NCAA enters professional ranks

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NCAA News: Draft Pool Revealed:

NCAA today released the final list of all players eligible for next month's rookie draft. Now that the list has been made official, close scrutiny of these players can be expected as scouts begin to review this year's up and coming talent.

BNN has added to its Transactions page a section dedicated to the draft pool, which will be available 30 days prior to draft day.

The early favorites to be high picks are the following:
1. Ted Williams, 19 year-old RF out of college.
2. Ken Williams, 23 year-old LF out of college.
3. Barry Larkin, 20 year-old SS out of college.
4. Oyster Burns, 17 year-old RF out of high-school.
5. Bernie Friberg, 18 year-old CF out of college.
6. Hal Newhouser, 16 year-old LHP out of high-school.
7. Paul Dean, 19 year-old RHP out of high-school.
8. Dick Allen, 19 year-old 3B out of high-school.
9. Ed Swartwood, 20 year-old RF out of college.
10. Ernie Lombardi, 21 year-old C out of college.

The official OSA Mock Draft will be released on the day of the draft, or you can review the draft pool on the draft page.

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Number 300 for Mantle:

300 home runs is a lot of home runs to hit. It's a number that very few players reach. Today Mickey Mantle became a member of that exclusive club. He belted it at J. I. Clements Stadium against the Eagles. But sometimes milestone homers don't win the game. The powerful South Florida right fielder got all the headlines, but Georgia Southern came away with the victory. They beat the Bulls 7-6.

During the postgame interview he told the press, "It's a big relief to get it over. I tried not to think about it, but it's kind of hard when you have a huge sign on the scoreboard staring at you every time you step up to the plate. The home run was nice, but I would have preferred to win the game."

His batting totals for the game showed 2 hits in 5 at-bats, 1 home run and 1 run batted in.

The hardworking and dedicated Mantle also said, "I'll celebrate a little with my family tonight but not too much. This is not the last home run I will hit. I think I have a lot of baseball left in me and have other goals. I'll get back to work tomorrow."

Mantle's career batting average is .306. In 859 games, he has gotten 986 hits, 300 home runs, 730 RBIs and scored 684 runs.

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Barfield Tags Number 400:

The East Carolina Pirates defeated the Dallas Baptist Patriots 9-3 yesterday in a game that featured Jesse Barfield's 400th career home run.

In the clubhouse, the Pirates right fielder spoke about the milestone achievement. "To be honest, I don't even remember my first home run," he said. "But this one I don't think I'll forget. Who knows if I'll hit another hundred, or fifty, or even ten?"

On his historic day, Barfield banged out 2 hits in 4 at-bats and scored 2 runs with 5 RBI.

Lifetime Barfield is hitting .230 with 1153 hits, 401 home runs, 752 runs scored and 908 RBIs.

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Ramos Extends Hit Streak to 30 Games:

Wilson Ramos of the Northwestern Wildcats has now hit safely in 30 straight games. He socked 1 hit in today's 10-9 triumph over Oregon State at Rocky Miller Park.

"30 games is a big chunk of the year, isn't it?" Ramos said to reporters. "It's hard to wrap your head around."
Wilson Ramos flied out in the 2nd, singled in the 4th, walked in the 6th, flied out in the 7th, struck out in the 9th and walked in the 11th.

Ramos on the season is batting .294 with 21 home runs. His totals include 64 RBIs and 40 runs scored. He has played in 73 games.

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Schoop Slams Milestone Homer:

Northwestern defeated Oregon State today 10-9 and took some of the joy out of Jonathan Schoop's 300th career home run.

"I just wanted to get a good swing on the ball all day," Schoop said. "And I did."

Despite the loss, it was a good game for the 27-year-old Beavers second baseman. He had 4 hits, scored 2 runs and had 3 RBI.

The Wildcats manager said, "You could see he was aggressive up there. The worst thing we did was throw him a strike. It probably would have been better if we threw the ball outside of the strike zone every time he came to the plate because he seemed like he was in a hurry to get it over with."

In a career spanning 1009 games, Schoop has batted .282 with 1114 hits, 300 home runs, 736 RBIs, and 586 runs scored.

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Red Storm End Ramos's Streak:

The St. John's Red Storm pitching staff did its job today, holding hot-hitting Wilson Ramos hitless in 4 at-bats during the club's 6-5 victory over the Northwestern Wildcats at Jack Kaiser Stadium. The disappointing performance ended a 30-game hitting streak for the catcher.

"I'm a little down right now," Ramos said after the game. "I couldn't get anything going when the team needed me, and I hated to see the streak end, too."

For the year Ramos has hit at a .290 clip with 64 RBIs, 21 home runs and 40 runs scored.

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Kennesaw State-Dallas Baptist Trade: Pierre for Esper:

Today at a press conference the Kennesaw State Owls announced a trade has been completed with the Dallas Baptist Patriots. The Owls have shipped 25-year-old CF Juan Pierre and 21-year-old 1B Rich Reese to the Patriots for 29-year-old LHP Jeremy Affeldt and 23-year-old LHP Duke Esper.


This season Pierre is swinging the bat at a .342 rate with 63 hits in 184 at-bats. To date he has hit 1 home run, scored 20 runs and driven in 13.

This season Esper has a 6-10 record with a 6.53 ERA in 20 starts.

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Homer #300 for Notre Dame's Cash:

It was a historic day for Notre Dame's fine first baseman Norm Cash. He slammed home run number 300 in the Fighting Irish 6-4 loss to the Butler Bulldogs at Bulldog Park.

He told reporters after the game that he was disappointed in losing the game. "It's great to get that many homers, but I don't play for homers -- I play to win. That's the name of the game."

In his milestone-making game Cash went 1 for 4, scored 1 run and collected 2 runs batted in. That home run put him in a select group of ballplayers.

Lifetime Cash is batting .257 and has hit 300 home runs.

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Wilson Booms 500th Homer:

It was a great day for John Wilson, but not a good one for his Sacramento State Hornets. The 30-year-old right fielder reached a personal milestone with his 500th career homer, but it wasn't enough to beat the Kentucky Wildcats, who came away with a 7-4 victory. Wilson finished the day with 2 hits, 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

"Well, I've conceded the fact that you can't will yourself to hit a home run," he said. "I tried hard for the last few days. It was getting to be embarrassing with the crowd standing up every time I came to the plate."

Wilson has a lifetime .284 batting average and .333 on-base percentage in his 1202-game career with 1365 hits and 501 home runs.

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Pipp Makes 400 Mark:

North Carolina's outstanding first baseman Wally Pipp joined the 400 home run club today at Husky Ballpark with a booming blast in the Tar Heels win over the Huskies. They topped Washington 10-6.

On his milestone day Pipp had 3 hits in 3 at-bats with 3 runs batted in and 2 runs scored.

Tongue-in-cheek he told the press, "Don't tell me when I get close to the next milestone. Just tell me after I reach it. It will be easier to hit that way."

His career stats show that Pipp has batted .286 and connected for 401 home runs.

[4maddux_cy's]

Trosky Sr Makes 400 HR Mark:

Did you catch a home run yesterday? One lucky fan has a prize possession after Hal Trosky Sr crushed his 400 home run tonight.

Trosky Sr offered the lucky fan some souvenirs and a small cash prize in exchange for the ball. The fan who caught the ball has been identified, but has not yet commented on his intentions.

"That's one you would kind of like to keep," Trosky Sr said.

The Buffaloes first baseman went 2 for 5 with 1 home run and 1 RBI as the Colorado Buffaloes won 9-1 over the Cincinnati Bearcats.

The Buffaloes will be hosting a Hal Trosky Sr commemorative poster promotion for an upcoming homestand.

In 919 games Trosky Sr has a career .305 batting average and a .367 on-base percentage. He has hit 400 home runs with 906 RBIs and 758 runs scored.

[4maddux_cy's]

Baez Socks 300th HR:

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets slugging shortstop Javier Baez swatted his way to the 300 home run mark today as the Yellow Jackets fell to the Arizona State 11-8.

For his part, Baez chipped in 3 RBI, scored 2 runs and collected 2 hits in 4 at-bats, but it was not enough to turn the tide.

"It was a special day for Javier," the team publicist said afterward. "He was disappointed at the result, but everyone was all smiles as he crossed home plate. We're proud of him."

Looking at his career numbers, Baez has played in 1206 games with a .269 batting average. Among his 1306 hits are 259 doubles, 28 triples and 300 home runs. He also has scored 687 runs and driven in 803 runs.

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Fernandez Hurls No-Hitter:

The Little Rock Trojans were just hoping for a solid outing from Sid Fernandez. Instead, they got something special.

The 22-year-old hurler tossed a no-hitter against the Louisiana Monroe Warhawks, helping the Trojans take the 8-0 win.

"I felt good throughout the game," he said after his spectacular outing for the Trojans. "As I was going into the ninth inning, I wasn't nervous. I knew I had a chance to do something special."

Fernandez's repertoire has a fastball, curveball, and changeup, and he used it all to full advantage, keeping the Louisiana Monroe hitters off balance all game long. The Little Rock hurler fanned 9 and walked 1 in his history-making performance.

"His fastball looked about the size of a watermelon seed and it hissed at you as it passed," Louisiana Monroe manager Bob Kline joked after the game.

In 25 starts this season Fernandez has gathered 9 wins while suffering 9 losses. He has pitched 171.1 innings, allowed 109 hits, struck out 282 and has a 3.73 ERA.

[4maddux_cy's]

DiMaggio Makes 300 Mark:

Swinging his way into the record books, Vince DiMaggio reached the 300 homer mark today at Fred Stillwell Stadium against the Kennesaw State Owls. He went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and 1 run on the day, although Virginia Tech would go down to defeat 8-5.

"It was a distraction," DiMaggio said of his 300th home run. "I'm happy it's over. I just wish I'd been able to make a difference in the outcome today."

In his career DiMaggio has gotten 900 hits with a .270 batting average, scored 626 runs, hit 300 home runs and driven in 720.

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Koufax Gets No-Hitter Against Duke:

Sandy Koufax was feeling calm about his no-hitter -- until the last three outs.

"You really become conscious of every pitch at that point," he said. "The adrenaline level kicks up even higher. Everybody in the ballpark knows a no-hitter is on the line. The crowd is on its feet. One mistake and it's all over."

There were no mistakes to be had for Koufax on this day at Jim Patterson Stadium. The Louisville Cardinals left-hander was in complete command, not allowing the Duke Blue Devils a single base hit in the 9-0 victory.

"Obviously, you never think this will happen," he said to BNN reporters after the game. "I don't know if it's really sunk in yet."

Koufax faced 28 batters, had 16 strikeouts and gave up 1 walk in a dominating effort.

"He was on from the get-go," Blue Devils manager Donald MacLellan said. "He was hitting his spots and keeping us off balance. It was a great game by him."

For the year Koufax has a 21-1 record with a 1.59 ERA in 25 starts.

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Number 300 for Abreu:

Jose Abreu 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," Abreu said after the game.

The Red Raiders first baseman went 1 for 3 with 1 home run and 1 RBI as the Texas Tech Red Raiders won 6-1 over the UC Riverside Highlanders.

Looking at his all-time stats, Abreu has a lifetime .285 average with 1310 hits, 262 doubles, 13 triples, 300 home runs and 762 RBIs. To date he has scored 671 runs, walked 285 times and stolen 5 bases.

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Lazzeri Socks 300th HR:

A big sigh of relief erupted from Tony Lazzeri after he hit his 300th career homer. The Texas second baseman said, "I'm glad it's over...now I can go back to just playing baseball."

It was quite a day for Lazzeri. He got his name in the league record books with 2 hits, 1 run batted in, scored 2 runs and his team, the Texas Longhorns beat the Florida Gators 5-3.

Lazzeri knew it when he hit it. He raised his hands in the air, then ran the bases like a high school player, clapping and grinning.

He told reporters in the postgame interview, "I was acting goofy running the bases... but it was my 300th home run."

"It was great," his manager said. "He stood there and watched it...we all did. You just felt it was coming...you just had a sense he would hit it soon. He has been having a lot of good at-bats. It was great to get it out of the way."

During his career Lazzeri is batting .291 and has totaled 300 home runs.

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Tigers Votto Hits 400th Homer:

Joey Votto hit a historic home run today -- career blast number 400. "I am happy to be in such elite company. It has been quite a ride so far," Votto said after the game.

The Tigers first baseman went 3 for 4 with 1 home run and 4 RBI as the Memphis Tigers won 6-0 over the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Lifetime Votto has played in 1273 games, batted .316 with 400 home runs and 1488 base hits.

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Cardinals Easily Win National League ACC:

"We're not done yet!"

That was the resounding sentiment in the Louisville Cardinals locker room when they were told they had clinched the National League ACC title, for the 5th time. With a 108-39 record, Louisville's stars certainly feel like they have a good chance to go all the way.

"We've learned a lot under Ashley Finn's tutelage this year. He's taught us to never be over-confident, and to play every game like a championship game. I think with him and the team we have, we have a great chance to bring a 2nd championship to Louisville this year," said starting pitcher Sandy Koufax.

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Bowling Green Falcons Clinch First in American League MAC:

Fans of the Bowling Green Falcons have a lot to get excited about, as the club has captured the American League MAC crown.

It's the 1st time in franchise history that the club has finished atop the standings and they now have an opportunity to capture the franchise's 1st NCAA championship.

Manager Matt Chaplin said there's "a lot of excitement" in Bowling Green over the club right now and they hope to live up to expectations.

For his part, reliever Alex Malloy said the division championship is "just a start" for his team.

"We want to go all the way, win the College Wold Series," he said. "Winning the division - we could get used to this."