Very light update. A few alumni quick hits. More news on the Buckeyes 2011 schedule, prepare for an extended stay in California. Lastly, a look at the life of being a summer league Buckeye.
Showing posts with label Columbus Dispatch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Columbus Dispatch. Show all posts
Monday, August 2, 2010
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Contract talks to start for coach Todd
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
Negotiations on a new contract for long-time Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd will begin within seven to 10 days, a spokesman for athletic director Gene Smith says.
Todd, who led the Buckeyes to the regular-season Big Ten championship and the championship game of an NCAA regional, is under a five-year contract that will expire at the end of the month.
"Gene Smith is out of town but plans to meet with coach Todd within seven to 10 days to begin talking about a new contract," said Dan Wallenberg, assistant athletic director for communications. "Coach Todd will be the coach next year. The only thing that needs to be worked out are the details."
Among the details, Wallenberg said, would be the length of the contract.
Todd is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He has won a team-record 873 games in 22 years at Ohio State and 997 games in his career.
The Buckeyes finished the 2009 season 42-19 and won their seventh regular-season championship under Todd. He has led the team to 13 NCAA tournaments and two regional championships.
Ohio State's season ended with a 37-6 loss to Florida State in the championship game of the NCAA regional in Tallahassee, Fla. It was the most runs allowed and the worst loss in the history of the tournament.
Few, however, expected the Buckeyes to compete for even a conference championship with only three seniors on the roster and a pitching staff that was weakened by injuries and defections.
Todd was voted Big Ten coach of the year.
The Columbus Dispatch
Negotiations on a new contract for long-time Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd will begin within seven to 10 days, a spokesman for athletic director Gene Smith says.
Todd, who led the Buckeyes to the regular-season Big Ten championship and the championship game of an NCAA regional, is under a five-year contract that will expire at the end of the month.
"Gene Smith is out of town but plans to meet with coach Todd within seven to 10 days to begin talking about a new contract," said Dan Wallenberg, assistant athletic director for communications. "Coach Todd will be the coach next year. The only thing that needs to be worked out are the details."
Among the details, Wallenberg said, would be the length of the contract.
Todd is a member of the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He has won a team-record 873 games in 22 years at Ohio State and 997 games in his career.
The Buckeyes finished the 2009 season 42-19 and won their seventh regular-season championship under Todd. He has led the team to 13 NCAA tournaments and two regional championships.
Ohio State's season ended with a 37-6 loss to Florida State in the championship game of the NCAA regional in Tallahassee, Fla. It was the most runs allowed and the worst loss in the history of the tournament.
Few, however, expected the Buckeyes to compete for even a conference championship with only three seniors on the roster and a pitching staff that was weakened by injuries and defections.
Todd was voted Big Ten coach of the year.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: OSU Gets Rematch With Bulldogs
I haven't been feeling well, and its week 10, the last week of the quarter, being slammed with 3 papers and not feeling the best sucks. Sorry. I'll have more but need to get something up.
Columbus Dispatch
No. 9 batter Matt Streng drove in two key runs in the late innings and Jake Hale pitched two innings for the save as Ohio State remained alive in the NCAA baseball tournament with a 6-4 win over Marist in Tallahassee, Fla.
Drew Rucinski pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win and Ryan Dew drove in three runs with a third-inning triple for the third-seeded Buckeyes (41-18), who will play Georgia (38-23) in an elimination game at noon today. The Bulldogs, who lost to Florida State 8-2 yesterday, beat the Buckeyes 24-8 on Friday.
"We live for another day," Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. "I wouldn't exactly say it was pretty but we did what we needed to do. I think the key was our playing good defense. We didn't give them any second opportunities with zero errors and three double plays."
Ohio State fell behind 2-0 in the second inning when Marist right fielder Kyle Meyer hit a two-run single. The Buckeyes scored four times in the third inning, three on Dew's triple down the right-field line. Dew then scored on Justin Miller's sacrifice fly.
Marist (31-28) rallied against starter Dean Wolosiansky to tie the score at 4 in the sixth inning before Ohio State took the lead for good in the bottom half of the inning. Michael Arp doubled leading off, went to third on Tyler Engle's bunt and came home on Streng's sacrifice fly.
The Buckeyes avoided trouble in the eighth with help from Hale and their defense. Rucinski (11-2) walked Brian McDonough leading off and gave way to Hale, who coaxed Ryan Gauck to hit into a double play, then got George Agostini to line out.
Ohio State added a run in the bottom of the eighth when Streng singled through the right side to score Miller for a 6-4 lead. Hale then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 17th save of the season and school-record 28th of his career.
"Jake is, in my opinion, one of the best relief pitchers we've had at Ohio State and maybe in the country," Todd said. "We're something like 33-1 or 34-1 when we throw him in a ball game with a lead."
Columbus Dispatch
No. 9 batter Matt Streng drove in two key runs in the late innings and Jake Hale pitched two innings for the save as Ohio State remained alive in the NCAA baseball tournament with a 6-4 win over Marist in Tallahassee, Fla.
Drew Rucinski pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings for the win and Ryan Dew drove in three runs with a third-inning triple for the third-seeded Buckeyes (41-18), who will play Georgia (38-23) in an elimination game at noon today. The Bulldogs, who lost to Florida State 8-2 yesterday, beat the Buckeyes 24-8 on Friday.
"We live for another day," Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. "I wouldn't exactly say it was pretty but we did what we needed to do. I think the key was our playing good defense. We didn't give them any second opportunities with zero errors and three double plays."
Ohio State fell behind 2-0 in the second inning when Marist right fielder Kyle Meyer hit a two-run single. The Buckeyes scored four times in the third inning, three on Dew's triple down the right-field line. Dew then scored on Justin Miller's sacrifice fly.
Marist (31-28) rallied against starter Dean Wolosiansky to tie the score at 4 in the sixth inning before Ohio State took the lead for good in the bottom half of the inning. Michael Arp doubled leading off, went to third on Tyler Engle's bunt and came home on Streng's sacrifice fly.
The Buckeyes avoided trouble in the eighth with help from Hale and their defense. Rucinski (11-2) walked Brian McDonough leading off and gave way to Hale, who coaxed Ryan Gauck to hit into a double play, then got George Agostini to line out.
Ohio State added a run in the bottom of the eighth when Streng singled through the right side to score Miller for a 6-4 lead. Hale then pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his 17th save of the season and school-record 28th of his career.
"Jake is, in my opinion, one of the best relief pitchers we've had at Ohio State and maybe in the country," Todd said. "We're something like 33-1 or 34-1 when we throw him in a ball game with a lead."
Friday, May 29, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Setup man's repertoire is no joke
Friday, May 29, 2009
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
By now, everyone who follows Ohio State baseball knows closer Jake Hale can be funny, flamboyant and very much off the wall.
His setup man, on the other hand, can be like a bowl of oatmeal without sugar.
Drew Rucinski, a sophomore right-hander with a sneaky fastball and a snappy slider, prefers to be the player few people know.
"I do like to have fun and I do get excited," Rucinski said. "But as far as practical jokes and things like that, I don't know about that. I laugh at what Jake does and that's about it."
What would you expect from an engineering major and someone who actually is looking forward to a third year in a dormitory?
Rucinski has been far from bland on the mound for an Ohio State team that will play Georgia in an NCAA Tournament regional semifinal today in Tallahasse, Fla.
In 70 2/3 innings over 33 games, Rucinksi is 10-2 with 59 strikeouts and a 4.84 ERA. Most of his appearances have been in the seventh and eighth innings and have come on consecutive days.
The most important statistic is Ohio State (40-17) is 31-3 when it has a seventh-inning lead. Rucinski and Hale have finished most of those games.
"Drew is a special guy that can bounce back for you and give you innings," pitching coach Eric Parker said. "Even on days when we tell him not to throw, he'll throw a little bit. He has just taken a hold of that role and filled it. We've used him a lot. We had to back him off in the middle of the season to keep him fresh."
In a season-opening 2-0 victory over Notre Dame, Rucinski worked the final three innings to get a save for ace Alex Wimmers.
He kept on going.
"I think it's fun being able to get into a lot of games," Rucinski said. "I'm just fortunate that my arm never bothers me. I do play a lot of catch. It probably helps that I started games in high school. I usually take Mondays off and run. I don't get sore. I did get kind of tired pitching three straight games against Penn State."
Rucinski was one of seven freshmen that coach Bob Todd force-fed last season. There were a lot of hard times. He went 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in 15 appearances covering 29 1/3 innings.
Hale said Rucinski is never the life of the bullpen.
"That guy is focused -- serious -- down there," he said. "He's always thinking about getting himself ready. He's straight-laced. That's OK. I'm the joker, the dude getting the laughs. Drew has been good for me. He has set up a lot of my saves, and I appreciate that."
The question is how did Ohio State sign someone from Broken Arrow, Okla.?
Rucinski grew up in Wisconsin. When he was 8, his father was transferred to Tulsa, Okla.
"It came down to Oklahoma State and Ohio State, the two OSUs," Rucinski said. "I loved it here on my visit."
Parker said Ohio State coaches were tipped off about Rucinski when he was a junior.
"It was the classic friend-of-the-program story and he said, 'There's a kid down here who can pitch and you might want to take a look at him,' " Parker said. "It sure has worked out for us."
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
By now, everyone who follows Ohio State baseball knows closer Jake Hale can be funny, flamboyant and very much off the wall.
His setup man, on the other hand, can be like a bowl of oatmeal without sugar.
Drew Rucinski, a sophomore right-hander with a sneaky fastball and a snappy slider, prefers to be the player few people know.
"I do like to have fun and I do get excited," Rucinski said. "But as far as practical jokes and things like that, I don't know about that. I laugh at what Jake does and that's about it."
What would you expect from an engineering major and someone who actually is looking forward to a third year in a dormitory?
Rucinski has been far from bland on the mound for an Ohio State team that will play Georgia in an NCAA Tournament regional semifinal today in Tallahasse, Fla.
In 70 2/3 innings over 33 games, Rucinksi is 10-2 with 59 strikeouts and a 4.84 ERA. Most of his appearances have been in the seventh and eighth innings and have come on consecutive days.
The most important statistic is Ohio State (40-17) is 31-3 when it has a seventh-inning lead. Rucinski and Hale have finished most of those games.
"Drew is a special guy that can bounce back for you and give you innings," pitching coach Eric Parker said. "Even on days when we tell him not to throw, he'll throw a little bit. He has just taken a hold of that role and filled it. We've used him a lot. We had to back him off in the middle of the season to keep him fresh."
In a season-opening 2-0 victory over Notre Dame, Rucinski worked the final three innings to get a save for ace Alex Wimmers.
He kept on going.
"I think it's fun being able to get into a lot of games," Rucinski said. "I'm just fortunate that my arm never bothers me. I do play a lot of catch. It probably helps that I started games in high school. I usually take Mondays off and run. I don't get sore. I did get kind of tired pitching three straight games against Penn State."
Rucinski was one of seven freshmen that coach Bob Todd force-fed last season. There were a lot of hard times. He went 1-4 with a 5.52 ERA in 15 appearances covering 29 1/3 innings.
Hale said Rucinski is never the life of the bullpen.
"That guy is focused -- serious -- down there," he said. "He's always thinking about getting himself ready. He's straight-laced. That's OK. I'm the joker, the dude getting the laughs. Drew has been good for me. He has set up a lot of my saves, and I appreciate that."
The question is how did Ohio State sign someone from Broken Arrow, Okla.?
Rucinski grew up in Wisconsin. When he was 8, his father was transferred to Tulsa, Okla.
"It came down to Oklahoma State and Ohio State, the two OSUs," Rucinski said. "I loved it here on my visit."
Parker said Ohio State coaches were tipped off about Rucinski when he was a junior.
"It was the classic friend-of-the-program story and he said, 'There's a kid down here who can pitch and you might want to take a look at him,' " Parker said. "It sure has worked out for us."
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Buckeyes hit the road for NCAA
Todd calls No.3 seed 'little bit of a slap'
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 2:55 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
While his players celebrated making the NCAA Tournament yesterday in the players lounge in Bill Davis Stadium, Ohio State coach Bob Todd was off by himself doing a slow burn.
Todd, who was a member of the tournament selection committee for seven years, thought the Buckeyes deserved to be a No. 1 or No. 2 seed and to play host to a regional tournament.
Instead, Ohio State (40-17) was seeded third and will play second-seeded Georgia (37-22) in a first-round game at noon Friday in Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. Host and top-seeded Florida State (42-16) will play Marist (31-26) at 4 p.m. in the other game.
The Buckeyes have a 7-7 record against teams that are in the NCAA Tournament, including victories over the University of Miami, Xavier, George Mason, Army and Minnesota.
"It's a little bit of a slap at the Big Ten when your regular season champion gets a third seed," Todd said. "We had a good RPI -- 32. For a team that plays well all year like we did, we should have received strong consideration to get a No. 1 or a No. 2 seed."
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith bid for a regional tournament. No school from the East or Midwest will play host to one.
The Buckeyes are in the NCAA Tournament for the 13th time since 1991. They played host to first-round tournaments and super regional tournaments in 1999 and 2001 and a super regional in 2003.
"There's such an outcry from people to get regional tournaments in the East, North and Midwest, and they turned their back on it," Todd said. "I know we were not the lowest bid, so money was not a factor. Columbus is a convenient place to get in and out of. It's a logical place to hold a regional. We got great marks for hosting in the past."
The selection committee picked three teams from the Big Ten. Regular-season runner-up Minnesota is second-seeded in the Baton Rouge regional, and conference tournament champion Indiana is seeded fourth at Louisville.
Ohio State players weren't disappointed about having to travel more than 830 miles to play or about which teams they will play.
"You eventually have to play the best, so that doesn't make any difference to us," pitcher Alex Wimmers said. "You just go down there and do what you have to do."
Third baseman Justin Miller said the Buckeyes received another opportunity to show their worth.
"I feel this whole year we couldn't get any love from anybody," he said. "I was nervous about just making the tournament. But the Big Ten is looking good. I don't mind going to Florida. It's better than the West Coast. We'll take a couple of days off to recharge and just go down there and play hard for three days like we usually do."
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 2:55 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
While his players celebrated making the NCAA Tournament yesterday in the players lounge in Bill Davis Stadium, Ohio State coach Bob Todd was off by himself doing a slow burn.
Todd, who was a member of the tournament selection committee for seven years, thought the Buckeyes deserved to be a No. 1 or No. 2 seed and to play host to a regional tournament.
Instead, Ohio State (40-17) was seeded third and will play second-seeded Georgia (37-22) in a first-round game at noon Friday in Dick Howser Stadium in Tallahassee, Fla. Host and top-seeded Florida State (42-16) will play Marist (31-26) at 4 p.m. in the other game.
The Buckeyes have a 7-7 record against teams that are in the NCAA Tournament, including victories over the University of Miami, Xavier, George Mason, Army and Minnesota.
"It's a little bit of a slap at the Big Ten when your regular season champion gets a third seed," Todd said. "We had a good RPI -- 32. For a team that plays well all year like we did, we should have received strong consideration to get a No. 1 or a No. 2 seed."
Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith bid for a regional tournament. No school from the East or Midwest will play host to one.
The Buckeyes are in the NCAA Tournament for the 13th time since 1991. They played host to first-round tournaments and super regional tournaments in 1999 and 2001 and a super regional in 2003.
"There's such an outcry from people to get regional tournaments in the East, North and Midwest, and they turned their back on it," Todd said. "I know we were not the lowest bid, so money was not a factor. Columbus is a convenient place to get in and out of. It's a logical place to hold a regional. We got great marks for hosting in the past."
The selection committee picked three teams from the Big Ten. Regular-season runner-up Minnesota is second-seeded in the Baton Rouge regional, and conference tournament champion Indiana is seeded fourth at Louisville.
Ohio State players weren't disappointed about having to travel more than 830 miles to play or about which teams they will play.
"You eventually have to play the best, so that doesn't make any difference to us," pitcher Alex Wimmers said. "You just go down there and do what you have to do."
Third baseman Justin Miller said the Buckeyes received another opportunity to show their worth.
"I feel this whole year we couldn't get any love from anybody," he said. "I was nervous about just making the tournament. But the Big Ten is looking good. I don't mind going to Florida. It's better than the West Coast. We'll take a couple of days off to recharge and just go down there and play hard for three days like we usually do."
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Loss leaves Buckeyes waiting on NCAA fate
Sunday, May 24, 2009
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd served on the NCAA Tournament committee for seven seasons. He has told his players that, in many ways, playing the game on the field is a lot easier than playing the waiting game while the 64-team field is being selected.
Todd has a pretty good idea what committee members should be saying about the Buckeyes during the next 24 hours.
Then again, he has seen some deserving teams turned away.
"My feelings would be very hurt if Ohio State is not playing next weekend," Todd said. "I would be very surprised if we were overlooked."
Minnesota banged out 17 hits to eliminate the Buckeyes 9-6 in the Big Ten tournament loser's bracket final before 1,892 yesterday in Huntington Park.
As was the case in a win over Illinois and a loss to Indiana, Ohio State did not play well -- leaving 10 men on base, making three errors and getting shaky pitching.
Still, Todd told the Buckeyes that he is "95 percent sure" they will receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament on the strength of winning the Big Ten regular-season championship, a 40-17 record and a No. 32 ranking in the Rating Percentage Index.
Ohio State could find out for sure as early as today when the host teams for 16 first-round regionals will be announced. The entire bracket will be unveiled at noon Monday.
"We're kind of in the dark now," second baseman Cory Kovanda said. "We're not really sure what is going to happen. We're going to have to take it as it comes."
Athletic director Gene Smith has put in a bid to play host to a regional tournament in Bill Davis Stadium. The Buckeyes were hosts in 1999 and 2001, to positive reviews from the NCAA.
Schools must put in a monetary guarantee to the NCAA for such tournaments, and Todd said he has heard there have been figures as high as $370,000. He doesn't know the dollar amount Ohio State has bid, but said it would be competitive.
"You're talking about a large amount of money that people are bidding, and hats off to Gene Smith and the administration for putting in a bid," Todd said.
Todd said the tournament committee wants to hold more regional tournaments outside the South, Southwest and West.
The last thing the Buckeyes wanted, designated hitter Ryan Dew said, was to put their fate in the hands of the tournament committee. The Big Ten tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"We came out not intense these last few games, and I think we've learned from that," Dew said. "I think we're going to come together (for the NCAA Tournament). Hopefully, (the regional) is at Ohio State. Wherever it is, we'll be ready to play."
The key to yesterday's loss was the Buckeyes' failure to really pound Gophers starter Scott Fern. He was making only his second start and had pitched 32 innings, but gave up four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Todd said his players might have come into the tournament worn out mentally after a grinding regular-season race that saw them win the championship on the final day in edging Minnesota by a half-game.
"There was a huge emotional letdown for Ohio State and Minnesota," he said
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd served on the NCAA Tournament committee for seven seasons. He has told his players that, in many ways, playing the game on the field is a lot easier than playing the waiting game while the 64-team field is being selected.
Todd has a pretty good idea what committee members should be saying about the Buckeyes during the next 24 hours.
Then again, he has seen some deserving teams turned away.
"My feelings would be very hurt if Ohio State is not playing next weekend," Todd said. "I would be very surprised if we were overlooked."
Minnesota banged out 17 hits to eliminate the Buckeyes 9-6 in the Big Ten tournament loser's bracket final before 1,892 yesterday in Huntington Park.
As was the case in a win over Illinois and a loss to Indiana, Ohio State did not play well -- leaving 10 men on base, making three errors and getting shaky pitching.
Still, Todd told the Buckeyes that he is "95 percent sure" they will receive a bid to the NCAA Tournament on the strength of winning the Big Ten regular-season championship, a 40-17 record and a No. 32 ranking in the Rating Percentage Index.
Ohio State could find out for sure as early as today when the host teams for 16 first-round regionals will be announced. The entire bracket will be unveiled at noon Monday.
"We're kind of in the dark now," second baseman Cory Kovanda said. "We're not really sure what is going to happen. We're going to have to take it as it comes."
Athletic director Gene Smith has put in a bid to play host to a regional tournament in Bill Davis Stadium. The Buckeyes were hosts in 1999 and 2001, to positive reviews from the NCAA.
Schools must put in a monetary guarantee to the NCAA for such tournaments, and Todd said he has heard there have been figures as high as $370,000. He doesn't know the dollar amount Ohio State has bid, but said it would be competitive.
"You're talking about a large amount of money that people are bidding, and hats off to Gene Smith and the administration for putting in a bid," Todd said.
Todd said the tournament committee wants to hold more regional tournaments outside the South, Southwest and West.
The last thing the Buckeyes wanted, designated hitter Ryan Dew said, was to put their fate in the hands of the tournament committee. The Big Ten tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
"We came out not intense these last few games, and I think we've learned from that," Dew said. "I think we're going to come together (for the NCAA Tournament). Hopefully, (the regional) is at Ohio State. Wherever it is, we'll be ready to play."
The key to yesterday's loss was the Buckeyes' failure to really pound Gophers starter Scott Fern. He was making only his second start and had pitched 32 innings, but gave up four runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Todd said his players might have come into the tournament worn out mentally after a grinding regular-season race that saw them win the championship on the final day in edging Minnesota by a half-game.
"There was a huge emotional letdown for Ohio State and Minnesota," he said
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Buckeyes blown out by Hoosiers' hot bats
Saturday, May 23
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
As remarkable as Ohio State has been this season, there have been many days when games turned into batting practice for opponents because of a pitching staff that is youthful and paper-thin.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, that happened in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Dean Wolosiansky gave up 12 hits in four-plus innings, including five straight to open the fifth, as Indiana roughed up Ohio State 13-3 last night in Huntington Park.
Thanks to Buckeyes fans -- who were loud and present en masse -- the crowd count was 4,019.
The loss was painful for the hometown fans.
"It is embarrassing to lose a game like this," third baseman and co-captain Justin Miller said. "The best thing is we get to strap it on (again). The next game is for pride."
Ohio State (40-16) must win three games to capture the tournament championship, starting with second-seeded Minnesota (37-16) at approximately 3:35 today.
It looked as though Wolosiansky was on the mark when he struck out the side in the second inning after allowing a leadoff double to conference freshman of the year Alex Dickerson.
But Indiana batters adjusted the second time through the lineup and scored three runs in the fourth inning and seven in the fifth to lead 10-2.
The problems for the Buckeyes went beyond pitching. They made three errors, and the bats went silent to the tune of six hits.
"The game of baseball never ceases to amaze me," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. "I wasn't happy with the way we swung the bats. I wasn't happy with the way we played defense or pitched. That's not taking away anything from Indiana. Our players might be emotionally drained and need to recharge" after the drive to the regular-season championship.
Todd said the turning point came in the top of the fifth inning when Ohio State had the bases loaded with no one out and did not score.
"Then the next half-inning, we just couldn't stop the bleeding," he said.
The Hoosiers have won 10 of their last 11 games and are one victory away from completing an impressive four-year rebuilding job under coach Tracy Smith.
However, Smith isn't about to think that the Big Ten championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that comes with it are in the bag.
"I'm taking nothing for granted," he said. "I'm excited. The guys are confident. They are on a roll. Literally, I make out the lineup and get out of the way. The work was done in January and February."
First baseman Jerrud Sabourin said Indiana began the turnaround last season by finishing third in the Big Ten tournament despite being the sixth seed.
"Now, we have a little bit of momentum," he said. "It's the way we're swinging the bats. We're taking pressure off our pitchers. They know we're going to score runs."
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
As remarkable as Ohio State has been this season, there have been many days when games turned into batting practice for opponents because of a pitching staff that is youthful and paper-thin.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, that happened in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Dean Wolosiansky gave up 12 hits in four-plus innings, including five straight to open the fifth, as Indiana roughed up Ohio State 13-3 last night in Huntington Park.
Thanks to Buckeyes fans -- who were loud and present en masse -- the crowd count was 4,019.
The loss was painful for the hometown fans.
"It is embarrassing to lose a game like this," third baseman and co-captain Justin Miller said. "The best thing is we get to strap it on (again). The next game is for pride."
Ohio State (40-16) must win three games to capture the tournament championship, starting with second-seeded Minnesota (37-16) at approximately 3:35 today.
It looked as though Wolosiansky was on the mark when he struck out the side in the second inning after allowing a leadoff double to conference freshman of the year Alex Dickerson.
But Indiana batters adjusted the second time through the lineup and scored three runs in the fourth inning and seven in the fifth to lead 10-2.
The problems for the Buckeyes went beyond pitching. They made three errors, and the bats went silent to the tune of six hits.
"The game of baseball never ceases to amaze me," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. "I wasn't happy with the way we swung the bats. I wasn't happy with the way we played defense or pitched. That's not taking away anything from Indiana. Our players might be emotionally drained and need to recharge" after the drive to the regular-season championship.
Todd said the turning point came in the top of the fifth inning when Ohio State had the bases loaded with no one out and did not score.
"Then the next half-inning, we just couldn't stop the bleeding," he said.
The Hoosiers have won 10 of their last 11 games and are one victory away from completing an impressive four-year rebuilding job under coach Tracy Smith.
However, Smith isn't about to think that the Big Ten championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that comes with it are in the bag.
"I'm taking nothing for granted," he said. "I'm excited. The guys are confident. They are on a roll. Literally, I make out the lineup and get out of the way. The work was done in January and February."
First baseman Jerrud Sabourin said Indiana began the turnaround last season by finishing third in the Big Ten tournament despite being the sixth seed.
"Now, we have a little bit of momentum," he said. "It's the way we're swinging the bats. We're taking pressure off our pitchers. They know we're going to score runs."
Friday, May 22, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Buckeyes show some grit in plucky victory
Friday, May 22, 2009 3:13 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
Anyone needing more proof that Ohio State is a baseball team that refuses to lose received it last night in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Alex Wimmers, the right-hander who was co-conference pitcher of the year, didn't come close to dominating hitters.
The Buckeyes also didn't hit the ball like the machine that tore up opposing pitching all season.
Yet facing a three-run deficit in the sixth inning, Ohio State pecked and poked at Illinois, and eventually came away with a 7-4 victory before what is believed to be a single-day Big Ten tournament record crowd of 4,575 in Huntington Park.
"The crowd was with us the entire game," reliever Jake Hale said. "When we tied the game (in the seventh inning), I just knew we were going to win it."
The Buckeyes (40-15) advance to the winner's bracket final against Indiana at approximately 7:05 tonight.
How opportunistic was Ohio State against Illinois?
It scored the tying and winning runs in the seventh inning -- an inning in which OSU had only one hit, a bunt by Cory Kovanda.
When the Buckeyes trailed 4-1, they scored two runs in the sixth on three singles -- two of which never left the infield.
Wimmers wasn't himself almost from the start, giving up a two-run homer to Aaron Johnson in the second inning.
"People who have watched Alex Wimmers all year could see he didn't have his best stuff," Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. "He was really struggling with his off-speed pitches."
Wimmers gave up two more runs in the sixth on a double by Johnson and a single by Pete Cappetta.
That's when the Buckeyes began to dig in and show why they won the regular-season championship despite having only three seniors.
Michael Stephens, Dan Burkhart and Ryan Dew singled to load the bases in the sixth. Justin Miller drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Michael Arp brought in another with a groundout to make it 4-3.
Illinois threatened to break the game open in the seventh when Joe Bonadonna reached on an error and, one out later, Brandon Wickoff doubled to put runners on second and third.
Right-handed set-up man Drew Rucinski came on and retired Dominic Altobelli on a fly to right, then got Johnson on a hard liner to shortstop Tyler Engle.
"That's the kind of situation a reliever gets tossed into all the time," Rucinski said. "I threw all my pitches well. I tried to throw strikes."
Ohio State took advantage of a faltering Strack, who walked Matt Streng and Zach Hurley to start the seventh and gave up a perfect bunt down the third-base line by Kovanda to load the bases.
Two groundouts made it 5-4.
The Buckeyes scored twice in the eighth on a single by Streng and a triple by Hurley.
"I take our hat off to our hitters," Todd said. "We said, 'Settle down and have good at-bats that you're capable of.' We showed some patience."
Hale pitched the ninth to increase his Ohio State season saves record to 16.
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
Anyone needing more proof that Ohio State is a baseball team that refuses to lose received it last night in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Alex Wimmers, the right-hander who was co-conference pitcher of the year, didn't come close to dominating hitters.
The Buckeyes also didn't hit the ball like the machine that tore up opposing pitching all season.
Yet facing a three-run deficit in the sixth inning, Ohio State pecked and poked at Illinois, and eventually came away with a 7-4 victory before what is believed to be a single-day Big Ten tournament record crowd of 4,575 in Huntington Park.
"The crowd was with us the entire game," reliever Jake Hale said. "When we tied the game (in the seventh inning), I just knew we were going to win it."
The Buckeyes (40-15) advance to the winner's bracket final against Indiana at approximately 7:05 tonight.
How opportunistic was Ohio State against Illinois?
It scored the tying and winning runs in the seventh inning -- an inning in which OSU had only one hit, a bunt by Cory Kovanda.
When the Buckeyes trailed 4-1, they scored two runs in the sixth on three singles -- two of which never left the infield.
Wimmers wasn't himself almost from the start, giving up a two-run homer to Aaron Johnson in the second inning.
"People who have watched Alex Wimmers all year could see he didn't have his best stuff," Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. "He was really struggling with his off-speed pitches."
Wimmers gave up two more runs in the sixth on a double by Johnson and a single by Pete Cappetta.
That's when the Buckeyes began to dig in and show why they won the regular-season championship despite having only three seniors.
Michael Stephens, Dan Burkhart and Ryan Dew singled to load the bases in the sixth. Justin Miller drove in a run with a sacrifice fly, and Michael Arp brought in another with a groundout to make it 4-3.
Illinois threatened to break the game open in the seventh when Joe Bonadonna reached on an error and, one out later, Brandon Wickoff doubled to put runners on second and third.
Right-handed set-up man Drew Rucinski came on and retired Dominic Altobelli on a fly to right, then got Johnson on a hard liner to shortstop Tyler Engle.
"That's the kind of situation a reliever gets tossed into all the time," Rucinski said. "I threw all my pitches well. I tried to throw strikes."
Ohio State took advantage of a faltering Strack, who walked Matt Streng and Zach Hurley to start the seventh and gave up a perfect bunt down the third-base line by Kovanda to load the bases.
Two groundouts made it 5-4.
The Buckeyes scored twice in the eighth on a single by Streng and a triple by Hurley.
"I take our hat off to our hitters," Todd said. "We said, 'Settle down and have good at-bats that you're capable of.' We showed some patience."
Hale pitched the ninth to increase his Ohio State season saves record to 16.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: These battery mates were buddies from the first pitch
Thursday, May 21, 2009 4:16 AM
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
How far back do Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart go?
Donna Burkhart took an inventory of pictures in her home of her son and closest buddy as they grew up in suburban Cincinnati.
"In every picture I see Danny and Alex standing or sitting next to one another," she said. "Let's see: There they are for First Communion. It was the same thing for Confirmation. It was the same for eighth-grade graduation. There they are together again. They went to high school and carpooled together. We have all those baseball pictures, too."
Wimmers' mom, Bonnie Summe, said her son and Burkhart were inseparable to the point where both mothers felt as if they had an extra son.
"Dan and his brothers slept at our house, showered in it, ate there and just hung out there, and Alex did the same at the Burkharts," Summe said. "I really felt like they were my other sons. Those boys never left the house without saying thanks -- not once. You always knew Alex was OK being with the Burkhart boys because they were taught the right values."
Wimmers and Burkhart began playing baseball together with a traveling team when they were 9. They became stars in high school at Cincinnati Moeller.
Now, they are battery mates for Ohio State, which won the Big Ten regular-season championship and will open play in the conference tournament tonight in Huntington Park.
They aren't just pitcher and catcher, but special sophomores. Wimmers was voted Big Ten co-Pitcher of the Year with Eric Arnett of Indiana after going 9-1 with a 2.58 ERA. Burkhart was named Player of the Year after batting .362 with nine homers and 57 RBI.
Wimmers does occasionally shake off a sign.
"But I like to think I know what he's thinking most of the time," Burkhart said.
Pitchers generally like to be by themselves in the dugout.
"We'll sit in the dugout and go over the hitters," Wimmers said. "We'll talk about what we want to throw."
For good reason, the baseball talk generally ceases once they leave the ballpark. They share an apartment, and there are pressing things to do -- such as play video games.
Wimmers' and Burkhart's parents are also close. When the boys were 12 and playing in a tournament, the parents drove to Cooperstown, N.Y., together.
Baseball has turned into the glue for both families. In fact, they held a mini-celebration on the field after Wimmers threw a no-hitter against Michigan on May 3.
Burkhart was asked how much ownership he had in that game.
"Maybe 30 percent," he said.
The words had barely left Burkhart's lips when Wimmers corrected him.
"No," he said. "I say the credit was more like 55-45."
Summe put into perspective how much the boys play a part in each other's success.
"When Alex needs a run or big hit in a game, who steps up to the plate but his friend and battery mate," she said.
The buddy system even extended to Wimmers' recruitment by Ohio State.
"When I accepted the scholarship offer, I told the coaches that there's this Wimmers kid from Moeller that I think would like to come here, too," Burkhart said. "We never planned for college like this, but it sure has worked out."
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
How far back do Alex Wimmers and Dan Burkhart go?
Donna Burkhart took an inventory of pictures in her home of her son and closest buddy as they grew up in suburban Cincinnati.
"In every picture I see Danny and Alex standing or sitting next to one another," she said. "Let's see: There they are for First Communion. It was the same thing for Confirmation. It was the same for eighth-grade graduation. There they are together again. They went to high school and carpooled together. We have all those baseball pictures, too."
Wimmers' mom, Bonnie Summe, said her son and Burkhart were inseparable to the point where both mothers felt as if they had an extra son.
"Dan and his brothers slept at our house, showered in it, ate there and just hung out there, and Alex did the same at the Burkharts," Summe said. "I really felt like they were my other sons. Those boys never left the house without saying thanks -- not once. You always knew Alex was OK being with the Burkhart boys because they were taught the right values."
Wimmers and Burkhart began playing baseball together with a traveling team when they were 9. They became stars in high school at Cincinnati Moeller.
Now, they are battery mates for Ohio State, which won the Big Ten regular-season championship and will open play in the conference tournament tonight in Huntington Park.
They aren't just pitcher and catcher, but special sophomores. Wimmers was voted Big Ten co-Pitcher of the Year with Eric Arnett of Indiana after going 9-1 with a 2.58 ERA. Burkhart was named Player of the Year after batting .362 with nine homers and 57 RBI.
Wimmers does occasionally shake off a sign.
"But I like to think I know what he's thinking most of the time," Burkhart said.
Pitchers generally like to be by themselves in the dugout.
"We'll sit in the dugout and go over the hitters," Wimmers said. "We'll talk about what we want to throw."
For good reason, the baseball talk generally ceases once they leave the ballpark. They share an apartment, and there are pressing things to do -- such as play video games.
Wimmers' and Burkhart's parents are also close. When the boys were 12 and playing in a tournament, the parents drove to Cooperstown, N.Y., together.
Baseball has turned into the glue for both families. In fact, they held a mini-celebration on the field after Wimmers threw a no-hitter against Michigan on May 3.
Burkhart was asked how much ownership he had in that game.
"Maybe 30 percent," he said.
The words had barely left Burkhart's lips when Wimmers corrected him.
"No," he said. "I say the credit was more like 55-45."
Summe put into perspective how much the boys play a part in each other's success.
"When Alex needs a run or big hit in a game, who steps up to the plate but his friend and battery mate," she said.
The buddy system even extended to Wimmers' recruitment by Ohio State.
"When I accepted the scholarship offer, I told the coaches that there's this Wimmers kid from Moeller that I think would like to come here, too," Burkhart said. "We never planned for college like this, but it sure has worked out."
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Bob Hunter commentary: OSU wins, waits and, finally, celebrates
Sunday, May 17, 2009 3:41 AM
By Bob Hunter
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Win and wait. Sounds easy, doesn't it?
Win and wait. Not so easy. Yesterday was one of the longest, strangest and most rewarding days in Ohio State baseball history.
For most of the afternoon, the Buckeyes might have been matched up with the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies instead of ninth-place Iowa. This was one tough slog.
Ohio State was trailing 4-0 in the sixth inning, scored five runs in the bottom half to take the lead, then fell behind again when Hawkeyes first baseman Sean Flanagan hit a home run to lead off the eighth.
The plan was to win and wait, remember?
The Buckeyes' three-run eighth and closer Jake Hale's 1-2-3 ninth took care of that problem, but first-place Minnesota's game at Penn State created another. A Gophers loss and the Buckeyes would be Big Ten champions. A win, and Ohio State would finish second.
With the Gophers ahead 8-5 in the fourth, the game in State College, Pa., went into a rain delay. This is part two of win and wait.
"I don't know if I can watch it or not," shortstop Tyler Engle said. "I'll probably just go home and try to take a nap and hope I get a call that says we won and come back to the field."
Strange as it seems, some of Engle's teammates were of like mind; within the context of the day, maybe it wasn't that strange. It's no fun waiting all afternoon on a result that figures to the wrong one. Penn State was just ahead of Iowa in the Big Ten standings, and in an odd way the Buckeyes had gotten what they had to out of the season's final day.
Their 8-6 win over the Hawkeyes was huge. It gave an Ohio State team short on pitching at least a second-place finish and a first-round bye in next week's Big Ten tournament in Huntington Park. It also gave it 39 wins, one away from a number that seems to be magic with the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
If the Buckeyes had lost and dropped back into the first round of the conference tournament, there was a sense of foreboding that they might not be able to stick around long enough to make the NCAA field. If that happened, it would be a cruel finish to what has been a remarkable year.
All of which explains why the wait was so worthwhile. Penn State rallied to beat Minnesota 10-8. An Ohio State team that spent part of the day flirting with postseason disaster, a team that few considered a league favorite coming into the season, ended up winning the school's seventh regular-season title under coach Bob Todd and the first since 2001.
Hard as it is to believe, this is essentially the same team that went 15-15 in the conference and 30-26 overall last season, the Buckeyes' worst overall record since 1990.
"Was it a surprise?" said Todd, in his 22nd season. "After fall practices and as we did some things in the wintertime, we said if this would fall into place for us we could be here. Normally it doesn't, but it just seemed like all the pieces of the puzzle fit."
How did it happen? For one thing, this team is a team. Todd said that the previous two teams had some "negative tension in the locker room and dugout" created when freshmen beat older players out of their jobs.
But camaraderie alone doesn't win titles; that takes talent and, well, something else. This team had to win its last five Big Ten games to win the championship, and some of those seemed just as tough as yesterday's did. There is something special about this group, something that only members of the team's inner circle saw before the season.
"Coming off last year, it looked a little rough," third baseman Justin Miller said. "But all those (freshmen) got experience, and that's what has helped us this year. We all see it when we go out there. That's what happened today. We get behind, we get behind late in the game and we just come back and get it done."
Win and wait. No problem at all.
By Bob Hunter
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Win and wait. Sounds easy, doesn't it?
Win and wait. Not so easy. Yesterday was one of the longest, strangest and most rewarding days in Ohio State baseball history.
For most of the afternoon, the Buckeyes might have been matched up with the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies instead of ninth-place Iowa. This was one tough slog.
Ohio State was trailing 4-0 in the sixth inning, scored five runs in the bottom half to take the lead, then fell behind again when Hawkeyes first baseman Sean Flanagan hit a home run to lead off the eighth.
The plan was to win and wait, remember?
The Buckeyes' three-run eighth and closer Jake Hale's 1-2-3 ninth took care of that problem, but first-place Minnesota's game at Penn State created another. A Gophers loss and the Buckeyes would be Big Ten champions. A win, and Ohio State would finish second.
With the Gophers ahead 8-5 in the fourth, the game in State College, Pa., went into a rain delay. This is part two of win and wait.
"I don't know if I can watch it or not," shortstop Tyler Engle said. "I'll probably just go home and try to take a nap and hope I get a call that says we won and come back to the field."
Strange as it seems, some of Engle's teammates were of like mind; within the context of the day, maybe it wasn't that strange. It's no fun waiting all afternoon on a result that figures to the wrong one. Penn State was just ahead of Iowa in the Big Ten standings, and in an odd way the Buckeyes had gotten what they had to out of the season's final day.
Their 8-6 win over the Hawkeyes was huge. It gave an Ohio State team short on pitching at least a second-place finish and a first-round bye in next week's Big Ten tournament in Huntington Park. It also gave it 39 wins, one away from a number that seems to be magic with the NCAA Tournament selection committee.
If the Buckeyes had lost and dropped back into the first round of the conference tournament, there was a sense of foreboding that they might not be able to stick around long enough to make the NCAA field. If that happened, it would be a cruel finish to what has been a remarkable year.
All of which explains why the wait was so worthwhile. Penn State rallied to beat Minnesota 10-8. An Ohio State team that spent part of the day flirting with postseason disaster, a team that few considered a league favorite coming into the season, ended up winning the school's seventh regular-season title under coach Bob Todd and the first since 2001.
Hard as it is to believe, this is essentially the same team that went 15-15 in the conference and 30-26 overall last season, the Buckeyes' worst overall record since 1990.
"Was it a surprise?" said Todd, in his 22nd season. "After fall practices and as we did some things in the wintertime, we said if this would fall into place for us we could be here. Normally it doesn't, but it just seemed like all the pieces of the puzzle fit."
How did it happen? For one thing, this team is a team. Todd said that the previous two teams had some "negative tension in the locker room and dugout" created when freshmen beat older players out of their jobs.
But camaraderie alone doesn't win titles; that takes talent and, well, something else. This team had to win its last five Big Ten games to win the championship, and some of those seemed just as tough as yesterday's did. There is something special about this group, something that only members of the team's inner circle saw before the season.
"Coming off last year, it looked a little rough," third baseman Justin Miller said. "But all those (freshmen) got experience, and that's what has helped us this year. We all see it when we go out there. That's what happened today. We get behind, we get behind late in the game and we just come back and get it done."
Win and wait. No problem at all.
Columbus Dispatch: OSU clinches first Big Ten title since '01
Sunday, May 17, 2009 3:19 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
At approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday, Ohio State baseball players headed to a picnic with parents and friends just beyond the right-field wall of Bill Davis Stadium.
The meal went down hard.
The Buckeyes had come from behind twice to defeat Iowa 8-6 and sweep a three-game series, but it looked as if their reward would be a second-place finish in the Big Ten and a first-round bye in the conference tournament, which starts Wednesday in Huntington Park.
What Ohio State needed to win the regular-season championship was a Minnesota loss to Penn State, and the Gophers were leading 8-5 in the fifth inning.
Shortly before sundown, however, Penn State pulled off a 10-8 upset and Ohio State (39-15, 18-6) was celebrating its first Big Ten title since 2001. Its first-round conference tournament game will start at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
"We're going crazy -- absolutely crazy," designated hitter Ryan Dew said. "I can't explain how happy we are. We tried to focus on Iowa, and we took care of our business. But we were so depressed when our game was over and we saw that Penn State was down. I'm going to get on Facebook and message a lot of those Penn State guys for what they did for us."
Ohio State didn't back in. It won five of its last six Big Ten games and seven of its last nine.
The Hawkeyes led 4-0 and 6-5 yesterday, but the Buckeyes refused to fold. Third baseman Justin Miller capped a five-run sixth inning with a two-run homer to provide a 5-4 lead, and Tyler Engle drove in the deciding two runs with a bases-loaded single in the eighth.
Jake Hale pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his 15th save, an Ohio State season record.
"I had to get the win for my team," he said. "When I hopped the fence (to come into the game), it was a total blackout. I was focused."
Ohio State's portfolio is so impressive that it might have sealed a bid into the NCAA Tournament and jumped to the forefront among those teams seeking to play host to a first-round regional.
The Buckeyes have an RPI of 30, have been ranked much of the season and have a signature victory over the University of Miami.
"Now we have to win the conference tournament to take doubt out of anyone's mind about Ohio State deserving to host a first-round regional," Miller said. "We set a goal early to get that ring, and we've got one. We've crossed off the first goal."
Coach Bob Todd reminds incoming freshmen that players from the Big Ten regular-season championship team, not the conference tournament champion, get rings.
"We're all speechless," second baseman Cory Kovanda said. "That ring is going to be special. It's something to cherish. It's a year's worth of memories on your hand. We've worked so hard to do this since coming to Ohio State."
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
At approximately 3:30 p.m. yesterday, Ohio State baseball players headed to a picnic with parents and friends just beyond the right-field wall of Bill Davis Stadium.
The meal went down hard.
The Buckeyes had come from behind twice to defeat Iowa 8-6 and sweep a three-game series, but it looked as if their reward would be a second-place finish in the Big Ten and a first-round bye in the conference tournament, which starts Wednesday in Huntington Park.
What Ohio State needed to win the regular-season championship was a Minnesota loss to Penn State, and the Gophers were leading 8-5 in the fifth inning.
Shortly before sundown, however, Penn State pulled off a 10-8 upset and Ohio State (39-15, 18-6) was celebrating its first Big Ten title since 2001. Its first-round conference tournament game will start at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.
"We're going crazy -- absolutely crazy," designated hitter Ryan Dew said. "I can't explain how happy we are. We tried to focus on Iowa, and we took care of our business. But we were so depressed when our game was over and we saw that Penn State was down. I'm going to get on Facebook and message a lot of those Penn State guys for what they did for us."
Ohio State didn't back in. It won five of its last six Big Ten games and seven of its last nine.
The Hawkeyes led 4-0 and 6-5 yesterday, but the Buckeyes refused to fold. Third baseman Justin Miller capped a five-run sixth inning with a two-run homer to provide a 5-4 lead, and Tyler Engle drove in the deciding two runs with a bases-loaded single in the eighth.
Jake Hale pitched a perfect ninth inning to record his 15th save, an Ohio State season record.
"I had to get the win for my team," he said. "When I hopped the fence (to come into the game), it was a total blackout. I was focused."
Ohio State's portfolio is so impressive that it might have sealed a bid into the NCAA Tournament and jumped to the forefront among those teams seeking to play host to a first-round regional.
The Buckeyes have an RPI of 30, have been ranked much of the season and have a signature victory over the University of Miami.
"Now we have to win the conference tournament to take doubt out of anyone's mind about Ohio State deserving to host a first-round regional," Miller said. "We set a goal early to get that ring, and we've got one. We've crossed off the first goal."
Coach Bob Todd reminds incoming freshmen that players from the Big Ten regular-season championship team, not the conference tournament champion, get rings.
"We're all speechless," second baseman Cory Kovanda said. "That ring is going to be special. It's something to cherish. It's a year's worth of memories on your hand. We've worked so hard to do this since coming to Ohio State."
Friday, May 8, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: A chip off two old blocks
Matt Streng was going to be a baseball player, his dad made sure of it
Friday, May 8, 2009 3:13 AM
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Matt Streng was 2 days old when people couldn't help but notice that he was different from the other babies in the Riverside Methodist Hospital nursery.
His father, a New York Yankees fan, former Ohio State baseball player and high school baseball coach, sent out a different type of birth announcement.
"I put Matt in a baseball uniform," Terry Streng said. "He even had a baseball cap. I wanted Matt to be a baseball player. I didn't want him wearing one of those silly beanies."
As part of his grand plan, Terry had Matt learn how to switch-hit shortly after he could swing a bat.
Streng, a sophomore from Upper Arlington who has become a power-hitting first baseman for Ohio State, relishes throwing playful digs at his father's obsession with the game and his development.
"I didn't have a choice, really -- it was going to be baseball all the way," he said, laughing. "I was switch-hitting at 3 years old. I didn't need anyone to push me, though. I've always loved the game. I grew up hearing baseball stories from my father and grandfather. There have been so many great stories. It has been all good."
Some of the best stories come from grandfather Gene Streng. He played one year of minor league baseball for the St. Louis Browns and for several teams in the Navy against major leaguers Ted Williams and Johnny Sain.
Matt is making his own name by batting .328 with eight home runs and 31 RBI for an Ohio State team that trails Illinois by one game and Minnesota by a half-game going into a three-game series tonight at Illinois.
Streng became the starting first baseman in a roundabout way. He was a shortstop in high school, but didn't have the range to play the position in college.
Injuries created a hole at third base and coach Bob Todd shifted senior Justin Miller from first base to third.
Enter Streng.
"We saw a lot of potential in Matt as a hitter in high school, but the big question was finding a position for him," Todd said. "We tried him in the outfield and then at first base. He has done nicely. He's an aggressive player and has a good approach to things."
Genetics have played a role. Gene played Class B ball for Fostoria in 1941 before becoming a Navy pilot at the beginning of World War II.
Grandpa gets to as many Buckeyes games as he can.
"I followed Terry through Little League, high school and Ohio State and now I'm doing the same with Matt," he said. "Not many grandparents get a chance to do this. I'm really enjoying this."
Terry played outfield for Ohio State from 1970 to '73 and was excited when Matt signed with the Buckeyes rather than Kentucky or Toledo.
Now that he has retired from teaching, dad follows his son almost everywhere. He was at East for 17 years and Northland for 18 as a physical education and health teacher and coached baseball, volleyball, girls basketball and golf.
"I quit coaching high school once Matt reached middle school because I wanted to watch him," Terry said. "I haven't missed his games, and that goes back to t-ball and coach pitch. Your kids do look for you in the stands at games. The great thing was Denny Martin put me on his staff at Upper Arlington when Matt played baseball. That was special."
It was Matt's goal to follow his father and play for Ohio State.
"I wanted to wear this uniform so bad," he said. "I was never more excited than when I was offered a scholarship. I worked hard to get here. It was nonstop baseball. My father taught me to hustle all the time and act a certain way off the field."
Making the team at Ohio State and playing are entirely different, and Streng had to elbow his way into the lineup.
"I was kind of a shortstop and kind of a third baseman and kind of an outfielder," he said. "I had never played first base until last season. It's a lot different, but it wasn't too hard of a transition."
Friday, May 8, 2009 3:13 AM
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Matt Streng was 2 days old when people couldn't help but notice that he was different from the other babies in the Riverside Methodist Hospital nursery.
His father, a New York Yankees fan, former Ohio State baseball player and high school baseball coach, sent out a different type of birth announcement.
"I put Matt in a baseball uniform," Terry Streng said. "He even had a baseball cap. I wanted Matt to be a baseball player. I didn't want him wearing one of those silly beanies."
As part of his grand plan, Terry had Matt learn how to switch-hit shortly after he could swing a bat.
Streng, a sophomore from Upper Arlington who has become a power-hitting first baseman for Ohio State, relishes throwing playful digs at his father's obsession with the game and his development.
"I didn't have a choice, really -- it was going to be baseball all the way," he said, laughing. "I was switch-hitting at 3 years old. I didn't need anyone to push me, though. I've always loved the game. I grew up hearing baseball stories from my father and grandfather. There have been so many great stories. It has been all good."
Some of the best stories come from grandfather Gene Streng. He played one year of minor league baseball for the St. Louis Browns and for several teams in the Navy against major leaguers Ted Williams and Johnny Sain.
Matt is making his own name by batting .328 with eight home runs and 31 RBI for an Ohio State team that trails Illinois by one game and Minnesota by a half-game going into a three-game series tonight at Illinois.
Streng became the starting first baseman in a roundabout way. He was a shortstop in high school, but didn't have the range to play the position in college.
Injuries created a hole at third base and coach Bob Todd shifted senior Justin Miller from first base to third.
Enter Streng.
"We saw a lot of potential in Matt as a hitter in high school, but the big question was finding a position for him," Todd said. "We tried him in the outfield and then at first base. He has done nicely. He's an aggressive player and has a good approach to things."
Genetics have played a role. Gene played Class B ball for Fostoria in 1941 before becoming a Navy pilot at the beginning of World War II.
Grandpa gets to as many Buckeyes games as he can.
"I followed Terry through Little League, high school and Ohio State and now I'm doing the same with Matt," he said. "Not many grandparents get a chance to do this. I'm really enjoying this."
Terry played outfield for Ohio State from 1970 to '73 and was excited when Matt signed with the Buckeyes rather than Kentucky or Toledo.
Now that he has retired from teaching, dad follows his son almost everywhere. He was at East for 17 years and Northland for 18 as a physical education and health teacher and coached baseball, volleyball, girls basketball and golf.
"I quit coaching high school once Matt reached middle school because I wanted to watch him," Terry said. "I haven't missed his games, and that goes back to t-ball and coach pitch. Your kids do look for you in the stands at games. The great thing was Denny Martin put me on his staff at Upper Arlington when Matt played baseball. That was special."
It was Matt's goal to follow his father and play for Ohio State.
"I wanted to wear this uniform so bad," he said. "I was never more excited than when I was offered a scholarship. I worked hard to get here. It was nonstop baseball. My father taught me to hustle all the time and act a certain way off the field."
Making the team at Ohio State and playing are entirely different, and Streng had to elbow his way into the lineup.
"I was kind of a shortstop and kind of a third baseman and kind of an outfielder," he said. "I had never played first base until last season. It's a lot different, but it wasn't too hard of a transition."
Friday, May 1, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Buckeyes serious about Michigan visit
Friday, May 1, 2009 2:52 AM
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The sunny disposition that is Justin Miller's trademark suddenly turned cloudy and cold when the subject of Ohio State-Michigan baseball was broached.
The Buckeyes have dominated the Wolverines recently in football and basketball but have struggled on the diamond.
"We sure do know all about that, especially the seniors," said Miller, a senior first baseman. "They have had some great teams up there recently and we've been in the middle of the pack. We haven't been ourselves. We know we've got to change things."
Ohio State has been a Big Ten baseball power since 1991, but since 2003, Michigan has won all five series against the Buckeyes and 20 of the past 26 games.
That trend must stop this weekend if Ohio State (32-10, 11-4) is to remain in contention for its first regular-season conference championship since 2001.
The Buckeyes, who are tied for first place with Illinois, face the Wolverines in the first of three games tonight in Bill Davis Stadium.
"Michigan made a coaching change up there and was able to bring in some good local talent," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said.
It hasn't always been this way. The Buckeyes so dominated the series from 1990 to 2002 that Minnesota became their chief rival. Of the 13 series against the Wolverines, they won nine, split three and lost one, and won 38 of 54 games.
Things changed when Michigan hired Rich Maloney seven years ago. He brought stability and a can-do attitude to a team that saw four coaching changes the previous 14 years.
Second baseman Cory Kovanda of Worthington Kilbourne said Ohio State will be ready to play.
"Especially with the Big Ten at stake, every game is huge for us," he said. "That makes this series that much more exciting. This is a rivalry. You know they will come ready because they have a great coach. We can't get ahead of ourselves in this series. It's one game at a time, and you can't let emotion come into play.
"This isn't like football or basketball, and that's why baseball can be such a hard and frustrating game to play."
Michigan (23-19, 6-9) bears little resemblance to the team that stormed to the Big Ten regular-season championship the previous two years. Last season, it won by five games.
Todd said Ohio State has been special this season because the players are not worrying about the opposition but themselves.
"I have stressed that you can't let things such as outside influences affect you, and that includes girlfriends, parents and the pro baseball draft," he said.
"Girlfriends and parents want you to do well, certainly, but you have to worry about how you play the game and not about pleasing them.
"You can't look at the big picture, but at the next game. You have to block certain things out."
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
The sunny disposition that is Justin Miller's trademark suddenly turned cloudy and cold when the subject of Ohio State-Michigan baseball was broached.
The Buckeyes have dominated the Wolverines recently in football and basketball but have struggled on the diamond.
"We sure do know all about that, especially the seniors," said Miller, a senior first baseman. "They have had some great teams up there recently and we've been in the middle of the pack. We haven't been ourselves. We know we've got to change things."
Ohio State has been a Big Ten baseball power since 1991, but since 2003, Michigan has won all five series against the Buckeyes and 20 of the past 26 games.
That trend must stop this weekend if Ohio State (32-10, 11-4) is to remain in contention for its first regular-season conference championship since 2001.
The Buckeyes, who are tied for first place with Illinois, face the Wolverines in the first of three games tonight in Bill Davis Stadium.
"Michigan made a coaching change up there and was able to bring in some good local talent," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said.
It hasn't always been this way. The Buckeyes so dominated the series from 1990 to 2002 that Minnesota became their chief rival. Of the 13 series against the Wolverines, they won nine, split three and lost one, and won 38 of 54 games.
Things changed when Michigan hired Rich Maloney seven years ago. He brought stability and a can-do attitude to a team that saw four coaching changes the previous 14 years.
Second baseman Cory Kovanda of Worthington Kilbourne said Ohio State will be ready to play.
"Especially with the Big Ten at stake, every game is huge for us," he said. "That makes this series that much more exciting. This is a rivalry. You know they will come ready because they have a great coach. We can't get ahead of ourselves in this series. It's one game at a time, and you can't let emotion come into play.
"This isn't like football or basketball, and that's why baseball can be such a hard and frustrating game to play."
Michigan (23-19, 6-9) bears little resemblance to the team that stormed to the Big Ten regular-season championship the previous two years. Last season, it won by five games.
Todd said Ohio State has been special this season because the players are not worrying about the opposition but themselves.
"I have stressed that you can't let things such as outside influences affect you, and that includes girlfriends, parents and the pro baseball draft," he said.
"Girlfriends and parents want you to do well, certainly, but you have to worry about how you play the game and not about pleasing them.
"You can't look at the big picture, but at the next game. You have to block certain things out."
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Rotation concerns put Todd in a difficult spot
Monday, April 27, 2009 3:05 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
The phrase "Two out of three ain't bad" perfectly fits the game of baseball.
More often than not, 67 percent success results in championships.
Just the same, Ohio State's 10-6 loss to Northwestern yesterday in Bill Davis Stadium, after winning the first two games of the series, went down hard because of the missed opportunity to sweep the last place team in the Big Ten.
"Obviously, winning two of three is a good weekend," Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. "As coaches, though, you get a little selfish."
What concerns Todd is the Buckeyes (31-10, 11-4) getting a third straight rocky start from the rotation. Junior Eric Best gave up three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.
On Friday, ace Alex Wimmers allowed four runs in 7 2/3 innings. On Saturday, Dean Wolosiansky was touched for five runs in seven innings.
The trio generally has gotten the job done the first five weekends of Big Ten play. Wolosiansky had been fifth in the conference in ERA and Wimmers was seventh in opponents' batting average at .211.
Is Ohio State, which is tied for first place with Illinois with three series remaining, locked into its rotation?
"To a certain extent, that may be right," Todd said. "You get past our (current starters) and we become suspect."
The options are limited because left-handers Andrew Armstrong (tendinitis) and Josh Barrera (labrum) are rehabilitating from injuries. They have combined to start 14 games.
Todd and pitching coach Eric Parker have discussed moving closer Jake Hale or set-up man Drew Rucinski into the rotation, but either move would have its drawbacks.
No other Big Ten team has a back end of the bullpen like Ohio State. Hale leads the conference in ERA (1.00) and saves (10). Rucinski has been dependable in the seventh and eighth innings.
"That's one of the reasons we don't want to tinker," Todd said.
Catcher Dan Burkhart understands why the rotation might stand pat.
"If we have the lead in the eighth or ninth, we're going to win the game with Hale in there," he said. "Our pitching staff, we're just battling."
The Buckeyes had their chances for the sweep, but they left the bases loaded in the third and fourth innings and stranded 11 base runners for the game.
Shortstop Tyler Engle saluted Northwestern (12-26, 3-10) for playing well.
"You tip your hats to them," he said. "We battled the last two days. In this conference, everybody gives you a good game. We just have that (championship) ring in mind. No one in our locker room has a ring. The guys who played here last year left without a ring. We want a ring."
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
The phrase "Two out of three ain't bad" perfectly fits the game of baseball.
More often than not, 67 percent success results in championships.
Just the same, Ohio State's 10-6 loss to Northwestern yesterday in Bill Davis Stadium, after winning the first two games of the series, went down hard because of the missed opportunity to sweep the last place team in the Big Ten.
"Obviously, winning two of three is a good weekend," Buckeyes coach Bob Todd said. "As coaches, though, you get a little selfish."
What concerns Todd is the Buckeyes (31-10, 11-4) getting a third straight rocky start from the rotation. Junior Eric Best gave up three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings.
On Friday, ace Alex Wimmers allowed four runs in 7 2/3 innings. On Saturday, Dean Wolosiansky was touched for five runs in seven innings.
The trio generally has gotten the job done the first five weekends of Big Ten play. Wolosiansky had been fifth in the conference in ERA and Wimmers was seventh in opponents' batting average at .211.
Is Ohio State, which is tied for first place with Illinois with three series remaining, locked into its rotation?
"To a certain extent, that may be right," Todd said. "You get past our (current starters) and we become suspect."
The options are limited because left-handers Andrew Armstrong (tendinitis) and Josh Barrera (labrum) are rehabilitating from injuries. They have combined to start 14 games.
Todd and pitching coach Eric Parker have discussed moving closer Jake Hale or set-up man Drew Rucinski into the rotation, but either move would have its drawbacks.
No other Big Ten team has a back end of the bullpen like Ohio State. Hale leads the conference in ERA (1.00) and saves (10). Rucinski has been dependable in the seventh and eighth innings.
"That's one of the reasons we don't want to tinker," Todd said.
Catcher Dan Burkhart understands why the rotation might stand pat.
"If we have the lead in the eighth or ninth, we're going to win the game with Hale in there," he said. "Our pitching staff, we're just battling."
The Buckeyes had their chances for the sweep, but they left the bases loaded in the third and fourth innings and stranded 11 base runners for the game.
Shortstop Tyler Engle saluted Northwestern (12-26, 3-10) for playing well.
"You tip your hats to them," he said. "We battled the last two days. In this conference, everybody gives you a good game. We just have that (championship) ring in mind. No one in our locker room has a ring. The guys who played here last year left without a ring. We want a ring."
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Comic Relief
Comic relief: Eccentric Hale keeps teammates in stitches, but batters don't laugh when he takes mound
Thursday, April 23, 2009 5:31 AM
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State teammates never quite know which Jake Hale they're going to get when the reliever crosses the threshold of the locker room before a practice or game.
Will he be wearing the ostrich skin boots? Or will he make a fashion statement with the alligator or snakeskin boots?
Which of the 20 collectible belt buckles will be holding up his jeans? He has even worn one that lights up.
The senior right-hander who is so eccentric that he really should be a lefty also has an assortment of body art. The tattoo that never fails to crack up teammates is a handlebar mustache inked on the inside of his right index finger.
"I'll put the finger to my lip like this," Hale said in demonstration. "It gets them every time. I keep everybody laughing. We have a lot of fun in the bullpen. I'm an off-the-wall kind of guy. I'm a laid-back kind of guy."
That is, he's that way outside the white lines.
When coach Bob Todd signals for Hale, who is 6 feet 7 and 200 pounds, he transforms himself from funny man into a closer with the mentality of a hanging judge.
Hale is just the most recent in a long line of Buckeyes relievers such as Mike Stafford, Cory Cox and Rory Meister who have kept teammates loose with laughter and frustrated opponents with a bag of tricks. Going into a three-game series against Northwestern beginning Friday night in Bill Davis Stadium, Hale leads the Big Ten in appearances (24), games finished (23) and saves (10). He has struck out 42 and given up 21 hits in 32 innings with a fastball, slider and change-up.
"Once I hop the fence and come into a game, I'm a different person," Hale said. "I can turn it on when I have to. I want to be that guy at the end of every game. I feel like I can get anybody out."
It's not as if Hale is blowing them away with heat.
"I'm not just a power pitcher," he said. "I change speeds and location. I don't want anybody to get a report on me. You don't have to throw 100 mph to get people out. I had nothing against Michigan State one day and I threw pitches that were slow and slower. They were like lobs. They were taking their whacks and couldn't hit me."
The Buckeyes (29-8, 9-3) lead the Big Ten, and Hale has been one of the key players. Last Saturday, for instance, he saved both ends of a doubleheader against Purdue. In the first game, he came on with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth and got out of the jam.
"We've used Jake a lot, and he is capable of that," Todd said. "He has that rare quality to pitch on almost a daily basis."
Hale has come a long way since walking on to campus as a raw country boy from Albany, which is south of Athens.
"Jake was a typical college kid, and he went through some experiences on and off the field that weren't serious but things he has learned from," pitching coach Eric Parker said. "He's stronger for that. Jake has learned it's about making the right decisions."
That maturity has come to life in living color on Hale's body. He has a tattoo on the left calf of a tree and city symbolizing community and Albany and Columbus and roots because he's part Native American. On the shin, there is a powerful hand representing his Christianity.
"I'm going to honor my grandmother, Helen Britton, and Lowell Beaver, a man in his 80s who befriended me in high school, by having their fingerprints tattooed on my back," Hale said. "I'll have part of them with me forever."
Todd is proud of his closer.
"Jake, I think, has been getting his priorities straight," he said. "Now, he thinks about attaining goals. He has taken all of our talks to heart and he's putting that into action."
Thursday, April 23, 2009 5:31 AM
By Mark Znidar
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Ohio State teammates never quite know which Jake Hale they're going to get when the reliever crosses the threshold of the locker room before a practice or game.
Will he be wearing the ostrich skin boots? Or will he make a fashion statement with the alligator or snakeskin boots?
Which of the 20 collectible belt buckles will be holding up his jeans? He has even worn one that lights up.
The senior right-hander who is so eccentric that he really should be a lefty also has an assortment of body art. The tattoo that never fails to crack up teammates is a handlebar mustache inked on the inside of his right index finger.
"I'll put the finger to my lip like this," Hale said in demonstration. "It gets them every time. I keep everybody laughing. We have a lot of fun in the bullpen. I'm an off-the-wall kind of guy. I'm a laid-back kind of guy."
That is, he's that way outside the white lines.
When coach Bob Todd signals for Hale, who is 6 feet 7 and 200 pounds, he transforms himself from funny man into a closer with the mentality of a hanging judge.
Hale is just the most recent in a long line of Buckeyes relievers such as Mike Stafford, Cory Cox and Rory Meister who have kept teammates loose with laughter and frustrated opponents with a bag of tricks. Going into a three-game series against Northwestern beginning Friday night in Bill Davis Stadium, Hale leads the Big Ten in appearances (24), games finished (23) and saves (10). He has struck out 42 and given up 21 hits in 32 innings with a fastball, slider and change-up.
"Once I hop the fence and come into a game, I'm a different person," Hale said. "I can turn it on when I have to. I want to be that guy at the end of every game. I feel like I can get anybody out."
It's not as if Hale is blowing them away with heat.
"I'm not just a power pitcher," he said. "I change speeds and location. I don't want anybody to get a report on me. You don't have to throw 100 mph to get people out. I had nothing against Michigan State one day and I threw pitches that were slow and slower. They were like lobs. They were taking their whacks and couldn't hit me."
The Buckeyes (29-8, 9-3) lead the Big Ten, and Hale has been one of the key players. Last Saturday, for instance, he saved both ends of a doubleheader against Purdue. In the first game, he came on with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth and got out of the jam.
"We've used Jake a lot, and he is capable of that," Todd said. "He has that rare quality to pitch on almost a daily basis."
Hale has come a long way since walking on to campus as a raw country boy from Albany, which is south of Athens.
"Jake was a typical college kid, and he went through some experiences on and off the field that weren't serious but things he has learned from," pitching coach Eric Parker said. "He's stronger for that. Jake has learned it's about making the right decisions."
That maturity has come to life in living color on Hale's body. He has a tattoo on the left calf of a tree and city symbolizing community and Albany and Columbus and roots because he's part Native American. On the shin, there is a powerful hand representing his Christianity.
"I'm going to honor my grandmother, Helen Britton, and Lowell Beaver, a man in his 80s who befriended me in high school, by having their fingerprints tattooed on my back," Hale said. "I'll have part of them with me forever."
Todd is proud of his closer.
"Jake, I think, has been getting his priorities straight," he said. "Now, he thinks about attaining goals. He has taken all of our talks to heart and he's putting that into action."
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Home run all OSU need
Alex Wimmers and Jake Hale combined on a shutout, and Ryan Dew's eighth-inning home run was the game's only run in Ohio State's victory over host Purdue in a Big Ten game yesterday.
Wimmers allowed only three hits before departing after walking the leadoff batter in the eighth. Hale allowed a single before getting out of that jam.
In the ninth, Purdue got a two-out double, but Hale got a groundout.
Wimmers struck out seven, including back-to-back strikeouts of two of Purdue's top hitters in the sixth inning with a runner on second base.
Wimmers also was aided by catcher Dan Burkhart, who threw out two runners attempting to steal.
Ohio State had three hits off the Boilermakers' Matt Bischoff until Dew, the designated hitter, hit his third homer of the season.
Ohio State (27-8, 7-3) and Purdue (16-16, 5-4) will play a doubleheader today. They were scheduled to play single, nine-inning games today and Sunday, but the threat of bad weather Sunday led to the change.
Columbus Dispatc
Wimmers allowed only three hits before departing after walking the leadoff batter in the eighth. Hale allowed a single before getting out of that jam.
In the ninth, Purdue got a two-out double, but Hale got a groundout.
Wimmers struck out seven, including back-to-back strikeouts of two of Purdue's top hitters in the sixth inning with a runner on second base.
Wimmers also was aided by catcher Dan Burkhart, who threw out two runners attempting to steal.
Ohio State had three hits off the Boilermakers' Matt Bischoff until Dew, the designated hitter, hit his third homer of the season.
Ohio State (27-8, 7-3) and Purdue (16-16, 5-4) will play a doubleheader today. They were scheduled to play single, nine-inning games today and Sunday, but the threat of bad weather Sunday led to the change.
Columbus Dispatc
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Pitchers lead sweep, will take BP
Monday, April 13, 2009 3:13 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
The drill for Ohio State pitchers in a typical round of batting practice is as exciting as scrubbing a floor. If they're not shagging baseballs in the outfield, they're catching the balls that have been shagged and tossing them into a bucket behind a screen at second base.
It's about to get more interesting.
"With coach (Bob) Todd, we had kind of a little bet going that if we give up less than six walks and hit only one batter during a series that we'd have some batting practice for the pitchers," left-hander Eric Best said.
For the pitching staff, it will be batter up after the Buckeyes defeated Michigan State 6-1 yesterday for a sweep of their three-game Big Ten series in Bill Davis Stadium.
In 27 innings, Ohio State gave up four walks and hit one batter. The pitchers also gave up only five earned runs and 17 hits.
Best, a junior from Olentangy Liberty, did his best to keep the numbers low by giving up two hits and striking out two in five innings as yesterday's starter. The run he gave up was unearned.
Drew Rucinski gave up two hits in three innings, and Jake Hale worked a perfect ninth.
"It's fun," Best said of batting practice. "You have guys who didn't hit in high school looking terrible, and some guys who can mash the ball."
Shortstop Tyler Engle might not agree with the mashing part. "It's comical," he said. "But it's fun to watch. Now, we'll have to shag for them."
The Spartans (11-21, 3-6) are a bottom feeder in the conference, and the Buckeyes (26-7, 6-3) made sure they stayed that way with impressive fundamental baseball for three days in less-than-ideal conditions.
Yesterday, Ohio State had two extra-base hits -- doubles by Dan Burkhart and Cory Rupert -- but was extraordinary in working the count for four walks and moving runners by going with the pitch.
"We did exactly what we needed to do," Todd said. "We executed better all weekend (than Michigan State) and pitched better all weekend. That's what good teams have got to do. We talk all the time about making adjustments. The thing with the pitchers is, they are going out there and throwing strikes."
The sweep was a shot in the arm for two reasons. The Buckeyes had played 27 of their first 29 games on the road and had lost three of their previous four games.
"I made the comment to the players before the season started that bragging that we won a series is not good enough with the conference going to three-game series" instead of four games, Todd said. "Eight losses won't win the conference."
Chilly, windy conditions kept the crowds down -- attendance was 927 yesterday -- but the players enjoyed being back home.
"There's no place like home and being in front of the home fans," Engle said.
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
The drill for Ohio State pitchers in a typical round of batting practice is as exciting as scrubbing a floor. If they're not shagging baseballs in the outfield, they're catching the balls that have been shagged and tossing them into a bucket behind a screen at second base.
It's about to get more interesting.
"With coach (Bob) Todd, we had kind of a little bet going that if we give up less than six walks and hit only one batter during a series that we'd have some batting practice for the pitchers," left-hander Eric Best said.
For the pitching staff, it will be batter up after the Buckeyes defeated Michigan State 6-1 yesterday for a sweep of their three-game Big Ten series in Bill Davis Stadium.
In 27 innings, Ohio State gave up four walks and hit one batter. The pitchers also gave up only five earned runs and 17 hits.
Best, a junior from Olentangy Liberty, did his best to keep the numbers low by giving up two hits and striking out two in five innings as yesterday's starter. The run he gave up was unearned.
Drew Rucinski gave up two hits in three innings, and Jake Hale worked a perfect ninth.
"It's fun," Best said of batting practice. "You have guys who didn't hit in high school looking terrible, and some guys who can mash the ball."
Shortstop Tyler Engle might not agree with the mashing part. "It's comical," he said. "But it's fun to watch. Now, we'll have to shag for them."
The Spartans (11-21, 3-6) are a bottom feeder in the conference, and the Buckeyes (26-7, 6-3) made sure they stayed that way with impressive fundamental baseball for three days in less-than-ideal conditions.
Yesterday, Ohio State had two extra-base hits -- doubles by Dan Burkhart and Cory Rupert -- but was extraordinary in working the count for four walks and moving runners by going with the pitch.
"We did exactly what we needed to do," Todd said. "We executed better all weekend (than Michigan State) and pitched better all weekend. That's what good teams have got to do. We talk all the time about making adjustments. The thing with the pitchers is, they are going out there and throwing strikes."
The sweep was a shot in the arm for two reasons. The Buckeyes had played 27 of their first 29 games on the road and had lost three of their previous four games.
"I made the comment to the players before the season started that bragging that we won a series is not good enough with the conference going to three-game series" instead of four games, Todd said. "Eight losses won't win the conference."
Chilly, windy conditions kept the crowds down -- attendance was 927 yesterday -- but the players enjoyed being back home.
"There's no place like home and being in front of the home fans," Engle said.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Wimmers baffles Spartan Hitters
Saturday, April 11, 2009 2:59 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
With the count 2 and 0 on Eric Roof and the scoreboard reading zero hits for Michigan State with none out in the eighth inning, Ohio State catcher Dan Burkhart called for a fastball.
Pitcher Alex Wimmers shook his head. He wanted to throw a curveball.
Wimmers, who has been pitching to Burkhart since they were 9 years old, got his way this time.
"I was like, 'Should I have thrown that or not?' " Wimmers said. "But you can't get it back. I guess I hung it pretty bad."
Roof hit a soft double into the right field corner to break up the no-hit bid.
It was Wimmers' night, though. He threw a complete-game two-hitter in leading the Buckeyes to a 6-1 victory over the Spartans in the opener of a three-game Big Ten series last night in Bill Davis Stadium.
Wimmers (6-1) struck out 11 and walked two.
Burkhart wondered how Roof, a left-handed batter, put the ball in play.
"He threw his bat at it, and it floated to right field," Burkhart said. "Not many batters are going to sit on a 2-and-0 curveball."
Jeff Holm singled in the ninth for the second hit off Wimmers. The shutout was lost when Wimmers balked with Roof on third.
On any other night, Burkhart might have been the lead story. His three-run homer, a bomb to right, gave Ohio State (24-7, 4-3) a 6-0 lead in the eighth inning. He also singled in the fifth.
"The story, without a doubt, was Alex Wimmers," coach Bob Todd said. "He dominated the ballgame. He was able to throw strikes and had command of all three of his pitches."
For all his precision, this was not Wimmers' finest start. On March 24, he gave up one hit against No. 2 University of Miami in a 7-1 victory.
That game, though, contributed to back and shoulder tightness that bogged him down in his first two Big Ten starts, against Penn State and Minnesota. He gave up 13 earned runs in nine inningsin those.
"I took every inning like we were tied," he said. "It's a conference game, and you want to win every one you can. I was taking it inning by inning. As the game goes on, you can't think about (a no-hitter)."
Wimmers threw a perfect game in high school for Cincinnati Moeller. Burkhart was his catcher.
"Everything crossed my mind with the perfect game and no-hitter," Burkhart said. "I thought he'd do it. But it's hard to do that in baseball. We were on the same page today."
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
With the count 2 and 0 on Eric Roof and the scoreboard reading zero hits for Michigan State with none out in the eighth inning, Ohio State catcher Dan Burkhart called for a fastball.
Pitcher Alex Wimmers shook his head. He wanted to throw a curveball.
Wimmers, who has been pitching to Burkhart since they were 9 years old, got his way this time.
"I was like, 'Should I have thrown that or not?' " Wimmers said. "But you can't get it back. I guess I hung it pretty bad."
Roof hit a soft double into the right field corner to break up the no-hit bid.
It was Wimmers' night, though. He threw a complete-game two-hitter in leading the Buckeyes to a 6-1 victory over the Spartans in the opener of a three-game Big Ten series last night in Bill Davis Stadium.
Wimmers (6-1) struck out 11 and walked two.
Burkhart wondered how Roof, a left-handed batter, put the ball in play.
"He threw his bat at it, and it floated to right field," Burkhart said. "Not many batters are going to sit on a 2-and-0 curveball."
Jeff Holm singled in the ninth for the second hit off Wimmers. The shutout was lost when Wimmers balked with Roof on third.
On any other night, Burkhart might have been the lead story. His three-run homer, a bomb to right, gave Ohio State (24-7, 4-3) a 6-0 lead in the eighth inning. He also singled in the fifth.
"The story, without a doubt, was Alex Wimmers," coach Bob Todd said. "He dominated the ballgame. He was able to throw strikes and had command of all three of his pitches."
For all his precision, this was not Wimmers' finest start. On March 24, he gave up one hit against No. 2 University of Miami in a 7-1 victory.
That game, though, contributed to back and shoulder tightness that bogged him down in his first two Big Ten starts, against Penn State and Minnesota. He gave up 13 earned runs in nine inningsin those.
"I took every inning like we were tied," he said. "It's a conference game, and you want to win every one you can. I was taking it inning by inning. As the game goes on, you can't think about (a no-hitter)."
Wimmers threw a perfect game in high school for Cincinnati Moeller. Burkhart was his catcher.
"Everything crossed my mind with the perfect game and no-hitter," Burkhart said. "I thought he'd do it. But it's hard to do that in baseball. We were on the same page today."
Friday, April 10, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: With mind at peace, Dew delivering
Friday, April 10, 2009 2:59 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
At the recreational level, pingpong is supposed to be a game where the fun quotient is more important than the final score.
It doesn't work that way with Ryan Dew and brother Andy. They play for keeps.
"We started playing at a beach house on vacation in Virginia Beach a couple of years ago, and then I got a table for Christmas," Ryan said. "It has just escalated. We can put on a pretty good show. Our rallies can last a minute or longer. We keep a running tally of wins and losses. We play at all hours. And we can really slam the ball."
Ryan Dew used to take the same all-or-nothing approach with baseball, and the results were a mixed bag in his first two seasons as the starting right fielder for Ohio State.
At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, he was in a lineup of mostly peashooters and thought he had to provide power. He batted .269 with one homer as a freshman and .261 with three homers in 2008.
"We felt when we recruited Ryan that he would project to being a player that could hit with some power, and I think he was trying to hit for power too much and got to overswinging," coach Bob Todd said. "We've got him back to the basics and timing the baseball. His natural strength is taking care of driving the baseball.
"All this has come with maturity."
Dew, a junior from Worthington Kilbourne, is tied with two other players for the Big Ten lead in hitting with a .402 average going into the Buckeyes' three-game series against Michigan State. The first game is at 6:35 tonight in Bill Davis Stadium.
All of Dew's numbers are impressive. He has a .515 slugging percentage, a .429 on-base percentage and has struck out just five times in 97 at bats. He has two home runs and 16 RBI.
Swinging for the fences no longer dominates his thinking.
"I used to put so much pressure on myself to perform," he said. "I worried about the expectations. Now, I'm at peace with my role. I think it is a maturity thing. Before, I'd worry about driving in a runner. Now, I just look for my pitch and try to get the runner over. Before, I'd think about not having a hit in a certain number of at-bats and started to press.
"This is such a mental game, and you just can't think like that."
The transformation from good player to one of the team's best was just a matter of time, assistant coach Greg Cypret said. "Ryan is such a good, solid person and such a team guy, and he was doing all the right things," Cypret said.
"The thing about Ryan is he's so positive. The difference is that when he gets frustrated he'll shake it off. He'll realize there will be another at-bat or another day. This is a guy who is always thinking, 'This is the goal and let's see how we can get this done.' Ryan is a joy."
Dew glows when talking about what it means to play for the Buckeyes.
"All I want to do is help Ohio State win," he said. "All the other things like statistics just don't matter. It was my dream to play Division I baseball, and I've been fortunate enough to play it at Ohio State."
Dispatch Series Preview
Series preview
Ohio State (23-7, 3-3) VS. Michigan State (11-18, 3-3)
• Where: Bill Davis Stadium
• When: Nine-inning games at 6:35 tonight, 1:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday
• Radio: Each game on WTDA (103.9 FM)
• Series: Ohio State leads 126-82-1. Buckeyes won two of three games last season.
• Of note: Ohio State and Michigan State are one game behind Illinois in the Big Ten. There is a new brick ticket booth at the southwest corner of the stadium. The years of Ohio State's appearances in the College World Series and Big Ten championships have been placed above the archway leading into the ballpark.
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
At the recreational level, pingpong is supposed to be a game where the fun quotient is more important than the final score.
It doesn't work that way with Ryan Dew and brother Andy. They play for keeps.
"We started playing at a beach house on vacation in Virginia Beach a couple of years ago, and then I got a table for Christmas," Ryan said. "It has just escalated. We can put on a pretty good show. Our rallies can last a minute or longer. We keep a running tally of wins and losses. We play at all hours. And we can really slam the ball."
Ryan Dew used to take the same all-or-nothing approach with baseball, and the results were a mixed bag in his first two seasons as the starting right fielder for Ohio State.
At 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, he was in a lineup of mostly peashooters and thought he had to provide power. He batted .269 with one homer as a freshman and .261 with three homers in 2008.
"We felt when we recruited Ryan that he would project to being a player that could hit with some power, and I think he was trying to hit for power too much and got to overswinging," coach Bob Todd said. "We've got him back to the basics and timing the baseball. His natural strength is taking care of driving the baseball.
"All this has come with maturity."
Dew, a junior from Worthington Kilbourne, is tied with two other players for the Big Ten lead in hitting with a .402 average going into the Buckeyes' three-game series against Michigan State. The first game is at 6:35 tonight in Bill Davis Stadium.
All of Dew's numbers are impressive. He has a .515 slugging percentage, a .429 on-base percentage and has struck out just five times in 97 at bats. He has two home runs and 16 RBI.
Swinging for the fences no longer dominates his thinking.
"I used to put so much pressure on myself to perform," he said. "I worried about the expectations. Now, I'm at peace with my role. I think it is a maturity thing. Before, I'd worry about driving in a runner. Now, I just look for my pitch and try to get the runner over. Before, I'd think about not having a hit in a certain number of at-bats and started to press.
"This is such a mental game, and you just can't think like that."
The transformation from good player to one of the team's best was just a matter of time, assistant coach Greg Cypret said. "Ryan is such a good, solid person and such a team guy, and he was doing all the right things," Cypret said.
"The thing about Ryan is he's so positive. The difference is that when he gets frustrated he'll shake it off. He'll realize there will be another at-bat or another day. This is a guy who is always thinking, 'This is the goal and let's see how we can get this done.' Ryan is a joy."
Dew glows when talking about what it means to play for the Buckeyes.
"All I want to do is help Ohio State win," he said. "All the other things like statistics just don't matter. It was my dream to play Division I baseball, and I've been fortunate enough to play it at Ohio State."
Dispatch Series Preview
Series preview
Ohio State (23-7, 3-3) VS. Michigan State (11-18, 3-3)
• Where: Bill Davis Stadium
• When: Nine-inning games at 6:35 tonight, 1:05 p.m. Saturday and 1:05 p.m. Sunday
• Radio: Each game on WTDA (103.9 FM)
• Series: Ohio State leads 126-82-1. Buckeyes won two of three games last season.
• Of note: Ohio State and Michigan State are one game behind Illinois in the Big Ten. There is a new brick ticket booth at the southwest corner of the stadium. The years of Ohio State's appearances in the College World Series and Big Ten championships have been placed above the archway leading into the ballpark.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Arp lightens up in quest to improve
Mike Arp came to Ohio State as an infielder but has flourished since moving to the outfield. He's hitting .350 this season after producing at a .367 clip last season.
Friday, April 3, 2009 2:54 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
The new and improved Michael Arp walked into the interview room carrying a quart bottle of electrolyte drink and a ripped body that had weight room written all over it.
It was what Arp was not carrying that caught more attention. The Ohio State left fielder is 20 pounds lighter thanks to a workout and dietary regimen that borders on the fanatical.
How fanatical? He has been known to smuggle his own tuna in to buffets to avoid fattening toppings.
"If you pay attention to what you eat and drink, and work out hard, you're naturally going to feel better, sleep better and perform better," Arp said.
The statistics speak volumes that Arp, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound fifth-year senior from Reynoldsburg, is treating his body like a temple. In 26 starts, he is batting .350 with three home runs and 18 RBI. Take the numbers to a deeper level and he has a .505 slugging percentage, .393 on-base percentage and 12 strikeouts in 103 at-bats.
Arp is one reason the Buckeyes (21-5) are ranked 18th nationally by Baseball America going into a three-game series at No. 25 Minnesota (14-8). The first game is at 7:35 tonight in the Metrodome.
As a true freshman in 2005, Arp was a middle infielder buried on the depth chart. He took a redshirt year, but there were doubts he could become an everyday major-college player.
"We didn't think Mike had the hands to play middle infield," coach Bob Todd said. "Then we put him in the outfield and at first he struggled there, too. But Mike came here with the attitude that he could play at this level. It has all been hard work and attitude."
With the help of his father, Chris, a strength-and-conditioning coach at Reynoldsburg High School, Arp lost 20 pounds and took fly ball after fly ball year-round.
The man with no position found a home in left field last season. In 34 games, he hit .367 and had an 11-game hitting streak.
"My dad always pushed me to excellence. He toughened me up," Arp said. "My parents also told me that good things happen to good people.
"I thought I paid my dues. I've worked for this. I never give up."
The thought of changing positions midway through his collegiate career did make Arp skeptical. He lost weight to improve his foot speed and bat speed and strengthened his arm for the longer throws.
"I had to become a faster guy all the way around," he said. "At the plate, I've changed my approach to go the other way now that I have less power. I'm making more contact.
"It helped that I love to throw the ball. I've grown to like all that open space in the outfield."
Assistant coach Greg Cypret said Arp was determined to become a factor rather than a spare part.
"Mike hits as much or more than anyone we have," Cypret said. "He works on everything. He has become a confident hitter. With players like Mike we feel good about our lineup from the top to the bottom. He gives us punch. When he gets his pitch, he's hacking."
Friday, April 3, 2009 2:54 AM
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
The new and improved Michael Arp walked into the interview room carrying a quart bottle of electrolyte drink and a ripped body that had weight room written all over it.
It was what Arp was not carrying that caught more attention. The Ohio State left fielder is 20 pounds lighter thanks to a workout and dietary regimen that borders on the fanatical.
How fanatical? He has been known to smuggle his own tuna in to buffets to avoid fattening toppings.
"If you pay attention to what you eat and drink, and work out hard, you're naturally going to feel better, sleep better and perform better," Arp said.
The statistics speak volumes that Arp, a 5-foot-9, 170-pound fifth-year senior from Reynoldsburg, is treating his body like a temple. In 26 starts, he is batting .350 with three home runs and 18 RBI. Take the numbers to a deeper level and he has a .505 slugging percentage, .393 on-base percentage and 12 strikeouts in 103 at-bats.
Arp is one reason the Buckeyes (21-5) are ranked 18th nationally by Baseball America going into a three-game series at No. 25 Minnesota (14-8). The first game is at 7:35 tonight in the Metrodome.
As a true freshman in 2005, Arp was a middle infielder buried on the depth chart. He took a redshirt year, but there were doubts he could become an everyday major-college player.
"We didn't think Mike had the hands to play middle infield," coach Bob Todd said. "Then we put him in the outfield and at first he struggled there, too. But Mike came here with the attitude that he could play at this level. It has all been hard work and attitude."
With the help of his father, Chris, a strength-and-conditioning coach at Reynoldsburg High School, Arp lost 20 pounds and took fly ball after fly ball year-round.
The man with no position found a home in left field last season. In 34 games, he hit .367 and had an 11-game hitting streak.
"My dad always pushed me to excellence. He toughened me up," Arp said. "My parents also told me that good things happen to good people.
"I thought I paid my dues. I've worked for this. I never give up."
The thought of changing positions midway through his collegiate career did make Arp skeptical. He lost weight to improve his foot speed and bat speed and strengthened his arm for the longer throws.
"I had to become a faster guy all the way around," he said. "At the plate, I've changed my approach to go the other way now that I have less power. I'm making more contact.
"It helped that I love to throw the ball. I've grown to like all that open space in the outfield."
Assistant coach Greg Cypret said Arp was determined to become a factor rather than a spare part.
"Mike hits as much or more than anyone we have," Cypret said. "He works on everything. He has become a confident hitter. With players like Mike we feel good about our lineup from the top to the bottom. He gives us punch. When he gets his pitch, he's hacking."
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