Hudgins, Putnam Help Stanford Top Long Beach

John Hudgins pitched a complete game and Danny Putnam’s three-run homer in the eighth helped secure Stanford’s 5-1 victory over Long Beach State in the first game of an NCAA baseball super regional Friday at Palo Alto.

Hudgins, a Mission Viejo High graduate who was drafted in the third round by the Texas Rangers earlier this week, gave up seven hits and struck out pinch-hitter Chris Hanson for his sixth strikeout to finish the ninth inning.

Putnam delivered the decisive blow, driving a 3-and-2 pitch off Neil Jamison over the right-field wall for Stanford (45-15).

Jamison had relieved starter Abe Alvarez, who gave up one earned run in seven innings, in the eighth with the 49ers (41-19) trailing, 2-1.

Long Beach took a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth when shortstop Troy Tulowitzki doubled to left to score Todd Jennings. But Stanford answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

South Carolina 5, North Carolina 4 -- Landon Powell homered and drove in three runs and Michael Campbell hit a two-run single to help the Gamecocks (43-20) win at Columbia, S.C. North Carolina (42-22) had a 4-2 lead before the Gamecocks rallied.

Baylor 4, Louisiana State 1 -- Steven White allowed seven hits and struck out nine in eight innings and Chris Durbin’s RBI single keyed a three-run eighth as Baylor won at Baton Rouge, La. Baylor (45-21) beat LSU (43-20-1) for the first time in five games.