Before providing a preview on the Michigan Wolverines (13-25, 6-6), here are a few links from outside publications relating to the Ohio State baseball team.
Mark Znidar of The Columbus Dispatch has a story on Andrew Armstrong and his recovery from arm surgery as the pitcher operates well following surgery.
Jeff Svoboda of Buckeye Sports Bulletin provides a preview of the weekend and touches on catcher Greg Solomon's impact on the team in his first season.
The Lantern has.... nothing. There isn't an online story of Ohio State baseball nor Michigan weekend from the student newspaper of Ohio State
But Michigan's student newspaper, The Michigan Daily has a nice trio of articles, as Michigan, O'Neill sets to face Ohio State. They also have a lengthy feature on O'Neill with a story on community, identity, and baseball, and lastly they touch on the Big Ten with a midseason glimpse.
Now for more on the weekend with the Wolverines
Showing posts with label Andrew Armstrong. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Andrew Armstrong. Show all posts
Friday, April 29, 2011
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Still Here
No worries, I'm still here. Just took last week off, call it my personal vacation. Then this weekend was filled to the max with the High School All-Star events, the Under Armour All-American game on Saturday, and the Aflac game on Sunday. Then of course we had yesterday's MLB draft signing deadline. A whirlwind of three days.
With the deadline coming and going, it does mean incoming Buckeyes Josh Dezse and Greg Greve will indeed be in Scarlet & Gray, and not pinstripes or Black and Orange as respectively they did not sign with the Yankees and Giants. This means I can start pumping out incoming freshmen and transfers profiles which I know has been much anticipated.
Also coming will be a recap of all of the summer league action and final thoughts. Congrats to the Buckeye trio of Andrew Armstrong, Brian DeLucia, and Drew Rucinski who were on the champion Luray Wranglers of the Valley League.
More Buckeyes in the pros and the latest news and notes as they come. Which should include Buckeye commits over the next few weeks from the class of 2011. Until those trickle out, be very excited that the Buckeyes snagged Wisler, he is very good and is a strong anchor to the class.
As always, for the latest news and occasional random offbeat thought, my Twitter account of ChrsWebb is the best way to always be informed... which potentially more info than you might desire.
With the deadline coming and going, it does mean incoming Buckeyes Josh Dezse and Greg Greve will indeed be in Scarlet & Gray, and not pinstripes or Black and Orange as respectively they did not sign with the Yankees and Giants. This means I can start pumping out incoming freshmen and transfers profiles which I know has been much anticipated.
Also coming will be a recap of all of the summer league action and final thoughts. Congrats to the Buckeye trio of Andrew Armstrong, Brian DeLucia, and Drew Rucinski who were on the champion Luray Wranglers of the Valley League.
More Buckeyes in the pros and the latest news and notes as they come. Which should include Buckeye commits over the next few weeks from the class of 2011. Until those trickle out, be very excited that the Buckeyes snagged Wisler, he is very good and is a strong anchor to the class.
As always, for the latest news and occasional random offbeat thought, my Twitter account of ChrsWebb is the best way to always be informed... which potentially more info than you might desire.
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Buckeye Baseball Summer League Update 8/1
Though we ring in a new month, we start to wind down the summer leagues across America. Over the next few weeks leagues will wrap up as mid-August forces student-athletes to prepare for their academics and head back to campus. Just not our Buckeyes as our quarter system does not have us start until late September.
Anyhow, here is the latest on our Buckeyes around the diamond.
Anyhow, here is the latest on our Buckeyes around the diamond.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Injury updates going into Autumn practices
The 2009 calendar year was one that saw half a dozen Buckeyes go under the knife or miss time for a variety of reasons due to injury.
As we're now less than a week away from Captain's Practice and Fall Ball in 8 days, here is where we stand.
Andrew Armstrong (Labrum) as mentioned Armstrong went under the knife to take care of his torn Labrum on July 23rd. The expected recovery time was 4-6 months. Nothing so far has appeared to set Armstrong back from a full recovery in 2010.
Brian DeLucia (Broken finger) DeLucia who broke a finger on his right hand in the season's second weekend taking infield during pregame would not return to the field for the Buckeyes in 2009, receiving a medical redshirt. DeLucia fully recovered in time for summer baseball, participated in the Valley League. The Watterson product hit .274 with three doubles, triples, and homers in process of being an All-Star for Rockbridge. A healthy DeLucia will be competing for a starting spot at the hot corner in a suddenly crowded infield. DeLucia has shown before his bat is hard to keep out of the line-up.
Brad Hallberg (Labrum) As DeLucia enters fall camp looking to lockdown the vacant third base position, so to does the Wisconsin native Hallberg. Early in the season Hallberg appeared in four games, collecing four hits in 10 at-bats before his season came to an early conclusion as well being the first of three Buckeyes to have labrum sugery on April 10th. Hallberg with 5 months to relax, rehab, and recoup heads into the Autumn ready to go. If Hallberg can come back and hit the way he did in the brief playing time, Hallberg might play a big role for the defending conference champs.
Michael Stephens (Bone chips, elbow cleaning) Stephens went under the knife in late June to clean out an elbow that was bothering him a bit. Stephens rehabbing back home in Southern California over the summer, returned to Columbus recently and is back to throwing while making a full recovery.
Eric Best (Labrum) Best like Armstrong went under the knife to take care of a labrum that began to fire up and cause issues. Best did not have the severity of tear that Armstrong did, but none the less it was determined he was best-suited to get it out of the way, and be able to pitch in 2010 at 100%. Best was pitching with the Licking County Settlers before having his summer end prematurely, and was pitching quite well. In limiting his walks, and locating his off-speed pitches, Best was 3-0, showing stuff that can prove more than effect and invaluable in the Buckeyes hopes of reaching Omaha.
Ross Oltorik (Elbow bursitis) As mentioned in his Q&A Oltorik's 2009 campaign came to an end in early May as he battled a case of bursitis. Oltorik did not participate in summer baseball deciding to rest his arm and work with a pitching coach. In what might have been the biggest news related to the reaching all set goals in 2010, Oltorik decided to hang up the football cleats. With the pigskin away for now, Oltorik will be entering his first autumn practices. For a team with two pitchers currently out, and a staff in need much depth having Oltorik around this fall is a huge plus.
As we're now less than a week away from Captain's Practice and Fall Ball in 8 days, here is where we stand.
Andrew Armstrong (Labrum) as mentioned Armstrong went under the knife to take care of his torn Labrum on July 23rd. The expected recovery time was 4-6 months. Nothing so far has appeared to set Armstrong back from a full recovery in 2010.
Brian DeLucia (Broken finger) DeLucia who broke a finger on his right hand in the season's second weekend taking infield during pregame would not return to the field for the Buckeyes in 2009, receiving a medical redshirt. DeLucia fully recovered in time for summer baseball, participated in the Valley League. The Watterson product hit .274 with three doubles, triples, and homers in process of being an All-Star for Rockbridge. A healthy DeLucia will be competing for a starting spot at the hot corner in a suddenly crowded infield. DeLucia has shown before his bat is hard to keep out of the line-up.
Brad Hallberg (Labrum) As DeLucia enters fall camp looking to lockdown the vacant third base position, so to does the Wisconsin native Hallberg. Early in the season Hallberg appeared in four games, collecing four hits in 10 at-bats before his season came to an early conclusion as well being the first of three Buckeyes to have labrum sugery on April 10th. Hallberg with 5 months to relax, rehab, and recoup heads into the Autumn ready to go. If Hallberg can come back and hit the way he did in the brief playing time, Hallberg might play a big role for the defending conference champs.
Michael Stephens (Bone chips, elbow cleaning) Stephens went under the knife in late June to clean out an elbow that was bothering him a bit. Stephens rehabbing back home in Southern California over the summer, returned to Columbus recently and is back to throwing while making a full recovery.
Eric Best (Labrum) Best like Armstrong went under the knife to take care of a labrum that began to fire up and cause issues. Best did not have the severity of tear that Armstrong did, but none the less it was determined he was best-suited to get it out of the way, and be able to pitch in 2010 at 100%. Best was pitching with the Licking County Settlers before having his summer end prematurely, and was pitching quite well. In limiting his walks, and locating his off-speed pitches, Best was 3-0, showing stuff that can prove more than effect and invaluable in the Buckeyes hopes of reaching Omaha.
Ross Oltorik (Elbow bursitis) As mentioned in his Q&A Oltorik's 2009 campaign came to an end in early May as he battled a case of bursitis. Oltorik did not participate in summer baseball deciding to rest his arm and work with a pitching coach. In what might have been the biggest news related to the reaching all set goals in 2010, Oltorik decided to hang up the football cleats. With the pigskin away for now, Oltorik will be entering his first autumn practices. For a team with two pitchers currently out, and a staff in need much depth having Oltorik around this fall is a huge plus.
Sunday, August 9, 2009
WHSV: Armstrong out four months, might redshirt 2010
Renowned Doctor Performs Surgery on TA Grad Armstrong
For professional athletes that need surgery, the doctor they want to see is Dr. James Andrews.
Andrews, one of the most renowned sports doctors in the country, has worked on the likes of Michael Jordan, Roger Clemens, Jack Nicklaus, Brett Favre and Tom Brady.
On Tuesday, Andrews performed surgery on former Turner Ashby baseball standout Andrew Armstrong in a facility in Birmingham, Alabama.
"You go in there and you see all these jerseys he's signed, all these thank you notes," says Armstrong. "Once you meet him, he's just like any other doctor. He's nice, he'll talk to you and have a conversation with you."
The Ohio State Buckeye needed to have surgery for a torn labrum. Armstrong, who led TA to back-to-back baseball titles in '06 and '07, is glad to be on the road to recovery.
"I'm tired of pitching hurt," adds Armstrong. "I don't want to have to worry anymore about how my arm is going to feel."
Armstrong will be out for at least four months, which may force him to take a medical redshirt next season at Ohio State
For professional athletes that need surgery, the doctor they want to see is Dr. James Andrews.
Andrews, one of the most renowned sports doctors in the country, has worked on the likes of Michael Jordan, Roger Clemens, Jack Nicklaus, Brett Favre and Tom Brady.
On Tuesday, Andrews performed surgery on former Turner Ashby baseball standout Andrew Armstrong in a facility in Birmingham, Alabama.
"You go in there and you see all these jerseys he's signed, all these thank you notes," says Armstrong. "Once you meet him, he's just like any other doctor. He's nice, he'll talk to you and have a conversation with you."
The Ohio State Buckeye needed to have surgery for a torn labrum. Armstrong, who led TA to back-to-back baseball titles in '06 and '07, is glad to be on the road to recovery.
"I'm tired of pitching hurt," adds Armstrong. "I don't want to have to worry anymore about how my arm is going to feel."
Armstrong will be out for at least four months, which may force him to take a medical redshirt next season at Ohio State
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Summer League Buckeyes: Armstrong and Rucinski shining in the Valley
Pitcher of the Day
Armstrong threw 7 innings against Front Royal, allowing 2 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 3 walks, and striking out 9 while earning the win. Andrew's now 1-0, 3.86, with 12 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings so far this year.
Great to see Armstrong throwing well this summer. Armstrong battled injury in the spring and never was 100% and the results showed. In 2010 hopefully a healthy and mature Armstrong can help patch some of the pitching holes and woes the Bucks faced this season. Armstrong is on a Luray team with Buckeye pitcher Drew Rucinski who has seen time in the rotation, and shortstop Tyler Engle.
Rucinski's last start was just as impressive as Armstrong's. The rising Junior from Broken Arrow, OK threw 7 innings, allowed 4 hits, 3 runs (1 earned), 2 walks, 9 strikeouts in his June 27th start.
Rucinski who some say was the team's MVP, bridging the gap nearly by himself from starters to All American closer Jake Hale, was the Valley League's #1 pitching prospect after the summer of 2008. Drew has not slowed down in 2009. For the Luray Wranglers this summer Rucinski is 0-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 3 starts. In 17 innings Rucinski has struck out 16, walked 5, and gave up just 14 hits, limiting hitters to a .209 batting average against.
With the graduation of Hale, a new role might be found as Coach Bob Todd in 2010 shuffles the pitching staff to maximize the Buckeyes success.
Rounding out the trio of Bucks in Luray is Engle. Engle has seen action in 8 games so far, all starts, and is hitting .357 10-for-28 in those games.
Armstrong threw 7 innings against Front Royal, allowing 2 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 3 walks, and striking out 9 while earning the win. Andrew's now 1-0, 3.86, with 12 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings so far this year.
Great to see Armstrong throwing well this summer. Armstrong battled injury in the spring and never was 100% and the results showed. In 2010 hopefully a healthy and mature Armstrong can help patch some of the pitching holes and woes the Bucks faced this season. Armstrong is on a Luray team with Buckeye pitcher Drew Rucinski who has seen time in the rotation, and shortstop Tyler Engle.
Rucinski's last start was just as impressive as Armstrong's. The rising Junior from Broken Arrow, OK threw 7 innings, allowed 4 hits, 3 runs (1 earned), 2 walks, 9 strikeouts in his June 27th start.
Rucinski who some say was the team's MVP, bridging the gap nearly by himself from starters to All American closer Jake Hale, was the Valley League's #1 pitching prospect after the summer of 2008. Drew has not slowed down in 2009. For the Luray Wranglers this summer Rucinski is 0-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 3 starts. In 17 innings Rucinski has struck out 16, walked 5, and gave up just 14 hits, limiting hitters to a .209 batting average against.
With the graduation of Hale, a new role might be found as Coach Bob Todd in 2010 shuffles the pitching staff to maximize the Buckeyes success.
Rounding out the trio of Bucks in Luray is Engle. Engle has seen action in 8 games so far, all starts, and is hitting .357 10-for-28 in those games.
Buckeyes in Summer Leagues
A quick rundown for what I've found so far for our Buckeyes playing in summer leagues. Reached out to the Baseball contacts in the Department of Athletics but have not heard back yet.
Cape Cod Baseball League
C Dan Burkhart- Hyannis Mets
P Alex Wimmers- Bourne Braves
Valley Baseball League
3B Brian DeLucia- Rockbridge
P Jared Strayer- Rockbridge
SS Tyler Engle- Luray
P Andrew Armstrong- Luray
P Drew Rucinski- Luray
2B Cory Kocanda Waynesboro
Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
P Eric Best- Licking County Settlers
Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League
INF Ryan Cypret- Jersey Tides
INF Zach Nowland- Jersey Tides
I'll touch more of this in a bit. Just a quick rundown for those interested.
Cape Cod Baseball League
C Dan Burkhart- Hyannis Mets
P Alex Wimmers- Bourne Braves
Valley Baseball League
3B Brian DeLucia- Rockbridge
P Jared Strayer- Rockbridge
SS Tyler Engle- Luray
P Andrew Armstrong- Luray
P Drew Rucinski- Luray
2B Cory Kocanda Waynesboro
Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League
P Eric Best- Licking County Settlers
Atlantic Baseball Confederation Collegiate League
INF Ryan Cypret- Jersey Tides
INF Zach Nowland- Jersey Tides
I'll touch more of this in a bit. Just a quick rundown for those interested.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Lantern: Arm-not-so-strong: OSU pitcher lit up by E. Michigan
Alex Kopilow
Issue date: 5/13/09
Andrew Armstrong lost his second game in a row in a miserable performance for the Ohio State baseball team. Eastern Michigan defeated the Buckeyes 9-5 Tuesday at Bill Davis Stadium.
Armstrong (2-3) lasted only three innings, giving up seven runs on four hits and walking five batters.
Armstrong let the game get out of hand in the second inning. With two outs and no runners on base, Armstrong walked four consecutive batters. One batter later, Gulliver hit a grand slam to left center field to give the Eagles a 6-0 lead.
OSU coach Bob Todd said Armstrong did not have good velocity or consistency.
Gulliver had five of the first six RBIs for the Eagles. The Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week is 10-for-17 (.588) in his last six games. He had five home runs, 11 runs scored, 12 RBIs and he stole two bases. He was 3-for-4 in game one, with two home runs, two runs scored and five RBIs.
Kendall Lewis (4-4) pitched five innings for Eastern Michigan. He gave up one run on seven hits and struck out one batter.
Lewis gave up his only run to the Buckeyes in the second inning. With one out, Ryan Dew doubled to right field and Justin Miller singled to left field. With runners on first and third bases, Michael Arp hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Dew.
EMU third baseman Zack Leonard singled with two outs in the third inning. Aaron Powell doubled to left-center field to score Leonard. It was the sixth run Armstrong gave up with two outs.
In his last three starts since returning from a tendonitis injury, Armstrong has a 20.77 ERA. In those starts he has given up 21 earned runs on 18 hits and he has walked 10 batters.
Jared Strayer relieved Armstrong in the fourth inning and allowed two runs in three innings pitched. Seven of the nine runs by Eastern Michigan were scored with runners on base because of a walk or being hit by a pitch.
"You are putting your hitters behind the eight ball and that's been our downfall all year in mid-week games," Todd said. "It's 60-feet-6-inches, [OSU pitchers] can throw strikes whether it's in the bullpen or on a mound in a game."
Tim Combs relieved Lewis in the seventh inning. Combs allowed four runs to narrow the EMU lead to 9-5.
The Buckeyes loaded the bases to start the seventh inning. Matt Streng singled to center field to score Miller. As a pinch hitter, Corey Kovanda singled to score Arp and Cory Rupert. Shawyne Forsythe pinch hit for Dan Burkhart and hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Streng.
Justin Miller was named Big Ten Player of the Week Tuesday for his performance in last weekend's series at Illinois. It was the eighth time a Buckeye has won the award, which marks a school record.
Eastern Michigan improved its record to 21-32 as OSU fell to 36-15.
The Buckeyes will finish the regular season with a 3-6 record in mid-week games.
Issue date: 5/13/09
Andrew Armstrong lost his second game in a row in a miserable performance for the Ohio State baseball team. Eastern Michigan defeated the Buckeyes 9-5 Tuesday at Bill Davis Stadium.
Armstrong (2-3) lasted only three innings, giving up seven runs on four hits and walking five batters.
Armstrong let the game get out of hand in the second inning. With two outs and no runners on base, Armstrong walked four consecutive batters. One batter later, Gulliver hit a grand slam to left center field to give the Eagles a 6-0 lead.
OSU coach Bob Todd said Armstrong did not have good velocity or consistency.
Gulliver had five of the first six RBIs for the Eagles. The Mid-American Conference West Division Player of the Week is 10-for-17 (.588) in his last six games. He had five home runs, 11 runs scored, 12 RBIs and he stole two bases. He was 3-for-4 in game one, with two home runs, two runs scored and five RBIs.
Kendall Lewis (4-4) pitched five innings for Eastern Michigan. He gave up one run on seven hits and struck out one batter.
Lewis gave up his only run to the Buckeyes in the second inning. With one out, Ryan Dew doubled to right field and Justin Miller singled to left field. With runners on first and third bases, Michael Arp hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score Dew.
EMU third baseman Zack Leonard singled with two outs in the third inning. Aaron Powell doubled to left-center field to score Leonard. It was the sixth run Armstrong gave up with two outs.
In his last three starts since returning from a tendonitis injury, Armstrong has a 20.77 ERA. In those starts he has given up 21 earned runs on 18 hits and he has walked 10 batters.
Jared Strayer relieved Armstrong in the fourth inning and allowed two runs in three innings pitched. Seven of the nine runs by Eastern Michigan were scored with runners on base because of a walk or being hit by a pitch.
"You are putting your hitters behind the eight ball and that's been our downfall all year in mid-week games," Todd said. "It's 60-feet-6-inches, [OSU pitchers] can throw strikes whether it's in the bullpen or on a mound in a game."
Tim Combs relieved Lewis in the seventh inning. Combs allowed four runs to narrow the EMU lead to 9-5.
The Buckeyes loaded the bases to start the seventh inning. Matt Streng singled to center field to score Miller. As a pinch hitter, Corey Kovanda singled to score Arp and Cory Rupert. Shawyne Forsythe pinch hit for Dan Burkhart and hit a sacrifice fly to left field to score Streng.
Justin Miller was named Big Ten Player of the Week Tuesday for his performance in last weekend's series at Illinois. It was the eighth time a Buckeye has won the award, which marks a school record.
Eastern Michigan improved its record to 21-32 as OSU fell to 36-15.
The Buckeyes will finish the regular season with a 3-6 record in mid-week games.
Eagles Continue Buckeyes Midweek Slump
Eastern Michigan, coming off a series win over Mid American Conference-leading Toledo, continued its momentum toward the MAC tournament by knocking off Ohio State, 9-5, Tuesday afternoon at Bill Davis Stadium. Ohio State, ranked 29th, is now 36-15 overall. Eastern Michigan improved to 21-32.
MAC Player of the Week Jim Gulliver – three home runs, nine runs scored last week – put his bid in for a second consecutive honor with three hits, two home runs and six RBI to lead the Eagles.
Gulliver put EMU on the board with a first inning home run to right, his 11th of the year. In the second inning and after four two-out walks upped the Eagles’ lead to 2-0, Gulliver traveled around the bases again in his second at-bat, hitting a grand slam home run to right field to give his team a 6-0 lead. It was Gulliver’s fifth home run in the last four games.
After Ohio State scored in the second – Ryan Dew doubled and touched home on Justin Miller’s single – Eastern Michigan added solo runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings to build a 9-1 lead.
The Buckeyes tried to come back. In the seventh inning they loaded the bases with nobody out against EMU reliever Tim Combs. Matt Streng singled to right to score one run, then with one out, Cory Kovanda singled in a pair of runs to make the score 9-4 and end Combs’ day.
Pinch hitter Ben Toussant drew a walk to re-load the bases against the third Eagle pitcher of the day, Jordan Goldschmidt. Shawn Forsythe followed with a hard-hit ball, but right at the left fielder for a sacrifice fly and the Buckeyes’ fifth run of the game.
“I thought at the end of the ball game our hitters were still trying to get us into the game,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. “They did a good job of competing.”
Andrew Armstrong started, pitched 3.0 innings and saw his record fall to 2-3 with the loss. He allowed four hits and five walks. Jared Strayer followed with three innings of work before giving way to Theron Minium in the seventh. Minium pitched 2.0 innings and did not allow a run while scattering three hits and walking one. Drew Rucinski worked a scoreless ninth inning.
Kendall Lewis pitched 5.0 innings and allowed just one run on seven hits with one strikeout. He evened his record at 4-4.
Ohio State can now put all its focus on its series with Iowa, Thursday through Saturday at Bill Davis Stadium. Ohio State enters the series in a tie for second place in the Big Ten Conference with Illinois, but the Buckeyes hold the first tie-breaker over the Illini by winning the series in Champaign last weekend. Both teams are one-half game behind Minnesota. One Penn State win over Minnesota will potentially turn the Ohio State/Iowa series into one with Big Ten championship implications... provided Ohio
OSU Athletics Recap
Box Score
MAC Player of the Week Jim Gulliver – three home runs, nine runs scored last week – put his bid in for a second consecutive honor with three hits, two home runs and six RBI to lead the Eagles.
Gulliver put EMU on the board with a first inning home run to right, his 11th of the year. In the second inning and after four two-out walks upped the Eagles’ lead to 2-0, Gulliver traveled around the bases again in his second at-bat, hitting a grand slam home run to right field to give his team a 6-0 lead. It was Gulliver’s fifth home run in the last four games.
After Ohio State scored in the second – Ryan Dew doubled and touched home on Justin Miller’s single – Eastern Michigan added solo runs in the third, fifth and sixth innings to build a 9-1 lead.
The Buckeyes tried to come back. In the seventh inning they loaded the bases with nobody out against EMU reliever Tim Combs. Matt Streng singled to right to score one run, then with one out, Cory Kovanda singled in a pair of runs to make the score 9-4 and end Combs’ day.
Pinch hitter Ben Toussant drew a walk to re-load the bases against the third Eagle pitcher of the day, Jordan Goldschmidt. Shawn Forsythe followed with a hard-hit ball, but right at the left fielder for a sacrifice fly and the Buckeyes’ fifth run of the game.
“I thought at the end of the ball game our hitters were still trying to get us into the game,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. “They did a good job of competing.”
Andrew Armstrong started, pitched 3.0 innings and saw his record fall to 2-3 with the loss. He allowed four hits and five walks. Jared Strayer followed with three innings of work before giving way to Theron Minium in the seventh. Minium pitched 2.0 innings and did not allow a run while scattering three hits and walking one. Drew Rucinski worked a scoreless ninth inning.
Kendall Lewis pitched 5.0 innings and allowed just one run on seven hits with one strikeout. He evened his record at 4-4.
Ohio State can now put all its focus on its series with Iowa, Thursday through Saturday at Bill Davis Stadium. Ohio State enters the series in a tie for second place in the Big Ten Conference with Illinois, but the Buckeyes hold the first tie-breaker over the Illini by winning the series in Champaign last weekend. Both teams are one-half game behind Minnesota. One Penn State win over Minnesota will potentially turn the Ohio State/Iowa series into one with Big Ten championship implications... provided Ohio
OSU Athletics Recap
Box Score
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Cardinals Sweep, Bucks Outscored 33-12 in 2 Games
Game 1
Ohio State 5
Louisville 21
Here is the OSU Athletics release if for whatever you're that interested in refreshing your mind in last night's blunder. I personally will not, but credit to the Cardinals players for teeing off on what is without quesiton our biggest issue, and doing what good teams have been doin all season. Or bad teams for 4 innings if you're Ball State.
Game Notes & Recap
Box Score
With yesterdays performance Game 2 doesn't deserve a new post... and everyone is just commenting here anyways.
Game 2
Ohio State 7
Louisville 12
Stephens had 2 HR's (9 & 10) and 3 RBI, on the day, Miller, Hurley and Streng also homered.
Oltorik took the loss allowing 8 runs, 7 earned in 4 innings.
Game 2 Recap & Game Notes
Game 2 Box Score
Ohio State 5
Louisville 21
Here is the OSU Athletics release if for whatever you're that interested in refreshing your mind in last night's blunder. I personally will not, but credit to the Cardinals players for teeing off on what is without quesiton our biggest issue, and doing what good teams have been doin all season. Or bad teams for 4 innings if you're Ball State.
Game Notes & Recap
Box Score
With yesterdays performance Game 2 doesn't deserve a new post... and everyone is just commenting here anyways.
Game 2
Ohio State 7
Louisville 12
Stephens had 2 HR's (9 & 10) and 3 RBI, on the day, Miller, Hurley and Streng also homered.
Oltorik took the loss allowing 8 runs, 7 earned in 4 innings.
Game 2 Recap & Game Notes
Game 2 Box Score
Thursday, April 30, 2009
The Lantern: Burkhart blast Bucks past Zips
Nathan Schlabach
Issue date: 4/30/09
It took one inning for the Buckeyes to take a commanding 5-2 lead on Akron, a lead they would never relinquish.
The big inning of the game came in the bottom of the third inning when two men were out. The Buckeyes put five on the board on five hits.
The big hit came off the bat of catcher Dan Burkhart, who hit a three-run bomb to right center, which just cleared the outfield fence and the outstretched arm of the right fielder.
Burkhart had one hit and three RBIs Wednesday night.
He also had a stellar night behind the plate, blocking the plate and preventing runners from moving up bases all night.
The DH Michael Stephens also had a big day offensively with two hits and three RBIs in four at bats.
"I'm starting to click a little bit I mean I am starting to see pitches up and hammering them," Stephens said. "[I'm] just doing my job and trying to get the RBIs in."
Stephens and Burkhart accounted for six of the seven OSU runs.
The Bucks used a combination of five pitchers to hold Akron with three runs and nine hits.
Jake Hale came in for the ninth and the Stomper of the Year candidate secured the three outs.
Armstrong returns
OSU pitcher Andrew Armstrong returned from a month-long injury that he suffered on March 29 against Penn State.
He started the game and pitched three innings, allowing two runs and four hits. He is now 2-1 for the season with a 5.18 ERA.
"I felt a lot better than I have," Armstrong said. "I'm just working everyday to get back to where I need to be in order to help this team."
Defense
The Buckeye defense showed up on Wednesday with a couple diving catches and some good plays. It was a better performance than previous Wednesday games.
"It's one of the things we've worked on. We've emphasized the defense all season," coach Bob Todd said. "As long as were handling the baseball out there, it's taking a lot of pressure off our pitching staff."
The Buckeyes are ranked fifth in team fielding with a .965 fielding percentage.
Game notes
This marked the 30th matchup between these teams, a series that started in 1980. It was also a matchup of mentor against assistant, as Akron's coach Pat Bangtson was once an assistant under OSU coach Bob Todd.
Stats
The Buckeyes are now 2-3 on Wednesday games this season. They have been outscored 45-25 in four Wednesday games.
At Bill Davis Stadium the Bucks are now 216-100 all time with a .689 winning percentage. They are 8-4 at home in 2009.
OSU relief pitcher Jake Hale and starting pitcher Alex Wimmers have been named to the national Pitcher of the Year watch list.
Issue date: 4/30/09
It took one inning for the Buckeyes to take a commanding 5-2 lead on Akron, a lead they would never relinquish.
The big inning of the game came in the bottom of the third inning when two men were out. The Buckeyes put five on the board on five hits.
The big hit came off the bat of catcher Dan Burkhart, who hit a three-run bomb to right center, which just cleared the outfield fence and the outstretched arm of the right fielder.
Burkhart had one hit and three RBIs Wednesday night.
He also had a stellar night behind the plate, blocking the plate and preventing runners from moving up bases all night.
The DH Michael Stephens also had a big day offensively with two hits and three RBIs in four at bats.
"I'm starting to click a little bit I mean I am starting to see pitches up and hammering them," Stephens said. "[I'm] just doing my job and trying to get the RBIs in."
Stephens and Burkhart accounted for six of the seven OSU runs.
The Bucks used a combination of five pitchers to hold Akron with three runs and nine hits.
Jake Hale came in for the ninth and the Stomper of the Year candidate secured the three outs.
Armstrong returns
OSU pitcher Andrew Armstrong returned from a month-long injury that he suffered on March 29 against Penn State.
He started the game and pitched three innings, allowing two runs and four hits. He is now 2-1 for the season with a 5.18 ERA.
"I felt a lot better than I have," Armstrong said. "I'm just working everyday to get back to where I need to be in order to help this team."
Defense
The Buckeye defense showed up on Wednesday with a couple diving catches and some good plays. It was a better performance than previous Wednesday games.
"It's one of the things we've worked on. We've emphasized the defense all season," coach Bob Todd said. "As long as were handling the baseball out there, it's taking a lot of pressure off our pitching staff."
The Buckeyes are ranked fifth in team fielding with a .965 fielding percentage.
Game notes
This marked the 30th matchup between these teams, a series that started in 1980. It was also a matchup of mentor against assistant, as Akron's coach Pat Bangtson was once an assistant under OSU coach Bob Todd.
Stats
The Buckeyes are now 2-3 on Wednesday games this season. They have been outscored 45-25 in four Wednesday games.
At Bill Davis Stadium the Bucks are now 216-100 all time with a .689 winning percentage. They are 8-4 at home in 2009.
OSU relief pitcher Jake Hale and starting pitcher Alex Wimmers have been named to the national Pitcher of the Year watch list.
The Lantern: Bullpen back in gear
Alex Kopilow
Issue date: 4/30/09
Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd was pleased to see his bullpen hold Akron batters to one run in the Buckeyes' 7-3 win Wednesday. It serves as a sign that the bullpen has recovered after last week's gaffe against Ball State, where the Buckeyes gave up 20 runs in four innings.
Five pitchers for the OSU relief corps gave up zero earned runs on five hits and struck out six batters in seven innings pitched.
The key was we pitched ahead [of the count] and we didn't walk people," Todd said.
Armstrong gave up back-to-back singles to Nick Solitario and Kevin Haas. Solitario advanced to third on Haas' single and scored when Zips designated hitter Jake Plata singled to center field. With a 1-0 lead and runners on first and third base, Armstrong threw a wild pitch, allowing Zach Roberts to score from third base.
OSU loaded the bases with two outs in the third inning on a single, double and a walk. Michael Stephens hit a two-RBI single to left field to tie the game at two. OSU catcher Dan Burkhart hit a three-run home run to right center field to give the Buckeyes a 5-2 lead.
"Those are the kinds of things we need to have a successful season, big two out hits," Todd said.
OSU starting pitcher Andrew Armstrong earned the win in his first start in two weeks after suffering from tendonitis in his left arm. He improved his record to 2-1 in a start that coach Todd described as decent. Armstrong gave up two runs on four hits and struck out three batters in three innings pitched.
OSU second baseman Corey Kovanda singled left field to lead off the fifth inning. Michael Stephens doubled to left center field and earned his third RBI of the game. The Buckeyes extended their lead to 7-2 when Ryan Dew singled to right field to score Stephens from second base.
Starting pitcher Scott Foster took the loss for the Zips. The redshirt freshman gave up seven runs on seven hits in four and two-thirds innings pitched.
Akron added its third run in the eighth inning. Jake Platta reached first base on a catcher's interference call on OSU backup catcher Shawn Forsythe. Akron catcher John Turk singled to advance Platta to third base. Pinch hitter Kyle Hallett doubled to leftfield to score Platta.
The No. 27 Buckeyes improved their record to 32-10, while the Zips fell to 14-28 for the year.
Ohio State is 1-3 in Wednesday games this season at Bill Davis Stadium. This season, OSU has lost to Marshall, Kent State and Ball State, and earned a win over Morehead State.
The baseball team will begin its nine-game home stand in a weekend series against the Michigan Wolverines at 7 p.m. Friday at Bill Davis Stadium.
Issue date: 4/30/09
Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd was pleased to see his bullpen hold Akron batters to one run in the Buckeyes' 7-3 win Wednesday. It serves as a sign that the bullpen has recovered after last week's gaffe against Ball State, where the Buckeyes gave up 20 runs in four innings.
Five pitchers for the OSU relief corps gave up zero earned runs on five hits and struck out six batters in seven innings pitched.
The key was we pitched ahead [of the count] and we didn't walk people," Todd said.
Armstrong gave up back-to-back singles to Nick Solitario and Kevin Haas. Solitario advanced to third on Haas' single and scored when Zips designated hitter Jake Plata singled to center field. With a 1-0 lead and runners on first and third base, Armstrong threw a wild pitch, allowing Zach Roberts to score from third base.
OSU loaded the bases with two outs in the third inning on a single, double and a walk. Michael Stephens hit a two-RBI single to left field to tie the game at two. OSU catcher Dan Burkhart hit a three-run home run to right center field to give the Buckeyes a 5-2 lead.
"Those are the kinds of things we need to have a successful season, big two out hits," Todd said.
OSU starting pitcher Andrew Armstrong earned the win in his first start in two weeks after suffering from tendonitis in his left arm. He improved his record to 2-1 in a start that coach Todd described as decent. Armstrong gave up two runs on four hits and struck out three batters in three innings pitched.
OSU second baseman Corey Kovanda singled left field to lead off the fifth inning. Michael Stephens doubled to left center field and earned his third RBI of the game. The Buckeyes extended their lead to 7-2 when Ryan Dew singled to right field to score Stephens from second base.
Starting pitcher Scott Foster took the loss for the Zips. The redshirt freshman gave up seven runs on seven hits in four and two-thirds innings pitched.
Akron added its third run in the eighth inning. Jake Platta reached first base on a catcher's interference call on OSU backup catcher Shawn Forsythe. Akron catcher John Turk singled to advance Platta to third base. Pinch hitter Kyle Hallett doubled to leftfield to score Platta.
The No. 27 Buckeyes improved their record to 32-10, while the Zips fell to 14-28 for the year.
Ohio State is 1-3 in Wednesday games this season at Bill Davis Stadium. This season, OSU has lost to Marshall, Kent State and Ball State, and earned a win over Morehead State.
The baseball team will begin its nine-game home stand in a weekend series against the Michigan Wolverines at 7 p.m. Friday at Bill Davis Stadium.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Rollins Upends Bucks 4-1
The No. 16 Ohio State baseball team had its nine-game winning streaked snapped, 4-1, Monday afternoon against Rollins College. The Buckeyes, who moved up to No. 16 in this week’s Collegiate Baseball rankings, will carry a 17-3 record into its Tuesday night contest at No. 6 Miami. Rollins improved to 18-12 on the year.
Two Tars’ pitchers – starter Marc Hewett and Robbie Pagano – held the Buckeye bats in check by giving up just five hits with the only run scored on a Dan Burkhart single in the fourth inning. Hewett, who left the game at the start of the seventh inning due to a leg cramp, improved to 3-1 with the win. Pagano recorded his first save of the year.
Michael Stephens had two of the Buckeyes’ five hits. Both were doubles. He scored on Burkhart’s single to cut into a 3-0 Rollins lead. The Tars built the lead on Ohio State starter Andrew Armstrong (1-1) with a two-run first inning home run by Bryan Bennett and a solo shot from Jesse More in the third.
Armstrong gave up just one more run the rest of the way in pitching the first complete game of his career. He scattered 10 hits, walked only one and had five strikeouts.
Bucks Win Streak Snpped
Box Score
Two Tars’ pitchers – starter Marc Hewett and Robbie Pagano – held the Buckeye bats in check by giving up just five hits with the only run scored on a Dan Burkhart single in the fourth inning. Hewett, who left the game at the start of the seventh inning due to a leg cramp, improved to 3-1 with the win. Pagano recorded his first save of the year.
Michael Stephens had two of the Buckeyes’ five hits. Both were doubles. He scored on Burkhart’s single to cut into a 3-0 Rollins lead. The Tars built the lead on Ohio State starter Andrew Armstrong (1-1) with a two-run first inning home run by Bryan Bennett and a solo shot from Jesse More in the third.
Armstrong gave up just one more run the rest of the way in pitching the first complete game of his career. He scattered 10 hits, walked only one and had five strikeouts.
Bucks Win Streak Snpped
Box Score
Thursday, March 12, 2009
9-2 Buckeyes Travel to West Palm Beach for Four
Team faces Pitt and three first time opponents: SIUE, UMBC and NDSU
Ohio State, which survived through a 2-2 weekend last week to remain nationally ranked for a third consecutive week - No. 30 by Collegiate Baseball - will look to strengthen that ranking with four games this weekend as part of the Palm Beach Baseball Classic. All four games will be played at the Santaluces Sports Complex.
Opponents for the Buckeyes this week include regional rival Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. Friday followed by games against first-time opponents SIU Edwardsville, Maryland Baltimore County and North Dakota State.
Palm Beach Baseball Classic
Santaluces Sports Complex in
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Game 12: vs. Pittsburgh
(5-4 2009; 19-34 in 2008)
Friday, March 13 - 6 p.m.
Game 13: vs. SIU Edwardsville
(1-5 2009; 25-26 in 2008)
Saturday, March 14 - 12:30 p.m.
Game 14: vs. Maryland Baltimore Co.
(1-2 2009; 21-29 in 2008)
Saturday, March 14 - 3:30 p.m.
Game 15: vs. North Dakota State
(1-6 2009; 15-30 in 2008)
Sunday, March 15 - 12 noon
Ohio State probable rotation:
Fri. vs. Pitt - Alex Wimmers (2-0; 2.25 ERA)
Sat. vs. SIUE - Andrew Armstrong (1-0; 2.25)
Sat. vs. UMBC - Eric Best (1-0; 5.84)
Sun. vs. NDSU - D. Wolosiansky (1-1; 12.15)
THE OPPONENTS THIS WEEK (SO FAR)
Pittsburgh had its four-game winning streak end Wednesday with an 11-6 loss at No. 6 Miami. The 5-4 Panthers got a complete game win from David Kaye Tuesday in a 6-0 win over SIU Edwardsville. 3B Joe Leonard (.323 in 2009), SS Danny Lopez (.360 with 12 RBI) and 1B Chris Warrner (.200) each hit seven home runs in 2008. C Cory Brownsten (.389, 2 HR, 9 RBI) and INF Chris Sedon (.536, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 SBs) are also offensive threats. The team is hitting .303 and the staff has a 4.16 ERA.
SIU Edwardsville, 1-8 this season, is coming off a 22-12 loss to St. Joseph’s Wednesday. The Cougars play Long Island Friday. The Cougars are transitioning from the Great Lakes Valley Conference to the Ohio Valley Conference. Leading the way is senior INF Josh Street (10 RBI in 2009), who hit .407 in 2008 with 26 doubles and 54 RBI. OFs Adam Eggemeyer and Chase Thrasher are hitting .355 and .353, respectively. The team is hitting .289 and its team ERA is 7.01.
UMBC players hit five home runs Monday but lost to Yale, 17-11, to drop to 1-4 on the year. The Retrievers are coming off a 5-4 loss at Towson State Wednesday. 1B Shawn Retz has 3 HRs and is hitting .357. OF Bryan Russo is hitting .462 with two HRs. LHP Ed Bach (0-1, 6.75) pitched 79.1 innings in 2008 as a starter.
North Dakota State led powerful Wichita State, 3-2, in the seventh inning before losing 5-3 during its first series of the year. The Bison, from Fargo, N.D., are 1-6 on the season and play Pittsburgh Saturday. NDSU is led by Summit League player of the week Eric Nutzhorn (.478 avg., 10 RBI) and the Zach duo of Zach Heidmann (.444) and Zach Wentz (.423). John Straka and Josh Smith headline a rebuilt staff.
FOLLOW THE ACTION via LIVE STATS
Track the action through Live Stats, available on OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Click on the Live Stats link on the main home page in the upper right hand corner or through the baseball schedule page to access.
Full Ohio State Weekly Release
Ohio State, which survived through a 2-2 weekend last week to remain nationally ranked for a third consecutive week - No. 30 by Collegiate Baseball - will look to strengthen that ranking with four games this weekend as part of the Palm Beach Baseball Classic. All four games will be played at the Santaluces Sports Complex.
Opponents for the Buckeyes this week include regional rival Pittsburgh at 6 p.m. Friday followed by games against first-time opponents SIU Edwardsville, Maryland Baltimore County and North Dakota State.
Palm Beach Baseball Classic
Santaluces Sports Complex in
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Game 12: vs. Pittsburgh
(5-4 2009; 19-34 in 2008)
Friday, March 13 - 6 p.m.
Game 13: vs. SIU Edwardsville
(1-5 2009; 25-26 in 2008)
Saturday, March 14 - 12:30 p.m.
Game 14: vs. Maryland Baltimore Co.
(1-2 2009; 21-29 in 2008)
Saturday, March 14 - 3:30 p.m.
Game 15: vs. North Dakota State
(1-6 2009; 15-30 in 2008)
Sunday, March 15 - 12 noon
Ohio State probable rotation:
Fri. vs. Pitt - Alex Wimmers (2-0; 2.25 ERA)
Sat. vs. SIUE - Andrew Armstrong (1-0; 2.25)
Sat. vs. UMBC - Eric Best (1-0; 5.84)
Sun. vs. NDSU - D. Wolosiansky (1-1; 12.15)
THE OPPONENTS THIS WEEK (SO FAR)
Pittsburgh had its four-game winning streak end Wednesday with an 11-6 loss at No. 6 Miami. The 5-4 Panthers got a complete game win from David Kaye Tuesday in a 6-0 win over SIU Edwardsville. 3B Joe Leonard (.323 in 2009), SS Danny Lopez (.360 with 12 RBI) and 1B Chris Warrner (.200) each hit seven home runs in 2008. C Cory Brownsten (.389, 2 HR, 9 RBI) and INF Chris Sedon (.536, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 SBs) are also offensive threats. The team is hitting .303 and the staff has a 4.16 ERA.
SIU Edwardsville, 1-8 this season, is coming off a 22-12 loss to St. Joseph’s Wednesday. The Cougars play Long Island Friday. The Cougars are transitioning from the Great Lakes Valley Conference to the Ohio Valley Conference. Leading the way is senior INF Josh Street (10 RBI in 2009), who hit .407 in 2008 with 26 doubles and 54 RBI. OFs Adam Eggemeyer and Chase Thrasher are hitting .355 and .353, respectively. The team is hitting .289 and its team ERA is 7.01.
UMBC players hit five home runs Monday but lost to Yale, 17-11, to drop to 1-4 on the year. The Retrievers are coming off a 5-4 loss at Towson State Wednesday. 1B Shawn Retz has 3 HRs and is hitting .357. OF Bryan Russo is hitting .462 with two HRs. LHP Ed Bach (0-1, 6.75) pitched 79.1 innings in 2008 as a starter.
North Dakota State led powerful Wichita State, 3-2, in the seventh inning before losing 5-3 during its first series of the year. The Bison, from Fargo, N.D., are 1-6 on the season and play Pittsburgh Saturday. NDSU is led by Summit League player of the week Eric Nutzhorn (.478 avg., 10 RBI) and the Zach duo of Zach Heidmann (.444) and Zach Wentz (.423). John Straka and Josh Smith headline a rebuilt staff.
FOLLOW THE ACTION via LIVE STATS
Track the action through Live Stats, available on OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Click on the Live Stats link on the main home page in the upper right hand corner or through the baseball schedule page to access.
Full Ohio State Weekly Release
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Buckeyes Defeat Ospreys, 11-6; Now 4-0
Dan Burkhart and Ryan Dew combine for seven RBI; Rucinski gets win
No. 30 Ohio State improved to 4-0 with an 11-6 win over North Florida Friday at Harmon Stadium on the campus of UNF. Dan Burkhart had four hits and four RBI and Ryan Dew had three RBI to lead the offensive charge.
Six errors by North Florida and a host of other oddities turned the game into a strange affair.
Ohio State scored its first, first-inning runs of the season by tallying two runs off two hits, two errors, a wild pitch and a past ball. Burkhart had a two-RBI single to drive home Ohio State’s runs.
UNF tied it in its half of the first as Michael Smith hit his first collegiate home run – a two-run shot – out of the park in left field.
No runs were scored in the second, but at the end of two the crowd of 874 fans on hand had seen three errors, a wild pitch, a passed ball, a pop-out double play to the catcher, and a runner caught stealing.
And by the end of the third inning things had gotten even weirder. Ohio State scored four unearned runs in their half of the third on two, two-run home runs to right center field by Burkhart and Dew. The plays were aided by a called third strike passed ball that put Michael Stephens on first base, a line drive to short that was ruled an intentional drop, thus negating a sure double play with Stephens off first, and a catcher’s interference. Burkhart and Dew took advantage of the miscues by bashing their first home runs of the season.
UNF put two men on its half of the third, but Michael Stephens made a diving catch in center and Michael Arp nailed a runner at the plate for the team’s first outfield assist of the season to keep the score 6-2 at the end of three.
UNF starter Phil Rorabaugh ran into trouble in the fifth by way of a hit batsmen and a double. Reliever Tucker Pryor allowed two runs after taking over for Rorabaugh, on a single by Cory Rupert and a sacrifice fly by Dew.
North Florida closed the gap to 8-4 in the fifth on another two-run home run, this one by Brian Wilson. Two batters later, Drew Rucinski relieved starter Andrew Armstrong, who went 4.1 innings and allowed eight hits, four runs and three walks in a no decision. After giving up a walk to load the bases with one out, Rucinski got Ryan Puskar to line to first for a double play to end the inning.
Ohio State extended the lead to 9-4 in the sixth, scoring a run on a wild pitch, and the team added two more unearned runs in the seventh, compliments of a three-error UNF inning that allowed the Buckeyes to have six outs.
In addition to the errors, North North Florida, a team that led Mississippi State late and only lost to Michigan by one, hit three batters, threw two wild pitches, had a catcher’s interference and a player caught stealing, gave up six unearned runs, hit into three double plays, only walked two batters, hit four home runs and outhit Ohio State, 13-11.
Rucinski got the win to improve to 2-0 this season. Jake Hale pitched a scoreless ninth inning, getting two strikeouts in the process.
The two teams will go at it again Saturday night at 7 p.m. Although some rain is in the forecast for Saturday, Ohio State is scheduled to play George Mason at 3 p.m. at UNF’s Harmon Stadium followed by a second game against North Florida. Sophomores Alex Wimmers and Dean Wolosiansky are the scheduled starters in the two games, respectively.
Game Notes & Recap
No. 30 Ohio State improved to 4-0 with an 11-6 win over North Florida Friday at Harmon Stadium on the campus of UNF. Dan Burkhart had four hits and four RBI and Ryan Dew had three RBI to lead the offensive charge.
Six errors by North Florida and a host of other oddities turned the game into a strange affair.
Ohio State scored its first, first-inning runs of the season by tallying two runs off two hits, two errors, a wild pitch and a past ball. Burkhart had a two-RBI single to drive home Ohio State’s runs.
UNF tied it in its half of the first as Michael Smith hit his first collegiate home run – a two-run shot – out of the park in left field.
No runs were scored in the second, but at the end of two the crowd of 874 fans on hand had seen three errors, a wild pitch, a passed ball, a pop-out double play to the catcher, and a runner caught stealing.
And by the end of the third inning things had gotten even weirder. Ohio State scored four unearned runs in their half of the third on two, two-run home runs to right center field by Burkhart and Dew. The plays were aided by a called third strike passed ball that put Michael Stephens on first base, a line drive to short that was ruled an intentional drop, thus negating a sure double play with Stephens off first, and a catcher’s interference. Burkhart and Dew took advantage of the miscues by bashing their first home runs of the season.
UNF put two men on its half of the third, but Michael Stephens made a diving catch in center and Michael Arp nailed a runner at the plate for the team’s first outfield assist of the season to keep the score 6-2 at the end of three.
UNF starter Phil Rorabaugh ran into trouble in the fifth by way of a hit batsmen and a double. Reliever Tucker Pryor allowed two runs after taking over for Rorabaugh, on a single by Cory Rupert and a sacrifice fly by Dew.
North Florida closed the gap to 8-4 in the fifth on another two-run home run, this one by Brian Wilson. Two batters later, Drew Rucinski relieved starter Andrew Armstrong, who went 4.1 innings and allowed eight hits, four runs and three walks in a no decision. After giving up a walk to load the bases with one out, Rucinski got Ryan Puskar to line to first for a double play to end the inning.
Ohio State extended the lead to 9-4 in the sixth, scoring a run on a wild pitch, and the team added two more unearned runs in the seventh, compliments of a three-error UNF inning that allowed the Buckeyes to have six outs.
In addition to the errors, North North Florida, a team that led Mississippi State late and only lost to Michigan by one, hit three batters, threw two wild pitches, had a catcher’s interference and a player caught stealing, gave up six unearned runs, hit into three double plays, only walked two batters, hit four home runs and outhit Ohio State, 13-11.
Rucinski got the win to improve to 2-0 this season. Jake Hale pitched a scoreless ninth inning, getting two strikeouts in the process.
The two teams will go at it again Saturday night at 7 p.m. Although some rain is in the forecast for Saturday, Ohio State is scheduled to play George Mason at 3 p.m. at UNF’s Harmon Stadium followed by a second game against North Florida. Sophomores Alex Wimmers and Dean Wolosiansky are the scheduled starters in the two games, respectively.
Game Notes & Recap
Friday, February 27, 2009
In Progress: Bucks Slugging Past North Florida
In the top of the 8th, Ohio State is leading North Florida 11-4.
Leading the way offensively for OSU is sophomore Catcher Dan Burkhart. Burkhart on the night so far is 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored. DH Ryan Dew continues his hot start to the season, after going 6-for-10 last night, Dew connects for his 1st home run of the season, a three-run shot in the top of the 3rd.
Sophomore Andrew Armstrong took the mound tonight as the Buckeyes starting pitcher. Armstrong pitched 4.1 innings, allowed 8 hits, 4 runs all earned, walked 3 and struck out none.
Classmate, Drew Rucinski entered in the 5th inning relieving Armstrong, and has since pitch 2.2 innings of 1 hit shutout baseball. Rucinski has struck out 3 as his consecutive scoreless streak to start 2009, currently sits at 9 innings.
Leading the way offensively for OSU is sophomore Catcher Dan Burkhart. Burkhart on the night so far is 4-for-5 with a double, a home run, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored. DH Ryan Dew continues his hot start to the season, after going 6-for-10 last night, Dew connects for his 1st home run of the season, a three-run shot in the top of the 3rd.
Sophomore Andrew Armstrong took the mound tonight as the Buckeyes starting pitcher. Armstrong pitched 4.1 innings, allowed 8 hits, 4 runs all earned, walked 3 and struck out none.
Classmate, Drew Rucinski entered in the 5th inning relieving Armstrong, and has since pitch 2.2 innings of 1 hit shutout baseball. Rucinski has struck out 3 as his consecutive scoreless streak to start 2009, currently sits at 9 innings.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Big Ten Wins Inaugural Big East-Big Ten Challenge; Four Buckeyes make All-Tournament team
The Big Ten Conference won the inaugural Big East-Big Ten Challenge by taking 15 of the 24 games played between the two conferences. The Challenge was held Feb. 20-22 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
The Big Ten jumped out to a 5-3 lead on Day 1 with wins from Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State and Purdue. The Spartans won the first game of the Challenge, knocking off Connecticut, 4-2. The Wolverines followed with a 6-5 victory against South Florida on a walk-off hit by senior Kenny Fellows. The Buckeyes then shut out Notre Dame, 2-0, while the Boilermakers outlasted Cincinnati, 11-10, and the Wildcats took down Georgetown, 5-3. Also on Friday, Illinois defeated Iowa, 8-3, in an intraconference matchup.
The Big Ten and Big East split Saturday’s eight-game interconference schedule with wins from Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio State. The Hoosiers’ first win of the season came in a 12-4 decision over Georgetown, while the Wolverines improved to 2-0 with a 6-1 triumph over Cincinnati. The Golden Gophers picked up a 5-4 win over West Virginia, and the Buckeyes took down Connecticut, 6-4. Michigan also won a non-challenge game over Purdue, 4-3 in 10 innings, while Penn State defeated Northwestern, 9-1.
On the final day of the event, the Big Ten won six of eight games to put the conference’s final win total at 15. Illinois out-slugged West Virginia, 17-10, while Indiana bested South Florida, 9-7. Michigan improved to 4-0 on the year with a 4-2 win over St. John’s, while Ohio State out-lasted Cincinnati, 6-5, and Penn State earned a 6-1 win over Seton Hall. In an intraconference contest, Minnesota recorded a 7-2 win over Michigan State.
At the conclusion of the event, nine Big Ten players were named to the All-Tournament team by CollegeBaseball360.com, while 11 more received honorable mention recognition.
Three Ohio State sophomore pitchers, each who pitched 6 or more shut out innings received All-Tournament honors. Friday night start Alex Wimmers received one of the four starting pitcher sections on the first team after his 6 inning, 7 strikeout performance. Classmate Drew Rucinski, who pitched the last three innings of the shut out of Notre Dame, was selected as one of two relief pitchers. Ruckinski also pitched 3.1 innings in the challenger finale against Cincinnati Sunday, relieving Dean Wolosianski. Rucinski again came in form the pen and held the opposition scoreless.
The third sensational sophomore, Andrew Armstrong picked up where Wimmers left off. On Saturday against Connecticut Armstrong pitched 6.1 scoreless innings picking up the win. His start landed him as a honorable mention starting pitcher.
It wasn't just the pitchers who received accolades for their performance over the weekend. Selected as one of two designated hitters on the first team, junior Ryan Dew picked up the honor after going 6-for-10 to start the season at a blistering .600 batting average. Dew reached base seven times in total, as his six singles were matched with a walk. Dew also scored two runs over the weekend, both coming in Saturday's game.
Complete All-Tournament team
The Big Ten jumped out to a 5-3 lead on Day 1 with wins from Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State and Purdue. The Spartans won the first game of the Challenge, knocking off Connecticut, 4-2. The Wolverines followed with a 6-5 victory against South Florida on a walk-off hit by senior Kenny Fellows. The Buckeyes then shut out Notre Dame, 2-0, while the Boilermakers outlasted Cincinnati, 11-10, and the Wildcats took down Georgetown, 5-3. Also on Friday, Illinois defeated Iowa, 8-3, in an intraconference matchup.
The Big Ten and Big East split Saturday’s eight-game interconference schedule with wins from Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio State. The Hoosiers’ first win of the season came in a 12-4 decision over Georgetown, while the Wolverines improved to 2-0 with a 6-1 triumph over Cincinnati. The Golden Gophers picked up a 5-4 win over West Virginia, and the Buckeyes took down Connecticut, 6-4. Michigan also won a non-challenge game over Purdue, 4-3 in 10 innings, while Penn State defeated Northwestern, 9-1.
On the final day of the event, the Big Ten won six of eight games to put the conference’s final win total at 15. Illinois out-slugged West Virginia, 17-10, while Indiana bested South Florida, 9-7. Michigan improved to 4-0 on the year with a 4-2 win over St. John’s, while Ohio State out-lasted Cincinnati, 6-5, and Penn State earned a 6-1 win over Seton Hall. In an intraconference contest, Minnesota recorded a 7-2 win over Michigan State.
At the conclusion of the event, nine Big Ten players were named to the All-Tournament team by CollegeBaseball360.com, while 11 more received honorable mention recognition.
Three Ohio State sophomore pitchers, each who pitched 6 or more shut out innings received All-Tournament honors. Friday night start Alex Wimmers received one of the four starting pitcher sections on the first team after his 6 inning, 7 strikeout performance. Classmate Drew Rucinski, who pitched the last three innings of the shut out of Notre Dame, was selected as one of two relief pitchers. Ruckinski also pitched 3.1 innings in the challenger finale against Cincinnati Sunday, relieving Dean Wolosianski. Rucinski again came in form the pen and held the opposition scoreless.
The third sensational sophomore, Andrew Armstrong picked up where Wimmers left off. On Saturday against Connecticut Armstrong pitched 6.1 scoreless innings picking up the win. His start landed him as a honorable mention starting pitcher.
It wasn't just the pitchers who received accolades for their performance over the weekend. Selected as one of two designated hitters on the first team, junior Ryan Dew picked up the honor after going 6-for-10 to start the season at a blistering .600 batting average. Dew reached base seven times in total, as his six singles were matched with a walk. Dew also scored two runs over the weekend, both coming in Saturday's game.
Complete All-Tournament team
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Bucks Build Lead & Defeat UConn, 6-4
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Ohio State broke open a tight game with three runs in the eighth inning to build a 6-0 lead and then held on to defeat UConn, 6-4, Saturday at Jack Russell Stadium. Ohio State is 2-0 in the BIG EAST-Big Ten Challenge while UConn drops to 0-2.
Heroes for the Buckeyes were sophomore pitcher Andrew Armstrong and juniors Brian DeLucia and Zach Hurley.
Armstrong pitched a career-long 6.2 innings and didn’t allow a run while scattering three hits, striking out five and walking two. He allowed just five batters to reach base and only one runner reached second before giving way to Jake Hale in the seventh inning and Ohio State leading 2-0.
DeLucia’s two-run double in the sixth inning put the first runs on the scoreboard and Hurley’s bases-clearing triple in the eighth extended Ohio State’s lead to 6-0, a margin they would need because the pesky Huskies chipped away with three runs in the eighth and another in the ninth to close the gap to within two. UConn had two men on in the ninth with the winning run at the plate, but junior Eric Best struck out Pierre LePage to end the game.
“Today the intensity was there and there were a lot of good things about this game, but we were still a little flat,” head coach Bob Todd said. “Something was missing. We were coming off a long day yesterday and a long delay today, but that’s baseball. We have to adjust to that stuff, especially the hitters.”
Armstrong was simply terrific. Like sophomore classmates Alex Wimmers and Drew Rucinski’s combined shutout Friday over Notre Dame, Armstrong was in complete command on the mound, and he needed to be because the Buckeyes weren’t scoring and it was anyone’s game. Armstrong faced just one batter over the minimum through five innings.
While UConn wasn’t getting any opportunities, the Buckeyes loaded the bases in the third inning but couldn’t score. Ryan Dew led off with a single to right and with one out Hurley reached on an infield single that caromed off pitcher Elliott Glynn’s lower right leg. Michael Arp reached on another infield single, but the inning ended when Glynn got Michael Stephens to ground out to third.
The Buckeyes, stranded runners in every inning form the third on, finally were able to score in the sixth. Cory Rupert singled with one out and, with the hit-and-run on, Dew chopped a single over the first baseman’s head that advanced Rupert to third. Dew advanced to second on a wild pitch and DeLucia plated both runners by ripping a double down the left field line for a 2-0 lead.
Armstrong was replaced with two on and two out in the seventh inning by Jake Hale. Seeing his first action of the season and his first relief action since the 2007 season, Hale got Doug Elliott to fly out deep to right field to end the inning with Ohio State hanging on to a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the eighth, Ohio State scored four times for a 6-0 lead. Rupert led off with a single, Dew walked and DeLucia was hit by a pitch. Hurley sent the first pitch he faced from reliever David Jennings and drove it over the center fielder’s head to score all three runners. Hurley later scored on a Cory Kovanda sacrifice fly.
Best, coming off a fine, eight-save sophomore season, relieved Hale in the eighth after the first two batters reached via walks. Best, in his first outing of 2009, was able to get the last six outs of the game, including three by strikeout, to preserve the win, although the Huskies did make it interesting.
The first spring trip of the 2009 season for Ohio State will conclude Sunday at 10 a.m. with a game against Cincinnati at Red McEwen Field on the campus of the University of South Florida. The two teams have played 86 times on the diamond, but this will be the first game since the 2003 season.
Sophomore Andrew Armstrong pitches 6.2 shutout innings
Heroes for the Buckeyes were sophomore pitcher Andrew Armstrong and juniors Brian DeLucia and Zach Hurley.
Armstrong pitched a career-long 6.2 innings and didn’t allow a run while scattering three hits, striking out five and walking two. He allowed just five batters to reach base and only one runner reached second before giving way to Jake Hale in the seventh inning and Ohio State leading 2-0.
DeLucia’s two-run double in the sixth inning put the first runs on the scoreboard and Hurley’s bases-clearing triple in the eighth extended Ohio State’s lead to 6-0, a margin they would need because the pesky Huskies chipped away with three runs in the eighth and another in the ninth to close the gap to within two. UConn had two men on in the ninth with the winning run at the plate, but junior Eric Best struck out Pierre LePage to end the game.
“Today the intensity was there and there were a lot of good things about this game, but we were still a little flat,” head coach Bob Todd said. “Something was missing. We were coming off a long day yesterday and a long delay today, but that’s baseball. We have to adjust to that stuff, especially the hitters.”
Armstrong was simply terrific. Like sophomore classmates Alex Wimmers and Drew Rucinski’s combined shutout Friday over Notre Dame, Armstrong was in complete command on the mound, and he needed to be because the Buckeyes weren’t scoring and it was anyone’s game. Armstrong faced just one batter over the minimum through five innings.
While UConn wasn’t getting any opportunities, the Buckeyes loaded the bases in the third inning but couldn’t score. Ryan Dew led off with a single to right and with one out Hurley reached on an infield single that caromed off pitcher Elliott Glynn’s lower right leg. Michael Arp reached on another infield single, but the inning ended when Glynn got Michael Stephens to ground out to third.
The Buckeyes, stranded runners in every inning form the third on, finally were able to score in the sixth. Cory Rupert singled with one out and, with the hit-and-run on, Dew chopped a single over the first baseman’s head that advanced Rupert to third. Dew advanced to second on a wild pitch and DeLucia plated both runners by ripping a double down the left field line for a 2-0 lead.
Armstrong was replaced with two on and two out in the seventh inning by Jake Hale. Seeing his first action of the season and his first relief action since the 2007 season, Hale got Doug Elliott to fly out deep to right field to end the inning with Ohio State hanging on to a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the eighth, Ohio State scored four times for a 6-0 lead. Rupert led off with a single, Dew walked and DeLucia was hit by a pitch. Hurley sent the first pitch he faced from reliever David Jennings and drove it over the center fielder’s head to score all three runners. Hurley later scored on a Cory Kovanda sacrifice fly.
Best, coming off a fine, eight-save sophomore season, relieved Hale in the eighth after the first two batters reached via walks. Best, in his first outing of 2009, was able to get the last six outs of the game, including three by strikeout, to preserve the win, although the Huskies did make it interesting.
The first spring trip of the 2009 season for Ohio State will conclude Sunday at 10 a.m. with a game against Cincinnati at Red McEwen Field on the campus of the University of South Florida. The two teams have played 86 times on the diamond, but this will be the first game since the 2003 season.
Sophomore Andrew Armstrong pitches 6.2 shutout innings
Monday, June 30, 2008
Update from the Valley League
I got a great update on Alex Wimmers, Drew Rucinski and Andrew Armstrong who are playing in the Valley League.
From Jim Rucinski...
Four of the freshmen pitchers are playing in the Valley League this summer. All of them are off to a great start. Wimmers, Rucinski, and Armstrong are playing for the Luray Wranglers; Wolosiansky is playing for the Haymarket Senators.
Although Rucinski has a 0-1 record, he has pitched into the eight inning twice and did not get a decision. Against Front Royal he left the game with a 2-1 lead and the bases empty with one out. Against Woodstock he left the game with a 2-0 lead with one runner on base and no outs. Wimmers has been lights out as usual.
Luray Statistics
Haymarket Statistics
Thanks for the update.
From Jim Rucinski...
Four of the freshmen pitchers are playing in the Valley League this summer. All of them are off to a great start. Wimmers, Rucinski, and Armstrong are playing for the Luray Wranglers; Wolosiansky is playing for the Haymarket Senators.
Although Rucinski has a 0-1 record, he has pitched into the eight inning twice and did not get a decision. Against Front Royal he left the game with a 2-1 lead and the bases empty with one out. Against Woodstock he left the game with a 2-0 lead with one runner on base and no outs. Wimmers has been lights out as usual.
Luray Statistics
Haymarket Statistics
Thanks for the update.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Northwestern Wins Finale for Series Split
Wow! Ohio State was never in this game as Northwestern built an 8-0 lead in the first two innings and cruised to a 14-8 victory to clinch a series split with the Bucks, which fell to 22-18 overall and 10-9 in the Big Ten (Box Score).
The Wildcats scored their first eight runs off Andrew Armstrong who was making an emergency start today in place of the injured J.B. Shuck. The OSU news release on Saturday said Shuck came out of the third game of the series to rest his leg. Today's release said the coaching staff rested him because of a sore hamstring. Armstrong lasted 1.2 innings and allowed the eight runs (just four earned) on four hits. He walked three and struck out one in falling to 3-3. Once he left the game, the Buckeyes went with Alex Wimmers, Josh Edgin, Eric Best and Jared Strayer.
Ohio State finally got on board in the fourth and scored in four of the final five innings, getting three in the fifth and two in the seventh. Northwestern answered with its ninth run in the bottom of the fourth and scored five over the seventh and eighth innings.
It was an ugly game defensively. Ohio State committed six errors while the 'Cats committed three. Buckeye pitchers walked eight and Northwestern pitches issued 11 free passes, including seven by its third pitcher of the game. The Bucks did manage nine hits to 11 by Northwestern.
Tony Kennedy was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while Ryan Meade was 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored. Cory Kovanda drove in two. Three different Wildcats had two hits. What a week by Kennedy. In the four games in Evanston, he was 11-for-17, good enough for a .647 batting average. He drove in three and scored eight. Throw in the two games against Akron and he batted 15-for-25 (.600) with five RBI and 11 runs scored. Not too shabby.
The Buckeyes remain in fourth place in the league standings behind Michigan, Purdue and Illinois. Overall, was it crucial to win the series? No, probably not, but it certainly would have been nice. Considering next week's series in Ann Arbor, wins will be hard to come by. The next week Ohio State hosts Illinois, another team it trails in the standings. Then it is off to Iowa to close out the season.
The Buckeye Nine threw in the towel for a regular season championship after last weekend's dismal effort vs. Purdue. Now, second place is more than likely out of reach. The goal now is to play well enough to be one of the top six seeds that will play in the league tournament. This team is much different without Shuck on the hill. Let's just get healthy.
The Wildcats scored their first eight runs off Andrew Armstrong who was making an emergency start today in place of the injured J.B. Shuck. The OSU news release on Saturday said Shuck came out of the third game of the series to rest his leg. Today's release said the coaching staff rested him because of a sore hamstring. Armstrong lasted 1.2 innings and allowed the eight runs (just four earned) on four hits. He walked three and struck out one in falling to 3-3. Once he left the game, the Buckeyes went with Alex Wimmers, Josh Edgin, Eric Best and Jared Strayer.
Ohio State finally got on board in the fourth and scored in four of the final five innings, getting three in the fifth and two in the seventh. Northwestern answered with its ninth run in the bottom of the fourth and scored five over the seventh and eighth innings.
It was an ugly game defensively. Ohio State committed six errors while the 'Cats committed three. Buckeye pitchers walked eight and Northwestern pitches issued 11 free passes, including seven by its third pitcher of the game. The Bucks did manage nine hits to 11 by Northwestern.
Tony Kennedy was 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored while Ryan Meade was 3-for-5 with a triple and two runs scored. Cory Kovanda drove in two. Three different Wildcats had two hits. What a week by Kennedy. In the four games in Evanston, he was 11-for-17, good enough for a .647 batting average. He drove in three and scored eight. Throw in the two games against Akron and he batted 15-for-25 (.600) with five RBI and 11 runs scored. Not too shabby.
The Buckeyes remain in fourth place in the league standings behind Michigan, Purdue and Illinois. Overall, was it crucial to win the series? No, probably not, but it certainly would have been nice. Considering next week's series in Ann Arbor, wins will be hard to come by. The next week Ohio State hosts Illinois, another team it trails in the standings. Then it is off to Iowa to close out the season.
The Buckeye Nine threw in the towel for a regular season championship after last weekend's dismal effort vs. Purdue. Now, second place is more than likely out of reach. The goal now is to play well enough to be one of the top six seeds that will play in the league tournament. This team is much different without Shuck on the hill. Let's just get healthy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)