2002 Baseball Season Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/13/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Last year, the Ohio State Baseball team returned to familiar grounds. Champions of the Big Ten Conference and host school to the NCAA Columbus Regional, the Buckeyes won their 14th title in school history and second in the past three seasons. On paper, the Buckeyes have the talent and the experience to make a run for back-to-back titles. Headlining the 2002 team is Team USA member and All-Big Ten first baseman Nick Swisher. Swisher led the Buckeyes with 15 home runs and 56 runs batted in last season. More power will be supplied by the return of sophomore slugger and reining Big Ten Freshman of the Year Doug Deeds (.343 BA, 15 HR, 53 RBI). Veterans Doug Dendinger (.291 BA, 10 HR, 55 RBI) and Lance Rolston (.354 BA) will be asked to contribute even more offensively this season. Super sophomores Christian Snavely (.307 BA, 8 HR, 39 RBI) and Steve Caravati (.346 BA, 6 triples, 35 RBI) will look to elevate their respective games to even greater heights. The pitching staff is led by three seniors and bolstered by the return of starting catcher Joe Wilkins. Staff ace and All-Big Ten selection E.J. Laratta (9-3, 4.08 ERA), stopper Brandon Steen (5 saves) and Matt Kamalsky will add veteran leadership to the unit. Freshman All-American Josh Newman (8-3, 3.50 ERA) will be counted on even more in the 2002 season.
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 won their 14th conference championship, seven of which have come under the leadership of Todd. One of the most impressive streaks in all of college athletics was also continued – every player recruited by Todd has left school with a Big Ten Championship ring.
The Captains
Seniors Doug Dendinger and Brandon Steen and juniors Nate Smith and Lance Rolston have been elected captains for 2002 season.
“All four of these student-athletes are great representatives of the Ohio State baseball program,” Todd said. “Each of them already has a pair of Big Ten Championship rings. They know what it takes to excel at this level and will be an integral part in what we do as a team this season.”
Dendinger, a two-year starter, will play both first base and outfield this season. Steen enters the year as the team’s stopper out of the bullpen. Smith, who missed last year rehabilitating a shoulder injury, will compete for one of the starting jobs in the rotation. Rolston will contend for a starting job in the outfield.
Buckeyes in Preseason Top 25
Collegiate Baseball has ranked the Buckeyes No. 24 in its preseason fabulous 40. Ohio State is the highest ranked school in the Big Ten Conference. Purdue is the only other school ranked at No. 27.
Swisher Preseason All-American
A couple of national publications have tabbed first baseman Nick Swisher as a preseason All-American. Both Collegiate Baseball and Baseball America have pegged Swisher as a second team selection. Last year, Swisher led the Big Ten with 15 home runs, set a school record with 60 walks and was a First-Team All-Big Ten honoree. He was also a member of the U.S. National team in the summer.
Four All-Big Ten Selections Return
The Ohio State roster returns four All-Big Ten selections, including three first team selections. Nick Swisher (first base), Doug Deeds (designated hitter) and E.J. Laratta (starting pitcher) were all first team honorees. Greg Prenger (starting pitcher) was a third team selection.
Three Freshman All-Americans
OSU’s fabulous freshman class of 2001 should return as super sophomores in 2002. At the conclusion of last season, Doug Deeds, Josh Newman and Christian Snavely were all named to the Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American team.
Only Four-Time Coach of the Year
Bob Todd continues to be the standard bearer for baseball coaches in the Big Ten. Since the inception of the award in 1988, Todd has been named the Big Ten Coach of the Year an unprecedented four-times, including last season. No other coach has won the award more than twice.
Back-to-Back-to-Back
In 1999 E.J. Laratta started a three-year run of Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Freshman All-America selections for the Buckeyes. Following Laratta were Nick Swisher in 2000 and Doug Deeds last year. Since the inception of the award in 1998, Ohio State leads the Big Ten with an unprecedented five selections. No other school has more than two honorees.
The New Faces
The Buckeyes welcomed 12 freshman to the program this fall. This group features six all-state selections and one Major League Draft selection. The freshman class includes: Drew Anderson, Cody Caughenbaugh, Paul Farinacci, Geno Ferraro, Chris Hanners, Brooks Graff, Kelly Houser, Scott Lewis, Trent Luyster, Mike Madsen, Justin Myers and John Toffey.
Bill Davis Stadium
The Ohio State baseball program will call Bill Davis Stadium its home for the sixth-consecutive year. In a short period of time, the venue has established itself as one of the premier college ballparks in the nation. Last year was highlighted when for the second time in three seasons, Ohio State earned the right to host the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Columbus Regional. In 1999, the Buckeyes also played host to an 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 2000 offseason, meeting, equipment and recreation rooms were added under the stadium on the third base side. Prior to last season, a weight room was constructed under the stadium along the first base side.
