The season is eight days away? You wouldn't know looking outside but it truly is.
Here is a rundown of this week's news. Come Monday I'll dig into providing my thoughts on the team. I know it has been a long time coming just bear with me one more weekend.
Wimmers & Burkhart continue to be noticed nationally
Here is the latest media to provide insight into Burkhart & Wimmers
College Baseball Insider caught up with the two to discuss the conjoined path to presentday.
Baseball America and Yahoo! Sports has features on the two upcoming here shortly. Buckeye State Baseball has the info on that.
CollegeBaseball360 announces Big East/Big Ten Challenge videocast schedule
CollegeBaseball360 is going above and beyond bringing exposure to northern baseball. CB360 has finalized their schedule in covering challenge between the weather-strickend conferences as they meet in the clash in Florida. You can check out when the Buckeyes will be on the stream by going here.
Big Ten Preview?
College Baseball Insider spoke to 8 of the 10 Big Ten coaches, though they did not state who, to gather their thoughts and answers on the season.
Collectively the coaches agreed Ohio State is the team to beat. Wimmers is the top Big Ten pitcher. Burkhart is the best defensive catcher while Michael Stephens is the best defensive outfielder. Stephens is one of the conference's best power hitters, while Ryan Dew and Burkhart are two of the purest hitters.
You can read all of the answers provided by the Big Ten coaches here.
Ohio State Athletics Communications continue their Ohio State preview
The talented Jerry Emig continued breaking down the Scarlet & Gray for 2010 in previewing the catching corp. Though Burkhart is the brightest star and biggest name, the group has depth. You can read the preview here.
That is the latest and greatest news about the Big Ten defending champions.
Showing posts with label Yahoo Sports. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Yahoo Sports. Show all posts
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Our Honor Defend
The 2010 season is officially underway with practice in full swing as the defending Big Ten champions prepare to defend their crown while also looking to take the next step on a national level.
With the season opening in 16 days as the Buckeyes take on North Florida to kick off one of their most highly anticipated seasons in recent years, there is plenty of time to preview and dig into the 2010 version of the Scarlet & Gray.
For now lets recap all of the preseason buzz...
All-Americans
When you capture Big Ten Player and co-Pitcher of the year as sophomores you'll have a spotlight on you entering your junior season. When you spend your summer perfecting your craft in the Cape Cod League and prove to be among the best at your position, that spotlight only gets brighter.
The junior battery of RHP Alex Wimmers and C Dan Burkhart picked up a few preseason honors headed into that all important junior season.
First the National College Baseball Writers Association, selected both Wimmers and Burkhart to their second-team All-America squad.
The honor was followed by Wimmers being named a second-team Louisville Slugger All-American.
With Ping! Baseball tabbing Wimmers as a first-team AA selection, while Burkhart once again receives a second-team mention.
Preseason polls
2010 will not be a season Ohio State sneaks up on anyone.
As the six major preseason polls were released, the Bucks found homes in five of them, barely missing a ranking in Baseball America's top 25.
The high water mark was set by Collegiate Baseball who penciled the Buckeyes in at 14th.
The Coaches in their ESPN/USAToday Poll determined the Buckeyes to be the 21st best team entering the new year.
Kendall Rogers of Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports gave the Bob Todd and his team a 22nd ranking.
The NCBWA were right in line with the previous two polls, slotting the Scarlet & Gray at 23rd.
Ping! rounds out the quintet of rankings, as they gave the Bucks a preseason ranking of 24 in their 30 team poll.
Now what?
As previews start to be released nationally, some with more insight and value say College Baseball Today than others I'll keep you in formed on that.
Otherwise I'll start previewing the Bucks as they enter 2010 with one word on their mind: Omaha. Over the next two and a half weeks.
With the season opening in 16 days as the Buckeyes take on North Florida to kick off one of their most highly anticipated seasons in recent years, there is plenty of time to preview and dig into the 2010 version of the Scarlet & Gray.
For now lets recap all of the preseason buzz...
All-Americans
When you capture Big Ten Player and co-Pitcher of the year as sophomores you'll have a spotlight on you entering your junior season. When you spend your summer perfecting your craft in the Cape Cod League and prove to be among the best at your position, that spotlight only gets brighter.
The junior battery of RHP Alex Wimmers and C Dan Burkhart picked up a few preseason honors headed into that all important junior season.
First the National College Baseball Writers Association, selected both Wimmers and Burkhart to their second-team All-America squad.
The honor was followed by Wimmers being named a second-team Louisville Slugger All-American.
With Ping! Baseball tabbing Wimmers as a first-team AA selection, while Burkhart once again receives a second-team mention.
Preseason polls
2010 will not be a season Ohio State sneaks up on anyone.
As the six major preseason polls were released, the Bucks found homes in five of them, barely missing a ranking in Baseball America's top 25.
The high water mark was set by Collegiate Baseball who penciled the Buckeyes in at 14th.
The Coaches in their ESPN/USAToday Poll determined the Buckeyes to be the 21st best team entering the new year.
Kendall Rogers of Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports gave the Bob Todd and his team a 22nd ranking.
The NCBWA were right in line with the previous two polls, slotting the Scarlet & Gray at 23rd.
Ping! rounds out the quintet of rankings, as they gave the Bucks a preseason ranking of 24 in their 30 team poll.
Now what?
As previews start to be released nationally, some with more insight and value say College Baseball Today than others I'll keep you in formed on that.
Otherwise I'll start previewing the Bucks as they enter 2010 with one word on their mind: Omaha. Over the next two and a half weeks.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Preseason honors and rankings
As we figured, coming off of 2009 success with just three seniors being lost due to graduation, 2010 was to be a year of high expectations. What we knew in Columbus has made its way around the college baseball world and is starting to be reflectedin various publications.
Rankings
In the first two preseason rankings, the Bucks crack both top 25s and are in very welcoming company.
Ping!Baseball released its preseason list first and slotted the Bucks at 24th which you can see here.
Ping!'s write-up on the Bucks:
While the Big 10 isn't much of a baseball power conference these days, it hasn't always been that way. Up until the mid 80's a Big 10 representative was often in Omaha . Yet for Ohio State , the layoff has been even longer. The Buckeyes made it to the Series three times in the 60's (including winning the title in '66), but haven't visited since. This year's team is hoping to end that streak and is in good position to do so. Dan Burkhart (.354, 10, 62) will be looking to parlay last season's success with a fine Cape showing to lead the offense which returns almost its entire startling lineup. Alex Wimmers (9-2, 3.27, 136 Ks in 104.2 IP) is a dandy of a Friday nights starter, but the rest of the rest of the arms will have to turn it up a notch if team is going to make it out of Regionals.
Where Ping! set the bar College Baseball News put it on an entirely different level. A week later Collegiate Baseball ranked the Bucks preseason #14. The CBN's poll is here.
Myself personally, I feel you split the difference and at #19 is about where the Bucks should be.
Kendall Rogers thoughts
Rogers has made no secret his thoughts and opinions of the Buckeyes and continue to group Ohio State and Omaha in the same sentence.
In his storylines to watch in 2010, the Buckeyes make a cameo with this write-up:
Ohio State has talent and experience to reach College World Series
It’s not often a Big Ten team is expected to compete for a CWS berth. But Michigan a couple of seasons ago and Ohio State this season are the exceptions.
The Wolverines fell short of meeting their goals despite hosting a regional two seasons ago. OSU, though, hopes to turn the tide for the conference.
The Buckeyes welcome back several key hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a solid .328 batting average. The offense is expected to emulate that production this season.
The Buckeyes also welcome back one of the nation’s best pitchers in starter Alex Wimmers. Drew Rucinsky and Eric Best also are key returning pitchers. However, the bullpen is a huge concern and could keep OSU from reaching its goals.
Ohio State’s success this season could be huge for northern baseball.
In his Big Ten snapshot, this quick hit and run statement was thrown to the public:
Ohio State
2009 record: 42-19
Top returning player: P Alex Wimmers
What needs to improve: The Buckeyes know what could keep them from reaching their big goals this season. The Buckeyes welcome back several talented hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a .328 batting average. However, the pitching staff is a concern. The Buckeyes have one of the nation's best in Alex Wimmers, but the rest of the weekend rotation must be better. Also, the bullpen was unimpressive last season and is without top arm Jake Hale. Ohio State will be an Omaha contender if the pitching staff rises to the occasion.
I do think Rogers is underappreciating the staff as a whole. More insight and knowledge about the pitching would realize that Wolo and Rucinski pitched way better than their numbers. A healthy Best and Armstrong will mean the world to Ohio State, as well as Oltorik. With perhaps the biggest wild card being freshman Brett McKinney, who has a very reasonable chance to nail down a weekend rotation spot.
All-Americans
The last bit of news to compile would be the releasing of two All-American lists. First the National College Baseball Writers Association released their 2010 preseason AA team
The Buckeye battery of Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart were both selected second-team preseason All-Americans. Respectively the two are reigning Big Ten Pitcher and Player of the years.
College Baseball News released its preseason All-America team where Wimmers received third-team honors.
With practice beginning in less than four weeks, it is time to gear up and get ready for the upcoming season.
Rankings
In the first two preseason rankings, the Bucks crack both top 25s and are in very welcoming company.
Ping!Baseball released its preseason list first and slotted the Bucks at 24th which you can see here.
Ping!'s write-up on the Bucks:
While the Big 10 isn't much of a baseball power conference these days, it hasn't always been that way. Up until the mid 80's a Big 10 representative was often in Omaha . Yet for Ohio State , the layoff has been even longer. The Buckeyes made it to the Series three times in the 60's (including winning the title in '66), but haven't visited since. This year's team is hoping to end that streak and is in good position to do so. Dan Burkhart (.354, 10, 62) will be looking to parlay last season's success with a fine Cape showing to lead the offense which returns almost its entire startling lineup. Alex Wimmers (9-2, 3.27, 136 Ks in 104.2 IP) is a dandy of a Friday nights starter, but the rest of the rest of the arms will have to turn it up a notch if team is going to make it out of Regionals.
Where Ping! set the bar College Baseball News put it on an entirely different level. A week later Collegiate Baseball ranked the Bucks preseason #14. The CBN's poll is here.
Myself personally, I feel you split the difference and at #19 is about where the Bucks should be.
Kendall Rogers thoughts
Rogers has made no secret his thoughts and opinions of the Buckeyes and continue to group Ohio State and Omaha in the same sentence.
In his storylines to watch in 2010, the Buckeyes make a cameo with this write-up:
Ohio State has talent and experience to reach College World Series
It’s not often a Big Ten team is expected to compete for a CWS berth. But Michigan a couple of seasons ago and Ohio State this season are the exceptions.
The Wolverines fell short of meeting their goals despite hosting a regional two seasons ago. OSU, though, hopes to turn the tide for the conference.
The Buckeyes welcome back several key hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a solid .328 batting average. The offense is expected to emulate that production this season.
The Buckeyes also welcome back one of the nation’s best pitchers in starter Alex Wimmers. Drew Rucinsky and Eric Best also are key returning pitchers. However, the bullpen is a huge concern and could keep OSU from reaching its goals.
Ohio State’s success this season could be huge for northern baseball.
In his Big Ten snapshot, this quick hit and run statement was thrown to the public:
Ohio State
2009 record: 42-19
Top returning player: P Alex Wimmers
What needs to improve: The Buckeyes know what could keep them from reaching their big goals this season. The Buckeyes welcome back several talented hitters from a lineup that finished last season with a .328 batting average. However, the pitching staff is a concern. The Buckeyes have one of the nation's best in Alex Wimmers, but the rest of the weekend rotation must be better. Also, the bullpen was unimpressive last season and is without top arm Jake Hale. Ohio State will be an Omaha contender if the pitching staff rises to the occasion.
I do think Rogers is underappreciating the staff as a whole. More insight and knowledge about the pitching would realize that Wolo and Rucinski pitched way better than their numbers. A healthy Best and Armstrong will mean the world to Ohio State, as well as Oltorik. With perhaps the biggest wild card being freshman Brett McKinney, who has a very reasonable chance to nail down a weekend rotation spot.
All-Americans
The last bit of news to compile would be the releasing of two All-American lists. First the National College Baseball Writers Association released their 2010 preseason AA team
The Buckeye battery of Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart were both selected second-team preseason All-Americans. Respectively the two are reigning Big Ten Pitcher and Player of the years.
College Baseball News released its preseason All-America team where Wimmers received third-team honors.
With practice beginning in less than four weeks, it is time to gear up and get ready for the upcoming season.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports: Five Keys Ohio State
By Kendall Rogers
1. Alex Wimmers needs to be Alex Wimmers -- This key may sound like common sense or even be strange to some people, but there have been plenty of times in the past when a pitcher expected to throw exceptionally well cratered the next season. Wimmers can't do that if the Buckeyes plan on reaching the College World Series. As a sophomore last season, he had a 9-2 record and compiled a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings. He also struck out 136 and walked 55 and limited opposing teams to a .211 clip. Wimmers will be a preseason All-American and will have much pressure to succeed. It'll be interesting to see how the talented pitcher handles the spotlight.
2. Rest of the weekend rotation needs to be much better -- Wimmers is Ohio State's bell cow and one of the nation's best, but the same can't be said for the rest of the Buckeyes' weekend rotation. Eric Best was good at times last season. But another starter, Dean Wolosiansky compiled rather unimpressive numbers. Best started 13 games last season and had a 5.95 ERA in 75 2/3 innings. He also struck out 55 and walked 34 and limited opposing teams to a .315 batting average. Wolosiansky, meanwhile, started 16 games and had a 6.04 ERA in 92 1/3 innings. He struck out 55 and walked 34 and teams hit him at an incredibly high .330 clip. There's no question this unit must improve if Ohio State is to make a trip to Omaha next June.
3. Build more quality bullpen depth -- The bullpen is OSU's only major of concern with the season a couple months away. The Buckeyes finished last season with a 6.39 ERA and the bullpen is to blame for much of that calculation. Drew Rucinski is the top returning reliever. Joining him are Ross Oltorik, Andrew Armstrong and Jared Strayer. Rucinski made 36 appearances last season and had a 5.54 ERA in 74 2/3 innings, Oltorik made 11 appearances and had a 9.58 ERA in 31 innings, Armstrong made 11 appearances and had an 11.51 ERA and Strayer made 20 appearances and had a 10.55 ERA in 29 innings. We can't stress enough how much better this unit must be in the spring, both from a production and quality depth standpoint.
4. Offense needs to meet expectations -- This certainly will be the Buckeyes' strength in the spring. The Buckeyes had one of the nation's youngest offensive lineups last season and still managed to finish the campaign with a .328 batting average. The Bucks welcome back five hitters that finished '09 with batting averages better than .340. The list includes Ryan Dew, Dan Burkhart, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens and Cory Kovanda. Dew led the team in hitting with a .388 batting average. Burkhart and Stephens, meanwhile, are the team's leading power hitters. It wouldn't surprise me if the Buckeyes finish the '10 season with a batting average equal to or better than .328.
5. Embrace the high expectations -- There have been times in the past when teams with incredibly high expectations folded like a cheap tent once the season began. Ohio State definitely hopes to avoid that fate. Ohio State hasn't been to Omaha in 42 years and would love nothing more than to end that hiatus in the spring. Accomplishing that goal will be a long and potentially rugged road with every team on the schedule gunning for them. Still, this is a team that gained a lot of experience by reaching the Tallahassee Regional final last season. There's no need for the Buckeyes to get overwhelmed by the high expectations. They need to embrace the publicity.
1. Alex Wimmers needs to be Alex Wimmers -- This key may sound like common sense or even be strange to some people, but there have been plenty of times in the past when a pitcher expected to throw exceptionally well cratered the next season. Wimmers can't do that if the Buckeyes plan on reaching the College World Series. As a sophomore last season, he had a 9-2 record and compiled a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings. He also struck out 136 and walked 55 and limited opposing teams to a .211 clip. Wimmers will be a preseason All-American and will have much pressure to succeed. It'll be interesting to see how the talented pitcher handles the spotlight.
2. Rest of the weekend rotation needs to be much better -- Wimmers is Ohio State's bell cow and one of the nation's best, but the same can't be said for the rest of the Buckeyes' weekend rotation. Eric Best was good at times last season. But another starter, Dean Wolosiansky compiled rather unimpressive numbers. Best started 13 games last season and had a 5.95 ERA in 75 2/3 innings. He also struck out 55 and walked 34 and limited opposing teams to a .315 batting average. Wolosiansky, meanwhile, started 16 games and had a 6.04 ERA in 92 1/3 innings. He struck out 55 and walked 34 and teams hit him at an incredibly high .330 clip. There's no question this unit must improve if Ohio State is to make a trip to Omaha next June.
3. Build more quality bullpen depth -- The bullpen is OSU's only major of concern with the season a couple months away. The Buckeyes finished last season with a 6.39 ERA and the bullpen is to blame for much of that calculation. Drew Rucinski is the top returning reliever. Joining him are Ross Oltorik, Andrew Armstrong and Jared Strayer. Rucinski made 36 appearances last season and had a 5.54 ERA in 74 2/3 innings, Oltorik made 11 appearances and had a 9.58 ERA in 31 innings, Armstrong made 11 appearances and had an 11.51 ERA and Strayer made 20 appearances and had a 10.55 ERA in 29 innings. We can't stress enough how much better this unit must be in the spring, both from a production and quality depth standpoint.
4. Offense needs to meet expectations -- This certainly will be the Buckeyes' strength in the spring. The Buckeyes had one of the nation's youngest offensive lineups last season and still managed to finish the campaign with a .328 batting average. The Bucks welcome back five hitters that finished '09 with batting averages better than .340. The list includes Ryan Dew, Dan Burkhart, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens and Cory Kovanda. Dew led the team in hitting with a .388 batting average. Burkhart and Stephens, meanwhile, are the team's leading power hitters. It wouldn't surprise me if the Buckeyes finish the '10 season with a batting average equal to or better than .328.
5. Embrace the high expectations -- There have been times in the past when teams with incredibly high expectations folded like a cheap tent once the season began. Ohio State definitely hopes to avoid that fate. Ohio State hasn't been to Omaha in 42 years and would love nothing more than to end that hiatus in the spring. Accomplishing that goal will be a long and potentially rugged road with every team on the schedule gunning for them. Still, this is a team that gained a lot of experience by reaching the Tallahassee Regional final last season. There's no need for the Buckeyes to get overwhelmed by the high expectations. They need to embrace the publicity.
Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports: Ohio State has sights set on Omaha
By Kendall Rogers
The only number Ohio State players and coaches need to remember this spring is 42.
Yes, that was the number worn by Jackie Robinson. But it also represents what the 2010 Buckeyes have the ability to accomplish. OSU can end a 42-year drought by making it back to Omaha for the College World Series.
Ohio State was a perennial national power in the 1960s. In that decade, the Buckeyes made College World Series appearances in ’65, ’66 and ’67, and won the national title ’66.
The Buckeyes haven’t been back to Rosenblatt Stadium since the ’67 campaign, and the Big Ten hasn’t exactly produced many potential CWS participants in recent seasons. Michigan upset Vanderbilt in the ’07 Nashville Regional and was expected to take a huge step forward and possibly get to Omaha in ’08. But that year the Wolverines bowed out in the Ann Arbor Regional to Arizona.
That Michigan team was good. The ’10 Ohio State team will be better.
The Buckeyes entered last season with just three seniors and a plethora of young players. Some pundits picked them to finish third, fourth and even lower in the Big Ten. OSU surprised many by winning the regular season crown with an 18-6 record.
The Buckeyes reached the Tallahassee Regional final and ended the expected rebuilding campaign with an outstanding 42-19 record. They also eliminated Georgia from the postseason while in Tallahassee.
“I was very proud of the way the team competed last year until the last game. We were very young and probably exceed expectations in some eyes,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. “I think if you win the league like we did and get to a regional final, it’s a big accomplishment.”
The addition of outfielder Michael Stephens to the lineup certainly was a huge boost last season. Catcher Dan Burkhart’s huge sophomore season at the plate - and behind it - also was a plus. But perhaps most encouraging was the campaign logged by sophomore right-handed pitcher Alex Wimmers.
Wimmers compiled a 4.50 ERA in 40 innings as a freshman two seasons ago. As a sophomore, he went 9-2 and had a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings. He also struck out 136 and walked 55 while limiting opponents to a .211 batting average.
Wimmers will be a preseason All-American in 2010 and gives the Buckeyes the dominant staff ace that most teams have in Omaha.
“It’s so important the first game of any series to have a dominant arm, because it’s important to get off on the right track. Alex provides that,” Todd said. “Anyone that goes to Omaha has that one stud pitcher, the guy the whole team plays confidently behind and when he’s on the mound they like their chances of winning. That’s Alex.”
The Buckeyes should like their chances on the weekend with Wimmers and fellow weekend starter Eric Best leading the way. But the bullpen is a cause for some concern.
“One of the big question marks is the loss of Jake Hale. That’s some huge shoes to fill considering how great he was the entire season,” Todd said.
Hale made 40 appearances and compiled a 1.31 ERA in 55 innings.
“We had hoped to get a good look at several guys in the fall, but injuries and other issues kept us from seeing a lot of arms,” Todd said. “It actually caused our fall workouts to be rocky at times.”
In the meantime, look for the Buckeyes to heavily lean on junior right-hander Drew Rucinski. Rucinski made 36 appearances last season and compiled a 5.54 ERA in 74 2/3 innings. Todd, though, has high hopes for the righty in the upcoming campaign.
“Rucinski was an unsung hero last season, and after this past summer he came back and the scouts really were raving about him,” Todd said. “He was great in a setup role last season and he’s still very valuable to this ballclub.”
While the bullpen certainly is a big concern with spring approaching, the Buckeyes know that getting to Omaha requires much more. They have a great offense and a one-two punch on the weekend that will be very difficult to beat. They also have the most important intangibles – a great attitude and swagger.
Now the Buckeyes just need a little good fortune.
“Every aspect of your team has to be clicking at the same time to get to Omaha, there’s no question about that,” Todd said. “But I’ll say this much, getting to Omaha requires a little bit of luck, too.”
After 42 years, the Buckeyes are due for some good karma.
The only number Ohio State players and coaches need to remember this spring is 42.
Yes, that was the number worn by Jackie Robinson. But it also represents what the 2010 Buckeyes have the ability to accomplish. OSU can end a 42-year drought by making it back to Omaha for the College World Series.
Ohio State was a perennial national power in the 1960s. In that decade, the Buckeyes made College World Series appearances in ’65, ’66 and ’67, and won the national title ’66.
The Buckeyes haven’t been back to Rosenblatt Stadium since the ’67 campaign, and the Big Ten hasn’t exactly produced many potential CWS participants in recent seasons. Michigan upset Vanderbilt in the ’07 Nashville Regional and was expected to take a huge step forward and possibly get to Omaha in ’08. But that year the Wolverines bowed out in the Ann Arbor Regional to Arizona.
That Michigan team was good. The ’10 Ohio State team will be better.
The Buckeyes entered last season with just three seniors and a plethora of young players. Some pundits picked them to finish third, fourth and even lower in the Big Ten. OSU surprised many by winning the regular season crown with an 18-6 record.
The Buckeyes reached the Tallahassee Regional final and ended the expected rebuilding campaign with an outstanding 42-19 record. They also eliminated Georgia from the postseason while in Tallahassee.
“I was very proud of the way the team competed last year until the last game. We were very young and probably exceed expectations in some eyes,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. “I think if you win the league like we did and get to a regional final, it’s a big accomplishment.”
The addition of outfielder Michael Stephens to the lineup certainly was a huge boost last season. Catcher Dan Burkhart’s huge sophomore season at the plate - and behind it - also was a plus. But perhaps most encouraging was the campaign logged by sophomore right-handed pitcher Alex Wimmers.
Wimmers compiled a 4.50 ERA in 40 innings as a freshman two seasons ago. As a sophomore, he went 9-2 and had a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings. He also struck out 136 and walked 55 while limiting opponents to a .211 batting average.
Wimmers will be a preseason All-American in 2010 and gives the Buckeyes the dominant staff ace that most teams have in Omaha.
“It’s so important the first game of any series to have a dominant arm, because it’s important to get off on the right track. Alex provides that,” Todd said. “Anyone that goes to Omaha has that one stud pitcher, the guy the whole team plays confidently behind and when he’s on the mound they like their chances of winning. That’s Alex.”
The Buckeyes should like their chances on the weekend with Wimmers and fellow weekend starter Eric Best leading the way. But the bullpen is a cause for some concern.
“One of the big question marks is the loss of Jake Hale. That’s some huge shoes to fill considering how great he was the entire season,” Todd said.
Hale made 40 appearances and compiled a 1.31 ERA in 55 innings.
“We had hoped to get a good look at several guys in the fall, but injuries and other issues kept us from seeing a lot of arms,” Todd said. “It actually caused our fall workouts to be rocky at times.”
In the meantime, look for the Buckeyes to heavily lean on junior right-hander Drew Rucinski. Rucinski made 36 appearances last season and compiled a 5.54 ERA in 74 2/3 innings. Todd, though, has high hopes for the righty in the upcoming campaign.
“Rucinski was an unsung hero last season, and after this past summer he came back and the scouts really were raving about him,” Todd said. “He was great in a setup role last season and he’s still very valuable to this ballclub.”
While the bullpen certainly is a big concern with spring approaching, the Buckeyes know that getting to Omaha requires much more. They have a great offense and a one-two punch on the weekend that will be very difficult to beat. They also have the most important intangibles – a great attitude and swagger.
Now the Buckeyes just need a little good fortune.
“Every aspect of your team has to be clicking at the same time to get to Omaha, there’s no question about that,” Todd said. “But I’ll say this much, getting to Omaha requires a little bit of luck, too.”
After 42 years, the Buckeyes are due for some good karma.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com Programs on the rise and decline
Many programs have statements to make
Kendall Rogers throwing more love towards the Buckeyes. Resident favorite national media member Eric Sorenson has some catching up to do.....
Kendall's take
It’s a comparison few would make. But in a way, college baseball mimics the stock market.
As with the stock market, there are some programs out there like Texas, Cal State Fullerton, LSU, Florida State and North Carolina that are constants. There also are programs such as Baylor, Nebraska, California, Arizona and Tulane that can’t seem to find their places in college baseball’s stock market.
Then there are programs such as Texas Christian, Virginia, East Carolina, Kansas and Ohio State that may remind some of the rising tech stars of the late 1990s.
TCU reached a super regional last season and has a chance to be even better in 2010, Virginia will be a national title contender in the spring, East Carolina has a golden opportunity to be the best team in the state of North Carolina for once, Kansas could make a huge statement in the Big 12 and Ohio State has the personnel to return to Omaha for the first time since ’67.
Some stocks will rise and some will fall. But for many, it’s all about timing.
Perhaps that scenario will play out for some of our rising and declining programs.
Ohio State on the rise
Analysis. The Buckeyes haven’t had an issue making a name for themselves this decade. But in terms of being a player on the national stage, the Bucks have yet to master that objective. That could change in the spring. Ohio State welcomes back several key players from a squad that finished last season with a 42-19 record and a Big Ten regular season championship. OSU will have one of the nation’s best pitchers in Alex Wimmers. It also welcomes back a plethora of talent at the plate. This team can get to Omaha.
Kendall Rogers throwing more love towards the Buckeyes. Resident favorite national media member Eric Sorenson has some catching up to do.....
Kendall's take
It’s a comparison few would make. But in a way, college baseball mimics the stock market.
As with the stock market, there are some programs out there like Texas, Cal State Fullerton, LSU, Florida State and North Carolina that are constants. There also are programs such as Baylor, Nebraska, California, Arizona and Tulane that can’t seem to find their places in college baseball’s stock market.
Then there are programs such as Texas Christian, Virginia, East Carolina, Kansas and Ohio State that may remind some of the rising tech stars of the late 1990s.
TCU reached a super regional last season and has a chance to be even better in 2010, Virginia will be a national title contender in the spring, East Carolina has a golden opportunity to be the best team in the state of North Carolina for once, Kansas could make a huge statement in the Big 12 and Ohio State has the personnel to return to Omaha for the first time since ’67.
Some stocks will rise and some will fall. But for many, it’s all about timing.
Perhaps that scenario will play out for some of our rising and declining programs.
Ohio State on the rise
Analysis. The Buckeyes haven’t had an issue making a name for themselves this decade. But in terms of being a player on the national stage, the Bucks have yet to master that objective. That could change in the spring. Ohio State welcomes back several key players from a squad that finished last season with a 42-19 record and a Big Ten regular season championship. OSU will have one of the nation’s best pitchers in Alex Wimmers. It also welcomes back a plethora of talent at the plate. This team can get to Omaha.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports: Big Ten Fall Preview
Big Ten teams ready to take next step
Kendall Rogers-
Ohio State and Minnesota seem to think so.
The Buckeyes made a statement last season by reaching the Tallahassee Regional title game against Florida State. They enter fall workouts with much confidence with the return of ace pitcher Alex Wimmers and a crop of leading hitters.
Minnesota also returns several key players and has Omaha aspirations entering the fall.
Michigan hopes to rebound this fall and Indiana would love to build off its surprising regional appearance last season. There’s also Michigan State, which made a bold statement in its first season with coach Jake Boss leading the way.
Ohio State
Biggest loss. P Jake Hale
What to watch. The Buckeyes headline the list of northern programs that have the best chance to reach the CWS. The Bucks reached the title game of the Tallahassee Regional last season and return almost every key player this fall. OSU hit .328 last season and welcomes back Ryan Dew, Dan Burkhart, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens, Cory Kovanda and Matt Streng. On the mound, the Bucks welcome back ace pitcher Alex Wimmers in addition to Dean Wolosiansky, Eric Best and Drew Rucinski. Offense isn’t a question mark this fall, but the pitching staff must find a way to improve. The Bucks have a chance to get to Omaha if their pitching improves.
The rest of the Big Ten
Kendall Rogers-
Ohio State and Minnesota seem to think so.
The Buckeyes made a statement last season by reaching the Tallahassee Regional title game against Florida State. They enter fall workouts with much confidence with the return of ace pitcher Alex Wimmers and a crop of leading hitters.
Minnesota also returns several key players and has Omaha aspirations entering the fall.
Michigan hopes to rebound this fall and Indiana would love to build off its surprising regional appearance last season. There’s also Michigan State, which made a bold statement in its first season with coach Jake Boss leading the way.
Ohio State
Biggest loss. P Jake Hale
What to watch. The Buckeyes headline the list of northern programs that have the best chance to reach the CWS. The Bucks reached the title game of the Tallahassee Regional last season and return almost every key player this fall. OSU hit .328 last season and welcomes back Ryan Dew, Dan Burkhart, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens, Cory Kovanda and Matt Streng. On the mound, the Bucks welcome back ace pitcher Alex Wimmers in addition to Dean Wolosiansky, Eric Best and Drew Rucinski. Offense isn’t a question mark this fall, but the pitching staff must find a way to improve. The Bucks have a chance to get to Omaha if their pitching improves.
The rest of the Big Ten
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com: Fewest Holes to Fill
If the Buckeyes were to make a run to Omaha, it looks like it won't be a Cinderella story and one that catches everyone off guard.
Kendall Rogers compilied a list of the top 10 teams with the fewest holes to fill.
Now obviously as Buckeyes we know we return quite a bit after losing just Hale, Arp, and Miller. What it surprising is to see the continued recognization of the Buckeyes abilities.
After being a "top 30" team, Rogers once again states the Bucks have Omaha potential.
Ohio State
Key losses. P Jake Hale, 3B Justin Miller
Analysis. This Ohio State team has the ability to make it to Omaha. The Buckeyes must replace stud reliever Jake Hale and power-hitting infielder Justin Miller. But the team as a whole is in great shape. The Buckeyes welcome back leading hitter Ryan Dew in addition to Dan Burkhart, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens, Cory Kovanda. They also return ace pitcher Alex Wimmers in addition to Eric Best, Drew Rucinski and Dean Woloslansky. The Bucks made a small statement by reaching the Tallahassee Regional title game last season, but Omaha will be the expectation next spring. It will be a fun fall in Columbus, Ohio.
The rest of the list
You better believe it will be a fun fall.
Kendall Rogers compilied a list of the top 10 teams with the fewest holes to fill.
Now obviously as Buckeyes we know we return quite a bit after losing just Hale, Arp, and Miller. What it surprising is to see the continued recognization of the Buckeyes abilities.
After being a "top 30" team, Rogers once again states the Bucks have Omaha potential.
Ohio State
Key losses. P Jake Hale, 3B Justin Miller
Analysis. This Ohio State team has the ability to make it to Omaha. The Buckeyes must replace stud reliever Jake Hale and power-hitting infielder Justin Miller. But the team as a whole is in great shape. The Buckeyes welcome back leading hitter Ryan Dew in addition to Dan Burkhart, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens, Cory Kovanda. They also return ace pitcher Alex Wimmers in addition to Eric Best, Drew Rucinski and Dean Woloslansky. The Bucks made a small statement by reaching the Tallahassee Regional title game last season, but Omaha will be the expectation next spring. It will be a fun fall in Columbus, Ohio.
The rest of the list
You better believe it will be a fun fall.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports: Ohio State one of "Thirty to Watch"
As teams around the nation enter fall practices, thoughts about the 2010 season are starting to pick up.
Kendall Rogers of Yahoo Sports and Rivals.com has thrown out a preliminary top 30 if you will for 2010, listing as he states "our 30 teams to watch."
In no particular order the Buckeyes are included.
Rogers says of the Buckeyes...
The Buckeyes took a step forward last season by reaching the Tallahassee Regional final, but they enter fall workouts with higher aspirations. Ohio State is a northern team that has the ability to get to Omaha. The Buckeyes welcome back a plethora of talented hitters, including Dan Burkhart, Ryan Dew, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens and Cory Kovanda. On the mound, they lost stud reliever Jake Hale to the MLB draft this summer, but welcome back ace pitcher Alex Wimmers, who has a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings last season. They also return Drew Rucinski and Eric Best.
Omaha potential eh? I like.
Rogers full list of 30 teams...Familiar faces highlight list
The Buckeyes are the only Big Ten school on the list for those unwilling to check out the link.
Kendall Rogers of Yahoo Sports and Rivals.com has thrown out a preliminary top 30 if you will for 2010, listing as he states "our 30 teams to watch."
In no particular order the Buckeyes are included.
Rogers says of the Buckeyes...
The Buckeyes took a step forward last season by reaching the Tallahassee Regional final, but they enter fall workouts with higher aspirations. Ohio State is a northern team that has the ability to get to Omaha. The Buckeyes welcome back a plethora of talented hitters, including Dan Burkhart, Ryan Dew, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens and Cory Kovanda. On the mound, they lost stud reliever Jake Hale to the MLB draft this summer, but welcome back ace pitcher Alex Wimmers, who has a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings last season. They also return Drew Rucinski and Eric Best.
Omaha potential eh? I like.
Rogers full list of 30 teams...Familiar faces highlight list
The Buckeyes are the only Big Ten school on the list for those unwilling to check out the link.
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com: Grading the Big Ten plus Sorenson's thoughts
It was the Big Ten's turn to receive their report card from Yahoo Sports and Rivals.com college baseball writer Kendall Rogers.
Here is what Rogers said of the Buckeyes:
Ohio State
Grade: A
Season analysis: After finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten two seasons ago, the Buckeyes entered this past season with something to prove. They rose to the occasion in impressive fashion. Ohio State won the Big Ten regular season title with a record of 18-6. They also reached the Tallahassee Regional final against Florida State and ended the campaign with an overall record of 42-19. The Bucks won some games in the postseason and captured 40-plus victories. That’s a successful season.
You can read the rest of the Big Ten and the grades they received from Rogers here
Rogers would say overall about the Big Ten:
"The Big Ten finally had an opportunity to make a huge statement.
The conference has long tried to make significant gains in college baseball. But until this past season, that hadn’t happened.
That was until Ohio State, Minnesota and Indiana each made an NCAA regional.
The Buckeyes won the conference regular season title and played Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional final, Minnesota finished second in conference and played LSU in the Baton Rouge Regional final. Then there’s Indiana, which played well down the stretch and earned a trip to the Louisville Regional.
Other teams such as Illinois and Michigan weren’t so lucky.
The Illini made a statement early in the season with a road series win over LSU, but were unable to do enough down the stretch to make a regional. Michigan, meanwhile, was a huge disappointment with a 9-15 Big Ten record."
------------------------------------------
You can't disagree with his sentiments on Michigan and Illinois, but I personally take issue with his view of the Big Ten just now making a statement thought. You only have to go back to 2007 to see 3 Big Ten teams in Regional play as Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota made the NCAA's. In fact Michigan went down to Vandy and WON the Regional that was hosted by the #1 team in the country Vanderbilt, and beat #1 draft pick David Price in his final collegiate start. Oh and Michigan also was no hitting eventual CWS Champ Oregon State at home in Supers through 8.2 before falling. Combine OSU and Minny's 3rd place performances, 2009 is more of vindication that the Big Ten is on the up and up, not some rise out of nowhere.
Nothing against Rogers, he is great for the sport, but for a Big Ten perspective in how the conference is doing nationally, we turn to our main man Eric Sorenson for his views.
In an email exchange Eric said:
"Oh, and I almost forgot... I think the Big Ten is making the right strides - despite OSU's horrid losses in Tallahassee. With nearly every team building/improving their facilities, the conference is on the right track. We'll see how that transpires in the next year or two.
But this was a conference that REALLY needed to upgrade everything, while also needing to lighten up the non-conference death marches. That's why, despite Illinois' successful trip to LSU, the Big 10-Big East challenge was a great idea. No sense in opening your season playing teams that have had three weeks of outdoor practices and you've had none.
It's still all about money and commitment. If the Big 10 and northern teams put more money into programs and emphasize them, they'll get better and better and eventually make more national noise. If not, they won't."
I'll pass along more of Sorenson's words and thoughts as he also touched on Coach Todd's tenure and the current state of the Buckeyes, as I'm working on a "state of the program" for you guys to piece apart in getting the most thorough scope of all things Ohio State baseball.
Here is what Rogers said of the Buckeyes:
Ohio State
Grade: A
Season analysis: After finishing in the middle of the pack in the Big Ten two seasons ago, the Buckeyes entered this past season with something to prove. They rose to the occasion in impressive fashion. Ohio State won the Big Ten regular season title with a record of 18-6. They also reached the Tallahassee Regional final against Florida State and ended the campaign with an overall record of 42-19. The Bucks won some games in the postseason and captured 40-plus victories. That’s a successful season.
You can read the rest of the Big Ten and the grades they received from Rogers here
Rogers would say overall about the Big Ten:
"The Big Ten finally had an opportunity to make a huge statement.
The conference has long tried to make significant gains in college baseball. But until this past season, that hadn’t happened.
That was until Ohio State, Minnesota and Indiana each made an NCAA regional.
The Buckeyes won the conference regular season title and played Florida State in the Tallahassee Regional final, Minnesota finished second in conference and played LSU in the Baton Rouge Regional final. Then there’s Indiana, which played well down the stretch and earned a trip to the Louisville Regional.
Other teams such as Illinois and Michigan weren’t so lucky.
The Illini made a statement early in the season with a road series win over LSU, but were unable to do enough down the stretch to make a regional. Michigan, meanwhile, was a huge disappointment with a 9-15 Big Ten record."
------------------------------------------
You can't disagree with his sentiments on Michigan and Illinois, but I personally take issue with his view of the Big Ten just now making a statement thought. You only have to go back to 2007 to see 3 Big Ten teams in Regional play as Michigan, Ohio State, and Minnesota made the NCAA's. In fact Michigan went down to Vandy and WON the Regional that was hosted by the #1 team in the country Vanderbilt, and beat #1 draft pick David Price in his final collegiate start. Oh and Michigan also was no hitting eventual CWS Champ Oregon State at home in Supers through 8.2 before falling. Combine OSU and Minny's 3rd place performances, 2009 is more of vindication that the Big Ten is on the up and up, not some rise out of nowhere.
Nothing against Rogers, he is great for the sport, but for a Big Ten perspective in how the conference is doing nationally, we turn to our main man Eric Sorenson for his views.
In an email exchange Eric said:
"Oh, and I almost forgot... I think the Big Ten is making the right strides - despite OSU's horrid losses in Tallahassee. With nearly every team building/improving their facilities, the conference is on the right track. We'll see how that transpires in the next year or two.
But this was a conference that REALLY needed to upgrade everything, while also needing to lighten up the non-conference death marches. That's why, despite Illinois' successful trip to LSU, the Big 10-Big East challenge was a great idea. No sense in opening your season playing teams that have had three weeks of outdoor practices and you've had none.
It's still all about money and commitment. If the Big 10 and northern teams put more money into programs and emphasize them, they'll get better and better and eventually make more national noise. If not, they won't."
I'll pass along more of Sorenson's words and thoughts as he also touched on Coach Todd's tenure and the current state of the Buckeyes, as I'm working on a "state of the program" for you guys to piece apart in getting the most thorough scope of all things Ohio State baseball.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com Tallahassee Regional Preview
Rivals.com Kendall Rogers breaksdown the Tallahassee Regional
The Road to Omaha has begun and it all starts with NCAA regional play this weekend.
In our latest regional insider, we take a look at the Tallahassee regional, where Florida State is fuming after being left out of the national seed mix.
Florida State is the most balanced team in the field and the favorite to advance to next week’s NCAA super regional round. Mike McGee and Tyler Holt lead the offense and Sean Gilmartin and Brian Busch spearhead the pitching staff.
Georgia has failed to meet expectations down the stretch but is very dangerous, Big Ten champion Ohio State has one of the nation’s best pitchers in Alex Wimmers and Marist hopes to hit its way to a few surprises.
We preview the Tallahassee regional.
The Favorite: Florida State
There’s not going to be a team more motivated this week than Florida State. The Seminoles essentially won the ACC regular season title and also played well in the ACC tournament. The NCAA committee, though, felt they weren’t worthy of a national seed. The Seminoles are hitting .312. FSU also has a 4.67 earned run average. Tyler Holt, Mike McGee, Stephen Cardullo and Jason Stidham lead the offense. Holt is leading the team with a .388 batting average and a .515 on-base percentage. McGee is hitting .376 with 15 doubles, one triple, 17 homers and 68 RBIs, Cardullo is hitting .362 with 10 homers and 38 RBIs and Stidham is hitting .351 with 21 doubles, 11 homers and 63 RBIs. Sean Gilmartin, Brian Busch and Mike McGee lead the FSU pitching staff.
The Darkhorse: Georgia
The Bulldogs are a scary team in this regional. There’s no question they failed to meet expectations down the stretch. But remember that this team was ranked No. 1 at one point this season. The Bulldogs are hitting .290 and have a 4.79 earned run average. Rich Poythress leads the offense and freshman Colby May is having a good season. May is hitting .336 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs. Also keep an eye on power hitters Bryce Massanari and Joey Lewis and versatile outfielder Matt Cerione. On the mound, Justin Grimm has been Georgia’s most consistent pitcher down the stretch and senior right-hander Trevor Holder has the ability to be dominant. Georgia’s offense must return to its old self to win this regional.
The Best Hitter: Georgia 1B Rich Poythress
It was a close call between Poythress and Florida State outfielder Mike McGee. Poythress has struggled the past few weeks, but still is one of the nation’s best hitters. The first baseman enters the regional hitting .370 with 16 doubles, 21 homers and 77 RBIs. He also is slugging .718 and has a .459 on-base percentage. It’s also important to note that Poythress has walked 38 times and struck out in 37 at bats. He leads Georgia with 163 total bases. Much of Georgia’s success hinges on Poythress’s ability to get on base and deliver key hits.
The Best Pitcher: Ohio State RHP Alex Wimmers
Wimmers caught everyone’s attention with a no-hitter against rival Michigan a few weeks ago, but the truth is he has been outstanding the entire season. The right-hander enters the Tallahassee regional 9-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 100 2/3 innings. He also has struck out 131 and walked 48 and opponents are hitting him at a .199 clip. Wimmers also has thrown four complete games for the Buckeyes. He needs to start regional play on the right foot
The Buzz
Florida State lost several key cogs to graduation and the MLB draft last season, but coach Mike Martin has done one of his best coaching jobs this season. All eyes this weekend are on weekend starters Sean Gilmartin, Mike McGee and Brian Busch. Gilmartin is 11-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 84 innings. He also has struck out 75 and walked 35 and opponents are hitting him at a .226 clip. McGee is 5-2 with a 4.22 ERA in 64 innings and Busch is 6-2 with a 4.28 ERA in 80 innings. Teams are hitting .242 off him … Georgia’s offense needs to have a strong weekend and the same goes for the pitching staff with Justin Grimm, Trevor Holder and Alex McRee leading the way. McRee especially needs to rise to the occasion, as he enters the weekend 4-4 with a 6.34 ERA in 55 1/3 innings. Also keep an eye on relievers Dean Weaver and Will Harvil, who have earned run averages of 2.77 and 2.96, respectively … Alex Wimmers is the headliner for the Buckeyes, but keep an eye on the offense, which enters the weekend with a .328 batting average. Ryan Dew leads the team with a .389 average, seven homers and 35 RBIs. Dan Burkhart is hitting .362 with 10 homers and 60 RBIs, Zach Hurley is hitting .349 with six homers and 50 RBIs, Cory Kovanda is hitting .345 with a home run and 34 RBIs and Michael Stephens is hitting .339 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs … Marist enters the Tallahassee regional hitting .292. It also has a 4.78 ERA. The key hitters to watch include Bryce Nugent and Ricky Paclone. Nugent is hitting .324 with eight homers and 42 RBIs and Paclone is hitting .321 with eight homers and 51 RBIs
The Road to Omaha has begun and it all starts with NCAA regional play this weekend.
In our latest regional insider, we take a look at the Tallahassee regional, where Florida State is fuming after being left out of the national seed mix.
Florida State is the most balanced team in the field and the favorite to advance to next week’s NCAA super regional round. Mike McGee and Tyler Holt lead the offense and Sean Gilmartin and Brian Busch spearhead the pitching staff.
Georgia has failed to meet expectations down the stretch but is very dangerous, Big Ten champion Ohio State has one of the nation’s best pitchers in Alex Wimmers and Marist hopes to hit its way to a few surprises.
We preview the Tallahassee regional.
The Favorite: Florida State
There’s not going to be a team more motivated this week than Florida State. The Seminoles essentially won the ACC regular season title and also played well in the ACC tournament. The NCAA committee, though, felt they weren’t worthy of a national seed. The Seminoles are hitting .312. FSU also has a 4.67 earned run average. Tyler Holt, Mike McGee, Stephen Cardullo and Jason Stidham lead the offense. Holt is leading the team with a .388 batting average and a .515 on-base percentage. McGee is hitting .376 with 15 doubles, one triple, 17 homers and 68 RBIs, Cardullo is hitting .362 with 10 homers and 38 RBIs and Stidham is hitting .351 with 21 doubles, 11 homers and 63 RBIs. Sean Gilmartin, Brian Busch and Mike McGee lead the FSU pitching staff.
The Darkhorse: Georgia
The Bulldogs are a scary team in this regional. There’s no question they failed to meet expectations down the stretch. But remember that this team was ranked No. 1 at one point this season. The Bulldogs are hitting .290 and have a 4.79 earned run average. Rich Poythress leads the offense and freshman Colby May is having a good season. May is hitting .336 with 11 homers and 41 RBIs. Also keep an eye on power hitters Bryce Massanari and Joey Lewis and versatile outfielder Matt Cerione. On the mound, Justin Grimm has been Georgia’s most consistent pitcher down the stretch and senior right-hander Trevor Holder has the ability to be dominant. Georgia’s offense must return to its old self to win this regional.
The Best Hitter: Georgia 1B Rich Poythress
It was a close call between Poythress and Florida State outfielder Mike McGee. Poythress has struggled the past few weeks, but still is one of the nation’s best hitters. The first baseman enters the regional hitting .370 with 16 doubles, 21 homers and 77 RBIs. He also is slugging .718 and has a .459 on-base percentage. It’s also important to note that Poythress has walked 38 times and struck out in 37 at bats. He leads Georgia with 163 total bases. Much of Georgia’s success hinges on Poythress’s ability to get on base and deliver key hits.
The Best Pitcher: Ohio State RHP Alex Wimmers
Wimmers caught everyone’s attention with a no-hitter against rival Michigan a few weeks ago, but the truth is he has been outstanding the entire season. The right-hander enters the Tallahassee regional 9-1 with a 2.68 ERA in 100 2/3 innings. He also has struck out 131 and walked 48 and opponents are hitting him at a .199 clip. Wimmers also has thrown four complete games for the Buckeyes. He needs to start regional play on the right foot
The Buzz
Florida State lost several key cogs to graduation and the MLB draft last season, but coach Mike Martin has done one of his best coaching jobs this season. All eyes this weekend are on weekend starters Sean Gilmartin, Mike McGee and Brian Busch. Gilmartin is 11-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 84 innings. He also has struck out 75 and walked 35 and opponents are hitting him at a .226 clip. McGee is 5-2 with a 4.22 ERA in 64 innings and Busch is 6-2 with a 4.28 ERA in 80 innings. Teams are hitting .242 off him … Georgia’s offense needs to have a strong weekend and the same goes for the pitching staff with Justin Grimm, Trevor Holder and Alex McRee leading the way. McRee especially needs to rise to the occasion, as he enters the weekend 4-4 with a 6.34 ERA in 55 1/3 innings. Also keep an eye on relievers Dean Weaver and Will Harvil, who have earned run averages of 2.77 and 2.96, respectively … Alex Wimmers is the headliner for the Buckeyes, but keep an eye on the offense, which enters the weekend with a .328 batting average. Ryan Dew leads the team with a .389 average, seven homers and 35 RBIs. Dan Burkhart is hitting .362 with 10 homers and 60 RBIs, Zach Hurley is hitting .349 with six homers and 50 RBIs, Cory Kovanda is hitting .345 with a home run and 34 RBIs and Michael Stephens is hitting .339 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs … Marist enters the Tallahassee regional hitting .292. It also has a 4.78 ERA. The key hitters to watch include Bryce Nugent and Ricky Paclone. Nugent is hitting .324 with eight homers and 42 RBIs and Paclone is hitting .321 with eight homers and 51 RBIs
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Regional Roundup: Welcome to the Big Leagues Boys
This weeks regional projections across the country are interesting. For the first time we have two publications with the exact same regional forecast for the Bucks. Coincidence? Picture shaping up? Lazy work by Baseball America's Aaron Fitt? Who knows. Anyhow, it is also interesting on the front of just who the Bucks might be playing and where so in the two similiar projections.
Without further wait..
Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com
Houston Regional: Host Rice
#1 Rice (4)
#2 Ohio State
#3 Baylor
#4 Darthmouth
Now ladies & gentlemen it gets interesting...
Both SEBaseball.com and Baseball America have the projected regional for the Buckeyes as...
Fullerton Regional: Host Cal State Fullerton
#1 Cal State Fullerton
#2 Ohio State
#3 San Deigo State
#4 San Jose State
The only difference, and its a small difference is CS-F is a #7 National Seed according to SEBaseball, while its a #6 NS according to Baseball America.
Unless you're Michael Stephens, the California native who is already pumped about a projected Regional, you're probably not too thrilled on two, well three accounts.
One after being in a position to host, .500 play over the last 10 days have killed that hope. Instead of the Buckeyes sleeping in their own beds, and playing in front of great crowds they're shipped out west. Its not just any team out west its the Titans of CS-F, a traditionally national power.
Second you see that team in bold there? Yeah they're not a normal 3-seed. For anyone who follows baseball, even on the most casual level, you've probably heard of Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg by most accounts is the best pitching prospect ever out of college. Ever. With a fastball that reaches 103, yes one hundred and freaking three miles per hour, his arm is a coveted item, that rumors have it, his soon to be agent Scott Boras is demanding a $30 milion signing bonus and a place on the 40-man roster. No team wants San Diego State, a team coached by Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn in game 1 with Strasburg on the mound. Yes anyhing can happen in baseball, and I'd never doubt the Buckeyes, since these are only projections and they're fun to play with, its equally not as fun to see the Bucks in this type of projection for the sake of advancing. One good thing is that whatever Regional Strasburg is in, especially if it has a power like CS-F and a "beauty" team like Ohio State, it'll be on TV, for those that can't get up and fly t the left coast.
A Wimmers-Strasburg duel of two All Americans would be a sight to see though. Both have a no-hitter to their credit, both are in the top 5 in strikeouts in the country, both have the stuff to beat any team in America.
Do yourself a favor and look at Strasburg's stats for the year. Unreal.
Also Fitt does give commentary to his projections, which he should since it's just his second of the year and shows some level of commitment....
Aaron Fitt: The hosting picture after the top eight teams is still very much up in the air. Florida and Florida State are the strongest bets, but the final two weeks will decide which teams earn the other six hosting spots. For now, give Mississippi and Alabama the edge over stumbling Georgia and Arkansas in the SEC, and give Clemson the nod over Virginia in the ACC based on more quality wins, particularly out of conference. If Texas A&M wins a series at Oklahoma this weekend, the Aggies could steal a host spot away from the Sooners. The third Big 12 host is Kansas State, which has series wins over Texas and Texas A&M, making up for a borderline RPI (27th). TCU has a very strong resume and RPI (seventh), but the Horned Frogs will be plagued by their poor record against the Big 12 (1-6). One of the two Big Ten teams that submitted bids to host (Ohio State and Minnesota) has a chance to do so, thanks to performance as well as geographic considerations. The Gophers have the more impressive resume thanks to a good performance against a tough nonconference slate, but Ohio State has better facilities. The Metrodome is unavailable for the Golden Gophers, so they would have to bring in auxiliary bleachers at 1,100-seat Seibert Field, where they last hosted a regional in 2000. But we'll give the nod in the Midwest to Louisville, which destroyed the Buckeyes twice in midweek action last week to improve its record against the Big Ten to 6-1. The Cardinals also blew past OSU in the RPI thanks to yesterday's win against Western Kentucky, which vaulted them up to 28th.
Without further wait..
Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com
Houston Regional: Host Rice
#1 Rice (4)
#2 Ohio State
#3 Baylor
#4 Darthmouth
Now ladies & gentlemen it gets interesting...
Both SEBaseball.com and Baseball America have the projected regional for the Buckeyes as...
Fullerton Regional: Host Cal State Fullerton
#1 Cal State Fullerton
#2 Ohio State
#3 San Deigo State
#4 San Jose State
The only difference, and its a small difference is CS-F is a #7 National Seed according to SEBaseball, while its a #6 NS according to Baseball America.
Unless you're Michael Stephens, the California native who is already pumped about a projected Regional, you're probably not too thrilled on two, well three accounts.
One after being in a position to host, .500 play over the last 10 days have killed that hope. Instead of the Buckeyes sleeping in their own beds, and playing in front of great crowds they're shipped out west. Its not just any team out west its the Titans of CS-F, a traditionally national power.
Second you see that team in bold there? Yeah they're not a normal 3-seed. For anyone who follows baseball, even on the most casual level, you've probably heard of Stephen Strasburg. Strasburg by most accounts is the best pitching prospect ever out of college. Ever. With a fastball that reaches 103, yes one hundred and freaking three miles per hour, his arm is a coveted item, that rumors have it, his soon to be agent Scott Boras is demanding a $30 milion signing bonus and a place on the 40-man roster. No team wants San Diego State, a team coached by Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn in game 1 with Strasburg on the mound. Yes anyhing can happen in baseball, and I'd never doubt the Buckeyes, since these are only projections and they're fun to play with, its equally not as fun to see the Bucks in this type of projection for the sake of advancing. One good thing is that whatever Regional Strasburg is in, especially if it has a power like CS-F and a "beauty" team like Ohio State, it'll be on TV, for those that can't get up and fly t the left coast.
A Wimmers-Strasburg duel of two All Americans would be a sight to see though. Both have a no-hitter to their credit, both are in the top 5 in strikeouts in the country, both have the stuff to beat any team in America.
Do yourself a favor and look at Strasburg's stats for the year. Unreal.
Also Fitt does give commentary to his projections, which he should since it's just his second of the year and shows some level of commitment....
Aaron Fitt: The hosting picture after the top eight teams is still very much up in the air. Florida and Florida State are the strongest bets, but the final two weeks will decide which teams earn the other six hosting spots. For now, give Mississippi and Alabama the edge over stumbling Georgia and Arkansas in the SEC, and give Clemson the nod over Virginia in the ACC based on more quality wins, particularly out of conference. If Texas A&M wins a series at Oklahoma this weekend, the Aggies could steal a host spot away from the Sooners. The third Big 12 host is Kansas State, which has series wins over Texas and Texas A&M, making up for a borderline RPI (27th). TCU has a very strong resume and RPI (seventh), but the Horned Frogs will be plagued by their poor record against the Big 12 (1-6). One of the two Big Ten teams that submitted bids to host (Ohio State and Minnesota) has a chance to do so, thanks to performance as well as geographic considerations. The Gophers have the more impressive resume thanks to a good performance against a tough nonconference slate, but Ohio State has better facilities. The Metrodome is unavailable for the Golden Gophers, so they would have to bring in auxiliary bleachers at 1,100-seat Seibert Field, where they last hosted a regional in 2000. But we'll give the nod in the Midwest to Louisville, which destroyed the Buckeyes twice in midweek action last week to improve its record against the Big Ten to 6-1. The Cardinals also blew past OSU in the RPI thanks to yesterday's win against Western Kentucky, which vaulted them up to 28th.
Yahoo Sports/Rivals.com: Keep an eye on the Big Ten
After editing his opening line that wasn't too flattering to northern baseball, thank you Eric Sorenson for bringing that to attention Yahoo Spots, Rivals.com college baseball writer Kendall Rogers had a few words to say on the Big Ten.
Coaches in the north have been waiting years to say the Big Ten is a rising conference. Well, the time has come.
The Big Ten hasn’t exactly been a great conference the past few seasons, but there are many reasons for its members to be excited these days. Minnesota and Ohio State are in the mix for regional hosts and Illinois could earn an at-large bid if the season ended today.
Then there’s Indiana, which isn’t a bad team despite its gaudy record. And of course Michigan, which actually sits seventh in the conference standings.
It’s certainly not time to proclaim the Big Ten as a soon-to-be power conference, but the league has taken a step in the right direction.
We lead off this week’s At the letters with a discussion about the Big Ten and its regional hopefuls.
—
Big Ten in better shape
The Big Ten has a few teams in the postseason picture this season. Is the league really that much better, and also, does Indiana have a chance to make an NCAA regional?
Justin
Peoria, Ill.
The Big Ten started to care when Michigan upset Vanderbilt in the Nashville Regional a couple seasons ago. When that happened, there wasn’t a program in the conference that didn’t think it could compete nationally.
The Big Ten has Michigan coach Rich Maloney to thank for its rise.
Minnesota, Ohio State and Illinois are very solid teams. The Golden Gophers have a high RPI and recorded some good non-conference wins. They also are on track to win the Big Ten regular season title and perhaps host a regional. The Buckeyes also have a high RPI and could host a regional with a strong finish and some Minnesota setbacks. Illinois, though, is fighting for an at-large bid and got everyone’s attention earlier this season when it took two of three on the road from LSU.
Missing from the equation is the chief architect of the Big Ten’s rise, Michigan, which is seventh in conference with an 8-13 record.
There’s no question the Big Ten has improved. More programs are showing a commitment to winning with improved facilities and the hiring of better coaches. The uniform start date also has helped.
As for Indiana, it is one game out of first place with a 14-6 record. However, it also has a less than stellar 25-24 overall record, an RPI of 131 and a record of 4-14 against top-100 RPI teams. The Hoosiers only will make an NCAA regional if they win the Big Ten tournament.
Rogers Mailbag
B9: Yes it is good the Big Ten is receiving some attention. Rogers is so off on so many points, especially when regarding the Big Ten's recent past, the Big Ten did send 3 teams to Regionals in 2007 people, that it shows just how little national attention the Big Ten received. Rogers gets an A for effort, but F for execution and fact finding. Oh and his pre-edited opening line of... "The Big 10 is a rising conference. Say it isn't so." isn't going to win him points here.
Coaches in the north have been waiting years to say the Big Ten is a rising conference. Well, the time has come.
The Big Ten hasn’t exactly been a great conference the past few seasons, but there are many reasons for its members to be excited these days. Minnesota and Ohio State are in the mix for regional hosts and Illinois could earn an at-large bid if the season ended today.
Then there’s Indiana, which isn’t a bad team despite its gaudy record. And of course Michigan, which actually sits seventh in the conference standings.
It’s certainly not time to proclaim the Big Ten as a soon-to-be power conference, but the league has taken a step in the right direction.
We lead off this week’s At the letters with a discussion about the Big Ten and its regional hopefuls.
—
Big Ten in better shape
The Big Ten has a few teams in the postseason picture this season. Is the league really that much better, and also, does Indiana have a chance to make an NCAA regional?
Justin
Peoria, Ill.
The Big Ten started to care when Michigan upset Vanderbilt in the Nashville Regional a couple seasons ago. When that happened, there wasn’t a program in the conference that didn’t think it could compete nationally.
The Big Ten has Michigan coach Rich Maloney to thank for its rise.
Minnesota, Ohio State and Illinois are very solid teams. The Golden Gophers have a high RPI and recorded some good non-conference wins. They also are on track to win the Big Ten regular season title and perhaps host a regional. The Buckeyes also have a high RPI and could host a regional with a strong finish and some Minnesota setbacks. Illinois, though, is fighting for an at-large bid and got everyone’s attention earlier this season when it took two of three on the road from LSU.
Missing from the equation is the chief architect of the Big Ten’s rise, Michigan, which is seventh in conference with an 8-13 record.
There’s no question the Big Ten has improved. More programs are showing a commitment to winning with improved facilities and the hiring of better coaches. The uniform start date also has helped.
As for Indiana, it is one game out of first place with a 14-6 record. However, it also has a less than stellar 25-24 overall record, an RPI of 131 and a record of 4-14 against top-100 RPI teams. The Hoosiers only will make an NCAA regional if they win the Big Ten tournament.
Rogers Mailbag
B9: Yes it is good the Big Ten is receiving some attention. Rogers is so off on so many points, especially when regarding the Big Ten's recent past, the Big Ten did send 3 teams to Regionals in 2007 people, that it shows just how little national attention the Big Ten received. Rogers gets an A for effort, but F for execution and fact finding. Oh and his pre-edited opening line of... "The Big 10 is a rising conference. Say it isn't so." isn't going to win him points here.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Regional Roundup
I'm not going to go into great detail this week. The series with Illinois is pretty important with the Bucks having a chance to really chase down the Big Ten Championship that has eluded us since 2001. So the NCAA stuff is on the back-burner for now. But here's where the Bucks are projected.
SEBaseball.com
Austin Regional
#1 Texas
#4 Binghamton
#2 Ohio State
#3 Texas State
The College Baseball Blog
Baton Rouge Regional
#1 LSU
#4 Miss. Valley State
#2 Ohio State
#3 Kansas
ESPN
Columbus Regional
#1 TCU
#4 Kent State
#2 Ohio State
#3 Missouri
Yahoo Sports/Rivals
Manhattan Regional
#1 Kansas State
#3 Washington State
#2 Ohio State
#4 Kent State
Every porjection has 3 Big Ten teams in, OSU and Minnesota as 2-seeds, Illinois as a 3-seed. Turning out to be a great year for the Big Ten.
Out of the four possibilities listed, I'd take the Manhattan Regional to be honest. Yes ESPN has Ohio State hosting, but serioursly, drawing Kyle Gibson game 1? Then still having TCU and Kent State in there? KSU and Wazzu are much weaker teams than Mizzou and TCU. KSU probably wouldn't offer too hostile of a crowd, at least not compared to LSU.
The Bucks RPI is at 33 heading into the weekend.
SEBaseball.com
Austin Regional
#1 Texas
#4 Binghamton
#2 Ohio State
#3 Texas State
The College Baseball Blog
Baton Rouge Regional
#1 LSU
#4 Miss. Valley State
#2 Ohio State
#3 Kansas
ESPN
Columbus Regional
#1 TCU
#4 Kent State
#2 Ohio State
#3 Missouri
Yahoo Sports/Rivals
Manhattan Regional
#1 Kansas State
#3 Washington State
#2 Ohio State
#4 Kent State
Every porjection has 3 Big Ten teams in, OSU and Minnesota as 2-seeds, Illinois as a 3-seed. Turning out to be a great year for the Big Ten.
Out of the four possibilities listed, I'd take the Manhattan Regional to be honest. Yes ESPN has Ohio State hosting, but serioursly, drawing Kyle Gibson game 1? Then still having TCU and Kent State in there? KSU and Wazzu are much weaker teams than Mizzou and TCU. KSU probably wouldn't offer too hostile of a crowd, at least not compared to LSU.
The Bucks RPI is at 33 heading into the weekend.
Monday, May 4, 2009
What They're Saying
A look at what those around the college baseball world had to say about Wimmer's no-no.... also, though Alex was on the mound and most of the attention and deservingly so will go to him, his defense in the field helped him and he could not have done it, as he alludes to. Shortstop Tyler Engle made an incredible stop on a sharply hit ball up the middle to record a fielders choice. Second baseman Cory Kovanda made a diving catch to end the 7th or a screaming liner. Wimmers' battery mate, Bukrhart threw out 3 Wolverines on the bases negating 4 of Wimmers walks.
Yahoo Sports/Rivals College Baseball:
Kendall Rogers
Ohio State is in the hunt for a regional in Columbus, and that makes every series ahead important. But it goes without saying that the Michigan series this weekend holds a little more weight for the Buckeyes. It was a great day for Ohio State sophomore right-handed pitcher Alex Wimmers, who tossed the program’s ninth no-hitter in a 6-0 win over the Wolverines in Game 1. Wimmers struck out 14 and walked four on the way to his eighth victory. For the season, Wimmers is 8-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 80 2/3 innings. He also has struck out 103 and walked 40, while teams are hitting him at a .193 clip. The Bucks capped off the day with a 9-6 triumph over the Wolverines in the nightcap.
Baseball America
Aaron Fitt
Strike Three: Golden Spikes Spotlight on Alex Wimmers
Ohio State pitching coach Eric Parker said last week that Buckeyes sophomore righthander Alex Wimmers can be dominant when he commands all three of his pitches.
Wimmers made Parker look like a wise man Friday. Effectively mixing his 88-91 mph fastball, quality curveball and changeup, Wimmers fired the first nine-inning no-hitter in Ohio State history in a 6-0 win against rival Michigan.
“Wimmers had command of all three of his pitches,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said afterward. “He did not give in to their hitters. There’s a method to his madness and he simply was not going to give in to the hitters.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Wimmers ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Valley League last summer, when his fastball velocity often sat in the 91-93 range. He worked exclusively in relief as a freshman last spring, but Parker said the key to his emergence as OSU’s ace has been the development of his changeup as a viable third pitch. He also has learned how to win even when he does not have all three pitches going, thanks to his aggressiveness and savvy.
“I go out with an attitude of how I want to pitch and then I’ll throw any pitch in any count,” Wimmers said after the game. “Emotions took over right after the game. It still hasn’t hit me yet, but some day it will.”
Shortstop Tyler Engle preserved the no-hitter with a brilliant defensive play in the eighth inning. Engle ranged deep to his left to make a diving stop on Kenny Fellows’ grounder up the middle. Engle then shoveled the ball to a waiting second baseman Cory Kovanda to get the force out.
“I knew the no-hitter was at stake,” Engle said. “I gave the play all I had. All I was thinking about was to get one out to avoid the play going for a hit. I was hoping Kovanda would be in the area and he was standing on the bag when I looked up.”
The win against Wolverines ace righty Chris Fetter propelled the Buckeyes to a doubleheader sweep against their rivals Friday. They won two of three in the series and are now trail first-place Illinois by a game in the Big Ten heading into next weekend’s showdown between the two teams.
Wimmers, who also has recorded dominating wins this season against Miami, Notre Dame and Indiana, finished with 14 strikeouts and four walks in his 133-pitch outing. It was his sixth double-digit strikeout game this season, giving him a conference-leading 103 whiffs on the season. He also struck out 14 in a complete-game shutout against Indiana on March 20. Wimmers improved to 8-1, 2.79 with 40 walks and 55 hits allowed in 81 innings. He now has four complete games—none more memorable than his masterpiece in Friday’s marquee mound matchup.
College Baseball Today
Eric Sorenson
Three Up
1- Alex Wimmers and Ohio State
Not only did the Buckeyes get the zero-hitter by Wimmers today, they also took game two of the rain-forced double-header with a 9-6 win over Michigan in game two. In that game Dean Wolosiansky picked up win No. 10 on the season (yes, Wimmers isn’t even the winningest pitcher on the team) and Jake Hale picked up his 11th save of the season.
Awards
Big Ten Pitcher of the Week
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Alex Wimmers, Ohio State
So., RHP, Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller
Wimmers recorded the Big Ten’s second no-hitter of the season and the first nine-inning no-no in Ohio State school history by blanking Michigan in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Saturday. The sophomore registered 14 strikeouts in the outing, marking his sixth performance with double-digit Ks this season. The right-hander walked four batters in the game, but faced just one over the minimum as catcher Dan Burkhart, Wimmers’ grade-school and high-school teammate and friend, gunned down three would-be base-stealers. The performance gives Wimmers a Big Ten-leading 103 strikeouts on the season, making him just the ninth Buckeye in program history to top 100 Ks in a year. In addition to leading the conference in strikeouts, Wimmers also paces the Big Ten in opponents’ batting average (.193) and ranks among the conference’s best in ERA (2.71) innings pitched (80.2) and wins (8). Wimmers earns his fourth Pitcher of the Week accolade this season, while the honor is the sixth this year for the Ohio State pitching staff.
Wimmers was also named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Yahoo Sports/Rivals College Baseball:
Kendall Rogers
Ohio State is in the hunt for a regional in Columbus, and that makes every series ahead important. But it goes without saying that the Michigan series this weekend holds a little more weight for the Buckeyes. It was a great day for Ohio State sophomore right-handed pitcher Alex Wimmers, who tossed the program’s ninth no-hitter in a 6-0 win over the Wolverines in Game 1. Wimmers struck out 14 and walked four on the way to his eighth victory. For the season, Wimmers is 8-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 80 2/3 innings. He also has struck out 103 and walked 40, while teams are hitting him at a .193 clip. The Bucks capped off the day with a 9-6 triumph over the Wolverines in the nightcap.
Baseball America
Aaron Fitt
Strike Three: Golden Spikes Spotlight on Alex Wimmers
Ohio State pitching coach Eric Parker said last week that Buckeyes sophomore righthander Alex Wimmers can be dominant when he commands all three of his pitches.
Wimmers made Parker look like a wise man Friday. Effectively mixing his 88-91 mph fastball, quality curveball and changeup, Wimmers fired the first nine-inning no-hitter in Ohio State history in a 6-0 win against rival Michigan.
“Wimmers had command of all three of his pitches,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said afterward. “He did not give in to their hitters. There’s a method to his madness and he simply was not going to give in to the hitters.”
The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Wimmers ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the Valley League last summer, when his fastball velocity often sat in the 91-93 range. He worked exclusively in relief as a freshman last spring, but Parker said the key to his emergence as OSU’s ace has been the development of his changeup as a viable third pitch. He also has learned how to win even when he does not have all three pitches going, thanks to his aggressiveness and savvy.
“I go out with an attitude of how I want to pitch and then I’ll throw any pitch in any count,” Wimmers said after the game. “Emotions took over right after the game. It still hasn’t hit me yet, but some day it will.”
Shortstop Tyler Engle preserved the no-hitter with a brilliant defensive play in the eighth inning. Engle ranged deep to his left to make a diving stop on Kenny Fellows’ grounder up the middle. Engle then shoveled the ball to a waiting second baseman Cory Kovanda to get the force out.
“I knew the no-hitter was at stake,” Engle said. “I gave the play all I had. All I was thinking about was to get one out to avoid the play going for a hit. I was hoping Kovanda would be in the area and he was standing on the bag when I looked up.”
The win against Wolverines ace righty Chris Fetter propelled the Buckeyes to a doubleheader sweep against their rivals Friday. They won two of three in the series and are now trail first-place Illinois by a game in the Big Ten heading into next weekend’s showdown between the two teams.
Wimmers, who also has recorded dominating wins this season against Miami, Notre Dame and Indiana, finished with 14 strikeouts and four walks in his 133-pitch outing. It was his sixth double-digit strikeout game this season, giving him a conference-leading 103 whiffs on the season. He also struck out 14 in a complete-game shutout against Indiana on March 20. Wimmers improved to 8-1, 2.79 with 40 walks and 55 hits allowed in 81 innings. He now has four complete games—none more memorable than his masterpiece in Friday’s marquee mound matchup.
College Baseball Today
Eric Sorenson
Three Up
1- Alex Wimmers and Ohio State
Not only did the Buckeyes get the zero-hitter by Wimmers today, they also took game two of the rain-forced double-header with a 9-6 win over Michigan in game two. In that game Dean Wolosiansky picked up win No. 10 on the season (yes, Wimmers isn’t even the winningest pitcher on the team) and Jake Hale picked up his 11th save of the season.
Awards
Big Ten Pitcher of the Week
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Alex Wimmers, Ohio State
So., RHP, Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller
Wimmers recorded the Big Ten’s second no-hitter of the season and the first nine-inning no-no in Ohio State school history by blanking Michigan in Game 2 of a doubleheader on Saturday. The sophomore registered 14 strikeouts in the outing, marking his sixth performance with double-digit Ks this season. The right-hander walked four batters in the game, but faced just one over the minimum as catcher Dan Burkhart, Wimmers’ grade-school and high-school teammate and friend, gunned down three would-be base-stealers. The performance gives Wimmers a Big Ten-leading 103 strikeouts on the season, making him just the ninth Buckeye in program history to top 100 Ks in a year. In addition to leading the conference in strikeouts, Wimmers also paces the Big Ten in opponents’ batting average (.193) and ranks among the conference’s best in ERA (2.71) innings pitched (80.2) and wins (8). Wimmers earns his fourth Pitcher of the Week accolade this season, while the honor is the sixth this year for the Ohio State pitching staff.
Wimmers was also named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week for the second time this season.
Friday, May 1, 2009
NCAA Tournament Outlook
Its been a while since the Bucks have gone into May with sights on the NCAA Tournament, without having to rely on the Big Ten's auto bid. Its May 1st and the Bucks sit with an RPI of 28. Nice.
A quick glance across the college baseball world with this weeks Regional Projections should help us know whats realistic for the Bucks, whats to worry about, what is to be excited about.
Starting off we have Aaron Fitt of Baseball America giving his hand at the Field of 64. This is BA's first projection of the season and they do a good job in explaing their reasonings.
As you can see Baseball America has Ohio State as a #2 seed hosting in the Columbus Regional. Projected seeds in the regional include #1 Texas A&M, a team we are very familiar with having traveled to the College Station Regional in 2007 and opening 2008 in College Station. The #3 being Kent State, another familiar program. The #4 and rounding the regional out is fellow Ohio school Wright State.
Baseball America's take on the Bucks and the Big Ten...
"The Big Ten is tough to figure out. We'll continue to bank on Indiana's talent carrying it through the conference tournament, particularly now that its weekend rotation is starting to come on strong. Minnesota has a strong at-large resume and should finish as a No. 2 seed. Illinois has better wins right now than Ohio State and gets to host the Buckeyes for a huge three-game series in two weeks. If the Illini win that series, they're likely to earn a bid over the Buckeyes, who will see their impressive RPI (29) drop over the final three weeks thanks to series against Northwestern and Purdue. But if Ohio State gets in, it seems like a strong bet to host, thanks to geographic variety and good facilities. Texas A&M earns the third No. 1 seed out of the loaded Big 12 conference and gets shipped to Columbus, as TCU beats out the Aggies for the third host site in the Lone Star State. But that's only if the Horned Frogs can finish strong and win the MWC regular-season and conference titles. Otherwise, their poor record against Big 12 teams will be their undoing when host sites are awarded."
Personally I would take Baseball America's projection in a heartbeat. TAMU is a team that was very hyped going into the year as national champion favorites but I felt they were a bit overratted, and the Bucks with the recent history should not be afraid of the Aggies. Also its at home, a huge advantage obviously. Kent State as a #3 seed presents a difficult task, but with the experience of already playing them and the fact their top two pitchers have been inconsistant, I'd take that in game 1. With Wright State here, it gives the regional 3 Ohio teams which would do a ton for attendence and the atmosphere.
Next is SEBaseball.com and their projection.
They have Ohio State as a #2 seed in the Austin Regional. Included in the regional is host Texas as a #1 and overall #8 seed. The 3-seed is Texas State, and Manhattan is the predicted 4-seed. This projection doesn't do much for me. Texas is a formidable opponent, much more than TAMU, and Texas State is putting together a solid season out of the Southland Conference.
The Big Ten in this projection has three teams in NCAA Regional play with Illinois as a #3 seed gaining an at-large berth and Minnesota as a #2 seed as well gaining an at-large berth. Ohio State is the projecte auto-bid recipient but they are in solid shape to receive an at-large if needed. Three teams in the top 50-RPI is huge for the Big Ten, especially if an Indiana or Michigan wins the conference's auto-bid, 4, yes 4 Big Ten teams could be playing in a regional.
Also on the Rivals network is Yahoo College Baseball and their projection.
Ohio State is the Big Ten's auto-bid receiver here as well and placed in the Oxford Regional as a #2 seed. Host Ole Miss is the #1, MTSU is the #3 seed with Eastern Illinois as the #4 seed. This is probably the "easiest" regional path for the Bucks. Ole Miss is solid but not great. They do have a hostile environment which would probably be the Bucks biggest opponent. Eastern Illinois is putting together an incredible season in the Ohio Valley. They have had a solid non-conference schedule with teams like Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Louisville, and Missouri on it. The Panthers fell to L'Ville and Mizzouri but did knock off the Hoosiers, Sooners, and Illini. Definitely not a team to sleep on.
Status quo with the Big Ten. Minny and Illinois receiving at large bid with a #2 seed and #3 seed respectively.
The last projection is courtesy Colin Weber and the guys at The College Baseball Blog.
The Bucks show their resume has left them in solid standing as they receive another #2 seed. This time in the Baton Rouge Regional with host LSU receiving the #1 seed, Missouri the #3 seed, and Jacksonville the #4 seed. This is not a regional I want any part of. LSU is a solid team top to bottom that can hit for power, run, pitch, and field. Missouri has one of the nations's pitchers in Kyle Gibson. Oh and Baton Rouge doesn't take too kindly to visitors. I'll pass.
The Big Ten continues its good showing with Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio State all projected to be in a regional again.
Oh and surprise surprise ESPN is showing some committement to college baseball before the CWS. Wasn't expecting this but did stumble across it. Here's ESPN's take.
There is one traveling No. 1 seed this week; TCU gets the boot as the committee is unlikely to put four regionals in Texas (along with three in bordering states). That keeps Ohio State as a host as a No. 2 seed. Baylor, Coastal Carolina and TCU make way for a fourth SEC host as well as spots for the top two teams in the Big 12: Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. The final slot comes down to a slugfest between Clemson, Florida State and Virginia. Florida State has the best conference standing, while Clemson had a great weekend against Georgia Tech. Virginia got only one game in against either of them due to scheduling (they miss Clemson this year) and weather (two cancellations against Florida State). For now, the bid goes to Virginia (but not with much confidence).
For those keeping track at home, the other eight hosts (in alphabetical order): Cal State Fullerton, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Virginia.
ESPN has the Bucks hosting as a #2 seed with TCU as the #1, Vandy as the #3 and Kent State as the #4. Its always great to be at home, but thats a pretty tough regional 1-4.
ESPN only has Minnesota joing the Bucks in a regional and that is as a #3 seed. Illinois isn't even in the next 10 to be considered.
The last website to chew on is Warren Nolan's Nitty Gritty report. Just shows how different teams stack up against each other, showing SOS, and various W-L breakdowns, ranked by RPI.
A quick glance across the college baseball world with this weeks Regional Projections should help us know whats realistic for the Bucks, whats to worry about, what is to be excited about.
Starting off we have Aaron Fitt of Baseball America giving his hand at the Field of 64. This is BA's first projection of the season and they do a good job in explaing their reasonings.
As you can see Baseball America has Ohio State as a #2 seed hosting in the Columbus Regional. Projected seeds in the regional include #1 Texas A&M, a team we are very familiar with having traveled to the College Station Regional in 2007 and opening 2008 in College Station. The #3 being Kent State, another familiar program. The #4 and rounding the regional out is fellow Ohio school Wright State.
Baseball America's take on the Bucks and the Big Ten...
"The Big Ten is tough to figure out. We'll continue to bank on Indiana's talent carrying it through the conference tournament, particularly now that its weekend rotation is starting to come on strong. Minnesota has a strong at-large resume and should finish as a No. 2 seed. Illinois has better wins right now than Ohio State and gets to host the Buckeyes for a huge three-game series in two weeks. If the Illini win that series, they're likely to earn a bid over the Buckeyes, who will see their impressive RPI (29) drop over the final three weeks thanks to series against Northwestern and Purdue. But if Ohio State gets in, it seems like a strong bet to host, thanks to geographic variety and good facilities. Texas A&M earns the third No. 1 seed out of the loaded Big 12 conference and gets shipped to Columbus, as TCU beats out the Aggies for the third host site in the Lone Star State. But that's only if the Horned Frogs can finish strong and win the MWC regular-season and conference titles. Otherwise, their poor record against Big 12 teams will be their undoing when host sites are awarded."
Personally I would take Baseball America's projection in a heartbeat. TAMU is a team that was very hyped going into the year as national champion favorites but I felt they were a bit overratted, and the Bucks with the recent history should not be afraid of the Aggies. Also its at home, a huge advantage obviously. Kent State as a #3 seed presents a difficult task, but with the experience of already playing them and the fact their top two pitchers have been inconsistant, I'd take that in game 1. With Wright State here, it gives the regional 3 Ohio teams which would do a ton for attendence and the atmosphere.
Next is SEBaseball.com and their projection.
They have Ohio State as a #2 seed in the Austin Regional. Included in the regional is host Texas as a #1 and overall #8 seed. The 3-seed is Texas State, and Manhattan is the predicted 4-seed. This projection doesn't do much for me. Texas is a formidable opponent, much more than TAMU, and Texas State is putting together a solid season out of the Southland Conference.
The Big Ten in this projection has three teams in NCAA Regional play with Illinois as a #3 seed gaining an at-large berth and Minnesota as a #2 seed as well gaining an at-large berth. Ohio State is the projecte auto-bid recipient but they are in solid shape to receive an at-large if needed. Three teams in the top 50-RPI is huge for the Big Ten, especially if an Indiana or Michigan wins the conference's auto-bid, 4, yes 4 Big Ten teams could be playing in a regional.
Also on the Rivals network is Yahoo College Baseball and their projection.
Ohio State is the Big Ten's auto-bid receiver here as well and placed in the Oxford Regional as a #2 seed. Host Ole Miss is the #1, MTSU is the #3 seed with Eastern Illinois as the #4 seed. This is probably the "easiest" regional path for the Bucks. Ole Miss is solid but not great. They do have a hostile environment which would probably be the Bucks biggest opponent. Eastern Illinois is putting together an incredible season in the Ohio Valley. They have had a solid non-conference schedule with teams like Indiana, Illinois, Oklahoma, Louisville, and Missouri on it. The Panthers fell to L'Ville and Mizzouri but did knock off the Hoosiers, Sooners, and Illini. Definitely not a team to sleep on.
Status quo with the Big Ten. Minny and Illinois receiving at large bid with a #2 seed and #3 seed respectively.
The last projection is courtesy Colin Weber and the guys at The College Baseball Blog.
The Bucks show their resume has left them in solid standing as they receive another #2 seed. This time in the Baton Rouge Regional with host LSU receiving the #1 seed, Missouri the #3 seed, and Jacksonville the #4 seed. This is not a regional I want any part of. LSU is a solid team top to bottom that can hit for power, run, pitch, and field. Missouri has one of the nations's pitchers in Kyle Gibson. Oh and Baton Rouge doesn't take too kindly to visitors. I'll pass.
The Big Ten continues its good showing with Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio State all projected to be in a regional again.
Oh and surprise surprise ESPN is showing some committement to college baseball before the CWS. Wasn't expecting this but did stumble across it. Here's ESPN's take.
There is one traveling No. 1 seed this week; TCU gets the boot as the committee is unlikely to put four regionals in Texas (along with three in bordering states). That keeps Ohio State as a host as a No. 2 seed. Baylor, Coastal Carolina and TCU make way for a fourth SEC host as well as spots for the top two teams in the Big 12: Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Oklahoma. The final slot comes down to a slugfest between Clemson, Florida State and Virginia. Florida State has the best conference standing, while Clemson had a great weekend against Georgia Tech. Virginia got only one game in against either of them due to scheduling (they miss Clemson this year) and weather (two cancellations against Florida State). For now, the bid goes to Virginia (but not with much confidence).
For those keeping track at home, the other eight hosts (in alphabetical order): Cal State Fullerton, Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Virginia.
ESPN has the Bucks hosting as a #2 seed with TCU as the #1, Vandy as the #3 and Kent State as the #4. Its always great to be at home, but thats a pretty tough regional 1-4.
ESPN only has Minnesota joing the Bucks in a regional and that is as a #3 seed. Illinois isn't even in the next 10 to be considered.
The last website to chew on is Warren Nolan's Nitty Gritty report. Just shows how different teams stack up against each other, showing SOS, and various W-L breakdowns, ranked by RPI.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
NCAA Set to a Add Week to the Season in 2010
By Kendall Rogers
Yahoo Sports
Just over a year after college baseball implemented a uniform start date and condensed schedule, change once again struck the sport Thursday afternoon.
The NCAA Board of Directors voted not to reduce the baseball season from 56 to 52 games. They did, however, approve a measure that adds a week to the start of the regular season, making it 14 weeks instead of the current 13.
The new schedule will go into effect in spring 2010.
Opponents of the measure proposed the NCAA add the extra week at the back of the schedule. The NCAA, however, said that wasn’t possible.
“We wanted to add the week on the front end of the schedule because that’s what our programs are familiar with from the earlier days,” NCAA Division I Vice President David Berst said. “If we had moved the week to the back end of the season, that would’ve made too much of an impact on our championships schedules.”
Though coaches such as Texas A&M’s Rob Childress and LSU’s Paul Mainieri were in favor of adding a week to either end, Michigan’s Rich Maloney was staunchly opposed to the change and wanted the week added to the end of the season. Maloney points to potential financial hardships as a reason for his opposition.
“It will enhance the financial burden that we already to go through, because now we have to add another week to the schedule, likely on the road,” Maloney said. “Adding the week to the start of the season just shoots down the original intent of the uniform start date for our sport.”
What are your initial thoughts? For the move or against the move? Clearly it lightens the load on midweek games, and overall pitching depth, which we could use this season, but it does force the Bucks to spend even more time on the road as Michigan's Rick Maloney points out. Not many people are against the universal start date persay, just the fact it compresses the schedule. Do you think, if they were to add a week, it should be done at the end of the year?
Yahoo Sports
Just over a year after college baseball implemented a uniform start date and condensed schedule, change once again struck the sport Thursday afternoon.
The NCAA Board of Directors voted not to reduce the baseball season from 56 to 52 games. They did, however, approve a measure that adds a week to the start of the regular season, making it 14 weeks instead of the current 13.
The new schedule will go into effect in spring 2010.
Opponents of the measure proposed the NCAA add the extra week at the back of the schedule. The NCAA, however, said that wasn’t possible.
“We wanted to add the week on the front end of the schedule because that’s what our programs are familiar with from the earlier days,” NCAA Division I Vice President David Berst said. “If we had moved the week to the back end of the season, that would’ve made too much of an impact on our championships schedules.”
Though coaches such as Texas A&M’s Rob Childress and LSU’s Paul Mainieri were in favor of adding a week to either end, Michigan’s Rich Maloney was staunchly opposed to the change and wanted the week added to the end of the season. Maloney points to potential financial hardships as a reason for his opposition.
“It will enhance the financial burden that we already to go through, because now we have to add another week to the schedule, likely on the road,” Maloney said. “Adding the week to the start of the season just shoots down the original intent of the uniform start date for our sport.”
What are your initial thoughts? For the move or against the move? Clearly it lightens the load on midweek games, and overall pitching depth, which we could use this season, but it does force the Bucks to spend even more time on the road as Michigan's Rick Maloney points out. Not many people are against the universal start date persay, just the fact it compresses the schedule. Do you think, if they were to add a week, it should be done at the end of the year?
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