2001 Baseball Season Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
At most schools, 37 wins and a berth in the conference tournament would be considered a success. But Ohio State isn’t most schools. And Bob Todd isn’t a coach that accepts mediocrity. Most importantly, the returning members of the Ohio State baseball team were embarrassed by last year’s finish and to a man rededicated themselves to returning OSU back to the top of the Big Ten standings. This year’s team is focused on the task at hand. Led by a hungry and talented senior class, the return of the entire pitching rotation and the best recruiting class in recent history, the Big Ten Championship is more than a realistic goal for this year’s squad.
New Year…Same Goals
Regardless of the year, decade or century, the goal of Todd’s Buckeyes is always simple and always the same. Just play baseball. Fundamentals and education are the key to success of any organization whether it be a corporate setting, a workroom floor or a ball club.
Ohio State has proven to be the dominant team of the Big Ten and a national contender every season. The Buckeyes made their 12th appearance in 13 years in the conference tournament last season, a streak that Todd’s troops intend to continue this season.
The Captains
Seniors Cory Cox, John Mayor, and Trent McIlvain have been elected captains for 2001 season.
“All seven of our returning seniors received votes,” Todd said. “That’s a big statement of the type of people we have in our senior class. The three of these young men are very deserving of this honor and exemplify the type of student-athletes we want leading our program.”
Cox is a two-time All-Big Ten selection. Last year, he finished third in the Big Ten with eight saves and carried a team-low 2.44 earned run average. Mayor is a two-year starter and an Academic All-Big Ten honoree. Last year, he batted .289 with 26 runs batted in after starting 55 games at third base. McIlvain is a two-year starter at shortstop and a 1999 All-Big Ten selection. Last year, he batted .284 with 35 runs batted in after starting 59 games. Three All-Big Ten’s Return
Last season, the baseball team had five student-athletes named to the All-Big Ten team. Of these five, three are returning this year: second team selection E.J. Laratta, pitcher and third team selections Nick Swisher, first baseman and Cory Cox, pitcher.
A Solid Mix
Winning and baseball have become synonymous in the 13 years of Todd’s tenure. The 2001 season should prove to be no different. The Buckeyes return a dangerous blend of veterans and rookies – a blend so potent, it should mark a return to the national rankings and to the top of the Big Ten standings. 2000 All-Big Ten honorees Laratta and Cox and Freshman All-American Swisher headline this year’s team. A solid core of veterans also return. The group includes Chris Alvord (C), Mike Check (2B/CF), John Mayor (3B) and Trent McIlvain (SS).
A Veteran Pitching Staff
The pitching staff could be one of the biggest strengths of the team and one of the best in the Big Ten as all 11 pitchers from last year return. The entire starting rotation (Laratta, Kevin Goodrum, Greg Prenger and Brandon Steen), the stopper (Cox) and the setup men (Kevin Wynk and Kyle Brown) give the team plenty of reasons to feel good about its chances for the upcoming season.
The New Faces
The Ohio State baseball team has welcomed 12 new members to the program (11 freshmen and one transfer). This group features a Major League Draft selection, two Ohio High School Players of the Year and seven all-state honorees.
“This is one of the most talented and well-rounded recruiting classes we’ve brought to Ohio State in the last six to eight years,” head coach Bob Todd said. “This is a testament to the work of my staff to evaluate top quality kids and bring them to our program.
“On paper, we have some players that will make an impact right away. With the mix of veterans we have, our level of talent should be at the level we’ve become accustomed to here at Ohio State.”
Highlighting this year’s class are Christian Snavely (3B/OF), Matt Davis (RHP), Kyle Blachuta (RHP/3B) and Josh Newman (LHP). The transfer student is Mike Harris (IF) from the Citadel.
Swisher Picked by Magazine
Sophomore first baseman Swisher was Collegiate Baseball’s preseason Big Ten Player of the Year. Last year, Swisher won Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-America honors. Pitchers Laratta and Cox were selected as “Other Players to Watch.”
A Look at the Schedule
The Buckeyes won’t have much time to get acclimated to the playing field as they open the 2001 season on Feb. 23 in Lafayette, La., at The Mardi Gras Ball. All three of OSU’s opponents are national powers and qualified for the NCAA Tournament last year – No. 4 Nebraska, No. 29 Wichita State and Louisiana-Lafayette. The Buckeyes will then travel to Jacksonville, Fla., for The Kennel Club Classic (March 2-4) and play host to Detroit in a two-game series (March 9-10) at Bill Davis Stadium. The Buckeyes will travel to Brandenton, Fla., for their Spring Break trip (March 16-25). OSU also will play host to four Big Ten weekend series in April and May.
Fall Recap
Ohio State’s version of the “Fall Classic,” the Scarlet and Gray World Series, resulted in a 3-1 series win for the Scarlet team. Freshman Steve Caravati led the offensive charge for the Scarlet team. He led all hitters with a .643 batting average (9-for-14) and eight runs batted in. Senior Chris Alvord led the Gray squad with a .600 BA (9-for-15). The Scarlet pitchers were led by Kevin Goodrum and Kyle Brown. The duo combined for two wins and 17 scoreless innings of work.
Bill Davis Stadium
The Ohio State baseball program will call Bill Davis Stadium its home for the fifth-consecutive year. In a short period of time, the venue has established itself as one of the premier college ballparks in the nation. 1999 was highlighted when Ohio State earned the right to host the Big Ten Tournament, NCAA Regional and NCAA Super Regional.
In 1998, lights, a batter’s eye in centerfield and the matrix scoreboard for animation were added. In 1999, expanded seating was added as additional bleachers were placed along both foul lines to increase the stadium capacity to 4,450. Also, the baseball office was relocated inside the stadium making Bill Davis Stadium the true home of the Ohio State baseball program.
In the offseason, meeting, equipment and recreation rooms were added under the stadium on the third base side. Currently, a weight room is being constructed under the stadium along the first base side.
