Baseball Welcome Bowling Green Wednesday – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 29, 2003
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Probable Starting Pitchers
OSU 6 Mike Madsen, RHP 3-1, 5.82, 22K, 21.2 IP
BG 20 Tyler Johnson, RHP 1-1, 2.87, 8K, 15.2 IP
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Fresh off a sweep of Purdue, Ohio State takes a break from conference action for a midweek affair with Bowling Green Wednesday for Buck-A-Burger Night at Bill Davis Stadium. The Buckeyes are 4-0 in home midweek non-conference action and have outscored opponents 27-1, having shutouts in the last three Wednesday games.
Ohio State (27-12 overall, 14-6 in the Big Ten) has won its last five games and 14 of its last 16 games to try and stay close to Minnesota (27-14, 15-3), which leads the Buckeyes by two games in the Big Ten standings. OSU did pick up one game this weekend by virtue of its sweep and one loss by the Golden Gophers this past weekend at Indiana.
The Buckeyes beat Purdue with a pair of shutouts in Saturday’s doubleheader (6-0 and 4-0) and then followed with 6-3 and 10-6 victories in Sunday’s doubleheader. Bowling Green is 13-19 on the year after losing three of four games at home this past weekend to Marshall.
About Ohio State
Derek Kinnear tried to make a case for Big Ten Player of the Week honors for the second time this season by going 6-for-13 in the four games at Purdue (.462), including two home runs that helped produce eight RBI. The candidate for the Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the best catcher in college baseball, had a three-run home run in the 4-0 shutout victory over the Boilermakers and had a two-run home run in the 6-3 win over Purdue. The junior catcher from Kenton, Ohio, had a bases-loaded double that knocked in the first three runs of the 10-6 victory in the series finale. He continues to pace Ohio State with a .380 batting average. The Buckeyes are batting .295 as a team.
On the mound, the story belongs to Scott Lewis, who was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week after he lowered his ERA to a conference best 1.24. In conference games, that average dips to 0.46. He pitched a two-hit complete game shutout in the series opener at Purdue and had 10 strikeouts. He now has 104 Ks for the year, which is tied for the fifth best season in school history. Steve Arlin has 165 for the season record. As a staff, the ERA fell to 3.82, which is second best in the Big Ten behind Northwestern’s 3.67 ERA. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Madsen is expected to start against Bowling Green.
About Bowling Green
The Falcons have lost five of their last six games after Marshall took three of four games from Bowling Green this past weekend in Bowling Green. Bowling Green is 13-19 on the year and 6-10 in the MAC.
Kelly Hunt is the leading batter for the Falcons, boasting a .426 batting average. He has a team best 52 hits, 10 doubles, one triple, 43 RBI and a slugging percentage of .648. He has five home runs, the second highest figure on the squad, which is hitting .289 collectively. David Barkholz is six home runs and 20 RBI, the second highest figure on the team, to go with his .315 average. Nolan Reimold is batting .362, while Steve Raszka is batting .325.
On the mound, Kyle Knoblauch owns a 2-4 record with a 2.76 ERA to lead the team. Tyler Saneholtz has 39 strikeouts to lead the team in 35.2 innings to go with his 3-3 record and 3.53 ERA. As a staff, Bowling Green has a 4.39 ERA.
Against the Falcons
Ohio State leads the all-time series with Bowling Green 27-18-4 and last met in the 1999 NCAA Tournament, a 4-1 win by the Buckeyes. This will be the 50th ever meeting between the schools, which first played in 1951. Ohio State has won six in a row dating back to 1987 when the teams split a pair of games. The Falcons won 7-5 before OSU won 6-5 that season. Other games in the Ohio State win streak, included 1988 (9-1), 1993 (9-0), 1994 (10-9) and 1995 (10-9).
Last Time vs. Bowling Green
The Falcons were the first hurdle in the Buckeyes’ quest to the College World Series. Ohio State defeated the Bowling Green Falcons 4-1 in the second game of the Columbus NCAA Regional. Both teams got complete game efforts from their starting pitchers, but Justin Fry was able to outlast Jason Kelley to pick up the victory. Fry allowed just two hits over nine innings while striking out six in his fifth complete game of the season. Jason Trott drilled his seventh home run of the season and walked twice for Ohio State. Ohio State went on to beat Mississippi State twice to earn a Super Regional bid, where came within one game of advancing to Omaha.
Buckeyes Sweep Purdue
After getting rained out Friday, the Buckeyes and Boilermakers were forced to play doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday, but Ohio State rose to the challenge and swept the series. In the first game, Scott Lewis struck out 10 and Drew Anderson had three of the Buckeyes’ 11 hits to lead Ohio State to a 6-0 shutout in the first game. Anderson had a hit to lead off the game, a shot to left that scored one in the fifth and a shot to left-centerfield that scored two. He finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and scored once. Lewis got the two-hit, complete game shutout to improve to 7-0 on the year and 4-0 in the Big Ten. In the second game, Ohio State scored four runs in the top of the sixth inning thanks to a wild pitch and three-run home run by catcher Derek Kinnear to beat Purdue 4-0 to complete a doubleheader sweep of the Boilermakers. Ohio State broke a scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning, capitalizing on a lead-off double by Anderson. A sacrifice bunt by Mike Rabin moved Anderson to third and then Anderson scored on a wild pitch to give the Buckeyes a 1-0 lead. Cody Caughenbaugh then walked to put runners at first and second for Kinnear, who hit his fourth home run of the season to put the Buckeyes on top 4-0. Buckeye starting pitcher Josh Newman got the complete game victory to move to 4-3 on the year. He gave up six hits with a pair of walks and the seven strikeouts.
Kinnear and Jedidiah Stephen each had two-run home runs in the sixth inning as Ohio State scored four times in the frame en route to a 6-3 victory in Sunday’s first game. Ohio State jumped on the board in the fourth with three straight hits. A double down the left line by Caughenbaugh scored both Christian Snavely and Paul Farinacci to put the Buckeyes up 2-0. In the sixth, Kinnear hit his second home run of the series and the fifth long ball of the season that scored Caughenbaugh, who reached on a one-out single up the middle. Drew Thomas drew a walk before Stephen went long for the second time of his career to give the Buckeyes a 6-1 lead. The Boilermakers got two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. Nate Smith got his first win since beating Wichita State March 9 to improve to 2-5 in six innings of work. He allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits, striking out five without a walk. Matt Davis picked up his seventh save of the season.
In the second game, Ohio State scored six runs in the top of the first inning and never looked back on its way to a 10-6 victory over Purdue Sunday to complete a four-game sweep of the Boilermakers. Ohio State scored six runs, all with two outs, in the top of the first inning to take command early. Kinnear delivered with a bases-clearing double down the right field line that started the six-run inning. Purdue responded in the bottom half of the inning with two runs. Anderson had a two-run home run in the fourth inning to stretch the lead to 8-2. The shot over the left-field fence was his fifth of the season. Brett Garrard finished the game a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored. Anderson and Stephen also had multiple hits to lead the Buckeyes’ 11-hit charge. Kinnear finished the series 6-for-13 with two home runs and eight RBI, while Anderson was 6-for-12 with a home run and five RBI.
The sweep was the second by the Buckeyes this season, going with a sweep of Iowa April 11-13. It was the first sweep on the road for Ohio State since taking four at Minnesota in 2001.
Lewis Named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week
Scott Lewis was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the week for his 10-strikeout performance in leading Ohio State to a 6-0 shutout in the first game of a doubleheader last Saturday. Lewis struck out two in the first before striking out the side in the second inning. He retired the first eight batters of the game before walking shortstop Mitch Koester in the third. He then gave up a hit to Tyler Johnstone, but got the out at second on a fielder’s choice to the shortstop to end the inning. Lewis struck out the side in the fourth to get strikeouts six, seven and eight of the game and then got just two strikeouts the rest of the game – one in the fifth and the other, the final out of the game. Lewis got the two-hit, complete game shutout to improve to 7-0 on the year and 4-0 in the Big Ten. He now has 77 strikeouts in his last five starts and 46 Ks in his last three games. His ERA lowered to 1.24 in his 65 1/3 innings this season and 0.46 in conference games. He has 104 total strikeouts, which ties for the fifth best season total in school history.
At Bill Davis Stadium
Ohio State had won its last 13 games at Bill Davis Stadium before Indiana snapped the streak on April 19. Last season, the Buckeyes were 15-10 in the stadium, which included a 10-6 mark in Big Ten play. Since opening Bill Davis Stadium in 1997, the Buckeyes are 129-46 in the facility. That is a win percentage of .737, which includes a 71-31 mark against conference foes and a 58-15 record against non-conference opponents. Ohio State has never lost a conference series at Bill Davis Stadium.
Wednesday Nights
Not only has Ohio State won all four Wednesday night games at Bill Davis Stadium this season, the Buckeyes have won convincingly, outscoring opponents 27-1. OSU has shutouts in its last three Wednesday night games. After getting by Oakland 2-1 in the first game of a doubleheader April 9, Greg Prenger threw the first perfect game in Ohio State history to beat the Golden Grizzlies 2-0 in the nightcap. Since that game, Ohio State beat Wooster 14-0 on April 16 and beat Shawnee State 9-0 last Wednesday. Speaking of shutouts, Ohio State had a string of three straight games with shutouts. Following the 9-0 win over Shawnee State, OSU handed Purdue 6-0 and 4-0 shutouts in the first two games of that series. The last time the Buckeyes shutout three straight opponents was in 1977 (10-0 vs. Dayton, 8-0 and 2-0 vs. Indiana). OSU now has seven shutouts this season, the fourth highest total in school history, behind eight shutouts in 1977, 2001 and 2002.
BUCKEYES SHUTOUT SHAWNEE ST.
Four different Ohio State pitchers tossed a two-hit 9-0 shutout and carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning against Shawnee State Wednesday night at Bill Davis Stadium. As much as the story was about pitching, the same can be said for hitting as seven Buckeyes accounted for 11 hits, including multiple hits by Drew Anderson, Brett Garrard and Jedidiah Stephen. Mike Rabin, Terry Pettorini and Paul Farinacci each finished the game with a pair of RBI, though each had just one hit.
Left-hander Chris Hanners got the midweek start, pitching the first four innings without allowing a hit and striking out five batters. OSU coach Bob Todd went into the game with the plan to throw several pitchers in the game, so Hanners got the start to improve to 3-1 on the season. The lefty was replaced by Mike Madsen to start the fifth, who equaled a career best with six strikeouts. He went three innings allowing the first hit in the sixth. Trent Luyster and Matt Davis each pitched an inning. Shawnee State starter.
Lewis Named Louisville Slugger Player of the Week Twice
Scott Lewis has been named a Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week for the second straight week, Collegiate Baseball Newspaper released April 21. It marked the second straight week Lewis was so-named after he and teammate Greg Prenger were both recognized last week. The southpaw fanned 16 batters against Indiana in a 9-3 victory over the Hoosiers April 18, in which he threw 7 1/3 innings, allowing three runs (all unearned) on three hits. That effort followed a school record 20 strikeouts in a complete game against Iowa on April 11. In those two starts, which spanned over 17 innings, Lewis has struck out 36 batters, which is believed to be the highest two-game total in Division I history.
“You don’t see pitchers strike out 36 batters over two outings very often,” Lou Pavlovich Jr., editor of Collegiate Baseball, said. “That is an incredible achievement. Frankly, I have never heard of a pitcher ever doing this going back to 1970 when I began covering college baseball. That doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened. But I never recall anyone doing this before.”
Another One Bites the Dust
Scott Lewis now has 195 strikeouts in the middle of his second season as a Buckeye. He is now tied with Joe Sparma (1962-63) in the 20th spot on the career list. Atop the entire list is Justin Fry (1995-99), who finished his career with 382 strikeouts. The season strikeouts record is 165, held by Steve Arlin, who was matched for the single game total by Lewis earlier this season when he fanned 20 batters, also has the second best season total with 129 from 1966, when Ohio State won the National Championship. The 104 punch outs by Lewis this year is tied for fifth. He needs nine strikeouts to tie Fry’s 1999 total of 113 which ranks fourth and 13 Ks to tie Paul Seitz’s 1960 total of 117, which ranks third.
Lewis’ 104 strikeouts this season easily leads the Big Ten. The next closest pitcher is Glen Perkins at Minnesota who has 72 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. Lewis has done it 65 1/3 innings. In conference games, Lewis has 67 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings, 19 more than Perkins.
Lewis Among Nation’s Best
Scott Lewis is second in NCAA Division I in strikeouts per nine innings and ranks third in ERA. The sophomore left-handed pitcher has 104 strikeouts in 65 1/3 innings a breakdown of 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings pitched. Only Ryan Wagner of Houston (16.6) outranks Lewis. He has 94 strikeouts in 51 innings. Lewis’ 1.24 ERA is third best in the nation. He has allowed only nine earned runs over 65 1/3 innings.
Lewis Second Best in Win-Loss Percentage
Scott Lewis is 15-2 in his second year as a member of the Buckeye pitching staff, which equates to a .882 win-loss percentage. That figure ranks second in school history among pitchers who have at least 10 wins. He trails only Steve Arlin (1965-66), who finished his career with a 24-3 record, a win percentage of .889. If Lewis wins his next outing Friday against Michigan, he would tie Arlin’s win percentage.
Best Big Ten Start Remains With 1970 Buckeyes
The longest winning streak to start Big Ten play still remains with the 1970 Ohio State Buckeyes, which won their first 13 games. Minnesota challenged the record with an 11-0 start this year before losing two games at Illinois April 19. The start by the Golden Gophers was the second best on record, equaling their 11-0 start in 1993 and Illinois’ 11-0 start in 1982. Surprisingly, none of those teams went on to win the Big Ten title. Minnesota currently has a one-game lead in the win column over Ohio State.
Buckeyes in the Big Ten Rankings
Ohio State is ranked second in the Big Ten in pitching (3.82), fifth in batting (.295) and eighth in fielding (.955). Scott Lewis leads Big Ten pitchers in ERA (1.24), strikeouts (104), batters struck out looking (31), opponent batting average (.147) and wins (7). Sophomore reliever Matt Davis leads the conference with seven saves and is tied for second with 18 appearances, all in relief (which also is tied for the conference lead). He has finished 16 games, which is the best total in the league. Drew Anderson is tied for the Big Ten lead in triples with four, while teammate Brett Garrard has three to tie for third. The only other offensive category in which the Buckeyes lead is in walks as Christian Snavely has been awarded a base on balls 41 times, that is 15 more than Indiana’s Vasili Spanos, who has walked 26 times.
In Big Ten games only, Ohio State is third in pitching (4.24), fourth in batting (.306) and 10th in fielding (.938). Lewis’ 0.46 ERA in conference-only games paces all conference pitchers. He also leads in strikeouts (67), batters struck out looking (23), innings pitched (39.1) and opponent batting average (.131). Snavely has walked 18 times in Big Ten games, a figured which sets the conference standard this season
School Record Book
Christian Snavely has nine career triples, which is tied for fifth in the school record book with Mike Lockwood and Gary Jones… His 26 career home runs is tied for 14th with Doug Deeds (2001-02) and Matt Middleton (1996-99)… Snavely now has 88 career walks which ties him for 18th in the school record book… His 41 bases on balls already this year is tied for 10th most in a season by a Buckeye… Drew Anderson has 30 career stolen bases and is tied for 14th… Josh Newman’s 20 career wins is tied for 15th… He has pitched 222.0 career innings and ranks 19th… For pitchers who have thrown at least 175.0 innings, Newman is second in fewest bases on balls (65), tied for 11th in fewest runs (122) and is tied for eighth in fewest earned runs (97)… Nate Smith’ made his 48th appearance as a Buckeye April 20 and that is 18th in Buckeye annals… Matt Davis’ seven saves this season is tied for seventh.
Next Action
Ohio State returns to Big Ten action this weekend when it welcomes Michigan to Bill Davis Stadium. The teams will open the series at 6:35 p.m. Friday before a Saturday doubleheader at 4:05 p.m. The series concludes Sunday at 1:05 p.m. Then it is off to Jacobs Field May 6 for a matchup with Cleveland State at 6:05 p.m. Tickets are $5 and available at the Gate D on Ontario Street the day of the game. Gate D is the gate directly behind home plate.
