Aggies Win 8-5 with Three Runs in Eighth

Aggie third baseman Dane Carter doubled to lead off the bottom of the eighth and scored on a sharply hit ball by Blake Stouffer that sailed past OSU first baseman Ryan Meade. It would have taken an incredible play by Meade to prevent the ball from going deep into right field, which allowed Carter to score the go-ahead run, 6-5. It was an admirable scoring decision by the home scorer not to award Stouffer the hit and give the error to someone making his fourth career college start.

The Aggies scored twice more on their way to an 8-5 victory (box score). It was the first loss of the season for Ohio State, which is 3-1. Texas A&M is 5-2. Aggie release.

Designated hitter Michael Arp was 2-3 with two RBI. Meade and Cory Kovanda each added two hits as the Buckeyes collected 11 hits to A&M's nine. Senior Rory Meister took the loss allowing all three eight-inning runs (one earned) on two hits.

The Buckeyes return to the diamond against Louisiana Tech Saturday at 1:30 p.m., ET. I probably won't blog until after that game.

Score Tied Through Seven

Texas A&M tied the game 5-5 with another two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Alex Wimmers walked one, gave up a triple and then hit his next two batters before giving way to Eric Best. Best, certainly wasn't Friday, though struck out his first two batters with the bases loaded. Could the Buckeyes escape the inning with a one-run lead?

Not tonight. He walked in the tying run.

The Buckeyes went in order in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, the Buckeyes pitched themselves into and then out of a jam. With one out, Best walked the bases loaded before senior Rory Meister answered the call in the bullpen. He got a strike out and a fielder's choice to get out the inning without allowing a run.

Ohio State will have to pick up on offense to make up for six walks and two hit batsmen since DeLucia's exit.

Dan's Done

OSU starter Dan DeLucia left the game with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning after giving up an RBI triple to Dane Carter that pulled the Aggies within a 5-2 margin.

DeLucia allowed three runs on six hits in 4.1 innings. The senior struck out two but walked three. He threw 76 pitches, far above his pitch count entering the game of 55. He probably was feeling good with a four-run lead in a hostile environment.

He was relieved by true freshman Alex Wimmers, who allowed a sacrifice fly by Blake Stouffer to score Carter.

Through five innings, the Buckeyes remain in front 5-3.

Buckeyes vs. Aggies Early Update

Ohio State leads Texas A&M 5-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning and knocked A&M starter Kirkland Rivers out of the game after just 2.1 innings.

Ryan Dew doubled in J.B. Shuck to score the first of three Buckeye runs in the first. Cory Rupert and Michael Arp drove in the other two first-inning runs.

Two more Ohio State runs crossed home plate in the top of the third, putting an end to Rivers' day. He allowed five runs on six hits with two strikeouts. Justin Miller scored on a ground out and Arp drove in his second run of the game to score Ryan Meade.

I would have thought OSU starter Dan DeLucia would have been the first pitcher out of the game, considering he was making his second outing of the season after Tommy John surgery last April. His pitch count going into the game was identical to last week (50-55). I still think what he has done has been incredible. Hopefully, he can stay healthy.

He's back to start the bottom of the fourth.

Former Buckeye Skipper Karow also Coached the Aggies

Marty Karow, who coached at Ohio State for 25 seasons and led the Buckeyes to four College World Series appearances, including in 1966 when the Buckeyes won the National Championship, previously coached Texas A&M.

Karow guided the Aggies from 1938-41 and again from 1948-50. In those seven years at A&M, he had an overall record of 95-70-2, but did not win a Southwest Conference championship or direct any teams in the NCAA tournament.

Karow began his coaching career at Ohio State in 1951 and retired as the school’s winningest coach in the history of the program in 1975 with 478 victories (only current coach Bob Todd has won more games). Karow guided the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship and an appearance in the College World Series in his first season, but his career did not reach its peak until the mid-1960s when the team made three straight appearances in Omaha, Neb. in 1965, 1966 and 1967. The Buckeyes finished second at the 1965 College World Series and returned the next year to win the only National Championship in the history of the program. In addition to the Big Ten title in 1951, his teams also claimed the conference top spot in 1955, 1965, 1966 and 1967. The team had a winning record in 19 of his 25 seasons as the Buckeye mentor. He is a member of both schools halls of fame.

Ohio State is expected to retire Karow’s No. 13 jersey between games of the Saturday doubleheader vs. Illinois May 10. This is the 125th season of Buckeye Baseball. Ohio State has previously retired Fred Taylor’s No. 27 and Steve Arlin’s No. 22.

From Earlier Friday

Earlier Friday at the Dominos Pizza Classic Arkansas downed Louisiana Tech 9-8 in walk-off fashion.

From Hogwired.com, the official athletics web site at Arkansas... Senior Aaron Murphree connected with the first pitch he saw in the bottom of the ninth inning from Louisiana Tech closer Aaron Lorio for a two-run, walk-off home run to straight-away center field that gave Arkansas a 9-8 win.

Here is the recap from the Louisiana Tech site with box score.

Ohio State plays Louisiana Tech Saturday at 1:30 p.m., ET, while the Razorbacks will play Texas A&M Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Live from Olsen Field

Greetings from Olsen Field, home of the Texas A&M Baseball Aggies where they are getting read to toss out the first pitch. You should be able to follow Live Stats on GameWatcher at http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ or by clicking the "LIVE STATS" link on The Buckeye Nine.

Even better, Texas A&M is offering a free live Internet telecast, audio and live stats on its web site: aggieatheltics.com.

I have seen games from Olsen Field before and I have to say it is one of the best atmospheres for college baseball. The fans are into every pitch and I look forward to seeing the Buckeyes for the first time in 2008. Hopefully they can hold their own. It should be quite an early season test.

Check back here later for more updates.

Scouting the Opposition in Aggie-Land

TEXAS A&M: Ohio State opens the Dominos Pizza Classic against tournament host Texas A&M Friday at 7:30 p.m., ET. The Aggies had a disappointing opening weekend, splitting four home games vs. Northern Colorado. They took two wins from McNeese State Tuesday and Wednesday and enter the tournament with a 4-2 record. Brian Ruggiano leads the Aggies with a .529 batting average while Dane Carter backs him up with a .438 average. The two A&M home runs have come off their bats. The Ags are hitting .286 as a squad. A&M has not announced who will throw against the Buckeyes, but left-hander Kirkland Rivers (0-0, 7.20) got the ball on opening day in the 9-5 victory over the Bears. Three righties – Kyle Thebeau (0-1, 1.69), Barret Loux (0-0, 3.60) and Scott Migl (0-0, 2.84) – started the other three games against Northern Colorado. A&M returns six starters and 13 pitchers from last year’s team that finished 48-19 overall, won the Big 12 Championship and advanced to an NCAA Super Regional.

LOUISIANA TECH: The Buckeyes and Bulldogs play Saturday at 1:30 p.m., ET. Louisiana Tech is 6-0 after following a Tuesday sweep of Texas-Arlington with a win Wednesday at Louisiana-Monroe. Last weekend, the team swept three games from McNeese State. Rightfielder Jericho Jones and third baseman Chris Kersten pace the Bulldogs with batting averages of .478 and .476, respectively. Through six games the team is batting .342 and is outscoring opponents 71-18. La Tech started three righties last weekend in the series with McNeese State, including Luke Burnett (0-0, 9.00), Jones (1-0, 4.32) and Dylan Moseley (1-0, 0.00), in that order. Burnett and Moseley lasted only 4.0 innings and Jones went 8.1. Jones, who allowed four runs on four hits and struck out 10, is expected to start against Ohio State. The pitching staff has a collective 2.33 ERA. Louisiana Tech just missed making the NCAA tourney last season, finishing 35-24 overall and 14-10 in the WAC.

ARKANSAS: Ohio State and Arkansas meet Sunday at noon, ET. The Razorbacks are 4-0 entering play this weekend after sweeping a three-game set vs. Wright State at the beautiful Charlie Baum Stadium in Fayetteville. They also added a 2-1 win Wednesday vs. Kansas. A game against Southeast Missouri State was cancelled because of freezing temps. Three Hogs are batting better than .400, including Andy Wilkins (.462), Aaron Murphree (.462) and Logan Forsythe (.429). The squad is batting .260 collectively. The entire starting rotation is gone from a team that finished 43-21 and won the SEC West a season ago. James Mahler (0-0, 7.71), Shaun Seibert (0-0, 11.57) and Kendall Korbal (0-0, 2.25), all right-handers, started in that order last week in the sweep of the Raiders.

Ohio State posted its official release for this weekend. See you in College Station. Go Bucks!

Buckeye Nine Q&A with Dan DeLucia

Ohio State senior pitcher Dan DeLucia made his return from Tommy John surgery to start the season opener Feb. 22 vs. Arkansas State at the Service Academies Spring Classic in Millington, Tenn. What made the outing special was not that it was his third opening-day start, but that he made his return 10 months and 12 days after undergoing surgery April 10, 2007. It typically takes 12-15 months to bounce back after the surgery, which repairs the ulnar collateral ligament.

Anyone who knows DeLucia knows he possesses the strongest work ethic on the team, still many, including himself, were shocked to see the only three-time Ohio State captain start on opening day. After an ambitious rehab program, the cold temperatures in Tennessee made it hard to stay warm and loose during the game. He pitched 4.0 innings, allowed one run on five hits and fanned two of the 17 batters he faced. Ohio State won 7-3.

The last time Ohio State was in College Station, the Buckeyes were playing in the 2007 NCAA regional after winning their eighth Big Ten tournament title and DeLucia was filling in as the color analyst on the radio broadcasts. This time he is slated for the Friday night start against the Aggies, who dashed dreams last June, ending the Buckeyes’ season with a 10-4 win.

This time though, they will have to face DeLucia.

B9: How did it feel to be back on the mound?
DD: “It felt really good to be out on the mound again. After having to wait pretty much a whole year, there was plenty adrenaline flowing. There were mixed feelings of anxiety and nervousness, but once I faced a few batters, I seemed to settle in.”

B9: When did they tell you to expect to be back?
DD: “The doctors said that I would be able to throw competitively again around spring break. It is a 9-12 month recovery for Tommy John surgery, but people are rarely throwing full go to batters at 9 months.”

B9: Describe your rehab? What made it so aggressive?
DD: “My rehab took an average of an hour a day, five days a week. The protocol says to only rehab every other day, but in my unique situation, I tried to speed up the process and did it five times a week. The rehab consisted of various shoulder exercises that try to strengthen the labrum and rotator cuff. There isn’t really any rehab for the elbow except for forearm lifts. The common misperception about Tommy John recovery is that they tighten the actual ligament in your elbow. While they restructure it, they don’t actually make it tighter than before. The rehab got very boring at times, but I knew that it had to be done in order for my comeback to be a success.”

B9: What did the trainers/coaches say when you told them you wanted to pitch opening day?
DD: “I don’t think they were that surprised because they knew how hard I worked the past year, but they still wanted to stay on the precautionary side. Before they were to actually let me throw, they wanted to see me throw against live hitters at a full go pace.”

B9: What was your pitch count against Arkansas State?
DD: “I threw 54 pitches, which was right around the amount I was looking for in the first outing.”

B9: How did it feel when you were done pitching?
DD: “After I came out of the game my arm felt tired and a little sore in the elbow, which is expected I guess after 10 months of not facing another team. Also, it was pretty cold during the game, so that made it more difficult to keep it warm and loose throughout the game.”

B9: Did you surprise yourself?
DD: “I guess I did surprise myself a little bit, since I have only been throwing live to batters for a few weeks. I was just happy that I still have confidence in my pitches and abilities when I’m on the mound. I’m glad that I was able to battle out of tough situations, which shows that even though I was out for nearly a year, the mental part of the game for me is still strong.”

B9: When will you pitch next?
DD: “I am scheduled to start on Friday against Texas A&M, which will be a big test considering the atmosphere and team we’re competing against.”

B9: What will the pitch count be?
DD: “My pitch count will be pretty similar to my first outing. My target is around 50-55 pitches, and if it feels pretty good, then I might go five or 10 more.”

B9: When do you expect to be full-go?
DD: “Hopefully I will be able to pitch full-go without a pitch count after spring break. The way that I’m gradually working my pitch count up should put me in good position for the beginning of the Big Ten season.”

B9: Obviously you have your mind set on a Big Ten championship and a regional berth, but what do you hope to accomplish on a personal level this season?
DD: “On a personal level, I want to get to the point where I was my junior year. I felt that I had good command of my pitches and my confidence in my arm was very strong. Also, it might be a reach, but I always want to strive for being the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, an All-American, and an Academic All-American. Those are great honors to have and I know if I can reach them then I can say that all the hard work for me paid off.”

Against the Opposition

Texas A&M: Buckeyes lead series 9-6
The teams have met 15 times though only three times since 1952. The teams split a pair of one-run games in 2000, with the Buckeyes winning 8-7 before falling 2-1. Last year in the NCAA College Station Regional, the Aggies ended the Buckeyes’ season in a 10-4 decision. The teams met in the 1951 College World Series with Texas A&M winning 3-2. The Buckeyes swept a three-game series in College Station the following year.

Louisiana Tech: Bulldogs lead series 2-1
Ohio State won 10-3 in 1996, but lost 6-5 in 1992 and 9-7 in 1998. All three of those games were played in Lake Charles, La.

Arkansas: First meeting between programs
The Buckeyes and Razorbacks have never met on the baseball diamond.

Ohio State heads to Texas A&M Tourney

This weekend, the Buckeye Nine heads to the Dominos Pizza Classic in College Station, Texas. Ohio State will open the tournament against host Texas A&M Friday at 7:30 p.m., ET before taking on Louisiana Tech Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Buckeyes will conclude play Sunday against Arkansas with the first pitching coming at noon. That game will be televised by Cox Sports. If you are going to the game, don’t forget Texas operates on Central Time.

The weather was cold for the Buckeyes the opening weekend near Memphis, but they will play in warm conditions in College Station where high temperatures will be in the 70s and lows in the mid 50s all three days of the event. Your friends and co-workers will be jealous of your tan, but please don’t forget the sun screen.

In the Polls

Despite the 3-0 start, the Buckeyes are not getting any mention in the four major college baseball polls. For the discussion on this web site, the four major polls are NCBWA (Top 30), Collegiate Baseball (Top 30), Baseball America (Top 25) and the USA Today/Coaches (Top 25). For Ohio State to start getting any consideration in the polls a strong showing this weekend at the Dominos Pizza Classic is a must.

None of the teams the Buckeyes play this weekend are in any Top 25, but Texas A&M is ranked 27th by the NCBWA poll and 28th by Collegiate Baseball. Both Louisiana Tech and Arkansas are receiving votes in the writers’ poll. The Razorbacks are 30th by Collegiate Baseball. But forget poll placement, a strong showing in Texas also could pay dividends come selection time for the NCAA tournament.

Fourth 3-0 Start by a Todd Team

Ohio State opened the season 3-0 for just the fourth time in 21 seasons under head coach Bob Todd. The team also was perfect through the first three games in 1991, 1997 and 2002. That 2002 team was 6-0-1 through its first seven games. Do you remember the tie? The Buckeyes played to a 6-6 tie at Mississippi State before the game was called because of the Buckeyes’ travel considerations (I started working in the Ohio State athletics communications office the next day). The 1997 team lost its fourth game, but the 1991 team won its first eight games and 19 of the first 21 on its way to Todd’s first Big Ten championship.

Shuck Named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week

J.B. Shuck was named the Big Ten Conference Pitcher of the Week after pitching the Buckeyes to a 1-0 victory vs. Memphis Saturday at the Service Academies Spring Classic in Millington, Tenn. He struck out a career-high nine and allowed just two hits and two walks in 6.0 innings against the first team on the Buckeyes' schedule that played in the 2007 NCAA tournament. Between the fourth and sixth innings he retired seven consecutive batters and allowed only one Tiger to reach third base. It was the first time Shuck, a junior from Galion, Ohio, earned Pitcher of the Week honors.

Photos from Service Academies Spring Classic

Bill Wells submitted these photos he took from the Service Academies Spring Classic in Millington, Tenn., Feb. 22-24. Thank you, Bill.



Buckeyes focused in the dugout.


Getting ready to take the field.



OSU coach Bob Todd provides the lineup and goes over ground rules prior to the Saturday's game vs. Memphis.


Team scrum.


Let's play ball.


Dan DeLucia warms up prior to his third career opening-day start.

To submit your photos, please email BuckeyeNine@gmail.com. If you submit your photos or videos you automatically give permission for their use on The Buckeye Nine.

Become a Facebook Fan of The Buckeye Nine

For those of you on Facebook, you can now become a fan of The Buckeye Nine. I enourage anyone and everyone to submit photos or even videos about Ohio State baseball.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Buckeye-Nine/21497749424?ref=nf

Miller Lifts Buckeyes to Win

Justin Miller delivered an RBI double to right-centerfield in the bottom of the eighth inning to score Tony Kennedy and lift Ohio State to a 6-5 victory vs. Seton Hall Sunday (box score). With the win, the Buckeyes won the Service Academies Spring Classic with a 3-0 record.

Miller was named the MVP of the tournament after playing three different positions in the three games. He was 6-for-12 with four doubles and four RBI. He played first base vs. Arkansas State, was the catcher against Memphis and played third Sunday vs. Seton Hall getting the nod in place of Brian DeLucia, who strained a hamstring Saturday. Miller was the only Buckeye with multiple hits Sunday, finishing 2-4 with a walk.

The Buckeyes did not get a great starting effort from Josh Edgin who allowed four runs on five hits in 4.0 innings. Drew Rucinski, a true freshman from Broken Arrow, Okla. making his collegiate debut, took over from there and allowed one run on three hits in his 4.0 innings.

The Buckeyes had to come back from 3-0, 4-1 and 5-3 deficits to get the win Sunday.

Ohio State's Opening Weekend
Ohio State defeats Arkansas State 7-3
Ohio State defeats Memphis 1-0
Ohio State defeats Seton Hall 6-5

Next up for Ohio State is a trip to College Station, Texas, Feb. 29-March 2 for the Dominos Pizza Aggie Baseball Classic at Texas A&M. Buckeye Nine will blog live from Olsen Field next weekend.

Buckeyes Win Again

Ohio State downed Memphis 1-0 (box score) Saturday to improve to 2-0. Rightfielder Ryan Dew delivered an RBI single to score second baseman Cory Kovanda in the top of the first inning and pitcher J.B. Shuck made it stand. He allowed just two hits and struck out nine in 6.0 innings to get the win. Alex Wimmers allowed one hit in his three innings on the hill, striking out five of the 10 batters he faced.

The Buckeyes out-hit the Tigers 8-3, getting three hits from catcher Justin "Gus" Miller. Ohio State had another two errors Saturday and have five errors in two games. The fielding miscues should settle down and are no doubt the result of not being able to practice outside.

Brian DeLucia delivered another hit in his lone at bat Saturday. After going 4-for-4 Friday vs. Arkansas State, he singled with one out in the second Saturday and is 5-for-5 in the two games. According to the Ohio State game recap, DeLucia strained a hamstring on the play and left the game for pinch-runner Tyler Engle, a true freshman.

The Buckeye Nine close out the Service Academies Spring Classic Sunday vs. Seton Hall. The Scarlet and Gray will be trying to go 3-0 to open a season for the first time since 2002, when they opened 6-0-1. First pitch Sunday is at 11 a.m., ET. I originally listed the game with a 2 p.m. start so please make note of the correct start time.

Saturday in the Big Ten

Ohio State Opens Season With Win

The Buckeyes downed Arkansas State 7-3 (box score) Friday in the season opener for both teams. Ohio State also opened with an 8-6 victory over James Madison to start the 2007 season. The Buckeye Nine has won three of the last four season openers going back to 2005 when the team beat Middle Tennessee. The lone blemish was a 6-2 setback against Wake Forest in 2006.

Friday saw the return of senior Dan DeLucia, who came back from Tommy John surgery in just 10 months. It typically takes a year to come back from the surgery but anyone who knows Dan knows about his intense work ethic. Friday's game marked the third opening-day start for DeLucia, the Buckeyes' only three-time captain. He faced 17 batters in 4.0 innings and finsihed with just two strikeouts, but did not walk a batter while allowing one run on five hits (only one for extra bases).

Dan's brother Brian had a perfect day at the plate in going 4-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. The third baseman doubled in the second inning and got singles in the forth and seventh innings before homering in his final at bat in the eighth inning. Centerfielder J.B. Shuck finished 3-for-5 and scored twice while freshman DH Ryan Meade added two hits.

In early season fashion, Ohio State had to overcome three errors, but out hit Arkansas State 13-10 in the nine-inning affair. Hopefully the weather will hold the rest of the week. The high Saturday should be 47 and climb to 52 for Sunday under partly cloudy skies.

Coach Bob Todd, who is in his 21st season at the helm of the Buckeyes, watched from the dugout recovering from double knee replacement surgery in late fall. I am sure Bill Wells and Pete Houck were joking about six more weeks of winter if assistant coach Greg Cypret saw his shadow when he stepped out of the dugout and into the third-base coaches box.

Ohio State will play Memphis Saturday and Seton Hall on Sunday.

125th Campaign Now Underway

The Buckeye Nine ushered in the 125th season of Ohio State baseball Friday against Arkansas State in the Service Academies Spring Classic in Millington, Tenn. Action continues Saturday vs. Memphis at 2 p.m. and concludes Sunday vs. Seton Hall at 2 p.m. All games are being played at USA Stadium, the former training facility for the U.S. Olympic team.

Baseball is the oldest intercollegiate sport at Ohio State, having first been played in 1881. Through the first 124 seasons, the Buckeyes are 2,228-1,427-2.

Jerry Emig, the current baseball SID at Ohio State, pointed out significant accomplishments:

* 96 winning seasons, six .500 seasons and only 22 losing seasons;
* College World Series in 1951-65-66-67;
* 18 NCAA tournament appearances;
* 14 Big Ten Conference championships;
* 8 Big Ten tournanement championships;
* more than 800 lettermen;
* 151 captains;
* 47 All-American honorees, 14 Academic All-Americans and 31 Major Leaguers.

New Blog to Follow Buckeyes

Welcome to The Buckeye Nine, a new blog created to follow Ohio State Baseball. My name is Todd Lamb and I created the blog to give fans the opportunity to follow Buckeye Baseball and to provide a forum for discussion about the team. Some of you may recognize me. I was the athletics communications contact for Ohio State baseball for parts of six seasons (2002-2007). It is my hope this site will provide more in depth coverage of the Ohio State baseball team and baseball in the Big Ten. I ask for your patience as I figure out how to publish my first blog.

GO BUCKS!