Buckeye Baseball News and Notes 8/6

Latest news and notes takes a look at former Buckeye hurler Eric Best starting his collegiate coaching career after a fine career on the diamond. Fellow ex-Buckeye pitcher Dan DeLucia fills us in on his latest trip to the disabled list. In summer league action Matt Streng ends his solid summer on a tear.

Buckeyes' Season Over

Not much to say, well there is but you get the point.

While I'm feeling a lot better, I still have a lingering cough and wasn't able to take in any of the final three games this weekend.

I'll be back running tomorrow, knock on wood, and will go deeper into my thoughts on the season, and who knows what else.

But for now congrats to the eight student-athletes who ended their careers today with the 9-6 win over Minnesota.

Buckeye State Baseball: While Wimmers Waits, Buckeyes Bullpen Delivers

Buckeye Bullpen has ERA of 1.45 over 37 innings

Heading into 2010, Ohio State had hoped their season would stir thoughts of Bob Seger’s Turn the Page, as they would be somewhere east of Omaha traveling into the mecca of college baseball in the final stages of a storybook season. Unfortunately the Buckeyes are desperately trying not to live Tom Petty’s Free Falling as the team has managed just three wins over the last 11 games.

In a season of turmoil which has seen losses to a Division II school and NAIA program in back-to-back days, barely above .500 play against teams in the RPI top-200, and three straight weekend defeats in Big Ten play which is the first in head coach Bob Todd’s 23 years at the helm, few things have gone right for Ohio State to say the least.

Buckeyes Salvage Series

The buck finally stopped. A six-game losing streak was snapped as the Buckeyes defeated Illinois on Sunday 8-4.

The much-maligned bats awoke after falling behind 4-1 staring an embarrassing home sweep in the mirror.

With the Big Ten being in complete chaos, a loss would have dropped the Bucks into the Big Ten cellar, although they would be alongside three other schools. But as it turns out the Buckeyes are in a tie for 5th place with Indiana, controlling their own destiny for a berth in the Big Ten Tournament.

Summer League Buckeyes: Stats through 7/22

Not much has happened in the last few days but heres an update.

Buckeye Shortstop Tyler Engle went 1-for-4, with a RBI Monday night for the Settlers in a 3-2 loss. His double-play partner Kovanda has gone 4-for-14 with a double, RBI, and CS over the past few games. Big Ten Player of the Year, Dan Burkhart has gone 0-for-5 in the Cape before their All-Star game which is tomorrow night in Fenwar Park.

Before the Cape takes their break, games are being played tonight and Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Alex Wimmers is scheduled to go for the Bourne Braves. Just as the action has been quite for the bats, as to for the pitchers. Junior Eric Best saw his summer come to an end as the Settlers and Eric decided to shut him down last week and find a roster replacement. Drew Rucinski was the only Buckeye to see action since Sunday.

In collecting his first loss of the year, last night Rucinski was called on in relief for the Luray Wranglers. Rucinski came in to start the 4th inning, with the game tied at 3 against the Woodstock River Bandits (sweet name). The Wranglers scored 2 runs in the bottom of the 5th to give Rucinski the lead and chance to secure his first win, but the top of the 7th saw trouble for Rucinski.

Rucinski started the inning off with a strike out, one of four on the evening, a single was followed with an error to have runners on first and second, before Matthew Blow, a VaTech junior 1B, sent a Rucinski pitch out of the confined dimensions of Bulldog Field, the Wranglers home, for a three-run home run. Rucinski's outing would come to an end as the 7th ended. Drew's line, 3 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs, 2ER, 4 K's, 1 BB. The Wranglers lost 6-5.


Hitters

Valley Baseball League:
Cory Kovanda-Waynesboro Generals: 34-for-116;.293 average, three 2B, one 3B, 10 RBI, .336 SLG, .362 OBP, 5/8 SB/SBA

Brian DeLucia-Rockbridge Rapids: 27-for-99; .273, three 2B, one 3B, three HR, 17 RBI, .414, .348

Shawn Forsythe-Rockbridge Rapids: 0-for-14, one RBI


Great Lakes:
Tyler Engle-Licking County Settlers: 9-for-26; .346, one HR, six RBI, .462, .414


Cape Cod:
Dan Burkhart-Hyannis Mets: 12-for-48; .250, one 2B, two RBI, .271, .308


Atlantic Baseball Confederation:
Ryan Cypret-Jersey Tides: 17-for-53; .321, one 2B, one HR, six RBI, .407, .434

Zack Nowland-Jersey Tides: 11-for-45; .244, one 2B, five HR, 15 RBI, .600, .433


Pitchers

Great Lakes:
Eric Best-Licking County Settlers 3-0, 3.50 ERA, 18.0 IP, 17 H, 17 K's, 5 BB, .243 BAA


Cape Cod:
Alex Wimmers-Bourne Braves 0-0, 2.25, 8 IP, 3 H, 11 K's, 4 BB, .111


Valley Baseball League:
Jared Strayer-Rockbridge Rapids: 0-1, 10.93, 14 IP, 27 H, 10 K's, 9 BB, .409

Drew Rucinski-Luray Wranglers: 0-1, 2 SV, 3.62, 27.1 IP, 24 H, 28 K's, 8 BB, .220

Andrew Armstrong-Luray Wranglers: 1-1, 6.19, 16 IP, 14 H, 15 K's, 12 BB, .222


New England Collegiate:
Dean Wolosiansky-Newport Gulls: 3-0, 1.95, 27.2 IP, 22 H, 15 K's, 9 BB, .222

Summer League Buckeyes: Best becoming one of the GLSCL's best

Photo courtesy Jim Davidson at the-ozone.net

I've been fortunate this season to snag an internship with the Licking County Settlers of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League that has teams here in Ohio and in Indiana. The GLSCL is a summer league that houses most of its players from the MAC, the Horizon Conference, a few DIII and NAIA schools, but sprinkled in will be the occasional Big Ten player from Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State, and Indiana.

Most seasons the Buckeyes will have a little more than half a dozen of its players playing in the GLSCL, most notably with the Columbus All Americans who played their games out of Bill Davis Stadium, and the Delaware Cows. For the 2009 season and foreseeable future the All Americans and Cows removed themselves from the summer league eliminating two local havens for Buckeyes to play, and as a result only one Ohio State student-athlete graces a GLSCL roster this summer.

Eric Best the upcoming Senior left-handed pitcher from Olentangy Liberty in Lewis Center, OH, is spending his second summer with the Licking County Settlers. His two stints in the GLSCL is sandwiched around his 2008 summer in the Alaskan League.

The early disappointment in not seeing other Buckeyes this summer as I travel and call games involving the Settlers and the 8 other teams in the league has been washed away by the efforts and performances Best has put on. I've been able to call and provide commentary in two of Eric's three starts this summer and it has been a joy seeing Best take the mound throwing and reaching the potential he flashed at times this past spring.

On the year Best has appeared in three games all being starts, thrown 14 innings, allowing 3 runs all earned, striking out twelve while yet to yield a walk. As a result of his dominance Best is 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA, a .241 batting average against a .92 WHIP surrendering just 13 hits in those 14 innings.

Best has thrived under the tutelage of Settlers pitching coach Kory Hartman who from 2005-2009 was the pitching coach at Ohio Dominican University here in Columbus. Hartman resigned from that position to become the first head coach in program history as the University of Northwest Ohio will be fielding its first baseball program starting in 2011. Hartman was able to develop two ODU Panthers into draft picks this past spring, and his knowledge and commitment to the pitching aspect of baseball has undoubtedly progress Best as a pitcher.

Best as the Buckeyes #3 and Sunday starter this past Spring did an admirable job, returning to the rotation after spending the prior season and summer working strictly as a closer. Best with 7-4 with a 5.95 for Bob Todd's Buckeyes during their Big Ten Championship season.

Though he was effective, there were times where Best would struggle to secure a quality start and go a solid 6 or 7 innings. In fact only twice in Big Ten play did Best go 6 innings, coming in the conference opening Penn State series and the Big Ten Championship clinching and season finale Iowa game.

When Eric struggled and conversely when he was on top of his game throwing late into games, Best's walks were the key issue. In 75.2 innings, Best placed 34 base-runners on via the free pass. When Best put a runner on base courtesy of a walk and throwing out of the stretch it appeared he was unable to fully get his breaking ball over and in for strikes and that produced an over-reliance of fastballs and compounding control issues. Also due to the lack of healthy arms, Best was a pitcher Bob Todd at times threw mid-week, following his summer start, not fully giving Eric the time need to rest and really work on finer aspects of his game.

This summer has been a completely different Best. Outside of having a set pitching schedule and numerous days off between starts, when he has started its been good. The excellence of Best goes further than issuing 0 walks in 14 innings. when the count goes 3-2, or 3-1, he is able to locate his off-speed pitches and getting his breaking ball in for strikes. Being able to keep hitters off balance has been a major part of Best's early summer success, in being able to throw three pitches for strikes allows him to really control at-bats and get out of trouble if it comes his way. Best has found the tools and pitching with effectiveness that made him a successful starter in his 2006 freshman season.

With the graduation of All American closer Jake Hale some assume the closer's role might go back to Best, given the way he performed as a closer in both the spring and summer 2008 seasons. Given the way I have seen him pitch this summer, the confidence he has, and the stuff he has shown, if Best does remain a starter, the Buckeyes in 2010 will have an entire weekend rotation that can lead them to a defense of the Big Ten Championship.

The Settlers play their games at Don Edwards Park in Newark, Ohio. Best's next start will probably come Tuesday July 7th, as the Settlers take on the Southern Ohio Copperheads. You can catch Settlers home games online, and listen to me and the voice of the Settlers Ben Bradley by following this link.

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.

Ohio State-Georgia II Bucks lead 13-6 Top 8

Figured while I'm on I might as well get this up.

I pray, and I mean PRAY one of our pitchers makes Cerione wear one and put him on his butt. After his antics on his 2 home runs, first off Wimmers should have hit him the next time he came up after his "jump shot" celebration... also the fact 3 of our players were being hit, Cerione deserves one. Our team needs a shot in the arm, or swagger, something to fire them up.

Anyhow, lefty Eric Best is on the mound. If it means much our best pitcher Friday was Barerra another southpaw. We'll probably have to put some runs on the board either way and hopefully we can get it into the 6th close. Go Bucks

Couple of notes... Cerione meet KARMA. So he didn't get plunked by a pitcher, but his STUPID play allowed Stephens to get an inside the park home run. Stephens wasn't done, Michael dropped a 3-run bomb in the bottom of the 7th to make the score 13-6, finishing a 6 run 7th for the Bucks. Oh and remember the Ceirone jump shot Friday night? Yeah Stephens threw it back into the Bulldogs dugout. Love it. Hale is in right now and dealing.

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

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

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.

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.

Hawkeyes Travel to No. 27 Ohio State

Instead of stealing, though I do give credit, Jerry Emig's and the Ohio State Department of Athletics work, I figured I take some info off of the Iowa Department of Athletics website.

Hawkeyes Travel to No. 27 Ohio State for Season Finale

Iowa takes on the Buckeyes in a three-game series Thursday-Sunday

HAWKEYES THIS WEEK: Iowa will travel to Columbus, OH, to take on the second place Ohio State in a three-game series Thursday-Saturday. This series will conclude the Hawkeyes' season and decide whether or not the Buckeyes claim the Big Ten title. No. 27 Ohio State is 36-14 with a 15-6 Big Ten record. The Buckeyes are coming off of a 2-1 series win over No. 25 Illinois at Champaign, IL, and play Eastern Michigan on Tuesday before hosting Iowa.

SCOUTING OHIO STATE: No. 27 Ohio State is 36-14 with a 15-6 Big Ten record. The Buckeyes are coming off of a 2-1 series win over No. 25 Illinois at Champaign, IL and play Eastern Michigan on Tuesday before hosting Iowa. Offensively, the Buckeyes are in the top three in nearly every statistical category in the conferece except triples, hits, hit-by-pitches, sacrifice flies and stolen bases. They are led by Ryan Dew who is in the top five in batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage and total bases when being compared with other Big Ten hitters. Dew is hitting a high .393. Other Buckeye sluggers are Dan Burkhard with a team-high 55 RBI and Michael Stephens with a team-best 11 home runs. The team is hitting .330 with 11 players hitting over .300. The Buckeye pitching staff has a 4.71 ERA in the conference and are led by starter Dean Wolosiansky with a 6-0 record in seven starters. Starter Alex Wimmers has a team-best 61 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched and Eric Best is the other Buckeye starter. Iowa trails the all-time series between the two schools, 42-64-1.

PROBABLES THIS WEEK:
THURSDAY, 5:30 PM
IA - Nick Brown (RHP, FR, 6-3, 245)
OSU- ALEX WIMMERS (RHP)
NOTING: Nick Brown went five innings, allowing five runs on seven hits with five
strikeouts in his first appearance since April 17th last Friday.

FRIDAY, 5:30 PM
IA - Phil Schreiber (RHP, FR, 6-0, 190)
OSU - DEAN WOLOSIANSKY (RHP)
NOTING: In a no decision against Penn State, Schreiber went a season-best six
innings and allowing only three runs on eight hits with a career-high seven strikeouts.

SATURDAY, NOON
IA - Jarred Hippen (LHP, FR, 6-3, 190)
OSU - ERIC BEST (LHP)
NOTING: Hippen got the win in Sunday's contest against Penn State. The southpaw
went a career-high seven and one-third innings.

Don't flip out and wonder what the heck happened and why the game times are changed. Nothing has been changed, Iowa just listed the times relative to their location which is in the Central Time Zone.

Full Iowa Athletics Release

Ohio State Takes Series From Illini, Move Into 2nd

Have A LOT of catching up to do. Here goes...
Recaps courtesy Ohio State Athletics

Game 1

League-leading Illinois scored three unearned runs in the ninth inning to snatch the first game of this crucial series with Ohio State, 5-4, before more than 5,000 fans at Illinois Field.

Ohio State led, 4-2, after another fine outing from Alex Wimmers, who pitched 7.2 innings and appeared to have the win after closer Jake Hale got out of a runners-on-second-and-third jam in the eighth inning.

Ohio State had been unbeaten entering the ninth inning with the lead this season at 30-0. Hale got the first out of the ninth, but then walked Pete Cappetta to bring Willie Argo, the tying run, to the plate. Argo reached on an error. Then pinch hitter Mike Giller reached on another infield error to load the bases, bringing up Joe Bonadonna. Two-run single to left center to tie the game. The next batter, Casey McMurray, then laced a sharp single to right to win the game and send the record Illinois crowd into a joyous celebration, topped off by fireworks that the Buckeyes had to watch because the place was too crowded with people to make leaving an option.

The loss dropped Ohio State two games behind Illinois and one-and-one-half behind Minnesota, which was taking care of business at Michigan. Heading into Saturday play, Illinois is 15-4, Minnesota is 14-4 and Ohio State is 13-6 with just five Big Ten Conference games to play. Overall, Ohio State is 34-14 and has lost four consecutive games.

This was Ohio State’s game. Michael Stephens hit his third home run in two games – a two-run shot in the first inning – to give the Buckeyes a quick, 2-0 lead. Also scoring on the play was Cory Kovanda, who had singled.

Wimmers kept Illinois in control through the first four innings, not allowing a man to reach base while facing the minimum 12 batters. But Dominic Altobelli led off the fifth with a home run to right that cut the lead to 2-1. The home run ended two amazing streaks for the talented Wimmers: 15.1. hitless innings and 14.2 scoreless innings.

Illinois threatened with a man on second and two out in the sixth, but Matt Streng made a nice play to his left to stab a Brandon Wikoff liner and make the unassisted play at first for the final out of the inning.

The Illini came right back in the seventh, with back-to-back, two-out singles by Matt Dittman and Cappetta to put runners on first and third. But Wimmers reared back and struck out Argo, the .348-hitting freshman with 11 home runs, swinging on a 3-2 count. Whew!

Ohio State extended the lead in the eighth. Stephens reached after getting hit on his right shin. Dan Burkhart then went opposite field – to left center – for his ninth home run of the season and a 4-1 lead. The two RBI were Burkhart’s team-leading 52nd and 53rd of the year.

With the intensity of the game rising with every pitch, Illinois bunched three hits together in the eighth to score a run, making it 4-2, and prompting Ohio State coach Bob Todd to the mound to relieve Wimmers.

So in came Hale (0-1) with runners on second and third and two out. His first three pitches to Aaron Johnson were balls, but Johnson swung at the fourth and Tyler Engle hustled to make a play behind the mound and throw Johnson out to end the inning.

Winning pitcher John Anderson (1-2) worked a scoreless ninth, setting the Illini up for a ninth inning that will probably never be forgotten by their players or the huge crowd on hand. There’s a Big Ten championship at stake, after all, and the home team took a big step toward it tonight. There are two more games left to be played in this series, though.

Game 1 Recap & Notes

Game 1 Box Score

Game 2

Ohio State pounded out 16 hits, including four by team captain Justin Miller, and rebounded from its Friday loss to defeat league-leading Illinois, 10-7, in Game 2 of the series Saturday at Illinois Field. The win keeps Ohio State in third place in the Big Ten standings, 1.5 games behind the new leader, Minnesota. Illinois falls one-half game back of the Golden Gophers with the loss.
There were seven ties and lead changes in the contest, but this game changed within a 60-second span of the first inning. That’s how long it took for Ohio State to get out of a serious situation.

Illinois, sky high after its come-from-behind ninth-inning win Friday, loaded the bases with nobody out in the first, courtesy of a leadoff walk and a pair of singles. But Dominic Altobelli hit a hard bouncer right back to Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky, who snapped the ball out of the air and teamed with catcher Dan Burkhart and first baseman Matt Streng to complete a textbook, 1-2-3 double play. Wolosiansky then fielded Aaron Johnson’s grounder and threw to first to get out of the inning without allowing a run.

Wolosiansky, the sophomore who was seeking to become the first 11-win pitcher at Ohio State since Justin Fry in 1999, pitched well enough to get a win, but after giving up two walks in the fifth inning, he yielded the game to reliever Drew Rucinsky, who pitched 3.2 innings to get the win and improve to 8-2 on the season. Jake Hale pitched a perfect, seven-pitch ninth inning to record his 12th save of the season.

This game, unlike Friday night, was more about the hitting than pitching, though. A game-long breeze reaching speeds of 15-to-20 mph out of the west made for a precarious afternoon with every well-hit fly ball. Advantage Ohio State in that department. Miller hit a two-run home run and had a double as part of his four-hit day, which included three runs and three RBI. Tyler Engle had two doubles, three hits and three runs scored and Ryan Dew also had three hits and three runs to lead the Buckeyes offensively.

Two of the biggest hits of the game came from Cory Kovanda and Matt Streng. Kovanda had the big hit in a three-run fourth inning...a two-out, two-strike, two-out single to give the Buckeyes a 4-3 lead. Zach Hurley, who had two hits and two RBI, drew a two-out, bases loaded walk to bring home the first run of the inning...a play that won’t be in the headlines but one that was certainly crucial at a critical point of the game.

Streng’s big hit came in the ninth with the Buckeyes clinging to an 8-7 lead. He singled to right, driving home two insurance runs to increase the lead to three at 10-7.

“My first few at-bats I had some good swings but things didn’t work out,” Streng, a sophomore from Upper Arlington said. “I was looking for a good pitch to drive in my last at-bat. I fouled a few pitches off and then I worked into a deep count and was able to drive one up the middle. I saw it get past the second baseman and I had to clap and cheer a little because I was excited. We needed those two runs.”

The win not only improved Ohio State’s record to 35-14, but it also stopped the only losing streak the team has been on all season at four games.

Game 2 Recap

Game 2 Box Score



Game 3

Ohio State pounded 16 hits for the second consecutive game to win the series with Illinois on the strength of a 12-7 victory Sunday at Illinois Field. The Ohio State win, coupled with a Sunday win by Michigan over Minnesota, leaves the Buckeyes and the Illini just one-half game behind Minnesota heading into the final weekend of the Big Ten season. Ohio State is now 36-14 overall and 15-6 in the Big Ten. Illinois is 32-16 and also 15-6.
Just two days after losing a Friday night game that appeared in the bag, the Buckeyes were backed into a corner and one loss away from being eliminated from the Big Ten championship picture and a couple losses away from being a fourth or fifth seed in the upcoming Big Ten tournament at Huntington Park.

But this team didn’t quit. It didn’t give in to the pressure and it quite simply didn’t care about its predicament. Instead, it came out of that corner swinging...in a big way.

This was a championship game from the start. Illinois had Best on the ropes early, scoring two runs off two hits in the first inning and then getting two men on in the second, but failing to score a run. The Illini also had men on in the third but could not add to their 2-0 lead.

The Buckeyes scored a run in the fourth. Burkhart doubled to center, moved to second on a ground out and with two out, Miller’s seventh hit of the series – a single to center – scored Burkhart, making the score 2-1.

Arp started the fifth off on a positive note for the Buckeyes, first-pitch swinging and collecting a single to left. Engle then crushed his first home run of the season out of left center field for a 3-2 Ohio State lead. Matt Streng walked and singles by Hurley and Kovanda increased the lead to 4-2 and closed the day on Illinois starter Bryan Johnson (5-3).

Stephens then greeted reliever Ben Reeser, in his first relief appearance of the year, with a sharp single to left that scored both Hurley and Kovanda for a 6-2 lead.

After Illinois’ Dominic Altobelli countered with his second home run of the series to cut the lead to 6-3, Ohio State retaliated with a single run in the sixth, a single by Kovanda that scored Engle.

Then leading 7-5 heading into the eighth inning, the Buckeyes delivered a series of knockout blows with two out that clinched the win. Burkhart doubled off the center field wall to drive in two. Dew followed with his seventh home run of the season to left center to drive in two more. The very next hitter, Miller, crushed his ninth home run to give the Buckeyes a 12-5 lead.

Hale gave up a home run in the eighth, but that was all and after a 3-up-3-down, ninth, the Buckeyes celebrated with their sixth series win of the season.

Game 3 Recap & Notes

Game 3 Box Score

Buckeyes Down Illini, 12-7 Win Series

For the second game in a row the Buckeyes bats came alive, pouding Illini pitching for 16 hits again. The 16 hits including 3 home runs, and 6 players had 2-RBI games accounting for the 12 runs.

With the win the Bucks move into a tie for 2nd with the Illini, though they hold the tiebreaker due to the series victory, and sit a half game back of Minnesota going into the final Big Ten weekend.

Minnesota 15-5
Ohio State 15-6
Illinois 15-6
Indiana 14-6

Leading the way for Ohio State at the plate were:

Cory Kovanda 4-for-5, 2 RBI
Dan Burkhart 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 2B
Justin Miller 3-for-5, 2 RBI, HR


Ryan Dew and Tyler Engle also added 2-run HR's, Michael Stephens had a 2-run double as well.

To continue the running joke, Stephens was once again HBP. My last tally was wrong, the correct total is 13 HBP, 11 HR for Stephens. Stephens was HBP in every game this series.


On the mound starter Eric Best picked up his 7th win moving to 7-3 on the season. Best throwing in his 3rd game in 7 days throw 108 pitches, allowed 6 hits, issued 6 walks, struck out 3, and gave up 5 runs all earned in 5.2 IP. Jared Strayer pitched 1 inning of no hit baseball, before giving way to closer Jake Hale who went the final 2.1 inning, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits. Hale gave up his first home run of the season, but struck out a batter and picked up his Big Ten leading 13th save.

The win clinched the Bucks 6th Big Ten series victory, but was just their 2nd win in conference play on Sunday.

A full recap of all 3 games will come tomorrow.

A Glance at the Illinois Series

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State travels to Champaign, Ill., for a three-game set this weekend with Illinois. The series will have major implications in the chase for the 2009 Big Ten Conference championship. Here’s what the weekend looks like for the top of the Big Ten standings:

• The Illini are in first place at 14-4, one-half game ahead of 13-4 Minnesota.
• The 13-4 Buckeyes are a game behind Illinois and one-half game behind Minnesota.
• Minnesota plays at 7-11 Michigan, which is in seventh place and needs wins and help to get into the Big Ten tournament.
• Fourth-place Indiana (11-6) hosts Northwestern and fifth-place Michigan State (11-7) hosts sixth-place Purdue (7-10).

This Weekend in Ohio State Baseball

No. 27 Ohio State (34-13; 13-5/3rd Big Ten Conference)

Game 48 at No. 25 Illinois (31-14; 14-4/1st Big Ten Conference)
Friday, May 8, 7 p.m.
Illinois Field (1,500)

Game 49 at Illinois
Saturday, May 9, 4 p.m.

Game 50 at Illinois
Sunday, May 10, 2 p.m.

All times EDT

BROADCAST RADIO
103.9 WTDA Talk FM

INTERNET AUDIO & LIVE STATS
OhioStateBuckeyes.com

SECOND RANKED-RANKED SERIES
Illinois is ranked 25th by Collegiate Baseball; Ohio State 27th. This is the second time this season that Ohio State is playing a ranked Big Ten team after playing 25th-ranked Minnesota the second week of the Big Ten season.

WEEKEND STARTERS
The probable starting pitchers for the two teams this weekend looks like this:

G1 Fri. - RHP Alex Wimmers (8-1; 2.79) vs.
LHP Phil Haig (6-2; 4.48)
G2 Sat. - RHP Dean Wolosiansky (10-1; 5.19) vs.
RHP Ben Reeser (3-0; 2.85)
G3 Sat. - LHP Eric Best (6-3; 5.01) vs.
RHP Bryan Roberts (5-2; 5.64)

BROADCAST/WEB SITE AUDIO
The entire Ohio State/Illinois series will be broadcast over the air by WTDA 103.9 Talk FM and it will also be streamed online to OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Live stats are there, too.

THE CLIMB TO THE TOP
Ohio State has won five of six Big Ten series to get to 13-5: 3-0 sweeps over Michigan State and at Purdue; 2-1 wins at Penn State and vs. Northwestern and Michigan; and a 2-1 loss at Minnesota. Coach Dan Hartleb’s fourth Illinois team has won five series, too, with three 3-0 sweeps (vs. MSU, at Penn State and at NU), 2-1 wins at Michigan and vs. Minnesota, and a 2-1 loss at home to Indiana.

STATS COMPARISON
Here’s a quick look at each team’s overall and Big Ten Conference stats and stat leaders:

• Ohio State is batting .329 in all games and .314 vs. the Big Ten. Ryan Dew (.396 with 6 HRs), Dan Burkhart (.380 and 8 HRs) and Michael Stephens (.364) lead the way with Burkhart also leading in RBI (51) and Stephens leading in HRs (10) and ranking second in RBI (47). Justin Miller (7 HRs; 41 RBI), Zach Hurley (6 and 45, respectively) and Matt Streng (8 and 31) also slug well.
• Illinois is hitting .321 overall and .340 vs. the Big Ten with Brandon Wikoff (.385), Dominic Altobelli (.374; 6 HRs and 48 RBI), Willie Argo (.348; 11 HRs and 39 RBI) and Aaron Johnson (.345; 8 HRs and 46 RBI) most dangerous.
• Team ERAs: Ohio State’s are 5.64 overall and 4.58 vs. the Big Ten; Illinois’ are 4.70 and 4.83.
• OSU fielding: .965; UI fielding: .969.

THE OSU vs. UI SERIES
Ohio State vs. Illinois has always been a competitive series. All-time, Ohio State leads the series, 95-87-2. Ohio State won the series last year, 2-1, with the fourth game cancelled due to inclement weather. The teams met in the 2008 Big Ten tournament, with the Illini claiming a 3-2 win. Here’s more series lore:

• Ohio State has won four consecutive series at Bill Davis Stadium.
• The 2007 series at Illinois Field was contested in inclement weather. It was shortened after each team had won once.
• Illinois swept in 2005 at Illinois Field, 4-0.
• Illinois leads in all-time series wins in series played in Champaign with three series wins, two losses and four ties.
• The last time the teams met, Kevin Manson pitched a complete game and Joe Bonadonna’s seventh-inning home run – his first of the year – was the difference in Illinois’ 3-2 win at the 2008 Big Ten tournament. Manson gave up two unearned runs in the second inning and then retired 22 of the final 24 batters.

OSU Athletics Weekend Release

That Team Up North

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State and Michigan will play three games this weekend at Bill Davis Stadium with all three games being televised on the Big Ten Network. Expect Ohio State to throw RHP Alex Wimmers Friday, RHP Dean Wolosiansky Saturday and LHP Eric Best Sunday. Michigan indicated that it would choose its starters on a day-by-day basis this weekend. Wolverine student-athletes were in the midst of their finals week this week.

THIS WEEKEND IN OHIO STATE BASEBALL

No. 27 Ohio State (32-10; 11-4 Big Ten Conference)

Game 43 vs. Michigan (23-19; 6-9 Big Ten Conference)
Friday, May 1, 7:05 p.m.

Game 44 vs. Michigan
Saturday, May 2, 1:05 p.m.

Game 45 vs. Michigan
Sunday, May 3, 1:05 p.m.

BROADCAST RADIO
103.9 WTDA Talk FM

INTERNET AUDIO & LIVE STATS
OhioStateBuckeyes.com

TELEVISION
Big Ten Network (all three games)

Friday is "Scarlet Fever" night at Bill Davis Stadium. Be a part of it: wear scarlet.

OSU Athletics Weekend Preview


In case you were not aware, Sadly, Michigan has won all five series against the Buckeyes and 20 of the past 26 games. Give credit to Head Coach Rich Mahoney for building the program back up and being the Big Ten's elite program the past three seasons. Though with Recknagel, Putnam, Abraham, VanBuskirk, Mahler, Christian, and compay moving on, as well as Ohio State potentially on the verge of a special season, the Bucks are due. Or is it Dew?

I think we get a great performance tonight from Wimmers and clutch hits from Dew and Arp. Fetter will be the best pitcher Ohio State has faced this season and we cannot afford to strand RISP like we have of late. I'm sure the guys will be fired up and ready to go.

Hopefully a crowd near 3,000 comes out tonight and suports the team as they get a victory. Though the longer the gray skies stick around, the fewer fans will turn out. The weather is calling for overcast and a gametime temp of 68. Temperature will drop just bit to 60 by 10. Showers will be hit or miss, more than likely hit, chance of rain is 55% at 7, 60% at 8, 40% at 9, and 30% at 10. If the game is played, I suspect a lot of aluminum bleachers under the overhang are filled with the orange reserved seats left for the rain.

I'll be Twittering away after taking the last handful of games off. Feel free to comment here during the game. Go Bucks.

The Lantern: Michigan Series This Weekend

Nathan Schlabach
Issue date: 5/1/09

Ohio State's arch rival from the north comes to play this weekend, and this time it will take place on the baseball diamond.

No matter the sport, when the Buckeyes and the Wolverines get together, they always take things seriously and always want to win.

"It doesn't matter if you live in California or Florida, you mention Ohio State- Michigan and there are a lot of people aware of that happening," OSU coach Bob Todd said.

The OSU baseball team (32-10, 11-4 Big Ten) welcomes Michigan (23-19, 6-9 Big Ten) to Bill Davis Stadium to start another important three-game series tonight.

It will mark the 249th meeting between these two teams, a rivalry that was started in 1895, two years before the gridiron rivalry.

"This is a big series, obviously when Ohio State plays Michigan in anything you know it's going to be a big event," third baseman Justin Miller said. "We haven't played too well against them the last couple of years, so hopefully we can keep this run going and have a good weekend."

Coach Todd recognizes the importance of the rivalry, but wants his guys to focus on playing smart baseball and not forget what got them to 32 wins.

"Our players are aware of what's going on and I guarantee if you're in Ann Arbor, their players are aware of what's happening this weekend," Todd said.

"[But] you also got to understand it's another game and we've got to go ahead and do the little things that have helped us in the past and stay focused on what we have to do."

OSU has struggled recently against Michigan, with the Wolverines winning 12 of the last 14 contests. The Buckeyes will look to correct that with three more tallies for the win column this weekend.

Catcher Dan Burkhart knows it will be tough.

"The Michigan rivalry is always intense; last year we went 1-3 against them and the last couple years we haven't been successful against Michigan," Burkhart said. "We need to come out this year and put it to them a little bit and really go out there and be ready to play, because they're going to be ready to play."

Michigan leads the series 157-90-2.

The Buckeyes will look to increase their lead in the Big Ten this weekend. They are currently sitting atop the Big Ten standings and are in a tie with Illinois for sole possession of first place.

Minnesota and Indiana are right behind, trying to gain the lead.

The Bucks know that this is no time to slow down if they expect to compete for the Big Ten title.

"If we want to win the Big Ten we got to go out there and win every game," Burkhart said.

The three-game series kicks off at 7:05 p.m. Friday at Bill Davis Stadium. Game two will take place at 1:05 p.m. Saturday and the series will wrap up starting at 1:05 p.m. Sunday.

On the mound for the Buckeyes tonight will be sophomore ace Alex Wimmers (7-1). Saturday's game will start with Dean Wolosiansky and on Sunday Eric Best will take the mound.

Buckeyes Big Ten Win Streak Snapped at 8

Ohio State did not capitalize on two bases loaded situations early in the game and Northwestern put the game away with four runs in the sixth inning to defeat No. 24 Ohio State, 10-6, Sunday at Bill Davis Stadium. Despite the loss, Ohio State wins the series, 2-1, and is in a first-place in the Big Ten with an 11-4 record. The Buckeyes are 31-10 overall

Eight Buckeye runners were left stranded on base in the third through fifth innings, keeping the home team from cutting into 3-1 and 3-2 Northwestern leads at the time.

“We were our own worst enemy,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. “One time I looked up and we had three hits in an inning but only one run.

“Winning two-of-three is a good weekend, though. You can’t worry about the ramifications of losing a game today because there will be other losses in the Big Ten by us and by other teams.”

To the Wildcats credit, they scored in the first inning for the third consecutive game, getting two runs off three hits for a quick 2-0 lead, and putting Ohio State in a comeback position once again.

The Wildcats added a run in the third – Chad Noble singling in Trevor Stevens for the second time in the game – to go up, 3-0, before Ohio State scored only one run in the third yet had the bases loaded.

Ohio State added an unearned run in the fifth to close the gap to 3-2, but the Wildcats scored four runs off two doubles and two walks to build a 7-2 lead and the home team simply wasn’t able to recover. Northwestern improved to 12-26 with the win and 3-10 in the Big Ten Conference.

“We tip our hat to Northwestern” shortstop Tyler Engle said. “They came out every game and scored some runs in the first inning, and they just played good baseball.”

Stevens, freshman son of NU coach Paul Stevens, led the way Sunday with three hits and three runs scored. Noble had three hits and three RBI. Relief pitcher David Jensen worked 3.0 innings to pick up the win and improve to 2-2 on the year.

Michael Stephens led a 13-hit Ohio State afternoon with three hits and two runs. Cory Kovanda had a couple of hits, including his 10th double of the season, and scored a run. Matt Streng also had two hits and a run scored. Eric Best falls to 6-2 with the loss.

OSU Athletics Recap & Game Notes

Box Score

Ohio State host Northwestern 4/24-4/26

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Big Ten Conference leader Ohio State will host the Northwestern Wildcats in a three-game series this weekend at Bill Davis Stadium. The Buckeyes, 29-9 and 9-3 in the Big Ten, and Wildcats, 11-24 and 2-8, respectively, will play at 6:35 p.m. Friday evening and 1:05 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

POST-GAME FIREWORKS FRIDAY
The Diamond Club, the baseball program’s booster organization, will sponsor a fireworks display following the game Friday night.

POSSIBLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
Fri. - RHP Alex Wimmers (7-1; 2.95) vs. LHP Joe Muraski (3-4; 5.14)
Sat. - RHP Dean Wolosiansky (8-1; 5.01) vs. LHP Eric Jokisch (3-4; 3.36)
Sun. - LHP Eric Best (6-1; 5.02) vs. RHP Zach Morton (0-5; 5.68)

This Weekend in Ohio State Baseball

No. 23 Ohio State (29-9; 9-3 Big Ten Conference)

Game 40 vs. Northwestern (11-24; 2-8 Big Ten Conference)
Friday, April 24 - 6:35 p.m.

Game 41 vs. Northwestern
Saturday, April 25, 1:05 p.m.

Game 42 vs. Northwestern
Sunday, April 26, 1:05 p.m.

All Games at Bill Davis Stadium

BROADCAST RADIO
103.9 WTDA Talk FM

INTERNET AUDIO, STREAMING VIDEO & LIVE STATS
OhioStateBuckeyes.com

RANKINGS
Ohio State is ranked in one or more of the major polls for a ninth consecutive week, coming in this week with a high ranking of No. 23 by the NCBWA. Collegiate Baseball ranks OSU 24th.

OHIO STATE VERSUS NORTHWESTERN
This baseball rivalry dates to 1913 and includes 124 games played. Ohio State leads the all-time series, 82 wins to 42. The teams split a four-game series last year at Rocky Miller Park. Some series notes:

• Coach Bob Todd’s Buckeyes are 30-14 all-time vs. Northwestern.
• Ohio State has won six of the 11 series since 1988, the first year for Todd at Ohio State and for Paul Stevens at Northwestern.
• Ohio State’s last series win came in 2005, 3-1. Northwestern’s last – only – series win came in 1989, 3-1. The teams did not play in 2006-07.
• The two teams tied in 2003 in a Big Ten series played at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. The teams have played to series ties four times.
• Ohio State has either had a series win or a tie in each of the last nine series (six wins; three ties).

OSU Atheltics Preview & Release