J.B. Shuck struck out a career-high 13 batters in 8.0 innings while Tony Kennedy and Zach Hurley each drove in runs to fuel Ohio State to a 2-0 victory in the series finale vs. Penn State (box score). The Buckeyes won the bookends of the series, also winning 15-0 in the opener Friday before the Nittany Lions responded to sweep the Saturday doubleheader. The win was the 200th in the 12-year history of Bill Davis Stadium (200-88, .694).
Shuck, who participated in a B9 Q&A this week, allowed four hits, but walked five of the 31 batters he faced to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Ohio State junior equaled his win total from last season when he finished 4-4. He was 8-5 as a freshman. Eric Best came on for Shuck and retired all three batters he faced to earn his second save of the season.
With the way the bullpen has been at times this season, it was great to see Shuck stay in the game so long. But with the way he was pitching, he deserved the benefit of the doubt. His last two strikeouts came in the seventh inning and then after he allowed a lead-off single in the eighth, he got a fly out and double play to end the threat.
Ohio State struck first in this classic pitchers' duel with a run in the fifth. Tony Kennedy turned a lead-off walk by Dan Burkhart into a 1-0 lead. Burkhart went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Tyler Engle and went to third on a ground out by Ryan Dew. Zach Hurley tripled in the second run in the sixth inning. Cory Rupert reached on a two-out throwing error by PSU shortstop Lou Picconi so the run was unearned.
Ryan Stobart pitched a complete game for the Nittany Lions allowing both runs on six hits. He struck out five and walked three. Penn State fell to 7-14 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten.
Click here for the Penn State recap and here for The-Ozone.net recap.
Ohio State is 12-8 overall and 2-2 in conference play and will welcome Toledo Wednesday for a 6:35 p.m. first pitch. It is 'Wing-Man' Wednesday and all box seats are buy one get one free. Minnesota visits Bill Davis Stadium next weekend. Hopefully the crowds will start to show up.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Trent McIlvain Stops By B9
I got an email about a week ago from former Buckeye shortstop Trent McIlvain, who played at Ohio State from 1998 through 2001. His career was done before I arrived at the start of the 2002 season, but I’ve met him a couple of times. Former catcher Joe Wilkins, who did a Q&A for The Buckeye Nine back earlier this month, told me Trent was one of several former players who have checked out the site. I hope many more send an email to buckeyenine@gmail.com and let me know what they are up to now.
Trent is a licensure student at Malone College and is attaining a K-12 certificate as an interventional specialist (a.k.a. special education/elementary education). He is an assistant coach for the baseball team. He also gives lessons and is starting his own baseball school, called McIlvain School of Infield. His wife is Heidi and they have a son, Austin Michael, who was born Sept. 26, 2007.
Looks like Trent's son Austin might be a lefty.
Trent is a licensure student at Malone College and is attaining a K-12 certificate as an interventional specialist (a.k.a. special education/elementary education). He is an assistant coach for the baseball team. He also gives lessons and is starting his own baseball school, called McIlvain School of Infield. His wife is Heidi and they have a son, Austin Michael, who was born Sept. 26, 2007.
Looks like Trent's son Austin might be a lefty.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Penn State Sweeps Ohio State
Big Ten Network highlights
What a difference a day makes. Victim of a 15-0 drubbing in the series opener on Friday, Penn State rebounded to win both ends of the doubleheader at Ohio State Saturday, winning by scores of 3-1 and 5-2.
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
The Buckeyes, which had 18 hits Friday, mustered only four hits in game one and actually outhit the Lions in game two, 9-7, but could not get the timely hit. Tony Kennedy, who had a hit in each of the first 17 games this season, saw his hit streak end in game one, going 0-for-2. He was 0-for-4 in game two.
The longest hit streak on the team is now held by Ryan Meade, who has a hit in his last 15 games. Cory Kovanda, now 22-for-39 (.564) in his last 10 games, is riding an 11-game hit streak.
J.B. Shuck delivered the only run in the fifth inning of game one to pull the Buckeyes within a 2-1 score but the Nittany Lions tacked on another run sixth. Dan DeLucia took the loss and fell to 1-1 after allowing just one run on five hits in his 4.0 innings. Drew Rucinski allowed two runs on eight hits in his 3.0 innings.
In game two, Dan Burkhart and Tyler Engle each had two hits. Burkhart and pinch hitter Zach Hurley drove in the Buckeyes' two runs. Dean Wolosiansky took the loss to drop to 2-2. He allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits in his 5.1 innings. Alex Wimmers pitched the last 1.2 and allowed one run on three hits.
Mike Wanamaker and Mike Lorentson got the wins for Penn State, which improved to 7-13 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.
Ohio State is now 11-8 overall and 1-2 in conference play and needs a win in the series finale Sunday to salvage a series split. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. J.B. Shuck will get the start for the Bucks.
Click here for the-Ozone.net recap and here for the story in the Sunday Dispatch.
Penn State recaps: Game One Game Two
What a difference a day makes. Victim of a 15-0 drubbing in the series opener on Friday, Penn State rebounded to win both ends of the doubleheader at Ohio State Saturday, winning by scores of 3-1 and 5-2.
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
The Buckeyes, which had 18 hits Friday, mustered only four hits in game one and actually outhit the Lions in game two, 9-7, but could not get the timely hit. Tony Kennedy, who had a hit in each of the first 17 games this season, saw his hit streak end in game one, going 0-for-2. He was 0-for-4 in game two.
The longest hit streak on the team is now held by Ryan Meade, who has a hit in his last 15 games. Cory Kovanda, now 22-for-39 (.564) in his last 10 games, is riding an 11-game hit streak.
J.B. Shuck delivered the only run in the fifth inning of game one to pull the Buckeyes within a 2-1 score but the Nittany Lions tacked on another run sixth. Dan DeLucia took the loss and fell to 1-1 after allowing just one run on five hits in his 4.0 innings. Drew Rucinski allowed two runs on eight hits in his 3.0 innings.
In game two, Dan Burkhart and Tyler Engle each had two hits. Burkhart and pinch hitter Zach Hurley drove in the Buckeyes' two runs. Dean Wolosiansky took the loss to drop to 2-2. He allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits in his 5.1 innings. Alex Wimmers pitched the last 1.2 and allowed one run on three hits.
Mike Wanamaker and Mike Lorentson got the wins for Penn State, which improved to 7-13 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten.
Ohio State is now 11-8 overall and 1-2 in conference play and needs a win in the series finale Sunday to salvage a series split. First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. J.B. Shuck will get the start for the Bucks.
Click here for the-Ozone.net recap and here for the story in the Sunday Dispatch.
Penn State recaps: Game One Game Two
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wow! Bucks Slam Lions 15-0
Big Ten Network highlights
Yes, the Buckeyes scored 15 runs on 18 hits in the Big Ten opener. Even more impressive, Ohio State pitchers limited the Nits to just five hits in the 15-0 shellacking of Penn State Friday (box score) at Bill Davis Stadium. The Nittany Lions had just two hits against OSU starter Jake Hale, who tossed 6.0 innings and struck out three against two walks.
All 14 runs crossed the plate in the first three innings and the team went on cruise control after that. Every Buckeye starter had a hit, including Tyler Engle, who finished 4-for-5 with four RBI and one run scored. He had three singles and a double. J.B. Shuck was 3-for-4, drove in one and scored twice. Four other Buckeyes had multiple hits, including Cory Kovanda, Dan Burkhart, Cory Rupert and Ryan Dew. Rupert, Dew and Ryan Meade each had two RBI.
Penn State starter Seth Whitehill was emphatically chased out of the game in the third but the 23 batters he faced roughed him up for 14 runs on 15 hits. Ohio State scored eight runs in the first and added three each in the second and third. David Lutz came on in relief in the third and pitched well. Nittany Lions fans are probably left wondering if maybe he should have started. For the Buckeyes, Josh Edgin found pitched the final three innings and allowed only three hits.
Hopefully, the Bucks’ offense isn't done for the series and can keep piling it on. Ohio State improved to 11-6 on the year and 1-0 in the Big Ten, while Penn State slipped to 5-13 and 0-1. The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader at 1:05 p.m. and concludes Sunday with a single game at 1:05 p.m.
Tonight's game was the first baseball game to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Both games Saturday will again be on the Big Ten Network.
Penn State recap.
Check out the Columbus Dispatch article from Friday's game. The-Ozone.net posted a story and photos from the game as well.
Yes, the Buckeyes scored 15 runs on 18 hits in the Big Ten opener. Even more impressive, Ohio State pitchers limited the Nits to just five hits in the 15-0 shellacking of Penn State Friday (box score) at Bill Davis Stadium. The Nittany Lions had just two hits against OSU starter Jake Hale, who tossed 6.0 innings and struck out three against two walks.
All 14 runs crossed the plate in the first three innings and the team went on cruise control after that. Every Buckeye starter had a hit, including Tyler Engle, who finished 4-for-5 with four RBI and one run scored. He had three singles and a double. J.B. Shuck was 3-for-4, drove in one and scored twice. Four other Buckeyes had multiple hits, including Cory Kovanda, Dan Burkhart, Cory Rupert and Ryan Dew. Rupert, Dew and Ryan Meade each had two RBI.
Penn State starter Seth Whitehill was emphatically chased out of the game in the third but the 23 batters he faced roughed him up for 14 runs on 15 hits. Ohio State scored eight runs in the first and added three each in the second and third. David Lutz came on in relief in the third and pitched well. Nittany Lions fans are probably left wondering if maybe he should have started. For the Buckeyes, Josh Edgin found pitched the final three innings and allowed only three hits.
Hopefully, the Bucks’ offense isn't done for the series and can keep piling it on. Ohio State improved to 11-6 on the year and 1-0 in the Big Ten, while Penn State slipped to 5-13 and 0-1. The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader at 1:05 p.m. and concludes Sunday with a single game at 1:05 p.m.
Tonight's game was the first baseball game to be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Both games Saturday will again be on the Big Ten Network.
Penn State recap.
Check out the Columbus Dispatch article from Friday's game. The-Ozone.net posted a story and photos from the game as well.
Ohio State vs. Penn State Preview
Nice article in the Dispatch today in advance of the Buckeyes' Big Ten conference opening series vs. Penn State this weekend at "the Bill." They also had an extremely short preview of the series.
I wish I could make it out to Bill Davis Stadium this weekend. I miss being around baseball the way I was when I worked at Ohio State and with the Texas Rangers. It was one year ago today that I started with the club and instead of celebrating my anniversary with them, I'm about to complete my sixth month of unemployment after they reorganized the communications department three days after last season. Obviously, I'm still a little bitter, but I should be able to talk about my future employment opportunities early next week.
Back to baseball. The Ohio State release was packed with good information as usual and listed the following starters for each team:
G1: RHP Jake Hale vs. RHP Seth Whitehill
G2: LHP Dan DeLucia vs. RHP Mike Wanamaker
G3: RHP Dean Wolosiansky vs. LHP Mike Lorentson
G4: LHP J.B. Shuck vs. RHP Ryan Stobart
I like our starters and welcome Dean Wolosiansky into the mix. I've never been much of a fan of Penn State baseball. They like to run their mouths. Of course, they did take the first three games of the series last year, before the Buckeyes won on Sunday to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. Ohio State also beat them in the tourney on its way to the eighth conference tournament championship under Bob Todd.
If you can't make it out to the ballpark this weekend and you are fortunate enough to get the Big Ten Network, you can watch the first three games of the series. If not, you'll have to follow the action at ohiostatebuckeyes.com. In addition to Gamewatcher, conference play marks the return of radio for the Buckeyes. Audio is available on the official Ohio State web site with a subscription. If you are in Columbus, AM 920 WMNI has the action. OhioStateSports.net offers an alternative and free broadcast for some Ohio State baseball games.
I can't wait for the pusuit of a championship to commence. Go Bucks!
I wish I could make it out to Bill Davis Stadium this weekend. I miss being around baseball the way I was when I worked at Ohio State and with the Texas Rangers. It was one year ago today that I started with the club and instead of celebrating my anniversary with them, I'm about to complete my sixth month of unemployment after they reorganized the communications department three days after last season. Obviously, I'm still a little bitter, but I should be able to talk about my future employment opportunities early next week.
Back to baseball. The Ohio State release was packed with good information as usual and listed the following starters for each team:
G1: RHP Jake Hale vs. RHP Seth Whitehill
G2: LHP Dan DeLucia vs. RHP Mike Wanamaker
G3: RHP Dean Wolosiansky vs. LHP Mike Lorentson
G4: LHP J.B. Shuck vs. RHP Ryan Stobart
I like our starters and welcome Dean Wolosiansky into the mix. I've never been much of a fan of Penn State baseball. They like to run their mouths. Of course, they did take the first three games of the series last year, before the Buckeyes won on Sunday to clinch a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. Ohio State also beat them in the tourney on its way to the eighth conference tournament championship under Bob Todd.
If you can't make it out to the ballpark this weekend and you are fortunate enough to get the Big Ten Network, you can watch the first three games of the series. If not, you'll have to follow the action at ohiostatebuckeyes.com. In addition to Gamewatcher, conference play marks the return of radio for the Buckeyes. Audio is available on the official Ohio State web site with a subscription. If you are in Columbus, AM 920 WMNI has the action. OhioStateSports.net offers an alternative and free broadcast for some Ohio State baseball games.
I can't wait for the pusuit of a championship to commence. Go Bucks!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Buckeye Nine Q&A with J.B. Shuck
Is there anything J.B. Shuck can’t do? The Galion, Ohio native is the Buckeyes’ do-everything player. When he’s not chasing a ball in the gap, he’s striking out the opposition. He’s not too shabby at the plate either and boasts a .431 batting average (sixth in the Big Ten) in 15 games this season. He’s tied for the team lead with 25 hits, including three doubles and a triple. He’s also driven in nine runs and has scored a team-most 18 times.Shuck’s three pitching victories lead the team. He’s lost just once in his four starts this season and has a 4.09 ERA. His 22.0 innings are the most on the team and his 21 strikeouts are two off the pace of senior Dan DeLucia. What does stand out are his 14 walks and of the 15 hits he has allowed eight have been for extra bases, yet he’s limiting opposing batters to a .192 average.
The former Galion High School Tiger, who has collected baseball cards almost as long as he can remember, says he is equally comfortable in the outfield, at the plate and on the mound. That is because he has worked hard. He has a tough task replacing Matt Angle in centerfield, but while he admits he doesn’t have Angle’s speed, he isn’t sure where his quick shoes rank on this year’s squad. He spent last summer playing for Cotuit in the Cape Cod League, but spent most of his time on the hill, putting together a 3-2 record to go with a 3.30 ERA.
He has already equaled that win total and no doubt would like to surpass the eight wins he accumulated his freshman season, but he is putting individual goals on the backburner in helping the Buckeyes win their first Big Ten regular-season championship since 2001.
B9: What do you attribute your success at the plate this season?
JB: “I worked very hard in the off season, and faced very good pitchers before the season. Our pitchers threw very well in the offseason which helped me get ready when we actually got started.”
B9: Talk about taking over in centerfield for Matt Angle.
JB: “He left some very tough shoes to fill. Matt could catch anything that was hit anywhere close to centerfield, and I am doing my best to do the same thing. I'm not nearly as fast as him so it is pretty hard to do.”
B9: What has been the hardest part about playing centerfield?
JB: “The hardest part for me has just been getting back out there and doing it again. I have not played center since high school and the balls fly a lot different than they do in the corner outfield spots.”
B9: Are you the fastest guy on the team?
JB: “I am not sure if I am the fastest guy or not. No one will race me to find out.”
B9: Who would be in contention?
JB: “We have some pretty fast guys this year, so there would be some good races to find out who is. Tony Kennedy, Brian DeLucia, Chris Griffin, Gus Miller, and I would be a very good race.”
B9: What are the challenges of being a utility player?
JB: “The biggest challenge is practicing both positions and trying to hit during practice. I have really had to work hard to throw a bullpen early in practice, then change my shoes and go catch fly balls. It has been tough but the coaches have really worked hard to make sure I get work at both things.”
B9: Which do you enjoy more and why, batting/fielding or pitching?
JB: “I enjoy doing both the same. I have had success at both so I still like doing them. The best part about hitting is when you have a bad game, you get to get right back at it the next day, as for pitching you have to wait a whole week. The best part about pitching is you are in control of the entire game. I really like having the pressure of that on me when I am throwing.”
B9: Talk about how you think the season is going so far.
JB: “The season is going alright for us this year. We have had some very good wins, but we have also had leads in almost every game and have not been able to close them out. I would have liked to see us win a few more of those games, but I am pleased with how the guys are playing and handling the pressure.”
B9: What should we expect from this team the rest of the way?
JB: “You should expect a lot of big things. We have really started playing as a team, and we are having a lot of guys step up and do a very good job. If we continue to work hard we are going to make a good run at the Big Ten championship and we will go far in the tournament.”
B9: Talk about your experience in the Cape Cod League last summer? How were you used?
JB: “I had a very good experience in the Cape last summer. I was used mainly as a pitcher, but got a few at bats. I had good success on the mound, and learned a lot from all of the other players. I believe that I became a much better pitcher, mentally and physically because of the Cape.”
B9: What is your most treasured baseball card?
JB: “I have two cards that are my favorite. One is just a regular Joe Carter, and it was the first card I ever received. The other card that I treasure is a Kenny Lofton rookie card. He is my favorite player so I really like that card. I have many more cards that are worth a lot more money than those, but those are my favorite.”
B9: When did you start collecting baseball cards and how did you get into it?
JB: “I started collecting them when I was about 4 years old. I started collecting them because my grandfather bought me a pack of them and I thought they were really cool. So every time we would go to the store he would buy me a pack, and I just continued buying them ever since.”
Photo courtesy of Bill Wells.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Write Ray Stein (Dispatch sports editor)
Nice writeup today in the Dispatch previewing the home opener. Haha! Okay, there wasn't one, at least not online. It is a shame sports editor Ray Stein isn't a college baseball fan. This will be the first of many posts regarding his lack of coverage for Ohio State baseball. I was mildly critical of him when I was at Ohio State, but now I can turn it up a notch since I'm not directly affiliated with the university. Mark Znidar does a great job as the beat writer for Ohio State baseball, but he only covers the team during the home portion of the Big Ten schedule. The decisions on what sports to cover lies with Ray Stein (rstein@dispatch.com) and I encourage all Buckeye fans to email him in support for future coverage this season for Ohio State baseball, whether the team is at home or on the road and especially come postseason time if the Buckeyes aren't fortunate enough to host Big Ten or NCAA tournament games.
At least the team got a nice preview today on The-Ozone.net.
At least the team got a nice preview today on The-Ozone.net.
Promotional Schedule vs. Nittany Lions
Friday, 6:35 p.m.
• 2008 Schedule Poster
• 80's Flashback Friday - Music/Entertainment
Saturday (DH), 1:05 p.m.
• First 1,000 fans receive a free Schedule Magnet courtesy of OSU Sports Medicine
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
• First 300 fans receive a free 125th Anniversary mug and hot chocolate
• Four Pack Day-for only $26 receive 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, and 4 popcorns
• Post-game autographs and kids can run the bases
Be sure to check out the complete 2008 promotional schedule.
• 2008 Schedule Poster
• 80's Flashback Friday - Music/Entertainment
Saturday (DH), 1:05 p.m.
• First 1,000 fans receive a free Schedule Magnet courtesy of OSU Sports Medicine
Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
• First 300 fans receive a free 125th Anniversary mug and hot chocolate
• Four Pack Day-for only $26 receive 4 tickets, 4 hot dogs, 4 sodas, and 4 popcorns
• Post-game autographs and kids can run the bases
Be sure to check out the complete 2008 promotional schedule.
Ohio State Wins Home Opener, 9-1, vs. Pitt
Check out The-Ozone.net photo gallery from the game.
The Buckeyes claimed a 9-1 victory vs. Pittsburgh Wednesday (box score) afternoon in the team's home opener. The win, which ushered in the 12th season at Bill Davis Stadium, was the team's 10th "W" of the year in 16 tries.
Ohio State out hit the Panthers 11-5 and got three RBI from Ryan Meade in a 2-for-5 afternoon. Cory Kovanda and Cory Rupert also had two hits. Tony Kennedy doubled in his only official at bat. He also walked three times. The Buckeyes drew six walks in the game and struck out only five times.
Starting pitcher Andrew Armstrong allowed one unearned, first-inning run on two hits in his 5.0-inning outing. Drew Rucinski, Eric Best and Alex Wimmers allowed three hits but kept Pitt off the scoreboard in their four combined innings.
After Pitt scored in the first, the Buckeyes took the lead in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs, added two more in the second, another in the fifth and then exploded for four more in the sixth. Click here to read the Pitt recap.
Each team committed an error. Just 636 fans watched the Wednesday matinee. I'm sure the crowds will be much better this weekend in the four games against Penn State.
The Buckeyes claimed a 9-1 victory vs. Pittsburgh Wednesday (box score) afternoon in the team's home opener. The win, which ushered in the 12th season at Bill Davis Stadium, was the team's 10th "W" of the year in 16 tries.
Ohio State out hit the Panthers 11-5 and got three RBI from Ryan Meade in a 2-for-5 afternoon. Cory Kovanda and Cory Rupert also had two hits. Tony Kennedy doubled in his only official at bat. He also walked three times. The Buckeyes drew six walks in the game and struck out only five times.
Starting pitcher Andrew Armstrong allowed one unearned, first-inning run on two hits in his 5.0-inning outing. Drew Rucinski, Eric Best and Alex Wimmers allowed three hits but kept Pitt off the scoreboard in their four combined innings.
After Pitt scored in the first, the Buckeyes took the lead in the bottom of the inning with a pair of runs, added two more in the second, another in the fifth and then exploded for four more in the sixth. Click here to read the Pitt recap.
Each team committed an error. Just 636 fans watched the Wednesday matinee. I'm sure the crowds will be much better this weekend in the four games against Penn State.
Kovanda Named Co-Big Ten Player of the Week
Ohio State second baseman Cory Kovanda has been named the Big Ten Co-Player of the Week for his efforts last week in Bradenton , Fla. Kovanda, a sophomore from Columbus and Worthington Kilbourne H.S., led Ohio State with a .688 average and a .737 on-base percentage.
He opened the week with a 3-for-5 performance against Northern Iowa on Monday, scoring one run. Against Bradley the following day, he went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Against St. Louis on Wednesday, Kovanda went 2-for-3 with a walk before closing the trip with his best appearance on Friday as he went 4-for-5 with three runs, two RBI, a double and a walk in a win over Kansas . He combined to go 11-for-16 with four multi-hit games, also scoring six runs over the four contests. Kovanda currently ranks in the top five in the Big Ten in batting average (.451) and on-base percentage (.517).
Kovanda shares the honor with Jon Moore, of Purdue.
He opened the week with a 3-for-5 performance against Northern Iowa on Monday, scoring one run. Against Bradley the following day, he went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk. Against St. Louis on Wednesday, Kovanda went 2-for-3 with a walk before closing the trip with his best appearance on Friday as he went 4-for-5 with three runs, two RBI, a double and a walk in a win over Kansas . He combined to go 11-for-16 with four multi-hit games, also scoring six runs over the four contests. Kovanda currently ranks in the top five in the Big Ten in batting average (.451) and on-base percentage (.517).
Kovanda shares the honor with Jon Moore, of Purdue.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Finally, the Home Opener
No doubt, Wednesday, March 26, has been on your calendar since the Buckeyes released their baseball schedule in November. That is the date of Ohio State's home opener. This year, they take on Pittsburgh at 2 p.m. to usher in the 12th season of Bill Davis Stadium. After 15 road or neutral-site games, the Bucks are finally back at "the Bill."
This is the last game the Buckeyes play without radio, but in addition to live stats via Gamewatcher, Buckeye Vision will have the game (subscription also includes Internet audio broadcasts at ohiostatebuckeyes.com).
Against Pitt: Ohio State State leads the all-time series with Pitt by a 15-1 count. The Buckeyes won the first 15 games in the series. Pitt stopped the streak in 2006 with a 7-3 win at Bill Davis Stadium. The two teams first played in 1942 and had a total of 12 meetings between then and 1968. There was a 30-year pause in the series until the teams met in 1998 (a 5-3 Ohio State win).
Scouting the Panthers: Pittsburgh exceeded everyone’s expectations, according to the school's web site, in 2007 by placing fourth in the Big East during the regular season. The team was 27-27 overall and 15-12 in the Big East.
Noting the Panthers...
• Sean Conley has been the team’s offensive leader early on, with .364 average, six home runs and 26 RBI through the team’s first 17 games.
• Jordan Herr and Danny Lopez also sport nice averages at .380 and .301, respectively.
• Herr, Joe Leonard and Lopez are double-digit RBI men with 14, 14 and 13, respectively.
• The pitching staff has a 5.85 team ERA.
• Brian Chrisman leads the starters with a 3-2 mark and a 3.58 ERA.
• Rob Brant has a 5.53 ERA. He and Nate Reed join Chrisman as inning eaters: they’ve pitched 27.2 and 18.1 innings through the team’s first 17 games, respectively.
Pitt notes from ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
This is the last game the Buckeyes play without radio, but in addition to live stats via Gamewatcher, Buckeye Vision will have the game (subscription also includes Internet audio broadcasts at ohiostatebuckeyes.com).
Against Pitt: Ohio State State leads the all-time series with Pitt by a 15-1 count. The Buckeyes won the first 15 games in the series. Pitt stopped the streak in 2006 with a 7-3 win at Bill Davis Stadium. The two teams first played in 1942 and had a total of 12 meetings between then and 1968. There was a 30-year pause in the series until the teams met in 1998 (a 5-3 Ohio State win).
Scouting the Panthers: Pittsburgh exceeded everyone’s expectations, according to the school's web site, in 2007 by placing fourth in the Big East during the regular season. The team was 27-27 overall and 15-12 in the Big East.
Noting the Panthers...
• Sean Conley has been the team’s offensive leader early on, with .364 average, six home runs and 26 RBI through the team’s first 17 games.
• Jordan Herr and Danny Lopez also sport nice averages at .380 and .301, respectively.
• Herr, Joe Leonard and Lopez are double-digit RBI men with 14, 14 and 13, respectively.
• The pitching staff has a 5.85 team ERA.
• Brian Chrisman leads the starters with a 3-2 mark and a 3.58 ERA.
• Rob Brant has a 5.53 ERA. He and Nate Reed join Chrisman as inning eaters: they’ve pitched 27.2 and 18.1 innings through the team’s first 17 games, respectively.
Pitt notes from ohiostatebuckeyes.com.
What could be better than baseball, fireworks and Archie Griffin?
That was the headline on an email I was forwarded from a friend and fellow Ohio State alum, Beth Watkins, last week. The email is promoting the OSU Alumni Association's annual member appreciation day at an Ohio State baseball game. I guess I should rejoin the alumni association so I can get emails like this in the future.
The game they picked is Friday, April 4 against Minnesota. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and Archie Griffin, the only two-time winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy and current president and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association, will throw out the first pitch.
Ohio State Alumni Association members can purchase tickets online for just $2.50 each (price includes processing fee) through I was asked not to include that information since the email was sent to current members of the alumni association.
They say anyone who buys a ticket can enjoy these highlights:
Come early and meet Archie Griffin before the game.
The first 200 fans will receive commemorative T-shirts celebrating 125 years of Ohio State baseball.
Game-day entertainment includes '80s Flashback Friday music and fireworks after the game.
Archie offered a write-up on Steve Arlin's selection into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in this month's Archie's Insights.
The game they picked is Friday, April 4 against Minnesota. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and Archie Griffin, the only two-time winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy and current president and CEO of the Ohio State Alumni Association, will throw out the first pitch.
Ohio State Alumni Association members can purchase tickets online for just $2.50 each (price includes processing fee) through I was asked not to include that information since the email was sent to current members of the alumni association.
They say anyone who buys a ticket can enjoy these highlights:
Come early and meet Archie Griffin before the game.
The first 200 fans will receive commemorative T-shirts celebrating 125 years of Ohio State baseball.
Game-day entertainment includes '80s Flashback Friday music and fireworks after the game.
Archie offered a write-up on Steve Arlin's selection into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in this month's Archie's Insights.
Friday, March 21, 2008
Good-bye to a Friend
I just got word that Don Howard died in a car accident Thursday night. I'm sure not many of you know who Don was, but I'll never forget him. He covered the Buckeyes as a reporter for the Lantern and later for U Weekly. He was an intern at WBNS-TV, WSYX-TV and WTTE-TV while pursing his degree, which he earned in 2007. Don was always professional to deal with and loved covering Buckeye athletics. I visited his Facebook profile tonight, only to learn that the last item in his mini-feed was becoming a Facebook fan of The Buckeye Nine. It is sad to see him go so soon. He was extremely talented and was very well liked by all. Good-bye, Don. Stay Classy.
Buckeyes Return Home After 16-5 Pasting of Kansas
Ohio State erupted for 16 runs off 20 hits and ran away from Kansas , 16-5, Friday (box score) to close out the annual spring break trip 4-2. The Buckeyes bring a 9-6 overall record with them back to Columbus, where they welcome Toledo on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Bill Davis Stadium.
Chris Macke, making his second start of the season, sparked the Buckeyes offensively with a grand slam home run and six RBI. Cory Kovanda added four hits, three runs scored and three RBI. J.B. Shuck and Dan Burkhart each had three hits. Shuck scored three times and Burkhart scored twice. Cory Rupert continued his hot hitting with men on base by knocking in a pair of runs.
The 20 hits – which tied a season high – and season-high 16 runs scored was more than enough support for starter Jake Hale and relievers Dean Wolosiansky and Alex Wimmers. Hale picked up the win with 5.0 innings of seven-hit, four-run work. He is 1-0 on the year. Wolosiansky and Wimmers each pitched two innings.
Click here for the Kansas recap.
Thanks to all readers of The Buckeye Nine for covering for me while I traveled today. I appreciate your support.
Chris Macke, making his second start of the season, sparked the Buckeyes offensively with a grand slam home run and six RBI. Cory Kovanda added four hits, three runs scored and three RBI. J.B. Shuck and Dan Burkhart each had three hits. Shuck scored three times and Burkhart scored twice. Cory Rupert continued his hot hitting with men on base by knocking in a pair of runs.
The 20 hits – which tied a season high – and season-high 16 runs scored was more than enough support for starter Jake Hale and relievers Dean Wolosiansky and Alex Wimmers. Hale picked up the win with 5.0 innings of seven-hit, four-run work. He is 1-0 on the year. Wolosiansky and Wimmers each pitched two innings.
Click here for the Kansas recap.
Thanks to all readers of The Buckeye Nine for covering for me while I traveled today. I appreciate your support.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Ohio State vs. Army Game Cancelled
The Buckeyes won't have to test their bats against Army tonight since the game was rained out. In fact, all games today at IMG Academy Park and Manatee Community College were wiped out thanks to heavy rain that moved through the area Wednesday night. That means the Buckeyes get a day off during the spring trip afterall. They'll face Kansas on Friday beginning at 2 p.m. Jake Hale, 0-0 this season, will make his second start of the season. Two Buckeyes have double-digit hitting streaks. Tony Kennedy is riding the momentum of a 14-game streak while Ryan Meade has a hit in 10 consecutive games. I know, sorry for the jinx.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Buckeyes Slip Against St. Louis
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.
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.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Buckeyes Regroup, Down Bradley
The offense continues to be dominant during spring break. Today, the Buckeyes pounded out 19 hits on their way to a 10-3 victory over Bradley (box score). J.B. Shuck and Cory Rupert each had three hits and five others had two. Rupert drove in three runs, while Shuck and Miller were responsible for two each.
The 19 hits today runs the four-game spring break total to 69 with a game each of the next three days before returning to Columbus. The Buckeye Nine has outscored the opposition 43-31 in the four games.
Pitching was much better Tuesday vs. Bradley. Dan DeLucia got the start and did not strikeout a batter according to Gamewatcher. Thanks to Rockybuckeye, we know Dan struck out 10 batters through 6.0 innings. The folks in the athletic department need to make sure the folks who run the website are aware of that glitch. DeLucia allowed three runs on five hits and walked one today. Drew Rucinski and Tom Popadak combined to pitch three scoreless innings. Rucinski allowed the only hit by the bullpen.
Ohio State scored first to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third and the Braves took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth. The Buckeyes put the game out of reach with five in the fifth and three more in the sixth. Bradley managed six hits and fell to 5-8. Click here for the Bradley recap.
The 8-5 Buckeyes continue action over brunch Wednesday, meeting St. Louis at 10 a.m. Looks like true freshman Andrew Armstrong will get the start on the mound.
The 19 hits today runs the four-game spring break total to 69 with a game each of the next three days before returning to Columbus. The Buckeye Nine has outscored the opposition 43-31 in the four games.
Pitching was much better Tuesday vs. Bradley. Dan DeLucia got the start and did not strikeout a batter according to Gamewatcher. Thanks to Rockybuckeye, we know Dan struck out 10 batters through 6.0 innings. The folks in the athletic department need to make sure the folks who run the website are aware of that glitch. DeLucia allowed three runs on five hits and walked one today. Drew Rucinski and Tom Popadak combined to pitch three scoreless innings. Rucinski allowed the only hit by the bullpen.
Ohio State scored first to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third and the Braves took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth. The Buckeyes put the game out of reach with five in the fifth and three more in the sixth. Bradley managed six hits and fell to 5-8. Click here for the Bradley recap.
The 8-5 Buckeyes continue action over brunch Wednesday, meeting St. Louis at 10 a.m. Looks like true freshman Andrew Armstrong will get the start on the mound.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Buckeyes Fall to Panthers
How could something that started out so well for the Buckeyes end up so badly? The Buckeyes scored five runs in the top of the first inning only to see Northern Iowa keep it a one-run game through two innings, 6-5. Each team added a run in the third before the Panthers moved in front with two in the sixth. Cory Rupert drove in the tying run in the seventh, but then the bottom fell out with UNI scoring four times in the bottom of the eighth to hand Ohio State a 12-8 setback Monday (box score) at Manatee Community College.
Bob Todd reworked the lineup and it appeared to be working through the visiting half of the firsts inning. Tony Kennedy, J.B. Shuck, Ryan Meade, Cory Rupert and Chris Macke all had hits in the opening frame and things were going well offensively. The first six spots in the batting order accounted for 11 of the Buckeyes' 15 hits. The offense, which has 50 hits in the three games thus far on the spring trip, is not the problem.
The problem Monday was on the mound. Dean Wolosiansky got the start and had been solid in his previous outings, but tonight he allowed six runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings. Eric Best pitched 2.0 innings and Alex Wimmers pitched one. The three combined to walk eight, including three each by Wolo and Best. Buckeye pitchers struck out 13, but allowed 16 hits.
Kennedy was 2-for-5 leading off and Cory Kovanda followed with a 3-for-5 night. Shuck (the DH) was 2-for-5 and scored twice and Justin Miller was 2-for-5 batting cleanup. Rupert and Macke each collected two hits. Meade drove in three, Rupert two and Macke one.
The Buckeyes didn't have an error Monday for just the second time in 12 games this season, yet still have 27 errors this season. Hopefully playing everyday will settle the defense. UNI improved to 7-8 this season.
Some observations from tonight... I enjoyed this lineup and hope the coaching staff will give it another try despite the loss. Macke,who does nothing but hit when given the chance, needs more playing time. It was his second game and first start of the season. He played left. Kennedy was in center and Arp was in right. I think Shuck is the best centerfielder on the team, but you can't argue resting his arm with seven games in seven days. Kennedy is on a tear at the plate so you needed his bat in there as well.
Click here for the UNI release.
Tomorrow the Buckeyes (7-5) play Bradley at 3 p.m. at IMG Academy Park.
Bob Todd reworked the lineup and it appeared to be working through the visiting half of the firsts inning. Tony Kennedy, J.B. Shuck, Ryan Meade, Cory Rupert and Chris Macke all had hits in the opening frame and things were going well offensively. The first six spots in the batting order accounted for 11 of the Buckeyes' 15 hits. The offense, which has 50 hits in the three games thus far on the spring trip, is not the problem.
The problem Monday was on the mound. Dean Wolosiansky got the start and had been solid in his previous outings, but tonight he allowed six runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings. Eric Best pitched 2.0 innings and Alex Wimmers pitched one. The three combined to walk eight, including three each by Wolo and Best. Buckeye pitchers struck out 13, but allowed 16 hits.
Kennedy was 2-for-5 leading off and Cory Kovanda followed with a 3-for-5 night. Shuck (the DH) was 2-for-5 and scored twice and Justin Miller was 2-for-5 batting cleanup. Rupert and Macke each collected two hits. Meade drove in three, Rupert two and Macke one.
The Buckeyes didn't have an error Monday for just the second time in 12 games this season, yet still have 27 errors this season. Hopefully playing everyday will settle the defense. UNI improved to 7-8 this season.
Some observations from tonight... I enjoyed this lineup and hope the coaching staff will give it another try despite the loss. Macke,who does nothing but hit when given the chance, needs more playing time. It was his second game and first start of the season. He played left. Kennedy was in center and Arp was in right. I think Shuck is the best centerfielder on the team, but you can't argue resting his arm with seven games in seven days. Kennedy is on a tear at the plate so you needed his bat in there as well.
Click here for the UNI release.
Tomorrow the Buckeyes (7-5) play Bradley at 3 p.m. at IMG Academy Park.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Ohio State Downs Dartmouth 14-9
A day after pounding out 16 hits in a win over Harvard, Ohio State slapped 19 hits to get by Dartmouth Sunday at the IMG Academy. The Buckeyes jumped out to a 6-0 lead but the Big Green got three runs off OSU starter J.B. Shuck in the bottom of the fourth to pull within a 6-3 tally.
The Buckeye offense responded in the top of the fifth, exploding for six runs to take a 12-3 lead. Dartmouth closed within a 12-9 score before the Buckeyes added single runs in the eighth and ninth inning on their way to a five-run victory, 14-9 (box score).
Ryan Meade was 4-for-6 and drove in three runs. In the two games he is 7-for-10 with five RBI. On Sunday, all nine starters had at least one hit. In addition to Meade, five others had at least two hits. Tony Kennedy, batting in the lead-off spot since Shuck started on the mound, was 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Shuck lasted 5.0 innings and allowed four runs on four hits and struck out seven to improve to 3-1 this season. He struggled at times and issued five walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. He handed the reins to Jared Strayer, who pitched the sixth. Brad Hays walked two and allowed four runs on two hits in a third of an inning before Drew Rucinski went the final 2.2 innings, limiting Dartmouth to three hits. He struck out two and picked up the save. Jake Prunner took the loss for the Big Green, which is now 3-3. Click here for the Dartmouth recap.
The Buckeyes settled down a little on defense, committing just one miscue, but have had at least one error in 10 of 11 games. Still it is nice to see 35 hits in two games.
Ohio State, now 7-4 on the year, and returns to the field Monday at 7:30 p.m. against Northern Iowa.
The Buckeye offense responded in the top of the fifth, exploding for six runs to take a 12-3 lead. Dartmouth closed within a 12-9 score before the Buckeyes added single runs in the eighth and ninth inning on their way to a five-run victory, 14-9 (box score).
Ryan Meade was 4-for-6 and drove in three runs. In the two games he is 7-for-10 with five RBI. On Sunday, all nine starters had at least one hit. In addition to Meade, five others had at least two hits. Tony Kennedy, batting in the lead-off spot since Shuck started on the mound, was 2-for-3 with three RBI.
Shuck lasted 5.0 innings and allowed four runs on four hits and struck out seven to improve to 3-1 this season. He struggled at times and issued five walks, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. He handed the reins to Jared Strayer, who pitched the sixth. Brad Hays walked two and allowed four runs on two hits in a third of an inning before Drew Rucinski went the final 2.2 innings, limiting Dartmouth to three hits. He struck out two and picked up the save. Jake Prunner took the loss for the Big Green, which is now 3-3. Click here for the Dartmouth recap.
The Buckeyes settled down a little on defense, committing just one miscue, but have had at least one error in 10 of 11 games. Still it is nice to see 35 hits in two games.
Ohio State, now 7-4 on the year, and returns to the field Monday at 7:30 p.m. against Northern Iowa.
Former Buckeyes Graduate
Congrats to former Buckeyes Matt Davis and Mike Lockwood who were among 30 current or former Ohio State student-athletes to receive their degrees Sunday at winter quarter commencement exercises. Lockwood, who played for the Buckeyes from 1997-99, was a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 1998 and 1999, while Davis, who played from 2002-03, earned first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2003. Lockwood, an Academic All-American in 1999, ranks among Ohio State’s all-time Top 10 in batting average, hits, runs scored and home runs. He left Ohio State to pursue a professional baseball career and spent a number of years with the Oakland A’s and Boston Red Sox organizations. Davis spent time in the Cleveland Indians organization after they drafted him in the seventh round in 2003.
Pictures from the Saturday Win over Harvard
Former Buckeye catcher Joe Wilkins sent in these photos after Friday night's win over Harvard. Wilkins is now the catching instructor at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. Be sure to check out his Buckeye Nine Q&A from earlier this week.
The Buckeyes took part in a BBQ before the game that was put on by the Ohio State alumni club of Sarasota.
Jake Hale made his first start of the season Friday vs. Harvard.
Bill Wells and Pete Hauck visit with Jim Wilkins, Joe's dad.
Greg Cypret coaches J.B. Shuck in the third-base coaches box.
Ohio State celebrates.
Rory Meister hands the ball to Alex Wimmers who struck out the final batter of the game to preserve the 9-7 win.
Triumphant Bucks celebrate the win.
To submit your photos, please email BuckeyeNine@gmail.com. If you submit your photos or videos you grant permission for their use on The Buckeye Nine.
The Buckeyes took part in a BBQ before the game that was put on by the Ohio State alumni club of Sarasota.
Jake Hale made his first start of the season Friday vs. Harvard.
Bill Wells and Pete Hauck visit with Jim Wilkins, Joe's dad.
Greg Cypret coaches J.B. Shuck in the third-base coaches box.
Ohio State celebrates.
Rory Meister hands the ball to Alex Wimmers who struck out the final batter of the game to preserve the 9-7 win.
Triumphant Bucks celebrate the win.
To submit your photos, please email BuckeyeNine@gmail.com. If you submit your photos or videos you grant permission for their use on The Buckeye Nine.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Buckeyes Escape With 9-7 Win vs. Harvard
It wasn’t altogether pretty, but the Buckeye offense came through when it needed to and opened the spring break trip with 9-7 victory over Harvard at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Fla. (box score)
Ohio State held a 1-0 lead through 4 ½ innings, but Harvard took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. The Buckeyes scored one in the sixth and another in the seventh to tie the game before exploding for four runs in the eighth to take a 7-3 lead. After Dan Burkhart and Tony Kennedy drove in runs, J.B. Shuck delivered a two-run single to left to give the Bucks a four-run lead.
Harvard answered with one run in the bottom of the inning and Ohio State scored twice more in the ninth, thanks to RBI from Burkhart and Kennedy. Three Harvard runs scored in the bottom of the ninth. The first scored courtesy of a wild pitch with the bases loaded and one out. Tom Stack-Babich, who homered earlier in the game, doubled in two more.
Junior Jake Hale allowed three runs on five hits in his 6.0-inning start. He walked two and did not have a strikeout. Three of the five hits he allowed were for extra bases, including a three-run home run by Matt Vance to account for all three Harvard runs in the fifth.
Andrew Armstrong, a true freshman from Bridgewater, Va., made his Buckeye debut, taking over for Hale in the seventh. Armstrong put the first two batters on board in the bottom of the ninth before giving way to senior Rory Meister. Armstrong allowed one run on two hits in his 2.0-inning effort. Meister walked his first batter to load the bases and a wild pitch scored the first of three runs that inning. His next batter drove in two with a double down the left-field line and he handed the ball over to freshman Alex Wimmers, who struck out his only batter to earn the save.
Burkhart led the Buckeyes with four hits (4-for-5), including a pair of doubles. Ryan Meade was 3-for-4 and drove in two. Four other Buckeyes had two hits, including Shuck, who drove in three while Kennedy drove in two. Ohio State out-hit Harvard 16-9 and each team had two errors. Stack-Babich and Vance each finished 3-for-5 with three RBI.
For the Harvard recap, click here.
Ohio State is 6-4, while Harvard slipped to 0-5. The Buckeyes play Dartmouth Sunday at 3 p.m.
Ohio State held a 1-0 lead through 4 ½ innings, but Harvard took a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. The Buckeyes scored one in the sixth and another in the seventh to tie the game before exploding for four runs in the eighth to take a 7-3 lead. After Dan Burkhart and Tony Kennedy drove in runs, J.B. Shuck delivered a two-run single to left to give the Bucks a four-run lead.
Harvard answered with one run in the bottom of the inning and Ohio State scored twice more in the ninth, thanks to RBI from Burkhart and Kennedy. Three Harvard runs scored in the bottom of the ninth. The first scored courtesy of a wild pitch with the bases loaded and one out. Tom Stack-Babich, who homered earlier in the game, doubled in two more.
Junior Jake Hale allowed three runs on five hits in his 6.0-inning start. He walked two and did not have a strikeout. Three of the five hits he allowed were for extra bases, including a three-run home run by Matt Vance to account for all three Harvard runs in the fifth.
Andrew Armstrong, a true freshman from Bridgewater, Va., made his Buckeye debut, taking over for Hale in the seventh. Armstrong put the first two batters on board in the bottom of the ninth before giving way to senior Rory Meister. Armstrong allowed one run on two hits in his 2.0-inning effort. Meister walked his first batter to load the bases and a wild pitch scored the first of three runs that inning. His next batter drove in two with a double down the left-field line and he handed the ball over to freshman Alex Wimmers, who struck out his only batter to earn the save.
Burkhart led the Buckeyes with four hits (4-for-5), including a pair of doubles. Ryan Meade was 3-for-4 and drove in two. Four other Buckeyes had two hits, including Shuck, who drove in three while Kennedy drove in two. Ohio State out-hit Harvard 16-9 and each team had two errors. Stack-Babich and Vance each finished 3-for-5 with three RBI.
For the Harvard recap, click here.
Ohio State is 6-4, while Harvard slipped to 0-5. The Buckeyes play Dartmouth Sunday at 3 p.m.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Spring Break Starts Saturday
Woo-hoo! Put on your shorts and get your flip flops. It might not hurt to grab some sunscreen, too. Spring Break is finally here. The Buckeyes make the annual trek to Bradenton to play seven games in seven days. The schedule has changed since it was posted on the official Ohio State athletics web site. The revised schedule was sent out as part of the “game notes” sent out this Thursday morning by the athletics communications office. I sure to wish I could head over there. I’ve always enjoyed that trip, but unlike years past there is no “off” day scheduled.
On a day off a few years ago, I took part in a deep-sea fishing expedition. I snagged a couple of grunt fish, but ended up catching the prize of the excursion, a sea bass. Former OSU pitching coach Pat Bangtson, now the head coach at Akron, started calling me “Sea Bass” (think Dumb and Dumber) after that. It was a tiny catch and paled in comparison to the grouper he reeled in, though I think Bill Wells had the biggest catch of the day. We had to head back early when the fog rolled in. We sure did eat well that night. I’ll have to see if I can dig up a photo or two.
At any rate, beware of the alligators around the condos, boys. Here is the spring break schedule:
Saturday, March 15, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Harvard at Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota
Sunday, March 16, 3 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Dartmouth at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton
Monday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Northern Iowa at Manatee Community College, Bradenton
Tuesday, March 18, 3 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Bradley at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton
Wednesday, March 19, 10 a.m.
Ohio State vs. St. Louis at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton
Thursday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Army at Manatee Community College, Bradenton
Friday, March 21, 2 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Kansas at Manatee Community College, Bradenton
On a day off a few years ago, I took part in a deep-sea fishing expedition. I snagged a couple of grunt fish, but ended up catching the prize of the excursion, a sea bass. Former OSU pitching coach Pat Bangtson, now the head coach at Akron, started calling me “Sea Bass” (think Dumb and Dumber) after that. It was a tiny catch and paled in comparison to the grouper he reeled in, though I think Bill Wells had the biggest catch of the day. We had to head back early when the fog rolled in. We sure did eat well that night. I’ll have to see if I can dig up a photo or two.
At any rate, beware of the alligators around the condos, boys. Here is the spring break schedule:
Saturday, March 15, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Harvard at Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota
Sunday, March 16, 3 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Dartmouth at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton
Monday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Northern Iowa at Manatee Community College, Bradenton
Tuesday, March 18, 3 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Bradley at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton
Wednesday, March 19, 10 a.m.
Ohio State vs. St. Louis at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton
Thursday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Army at Manatee Community College, Bradenton
Friday, March 21, 2 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Kansas at Manatee Community College, Bradenton
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Buckeye Nine Q&A with Former OSU Catcher Joe Wilkins
Joe Wilkins was a catcher of the Buckeyes from 1999-2002 and now is a catching instructor and coach at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The Buckeyes will play several of their games there during the spring break trip which begins Saturday against Cornell. That first game will be in Sarasota at Ed Smith Stadium, the spring training home of the Cincinnati Reds, but the others will be played in Bradenton either at IMG Academy Park or at Manatee Community College just across the street.Wilkins was named the MVP of the 2002 Big Ten tournament after the Buckeyes swept through the event with wins vs. Indiana, Northwestern and Minnesota. In the three games, he was 6-for-11 (.545) with three RBI, four runs scored and added a sacrifice fly. Wilkins had a double and a triple in addition to his walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th inning in an 11-10 victory against the Hoosiers. The Buckeyes went on to play for the championship of the NCAA South Bend Regional but came up short against the Fighting Irish.
After that season, Wilkins signed as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks and played a few years of professional baseball before hanging up his cleats. It was long before he decided to return to the game as a coach. He has coached at Tiffin University and in the Great Lakes Collegiate Baseball Summer League and now at IMG. Be sure to say hello to Joe when you see him next week. We enjoyed catching up with him by email this week.
B9: I understand you are an instructor at the IMG Academy? When did you start working there?
JW: “I am the catching instructor as well as the junior varsity head coach for the Pendelton School, located on the IMG campus. I started in last August, right after the Great Lakes College League ended.”
B9: What did you do in the Great Lakes League?
JW: “I was the Head Coach for the Stark County Terriers this past summer. I was an assistant the year before for the Delaware Cows in the same league.”
B9: What led you to IMG? Was it traveling there with Ohio State?
JW: “Travelling here with Ohio State had a huge part in the connection. I was able to coach here in the summer of 2004 after playing a couple years of professional baseball. I knew I wanted to stay in the game and I called the guys I met when we were down here with the Buckeyes and they set me up. After two years at Tiffin University, I needed a job, and once again they needed a guy.”
B9: Talk about your playing career after leaving Ohio State.
JW: “I signed as a free agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2002, about 10 days after the draft. I was sent out to Yakima, Wash. to be the third catcher and was able to work my way into the starting line-up by mid-season. I was invited back to spring training and started out that year in South Bend, Ind. I was sent to Lancaster, Calif. halfway through that season, did pretty well, and was invited back to spring training again in 2004. I was traded to the Colorado Rockies towards the end of the spring and that was the beginning of the end of my playing days. The transition affected me a lot and before I knew it I was heading home, looking for coaching jobs.”
B9: Talk about your experience as a graduate assistant coach at Tiffin. How did the team do?
JW: “My experience at Tiffin was very educational. I started there in the fall of 2005 and I was put into the recruiting coordinator, camp director, and sports marketing roles right away. The team was a .500 club while I was there but we were able to recruit very aggressively and hopefully we will see that pay off in the next couple years. I was also able to get my MBA there, which was nice.”
B9: When did you decide to get into coaching?
JW: “That question probably gets a similar answer...probably within a week of being away from the game as a player. I knew I wanted to be in the game the rest of my life and I appreciate what the game has been able to do for me and my family.”
B9: Did you ever think about coaching when you were at Ohio State?
JW: “Coach (Bob) Todd is the reason our team’s practices ran so smoothly. I remember all the team drills we used to do in the fall and in the Woody Hayes Complex. As a catcher, we were able to get hundreds of repetitions, learning concepts and not just going through the motions. The coaching staff was able to get us game-ready for every situation. I am very grateful for that, especially now that I have my own teams and kids to coach.”
B9: What is your fondest memory from your playing days at Ohio State?
JW: “I have so many great memories from playing at Ohio State. It is hard to think of one, but I have a couple. The 1999 regional and super regional (against Cal State Fullerton) at Bill Davis Stadium, the Mississippi State trip in 2002 and the Big Ten tournament in 2002. I would say that out of those, the Big Ten tournament in 2002 was when I had the most fun on the field.”
B9: What else have you been doing since you left Ohio State?
JW: “Coaching and getting my MBA have taken up most of my time but I did find the time to get engaged. My fiancee Mishelle Hilliard and I are getting married in December in the Domincan Republic. We haven't set a specific date yet though.”
B9: Buckeye fans came to know your parents during your career at Ohio State. How are they doing now?
JW: “They are great. My dad is actually down here now to see the Buckeyes play in Florida. Mom is back home, busy in the real estate business, trying to pay for dad's trip. But they are doing great and they are still involved in baseball as much as they can be.”
Random Thoughts Before Bradenton
Okay, maybe not that deep, but before we head back to Florida for spring break, I thought we should look back at the Papa John’s Palm Beach Classic last weekend. Obviously, the Bucks had their eyes set on a 3-0 weekend with Air Force, Maine and Connecticut on the docket. Instead, they went 1-2 for the second straight weekend with the lone win of the weekend coming against the Huskies. They are 5-4 on the year.
I don’t think it is time to throw in the towel this season. With seven games in seven days in Sarasota and Bradenton, Ohio State has a chance to get a lot of guys some experience against a bunch of teams they should beat. They’ll be looking back at last season hoping to win all seven games on Florida’s Gulf Coast. They play Bucknell, Dartmouth, Northern Iowa, Bradley, St. Louis, Army and Kansas. At least four of the other five teams shouldn’t be able to offer much resistance. The Bucks have historically struggled with Northern Iowa and Kansas. They have a chance to get to a respectable 12-4 before the home opener March 26 vs. Pittsburgh. I know coach Bob Todd will add a few more guys to the travel roster for the trip, but as readers of this blog have pointed out, he does have his favorites. I’m guessing though with so many games in consecutive days, they’ll have to get some of the guys who have yet to see the field some playing time while resting the few guys that have.
Looking back to West Palm Beach, J.B. Shuck led all batters with a .455 batting average. He was 5-for-11 with four runs scored, a triple and one RBI. Cory Rupert, Ryan Dew and Justin Miller each had four hits in the three games. Rupert was 4-for-10 with three RBI, while Dew was 4-for-12 with a double and two RBI. Miller slipped a little offensively this weekend, going 4-for-15, but he did manage to drive in four runs. In the three games the team batted .267, but only five of the team’s 28 hits were for extra bases. The lone home run came off the bat of Tony Kennedy. Brian DeLucia returned to the lineup against Maine and came off the bench Sunday against UConn. The Buckeyes need him to be healthy when conference play begins March 28 vs. Penn State.
Shuck also was a star on the hill this weekend, going 6.0 scoreless innings in which he allowed just one hit and struck out three. Jake Hale made his season debut after missing the first two weeks of the season with tendinitis. He struggled Sunday in his debut against the Huskies, but managed to get a save after his 3.0-inning outing in which he allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits. He struck out his first two batters before surrendering a home run. When I spoke to the coaching staff in College Station, they mentioned Hale would like be the No. 1 starter this season. He would likely be followed by Dan DeLucia in game two and Shuck in game four. The third starter is up for discussion, but it appears Dean Wolosianky has an inside track after a strong showing the first three weeks of the season. Wolo is 2-1 with a 3.21 ERA and a .258 batting average by the opposition. Shuck is also 2-1 and a 3.18 ERA, but is limiting batters to a .180 average. The 4.25 team ERA is tied for the lead in the Big Ten.
Fielding should get better by playing every day. Ohio State had nine errors last weekend, including four against Maine. The season total is at 23, easily the highest total in the league. That is in just nine games. I know how dreadful the weather has been in Columbus, keeping the Buckeyes pent up inside the Woody. I mean, it even snowed twice in Dallas (where I live) last week. Of course, it is finals week in Columbus, so practice time is limited anyway. Even still, no one can defend the errors. Other northern teams haven’t struggled as much. We just have to keep working on it.
I don’t think it is time to throw in the towel this season. With seven games in seven days in Sarasota and Bradenton, Ohio State has a chance to get a lot of guys some experience against a bunch of teams they should beat. They’ll be looking back at last season hoping to win all seven games on Florida’s Gulf Coast. They play Bucknell, Dartmouth, Northern Iowa, Bradley, St. Louis, Army and Kansas. At least four of the other five teams shouldn’t be able to offer much resistance. The Bucks have historically struggled with Northern Iowa and Kansas. They have a chance to get to a respectable 12-4 before the home opener March 26 vs. Pittsburgh. I know coach Bob Todd will add a few more guys to the travel roster for the trip, but as readers of this blog have pointed out, he does have his favorites. I’m guessing though with so many games in consecutive days, they’ll have to get some of the guys who have yet to see the field some playing time while resting the few guys that have.
Looking back to West Palm Beach, J.B. Shuck led all batters with a .455 batting average. He was 5-for-11 with four runs scored, a triple and one RBI. Cory Rupert, Ryan Dew and Justin Miller each had four hits in the three games. Rupert was 4-for-10 with three RBI, while Dew was 4-for-12 with a double and two RBI. Miller slipped a little offensively this weekend, going 4-for-15, but he did manage to drive in four runs. In the three games the team batted .267, but only five of the team’s 28 hits were for extra bases. The lone home run came off the bat of Tony Kennedy. Brian DeLucia returned to the lineup against Maine and came off the bench Sunday against UConn. The Buckeyes need him to be healthy when conference play begins March 28 vs. Penn State.
Shuck also was a star on the hill this weekend, going 6.0 scoreless innings in which he allowed just one hit and struck out three. Jake Hale made his season debut after missing the first two weeks of the season with tendinitis. He struggled Sunday in his debut against the Huskies, but managed to get a save after his 3.0-inning outing in which he allowed four runs (three earned) on four hits. He struck out his first two batters before surrendering a home run. When I spoke to the coaching staff in College Station, they mentioned Hale would like be the No. 1 starter this season. He would likely be followed by Dan DeLucia in game two and Shuck in game four. The third starter is up for discussion, but it appears Dean Wolosianky has an inside track after a strong showing the first three weeks of the season. Wolo is 2-1 with a 3.21 ERA and a .258 batting average by the opposition. Shuck is also 2-1 and a 3.18 ERA, but is limiting batters to a .180 average. The 4.25 team ERA is tied for the lead in the Big Ten.
Fielding should get better by playing every day. Ohio State had nine errors last weekend, including four against Maine. The season total is at 23, easily the highest total in the league. That is in just nine games. I know how dreadful the weather has been in Columbus, keeping the Buckeyes pent up inside the Woody. I mean, it even snowed twice in Dallas (where I live) last week. Of course, it is finals week in Columbus, so practice time is limited anyway. Even still, no one can defend the errors. Other northern teams haven’t struggled as much. We just have to keep working on it.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Request for Photos
No one sent The Buckeye Nine photos from West Palm Beach last weekend. I know not many Buckeye Nine readers travel on the road, but I encourage parents of players to email one or two photos. I'll take the best of the submissions each week and post them in a photo gallery.
To submit your photos, please email BuckeyeNine@gmail.com. If you submit your photos or videos you grant permission for their use on The Buckeye Nine.
To submit your photos, please email BuckeyeNine@gmail.com. If you submit your photos or videos you grant permission for their use on The Buckeye Nine.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Buckeyes Salvage Finale in West Palm Beach
Ohio State was cruising against UConn Sunday. The Buckeyes put up five runs in the first six innings before starter J.B. Shuck handed a 5-0 lead over to Jake Hale, who was making his 2008 debut after missing the first two weekends because of tendonitis, in the seventh. Hale struck out his first two batters before allowing a home run to Harold Brantley Jr. in the seventh. After the Buckeyes used a sac fly to take a 6-1 lead, three more Huskies scored in the bottom of the inning to pull within two, 6-4. Hale retired the batters in order in the ninth to preserve a 6-4 victory (box score).
Shuck must have looked spectacular in his third start of the season (2-1). He allowed only one hit in 6.0 scoreless innings. He struck out three, walked three, hit one and balked once. He stayed in the game as the DH when Hale took over on the mound in the bottom of the seventh. Hale allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits in his 3.0 innings to pick up the save. He will likely move into a starting role next week on spring break
The Buckeyes, though, again had three errors in the game. UConn had five. It must have been ugly since the teams combined for just as many hits as they did errors. Ohio State now has 23 errors in their nine games, an average of 2.6 per game. It has just one error-free game this season and committed nine errors this weekend in West Palm Beach.
Justin Miller had two of the Buckeyes’ eight hits. He also knocked in two. Six other Buckeyes had a hit, while Tony Kennedy and Dan Burkhart drove in the other two RBI. Six hits came from the top five spots in the batting order.
The Buckeyes are 5-4 and will take winter quarter final exams this week before opening the spring trip in Bradenton March 15-21. The first game of the trip will be against Bucknell at 3 p.m. next Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The rest of the games will be played in Bradenton, either at IMG Academy Park or Manatee Community College.
Shuck must have looked spectacular in his third start of the season (2-1). He allowed only one hit in 6.0 scoreless innings. He struck out three, walked three, hit one and balked once. He stayed in the game as the DH when Hale took over on the mound in the bottom of the seventh. Hale allowed four runs, three earned, on three hits in his 3.0 innings to pick up the save. He will likely move into a starting role next week on spring break
The Buckeyes, though, again had three errors in the game. UConn had five. It must have been ugly since the teams combined for just as many hits as they did errors. Ohio State now has 23 errors in their nine games, an average of 2.6 per game. It has just one error-free game this season and committed nine errors this weekend in West Palm Beach.
Justin Miller had two of the Buckeyes’ eight hits. He also knocked in two. Six other Buckeyes had a hit, while Tony Kennedy and Dan Burkhart drove in the other two RBI. Six hits came from the top five spots in the batting order.
The Buckeyes are 5-4 and will take winter quarter final exams this week before opening the spring trip in Bradenton March 15-21. The first game of the trip will be against Bucknell at 3 p.m. next Saturday at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. The rest of the games will be played in Bradenton, either at IMG Academy Park or Manatee Community College.
Buckeyes Lose Thrid Straight
If the loss Friday to Air Force was bad, an 8-7 loss Saturday to Maine was even worse (box score). To be honest, the game wasn't even that close since Ohio State scored three runs in the home half of the ninth. Ohio State issued eight walks, including five in six innings by starter Dean Wolosianski, and committed four errors. Wolo allowed six runs, four earned, on five hits and struck out two before handing the reins over to Josh Edgin for an inning. Alex Wimmers pitched the last two innings. Each allowed a run.
The Buckeyes' offense failed to score early like they had in most of the other games this season. Despite no runs by either team in the first four innings, Ohio State led 3-1 after the fifth, but Maine tied the score in the top of the six before exploding for four runs in the seventh. I am guessing the coaching staff wanted to see how long Wolo could get them based on how the bullpen had been performing recently.
The losing streak is now three, but this weekend was where the Buckeyes were supposed to start adding wins against northern/cold weather teams. Maine has a great baseball history, but Ohio State should not have struggled against them this year. The Bucks take on Connecticut Sunday. The Huskies earned their first win of the season downing Air Force 10-6. They had lost their first seven games. 1-2 this weekend is a huge disappointment, but hopefully they can start a win streak against UConn stretching next weekend when the team begins its annual spring break trip to Bradenton.
The Buckeyes' offense failed to score early like they had in most of the other games this season. Despite no runs by either team in the first four innings, Ohio State led 3-1 after the fifth, but Maine tied the score in the top of the six before exploding for four runs in the seventh. I am guessing the coaching staff wanted to see how long Wolo could get them based on how the bullpen had been performing recently.
The losing streak is now three, but this weekend was where the Buckeyes were supposed to start adding wins against northern/cold weather teams. Maine has a great baseball history, but Ohio State should not have struggled against them this year. The Bucks take on Connecticut Sunday. The Huskies earned their first win of the season downing Air Force 10-6. They had lost their first seven games. 1-2 this weekend is a huge disappointment, but hopefully they can start a win streak against UConn stretching next weekend when the team begins its annual spring break trip to Bradenton.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Ugh! Bucks Lose to Air Force 9-8
With the score tied and the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Ohio State pitcher Drew Rucinski hit Air Force second baseman Jon McMahon to give the Falcons a 9-8 win over the Buckeyes (box score) in the opening game of the Papa John’s Palm Beach Challenge.
The Buckeyes took an 8-6 lead in the top of the inning after Cory Rupert drove in J.B. Shuck, who led off the inning with a triple. Rupert scored on a ground-ball, double play. Eric Best returned to the mound in the bottom of the inning and gave up a lead-off single before getting a strikeout. But the Buckeyes went with Rucinski, who hit his first batter, Nathan Carter, before giving up a two-run triple to Addison Gentry. Rucinski walked Ben Ausbun, then intentionally walked Jason Griggs to load the bases before his second hit by pitch cost the Buckeyes the game.
It is a tough loss for the Buckeyes, who fell to 4-3. It was the third win for Air Force in 10 games this season. Ohio State, which committed two errors, out-hit its opponent 12-9. Rupert led the team with three hits in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Lead-off batter J.B. Shuck and Cory Kovanda, batting ninth, each had two hits. Dan DeLucia got the start and lasted five innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He did not have a strikeout but walked one.
The Buckeyes play Maine Saturday at 5 p.m. and close out the weekend vs. UConn Sunday at noon.
The Buckeyes took an 8-6 lead in the top of the inning after Cory Rupert drove in J.B. Shuck, who led off the inning with a triple. Rupert scored on a ground-ball, double play. Eric Best returned to the mound in the bottom of the inning and gave up a lead-off single before getting a strikeout. But the Buckeyes went with Rucinski, who hit his first batter, Nathan Carter, before giving up a two-run triple to Addison Gentry. Rucinski walked Ben Ausbun, then intentionally walked Jason Griggs to load the bases before his second hit by pitch cost the Buckeyes the game.
It is a tough loss for the Buckeyes, who fell to 4-3. It was the third win for Air Force in 10 games this season. Ohio State, which committed two errors, out-hit its opponent 12-9. Rupert led the team with three hits in the No. 2 spot in the lineup. Lead-off batter J.B. Shuck and Cory Kovanda, batting ninth, each had two hits. Dan DeLucia got the start and lasted five innings, allowing two runs on six hits. He did not have a strikeout but walked one.
The Buckeyes play Maine Saturday at 5 p.m. and close out the weekend vs. UConn Sunday at noon.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Scouting the Opposition
Air Force: The Falcons took a 2-5 record with them to West Palm Beach for the Papa John's Palm Beach Challenge. They were slated to open play Thursday against Maine, but the game was rained out. The team is batting .247 and is led by Nathan Carter’s .417 batting average. Of his 10 hits, he has three doubles and a triple while driving in five runs. Matt Alexander has a .385 batting average and has the team’s only home run. He paces the team with nine RBI and also has 10 hits, including a pair of doubles and a triple. The pitching staff has a 6.20 ERA. Alex Truesdale has made two starts and is 0-1 with 10 strikeouts and a 2.81 ERA in 16.0 innings. Michael Ruvolo has made four appearances and has a 0.93 ERA in 9.2 innings. Jake Petro leads the team with three starts, but has pitched 10.1 innings and shares the team lead with 10 strikeouts though has a 10.97 ERA. Air Force was 8-44 overall in 2007 and went winless in 23 Mountain West Conference games.
MAINE: The Black Bears are 4-5 and have lost five straight games after claiming a pair of doubleheaders at Delaware State to open the season. The team was swept in a three-game series at UNLV and is 0-2 on its current spring trip in south Florida, losing to Notre Dame and Florida International. A game vs. Air Force on Thursday was rained out. The team is batting .335 and is led by Curt Smith’s .487 average (19-for-39) and four home runs. He also has 10 RBI. Myckie Lugbauer is batting .474 and paces the squad with five doubles and 12 RBI. Joe Miller has made two starts and is 1-0 with an 0.75 ERA in 12.0 innings though has walked seven against six strikeouts. No other starter has an ERA lower than 4.91 on a staff that has a 7.07 collective ERA entering a split doubleheader between Air Force and Ohio State on Saturday. Maine compiled a 22-31 record for the 2007 season and went 12-11 to earn a fourth-place finish in the American East Conference.
CONNECTICUT: UConn has started its season 0-6 with losses to Missouri, Stetson, Michigan State and three to UNC-Greensboro. The Huskies will face Air Force on Saturday before squaring off against the Buckeyes on Sunday. Mike Oly leads the Huskies with a .409 average though the team is batting just .201. The team’s ERA is 6.75. The Huskies went 34-27 overall in 2007 and finished eighth in the Big East with a 10-14 record.
Check out the official Ohio State release entering the weekend.
MAINE: The Black Bears are 4-5 and have lost five straight games after claiming a pair of doubleheaders at Delaware State to open the season. The team was swept in a three-game series at UNLV and is 0-2 on its current spring trip in south Florida, losing to Notre Dame and Florida International. A game vs. Air Force on Thursday was rained out. The team is batting .335 and is led by Curt Smith’s .487 average (19-for-39) and four home runs. He also has 10 RBI. Myckie Lugbauer is batting .474 and paces the squad with five doubles and 12 RBI. Joe Miller has made two starts and is 1-0 with an 0.75 ERA in 12.0 innings though has walked seven against six strikeouts. No other starter has an ERA lower than 4.91 on a staff that has a 7.07 collective ERA entering a split doubleheader between Air Force and Ohio State on Saturday. Maine compiled a 22-31 record for the 2007 season and went 12-11 to earn a fourth-place finish in the American East Conference.
CONNECTICUT: UConn has started its season 0-6 with losses to Missouri, Stetson, Michigan State and three to UNC-Greensboro. The Huskies will face Air Force on Saturday before squaring off against the Buckeyes on Sunday. Mike Oly leads the Huskies with a .409 average though the team is batting just .201. The team’s ERA is 6.75. The Huskies went 34-27 overall in 2007 and finished eighth in the Big East with a 10-14 record.
Check out the official Ohio State release entering the weekend.
Against the Opposition
Ohio State heads to West Palm Beach, Fla., this weekend for three games against Air Force, Maine and Connecticut. All three games will be played at the Santaluces Sports Complex. The Buckeyes will take on Air Force Friday at 7 p.m., ET, before meeting the Black Bears Saturday at 5 p.m. The team closes out the weekend vs. UConn Sunday at noon. Let The Buckeye Nine know if you’ll be going to the games. If so, email the blog a few photos at BuckeyeNine@gmail.com.
Air Force: Buckeyes lead series 1-0
This will be just the second ever meeting between Air Force and Ohio State. The Buckeyes claimed the first meeting 5-4 in 2000 at the Service Academies Spring Classic in Millington, Tenn., the same locale where both teams opened the 2008 season.
Maine: First meeting between programs
The Buckeyes and Black Bears have never met on the baseball diamond.
Connecticut: Buckeyes lead series 3-2
Ohio State has won two consecutive games in this series and took a one-game lead in the five previous games between the schools with a 2-1 victory last season in Jacksonville, Fla., at the Kennel Club Classic. OSU coach Bob Todd is 3-1 against the Huskies at Ohio State. UConn downed the Buckeyes 1-0 in the first-ever meeting between the programs in 1970. Three of the five games in the series have been decided by one run and another was a two-run game.
Air Force: Buckeyes lead series 1-0
This will be just the second ever meeting between Air Force and Ohio State. The Buckeyes claimed the first meeting 5-4 in 2000 at the Service Academies Spring Classic in Millington, Tenn., the same locale where both teams opened the 2008 season.
Maine: First meeting between programs
The Buckeyes and Black Bears have never met on the baseball diamond.
Connecticut: Buckeyes lead series 3-2
Ohio State has won two consecutive games in this series and took a one-game lead in the five previous games between the schools with a 2-1 victory last season in Jacksonville, Fla., at the Kennel Club Classic. OSU coach Bob Todd is 3-1 against the Huskies at Ohio State. UConn downed the Buckeyes 1-0 in the first-ever meeting between the programs in 1970. Three of the five games in the series have been decided by one run and another was a two-run game.
Bob Todd to be Inducted into ABCA Hall of Fame
It has been a busy couple of days for halls of fame and Ohio State baseball. A day after it was announced that former Buckeye pitcher Steve Arlin would enter the College Baseball Hall of Fame, the American Baseball Coaches Association announced current Ohio State head baseball coach Bob Todd will be inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame.
Todd will be inducted Jan. 3, 2009 at the ABCA annual convention and joins former Ohio State baseball coaches Marty Karow and L.W. St. John as members of the ABCA’s Hall of Fame.
Since becoming the 10th head coach in OSU history in 1988, Todd, 59, has guided the Buckeyes to an 805-411-2 (.662) record. Under his guidance, the program set the school record with 52 victories in 1991and reached the 50-win plateau again in 1999. His teams have never had a losing season, have won at least 40 games 10 times in his 20-year tenure, and have never won fewer than 32 games.
Ohio State release.
Todd will be inducted Jan. 3, 2009 at the ABCA annual convention and joins former Ohio State baseball coaches Marty Karow and L.W. St. John as members of the ABCA’s Hall of Fame.
Since becoming the 10th head coach in OSU history in 1988, Todd, 59, has guided the Buckeyes to an 805-411-2 (.662) record. Under his guidance, the program set the school record with 52 victories in 1991and reached the 50-win plateau again in 1999. His teams have never had a losing season, have won at least 40 games 10 times in his 20-year tenure, and have never won fewer than 32 games.
Ohio State release.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Arlin Officially Named to College Baseball Hall of Fame
The College Baseball Foundation officially announced today that Steve Arlin, the great Ohio State pitcher who led the team to its only national title in 1966, has been selected to the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas. Arlin is a member of just the third class to gain admittance into the Hall.
“I feel privileged and honored to be a part of college baseball's elite,” Arlin said in a statement released by Ohio State. "And representing Ohio State and the Big Ten makes this all the more special for me since those days were some of the best in my life, spent with some of my closest friends. We shared that wonderful moment in time and came away with the best of memories."
When I made this post earlier today I wanted to write more but didn't have time. I made the nomination of Arlin two years ago when I worked in the Ohio State Athletics Communications office and thought he was a lock into the Hall's first class. When he was overlooked again last year, I thought it was an obvious snub of northern baseball. Arlin was and still is a class act and is more than deserving of this honor. I'm sad to see it have taken three years, but thankfully his college career has been recognized. It would be great to visit Lubbock when he is enshrined July 4.
“I feel privileged and honored to be a part of college baseball's elite,” Arlin said in a statement released by Ohio State. "And representing Ohio State and the Big Ten makes this all the more special for me since those days were some of the best in my life, spent with some of my closest friends. We shared that wonderful moment in time and came away with the best of memories."
When I made this post earlier today I wanted to write more but didn't have time. I made the nomination of Arlin two years ago when I worked in the Ohio State Athletics Communications office and thought he was a lock into the Hall's first class. When he was overlooked again last year, I thought it was an obvious snub of northern baseball. Arlin was and still is a class act and is more than deserving of this honor. I'm sad to see it have taken three years, but thankfully his college career has been recognized. It would be great to visit Lubbock when he is enshrined July 4.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Arlin Expected to Earn Entry into College Baseball Hall of Fame
According to sources close to the Ohio State Athletic Department, former Buckeye great Steve Arlin will be announced as part of the 2008 class that will be inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in July. An announcement should be made Wednesday by the College Baseball Foundation.
Arlin not only is considered the top pitcher in Ohio State baseball history, but he also is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the College World Series. In the 1965, facing elimination against Washington State, Arlin struck out a CWS-record 20 batters in a 15-inning 1-0 victory by Ohio State. The next year, the Buckeyes won the National Championship with Arlin on the mound in five of the team’s six games, twice beating top-seeded Southern California.
Arlin had a two-year record of 24-3 with the Buckeyes and held OSU marks for victories and strikeouts (294) until 1999 and his .889 win percentage is the best in school history. He led the nation in strikeouts as a sophomore with 165 and went 13-2 that year in leading the Buckeyes to a second-place finish at the 1965 College World Series. The next year he went 11-1 and helped Ohio State claim the championship.
Arlin, who went on to pitch six seasons with the San Diego Padres, was a two-time First Team All-American and All-Big Ten selection and still holds two College World Series records. He was honored by being the Most Valuable Player at the College World Series in 1966 and is a member of the All-Time College World Series Team.
Arlin, who now lives in San Diego, Calif., had his No. 22 jersey retired in 2005.
Arlin not only is considered the top pitcher in Ohio State baseball history, but he also is regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the College World Series. In the 1965, facing elimination against Washington State, Arlin struck out a CWS-record 20 batters in a 15-inning 1-0 victory by Ohio State. The next year, the Buckeyes won the National Championship with Arlin on the mound in five of the team’s six games, twice beating top-seeded Southern California.
Arlin had a two-year record of 24-3 with the Buckeyes and held OSU marks for victories and strikeouts (294) until 1999 and his .889 win percentage is the best in school history. He led the nation in strikeouts as a sophomore with 165 and went 13-2 that year in leading the Buckeyes to a second-place finish at the 1965 College World Series. The next year he went 11-1 and helped Ohio State claim the championship.
Arlin, who went on to pitch six seasons with the San Diego Padres, was a two-time First Team All-American and All-Big Ten selection and still holds two College World Series records. He was honored by being the Most Valuable Player at the College World Series in 1966 and is a member of the All-Time College World Series Team.
Arlin, who now lives in San Diego, Calif., had his No. 22 jersey retired in 2005.
Reflections from Aggieland
I went back and looked at Ohio State’s stats from last weekend and was surprised to see the Buckeyes batted .327 (36-for-110) compared to .264 (28-for-106) the first week of the season. The weakest part of the lineup continues to be the No. 2 and No. 3 holes. Tony Kennedy has batted No. 2 five times this season and Cory Rupert has batted there once. The two have combined for a .240 batting average. Kennedy is 5-for-20 there, while Rupert was 1-for-5. The average might be more acceptable lower in the batting order, but not what you want if the lead-off man gets on base. Even worse, the No. 3 hitter is batting just .174. Ryan Dew has batted in the No. 3 hole and is 4-for-23. After six games, it might be worth moving him later in the batting order and giving someone else a shot. That someone might be Ryan Meade, who is batting .320 as a true freshman and lead all starters in the Dominos Pizza Aggie Classic with a .462 (6-for-13) in earning a spot on the all-tournament team.
The biggest difference from week one to week two was on the mound, where the ERA went way up. In Millington in games against Arkansas State, Memphis and Seton Hall, the Buckeyes managed a 1.33 ERA. A week later, against much better competition in College Station, the ERA in the three games against Texas A&M, Louisiana Tech and Arkansas, swelled to 5.76. Dean Wolosiansky (0 ER/5.0 IP/0.00 ERA) did not allow a run in his five innings in a winning start Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Dan DeLucia (3 ER/3.1 IP/6.23 ERA) and J.B. Shuck (6 ER/5.0 IP/10.80) struggled by comparison in their starts. That is a 6.08 ERA by starting pitching. The bullpen didn’t fare much better, allowing seven earned runs in 11.2 innings for a 5.40 ERA. The entire staff walked 15 (eight by relievers), hit four batters and balked twice. Wolosiansky is 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA in two appearances and one start totaling 8.0 innings. Jake Hale will only help the pitching staff when he returns this weekend in West Palm Beach.
Fielding continues to plague the Buckeyes early this season. The team has committed 14 errors through six games and has a .942 fielding percentage. Ohio State did not have an error against Arkansas, but had errors in the first five games of the season, including three each in four of those contests. The fielding will come, hopefully before the start of conference play in less than a month.
The biggest difference from week one to week two was on the mound, where the ERA went way up. In Millington in games against Arkansas State, Memphis and Seton Hall, the Buckeyes managed a 1.33 ERA. A week later, against much better competition in College Station, the ERA in the three games against Texas A&M, Louisiana Tech and Arkansas, swelled to 5.76. Dean Wolosiansky (0 ER/5.0 IP/0.00 ERA) did not allow a run in his five innings in a winning start Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. Dan DeLucia (3 ER/3.1 IP/6.23 ERA) and J.B. Shuck (6 ER/5.0 IP/10.80) struggled by comparison in their starts. That is a 6.08 ERA by starting pitching. The bullpen didn’t fare much better, allowing seven earned runs in 11.2 innings for a 5.40 ERA. The entire staff walked 15 (eight by relievers), hit four batters and balked twice. Wolosiansky is 2-0 with a 1.12 ERA in two appearances and one start totaling 8.0 innings. Jake Hale will only help the pitching staff when he returns this weekend in West Palm Beach.
Fielding continues to plague the Buckeyes early this season. The team has committed 14 errors through six games and has a .942 fielding percentage. Ohio State did not have an error against Arkansas, but had errors in the first five games of the season, including three each in four of those contests. The fielding will come, hopefully before the start of conference play in less than a month.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Photos from Dominos Pizza Aggie Classic
Bill Wells submitted these photos he took from the Dominos Pizza Aggie Classic in College Station, Texas, Feb. 29-March 2. Thanks again, Bill.
Dean Wolosiansky pitched the Buckeyes to victory Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech. He tossed 5.0 scoreless innings and struck out six.
Ryan Meade was 3-for-4 and scored three runs Sunday vs. Arkansas.
Cory Kovanda was 2-for-4 Friday vs. Texas A&M.
Cory Rupert was 1-for-4 and drove in two runs Friday vs. Texas A&M.
J.B. Shuck was 4-for-5 with two RBI Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech.
Justin Miller was 3-for-4 and knocked in two Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech.
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.
Dean Wolosiansky pitched the Buckeyes to victory Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech. He tossed 5.0 scoreless innings and struck out six.
Ryan Meade was 3-for-4 and scored three runs Sunday vs. Arkansas.
Cory Kovanda was 2-for-4 Friday vs. Texas A&M.
Cory Rupert was 1-for-4 and drove in two runs Friday vs. Texas A&M.
J.B. Shuck was 4-for-5 with two RBI Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech.
Justin Miller was 3-for-4 and knocked in two Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech.
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.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Meade, Wolosiansky Named to All-Tourney Team
Ohio State infielder Ryan Meade and pitcher Dean Wolosiansky were named to the Dominos Pizza Classic All-Tournament Team by a vote of sports information directors and media covering the tournament at Texas A&M University.
Texas A&M finished 3-0 in their own event. Arkansas was 2nd with a 2-1 record while Ohio State was third at 1-2. Louisiana Tech finished the event 0-3.
Wolosiansky improved to 2-0 after getting the win Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech. He pitched 5.0 shutout innings and allowed six hits while striking out six.
Meade was 5-for-14 in the three games with three RBI and 5 runs scored. He was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and scored three runs in the loss to Arkansas on Sunday.
The Buckeyes return to action next weekend at the Papa John's Palm Beach Challenge at the Santaluces Sports Complex in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Texas A&M finished 3-0 in their own event. Arkansas was 2nd with a 2-1 record while Ohio State was third at 1-2. Louisiana Tech finished the event 0-3.
Wolosiansky improved to 2-0 after getting the win Saturday vs. Louisiana Tech. He pitched 5.0 shutout innings and allowed six hits while striking out six.
Meade was 5-for-14 in the three games with three RBI and 5 runs scored. He was 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles and scored three runs in the loss to Arkansas on Sunday.
The Buckeyes return to action next weekend at the Papa John's Palm Beach Challenge at the Santaluces Sports Complex in West Palm Beach, Fla.
Ohio State Loses to Arkansas 8-6
Ohio State let a three-run lead evaporate before losing 8-6 to Arkansas Sunday (box score) in the team’s final game of the Dominos Pizza Classic. The team came away disappointed with its 1-2 finish this weekend, especially after having four- and three-run leads on both Texas A&M and Arkansas, respectively. A win in either game would have helped the team’s RPI. Arkansas recap.
Today’s game played out a lot like that game Friday vs. Texas A&M when Ohio State took an early lead only to see it slip away in an 8-5 loss. Arkansas struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ohio State countered with three runs in the second and two more in the third to take a 5-2 lead before Ryan Cisterna’s two-run homer to center pulled the Razorbacks within one in the fourth. Aaron Murphree put the Razorbacks in front, 6-5, with a two-run bomb to right-center field in the bottom of the fifth. He connected for another two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh to extend the lead to 8-5. It was his third long ball of the weekend. His first was a walk-off, two-run homer Friday vs. Louisiana Tech. I’m guessing he earned a spot on the all-tournament team when it is announced after today’s second game between A&M and La Tech.
The Buckeyes added a run in the eighth to pull within the 8-6 final score. Ryan Meade got his third hit of the day when he doubled with two outs. He scored on a triple by Zach Hurley, but J.B. Shuck, the OSU starting pitcher and now the DH, struck out to end the threat.
Tony Kennedy started in centerfield where Shuck had started the first two games of the week before moving to the mound in today’s start. Kennedy misplayed a ball in the first inning that led to the second Arkansas run. Neither Shuck nor Kennedy has the range of Matt Angle, the seventh-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles last June, but both will get better. Right fielder Ryan Dew tried to make an over-the-shoulder grab in the fifth and could not come up with it. Casey Coon was able to get to second base and then scored on Murphee’s go-ahead home run. The Buckeye outfield had issues all weekend. Hopefully, they will get some outdoor practice time in Columbus this week. If not, they’ll have to keep working on it again next weekend when they’re in West Palm Beach to face Air Force, Maine and Connecticut.
Outdoor practice time is really what the team needs right now. Monday is a scheduled day off, which is too bad since the forecast in Columbus calls for a high of 63 degrees. Tuesday and Wednesday the high is not expected to reach 40. If it is dry though, I’m guessing the Buckeyes will bundle up and take fly balls on the turf field outside of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
I certainly will not make excuses for the Buckeyes, but the wind was a factor in this game. The first three Arkansas home runs benefited from the 20-mph wind blowing straight out to center. At times it was gusting to nearly 35 mph. Of course, Razorback batters are putting the ball in to the air something the Buckeyes have not been able to do. Ohio State again appears to lack power at the plate. Last year, it had only 21 home runs all season, which were the fewest since hitting 14 in 1980. In the last three seasons, the Buckeyes have not hit more than 28 home runs after hitting at least 42 in the previous 15 seasons.
Shuck pitched 5.0 innings and allowed the six runs on eight hits. He struck out two and walked four, including three in the fourth inning, in the loss. He stayed in the game as the DH, replacing Ben Toussant. Alex Wimmers took Shuck’s place on the mound and had control issues, hitting two batters and fanning three in his two innings of work. Murphree’s second homer of the game came off his offering. Eric Best pitched the bottom of the eighth.
Meade finished 3-for-4, drove in a run and scored three times. Hurley also had two hits as the Buckeyes finished with 10 hits in the game. They had double figure hit totals in all three games this weekend.
Today’s game played out a lot like that game Friday vs. Texas A&M when Ohio State took an early lead only to see it slip away in an 8-5 loss. Arkansas struck first with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ohio State countered with three runs in the second and two more in the third to take a 5-2 lead before Ryan Cisterna’s two-run homer to center pulled the Razorbacks within one in the fourth. Aaron Murphree put the Razorbacks in front, 6-5, with a two-run bomb to right-center field in the bottom of the fifth. He connected for another two-run shot in the bottom of the seventh to extend the lead to 8-5. It was his third long ball of the weekend. His first was a walk-off, two-run homer Friday vs. Louisiana Tech. I’m guessing he earned a spot on the all-tournament team when it is announced after today’s second game between A&M and La Tech.
The Buckeyes added a run in the eighth to pull within the 8-6 final score. Ryan Meade got his third hit of the day when he doubled with two outs. He scored on a triple by Zach Hurley, but J.B. Shuck, the OSU starting pitcher and now the DH, struck out to end the threat.
Tony Kennedy started in centerfield where Shuck had started the first two games of the week before moving to the mound in today’s start. Kennedy misplayed a ball in the first inning that led to the second Arkansas run. Neither Shuck nor Kennedy has the range of Matt Angle, the seventh-round pick of the Baltimore Orioles last June, but both will get better. Right fielder Ryan Dew tried to make an over-the-shoulder grab in the fifth and could not come up with it. Casey Coon was able to get to second base and then scored on Murphee’s go-ahead home run. The Buckeye outfield had issues all weekend. Hopefully, they will get some outdoor practice time in Columbus this week. If not, they’ll have to keep working on it again next weekend when they’re in West Palm Beach to face Air Force, Maine and Connecticut.
Outdoor practice time is really what the team needs right now. Monday is a scheduled day off, which is too bad since the forecast in Columbus calls for a high of 63 degrees. Tuesday and Wednesday the high is not expected to reach 40. If it is dry though, I’m guessing the Buckeyes will bundle up and take fly balls on the turf field outside of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
I certainly will not make excuses for the Buckeyes, but the wind was a factor in this game. The first three Arkansas home runs benefited from the 20-mph wind blowing straight out to center. At times it was gusting to nearly 35 mph. Of course, Razorback batters are putting the ball in to the air something the Buckeyes have not been able to do. Ohio State again appears to lack power at the plate. Last year, it had only 21 home runs all season, which were the fewest since hitting 14 in 1980. In the last three seasons, the Buckeyes have not hit more than 28 home runs after hitting at least 42 in the previous 15 seasons.
Shuck pitched 5.0 innings and allowed the six runs on eight hits. He struck out two and walked four, including three in the fourth inning, in the loss. He stayed in the game as the DH, replacing Ben Toussant. Alex Wimmers took Shuck’s place on the mound and had control issues, hitting two batters and fanning three in his two innings of work. Murphree’s second homer of the game came off his offering. Eric Best pitched the bottom of the eighth.
Meade finished 3-for-4, drove in a run and scored three times. Hurley also had two hits as the Buckeyes finished with 10 hits in the game. They had double figure hit totals in all three games this weekend.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Ohio State Downs La Tech
Ohio State jumped out to a 4-0 lead and had an answer each time Louisiana Tech tried to mount any threat. When the Bulldogs scored twice in the top of the seventh, the Buckeyes answered both runs in the bottom of the inning to make it 6-2. La Tech scored twice more in the eighth, but the Buckeyes added a run before winning 7-4 (box score).
Centerfielder J.B. Shuck finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and catcher Justin Miller was 3-for-4 and drove in two. Zach Hurley and Tyler Engle each added two hits as the Buckeyes pounded out a season-high 15 hits.
Redshirt freshman Dean Wolosiansky improved to 2-0 with the victory. He did not allow a run on six hits in 5.0 innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter. The Bulldogs scored two runs each off Josh Edgin and Drew Rucinski. Rory Meister picked up his second save of the season and struck out two in 1.0 inning of work.
The Buckeyes, now 4-1 on the season, close out the Dominos Pizza Classic vs. Arkansas Sunday at noon, ET. The Razorbacks lost to Texas A&M 15-7 Saturday night.
Louisiana Tech game recap.
Centerfielder J.B. Shuck finished 4-for-5 with two RBI and catcher Justin Miller was 3-for-4 and drove in two. Zach Hurley and Tyler Engle each added two hits as the Buckeyes pounded out a season-high 15 hits.
Redshirt freshman Dean Wolosiansky improved to 2-0 with the victory. He did not allow a run on six hits in 5.0 innings. He struck out six and did not walk a batter. The Bulldogs scored two runs each off Josh Edgin and Drew Rucinski. Rory Meister picked up his second save of the season and struck out two in 1.0 inning of work.
The Buckeyes, now 4-1 on the season, close out the Dominos Pizza Classic vs. Arkansas Sunday at noon, ET. The Razorbacks lost to Texas A&M 15-7 Saturday night.
Louisiana Tech game recap.
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