A little over halfway through the Pac-10 baseball season, Oregon State remains atop the conference while Stanford has yet to climb out of the basement. Meanwhile, the two season surprises have gone in opposite directions as UCLA continues to play strong, while Washington State has cooled off a bit.
1. Oregon State (28-9, 9-3 Pac-10)
Fifth-ranked Oregon State went on the road to California last weekend and swept the Golden Bears after a couple of come-from-behind victories. On Tuesday the Beavers started an eight-game homestead by playing Portland.
2. USC (23-19, 9-6)
The Trojans fell out of the rankings after a brief two-week stint by losing a home series to Washington last weekend. The Trojans were the first Pac-10 team to score a run on Husky starter Tim Lincecum, but still dropped the opening game and the rubber game last Sunday.
T3. ASU (28-14, 7-5)
No. 16 ASU is coming off its first Pac-10 series loss this season after dropping a close game Sunday to UCLA. ASU did get a boost as sophomore shortstop Andrew Romine returned to the lineup and went 5-for-10.
T3. UCLA (23-16, 7-5)
The No. 22 Bruins have crept into the rankings for the first time in over five years after winning three consecutive conference series. Junior starting pitcher Dave Huff won Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week after throwing a two-hit complete game against ASU.
5. Washington (27-15, 6-6)
Senior outfielder Zach Clem hit two home runs for the Huskies last weekend to bring his Pac-10 leading total to 17. Clem was also named Pac-10 Player of the Week after Washington took two of three from USC.
6. Washington State (26-15, 5-7)
After a hot start, the Cougars have cooled off and gone 8-9 since the start of conference play. However, the Cougars got back on the winning track last weekend, sweeping Northern Colorado on the road and topped it off with a school-record 26-hit performance in the final game.
7. UA (17-20, 5-7)
The Wildcats took their fourth consecutive series victory over Stanford last weekend by winning the final two games.
8. California (19-20, 6-9)
Junior starter Brandon Morrow suffered his first loss of the season against Oregon State last weekend, but still has over a third (7) of the Golden Bears' 19 wins.
9. Stanford (17-17, 3-9)
The Cardinal has not lived up to preseason expectations and dropped two of three to UA last weekend. Stanford has yet to win a conference series this season.
Reach the reporter at thomas.j.kelley@asu.edu.
