2/26-2/28 Division I Weekend Wrap

Bearcats rough up Buckeyes

Cincinnati left Ohio State a bit distraught

 

Though the first game between Buckeye State foes was played on neutral ground thousands of miles away, don’t think the result didn’t shake things up in Ohio.

Squaring off in the 2nd Big East/Big Ten Challenge Cincinnati and Ohio State wrapped up the weekend in St. Pete doing battle. Cincinnati was coming off of back-to-back shut outs the weekend before while Ohio State was a top-15 team by some accounts. At the end of the day it was hard to tell who was the team looking to claim a Regional bid, with the other being a middle of the pack team in their conference, thanks to Cincinnati’s 12-4 upset. 

Elsewhere Ohio programs where in the spotlight as three of the state’s best where taking on ACC programs, one won their series, one notched a win against a ranked team, one is regrouping after being swept. 

Two programs saw there first action of the DI season and two programs played three games in the Bayou State after rain cancelled their games Friday night. With 41 games being played and more box scores than Skittles in a bag, here is an extra-large version of the weekend wrap… 

 

Weekend Spotlight: Big East/Big Ten Challenge 

The Challenge could not have started off more differently for the two.

Cincinnati had an early 1:00 start against Penn State with the two working at a hare’s pace. Bearcat starter Dan Jensen tossed six strong innings allowing just four hits and two runs. Jensen unfortunately exited with his team down 2-1.

Pinch hitter Kiley Jones did what every pinch-hitter is supposed to do with two runners on, hit a three-run home run. It’s not that easy I know. But the Jones tater put Cincy in front 4-2 going into the bottom of the eighth inning. With Brian Garman still on the mound in the ninth inning in a lengthy save situation after relieving Jensen, Penn State pieced together back-to-back two-out singles before Steve Snyder’s two-run triple sent the games into extras.

A scoreless tenth, and eleventh led to Penn State walking out with a 12 inning victory 5-4 as Joey DeBernardis singled in Sean Deegan.

The late PSU herorics would push back the start time of the Ohio State-South Florida game played on the same field.

In a highly anticipated pitcher’s duel, Alex Wimmers outshined Randy Fontanez to pick up the victory. Wimmers would toss eight strong innings, allowing just one earned run off five hits while striking out six improving to 2-0. Drew Rucinski pitched a perfect ninth for his second save.

The offensive hero for the Buckeyes would be Ryan Dew who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. Brian DeLucia went 2-for-3 being the only other Buckeye with a multi-hit game. The Bucks first lead of the game came in the seventh when Michael Stephen’s stole third then scored on the overthrow. Ryan Dew would later score in the inning on a wild pitch.

Dew would single in Dan Burkhart after he tripled, to provide Ohio State with it’s insurance run as OSU won 4-2.

On Saturday Cincinnati was again in a dramatic game, this time on the smiling side.

We can fast forward to the ninth inning, because that is where all the action happened. Cincinnati’s scoreboard going into the ninth read this.. 0-5-2 as they trailed 6-0.

The ninth inning was one for the ages. The inning started with back-to-back walks, followed by a strikeout. Jamel Scott would reach on a throwing error that scored Kevin Johnson. Score now 6-1.

A wild pitch would move Scott to second and Braden Kline to third before Chris Peters was plunked to load the bases. T.J. Jones singled to score Kline and Scott cutting the score to 6-3.

After a flyout, Kiley Jones would walk to reload the bases. A Cory Hough walk would score Peters and make it a 6-4 game, bases still loaded. Kevin Johnson’s second ninth inning at-bat would be a two-run single to tie the game. After a wild pitch moved Hough to third a single up the middle by pinch-hitting Beach Brooks would win the game, a 7-6 victory.

A ridiculous game. A ridiculously ugly and horrible game if your Purdue. Just ridiculous if you’re Cincinnati.

The action for Ohio State would be less dramatic, but just as ugly for the Hoosier State team they were playing, Notre Dame.

The 10-2 Ohio State victory was highlighted by Stephens’ 4-for-4 effort. Dew would go 2-for-5 with a pair of RBI. Tyler Engle and Cory Kovanda each would add two more RBI as the middle infielders went 2-for-4 and 1-for-4 respectively.

On the mound Dean Wolosiansky picked up his first win, throwing six innings, scattering seven hits while walking three against three strike outs.

The stage was now set for Ohio’s first intra-state battle of the season. Just not played in Ohio.

Ohio State freshman Brett McKinney would take the mound with Cincinnati sending Thomas Gentile out. McKinney showed he is still a bit wet behind the ears, being roughed up in his second collegiate start.

A first inning of double by Peters, and walks drawn by T.J. Jones and Kevin Johnson would load the bases for Hough who would reach first on a dropped fly ball by Kovanda scoring Peters and Jones giving Cincy to unearned runs and the lead.

Ohio State would go quickly in their half of the second before McKinney again found trouble. A single by Mikel Huston was followed by Jimmy Jacquot and Scott being plunked by pitches to again load the bases. Peters and T.J. Jones would single consecutively to plate two runs, Johnson lifted a SAC fly that scored Scott to make it a 5-0 game after two.

OSU would respond in the third as Stephens lasered a home run over the right-field wall scoring Burkhart who previously singled making it a 5-2 game. That would be as close as the Bucks would get on this afternoon.

Scott would single and steal second and third before Peters walked, Jones would score both on a double. Logan Jackson would double in Jones to make it a 8-2 game and send McKinney to the showers. McKinney’s line: 3.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 2 HBP.

The Bearcats added a lone run in the fifth as a Huston double was followed by a Jacquot single, and three in the sixth as Justin Riddell’s RBI-single scored Jackson. Jacquot’s SAC fly scored Hough and Riddell ended the scoring as Kovanda committed his second error allowing Scott to reach base with two outs.

Closing OSU’s scoring was a fifth inning in which Zach Hurley led off with a triple, Kovanda and Burkhart followed with doubles, but nothing more would come of the threat as Dew flew out and Brian DeLucia hit into a 6-4-3 twin-killing that ended the threat.

Brian Sand who relieved Gentile after the back-to-back doubles would pick up the win as he pitching the last five innings without allowing a hit in the 12-4 win.

Cincinnati was led at the plate by Peters who went 3-for-4. T.J. Jones, Jackson, Hough, and Huston each had two hits.

Burkhart went 3-for-4 for Ohio State. Hurley went 2-for-4, and Stephens 1-for-2 in Ohio State’s first loss of the season.

Three’s Company 

As mentioned three Ohio schools went to ACC territory in weekend sets. Kent State led the pack taking three of four from Wake Forest on Tobacco Road. Xavier picked up the state’s most impressive victory, taking down Georgia Tech in the series finale to salvage their weekend. While Wright State came up a bit short hanging tough with Clemson twice before the mighty Tigers swept the Raiders.

For Scott Stricklin’s bunch a win is a win is a win. Pretty or ugly, if you have more runs at the end of nine than your opponent you win. Kent State spotted the Demon Deacon’s five runs in the bottom of the first inning and by spotted, two errors contributed, though not on Wake’s leadoff home run.

After that Robert Sabo calmed down and had a serviceable five inning outing. KSU cut the lead to 5-3 after three, and took the lead with a three run six before Wake countered in the bottom of the inning. David Lyon’s ninth inning home run matched Brett Weibley’s stout performance out of the pen to give KSU the 7-6 win.

The opener didn’t have nearly the excitement as the 11-6 12 inning victory to start Saturday’s doubleheader. In game two Kent State fell 8-7 as Wake scored five unearned runs. The series was won however with Sunday’s 13-8 victory where Lyon once again carried a big bat going 4-for-5 with three runs.

For Coach Googins and his Musketeers they ran into the proverbial buzzsaw when traveling to Atlanta to take on #3 Georgia Tech.

Friday’s game however was in the air throughout. Georgia Tech took a 3-1 lead after four but the Musketeers tied it with two in the top of the sixth. The Yellow Jackets responded with runs in the seventh and eighth, the run in the eighth countered Xavier tying the game at 4 in the top of the frame. Xavier had a chance to take the lead but Mark Elwell struck out looking with the bases loaded to end the rally. Ga. Tech won game one 5-4.

Game two was as ugly as it could get. Xavier was out-hit 15-2 in the 15-0 loss.

That was quickly forgotten as Xavier won the series finale 7-6. Jon Richard allowed four runs in five innings, walking three, striking out two in the victory. John McCambridge, Drew Schmidt, Ben Thomas, and Phil Bauer each tagged Yellow Jacket pitching for two hits each.

Then you have Wright State who played just as dramatic games, but came up on the wrong side.

Alex Kaminsky pitched brilliantly allowing three runs, two earned, over 6.1 innings, striking out five batters, but the Wright State bats were kept quiet in the 4-3 loss in front of nearly 4,000 fans.

Saturday would bring further heartbreak as a 6-4 lead would vanish in Clemson’s 8-6 victory. Wright State battled back from 1-4 deficit after two to take the lead but All-American Michael Schum allowed two runs in 1.1 innings to take the loss and blown save. The power bat of Casey McGrew was held hitless for the second straight day.

Unlike the Musketeers the Raiders were unable to pick up the Sunday win to return to Ohio without the bitter taste of a sweep falling 12-6.

Bayou Fever 

Louisiana was home to two Buckeye State programs doing battle in three-game sets. Rain along the gulf washed out Friday night’s action forcing a double-dose of double-headers.

On Saturday Adam Eaton continued his monster season for the RedHawks going 3-for-4 with a HR and three RBI in Miami’s 7-5 11-inning win. In the 13-2 game two loss the leadoff man was held hitless.

Sunday’s game had the makings of a historic game, for all of the wrong reason’s. Louisiana-Lafayette pitcher T.J. Geith had a no-hitter through six before Miami pitcher turned DH Brooks Fiala broke up his no-hitter bid with a two-out double.

Miami would go from hitless to tying the game at four, before UL.La ultimately won 5-4.

About 1.5 hours south the Penguins would suffer a similar 1-2 weekend. They won their double-dip opener 11-4 before falling in a wild 8-7 nightcap. You can read about the Penguin’s season opening doubleheader in our Saturday Spotlight.

On Sunday one big inning doomed YSU and UNO scored five in the second on their way to a 7-1 win.

On Your Mark 

After biting at the bit to hear “play ball”  the last of the snow bunnies came out to play with Youngstown State and Toledo having solid showings this weekend. Their opening weekend’s were much much cleaner than everyone elses last week, a strong sign of coaching and being fundamentally sound.

For the Rockets Jim Valahik went 2-for-4 with four RBI to lead Toledo’s 8-6 victory over Memphis. Matt Delewski went 3-for-4 and Chris Dudics added a 2-for-5, two RBI effort in the victory. The bats continue to roll in a 13-6 victory over Bradley. An 11-3 loss to Pittsburgh kept Toledo from a spectacular opening weekend.

Deja vu?

If Coach Schmitz has his way, he won’t travel to Kentucky any time soon. After dropping a tough series to Louisville last weekend, the Falcons were in the Bluegrass State again, returning home with similar results.

In the opener Bowling Green final 6-4 unable to rally late in the game. On Saturday the Falcons were down 4-1 into the ninth before loaded the bases with two down. Bowling Green scratched out two runs, but were unable to plate the needed third run, as Tyler Elkins grounded out with the bases loaded falling 4-3.

Sunday Bowling Green jumped out fast in the series finale as their did in game three against Louisville. This time a 4-0 lead going into the bottom of the third quickly evaporated as Kentucky scored three in the third, four in the sixth, and another three in the eighth to seal the 10-4 win.

It’s only the third week, but Bowling Green is desperately needing a weekend better than .500 here as we enter March to get some positive momentum going into MAC play.

Deja vu II?

Last week it was the Bluegrass State, this weekend its the Volunteer State roughing up the Buckeye State.

Cleveland State and Ohio didn’t fare as well as Toledo did in Tennessee. CSU did pick up a win against Tennessee Tech Friday 7-2, but it was all downhill from their. Coach Kocks team lost a tough one 10-8 Saturday, before losing a football game 21-3. The Bobcats would fall 11-6, 5-4, 14-6 in there three-game sweep at the hands of Middle Tennessee State.

3-1 & 1-3

Akron was unable to build off of an impressive opening weekend against Minnesota. In traveling all the way to Las Crues, NM the Zips took game one 13-11. Kyle Hallett went 3-for-6 to lead the Akron attack. However the rest of the weekend was so pretty as Akron would lose the remaining three to the Aggies, 8-3, 10-5, and 17-5.

Dayton went over the .500 mark going 3-1 in Spartanburg, SC in the Courtyard by Marriott Baseball Classic.

Game one saw the Flyers win 11-9 in 11. Cole Tyell went 3-for-6 with three RBI in the victory. Tyrell and Aaron Dunsmore raced home on a wild pitch to give Dayton the go ahead runs in extra innings.

Saturday saw the Dayton rough up New Jersey Institute of Technology 16-1. Tyrell went 4-for-6 at the plate with four RBI. Tyrell continue his sizzling bat going 3-for-4 with two more RBI Saturday evening, but Dayton fell 8-5 to South Caroling-Upstate.

The weekend wrapped up with Dayton defeating Wofford again this time 10-8. Tyrell concluded his ridiculous weekend with a 2-for-4, RBI effort.

Weekend Warriors 

Michael Stephens picked up the Big Ten’s Player of the Week award after a sizzling weekend in Florida. The Victorville, California native went 6-for-9 at the plate with a home run, two doubles, four runs, and four RBI as Ohio State went 2-1 on the weekend. 

Rankings 

Not much changed occurred as one can expect. Ohio State remains the only ranked team. The Bucks did do a bit off shuffling, falling to 16th from 13th by Collegiate Baseball and coming in at 25 opposed to 24 a week before by PING!. However the Yahoo! Sports/Rivals.com Top 25 saw Ohio State move up a spot to 21. Ohio State holds steady at 23 in the National College Baseball Writers Poll.

BSB Top Performers 

Pitching- Alex Wimmers again showed why he is one of the nation’s best. With South Florida’s Fontanez matching him pitch for pitch, Wimmers tossed an 8-inning gem, allowing two runs, one earned, striking out six, issuing one walk with five hits being tallied against him. With scouts watching left and right, Wimmers stepped up in a big way and delivery a solid win for Ohio State.

The relief effort by Sand against Ohio State deserves praise in his 5-inning no hit performance.

Hitting- Tyrell went 12-for-20 with 10 RBI over the weekend to take the cake here. However the efforts of  Eric Marzec and Jacke Healy need to be noted. Considering it was their first games and first time seeing live pitching, the results are even more impressive than the impressive numbers. Marzec’s three-game total; 7-for-14; .500, 4 R, 3 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 SB. Healey countered with 5-for-11; .455, 5 R, 1 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, SB. The dynamic duo made their impressions felt against Privateers pitching.

Oh and Marzec tossed 2.2 innings out of the pen striking out five in his scoreless out. He’s the BSB Player of the Week.

Midweek Games 

There are midweek games here in week #3. Though none take place in Ohio. While on Spring Break Dayton will tangle with Furman Tuesday at 3 P.M. and those pesky Clemson Tigers Wednesday at 4 P.M. 

A-10 foe Xavier will also have a pair of midweek games, as they play Campbell University Tuesday and Duke on Wednesday. 

Ohio has a lone Tuesday date, fairly close to home as they travel to Eastern Kentucky. 

This Week’s Power Poll 

Cincinnati -You can’t imagine Cincinnati will duplicate their dramatics but if the Bearcats carry their never die attitude throughout, they might sneak up in the Big East.

Ohio State -The Buckeyes were cruising through the Challenge before “little brother” pulled the rug out. Scarlet & Gray fans did receive a silver lining in Sunday’s loss with Eric Best.

Kent State -Wasn’t the prettiest but the Flashes picked up three wins on ACC turf. The Flashes showed their potent lineup and right now are the MAC-East favorites until BG regroups.

Dayton -The loss to USC-Upstate stings, but the Flyers bats were strong all weekend. A-10 foes Rhode Island, Richmond, and Xavier didn’t look too impressive.

Toledo -The Rockets got off to a nice start going 2-1 in Millington, TN. Toledo might slide in under the radar being in the MAC-West, we’ll keep a close eye on Coach Mee’s squad.

Lasting Thoughts

If there is one summation of the weekend it would be opportunities squandered.  Bowling Green, Wright State, and Xavier who all have very high conference hopes and Regional aspirations had chances to make a statement and bolster a resume just incase the auto-bid did not come their way.

Bowling Green would again be in position to take two games from their Bluegrass opponent but ended up swept. Wright State had leads and held Clemson on the ropes in the opening two games before being swept as well. Credit Xavier for finding a way to bounce back from Saturday’s two-hit 15-0 shelling and Friday’s tough loss. Picking up a victory over a top five team is a nice way to get your first victory. Still one win out of nine leaves us Buckeye State faithful a bit unfulfilled especially with the number of close calls that were not.

Kent State rebounded nicely, as did Cincinnati. For the Flashes the bats carried the way to three wins while their talented but inexperienced staff still tries to find its footing. For Cincinnati, it was a weekend full of dramatics. After falling to Penn State in extra innings to open the weekend, the seven-run bottom of the ninth to steal the victory from Purdue combined with the beatdown over Ohio State has to erase a bitter opening weekend and give the Bearcats confidence.

The Buckeye’s wasn’t going to go perfect this season, and this loss might do them more good than harm. Coach Todd can show his team of high expectations they can lose and the world will not fall apart. McKinney can be a valuable asset to the team, he’ll just have to trust his stuff and not overthrow resulting in loss of control. Burkhart and Stephens continue their torrid pace and will fight it out all season for Big Ten Player of the Year. Wimmers was Wimmers again. The return of Best is the biggest development of the weekend and provides Ohio State a huge boost at it’s most glaring weakness. Now does he close moving Rucinski into the rotation? We’ll have to see next weekend.