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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

Pac-12 power rankings: UCLA, USC flip-flop at top of conference

File+Photo+%2F+The+Daily+WildcatUCLA+baseball+infielder+Chris+Keck+%2825%29+runs+home+during+Arizonas+6-5+win+against+UCLA+at+Hi+Corbett+Field+on+April+13%2C+2014.+The+Bruins+have+seized+the+top+rankings+in+the+conference+over+USC.
Carlos Herrera

File Photo / The Daily Wildcat

UCLA baseball infielder Chris Keck (25) runs home during Arizona’s 6-5 win against UCLA at Hi Corbett Field on April 13, 2014. The Bruins have seized the top rankings in the conference over USC.

1. No. 3 (USA Today) UCLA (25-7, 12-3 Pac-12 Conference)

The Bruins took the series from rival USC by winning two of three in Troy. UCLA and USC split the season series 2-2.

Last week: second, WLW at USC 9-3, 5-0, 8-3

This week: vs. Cal State Fullerton (19-15, 6-3 Big West) (single game), vs. Cal (22-11, 9-6)

2. No. 11 USC (27-9, 8-4)

Not only did the Trojans lose to their rival, they also lost to UC Santa Barbara and now have lost three of their last four. They had a five-game win streak before that.

Last week: first, L vs. UC Santa Barbara 2-1, LWL vs. UCLA  9-3, 5-0, 8-3

This week: W at Pepperdine (20-18, 10-5 WCC) (single game) 2-0, vs. Oregon (21-16, 4-8)

3. No. 8 ASU (23-10, 11-4)

The Sun Devils took the Pac-12 rivalry series from Arizona but did lose to lowly UNLV. UA and ASU play twice more in Tucson.

Last week: third, L at UNLV 7-6, WWL vs. Arizona 5-4, 13-7, 7-2

This week: at Washington (19-14, 6-9)

4. Arizona (23-11, 8-7)

The Wildcats had lost five in a row before salvaging a game at ASU. However, it looks like they figured out their starting rotation.

Last week: fourth, LLW at ASU 5-4, 13-7, 7-2

This week: at Oregon State (23-11, 6-6)

5. California (22-11, 9-6)

Sure, Arizona has lost five of its last six, but Cal and Oregon State, the two teams that could have jumped the Wildcats, lost series to reeling rivals. The Golden Bears lost the series to Stanford and gave the Cardinal its first two conference wins.

Last week: fifth, LWL vs. Stanford 4-2, 11-10, 12-6

This week: at No. 3 UCLA (25-7, 12-3)

6. Oregon State (23-11, 6-6)

The Beavers lost their series to Oregon, which had lost seven of its last nine. They face an Arizona team this week that is in need of wins as well.

Last week: sixth, LWL at Oregon 3-2, 4-2, 10-9

This week: vs. Arizona (23-11, 8-7)

7. Washington State (18-17, 5-10)

The Cougars have suddenly won four of their past five. Before that, they had lost 10 of their last 12.

Last week: ninth, W vs. Gonzaga 4-2, WWL vs. Washington 3-2, 8-3, 5-2

This week: W vs. New Mexico State (4-28-1, 1-10-1 WAC) (single game) 11-1, vs. San Jose State (9-27, 3-15 Mountain West) (four games)

8. Utah (12-20, 4-8)

The Utes were the lone Pac-12 school to not play their rival last week. The odd team out beat Southeastern Louisiana, whatever that is.

Last week: eighth, LWW vs. Southeastern Louisiana 3-2, 14-5, 4-3

This week: at Stanford (14-19, 2-10)

9. Oregon (21-16, 4-8)

The Ducks bounced back to beat Portland and Oregon State last week. The Pilots are bad, but the series win over OSU was big.

Last week: 10th, W at Portland 11-3, WLW vs. Oregon State 3-2, 4-2, 10-9

This week: at Portland (7-31, 2-13 WCC) (single game), at No. 11 USC (27-9, 8-4)

10. Washington (19-14, 6-9)

The Huskies dropped a pair to their rivals. They really only won the one game after the Cougars committed five errors and scored three unearned runs. 

Last week: seventh, LLW at Washington State 3-2, 8-3, 5-2

This week: vs. W Seattle (19-16, 11-1 WAC) (single game) 9-5, vs. No. 8 ASU (23-10, 11-4) 

11. Stanford (14-19, 2-10)

Stanford finally won some Pac-12 games, taking the series from archrival Cal. It went 3-2 last week.

Last week: 11th, LW Pacific 4-3, 7-2, WLW at California 4-2, 11-10, 12-6

This week: vs. Utah (12-20, 4-8)

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