Men’s Baseball Heads to Ft. Myers for Gene Cusic Tournament – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/17/1998 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
March 17, 1998
THE GENE CUSIC TOURNAMENT
OSU will play Bucknell on Friday at 9 a.m., Fairleigh Dickinson on Saturday at 10 a.m., Canisius on Sunday at 10 a.m., Albright on Sunday at 7 p.m. and Central Connecticut on Monday at 6 p.m. and again on Tuesday at 6 p.m. All games will be played at Terry Park.
HOME OPENER CANCELED
Ohio State’s home opening series with Pittsburgh last weekend was canceled due to inclement weather. Two of the three games will be made up on May 7 in a doubleheader starting at 3 p.m.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
The Buckeyes will depart from Port Columbus International Airport on Thursday at 10:45 a.m. via America West Airlines. The team will be staying at the Comfort Suites/Sleep Inn in Fort Myers, Fla. (800 435-8234; FAX 941 768-5458). Departure time for the return trip is set for 4:15 p.m. on the 25th.
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Assistant Director Greg Aylsworth will represent the Athletic Communications office on the road. Please contact him with any questions or requests regarding the OSU baseball team.
FRY GOES DISTANCE FOR 14TH TIME
All-American Justin Fry (Jr., Munhall, Pa.) hurled the 14th complete game of his career against Oral Roberts last Thursday. The veteran right hander struck out 10 batters while walking just one and giving up three earned runs. Fry also overpowered tournament host McNeese State, 12-3, at the Lake Area Classic, striking out 14 batters in 8.0 innings.
EHRNSBERGER FITS THE BILL
Redshirt freshman infielder Chad Ehrnsberger (Kalida, Ohio) has stepped up and played a key role both offensively and defensively in OSU’s tournament championship last weekend. He saw time at both second base and shortstop and batted .350 (7-20) at the Desert Classic including two doubles, one home run six RBI and five runs scored.
CAREK SETS RUNS SCORED MARK
When Mark Carek (Sr., Bowling Green, Ohio) came home on a sacrifice fly by Mike Kremblas (Sr., Carroll, Ohio) against UNLV, he crossed the plate for the 184th time in his career, setting a new OSU record. Carek broke Robbie Cobb’s (1980-83) mark of 183.
LEE LEADS PITCHING STAFF
Andy Lee (Jr., West Chester, Ohio) has been nothing but spectacular in his three starts this season, garnering a perfect 3-0 record. The right hander pitched 7.0 innings against UNLV, recording a career high eight strikeouts, walking just one and relinquishing one earned run. In three starts this year he has a 1.64 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 22.0 innings pitched.
SEIMETZ SETS HOME RUN RECORD
Senior first baseman Dan Seimetz (Massillon, Ohio) set a new school record for career home runs when he hit his 40th against Iowa State. He eclipsed Scott Kaczmar’s (1992-95) previous mark of 39.
THE NIGHT APPROACHES
OSU’s first game under the new Bill Davis Stadium lights will be Friday, April 4 at 6:35 p.m. against defending Big Ten champion Michigan. Lights were installed in the one year old stadium in late November, enabling the Bucks to schedule night games twilight doubleheaders.
MORE YOUNG BUCKS SEE ACTION
Redshirt freshman Chris Alvord (Mentor, Ohio) and true freshman Trent McIlvain (Louisville, Ohio) both appeared for the first time in a game against UNLV. Redshirt freshman John Mayor (Chesterfield, Mo.), who made his first appearance for OSU in the Disney tournament, also played in the 18-1 rout of the Rebels. On the mound, redshirt freshman Cory Cox also made his first appearance, pitching 1.0 innings against UNLV.
FOR THE RECORD
In addition to the runs scored record (184), Carek is currently sixth for base on balls with 103, fourth for at bats with 673 and 10th for hits with 216. In addition to holding the career home run record (40), Seimetz holds the all-time marks for doubles with 65 and RBI with 199. He is also fourth for hits with 234, ninth for runs scored with 161 and 13th for at bats with 632. Jason Trott (Jr., Dublin, Ohio) remains OSU all-time batting leader with a .389 average (100-257). Seimetz is second on that list at .370 (234-632). Fry is tied for 11th for career wins with 21.
POSSIBLE STARTING LINEUP RF Dan Zabloudil 15 CF Mike Lockwood 20 LF Jason Turner 24 1B Jason Trott 36 2B Lou Santangelo 5 SS Mark Carek 27 3B Chad Ehrnsberger 7 C Mike Kremblas 9 DH Tom Durant 10 or Marcello Garofalo 12 not projected batting order PROBABLE STARTING ROTATION RHP Justin Fry 38 RHP Eric Thompson 26 RHP Andy Lee 19 RHP Phil Vogelmeier 31 Top reliever Mike Stafford 22
INJURY REPORT
Seimetz had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee last Friday and nothing serious was found. He should be able to assume a role as a designated hitter during the spring break trip. Seimetz tore the lateral capsule in his left knee against Oral Roberts. Middleton is still suffering from a badly sprained right wrist he hurt against Lewis-Clark State. Both players are day-to-day.
BUCKEYE TRAINER MAKES MOVE
Good things are happening for all members of the Buckeye staff as trainer Jay Holdgreve has accepted an internship with the San Francisco 49ers for the upcoming summer.
OSU WINS DESERT CLASSIC CROWN
The Scarlet and Gray won the 18th annual Coors Desert Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. The Bucks went 4-1 for the tournament, losing to host UNLV 9-8 in a contest that came down to OSU’s last at-bat. OSU pounded UNLV the next day 18-1 in the championship game, leaving Las Vegas with a 7-4 overall record. The squad also beat Oral Roberts 10-5, Washington State 11-2, Lewis-Clark State 11-8.
BUCKS CLAIM LAKE AREA TITLE
OSU went 2-1 at the Lake Area Classic this past weekend, claiming the eighth annual title. The championship marks the second time (the Scarlet and Gray won in 1996) the Buckeyes have taken the Lake Charles, La. tournament.
RECAPPING THE BASEBALL BLAST
OSU lost the first two games and won its last at the season opening ACC Baseball Blast at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. An untimely error late in the first game and a grand slam in the second led to the Buckeyes 0-2 start to the 1998 season. The squad was tied in the first game and leading in the second and was in position to win both contests. Lee, Mike Lockwood (So., Powell, Ohio) and Seimetz were selected to the all-tournament team.
OSU IN THE POLLS
In the Mar. 16 national polls, Ohio State is ranked 41st by USA Today/Baseball Weekly.
PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS
Both Fry and Seimetz were named to Collegiate Baseball’s preseason All-America squads. Fry (RHP) was a first team selection and Seimetz (1B) was named to the second team.
NATIONAL RECOGNITION FOR BDS
Bill Davis Stadium was ranked as the 11th-best college stadium in the nation by Baseball America. Arkansas, home of $8.9-million Baum Stadium at Cole Field, topped the rankings as the No. 1 venue.
HEAD COACH BOB TODD
Bob Todd’s Ohio State Buckeyes have been the dominant Big Ten team of the 1990s. His 1997 squad returned to the Big Ten tournament after a one year layoff and rolled to a playoff victory, earning OSU’s sixth NCAA tournament berth in seven years. His Buckeyes went 42-18 last season, the sixth 40-win season for Todd in the 90’s. Under Todd, Ohio State won five straight Big Ten titles, made eight straight Big Ten playoff and five straight NCAA tournament appearances. Todd has Ohio State baseball solidly among the best in the nation. Now entering his tenth season at Ohio State, Todd has guided the Buckeyes to a 409-211-1 record (an average of 40 wins a year), four Big Ten championships, five straight first place finishes in the Big Ten regular season standings between 1991-95, and to five straight and six total, NCAA regional appearances (1991-95, ’97). He also has guided OSU to a third-place and two second-place finishes in those six NCAA Regional Tournaments. His career record is 533-293-1.
RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS
Fry and Seimetz (both second team by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and third team by Collegiate Baseball.) are OSU’s returning All-America selections.
LAST YEAR
The 1997 Ohio State University baseball team reestablished itself as a Big Ten power and a national contender by winning 42 games, capturing the 1997 Big Ten tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Mideast Regional in Starkville, Miss. The 42-18 campaign represented Ohio State’s sixth 40-win season in the last seven seasons.
The NCAA Regional appearance was also the Buckeyes’ sixth in the last seven years. And the Big Ten Tournament championship was OSU’s fourth in the last seven years. The Buckeyes finished second in the Big Ten regular season standings, just .011 percentage points behind Michigan, which played two fewer games. Ranked as high as 17th nationally at one point, and in either Collegiate Baseball’s or USA Today/Baseball Weekly’s top 25 for the final 10 weeks of the season, the Bucks did not lose a Big Ten series last season, taking three of four from Iowa, Michigan State, Indiana and Penn State and splitting with Illinois, Minnesota and Michigan. The team’s 18-10 record included an 11-5 mark at Bill Davis Stadium and a 7-5 road record.
PROMOTIONS
April 3 is Student Activities Day, April 4 is State Farm Poster Day and April 5 is Youth Day; April 10 is Donato’s Night, April 11 is State Farm T-Shirt Day and April 12 is High and Middle School Day; April 29 is Alumni Club Night; May 8 is Residence Hall Night and May 9 and 10 are AirTouch Cellular Weekend. In addition, season long promotions include – Donatos Pizza Bingo, Old Navy Campus Kid, Wear Old Navy and Win, Old Navy Autograph Sundays and lucky program giveaways.
FINAL 1997 RANKINGS
Last season, Ohio State ranked 18th nationally for won/loss percentage (.700), 22nd in pitching (4.40) and fielding (.962), 27th in double plays (2.37 per game) and 35th in fielding percentage in hitting (.330).
SIX NCAA REGIONALS IN THE 90’s
Ohio State has made 12 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a school-best streak of five straight appearances between 1991-95 and again last season. OSU has appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 1951, 1955, 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1982 in addition to its six appearances in the 1990s. Four times – 1951, 1965, 1966 and 1967 – Ohio State has advanced to the College World Series, winning the crown in 1966.
MARK CAREK
Smooth operator. One of the finest fielding shortstops in college baseball. Co-captain of the Buckeyes for the second year in a row. Hit first HR of the year in the 9-8 loss at UNLV to pull the Bucks within one. Batted 4-6 with three runs in the championship game against the Rebels and 12-24 (.500) with nine runs scored for the tournament. Went 2-4 with two runs scored and an RBI against Iowa State. Batted .364 (4-11) at the ACC Baseball Blast and knocked in three runs on the weekend.
TOM DURANT
Had a big weekend at the Desert Classic batting 7-14 with seven runs scored and four RBI. Hit a two run HR against Oral Roberts.
CHAD EHRNSBERGER
Starting to evolve as a premier player. Has filled in and started at both second and third base and may have the best hands on the team next to Carek. A great athlete. Hit first career HR against Washington State. Batted 2-3 with three RBI and one run scored against the Cougars.
JUSTIN FRY
All-American that is effective throwing the fastball, slider and change-up. Wreaks more havoc than El Nino on the mound. Went the distance against Oral Roberts, Striking out 10 batters to move to 2-0 on the year. Struck out 14 against McNeese State at the Lake Area Classic. Had control problems against Duke, pitching 6.0 innings giving up seven hits, seven earned runs and four base on balls and did not factor in the decision. Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and first team all-Big Ten selection in 1997. Was named a second team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and a third team All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Set two school marks on his way to a 10-3 campaign and a 3.58 ERA. Selected in the 18th round of the 1997 summer draft by the Boston Red Sox.
KURT FULLENKAMP
Started in the 9-8 loss to UNLV, pitching 5.0 innings. Pitched 2.1 innings in relief against Lewis-Clark State striking out three. Relieved Eric Thompson against Louisiana Tech and pitched 3.2 innings giving up three hits and two earned runs while striking out four. Pitched 1.0 inning against NC State giving up three hits and two earned runs.
MARCELLO GAROFALO
Came in for the injured Seimetz against Oral Roberts, scoring once. Scored once against Florida State, batting 0-4 against the Seminoles.
MIKE KREMBLAS
Leads pitchers to wins like The Pied Piper. Intense everyday. Went 2-4 with three RBI and two runs scored against Oral Roberts. Batted .500 (6-12) at the ACC Baseball Blast with four RBI. In a breakout season, he proved to be the best defensive catcher in the conference last season, earning first team all-Big Ten honors and also selected to the Big Ten all-tournament team last year.
ANDY LEE
Has established himself as the Buckeyes No. 3 pitcher, showing aggressiveness and poise on the mound. Pitched 7.0 innings in the championship game against UNLV, striking out a career high eight batters. Hurled 7.0 innings against Iowa State, scattering 10 hits and two runs while striking out five. Started for the fourth time in his career against NC State and pitched 7.0 innings of one-hit, one-walk, zero-run ball against the Wolfpack, earning all-tournament honors.
MIKE LOCKWOOD
Hot. Hot. Hot. Caught fire on day one and has not slowed down. Hit two HRs in the Buckeyes 9-8 loss at UNLV, including a two-run shot that brought the Buckeyes within two in the ninth. Went 3-5 at McNeese State scoring three times and tallying three RBI. Also homered in the ninth against the Cowboys. Went 8-14 (.571) in Florida, en route to earning all-tournament honors. Has big-league tools. An all-Big Ten tournament selection in 1997 and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Set new school season record for walks in 1997 with 50.
MATT MIDDLETON
Suffered a sprained wrist against Lewis-Clark State and missed the remainder of the Desert Classic. One of the Buckeyes only bright spots in the 9-7 loss to Louisiana Tech, batting .750 (3-4) with two RBI, a double and one run scored. Went 3-12 in the opening weekend, scoring once. Untimely error against Duke led to 8-7 loss.
LOU SANTANGELO
Recorded a 2-4 performance against Louisiana Tech. Doubled and scored against the Bulldogs. Had a rough opening weekend (1-13 and three errors) as the Buckeyes new second baseman. First hit of the year came against NC State. Recorded back-to-back errors in the seventh inning against the Wolfpack.
DAN SEIMETZ
Tore the lateral capsule in his left knee against Oral Roberts. Went 6-14 at the Lake Area Classic. Scored three runs and recorded three RBI against Iowa State, including a two-run shot (the record breaker) in the seventh. Batted .429 (6-14) with four RBI and was named to the all-tournament team at the ACC/Disney Baseball Blast. Enters his senior season as one of the most prolific offensive players ever to wear the Scarlet and Gray. He is coming off a magical 1997 season in which he rewrote the Ohio State record book on his way to being named the Big Ten Player of the Year. He was named a second team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and a third team All-American by Collegiate Baseball.
MIKE STAFFORD
Ultimate reliever who not only aids from the bullpen, but also provides comic relief. No need for binoculars to spot when he is warming as his 2-1/2-inch sideburns are easily spotted from a distance. Made two appearances at the Desert Classic. Relieved Andy Lee in the 18-1 demolition os UNLV and came in for Kurt Fullenkamp against Lewis-Clark State. Appeared once at the Lake Area Classic, pitching 1.0 innings against Louisiana Tech. Took both losses at the Disney Baseball Blast after pitching just 2.2 innings.
ERIC THOMPSON
Pitched 9.0 innings against Washington State, scattering 11 hits and recording seven strikeouts. Struggled against Louisiana Tech, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up eight hits and seven runs, five of them earned. Struck out a career high 12 batters in 6.1 innings against Florida State. A shot back to the mound aided in his departure from the game in the seventh inning. A second team all-Big Ten selection in 1997.
JASON TROTT
Took over the responsibilities at first base when Dan Seimetz went down with an injury. Went 2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored against UNLV. Batted .400 (4-10) at the Lake Area Classic. Produced a 5-15 (.333) effort at the ACC Baseball Blast. Talented enough to play first base or outfield and is outstanding with the bat. A second team all-Big Ten selection in 1997 and the second consecutive Buckeye to lead the Big Ten in batting. Named to the Big Ten’s all-tournament team as a designated hitter.
JASON TURNER
May have found a permanent spot in the lineup either in left field or as a designated hitter. Had a huge performance against UNLV, batting 3-4 with one double, one home run, six RBI and three runs scored.
PHIL VOGELMEIER
Started against Lewis-Clark State, pitching 5.1 innings but not factoring in the decision. Made two appearances in Lake Charles, dropping his ERA with 3.0 combined innings of four-hit zero-walk, zero earned run ball. Appeared twice during the opening weekend, relinquishing three hits and three earned runs.
DAN ZABLOUDIL
Speed to burn. Went 2-4 against Washington State with two RBI and one run. Homered against the Cougars. Batted .417 (5-12) in Louisiana with five runs scored, three RBI and two stolen bases (both against La. Tech). Was 3-3 for stolen bases at the Disney Baseball Blast and batted .250 (3-12) with two runs scored.
