Buckeyes Fall in Opener to Hawkeyes 7-0

Those who followe my twitter know, but I have had a bit of a family issue with my mother having a tumor and ultimately surgery on the 26 of the month, it's thrown a fell things in loop of late, work hours, financial priorities, actual desire to write, but I'm back for now.

As the weather finally feels a bit like spring, unfortunately the season is in its final stages, in little over two weeks from now the Big Ten will have its representative for the NCAA tournament and nine other schools will be looking at 2012. So as we are in these final weekends, the importance of the games magnify and unfortunately for the Bucks the heat and pressure kicks up a bit with tonight's 7-0 loss to Iowa (8-11, 19-27).

Michigan Series Preview

Before providing a preview on the Michigan Wolverines (13-25, 6-6), here are a few links from outside publications relating to the Ohio State baseball team.

Mark Znidar of The Columbus Dispatch has a story on Andrew Armstrong and his recovery from arm surgery as the pitcher operates well following surgery.

Jeff Svoboda of Buckeye Sports Bulletin provides a preview of the weekend and touches on catcher Greg Solomon's impact on the team in his first season.

The Lantern has.... nothing. There isn't an online story of Ohio State baseball nor Michigan weekend from the student newspaper of Ohio State

But Michigan's student newspaper, The Michigan Daily has a nice trio of articles, as Michigan, O'Neill sets to face Ohio State. They also have a lengthy feature on O'Neill with a story on community, identity, and baseball, and lastly they touch on the Big Ten with a midseason glimpse.

Now for more on the weekend with the Wolverines

Examining the Buckeyes at Big Ten's Midpoint I

To catch up on things, I'm attempting to look at the Buckeyes team as it enters the back-half of the Big Ten schedule. To be honest, I really do not know what to make of the team collectively.

Some Big Ten statistics are great such as the few hits the opposition has collected, the slugging percentage, batting average, opponents average. While some statistics are ugly and don't match the supplementing numbers such as ERA and runs scores.

Maybe when more digging comes up some sense could be made of where the team stands in the Big Ten picture, but for now an individual breakdown of the team is the best bet to start at, which today we begin with the starting pitchers.

Buckeye Flaws Exposed in Loss

As excited as I had been after three weekends and a 5-3 start, I made sure to drive home the point that four of the five wins have come against pretty bad competition. Even the win against St. John's doesn't appear to be what it was thought to be. Regardless, Ohio State had beat bad teams as a good team does.

But they're still a bit from keeping up with the good teams as today's 12-1 loss to Illinois State proves.

Hello 2011 Baseball

I did not intend to take such a lengthy, unannounced, and inconvenient break, but it happens. Normally I'd feel bad in such situations, but all things considered; school, work, professional aspirations, and just living the life of an amazing 24-year-old, I don't.

Baseball is fun, supporting Ohio State can be too, but devoting the hours I may want to or need to with everything I want to do with the coverage just isn't going to happen.

But I know my words through the Buckeye Nine can be at times both insightful and informative so I will make a better effort to update during the season. I've learned to not make promises, but ideally I would like to have and keep it to three or so posts a week; any midweek and random news or Buckeye-baseball related feature, a weekend look, and a weekend recap. I think, keyword being think, I can handle that. If not, this is fair warning that posts may or may not come up as scheduled.

Anyhow catching up on the season for the 5-3 Buckeyes so far with a few thoughts...

Still Here

No worries, I'm still here. Just took last week off, call it my personal vacation. Then this weekend was filled to the max with the High School All-Star events, the Under Armour All-American game on Saturday, and the Aflac game on Sunday. Then of course we had yesterday's MLB draft signing deadline. A whirlwind of three days.

With the deadline coming and going, it does mean incoming Buckeyes Josh Dezse and Greg Greve will indeed be in Scarlet & Gray, and not pinstripes or Black and Orange as respectively they did not sign with the Yankees and Giants. This means I can start pumping out incoming freshmen and transfers profiles which I know has been much anticipated.

Also coming will be a recap of all of the summer league action and final thoughts. Congrats to the Buckeye trio of Andrew Armstrong, Brian DeLucia, and Drew Rucinski who were on the champion Luray Wranglers of the Valley League.

More Buckeyes in the pros and the latest news and notes as they come. Which should include Buckeye commits over the next few weeks from the class of 2011. Until those trickle out, be very excited that the Buckeyes snagged Wisler, he is very good and is a strong anchor to the class.

As always, for the latest news and occasional random offbeat thought, my Twitter account of ChrsWebb is the best way to always be informed... which potentially more info than you might desire.

Buckeye Baseball Summer League Update 8/1

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

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

Buckeye Baseball News and Notes 7/28

It has been awhile and quite a bit has occurred since last Friday.

We have updates on the latest starts of our Buckeye hurlers and position players finding their way "home". A second ex-Buckeye completes the coaching staff of Greg Beals. Lastly we get our first glimpse at who the Buckeyes will be playing in 2011, trust me you'll want to see this.

Buckeye Baseball News & Notes 7/19

Spanning the internet for the latest in Ohio State baseball news, we find more about the affection and connection George Steinbrenner had to Buckeye baseball and a former captain. Drew Rucinski moved to 4-1 last night with a win in the Valley League, while back in the Great Lakes League two Buckeyes had solid Sunday afternoons.

Summer League Buckeyes 7/16 Update

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

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

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

Summer League Buckeyes 6/27 Update

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

Summer League Buckeyes

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

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

Rucinski finds little support in 6-3 loss

By all means Drew Rucinski did his job Friday night.

Through eight innings the Broken Arrow, Oklahoma native kept the Buckeyes in the game by allowing just three Illini runs. With his pitch count hovering around 110 for the second time in less than one week, on a good team the bullpen would have been called into action relieving Rucinski of his duties going into the ninth inning.

Unfortunately Ohio State is far from a good team in 2010.

Weekend Wrap: Buckeyes Take Two from Hoosiers

I'll take back what I said last weekend. While winning two of three isn't bad, and I'm not entirely upset, this was a weekend where a sweep was there for the taking.

In what is a bit unsettling for the veteran team the Bucks field, play behind the pitchers is still a problem, and Saturday it gave the Hoosiers a few extra outs, at-bats, and runs preventing the three game sweep.

Still with the first Big Ten series at Bill Davis in the books, the Buckeyes are tied atop the Big Ten heading into next weekend's showdown with Michigan State, and there is a lot to feel good and look forward to as the season progresses.

In the wrap you'll find out which players had a great weekend, which ones not so much, how the games where won, how Saturday was lost, and other random tidbits thrown together in a buffet of Buckeye Baseball. Ohio State is now 19-9 overall, 4-2 in Big Ten play.

Indiana Preview & Special Interview

With Indiana comes the first Big Ten home opponent for the Buckeyes. The weekend presents you, the Buckeye faithful, with three opportunities to support the men of Scarlet & Gray. Fresh off of a 12-7 midweek victory over Xavier, the weekend provides the student-athlete Buckeyes with a statement to make to the rest of the Big Ten as they defend their conference championship taking on the tournament champ of a year ago.

In our preview we'll have a side-by-side comparison of the two teams, projected rotations, a brief intro of Indiana, a key match-up, available media outlets, and other goodies and nuggets for your reading pleasure that includes a special feature you surely want to read that you can only get here.

Bucks Take Two of Three from Wildcats

Really there isn't much to say about the weekend, it pretty much went as expected.

I think we should feel comfortable expecting to take every series, with an occasional sweep against Iowa or Purdue, ultimately ending with a Big Ten mark not too far from the 18-6 2009 campaign.

A solid pitching performance was followed by two games of serviceable pitching. For two games the offense was there. An error-free game was followed by a three-error game. Ho-hum.

I don't advocate being content, but given the horrible schedule the Buckeyes faced in Florida, there will be no at-large berth this season and no "need" to ring up x amount of wins. It's Big Ten Tournament or bust, which we luckily host at Bill Davis Stadium.

So for the next seven weekends, I'm fine taking two of three, with some improvement here or there, securing one of the top two spots come conference tournament play and letting the dominoes fall.

But back to the weekend.

BSB: Rucinski Doesn't Garner Headlines Just Success

I'm trying to find a common ground for Ohio State stuff on Buckeye State Baseball and the Buckeye Nine.

Obviously the Buckeye Nine provides me a chance to breakdown and discuss the finer points of OSU Baseball, while BSB provides a larger audience to produce and deliver news to.

There probably will be stories over there I won't post here, at least in their entirity, to save the overwhelming reading and posts.

But until the season starts and a divide occurs here is a little story on junior Drew Rucinski...


Buckeye State Baseball's feature on the key member on the Buckeyes' staff

It’s hard to believe a pitcher could go 12-2 during his sophomore season and not be the focal point of the pitching staff of a nationally ranked team. The 12 wins would rank fifth nationally yet few around the country would know the name next to the tally. Welcome to the life of Ohio State right-handed pitcher Drew Rucinski.

On a pitching staff that would see two become All-Americans a year ago in ace Alex Wimmers and closer Jake Hale, as well as a weekend starter pick up his 18th career victory at the conclusion of his sophomore season in Dean Wolosiansky, Rucinski quietly did his job with little fanfare. The native of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma was anything but broken, as Rucinski would be the bandage Coach Bob Todd called on to close the gap from starter to closer, game after game after game.


For a team that exceeded every expecatation and truly was one family with a common goal, each player providing key contribution, it is hard to say there was a Most Valuable Player for Ohio State in 2009. Afterall catcher Dan Burkhart was the Big Ten’s Player of the Year, Wimmers the co-Pitcher of the Year, and the exploits of outfielders Michael Stephens and Zach Hurley, as well as infielders Cory Kovanda and Ryan Dew have been spoke of here. Yet what Rucinski brought to the team could surly be argued as most valuable.

For a pitching staff that was depleted the entire season, with Josh Barrera not fully recovered from surgery, Andrew Armstrong going down for most of the season after just 4 weeks, and freshman Ross Oltorik missing the last 6 weeks of the season, Ohio State’s pitching depth was paper-thin. The injuries would coincide with a compacted 13-week schedule to adjust to the universal start date providing more midweek games for a group of pitchers that was only 11 deeps.

It would be pretty at times with Ohio State being forced to use weekend starts midweek, having opponents score 20+ runs three times in Ball State, Georgia, and Florida State, but the Bucks were able to battle to a 42-19 record and win their first Big Ten title since 2001, in no small part to Rucinski.

The lanky Rucinski out of the bullpen would finish with 74.2 innings pitched, a number that rivaled weekend starters Wolosiansky (92.1) and Eric Best (75.2). A number that is astonishing considering Rucinski wasn’t throwing once every weekend, more often it would be two or three, even four times a week.

Coming out of the pen in 36 games, more than half of Ohio State’s 61 games, Rucinski posted the 12-2 record with 2 saves, going nearly 2.1 innings every time out. Considering Hale would toss another 55 innings in 40 games, roughly 1.2 innings every time he toed the rubber, combined with Rucinski the bullpen anchors would toss almost four innings or a nine-inning game. When starters are desired to go at least six innings, for the duo to pick up the slack for almost half a game, speaks to how strongly the two were relied on.

For the season Rucinski would finish with a 5.54 ERA with 62 strikeouts against 32 base on balls and 85 hits allowed for an opponents batting average of .288. Though his numbers would be more than solid, how the numbers were compiled is what is amazing of Rucinski’s sophomore season.

As Ohio State would go 3-4 in their seven postseason games between the Big Ten Tournament and Tallahassee NCAA Regional, Rucinski would be the winning pitcher in all three.

Where Wimmers would struggle against Illinois in the Buckeyes BTT opener Rucinski tossed 1.2 innings of no-hit baseball as the Buckeyes rallied in the bottom of the 7th and 8th innings with two runs in each to win 7-4.

As Ohio State faced elimination against Marist Rucinski once again picked up five outs without allowing a run as the Bucks picked up their 5th run in the bottom of the 6th on their way to winning 6-4.

Less than 24 hours later, once again Rucinski picked up five outs relieving Best after 4.2 innings, yielding just a run against Georgia as Ohio State picked up their final victory of the season eliminating the Bulldogs.

The season would come and go with little spotlight on Rucinski, but those who followed the Buckeyes and on the team would know what he meant. If trouble ever arose in the 6th through 8th innings a peak into the Bucks bullpen and see Rucinski warming up would quiet all concerns as Scarlet & Gray faithful knew the Bucks were in good hands before turning the ball over to lights-out closer Hale.

Though Rucinski would be roughed up in spots as evident when Florida State would score eight runs in .2 innings as Rucinski came back to the mound just hours after defeating Georgia and the third time in 24 hours, when counted on he delivered. He accepted his role and the heavy workload and proved to be a vital cog in the Bucks machine.

As the 2010 season is approaching a heavier burden may be placed on Rucinski. Best would have off-season surgery, so to did Armstrong leaving the Buckeyes without those two arms to start the season and an opening in the weekend rotation. The extremely large void left by the graduation of Hale needs filled. Ross Oltorik who big things were expected of is temporarily shelved with a shoulder bug, outside of Wimmers and Wolosiansky, no other healthy Buckeye pitcher has more than 50 career innings, except Rucinski.

After two very successful summers in the Valley League where Rucinski was named the top prospect after the 2008 summer, and the third-best player after 2009, the option to start Rucinski and insert him into the rotation is there. A proven successful starter on the summer circuits, Rucinski would go 3-1, with a 3.22 ERA, striking out 48 in 44.2 against 14 walks and a .230 OBA in 12 games in 2009, given the chance to start Rucinski would relish. However Coach Todd would reveal that Rucinski will be the team’s closer for the first couple of weeks in starting the 2010 season.

Though the search to find the third starter in the rotation will be an open-tryout of sorts for the first handful of weekends, whoever starts has the relief of knowing Rucinski will be there to close the door on the opposition. Perhaps Todd knows his Bucks are better served having Rucinski ending two potential Ohio State wins with the ability to toss two innings every outing than giving the Buckeyes a chance to pick up just one win.

In whatever role, Rucinski has shown the ability to succeed. The individual glory may not continue to escape Rucinski for long, a closer by nature has more of a stage than a set-up man. However as Ohio State collectively has the attention of the national audience, Rucinski is content with quietly doing his job to keep the Buckeyes moving.

Audio of Rucinski answering a few questions during the OSU Media Day can be found in the original story here.

Rivals.com/Yahoo Sports: Five Keys Ohio State

By Kendall Rogers

1. Alex Wimmers needs to be Alex Wimmers -- This key may sound like common sense or even be strange to some people, but there have been plenty of times in the past when a pitcher expected to throw exceptionally well cratered the next season. Wimmers can't do that if the Buckeyes plan on reaching the College World Series. As a sophomore last season, he had a 9-2 record and compiled a 3.27 ERA in 104 2/3 innings. He also struck out 136 and walked 55 and limited opposing teams to a .211 clip. Wimmers will be a preseason All-American and will have much pressure to succeed. It'll be interesting to see how the talented pitcher handles the spotlight.

2. Rest of the weekend rotation needs to be much better -- Wimmers is Ohio State's bell cow and one of the nation's best, but the same can't be said for the rest of the Buckeyes' weekend rotation. Eric Best was good at times last season. But another starter, Dean Wolosiansky compiled rather unimpressive numbers. Best started 13 games last season and had a 5.95 ERA in 75 2/3 innings. He also struck out 55 and walked 34 and limited opposing teams to a .315 batting average. Wolosiansky, meanwhile, started 16 games and had a 6.04 ERA in 92 1/3 innings. He struck out 55 and walked 34 and teams hit him at an incredibly high .330 clip. There's no question this unit must improve if Ohio State is to make a trip to Omaha next June.

3. Build more quality bullpen depth -- The bullpen is OSU's only major of concern with the season a couple months away. The Buckeyes finished last season with a 6.39 ERA and the bullpen is to blame for much of that calculation. Drew Rucinski is the top returning reliever. Joining him are Ross Oltorik, Andrew Armstrong and Jared Strayer. Rucinski made 36 appearances last season and had a 5.54 ERA in 74 2/3 innings, Oltorik made 11 appearances and had a 9.58 ERA in 31 innings, Armstrong made 11 appearances and had an 11.51 ERA and Strayer made 20 appearances and had a 10.55 ERA in 29 innings. We can't stress enough how much better this unit must be in the spring, both from a production and quality depth standpoint.

4. Offense needs to meet expectations -- This certainly will be the Buckeyes' strength in the spring. The Buckeyes had one of the nation's youngest offensive lineups last season and still managed to finish the campaign with a .328 batting average. The Bucks welcome back five hitters that finished '09 with batting averages better than .340. The list includes Ryan Dew, Dan Burkhart, Zach Hurley, Michael Stephens and Cory Kovanda. Dew led the team in hitting with a .388 batting average. Burkhart and Stephens, meanwhile, are the team's leading power hitters. It wouldn't surprise me if the Buckeyes finish the '10 season with a batting average equal to or better than .328.

5. Embrace the high expectations -- There have been times in the past when teams with incredibly high expectations folded like a cheap tent once the season began. Ohio State definitely hopes to avoid that fate. Ohio State hasn't been to Omaha in 42 years and would love nothing more than to end that hiatus in the spring. Accomplishing that goal will be a long and potentially rugged road with every team on the schedule gunning for them. Still, this is a team that gained a lot of experience by reaching the Tallahassee Regional final last season. There's no need for the Buckeyes to get overwhelmed by the high expectations. They need to embrace the publicity.

Gray Tops Scarlet, 5-2, to Even Series

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Clutch hitting and a strong performance by starter Drew Rucinski pushed Gray past Scarlet, 5-2, Monday afternoon at Bill Davis Stadium, tying the Scarlet and Gray World Series at one win apiece. A deciding Game 3 will be played Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.

The junior from Broken Arrow, Okla. had everything working, retiring 13 of the 17 batters he faced.

"Rucinski looked filthy today," Scarlet catcher Dan Burkhart said. "He has developed a changeup that's almost like Alex Wimmers' changeup. It really messed with the left-handed hitters today and if he is able to throw it this season he is going to keep a lot of batters off balance."

The Gray team got on the board in the top half of the first on a two-out single by senior Michael Stephens driving in another senior, Zach Hurley. The visitors tacked on another in the third when redshirt junior Matt Streng drove in senior Cory Kovanda on a ground ball to second base.

Scarlet threatened in the bottom of the fourth with runners on first and third and just one down but a Chris Griffin liner was snagged by redshirt freshman Zach Nowland at first and turned into an unassisted double play to end the inning.

With one down in the top of the fourth, freshman Hunter Mayfield singled and advanced to third on a double into the gap in right-center by Hurley. Kovanda then drove home Mayfield on a sacrifice fly to put Gray up 3-0.

After Kovanda drove in redshirt junior D.J. Hanlin to increase the Gray lead to 4-0 in the top of the sixth, Scarlet put a pair on the board in the bottom of the frame to cut the lead in half. After walking to lead off the inning, redshirt freshman Joe Ciamacco scored on a Burkhart groundout and freshman Steel Russell would score on a wild pitch for the second Scarlet run.

Gray added an insurance run to go up 5-2 in the top of the seventh when Stephens singled to lead off the inning, advanced to third on a single by redshirt junior Matt Streng and scored on a single by redshirt sophomore David Corna.

Scarlet would make it interesting in the bottom of the seventh as three of the first four hitters singled but junior Paul Geuy induced a pop-up by Russell and Griffin grounded into the game-ending fielder's choice.

"It kind of all came together for us," Kovanda said. "We were good defensively and got some really good pitching. We're in first gear and getting ready to cruise into second Wednesday night."

Kovanda finished the day 2-for-3 with a run scored and pair of runs batted in. Hurley, Kovanda, Stephens and Streng each had a pair of hits for the Gray squad. Russell went 2-for-3 with a run scored for Scarlet.

Rucinski tossed five-plus innings, giving up just one earned on a pair of hits while striking out three. Geuy picked up the save for Gray and redshirt junior Dean Wolosiansky took the loss for Scarlet, going 3.2 innings, giving up seven hits and two earned runs.

The rubber game of the 2009 Scarlet and Gray World Series will be tonight at Bill Davis Stadium. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m

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

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

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

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

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

But enough of that. Here is the release.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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