The Big Ten Race is Heating Up for the Baseball Team as They Travel to Conference Leader Penn State – Ohio State Buckeyes
5/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 5, 2000
COLUMBUS, Ohio — With just two weekends remaining in the Big Ten regular season, the race is tightening for a spot at the conference tournament. The Ohio State baseball team controls their own destiny to the tournament. Their route is simple – keep winning and they are guaranteed at least a spot. The Buckeyes are currently in fifth place with the top six teams advancing to the tournament. But this weekend, the path to wins will have to go through University Park, Pa., for a four-game series against conference leader Penn State. The Nittany Lions enter as one of the hottest teams in the country with an 11-game winning streak. Because of exams at Penn State University, the series start has been pushed back to Saturday with game one beginning at 3 p.m. On Sunday, the two teams will engage in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. On Monday they will play the series finale at 1 p.m. All games will be played at Beaver Field.
The Broadcast
WOSU Radio (820 AM) will broadcast the games one and two live with the tandem of Herb Howenstine and Frank Fraas calling the action.
Sweet Swisher
Nick Swisher is definitely one of the leading candidates for Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors. The sweet-swinging first baseman enters this week with eight home runs and 34 runs batted in. He currently leads the Big Ten with six home runs in conference games. His home run and RBI totals are the most by an OSU true freshman since Matt Middleton blasted nine home runs and drove in 39 RBI in 1996. Middleton was named a Freshman All-American that year. In 1995, Dan Seimetz set the OSU freshman records with 10 home runs and 58 runs batted in.
Swisher Honored
On Monday, the Big Ten Conference announced that Ohio State baseball player Nick Swisher has been named the co-Offensive Player of the Week. Over the weekend, Swisher belted three home runs, including his first career grand slam, and totaled eight runs batted in to help lead OSU to a pair of wins over Illinois. “Nick had a very good weekend,” head coach Bob Todd said. “He was the difference in both of our wins over Illinois.” Last week, he safely reached base in every game and went 5-for-12 (.417) with 11 RBI.
The Closer
OSU reliever Cory Cox enters this week with 25 appearances this season, tying him for 7th place on the OSU all-time single-season records list with Ron Nelson (1996) and Chad Hale (both in 1993-94). The OSU season record is 33 set by Bob Spears in 1995. For his career, Cox has now made 62 appearances, giving him sole possession of sixth place on the OSU all-time career list. The OSU all-time record is 79 set by Andy Lee (1996-99). Cox also has seven saves this season, giving him sole possession of fifth place on the OSU all-time single-season records list. Cox (1999) and Mark Mesewicz (1992) own the single-season saves record with nine.
Stealing Check
Mike Check enters this weekend with 20 stolen bases. The total gives him sole possession of eighth place on the OSU all-time single-season records list. The OSU season record is 34 set by Roy Marsh in 1994.
Prenger is Impressive
Greg Prenger has been nothing short of impressive since working his way into the starting rotation. He was won three-consecutive games in the Big Ten, the first in relief and the last two as a starter. In his last four outings, he is 3-0 with a 2.25 earned run average. He has 13 strikeouts compared to just three walks.
Turner Cracks Home Run List
Senior co-captain Jason Turner belted his 23rd career home run against Youngstown State. He is now tied for 12th place on the OSU all-time career list with Matt Furrey (1993-96), Gary Jones (1991-94), Scott Meadows (1985-88) and Jason Trott (1996-99).
Game Cancelled
The open date on May 10 at Bill Davis Stadium has been cancelled. Tickets for that game can be exchanged at the stadium gate for two general admission seats to any remaining home game.
Injury Report
On Friday, sophomore pitcher Nate Smith underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right throwing shoulder. He will return next season. Freshman pitcher Jason Bullens re-aggravated a stress fracture in his right arm and is expected back next season.
Scouting Penn State
The Penn State Nittany Lions (35-9 overall, 15-4 in the Big Ten) enter this week in first place in the Big Ten, with just a half-game lead over Minnesota. PSU currently has an 11-game winning streak and have won 15 of its last 16 games. Offensively, Michael Campo leads the Big Ten with a .448 batting average. Shawn Fagan is hammering the ball with a team-high 12 home runs and 66 runs batted in. As a team, the Nittany Lions are batting .354 with 43 home runs and 368 runs batted in. On the mound. Pete Yodis has been the staff ace and is carrying a 6-1 record with a team-high 76 strikeouts. Scott Russon leads the team with five saves. As a staff, Penn State is carrying a 4.25 earned run average and have totaled 272 strikeouts. The head coach is Joe Hindelang. He is in his 10th year at the helm.
OSU vs. PSU All-Time
The Buckeyes lead the all-time series between the two schools, 26-11. Last year, OSU swept a four-game series in Columbus. E.J. Laratta earned a 1-0 shutout win in game three. Chad Ehrnsberger had four hits and six runs batted in that weekend.
Sound Bites – Ohio State vs. Penn State
Some can’t miss notes on Ohio State baseball that will make your job easier
Entering today, John Mayor leads the Buckeyes with a seven-gamehitting streak. He also holds the season-high hitting streak afterhitting safely in the first 14 games of the season. Jason Turnerleads OSU with 16 games with multiple runs batted in. Jason Turneralso leads Ohio State with 21 multiple-hit games. Chad Ehrnsbergeris second with 18 games with multiple-hits. Mike Check continues toexcel with runners in scoring position. This season, he is batting.571 (20-for-35) with runners on second or third base.
Beaver Field Information
All games this weekend will be played at Beaver Field. The press box phone number is (814) 865-2552. The PSU baseball SID is Cyndi Robinson.
OSU Pounds Penguins
On Wednesday, The Ohio State baseball team used a four-run first inning to propel themselves to a 6-3 win over the Youngstown State Penguins in front of 1,163 at Bill Davis Stadium. Starting pitcher Kyle Brown improved to 4-0 on the season with the win.
OSU and Illinois Split
Last weekend, OSU split a four-game series with the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, Ill. John Mayor led OSU with a .467 batting average and Nick Swisher provided the muscle with three home runs and eight runs batted in. The Buckeyes won the doubleheader with Cory Cox getting the game one win in relief and Greg Prenger tossing the first complete game victory of his career in the nightcap.
Back on the Road
The top three teams currently in the Big Ten standings have one thing for certain in common – they have all been able to play Ohio State at home. A quirk in OSU’s season schedule has already sent them to No. 2 Minnesota and No. 3 Illinois and sends them to No.1 Penn State this weekend. This season, OSU will play a total of 12 weekends (not including possible postseason play) with only three at home.
The Big Ten Tournament
Some changes have been made to this year’s Big Ten Tournament, to be held May 17-21. As always, the regular season champion will be the host school, but this year, the field has been expanded to the top six finishers in the conference standings. All six teams will play on the first day with elimination games beginning on the second day of play. The tournament still carries the double-elimination format.
Buckeyes Pound OWU
On Wednesday, the Buckeyes exploded for 14 runs on 15 hits to defeat the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops, 14-5, in front of 2,237, the largest crowd of the season at Bill Davis Stadium. OSU starting pitcher Kyle Brown improved to 3-0 on the season and Trent McIlvain paced the offense with three hits.
OSU Wins Indiana Series
The Buckeyes are beginning to make a move through the Big Ten standings. Last weekend, OSU won its first conference series of the 2000 season over the Indiana Hoosiers, 3-1. OSU won game one 13-5, lost game two 9-4 and won the final two games, 4-3 and 9-3, respectively. Jason Turner paced the Buckeyes with a .400 batting average (6-of-15) and tied Joe Wilkins for the team lead with seven runs batted in. In game three, Greg Prenger won his first career Big Ten start and in game four, the OSU defense set a Bill Davis Stadium record with six double plays.
Twin Killings
In the April 30, 9-3 win over Indiana, the OSU defense set a Bill Davis Stadium and school record by recording six double plays. The total ties OSU for the second most in NCAA Division I history. The Buckeyes became the 12th team to record six twin kills in a game. Coincidentally, Indiana was the last school to do it on March 4, 1995 against Kent. This season, OSU has totalled 43 double plays.
Our House
The Buckeyes have never lost a Big Ten series at Bill Davis Stadium. In 13 series since the stadium opened in 1997, OSU has gone 10-0-3.
Berger Becoming a Big Mac
Chad Ehrnsberger is climbing the OSU career home runs list after hitting his 32nd at Minnesota. He is currently tied in seventh place with Mark Chonko (1993-96). The OSU all-time leader is Dan Seimetz (1995-98) with 52 career blasts.
Driscoll Moves Into Top 20
Senior Jason Driscoll enters this weekend with 630 career at bats, placing him 16th on the OSU all-time list. The OSU all-time leader is Mark Carek (1995-98) with 823.
Buckeyes Lose UM Series
On April 14-16, Ohio State lost a four-game series to Michigan, 3-1. OSU lost the first three games, 8-2, 2-1 and 3-2. On Sunday, the Buckeyes rebounded to defeat the Wolverines, 14-4. Chris Alvord led the Buckeyes with a .600 (6-for-10) batting average with his first career home run.
Big Ten Streak Ended
The series loss to the Michigan Wolverines ended OSU’s string of winning or tying the last 23-consecutive Big Ten series dating back to 1996. The series loss was just the 12th ever under Todd, who has won or tied 77-of-89 Big Ten series in his career. Ohio State has never lost a Big Ten series at Bill Davis Stadium.
A Split With the Gophers
On April 7-9, the Buckeyes and the Minnesota Golden Gophers split a four-game series at Siebert Field in Minneapolis, Minn. On Saturday, OSU swept a doubleheader, 6-3 and 7-3. But the Gophers rebounded Sunday winning 13-5 and 7-1. Chad Ehrnsberger led the Buckeyes with a .462 batting average and six runs batted in. Co-captain Marcello Garofalo and fellow senior Jason Driscoll played well batting. .444 and .417 respectively.
New Stadium Information
More offseason changes have been made to Bill Davis Stadium. The main ticket entrance has been moved to the front of the stadium. Media and will-call tickets can be picked up at the ticket booth on the third base side of the stadium. Pre-purchased tickets can be picked up at either entrance. ADA parking is available down the third base side or directly behind home plate in front of Bill Davis Stadium. Parking conflicts will arise on dates that concerts have been scheduled at the Jerome Schottenstein Center. Please allow time for possible concert and/or game traffic. Parking for baseball is free. Any further questions on ticket or parking matters, please call the OSU Athletics Ticket office at (614) 292-2624.
Cox and Turner Rewarded
For the week of March 20, The Big Ten Conference announced that Jason Turner and Cory Cox were named the Offensive Player of the Week and the Pitcher of the Week, respectively.
In four games at the Aggie Continental Airlines Classic, Turner put up some sensational numbers. The OSU co-captain batted .667 (8-for-12) with a double, home run and three runs batted in to help lead OSU to 3-1 tournament start. He recorded at least one hit in all four games.
Cox made a huge impact in just three innings of work. The OSU stopper improved to 2-0 on the season when he slammed the door on Texas A&M. In front of a hostile crowd of 3,550, the junior threw three shutout innings of relief to solidify OSU’s 8-7 win at Olsen Field.
Todd Wins No. 500
On March 19, head coach Bob Todd won his 500th game at Ohio State with an 8-3 win over Oregon State at the Aggie Continental Airlines Classic. Todd, already the winningest coach in Ohio State baseball history, entered this season as the 26th wininningest active coach in Division I baseball with a .658 winning percentage.
Spring Tourney Recap
The 2000 Ohio State baseball team took home 2-of-4 possible tournament championships this Spring. In the season opening tournament, OSU defeated Air Force to win the Service Academies Classic. The second tournament OSU competed in, the Kennel Classic, did not award a champion but the Buckeyes finished that weekend with the tournament’s best record, 3-1. In the third tournament, the Buckeyes defeated host school Winthrop to take home the Winthrop Stateline Classic Championship. At the Aggie Continental Airlines Tournament, the Buckeyes finished in third place with a 3-3 record. At the Homestead Challenge, OSU was the tournament runners-up with a 3-1 record. “We did some positive things this Spring,” head coach Bob Todd said. “Five of our losses were by just one run. In most of those games, just one more hit or making a better pitch could have changed the outcomes of those games. The bottom line is that we were able to give a lot of young guys some game experience in some hostile and pressure situations. This will only make us better for the Big Ten Season.
Winthrop Classic Champs
The third tournament of the season sent OSU to Rock Hill, S.C. for the Winthrop Stateline Classic. The Buckeyes again finished with a 3-1 record and took home the tournament championship.
Service Academies Champs
The Buckeyes opened the 2000 season by winning the Service Academies Classic (2/25-27). The Buckeyes finished the tournament with a 3-1 record, including a 5-4 win over No. 25 Notre Dame. Mike Check was named the tournament’s most valuable player while John Mayor, Jason Turner and E.J. Laratta were named to the all-tournament team.
Preseason All-Conference
In the Baseball America preseason poll, Ohio State is the highest ranked Big Ten school at No. 31. As a conference, the Big Ten was ranked as the sixth toughest in the nation. In their conference preseason prognostications, the Buckeyes are predicted to win the championship and earn an NCAA Tournament berth. Both second baseman Chad Ehrnsberger and pitcher E.J. Laratta were named to the preseason all-conference team. Laratta is also the preseason Big Ten Pitcher of the Year and Nick Swisher is the magazine’s choice as the preseason Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Ehrnsberger was voted as the conference’s best defensive second baseman while Laratta was voted as having the best breaking ball. To read more about Baseball America’s preseason prognostications, log on to their website at www.baseballamerica.com.
Baseball America Predicted Finish (rank)
1. Ohio State (31)
2. Penn State (41)
3. Illinois (56)
4. Minnesota (70)
5. Michigan (76)
6. Purdue (100)
7. Indiana
8. Northwestern
9. Iowa
10.Michigan State
Preseason All-American
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named pitcher E.J. Laratta to its 2000 Preseason All-America baseball team. The sophomore hurler was a third-team selection. Laratta returns after a stellar 1999 season. He carried a 10-3 record with a 3.74 earned run average and 59 strikeouts. At the conclusion of the season, he was named a Freshman All-American, first-team all-Big Ten and the 1999 Big Ten Freshman of the Year. The sophomore was the Big Ten Conference’s only representative on the NCBWA Preseason All-America team.
All-American Ehrnsberger
Chad Ehrnsberger was named to the 1999 National College Baseball Writers Association All-American team. A second team selection at second base, Ehrnsberger led the Buckeyes with 16 home runs and 73 runs batted in. These numbers placed him third in both categories in the Big Ten Conference. Ehrnsberger also carried a .356 batting average and a .648 slugging percentage.
Four All-Big Ten’s Return
Last season, the baseball team had nine student-athletes named to the all-Big Ten team. Of these nine, four have returned this year – first team selections pitcher E.J. Laratta and second baseman Chad Ehrnsberger, second team selection pitcher Cory Cox and third team selection shortstop Trent McIlvain.
On Deck
Next weekend, OSU closes the regular season when they play host to Michigan State in a four-game series at Bill Davis Stadium. Game one is on Friday at 6:35 p.m.
