It's hard to say who is having a rougher spring. the Buckeye Nine on the field, or the Buckeye Nine blog.
While the Buckeyes fell in another weekend series, this time to the Hawkeyes, I was dealing with my own eye issue. Contrary to what you might think, the product on the field isn't quite bad enough to pull your eyes out, but apparently to my body it is bad enough to go ahead and get infections in both eyes.
With that I'm unable to recap what occurred this weekend as I continue to recover.
On the good side Jared Strayer continued to do well while Michael Stephens, Zach Hurley, and Ryan Dew had great weekends from the plate.
On the bad side, the Buckeyes are now in a 4-way tie for 5th, meaning they're dangerously close to missing the six-team Big Ten Tournament.
The Buckeyes welcome Pittsburgh tomorrow before wrapping up the regular season with a Thursday-Saturday series against Big Ten leading Minnesota.
While it is nearly impossible to stay on a computer for a prolonged time, I am tweeting away from my BlackBerry if there are any thoughts or questions to speak of. Of course in 140 characters.
Hopefully I'm well by Thursday and can do something in previewing the Minnesota series.
Showing posts with label Big Ten Tournament. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Big Ten Tournament. Show all posts
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Columbus to host Big Ten Tourney through '12
Park Ridge, Ill. –- The Big Ten Conference, Huntington Park and the Greater Columbus Sports Commission announced today that Columbus, Ohio, will be home to the Big Ten Baseball Tournament for the 2010, 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Big Ten played its first neutral-site tournament since 1994 at Columbus’ Huntington Park in 2009 and will return to the ballpark in 2011 and 2012. Due to a facility conflict, the 2010 tournament will be held at Ohio State’s Bill Davis Stadium.
“The Big Ten Conference is excited to return to the city of Columbus for its upcoming baseball tournaments,” Big Ten Conference Commissioner James E. Delany said. “Last year’s event provided a fantastic experience for our coaches, student-athletes and fans, and we look forward to growing the event in the next three years.”
“We are thrilled that Columbus, Bill Davis Stadium and Huntington Park will host the Big Ten Baseball Tournament through 2012,” Greater Columbus Sports Commission Executive Director Linda Shetina Logan said. “Our community thanks the Big Ten Conference, its schools and coaches for making this commitment to Columbus, and we will work to build an atmosphere for this tournament similar to the College World Series.”
The 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament drew more than 12,000 fans, marking the tournament’s highest total attendance in the past decade. Indiana took home the program’s second tournament title, earning the Big Ten’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
“We were proud to host the Big Ten Baseball Tournament in 2009 and look forward to its return to Huntington Park in 2011 and 2012,” said Columbus Clippers General Manager Ken Schnacke, who also manages Huntington Park. “And we look forward to partnering with the Big Ten and the Columbus Sports Commission to grow the tournament every year.”
Prior to 2009, the Big Ten Baseball Tournament had been played at the site of the regular-season champion or the champion from a pre-selected division since its inception in 1981, with the exception of 1993 and 1994, when the tournament was held in Battle Creek, Mich. From 1981-99, the tournament field consisted of the conference’s top four teams. In 2000, the field expanded to include six squads. The Big Ten Baseball Tournament is a double-elimination event with the top two seeds earning first-round byes.
The Big Ten Conference is an association of 11 world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in student-athletes’ lives and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. Big Ten universities provide in excess of $100 million in athletic scholarship aid to more than 8,500 men and women student-athletes who compete for 25 championships, 12 for men and 13 for women. Conference institutions sponsor broad-based athletic programs with more than 270 teams. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission was founded in June 2002 to attract professional, amateur, collegiate and youth sporting events to Columbus. Since its inception, the Sports Commission has attracted more than 90 events that have generated more than $95 million in visitor spending. For more information, visit www.ColumbusSports.org.
“The Big Ten Conference is excited to return to the city of Columbus for its upcoming baseball tournaments,” Big Ten Conference Commissioner James E. Delany said. “Last year’s event provided a fantastic experience for our coaches, student-athletes and fans, and we look forward to growing the event in the next three years.”
“We are thrilled that Columbus, Bill Davis Stadium and Huntington Park will host the Big Ten Baseball Tournament through 2012,” Greater Columbus Sports Commission Executive Director Linda Shetina Logan said. “Our community thanks the Big Ten Conference, its schools and coaches for making this commitment to Columbus, and we will work to build an atmosphere for this tournament similar to the College World Series.”
The 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament drew more than 12,000 fans, marking the tournament’s highest total attendance in the past decade. Indiana took home the program’s second tournament title, earning the Big Ten’s automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.
“We were proud to host the Big Ten Baseball Tournament in 2009 and look forward to its return to Huntington Park in 2011 and 2012,” said Columbus Clippers General Manager Ken Schnacke, who also manages Huntington Park. “And we look forward to partnering with the Big Ten and the Columbus Sports Commission to grow the tournament every year.”
Prior to 2009, the Big Ten Baseball Tournament had been played at the site of the regular-season champion or the champion from a pre-selected division since its inception in 1981, with the exception of 1993 and 1994, when the tournament was held in Battle Creek, Mich. From 1981-99, the tournament field consisted of the conference’s top four teams. In 2000, the field expanded to include six squads. The Big Ten Baseball Tournament is a double-elimination event with the top two seeds earning first-round byes.
The Big Ten Conference is an association of 11 world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in student-athletes’ lives and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. Big Ten universities provide in excess of $100 million in athletic scholarship aid to more than 8,500 men and women student-athletes who compete for 25 championships, 12 for men and 13 for women. Conference institutions sponsor broad-based athletic programs with more than 270 teams. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission was founded in June 2002 to attract professional, amateur, collegiate and youth sporting events to Columbus. Since its inception, the Sports Commission has attracted more than 90 events that have generated more than $95 million in visitor spending. For more information, visit www.ColumbusSports.org.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Sorenson Does it Again
College Baseball Today's Eric Sorenson again proves his worth to the college baseball world, and the fact he IS the best when it comes to giving northern schools its due credit and coverage.
For those unaware Sorenson was in Columbus, as well as Dayton, and Chillicothe checking out the Big Ten, MAC, and A-10 tournaments. I was able to catch up and talk to him the days he was at Huntington Park and the guy knows his college baseball.
For the few knuckleheads out there who do not check out his site, one what are you waiting for? two its the most comprehensive coverage of the sport. He gives the Buckeye Nine and myself a shout out and obviously I'm returning the favor. Go through his last few posts and see his thoughts on Columbus, the Big Ten, Ohio State and some cool pictures.
College Baseball Today
For those unaware Sorenson was in Columbus, as well as Dayton, and Chillicothe checking out the Big Ten, MAC, and A-10 tournaments. I was able to catch up and talk to him the days he was at Huntington Park and the guy knows his college baseball.
For the few knuckleheads out there who do not check out his site, one what are you waiting for? two its the most comprehensive coverage of the sport. He gives the Buckeye Nine and myself a shout out and obviously I'm returning the favor. Go through his last few posts and see his thoughts on Columbus, the Big Ten, Ohio State and some cool pictures.
College Baseball Today
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Loss leaves Buckeyes waiting on NCAA fate
Sunday, May 24, 2009
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd served on the NCAA Tournament committee for seven seasons. He has told his players that, in many ways, playing the game on the field is a lot easier than playing the waiting game while the 64-team field is being selected.
Todd has a pretty good idea what committee members should be saying about the Buckeyes during the next 24 hours.
Then again, he has seen some deserving teams turned away.
"My feelings would be very hurt if Ohio State is not playing next weekend," Todd said. "I would be very surprised if we were overlooked."
Minnesota banged out 17 hits to eliminate the Buckeyes 9-6 in the Big Ten tournament loser's bracket final before 1,892 yesterday in Huntington Park.
As was the case in a win over Illinois and a loss to Indiana, Ohio State did not play well -- leaving 10 men on base, making three errors and getting shaky pitching.
Still, Todd told the Buckeyes that he is "95 percent sure" they will receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament on the strength of winning the Big Ten regular-season championship, a 40-17 record and a No. 32 ranking in the Rating Percentage Index.
Ohio State could find out for sure as early as today when the host teams for 16 first-round regionals will be announced. The entire bracket will be unveiled at noon Monday.
"We're kind of in the dark now," second baseman Cory Kovanda said. "We're not really sure what is going to happen. We're going to have to take it as it comes."
Athletic director Gene Smith has put in a bid to play host to a regional tournament in Bill Davis Stadium. The Buckeyes were hosts in 1999 and 2001, to positive reviews from the NCAA.
Schools must put in a monetary guarantee to the NCAA for such tournaments, and Todd said he has heard there have been figures as high as $370,000. He doesn't know the dollar amount Ohio State has bid, but said it would be competitive.
"You're talking about a large amount of money that people are bidding, and hats off to Gene Smith and the administration for putting in a bid," Todd said.
Todd said the tournament committee wants to hold more regional tournaments outside the South, Southwest and West.
The last thing the Buckeyes wanted, designated hitter Ryan Dew said, was to put their fate in the hands of the tournament committee. The Big Ten tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"We came out not intense these last few games, and I think we've learned from that," Dew said. "I think we're going to come together (for the NCAA Tournament). Hopefully, (the regional) is at Ohio State. Wherever it is, we'll be ready to play."
The key to yesterday's loss was the Buckeyes' failure to really pound Gophers starter Scott Fern. He was making only his second start and had pitched 32 innings, but gave up four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Todd said his players might have come into the tournament worn out mentally after a grinding regular-season race that saw them win the championship on the final day in edging Minnesota by a half-game.
"There was a huge emotional letdown for Ohio State and Minnesota," he said
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd served on the NCAA Tournament committee for seven seasons. He has told his players that, in many ways, playing the game on the field is a lot easier than playing the waiting game while the 64-team field is being selected.
Todd has a pretty good idea what committee members should be saying about the Buckeyes during the next 24 hours.
Then again, he has seen some deserving teams turned away.
"My feelings would be very hurt if Ohio State is not playing next weekend," Todd said. "I would be very surprised if we were overlooked."
Minnesota banged out 17 hits to eliminate the Buckeyes 9-6 in the Big Ten tournament loser's bracket final before 1,892 yesterday in Huntington Park.
As was the case in a win over Illinois and a loss to Indiana, Ohio State did not play well -- leaving 10 men on base, making three errors and getting shaky pitching.
Still, Todd told the Buckeyes that he is "95 percent sure" they will receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament on the strength of winning the Big Ten regular-season championship, a 40-17 record and a No. 32 ranking in the Rating Percentage Index.
Ohio State could find out for sure as early as today when the host teams for 16 first-round regionals will be announced. The entire bracket will be unveiled at noon Monday.
"We're kind of in the dark now," second baseman Cory Kovanda said. "We're not really sure what is going to happen. We're going to have to take it as it comes."
Athletic director Gene Smith has put in a bid to play host to a regional tournament in Bill Davis Stadium. The Buckeyes were hosts in 1999 and 2001, to positive reviews from the NCAA.
Schools must put in a monetary guarantee to the NCAA for such tournaments, and Todd said he has heard there have been figures as high as $370,000. He doesn't know the dollar amount Ohio State has bid, but said it would be competitive.
"You're talking about a large amount of money that people are bidding, and hats off to Gene Smith and the administration for putting in a bid," Todd said.
Todd said the tournament committee wants to hold more regional tournaments outside the South, Southwest and West.
The last thing the Buckeyes wanted, designated hitter Ryan Dew said, was to put their fate in the hands of the tournament committee. The Big Ten tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"We came out not intense these last few games, and I think we've learned from that," Dew said. "I think we're going to come together (for the NCAA Tournament). Hopefully, (the regional) is at Ohio State. Wherever it is, we'll be ready to play."
The key to yesterday's loss was the Buckeyes' failure to really pound Gophers starter Scott Fern. He was making only his second start and had pitched 32 innings, but gave up four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Todd said his players might have come into the tournament worn out mentally after a grinding regular-season race that saw them win the championship on the final day in edging Minnesota by a half-game.
"There was a huge emotional letdown for Ohio State and Minnesota," he said
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Big Ten Network Video Game Highlights & Post Game Comments
Minnesota-Ohio State highlights
Post-game Press Conference
Post-game Press Conference
Ohio State falls to Minnesota 9-6, Eliminated from Big Ten Tournament
Courtesy OSU Athletics
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Regular season champion and No. 1 seed Ohio State was eliminated from the 2009 Big Ten tournament Saturday, 9-6, by No. 2 seed Minnesota in the 30th tournament game between the two teams. The 38-16 Golden Gophers advance to play Indiana at 7:05 p.m. Saturday night in the tournament title game.
Luke Rasmussen pitched 2.2 innings in relief to get the win. Eric Best dropped to 7-4 with the loss and Ohio State, ranked No. 23 in the nation, is now 40-17 on the season.
The Buckeyes weren’t resting on their regular season laurels.
“We came in not relying on the Big Ten championship [to get the team into the NCAA tournament],” Big Ten Player of the Year Dan Burkhart said. “We came into this tournament playing to win.”
“We competed,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said, “but we only won one ball game. I told the team to take two days off and to reflect on the things that they need to do that will make them a better ball team. We’ve had an emotional two weeks that enabled us to win the championship. Now I want them to rest and be ready to play next week. ”That would be “ready to play next week” in the NCAA tournament, if the team receives a bid. The team will find out Monday.
Back to today, though. Early on it looked as if this would be a 4-hour-plus elimination game. Like the eruption somewhere and sometime that produced the lava that has since become the warning track in Huntington Park, there was an eruption of hits and runs by both teams in the first inning. Minnesota scored four runs off six hits and sent nine guys to the plate. Ohio State came right back with five consecutive singles to open its first at-bat to get the team back into contention at 4-3.
The Buckeyes tied the score in the second; Cory Kovanda scoring from second off a single by Michael Stephens.
Minnesota added single runs in the third and fifth innings, respectively, to build the lead back to 6-4.
The Golden Gophers, behind a 17-hit attack led by Eric Decker’s four hits and four RBI and Matt Nohelty’s three hits and two runs, added two more runs in the sixth and another in the seventh to increase the lead to 9-4.
Burkhart hit his 10th home run of the season in the seventh to bring the Buckeyes to within four.
Not ready see their tournament come to an end, the Buckeyes threatened in the eighth with Arp and Engle opening the inning with singles. That signaled the end to Rasmussen’s afternoon.
Scott Matyas relieved and got the next two Buckeyes on strikeouts before Kovanda singled to center to score Arp and make the score 9-6. Matyas followed with his third strikeout of the inning to end it.
Ohio State had 15 hits for the game with Kovanda and Stephens leading with three apiece. Stephens and Burkhart had two RBI and Kovanda scored twice.
Box Score
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Regular season champion and No. 1 seed Ohio State was eliminated from the 2009 Big Ten tournament Saturday, 9-6, by No. 2 seed Minnesota in the 30th tournament game between the two teams. The 38-16 Golden Gophers advance to play Indiana at 7:05 p.m. Saturday night in the tournament title game.
Luke Rasmussen pitched 2.2 innings in relief to get the win. Eric Best dropped to 7-4 with the loss and Ohio State, ranked No. 23 in the nation, is now 40-17 on the season.
The Buckeyes weren’t resting on their regular season laurels.
“We came in not relying on the Big Ten championship [to get the team into the NCAA tournament],” Big Ten Player of the Year Dan Burkhart said. “We came into this tournament playing to win.”
“We competed,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said, “but we only won one ball game. I told the team to take two days off and to reflect on the things that they need to do that will make them a better ball team. We’ve had an emotional two weeks that enabled us to win the championship. Now I want them to rest and be ready to play next week. ”That would be “ready to play next week” in the NCAA tournament, if the team receives a bid. The team will find out Monday.
Back to today, though. Early on it looked as if this would be a 4-hour-plus elimination game. Like the eruption somewhere and sometime that produced the lava that has since become the warning track in Huntington Park, there was an eruption of hits and runs by both teams in the first inning. Minnesota scored four runs off six hits and sent nine guys to the plate. Ohio State came right back with five consecutive singles to open its first at-bat to get the team back into contention at 4-3.
The Buckeyes tied the score in the second; Cory Kovanda scoring from second off a single by Michael Stephens.
Minnesota added single runs in the third and fifth innings, respectively, to build the lead back to 6-4.
The Golden Gophers, behind a 17-hit attack led by Eric Decker’s four hits and four RBI and Matt Nohelty’s three hits and two runs, added two more runs in the sixth and another in the seventh to increase the lead to 9-4.
Burkhart hit his 10th home run of the season in the seventh to bring the Buckeyes to within four.
Not ready see their tournament come to an end, the Buckeyes threatened in the eighth with Arp and Engle opening the inning with singles. That signaled the end to Rasmussen’s afternoon.
Scott Matyas relieved and got the next two Buckeyes on strikeouts before Kovanda singled to center to score Arp and make the score 9-6. Matyas followed with his third strikeout of the inning to end it.
Ohio State had 15 hits for the game with Kovanda and Stephens leading with three apiece. Stephens and Burkhart had two RBI and Kovanda scored twice.
Box Score
Buckeyes-Gophers 3:35 at Huntington Park
Photo courtesy the-ozone.net
The Buckeyes will look to even the season series against the Gophers today as they square off in an elimination game in the Big Ten Tournament. Winner turns right around and faces Indiana 45 minutes after the last out. Loser goes home and waits until Monday to see which regional they have been selected to play at. Both teams will be in the field of 64 regardless of the outcome today.
For Ohio State on the mound will be junior lefty Eric Best. The Olentangy native will look to give the Buckeyes a much needed shot in the arm after last nights 13-3 loss to Indiana.
This will be Minnesota's fourth game in three days, and everything I am hearing is that they are running thin on pitching. With the Bucks throwing a weekend guy with a week's rest, you'd hope the Buckeye has the advantage on the mound.
This might be the last time Central Ohio gets to see these Buckeyes in action. Don't miss out on the chance and head down to beautiful Huntington Park this afternoon.
I'll be Twittering all afternoon. I'm not good on the live blogging so hop on twitter for many updates and insight during the game.
Columbus Dispatch: Buckeyes blown out by Hoosiers' hot bats
Saturday, May 23
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
As remarkable as Ohio State has been this season, there have been many days when games turned into batting practice for opponents because of a pitching staff that is youthful and paper-thin.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, that happened in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Dean Wolosiansky gave up 12 hits in four-plus innings, including five straight to open the fifth, as Indiana roughed up Ohio State 13-3 last night in Huntington Park.
Thanks to Buckeyes fans -- who were loud and present en masse -- the crowd count was 4,019.
The loss was painful for the hometown fans.
"It is embarrassing to lose a game like this," third baseman and co-captain Justin Miller said. "The best thing is we get to strap it on (again). The next game is for pride."
Ohio State (40-16) must win three games to capture the tournament championship, starting with second-seeded Minnesota (37-16) at approximately 3:35 today.
It looked as though Wolosiansky was on the mark when he struck out the side in the second inning after allowing a leadoff double to conference freshman of the year Alex Dickerson.
But Indiana batters adjusted the second time through the lineup and scored three runs in the fourth inning and seven in the fifth to lead 10-2.
The problems for the Buckeyes went beyond pitching. They made three errors, and the bats went silent to the tune of six hits.
"The game of baseball never ceases to amaze me," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. "I wasn't happy with the way we swung the bats. I wasn't happy with the way we played defense or pitched. That's not taking away anything from Indiana. Our players might be emotionally drained and need to recharge" after the drive to the regular-season championship.
Todd said the turning point came in the top of the fifth inning when Ohio State had the bases loaded with no one out and did not score.
"Then the next half-inning, we just couldn't stop the bleeding," he said.
The Hoosiers have won 10 of their last 11 games and are one victory away from completing an impressive four-year rebuilding job under coach Tracy Smith.
However, Smith isn't about to think that the Big Ten championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that comes with it are in the bag.
"I'm taking nothing for granted," he said. "I'm excited. The guys are confident. They are on a roll. Literally, I make out the lineup and get out of the way. The work was done in January and February."
First baseman Jerrud Sabourin said Indiana began the turnaround last season by finishing third in the Big Ten tournament despite being the sixth seed.
"Now, we have a little bit of momentum," he said. "It's the way we're swinging the bats. We're taking pressure off our pitchers. They know we're going to score runs."
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
As remarkable as Ohio State has been this season, there have been many days when games turned into batting practice for opponents because of a pitching staff that is youthful and paper-thin.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, that happened in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Dean Wolosiansky gave up 12 hits in four-plus innings, including five straight to open the fifth, as Indiana roughed up Ohio State 13-3 last night in Huntington Park.
Thanks to Buckeyes fans -- who were loud and present en masse -- the crowd count was 4,019.
The loss was painful for the hometown fans.
"It is embarrassing to lose a game like this," third baseman and co-captain Justin Miller said. "The best thing is we get to strap it on (again). The next game is for pride."
Ohio State (40-16) must win three games to capture the tournament championship, starting with second-seeded Minnesota (37-16) at approximately 3:35 today.
It looked as though Wolosiansky was on the mark when he struck out the side in the second inning after allowing a leadoff double to conference freshman of the year Alex Dickerson.
But Indiana batters adjusted the second time through the lineup and scored three runs in the fourth inning and seven in the fifth to lead 10-2.
The problems for the Buckeyes went beyond pitching. They made three errors, and the bats went silent to the tune of six hits.
"The game of baseball never ceases to amaze me," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. "I wasn't happy with the way we swung the bats. I wasn't happy with the way we played defense or pitched. That's not taking away anything from Indiana. Our players might be emotionally drained and need to recharge" after the drive to the regular-season championship.
Todd said the turning point came in the top of the fifth inning when Ohio State had the bases loaded with no one out and did not score.
"Then the next half-inning, we just couldn't stop the bleeding," he said.
The Hoosiers have won 10 of their last 11 games and are one victory away from completing an impressive four-year rebuilding job under coach Tracy Smith.
However, Smith isn't about to think that the Big Ten championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that comes with it are in the bag.
"I'm taking nothing for granted," he said. "I'm excited. The guys are confident. They are on a roll. Literally, I make out the lineup and get out of the way. The work was done in January and February."
First baseman Jerrud Sabourin said Indiana began the turnaround last season by finishing third in the Big Ten tournament despite being the sixth seed.
"Now, we have a little bit of momentum," he said. "It's the way we're swinging the bats. We're taking pressure off our pitchers. They know we're going to score runs."
Buckeyes Fall to Hoosiers 13-3
Indiana patiently and meticulously scored 10 runs off 11 hits in the fourth and fifth innings to break the game open and then went on defeat No. 1 seed Ohio State, 13-3, Friday at Huntington Park. The win moves the 31-25 Hoosiers into a winner’s bracket "championship" game Saturday at 7 p.m. Ohio State, now 40-16, and Minnesota (36-16) meet in a 3:30 p.m. elimination game with the winner taking on Indiana.
The No. 3 seed Hoosiers have won all three games in this tournament easily with 34 runs scored and just seven allowed. Blake Monar fired the third consecutive controlling performance on the mound for IU, pitching 6.2 innings, giving up just five hits and allowing only three runs. He walked five, but wasn't hurt by that total, struck out six and improved to 5-3 with the win.
Offensively, IU featured six multi-hit players with Tyler Rogers’ three hits and four RBI the most damaging.
“They are good,” Ohio State captain Justin Miller said. “They put good swings on everything. They are in a groove right now. Everything they hit is hit hard and they are finding the holes.”
Zach Hurley opened the game with a single off the freshman lefthander, moved to second on a wild pitch and after a ground out, scored on Dan Burkhart's single to center for a 1-0 lead.
An inning later Ohio State added a run for a 2-0 lead. Miller, who has scored early in each of Ohio State's two tournament games, walked, went to second on a groundout and scored on Tyler Engle's infield single that included a throwing error.
Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky worked seamlessly through the first three innings, allowing a couple of hits but staying out of trouble with the help of four strikeouts and a double play.
The game then took an ominous turn with three consecutive innings of tense, bases-loaded baseball. Indiana won this series of mini battles, two-innings-to-none, and the prize - a winner's bracket game win - soon followed.
Here's what happened. Indiana is right there with Ohio State as one of the best hitting teams in the Big Ten - both teams came into the game with 197 extra base hits and batting averages around the .330 mark - and the Hoosier bats heated up in the fourth. Nine Hoosiers batted in the inning and five hits were collected, but fortunately, only three runs were scored when the bases were left loaded despite being juiced at one point with only one out.
Ohio State loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning with nobody out but came away with no runs as Monar threw a 5-2-3 double play ball and backed that up with a fly ball to right to end the inning with IU still in front, 3-2.
The Hoosiers followed with five consecutive singles to score two more runs and chase Wolosiansky (11-2). Jared Strayer entered and after hitting Brian Lambert to bring home the sixth run of the game, Tyler Rogers tripled to clear the bases, increase the lead to 9-2 and keep the Buckeye fans glued to their seats for the rest of the game.
“Timing is everything,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. We have guys get two hits in the game but we couldn’t get a hit with the bases loaded when we needed one. Indiana then came up in the fifth and they took the doubt out of the outcome.”
For his part, Strayer calmed the Hoosier bats down. He worked the final 4.0 innings and allowed four hits and only two earned runs. He struck out four batters.
Recap Courtesy OSU Athletics
Box score
The No. 3 seed Hoosiers have won all three games in this tournament easily with 34 runs scored and just seven allowed. Blake Monar fired the third consecutive controlling performance on the mound for IU, pitching 6.2 innings, giving up just five hits and allowing only three runs. He walked five, but wasn't hurt by that total, struck out six and improved to 5-3 with the win.
Offensively, IU featured six multi-hit players with Tyler Rogers’ three hits and four RBI the most damaging.
“They are good,” Ohio State captain Justin Miller said. “They put good swings on everything. They are in a groove right now. Everything they hit is hit hard and they are finding the holes.”
Zach Hurley opened the game with a single off the freshman lefthander, moved to second on a wild pitch and after a ground out, scored on Dan Burkhart's single to center for a 1-0 lead.
An inning later Ohio State added a run for a 2-0 lead. Miller, who has scored early in each of Ohio State's two tournament games, walked, went to second on a groundout and scored on Tyler Engle's infield single that included a throwing error.
Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky worked seamlessly through the first three innings, allowing a couple of hits but staying out of trouble with the help of four strikeouts and a double play.
The game then took an ominous turn with three consecutive innings of tense, bases-loaded baseball. Indiana won this series of mini battles, two-innings-to-none, and the prize - a winner's bracket game win - soon followed.
Here's what happened. Indiana is right there with Ohio State as one of the best hitting teams in the Big Ten - both teams came into the game with 197 extra base hits and batting averages around the .330 mark - and the Hoosier bats heated up in the fourth. Nine Hoosiers batted in the inning and five hits were collected, but fortunately, only three runs were scored when the bases were left loaded despite being juiced at one point with only one out.
Ohio State loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning with nobody out but came away with no runs as Monar threw a 5-2-3 double play ball and backed that up with a fly ball to right to end the inning with IU still in front, 3-2.
The Hoosiers followed with five consecutive singles to score two more runs and chase Wolosiansky (11-2). Jared Strayer entered and after hitting Brian Lambert to bring home the sixth run of the game, Tyler Rogers tripled to clear the bases, increase the lead to 9-2 and keep the Buckeye fans glued to their seats for the rest of the game.
“Timing is everything,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. We have guys get two hits in the game but we couldn’t get a hit with the bases loaded when we needed one. Indiana then came up in the fifth and they took the doubt out of the outcome.”
For his part, Strayer calmed the Hoosier bats down. He worked the final 4.0 innings and allowed four hits and only two earned runs. He struck out four batters.
Recap Courtesy OSU Athletics
Box score
Friday, May 22, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Buckeyes show some grit in plucky victory
Friday, May 22, 2009 3:13 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
Anyone needing more proof that Ohio State is a baseball team that refuses to lose received it last night in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Alex Wimmers, the right-hander who was co-conference pitcher of the year, didn't come close to dominating hitters.
The Buckeyes also didn't hit the ball like the machine that tore up opposing pitching all season.
Yet facing a three-run deficit in the sixth inning, Ohio State pecked and poked at Illinois, and eventually came away with a 7-4 victory before what is believed to be a single-day Big Ten tournament record crowd of 4,575 in Huntington Park.
"The crowd was with us the entire game," reliever Jake Hale said. "When we tied the game (in the seventh inning), I just knew we were going to win it."
The Buckeyes (40-15) advance to the winner's bracket final against Indiana at approximately 7:05 tonight.
How opportunistic was Ohio State against Illinois?
It scored the tying and winning runs in the seventh inning -- an inning in which OSU had only one hit, a bunt by Cory Kovanda.
When the Buckeyes trailed 4-1, they scored two runs in the sixth on three singles -- two of which never left the infield.
Wimmers wasn't himself almost from the start, giving up a two-run homer to Aaron Johnson in the second inning.
"People who have watched Alex Wimmers all year could see he didn't have his best stuff," Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. "He was really struggling with his off-speed pitches."
Wimmers gave up two more runs in the sixth on a double by Johnson and a single by Pete Cappetta.
That's when the Buckeyes began to dig in and show why they won the regular-season championship despite having only three seniors.
Michael Stephens, Dan Burkhart and Ryan Dew singled to load the bases in the sixth. Justin Miller drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Michael Arp brought in another with a groundout to make it 4-3.
Illinois threatened to break the game open in the seventh when Joe Bonadonna reached on an error and, one out later, Brandon Wickoff doubled to put runners on second and third.
Right-handed set-up man Drew Rucinski came on and retired Dominic Altobelli on a fly to right, then got Johnson on a hard liner to shortstop Tyler Engle.
"That's the kind of situation a reliever gets tossed into all the time," Rucinski said. "I threw all my pitches well. I tried to throw strikes."
Ohio State took advantage of a faltering Strack, who walked Matt Streng and Zach Hurley to start the seventh and gave up a perfect bunt down the third-base line by Kovanda to load the bases.
Two groundouts made it 5-4.
The Buckeyes scored twice in the eighth on a single by Streng and a triple by Hurley.
"I take our hat off to our hitters," Todd said. "We said, 'Settle down and have good at-bats that you're capable of.' We showed some patience."
Hale pitched the ninth to increase his Ohio State season saves record to 16.
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
Anyone needing more proof that Ohio State is a baseball team that refuses to lose received it last night in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Alex Wimmers, the right-hander who was co-conference pitcher of the year, didn't come close to dominating hitters.
The Buckeyes also didn't hit the ball like the machine that tore up opposing pitching all season.
Yet facing a three-run deficit in the sixth inning, Ohio State pecked and poked at Illinois, and eventually came away with a 7-4 victory before what is believed to be a single-day Big Ten tournament record crowd of 4,575 in Huntington Park.
"The crowd was with us the entire game," reliever Jake Hale said. "When we tied the game (in the seventh inning), I just knew we were going to win it."
The Buckeyes (40-15) advance to the winner's bracket final against Indiana at approximately 7:05 tonight.
How opportunistic was Ohio State against Illinois?
It scored the tying and winning runs in the seventh inning -- an inning in which OSU had only one hit, a bunt by Cory Kovanda.
When the Buckeyes trailed 4-1, they scored two runs in the sixth on three singles -- two of which never left the infield.
Wimmers wasn't himself almost from the start, giving up a two-run homer to Aaron Johnson in the second inning.
"People who have watched Alex Wimmers all year could see he didn't have his best stuff," Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. "He was really struggling with his off-speed pitches."
Wimmers gave up two more runs in the sixth on a double by Johnson and a single by Pete Cappetta.
That's when the Buckeyes began to dig in and show why they won the regular-season championship despite having only three seniors.
Michael Stephens, Dan Burkhart and Ryan Dew singled to load the bases in the sixth. Justin Miller drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Michael Arp brought in another with a groundout to make it 4-3.
Illinois threatened to break the game open in the seventh when Joe Bonadonna reached on an error and, one out later, Brandon Wickoff doubled to put runners on second and third.
Right-handed set-up man Drew Rucinski came on and retired Dominic Altobelli on a fly to right, then got Johnson on a hard liner to shortstop Tyler Engle.
"That's the kind of situation a reliever gets tossed into all the time," Rucinski said. "I threw all my pitches well. I tried to throw strikes."
Ohio State took advantage of a faltering Strack, who walked Matt Streng and Zach Hurley to start the seventh and gave up a perfect bunt down the third-base line by Kovanda to load the bases.
Two groundouts made it 5-4.
The Buckeyes scored twice in the eighth on a single by Streng and a triple by Hurley.
"I take our hat off to our hitters," Todd said. "We said, 'Settle down and have good at-bats that you're capable of.' We showed some patience."
Hale pitched the ninth to increase his Ohio State season saves record to 16.
OSU Defeats Illinois, 7-4, in Big Ten Tourney
Two weeks after Ohio State and Illinois played a thrilling game in front of more than 5,000 fans at Illinois Field, the two teams hooked up for another tense and terrific ball game at the Big Ten tournament at Huntington Park. This time, Ohio State pulled out the win, 7-4, to remain in the winner’s bracket of the tournament and face Indiana Friday night at 7:05 p.m.
Unlike two weeks ago, when Ohio State lost its only game of the season when leading after the seventh inning, the Buckeyes came from behind with two runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, respectively, to come back from a 4-1 Illinois lead and improve to 40-15 on the season.
“I thought our hitters did a good job battling back,” Ohio State head coach Bob Todd said. “This was a good team effort, though, with good pitches when we had to have them and a good job by our hitters.”
Three consecutive singles to open the Ohio State half of the sixth led to two Buckeye runs and a tightening of the score, to 4-3. Michael Stephens, Dan Burkhart and Ryan Dew singled to load the bases. Stephens scored on Justin Miller's sacrifice fly and Burkhart scored on Michael Arp’s fielder's choice.
An Ohio State error put the leadoff Illini on board in the seventh. After an infield pop-out, Brandon Wikoff doubled to right to put men on second and third. Ohio State starter Alex Wimmers was replaced at that point by Drew Rucincki, who perhaps saved the game by getting the final two outs of the inning on a fly to right - followed by a strong throw home by Arp to keep the runner from advancing - and a lineout to short.
Rucinski's effort in the seventh gave the Buckeyes and their partisan crowd a lift and the team capitalized on it. Matt Streng and Zach Hurley drew walks to open the inning and Cory Kovanda laid down a perfect bunt single to load the bases. A couple RBI ground outs - by Stephens and Dew - would be the extent of the Buckeyes' scoring, but the two runs gave the Scarlet and Gray its first lead of the game at 5-4 and, more importantly, the lead after the seventh inning and in those situations, Ohio State is 33-1 this season. Make that 34-1.
After a perfect, 1-2-3 inning by Rucinski in the eighth inning, the Buckeyes added two insurance runs in the eighth. Matt Streng singled home Arp, who took a fast ball in the back and then stole second to get into scoring position. Zach Hurley tripled to deep center field to score Streng. Hurley attempted an inside the park home run as he was waved home by third base coach Pete Jenkins, but two perfect strikes from center to second and then home got Hurley, who admitted afterward that he “ran into some quicksand rounding third.”
Ruckinski’s performance, which earned him his 10th win of the season in relief against two defeats, and a 7-4 lead set the stage for the ninth inning and the introduction of the best closer in the nation, according to Ohio State coach Bob Todd: Jake Hale. The big man from Albany, Ohio, didn't disappoint. After giving up a leadoff single, he sent the next three batters down in order – strikeout, groundout and strikeout – to extend his school record saves total this season to 16.
“The bullpen rose to the occasion,” Todd said. “Illinois is an outstanding hitting ball club.”
Wimmers went 6.1 innings, scattered six hits, gave up three earned runs, walked four and struck out nine. Illinois starter Will Strack suffered his first loss of the season (6-1) with 6.0 innings of work. He allowed 10 hits and five earned runs.
Illinois jumped on top in the top of the second, Aaron Johnson hitting his 10th home run of the year with a man on for a 2-0 Illinois lead.
Figures that Miller, who hit .680 the last two weeks of the season, would be in the middle of an Ohio State run in the second to cut the lead to 2-1. He walked, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Arp's double to right center.
Ohio State had runners on in the next three innings, including two in the fourth, but could not tie the score. Illlinois right fielder Pete Cappetta threw out a Buckeye going to third with one out in that inning to help calm a minor uprising by Ohio State in the fourth.
Illinois added to its lead in the sixth. Brandon Wikoff walked to lead off the inning and scored on another Johnson hit, this one a double laced into left center field. Two batters later and with men on first and second, Cappetta singled to right center to drive in Johnson and give the Illini a 4-1 lead.
This Ohio State team has been through a ton the past two weeks –peaks and valleys and emotions and quiet contemplation and waiting and wins (four consecutive now and six in its last seven games) – that something like a 4-1 deficit wasn’t going to stop this team. And it didn’t.
Recap Courtesy OSU Athletics
Box score
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Buckeyes open Big Ten Tournament vs Illinois.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 1 seed Ohio State opens 2009 Big Ten Conference tournament play at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Huntington Park against No. 4 Seed Illinois, a 16-5 winner over No. 5 Michigan State Wednesday.
Minnesota, the No. 2 seed, will also open tournament play Thursday against No. 3 Indiana, a 9-1 winner over Purdue in the second game Wednesday
OSU Athletics
Minnesota, the No. 2 seed, will also open tournament play Thursday against No. 3 Indiana, a 9-1 winner over Purdue in the second game Wednesday
OSU Athletics
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Join The Ohio State Alumni Association at the Big Ten Baseball Tournament
As many of you know, or should know because you should be checking out the Buckeye Nine's Tournament Central, the Big Ten has came up with an idea of "restaurant hosting" assigning the six competing schools, with 6 establishments for fans, friends, alumns of the schools to gather. Ohio State's is Gordon Biersch and the Alumni Association wants you there.
Thursday, May 21
Buckeye Gathering – 4:30 to 6:30 PM
Enjoy specials offered by the Gordon Biersch Brewery (401 N. Front Street in Arena District 614-246-2900).
Come join fellow alumni and Buckeye fans prior to No. 1 seed Ohio State’s opening round Big Ten Baseball game at Huntington Park, which starts at 7:05 PM.
Raffle prize drawings wll be available to all alumni in scarlet and gray.
Print out this coupon and get $10 off your food purchase of $20 or more.
Restaurant Hosting
OSU Athletics
Thursday, May 21
Buckeye Gathering – 4:30 to 6:30 PM
Enjoy specials offered by the Gordon Biersch Brewery (401 N. Front Street in Arena District 614-246-2900).
Come join fellow alumni and Buckeye fans prior to No. 1 seed Ohio State’s opening round Big Ten Baseball game at Huntington Park, which starts at 7:05 PM.
Raffle prize drawings wll be available to all alumni in scarlet and gray.
Print out this coupon and get $10 off your food purchase of $20 or more.
Restaurant Hosting
OSU Athletics
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Buckeyes Big Ten Champs, Tournament #1 Seed
With winning the Big Ten's regular season championship, the Bucks going into the Big Ten Tournament as the #1 seed. In other years this would ensure Columbus hosting the Big Ten Tournament at Bill Davis Stadium. This year the Big Ten decided to go to a pre-determined site, and lo and behold the site picked before the season was Huntington Park downtown. So our guys get to still sleep in their beds and have all th accommodations that would go with the traditional hosting rights, but they get to play in beautiful Huntington Park.
The Buckeye Nine has spawned a new branch or addition to the site, hoping to provide more coverage than normal as the Bucks continue their special season. If you haven't noticed to the right, there is a new link under Ohio State Baseball Links, in The Buckeye Nine Tournament Central. By going here to the B9 Tourney Central, you can get up to the minute and more coverage of the Big Ten tournament.
Once the Buckeyes win the tournament title, hopefully, the content will flip over the the NCAA tournament and follow the Buckeyes in Regionals and beyond. The Buckeye Nine will still have Ohio State content throughout both tournaments, but this allows for other issues outside of Ohio State to be address. In some cases content might be duplicated but hey the more the merrier. Also with the help of a friend or two, original stories and content will be provided relating to game articles, previews, interviews, and other media.
Already posted is a short interview the Buckeye Nine had with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, asking a few questions in how the Big Ten Tournament came to Columbus, their role in it, what to expect, and their goals and events. Also the Big Ten Tournament bracket is available with a link to the printable version. The first of the 6 Big Ten teams that made the Tournament previews are available in 6-seed Purdue.
The Buckeye Nine has spawned a new branch or addition to the site, hoping to provide more coverage than normal as the Bucks continue their special season. If you haven't noticed to the right, there is a new link under Ohio State Baseball Links, in The Buckeye Nine Tournament Central. By going here to the B9 Tourney Central, you can get up to the minute and more coverage of the Big Ten tournament.
Once the Buckeyes win the tournament title, hopefully, the content will flip over the the NCAA tournament and follow the Buckeyes in Regionals and beyond. The Buckeye Nine will still have Ohio State content throughout both tournaments, but this allows for other issues outside of Ohio State to be address. In some cases content might be duplicated but hey the more the merrier. Also with the help of a friend or two, original stories and content will be provided relating to game articles, previews, interviews, and other media.
Already posted is a short interview the Buckeye Nine had with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, asking a few questions in how the Big Ten Tournament came to Columbus, their role in it, what to expect, and their goals and events. Also the Big Ten Tournament bracket is available with a link to the printable version. The first of the 6 Big Ten teams that made the Tournament previews are available in 6-seed Purdue.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Single-Game Tickets to the Big Ten Baseball Tournament Now on Sale
Big Ten Tournament Central
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Single-game tickets to the 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament to be held May 20-23 at Huntington park in Columbus, Ohio, are now on sale, the Big Ten Conference and Greater Columbus Sports Commission announced today.
Tickets to the 11 separate games are $10 each, plus service charges, and available at www.ticketmaster.com. All single-game tickets are general admission.
All-Tournament passes and group tickets to the 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament are also available. All-Tournament passes to the event’s 11 games cost $100 each. Group tickets (minimum 20) are available for $7 per ticket. All tickets are available at www.ColumbusSports.org or www.bigten.org.
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota and Ohio State have secured spots in the tournament, which will feature the top six finishers in the conference’s regular-season standings. The regular season is scheduled to end Saturday, May 16, with the tournament schedule announced following the conclusion of the last conference game.
The Big Ten Conference and Greater Columbus Sports Commission announced in December that Huntington Park, the home of the Triple-A Columbus Clippers, will serve as the host site for the 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament. The event will mark the Big Ten’s first neutral-site baseball tournament since 1994. The event will be hosted by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission and Columbus Clippers.
Huntington Park opened on April 18 as the home of the Columbus Clippers, the Triple-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. The 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament will be the first special event held in the new ballpark, located in the Arena District in downtown Columbus.
The Big Ten Conference is an association of 11 world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in student-athletes’ lives and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. Big Ten universities provide in excess of $100 million in athletic scholarship aid to more than 8,500 men and women student-athletes who compete for 25 championships, 12 for men and 13 for women. Conference institutions sponsor broad-based athletic programs with more than 270 teams. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission was founded in June 2002 to attract professional, amateur, collegiate and youth sporting events to Columbus. Since its inception, the Sports Commission has attracted more than 90 events that have generated more than $95 million in visitor spending. For more information, visit www.ColumbusSports.org.
Images are property and trademarks of the Big Ten Conference, Huntington Bank, and of The Greater Columbs Sports Commission. All rights are reserved.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Big Ten Baseball Tournament in Columbus?
When I checked out Bob Hunter's Rumblings in today's Dispatch it was great to see this as the lead note in his column...
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission plans to meet with Big Ten officials late this summer and pitch the idea of Columbus playing host to the conference baseball tournament in the new Huntington Park.
Commission executive director Linda Logan and Clippers general manager Ken Schnacke were in Oklahoma City for the Big 12 tournament last week to see how that tournament is run, in preparation for what Logan hopes will be an offer that Big Ten officials can't refuse.
"We've been what I call 'flirting' with them for the past year," Logan said. "Big Ten baseball coaches would like to do it at a predetermined site and build it. The administrators probably aren't quite there yet. We have to overcome some obstacles, but if we're able to put together an attractive package…"
As it stands, the conference regular-season champion plays host to the tournament; that means sometimes the host team doesn't find it will have the event until about five days before. Using a predetermined site would allow for sponsorships, better travel arrangements and bigger crowds.
Battle Creek, Mich., was host of the tournament in 1993-94, the only time since the event started in 1981 that it was held at a neutral site.
Logan said tournament play at Huntington Park could begin as soon as next year. "A lot has to happen," she said, "but we're up for the challenge."
I guess if you can't win the league for the right to be the host you might as well endorse a plan that would bring the tournament to your own backyard.
The Greater Columbus Sports Commission plans to meet with Big Ten officials late this summer and pitch the idea of Columbus playing host to the conference baseball tournament in the new Huntington Park.
Commission executive director Linda Logan and Clippers general manager Ken Schnacke were in Oklahoma City for the Big 12 tournament last week to see how that tournament is run, in preparation for what Logan hopes will be an offer that Big Ten officials can't refuse.
"We've been what I call 'flirting' with them for the past year," Logan said. "Big Ten baseball coaches would like to do it at a predetermined site and build it. The administrators probably aren't quite there yet. We have to overcome some obstacles, but if we're able to put together an attractive package…"
As it stands, the conference regular-season champion plays host to the tournament; that means sometimes the host team doesn't find it will have the event until about five days before. Using a predetermined site would allow for sponsorships, better travel arrangements and bigger crowds.
Battle Creek, Mich., was host of the tournament in 1993-94, the only time since the event started in 1981 that it was held at a neutral site.
Logan said tournament play at Huntington Park could begin as soon as next year. "A lot has to happen," she said, "but we're up for the challenge."
I guess if you can't win the league for the right to be the host you might as well endorse a plan that would bring the tournament to your own backyard.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Season Over
Indiana scored twice in the top of the 10th inning to beat Ohio State 10-8 Thursday, eliminating the Buckeyes from the Big Ten tournament and ending their season (Box Score). It was the first ever win by the Hoosiers against the Buckeyes in four tournament games.
Despite five solid outings, OSU freshman Alex Wimmers hit the first batter of the 10th and a bunt moved him over. Buckeye skipper Bob Todd brought in closer Eric Best. After a fly out moved a runner to third, he gave up the lead on a double by Andrew Means and a single by Chris Hervey added another insurance run.
The Buckeyes went quietly in the bottom of the inning.
Ohio State trailed early in the game and was able to tie it in the eighth to force extra innings after failing to score with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth.
Ohio State found themselves in a 4-0 hole to start the game and Indiana added another run in the second before the Buckeyes got two back in the bottom of the inning. The Scarlet and Gray took a 6-5 lead in the third inning with a four spot thanks to RBI by Dan Burkhart, Tyler Engle and Tony Kennedy. The first run of the inning scored on an error.
The lead was short-lived as the Hoosiers came back with three runs in the fourth. Ohio State put another run on the board in the fifth and left the bases loaded, yet trailed by an 8-7 score.
Jake Hale got the start and was less than stellar. He pitched four innings and allowed eight runs (only two earned) on 11 hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter before handing over the Buckeyes' chances to Wimmers.
Wimmers pitched well, getting out of trouble in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings. He retired the batters in order in the seventh and kept the Hoosiers scoreless in his 5.1 innings. He allowed two hits, walked two and fanned two yet kept his team within striking distance. It is a shame he had to get the loss. Best replaced him with one on and one out in the top of the 10th.
Cory Kovanda's sacrifice plated Justin Miller to tie the game in the eighth, but the Buckeyes left two runners on, including Burkhart at third.
Kennedy led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left. Hurley's sac bunt moved Kennedy into scoring position and then the Hoosiers intentionally walked J.B. Shuck, putting runners at first and second with one out for Miller, who drew a walk to load the bases.
Ryan Dew, who was hitting .400 with the bases loaded and .346 with runners in scoring position, was brought in to pinch hit for Meade and grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Tony Kennedy and Ryan Meade each had three hits to lead the Buckeyes, which also had multiple hits from Kovanda and Burkhart. Kennedy drove in three runs. Ohio State finished the game with 12 hits and walked 11 times. Buckeye pitching allowed 15 hits and walked just two.
It was a sloppy game with seven errors between the squads, including five by the Hoosiers.
Indiana was hot heading into the tournament, having won its last seven games and 10 of their previous 13. Even so, I never thought this game would be close. I certainly did not see the season ending today.
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Ohio State finished a disappointing 30-26. You have to look back to 1999 when the Buckeyes last went 0-2 in the Big Ten Tournament. Of course, that season fans didn't mind as much since they hosted a regional and super regional and came within one game of advancing to the College World Series.
Despite five solid outings, OSU freshman Alex Wimmers hit the first batter of the 10th and a bunt moved him over. Buckeye skipper Bob Todd brought in closer Eric Best. After a fly out moved a runner to third, he gave up the lead on a double by Andrew Means and a single by Chris Hervey added another insurance run.
The Buckeyes went quietly in the bottom of the inning.
Ohio State trailed early in the game and was able to tie it in the eighth to force extra innings after failing to score with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth.
Ohio State found themselves in a 4-0 hole to start the game and Indiana added another run in the second before the Buckeyes got two back in the bottom of the inning. The Scarlet and Gray took a 6-5 lead in the third inning with a four spot thanks to RBI by Dan Burkhart, Tyler Engle and Tony Kennedy. The first run of the inning scored on an error.
The lead was short-lived as the Hoosiers came back with three runs in the fourth. Ohio State put another run on the board in the fifth and left the bases loaded, yet trailed by an 8-7 score.
Jake Hale got the start and was less than stellar. He pitched four innings and allowed eight runs (only two earned) on 11 hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter before handing over the Buckeyes' chances to Wimmers.
Wimmers pitched well, getting out of trouble in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings. He retired the batters in order in the seventh and kept the Hoosiers scoreless in his 5.1 innings. He allowed two hits, walked two and fanned two yet kept his team within striking distance. It is a shame he had to get the loss. Best replaced him with one on and one out in the top of the 10th.
Cory Kovanda's sacrifice plated Justin Miller to tie the game in the eighth, but the Buckeyes left two runners on, including Burkhart at third.
Kennedy led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left. Hurley's sac bunt moved Kennedy into scoring position and then the Hoosiers intentionally walked J.B. Shuck, putting runners at first and second with one out for Miller, who drew a walk to load the bases.
Ryan Dew, who was hitting .400 with the bases loaded and .346 with runners in scoring position, was brought in to pinch hit for Meade and grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Tony Kennedy and Ryan Meade each had three hits to lead the Buckeyes, which also had multiple hits from Kovanda and Burkhart. Kennedy drove in three runs. Ohio State finished the game with 12 hits and walked 11 times. Buckeye pitching allowed 15 hits and walked just two.
It was a sloppy game with seven errors between the squads, including five by the Hoosiers.
Indiana was hot heading into the tournament, having won its last seven games and 10 of their previous 13. Even so, I never thought this game would be close. I certainly did not see the season ending today.
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Ohio State finished a disappointing 30-26. You have to look back to 1999 when the Buckeyes last went 0-2 in the Big Ten Tournament. Of course, that season fans didn't mind as much since they hosted a regional and super regional and came within one game of advancing to the College World Series.
Why We Watch
Yeah, as much as I was hoping to see the magic return for Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament like seasons past, the chances appear to be slim, but they are not out yet.
You have to go back to 1995 to see the Buckeyes rebound from a loss in the opener to win the championships, but that was back when the tourney field was just four teams.They have never lost the opener to come back and claim the title in a six-team tourney. They came close though in 2004. After losing 10-4 to Michigan, Ohio State roared back to force a second championship game vs. Minnesota before ultimately losing.
That comeback will keep me tuned in to see what happens the rest of the way.
Go Bucks!
You have to go back to 1995 to see the Buckeyes rebound from a loss in the opener to win the championships, but that was back when the tourney field was just four teams.They have never lost the opener to come back and claim the title in a six-team tourney. They came close though in 2004. After losing 10-4 to Michigan, Ohio State roared back to force a second championship game vs. Minnesota before ultimately losing.
That comeback will keep me tuned in to see what happens the rest of the way.
Go Bucks!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
On to the Loser's Bracket
Illinois scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning and held on to defeat Ohio State, 3-2, in the opening game of the 2008 Big Ten Tournament (Box Score). The Buckeyes head to the loser's bracket and will play again Thursday at 12:05 p.m. against sixth-seeded Indiana, which lost 6-1 to third-seeded Penn State (Box Score).
Illinois scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Catcher Dan Burkhart's throwing error trying to nab Kyle Hudson on his steal of second allowed him to reach third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Wikoff.
Burkhart made amends in the top of the second when he drove in Cory Kovanda and Zach Hurley with a two-out double to left center to move the Buckeyes in front 2-1. Both runs were unearned.
Illinois tied it up again in the bottom of the third and it remained that way until Joe Bonadonna hit a solo home run in the seventh to lift his team to victory. The Fighting Illini also got a complete game from starter Kevin Manson.
Ryan Dew delivered a lead-off pinch-hit single to start the ninth, but J.B. Shuck hit into a double play and Justin Miller, who needed a hit in his final at bat to extend his 14-game hit streak, flied out to end the game. Dew's single was just the fourth hit of the game for the Buckeyes. Other hits came from Hurley, Kovanda and Burkhart, who finished the game with a pair of RBI. The four hits represented a season low.
Fifth-year senior and three-time captain Dan DeLucia (who is an OSU finalist for the Big Ten Medal of Honor) pitched four innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in what could be his final outing in a Buckeye uniform. He walked three and struck out three before the coaching staff went to Dean Wolosiansky, who pitched 3.0 innings and allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh. He allowed five hits before handing the eighth inning to Eric Best.
The trio combined to allow 11 hits in an incredibly tight ball game. Wikoff, Aaron Johnson and Ryan Hastings each had two hits for the Illini.
Jake Hale is expected to start Thursday for Ohio State vs. Indiana. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers did not meet in 2008.
Don't miss Big Ten Tournament coverage from The-Ozone.net: Recap and Photo Gallery.
Illinois scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Catcher Dan Burkhart's throwing error trying to nab Kyle Hudson on his steal of second allowed him to reach third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Wikoff.
Burkhart made amends in the top of the second when he drove in Cory Kovanda and Zach Hurley with a two-out double to left center to move the Buckeyes in front 2-1. Both runs were unearned.
Illinois tied it up again in the bottom of the third and it remained that way until Joe Bonadonna hit a solo home run in the seventh to lift his team to victory. The Fighting Illini also got a complete game from starter Kevin Manson.
Ryan Dew delivered a lead-off pinch-hit single to start the ninth, but J.B. Shuck hit into a double play and Justin Miller, who needed a hit in his final at bat to extend his 14-game hit streak, flied out to end the game. Dew's single was just the fourth hit of the game for the Buckeyes. Other hits came from Hurley, Kovanda and Burkhart, who finished the game with a pair of RBI. The four hits represented a season low.
Fifth-year senior and three-time captain Dan DeLucia (who is an OSU finalist for the Big Ten Medal of Honor) pitched four innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in what could be his final outing in a Buckeye uniform. He walked three and struck out three before the coaching staff went to Dean Wolosiansky, who pitched 3.0 innings and allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh. He allowed five hits before handing the eighth inning to Eric Best.
The trio combined to allow 11 hits in an incredibly tight ball game. Wikoff, Aaron Johnson and Ryan Hastings each had two hits for the Illini.
Jake Hale is expected to start Thursday for Ohio State vs. Indiana. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers did not meet in 2008.
Don't miss Big Ten Tournament coverage from The-Ozone.net: Recap and Photo Gallery.
Second Chance
The Columbus Dispatch actually had an article today about Ohio State baseball. The story is about how the team is in familiar ground going in as the fifth seed. The Buckeyes have won two of the last three Big Ten tournaments as the fifth or sixth seed. They have won six tournaments since 2002.
Here is the Tournament at a Glance. Wish they were sending a reporter to Ann Arbor.
"It has been a challenging year," coach Bob Todd said. "We've got to approach the tournament as this being our second chance. For us to win this tournament, we've got to have all phases of our game working."
Here is the Tournament at a Glance. Wish they were sending a reporter to Ann Arbor.
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