But a win nonetheless. It should have been a walk in the park, a mindless game for an effortless win against a horrid Buffalo team that has just 13 wins. I stand by that pre-game assessment of what this game should have been.
Instead, the Buckeyes had to fight and claw their way to a 14-13 victory in the 2008 home finale (Box Score), the last game at Bill Davis Stadium for four seniors. They deserved better.
J.B. Shuck got the short start since his weekend start was rained out Sunday vs. Illinois. He pitched 3.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts before handing the ball over to the bullpen so he could rest up for his start against Iowa this coming Sunday in Iowa City.
Rory Meister reminded why he has been in the dog house. I think he's a good kid and at one time showed great promise as a pitcher but he appeared to mail it in long before the start of his senior season. Today, he allowed nine runs on nine hits, including four doubles.
Through 3 ½ innings, the Buckeyes found themselves down 11-0, but got on the board with a pair in the bottom of the fourth. Andrew Armstrong gave up two runs in the fifth. He pitched 2.0 innings. Drew Rucinski, Alex Wimmers and Eric Best kept the Bulls off the board the rest of the way and gave their team a chance.
Like it did Saturday in the second game of the doubleheader vs. Illinois, Ohio State mounted a comeback, scoring three in the bottom of the fifth and two in the seventh before Justin Miller's three-run bomb pulled the Buckeyes within a 13-10 score.
And yet, as bad as it was, this team had a chance. In the ninth it loaded the bases with none out. Shuck walked for the first run and Miller tied the game with a two-run single. An error on Buffalo centerfielder Adam Skoniezski on a Zach Hurley fly ball won the game for the Buckeyes.
There will be some loyal fans who will try to make excuses for the effort in this game or perhaps brag about the improbable comeback, but it is a game Ohio State shouldn't nearly lose no matter how poor a season it is having. This game didn't matter, right? It's not like they were trying to get to 40 wins, like most Bob Todd-coached teams. This team is trying to win 30 games, which means nothing other than continuing a 22-season streak of winning at least that many. All that matters this year is that the team qualifies for the Big Ten tournament, where it can make a valiant effort at saving the season. As much as I would like to see another tournament championship and NCAA tournament berth locked up, I'm not sure this team is capable of that kind of magic, or maybe it is.
They have to get to Ann Arbor first. Good luck in Iowa City. Go Bucks!
Think I'm off base in my assessment? Let The Buckeye Nine know what you think.
Showing posts with label Buffalo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Buffalo. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
It's Game Time?
Ohio State will close out the home portion of its 2008 schedule vs. Buffalo today at noon. If you don't mind 2,600 sixth-graders from Columbus City Schools, you should head out to the game. It is a great way to spend an afternoon and the weather should be perfect. Besides, it is your last chance to see the Baseball Buckeyes this season at Bill Davis Stadium.
The team also will honor its four seniors - Dan DeLucia, Tony Kennedy, Chris Macke and Rory Meister. The ceremony had been scheduled for Sunday, but was rained out.
The Bucks are headed to Iowa City, Iowa later this week to close out Big Ten play at Iowa. That series begins Thursday and concludes Saturday, giving teams an extra day off before the conference tournament, which begins next Wednesday in Ann Arbor.
Big Ten Standings
Michigan 23-4
Purdue 18-9
Illinois 15-12
Penn State 15-13
Ohio State 13-13
Northwestern 13-15
Michigan State 12-14
Indiana 11-17
Minnesota 8-19
Iowa 8-20
Other Big Ten Games this Week
Northwestern at Michigan, Indiana at Michigan State, Penn State at Minnesota, Purdue at Illinois.
About Buffalo
The Bulls are 13-35 and 6-17 in the Mid-American Conference and are riding a nine-game losing streak after losses to St. Bonaventure, Canisius, Kent State and Bowling Green. Their last win came April 26 vs. Akron, a series they won two out of three. Buffalo closes out MAC play this weekend by hosting Ohio University.
The team also will honor its four seniors - Dan DeLucia, Tony Kennedy, Chris Macke and Rory Meister. The ceremony had been scheduled for Sunday, but was rained out.
The Bucks are headed to Iowa City, Iowa later this week to close out Big Ten play at Iowa. That series begins Thursday and concludes Saturday, giving teams an extra day off before the conference tournament, which begins next Wednesday in Ann Arbor.
Big Ten Standings
Michigan 23-4
Purdue 18-9
Illinois 15-12
Penn State 15-13
Ohio State 13-13
Northwestern 13-15
Michigan State 12-14
Indiana 11-17
Minnesota 8-19
Iowa 8-20
Other Big Ten Games this Week
Northwestern at Michigan, Indiana at Michigan State, Penn State at Minnesota, Purdue at Illinois.
About Buffalo
The Bulls are 13-35 and 6-17 in the Mid-American Conference and are riding a nine-game losing streak after losses to St. Bonaventure, Canisius, Kent State and Bowling Green. Their last win came April 26 vs. Akron, a series they won two out of three. Buffalo closes out MAC play this weekend by hosting Ohio University.
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