Where we stand: First Base

Going to do it a bit different from here on out.

Monday- I'll give a brief summation on where we are depth-wise.
Tuesday- Spring roundup, what occurred in the spring at that position.
Wednesday- Summer recaps, who did what and where with the wooden bat.
Thursday- Fall ball happenings, who played where, who did what.
Friday- Where we stand, outlook for 2010.

This will allow me to get in-depth on that particular area of focus, without overwhelming you with one post that would take an hour to read. It also allows me more time to research, write, and put everything together without stressing out about a timeframe. Also the poll to the right will be up all work, in relation to that topic.

To resume the series...

Returning Players:

Sr. Ryan Dew (157 games, 128, starts)
R-Jr. Matt Streng (59, 50) 2009 starter
R-Fr. Zach Nowland (0, 0)

Incoming Players:
None

Depth Chart:

To understand what would unfold at first base in 2009, you have to understand what happened at third base. Junior Brian DeLucia started the season opening Big East/Big Ten Challenge at the hot corner with senior Justin Miller anchoring the first base bag that he had the previous three seasons for the Scarlet & Gray. DeLucia collected three hits, two home runs, six RBI in the opening weekend in what appeared to be a productive season from the Watterson product, in what was to be his first season receiving prominent playing time.

In the team’s second weekend preparing for a game against North Florida, fielding infield, a ball would take a wicked hop, come up on DeLucia breaking a finger that would require surgery and ultimately ending DeLucia’s season as he received a medical red-shirt.

Cory Rupert, who the previous season was the team’s regular third baseman ,would start the next two game for the Buckeyes at third before sliding over to his freshman season position of shortstop, as Tyler Engle was nursing an injury, thus Miller moved over the third base, and the hot hitting Matt Streng filled in at first. Got that?

Engle would replace Rupert in the everyday lineup, but there was not much outside of the occasional day off that saw Miller vacate third base or Streng at first.

Now with a healthy DeLucia returning as well as Streng still having eligibility, you would think the Bucks are set at third and first respectively with those two being inserted into the #3 and #5 lineup slots? Not so fast my friend. Coach Bob Todd this autumn has elected to give DeLucia time in the outfield, Streng at third, and Ryan Dew at first base. How’s that for shuffling the cards. We’ll get to the autumn events later, but for purposes that make it easier for I and perhaps you, Streng and Dew will be highlighted amongst the first basemen, DeLucia along with Rupert and third.

Zach Nowland red-shirted in 2009, but was among the rotation at first this autumn.