Buckeye Baseball Summer League Update 8/1

Though we ring in a new month, we start to wind down the summer leagues across America. Over the next few weeks leagues will wrap up as mid-August forces student-athletes to prepare for their academics and head back to campus. Just not our Buckeyes as our quarter system does not have us start until late September.

Anyhow, here is the latest on our Buckeyes around the diamond.

Summer League Buckeyes 7/16 Update

Update #2 is a bit later than I had hoped, but it's better late than never.

The past three weeks have seen little change in the seasons of our Buckeyes. Dean Wolosianky, Jared Strayer, and Drew Rucinski continue to have stellar seasons from the mound, while Matt Streng continues to lead the Buckeye batters with a productive and consistent summer thus far.

Not all is good however as we see a pair of Buckeyes in slumps, a few more who continue to whiff at a higher than desired rate, and a new Buckeye whose first impressions aren't exactly good.

Summer League Buckeyes 6/27 Update

Here is our first look at the seasons the men of Scarlet and Gray are having across America, headlined by Dean Wolosiansky, Jared Strayer, Drew Rucinski, Matt Streng, and a new face to Buckeye baseball.

Summer League Buckeyes

As far as I can tell, 12 Buckeyes will be playing in summer leagues this summer. Almost as disappointing as the low number, is the fact none are playing in the Cape. The Cape is not the end all be all, but it does provide the players with a chance to go head-to-head against the best, and for a program that is quite far from being the best in anything, there is no reason a Drew Rucinski, or Brian DeLucia at the very least are not in the Cape. Especially considering Iowa has four players in the CCBL.

If anyone knows of any other players, feel free to add them or shoot me an email so I can keep track of them.

Ohio State Athletics Release: BA's recognizes Rucinski and Wimmers

In all apologies to Drew Rucinski who co-headlines the latest release from the Department of Athletics, I really was in no hurry to post the release.

One and the main reason is, if you've been checking the blog throughout the summer, nothing new has been mentioned outside of the Rucinski news.

Next, I take issue with highlighting only the "good" summers that were had in the final summer numbers. Some players contribute more than others for every team, but a team includes everyone. Some numbers might not be pretty, but there are ways to include everyone who played summer ball. Guys like Zach Nowland, Ryan Cypert, Jared Strayer, etc took the time and effort to travel away to work on their skills to best perform for the university. To leave them off is in bad favor I feel.

Lastly, it was a beautiful weekend. Hopefully you all were outside enjoying it, and not glued to a computer. For once I was doing the former.

But enough of that. Here is the release.

Baseball Contacts: Jerry Emig 614-688-0343/emig.2@osu.edu or Brett Rybak 440-840-4962/Rybak.13@osu.edu

BASE: Wimmers, Rucinski Rated High by Baseball America
Each ranked as third-best prospect in their respective summer league

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State junior pitchers Alex Wimmers and Drew Rucinski have both been named the third-best player in their respective summer leagues by Baseball America.

Wimmers, a 2009 All-American, went 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA in six games (four starts) for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League. The Cincinnati native struck out 37 and had a .156 batting average against in 22 innings pitched.

In a 15-5 win over Cotuit in the Cape Cod League playoffs, which were eventually won by the Braves, Wimmers tossed four innings, giving up five hits and one earned run while striking out 11.

Rucinski, the Buckeyes’ leader in wins with 12 in 2009, went 3-1 with a 3.22 ERA in 12 games (six starts) for Luray of the Valley Baseball League. The junior tossed 44.2 innings, giving up 41 hits and striking out 48 for the Valley League Central Division champs.

A number of other Buckeyes had solid seasons in their respective summer leagues:

- Dan Burkhart (Hyannis/Cape Cod League) batted .295 with 11 runs scored and a pair of doubles. The junior backstop also recorded a .375 on-base percentage.

- Senior Cory Kovanda (Waynesboro/Valley League) played in 36 games, batting .291 with three doubles, a triple and a home run. The second baseman had a .369 on-base percentage and stole five bases.

- Coming off of an injury in 2009, fourth-year junior Brian DeLucia (Rockbridge/Valley League) played in 36 games, batting .274 with three doubles, a triple and three home runs.

- In limited action, Eric Best (Licking County/Great Lakes League) started four games, going 3-0 with a 3.50 ERA. The senior gave up 17 hits while striking out 17 in 18 innings pitched.

- Shortstop Tyler Engle (Licking County/Great Lakes League), a junior, hit .340 with three doubles and a home run in 15 games.

- Junior pitcher Dean Wolosiansky (Newport/New England League) went 4-0 with a 2.41 ERA in five starts for the NECBL champions. The right hander gave up 29 hits and struck out 20 in 33.2 innings pitched. In a 3-1 win over Sanford in the final game of the East Division Championship Series, Wolosiansky tossed 5.1 innings giving up just one earned run and striking out four.

Summer League Buckeyes: Stats through 8/7

Photo of Rucinski from All Things Valley League

Apologies for the two-week hiatus. Been a bit busy as the internship was winding down with the Settlers, camp and two-a-days have picked up as HS football is now underway, rink renovations at the ice rink, and needing a bit of break as baseball burn-out is setting in, as we're a month away from the start of fall ball. Yeah, the season just ended it feels and we're getting ready for 2010.

I'll have more things to pass along now that I have some free time, but to catch our Buckeyes finished, or are as the seasons across America in their respective summer leagues have completed except the CCBL playoffs where Wimmers might get one last start.

Bad news in the form of Best and Armstrong ending their summers early and have surgery on their pitching arms. Both should and hopefully will be 100% for 2010, but fall ball practice will be paper thin on pitching.

Good news, Wimmers continues to shine in the Cape, as too has Burkhart. Strayer finished with 2 solid outings in the Valley while Rucinski went on a second half tear down there finishing with very impressive numbers. Engle, DeLucia, and Kovanda performed very well across the board showing the Bucks infield will be loaded with depth as they defend their championship.

Hitters

Valley Baseball League:
Cory Kovanda-Waynesboro Generals: 41-for-141;.291 average, three 2B, one 3B, one HR, 13 RBI, .348 SLG, .369 OBP, .717 OPS 5/8 SB/SBA

Brian DeLucia-Rockbridge Rapids: 32-for-117; .274, three 2B, one 3B, three HR, 18 RBI, .393, .351, .749, 3/6

Shawn Forsythe-Rockbridge Rapids: 3-for-24, .125, three RBI, .125, .125, .250 0/0


Great Lakes:
Tyler Engle-Licking County Settlers: 18-for-53; .340, three 2B one HR, nine RBI, .453, .379, .832


Cape Cod:
Dan Burkhart-Hyannis Mets: 23-for-78; .295, two 2B, one 3B, six RBI, .346, .375, .721


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 2-0, 1.23, 22 IP, 12 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 37 K's, 13 BB, .155


Valley Baseball League:
Jared Strayer-Rockbridge Rapids: 0-2, 8.27, 20.2 IP, 32 H, 27 R, 19 ER, 16 K's, 14 BB, .368

Drew Rucinski-Luray Wranglers: 3-1, 2 SV, 3.22, 44.2 IP, 22 R, 16 ER, 41 H, 48 K's, 14 BB, .230

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: 4-0, 2.41, 33.2 IP, 11 R, 9 ER, 29 H, 20 K's, 12 BB, .222

Summer League Buckeyes: Wimmers Shines in First Cape Win

On the eve of the Cape Cod All-Star game where the most talented collegiate underclassmen will be on the brightest showcase stage of their careers in an ungodly collection of talent, one of the game's elite was making his presence felt even though he will not be in attendance.

In a 2009 calendar year where Alex Wimmers has picked up enough honors and hardware to fill a small closet, the Ohio State righty will not be able to add Cape Cod League All-Star to his resume, no fault of his performances, but because in adding Team USA Invitee to said resume, he was a late Cape arrival. In his latest start with pockets scout and talented evaluators on hand including Stats Inc./ESPN's Keith Law, who twittered during the outing, Wimmers is using this summer to supplement a spring which saw him land on 6 All-American teams, and prove he is one of college baseball's top pitchers.

As noted last week, Wimmers made his first start, and performed well throwing five solid innings of one run, two hit, baseball in striking out six. As was well as that performance was the last outing by Wimmers has really made people take notice.

After seeing his scheduled start pushed back a day due to rain, Wimmers made every effort to not only showcase his skill, but help put the Bourne Braves back atop the CCBL West Division standings, in a tie with the Wareham Gatemen who was Wimmers opponent.

The game featured the top two returning pitchers next year in the Big Ten with Wimmers going against 2008 Yankees draftee and Indiana's freshman Blake Monar. It was the second time in 2009 the two faced off in a start, the first being in March during the Buckeyes spring trip where Wimmers shutout the Hoosiers in a 2-0 victory that saw Monar take the tough-break loss. It was also the second game this Cape season that saw both Wimmers and Monar share a pitching mound as Wimmers came in relief during a Braves-Gatemen game two weeks back.

Site familiarity of opponent if you want but Wimmers had no problem handling the Gatemen and picking up his first Cape Cod victory. Wimmers carried a no-hitter into the 5th, Wimmers does know a thing or two about no-hitters on a grand stage, pitched into the 7th, struck out 10 batters, walked four and allowed four hits. Wimmers strong start helped the Braves shutout the star-ladden Gatemen who have the likes of Michigan's Ryan LaMarre, Indiana's Alex Dickerson, and Georgia Tech's Derek Dietrich.

As dominant as it was, it wasn't Wimmers' sharpest performance. Wimmers did walked two Gatemen in the opening frame, and did allow two singles in both the 5th and 7th innings before exiting. But benefiting from solid defense, and help from his battery mate BJ LaRosa (Bucknell) who threw out LaMarre and Dietrich trying to steal off Wimmers, allowed Alex to work out of jams and perform great. In all Wimmers saw 24 Gatemen make plate appearances, as the result of four walks, 20 had official at-bats and 10 were strikeout victims. Pretty impressive.


Wimmers to-date summer numbers:

1-0, 1.29 ERA, 14 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 HR, 8 BB, 21 K's, .148 BAA, 1.07 WHIP, 13.5 K/9


Cape Cod Times Recap

Star Coast Today Recap

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: Stats through 7/19

Hitters

Valley Baseball League:
Cory Kovanda-Waynesboro Generals: 30-for-102;.294 average, two 2B, one 3B, nine RBI, .333 SLG, .371 OBP, 5/7 SB/SBA

Brian DeLucia-Rockbridge Rapids: 27-for-97; .278, three 2B, one 3B, three HR, 17 RBI, .423, .349

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


Great Lakes:
Tyler Engle-Licking County Settlers: 8-for-22; .364, one HR, five RBI, .500, .440


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: 0-0, 3.33, 24.1 IP, 20 H, 24 K's, 7 BB, .211

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: Wolosiansky a NECBL All-Star

Photo courtesy Jim Davidson of the-ozone.net


My apologies on an inexcusable error in leaving Wolosiansky off the list of Bucks in summer league action. Wolosiansky is playing in the New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer as a Newport Gull.

In Wolosiansky's last start on July 15th against the Vermont Mountaineers, the two-time second team All-Big Team honoree pitched a dandy of a game. Wolo went 8 innings, scattering nine hits, allowed just one run, struck out five and walked two. The win was Wolosianksky's third so far this summer, helping the first-place Gulls move to 19-8 on the summer.

This summer, the Uniontown native is 3-0 in 4 games started, posting a 1.95 ERA in 27.2 innings pitched. Dean has struck out 15 while walking nine, opponents are batting .222 off of the Green HS product who has allowed just three extra base hits, all three being doubles.

With the second of the Saturday starter for Coach Todd, its no surprise as the all-star lineups were announced to the Wolosiansky selected.

The NECBL all-star game is being played tonight, July 18th from MacKenzie Stadium in Holyoke, MA the home of the Holyoke Blue Sox.

Summer League Buckeyes: Burkhart named CCBL All-Star Alternate

Photo is property of the Boston Red Sox

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Photo Courtesy the-ozone.net

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

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

Summer League Buckeyes: Wimmers make Cape rotation debut

Photo Courtesy Bourne Braves

Better late than never. Cliche? Yes. story of the summer for Buckeye All-American pitcher Alex Wimmers in his time in the prestigeous Cape Cod Baseball League? Yes.

You can't fault Wimmers for the tardiness in making his first start as a Bourne Brave, he spent two weeks in late June competing for a spot on Team USA's collegiate roster which is an OK excuse. It wasn't in the cards for the ace to be selected as one of the 22 college players to represent the Red, White, and Blue of America, but the Red, White, and Blue of the Bourne Braves will gladly have him on their team.

Wimmers made his CCBL debut July 5th against the Wareham Gateman. Ironically, though it was a game played in the heart of New England, a quick glance at the box score would have made it seem like another day in mid-April as Indiana University's Blake Monar was on the mound for the opposing Gatemen. Wimmers topped Monar and the Hoosiers on their Florida trip, winning 2-0 in a complete game shutout, while Monar gained a bit of revenge defeating the Buckeyes during the Big Ten Tournament. In the rubber match Wimmers would take the upperhand.

Coming in to pitch the 6th and 7th innings was the right-handed flamethrower from Cincinnati Moeller. Wimmers who finished the 2009 season third all-time in single season strikeouts, and in the top 5 nationally, continued a to make opposing hitters look foolish. Wimmers would strike out two batters over the two innings, he would allow a two-out solo home run off the bat of Shea Vucinich in the 6th, but responded with a perfect 7th inning, that included a induced ground out off the bat of Indiana and Big Ten Freshman of the Year Alex Dickerson. Wimmers and the Braves would win 8-5.

Wimmers return to the mound for an inning July 8th, as the Braves faced off against the Falmouth Commodores. Alex tossed a one walk, one strike out performance in pitching the 6th inning as the Braves would win 3-1.

After two solid outings in relief pitching, allowing one run in three innings, following a traditional five days length of rest, Wimmers made his debut in the Bourne rotation. The calendar showed July 13th, the opponent was the Orleans Firebirds, and the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year finally show the rest of the collegiate world what those in Columbus and cities across the Midwest knew. The Bucks have one of the nations best.

Wimmers pitched five very solid innings Monday night in a no decision, Braves loss. Wimmers allowed a solo home run to start the 4th, it would be just one of the two hits he allowed on the night. Three Firebirds reached base on walks, but six went down as strike out victims, a situation all too familiar for opposing hitters facing Wimmers. The box score for the night.

Wimmers numbers on the year after his first start are: 8 innings pitched, 3 hits, 2 earn runs, 4 walks, 11 strike outs. Oh and opponents are batting .111 off of the All-American.

After as fine of a season as you'll see out of a sophomore, to receive an invite to the Team USA trials, to come out on fire in the Cape, it appears the sky is the limit for Wimmers. This coming from someone who no-hit Michigan, it appears Wimmers might now just be scratching his potential. The Buckeyes as Big Ten Championships will be getting everyone's best shot, with a bullseye and microscope on Wimmers. With the way he's thrown against the cream of the crop, don't expect Wimmers to lose sleep over it as he anchors the Buckeyes in 2010.

Summer League Buckeyes: Roster changes

Just a few updates on where Buckeyes are spending the summer.

Cape Cod:

After not being name to the Team USA Collegiate Baseball roster, Alex Wimmers has finally arrived in the Cape and has started his summer with the Bourne Braves. Alex has appeared in one game, he threw two innings, allowed a solo home run, but that was the only hit against Wimmers. In those two innings, Wimmers struck out four, continuing the dominance we saw this spring that made him an All American.

Valley Baseball League:

The Valley was the exit of one Buckeye but the entrance of another. Joining Buckeye teammates Jared Strayer and Brian DeLucia this past week was catch Shawn Forsythe as a Rockbridge Rapid. Forsythe has appeared in two games, starting one, and is looking for his first hit of the summer after going hitless in his first five tries.

Great Lakes:

As one came in, one went out. Tyler Engle who was one of a trio of Buckeyes spending the summer as a Luray Wrangler has relocated and playing summer ball closer to home, but as found himself still in the company of a Buckeye. After hitting .313 in the Valley, Tyler Engle has found a spot on the Licking County Settlers roster for the remainder of the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League season. Engle made his first appearance in a Settlers game last night as a pinch-hitter. Engle joins Eric Best as the Ohio State student-athletes participating in the GLSCL doubles from one to two.

I will do my best to keep everyone informed as to where the Buckeyes are spending their summers and how they are performing, as well as checking in with a trio of Buckeyes who are not on a wooden bat circuit but are day in and day out trying to improve their game as the Buckeyes in 2010 will look to defend their title.

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.

Summer League Buckeyes: Armstrong and Rucinski shining in the Valley

Pitcher of the Day

Armstrong threw 7 innings against Front Royal, allowing 2 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 3 walks, and striking out 9 while earning the win. Andrew's now 1-0, 3.86, with 12 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings so far this year.


Great to see Armstrong throwing well this summer. Armstrong battled injury in the spring and never was 100% and the results showed. In 2010 hopefully a healthy and mature Armstrong can help patch some of the pitching holes and woes the Bucks faced this season. Armstrong is on a Luray team with Buckeye pitcher Drew Rucinski who has seen time in the rotation, and shortstop Tyler Engle.

Rucinski's last start was just as impressive as Armstrong's. The rising Junior from Broken Arrow, OK threw 7 innings, allowed 4 hits, 3 runs (1 earned), 2 walks, 9 strikeouts in his June 27th start.

Rucinski who some say was the team's MVP, bridging the gap nearly by himself from starters to All American closer Jake Hale, was the Valley League's #1 pitching prospect after the summer of 2008. Drew has not slowed down in 2009. For the Luray Wranglers this summer Rucinski is 0-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 3 starts. In 17 innings Rucinski has struck out 16, walked 5, and gave up just 14 hits, limiting hitters to a .209 batting average against.

With the graduation of Hale, a new role might be found as Coach Bob Todd in 2010 shuffles the pitching staff to maximize the Buckeyes success.

Rounding out the trio of Bucks in Luray is Engle. Engle has seen action in 8 games so far, all starts, and is hitting .357 10-for-28 in those games.

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.