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Sunday, April 20, 2008

Bucks Split Doubleheader, but Boilers Win Series

Ohio State clearly had to be feeling good. After losing the first two games of the series to Purdue, the Buckeyes took the opening game of a Sunday twinbill by an 8-4 count. In game two, they had led 5-1 through seven and appeared to be cruising to a series split, but then the bottom fell out and they ended up losing 7-5.

Ohio State recap
Game One Box Score | Game Two Box Score

The Buckeyes led 5-1 late in the first game and allowed three runs in the sixth before coming back with three of their own for a four-run victory. In the second game, they led by the same margin heading to the eighth, but Purdue scored three runs to make it a one-run game. Ohio State got nothing in the bottom of the eighth.

In the top of the ninth Buckeye killer Ryne White hit a three-run bomb to right. White hit two home runs Friday nearly single-handedly win the opener. Sunday he won the finale. There were two on and one out when he came to the plate so there was clearly a spot open for him on base. I’m fairly certain I would have taken my chances on Jordan Comadena and Dan Black who followed White’s heroics. Comadena ended up grounding out and Black struck out, though clearly they were up in non-pressure situations and a two-run lead rather than trying to make something happen.

Shuck, the starting pitcher in game two, went 7.0 innings and allowed just one run on four hits. He struck out seven and walked two. Alex Wimmers gave up the homer to White. Those were the only runs he allowed on two hits in 2.0 innings. The loss was his first collegiate decision.

After three RBI in the first game, Miller went a perfect 4-for-4 and drove in another run in game two. The Cories each added two hits. Cory Kovanda was 2-for-3 with two RBI and Cory Rupert was 2-for-4. Purdue scored its seven runs on eight hits and committed an error while Ohio State scored five runs on 11 hits and committed two errors.

In game one, he Buckeyes built a 5-1 lead through the first three innings of game one and survived a three-run sixth by the Boilermakers that pulled them within a 5-4 score. The Buckeye Nine scored three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame to reclaim a four-run lead. Tyler Engle and Shuck delivered singles with one out. Then after another out the runners both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Engle scored on a single by pinch hitter Michael Arp and Miller plated two more with a single to left.

Shuck was 2-for-3 and Kovanda was 2-for-4 though it was Miller’s three RBI that propelled Ohio State, which finished the game with 12 hits and two errors. Every Buckeye with a plate appearance had a hit. Purdue collected nine hits, including eight off OSU starter Dean Wolosiansky, who pitched 5.2 innings to get the win. He is now 5-2. Eric Best pitched the final 1.1 innings.

The-Ozone.net recap The-Ozone.net Photo Galleries: Game 3 and Game 4

Ohio State is now 19-15 on the season and 8-7 in conference play while Purdue, by virtue of taking three of four games in Columbus, is now 20-17 and 12-4 in the Big Ten. This was the first series win by Purdue against a Bob Todd-led Ohio State team. The Buckeyes welcome Akron Wednesday for a double dip beginning at 4:05 p.m.

3 comments:

rockybuckeye said...

Does it scare anybody else that for the last year and a half we have been a .500 team in conference, as well as at home, which is the worse of the two to me. Sure we won the tourney last year, sure we may win it again, but how long do those auto bids cover up the ugly we have endured?

Purdue is a solid team, and I'm somewhat proud that they are performing like I had predicted, even in the midst of their 0-7 start, but still this is not a team we lose series to. Just like Michigan State last year at home.

Really wish and want for the program to be elite, but there comes a point where the product on the field has to reflect it. Not pointing fingers at any one problem, or area, just something is not right and keeping us as underacheivers.

rockybuckeye said...

As far as the games. Wimmers by all means is a guy kid, good pitcher, but from now on give me Rory. Seriously, he is a 5th year Senior, yeah he had a rough start but he knows what to do in certain situations. I've witnessed Wimmers lose 2 games, I know JB took the lost officially last week, but just like today, he did his part. I know Best in game 2 did not help the situation, but you cannot serve up fat pitches to opponents like White. Understand the situation. Last week a GS should have done it, today the HR stuck.

Arp deserves to be a regular. Really cannot state how much he produces when gave a chance. Glad he got 2 starts going 2-5, while 2-2 2 rbi's in his PH duties.

It might overcrowd the outfield but I saw Dew play first over the summer. Bump Gus down to catcher or back to third every now and then. Then you can still have Meade DH, Rupert at SS. Especially when you consider how Burk and Engle are slumping, though they did show some life.

I don't know, just figure in this situation with 2 vs Akron, and 4 vs Northwestern it allows you to be creative and figure out the best plan for attack going into AA.

Of course I wouldn't be surprised to see the usual.

BaseballBucks33 said...

Yeah i would like to see Rory and Arp both play more. Wimmers is struggling with the HR ball and is a Fr. pitching a lot.Today is a game when you need a senior on the mound.Too bad to see Eric Best struggle in game 2 like he did today. He has been good this year out of the pen.

Also thought Dew was safe in the top of the 9th at home.I thought he got a hand in first before the tag. Those umpires this weekend were bad all weekend long. This gets old with the umpires that work for the Big Ten.They are a joke.

I agree Arp should play more.Since day one he has been a great ball player. I did not know Dew could play 1st base.I like that idea. Burkhart is struggling a little right now. I would like to see some lineup changes too,but BT is very set in his ways. I did like JB leading off.Kennedy has been off lately. Gus hit well this weekend (6-13).Zack Hurley is going to be a great ball player.I love to watch him play.

Yeah it is frustrating to me to lose Big Ten series at home the last 2 years.I hate to lose home games to Big Ten teams we should beat.Can't be elite when we can't win at home.