Purdue (31-6) remains on top for 4th consecutive week. The Boilermakers won 12-2 at Illinois-Chicago Wednesday before they traveled to Nebraska in the Big 10 series of year to date. Purdue took game 1 Friday 8-5 and Nebraska evened series Saturday with an 8-3 win. Purdue won the series with an 8-3 win of their own on Sunday. With the series win Purdue sits in first place in Big 10, 3 ½ games ahead of Michigan St and Minnesota, at 12-3. According to warrennolan.com Purdue’s RPI is 11 which have them in very good position to host a regional. They can add to that resume in the next 2 weeks when they host Michigan St and then travel to UCLA for 3 game series May 5th-6th.

RISING

Louisville (28-12) climbs 4 spots to #4. The Cardinals went 3-1 on the road this week, beating Indiana 21-4 Tuesday before traveling to South Florida winning 2 of 3 from the Bulls.

Sam Houston St (28-11) moves up 3 places to #6 with a 3-1 week. On Tuesday the Bearkats beat Houston 5-4 and won 2 of 3 at McNeese St in Southland play. They maintain their 4 game lead in the SLC over SE Louisiana and UT-Arlington with an impressive 17-4 mark.

College of Charleston (29-12) climbs 5 spots to #8 with a 4-0 week. The Cougars picked up a huge 4-3 win at South Carolina on Tuesday. On the weekend they hosted city rival Citadel in SoCon play and won all 3 games including winning 6-5 in 11 innings on Sunday.

Indiana St (31-10) slides up 3 to #15. The Sycamores beat Valparaiso 2-1 mid week before hosting Dallas Baptist in huge non-conference series late in season. Dallas Baptist won game 1 on Friday 15-2 but Indiana St rebounded to win Saturday 6-3 and took the series with a 7-5 win on Sunday.

UT-Arlington (26-14) moves up 6 spots to #18 with sweep of Northwestern St in Southland play.

FALLING

Dallas Baptist (27-12) drops 7 spots to #9. The Patriots swept 2 mid week games vs Texas Southern before the Indiana St series where they lost 2 of 3.

Gonzaga (26-12) tumbles 6 spots to #10 with a 1-3 week. The Bulldogs beat Washington St 7-4 on Tuesday and then traveled to San Francisco in WCC play and got swept. San Francisco won 4-3 Friday to open the series behind Kyle Zimmer (8.0 IP, 3 ER, 1 BB, 10 K).

Liberty (32-12) falls 5 spots to #20 with a 2-3 week. The Flames opened the week Monday losing 5-3 at Georgia. On Wednesday they traveled to UNC and picked up very nice 5-3 win over the Tar Heels. Liberty then traveled to UNCA in Big South series. On Friday Liberty entered the 9th inning down 5-3 and scored 3 runs to take a 6-5 lead but UNCA scored a run in btm 9th to tie game at 6-6 and won it in 13th on wild pitch with 2 outs. Asheville won game two 2-0 to win series and Liberty salvaged one game on weekend with a 16-6 win on Sunday.

Nebraska (26-15) slides down 3 spots to #25 after losing 2 of 3 to Purdue in Big 10 play.

DROPPED OUT

#20 Western Carolina (25-15)

#21 George Mason (27-15)

#23 Belmont (27-16)

#25 Georgia Southern (23-19)

IN

Samford (25-15) reenters the rankings at #20 with a 4-0 week. The Bulldogs beat UAB 11-0 on Wednesday and swept Western Carolina in their Southern Conference series. Samford came back in all 3 wins vs WCU including winning 10-9 Sunday after giving up 7 runs in the top of 1st.

Kennesaw St (26-17) enters at #21 after a 4-1 week. The Owls beat Jacksonville St 5-3 Tuesday, Mercer 6-1 Wednesday and won 2 of 3 vs Belmont in their A-Sun series. After winning 2 of 3 vs Stetson last weekend and 2 of 3 vs Belmont this week the Owls are now tied for 2nd with Belmont at 12-6 in A-Sun.

USC Upstate (29-12) enters the top 25 again at #23. The Spartans moved into 1st place in the A-Sun at 13-5 with sweep of Jacksonville. The Spartans travel to preseason A-Sun favorite Stetson this weekend in HUGE series.

Michigan St (26-13) enters the rankings for first time in 2012 at #24. The Spartans went 4-1 on week with 13-3 win vs Western Michigan, 11-1 win at Central Michigan and winning 2 of 3 from Minnesota. Michigan St is now tied for 2nd place with Minnesota at 7-5 in Big 10 3 ½ games behind Purdue.

OTHER NOTABLES

Utah Valley (26-11) has extended its winning streak to 19 games 2nd current longest in country behind Baylor’s 24 and 3rd longest this season.

Army (33-9) has a 9 game win streak. Saturday SR LHP Logan Lee (7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 7 K) threw a 7 inning no hitter in game 1of double header vs Bucknell, winning 8-0. In game 2 Army won 2-1 in 15 innings and clinched the Patriot League regular season title at 16-0.