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Saturday, May 16, 2009

Game 3 Buckeyes win 8-6, Sweep Iowa, Big Ten Champs?

Iowa had been in control throughout the game knocking starter Eric Best around a bit. Through 6 Best had allowed 7 hits, 4 runs all earned, walking 1, striking out 6.

The gray skies appeared to be a foreshadow of the Buckeyes game and title hopes through 5.5.

However these Buckeyes have shown they know no quit and the bottom of the 6th showed that.

Matt Streng started the inning with a single, moved to second as Hurley reached via error. Cory Kovanda stepped to the plate and sent a towering shot off the right field wall for a 2-RBI double. Dan Burkhart singled Kovanda home two batters later.

Following Burkhart was Ryan Dew who beat out a inning ending double play, Dew's hustle proved to be huge. Captain Justin Miller in his final game at Bill Davis Stadium sent a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall for 10th home run of the season giving the Bucks a 5-4 lead. Miller is 3-for-3 on the day, and showing he is the team leader, using a hot bat the last 10 games to carry the Buckeyes offense.

Best's day ends after the 6 innings he pitched. Rucinski relieve Best in the 7th, a leadoff single followed by a walk put two on with no outs. Iowa was able to get a run out of the situation to tie it at 5.

In the bottom of the 7th the Bucks had the bases loaded with Michael Stephens up, a GIDP ended the threat and kept the game tied at 5.

The top of the 8th started with a thud as the Hawkeyes leadoff hitter sent a solo shot out to rightcenter to give Iowa a 6-5 lead.

We're in the bottom of the 8th, Bucks trail 6-5.

In the 8th, a Dew single, Miller walk, Arp infield single again saw the bases loaded for the Buckeyes with 1 out. With Big Ten Championship hopes on the line, the Bucks would not be denied this time. Tyler Engle sends a 2-rbi double down the right field line pushing the Buckeyes out in front 7-6 in the bottom of the 8th. Bucks pick up an insurance run on an E6.

Top 9 Jake Hale in to close the game. Rucinski's line 2 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 K.

Hale pitches a perfect 9th, with 1 K. The save for Hale sets a single season Ohio State record with 15.

3 comments:

4 of the last 6 said...

PSU continues to be futile. Minn is either going to undoubtedly hold onto (or increase) their lead if / when play resumes after the rain delay. As all on this list probably know; even a rain out would have been good enough for the Gophers. Think we need to pull for Purdue vs. Ind. as we would have to face Bashore if the tourney pans out as expected. A tough lefty and (Chris correct me if I'm wrong, please) the Bucks are more effective vs. Right Handed pitching

4 of the last 6 said...

P.S. to above ---- it goes without saying (so of course I must say it). Given that the Bucks do not have a #4/#5 starter they cannot fall into the loser's bracket. As I see it they need Wimmers to be Wimmers, Wolo to up it a noch in game 2 and then score a ton of runs in the championhip game to cover for Best who I believe, as others have stated, will be a much more effective picher next year in a different role

BaseballBucks33 said...

Yes i agree the Bucks would rather play Purdue again than have to face Bashore. Awesome day at the ballpark and was great to see the 3 Seniors have a big hand in winning the game. Gus Miller is red hot at the plate and it is great to see.

Go Bucks!!