Those who followe my twitter know, but I have had a bit of a family issue with my mother having a tumor and ultimately surgery on the 26 of the month, it's thrown a fell things in loop of late, work hours, financial priorities, actual desire to write, but I'm back for now.
As the weather finally feels a bit like spring, unfortunately the season is in its final stages, in little over two weeks from now the Big Ten will have its representative for the NCAA tournament and nine other schools will be looking at 2012. So as we are in these final weekends, the importance of the games magnify and unfortunately for the Bucks the heat and pressure kicks up a bit with tonight's 7-0 loss to Iowa (8-11, 19-27).
Showing posts with label Iowa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iowa. Show all posts
Friday, May 13, 2011
Monday, May 17, 2010
Eye Gouging
It's hard to say who is having a rougher spring. the Buckeye Nine on the field, or the Buckeye Nine blog.
While the Buckeyes fell in another weekend series, this time to the Hawkeyes, I was dealing with my own eye issue. Contrary to what you might think, the product on the field isn't quite bad enough to pull your eyes out, but apparently to my body it is bad enough to go ahead and get infections in both eyes.
With that I'm unable to recap what occurred this weekend as I continue to recover.
On the good side Jared Strayer continued to do well while Michael Stephens, Zach Hurley, and Ryan Dew had great weekends from the plate.
On the bad side, the Buckeyes are now in a 4-way tie for 5th, meaning they're dangerously close to missing the six-team Big Ten Tournament.
The Buckeyes welcome Pittsburgh tomorrow before wrapping up the regular season with a Thursday-Saturday series against Big Ten leading Minnesota.
While it is nearly impossible to stay on a computer for a prolonged time, I am tweeting away from my BlackBerry if there are any thoughts or questions to speak of. Of course in 140 characters.
Hopefully I'm well by Thursday and can do something in previewing the Minnesota series.
While the Buckeyes fell in another weekend series, this time to the Hawkeyes, I was dealing with my own eye issue. Contrary to what you might think, the product on the field isn't quite bad enough to pull your eyes out, but apparently to my body it is bad enough to go ahead and get infections in both eyes.
With that I'm unable to recap what occurred this weekend as I continue to recover.
On the good side Jared Strayer continued to do well while Michael Stephens, Zach Hurley, and Ryan Dew had great weekends from the plate.
On the bad side, the Buckeyes are now in a 4-way tie for 5th, meaning they're dangerously close to missing the six-team Big Ten Tournament.
The Buckeyes welcome Pittsburgh tomorrow before wrapping up the regular season with a Thursday-Saturday series against Big Ten leading Minnesota.
While it is nearly impossible to stay on a computer for a prolonged time, I am tweeting away from my BlackBerry if there are any thoughts or questions to speak of. Of course in 140 characters.
Hopefully I'm well by Thursday and can do something in previewing the Minnesota series.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: OSU clinches first Big Ten title since '01
Sunday, May 17, 2009 3:19 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
At approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday, Ohio State baseball players headed to a picnic with parents and friends just beyond the right-field wall of Bill Davis Stadium.
The meal went down hard.
The Buckeyes had come from behind twice to defeat Iowa 8-6 and sweep a three-game series, but it looked as if their reward would be a second-place finish in the Big Ten and a first-round bye in the conference tournament, which starts Wednesday in Huntington Park.
What Ohio State needed to win the regular-season championship was a Minnesota loss to Penn State, and the Gophers were leading 8-5 in the fifth inning.
Shortly before sundown, however, Penn State pulled off a 10-8 upset and Ohio State (39-15, 18-6) was celebrating its first Big Ten title since 2001. Its first-round conference tournament game will start at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
"We're going crazy -- absolutely crazy," designated hitter Ryan Dew said. "I can't explain how happy we are. We tried to focus on Iowa, and we took care of our business. But we were so depressed when our game was over and we saw that Penn State was down. I'm going to get on Facebook and message a lot of those Penn State guys for what they did for us."
Ohio State didn't back in. It won five of its last six Big Ten games and seven of its last nine.
The Hawkeyes led 4-0 and 6-5 yesterday, but the Buckeyes refused to fold. Third baseman Justin Miller capped a five-run sixth inning with a two-run homer to provide a 5-4 lead, and Tyler Engle drove in the deciding two runs with a bases-loaded single in the eighth.
Jake Hale pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his 15th save, an Ohio State season record.
"I had to get the win for my team," he said. "When I hopped the fence (to come into the game), it was a total blackout. I was focused."
Ohio State's portfolio is so impressive that it might have sealed a bid into the NCAA Tournament and jumped to the forefront among those teams seeking to play host to a first-round regional.
The Buckeyes have an RPI of 30, have been ranked much of the season and have a signature victory over the University of Miami.
"Now we have to win the conference tournament to take doubt out of anyone's mind about Ohio State deserving to host a first-round regional," Miller said. "We set a goal early to get that ring, and we've got one. We've crossed off the first goal."
Coach Bob Todd reminds incoming freshmen that players from the Big Ten regular-season championship team, not the conference tournament champion, get rings.
"We're all speechless," second baseman Cory Kovanda said. "That ring is going to be special. It's something to cherish. It's a year's worth of memories on your hand. We've worked so hard to do this since coming to Ohio State."
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
At approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday, Ohio State baseball players headed to a picnic with parents and friends just beyond the right-field wall of Bill Davis Stadium.
The meal went down hard.
The Buckeyes had come from behind twice to defeat Iowa 8-6 and sweep a three-game series, but it looked as if their reward would be a second-place finish in the Big Ten and a first-round bye in the conference tournament, which starts Wednesday in Huntington Park.
What Ohio State needed to win the regular-season championship was a Minnesota loss to Penn State, and the Gophers were leading 8-5 in the fifth inning.
Shortly before sundown, however, Penn State pulled off a 10-8 upset and Ohio State (39-15, 18-6) was celebrating its first Big Ten title since 2001. Its first-round conference tournament game will start at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
"We're going crazy -- absolutely crazy," designated hitter Ryan Dew said. "I can't explain how happy we are. We tried to focus on Iowa, and we took care of our business. But we were so depressed when our game was over and we saw that Penn State was down. I'm going to get on Facebook and message a lot of those Penn State guys for what they did for us."
Ohio State didn't back in. It won five of its last six Big Ten games and seven of its last nine.
The Hawkeyes led 4-0 and 6-5 yesterday, but the Buckeyes refused to fold. Third baseman Justin Miller capped a five-run sixth inning with a two-run homer to provide a 5-4 lead, and Tyler Engle drove in the deciding two runs with a bases-loaded single in the eighth.
Jake Hale pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his 15th save, an Ohio State season record.
"I had to get the win for my team," he said. "When I hopped the fence (to come into the game), it was a total blackout. I was focused."
Ohio State's portfolio is so impressive that it might have sealed a bid into the NCAA Tournament and jumped to the forefront among those teams seeking to play host to a first-round regional.
The Buckeyes have an RPI of 30, have been ranked much of the season and have a signature victory over the University of Miami.
"Now we have to win the conference tournament to take doubt out of anyone's mind about Ohio State deserving to host a first-round regional," Miller said. "We set a goal early to get that ring, and we've got one. We've crossed off the first goal."
Coach Bob Todd reminds incoming freshmen that players from the Big Ten regular-season championship team, not the conference tournament champion, get rings.
"We're all speechless," second baseman Cory Kovanda said. "That ring is going to be special. It's something to cherish. It's a year's worth of memories on your hand. We've worked so hard to do this since coming to Ohio State."
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Game 3 Buckeyes win 8-6, Sweep Iowa, Big Ten Champs?
Iowa had been in control throughout the game knocking starter Eric Best around a bit. Through 6 Best had allowed 7 hits, 4 runs all earned, walking 1, striking out 6.
The gray skies appeared to be a foreshadow of the Buckeyes game and title hopes through 5.5.
However these Buckeyes have shown they know no quit and the bottom of the 6th showed that.
Matt Streng started the inning with a single, moved to second as Hurley reached via error. Cory Kovanda stepped to the plate and sent a towering shot off the right field wall for a 2-RBI double. Dan Burkhart singled Kovanda home two batters later.
Following Burkhart was Ryan Dew who beat out a inning ending double play, Dew's hustle proved to be huge. Captain Justin Miller in his final game at Bill Davis Stadium sent a 3-2 pitch over the right field wall for 10th home run of the season giving the Bucks a 5-4 lead. Miller is 3-for-3 on the day, and showing he is the team leader, using a hot bat the last 10 games to carry the Buckeyes offense.
Best's day ends after the 6 innings he pitched. Rucinski relieve Best in the 7th, a leadoff single followed by a walk put two on with no outs. Iowa was able to get a run out of the situation to tie it at 5.
In the bottom of the 7th the Bucks had the bases loaded with Michael Stephens up, a GIDP ended the threat and kept the game tied at 5.
The top of the 8th started with a thud as the Hawkeyes leadoff hitter sent a solo shot out to rightcenter to give Iowa a 6-5 lead.
We're in the bottom of the 8th, Bucks trail 6-5.
In the 8th, a Dew single, Miller walk, Arp infield single again saw the bases loaded for the Buckeyes with 1 out. With Big Ten Championship hopes on the line, the Bucks would not be denied this time. Tyler Engle sends a 2-rbi double down the right field line pushing the Buckeyes out in front 7-6 in the bottom of the 8th. Bucks pick up an insurance run on an E6.
Top 9 Jake Hale in to close the game. Rucinski's line 2 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 K.
Hale pitches a perfect 9th, with 1 K. The save for Hale sets a single season Ohio State record with 15.
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.
Senior Day at Bill Davis Stadium
Seniors Michael Arp, Jake Hale and two-time team captain Miller will be honored before the game Saturday. The trio has helped Ohio State to a 143-86 record the last four years, a Big Ten tournament championship and NCAA berth in 2007 and this terrific 38-win, Big Ten title-contending season in 2009.
The Buckeyes still have Big Ten Championship hopes. A win over the Hawkeyes with a Penn State victory over Minnesota would give the Buckeyes their first regular season conference championship since 2001.
Game 3 versus Iowa is set for 1:05 pm.
The Buckeyes still have Big Ten Championship hopes. A win over the Hawkeyes with a Penn State victory over Minnesota would give the Buckeyes their first regular season conference championship since 2001.
Game 3 versus Iowa is set for 1:05 pm.
Friday, May 15, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Ohio State Rolls Past Iowa 13-4
Photo courtesy the-ozone.net
Wimmers has eight consecutive Ks at one point, 12 total and improves to 9-1
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State hitters supported the 12-strikeout, no-run performance of Alex Wimmers with a nine-run second inning and the Buckeyes cruised to a 13-4 win over Iowa in the first game of a three-game, regular season-closing set at Bill Davis Stadium. Game 2 will be Friday at 6:35 p.m.
The win was the 400th Big Ten win for 22nd–year Ohio State coach Bob Todd, and it improved the team’s records to 37-15 overall and to 16-6 in the Big Ten Conference. Iowa is now 16-33 and 4-17.
The Buckeyes, who have scored 10, 12 and 13 runs in their current three-game Big Ten winning streak, sent 13 batters to the plate in the second and scored its nine runs off six hits and one error. Tyler Engle opened the inning with a triple, Michael Stephens had a three-run home run, his team-high 11th of the season, and Justin Miller continued his tear with a two-run single to spark the Buckeyes.
Three more runs in the third inning, two of them on leading hitter Ryan Dew’s second double of the game, increased the lead to 13-0 and at this point, with Wimmers on the mound, there was no doubt about the outcome of this game.
That’s because Wimmers was good, again. He fought through stiffness from the long inning and pitched 6.0 innings, gave up just five hits, walked two and struck out 12 Hawkeyes to increase his Big Ten-leading total to 122 on the season. He struck out the side in the first inning and he struck out eight consecutive batters between the fourth and sixth innings. He improved to 9-1 on the year and lowered his ERA to a Big Ten-best 2.58.
Josh Barrera came into the game in the seventh and struck out the side. He followed with a scoreless eighth inning as well in his best outing of the season.
Kurtis Muller hit a two-out, ninth inning grand slam home run for Iowa’s runs. It was the second consecutive year Muller has hit a grand slam against Ohio State.
Zach Hurley led four Buckeyes with multiple hits with three hits and two RBI. Stephens had two hits, two runs and three RBI.
Miller, the team captain and Big Ten player of the week who is on a six-game hitting streak, had two hits and three RBI. In the process, he moved into sole possession of second-place in career hits with 263, passing Mark Carek (1995-98).
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
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
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
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Our Honor Defend
We can say that now that Ohio State finished the season with a 9-7 victory at Iowa Saturday that clinched a spot in the Big Ten tournament, where it will try to defend last year's championship run (Box Score). It is a conference-record 12th consecutive appearance in the tourney for Ohio State which is in for the 20th time in 21 years under head coach Bob Todd.
Big Ten Network Video
The win gave the Buckeyes a 15-15 league record. All 21 of coach Todd's team's have .500 or better records in the Big Ten. It also was the 30th win of the season for the Buckeyes. Todd's teams have won at least 30 games in 23 consecutive seasons.
Jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, the Ohio State offense was aggressive. Iowa got on the board with one in the fourth but the Buckeyes added four more in the fifth for an 8-1 lead. Ohio State managed one more run the rest of the way and had to withstand a furious comeback by Iowa, which score four runs in the final two innings to make it close.
OSU starter J.B. Shuck was as aggressive, scattering five hits and finishing with nine strikeouts in his 7.0 innings. Iowa scored three against Shuck, who won for the 17th time as a Buckeye Saturday. Alex Wimmers and Drew Rucinski struggled in relief until handing the reins over to Eric Best, who picked up his eighth save of the season.
Offensively, Justin Miller led all Buckeyes with three hits, while Cory Rupert (two doubles), Michael Arp and Tyler Engle had two hits each. Rupert and Arp had a pair of RBI apiece.
Big Ten Network Video
The win gave the Buckeyes a 15-15 league record. All 21 of coach Todd's team's have .500 or better records in the Big Ten. It also was the 30th win of the season for the Buckeyes. Todd's teams have won at least 30 games in 23 consecutive seasons.
Jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, the Ohio State offense was aggressive. Iowa got on the board with one in the fourth but the Buckeyes added four more in the fifth for an 8-1 lead. Ohio State managed one more run the rest of the way and had to withstand a furious comeback by Iowa, which score four runs in the final two innings to make it close.
OSU starter J.B. Shuck was as aggressive, scattering five hits and finishing with nine strikeouts in his 7.0 innings. Iowa scored three against Shuck, who won for the 17th time as a Buckeye Saturday. Alex Wimmers and Drew Rucinski struggled in relief until handing the reins over to Eric Best, who picked up his eighth save of the season.
Offensively, Justin Miller led all Buckeyes with three hits, while Cory Rupert (two doubles), Michael Arp and Tyler Engle had two hits each. Rupert and Arp had a pair of RBI apiece.
Friday, May 16, 2008
Not In Yet, But In Control
Ohio State and Iowa split Friday's doubleheader meaning the Buckeyes are fifth heading into the final day of Big Ten conference play.
Box Scores: Game One Game Two
According to OhioStateBuckeyes.com, Ohio State remains in fifth place in the standings, one-half game ahead of Northwestern and Indiana. These three teams are in contention for the final two Big Ten tourney berths, but Ohio State is in the driver’s seat. Any combination of a Buckeye win or a Northwestern or Indiana loss will put the Buckeyes into the tourney.
Friday, the Buckeyes didn't struggle in a 12-2 victory. After collecting only five hits and stranding six runners Thursday in a 4-3 loss to Iowa, Ohio State wasted no time in getting on the board, jumping all over Iowa starter Nick Erdman. The Buckeyes collected five hits and scored four runs in the second inning, including RBI singles by Cory Kovanda and Tyler Engle, and an RBI double from Tony Kennedy. Another run scored on a wild pitch.
Iowa pulled within two in the bottom of the second. The Buckeyes got one of Iowa ’s two runs back in the top of the third as Engle had his second RBI single of the day to score Cory Rupert, who had singled. Ohio State put the game away in the fourth by scoring six more runs off four hits, two errors and an Iowa balk to stake DeLucia to an 11-2 lead.
Rupert and the bottom of the batting order sparked the Buckeyes. Rupert had three hits and three runs scored. Dan Burkhart had a couple of hits and two runs scored. Kovanda had a hit and two runs scored and Engle had two hits, two RBI and a run scored.
DeLucia went 5.0 innings and allowed seven hits and the two earned runs. He struck out two and walked two and improved his record to 3-3 on the season and 24-13 for his Ohio State career.
In the nightcap, Iowa won 7-4. Kurtis Muller hit a grand slam home run in the first inning and Caleb Curry hit a two-run homer in the second to build a 6-0 lead off Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky. The Buckeyes got a run in the third and another in the fourth to cut the lead to 6-2, but Iowa scored an unearned run with two outs in their half of the fourth to build a five-run cushion at 7-2.
Justin Miller’s third hit of the game – a two-run home run in the sixth inning – pulled the Buckeyes within the three-run final score. It was Miller’s team-leading fourth home run of the year and it increased his team-leading RBI total to 60.
The Buckeyes ended up leaving the bases loaded in the sixth as reliever Brock Alberts got the final out of the inning on a pop fly to short. Alberts then shut the Buckeyes down in the seventh for his first save of the year.
Ohio State is now 29-24 overall and 14-15 in the Big Ten. The teams conclude conference play Saturday at 2:05 p.m.
Box Scores: Game One Game Two
According to OhioStateBuckeyes.com, Ohio State remains in fifth place in the standings, one-half game ahead of Northwestern and Indiana. These three teams are in contention for the final two Big Ten tourney berths, but Ohio State is in the driver’s seat. Any combination of a Buckeye win or a Northwestern or Indiana loss will put the Buckeyes into the tourney.
Friday, the Buckeyes didn't struggle in a 12-2 victory. After collecting only five hits and stranding six runners Thursday in a 4-3 loss to Iowa, Ohio State wasted no time in getting on the board, jumping all over Iowa starter Nick Erdman. The Buckeyes collected five hits and scored four runs in the second inning, including RBI singles by Cory Kovanda and Tyler Engle, and an RBI double from Tony Kennedy. Another run scored on a wild pitch.
Iowa pulled within two in the bottom of the second. The Buckeyes got one of Iowa ’s two runs back in the top of the third as Engle had his second RBI single of the day to score Cory Rupert, who had singled. Ohio State put the game away in the fourth by scoring six more runs off four hits, two errors and an Iowa balk to stake DeLucia to an 11-2 lead.
Rupert and the bottom of the batting order sparked the Buckeyes. Rupert had three hits and three runs scored. Dan Burkhart had a couple of hits and two runs scored. Kovanda had a hit and two runs scored and Engle had two hits, two RBI and a run scored.
DeLucia went 5.0 innings and allowed seven hits and the two earned runs. He struck out two and walked two and improved his record to 3-3 on the season and 24-13 for his Ohio State career.
In the nightcap, Iowa won 7-4. Kurtis Muller hit a grand slam home run in the first inning and Caleb Curry hit a two-run homer in the second to build a 6-0 lead off Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky. The Buckeyes got a run in the third and another in the fourth to cut the lead to 6-2, but Iowa scored an unearned run with two outs in their half of the fourth to build a five-run cushion at 7-2.
Justin Miller’s third hit of the game – a two-run home run in the sixth inning – pulled the Buckeyes within the three-run final score. It was Miller’s team-leading fourth home run of the year and it increased his team-leading RBI total to 60.
The Buckeyes ended up leaving the bases loaded in the sixth as reliever Brock Alberts got the final out of the inning on a pop fly to short. Alberts then shut the Buckeyes down in the seventh for his first save of the year.
Ohio State is now 29-24 overall and 14-15 in the Big Ten. The teams conclude conference play Saturday at 2:05 p.m.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Could Last Place Loss Doom Buckeyes?
It was free baseball tonight in Iowa City, but it was not good for Buckeye fans as Ohio State was on the losing end of a 4-3 decision at Duane Banks Field (Box Score). The Buckeyes led 3-2 through 7 1/2 innings but gave up a run in the bottom of the eighth before Iowa won it in the home half of the 10th.
Caleb Curry led off the 10th with a single to center off OSU reliever Eric Best and went all the way to third on a wild pick-off attempt. Ohio State intentionally walked the next two batters, but a wild pitch on the second attempt was a wild pitch allowing Curry to score from third to give the last-place Hawkeyes the victory over the Bucks, which are vying for a spot in next week's Big Ten tournament.
The Buckeyes mustered just five hits, but committed three errors in the game. Iowa got six hits and played flawless defense. Four of the five hits by Ohio State went for extra bases. Tony Kennedy, Zach Hurley and Justin Miller had doubles and J.B. Shuck tripled, but the Bucks went in order in the ninth and 10th.
Iowa led 2-1 heading into the sixth before Ohio State plated two runs for the lead. Shuck's triple scored Kennedy who had led off with a double. A groundout by Miller scored Shuck for the lead.
Jake Hale allowed three runs on five hits in his 7.1-inning start. He fanned four but walked four before giving way to Best who did not allow a hit until the 10th. Best fell to 4-2.
The Buckeyes dropped to 28-23 overall and 13-14 in the Big Ten. Iowa improves to 21-31 and 9-20.
Caleb Curry led off the 10th with a single to center off OSU reliever Eric Best and went all the way to third on a wild pick-off attempt. Ohio State intentionally walked the next two batters, but a wild pitch on the second attempt was a wild pitch allowing Curry to score from third to give the last-place Hawkeyes the victory over the Bucks, which are vying for a spot in next week's Big Ten tournament.
The Buckeyes mustered just five hits, but committed three errors in the game. Iowa got six hits and played flawless defense. Four of the five hits by Ohio State went for extra bases. Tony Kennedy, Zach Hurley and Justin Miller had doubles and J.B. Shuck tripled, but the Bucks went in order in the ninth and 10th.
Iowa led 2-1 heading into the sixth before Ohio State plated two runs for the lead. Shuck's triple scored Kennedy who had led off with a double. A groundout by Miller scored Shuck for the lead.
Jake Hale allowed three runs on five hits in his 7.1-inning start. He fanned four but walked four before giving way to Best who did not allow a hit until the 10th. Best fell to 4-2.
The Buckeyes dropped to 28-23 overall and 13-14 in the Big Ten. Iowa improves to 21-31 and 9-20.
Ohio State at Iowa
Whoa! I missed today's story in the Columbus Dispatch. Umm, where have you been all season?
It is time for rare Thursday Big Ten baseball. Ohio State opens a four-game series tonight at Iowa at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. By moving all five Big Ten series up a day it gives teams competing in next week's Big Ten tournament an extra day of rest.
Ohio State is in decent shape to qualify for a 12th conseutive appearance in the Big Ten tournament. That streak is the longest in the league. The Buckeyes have actually played in 19 of the last 20 tournaments. They are also trying to win 30 games for the 23rd consecutive season.
Ohio State Buckeyes
(28-22, 13-13 Big Ten)
vs.
Iowa Hawkeyes
(20-31; 8-20 Big Ten)
The Schedule
Thursday: 7 p.m., ET
Friday (DH): 5 p.m., ET
Saturday: 2 p.m., ET
Following the Action
AM 920 WMNI will broadcast games one, three and four, but all four games can be heard with a subscription to ohiostatebuckeyes.com, which also offer live stats free of charge.
Ohio State vs. Iowa
State leads the all-time series with Iowa, 64-41-1 and has won or tied 11 consecutive series. The Buckeyes have won five consecutive series and is 7-0-4 in four-game series dating back to the first four-game series between the teams: a 3-1 Iowa win in 1990. A few more series notes:
• Coach Bob Todd’s teams are 33-18 vs. Iowa.
• Ohio State has won 16 of the last 20 games in the series.
• Ohio State has taken three consecutive series in Iowa City by 3-1 margins.
• Iowa won game three last year in Columbus, 8-0.
• Tony Kennedy had 5 runs, 6 hits and 7 RBI last year vs. Iowa.
• Ryan Dew had 3 runs and 4 RBI in G4.
• Justin Miller had 3 runs and 6 hits.
• Cory Kovanda was 5-for-14 at the plate.
Probable Starters from OhioStateBuckeyes.com
G1: RHP Jake Hale (5-3, 4.60 ERA) vs. RHP Brock Alberts (4-3, 5.93 ERA)
G2: LHP Dan DeLucia (2-3, 5.06 ERA) vs. RHP Steve Turnbull (3-5, 7.30 ERA)
G3: RHP Dean Wolosiansky (7-2, 3.82) vs. RHP Tony Manville (1-1, 6.75 ERA)
G4: LHP J.B. Shuck (4-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. LHP Michael Jacobs (2-5, 7.02 ERA)
Buckeye Bullets
• Ohio State’s current three-game win streak ties its longest such streak of the season.
• The team’s four-run ninth inning and subsequent 14-13 win over Buffalo was the first time this season the team won a game after trailing going into the ninth.
• Ohio State is now 20-2 this season when leading after six innings; 3-15 when trailing.
• Two Buckeyes - J.B. Shuck and Justin Miller - continue to hit above .350 in Big Ten games. Shuck is at .406. Miller is at .359.• The doubleheader win Saturday over Illinois represented Ohio State’s first doubleheader sweep this season.
• Ten different Buckeyes scored runs during the Illinois series, with Tony Kennedy and Zach Hurley leading the way with four apiece.
• Ohio State is 11-4 this season when it has three or more extra base hits in a game.
• Ohio State is 10-4 this season in games it walks two or fewer batters.
Big Ten Standings
Michigan 23-4
Purdue 18-9
Illinois 15-12
Penn State 15-13
Ohio State 13-13
Northwestern 13-15
Michigan State 12-14
Indiana 11-17
Minnesota 8-19
Iowa 8-20
Other Big Ten Games this Week
Northwestern at Michigan, Indiana at Michigan State, Penn State at Minnesota, Purdue at Illinois.
Next Week
May 21-24, Big Ten Tournament at Ray Fisher Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.
It is time for rare Thursday Big Ten baseball. Ohio State opens a four-game series tonight at Iowa at Duane Banks Field in Iowa City. By moving all five Big Ten series up a day it gives teams competing in next week's Big Ten tournament an extra day of rest.
Ohio State is in decent shape to qualify for a 12th conseutive appearance in the Big Ten tournament. That streak is the longest in the league. The Buckeyes have actually played in 19 of the last 20 tournaments. They are also trying to win 30 games for the 23rd consecutive season.
Ohio State Buckeyes
(28-22, 13-13 Big Ten)
vs.
Iowa Hawkeyes
(20-31; 8-20 Big Ten)
The Schedule
Thursday: 7 p.m., ET
Friday (DH): 5 p.m., ET
Saturday: 2 p.m., ET
Following the Action
AM 920 WMNI will broadcast games one, three and four, but all four games can be heard with a subscription to ohiostatebuckeyes.com, which also offer live stats free of charge.
Ohio State vs. Iowa
State leads the all-time series with Iowa, 64-41-1 and has won or tied 11 consecutive series. The Buckeyes have won five consecutive series and is 7-0-4 in four-game series dating back to the first four-game series between the teams: a 3-1 Iowa win in 1990. A few more series notes:
• Coach Bob Todd’s teams are 33-18 vs. Iowa.
• Ohio State has won 16 of the last 20 games in the series.
• Ohio State has taken three consecutive series in Iowa City by 3-1 margins.
• Iowa won game three last year in Columbus, 8-0.
• Tony Kennedy had 5 runs, 6 hits and 7 RBI last year vs. Iowa.
• Ryan Dew had 3 runs and 4 RBI in G4.
• Justin Miller had 3 runs and 6 hits.
• Cory Kovanda was 5-for-14 at the plate.
Probable Starters from OhioStateBuckeyes.com
G1: RHP Jake Hale (5-3, 4.60 ERA) vs. RHP Brock Alberts (4-3, 5.93 ERA)
G2: LHP Dan DeLucia (2-3, 5.06 ERA) vs. RHP Steve Turnbull (3-5, 7.30 ERA)
G3: RHP Dean Wolosiansky (7-2, 3.82) vs. RHP Tony Manville (1-1, 6.75 ERA)
G4: LHP J.B. Shuck (4-3, 4.50 ERA) vs. LHP Michael Jacobs (2-5, 7.02 ERA)
Buckeye Bullets
• Ohio State’s current three-game win streak ties its longest such streak of the season.
• The team’s four-run ninth inning and subsequent 14-13 win over Buffalo was the first time this season the team won a game after trailing going into the ninth.
• Ohio State is now 20-2 this season when leading after six innings; 3-15 when trailing.
• Two Buckeyes - J.B. Shuck and Justin Miller - continue to hit above .350 in Big Ten games. Shuck is at .406. Miller is at .359.• The doubleheader win Saturday over Illinois represented Ohio State’s first doubleheader sweep this season.
• Ten different Buckeyes scored runs during the Illinois series, with Tony Kennedy and Zach Hurley leading the way with four apiece.
• Ohio State is 11-4 this season when it has three or more extra base hits in a game.
• Ohio State is 10-4 this season in games it walks two or fewer batters.
Big Ten Standings
Michigan 23-4
Purdue 18-9
Illinois 15-12
Penn State 15-13
Ohio State 13-13
Northwestern 13-15
Michigan State 12-14
Indiana 11-17
Minnesota 8-19
Iowa 8-20
Other Big Ten Games this Week
Northwestern at Michigan, Indiana at Michigan State, Penn State at Minnesota, Purdue at Illinois.
Next Week
May 21-24, Big Ten Tournament at Ray Fisher Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Eight League Games Remain
After losing three of four to league-leading Michigan this weekend in Ann Arbor, the Buckeyes find themselves tied for fourth with eight games remaining in Big Ten play. Ohio State plays host to Illinois next weekend after a Wednesday date vs. Marshall. The following week, the Buckeyes head to Iowa (Thursday through Sunday) after the final regular-season home game against Buffalo on Tuesday (CPS Day at 12:05 p.m.).
Illinois is 13-10 and is in third place in the standings while Iowa is 8-16, which is tied with Minnesota for ninth.
Big Ten Standings (through Sunday)
1. Michigan 20-4
2. Purdue 17-6
3. Illinois 13-10
T4. Ohio State 11-12
T4. Northwestern 11-12
6. Penn State 11-13
7. Michigan State 10-13
8. Indiana 8-15
T9. Iowa 8-16
T9. Minnesota 8-16
The Buckeyes have a losing record in Big Ten play and are just three games over .500 with 10 games remaining. Todd's Ohio State teams have never had a losing overall record and have won at least 30 games every season.
Let's Go Bucks!
Illinois is 13-10 and is in third place in the standings while Iowa is 8-16, which is tied with Minnesota for ninth.
Big Ten Standings (through Sunday)
1. Michigan 20-4
2. Purdue 17-6
3. Illinois 13-10
T4. Ohio State 11-12
T4. Northwestern 11-12
6. Penn State 11-13
7. Michigan State 10-13
8. Indiana 8-15
T9. Iowa 8-16
T9. Minnesota 8-16
The Buckeyes have a losing record in Big Ten play and are just three games over .500 with 10 games remaining. Todd's Ohio State teams have never had a losing overall record and have won at least 30 games every season.
Let's Go Bucks!
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