Baseball Team Stalks Big Ten Title With Two Weeks Remaining – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/28/1998 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 28, 1998
OSU IS NO. 18 IN THE NATION – In the April 27 national polls, Ohio State is ranked 18th by Collegiate Baseball, 23rd by Baseball America and 35th by USA Today/Baseball Weekly.
OSU WINS TWO AT PENN STATE – The Buckeyes (29-11, 13-6/2nd) headed into Happy Valley with a share of the conference lead, a No. 20 ranking and a nine game winning streak, but left in second place with a 2-1 weekend, ;losing one game to the weather. OSU took the first two games, winning 8-2 and 15-11, but dropped the second half of the doubleheader, 4-2, in a game that saw four home runs in seven innings. Game four was rained out.
THE MIAMI REDHAWKS – Miami is 25-19 and 13-9 in the Mid-American Conference. The RedHawks split a two-game series at Bowling Green over the weekend, losing game one 1-0 and taking the second 2-1. Miami is currently second in the MAC East Division and will travel to Dayton on Tuesday before heading to Columbus for a 6:35 p.m. matchup. Ohio State leads the all-time series 25-15 and head coach Bob Todd is 13-4 against the Nittany Lions. Miami head coach Tracy Smith is in his second year as a head coach and has amassed a 27-28 career record. OSU has not played the RedHawks since 1991 when the Buckeyes won 6-2 in Oxford..
THE INDIANA HOOSIERS – Indiana is 26-22 and 11-9 in the Big Ten. The team opened last weekend with an 8-6 win at Minnesota, but dropped the remaining three games 6-0, 8-7 and 19-11. The Hoosiers play host to Valparaiso on Wednesday at 3 p.m. Ohio State leads the all-time series 125-86 and head coach Bob Todd is 27-15 against the Hoosiers. Indiana head coach Bob Morgan is in his 14th year as the Hoosier skipper and has amassed a 836-381-5 career record (544-294-3). OSU took three of four games at home last year winning the first game 21-4, dropping the second 12-8 and taking the final two contests 15-11 and 9-8.
TRAVEL INFORMATION – The Buckeyes will depart from Bill Davis Stadium on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. and the team will be staying at the Holiday Inn (812 334-3252/FAX 812 333-1702) in Bloomington. OSU will practice upon arrival and will return immediately following the game on Sunday.
BIG TEN STANDINGS 1. Illinois 15 5 0 .750 2. Ohio State 13 6 0 .684 3. Minnesota 12 8 0 .600 4. Indiana 11 9 0 .550 5. Penn State 9 10 0 .474 6. Iowa 9 11 0 .450 7. Michigan State 7 9 0 .438 8. Purdue 8 12 0 .400 9. Michigan 6 10 0 .375 10. Northwestern 5 15 0 .250
CAN OSU WIN THE BIG TEN TITLE? – Yes. It is mathematically possible. Illinois will win the regular season title with a sweep of Purdue in West Lafayette this weekend. The Illini will have a .792 winning percentage which would be untouchable by any other school. But…If Illinois wins o three of four (18-6/.750) and OSU sweeps both Indiana and Michigan State, the Bucks win with a .777 (21-6) winning percentage. o just two (17-7/.708), OSU could drop one game and finish 20-7 (.741) o just one (16-8/.666), the Bucks could lose twice and finish 19-8 (.704) and win, as long as third place Minnesota loses once in its eight remaining games for a 19-9 (.679) mark.
RADIO BROADCAST – Wednesday’s game and Saturday’s first game will be broadcast live on WOSU Radio (820 AM) with Frank Fraas and Herb Howenstine calling all the action. The tandem will also provide commentary for the Sunday getaway game.
FRY CLIMBING STRIKEOUT LADDER – All-American Justin Fry has struck out 10 or more batters nine times in his career with seven of them coming during the 1998 season. The junior currently ranks third for career strikeouts (258) and has 93 this season.
TROTT LEADS BIG TEN AGAIN – First baseman Jason Trott leads the Big Ten for batting with a .524 average (.400 overall). He went 7-11 at Penn State with six runs scored, two runs batted in and one home run. The junior was the 1997 conference batting champion with a .429 average and was also tops with a .418 mark for overall games.
REGIONAL SITE SELECTIONS – The eight regional sites and hosts will be announced in a live, one-hour news conference on Monday, May 11 form 2-3 p.m. Central time. More details will be available closer to the date.
NATIONAL RANKINGS – As of April 19, the Buckeyes are fourth in the country for fielding percentage with a 9.70 mark. Individually Eric Thompson is 12th for ERA at 2.10.
BIG TEN RANKINGS – In overall games, OSU ranks first for fielding (.971), second for pitching (4.64 ERA) and third for batting (.331) in the Big Ten. Individual conference rankings place Dan Seimetz second for home runs per game (0.32) and slugging percentage (.730). He is fourth for batting average (.405) and home runs (11). Mike Lockwood is second for runs scored per game (1.38) and runs scored (54) and fourth for RBI’s per game (1.15). Mike Kremblas is first for sacrifice flys with six. Thompson is first for runs allowed per game (3.84), fourth for ERA (3.25) and opposing batting average (.242). Mike Stafford is first for games in relief with 21 and also first for games finished (16). He is also tied for second for saves (5). Justin Fry is second for batters struck out looking with 32 and second for strikeouts per game with 11.41. Andy Lee is second for runners picked off (4) and third for wins with seven..
OSU HITTING STREAKS – Buckeyes that are currently on hitting streaks include: Kremblas – six games, Lockwood – seven games, Matt Middleton – two games, Seimetz – two games and Trott – nine games.
AROUND THE BIG TEN –
Illinois at Purdue
Lambert Field, West Lafayette, Ind.
Fighting Illini – 31-16, 15-5 Big Ten; Swept the Hawkeyes at home last weekend and on a six game winning streak.
Boilermakers – 20-23, 8-12 Big Ten; Took three of four at Northwestern over the weekend. Austin Bilke no-hit the Wildcats in game two.
Northwestern at Iowa –
Iowa Field, Iowa City, Iowa
Wildcats – 20-21, 5-15 Big Ten; Recorded first conference win since the Penn State series with a 3-1 win over Purdue.
Hawkeyes – 17-20, 9-11 Big Ten; Pounded by No. 1 Illinois and may have been knocked out of contention.
Penn State at Michigan –
Ray Fisher Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.
Nittany Lions – 21-21, 9-10 Big Ten; Used three home runs in game three to prevent OSU sweep.
Wolverines – 16-21, 6-10 Big Ten; Bye week last weekend and currently in the lower tier of the conference.
Minnesota at Michigan State –
Oldsmobile Park, East Lansing, Mich.
Golden Gophers – 31-12, 12-8 Big Ten; lost game one but took the final three against Indiana to claim third place in the conference.
Spartans – 23-20, 7-9 Big Ten; Bye week last weekend.
FOR THE RECORD – In addition to holding the runs scored record (205) and the at bats record (779), Mark Carek is also third for triples with 10, fourth for base on balls with 112 and third for hits with 247. In addition to holding the career home run record (48) and the all-time hits mark (273), Seimetz holds the all-time marks for doubles with 71 and RBI with 223. He is also tied for second for runs scored with 183 and second for at bats with 730. Trott remains OSU all-time batting leader with a .404 average (144-356). Seimetz is second on that list at .374 (273-730). Fry is third for strikeouts with 258 and is tied for eighth for career wins with 24. Stafford is tied for third for single season saves with five.
INJURY REPORT – Jason Driscoll experienced back spasms at Penn State but it is not considered a serious matter. Tom Durant’s thumb is healing just fine and he should be cleared to play by the weekend.
BUCKEYES SWEEP PURDUE – The Buckeyes took all four games at Purdue with the team’s best overall pitching effort so far this season. Three starters hurled complete games and a fourth went 8.0 innings as OSU commanded the series from start to finish. The squad won 7-3, 7-1, 8-3 and 12-5.
OHIO STATE AND ILLINOIS SPLIT – The Buckeyes (20-10, 7-5) split a four-game series with Illinois. The Illini took the first two games (2-1, 2-1) with superior pitching that baffled the Buckeye bats. Illinois let game three slip away, losing 3-2 and OSU earned the split with an 8-5 G4 victory.
OSU WINS THREE IN HOME OPENER – Ohio State took three of four games from Michigan at Bill Davis Stadium with a trio of dramatic victories (W 6-4, W 2-1, W 3-2, L 12-8) over the Wolverines. OSU fans packed the stadium last Friday night (3,631) for the first home night game in the 115-year history of Buckeye baseball.
OSU AND NORTHWESTERN SPLIT – Ohio State started the 1998 Big Ten campaign at Evanston, Ill., winning just two of four games at Rocky Miller Park (15-9 NU, 12-1 OSU, 5-2 OSU, 6-4 NU). The Buckeyes were dismantled on Friday but managed to bounce back with a pair of three-hit contests in the doubleheader on Saturday. In a tight getaway game Sunday, the Bucks dropped another contest they were in position to win, ailing from a case of stranded runners.
BUCKS LEAVE FLORIDA 5-0 – OSU left Florida 5-0 for the spring trip after winning all of its games at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Ft. Myers, Fla. The Buckeyes defeated: Fairleigh Dickinson, 11-1, Canisius, 10-2, Albright, 20-1 and Central Connecticut State 15-8 and 7-3.
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 No. 22 UNLV the next day 18-1 in the championship game. 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 Buckeyes have taken the tournament (also in 1996).
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. Andy Lee, Lockwood and Seimetz made the all-tournament team.
HEAD COACH BOB TODD – 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 in his 11th season at Ohio State, Todd has guided the Buckeyes to a 431-218-1 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 555-300-1.
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.
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 – Dare you to find a better fielding shortstop in college baseball. Smooth operator. Co-captain of the Buckeyes for the second year in a row. Batted 3-4 with 2 R and 4 RBI in G2 at Penn State. Pulled a monster 2 R HR into the third row of the parking lot in left field, disturbing some tailgaters that were in attendance for the Blue-White game. Just 3 E in Big Ten play and only eight on the year. Batted 1-4 against WVU with 1 R and 2 RBI. Recorded his best weekend of the season with a 7-16 trip at Purdue. 2-4 in G’s 2 & 3 with 2 R in each contest. Scored 1 R and knocked in another in a 2-5 performance against Dayton. Batted just 2-13 against the Fighting Illini. Scored once against Youngstown State and also recorded 1 H. Batted .500 (2-4) in G4 against Michigan while scoring 1 R and batting in another. 1-4 in G1 against the Wolverines, but it was a clutch hit that knocked in a run to put OSU up by two. Recorded a 6-17 performance at Northwestern where he went 4-5 with three runs scored in G2. Hit first HR of the year in the 9-8 loss at UNLV to pull the Bucks within one. Batted 4-6 with 3 R in the championship game against the Rebels and 12-24 (.500) with 9R for the tournament. Batted .364 (4-11) at the ACC Baseball Blast with 3 RBI.
CORY COX – Started against Ashland, pitching 4.0 innings and giving up three earned runs. Did not factor in the decision. Had a bit of a problem against YSU, giving up 6 H and 3 ER in 2.0 IP in relief. Pitched 0.2 innings in G4 against Michigan. First career start came against Ohio Wesleyan in which he pitched 4.0 innings (2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB).
JASON DRISCOLL – 2-3 with 2 R and 3 RBI in G1 at Penn State. Left G3 with back spasms. Entered the game as a pinch runner against West Virginia, but did not cross the plate. Scored the game winning run against Ashland in the bottom of the ninth with two out after entering the game in the eighth inning. Saw action in three of the four games at Purdue. Went 2-4 in G3. Played in G’s 1,3 and 4 of the Illinois series and batted .300 (3-10). Went 2-3 in G3 against the Fighting Illini and 1-4 in G4. Pinch-hit for Zabloudil against the Battling Bishops and went 1-2 with one run scored. Hit a grand slam in G1 at Northwestern.
TOM DURANT – Injured. Was starting to hit with consistency and poise. 0-1 against Ashland after leaving the game with a split thumb. Started every game at Purdue and put together a 6-16 performance with 3 R, 1 2B and 1 SB. Was 3-5 with 2 R and 1 RBI in G4. Batted 2-5 with his second HR of the year vs. Dayton, notching two RBI and 1 R against the Flyers. 0-3 in G3 against Illinois, but held on to the ball at the plate for a key out when Craig Marquie was barreling for home. 1-3 in G4 of the Michigan series. Dropped a sure foul ball out, but came back to post the game-winning RBI in G3 against Michigan. Started for the first time since Albright in G3 at Northwestern (0-2, 1 RBI, SF) and the first time behind the dish since Lewis-Clark State. 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 – Has started at both second and third base. Lackluster performance against the Nittany Lions with a 2-11 weekend at Penn State. Put together a 1-4 performance against West Virginia with a solo HR that brought the Bucks within 1 R. Played in three games at Purdue and went 1-3 with 2 RBI in G2. 1-3 against Dayton scoring once and batting in another run. 3-11 in the Illinois series. Stole one base against the Illini, but was also nabbed twice in three attempts. Started at both 3B and 2B against Michigan. 2-4 with 1 R and 1 RBI in G1 against Michigan, doubling twice. Posted a 2-4 performance in G1 at Northwestern. Went 3-5 with 2 2B, 6 RBI and 2 R against Albright. Hit first career HR against Washington State. Batted 2-3 with three RBI and one run scored against the Cougars.
JUSTIN FRY – A competitor. All-American that is effective throwing the fastball, slider and change-up. Struck out 13 in G1 at Penn State in his third meeting with Nate Bump. Pitched 2.0 innings against Ashland, sitting down two Eagles. Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for 4/20. Went the distance in G1 at Purdue striking out 13 and allowing just 3 ER. Gave everything he had in G1 against the Illini, but couldn’t get much offensive support (9.0 IP and 10 SO in his battle with Brett Weber). Rocked the house in G1 against Michigan with 10 K and another complete game to his credit. Started to get the ball up in the zone midway through the game, but held on to finish. Was roughed up (4.1 IP, 14 H, 12 ER, 3 HR) in G1 at Northwestern, suffering his first loss of the season. 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 in 1997.
KURT FULLENKAMP – Suffered his first Big Ten loss since May 10 at Michigan when he pitched 6.0 innings and gave up 3 HR in G3 at Penn State. Pitched all 7.0 innings in G3 at Purdue and gave up just 3 ER even though he walked four batters. Picked up his fourth win of the season in G3 against Illinois to remain undefeated (5.0 IP, 3 SO). Pitched 4.2 innings of one-hit ball against the Wolverines, but did not factor in the G3 decision. Had a no-hitter going through four. Combined for a three-hit victory in G3 at Northwestern, pitching 4.0 innings. Walked four Wildcats. Pitched 2.1 innings in relief against Lewis-Clark State striking out three. Relieved 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 3 H and 2 ER.
MARCELLO GAROFALO – Was 0-2 against West Virginia. 1-1 with an RBI double against Ashland but was also thrown out at third on the same play. Started for the first time since Ft. Myers in the DH slot against Dayton and went 1-3 with 1 2B, 1 SF, 3 RBI and 1 R. First home run of the year came against Albright when he went 3-5 with 3 RBI. Came in for the injured Seimetz against Oral Roberts. Scored once against Florida State, batting 0-4 against the Seminoles.
KEVIN GOODRUM – Quite imposing on the mound and has some tools to work with. Started against West Virginia, pitching 3.0 innings and giving up 4 ER. Did not factor in the decision. Pitched 5.0 innings against Dayton to record his second win as a Buckeye. Struck out five and walked two. Picked up his first career win in his first career start against Youngstown State.
MIKE KREMBLAS – Intense everyday. Beats to a different drum, and loudly. 3-10 at Penn State, scoring twice and batting in another in G2 vs. the Nittany Lions. May have had the day off against West Virginia but was called to duty with the injury to Durant. 1-5 with 1 R and 1 RBI against the Mountaineers. Moved from DH to C against Ashland and went 1-3 with 1 R. 2-5 with 2 R in G1 at Purdue. Started at 2B in G3. Went 2-2 in G2 with 2 RBI and 1 R. Only Buckeye to hit safely in every game against the Fighting Illini (2-4, 1-3, 2-3, 1-2). Scored 3 R in the final game against Illinois and started at third base in G3. Scored once against Youngstown State while batting 1-3. Went 2-3 with one run scored in G3. 1-3 against the Wolverines in G1. Managed just one hit in five at bats against the Ohio Wesleyan. Scored four times with a 2-4 performance and 3 RBI in G2 at Northwestern, but also struck out five times against the Wildcats. Started at third base in G3 in Evanston. Went 2-4 with 3 RBI and 2 R against Oral Roberts. Batted .500 (6-12) at Disney with four RBI.
ANDY LEE – Hardcore and aggressive. Was slated to start G4 at Penn State but a monsoon swept through Happy Valley, halting play. Entered in relief against West Virginia and went 3.0 innings with 2 K. Pitched 8.0 innings in G4 at Purdue and picked up win No. 6. Struck out six Boilers and gave up 5 ER. Two-game losing streak snapped as he pitched 8.1 innings in game four against Illinois. Was touched by the Wolverines for 10 H and 10 ER. Lost for the first time in G4 at Northwestern in a tight game. 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 – Both silky and smooth as he patrols center field. 4-11 on the weekend at Penn State with 3 R and 3 RBI. Posted a 2-3 day with 3 R and 1 SB against West Virginia. Batted 1-3 with 2 R and 1 RBI against Ashland. Compiled a 5-16 weekend with 6 R at Purdue. Homered in G1 and G3. 2-3 with 2 R and 2 RBI against Dayton after a rough conference weekend against Illinois. Bottled up by the Fighting Illini, posting a dismal 1-13 performance. Only hit was a double in the Bucks first at bat in G1. Took the first pitch of the Youngstown State game deep to right field for home run No. 8 on the year. Went 2-4 against the Penguins. Batted 3-4 with 2 R and 1 RBI and 1 2B in G4 last weekend. 2-4 with 1 R in G1 against UM. Big Ten Player of the Week for 3/24. 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.
TRENT McILVAIN – Entered G2 at Penn State as a pinch runner and scored. 1-4 against West Virginia with 1 R on the day. Put together a 3-3 day against Ashland with 1 RBI. Pinch-hit in G4 at Purdue and went 0-2. Carded in the starting second base slot against the Flyers and went 1-3. Started against Michigan in G4 and Ohio Wesleyan and went 0-2 and 0-3 respectively. First career start came against Albright where he went 3-5 with 3 R and 3 RBI.
MATT MIDDLETON – 2-3 with 1 R and 2 RBI in G2 at Penn State. Played in every game at Purdue and went just 2-14 with 3 K. Pinch-hit against Dayton and went 0-1. Started three of four games at third base against Illinois and batted 2-9. Went 2-4 with 1 RBI in G4. Started against Youngstown State batting 2-3 with one run scored. Pinch-hit in G’s 3 & 4 against Michigan. Went 1-2 with one run scored. One of the Buckeyes only bright spots in the 9-7 loss to Louisiana Tech, batting .750 (3-4) with 2 RBI, 1 2B and 1 R. Went 3-12 in the opening weekend, scoring once.
LOU SANTANGELO – Pinch-hit in G2 against Illinois but did not reach base. Scored twice and went 3-9 at Northwestern. Batted 3-5 with 2 RBI and 3 R against Central Connecticut. Doubled and scored against the Bulldogs.
DAN SEIMETZ – Hits bombs. A record-breaker. Batted .300 (3-10) at Penn State including a 2-3 day in G3. Cracked a 3 R HR against West Virginia to put the Buckeyes up for good. 2-5 against the Mountaineers with 1 R and 4 RBI. 1-3 against Ashland. Earned a B10 PoW nomination with a 7-16 weekend at Purdue. Scored at least 1 R in all four games and went 2-4 with 2 R and 2 RBI in G3. Posted 3 2B on the weekend. Walked three times by the Flyers, but also cracked HR No. 10 of 1998. 4-13 in the Illinois series with 2 HR. Went 2-3 with 2 R and 1 RBI in G4. Smacked the game-winning home run in G3, which was literally a rocket, clearing the scoreboard in right center by 50-feet. Scored once in a 2-5 performance against Youngstown State. 1-3 in G’s 2, 3 & 4 against Michigan. Scored once and walked twice in G1 against Michigan. Put together a 6-16 performance at Northwestern in which he scored five times and homered twice (G’s 3&4). One of his homers would have hit Welsh Ryan Arena had it not been for the gusting winds of Evanston. Reentered the lineup in Ft. Myers, batting 10-17 at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic after missing five games due to arthroscopic surgery. 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. 1997 Big Ten Player of the Year. One of the most prolific offensive players ever at OSU.
MIKE STAFFORD – The bulldog of the pitching staff that will bow-wow against anyone. Creepy sidearm delivery that gives batters fits. Doesn’t care for clothes. Relieved Thompson in G2 at Penn State, earning his 4th win of the year. Pitched 2.0 innings in relief against West Virginia and walked two Mountaineers. Came in to close against Ashland, but gave up a bomb but held on for the win. Pitched 1.0 innings in G4 striking out one of three batters faced. Fifth save of the year came against Dayton, tying him for third on the all-time list. Closed the door for Lee in G4 against the Illini for save No. 4. Entered the game in the sixth in G3 and recorded his third save of the year. Picked up the G3 win against UM after 2.1 innings in relief. Sweet double play in G3 when he snagged a line drive and tossed to first. Came in Tuesday to bail out Vogelmeier and was knocked for 3 H, 3 R and 3 ER. String of innings pitched with no ER was snapped at Northwestern. Earned save in G3 after relieving Fullenkamp. Pitched 5.1 innings in relief for first win of the year against Central Connecticut State. Made two appearances at the Desert Classic. Made two appearances at the Desert Classic. Relieved Lee in the 18-1 demolition of UNLV and came in for Fullenkamp against Lewis-Clark State.
ERIC THOMPSON – No. 2, but just as good as an ace. Terrible outing in G2 at Penn State, relinquishing 9 ER in 4.1 IP. Was never in control. Pitched 1.0 innings against West Virginia, striking out one. Complete game No. 5 of the year came in G2 at Purdue when he struck out eight and allowed just 1 ER. Saddled with the loss in G2 against Illinois, but like Fry, went the distance and did not have the supporting cast to win the ball game. Only mistakes came in the first inning which ended up costing him the game. Snagged a two-hit CG win in G2 that gave him a B10 PoW nomination. Hurled a CG three-hitter in G2 at Northwestern (1 ER, 3 SO). Struck out eight against Canisius. Pitched 9.0 innings against Washington State, scattering 11 hits and recording seven strikeouts. Struggled against Louisiana Tech, pitching 3.1 innings, giving up 8 H and 7 R, five of them earned. Struck out a career high 12 in 6.1 IP against Florida State.
JASON TROTT – Seeing the ball very clearly to say the least. Leads B10 in batting (.524) and went 7-11 at Penn State. Homered in G2. 2-5 against West Virginia. Knocked in the game-winning run against Ashland with 1 R and 1 RBI. 7-13 at Purdue with 5 R and 7 RBI. Homered in G4. Earned his second conference PoW nomination for an 8-18 performance against Illinois. 4-5 in G4 against the Illini with 2 R and 3 RBI. 2-2 in G2 and scored OSU’s only run in G1. Hit his first two home runs of the year against Youngstown State while posting 5 RBI. 2-3 with 1 R and 1 RBI in G1 against the Wolverines and also batted 2-4 in G4. 11-game hitting streak snapped against Ohio Wesleyan. 8-13 at Northwestern earning a B10 PoW nomination. Marvelous in G2 against the Wildcats (4-4, 5 RBI, 1 2B, 1 3B). Went 2-4 with 2 RBI and 2 R against UNLV. Batted .400 (4-10) at the Lake Area Classic. Produced a 5-15 (.333) effort at the ACC Baseball Blast.
JASON TURNER – Has some offensive problems as he is coming off a 1-8 performance at Penn State. Careened off the wall down the right sideline when he stretched out for a foul ball against Ashland but wasn’t injured. 0-1 against the Eagles. Went 2-3 in G2 and 3-5 in G4 at Purdue and homered in G4. 0-4 in G4 vs. Illinois. 1-2 against the Illini in G1. Had a 10-game hitting streak snapped against the Wolverines. Batted 3-5 last against Ohio Wesleyan with a 2B and an RBI. 4-9 at Northwestern with 1 HR and 2 R. 3-10 at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic. Had a huge performance against UNLV, batting 3-4 with 1 2B, one HR, six RBI and three R.
PHIL VOGELMEIER – Big, strong and can throw it by you. Faced a situation against Ohio Wesleyan, walking all three batters he faced before being pulled, taking his first loss of the year. Added relief at Northwestern in G4 (1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 SO). Pitched 3.2 innings against Central Connecticut. 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 4 H, 0 BB, 0 ER ball. Appeared twice during the opening weekend in Orlando, relinquishing 3 H and 3 ER.
DAN ZABLOUDIL – Simply a fast dude. Leads the team for SB with nine (25 for career). Used mainly as a pinch runner at Penn State. 0-3 with 1 R and 1 SB against West Virginia. 2-5 with one run scored against Dayton. His 2 H against the Flyers mark his first multiple-hit game since March 22 against Albright. Gunned down Mick Kalahar at the plate with the bags loaded to save the Bucks in G3 against Michigan. Went 2-4 against Washington State with 2 RBI and 1 R.
