltoppers picked up a single victory at Texas A&M-Kingsville before sweeping all three games from UA-Fort Smith last weekend (22-2, 11-9, 9-1). They are back at home this week with a key three-game series against St. Mary's and another single game against Kingsville.
7. Cal Baptist (30-8): CBU took three-of-four from Concordia (4-2, 7-4, 6-5, 4-8) to continue being the team to beat out in the West region. The Lancers are off until Wednesday when they begin a four-game series with Point Loma that starts with a game at Angel Stadium.
8. Columbus State (30-10): The Cougars are on an eight-game winning streak after winning a single contest over Albany State (19-1) and then sweeping Montevallo (11-7, 11-10, 13-7), scoring double digits in each. CSU is on the road for one of their biggest series' of the year this weekend with three games at GRU Augusta.
9. USC Aiken (30-10): Speaking of Augusta, they are poised to make their way in to the rankings eventually after they swept this USC Aiken team in three games last weekend. Aiken wasn't able to rebound in a mid-week game at home against Newberry, either, falling 6-2. They will try and get back on track after four straight losses with three games at home against Florida Southern this weekend.
10. West Florida (26-12): In our Marquee Match-Up of the Week, it was UWF coming out with a series victory over West Alabama, taking two-of-three from the Tigers with a doubleheader sweep (7-6 and 7-1) on day one before allowing UWA to pick up a 3-0 victory in the series finale. It doesn't get any easier for UWF this weekend as they will take on the top team in the GSC on the road with three games at Delta State.
11. Lander (32-11): The Bearcats set the Division II record for consecutive games without being shutout this week, pushing that number to 264 in a 9-7 loss to Anderson on Wednesday. The last time they were shut out was against Columbus State back on May 2nd, 2011 in the final game of the regular season. An incredible streak, to say the least. They will be at home this week with three PBC games against UNC Pembroke and a Wednesday tilt against Newberry.
12. Florida Southern (25-9): It wasn't a banner week for the Mocs, dropping a mid-week game to Flagler and dropping another game to Rollins over the weekend, but they did come away with a series victory over the Tars with wins in the other two games of the weekend. They'll hit the road this weekend for three non-conference games at USC Aiken in a match-up where both teams will look to pick up some impressive victories for regional consideration in their respective regions.
13. Quincy (22-8): The Hawks had a chance to cement themselves as the Midwest favorites last weekend and they did just that, taking three-of-four from Missouri-St. Louis on the road (3-5, 17-6, 11-6, 9-4). They finished their week with a 12-1 victory over Hannibal-LaGrange. This weekend they are on the road again for four games at Drury and they'll take on Lewis in a doubleheader at home on Wednesday.
14. Missouri Southern (25-11): The Lions took a loss on the road at Missouri S&T (11-12) before picking up a series victory over NW Missouri State over the weekend (7-4, 7-6, 15-19) and picking up a single game victory over Pittsburg State (10-9). They can jump back in to the conference race with a huge weekend, as they face MIAA-leading Central Missouri for three games on the road this weekend. They'll face Pittsburg State in another single game contest on Tuesday.
15. East Stroudsburg (27-9): The offensive juggernaut Warriors took three-of-four from Shippensburg in PSAC play (6-2, 6-9, 11-8, 3-1) and then picked up a 17-3 victory over USciences on Tuesday. They'll face Lock Haven in four PSAC games this weekend and take on Chestnut Hill in a non-conference game on Tuesday.
16. Southern New Hampshire (27-3): It is nine straight victories for the Penmen after beating Post (6-0), sweeping Pace (10-0 and 7-1) and Adelphi (5-3 and 10-2) and then picking up a huge regional victory over Franklin Pierce (5-3) on Wednesday. They'll face Saint Anselm in a single game on Friday before welcoming Assumption in to town for three games and taking on Saint Michael's on Tuesday.
17. Nova Southeastern (25-12): One of the hottest teams in the country, the Sharks have vaulted back in to the rankings after winning 12 straight games before falling to NCAA D-I #1 Miami in a mid-week game this past week. Before that, they swept three from Palm Beach Atlantic and picked up a victory over St. Thomas. They will get back in to SSC play this weekend with three games against Rollins before taking on Palm Beach Atlantic again on Tuesday.
18. Belmont Abbey (31-8-1): The absurd box score of the week goes to the Crusaders for a 35-3 victory over Brevard on Tuesday. Before that, they took two-of-three from Barton (0-11, 6-1, 7-6) and picked up a football-like victory in a 24-22 win over Catawba. This weekend, they are at home for three conference games against Erskine and a single game against Wingate.
19. West Alabama (27-11): The Tigers picked up a single-game win over Stillman before suffering losses in two-of-three in our Marquee Match-Up of the Week against West Florida. They will look to get back on track this weekend with three GSC games at home against Shorter and a Wednesday tilt against Montevallo.
20. Chico State (24-11): The Wildcats split a make-up doubleheader with Cal Stat-East Bay last Tuesday and dropped a CCAA series to Cal State-Dominguez Hills, falling in two-of-three (2-4, 9-2, 6-7) to the Toros, at home no less. This weekend, they are on the road for three games at Cal Poly Pomona, one of the top teams in the region.
21. Dixie State (30-9): Dixie State split a four-game series with Point Loma over the weekend (3-8, 5-7, 5-2, 4-0) and fell in their series opener this weekend against Azusa Pacific (6-4), but will have three more games against the Cougars the rest of this weekend. DSU went through a name change this past week, too, moving on from the Red Storm and becoming the Trailblazers.
22. Central Missouri (23-9): The Mules are holding the top spot in the MIAA race at 21-4, and picked up a huge series victory with two-of-three over Emporia State (4-11, 3-2, 7-5). They added a single game victory over SW Baptist and are at home this weekend for three more MIAA games against Missouri Southern. They'll also face SW Baptist again in a single game on Tuesday.
23. Lubbock Christian (25-11): The Chaps fell in a single game at home to Cameron (10-14), swept three games from Panhandle State (5-1, 14-1, 15-1) and then fell in a single game on the road at West Texas A&M (6-7). LCU will try to keep pace with St. Edward's in the Heartland Conference race this weekend with three games at home against Texas A&M-International. They'll also face Eastern New Mexico for a Tuesday single.
24. Mercyhurst (24-9): The Lakers are trying to make their way back up the rankings and got help with that by going 4-1 last weekend. They defeated Lake Erie (14-0) in a non-conference game before taking three-of-four from Gannon in PSAC play (9-4, 10-3, 4-5, 7-0). They'll have a chance to keep their train going with a PSAC series against Pittsburgh-Johnstown this weekend.
25. Cal Poly Pomona (22-12): The Broncos had a bit of a rough week, dropping their first two games of last week with a 4-1 setback to Azusa Pacific and a 10-1 loss to Stanislaus State. They picked up a 6-3 victory over Stanislaus State in the second game of the doubleheader, however. Pomona will welcome Chico State in to town for a huge three-game CCAA series this weekend.
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