The buck finally stopped. A six-game losing streak was snapped as the Buckeyes defeated Illinois on Sunday 8-4.
The much-maligned bats awoke after falling behind 4-1 staring an embarrassing home sweep in the mirror.
With the Big Ten being in complete chaos, a loss would have dropped the Bucks into the Big Ten cellar, although they would be alongside three other schools. But as it turns out the Buckeyes are in a tie for 5th place with Indiana, controlling their own destiny for a berth in the Big Ten Tournament.
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Illinois. Show all posts
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Buckeyes Inept on Offense Again, Lose 5-2
When announcing his retirement, Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd mentioned the fact that baseball is something most people think about a half hour before a game, but is something on his mind when he first wakes up and as late as 3 a.m..
If true, I hate to say the fruits are hardly yielding of his labor.
In a season full of lows, another was added as Ohio State was held to just three hits in a 5-2 loss to Illinois. As if losing to a DII and NAIA school wasn't enough of an black eye, Ohio State is now showing they are struggling to beat DI competition, dropping their eighth game in their last 10 contests, falling below .500 in Big Ten play at 8-9, and 6-8 at home. Some much for the thought of "our honor defend".
The latest loss seemingly showed a lack of urgency and desire from the players, and well the same from Bob Todd and staff.
If true, I hate to say the fruits are hardly yielding of his labor.
In a season full of lows, another was added as Ohio State was held to just three hits in a 5-2 loss to Illinois. As if losing to a DII and NAIA school wasn't enough of an black eye, Ohio State is now showing they are struggling to beat DI competition, dropping their eighth game in their last 10 contests, falling below .500 in Big Ten play at 8-9, and 6-8 at home. Some much for the thought of "our honor defend".
The latest loss seemingly showed a lack of urgency and desire from the players, and well the same from Bob Todd and staff.
Audio with Illinois Coach Dan Hartleb
As I have for every Big Ten weekend during the last month I was able to speak to the opposing coach in the weekend set.
This weekend as Ohio State hosts Illinois I spoke to Illini skipper Dan Hartleb as Illinois has battled an up-and-down season, looking to capture a bit of momentum in the final few weeks leading up to the Big Ten Tournament.
I meant to post this prior to the series along with a preview, but as many of you know its been a difficult spring for me to manage time and everything effectively which I apologize. Through in the news of Bob Todd's retirement, and it's been chaotic of late.
However once again I hope you enjoy insight into our competition.
You can listen to the audio by clicking here
This weekend as Ohio State hosts Illinois I spoke to Illini skipper Dan Hartleb as Illinois has battled an up-and-down season, looking to capture a bit of momentum in the final few weeks leading up to the Big Ten Tournament.
I meant to post this prior to the series along with a preview, but as many of you know its been a difficult spring for me to manage time and everything effectively which I apologize. Through in the news of Bob Todd's retirement, and it's been chaotic of late.
However once again I hope you enjoy insight into our competition.
You can listen to the audio by clicking here
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.
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.
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.
OSU Defeats Illinois, 7-4, in Big Ten Tourney
Two weeks after Ohio State and Illinois played a thrilling game in front of more than 5,000 fans at Illinois Field, the two teams hooked up for another tense and terrific ball game at the Big Ten tournament at Huntington Park. This time, Ohio State pulled out the win, 7-4, to remain in the winner’s bracket of the tournament and face Indiana Friday night at 7:05 p.m.
Unlike two weeks ago, when Ohio State lost its only game of the season when leading after the seventh inning, the Buckeyes came from behind with two runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, respectively, to come back from a 4-1 Illinois lead and improve to 40-15 on the season.
“I thought our hitters did a good job battling back,” Ohio State head coach Bob Todd said. “This was a good team effort, though, with good pitches when we had to have them and a good job by our hitters.”
Three consecutive singles to open the Ohio State half of the sixth led to two Buckeye runs and a tightening of the score, to 4-3. Michael Stephens, Dan Burkhart and Ryan Dew singled to load the bases. Stephens scored on Justin Miller's sacrifice fly and Burkhart scored on Michael Arp’s fielder's choice.
An Ohio State error put the leadoff Illini on board in the seventh. After an infield pop-out, Brandon Wikoff doubled to right to put men on second and third. Ohio State starter Alex Wimmers was replaced at that point by Drew Rucincki, who perhaps saved the game by getting the final two outs of the inning on a fly to right - followed by a strong throw home by Arp to keep the runner from advancing - and a lineout to short.
Rucinski's effort in the seventh gave the Buckeyes and their partisan crowd a lift and the team capitalized on it. Matt Streng and Zach Hurley drew walks to open the inning and Cory Kovanda laid down a perfect bunt single to load the bases. A couple RBI ground outs - by Stephens and Dew - would be the extent of the Buckeyes' scoring, but the two runs gave the Scarlet and Gray its first lead of the game at 5-4 and, more importantly, the lead after the seventh inning and in those situations, Ohio State is 33-1 this season. Make that 34-1.
After a perfect, 1-2-3 inning by Rucinski in the eighth inning, the Buckeyes added two insurance runs in the eighth. Matt Streng singled home Arp, who took a fast ball in the back and then stole second to get into scoring position. Zach Hurley tripled to deep center field to score Streng. Hurley attempted an inside the park home run as he was waved home by third base coach Pete Jenkins, but two perfect strikes from center to second and then home got Hurley, who admitted afterward that he “ran into some quicksand rounding third.”
Ruckinski’s performance, which earned him his 10th win of the season in relief against two defeats, and a 7-4 lead set the stage for the ninth inning and the introduction of the best closer in the nation, according to Ohio State coach Bob Todd: Jake Hale. The big man from Albany, Ohio, didn't disappoint. After giving up a leadoff single, he sent the next three batters down in order – strikeout, groundout and strikeout – to extend his school record saves total this season to 16.
“The bullpen rose to the occasion,” Todd said. “Illinois is an outstanding hitting ball club.”
Wimmers went 6.1 innings, scattered six hits, gave up three earned runs, walked four and struck out nine. Illinois starter Will Strack suffered his first loss of the season (6-1) with 6.0 innings of work. He allowed 10 hits and five earned runs.
Illinois jumped on top in the top of the second, Aaron Johnson hitting his 10th home run of the year with a man on for a 2-0 Illinois lead.
Figures that Miller, who hit .680 the last two weeks of the season, would be in the middle of an Ohio State run in the second to cut the lead to 2-1. He walked, moved to second on a wild pitch and scored on Arp's double to right center.
Ohio State had runners on in the next three innings, including two in the fourth, but could not tie the score. Illlinois right fielder Pete Cappetta threw out a Buckeye going to third with one out in that inning to help calm a minor uprising by Ohio State in the fourth.
Illinois added to its lead in the sixth. Brandon Wikoff walked to lead off the inning and scored on another Johnson hit, this one a double laced into left center field. Two batters later and with men on first and second, Cappetta singled to right center to drive in Johnson and give the Illini a 4-1 lead.
This Ohio State team has been through a ton the past two weeks –peaks and valleys and emotions and quiet contemplation and waiting and wins (four consecutive now and six in its last seven games) – that something like a 4-1 deficit wasn’t going to stop this team. And it didn’t.
Recap Courtesy OSU Athletics
Box score
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Buckeyes open Big Ten Tournament vs Illinois.
COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 1 seed Ohio State opens 2009 Big Ten Conference tournament play at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Huntington Park against No. 4 Seed Illinois, a 16-5 winner over No. 5 Michigan State Wednesday.
Minnesota, the No. 2 seed, will also open tournament play Thursday against No. 3 Indiana, a 9-1 winner over Purdue in the second game Wednesday
OSU Athletics
Minnesota, the No. 2 seed, will also open tournament play Thursday against No. 3 Indiana, a 9-1 winner over Purdue in the second game Wednesday
OSU Athletics
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Ohio State Takes Series From Illini, Move Into 2nd
Have A LOT of catching up to do. Here goes...
Recaps courtesy Ohio State Athletics
Game 1
League-leading Illinois scored three unearned runs in the ninth inning to snatch the first game of this crucial series with Ohio State, 5-4, before more than 5,000 fans at Illinois Field.
Ohio State led, 4-2, after another fine outing from Alex Wimmers, who pitched 7.2 innings and appeared to have the win after closer Jake Hale got out of a runners-on-second-and-third jam in the eighth inning.
Ohio State had been unbeaten entering the ninth inning with the lead this season at 30-0. Hale got the first out of the ninth, but then walked Pete Cappetta to bring Willie Argo, the tying run, to the plate. Argo reached on an error. Then pinch hitter Mike Giller reached on another infield error to load the bases, bringing up Joe Bonadonna. Two-run single to left center to tie the game. The next batter, Casey McMurray, then laced a sharp single to right to win the game and send the record Illinois crowd into a joyous celebration, topped off by fireworks that the Buckeyes had to watch because the place was too crowded with people to make leaving an option.
The loss dropped Ohio State two games behind Illinois and one-and-one-half behind Minnesota, which was taking care of business at Michigan. Heading into Saturday play, Illinois is 15-4, Minnesota is 14-4 and Ohio State is 13-6 with just five Big Ten Conference games to play. Overall, Ohio State is 34-14 and has lost four consecutive games.
This was Ohio State’s game. Michael Stephens hit his third home run in two games – a two-run shot in the first inning – to give the Buckeyes a quick, 2-0 lead. Also scoring on the play was Cory Kovanda, who had singled.
Wimmers kept Illinois in control through the first four innings, not allowing a man to reach base while facing the minimum 12 batters. But Dominic Altobelli led off the fifth with a home run to right that cut the lead to 2-1. The home run ended two amazing streaks for the talented Wimmers: 15.1. hitless innings and 14.2 scoreless innings.
Illinois threatened with a man on second and two out in the sixth, but Matt Streng made a nice play to his left to stab a Brandon Wikoff liner and make the unassisted play at first for the final out of the inning.
The Illini came right back in the seventh, with back-to-back, two-out singles by Matt Dittman and Cappetta to put runners on first and third. But Wimmers reared back and struck out Argo, the .348-hitting freshman with 11 home runs, swinging on a 3-2 count. Whew!
Ohio State extended the lead in the eighth. Stephens reached after getting hit on his right shin. Dan Burkhart then went opposite field – to left center – for his ninth home run of the season and a 4-1 lead. The two RBI were Burkhart’s team-leading 52nd and 53rd of the year.
With the intensity of the game rising with every pitch, Illinois bunched three hits together in the eighth to score a run, making it 4-2, and prompting Ohio State coach Bob Todd to the mound to relieve Wimmers.
So in came Hale (0-1) with runners on second and third and two out. His first three pitches to Aaron Johnson were balls, but Johnson swung at the fourth and Tyler Engle hustled to make a play behind the mound and throw Johnson out to end the inning.
Winning pitcher John Anderson (1-2) worked a scoreless ninth, setting the Illini up for a ninth inning that will probably never be forgotten by their players or the huge crowd on hand. There’s a Big Ten championship at stake, after all, and the home team took a big step toward it tonight. There are two more games left to be played in this series, though.
Game 1 Recap & Notes
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2
Ohio State pounded out 16 hits, including four by team captain Justin Miller, and rebounded from its Friday loss to defeat league-leading Illinois, 10-7, in Game 2 of the series Saturday at Illinois Field. The win keeps Ohio State in third place in the Big Ten standings, 1.5 games behind the new leader, Minnesota. Illinois falls one-half game back of the Golden Gophers with the loss.
There were seven ties and lead changes in the contest, but this game changed within a 60-second span of the first inning. That’s how long it took for Ohio State to get out of a serious situation.
Illinois, sky high after its come-from-behind ninth-inning win Friday, loaded the bases with nobody out in the first, courtesy of a leadoff walk and a pair of singles. But Dominic Altobelli hit a hard bouncer right back to Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky, who snapped the ball out of the air and teamed with catcher Dan Burkhart and first baseman Matt Streng to complete a textbook, 1-2-3 double play. Wolosiansky then fielded Aaron Johnson’s grounder and threw to first to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Wolosiansky, the sophomore who was seeking to become the first 11-win pitcher at Ohio State since Justin Fry in 1999, pitched well enough to get a win, but after giving up two walks in the fifth inning, he yielded the game to reliever Drew Rucinsky, who pitched 3.2 innings to get the win and improve to 8-2 on the season. Jake Hale pitched a perfect, seven-pitch ninth inning to record his 12th save of the season.
This game, unlike Friday night, was more about the hitting than pitching, though. A game-long breeze reaching speeds of 15-to-20 mph out of the west made for a precarious afternoon with every well-hit fly ball. Advantage Ohio State in that department. Miller hit a two-run home run and had a double as part of his four-hit day, which included three runs and three RBI. Tyler Engle had two doubles, three hits and three runs scored and Ryan Dew also had three hits and three runs to lead the Buckeyes offensively.
Two of the biggest hits of the game came from Cory Kovanda and Matt Streng. Kovanda had the big hit in a three-run fourth inning...a two-out, two-strike, two-out single to give the Buckeyes a 4-3 lead. Zach Hurley, who had two hits and two RBI, drew a two-out, bases loaded walk to bring home the first run of the inning...a play that won’t be in the headlines but one that was certainly crucial at a critical point of the game.
Streng’s big hit came in the ninth with the Buckeyes clinging to an 8-7 lead. He singled to right, driving home two insurance runs to increase the lead to three at 10-7.
“My first few at-bats I had some good swings but things didn’t work out,” Streng, a sophomore from Upper Arlington said. “I was looking for a good pitch to drive in my last at-bat. I fouled a few pitches off and then I worked into a deep count and was able to drive one up the middle. I saw it get past the second baseman and I had to clap and cheer a little because I was excited. We needed those two runs.”
The win not only improved Ohio State’s record to 35-14, but it also stopped the only losing streak the team has been on all season at four games.
Game 2 Recap
Game 2 Box Score
Game 3
Ohio State pounded 16 hits for the second consecutive game to win the series with Illinois on the strength of a 12-7 victory Sunday at Illinois Field. The Ohio State win, coupled with a Sunday win by Michigan over Minnesota, leaves the Buckeyes and the Illini just one-half game behind Minnesota heading into the final weekend of the Big Ten season. Ohio State is now 36-14 overall and 15-6 in the Big Ten. Illinois is 32-16 and also 15-6.
Just two days after losing a Friday night game that appeared in the bag, the Buckeyes were backed into a corner and one loss away from being eliminated from the Big Ten championship picture and a couple losses away from being a fourth or fifth seed in the upcoming Big Ten tournament at Huntington Park.
But this team didn’t quit. It didn’t give in to the pressure and it quite simply didn’t care about its predicament. Instead, it came out of that corner swinging...in a big way.
This was a championship game from the start. Illinois had Best on the ropes early, scoring two runs off two hits in the first inning and then getting two men on in the second, but failing to score a run. The Illini also had men on in the third but could not add to their 2-0 lead.
The Buckeyes scored a run in the fourth. Burkhart doubled to center, moved to second on a ground out and with two out, Miller’s seventh hit of the series – a single to center – scored Burkhart, making the score 2-1.
Arp started the fifth off on a positive note for the Buckeyes, first-pitch swinging and collecting a single to left. Engle then crushed his first home run of the season out of left center field for a 3-2 Ohio State lead. Matt Streng walked and singles by Hurley and Kovanda increased the lead to 4-2 and closed the day on Illinois starter Bryan Johnson (5-3).
Stephens then greeted reliever Ben Reeser, in his first relief appearance of the year, with a sharp single to left that scored both Hurley and Kovanda for a 6-2 lead.
After Illinois’ Dominic Altobelli countered with his second home run of the series to cut the lead to 6-3, Ohio State retaliated with a single run in the sixth, a single by Kovanda that scored Engle.
Then leading 7-5 heading into the eighth inning, the Buckeyes delivered a series of knockout blows with two out that clinched the win. Burkhart doubled off the center field wall to drive in two. Dew followed with his seventh home run of the season to left center to drive in two more. The very next hitter, Miller, crushed his ninth home run to give the Buckeyes a 12-5 lead.
Hale gave up a home run in the eighth, but that was all and after a 3-up-3-down, ninth, the Buckeyes celebrated with their sixth series win of the season.
Game 3 Recap & Notes
Game 3 Box Score
Recaps courtesy Ohio State Athletics
Game 1
League-leading Illinois scored three unearned runs in the ninth inning to snatch the first game of this crucial series with Ohio State, 5-4, before more than 5,000 fans at Illinois Field.
Ohio State led, 4-2, after another fine outing from Alex Wimmers, who pitched 7.2 innings and appeared to have the win after closer Jake Hale got out of a runners-on-second-and-third jam in the eighth inning.
Ohio State had been unbeaten entering the ninth inning with the lead this season at 30-0. Hale got the first out of the ninth, but then walked Pete Cappetta to bring Willie Argo, the tying run, to the plate. Argo reached on an error. Then pinch hitter Mike Giller reached on another infield error to load the bases, bringing up Joe Bonadonna. Two-run single to left center to tie the game. The next batter, Casey McMurray, then laced a sharp single to right to win the game and send the record Illinois crowd into a joyous celebration, topped off by fireworks that the Buckeyes had to watch because the place was too crowded with people to make leaving an option.
The loss dropped Ohio State two games behind Illinois and one-and-one-half behind Minnesota, which was taking care of business at Michigan. Heading into Saturday play, Illinois is 15-4, Minnesota is 14-4 and Ohio State is 13-6 with just five Big Ten Conference games to play. Overall, Ohio State is 34-14 and has lost four consecutive games.
This was Ohio State’s game. Michael Stephens hit his third home run in two games – a two-run shot in the first inning – to give the Buckeyes a quick, 2-0 lead. Also scoring on the play was Cory Kovanda, who had singled.
Wimmers kept Illinois in control through the first four innings, not allowing a man to reach base while facing the minimum 12 batters. But Dominic Altobelli led off the fifth with a home run to right that cut the lead to 2-1. The home run ended two amazing streaks for the talented Wimmers: 15.1. hitless innings and 14.2 scoreless innings.
Illinois threatened with a man on second and two out in the sixth, but Matt Streng made a nice play to his left to stab a Brandon Wikoff liner and make the unassisted play at first for the final out of the inning.
The Illini came right back in the seventh, with back-to-back, two-out singles by Matt Dittman and Cappetta to put runners on first and third. But Wimmers reared back and struck out Argo, the .348-hitting freshman with 11 home runs, swinging on a 3-2 count. Whew!
Ohio State extended the lead in the eighth. Stephens reached after getting hit on his right shin. Dan Burkhart then went opposite field – to left center – for his ninth home run of the season and a 4-1 lead. The two RBI were Burkhart’s team-leading 52nd and 53rd of the year.
With the intensity of the game rising with every pitch, Illinois bunched three hits together in the eighth to score a run, making it 4-2, and prompting Ohio State coach Bob Todd to the mound to relieve Wimmers.
So in came Hale (0-1) with runners on second and third and two out. His first three pitches to Aaron Johnson were balls, but Johnson swung at the fourth and Tyler Engle hustled to make a play behind the mound and throw Johnson out to end the inning.
Winning pitcher John Anderson (1-2) worked a scoreless ninth, setting the Illini up for a ninth inning that will probably never be forgotten by their players or the huge crowd on hand. There’s a Big Ten championship at stake, after all, and the home team took a big step toward it tonight. There are two more games left to be played in this series, though.
Game 1 Recap & Notes
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2
Ohio State pounded out 16 hits, including four by team captain Justin Miller, and rebounded from its Friday loss to defeat league-leading Illinois, 10-7, in Game 2 of the series Saturday at Illinois Field. The win keeps Ohio State in third place in the Big Ten standings, 1.5 games behind the new leader, Minnesota. Illinois falls one-half game back of the Golden Gophers with the loss.
There were seven ties and lead changes in the contest, but this game changed within a 60-second span of the first inning. That’s how long it took for Ohio State to get out of a serious situation.
Illinois, sky high after its come-from-behind ninth-inning win Friday, loaded the bases with nobody out in the first, courtesy of a leadoff walk and a pair of singles. But Dominic Altobelli hit a hard bouncer right back to Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky, who snapped the ball out of the air and teamed with catcher Dan Burkhart and first baseman Matt Streng to complete a textbook, 1-2-3 double play. Wolosiansky then fielded Aaron Johnson’s grounder and threw to first to get out of the inning without allowing a run.
Wolosiansky, the sophomore who was seeking to become the first 11-win pitcher at Ohio State since Justin Fry in 1999, pitched well enough to get a win, but after giving up two walks in the fifth inning, he yielded the game to reliever Drew Rucinsky, who pitched 3.2 innings to get the win and improve to 8-2 on the season. Jake Hale pitched a perfect, seven-pitch ninth inning to record his 12th save of the season.
This game, unlike Friday night, was more about the hitting than pitching, though. A game-long breeze reaching speeds of 15-to-20 mph out of the west made for a precarious afternoon with every well-hit fly ball. Advantage Ohio State in that department. Miller hit a two-run home run and had a double as part of his four-hit day, which included three runs and three RBI. Tyler Engle had two doubles, three hits and three runs scored and Ryan Dew also had three hits and three runs to lead the Buckeyes offensively.
Two of the biggest hits of the game came from Cory Kovanda and Matt Streng. Kovanda had the big hit in a three-run fourth inning...a two-out, two-strike, two-out single to give the Buckeyes a 4-3 lead. Zach Hurley, who had two hits and two RBI, drew a two-out, bases loaded walk to bring home the first run of the inning...a play that won’t be in the headlines but one that was certainly crucial at a critical point of the game.
Streng’s big hit came in the ninth with the Buckeyes clinging to an 8-7 lead. He singled to right, driving home two insurance runs to increase the lead to three at 10-7.
“My first few at-bats I had some good swings but things didn’t work out,” Streng, a sophomore from Upper Arlington said. “I was looking for a good pitch to drive in my last at-bat. I fouled a few pitches off and then I worked into a deep count and was able to drive one up the middle. I saw it get past the second baseman and I had to clap and cheer a little because I was excited. We needed those two runs.”
The win not only improved Ohio State’s record to 35-14, but it also stopped the only losing streak the team has been on all season at four games.
Game 2 Recap
Game 2 Box Score
Game 3
Ohio State pounded 16 hits for the second consecutive game to win the series with Illinois on the strength of a 12-7 victory Sunday at Illinois Field. The Ohio State win, coupled with a Sunday win by Michigan over Minnesota, leaves the Buckeyes and the Illini just one-half game behind Minnesota heading into the final weekend of the Big Ten season. Ohio State is now 36-14 overall and 15-6 in the Big Ten. Illinois is 32-16 and also 15-6.
Just two days after losing a Friday night game that appeared in the bag, the Buckeyes were backed into a corner and one loss away from being eliminated from the Big Ten championship picture and a couple losses away from being a fourth or fifth seed in the upcoming Big Ten tournament at Huntington Park.
But this team didn’t quit. It didn’t give in to the pressure and it quite simply didn’t care about its predicament. Instead, it came out of that corner swinging...in a big way.
This was a championship game from the start. Illinois had Best on the ropes early, scoring two runs off two hits in the first inning and then getting two men on in the second, but failing to score a run. The Illini also had men on in the third but could not add to their 2-0 lead.
The Buckeyes scored a run in the fourth. Burkhart doubled to center, moved to second on a ground out and with two out, Miller’s seventh hit of the series – a single to center – scored Burkhart, making the score 2-1.
Arp started the fifth off on a positive note for the Buckeyes, first-pitch swinging and collecting a single to left. Engle then crushed his first home run of the season out of left center field for a 3-2 Ohio State lead. Matt Streng walked and singles by Hurley and Kovanda increased the lead to 4-2 and closed the day on Illinois starter Bryan Johnson (5-3).
Stephens then greeted reliever Ben Reeser, in his first relief appearance of the year, with a sharp single to left that scored both Hurley and Kovanda for a 6-2 lead.
After Illinois’ Dominic Altobelli countered with his second home run of the series to cut the lead to 6-3, Ohio State retaliated with a single run in the sixth, a single by Kovanda that scored Engle.
Then leading 7-5 heading into the eighth inning, the Buckeyes delivered a series of knockout blows with two out that clinched the win. Burkhart doubled off the center field wall to drive in two. Dew followed with his seventh home run of the season to left center to drive in two more. The very next hitter, Miller, crushed his ninth home run to give the Buckeyes a 12-5 lead.
Hale gave up a home run in the eighth, but that was all and after a 3-up-3-down, ninth, the Buckeyes celebrated with their sixth series win of the season.
Game 3 Recap & Notes
Game 3 Box Score
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Buckeyes Down Illini, 12-7 Win Series
For the second game in a row the Buckeyes bats came alive, pouding Illini pitching for 16 hits again. The 16 hits including 3 home runs, and 6 players had 2-RBI games accounting for the 12 runs.
With the win the Bucks move into a tie for 2nd with the Illini, though they hold the tiebreaker due to the series victory, and sit a half game back of Minnesota going into the final Big Ten weekend.
Minnesota 15-5
Ohio State 15-6
Illinois 15-6
Indiana 14-6
Leading the way for Ohio State at the plate were:
Cory Kovanda 4-for-5, 2 RBI
Dan Burkhart 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 2B
Justin Miller 3-for-5, 2 RBI, HR
Ryan Dew and Tyler Engle also added 2-run HR's, Michael Stephens had a 2-run double as well.
To continue the running joke, Stephens was once again HBP. My last tally was wrong, the correct total is 13 HBP, 11 HR for Stephens. Stephens was HBP in every game this series.
On the mound starter Eric Best picked up his 7th win moving to 7-3 on the season. Best throwing in his 3rd game in 7 days throw 108 pitches, allowed 6 hits, issued 6 walks, struck out 3, and gave up 5 runs all earned in 5.2 IP. Jared Strayer pitched 1 inning of no hit baseball, before giving way to closer Jake Hale who went the final 2.1 inning, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits. Hale gave up his first home run of the season, but struck out a batter and picked up his Big Ten leading 13th save.
The win clinched the Bucks 6th Big Ten series victory, but was just their 2nd win in conference play on Sunday.
A full recap of all 3 games will come tomorrow.
With the win the Bucks move into a tie for 2nd with the Illini, though they hold the tiebreaker due to the series victory, and sit a half game back of Minnesota going into the final Big Ten weekend.
Minnesota 15-5
Ohio State 15-6
Illinois 15-6
Indiana 14-6
Leading the way for Ohio State at the plate were:
Cory Kovanda 4-for-5, 2 RBI
Dan Burkhart 2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 2B
Justin Miller 3-for-5, 2 RBI, HR
Ryan Dew and Tyler Engle also added 2-run HR's, Michael Stephens had a 2-run double as well.
To continue the running joke, Stephens was once again HBP. My last tally was wrong, the correct total is 13 HBP, 11 HR for Stephens. Stephens was HBP in every game this series.
On the mound starter Eric Best picked up his 7th win moving to 7-3 on the season. Best throwing in his 3rd game in 7 days throw 108 pitches, allowed 6 hits, issued 6 walks, struck out 3, and gave up 5 runs all earned in 5.2 IP. Jared Strayer pitched 1 inning of no hit baseball, before giving way to closer Jake Hale who went the final 2.1 inning, allowing 2 runs on 2 hits. Hale gave up his first home run of the season, but struck out a batter and picked up his Big Ten leading 13th save.
The win clinched the Bucks 6th Big Ten series victory, but was just their 2nd win in conference play on Sunday.
A full recap of all 3 games will come tomorrow.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
OSU-Illinois Game 2
Buckeyes win 10-7, rebounding from Friday's dramatic loss.
Drew Rucinski moves to 8-2 on the year. Jake Hale collects his 12th save.
The Bucks were lead a the dish by Ryan Dew who went 3-for-5 with 3 runs. Justin Miller batting 6th went scored 3 runs of himself in going 4-for-5 with a HR, and a double, and 3 RBI. Tyler Engle was an offensive force as well going 3-for-4 being the third Buckeye with 3 runs he also added a RBI.
Starter Dean Wolosiansky who had earned a victory in every Big Ten series to this point went 4.2 innings allowing 9 hits, 4 runs all earned, and walked 2.
Drew Rucinski moves to 8-2 on the year. Jake Hale collects his 12th save.
The Bucks were lead a the dish by Ryan Dew who went 3-for-5 with 3 runs. Justin Miller batting 6th went scored 3 runs of himself in going 4-for-5 with a HR, and a double, and 3 RBI. Tyler Engle was an offensive force as well going 3-for-4 being the third Buckeye with 3 runs he also added a RBI.
Starter Dean Wolosiansky who had earned a victory in every Big Ten series to this point went 4.2 innings allowing 9 hits, 4 runs all earned, and walked 2.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Miscues in the 9th doom Buckeyes
Stephens with a 2-run HR.
Stephens 11th HR, 3rd in 2 games.
Burkhart with a 2-run HR, his 9th.
Wimmers line 7.2 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs both earned, 2 BB, 7 K's.
Two errors in the 9th led the 3 unearned runs. Hale picks up his first decision a tough loss.
5,124 was the announced attendence. Wow good job Illini fans, impressive.
Game 2 is tomorrow at 4:05 eastern.
Bucks are now 2 games behind the Big Ten leader Illinois, and have now reached a sason high 4th straight loss.
First time the Bucks have lost when leading after 7 and 8 respectively all season. Were 30-0 going into tonights game when up after 8.
Stephens 11th HR, 3rd in 2 games.
Burkhart with a 2-run HR, his 9th.
Wimmers line 7.2 IP, 6 hits, 2 runs both earned, 2 BB, 7 K's.
Two errors in the 9th led the 3 unearned runs. Hale picks up his first decision a tough loss.
5,124 was the announced attendence. Wow good job Illini fans, impressive.
Game 2 is tomorrow at 4:05 eastern.
Bucks are now 2 games behind the Big Ten leader Illinois, and have now reached a sason high 4th straight loss.
First time the Bucks have lost when leading after 7 and 8 respectively all season. Were 30-0 going into tonights game when up after 8.
A Glance at the Illinois Series
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State travels to Champaign, Ill., for a three-game set this weekend with Illinois. The series will have major implications in the chase for the 2009 Big Ten Conference championship. Here’s what the weekend looks like for the top of the Big Ten standings:
• The Illini are in first place at 14-4, one-half game ahead of 13-4 Minnesota.
• The 13-4 Buckeyes are a game behind Illinois and one-half game behind Minnesota.
• Minnesota plays at 7-11 Michigan, which is in seventh place and needs wins and help to get into the Big Ten tournament.
• Fourth-place Indiana (11-6) hosts Northwestern and fifth-place Michigan State (11-7) hosts sixth-place Purdue (7-10).
This Weekend in Ohio State Baseball
No. 27 Ohio State (34-13; 13-5/3rd Big Ten Conference)
Game 48 at No. 25 Illinois (31-14; 14-4/1st Big Ten Conference)
Friday, May 8, 7 p.m.
Illinois Field (1,500)
Game 49 at Illinois
Saturday, May 9, 4 p.m.
Game 50 at Illinois
Sunday, May 10, 2 p.m.
All times EDT
BROADCAST RADIO
103.9 WTDA Talk FM
INTERNET AUDIO & LIVE STATS
OhioStateBuckeyes.com
SECOND RANKED-RANKED SERIES
Illinois is ranked 25th by Collegiate Baseball; Ohio State 27th. This is the second time this season that Ohio State is playing a ranked Big Ten team after playing 25th-ranked Minnesota the second week of the Big Ten season.
WEEKEND STARTERS
The probable starting pitchers for the two teams this weekend looks like this:
G1 Fri. - RHP Alex Wimmers (8-1; 2.79) vs.
LHP Phil Haig (6-2; 4.48)
G2 Sat. - RHP Dean Wolosiansky (10-1; 5.19) vs.
RHP Ben Reeser (3-0; 2.85)
G3 Sat. - LHP Eric Best (6-3; 5.01) vs.
RHP Bryan Roberts (5-2; 5.64)
BROADCAST/WEB SITE AUDIO
The entire Ohio State/Illinois series will be broadcast over the air by WTDA 103.9 Talk FM and it will also be streamed online to OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Live stats are there, too.
THE CLIMB TO THE TOP
Ohio State has won five of six Big Ten series to get to 13-5: 3-0 sweeps over Michigan State and at Purdue; 2-1 wins at Penn State and vs. Northwestern and Michigan; and a 2-1 loss at Minnesota. Coach Dan Hartleb’s fourth Illinois team has won five series, too, with three 3-0 sweeps (vs. MSU, at Penn State and at NU), 2-1 wins at Michigan and vs. Minnesota, and a 2-1 loss at home to Indiana.
STATS COMPARISON
Here’s a quick look at each team’s overall and Big Ten Conference stats and stat leaders:
• Ohio State is batting .329 in all games and .314 vs. the Big Ten. Ryan Dew (.396 with 6 HRs), Dan Burkhart (.380 and 8 HRs) and Michael Stephens (.364) lead the way with Burkhart also leading in RBI (51) and Stephens leading in HRs (10) and ranking second in RBI (47). Justin Miller (7 HRs; 41 RBI), Zach Hurley (6 and 45, respectively) and Matt Streng (8 and 31) also slug well.
• Illinois is hitting .321 overall and .340 vs. the Big Ten with Brandon Wikoff (.385), Dominic Altobelli (.374; 6 HRs and 48 RBI), Willie Argo (.348; 11 HRs and 39 RBI) and Aaron Johnson (.345; 8 HRs and 46 RBI) most dangerous.
• Team ERAs: Ohio State’s are 5.64 overall and 4.58 vs. the Big Ten; Illinois’ are 4.70 and 4.83.
• OSU fielding: .965; UI fielding: .969.
THE OSU vs. UI SERIES
Ohio State vs. Illinois has always been a competitive series. All-time, Ohio State leads the series, 95-87-2. Ohio State won the series last year, 2-1, with the fourth game cancelled due to inclement weather. The teams met in the 2008 Big Ten tournament, with the Illini claiming a 3-2 win. Here’s more series lore:
• Ohio State has won four consecutive series at Bill Davis Stadium.
• The 2007 series at Illinois Field was contested in inclement weather. It was shortened after each team had won once.
• Illinois swept in 2005 at Illinois Field, 4-0.
• Illinois leads in all-time series wins in series played in Champaign with three series wins, two losses and four ties.
• The last time the teams met, Kevin Manson pitched a complete game and Joe Bonadonna’s seventh-inning home run – his first of the year – was the difference in Illinois’ 3-2 win at the 2008 Big Ten tournament. Manson gave up two unearned runs in the second inning and then retired 22 of the final 24 batters.
OSU Athletics Weekend Release
• The Illini are in first place at 14-4, one-half game ahead of 13-4 Minnesota.
• The 13-4 Buckeyes are a game behind Illinois and one-half game behind Minnesota.
• Minnesota plays at 7-11 Michigan, which is in seventh place and needs wins and help to get into the Big Ten tournament.
• Fourth-place Indiana (11-6) hosts Northwestern and fifth-place Michigan State (11-7) hosts sixth-place Purdue (7-10).
This Weekend in Ohio State Baseball
No. 27 Ohio State (34-13; 13-5/3rd Big Ten Conference)
Game 48 at No. 25 Illinois (31-14; 14-4/1st Big Ten Conference)
Friday, May 8, 7 p.m.
Illinois Field (1,500)
Game 49 at Illinois
Saturday, May 9, 4 p.m.
Game 50 at Illinois
Sunday, May 10, 2 p.m.
All times EDT
BROADCAST RADIO
103.9 WTDA Talk FM
INTERNET AUDIO & LIVE STATS
OhioStateBuckeyes.com
SECOND RANKED-RANKED SERIES
Illinois is ranked 25th by Collegiate Baseball; Ohio State 27th. This is the second time this season that Ohio State is playing a ranked Big Ten team after playing 25th-ranked Minnesota the second week of the Big Ten season.
WEEKEND STARTERS
The probable starting pitchers for the two teams this weekend looks like this:
G1 Fri. - RHP Alex Wimmers (8-1; 2.79) vs.
LHP Phil Haig (6-2; 4.48)
G2 Sat. - RHP Dean Wolosiansky (10-1; 5.19) vs.
RHP Ben Reeser (3-0; 2.85)
G3 Sat. - LHP Eric Best (6-3; 5.01) vs.
RHP Bryan Roberts (5-2; 5.64)
BROADCAST/WEB SITE AUDIO
The entire Ohio State/Illinois series will be broadcast over the air by WTDA 103.9 Talk FM and it will also be streamed online to OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Live stats are there, too.
THE CLIMB TO THE TOP
Ohio State has won five of six Big Ten series to get to 13-5: 3-0 sweeps over Michigan State and at Purdue; 2-1 wins at Penn State and vs. Northwestern and Michigan; and a 2-1 loss at Minnesota. Coach Dan Hartleb’s fourth Illinois team has won five series, too, with three 3-0 sweeps (vs. MSU, at Penn State and at NU), 2-1 wins at Michigan and vs. Minnesota, and a 2-1 loss at home to Indiana.
STATS COMPARISON
Here’s a quick look at each team’s overall and Big Ten Conference stats and stat leaders:
• Ohio State is batting .329 in all games and .314 vs. the Big Ten. Ryan Dew (.396 with 6 HRs), Dan Burkhart (.380 and 8 HRs) and Michael Stephens (.364) lead the way with Burkhart also leading in RBI (51) and Stephens leading in HRs (10) and ranking second in RBI (47). Justin Miller (7 HRs; 41 RBI), Zach Hurley (6 and 45, respectively) and Matt Streng (8 and 31) also slug well.
• Illinois is hitting .321 overall and .340 vs. the Big Ten with Brandon Wikoff (.385), Dominic Altobelli (.374; 6 HRs and 48 RBI), Willie Argo (.348; 11 HRs and 39 RBI) and Aaron Johnson (.345; 8 HRs and 46 RBI) most dangerous.
• Team ERAs: Ohio State’s are 5.64 overall and 4.58 vs. the Big Ten; Illinois’ are 4.70 and 4.83.
• OSU fielding: .965; UI fielding: .969.
THE OSU vs. UI SERIES
Ohio State vs. Illinois has always been a competitive series. All-time, Ohio State leads the series, 95-87-2. Ohio State won the series last year, 2-1, with the fourth game cancelled due to inclement weather. The teams met in the 2008 Big Ten tournament, with the Illini claiming a 3-2 win. Here’s more series lore:
• Ohio State has won four consecutive series at Bill Davis Stadium.
• The 2007 series at Illinois Field was contested in inclement weather. It was shortened after each team had won once.
• Illinois swept in 2005 at Illinois Field, 4-0.
• Illinois leads in all-time series wins in series played in Champaign with three series wins, two losses and four ties.
• The last time the teams met, Kevin Manson pitched a complete game and Joe Bonadonna’s seventh-inning home run – his first of the year – was the difference in Illinois’ 3-2 win at the 2008 Big Ten tournament. Manson gave up two unearned runs in the second inning and then retired 22 of the final 24 batters.
OSU Athletics Weekend Release
Student Newspapers: The Lantern & The Daily Illini
The Lantern
Nathan Schlabach
Issue date: 5/8/09
The National Player of the Week and Big Ten Conference Pitcher of the Week, Ohio State's Alex Wimmers will start the opening match of an important three-game series this weekend.
It's the start of a series that might ultimately decide the Big Ten champion as the OSU baseball team travels to Champaign, Ill., to take on Illinois.
Coming off his 14-strikeout, no-hit performance against Michigan last weekend, Wimmers (8-1, 2.79 ERA) will look to end the Buckeyes' three-game losing streak at 7 p.m. Friday. He will be going up against Illinois pitcher Phil Haig (6-2, 4.48 ERA).
This series will be a match-up featuring the No. 25 and No. 27 teams in the country, and the series winner will hold the edge in the race for the Big Ten title.
To gain the upper hand, the Buckeyes must play smart, fundamental baseball if they expect to win games this weekend. Illinois has been playing very well as of late, winning eight of its last 10 games.
"This team set out to win a Big Ten championship this year and this is our chance to really go out and get it," OSU outfielder Zach Hurley said. "They're going to bring everything they have, so it's going to be a good weekend match-up."
Coach Bob Todd also stressed the fact that this is an important weekend for OSU.
"We have to get ready to play Illinois and obviously that's another big huge series for us," Todd said. "Our objective and our goal is to win a Big Ten championship."
Illinois is in the Big Ten lead, with a one-game lead against the Bucks and a half-game lead over Minnesota, going into this weekend. Illinois (31-14, 14-4 Big Ten), Minnesota (31-13, 13-4) and OSU (34-13, 13-5 Big Ten) are all battling it out for the top spot in the Big Ten.
And with only two weeks left in the regular season and fewer conference games left, things are heating up.
"Every game is going to be critical from here on out," Todd said.
The Buckeyes must get a couple wins this weekend if they expect to win the Big Ten Championship. With one Big Ten series left after this, the Buckeyes know they control their own destiny.
Game two begins at 4 p.m. Saturday and will showcase OSU pitcher Dean Wolosiansky and Illinois pitcher Ben Reeser. The series will conclude with a 2 p.m. game Sunday, highlighting OSU pitcher Eric Best and Illinois pitcher Bryan Roberts.
The Daily Illini
Peter Zervakis
May 8th, 2009
The No. 25 Illini host No. 27 Ohio State this weekend in a three-game series that could decide the conference crown. Illinois (31-14, 14-4 Big Ten) is first in the Big Ten, but the Buckeyes (34-13, 13-5) can rise to the top of the standings with a series win in Champaign.
Illinois junior catcher Aaron Johnson is a man who likes to be in control of things — like the race for the Big Ten title.
"It's all in our hands now," Johnson said. "As long as we keep winning it's not like there's anything anybody else can do."
Illinois has not won a Big Ten regular-season title since 2005. Despite the magnitude of the series, Johnson said the Illini won't approach the weekend differently than usual.
"You've got to look at what got you here," Johnson said. "We're just going to keep doing the same things we've been all year ... we really don't care who we're playing."
Ohio State boasts an intimidating trio of starting pitchers with a combined record of 24-5. Sophomores Alex Wimmers and Dean Wolosiansky will take to the mound Friday and Saturday, while senior lefty Eric Best will be expected to close the show in Sunday's series finale.
Johnson, who has batted .345 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs this year, said the Illinois offense is more than capable of scoring against the OSU aces.
"(Hitters) one through nine, we've been confident all year," Johnson said. "It seems like we just always find ways to score runs."
The Buckeyes boast a powerful batting order of their own, led by sophomore catcher Dan Burkhart and junior outfielder Michael Stephens. Burkhart is batting .380 with eight home runs and 51 RBIs this season, while his teammate Stephens is batting .364 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs on the season.
Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb added that the Illini and the Buckeyes have mutual respect for one another.
"They're a very good team," Hartleb said. "They're going to be very similar to us. They can swing the bats, they've got solid pitching and defensively they're good."
Sophomore lefty Phil Haig will start things off on the mound for Illinois Friday night. Senior Ben Reeser will throw Saturday, and freshman Bryan Roberts is slated to pitch Sunday. Roberts said he appreciates the trust Hartleb has shown in him this season.
"Coach has shown great confidence in me all year," Roberts said. "That's a big confidence booster for me."
Roberts also said the Illini pitching staff knows what it has to do to neutralize Burkhart, Stephens and company.
"If we're attacking hitters we know we can take care of business," Roberts said. "The problems for us start when we get behind in the count and start throwing pitches right down the middle. That's when we start getting hit."
Hartleb said pitching could determine which team is sitting atop the Big Ten standings come Monday morning.
"We need to be sharp, be down in the zone and use both sides of the plate," Hartleb said of his pitching staff.
The coach added, "Whoever pitches the best in each and every game will come out and win that given game."
Nathan Schlabach
Issue date: 5/8/09
The National Player of the Week and Big Ten Conference Pitcher of the Week, Ohio State's Alex Wimmers will start the opening match of an important three-game series this weekend.
It's the start of a series that might ultimately decide the Big Ten champion as the OSU baseball team travels to Champaign, Ill., to take on Illinois.
Coming off his 14-strikeout, no-hit performance against Michigan last weekend, Wimmers (8-1, 2.79 ERA) will look to end the Buckeyes' three-game losing streak at 7 p.m. Friday. He will be going up against Illinois pitcher Phil Haig (6-2, 4.48 ERA).
This series will be a match-up featuring the No. 25 and No. 27 teams in the country, and the series winner will hold the edge in the race for the Big Ten title.
To gain the upper hand, the Buckeyes must play smart, fundamental baseball if they expect to win games this weekend. Illinois has been playing very well as of late, winning eight of its last 10 games.
"This team set out to win a Big Ten championship this year and this is our chance to really go out and get it," OSU outfielder Zach Hurley said. "They're going to bring everything they have, so it's going to be a good weekend match-up."
Coach Bob Todd also stressed the fact that this is an important weekend for OSU.
"We have to get ready to play Illinois and obviously that's another big huge series for us," Todd said. "Our objective and our goal is to win a Big Ten championship."
Illinois is in the Big Ten lead, with a one-game lead against the Bucks and a half-game lead over Minnesota, going into this weekend. Illinois (31-14, 14-4 Big Ten), Minnesota (31-13, 13-4) and OSU (34-13, 13-5 Big Ten) are all battling it out for the top spot in the Big Ten.
And with only two weeks left in the regular season and fewer conference games left, things are heating up.
"Every game is going to be critical from here on out," Todd said.
The Buckeyes must get a couple wins this weekend if they expect to win the Big Ten Championship. With one Big Ten series left after this, the Buckeyes know they control their own destiny.
Game two begins at 4 p.m. Saturday and will showcase OSU pitcher Dean Wolosiansky and Illinois pitcher Ben Reeser. The series will conclude with a 2 p.m. game Sunday, highlighting OSU pitcher Eric Best and Illinois pitcher Bryan Roberts.
The Daily Illini
Peter Zervakis
May 8th, 2009
The No. 25 Illini host No. 27 Ohio State this weekend in a three-game series that could decide the conference crown. Illinois (31-14, 14-4 Big Ten) is first in the Big Ten, but the Buckeyes (34-13, 13-5) can rise to the top of the standings with a series win in Champaign.
Illinois junior catcher Aaron Johnson is a man who likes to be in control of things — like the race for the Big Ten title.
"It's all in our hands now," Johnson said. "As long as we keep winning it's not like there's anything anybody else can do."
Illinois has not won a Big Ten regular-season title since 2005. Despite the magnitude of the series, Johnson said the Illini won't approach the weekend differently than usual.
"You've got to look at what got you here," Johnson said. "We're just going to keep doing the same things we've been all year ... we really don't care who we're playing."
Ohio State boasts an intimidating trio of starting pitchers with a combined record of 24-5. Sophomores Alex Wimmers and Dean Wolosiansky will take to the mound Friday and Saturday, while senior lefty Eric Best will be expected to close the show in Sunday's series finale.
Johnson, who has batted .345 with eight home runs and 46 RBIs this year, said the Illinois offense is more than capable of scoring against the OSU aces.
"(Hitters) one through nine, we've been confident all year," Johnson said. "It seems like we just always find ways to score runs."
The Buckeyes boast a powerful batting order of their own, led by sophomore catcher Dan Burkhart and junior outfielder Michael Stephens. Burkhart is batting .380 with eight home runs and 51 RBIs this season, while his teammate Stephens is batting .364 with 10 homers and 47 RBIs on the season.
Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb added that the Illini and the Buckeyes have mutual respect for one another.
"They're a very good team," Hartleb said. "They're going to be very similar to us. They can swing the bats, they've got solid pitching and defensively they're good."
Sophomore lefty Phil Haig will start things off on the mound for Illinois Friday night. Senior Ben Reeser will throw Saturday, and freshman Bryan Roberts is slated to pitch Sunday. Roberts said he appreciates the trust Hartleb has shown in him this season.
"Coach has shown great confidence in me all year," Roberts said. "That's a big confidence booster for me."
Roberts also said the Illini pitching staff knows what it has to do to neutralize Burkhart, Stephens and company.
"If we're attacking hitters we know we can take care of business," Roberts said. "The problems for us start when we get behind in the count and start throwing pitches right down the middle. That's when we start getting hit."
Hartleb said pitching could determine which team is sitting atop the Big Ten standings come Monday morning.
"We need to be sharp, be down in the zone and use both sides of the plate," Hartleb said of his pitching staff.
The coach added, "Whoever pitches the best in each and every game will come out and win that given game."
Monday, April 20, 2009
Illini Baseball to Host Bleacher Bum Barbecue in during Ohio State Series
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics will host the Bleacher Bum Barbecue at Illinois Field on May 8 to kick off a pivotal weekend series against the No. 24 Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio State currently leads the Big Ten at 9-3 in conference play, while the Fighting Illini are only one game behind at 8-4 at the halfway mark of the conference season.
"This event has the opportunity to be one of the best in the nation this year," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. "We have a great fan base, and a big crowd for this series will give us a huge home-field advantage."
The barbecue begins at 5 p.m. with free food being given to the first 1,000 fans. The game, which starts at 6:05 p.m., will feature free admission for all fans and free parking in any of the lots surrounding Illinois Field. In addition, First Federal will be giving away 1,000 mini-bats to students and children.
Fans also will have the opportunity to enter drawings for a pair of tickets to a Chicago Cubs game and another for a pair of St. Louis Cardinals tickets. Finally, a postgame fireworks show will cap off the evening.
The Illini have started the season 23-11 overall, the fifth-best start in the last 25 years, and have been ranked for four weeks this season. Illinois owns series wins over then-No. 1 LSU and then-No. 23 Minnesota and is 12-4 at home this season.
This series will obviously go a long way in determinng who wins the Big Ten Championship this season as the Bucks look to win their first since 2001. If any Buckeye fan can make the trip I strongly urge you to do so. Be very polite and well behaved when mixing with the Illini faithful, but support and cheer our guys on to victory. Illinois has a new playing surface, the athletic department has installed field turf to their diamond and are in the process of renovating the stands, press box, lighting as Illinois continues to improve their baseball program. Just wanted to pass this on as it was passed to me.
"This event has the opportunity to be one of the best in the nation this year," Illinois head coach Dan Hartleb said. "We have a great fan base, and a big crowd for this series will give us a huge home-field advantage."
The barbecue begins at 5 p.m. with free food being given to the first 1,000 fans. The game, which starts at 6:05 p.m., will feature free admission for all fans and free parking in any of the lots surrounding Illinois Field. In addition, First Federal will be giving away 1,000 mini-bats to students and children.
Fans also will have the opportunity to enter drawings for a pair of tickets to a Chicago Cubs game and another for a pair of St. Louis Cardinals tickets. Finally, a postgame fireworks show will cap off the evening.
The Illini have started the season 23-11 overall, the fifth-best start in the last 25 years, and have been ranked for four weeks this season. Illinois owns series wins over then-No. 1 LSU and then-No. 23 Minnesota and is 12-4 at home this season.
This series will obviously go a long way in determinng who wins the Big Ten Championship this season as the Bucks look to win their first since 2001. If any Buckeye fan can make the trip I strongly urge you to do so. Be very polite and well behaved when mixing with the Illini faithful, but support and cheer our guys on to victory. Illinois has a new playing surface, the athletic department has installed field turf to their diamond and are in the process of renovating the stands, press box, lighting as Illinois continues to improve their baseball program. Just wanted to pass this on as it was passed to me.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
On to the Loser's Bracket
Illinois scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh inning and held on to defeat Ohio State, 3-2, in the opening game of the 2008 Big Ten Tournament (Box Score). The Buckeyes head to the loser's bracket and will play again Thursday at 12:05 p.m. against sixth-seeded Indiana, which lost 6-1 to third-seeded Penn State (Box Score).
Illinois scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Catcher Dan Burkhart's throwing error trying to nab Kyle Hudson on his steal of second allowed him to reach third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Wikoff.
Burkhart made amends in the top of the second when he drove in Cory Kovanda and Zach Hurley with a two-out double to left center to move the Buckeyes in front 2-1. Both runs were unearned.
Illinois tied it up again in the bottom of the third and it remained that way until Joe Bonadonna hit a solo home run in the seventh to lift his team to victory. The Fighting Illini also got a complete game from starter Kevin Manson.
Ryan Dew delivered a lead-off pinch-hit single to start the ninth, but J.B. Shuck hit into a double play and Justin Miller, who needed a hit in his final at bat to extend his 14-game hit streak, flied out to end the game. Dew's single was just the fourth hit of the game for the Buckeyes. Other hits came from Hurley, Kovanda and Burkhart, who finished the game with a pair of RBI. The four hits represented a season low.
Fifth-year senior and three-time captain Dan DeLucia (who is an OSU finalist for the Big Ten Medal of Honor) pitched four innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in what could be his final outing in a Buckeye uniform. He walked three and struck out three before the coaching staff went to Dean Wolosiansky, who pitched 3.0 innings and allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh. He allowed five hits before handing the eighth inning to Eric Best.
The trio combined to allow 11 hits in an incredibly tight ball game. Wikoff, Aaron Johnson and Ryan Hastings each had two hits for the Illini.
Jake Hale is expected to start Thursday for Ohio State vs. Indiana. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers did not meet in 2008.
Don't miss Big Ten Tournament coverage from The-Ozone.net: Recap and Photo Gallery.
Illinois scored an unearned run in the bottom of the first. Catcher Dan Burkhart's throwing error trying to nab Kyle Hudson on his steal of second allowed him to reach third. He scored on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Wikoff.
Burkhart made amends in the top of the second when he drove in Cory Kovanda and Zach Hurley with a two-out double to left center to move the Buckeyes in front 2-1. Both runs were unearned.
Illinois tied it up again in the bottom of the third and it remained that way until Joe Bonadonna hit a solo home run in the seventh to lift his team to victory. The Fighting Illini also got a complete game from starter Kevin Manson.
Ryan Dew delivered a lead-off pinch-hit single to start the ninth, but J.B. Shuck hit into a double play and Justin Miller, who needed a hit in his final at bat to extend his 14-game hit streak, flied out to end the game. Dew's single was just the fourth hit of the game for the Buckeyes. Other hits came from Hurley, Kovanda and Burkhart, who finished the game with a pair of RBI. The four hits represented a season low.
Fifth-year senior and three-time captain Dan DeLucia (who is an OSU finalist for the Big Ten Medal of Honor) pitched four innings and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits in what could be his final outing in a Buckeye uniform. He walked three and struck out three before the coaching staff went to Dean Wolosiansky, who pitched 3.0 innings and allowed the go-ahead run in the seventh. He allowed five hits before handing the eighth inning to Eric Best.
The trio combined to allow 11 hits in an incredibly tight ball game. Wikoff, Aaron Johnson and Ryan Hastings each had two hits for the Illini.
Jake Hale is expected to start Thursday for Ohio State vs. Indiana. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers did not meet in 2008.
Don't miss Big Ten Tournament coverage from The-Ozone.net: Recap and Photo Gallery.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Going for Record Ninth Tourney Win
The Buckeyes celebrate after winning the Big Ten Tournament Championship last year in Ann Arbor. Photo by Chris Webb.Ohio State begins its quest for a ninth Big Ten title Wednesday in Ann Arbor. The fifth-seeded Buckeyes will play fourth-seeded Illinois in the first game of the Big Ten Tournament. First pitch will be at 12:05 p.m., ET. Michigan is the top seed followed by Purdue as the No. 2. Penn State moved into the No. 3 slot for the second consecutive season and will face No. 6 seed Indiana in Wednesday's second game at 3:35 p.m.
A complete tournament bracket is available at BigTen.com.
A complete tournament bracket is available at BigTen.com.
If the Buckeyes can win the Big Ten tournament next week it would be a record ninth title for the program. Ohio State and Minnesota each have eight tournament wins though Ohio State owns the best winning percentage in its previous 21 appearances. The Buckeyes have won 48 and lost 29 for a .623 winning percentage in conference postseason play.
The tournament winner gets the league's automatic berth into the NCAA touranment. This is a one-bid league if Michigan wins. Ohio State became the first No. 6 seed to win the tournament last year and has won four of the last six tournaments. I'm not ruling out the Buckeyes chances in 2008, but I think they have their work cut out for them.
Ohio State vs. Big Ten Field
No. 1 Seed Michigan
In 2008: Michigan won 3-1
In Big Ten Tourney: OSU leads 10-7
No. 2 Purdue
In 2008: Purdue won 3-1
In Big Ten Tourney: OSU leads 6-1
No. 3 Penn State
In 2008: Series split 2-2
In Big Ten Tourney: Series tied 2-2
In 2008: Series split 2-2
In Big Ten Tourney: Series tied 2-2
No. 4 Illinois
In 2008: OSU won 2-1
In Big Ten Tourney: Illinois leads 4-2
No. 6 Indiana
In 2008: DNP
In Big Ten Tourney: OSU leads 3-0
Monday, May 12, 2008
Miller Named Player of the Week
Ohio State first baseman Justin Miller has been named the Big Ten Player of the Week for his efforts in the Buckeyes’ 3-1 week last week that included a 2-1 series win over Illinois. The honor is the first for the junior from Dayton , Va.
Miller batted .538 (7-for-13) with a .571 on-base percentage and a .692 slugging average, recording at least two hits and an RBI in each game of the series vs. Illinois. Miller drove in nine RBI in the three games and scored three runs. He leads the team with 52 RBI and is riding a nine-game hit streak. He is batting .486 (17-for-35) during the streak with 15 ribs.
In the series opener he was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a runs scored and then followed it up by going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a double in game two before going 3-for-5 with four RBI in game three. The fourth game of the series was rained out.
Miller batted .538 (7-for-13) with a .571 on-base percentage and a .692 slugging average, recording at least two hits and an RBI in each game of the series vs. Illinois. Miller drove in nine RBI in the three games and scored three runs. He leads the team with 52 RBI and is riding a nine-game hit streak. He is batting .486 (17-for-35) during the streak with 15 ribs.
In the series opener he was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a runs scored and then followed it up by going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a double in game two before going 3-for-5 with four RBI in game three. The fourth game of the series was rained out.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Game Four Washed Out
Heavy rains throughout Sunday morning and tornado warnings in the early afternoon, plus the threat of additional heavy rain, has forced the cancellation of the final game of the series between Ohio State and Illinois at Bill Davis Stadium. The game will not be made up. The Buckeyes won two of the three games. This was the second Big Ten game this season that was lost to bad weather.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
10-Spot Lifts OSU to DH Sweep
Ohio State scored 10 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to fuel the team to a 14-8 victory to complete the doubleheader sweep of Illinois Saturday at Bill Davis Stadium. It was the first doubleheader sweep by the Buckeyes this season.
Box Scores: Game One Game Two
The Buckeyes built a 3-1 lead through three innings only to see the Illini take the lead with seven runs in the top of the fifth. Ohio State came right back to take a 13-8 lead thanks to timely hitting, including a three-run double by Justin Miller.
Miller finished the game 3-for-5 with four RBI. Cory Rupert also drove in four in going 3-for-4. Dan Burkhart also was 3-for-4. J.B. Shuck was 2-for-4 and drove in two and Ryan Meade added two hits as well.
The Buckeyes pounded out 16 hits, including doubles by Michael Arp, Miller and Rupert, who also tripled.
Eric Best earned the win in relief after getting the save in game one. He allowed one hit and walked two in his 1.1 innings of work. He replaced Dean Wolosiansky who was roughed up for eight runs on seven hits in 4.0 innings. He did not record a strikeout and walked two. Alex Wimmers pitched the final 1.1 innings and struck out three.
The Buckeyes are now 27-22 overall and moved into fourth place in the league standings with a 13-13 record. Illinois slipped to 29-20 and 15-12.
The teams conclude the series tomorrow with a 1:05 p.m. scheduled first pitch. Severe weather could wash out the finale. Columbus has only a 90 percent chance of rain in the Mother's Day forecast.
Completion of Friday Game
The Fighting Illini led 7-2 when play was suspended in Friday's series opener Friday with Ohio State. Each team added two runs Saturday when play resumed giving Illinois the 9-4 victory.
Friday Box Score
Zach Hurley was 4-for-5 for the Buckeyes and Justin Miller, Dan Burkhart and Tyler Engle each added two hits. The four accounted for 10 of the team's 12 hits. Illinois had 14 hits with five players accounting for 10 hits. The teams combined for five errors. Ohio State had three.
Ohio State got on the board with a solo run in the second and gave up seven unanswered runs, including three runs in each the third and fifth innings. Each team scored one in the sixth to get to the 7-2 interruption point. Ohio State got one run in the bottom of the eighth and another in the ninth, but gave up two in the top of the ninth.
Jake Hale took the loss. He allowed seven runs (just three earned) on nine hits. He struck out two and walked three in 5.2 innings. Josh Edgin pitched 3.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits, but struck out six. Hale fell to 5-3 on the season.
Saturday Game One
In game the first game of the scheduled doubleheader, it was all Ohio State.
After giving up a Illini run in the top of the first, the Buckeyes responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. When Illinois added its second run in the top of the sixth, the Buckeyes exploded for sixth to put the game on ice.
Miller was 2-for-4 with three RBI and Burkhart also was 2-for-4. Zach Hurley drove in two and scored two. Ohio State had eight hits and no errors. Illinois had six hits and one error.
Dan DeLucia got the win in his final start at Bill Davis Stadium. He allowed both runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. He struck out five and walked three before handing the game over to Eric Best, who got his seventh save of the season in 1.2 scoreless innings and allowed two hits.
The-Ozone.net Recap
Photo Galleries: Game One Game Two Game Three
Box Scores: Game One Game Two
The Buckeyes built a 3-1 lead through three innings only to see the Illini take the lead with seven runs in the top of the fifth. Ohio State came right back to take a 13-8 lead thanks to timely hitting, including a three-run double by Justin Miller.
Miller finished the game 3-for-5 with four RBI. Cory Rupert also drove in four in going 3-for-4. Dan Burkhart also was 3-for-4. J.B. Shuck was 2-for-4 and drove in two and Ryan Meade added two hits as well.
The Buckeyes pounded out 16 hits, including doubles by Michael Arp, Miller and Rupert, who also tripled.
Eric Best earned the win in relief after getting the save in game one. He allowed one hit and walked two in his 1.1 innings of work. He replaced Dean Wolosiansky who was roughed up for eight runs on seven hits in 4.0 innings. He did not record a strikeout and walked two. Alex Wimmers pitched the final 1.1 innings and struck out three.
The Buckeyes are now 27-22 overall and moved into fourth place in the league standings with a 13-13 record. Illinois slipped to 29-20 and 15-12.
The teams conclude the series tomorrow with a 1:05 p.m. scheduled first pitch. Severe weather could wash out the finale. Columbus has only a 90 percent chance of rain in the Mother's Day forecast.
Completion of Friday Game
The Fighting Illini led 7-2 when play was suspended in Friday's series opener Friday with Ohio State. Each team added two runs Saturday when play resumed giving Illinois the 9-4 victory.
Friday Box Score
Zach Hurley was 4-for-5 for the Buckeyes and Justin Miller, Dan Burkhart and Tyler Engle each added two hits. The four accounted for 10 of the team's 12 hits. Illinois had 14 hits with five players accounting for 10 hits. The teams combined for five errors. Ohio State had three.
Ohio State got on the board with a solo run in the second and gave up seven unanswered runs, including three runs in each the third and fifth innings. Each team scored one in the sixth to get to the 7-2 interruption point. Ohio State got one run in the bottom of the eighth and another in the ninth, but gave up two in the top of the ninth.
Jake Hale took the loss. He allowed seven runs (just three earned) on nine hits. He struck out two and walked three in 5.2 innings. Josh Edgin pitched 3.1 innings and allowed two runs on five hits, but struck out six. Hale fell to 5-3 on the season.
Saturday Game One
In game the first game of the scheduled doubleheader, it was all Ohio State.
After giving up a Illini run in the top of the first, the Buckeyes responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning. When Illinois added its second run in the top of the sixth, the Buckeyes exploded for sixth to put the game on ice.
Miller was 2-for-4 with three RBI and Burkhart also was 2-for-4. Zach Hurley drove in two and scored two. Ohio State had eight hits and no errors. Illinois had six hits and one error.
Dan DeLucia got the win in his final start at Bill Davis Stadium. He allowed both runs on four hits in 5.1 innings. He struck out five and walked three before handing the game over to Eric Best, who got his seventh save of the season in 1.2 scoreless innings and allowed two hits.
The-Ozone.net Recap
Photo Galleries: Game One Game Two Game Three
Friday, May 9, 2008
Big Weekend at The Bill; OSU vs. Illinois
Ohio State Buckeyes
(25-21, 11-12 Big Ten)
vs.
Illinois Fighting Illini
(28-18; 14-10 Big Ten)
Schedule
Friday: 6:35 p.m.
Saturday (DH): 1:05 p.m.
Sunday: 1:05 p.m.
Following the Buckeyes
Games one, two and four will be broadcast by AM 920 WMNI in Columbus. All four games will be on OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Live stats will also be available.
Series History
Ohio State leads, 93-85-2
Last Meeting: May 24, 2007; Ohio State, 4-2
Probable Starting Pitchers
G1: RHP Jake Hale (5-2, 4.58 ERA) vs. RHP Kevin Manson (6-1; 5.93 ERA)
G2: LHP Dan DeLucia (1-3, 5.30) vs. RHP Aaron Martin (4-5, 6.04 ERA)
G3: RHP Dean Wolosiansky (7-2, 2.83) vs. LHP Phil Haig (1-2, 6.14 ERA)
G4: LHP J.B. Shuck (4-3, 4.42) vs. RHP Scott Shaw (4-2, 6.80 ERA)
Weekend Events
Head coach Bob Todd, the winningest coach in Ohio State history with 826 wins in his 21 seasons as Ohio State coach, will be honored before tonight's game for his induction into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame (which will take place next January). Todd has an all-time record of 950-512-2 in this, his 25th season as a head coach.
Marty Karow, Ohio State skipper from 1951 until 1976 and who led the Buckeyes to four College World Series, including winning the national title in 1966, will have his jersey – No. 13 – officially retired by the athletics department in a ceremony between games of the doubleheader on Saturday.
Ohio State and Illinois Notes
• In 2006 at Bill Davis Stadium, Ohio State won the series, 3-1. Ohio State also took 3-1 series wins at home in 2004 and 2001.
• The teams split four games in 1998, the only other OSU/Illinois series at Bill Davis Stadium.
• Illinois won in 2005 at Illinois Field, 4-0.
• In Big Ten games: Illinois leads the league with a .357 batting average; Ohio State is eighth at .291.
• Illinois is also first in runs scored, hits, RBI, doubles and on base pct.
• Ohio State is second in earned run average in Big Ten games (4.58) with Illinois seventh (6.79).
• Ohio State state’s staff is also second in opponents’ batting average, batters struck out, saves and fewest earned runs allowed.
Buckeye Bullets
• Most teams in the Big Ten hit singles approximately 75 percent of the time (cumulative average for other nine schools is 74 percent). The two teams on top of the Big Ten standings - Michigan and Purdue - hit singles only 69 percent of the time.
• Ohio State is 11-4 this season when it has three or more extra base hits in a game.
• Ohio State 10-4 this season in games it walks two or fewer batters.
• Ohio State needs five wins to extend a most impressive streak: a 23rd consecutive 30-win season for coach Todd.
• The Buckeyes are also vying to make the Big Ten tournament for a 12th consecutive year, tops in the Big Ten.
• Six everyday players are hitting over .300 led by J.B. Shuck (.391; 10th overall in the Big Ten) and Justin Miller (.382).
• Michael Arp and Brian DeLucia, who have made 16 and 15 starts, respectively, are hot at the plate with .407 and .375 averages.
• On the mound, Shuck is first in the Big Ten in opp. bat. average (.212) and second in Ks (65).
• Dean Wolosiansky is fourth in the Big Ten (all games) in ERA (2.83) and second in wins (7).
• OSU is 18-2 when leading after six innings; 3-14 when trailing.
Around the Big Ten this Weekend
Illinois (14-10) at Ohio State (11-12); Indiana (9-15) at Northwestern (11-13); Iowa (8-16) at Penn State (11-13); Michigan (20-4) at Minnesota (8-16); Michigan State (10-13) at Purdue (17-7).
Looking Ahead to the Final Weekend
Ohio State at Iowa; Indiana at Michigan State; Purdue at Illinois; Northwestern at Michigan; Penn State at Minnesota.
Information from OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
(25-21, 11-12 Big Ten)
vs.
Illinois Fighting Illini
(28-18; 14-10 Big Ten)
Schedule
Friday: 6:35 p.m.
Saturday (DH): 1:05 p.m.
Sunday: 1:05 p.m.
Following the Buckeyes
Games one, two and four will be broadcast by AM 920 WMNI in Columbus. All four games will be on OhioStateBuckeyes.com. Live stats will also be available.
Series History
Ohio State leads, 93-85-2
Last Meeting: May 24, 2007; Ohio State, 4-2
Probable Starting Pitchers
G1: RHP Jake Hale (5-2, 4.58 ERA) vs. RHP Kevin Manson (6-1; 5.93 ERA)
G2: LHP Dan DeLucia (1-3, 5.30) vs. RHP Aaron Martin (4-5, 6.04 ERA)
G3: RHP Dean Wolosiansky (7-2, 2.83) vs. LHP Phil Haig (1-2, 6.14 ERA)
G4: LHP J.B. Shuck (4-3, 4.42) vs. RHP Scott Shaw (4-2, 6.80 ERA)
Weekend Events
Head coach Bob Todd, the winningest coach in Ohio State history with 826 wins in his 21 seasons as Ohio State coach, will be honored before tonight's game for his induction into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame (which will take place next January). Todd has an all-time record of 950-512-2 in this, his 25th season as a head coach.
Marty Karow, Ohio State skipper from 1951 until 1976 and who led the Buckeyes to four College World Series, including winning the national title in 1966, will have his jersey – No. 13 – officially retired by the athletics department in a ceremony between games of the doubleheader on Saturday.
Ohio State and Illinois Notes
• In 2006 at Bill Davis Stadium, Ohio State won the series, 3-1. Ohio State also took 3-1 series wins at home in 2004 and 2001.
• The teams split four games in 1998, the only other OSU/Illinois series at Bill Davis Stadium.
• Illinois won in 2005 at Illinois Field, 4-0.
• In Big Ten games: Illinois leads the league with a .357 batting average; Ohio State is eighth at .291.
• Illinois is also first in runs scored, hits, RBI, doubles and on base pct.
• Ohio State is second in earned run average in Big Ten games (4.58) with Illinois seventh (6.79).
• Ohio State state’s staff is also second in opponents’ batting average, batters struck out, saves and fewest earned runs allowed.
Buckeye Bullets
• Most teams in the Big Ten hit singles approximately 75 percent of the time (cumulative average for other nine schools is 74 percent). The two teams on top of the Big Ten standings - Michigan and Purdue - hit singles only 69 percent of the time.
• Ohio State is 11-4 this season when it has three or more extra base hits in a game.
• Ohio State 10-4 this season in games it walks two or fewer batters.
• Ohio State needs five wins to extend a most impressive streak: a 23rd consecutive 30-win season for coach Todd.
• The Buckeyes are also vying to make the Big Ten tournament for a 12th consecutive year, tops in the Big Ten.
• Six everyday players are hitting over .300 led by J.B. Shuck (.391; 10th overall in the Big Ten) and Justin Miller (.382).
• Michael Arp and Brian DeLucia, who have made 16 and 15 starts, respectively, are hot at the plate with .407 and .375 averages.
• On the mound, Shuck is first in the Big Ten in opp. bat. average (.212) and second in Ks (65).
• Dean Wolosiansky is fourth in the Big Ten (all games) in ERA (2.83) and second in wins (7).
• OSU is 18-2 when leading after six innings; 3-14 when trailing.
Around the Big Ten this Weekend
Illinois (14-10) at Ohio State (11-12); Indiana (9-15) at Northwestern (11-13); Iowa (8-16) at Penn State (11-13); Michigan (20-4) at Minnesota (8-16); Michigan State (10-13) at Purdue (17-7).
Looking Ahead to the Final Weekend
Ohio State at Iowa; Indiana at Michigan State; Purdue at Illinois; Northwestern at Michigan; Penn State at Minnesota.
Information from OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
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