Burkhart Makes Northwest League Debut

Last night for the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes former Buckeye catcher and 2009 Big Ten Player of the Year Dan Burkhart made his professional debut.

Burkhart a 10th round selection of the San Fransico Giants went 1-for-4 in an 11-2 loss.

Burkhart was promoted to the Short Season A-Level Northwest League after kicking off his professional career with a blistering run in the Arizona League for the Giants' Rookie Ball team. In five games in Arizona Burkhart batted .333; 6-for-18, with a double, a triple, a home run, while driving in three runs. Burkhart posted a whopping 1.121 OPS in Arizona.

Buckeye Baseball News and Notes 7/23

It's been a few days since we've caught up on what has gone on in the world of Buckeye baseball. As we'll starting to enter into the dog days of Summer the news might not be as frequent, but I'll do my best to keep up on things.

Today we take a look at perhaps the finest outing this summer by a Buckeye pitcher, a former pitcher who continued an impressive summer, and a future Buckeye who like his Buckeye baseball brethren is dazzling on the diamond.

Hiatus Over, What's Next for Buckeye Baseball

I'm back.

Basically had to fight off a viral infection for the last three weeks that wanted me dead. Throw in the end of the quarter, finals, work, etc, it's been a rough month.

A lot has happened over the last three weeks. Alex Wimmers has twice been named 1st team All-America. He, Dan Burkhart, and Zach Hurley were selected last week in the MLB First-Year Player Draft. There is also this thing with the head coaching vacancy, that is in it's final days.

I've learned not to set deadlines, it causes stress and leaves everyone disappointed when I can't meet them, but here is what I would like to do this week.

Recap the season
Touch on Coach Todd's tenure
Discuss the draft
Give you guys the insight into Ohio State's next baseball coach
Start to look ahead to summer leagues

It'll be a fun and hopefully informative week.

Sorry for the hiatus, but we're back.

Bucks Take Two of Three from Wildcats

Really there isn't much to say about the weekend, it pretty much went as expected.

I think we should feel comfortable expecting to take every series, with an occasional sweep against Iowa or Purdue, ultimately ending with a Big Ten mark not too far from the 18-6 2009 campaign.

A solid pitching performance was followed by two games of serviceable pitching. For two games the offense was there. An error-free game was followed by a three-error game. Ho-hum.

I don't advocate being content, but given the horrible schedule the Buckeyes faced in Florida, there will be no at-large berth this season and no "need" to ring up x amount of wins. It's Big Ten Tournament or bust, which we luckily host at Bill Davis Stadium.

So for the next seven weekends, I'm fine taking two of three, with some improvement here or there, securing one of the top two spots come conference tournament play and letting the dominoes fall.

But back to the weekend.

Lots of Buckeye baseball notes

The season is eight days away? You wouldn't know looking outside but it truly is.

Here is a rundown of this week's news. Come Monday I'll dig into providing my thoughts on the team. I know it has been a long time coming just bear with me one more weekend.

Wimmers & Burkhart continue to be noticed nationally

Here is the latest media to provide insight into Burkhart & Wimmers

College Baseball Insider caught up with the two to discuss the conjoined path to presentday.

Baseball America and Yahoo! Sports has features on the two upcoming here shortly. Buckeye State Baseball has the info on that.

CollegeBaseball360 announces Big East/Big Ten Challenge videocast schedule

CollegeBaseball360 is going above and beyond bringing exposure to northern baseball. CB360 has finalized their schedule in covering challenge between the weather-strickend conferences as they meet in the clash in Florida. You can check out when the Buckeyes will be on the stream by going here.

Big Ten Preview?

College Baseball Insider spoke to 8 of the 10 Big Ten coaches, though they did not state who, to gather their thoughts and answers on the season.

Collectively the coaches agreed Ohio State is the team to beat. Wimmers is the top Big Ten pitcher. Burkhart is the best defensive catcher while Michael Stephens is the best defensive outfielder. Stephens is one of the conference's best power hitters, while Ryan Dew and Burkhart are two of the purest hitters.

You can read all of the answers provided by the Big Ten coaches here.

Ohio State Athletics Communications continue their Ohio State preview

The talented Jerry Emig continued breaking down the Scarlet & Gray for 2010 in previewing the catching corp. Though Burkhart is the brightest star and biggest name, the group has depth. You can read the preview here.

That is the latest and greatest news about the Big Ten defending champions.

Our Honor Defend

The 2010 season is officially underway with practice in full swing as the defending Big Ten champions prepare to defend their crown while also looking to take the next step on a national level.

With the season opening in 16 days as the Buckeyes take on North Florida to kick off one of their most highly anticipated seasons in recent years, there is plenty of time to preview and dig into the 2010 version of the Scarlet & Gray.

For now lets recap all of the preseason buzz...

All-Americans

When you capture Big Ten Player and co-Pitcher of the year as sophomores you'll have a spotlight on you entering your junior season. When you spend your summer perfecting your craft in the Cape Cod League and prove to be among the best at your position, that spotlight only gets brighter.

The junior battery of RHP Alex Wimmers and C Dan Burkhart picked up a few preseason honors headed into that all important junior season.

First the National College Baseball Writers Association, selected both Wimmers and Burkhart to their second-team All-America squad.

The honor was followed by Wimmers being named a second-team Louisville Slugger All-American.

With Ping! Baseball tabbing Wimmers as a first-team AA selection, while Burkhart once again receives a second-team mention.


Preseason polls
2010 will not be a season Ohio State sneaks up on anyone.

As the six major preseason polls were released, the Bucks found homes in five of them, barely missing a ranking in Baseball America's top 25.

The high water mark was set by Collegiate Baseball who penciled the Buckeyes in at 14th.

The Coaches in their ESPN/USAToday Poll determined the Buckeyes to be the 21st best team entering the new year.

Kendall Rogers of Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports gave the Bob Todd and his team a 22nd ranking.

The NCBWA were right in line with the previous two polls, slotting the Scarlet & Gray at 23rd.

Ping! rounds out the quintet of rankings, as they gave the Bucks a preseason ranking of 24 in their 30 team poll.


Now what?

As previews start to be released nationally, some with more insight and value say College Baseball Today than others I'll keep you in formed on that.

Otherwise I'll start previewing the Bucks as they enter 2010 with one word on their mind: Omaha. Over the next two and a half weeks.

More honors for Burkhart and Wimmers

More accolades for the duo

I do not mean to sound like a broken record, but once again the battery of Dan Burkhart and Alex Wimmers have received honors, awards, and recognition.

The Moeller products who enter the 2010 season as the Big Ten's gold standard, were named pre-season All-Americans by Ping! Baseball.

Burkhart received his second second-team All-America honor, the first by way of the National College Baseball Writers Association. Burkhart, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year was the team's MVP in Coach Todd's eyes in 2009.

The Friday night starter who will be throwing to Burkhart in Wimmers has now received his third pre-season honor. Ping! selected Wimmers to their first-team. That AA honor coincides with second-team selections by NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball.

The College Baseball Blog has selected the 2009 co-Big Ten Pitcher of the Year as their #9 player for the 2010 season.

Misc.
Not much to report here. Though I can pass along sources within the Ohio State Department of Athletics have told us replacing the field and sod is on the docket of "things to do" for the DoA.

Bill Davis Stadium has received upgrades in the external facade and recognition along the outfield wall for retired numbers. Now finally the playing surface will be address.

Preseason honors and rankings

As we figured, coming off of 2009 success with just three seniors being lost due to graduation, 2010 was to be a year of high expectations. What we knew in Columbus has made its way around the college baseball world and is starting to be reflectedin various publications.

Rankings
In the first two preseason rankings, the Bucks crack both top 25s and are in very welcoming company.

Ping!Baseball released its preseason list first and slotted the Bucks at 24th which you can see here.

Ping!'s write-up on the Bucks:

While the Big 10 isn't much of a baseball power conference these days, it hasn't always been that way. Up until the mid 80's a Big 10 representative was often in Omaha . Yet for Ohio State , the layoff has been even longer. The Buckeyes made it to the Series three times in the 60's (including winning the title in '66), but haven't visited since. This year's team is hoping to end that streak and is in good position to do so. Dan Burkhart (.354, 10, 62) will be looking to parlay last season's success with a fine Cape showing to lead the offense which returns almost its entire startling lineup. Alex Wimmers (9-2, 3.27, 136 Ks in 104.2 IP) is a dandy of a Friday nights starter, but the rest of the rest of the arms will have to turn it up a notch if team is going to make it out of Regionals.

Where Ping! set the bar College Baseball News put it on an entirely different level. A week later Collegiate Baseball ranked the Bucks preseason #14. The CBN's poll is here.

Myself personally, I feel you split the difference and at #19 is about where the Bucks should be.


Kendall Rogers thoughts
Rogers has made no secret his thoughts and opinions of the Buckeyes and continue to group Ohio State and Omaha in the same sentence.

In his storylines to watch in 2010, the Buckeyes make a cameo with this write-up:
Ohio State has talent and experience to reach College World Series

It’s not often a Big Ten team is expected to compete for a CWS berth. But Michigan a couple of seasons ago and Ohio State this season are the exceptions.

The Wolverines fell short of meeting their goals despite hosting a regional two seasons ago. OSU, though, hopes to turn the tide for the conference.

The Buckeyes welcome back several key hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a solid .328 batting average. The offense is expected to emulate that production this season.

The Buckeyes also welcome back one of the nation’s best pitchers in starter Alex Wimmers. Drew Rucinsky and Eric Best also are key returning pitchers. However, the bullpen is a huge concern and could keep OSU from reaching its goals.

Ohio State’s success this season could be huge for northern baseball.


In his Big Ten snapshot, this quick hit and run statement was thrown to the public:

Ohio State

2009 record: 42-19

Top returning player: P Alex Wimmers

What needs to improve: The Buckeyes know what could keep them from reaching their big goals this season. The Buckeyes welcome back several talented hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a .328 batting average. However, the pitching staff is a concern. The Buckeyes have one of the nation's best in Alex Wimmers, but the rest of the weekend rotation must be better. Also, the bullpen was unimpressive last season and is without top arm Jake Hale. Ohio State will be an Omaha contender if the pitching staff rises to the occasion.


I do think Rogers is underappreciating the staff as a whole. More insight and knowledge about the pitching would realize that Wolo and Rucinski pitched way better than their numbers. A healthy Best and Armstrong will mean the world to Ohio State, as well as Oltorik. With perhaps the biggest wild card being freshman Brett McKinney, who has a very reasonable chance to nail down a weekend rotation spot.



All-Americans
The last bit of news to compile would be the releasing of two All-American lists. First the National College Baseball Writers Association released their 2010 preseason AA team

The Buckeye battery of Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart were both selected second-team preseason All-Americans. Respectively the two are reigning Big Ten Pitcher and Player of the years.

College Baseball News released its preseason All-America team where Wimmers received third-team honors.

With practice beginning in less than four weeks, it is time to gear up and get ready for the upcoming season.

Wimmers & Burkhart named Preseason All-Americans

The junior battery was selected to the Collegiate Baseball Writers’ second team

Courtesy Ohio State Athletics

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State junior ace Alex Wimmers and junior catcher Dan Burkart, the 2009 Big Ten Conference co-pitcher and player of the year, respectively, have been named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America (NCBWA) preseason All-America second team. Both players are from Cincinnati, Ohio and played for Archbishop Moeller High School.

Wimmers, a semifinalist last year for both the Golden Spikes Award and the College Baseball Foundation National Pitcher of the Year Award, is coming off a sophomore campaign that included a 9-2 record, a 3.27 earned run average and 136 strikeouts (vs. 55 walks) in 104.2 innings. He was named first-team All-America by Louisville Slugger and PING! Baseball and third-team All-America by Collegiate Baseball and the NCBWA.


Burkhart was a semifinalist for the Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate catcher last year. Considered the best everyday player on the Big Ten champion Buckeyes team last year, Burkhart hit .354 with 13 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs and 62 runs batted in. He also scored 48 runs, slugged at a .589 clip, and threw out 35-percent of runners attempting to steal.

Only three Big Ten Conference players were named on the baseball writer’s three preseason All-America teams. Michigan outfielder Ryan LaMarre was the only other player from the Big Ten named. The NCBWA preseason All-America team release is attached.

The college baseball season opens the weekend of Feb. 19. Ohio State will play three games at the University of North Florida – vs. North Florida, Florida A&M and vs. Richmond – Feb. 19, 20 and 21, respectively, to open its season.

Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports: Five Keys Ohio State

By Kendall Rogers

1. Alex Wimmers needs to be Alex Wimmers -- This key may sound like common sense or even be strange to some people, but there have been plenty of times in the past when a pitcher expected to throw exceptionally well cratered the next season. Wimmers can't do that if the Buckeyes plan on reaching the College World Series. As a sophomore last season, he had a 9-2 record and compiled a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings. He also struck out 136 and walked 55 and limited opposing teams to a .211 clip. Wimmers will be a preseason All-American and will have much pressure to succeed. It'll be interesting to see how the talented pitcher handles the spotlight.

2. Rest of the weekend rotation needs to be much better -- Wimmers is Ohio State's bell cow and one of the nation's best, but the same can't be said for the rest of the Buckeyes' weekend rotation. Eric Best was good at times last season. But another starter, Dean Wolosiansky compiled rather unimpressive numbers. Best started 13 games last season and had a 5.95 ERA in 75 2/3 innings. He also struck out 55 and walked 34 and limited opposing teams to a .315 batting average. Wolosiansky, meanwhile, started 16 games and had a 6.04 ERA in 92 1/3 innings. He struck out 55 and walked 34 and teams hit him at an incredibly high .330 clip. There's no question this unit must improve if Ohio State is to make a trip to Omaha next June.

3. Build more quality bullpen depth -- The bullpen is OSU's only major of concern with the season a couple months away. The Buckeyes finished last season with a 6.39 ERA and the bullpen is to blame for much of that calculation. Drew Rucinski is the top returning reliever. Joining him are Ross Oltorik, Andrew Armstrong and Jared Strayer. Rucinski made 36 appearances last season and had a 5.54 ERA in 74 2/3 innings, Oltorik made 11 appearances and had a 9.58 ERA in 31 innings, Armstrong made 11 appearances and had an 11.51 ERA and Strayer made 20 appearances and had a 10.55 ERA in 29 innings. We can't stress enough how much better this unit must be in the spring, both from a production and quality depth standpoint.

4. Offense needs to meet expectations -- This certainly will be the Buckeyes' strength in the spring. The Buckeyes had one of the nation's youngest offensive lineups last season and still managed to finish the campaign with a .328 batting average. The Bucks welcome back five hitters that finished '09 with batting averages better than .340. The list includes Ryan Dew, Dan Burkhart, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens and Cory Kovanda. Dew led the team in hitting with a .388 batting average. Burkhart and Stephens, meanwhile, are the team's leading power hitters. It wouldn't surprise me if the Buckeyes finish the '10 season with a batting average equal to or better than .328.

5. Embrace the high expectations -- There have been times in the past when teams with incredibly high expectations folded like a cheap tent once the season began. Ohio State definitely hopes to avoid that fate. Ohio State hasn't been to Omaha in 42 years and would love nothing more than to end that hiatus in the spring. Accomplishing that goal will be a long and potentially rugged road with every team on the schedule gunning for them. Still, this is a team that gained a lot of experience by reaching the Tallahassee Regional final last season. There's no need for the Buckeyes to get overwhelmed by the high expectations. They need to embrace the publicity.

Where we stand: Catchers

First part of 2009 wrap-ups and 2010 previews begins with the catchers.

Returning Players:
Sr. Shawn Forsythe (18 games, 4 starts)
Jr. Dan Burkhart (105, 105) 2009 starter
Jr. DJ Hanlin (4, 0)
R-Fr. David Fathalikhani (0, 0)

Incoming Players:
F Steel Russell

Spring Roundup:
Burkhart is coming off of a 2009 campaign which saw him share first team All-Big Ten honors with Indiana catcher Josh Phegley. Though the all conference selection resulted in a tie, it was Burkhart who the coaches selected as the Big Ten Player of the Year.

Being used in the 5-hole before sliding up a spot during the second half of the season anchoring the Bucks as its clean-up hitter, the Cincinnati Moeller product batted .354, with 13 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, and 62 RBI. Burkhart’s .529 slugging percentage was second on the team behind CF Michael Stephens. His .429 on-base percentage tied for the team lead along with DH Ryan Dew and SS Tyler Engle. Combined Burkhart’s 1.018 OPS tied for the team lead with Stephens, ideal production from your clean-up hitter. In conference play the numbers Burkhart put up stayed consistent, posting a line of .350-.575-461.

What makes Burkhart stand out besides the raw numbers is digging deeper into the numbers and seeing a complete player. Blending power wth patience, in drawing 31 base on balls compared to 29 strikeouts, only three other Big Ten hitters with 10+ home runs finished with a BB: K ratio of 1 or better. Teammate Dew who walked an equal amount of strikeout at 12. Purdue third basemen Dan Black who walked 62 times against 46 strikeouts, and Phegley with 45 free passes to34 strikeouts.

Defensively opponents successfully stole bases off Burkhart 65% of the time which finished 4th best behind Minnesota’s Kyle Knudson 60%, Chad Noble from Northwestern at 62%, and Aaron Johnson from Illinois at 64%. Providing a solid glove along with a strong arm Burkhart allowed just 3 passed balls, fewest in the Big Ten.

As you can imagine with the Big Ten Player of the Year in front of you on the depth chart, finding a way to squeeze yourself into the line-up can be challenging, a task that was dealt to Hanlin and Forsythe. Forsythe who is entering his 5th season with the program did pick up at-bats and playing time in 2009, providing veteran depth for the Buckeyes behind the plate.

Appearing in 17 games making four starts, Forsythe batted .238 picking up five hits in 21 at-bats. All five were singles, but the former Sheridan General did drive in three runs, and crossed home four times himself. A bug-a-boo for Forsythe however was his defense behind the plate. Compared to the three passed balls Burkhart allowed in 57 starts, Forsythe allowed two, collected three catcher interference, and base runners successfully stole nine bags in 11 attempts.

DJ Hanlin rounds out the returning catchers. A junior, Hanlin saw playing time in four games, went 1-for-2 and drove in a run. Walk-on David Fathalikhani did not see any playing time in 2009, taking a red-shirt year.

Summer Showings:

As expected, as one of college baseball’s best, Burkhart spent the summer playing in the most prestigious of collegiate summer leagues, the Cape Cod Baseball League. Playing for the Hyannis Mets, Burkhart was selected an alternative to the CCBL All Star game. With the wooden bat Burkhart hit at a .295 clip, third on the team, with a pair of doubles and a triple.

Along with Burkhart, Forsythe dropped the aluminum for the wood in honoring his skills over the summer. Playing for Rockbridge Rapids alongside teammates Brian DeLucia and Jared Strayer, Forsythe made eight starts, appearing in 13 games. In 24 at-bats, Forsythe batted .125, collecting three hits and a RBI.

Autumn Activities:

Burkhart went 6-for-12 with 4 RBI, in the three game Scarlet & Gray World Series. Catching the entire first two games behind the plate, Burkhart trotted out to third for the deciding third game, a site new to Buckeye fans.

Neither Forsythe nor Hanlin collected a hit in the three games, sharing catching duty for the Gray team. While Fathalikhani did pick up a hit in his lone at-bat for the Scarlet team.

Where we stand:

Obviously the position is Burkhart’s to lose, which we highly doubt that will happen. As the player Coach Bob Todd referred to time and time again as the team’s most valuable player, a lot will be expected from Burkhart. After his breakout sophomore year, though not on the level Phegley was, Burkhart’s name is resonating through the collegiate baseball world.

As the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year, Burkhart will not sneak up on anyone, however given the skill and depth of the Buckeyes line-up, opposing pitchers won’t have the luxury of giving Burkhart the Dan Black treatment of intentional, unintentional free passes. Burkhart will get his chances to again by the catalyst in the Buckeyes batting order, presumably batting clean-up once again.

As long as Burkhart maintains his focus he should once again put up stellar numbers. Where another year of college baseball under his belt, the line-up the Bucks have, and a sense of urgency that this is the year, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Burkhart bat near .370, line-up 15 home runs, and drive in close to 75 runs

Behind Burkhart you can expect Forsythe to step in on days Burkhart is given off, and do a serviceable job. Hanlin could provide pinch-hit value and a lot defensive replacement off the bench on those days. Fathalikhani is probably still a year or two away from extended playing time. True freshman Steel Russell who will be highlighted later will also provide depth for what could be the Big Ten’s best collection of backstops.

Grade: A. Though top heavy with Burkhart, having Forsythe with some time behind the plate doesn't the the cupboard bare. The numbers are there and if Russell brings the bat from Autumn to Spring this group could be very deep with numbers and talent.

McKinney leads Scarlet in victory

COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State baseball team's annual Scarlet and Gray World Series was decided on the final game of the three game series with Scarlet coming out on top, 8-3, Wednesday evening at Bill Davis Stadium.

The Gray scored a run in the top of the first inning. Senior Cory Kovanda doubled sharply to left and came around to score on senior Cory Rupert's single to right.
Scarlet came back against Gray pitcher Theron Minium with two two-out runs to take a 2-1 lead. After a walk to Brian DeLucia, Ryan Cypret, Steel Russell and Joe Ciamacco all singled to plate the two runs.

Ryan Dew's RBI single in the third increased the Scarlet lead to 3-1. Scoring on the play was Dan Burkhart, who had stroked a one-out single.

Gray threatened in the fourth with two on and nobody out. But like he did Friday with the bases loaded and nobody out, McKinney got out of the jam. He struck out David Corna for the first out and then got an inning-ending and textbook, 4-6-3 double play.

Tyler Engle laid down a delicately nice bunt with one out in the Scarlet fifth. He moved to second on a throwing error on the play and went to third on a wild pitch. Minium helped himself by striking out Burkhart to get the second out of the inning. It also signaled the end of Minium's start as Nick Jones came in to try and get the third out of the inning. And he did. With one pitch he coaxed a ground out.
Scarlet starter McKinney had another nice outing. He went 5.0 innings allowing just one run off five hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter to improve his record to 2-0 this fall.

Gray cut the lead to one run with a two-out score in the sixth. Stephens singled, stole second and scored on Matt Streng's double to left.

But Scarlet went back up by two in its half of the sixth as Burkhart doubled in Chris Griffin, who had singled with one out.

Back came Gray. With two out in the eighth and facing side-armed throwing Jared Strayer, Stephens and Matt Streng hit back-to-back doubles with Stephens scoring to make the score 4-3.

Scarlet finally put the game away with four runs in the eighth inning off a walk, a hit, a fielder's choice, and three errors to carry a 8-3 lead into the ninth inning.
Strayer shut down Gray in the ninth to earn the save.

Dan Burkhart and Ryan Cypret each had a pair of hits for Scarlet. Streng finished 3-for-4 with a pair of runs batted in while Kovanda and Stephens each added two hits for Gray.

Summer League Buckeyes: Burkhart named CCBL All-Star Alternate

Photo is property of the Boston Red Sox

HYANNIS, Mass. – The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox have a league-leading seven All-Stars in the 47th Under Armour Cape Cod Baseball League All-Star Game to be held on Thursday, July 23 at Boston’s Fenway Park.

Each 21-player team was selected in a meeting of the team’s 10 managers in Hyannis Thursday morning. The rosters are comprised of 10 starters, 11 reserves, and four alternate players.

Cotuit skipper Mike Roberts, coach of the defending West Division regular season champions, will lead the West All-Stars. Hyannis’ Chad Gassman, Wareham’s Cooper Farris, Bourne’s Harvey Shapiro, and Cotuit assistant Noah Scott round out the rest of the West coaching staff. The head coach of the East is Harwich’s Steve Englert after Kelly Nicholson, coach of defending East regular season champion Orleans Firebirds, deferred the head coaching role to Englert, coach of the defending league champion Mariners. Nicholson, Brewster’s Tom Myers, Y-D’s Scott Pickler, and Harwich assistant Peter Pasquarosa fill out the remainder of the East staff.

Y-D, which sits in a tie for second in the East Division, lead the way with seven All-Stars, including three starters: Micky Wiswall (Boston College), who is tied for the league lead with 18 RBI, shortstop Blake Kelso (Houston), and outfielder Austin Wates (Virginia Tech), who leads the league in hitting at .385. Infielder Tyler Hanover (LSU), and pitchers Chris Sale (Florida Gulf Coast), John Leonard (Boston College), and closer Tyler Burgoon (Michigan) are also headed to Fenway Park for Y-D next Thursday.

The other East starters include Orleans speedster Gary Brown (Cal State Fullerton), Brewster’s power-hitting third baseman Jedd Gyorko (West Virginia), second basemen Colin Walsh (Stanford), and designated hitter John Barr (Virginia), along with Harwich outfielder Daniel Grovatt (Virginia). Chatham's Mike Murray (Wake Forest) starts behind the plate for the East and is backed up by Dan Butler (Arizona) from Brewster.

The starting pitcher for the East is Orlean’s Rob Rasmussen (UCLA) who comes into Thursday with a 0.96 ERA and 26 strikeouts in just 18.2 innings pitched. Rasmussen is joined by a stellar pitching staff that includes Orleans teammates Casey Gaynor (Rutgers) and Elliot Glynn (Connecticut), Brewster’s Kyle Blair (San Diego), Harwich’s Aaron Meade (Missouri State) and Chatham closer Russell Brewer (Vanderbilt), who is tied with Y-D’s Burgoon for the league lead in saves with seven.

Falmouth and Cotuit lead the way for West All-Stars, each providing five players on the 21-man squad. Falmouth’s outfield duo of Brian Fletcher (Auburn) and Todd Cunningham (Jacksonville State), who is second in the league in hitting at .368, get the start in left and center fields. Joining them from Falmouth is shortstop B.A. Vollmuth (Southern Miss) and pitchers Patrick Cooper (Des Moines CC) and Taylor Wall (Rice).

Cotuit, also with five players on the roster, will send three starters: third basemen Zach Cox (Arkansas), outfielder Zach Cone (Georgia), and catcher Cody Stanley (UNC Wilmington). Another Cotuit catcher, Cameron Rupp (Texas), will back up Stanley on the All-Star roster. Pitcher Daniel Tillman (Florida Southern) gets the nod as a reserve.

Joining the Falmouth and Cotuit players in the West starting lineup are Bourne first basemen Kyle Roller (East Carolina), Hyannis second basemen Nick Crawford (UAB), and Hyannis designated hitter Ryan Cuneo (Delaware), who is tied with the aforementioned Mickey Wiswall for the league lead in RBI. Derek Dietrich (Georgia Tech) is the reserve infielder for the West. Starting for the West is Wareham’s Brandon Workman (Texas).

Two more of Workman’s teammates are on the West pitching staff: Jack Armstrong (Vanderbilt), son of the former major leaguer of the same name, and Eric Pfisterer (Duke). Hyannis’ Dallas Gallant (Sam Houston), Bourne’s Stephen Harrold (UNC Wilmington) and Kevin Munson (James Madison) are also on the West staff.

Prior to the game, six players will partake in the Home Run Hitting Contest. Starting third basemen Jedd Gyorko (3 HR), Harwich’s Connor Powers (1 HR), and Brewster infielder Harold Martinez (1 HR) will represent the East Division. The West will be represented by Falmouth’s Hunter Morris (4 HR), Wareham’s Brett Eibner (2 HR), and Cotuit’s Kevin Patterson (3 HR).

Fenway Park gates open for the All-Star Game at 3 p.m. on July 23. Batting practice and autograph sessions will take place until the Home Run Hitting Contest at 5:15 p.m. The 47th Under Armour All-Star Game gets underway at 7 p.m.

The New England Sports Network (NESN) will provide a live telecast of the game. Local NPR affiliate WCAI (90.1 fm) will provide radio coverage. NPR’s Neal Conan will do play-by-play and the Cape League’s John Garner will handle the color commentary.

For tickets, visit any one of the 10 league parks, as the teams are competing to see who can sell the most tickets. Or call 617-REDSOX9 to order tickets. There is also a promotion to bid on being the "batboy/girl " for the game on www.capecodbaseball.org through Monday.


Photo Courtesy the-ozone.net

Burkhart who is spending the summer playing for the Hyannis Mets, was named a reserve to the west division all-star team as the roster was announced. The entire roster can be found here.

For the summer Burkhart is hitting .250 with the wooden bat appearing in 15 games. The Big Ten Player of the Year adds another honor to a memorable 2009 year. As were the previous to updates here on the Buckeye Nine, Burkhart is a grad of Cincinnati Moeller and like Wimmers and Oltorik, Burkhart will go a long way in the Buckeyes 2010 title defense.

Buckeyes in Summer Leagues

A quick rundown for what I've found so far for our Buckeyes playing in summer leagues. Reached out to the Baseball contacts in the Department of Athletics but have not heard back yet.

Cape Cod Baseball League
C Dan Burkhart- Hyannis Mets
P Alex Wimmers- Bourne Braves

Valley Baseball League
3B Brian DeLucia- Rockbridge
P Jared Strayer- Rockbridge
SS Tyler Engle- Luray
P Andrew Armstrong- Luray
P Drew Rucinski- Luray
2B Cory Kocanda Waynesboro

Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
P Eric Best- Licking County Settlers

Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League
INF Ryan Cypret- Jersey Tides
INF Zach Nowland- Jersey Tides

I'll touch more of this in a bit. Just a quick rundown for those interested.

Big Ten Network Video Game Highlights & Post Game Comments

Minnesota-Ohio State highlights



Post-game Press Conference

Columbus Dispatch: These battery mates were buddies from the first pitch

Thursday, May 21, 2009 4:16 AM
By Mark Znidar

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH


How far back do Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart go?

Donna Burkhart took an inventory of pictures in her home of her son and closest buddy as they grew up in suburban Cincinnati.

"In every picture I see Danny and Alex standing or sitting next to one another," she said. "Let's see: There they are for First Communion. It was the same thing for Confirmation. It was the same for eighth-grade graduation. There they are together again. They went to high school and carpooled together. We have all those baseball pictures, too."

Wimmers' mom, Bonnie Summe, said her son and Burkhart were inseparable to the point where both mothers felt as if they had an extra son.

"Dan and his brothers slept at our house, showered in it, ate there and just hung out there, and Alex did the same at the Burkharts," Summe said. "I really felt like they were my other sons. Those boys never left the house without saying thanks -- not once. You always knew Alex was OK being with the Burkhart boys because they were taught the right values."

Wimmers and Burkhart began playing baseball together with a traveling team when they were 9. They became stars in high school at Cincinnati Moeller.

Now, they are battery mates for Ohio State, which won the Big Ten regular-season championship and will open play in the conference tournament tonight in Huntington Park.

They aren't just pitcher and catcher, but special sophomores. Wimmers was voted Big Ten co-Pitcher of the Year with Eric Arnett of Indiana after going 9-1 with a 2.58 ERA. Burkhart was named Player of the Year after batting .362 with nine homers and 57 RBI.

Wimmers does occasionally shake off a sign.

"But I like to think I know what he's thinking most of the time," Burkhart said.

Pitchers generally like to be by themselves in the dugout.

"We'll sit in the dugout and go over the hitters," Wimmers said. "We'll talk about what we want to throw."

For good reason, the baseball talk generally ceases once they leave the ballpark. They share an apartment, and there are pressing things to do -- such as play video games.

Wimmers' and Burkhart's parents are also close. When the boys were 12 and playing in a tournament, the parents drove to Cooperstown, N.Y., together.

Baseball has turned into the glue for both families. In fact, they held a mini-celebration on the field after Wimmers threw a no-hitter against Michigan on May 3.

Burkhart was asked how much ownership he had in that game.

"Maybe 30 percent," he said.

The words had barely left Burkhart's lips when Wimmers corrected him.

"No," he said. "I say the credit was more like 55-45."

Summe put into perspective how much the boys play a part in each other's success.

"When Alex needs a run or big hit in a game, who steps up to the plate but his friend and battery mate," she said.

The buddy system even extended to Wimmers' recruitment by Ohio State.

"When I accepted the scholarship offer, I told the coaches that there's this Wimmers kid from Moeller that I think would like to come here, too," Burkhart said. "We never planned for college like this, but it sure has worked out."

Burkhart Big Ten Player of the Year, Wimmers Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Todd Big Ten Coach of the Year

Longest title ever. I know, I apologize, but not really because its a sweet one.



Photo Courtesy The-Ozone.net

8 Buckeyes in total grab All-Conferens nods

Official Release Big Ten Release

INDIANA AND OHIO STATE EARN TOP BIG TEN INDIVIDUAL HONORS
FOR 2009 BASEBALL SEASONOSU’s Burkhart and Todd named Player, Coach of the Year; Buckeyes’ Wimmers shares pitching honor with Indiana’s Arnett; Hoosiers’ Dickerson is top freshman

COLUMBUS, Ohio – On the night before the start of the 2009 Big Ten Baseball Tournament, the Big Ten Conference announced the season’s All-Big Ten teams and individual honors, recognizing Ohio State catcher Dan Burkhart as the conference Player of the Year, Indiana’s Eric Arnett and OSU’s Alex Wimmers as Co-Pitchers of the Year, IU’s Alex Dickerson as Freshman of the Year and Buckeye mentor Bob Todd as Coach of the Year.


Burkhart becomes the fifth Buckeye to be named Big Ten Player of the Year and the first since Ronnie Bourquin in 2006. He is the second Ohio State catcher to earn the honor, joining Jonathan Sweet in 1994. The sophomore backstop led his team to its first conference championship since 2001 on the heels of an 18-6 Big Ten slate and a 39-15 mark headed into tournament play. The sophomore batted .362 on the season with a slugging percentage of .611, reaching base at a .435 clip. He also ranked in the conference’s top five with 57 RBI. Burkhart also handled a pitching staff that held opponents to a .282 batting average and struck out an average of 7.67 batters per game. Burkhart is a semifinalist for the Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, which honors the nation’s top collegiate catcher.

A high school friend of Burkhart’s, Wimmers is the second Buckeye in the last three years to receive top conference pitching honors and is the fourth Ohio State player to earn the distinction. Wimmers finished the regular season on top of several Big Ten statistics, including ERA (2.58), opponents’ average (.197), innings pitched (94.1) and strikeouts (122). The sophomore was named Big Ten Player of the Week four times this year and threw the first nine-inning no-hitter in program history on May 2, recording 14 strikeouts in the process. Wimmers enters the tournament with a 9-1 record, including a 4-1 mark in Big Ten play. The righty is a semifinalist for the College Baseball Foundation’s Pitcher of the Year Award.

Co-Pitcher of the Year Arnett is the first Hoosier to earn the conference’s top pitching award. The junior enters the Big Ten Tournament among the conference’s elite in ERA (2.78), innings of work (94.0), strikeouts (93) and opponents’ batting average (.215), which drops to .203 in Big Ten play. The right-hander tied for the conference lead with 11 wins throughout the 2009 campaign and again tied for the Big Ten’s best with seven victories during the conference slate. Arnett is a semifinalist for the College Baseball Foundation’s Pitcher of the Year award.

Dickerson becomes the first Indiana player to be named Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The designated hitter earns the laurel after finishing among the conference’s top 10 in average (.367), hits (80), RBI (52) and home runs (14). The newcomer helped Indiana reach its highest seed in the Big Ten Tournament since 1996 and is a unanimous selection to the inaugural Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

Selected unanimously by his peers as Big Ten Coach of the Year, Todd led the Buckeyes to their first conference title since 2001 on the strength of an 18-6 Big Ten slate with a conference-leading 39 victories heading into the tournament. The accolade is the fifth of Todd’s career as he last took home the honor following his squad’s most recent championship season in 2001. Under Todd’s guidance, eight Buckeyes took home All-Big Ten honors, including four first-team members and the conference’s Player and Co-Pitcher of the Year.

The Big Ten also released the All-Big Ten teams and inaugural All-Freshman team. Ohio State led all teams with four first-team selections in Burkhart, Wimmers, designated hitter Ryan Dew and closer Jake Hale. Wimmers was a unanimous selection to the squad, as was Minnesota second baseman Derek McCallum, Purdue outfielder Brandon Haveman and Indiana’s Arnett. Rounding out the first team are Illinois third baseman Dominic Altobelli and shortstop Brandon Wikoff, Indiana outfielder Kipp Schutz and catcher Josh Phegley, Iowa outfielder Ryan Durant and Michigan first baseman Mike Dufek and starter Chris Fetter.

For the first time, the Big Ten coaches also selected an All-Freshman Team, which consisted of seven unanimous selections in Illinois’ Willie Argo, Indiana’s Dickerson and Blake Monar, Iowa’s Dallas Burke, Minnesota’s AJ Pettersen and Justin Gominsky and Penn State’s Jordan Steranka.

The conference office also announced honorees from each of the 10 baseball squads for the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. The student-athletes chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. In addition, the student-athletes must be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. Honorees for baseball are Illinois’ Altobelli, Indiana’s Jerrud Sabourin, Iowa’s Justin Toole, Michigan’s Kenny Fellows, Michigan State’s Nolan Moody, Minnesota’s Matt Nohelty, Northwestern’s Jake Wilson, Ohio State’s Cory Kovanda, Penn State’s Ryan Boonie and Purdue’s John Cummins.

The complete All-Big Ten teams and award winners can be found below.



FIRST TEAM
1B – Mike Dufek, MICH
2B – Derek McCallum, MINN#
SS – Brandon Wikoff, ILL
3B – Dominic Altobelli, ILL
OF – Kipp Schutz, IND
OF – Ryan Durant, IOWA
OF – Brandon Haveman, PUR#
C – Josh Phegley, IND*
C – Dan Burkhart, OSU*
DH – Ryan Dew, OSU
SP – Eric Arnett, IND#
SP – Chris Fetter, MICH
SP – Alex Wimmers, OSU#
RP – Jake Hale, OSU

SECOND TEAM**
1B – Jerrud Sabourin, IND
2B – Cory Kovanda, OSU
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN
3B – Justin Miller, OSU
OF – Pete Cappetta, ILL
OF – Ryan LaMarre, MICH
OF – Michael Stephens, OSU
DH – Alex Dickerson, IND
SP – Matt Bashore, IND
SP – Seth Rosin, MINN
SP – Dean Wolosiansky, OSU
RP – Scott Matyas, MINN

THIRD TEAM
1B – John Cummins, PUR
2B – Eric Charles, PUR
SS – Justin Toole, IOWA
3B – Jordan Steranka, PSU
OF – Willie Argo, ILL
OF – Mike Kvasnicka, MINN
OF – Alex Jaffee, PUR
C – Aaron Johnson, ILL
DH – Matt Nohelty, MINN
SP – Will Strack, ILL
SP – Tom Buske, MINN
SP – Matt Bischoff, PUR
RP – Chris Squires, IND*
RP – Ryan Ignas, PSU*

ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
1B – Nick O’Shea, MINN
2B – Eric Charles, PUR
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN#
3B – Jordan Steranka, PSU#
OF – Willie Argo, ILL#
OF – Justin Gominsky, MINN#
OF – Tyler Spillner, PUR
C – Dallas Burke, IOWA#
DH – Alex Dickerson, IND#
SP – Will Strack, ILL
SP – Blake Monar, IND#
SP – Tony Bucciferro, MSU
RP – Austin Lubinsky, MINN

BIG TEN INDIVIDUAL HONORS

PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dan Burkhart, OSU

CO-PITCHERS OF THE YEAR
Eric Arnett, IND
Alex Wimmers, OSU

FRESHMAN OF THE YER
Alex Dickerson, IND

COACH OF THE YEAR
Bob Todd, OSU#

SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Dominic Altobelli, ILL
Jerrud Sabourin, IND
Justin Toole, IOWA
Kenny Fellows, MICH
Nolan Moody, MSU
Matt Nohelty, MINN
Jake Wilson, NU
Cory Kovanda, OSU
Ryan Boonie, PSU
John Cummins, PUR

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.

Buckeyes win a nailbiter 5-4, Championship hopes still alive

Sitting here at Bill Davis Stadium, weather is incredible, fans have came out in droves.

Just Miller has continued his hot hitting going 2-for-4. Dew went 2-for-5, Burkhart also had 2 hits in his 4 AB's

Wolosiansky took the mound allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, in 7 IP, 5 Ks. Made his way out of a bases loaded jam in the first allowing just 1 run after 3 singles started the game.

Burkhart leads off the 7th with a double, advances to 3rd on a balk, Dew singles him in.

Iowa scored a run in the bottom of the 8th to pull within 1 5-4, in the 9th Iowa led off with a double, a bunt single to have runners on the corners no outs. Jake Hale proved he is the Big Ten's best closer, with help from catcher Burkhart who made a diving catch on a bunt attempt. Hale struck out the next batter, with Iowa down to their last out, Hale induced a groundout to Engle at shortstop. Hale's save was his Big Ten leading 14th, the 14th save also ties Ohio State's single single season record.

Tomorrows game is at 1:05, before the game the three seniors, Hale, Miller and Michael Arp will be honored.

Burkhart Named Johnny Bench Award Semifinalist

Photo courtesy the-ozone.net


The news for Moeller High alums continued as Wimmers battery mate Dan Burkhart continues his stellar season with his own semi-finalist appearance.


COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State standout sophomore catcher Dan Burkhart has been named today one of 13 semifinalists for the Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate catcher and delivered by Papa John’s Pizza.

Burkhart, who leads all Big Ten Conference catchers in overall hitting (.360) as well as in Big Ten games only (.343), is in the midst of a breakout season. He ranks fourth overall (among all players) in the Big Ten in RBI (55) and sixth in slugging (.617). He enters the Iowa series starting today with 47 runs scored, 63 hits and a .429 on-base percentage, in addition to his high average, slugging and RBI totals.

Defensively Burkhart, who is from Cincinnati and Archbishop Moeller High School, has thrown out 16 potential base stealers – fourth-most in the Big Ten – despite having the fourth-fewest attempts against him (42). He is fielding at a .984 rate and has started 47 games behind the plate.

The Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award semifinalists are (in alpha order):

•Buck Afenir, University of Kansas;
•Billy Alvino, High Point University;
•Griffin Benedict, Georgia Southern University;
•Dan Burkhart, Ohio State University;
•Jeffrey Farnham, New Mexico State University;
•Mark Fleury, University of North Carolina;
•Chris Henderson, George Mason University;
•Greg Lagreid, Washington State University;
•Francis Larson; University of California, Irvine;
•Josh Phegley, University of Indiana;
•Tony Sanchez, Boston College;
•Matt Williams, Duke University; and
•J.T. Wise, University of Oklahoma.

The finalists will be announced June 3, 2009 prior to the NCAA Super Regionals and Major League Baseball Draft.

Ohio State Release

Wichita Greater Sports Commission