It was a pitchers duel for 6 ½ innings until St. Louis got to starter Andrew Armstrong for two runs in the bottom of the seventh to spoil his first collegiate start. The Billikens added two more that inning against senior Rory Meister to shut out Ohio State 4-0 Wednesday morning at IMG Academy in Bradenton (box score). The last time Ohio State was shut out in a game was April 28, 2007 in a 16-0 loss to Purdue.
Wednesday, the Buckeyes managed 10 hits, all singles, but could not get on the scoreboard. St. Louis made the most of its six hits and committed one error. All but one of the OSU starters had a hit. Tony Kennedy and Cory Kovanda each had two hits to lead the Buckeye charge.
The loss spoiled the first collegiate start for freshman Andrew Armstrong, who pitched 6.1 innings, to fall to 0-1. He allowed two runs on four hits and struck out five against four walks. The first hit against Armstrong was a double to lead off the fourth. St. Louis' B.J. Rodrigue got the win to improve his record to 2-1. He scattered 10 hits and walked two in a complete game.
An interesting note in the OSU recap mentioned that before today, the Buckeyes had held a lead in all 13 games this season.
Click here for the St. Louis recap.
The Buckeyes are 8-6 on the year and 3-2 on the spring break trip, which continues Thursday vs. Army (7:30 p.m.) before concluding Friday vs. Kansas (2 p.m.). Both games will be played at Manatee Community College.
10 comments:
Lost 4-0.
Out hit St. Louis 10-6, but didn't plate any of the runners.
Armstrong did well, had them scoreless through 6, in the 7th allowed a single, and a walk. Rory came in with 1 out and the game went south. 2 walks, and 2 hits, St. Louis gets 4 runs. Wimmers comes in and gets 4 no hit outs to close the game.
Dew batted 7th, didn't seem to help as every Buckeye was able to get a hit except him. Probably to the point now where he is pressing, but at 9/50, .180 its probably taking its toll mentally.
Another game we lose to a team with a 200+ RPI. Maine, Air Force, St. Louis, Northern Iowa. Unexcusable. We're forced to win the Big Ten or be at home in June.
Very frustrating game to lose..
It hurts to be a singles team sometimes. No Miller in the lineup today?With Dew struggling you can't take Gus out. We also did not strike out today at the plate.
Sounds like Armstrong pitched well.I don't know what else to say about Rory, but he is not playing like a senior right now. He is hurting us.Our pen is a mess right now.Wimmers and Rucinski are better options in close games right now.
You are right rocky, now we have to win the Big Ten.These L look bad.
OK. I had to delete my last comment and cool off a little. In a more polite way I will say that this coaching staff needs to go (with maybe the exception of the volunteer assistant who I actually witnessed teaching/coaching). Make good coaching decisions? Motivate? Inspire? I do not see anything like that from these guys. Why?
Willy .... apparently you are new to following Bucks baseball. Welcome. As anyone who has done so for any length of time knows ... there has been plenty of "anything like that" (as you call it) since Bob Todd came to town. If you need more proof ... my sign - on indicates the # of Big 10 Tournament Cahmpionships that Todd has one over the past 6 years
Sorry, Willy ... of course its won not "one"
Anyone ... what's the status on Brian DeLucia? Hope his hamstring isn't going to be a nagging thing like it was for 2 years for Jacob Howell.
I agree the coaching staff can make you scratch your head some times.But you can not argue with Todd's record at OSU.
I have not been on the spring trip obviously so i don't know about this season first hand.
My big problem has been arm problems on the pitching staff and coach Cypret as a infield coach.Our left side of the infield has been bad for a while.That concerns me. But our OF has been good.The base running has been average at best over the years.
I was not impressed with Coach Gurley and really liked Coach Bangston. I hate to see the arm problems we have had for a while now.I don't know if it is bad luck or poor pitching instruction.I don't know.
I think Coach Parker will be a good pitching coach.He has plenty of experience.I heard good things when he was at UA as a coach.
My main problem with Todd is lineup changes and pitching changes.I have no knowledge of what happens in practice so will not comment on it.
I do know one former player and he liked Coach Todd a lot.Take that for what it is worth. As for motivation, some of that falls on the guys.I would imagine it is hard to get pumped up to play St. Louis at 10am.
Go Bucks
Guillermo, thanks for deleting your first comment. I was trying to figure out what to do about it. I do no want to delete any comments, but the site was not created to bash the players or the coaches. It was created to encourage positive dialogue between fans who are passionate about Ohio State baseball.
Coach Todd's record speaks for itself. No other Big Ten program has won as many games during his tenure at OSU. That says a lot. The championships speak volumes. Every four-year player at Ohio State has celebrated a championship. I don't think anyone would give back a tournament championship. The eight won by Ohio State is more than any other Big Ten team.
The thing that has eluded the Buckeyes since 2001 though is a regular season championship. The players want it. The coaches want it. The fans want it. That goal is still within reach. While we all are disappointed with the two losses this week (and other losses to Air Force and Maine), there is a chance for two more wins before heading back to Columbus. A 5-2 record on spring break would be good and a 10-6 overall record wouldn't be bad, but what is important this week when they are playing every day is to get better and to find out who will help them win when conference play begins next weekend.
The Big Ten regular season championship is the goal. It is attainable. Winning the 40-45 games the NCAA selection committee likes to see come selection time will be a tall order, but I would love to see a team set that as the goal and follow up on it. Coach Todd set the bar high during the 1990s.
If you have harsh criticism about Ohio State baseball, think it through before you type and hit "publish." Let's be careful of our comments. Go Bucks!
It is hard to make a legit case for having BT removed, willingly or not from the program. Players stay out of trouble, graduate, players get drafted at a rate better than other Big Ten schools, and of course the Tourney titles.
I think what it comes down to, are we as fans content with as is? Is 3-5th place finishes in the regular season, then getting hot for a weekend qualify as getting it done?
I will/can't forget how talented the 06 team was, and imagine how greatly it underachieved, for whatever reason, and as 33 elluded to, BT does a ton of things that make everyone from starters, to bench players, fans, parents scratch their head. So it easy relatively easy for him to be a target.
Yes the 4 great weekends in 6 years is nice, but wouldn't it be great for the program to actually have one of those weekends be at Bill Davis? Wouldn't it be great to have a Regional in Columbus? There just always seems to be a sense of underachieving, and its probably unfair to throw it all on BT, but when you hear the same things year after year from current players, former players, recruits, etc you question the leadership and the direction.
Also I view it as nothing but a good thing. I know Todd has been very fortunate to be as close to the program, and as stated does not want this to be a bashing forum, however it speaks to the volume of the support and passion that us fans have for the university, the program, the coach, the players. Ideally unless we're going to Omaha year in and year out, there will be questions.
Heck I want a trip to Omaha more than any NC in football or basketball, we have the history, athletic department, facilities, talent rich state to get it done.
OK. Learned my lesson. I'll keep checking the site for game info, etc., but will not comment on what I see from the coaching staff. I'm sure that BT's 2008 version of the Bucks will win more than they lose and all will be well in C-bus.
CYA in Omaha.
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