NCAA enters professional ranks

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7/6/27

Wildcats Van Slyke Hits 300th Homer:

The crowd roared -- they knew they were seeing history -- and Andy Van Slyke was delighted, too. The 26-year-old Wildcats center fielder was making history with his 300th career homer. The crowd buzzed and roared again when Van Slyke stuck his head out of the dugout for a curtain call.

"Never, as a kid, did I ever think I'd hit even one," he told BNN after hitting No. 300 in a 12-5 victory over Pepperdine. Van Slyke went 3-for-4 in the game, had 3 RBI, and scored 3 runs.

His career stats show that Van Slyke has batted .331 and connected for 301 home runs.

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7/7/20

Cobb Makes 300 HR Mark:

"I wasn't trying to hit a homer. I just wanted to make contact."

That's what Ty Cobb told reporters after he made baseball history today at Drake Park. The prolific slugger belted home run #300 in the Cal Poly Mustangs 10-2 victory over the Drake Bulldogs.

The standout left fielder collected 3 hits in 4 at-bats with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.

"I guess this puts me in baseball's elite," said Cobb. "I don't feel any different. I probably should, but I don't. Still, it is a nice achievement. I did get a little excited, didn't I?"

In his 829-game career Cobb is batting .381 with 1206 hits, 301 home runs, 714 runs scored and 752 RBIs.

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7/29/27

Sometimes, Soon Just Isn't Soon Enough:

At least, that's the message sent by Jordan Hutcheson when he called a press conference to publicly air his frustration with the Florida State Seminoles management.

"I've been around the block a few times," he said with a mournful note in his voice. "I know how this game is played. And I can say that this is easily the most inept management crew I've ever had the displeasure to work for.

"I don't want to take anything away from my fellow players," he added, nodding to a few of his teammates who were watching from the sidelines with grim faces. "They're playing their hearts out. It's not their fault that we're losing. But I'm sick and tired of the way things are going in the front office."

When asked if he had a message for the GM, his tone became harsh. "Yeah, I've got a message. Looking for someone to blame? Look in the mirror."

When asked if he wanted to be traded, he deadpanned, "what do you think?"

Hutcheson's contract is up at the end of this season. If this press conference was any indication, there is no chance he will re-sign and a trade may be in his future.

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8/1/27

Bey Spins 18-K Game:

Georgia State Panthers starter Brian Bey brought his best stuff to GSU Baseball Complex today against the Louisville Cardinals, striking out 18 batters in his club's 6-1 victory.

In a strong performance, the 36-year-old Bey gave up 1 hit in his 9 innings of work and issued 1 walk.

"I felt good out there," he said after the game. "My fastball had a lot of life and my fastball was sharp. It was giving hitters fits and working well for me."

His record this season is 9-9 in 23 starts and Bey has a 3.51 ERA.

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Musial Smacks 4 Homers Against Ohio State:

Stan Musial of the Arizona Wildcats had a history-making game today against the Ohio State Buckeyes, clobbering 4 home runs in an awesome display of power in the 14-9 Wildcats victory.

The Arizona left fielder went 5-for-5, had 9 RBIs and scored 5 times in the game.

"There have been a few times when I consciously tried to hit one out," said Musial later. "It doesn't often work, but it did today for the last one. I guess this day was just meant to be."

Stan Musial singled in the 2nd, hit a three-run home run off Mickey Harris in the 3rd, hit a solo-shot off Mike Giovengo in the 5th, hit a two-run home run off Mike Draper in the 7th and hit a three-run home run off Aaron Shuck in the 9th.

Musial is hitting .349 this season with 29 home runs, 89 RBIs and 98 runs scored. He has 130 hits in 373 at-bats.

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8/15/27

Candelario Involved in Accident:

Jeimer Candelario of the UC San Diego Tritons will be sidelined for about 10-11 months. Team officials report that he was injured while chasing his girlfriend on the beach and suffered a torn posterior cruciate ligament.

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Schmidt Booms 300th Homer:

It's official. Mike Schmidt of the Wisconsin Badgers hit his 300th home run tonight.

The Wisconsin Badgers took on the North Carolina Tar Heels and downed them 7-6, but the big story of the night was the milestone home run for Schmidt. He rounded the bases with a smile and politely stepped on home plate and walked back to the dugout.

"300 is a big number, and I am thankful for the ability to get to this milestone. But it's all about the team today, my accomplishments are just one piece to the Badgers puzzle."

The Badgers third baseman went 2-for-5 with 1 home run and 2 runs batted in as the Wisconsin Badgers topped the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Lifetime Schmidt has hit .268 with 715 hits, 300 home runs, 702 RBIs and scored 588 runs.

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League Suspends Blue Demons McRae 2 Games:

It was showtime at the DePaul-Texas State game yesterday at Bobcat Ballpark. DePaul left fielder Hal McRae was kicked out of the game for arguing a third strike and he took out his frustration on his hat, the umpires and the dirt, earning an ejection with the kind of theatrical argument that fans don't often see.

"I didn't like the ump's explanation and told him so in no uncertain terms. I told him he missed it and he knew it. I wanted to kick something and I figured that was the best thing. Walls don't work too well, and water coolers are expensive," McRae said. "I don't have any concern. I don't think I did anything that warrants a suspension.

So much for his opinion. The league office did not agree with him and suspended him for 2 games.

Currently McRae has 24 home runs and a .261 batting average.

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Bumgarner Hurls Masterpiece:

The Louisville Cardinals rolled to an easy 12-0 win over the Stanford Cardinal at Klein Field at Sunken Diamond today. Leading the way to victory was starter Madison Bumgarner, who shackled the Stanford Cardinal and held them scoreless on a 2-hitter.

"This is what every pitcher wants to do when they go out there," Bumgarner said in his postgame press conference.

This season Bumgarner has a 17-3 record with a 3.02 ERA.

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Mize Makes 300 HR Mark:

Johnny Mize hit a historic home run today -- career blast number 300. "I am happy to be in such elite company. It has been quite a ride so far," Mize said after the game.

The Fighting Illini first baseman went 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 3 RBI as the Illinois Fighting Illini won 7-2 over the UConn Huskies.

His career numbers show Mize is hitting .341 with a total of 300 home runs.

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Tanana Spins 19-K Game:

Everything was working for Frank Tanana today at Bill Davis Stadium. He had the perfect delivery. The ball was moving. The curveball was working.

In an unforgettable performance, the 22-year-old Tanana fanned 19 Tigers and sparked the Ohio State Buckeyes to a 3-1 victory over Memphis. He left Tigers hitters mumbling and muttering at the plate. And when he needed a strikeout, he got it.

"I don't know if there are many times that I've seen him throw better," said Ohio State manager Gordie Brady. "His location and command were really something."

In addition to collecting 19 strikeouts over 8 innings, Tanana allowed 1 hit and 2 walks in a superlative outing.

"I thought I'd make it easy on the guys today," Tanana said with a smile.

This season to date Tanana has a record of 15 wins and 5 losses with a 3.65 ERA, has appeared in 29 games and struck out 322 in 197.1 innings.

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Ramirez Cracks 3 HR for Cardinals:

Louisville right fielder Manny Ramirez blasted three homers today at Russ Chandler Stadium in the 11-1 Cardinals victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

For the game, Manny Ramirez scored 3 times and knocked in 6 runs. When he hit his last home run, his teammates, hearing the crack of the bat, leaped off the bench and rushed on the field to greet the jubilant Ramirez when he reached home plate.

"It was just one game, but it sure was a lot of fun -- 4-for-5, three roundtrippers and a win," a gleeful Ramirez told BNN reporters in a postgame interview. "What a day."

Manny Ramirez singled in the 1st, grounded out in the 4th, hit a three-run home run off Ray Culp in the 6th, hit a two-run home run off Jonathan Pettibone in the 7th and hit a solo-shot off Wilson Alvarez in the 9th.

Ramirez is hitting .283 for the season with 46 home runs, 116 RBIs and 105 runs scored. He has 145 hits in 512 at-bats and played in 136 games.

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9/10/27

Cardinals Easily Win National League ACC:

The Louisville Cardinals are National League ACC champions, and they made it look easy.

The club's 105-43 record has allowed them to cruise into the postseason as division champions, where they will no doubt be considered front runners to win a 1st College World Series.

"It's always special to win the division," said starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner. "But we want to win the College World Series. That's all that matters."

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Hamilton Wallops #300:

"I wasn't trying to hit a homer. I just wanted to make contact."

That's what Josh Hamilton told reporters after he made baseball history today at Jim Patterson Stadium. The prolific slugger belted home run #300 in the Louisville Cardinals 9-3 victory over the UT Arlington Mavericks.

The standout left fielder collected 3 hits in 5 at-bats with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.

"I guess this puts me in baseball's elite," said Hamilton. "I don't feel any different. I probably should, but I don't. Still, it is a nice achievement. I did get a little excited, didn't I?"

In his 826-game career Hamilton has tagged 978 hits with 127 doubles, 4 triples and 301 home runs. His lifetime batting average is .302 with 719 RBIs and 602 runs scored.

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Texas Tech Fans Go Crazy After Red Raiders Clinch American League Big XII:

The entire city of Texas Tech was alive with the news of the Texas Tech Red Raiders officially clinching a spot in the playoffs. Known through the league for their fervor, the Texas Tech fans took to the streets and the bars to celebrate.

Said one inebriated Red Raiders fan on the street, "NCAA should have all of the games during the playoffs here in Texas Tech. Forget tradition. We will show everyone a good time."

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Arkansas Sits Atop American League SEC:

The pennant has been won, the Arkansas Razorbacks are champions of the American League SEC.

Reliever Karl Yoder said his team is a "gritty and determined" club that were poised to win the division from day one.

"We knew the day the season opened that we'd be champions," he said. "It was just a matter of going out there and doing it."

At the helm, team manager Jim Mees said his club is certainly not short on confidence.

"There's a lot of belief in the dugout and in the clubhouse," he said.

Arkansas's record currently sits at 100-56 and it's the 2nd division win for the franchise.

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Cal State Fullerton Crowned Kings of the American League Big West:

The Cal State Fullerton Titans are trying to accomplish something that's never been done before - hosting a College World Series parade in the city of Cal State Fullerton.

They've taken the first big step, winning the American League Big West title.

"We want to win a championship, that's our ultimate goal and something our franchise deserves," said right fielder Paul Waner. "Our coaches, GM and ownership have been behind us, it's time to make that effort pay off."

The club's record sits at 99-59 and it is the 1st time they've won the division title.

Team manager Enrique Gomez said it will be the "accomplishment of a lifetime" if he can lead the team to a championship.

"It's what we've been working towards for so long," he said.

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Panthers Win Tight National League Sun Belt Race:

The Georgia State Panthers clubhouse more closely resembled a college party tonight as the team officially captured the National League Sun Belt.

Laughter abounded and loud music blared as players and coaches alike celebrated the accomplishment.

"It's not often you get to kick back and let loose with your teammates," said third baseman Jimmy T Williams. "We're earned the right to party a little bit. And then we can focus on getting it done in the playoffs."

Team manager Roland Garcia said even the coaching staff can enjoy occasions like this.

"I'm proud of my guys, they deserve this," he said.

It's the 1st division championship for the team and they will be seeking their 1st NCAA championship.

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San Diego State Narrowly Wins American League American West:

Hank Robinson said the San Diego State Aztecs "bent but didn't break" in becoming American League American West champions.

"There were times this year when it looked like things weren't going to work out for us, but we gutted it out," said the starting pitcher. "It feels good to win the division by such a close margin."

The Aztecs have captured their 1st division title with a record currently sitting at 94-67. The club will be attempting to win its 1st College World Series

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Sycamores Win Tight American League Missouri Valley Race:

While it remains to be seen what the playoffs will bring for the Indiana State Sycamores, the club took the first step by clinching the American League Missouri Valley title.

"It's exactly where we wanted to be and where we talked about being during spring training," said closer Ed Walsh. "There's not a guy in the room that doesn't believe in this team. We're all pulling in the same direction right now."

It was the team's 1st division title and they will attempt to capture the franchise's 1st NCAA championship.

"The end goal hasn't changed - win the College World Series," said manager Eric Westphal. "We think we've got the team to do it."