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.
Showing posts with label Indiana. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Indiana. Show all posts
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Buckeyes blown out by Hoosiers' hot bats
Saturday, May 23
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
As remarkable as Ohio State has been this season, there have been many days when games turned into batting practice for opponents because of a pitching staff that is youthful and paper-thin.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, that happened in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Dean Wolosiansky gave up 12 hits in four-plus innings, including five straight to open the fifth, as Indiana roughed up Ohio State 13-3 last night in Huntington Park.
Thanks to Buckeyes fans -- who were loud and present en masse -- the crowd count was 4,019.
The loss was painful for the hometown fans.
"It is embarrassing to lose a game like this," third baseman and co-captain Justin Miller said. "The best thing is we get to strap it on (again). The next game is for pride."
Ohio State (40-16) must win three games to capture the tournament championship, starting with second-seeded Minnesota (37-16) at approximately 3:35 today.
It looked as though Wolosiansky was on the mark when he struck out the side in the second inning after allowing a leadoff double to conference freshman of the year Alex Dickerson.
But Indiana batters adjusted the second time through the lineup and scored three runs in the fourth inning and seven in the fifth to lead 10-2.
The problems for the Buckeyes went beyond pitching. They made three errors, and the bats went silent to the tune of six hits.
"The game of baseball never ceases to amaze me," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. "I wasn't happy with the way we swung the bats. I wasn't happy with the way we played defense or pitched. That's not taking away anything from Indiana. Our players might be emotionally drained and need to recharge" after the drive to the regular-season championship.
Todd said the turning point came in the top of the fifth inning when Ohio State had the bases loaded with no one out and did not score.
"Then the next half-inning, we just couldn't stop the bleeding," he said.
The Hoosiers have won 10 of their last 11 games and are one victory away from completing an impressive four-year rebuilding job under coach Tracy Smith.
However, Smith isn't about to think that the Big Ten championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that comes with it are in the bag.
"I'm taking nothing for granted," he said. "I'm excited. The guys are confident. They are on a roll. Literally, I make out the lineup and get out of the way. The work was done in January and February."
First baseman Jerrud Sabourin said Indiana began the turnaround last season by finishing third in the Big Ten tournament despite being the sixth seed.
"Now, we have a little bit of momentum," he said. "It's the way we're swinging the bats. We're taking pressure off our pitchers. They know we're going to score runs."
By Mark Znidar
The Columbus Dispatch
As remarkable as Ohio State has been this season, there have been many days when games turned into batting practice for opponents because of a pitching staff that is youthful and paper-thin.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, that happened in the second round of the Big Ten tournament.
Starter Dean Wolosiansky gave up 12 hits in four-plus innings, including five straight to open the fifth, as Indiana roughed up Ohio State 13-3 last night in Huntington Park.
Thanks to Buckeyes fans -- who were loud and present en masse -- the crowd count was 4,019.
The loss was painful for the hometown fans.
"It is embarrassing to lose a game like this," third baseman and co-captain Justin Miller said. "The best thing is we get to strap it on (again). The next game is for pride."
Ohio State (40-16) must win three games to capture the tournament championship, starting with second-seeded Minnesota (37-16) at approximately 3:35 today.
It looked as though Wolosiansky was on the mark when he struck out the side in the second inning after allowing a leadoff double to conference freshman of the year Alex Dickerson.
But Indiana batters adjusted the second time through the lineup and scored three runs in the fourth inning and seven in the fifth to lead 10-2.
The problems for the Buckeyes went beyond pitching. They made three errors, and the bats went silent to the tune of six hits.
"The game of baseball never ceases to amaze me," Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. "I wasn't happy with the way we swung the bats. I wasn't happy with the way we played defense or pitched. That's not taking away anything from Indiana. Our players might be emotionally drained and need to recharge" after the drive to the regular-season championship.
Todd said the turning point came in the top of the fifth inning when Ohio State had the bases loaded with no one out and did not score.
"Then the next half-inning, we just couldn't stop the bleeding," he said.
The Hoosiers have won 10 of their last 11 games and are one victory away from completing an impressive four-year rebuilding job under coach Tracy Smith.
However, Smith isn't about to think that the Big Ten championship and the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament that comes with it are in the bag.
"I'm taking nothing for granted," he said. "I'm excited. The guys are confident. They are on a roll. Literally, I make out the lineup and get out of the way. The work was done in January and February."
First baseman Jerrud Sabourin said Indiana began the turnaround last season by finishing third in the Big Ten tournament despite being the sixth seed.
"Now, we have a little bit of momentum," he said. "It's the way we're swinging the bats. We're taking pressure off our pitchers. They know we're going to score runs."
Buckeyes Fall to Hoosiers 13-3
Indiana patiently and meticulously scored 10 runs off 11 hits in the fourth and fifth innings to break the game open and then went on defeat No. 1 seed Ohio State, 13-3, Friday at Huntington Park. The win moves the 31-25 Hoosiers into a winner’s bracket "championship" game Saturday at 7 p.m. Ohio State, now 40-16, and Minnesota (36-16) meet in a 3:30 p.m. elimination game with the winner taking on Indiana.
The No. 3 seed Hoosiers have won all three games in this tournament easily with 34 runs scored and just seven allowed. Blake Monar fired the third consecutive controlling performance on the mound for IU, pitching 6.2 innings, giving up just five hits and allowing only three runs. He walked five, but wasn't hurt by that total, struck out six and improved to 5-3 with the win.
Offensively, IU featured six multi-hit players with Tyler Rogers’ three hits and four RBI the most damaging.
“They are good,” Ohio State captain Justin Miller said. “They put good swings on everything. They are in a groove right now. Everything they hit is hit hard and they are finding the holes.”
Zach Hurley opened the game with a single off the freshman lefthander, moved to second on a wild pitch and after a ground out, scored on Dan Burkhart's single to center for a 1-0 lead.
An inning later Ohio State added a run for a 2-0 lead. Miller, who has scored early in each of Ohio State's two tournament games, walked, went to second on a groundout and scored on Tyler Engle's infield single that included a throwing error.
Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky worked seamlessly through the first three innings, allowing a couple of hits but staying out of trouble with the help of four strikeouts and a double play.
The game then took an ominous turn with three consecutive innings of tense, bases-loaded baseball. Indiana won this series of mini battles, two-innings-to-none, and the prize - a winner's bracket game win - soon followed.
Here's what happened. Indiana is right there with Ohio State as one of the best hitting teams in the Big Ten - both teams came into the game with 197 extra base hits and batting averages around the .330 mark - and the Hoosier bats heated up in the fourth. Nine Hoosiers batted in the inning and five hits were collected, but fortunately, only three runs were scored when the bases were left loaded despite being juiced at one point with only one out.
Ohio State loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning with nobody out but came away with no runs as Monar threw a 5-2-3 double play ball and backed that up with a fly ball to right to end the inning with IU still in front, 3-2.
The Hoosiers followed with five consecutive singles to score two more runs and chase Wolosiansky (11-2). Jared Strayer entered and after hitting Brian Lambert to bring home the sixth run of the game, Tyler Rogers tripled to clear the bases, increase the lead to 9-2 and keep the Buckeye fans glued to their seats for the rest of the game.
“Timing is everything,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. We have guys get two hits in the game but we couldn’t get a hit with the bases loaded when we needed one. Indiana then came up in the fifth and they took the doubt out of the outcome.”
For his part, Strayer calmed the Hoosier bats down. He worked the final 4.0 innings and allowed four hits and only two earned runs. He struck out four batters.
Recap Courtesy OSU Athletics
Box score
The No. 3 seed Hoosiers have won all three games in this tournament easily with 34 runs scored and just seven allowed. Blake Monar fired the third consecutive controlling performance on the mound for IU, pitching 6.2 innings, giving up just five hits and allowing only three runs. He walked five, but wasn't hurt by that total, struck out six and improved to 5-3 with the win.
Offensively, IU featured six multi-hit players with Tyler Rogers’ three hits and four RBI the most damaging.
“They are good,” Ohio State captain Justin Miller said. “They put good swings on everything. They are in a groove right now. Everything they hit is hit hard and they are finding the holes.”
Zach Hurley opened the game with a single off the freshman lefthander, moved to second on a wild pitch and after a ground out, scored on Dan Burkhart's single to center for a 1-0 lead.
An inning later Ohio State added a run for a 2-0 lead. Miller, who has scored early in each of Ohio State's two tournament games, walked, went to second on a groundout and scored on Tyler Engle's infield single that included a throwing error.
Ohio State starter Dean Wolosiansky worked seamlessly through the first three innings, allowing a couple of hits but staying out of trouble with the help of four strikeouts and a double play.
The game then took an ominous turn with three consecutive innings of tense, bases-loaded baseball. Indiana won this series of mini battles, two-innings-to-none, and the prize - a winner's bracket game win - soon followed.
Here's what happened. Indiana is right there with Ohio State as one of the best hitting teams in the Big Ten - both teams came into the game with 197 extra base hits and batting averages around the .330 mark - and the Hoosier bats heated up in the fourth. Nine Hoosiers batted in the inning and five hits were collected, but fortunately, only three runs were scored when the bases were left loaded despite being juiced at one point with only one out.
Ohio State loaded the bases in the top of the fifth inning with nobody out but came away with no runs as Monar threw a 5-2-3 double play ball and backed that up with a fly ball to right to end the inning with IU still in front, 3-2.
The Hoosiers followed with five consecutive singles to score two more runs and chase Wolosiansky (11-2). Jared Strayer entered and after hitting Brian Lambert to bring home the sixth run of the game, Tyler Rogers tripled to clear the bases, increase the lead to 9-2 and keep the Buckeye fans glued to their seats for the rest of the game.
“Timing is everything,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said. We have guys get two hits in the game but we couldn’t get a hit with the bases loaded when we needed one. Indiana then came up in the fifth and they took the doubt out of the outcome.”
For his part, Strayer calmed the Hoosier bats down. He worked the final 4.0 innings and allowed four hits and only two earned runs. He struck out four batters.
Recap Courtesy OSU Athletics
Box score
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Wimmers 14 K's, Buckeyes 14 Wins
Alex Wimmers Strikes Out 14 in 2-0 Win
Alex Wimmers pitched his second consecutive gem, going the distance, striking out 14 and not walking a batter, and Ohio State scored twice in the seventh inning for a 2-0 win over Indiana Friday at Chain of Lakes Field. The win, in a wonderfully pitched ball game by both teams that did not feature an extra base hit, was Ohio State’s sixth consecutive and improved its record to 14-2. Indiana drops to 7-12.
“A great effort by Wimmers,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said after the game. “He really pitched well and then he got stronger once we were able to give him the lead.”
One week after striking out 15 Pitt Panthers and earning a “Louisville Slugger” Player of the Week award, Wimmers was even more dominant as he allowed only five singles to an Indiana team that was hitting .338 overall, second in the Big Ten to Ohio State’s .357 average entering the game. His 9.0 scoreless innings lowered his earned run average to 1.85 on the season and his record improves to a perfect, 4-0.
But it wasn’t just Wimmers who was hot. Indiana freshman left-hander Blake Monar (2-1) was also cruising and in control. Monar went 7.0 innings and allowed just four hits while walking two and striking out six.
Both pitchers were so good, in fact, that the first real drama didn’t occur until the top of the sixth inning. Indiana stroked two singles in the inning sandwiched around two more Wimmers strikeouts – Nos. eight and nine of the game – and up to the plate came the dangerous All-American catcher Josh Phegley.
On a one-one pitch count, Phegley sent a high fly ball into right foul territory that sure-handed Michael Arp would have made the play on had he not tripped over the bullpen pitcher’s mound and taken a nasty, dirt-cloud forming spill. He got back up, though, dusted off and one pitch later Wimmers rewarded Arp’s hustle by slamming a one-two pitch by the .422-hitting Phegley to end the inning.
Monar came back with a three-strikeout bottom of the sixth and the two teams went into the seventh inning still tied at 0-0.
Not to be outdone, Wimmers got through his portion of the seventh by throwing just four pitches. After Alex Dickerson led off with a first pitch single, Wimmers got a two-pitch force play at second and a one-pitch, textbook, 6-4-3 double play by Cory Rupert, Cory Kovanda and Matt Streng to end the inning.
The breakthrough run came in the bottom of the seventh. Dan Burkhart and Rupert led off with singles and when Ryan Dew hit a screamer that the second baseman couldn’t handle, Burkhart scored from second and Rupert moved to third. Arp ripped a single to right to score Rupert and the Buckeyes had a 2-0 lead.
Looking as strong as ever, Wimmers retired the side in order in the eighth, including two more strikeouts.
The sophomore came out in the ninth to try and make it back-to-back complete game wins, but to do so, he would have to face the top of the Hoosiers’ order. T.C. Knipp led off with a single, but Wimmers got called third strikes on Jerrud Sabourin, who has led the Big Ten in hitting for much of the early spring, and Phegley to give him 14 for the game and 29 over the course of the last two games. Alan Dickerson then grounded out to Rupert and the Buckeyes had a terrific win in a classic ball game.
Ohio State continues its spring break games with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday against Army. First pitch, in what we are learning will be seven-inning double headers, is set for 1 p.m. at Chain of Lakes Field.
Game Notes and Recap
Box Score
Alex Wimmers pitched his second consecutive gem, going the distance, striking out 14 and not walking a batter, and Ohio State scored twice in the seventh inning for a 2-0 win over Indiana Friday at Chain of Lakes Field. The win, in a wonderfully pitched ball game by both teams that did not feature an extra base hit, was Ohio State’s sixth consecutive and improved its record to 14-2. Indiana drops to 7-12.
“A great effort by Wimmers,” Ohio State coach Bob Todd said after the game. “He really pitched well and then he got stronger once we were able to give him the lead.”
One week after striking out 15 Pitt Panthers and earning a “Louisville Slugger” Player of the Week award, Wimmers was even more dominant as he allowed only five singles to an Indiana team that was hitting .338 overall, second in the Big Ten to Ohio State’s .357 average entering the game. His 9.0 scoreless innings lowered his earned run average to 1.85 on the season and his record improves to a perfect, 4-0.
But it wasn’t just Wimmers who was hot. Indiana freshman left-hander Blake Monar (2-1) was also cruising and in control. Monar went 7.0 innings and allowed just four hits while walking two and striking out six.
Both pitchers were so good, in fact, that the first real drama didn’t occur until the top of the sixth inning. Indiana stroked two singles in the inning sandwiched around two more Wimmers strikeouts – Nos. eight and nine of the game – and up to the plate came the dangerous All-American catcher Josh Phegley.
On a one-one pitch count, Phegley sent a high fly ball into right foul territory that sure-handed Michael Arp would have made the play on had he not tripped over the bullpen pitcher’s mound and taken a nasty, dirt-cloud forming spill. He got back up, though, dusted off and one pitch later Wimmers rewarded Arp’s hustle by slamming a one-two pitch by the .422-hitting Phegley to end the inning.
Monar came back with a three-strikeout bottom of the sixth and the two teams went into the seventh inning still tied at 0-0.
Not to be outdone, Wimmers got through his portion of the seventh by throwing just four pitches. After Alex Dickerson led off with a first pitch single, Wimmers got a two-pitch force play at second and a one-pitch, textbook, 6-4-3 double play by Cory Rupert, Cory Kovanda and Matt Streng to end the inning.
The breakthrough run came in the bottom of the seventh. Dan Burkhart and Rupert led off with singles and when Ryan Dew hit a screamer that the second baseman couldn’t handle, Burkhart scored from second and Rupert moved to third. Arp ripped a single to right to score Rupert and the Buckeyes had a 2-0 lead.
Looking as strong as ever, Wimmers retired the side in order in the eighth, including two more strikeouts.
The sophomore came out in the ninth to try and make it back-to-back complete game wins, but to do so, he would have to face the top of the Hoosiers’ order. T.C. Knipp led off with a single, but Wimmers got called third strikes on Jerrud Sabourin, who has led the Big Ten in hitting for much of the early spring, and Phegley to give him 14 for the game and 29 over the course of the last two games. Alan Dickerson then grounded out to Rupert and the Buckeyes had a terrific win in a classic ball game.
Ohio State continues its spring break games with a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday against Army. First pitch, in what we are learning will be seven-inning double headers, is set for 1 p.m. at Chain of Lakes Field.
Game Notes and Recap
Box Score
Friday, March 20, 2009
Game 16: Revenge.
Starting the Spring Break trip is a game tonight versus the Indiana Hoosiers.
Last season the upstart Hoosiers who earned the 6th and last seed to the Big Ten Tournament, ended Ohio State's season in the first game of the losers bracket in the double-elimination tournament.
Due to the Big Ten's scheduling process, the Hoosiers as in 2008 are not on the Bucks 2009 conference schedule, and tonights game will be considered a non-league game. Indiana was picked by Baseball America to win the Big Ten, and trout out on of the best catchers in college baseball in Junior Josh Phegley. Hopefully Burkhart can continue his hot start, show he's the Big Ten's best catcher, and the Bucks finally get rid of that sour taste from last seasons end.
Update: The start of the game is being delayed due to rain. The estimated start time is 6:30 PM.
Update 2: Well now its 7:30 and no start, but it appears the game will start before 7:45. The audio feed from IU is up and playing, just music right now.
Update 3: 7:47 and the game is underway.
Tonight's lineup:
Hurley lf
Kovanda 2b
Stephens cf
Miller 3b
Burkhart c
Rupert ss
Dew dh
Arp rf
Streng 1b
Wimmers sp
Live audio is provided by Indiana free of charge by listening Here
Go Bucks!
Last season the upstart Hoosiers who earned the 6th and last seed to the Big Ten Tournament, ended Ohio State's season in the first game of the losers bracket in the double-elimination tournament.
Due to the Big Ten's scheduling process, the Hoosiers as in 2008 are not on the Bucks 2009 conference schedule, and tonights game will be considered a non-league game. Indiana was picked by Baseball America to win the Big Ten, and trout out on of the best catchers in college baseball in Junior Josh Phegley. Hopefully Burkhart can continue his hot start, show he's the Big Ten's best catcher, and the Bucks finally get rid of that sour taste from last seasons end.
Update: The start of the game is being delayed due to rain. The estimated start time is 6:30 PM.
Update 2: Well now its 7:30 and no start, but it appears the game will start before 7:45. The audio feed from IU is up and playing, just music right now.
Update 3: 7:47 and the game is underway.
Tonight's lineup:
Hurley lf
Kovanda 2b
Stephens cf
Miller 3b
Burkhart c
Rupert ss
Dew dh
Arp rf
Streng 1b
Wimmers sp
Live audio is provided by Indiana free of charge by listening Here
Go Bucks!
Thursday, March 19, 2009
No Time to Relax; 6 Games in 6 Days for Spring Break Trip
The Ohio State Buckeyes are heading on spring break this week...finally! After finals week this week and four straight weeks of travel to places like St. Petersburg, Winter Haven, Jacksonville and West Palm Beach, Fla., for four-games-in-three days action, the team will take off Thursday afternoon for six games over the course of five days.
This Week in Ohio State Baseball
No. 22 Ohio State (13-2) on Spring Break in Winter Haven, Orlando and Miami...
Game 16: vs. Indiana (6-10 2009; 31-30 in 2008)
Friday, March 20 - 6 p.m. (Note: this is a new start time!)
Chain of Lakes Field; Winter Haven, Fla.
Games 17-18: vs. Army (5-7 2009; 25-25 in 2008)
Saturday, March 21 - 1 & 4 p.m.
Chain of Lakes Field; Winter Haven, Fla.
Game 19: vs. Hartford (1-7 2009; 18-31 in 2008)
Sunday, March 22 - 11 a.m.
Chain of Lakes Field; Winter Haven, Fla.
Game 20: at Rollins (17-9 2009; 29-24-1 in 2008)
Monday, March 23 - 1:30 p.m.
Alfond Stadium; Winter Park, Fla.
Game 21: at No. 9 Miami (15-3 2009; 53-11 in 2008)
Tuesday, March 24 - 6 p.m.
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Stadium; Coral Gables, Fla.
Scouting the Spring Break Opponents
• Indiana, 6-10 after a Tuesday loss to E. Illinois, is in central Florida all this week on spring break. The game with Ohio State will be IU’s second-to-the-last on its trip. The two teams do not meet for a Big Ten series this year. Led by Jerrud Sabourin (.475) and Josh Phegley (.412) the team is hitting .340 and has a 5.43 ERA.
• Army, 5-6, has won three consecutive games (Sacred Heart, No. Iowa and Central Florida). The Black Knights, who have scored as many as 17 runs in one game this season, have four players hitting over .365 led by Kyle Fleming (.429). The team has swiped 25 bases.
• Hartford is 1-7, including four losses at New Mexico State to open the season, and has had four games cancelled due to weather. The team runs a Big Ten test with games vs. Indiana, Illinois and Ohio State this week. Hartford is led by Mike Amendola’s .481 avg.
• Rollins, a Division II school in the Sunshine State Conf., has five wins over DI programs and is 16-9. The Tars (it means sailor) are hitting .342 as a team and two starters - Tim Griffin and Stephen Hiscock - have four wins each.
• Miami is 15-3 overall and 5-1 in the ACC. The ‘Canes play a three-game series at unbeaten Virginia this weekend and host Top 10 school Georgia Tech three days after the Ohio State game. Miami boasts a team ERA of 3.14 against a mighty schedule with 145 strikeouts vs. 55 walks. The team averages just under 10 runs per game.
LIVE STATS
OhioStateBuckeyes.com
RANKINGS
Five consecutive wins and a 13-2 record has the Buckeyes climbing in the polls. The team moved from No. 30 to No. 22 in this week’s Collegiate Baseball poll and it made its debut in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll at No. 30.
Entire release including directions and a recap of last weekend
This Week in Ohio State Baseball
No. 22 Ohio State (13-2) on Spring Break in Winter Haven, Orlando and Miami...
Game 16: vs. Indiana (6-10 2009; 31-30 in 2008)
Friday, March 20 - 6 p.m. (Note: this is a new start time!)
Chain of Lakes Field; Winter Haven, Fla.
Games 17-18: vs. Army (5-7 2009; 25-25 in 2008)
Saturday, March 21 - 1 & 4 p.m.
Chain of Lakes Field; Winter Haven, Fla.
Game 19: vs. Hartford (1-7 2009; 18-31 in 2008)
Sunday, March 22 - 11 a.m.
Chain of Lakes Field; Winter Haven, Fla.
Game 20: at Rollins (17-9 2009; 29-24-1 in 2008)
Monday, March 23 - 1:30 p.m.
Alfond Stadium; Winter Park, Fla.
Game 21: at No. 9 Miami (15-3 2009; 53-11 in 2008)
Tuesday, March 24 - 6 p.m.
Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Stadium; Coral Gables, Fla.
Scouting the Spring Break Opponents
• Indiana, 6-10 after a Tuesday loss to E. Illinois, is in central Florida all this week on spring break. The game with Ohio State will be IU’s second-to-the-last on its trip. The two teams do not meet for a Big Ten series this year. Led by Jerrud Sabourin (.475) and Josh Phegley (.412) the team is hitting .340 and has a 5.43 ERA.
• Army, 5-6, has won three consecutive games (Sacred Heart, No. Iowa and Central Florida). The Black Knights, who have scored as many as 17 runs in one game this season, have four players hitting over .365 led by Kyle Fleming (.429). The team has swiped 25 bases.
• Hartford is 1-7, including four losses at New Mexico State to open the season, and has had four games cancelled due to weather. The team runs a Big Ten test with games vs. Indiana, Illinois and Ohio State this week. Hartford is led by Mike Amendola’s .481 avg.
• Rollins, a Division II school in the Sunshine State Conf., has five wins over DI programs and is 16-9. The Tars (it means sailor) are hitting .342 as a team and two starters - Tim Griffin and Stephen Hiscock - have four wins each.
• Miami is 15-3 overall and 5-1 in the ACC. The ‘Canes play a three-game series at unbeaten Virginia this weekend and host Top 10 school Georgia Tech three days after the Ohio State game. Miami boasts a team ERA of 3.14 against a mighty schedule with 145 strikeouts vs. 55 walks. The team averages just under 10 runs per game.
LIVE STATS
OhioStateBuckeyes.com
RANKINGS
Five consecutive wins and a 13-2 record has the Buckeyes climbing in the polls. The team moved from No. 30 to No. 22 in this week’s Collegiate Baseball poll and it made its debut in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll at No. 30.
Entire release including directions and a recap of last weekend
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Season Over
Indiana scored twice in the top of the 10th inning to beat Ohio State 10-8 Thursday, eliminating the Buckeyes from the Big Ten tournament and ending their season (Box Score). It was the first ever win by the Hoosiers against the Buckeyes in four tournament games.
Despite five solid outings, OSU freshman Alex Wimmers hit the first batter of the 10th and a bunt moved him over. Buckeye skipper Bob Todd brought in closer Eric Best. After a fly out moved a runner to third, he gave up the lead on a double by Andrew Means and a single by Chris Hervey added another insurance run.
The Buckeyes went quietly in the bottom of the inning.
Ohio State trailed early in the game and was able to tie it in the eighth to force extra innings after failing to score with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth.
Ohio State found themselves in a 4-0 hole to start the game and Indiana added another run in the second before the Buckeyes got two back in the bottom of the inning. The Scarlet and Gray took a 6-5 lead in the third inning with a four spot thanks to RBI by Dan Burkhart, Tyler Engle and Tony Kennedy. The first run of the inning scored on an error.
The lead was short-lived as the Hoosiers came back with three runs in the fourth. Ohio State put another run on the board in the fifth and left the bases loaded, yet trailed by an 8-7 score.
Jake Hale got the start and was less than stellar. He pitched four innings and allowed eight runs (only two earned) on 11 hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter before handing over the Buckeyes' chances to Wimmers.
Wimmers pitched well, getting out of trouble in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings. He retired the batters in order in the seventh and kept the Hoosiers scoreless in his 5.1 innings. He allowed two hits, walked two and fanned two yet kept his team within striking distance. It is a shame he had to get the loss. Best replaced him with one on and one out in the top of the 10th.
Cory Kovanda's sacrifice plated Justin Miller to tie the game in the eighth, but the Buckeyes left two runners on, including Burkhart at third.
Kennedy led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left. Hurley's sac bunt moved Kennedy into scoring position and then the Hoosiers intentionally walked J.B. Shuck, putting runners at first and second with one out for Miller, who drew a walk to load the bases.
Ryan Dew, who was hitting .400 with the bases loaded and .346 with runners in scoring position, was brought in to pinch hit for Meade and grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Tony Kennedy and Ryan Meade each had three hits to lead the Buckeyes, which also had multiple hits from Kovanda and Burkhart. Kennedy drove in three runs. Ohio State finished the game with 12 hits and walked 11 times. Buckeye pitching allowed 15 hits and walked just two.
It was a sloppy game with seven errors between the squads, including five by the Hoosiers.
Indiana was hot heading into the tournament, having won its last seven games and 10 of their previous 13. Even so, I never thought this game would be close. I certainly did not see the season ending today.
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Ohio State finished a disappointing 30-26. You have to look back to 1999 when the Buckeyes last went 0-2 in the Big Ten Tournament. Of course, that season fans didn't mind as much since they hosted a regional and super regional and came within one game of advancing to the College World Series.
Despite five solid outings, OSU freshman Alex Wimmers hit the first batter of the 10th and a bunt moved him over. Buckeye skipper Bob Todd brought in closer Eric Best. After a fly out moved a runner to third, he gave up the lead on a double by Andrew Means and a single by Chris Hervey added another insurance run.
The Buckeyes went quietly in the bottom of the inning.
Ohio State trailed early in the game and was able to tie it in the eighth to force extra innings after failing to score with one out and the bases loaded in the ninth.
Ohio State found themselves in a 4-0 hole to start the game and Indiana added another run in the second before the Buckeyes got two back in the bottom of the inning. The Scarlet and Gray took a 6-5 lead in the third inning with a four spot thanks to RBI by Dan Burkhart, Tyler Engle and Tony Kennedy. The first run of the inning scored on an error.
The lead was short-lived as the Hoosiers came back with three runs in the fourth. Ohio State put another run on the board in the fifth and left the bases loaded, yet trailed by an 8-7 score.
Jake Hale got the start and was less than stellar. He pitched four innings and allowed eight runs (only two earned) on 11 hits. He struck out three and did not walk a batter before handing over the Buckeyes' chances to Wimmers.
Wimmers pitched well, getting out of trouble in the fifth, sixth and eighth innings. He retired the batters in order in the seventh and kept the Hoosiers scoreless in his 5.1 innings. He allowed two hits, walked two and fanned two yet kept his team within striking distance. It is a shame he had to get the loss. Best replaced him with one on and one out in the top of the 10th.
Cory Kovanda's sacrifice plated Justin Miller to tie the game in the eighth, but the Buckeyes left two runners on, including Burkhart at third.
Kennedy led off the bottom of the ninth with a single to left. Hurley's sac bunt moved Kennedy into scoring position and then the Hoosiers intentionally walked J.B. Shuck, putting runners at first and second with one out for Miller, who drew a walk to load the bases.
Ryan Dew, who was hitting .400 with the bases loaded and .346 with runners in scoring position, was brought in to pinch hit for Meade and grounded into an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play.
Tony Kennedy and Ryan Meade each had three hits to lead the Buckeyes, which also had multiple hits from Kovanda and Burkhart. Kennedy drove in three runs. Ohio State finished the game with 12 hits and walked 11 times. Buckeye pitching allowed 15 hits and walked just two.
It was a sloppy game with seven errors between the squads, including five by the Hoosiers.
Indiana was hot heading into the tournament, having won its last seven games and 10 of their previous 13. Even so, I never thought this game would be close. I certainly did not see the season ending today.
The-Ozone.net Photo Gallery
Columbus Dispatch Wire Report
Ohio State finished a disappointing 30-26. You have to look back to 1999 when the Buckeyes last went 0-2 in the Big Ten Tournament. Of course, that season fans didn't mind as much since they hosted a regional and super regional and came within one game of advancing to the College World Series.
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
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