Really there isn't much to say about the weekend, it pretty much went as expected.
I think we should feel comfortable expecting to take every series, with an occasional sweep against Iowa or Purdue, ultimately ending with a Big Ten mark not too far from the 18-6 2009 campaign.
A solid pitching performance was followed by two games of serviceable pitching. For two games the offense was there. An error-free game was followed by a three-error game. Ho-hum.
I don't advocate being content, but given the horrible schedule the Buckeyes faced in Florida, there will be no at-large berth this season and no "need" to ring up x amount of wins. It's Big Ten Tournament or bust, which we luckily host at Bill Davis Stadium.
So for the next seven weekends, I'm fine taking two of three, with some improvement here or there, securing one of the top two spots come conference tournament play and letting the dominoes fall.
But back to the weekend.
Showing posts with label Northwestern. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Northwestern. Show all posts
Monday, April 5, 2010
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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
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
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Miller's Big Day Carries Buckeyes
Justin Miller powered No. 24 Ohio State to an 11-7 win over Northwestern Saturday by hitting a grand slam home run and driving in a career-high six runs. The series-clinching win, after a 5-4 win Friday, improved Ohio State’s records to 31-9 overall and to a Big Ten-leading 11-3 in the conference.
Miller, playing in his 200th career game as a Buckeye, sent an Eric Jokisch pitch high and deep to centerfield in the first inning for his first career grand slam. Scoring ahead of Miller’s sixth home run of the year and his 11th career home run was Cory Kovanda, who had singled, Michael Stephens, who doubled and Dan Burkhart, who had walked.
“I didn’t think I hit the ball that well,” Miller said after the game. “I thought I had one RBI with a sacrifice fly, not four.”
After Northwestern scored two in the second to close the deficit to 4-3, Matt Streng led off the Buckeyes’ second inning with his seventh home run of the season to extend the lead to 5-3. A Ryan Dew RBI single in the third put the Buckeyes up, 6-3.
Northwestern, 11-26 and 2-10 in the Big Ten, wouldn’t go away, though, scoring a run in the fourth to get to within 6-4.
It’s was Miller’s time, again, in the fifth inning. With two men on, the two-time senior captain ripped a double off the centerfield wall to score two more runs, build the lead back to a five-run cushion and the Buckeyes cruised to the win from there.
Dean Wolosiansky pitched 7.0 innings of seven-hit, five-earned run baseball to improve his record to a Big Ten-best 9-1 on the season. Jokisch, who gave up nine runs in 4.1 innings pitched, dropped to 3-5 with the loss.
Jake Hale pitched the final two innings in a non-save situation to finish a game for the 24th time this season.
Miller, in addition to his homer, double and six RBI, also had a single during his grand day. Michael Stephens had two hits and two runs scored, Ryan Dew had two more hits – he leads the team with a .396 average – and Michael Arp had a pair of hits and two RBI to support Miller’s offensive numbers. Kovanda and Burkhart each scored a pair of runs.
OSU Athletics Recap & Game Notes
Box Score
Columbus Dispatch
Miller, playing in his 200th career game as a Buckeye, sent an Eric Jokisch pitch high and deep to centerfield in the first inning for his first career grand slam. Scoring ahead of Miller’s sixth home run of the year and his 11th career home run was Cory Kovanda, who had singled, Michael Stephens, who doubled and Dan Burkhart, who had walked.
“I didn’t think I hit the ball that well,” Miller said after the game. “I thought I had one RBI with a sacrifice fly, not four.”
After Northwestern scored two in the second to close the deficit to 4-3, Matt Streng led off the Buckeyes’ second inning with his seventh home run of the season to extend the lead to 5-3. A Ryan Dew RBI single in the third put the Buckeyes up, 6-3.
Northwestern, 11-26 and 2-10 in the Big Ten, wouldn’t go away, though, scoring a run in the fourth to get to within 6-4.
It’s was Miller’s time, again, in the fifth inning. With two men on, the two-time senior captain ripped a double off the centerfield wall to score two more runs, build the lead back to a five-run cushion and the Buckeyes cruised to the win from there.
Dean Wolosiansky pitched 7.0 innings of seven-hit, five-earned run baseball to improve his record to a Big Ten-best 9-1 on the season. Jokisch, who gave up nine runs in 4.1 innings pitched, dropped to 3-5 with the loss.
Jake Hale pitched the final two innings in a non-save situation to finish a game for the 24th time this season.
Miller, in addition to his homer, double and six RBI, also had a single during his grand day. Michael Stephens had two hits and two runs scored, Ryan Dew had two more hits – he leads the team with a .396 average – and Michael Arp had a pair of hits and two RBI to support Miller’s offensive numbers. Kovanda and Burkhart each scored a pair of runs.
OSU Athletics Recap & Game Notes
Box Score
Columbus Dispatch
Friday, April 24, 2009
Buckeye 2-Run Bottom 9th Wins Game 5-4
For the first time this season the Ohio State baseball team wins a game after trailing through 7.
Trailing 4-3 going into their last at-bat, Zach Hurley led-off the 9th with a single through the left side. A perfectly executed bunt sacrafice by Cory Kovanda moved Hurley into scoring position. Michael Stephens followed reached base via a HBP. With runners on first and second, Dan Burkhart sent a shot back up the middle, with Hurley scoring just ahead of the the throw home. Advancing on the throw to third was Stephens, who in the next at-bat scored the game winning run, as captain Justin Miller hit a chopper to short that Stephens beat the throw home.
Recap from OSU Athletics
No. 24 Ohio State has a bunch of wins this season – 30 to be exact – but Friday at Bill Davis Stadium the team earned its first when trailing after the seventh inning with a hard-earned 5-4 victory over Northwestern in front of a season high 1,758 fans.
Trailing 4-3 entering the ninth inning and 0-9 in such situations this season, the Buckeyes manufactured two runs for the victory to improve to 30-9 overall and a Big Ten Conference-leading 10-3 in the league. Northwestern drops to 11-25 overall and 2-9 in the Big Ten.
“We need to win games like this,” said Ohio State coach Bob Todd, who has now guided all 22 of his Ohio State teams to 30 or more victories. “Zach Hurley set the stage in the ninth and Cory Kovanda did his job by getting Hurley into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.”
“That was a good comeback win,” Burkhart, one of four Buckeyes with two hits, said. “We needed to get that.”
Ohio State played from behind the entire game. Northwestern’s hitters were seeing pitches clearly in the first inning, collecting five hits to score three runs off Ohio State starter Alex Wimmers. Wimmers ended up striking out the side in the inning, but a three-run inning against Wimmers simply doesn’t happen much this year.
“Wimmers battled through even though he didn’t have his good stuff,” Todd said.
The runs didn’t faze Wimmers and the Buckeyes fought back. Burkhart doubled in the second and scored on Miller’s single to put the Buckeyes on the scoreboard. Matt Streng led off the fifth inning with his sixth home run of the season to close the gap to 3-2.
A two-out walk with a man on board, followed by a Hamilton Wise single, scored a Wildcat run in the sixth inning to give a boost of adrenalin to the Northwestern bench, along with a 4-2 lead.
Streng singled to lead off the Buckeye seventh and eventually scored on a wild pitch to close the gap once again to one run at 4-3. Midway through the inning Wildcat starter Joe Muraski was replaced by David Jensen. Mursaki went 6.2 innings and gave up seven hits, just two earned runs with four walks and three strikeouts.
Wimmers left shortly thereafter. After getting the first two batters out in the eighth, back-to-back walks prompted a visit to the mound from coach Todd and the end of the effort for Wimmers. The sophomore went 7.2 innings and scattered eight hits, gave up the four runs, walked three and struck out 10 Wildcats.
The score stayed at 4-3 into the bottom of the ninth inning, when Ohio State had the top of its order coming to the plate. And they did their job.
Drew Rucinski pitched the final 1.1 innings to pick up the win and improve to 7-2 on the season. Cole Livermore, NU’s third pitcher of the night, dropped to 0-2 with the loss.
Box score
Dispatch Recap
Trailing 4-3 going into their last at-bat, Zach Hurley led-off the 9th with a single through the left side. A perfectly executed bunt sacrafice by Cory Kovanda moved Hurley into scoring position. Michael Stephens followed reached base via a HBP. With runners on first and second, Dan Burkhart sent a shot back up the middle, with Hurley scoring just ahead of the the throw home. Advancing on the throw to third was Stephens, who in the next at-bat scored the game winning run, as captain Justin Miller hit a chopper to short that Stephens beat the throw home.
Recap from OSU Athletics
No. 24 Ohio State has a bunch of wins this season – 30 to be exact – but Friday at Bill Davis Stadium the team earned its first when trailing after the seventh inning with a hard-earned 5-4 victory over Northwestern in front of a season high 1,758 fans.
Trailing 4-3 entering the ninth inning and 0-9 in such situations this season, the Buckeyes manufactured two runs for the victory to improve to 30-9 overall and a Big Ten Conference-leading 10-3 in the league. Northwestern drops to 11-25 overall and 2-9 in the Big Ten.
“We need to win games like this,” said Ohio State coach Bob Todd, who has now guided all 22 of his Ohio State teams to 30 or more victories. “Zach Hurley set the stage in the ninth and Cory Kovanda did his job by getting Hurley into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt.”
“That was a good comeback win,” Burkhart, one of four Buckeyes with two hits, said. “We needed to get that.”
Ohio State played from behind the entire game. Northwestern’s hitters were seeing pitches clearly in the first inning, collecting five hits to score three runs off Ohio State starter Alex Wimmers. Wimmers ended up striking out the side in the inning, but a three-run inning against Wimmers simply doesn’t happen much this year.
“Wimmers battled through even though he didn’t have his good stuff,” Todd said.
The runs didn’t faze Wimmers and the Buckeyes fought back. Burkhart doubled in the second and scored on Miller’s single to put the Buckeyes on the scoreboard. Matt Streng led off the fifth inning with his sixth home run of the season to close the gap to 3-2.
A two-out walk with a man on board, followed by a Hamilton Wise single, scored a Wildcat run in the sixth inning to give a boost of adrenalin to the Northwestern bench, along with a 4-2 lead.
Streng singled to lead off the Buckeye seventh and eventually scored on a wild pitch to close the gap once again to one run at 4-3. Midway through the inning Wildcat starter Joe Muraski was replaced by David Jensen. Mursaki went 6.2 innings and gave up seven hits, just two earned runs with four walks and three strikeouts.
Wimmers left shortly thereafter. After getting the first two batters out in the eighth, back-to-back walks prompted a visit to the mound from coach Todd and the end of the effort for Wimmers. The sophomore went 7.2 innings and scattered eight hits, gave up the four runs, walked three and struck out 10 Wildcats.
The score stayed at 4-3 into the bottom of the ninth inning, when Ohio State had the top of its order coming to the plate. And they did their job.
Drew Rucinski pitched the final 1.1 innings to pick up the win and improve to 7-2 on the season. Cole Livermore, NU’s third pitcher of the night, dropped to 0-2 with the loss.
Box score
Dispatch Recap
The Lantern: OSU looks to gain 30th win of season
Alex Kopilow
Issue date: 4/24/09
The Ohio State baseball team will play the Northwestern Wildcats in a weekend series with hopes of bouncing back from a miserable performance against Ball State Wednesday.
The Buckeyes have a 29-9 overall record and are first place in the Big Ten (9-3). They have won their last six Big Ten games, two three-game sweeps against Michigan State and Purdue, in consecutive weekends.
The Buckeyes have not lost a weekend game at home.
The Northwestern Wildcats are in last place in the Big Ten (2-8). They have lost eight of their last 10 games, earning an overall record of 11-24.
OSU had its worst loss of the season Wednesday against the Ball State Cardinals. The Buckeye bullpen allowed 20 runs in four innings in the 20-8 loss. Twelve of the Cardinals' 16 hits were for extra bases. The Buckeyes have lost consecutive mid-week non-conference games.
"The most important thing for us is to be competitive in the league," coach Bob Todd said. "We're in first place and that's how we have to approach it."
In Wednesday's loss, the Buckeyes had 15 hits but were unable to capitalize on many run-scoring opportunities.
Cardinal center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker saved a run in the second inning when he made a leaping catch at the wall to take away what would have been a home run for Michael Arp.
"I thought to myself, 'Where's the karma?' " Todd said.
But there is still a light at the end of the tunnel for OSU.
Northwestern ranks last in five out of the six major hitting categories in the Big Ten. The Wildcats are last in the Big Ten in batting average, on base percentage, runs scored, hits and runs batted in.
The Buckeyes split last year's series in Evanston, Ill. Pitchers Jake Hale and Dean Wolosiansky earned wins in the series.
Friday's game will start at 6:35 p.m., with the Saturday and Sunday games beginning at 1:05 p.m.
Issue date: 4/24/09
The Ohio State baseball team will play the Northwestern Wildcats in a weekend series with hopes of bouncing back from a miserable performance against Ball State Wednesday.
The Buckeyes have a 29-9 overall record and are first place in the Big Ten (9-3). They have won their last six Big Ten games, two three-game sweeps against Michigan State and Purdue, in consecutive weekends.
The Buckeyes have not lost a weekend game at home.
The Northwestern Wildcats are in last place in the Big Ten (2-8). They have lost eight of their last 10 games, earning an overall record of 11-24.
OSU had its worst loss of the season Wednesday against the Ball State Cardinals. The Buckeye bullpen allowed 20 runs in four innings in the 20-8 loss. Twelve of the Cardinals' 16 hits were for extra bases. The Buckeyes have lost consecutive mid-week non-conference games.
"The most important thing for us is to be competitive in the league," coach Bob Todd said. "We're in first place and that's how we have to approach it."
In Wednesday's loss, the Buckeyes had 15 hits but were unable to capitalize on many run-scoring opportunities.
Cardinal center fielder Jeremy Hazelbaker saved a run in the second inning when he made a leaping catch at the wall to take away what would have been a home run for Michael Arp.
"I thought to myself, 'Where's the karma?' " Todd said.
But there is still a light at the end of the tunnel for OSU.
Northwestern ranks last in five out of the six major hitting categories in the Big Ten. The Wildcats are last in the Big Ten in batting average, on base percentage, runs scored, hits and runs batted in.
The Buckeyes split last year's series in Evanston, Ill. Pitchers Jake Hale and Dean Wolosiansky earned wins in the series.
Friday's game will start at 6:35 p.m., with the Saturday and Sunday games beginning at 1:05 p.m.
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
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
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Northwestern Wins Finale for Series Split
Wow! Ohio State was never in this game as Northwestern built an 8-0 lead in the first two innings and cruised to a 14-8 victory to clinch a series split with the Bucks, which fell to 22-18 overall and 10-9 in the Big Ten (Box Score).
The Wildcats scored their first eight runs off Andrew Armstrong who was making an emergency start today in place of the injured J.B. Shuck. The OSU news release on Saturday said Shuck came out of the third game of the series to rest his leg. Today's release said the coaching staff rested him because of a sore hamstring. Armstrong lasted 1.2 innings and allowed the eight runs (just four earned) on four hits. He walked three and struck out one in falling to 3-3. Once he left the game, the Buckeyes went with Alex Wimmers, Josh Edgin, Eric Best and Jared Strayer.
Ohio State finally got on board in the fourth and scored in four of the final five innings, getting three in the fifth and two in the seventh. Northwestern answered with its ninth run in the bottom of the fourth and scored five over the seventh and eighth innings.
It was an ugly game defensively. Ohio State committed six errors while the 'Cats committed three. Buckeye pitchers walked eight and Northwestern pitches issued 11 free passes, including seven by its third pitcher of the game. The Bucks did manage nine hits to 11 by Northwestern.
Tony Kennedy was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while Ryan Meade was 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored. Cory Kovanda drove in two. Three different Wildcats had two hits. What a week by Kennedy. In the four games in Evanston, he was 11-for-17, good enough for a .647 batting average. He drove in three and scored eight. Throw in the two games against Akron and he batted 15-for-25 (.600) with five RBI and 11 runs scored. Not too shabby.
The Buckeyes remain in fourth place in the league standings behind Michigan, Purdue and Illinois. Overall, was it crucial to win the series? No, probably not, but it certainly would have been nice. Considering next week's series in Ann Arbor, wins will be hard to come by. The next week Ohio State hosts Illinois, another team it trails in the standings. Then it is off to Iowa to close out the season.
The Buckeye Nine threw in the towel for a regular season championship after last weekend's dismal effort vs. Purdue. Now, second place is more than likely out of reach. The goal now is to play well enough to be one of the top six seeds that will play in the league tournament. This team is much different without Shuck on the hill. Let's just get healthy.
The Wildcats scored their first eight runs off Andrew Armstrong who was making an emergency start today in place of the injured J.B. Shuck. The OSU news release on Saturday said Shuck came out of the third game of the series to rest his leg. Today's release said the coaching staff rested him because of a sore hamstring. Armstrong lasted 1.2 innings and allowed the eight runs (just four earned) on four hits. He walked three and struck out one in falling to 3-3. Once he left the game, the Buckeyes went with Alex Wimmers, Josh Edgin, Eric Best and Jared Strayer.
Ohio State finally got on board in the fourth and scored in four of the final five innings, getting three in the fifth and two in the seventh. Northwestern answered with its ninth run in the bottom of the fourth and scored five over the seventh and eighth innings.
It was an ugly game defensively. Ohio State committed six errors while the 'Cats committed three. Buckeye pitchers walked eight and Northwestern pitches issued 11 free passes, including seven by its third pitcher of the game. The Bucks did manage nine hits to 11 by Northwestern.
Tony Kennedy was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while Ryan Meade was 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored. Cory Kovanda drove in two. Three different Wildcats had two hits. What a week by Kennedy. In the four games in Evanston, he was 11-for-17, good enough for a .647 batting average. He drove in three and scored eight. Throw in the two games against Akron and he batted 15-for-25 (.600) with five RBI and 11 runs scored. Not too shabby.
The Buckeyes remain in fourth place in the league standings behind Michigan, Purdue and Illinois. Overall, was it crucial to win the series? No, probably not, but it certainly would have been nice. Considering next week's series in Ann Arbor, wins will be hard to come by. The next week Ohio State hosts Illinois, another team it trails in the standings. Then it is off to Iowa to close out the season.
The Buckeye Nine threw in the towel for a regular season championship after last weekend's dismal effort vs. Purdue. Now, second place is more than likely out of reach. The goal now is to play well enough to be one of the top six seeds that will play in the league tournament. This team is much different without Shuck on the hill. Let's just get healthy.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Another Doubleheader Split
Big Ten Network Highlights: Doubleheader Recap
Ohio State split a doubleheader at Northwestern Saturday, following a 6-4 loss in game one (Box Score) with a 13-1 victory in game two (Box Score). The Buckeyes have a 2-1 lead in the series with the final game to be played Sunday at 2:05 p.m. They beat the Wildcats 11-2 in the series opener on Friday.
In the first game Saturday, the Buckeyes went up by three in the fourth before Northwestern tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Designated hitter Chris Macke drove in Michael Arp to put the good guys back in front in the sixth until the the Wildcats errupted for three runs and the win in the bottom of the inning.
OSU starter Dan DeLucia gave up a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth and then walked the next batter. That prompted Bob Todd to signal for Rory Meister out of the doghouse, err bullpen. Meister gave up singles to his first three batters as Northwestern moved ahead 5-4. The final run scored on a fielder's choice.
Tony Kennedy led off the top of the seventh with a single and moved to second on a ground out. Zach Hurley reached on a fielding error by Wildcat third baseman Chris Lashmet to bring the winning run to the plate with just one out, but reliever Matt Havey who came in after Kennedy's single, struck out his final to batters to pick up a save in Eric Jokisch's win. Kennedy had four of the Buckeyes' 10 hits.
Dan DeLucia took the loss for Ohio State after allowing five runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings. He falls to 1-3 on the season.
In the nightcap, Ohio State sprinted to a 10-0 lead through three innings thanks to eight runs that crossed the plate in the second, all with two out. Ryan Dew hit a three-run homer and the Bucks promptly loaded the bases to see Brian DeLucia hit an inside-the-park grand slam to left-center field. Dan Burkhart capped the inning with a solo shot.
The Buckeyes added three more in the sixth. Ryan Meade drove in two with a double to right center. Northwestern finally got on the board with Jake Wilson's pinch-hit single in the bottom of the inning.
Ohio State pounded out 14 hits and was led by Brian DeLucia who was 3-for-5 and four RBI. Kennedy, Cory Kovanda and Meade each had two hits.
Dean Wolosiansky went the distance allowing the one run on nine hits. He had four strikeouts and walked one to improve to 6-2 on the year.
Ohio State improved to 22-17 overall and 10-8 in the Big Ten. Northwestern is 15-19 and 9-10.
Ohio State split a doubleheader at Northwestern Saturday, following a 6-4 loss in game one (Box Score) with a 13-1 victory in game two (Box Score). The Buckeyes have a 2-1 lead in the series with the final game to be played Sunday at 2:05 p.m. They beat the Wildcats 11-2 in the series opener on Friday.
In the first game Saturday, the Buckeyes went up by three in the fourth before Northwestern tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Designated hitter Chris Macke drove in Michael Arp to put the good guys back in front in the sixth until the the Wildcats errupted for three runs and the win in the bottom of the inning.
OSU starter Dan DeLucia gave up a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth and then walked the next batter. That prompted Bob Todd to signal for Rory Meister out of the doghouse, err bullpen. Meister gave up singles to his first three batters as Northwestern moved ahead 5-4. The final run scored on a fielder's choice.
Tony Kennedy led off the top of the seventh with a single and moved to second on a ground out. Zach Hurley reached on a fielding error by Wildcat third baseman Chris Lashmet to bring the winning run to the plate with just one out, but reliever Matt Havey who came in after Kennedy's single, struck out his final to batters to pick up a save in Eric Jokisch's win. Kennedy had four of the Buckeyes' 10 hits.
Dan DeLucia took the loss for Ohio State after allowing five runs on nine hits in 5.1 innings. He falls to 1-3 on the season.
In the nightcap, Ohio State sprinted to a 10-0 lead through three innings thanks to eight runs that crossed the plate in the second, all with two out. Ryan Dew hit a three-run homer and the Bucks promptly loaded the bases to see Brian DeLucia hit an inside-the-park grand slam to left-center field. Dan Burkhart capped the inning with a solo shot.
The Buckeyes added three more in the sixth. Ryan Meade drove in two with a double to right center. Northwestern finally got on the board with Jake Wilson's pinch-hit single in the bottom of the inning.
Ohio State pounded out 14 hits and was led by Brian DeLucia who was 3-for-5 and four RBI. Kennedy, Cory Kovanda and Meade each had two hits.
Dean Wolosiansky went the distance allowing the one run on nine hits. He had four strikeouts and walked one to improve to 6-2 on the year.
Ohio State improved to 22-17 overall and 10-8 in the Big Ten. Northwestern is 15-19 and 9-10.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Bucks Claim Game One Against 'Cats
The Buckeyes desparately needed a win and they got it Friday at Northwestern in the first of four Big Ten games between the teams this weekend at Rocky Miller Park in Evanston.
Northwestern scored two runs in the first, but then it was all Ohio State, which cruised to an 11-2 victory (Box Score). The offense exploded for 19 hits, including doubles by Dan Burkhart, Justin Miller and Tony Kennedy. Miller was 3-for-6 with two RBI, while Michael Arp was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Kennedy and Ryan Meade each added two hits.
OSU starter Jake Hale last 8.0 innings and was able to settle down after giving up the two early runs. He scattered eight hits in improving to 5-1 this season. He did give up a pair of doubles and a home run while walking three and fanning three. Rory Meister pitched a scoreless ninth though gave up one hit. The Wildcats finished with nine hits and two errors. The Buckeyes did not have an error.
Ohio State improved to 21-16 overall and 9-7 in Big Ten action. Northwestern is 14-18 and 8-9. Northwestern recap.
The teams contine action Saturday with a doubleheader that will be televised by the Big Ten Network begining at 1:05 p.m., ET. The first pitch was moved up an hour to accommodate the telecast. The series concludes Sunday with a single game at 2:05 p.m.
In case you missed it on ohiostatebuckeyes.com, they posted video interviews with J.B. Shuck and Cory Kovanda heading into the series this weekend at Northwestern.
Northwestern scored two runs in the first, but then it was all Ohio State, which cruised to an 11-2 victory (Box Score). The offense exploded for 19 hits, including doubles by Dan Burkhart, Justin Miller and Tony Kennedy. Miller was 3-for-6 with two RBI, while Michael Arp was 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored. Kennedy and Ryan Meade each added two hits.
OSU starter Jake Hale last 8.0 innings and was able to settle down after giving up the two early runs. He scattered eight hits in improving to 5-1 this season. He did give up a pair of doubles and a home run while walking three and fanning three. Rory Meister pitched a scoreless ninth though gave up one hit. The Wildcats finished with nine hits and two errors. The Buckeyes did not have an error.
Ohio State improved to 21-16 overall and 9-7 in Big Ten action. Northwestern is 14-18 and 8-9. Northwestern recap.
The teams contine action Saturday with a doubleheader that will be televised by the Big Ten Network begining at 1:05 p.m., ET. The first pitch was moved up an hour to accommodate the telecast. The series concludes Sunday with a single game at 2:05 p.m.
In case you missed it on ohiostatebuckeyes.com, they posted video interviews with J.B. Shuck and Cory Kovanda heading into the series this weekend at Northwestern.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Ohio State vs. N'western Weekend Hype
Ohio State Buckeyes
(20-16, 8-7 Big Ten)
at
Northwestern Wildcats
(14-17; 8-8 Big Ten)
Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 4 p.m., ET
Saturday (DH): 1 p.m., ET
Sunday: 2 p.m., ET
Following the Team:
As usual, the audio broadcast for all four games will be available for a fee at ohiostatebuckeyes.com. AM 920 WMNI will have games one, two and four. The Big Ten Network has both games of the Saturday doubleheader, which begins at 1 p.m., ET. Ohiostatebuckeyes.com also will offer live stats.
Probable Starters from ohiostatebuckeyes.com
G1: RHP Jake Hale (4-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. LHP Joe Muraski (4-3, 5.14 ERA)
G2: LHP Dan DeLucia (1-2, 5.28) vs. RHP Bo Schultz (3-5, 7.34 ERA)
G3: RHP Dean Wolosiansky (5-2, 3.09) vs. LHP Eric Jokisch (4-2, 4.72 ERA)
G4: LHP J.B. Shuck (4-2, 2.86) vs. LHP David Jensen ( 1-3, 10.05)
Ohio State vs. Northwestern
The Ohio State vs. Northwestern rivalry dates to 1913 and includes 120 games. Ohio State leads the all-time series, 80-40. Coach Bob Todd’s Buckeyes are 28-12 all-time vs. Northwestern. Ohio State has won four straight against Northwestern and eight of the last nine. Ohio State has won the last two series - played in 2004 and 2005 - by 3-1 counts. The teams have met just twice in the last two years. The Buckeyes claimed a 9-0 decision over the second-seeded Wildcats in the 2006 Big Ten Tournament and then won a “non-conference” game last year 11-6 in Bradenton.
Team Comparison
• The Buckeyes are in fourth place in the Big Ten at 8-7 and only one-half game up on Northwestern and Penn State (both are 8-8).
• Northwestern is on a roll with nine wins in its last 12 games, including a 7-3 record in its last 10 Big Ten games after last weekend’s 3-1 series win vs. Iowa.
• The Buckeyes have lost four of their last five Big Ten games.
• The two teams are hitting an identical .292 in Big Ten play.
• Ohio State has posted a team ERA of 3.85 in Big Ten games (second in the league) and Northwestern is 6th with a 5.88 ERA.
• The Buckeyes play three of their final four Big Ten series on the road (at Northwestern; at Michigan; home vs. Illinois and at Iowa) so making the Big Ten tournament is going to require the team to be road warriors.
• Northwestern’s schedule is also tough: it travels to Illinois next week, hosts Indiana and closes the season at Michigan.
More from the Ohio State game notes
The Buckeyes will be looking to put the brakes on a skid that has them just 2-6 in their past eight games and 1-4 in the last five Big Ten games. Ohio State is third among Big Ten teams with an overall batting average of .321 and it is third in team ERA at 4.44. The team is 15-1 when it has a lead after eight innings. Six everyday players are hitting at least .300 and six have at least 15 RBI. The staff is limiting opponents to a .261 overall batting average. Four pitchers with at least 20.0 innings have ERAs under 4.00.
Big Ten Standings
Games This Weekend in the Big Ten:
Ohio State (8-7) at Northwestern (8-8); Michigan (15-1) at Indiana (4-12); Penn State (8-8) at Illinois (9-7); Minnesota (6-10) at Purdue (12-4); Iowa (5-11) at Michigan State (4-11).
(20-16, 8-7 Big Ten)
at
Northwestern Wildcats
(14-17; 8-8 Big Ten)
Weekend Schedule:
Friday: 4 p.m., ET
Saturday (DH): 1 p.m., ET
Sunday: 2 p.m., ET
Following the Team:
As usual, the audio broadcast for all four games will be available for a fee at ohiostatebuckeyes.com. AM 920 WMNI will have games one, two and four. The Big Ten Network has both games of the Saturday doubleheader, which begins at 1 p.m., ET. Ohiostatebuckeyes.com also will offer live stats.
Probable Starters from ohiostatebuckeyes.com
G1: RHP Jake Hale (4-1, 5.06 ERA) vs. LHP Joe Muraski (4-3, 5.14 ERA)
G2: LHP Dan DeLucia (1-2, 5.28) vs. RHP Bo Schultz (3-5, 7.34 ERA)
G3: RHP Dean Wolosiansky (5-2, 3.09) vs. LHP Eric Jokisch (4-2, 4.72 ERA)
G4: LHP J.B. Shuck (4-2, 2.86) vs. LHP David Jensen ( 1-3, 10.05)
Ohio State vs. Northwestern
The Ohio State vs. Northwestern rivalry dates to 1913 and includes 120 games. Ohio State leads the all-time series, 80-40. Coach Bob Todd’s Buckeyes are 28-12 all-time vs. Northwestern. Ohio State has won four straight against Northwestern and eight of the last nine. Ohio State has won the last two series - played in 2004 and 2005 - by 3-1 counts. The teams have met just twice in the last two years. The Buckeyes claimed a 9-0 decision over the second-seeded Wildcats in the 2006 Big Ten Tournament and then won a “non-conference” game last year 11-6 in Bradenton.
Team Comparison
• The Buckeyes are in fourth place in the Big Ten at 8-7 and only one-half game up on Northwestern and Penn State (both are 8-8).
• Northwestern is on a roll with nine wins in its last 12 games, including a 7-3 record in its last 10 Big Ten games after last weekend’s 3-1 series win vs. Iowa.
• The Buckeyes have lost four of their last five Big Ten games.
• The two teams are hitting an identical .292 in Big Ten play.
• Ohio State has posted a team ERA of 3.85 in Big Ten games (second in the league) and Northwestern is 6th with a 5.88 ERA.
• The Buckeyes play three of their final four Big Ten series on the road (at Northwestern; at Michigan; home vs. Illinois and at Iowa) so making the Big Ten tournament is going to require the team to be road warriors.
• Northwestern’s schedule is also tough: it travels to Illinois next week, hosts Indiana and closes the season at Michigan.
More from the Ohio State game notes
The Buckeyes will be looking to put the brakes on a skid that has them just 2-6 in their past eight games and 1-4 in the last five Big Ten games. Ohio State is third among Big Ten teams with an overall batting average of .321 and it is third in team ERA at 4.44. The team is 15-1 when it has a lead after eight innings. Six everyday players are hitting at least .300 and six have at least 15 RBI. The staff is limiting opponents to a .261 overall batting average. Four pitchers with at least 20.0 innings have ERAs under 4.00.
Big Ten Standings
Games This Weekend in the Big Ten:
Ohio State (8-7) at Northwestern (8-8); Michigan (15-1) at Indiana (4-12); Penn State (8-8) at Illinois (9-7); Minnesota (6-10) at Purdue (12-4); Iowa (5-11) at Michigan State (4-11).
Monday, April 21, 2008
Two Buckeye Seniors on BTN Monday Night
Ohio State seniors Dan DeLucia and Tony Kennedy will appear on the Big Ten Network's "Big Ten Tonight" nightly sportscast Monday, April 21. The two Buckeyes will be featured on the BTN's "Talk Back" segment. Big Ten Tonight is a 60-minute program that airs Monday through Thursday, and Saturday and Sunday at 10 p.m. ET. Bringing the viewer Big Ten highlights, analysis, features, historical segments, interviews and breaking news, Big Ten Tonight has a mini-studio at each campus, providing Big Ten Tonight with interviews with coaches and players on a nightly basis.
Big Ten Network Adds Buckeye Telecasts
The Big Ten Network has added two more Ohio State road games to its upcoming baseball programming schedule. The additional dates give Ohio State a total of nine regular season appearances on the Big Ten Network, the most by any school. Upcoming Ohio State baseball games that will be televised on the Big Ten Network include:
Sat., April 26 – Ohio State at Northwestern (DH), 1 p.m., ET
Fri., May 2 – Ohio State at Michigan , 6:35 p.m., ET
Sat., May 17 – Ohio State at Iowa , 2 p.m., ET
The start time for the Ohio State at Northwestern doubleheader April 26 has been changed to 1 p.m. from its initial 2 p.m. start. Both games of the doubleheader will be televised.
Big Ten Network Adds Buckeye Telecasts
The Big Ten Network has added two more Ohio State road games to its upcoming baseball programming schedule. The additional dates give Ohio State a total of nine regular season appearances on the Big Ten Network, the most by any school. Upcoming Ohio State baseball games that will be televised on the Big Ten Network include:
Sat., April 26 – Ohio State at Northwestern (DH), 1 p.m., ET
Fri., May 2 – Ohio State at Michigan , 6:35 p.m., ET
Sat., May 17 – Ohio State at Iowa , 2 p.m., ET
The start time for the Ohio State at Northwestern doubleheader April 26 has been changed to 1 p.m. from its initial 2 p.m. start. Both games of the doubleheader will be televised.
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