Buckeyes Return Home After 16-5 Pasting of Kansas

Ohio State erupted for 16 runs off 20 hits and ran away from Kansas , 16-5, Friday (box score) to close out the annual spring break trip 4-2. The Buckeyes bring a 9-6 overall record with them back to Columbus, where they welcome Toledo on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Bill Davis Stadium.

Chris Macke, making his second start of the season, sparked the Buckeyes offensively with a grand slam home run and six RBI. Cory Kovanda added four hits, three runs scored and three RBI. J.B. Shuck and Dan Burkhart each had three hits. Shuck scored three times and Burkhart scored twice. Cory Rupert continued his hot hitting with men on base by knocking in a pair of runs.

The 20 hits – which tied a season high – and season-high 16 runs scored was more than enough support for starter Jake Hale and relievers Dean Wolosiansky and Alex Wimmers. Hale picked up the win with 5.0 innings of seven-hit, four-run work. He is 1-0 on the year. Wolosiansky and Wimmers each pitched two innings.

Click here for the Kansas recap.

Thanks to all readers of The Buckeye Nine for covering for me while I traveled today. I appreciate your support.

Spring Break Starts Saturday

Woo-hoo! Put on your shorts and get your flip flops. It might not hurt to grab some sunscreen, too. Spring Break is finally here. The Buckeyes make the annual trek to Bradenton to play seven games in seven days. The schedule has changed since it was posted on the official Ohio State athletics web site. The revised schedule was sent out as part of the “game notes” sent out this Thursday morning by the athletics communications office. I sure to wish I could head over there. I’ve always enjoyed that trip, but unlike years past there is no “off” day scheduled.

On a day off a few years ago, I took part in a deep-sea fishing expedition. I snagged a couple of grunt fish, but ended up catching the prize of the excursion, a sea bass. Former OSU pitching coach Pat Bangtson, now the head coach at Akron, started calling me “Sea Bass” (think Dumb and Dumber) after that. It was a tiny catch and paled in comparison to the grouper he reeled in, though I think Bill Wells had the biggest catch of the day. We had to head back early when the fog rolled in. We sure did eat well that night. I’ll have to see if I can dig up a photo or two.

At any rate, beware of the alligators around the condos, boys. Here is the spring break schedule:

Saturday, March 15, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Harvard at Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota

Sunday, March 16, 3 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Dartmouth at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton

Monday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Northern Iowa at Manatee Community College, Bradenton

Tuesday, March 18, 3 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Bradley at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton

Wednesday, March 19, 10 a.m.
Ohio State vs. St. Louis at IMG Academy Park, Bradenton

Thursday, March 20, 7:30 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Army at Manatee Community College, Bradenton

Friday, March 21, 2 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Kansas at Manatee Community College, Bradenton