Yes, it's far too early for OPS numbers. However, college baseball season is rather short, so let's look at a few figures realizing they mean even less than usual. The Big Ten OPS leaders, unofficially, of course, are as follows:
Lars Davis, Illinois 1.211
Ryan Basham, Michigan State 1.196
Ronnie Bourquin, Ohio State 1.192
Antonio Mule, Northwestern 1.188
Doug Pickens, Michigan 1.179
Wes Freie, Iowa 1.167
Eric Osborn, Purdue 1.132
Adam Tripp, Michigan State 1.129
Andy Hunter, Minnesota 1.110
Steve Head, Indiana 1.079
Troy Krider, Michigan State and Alan Cattrysse, Michigan State 1.071
Brian Ernst, Penn State 1.002
These are the only players above the magical 1.000 mark. Davis, the Illinois catcher, is pacing the conference in batting average at .571, which just happens to be the identical number as his slugging percentage, and on base percentage at .640. Michigan's Pickens is leading the conference in slugging percentage at an impressive .731.
In other Big Ten baseball news, IU's Tracy Smith earned victory number one. Penn State beat Lehigh today, 4-0. Nittany Lions' starter Aaron Markowitz pitched a complete game shutout.
Three members of the Minnesota Golden Gophers were named to the Dairy Queen Classic All-Tournament Team: 2B Luke McLean, SS Dan Lyons and OF Mike Mee . Robert Mews of the Minnesota Daily recaps the Gophers play over the weekend. Other DQ Classic recaps from Arizona, Notre Dame and Nebraska perspectives.
Here's a Kentucky perspective on UK's sweep of the Wildcats from Northwestern.
A Southern Florida angle on Illinois' sweep of the Bulls is also online.
Indiana Daily Student writer Jake Brown reviews IU's winless weekend at the hands of Miami (FL).
Dan Feldman of the Michigan Daily writes about the Wolverines disappointment with their 3-4 record.
The Big Ten announced this week's Pitcher of the Week is Cory Luebke of Ohio State and the Player of the Week is Michigan State's Ryan Basham.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Midweek Match-Ups
3/7/06
Penn State vs. Lehigh
Indiana @ Indiana State
Michigan State @ Florida International
3/8/06
Penn State @ Jacksonville
Xavier @ Indiana
North Dakota State @ Minnesota
Michigan State @ Miami (FL)
3/9/06
Michigan State vs. Seton Hall
Penn State vs. Lehigh
Indiana @ Indiana State
Michigan State @ Florida International
3/8/06
Penn State @ Jacksonville
Xavier @ Indiana
North Dakota State @ Minnesota
Michigan State @ Miami (FL)
3/9/06
Michigan State vs. Seton Hall
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Weekend Recaps
Saturday
Illinois 7 South Florida 3
Lars Davis went 4 for 5 and Chase Kliment hit his first homer to lead Illinois past the Bulls. Jake Toohey notched the win (1-1). Matt Whitmore earned his first save.
# 24 Miami (FL) 7 Indiana 2
Hurricane starter Manny Miguelez pitched a complete game one hitter.
Louisiana-Lafayette 14 Iowa 9
The Rajun Cajuns knock Iowa from the undefeated ranks. Wes Freie was the bright spot for the Hawkeyes' offense scoring twice and driving in a run.
Georgia Southern 4 Michigan 3
Brett Pelfrey drove in three and Griffin Benedict homered to lead Georgia Southern past Michigan. Adam Abraham went 2 for 3 for Michigan.
Michigan State 6 Lehigh 3
Coach David Grewe earned his first Spartan victory. Ryan Basham had two hits and two RBI for MSU. Jeff Gerbe's seven innings of one run baseball got him the win.
Minnesota 8 Notre Dame 0
Cole DeVries picked up the win, Bill Johnson earned a save for the Gophers. Nate Hanson got two RBI in the win.
Kentucky 12 Northwestern 7
Antonio Mule and Jake Owens each went 4 for 5 with two RBI, but NU fell to Kentucky. UK catcher Sean Couglin went yard twice nd scored four times to help the Wildcats to their second straight win over Northwestern.
Jacksonville 4 Ohio State 3
OSU closer Rory Meister walked in the winning run. Jacob Howell had two of OSU's four hits on the day. Dan DeLucia went eight innings allowing a single run, but didn't figure in the decision. D.J. Ackley pitched eight solid innings for Jacksonville, as well, but he didn't figure in the decision, either.
# 3 North Carolina 5 Purdue 2
UNC starter Daniel Bard was the story Saturday. Bard tossed a complete game victory yielding five hits, two runs, issuing only a solitary walk and striking out 13 Purdue batters. Eric Osborn had two hits including his first homer for Purdue.
Bowling Green 5 Penn State 4
BGSU scored four in the ninth to beat PSU. Brian Ernst went 3 for 4 for the Nittany Lions.
Sunday
Illinois 7 South Florida 6
Shawn Roof, Chase Kliment and Ryan Snowden each had a two hits to lead the Illini (3-3) to a sweep over USF (4-9).
Western Michigan 12 Ohio State 11
Matt Angle has five hits and two RBI, Eric Fryer has three hits and three RBI, but OSU falls to the Broncos. Matt Bolton and Nathan Marquardt each have three hits and two RBI to pace the WMU offense.
Kentucky 10 Northwestern 3
1B Ryan Strieby collects four hits, including a homer, and four RBI to lead UK past NU. Antonio Mule had three more hits for Northwestern (3-8).
Iowa 6 Evansville 4
Travis Sweet went 3 for 4 to pace a balanced Iowa (5-1) offense.
# 24 Miami (FL) 6 Indiana 4
Danny Valencia homered, scored twice and drove in a pair to lead the Hurricanes past IU. Tad Reida led the Hoosiers (0-6) with three hits in four at bats.
# 3 North Carolina 7 Purdue 3
Reid Fronk, Chad Flack and Matt Spencer all had two hits a piece for UNC. The Heels' Andrew Miller went seven innings fanning 10 Boilermakers. Mitch Hilligoss had two RBI for Purdue (2-3).
Michigan 9 LeMoyne 4
Eric Rose drove in three runs, Leif Mahler and Doug Pickens had two RBI for the Wolverines (3-4). Andrew Hess pitched 5.1 innings and got the victory.
Penn State 17 Sacred Heart 2
The Nittany Lions earned their first win of 2006. Brian Ernst followed his three hit Saturday performance with a four hit affair on Sunday.
Illinois 7 South Florida 3
Lars Davis went 4 for 5 and Chase Kliment hit his first homer to lead Illinois past the Bulls. Jake Toohey notched the win (1-1). Matt Whitmore earned his first save.
# 24 Miami (FL) 7 Indiana 2
Hurricane starter Manny Miguelez pitched a complete game one hitter.
Louisiana-Lafayette 14 Iowa 9
The Rajun Cajuns knock Iowa from the undefeated ranks. Wes Freie was the bright spot for the Hawkeyes' offense scoring twice and driving in a run.
Georgia Southern 4 Michigan 3
Brett Pelfrey drove in three and Griffin Benedict homered to lead Georgia Southern past Michigan. Adam Abraham went 2 for 3 for Michigan.
Michigan State 6 Lehigh 3
Coach David Grewe earned his first Spartan victory. Ryan Basham had two hits and two RBI for MSU. Jeff Gerbe's seven innings of one run baseball got him the win.
Minnesota 8 Notre Dame 0
Cole DeVries picked up the win, Bill Johnson earned a save for the Gophers. Nate Hanson got two RBI in the win.
Kentucky 12 Northwestern 7
Antonio Mule and Jake Owens each went 4 for 5 with two RBI, but NU fell to Kentucky. UK catcher Sean Couglin went yard twice nd scored four times to help the Wildcats to their second straight win over Northwestern.
Jacksonville 4 Ohio State 3
OSU closer Rory Meister walked in the winning run. Jacob Howell had two of OSU's four hits on the day. Dan DeLucia went eight innings allowing a single run, but didn't figure in the decision. D.J. Ackley pitched eight solid innings for Jacksonville, as well, but he didn't figure in the decision, either.
# 3 North Carolina 5 Purdue 2
UNC starter Daniel Bard was the story Saturday. Bard tossed a complete game victory yielding five hits, two runs, issuing only a solitary walk and striking out 13 Purdue batters. Eric Osborn had two hits including his first homer for Purdue.
Bowling Green 5 Penn State 4
BGSU scored four in the ninth to beat PSU. Brian Ernst went 3 for 4 for the Nittany Lions.
Sunday
Illinois 7 South Florida 6
Shawn Roof, Chase Kliment and Ryan Snowden each had a two hits to lead the Illini (3-3) to a sweep over USF (4-9).
Western Michigan 12 Ohio State 11
Matt Angle has five hits and two RBI, Eric Fryer has three hits and three RBI, but OSU falls to the Broncos. Matt Bolton and Nathan Marquardt each have three hits and two RBI to pace the WMU offense.
Kentucky 10 Northwestern 3
1B Ryan Strieby collects four hits, including a homer, and four RBI to lead UK past NU. Antonio Mule had three more hits for Northwestern (3-8).
Iowa 6 Evansville 4
Travis Sweet went 3 for 4 to pace a balanced Iowa (5-1) offense.
# 24 Miami (FL) 6 Indiana 4
Danny Valencia homered, scored twice and drove in a pair to lead the Hurricanes past IU. Tad Reida led the Hoosiers (0-6) with three hits in four at bats.
# 3 North Carolina 7 Purdue 3
Reid Fronk, Chad Flack and Matt Spencer all had two hits a piece for UNC. The Heels' Andrew Miller went seven innings fanning 10 Boilermakers. Mitch Hilligoss had two RBI for Purdue (2-3).
Michigan 9 LeMoyne 4
Eric Rose drove in three runs, Leif Mahler and Doug Pickens had two RBI for the Wolverines (3-4). Andrew Hess pitched 5.1 innings and got the victory.
Penn State 17 Sacred Heart 2
The Nittany Lions earned their first win of 2006. Brian Ernst followed his three hit Saturday performance with a four hit affair on Sunday.
Friday, March 03, 2006
Purdue Stuns # 3 UNC, Iowa Still Undefeated
A ninth inning bunt single by Spencer Ingaldson lifted Purdue past # 3 North Carolina, 5-4. Ingaldson, the Boilermakers' backstop, Mitch Hilligoss, Ryne White and Eric Osborn each had two hits a piece. One of Hilligoss hits was his first homer of the year. Chris Toneguzzi picked up the win in relief for Purdue.
Iowa remains undefeated after dropping Northwestern State, 2-0. Jeff Maitland allowed two hits over six innings to earn the win. Tim Gudex posted his second save of '06. Freshman Wes Freie drove in both Hawkeye runs.
UNC-Asheville bested Michigan, 8-6. Doug Pickens remains redhot, hitting his second homerun of the campaign. Drew Taylor lasted only 2.1 innings for Michigan (2-3). Asheville's Elliott Arrington had three hits, scored two and drove in two for the Bulldogs.
Ohio State thumped UNC-Greensboro, 12-2. Eric Fryer had three hits and three RBI. Adam Schneider collected four RBI on three hits. Sophomore Cory Luebke posted his first win for the Buckeyes (2-2).
Kentucky pounded Northwestern, 19-3. Collin Cowgill homered and had three RBI, Sean Couglin also homered for UK and drove in two. Craig Snipp went eight innings striking out nine to get the win. Antonio Mule had two RBI, Jake Owens had three hits for NU.
Miami (FL) is currently beating Indiana, 4-0, in the fifth inning.
Illinois is up on South Florida, 3-0 in the 8th. Ryan Hastings has two hits thus far. Chase Kliment has a pair of RBI for the Illini.
Iowa remains undefeated after dropping Northwestern State, 2-0. Jeff Maitland allowed two hits over six innings to earn the win. Tim Gudex posted his second save of '06. Freshman Wes Freie drove in both Hawkeye runs.
UNC-Asheville bested Michigan, 8-6. Doug Pickens remains redhot, hitting his second homerun of the campaign. Drew Taylor lasted only 2.1 innings for Michigan (2-3). Asheville's Elliott Arrington had three hits, scored two and drove in two for the Bulldogs.
Ohio State thumped UNC-Greensboro, 12-2. Eric Fryer had three hits and three RBI. Adam Schneider collected four RBI on three hits. Sophomore Cory Luebke posted his first win for the Buckeyes (2-2).
Kentucky pounded Northwestern, 19-3. Collin Cowgill homered and had three RBI, Sean Couglin also homered for UK and drove in two. Craig Snipp went eight innings striking out nine to get the win. Antonio Mule had two RBI, Jake Owens had three hits for NU.
Miami (FL) is currently beating Indiana, 4-0, in the fifth inning.
Illinois is up on South Florida, 3-0 in the 8th. Ryan Hastings has two hits thus far. Chase Kliment has a pair of RBI for the Illini.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
The DQ Classic And Other Weekend Games
The University of Minnesota plays hosts to one of the nation's better tournaments this weekend--The Dairy Queen Classic. The Gophers host Arizona, Notre Dame and # 4 Nebraska. After a three game tilt with highly ranked Florida State a week ago, John Anderson's squad gets another stern test at home in the Metrodome. Coach Anderson and the Minnesota athletic department deserve credit for bringing in some of college baseball's top powers.
Looking at the rest of the weekend schedule, Indiana gets a tough road trip to Coral Gables. The Hoosiers get three against traditional super-power Miami. Undefeated Iowa travels into Cajun country for three games. Purdue, coming off a Bayou adventure last weekend, gets to face off against #3 North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Below is each schools' weekend schedule. If there is a link to a Big Ten program, it's that's university's preview of the weekend series. The opposition links are, as always, to that school's baseball homepage. This week, for no particular reason, I've chosen to use Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's rankings. Enjoy the weekend.
Illinois
@ South Florida (3 games)
Indiana
@ #27 Miami (FL) (3 games)
Iowa (@ Louisiana Cajun Classic)
Northwestern State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Evansville
Michigan
UNC-Asheville, Troy, South Alabama
Michigan State
Lehigh (Saturday & Monday), Sacred Heart (Sunday)
Minnesota (Dairy Queen Classic)
Arizona, Notre Dame, #4 Nebraska
Northwestern
@ Kentucky (3 games)
Ohio State (Kennel Club Classic)
Aoyama Gakuin (Japan/Exhibition), UNC-Greensboro, Jacksonville, Western Michigan
Purdue
@ # 3 North Carolina (3 games)
Penn State
Bowling Green, Sacred Heart, Central Michigan
Looking at the rest of the weekend schedule, Indiana gets a tough road trip to Coral Gables. The Hoosiers get three against traditional super-power Miami. Undefeated Iowa travels into Cajun country for three games. Purdue, coming off a Bayou adventure last weekend, gets to face off against #3 North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
Below is each schools' weekend schedule. If there is a link to a Big Ten program, it's that's university's preview of the weekend series. The opposition links are, as always, to that school's baseball homepage. This week, for no particular reason, I've chosen to use Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's rankings. Enjoy the weekend.
Illinois
@ South Florida (3 games)
Indiana
@ #27 Miami (FL) (3 games)
Iowa (@ Louisiana Cajun Classic)
Northwestern State, Louisiana-Lafayette, Evansville
Michigan
UNC-Asheville, Troy, South Alabama
Michigan State
Lehigh (Saturday & Monday), Sacred Heart (Sunday)
Minnesota (Dairy Queen Classic)
Arizona, Notre Dame, #4 Nebraska
Northwestern
@ Kentucky (3 games)
Ohio State (Kennel Club Classic)
Aoyama Gakuin (Japan/Exhibition), UNC-Greensboro, Jacksonville, Western Michigan
Purdue
@ # 3 North Carolina (3 games)
Penn State
Bowling Green, Sacred Heart, Central Michigan
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Michigan Beats UCF, 6-3
Senior OF Mike Schmidt homered and had four RBI in helping Michigan beat Central Florida, 6-3. Big Ten Player of the Week Doug Pickens went 2 for 3. Craig Murray went six innings allowing three hits and two earned runs to grab the win. Freshman Adam Abraham got his first save with three innings of relief work.
The game just ended, I followed it courtesy of GameTracker, so it's too early to have any links to official recaps or boxscores.
The game just ended, I followed it courtesy of GameTracker, so it's too early to have any links to official recaps or boxscores.
Scholarships Lost
Will Kimmey at Baseball America files this report on today's announcement that a number of schools are being hit with scholarship reductions for not meeting the Academic Progress Report. No Big Ten baseball programs are specifically mentioned, but some universities are appealing their case and as such have not had their names released.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Catching Up On The Weekend
Yes, I'm running behind. My apologies for that. It's not like I've gone totally blogging nuts. I still have some life sans Blogger. Anyway, to my loyal readers, I am sorry for not being more timely. Regardless, let's see if I can get a handle on what happened around the Big Ten this past weekend.
Clearly, Iowa was the Big Ten's big winner over the weekend. The Hawkeyes charged out of the gate at 3-0. Jack Dahm's squad dropped host Austin Peay, then Illinois State and finally Dayton to capture the Austin Peay Tournament.
CF Nate Price went six for fifteen, scored four times, drove in five and stole three bases to lead the Hawkeyes potent offense. Travis Sweet had six hits in fourteen at bats scored four times and had five RBI. Tim Gudex got off to a strong start, as well. The Iowa closer notched his first win and initial save of 2006 during the three game set.
Around the rest of the conference, Purdue split their opening weekend of games. The Boilermakers beat Louisiana-Lafayette, but lost to Kansas State. Purdue starter Jay Buente's eleven strikeout performance against ULL earned him the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Award. The righthander went eight innings giving up three hits and three walks, but only a single run.
Ohio State fell to 1-2 with losses to Wake Forest and (then) #1 Florida before earning their first win, a 4-2 triumph over Missouri. Freshman J.B. Shuck went seven innings on Sunday allowing only three hits, an earned run, fanning six and yielding only a single walk. OSU reliever Rory Meister claimed the save over the Tigers.
Both Northwestern and Michigan came out of the gate at 1-2. NU dropped two of three to Louisville. Antonio Mule continued his strong start hitting .400 over the weekend for the Wildcats.
The Wolverines fell to UAB Friday, then split a Sunday doubleheader. South Alabama beat Michigan in Game 1, but Rich Maloney's team rebounded to defeat Troy in Game 2. OF Doug Pickens led Michigan's attack and garnered the Big Ten's Player of the Week honor. Pickens went five for eleven in the three games including his first homer and a GWRBI vs. Troy.
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota and Penn State all went without a win. Lars Davis went seven for eleven with six RBI in the Illini's three defeats. 2B Ryan Hastings returned to the Illinois lineup, after missing all of '05, and had five hits over the three games.
Jay Brant began this year as he did last year, hitting. The IU leftfielder went yard twice over the weekend and had a three hit affair on Saturday. Michigan State's Adam Tripp probably had the Spartans highlight this weekend. The junior had two hits, including his first homer of the season, with three RBI and two runs scored on Saturday.
The Gophers fell in three straight to #6 Florida State. Gophers 1B Andy Hunter did collect six hits in eleven at bats, but it wasn't enough to help Minnesota avoid a sweep in Tallahassee. Penn State fell to 0-6 this season. OF Lance Thompson is still hitting, six for eleven in three games, but PSU's defense seems to be a problem so far.
Not a great weekend for the Big Ten. Some did earn strength of schedule points, (especially the Gophers and Buckeyes) but a few more win would have helped the conference come tournament time. However, last weekend is over and the next one is on the horizon. Perhaps, some better results will appear.
Clearly, Iowa was the Big Ten's big winner over the weekend. The Hawkeyes charged out of the gate at 3-0. Jack Dahm's squad dropped host Austin Peay, then Illinois State and finally Dayton to capture the Austin Peay Tournament.
CF Nate Price went six for fifteen, scored four times, drove in five and stole three bases to lead the Hawkeyes potent offense. Travis Sweet had six hits in fourteen at bats scored four times and had five RBI. Tim Gudex got off to a strong start, as well. The Iowa closer notched his first win and initial save of 2006 during the three game set.
Around the rest of the conference, Purdue split their opening weekend of games. The Boilermakers beat Louisiana-Lafayette, but lost to Kansas State. Purdue starter Jay Buente's eleven strikeout performance against ULL earned him the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Award. The righthander went eight innings giving up three hits and three walks, but only a single run.
Ohio State fell to 1-2 with losses to Wake Forest and (then) #1 Florida before earning their first win, a 4-2 triumph over Missouri. Freshman J.B. Shuck went seven innings on Sunday allowing only three hits, an earned run, fanning six and yielding only a single walk. OSU reliever Rory Meister claimed the save over the Tigers.
Both Northwestern and Michigan came out of the gate at 1-2. NU dropped two of three to Louisville. Antonio Mule continued his strong start hitting .400 over the weekend for the Wildcats.
The Wolverines fell to UAB Friday, then split a Sunday doubleheader. South Alabama beat Michigan in Game 1, but Rich Maloney's team rebounded to defeat Troy in Game 2. OF Doug Pickens led Michigan's attack and garnered the Big Ten's Player of the Week honor. Pickens went five for eleven in the three games including his first homer and a GWRBI vs. Troy.
Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State, Minnesota and Penn State all went without a win. Lars Davis went seven for eleven with six RBI in the Illini's three defeats. 2B Ryan Hastings returned to the Illinois lineup, after missing all of '05, and had five hits over the three games.
Jay Brant began this year as he did last year, hitting. The IU leftfielder went yard twice over the weekend and had a three hit affair on Saturday. Michigan State's Adam Tripp probably had the Spartans highlight this weekend. The junior had two hits, including his first homer of the season, with three RBI and two runs scored on Saturday.
The Gophers fell in three straight to #6 Florida State. Gophers 1B Andy Hunter did collect six hits in eleven at bats, but it wasn't enough to help Minnesota avoid a sweep in Tallahassee. Penn State fell to 0-6 this season. OF Lance Thompson is still hitting, six for eleven in three games, but PSU's defense seems to be a problem so far.
Not a great weekend for the Big Ten. Some did earn strength of schedule points, (especially the Gophers and Buckeyes) but a few more win would have helped the conference come tournament time. However, last weekend is over and the next one is on the horizon. Perhaps, some better results will appear.
Friday, February 24, 2006
Friday Scores
I don't have all the final totals yet, but here are the scores as of this moment. Click on the links for recaps of each contest.
Wake Forest 6 Ohio State 2
Iowa 12 Austin Peay 10
UAB 5 Michigan 4
Charlotte 11 Indiana 3
East Carolina 4 Penn State 3
Florida State 5 Minnesota 0
Louisville 11 Northwestern 0 Game 1
Northwestern 5 Lousiville 4 Game 2
If time allows, I'll elaborate on these games later. Suffice to say, it wasn't a great day for the Big Ten. However, it's only the first of many more games.
Before I depart, a quick shout out to David at Swampball.com for providing a link here in his preview of tomorrow's Ohio State vs. #1 Florida tilt. Thanks, David.
Wake Forest 6 Ohio State 2
Iowa 12 Austin Peay 10
UAB 5 Michigan 4
Charlotte 11 Indiana 3
East Carolina 4 Penn State 3
Florida State 5 Minnesota 0
Louisville 11 Northwestern 0 Game 1
Northwestern 5 Lousiville 4 Game 2
If time allows, I'll elaborate on these games later. Suffice to say, it wasn't a great day for the Big Ten. However, it's only the first of many more games.
Before I depart, a quick shout out to David at Swampball.com for providing a link here in his preview of tomorrow's Ohio State vs. #1 Florida tilt. Thanks, David.
Thursday, February 23, 2006
The Gang's All Here
All ten conference schools take to the field this weekend. Bob Todd's Ohio State squad looks to have the most daunting challenge ahead, Wake Forest, #1 Florida and #12 Missouri, but a number of Big Ten baseball programs face some difficult competition to open the 2006 season.
Here's a look at the games with some links tossed in for your enjoyment. A great number of these games will be available via GameTracker and some are being broadcast on the 'net. (For Big Ten baseball homepages, look in the sidebar to the right.)
Friday
Wake Forest vs. Ohio State
Big weekend for Buckeyes begins with Deamon Deacons. Wake freshman Dustin Hood is hitting .455 with posting a .500 mark in both on base and slugging percentage. Matt Antonelli has gone yard twice and is slugging at a .667 clip. I'm guessing OSU will go with LHP Dan DeLucia in the opener.
Iowa @ Austin Peay
Here's the Hawkeye preview of the weekend. Baseball America tabs Austin Peay as the Ohio Valley conference winner this year. They also project APSU lefty Rowdy Hardy as the OVC Player of the Year. The name alone merits him some recognition.
UAB vs. Michigan
Wolverines open 2006 with Blazers. LHP Drew Taylor is scheduled to take the hill for Rich Maloney's team. Many will be wacthing for the debut of herladed freshman Zach Putnam.
Indiana @ Charlotte
Three game set marks the beginning of Tracy Smith's reign as IU head coach.
Penn State @ East Carolina (Friends of ECU Baseball, Unofficial ECU site)
Nittany Lions open up vs. ECU in first of three. PSU's Lance Thompson gets a chance to defend his conference player of the week award.
Minnesota @ # 6 Florida State (Section B, Unofficial FSU site)
Gophers travel to play three with #6 Seminoles. If OSU's three games aren't the most challenging for the Big Ten, then Minnesota's series with always strong FSU are. Brian Bull is scheduled to start for Minnesota. FSU counters with RHP Bryan Henry (2-0).
Illinois @ Stetson
Dan Hartleb begins his tenure as Illini head man vs. Hatters. All Big Ten starter Brian Blomquist will pitch the season opener for Illinois. Watch out for Stetson, they are a potential tournament team.
Michigan State @ Lamar
Spartans open '06 with four games in the Lone Star State. MSU's David Grewe is another Big Ten skipper making his debut this weekend.
Purdue @ Louisiana-Lafayette
Boilermakers get a weekend of Cajun cookin' to begin the new year. Look for Jay Buente to start on the mound for Purdue.
Northwestern @ Louisville
Cardinals host Wildcats in a Friday doubleheader and a single game Saturday. George Kontos will take the mound for NU in Game 1. Dan Brauer should be Game Two's starter for the Wildcats.
SATURDAY
Michigan State @ Lamar (Game 1)
Michigan State @ Arkansas State (Game 2)
Illinois vs. South Florida
Jake Toohey is Coach Hartleb's choice in game two. USF took two of three from Northwestern last weekend.
Iowa vs. Illinois State
ISU has two Baseball America all-conference selections: 1B Kyle O'Brien and SS Ryan Antesberger.
Michigan vs. Troy
Michigan will go with another lefthander on Saturday, Paul Hammond.
Ohio State vs. #1 Florida
OSU sophomore LHP Cory Luebke is the likely starter against the top team in the land. Florida is just plain loaded.
Purdue vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Brett Courdon is scheduled to be the Boilers' second starter.
Penn State vs. #18 North Carolina State
Minnesota @ #6 Florida State
It's Cole DeVries (Minnesota) vs. Michael Hyde (FSU) in the second tilt.
Northwestern @ Louisville
RHP Ryan Myers is due to start this game for NU. Cards have a heralded freshman in 3B Chris Dominguez.
Indiana vs. Charlotte
SUNDAY
Illinois vs. Western Carolina
WCU OF Steven Strausbaugh is a pre-season all-conference selection. Illini RHP Scott Shaw should take the mound in the finale of the three game set.
Iowa vs. Dayton
Flyers doubleplay combo Galen Schumm and Michael Massa were named to Baseball America's all-Atlantic 10 conference team.
Michigan vs. South Alabama
Ohio State vs. #12 Missouri
Michigan State vs. Kentucky
Purdue vs. Kansas State
Dan Sattler is the probable starter for Purdue.
Penn State vs. West Virginia
Minnesota @. #6 Florida State
The finale has Dustin Brabender against FSU's Barrett Browning.
Indiana @ Charlotte
That's it for previews. I've got other things to attend to, so I must move on. For next weekend, I'm going to look at altering this format some, probably sticking more to links. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the first big weekend of action for Big Ten baseball. Thanks for stopping in.
Here's a look at the games with some links tossed in for your enjoyment. A great number of these games will be available via GameTracker and some are being broadcast on the 'net. (For Big Ten baseball homepages, look in the sidebar to the right.)
Friday
Wake Forest vs. Ohio State
Big weekend for Buckeyes begins with Deamon Deacons. Wake freshman Dustin Hood is hitting .455 with posting a .500 mark in both on base and slugging percentage. Matt Antonelli has gone yard twice and is slugging at a .667 clip. I'm guessing OSU will go with LHP Dan DeLucia in the opener.
Iowa @ Austin Peay
Here's the Hawkeye preview of the weekend. Baseball America tabs Austin Peay as the Ohio Valley conference winner this year. They also project APSU lefty Rowdy Hardy as the OVC Player of the Year. The name alone merits him some recognition.
UAB vs. Michigan
Wolverines open 2006 with Blazers. LHP Drew Taylor is scheduled to take the hill for Rich Maloney's team. Many will be wacthing for the debut of herladed freshman Zach Putnam.
Indiana @ Charlotte
Three game set marks the beginning of Tracy Smith's reign as IU head coach.
Penn State @ East Carolina (Friends of ECU Baseball, Unofficial ECU site)
Nittany Lions open up vs. ECU in first of three. PSU's Lance Thompson gets a chance to defend his conference player of the week award.
Minnesota @ # 6 Florida State (Section B, Unofficial FSU site)
Gophers travel to play three with #6 Seminoles. If OSU's three games aren't the most challenging for the Big Ten, then Minnesota's series with always strong FSU are. Brian Bull is scheduled to start for Minnesota. FSU counters with RHP Bryan Henry (2-0).
Illinois @ Stetson
Dan Hartleb begins his tenure as Illini head man vs. Hatters. All Big Ten starter Brian Blomquist will pitch the season opener for Illinois. Watch out for Stetson, they are a potential tournament team.
Michigan State @ Lamar
Spartans open '06 with four games in the Lone Star State. MSU's David Grewe is another Big Ten skipper making his debut this weekend.
Purdue @ Louisiana-Lafayette
Boilermakers get a weekend of Cajun cookin' to begin the new year. Look for Jay Buente to start on the mound for Purdue.
Northwestern @ Louisville
Cardinals host Wildcats in a Friday doubleheader and a single game Saturday. George Kontos will take the mound for NU in Game 1. Dan Brauer should be Game Two's starter for the Wildcats.
SATURDAY
Michigan State @ Lamar (Game 1)
Michigan State @ Arkansas State (Game 2)
Illinois vs. South Florida
Jake Toohey is Coach Hartleb's choice in game two. USF took two of three from Northwestern last weekend.
Iowa vs. Illinois State
ISU has two Baseball America all-conference selections: 1B Kyle O'Brien and SS Ryan Antesberger.
Michigan vs. Troy
Michigan will go with another lefthander on Saturday, Paul Hammond.
Ohio State vs. #1 Florida
OSU sophomore LHP Cory Luebke is the likely starter against the top team in the land. Florida is just plain loaded.
Purdue vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Brett Courdon is scheduled to be the Boilers' second starter.
Penn State vs. #18 North Carolina State
Minnesota @ #6 Florida State
It's Cole DeVries (Minnesota) vs. Michael Hyde (FSU) in the second tilt.
Northwestern @ Louisville
RHP Ryan Myers is due to start this game for NU. Cards have a heralded freshman in 3B Chris Dominguez.
Indiana vs. Charlotte
SUNDAY
Illinois vs. Western Carolina
WCU OF Steven Strausbaugh is a pre-season all-conference selection. Illini RHP Scott Shaw should take the mound in the finale of the three game set.
Iowa vs. Dayton
Flyers doubleplay combo Galen Schumm and Michael Massa were named to Baseball America's all-Atlantic 10 conference team.
Michigan vs. South Alabama
Ohio State vs. #12 Missouri
Michigan State vs. Kentucky
Purdue vs. Kansas State
Dan Sattler is the probable starter for Purdue.
Penn State vs. West Virginia
Minnesota @. #6 Florida State
The finale has Dustin Brabender against FSU's Barrett Browning.
Indiana @ Charlotte
That's it for previews. I've got other things to attend to, so I must move on. For next weekend, I'm going to look at altering this format some, probably sticking more to links. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the first big weekend of action for Big Ten baseball. Thanks for stopping in.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Heading Into Sunday
Penn State has dropped both games to Tulane, 9-4 on Friday, 11-0 today. (PSU recaps, Tulane recaps.) The Nittany Lions did outhit the Green Wave Friday evening, 13-9, but still came out on the short end. PSU OF Lance Thompson paced the Lions offense with three hits and a RBI. RF Brian Ernst also had three hits for PSU.
2B Brad Emaus homered and had three RBI for Tulane in the opener. Green Wave redshirt freshman OF Warren McFadden had two hits and three RBI, as well. Alan Stidfole took the loss, Brandon Gomes notched the victory.
Today's contest was dominated by Tulane RHP Sean Morgan. The sophomore struck out a career high eleven batters in six innings of work. The Wave also pounded out 15 hits. Cat Everett continued his strong start collecting three safties in Saturday's affair. (Note to self: Tulane is good. Very good.)
Nittany Lions' catcher James Spinelli was the bright spot on offense with two hits. PSU's Mark Wyner took the loss. (My apologies, Mark. PSU doesn't provide a link to your bio as of yet.)
On a happier note, Northwestern has a chance to win their series tomorrow. The Wildcats have split their two contests against VCU. (NU game one recap.) NU dropped the opener, 4-3. VCU's Scott Sizemore's two out double in the bottom of the ninth won it for the Rams.
Wildcats' DH Antonio Mule continued his fast start, hitting his second homer of the year. NU's George Kontos went seven innings allowing five hits and walking four. He allowed two runs, but only a single run was earned. Kontos didn't figure in the decision, Dan Schwartz took the loss, and wasn't the pitching story of game one. That belonged to Virginia Commenwealth's Harold Mozingo.
The Rams hurler fanned thirteen NU batters in seven innings. Mozingo yielded four hits and all three Wildcat runs. In spite of his prodigious strike out total, Mozingo didn't get a decision, either. The win went the reliever Brett Walker who only faced two batters.
Rams' LF Kwan Evans' three hits, including a round tripper, topped the VCU attack in the opening game of the three game set.
In game two, Northwestern scored twice in the ninth inning and three more in the tenth to topple VCU, 6-5. Centerfielder Aaron Newman led the offensive charge with three hits and two RBI for Northwestern. Jake Owens, Jake Wilson and Tommy Finn each had two hits a piece for NU.
The win went to Wildcat reliever Andrew Smith who pitched four innings. Starter Dan Brauer went five innings fanning seven and relinquishing only one run. Schwartz notched his first save of 2006. VCU starter John Leonard, like Brauer, also went five and struck out seven. The loss went to Rams' reliever Jared Bolden.
Sizemore remained a pain for NU pitchers in game two. The secondbaseman had two triples and scored three times. (Note: Sizemore is good. Very good.) Tim St. Clair also homered for the Rams.
Both the PSU vs. Tulane and NU vs. VCU series wrap up tomorrow.
I wouldn't count on me providing such link filled recaps on a regular basis, but I had the time today and college baseball players need all the publicity they can get. Even if its only a tiny blog like this one.
2B Brad Emaus homered and had three RBI for Tulane in the opener. Green Wave redshirt freshman OF Warren McFadden had two hits and three RBI, as well. Alan Stidfole took the loss, Brandon Gomes notched the victory.
Today's contest was dominated by Tulane RHP Sean Morgan. The sophomore struck out a career high eleven batters in six innings of work. The Wave also pounded out 15 hits. Cat Everett continued his strong start collecting three safties in Saturday's affair. (Note to self: Tulane is good. Very good.)
Nittany Lions' catcher James Spinelli was the bright spot on offense with two hits. PSU's Mark Wyner took the loss. (My apologies, Mark. PSU doesn't provide a link to your bio as of yet.)
On a happier note, Northwestern has a chance to win their series tomorrow. The Wildcats have split their two contests against VCU. (NU game one recap.) NU dropped the opener, 4-3. VCU's Scott Sizemore's two out double in the bottom of the ninth won it for the Rams.
Wildcats' DH Antonio Mule continued his fast start, hitting his second homer of the year. NU's George Kontos went seven innings allowing five hits and walking four. He allowed two runs, but only a single run was earned. Kontos didn't figure in the decision, Dan Schwartz took the loss, and wasn't the pitching story of game one. That belonged to Virginia Commenwealth's Harold Mozingo.
The Rams hurler fanned thirteen NU batters in seven innings. Mozingo yielded four hits and all three Wildcat runs. In spite of his prodigious strike out total, Mozingo didn't get a decision, either. The win went the reliever Brett Walker who only faced two batters.
Rams' LF Kwan Evans' three hits, including a round tripper, topped the VCU attack in the opening game of the three game set.
In game two, Northwestern scored twice in the ninth inning and three more in the tenth to topple VCU, 6-5. Centerfielder Aaron Newman led the offensive charge with three hits and two RBI for Northwestern. Jake Owens, Jake Wilson and Tommy Finn each had two hits a piece for NU.
The win went to Wildcat reliever Andrew Smith who pitched four innings. Starter Dan Brauer went five innings fanning seven and relinquishing only one run. Schwartz notched his first save of 2006. VCU starter John Leonard, like Brauer, also went five and struck out seven. The loss went to Rams' reliever Jared Bolden.
Sizemore remained a pain for NU pitchers in game two. The secondbaseman had two triples and scored three times. (Note: Sizemore is good. Very good.) Tim St. Clair also homered for the Rams.
Both the PSU vs. Tulane and NU vs. VCU series wrap up tomorrow.
I wouldn't count on me providing such link filled recaps on a regular basis, but I had the time today and college baseball players need all the publicity they can get. Even if its only a tiny blog like this one.
Thursday, February 16, 2006
A Look At The Weekend
Two Big Ten schools have games this weekend. Northwestern continues on with a three game set against Virginia Commonwealth. Penn State's season begins with a visit to New Orleans to take on #9 Tulane.
The Wildcats (1-2) have a tough battle with VCU (2-0) beginning Friday night. The Rams feature all-conference 2B Scott Sizemore. Sizemore (.364/12/56) is considered by some to be the front runner for the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. Sergio Miranda, Sizemore's doubleplay partner, was also named a pre-season All CAA player by Baseball America.
RHP Harlod Mozingo (1-0) should probably take to the hill in Game 1. Mozingo was named BA's Pitcher of the Year and is also considered the best pitching prospect in the CAA. Northwestern will probably counter with George Kontos.
NU's Antonio Mule hit .400 versus South Florida last week earning the sophomore the Big Ten Player of the Week honor. Mule's teammate, Dan Schwartz was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for his win over USF.
The Nittany Lions season begins with a three game series versus the Green Wave (3-1). The series should be quite a test for Robbie Wine's squad, as Tulane is ranked as high as ninth nationally (NCBWA poll) and, in spite of their youth, clearly look like a tournament team again in 2006. The Green Wave squad also has the advantage of having four games under their belt including a victory over defending national champion, Texas. Not that they need any extra help.
Tulane is led offensively by three Baseball America pre-season all-conference selections: Mark Hamilton (1B), Brad Emaus (3B) and Nathan Southard (OF). The Wave can also boast of incoming freshman, Aja Barto (OF) who BA selected as it's Conference USA Freshman of the Year. Sophomore 2B Cat Everett has started '06 on fire. Everett is pacing the Green Wave with a .429 average through the first four contests.
Tulane doesn't lack for pitching promise, either. Sean Morgan went 6-1 with five saves a year ago and is another potential all-conference choice. Closer Daniel Latham led C-USA in saves last season with 13. He has already earned two saves this year. Stephen Porlier (7.0 IP), Billy Mohl (7.0 IP) and Trey Martin (4.0) have each earned a win in '06 and all three have an ERA of 0.00.
There is also a fan run site for Tulane baseball. WaveBaseball.com provides tons of coverage as does the official team site (link in first paragraph).
While Penn State is projected to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten, there are reasons of optimism in Happy Valley. PSU has, on paper, a decent enough offense. Matt Lewis, Lance Thompson, Joe Blackburn and Scott Gummo had fine seasons in '05. Alan Stidfole (6-4) returns to anchor the Lions staff.
The series will be broadcast on the internet with a link at PSU's site. Gametracker is available for the series, as well.
The Wildcats (1-2) have a tough battle with VCU (2-0) beginning Friday night. The Rams feature all-conference 2B Scott Sizemore. Sizemore (.364/12/56) is considered by some to be the front runner for the Colonial Athletic Association Player of the Year. Sergio Miranda, Sizemore's doubleplay partner, was also named a pre-season All CAA player by Baseball America.
RHP Harlod Mozingo (1-0) should probably take to the hill in Game 1. Mozingo was named BA's Pitcher of the Year and is also considered the best pitching prospect in the CAA. Northwestern will probably counter with George Kontos.
NU's Antonio Mule hit .400 versus South Florida last week earning the sophomore the Big Ten Player of the Week honor. Mule's teammate, Dan Schwartz was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week for his win over USF.
The Nittany Lions season begins with a three game series versus the Green Wave (3-1). The series should be quite a test for Robbie Wine's squad, as Tulane is ranked as high as ninth nationally (NCBWA poll) and, in spite of their youth, clearly look like a tournament team again in 2006. The Green Wave squad also has the advantage of having four games under their belt including a victory over defending national champion, Texas. Not that they need any extra help.
Tulane is led offensively by three Baseball America pre-season all-conference selections: Mark Hamilton (1B), Brad Emaus (3B) and Nathan Southard (OF). The Wave can also boast of incoming freshman, Aja Barto (OF) who BA selected as it's Conference USA Freshman of the Year. Sophomore 2B Cat Everett has started '06 on fire. Everett is pacing the Green Wave with a .429 average through the first four contests.
Tulane doesn't lack for pitching promise, either. Sean Morgan went 6-1 with five saves a year ago and is another potential all-conference choice. Closer Daniel Latham led C-USA in saves last season with 13. He has already earned two saves this year. Stephen Porlier (7.0 IP), Billy Mohl (7.0 IP) and Trey Martin (4.0) have each earned a win in '06 and all three have an ERA of 0.00.
There is also a fan run site for Tulane baseball. WaveBaseball.com provides tons of coverage as does the official team site (link in first paragraph).
While Penn State is projected to finish in the bottom half of the Big Ten, there are reasons of optimism in Happy Valley. PSU has, on paper, a decent enough offense. Matt Lewis, Lance Thompson, Joe Blackburn and Scott Gummo had fine seasons in '05. Alan Stidfole (6-4) returns to anchor the Lions staff.
The series will be broadcast on the internet with a link at PSU's site. Gametracker is available for the series, as well.
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Nittany Lions Preview
Corey McLauglin, of The Digital Collegian, takes a look at Penn State's squad heading into this weekend's opening series versus Tulane.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Wildcats Win In Extra Innings
In a game dominated by pitching and a lengthy rain delay, Northwestern collected it's first triumph of 2006. The Wildcats beat South Florida, 2-0, in thirteen innings Saturday afternoon. Dan Brauer started for the 'Cats (1-1) and went five innings allowing only one hit and fanning eight Bulls batters. Brauer was followed by Andrew Smith who pitched another five innings of three hit ball. Dan Schwartz went the final three allowing only a single safety to earn the win.
USF (1-1) sent five hurlers to the mound and struck out fifteen NU hitters, but couldn't muster any offense. Wildcats' 2B Jake Owens had hit second straight two hit contest to pace NU's offense. Geoff Dietz and Stanley Finch had an RBI a piece. (Boxscore)
The final game of the weekend series is slated for Sunday afternoon.
USF (1-1) sent five hurlers to the mound and struck out fifteen NU hitters, but couldn't muster any offense. Wildcats' 2B Jake Owens had hit second straight two hit contest to pace NU's offense. Geoff Dietz and Stanley Finch had an RBI a piece. (Boxscore)
The final game of the weekend series is slated for Sunday afternoon.
Wildcats Fall To USF, 5-2
Northwestern lost it's season opener to South Florida, 5-2, Friday night. (Here is the boxscore.)Ty Taborelli and Mike Consolmagno each drove in a pair of runs for USF. Jake Owens had two hits for the 'Cats.
Casey Hudspeth fanned ten NU batters and picked up the win. George Kontos, NU's starter, struck out six Bulls, but took the loss. The two teams play game two of their three game set this afternoon at Red McEwen Field.
Casey Hudspeth fanned ten NU batters and picked up the win. George Kontos, NU's starter, struck out six Bulls, but took the loss. The two teams play game two of their three game set this afternoon at Red McEwen Field.
Thursday, February 09, 2006
NU Opens Season Tomorrow
Northwestern will begin its 2006 campaign Friday with a game against South Florida. The Wildcats site provides this preview of their opener. The Bulls official site provides this brief look at the first game and attaches a PDF link for more information. The Adobe file is loaded with quality information. The game is the first of a three game weekend series between the two clubs.
As usual, the Friday night affair could be a very good pitching match-up. Casey Hudspeth is USF's starter while George Kontos counters for the 'Cats. The first pitch is slated for around 7:00pm tomorrow night. Unfortunately, it does not appear as their will be any radio, television or gametracker available.
As usual, the Friday night affair could be a very good pitching match-up. Casey Hudspeth is USF's starter while George Kontos counters for the 'Cats. The first pitch is slated for around 7:00pm tomorrow night. Unfortunately, it does not appear as their will be any radio, television or gametracker available.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
New Additions At Indiana
Jake Brown, of the Indiana Daily Student, pens this piece on Indiana new head coach, Tracy Smith. This is Smith's initial campaign with the Hoosiers.
In other baseball news from Bloomington, Smith has added two players from big time programs. Tad Reida and Brett Sager will play for IU this season after playing at Wichita State and LSU, respectively.
In other baseball news from Bloomington, Smith has added two players from big time programs. Tad Reida and Brett Sager will play for IU this season after playing at Wichita State and LSU, respectively.
Friday, February 03, 2006
Clemens Award Watch List Announced
Apparently, today is the day I find out about "Watch Lists". First, the NCBWA Stopper of the Year, now the Roger Clemens Award Watch List. The Clemens Award Watch List has been out a while, but I didn't see any mention of it. I probably never caught wind of it because no Big Ten pitcher made the list.
I'm kind of surprised that Illinois' Brian Blomquist didn't garner some pre-season love from the Clemens Award committee, but such is the life of a Big Ten hurler. I'd encourage you to check out the list even without any arms from our area.
A side note, USC's Ian Kennedy is pitching tonight against fellow Clemens Award nominee Jared Hughes of Long Beach State.
I'm kind of surprised that Illinois' Brian Blomquist didn't garner some pre-season love from the Clemens Award committee, but such is the life of a Big Ten hurler. I'd encourage you to check out the list even without any arms from our area.
A side note, USC's Ian Kennedy is pitching tonight against fellow Clemens Award nominee Jared Hughes of Long Beach State.
Meister Makes Watch List
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has released its Stopper of the Year Watch List. Rory Meister of Ohio State is the only Big Ten closer to garner a pre-season nod from the NCBWA. Here is the Buckeyes press release regarding Meister's recognition.
This Weekend
Baseball America's Will Kimmey previews the weekend match-ups. Of this weekend's games, the series I most look forward to is Cal State Fullerton @ Stanford. It's the kind of baseball battle, between two tradition powers, that made me a college baseball fan way back when. Besides, I like the Cardinal program.
The USC vs. Long Beach State series, with the Dirtbags hosting two of three, is probably the most significant match-up. Two ranked teams battling in an early season home and home and home series.
I feel for LBSU's Evan Longoria. Although one of the country's top players, being only one letter removed from comparisons to a Desperate Housewife must make life difficult.
The Rosenblatt Report's Kendall Rogers also provides a look ahead to this weekend's hardball action. He thinks the Tennessee vs. Florida Atlantic confrontation might be the best of the bunch.
The USC vs. Long Beach State series, with the Dirtbags hosting two of three, is probably the most significant match-up. Two ranked teams battling in an early season home and home and home series.
I feel for LBSU's Evan Longoria. Although one of the country's top players, being only one letter removed from comparisons to a Desperate Housewife must make life difficult.
The Rosenblatt Report's Kendall Rogers also provides a look ahead to this weekend's hardball action. He thinks the Tennessee vs. Florida Atlantic confrontation might be the best of the bunch.
Friday, January 27, 2006
My Turn, Joanna
I've been having a dialogue with Texas blogger, Joanna, that began with my post about the uniform start date the NCAA recently agreed to. Our open chat has also veered off into the debate over athletics versus academics and the north vs. south dilemma college baseball has. As Joanna lobbed the last round, I guess it's my turn to reply.
We completely agree on the athletics versus academics issue. The NCAA and, more importantly, it's member institutions need to figure out where their responsibility to the "student/athlete" lies. Are colleges responsible to make sure their athletes graduate or just provide them with a training ground to become pro athletes? If their objective is solely to prepare people for the next phase of life then, perhaps, it's time to discuss things like stipends and making the athletes "representatives" of the schools not "students". Having said all this, do I believe any such decision is in the offing? Not a chance. (My problems with the NCAA are a different post entirely.)
As for college baseball's north/south inequity, Joanna correctly points out that northern schools should make more of a commitment to baseball. I couldn't agree more, but it's a chicken and egg problem. What comes first: fan interest or an institution's financial commitment? Is attendance sub-standard because of a lack of interest or because of less-than-ideal weather? Are athletes drawn to southern schools to play baseball because of poor facilities in the north or the lousy weather or both? As baseball isn't an inexpensive sport to play, it's a great leap of faith for athletic departments to commit to building new baseball stadiums when there are so many unknown factors.
Building an indoor facility might occur at a big revenue school, but can you see Maine building a dome for baseball? How many programs are really in a position to build an indoor baseball field? I would suspect very few. Doing so would only further the gap between baseball haves and have nots. Honestly, I'd also worry that the combination of metal bats and plastic grass might alienate old school baseball fans.
However, I think we are all about to get a better idea about the answer to the question "If they build it, will they come?". Penn State is in the process of building a new facility which they intend to share with a minor league team. Michigan State is increasing it's home dates at Oldsmobile Park, home of the Lansing Lugnuts. Minnesota plays a number of games at the Metrodome. There have been rumors for about two years in regards to a new baseball stadium being built in Ann Arbor and arch-rival Ohio State already plays in a great new facility, Bill Davis Stadium.
Within the next three or four years, we will see if better facilities will help generate interest, increase revenue and attract better recruiting classes. Regardless, the Big Ten can build all the shiny new diamonds they like, but it isn't going to stop the snow or cold. That's why the start date is so important. Even if Michigan, using Joanna's example, builds a new yard, they still probably can't play a home game much earlier than they do now. Yes, building a covered ballpark would solve that, but how many southern schools are going to volunteer to come north in February and March when they have a line of northern schools willing to visit them?
In drawing comparisons to other "northern" schools, Joanna accurately states that Nebraska has done well in baseball and Oregon State is fielding a very good squad currently. In Nebraska's case, they have a distinct advantage--Omaha. When your region hosts the game's annual championship series, interest is bound to be high. If Ann Arbor or Minneapolis hosted the College World Series, I suspect both local school's baseball programs would be more well received. (Not that Michigan and Minnesota don't have a solid base of fans, because they do. They just aren't as large as they could be. Remember, Big Ten kids, I'm on your side. No hate mail, please.)
I would classify Oregon State's current success as an anomaly. If the Beavers can maintain their current status in the ultra competitive Pac-10 for an extended period, then I'll re-consider my position. (I'm rooting for you, though, OSU.) About the only school I would really tab as a northern success might be Notre Dame. And for all their top 25 rankings and good recruiting classes, I doubt many would put the Irish on the same level as SEC, Big XII or Pac-10 programs.
In the end, Joanna, we actually agree on almost everything. In particular, I concur that there are simply no easy answers. Hopefully, northern schools will get the incentive to commit more resources to baseball so that fans up here can enjoy college baseball at the same level you do at Texas. I'm grateful that you stopped in and shared your thoughts. I hope you continue to do so.
We completely agree on the athletics versus academics issue. The NCAA and, more importantly, it's member institutions need to figure out where their responsibility to the "student/athlete" lies. Are colleges responsible to make sure their athletes graduate or just provide them with a training ground to become pro athletes? If their objective is solely to prepare people for the next phase of life then, perhaps, it's time to discuss things like stipends and making the athletes "representatives" of the schools not "students". Having said all this, do I believe any such decision is in the offing? Not a chance. (My problems with the NCAA are a different post entirely.)
As for college baseball's north/south inequity, Joanna correctly points out that northern schools should make more of a commitment to baseball. I couldn't agree more, but it's a chicken and egg problem. What comes first: fan interest or an institution's financial commitment? Is attendance sub-standard because of a lack of interest or because of less-than-ideal weather? Are athletes drawn to southern schools to play baseball because of poor facilities in the north or the lousy weather or both? As baseball isn't an inexpensive sport to play, it's a great leap of faith for athletic departments to commit to building new baseball stadiums when there are so many unknown factors.
Building an indoor facility might occur at a big revenue school, but can you see Maine building a dome for baseball? How many programs are really in a position to build an indoor baseball field? I would suspect very few. Doing so would only further the gap between baseball haves and have nots. Honestly, I'd also worry that the combination of metal bats and plastic grass might alienate old school baseball fans.
However, I think we are all about to get a better idea about the answer to the question "If they build it, will they come?". Penn State is in the process of building a new facility which they intend to share with a minor league team. Michigan State is increasing it's home dates at Oldsmobile Park, home of the Lansing Lugnuts. Minnesota plays a number of games at the Metrodome. There have been rumors for about two years in regards to a new baseball stadium being built in Ann Arbor and arch-rival Ohio State already plays in a great new facility, Bill Davis Stadium.
Within the next three or four years, we will see if better facilities will help generate interest, increase revenue and attract better recruiting classes. Regardless, the Big Ten can build all the shiny new diamonds they like, but it isn't going to stop the snow or cold. That's why the start date is so important. Even if Michigan, using Joanna's example, builds a new yard, they still probably can't play a home game much earlier than they do now. Yes, building a covered ballpark would solve that, but how many southern schools are going to volunteer to come north in February and March when they have a line of northern schools willing to visit them?
In drawing comparisons to other "northern" schools, Joanna accurately states that Nebraska has done well in baseball and Oregon State is fielding a very good squad currently. In Nebraska's case, they have a distinct advantage--Omaha. When your region hosts the game's annual championship series, interest is bound to be high. If Ann Arbor or Minneapolis hosted the College World Series, I suspect both local school's baseball programs would be more well received. (Not that Michigan and Minnesota don't have a solid base of fans, because they do. They just aren't as large as they could be. Remember, Big Ten kids, I'm on your side. No hate mail, please.)
I would classify Oregon State's current success as an anomaly. If the Beavers can maintain their current status in the ultra competitive Pac-10 for an extended period, then I'll re-consider my position. (I'm rooting for you, though, OSU.) About the only school I would really tab as a northern success might be Notre Dame. And for all their top 25 rankings and good recruiting classes, I doubt many would put the Irish on the same level as SEC, Big XII or Pac-10 programs.
In the end, Joanna, we actually agree on almost everything. In particular, I concur that there are simply no easy answers. Hopefully, northern schools will get the incentive to commit more resources to baseball so that fans up here can enjoy college baseball at the same level you do at Texas. I'm grateful that you stopped in and shared your thoughts. I hope you continue to do so.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
OSU Captains, Illini Practice And Two Ex-Michigan Stars
In my email box today, I find a press release from Todd Lamb at Ohio State. Lamb, the Assistant Athletics Communications Director at OSU, President of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association and The Hardest Working Man In Show Business, informs us all that the Buckeyes have named their 2006 captains.
Dan DeLucia, Jacob Howell and Jedidiah Stephen have been chosen by their teammates as captains this year. Congratulations to all three on the honor. Here is the official release.
In other Big Ten baseball news, Lucas Deal, of the Daily Illini, pens this piece about Illinois' first practice of 2006. New coach Dan Hartleb has to replace a number of players this year.
Finally, in browsing through Fox Sports' Dayn Perry's list of the Top 100 MLB prospects, I've found two Big Ten players. Former Michigan Wolverines Rich Hill and Jake Fox have made the list that is still a work in progress. Hill came in at number seventy-one, while Fox is number ninety.
Dan DeLucia, Jacob Howell and Jedidiah Stephen have been chosen by their teammates as captains this year. Congratulations to all three on the honor. Here is the official release.
In other Big Ten baseball news, Lucas Deal, of the Daily Illini, pens this piece about Illinois' first practice of 2006. New coach Dan Hartleb has to replace a number of players this year.
Finally, in browsing through Fox Sports' Dayn Perry's list of the Top 100 MLB prospects, I've found two Big Ten players. Former Michigan Wolverines Rich Hill and Jake Fox have made the list that is still a work in progress. Hill came in at number seventy-one, while Fox is number ninety.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Uniform Start Date Measure Passes
The NCAA has adopted a Big Ten driven initiative to create a uniform start date for all college baseball programs. This is good news for all the teams in the less than ideal baseball climates. It helps level the playing field, albeit only slightly.
I'm still baffled as to how the member institutions believe schools in the north can actual compete with programs in the south. Maine, for one example, is going to play its first twenty-six games away from home this year. That's 26 consecutive road games to start the season. It's absurd to think that a university can sustain a baseball program, or interest in a baseball program, when the first month's worth of contest occur elsewhere.
I readily admit to being a fan of baseball in the snowbelt, but at a time when equity is the buzzword around college athletics, I'm confused as to how anyone views college baseball's caste system as equal?
I'm still baffled as to how the member institutions believe schools in the north can actual compete with programs in the south. Maine, for one example, is going to play its first twenty-six games away from home this year. That's 26 consecutive road games to start the season. It's absurd to think that a university can sustain a baseball program, or interest in a baseball program, when the first month's worth of contest occur elsewhere.
I readily admit to being a fan of baseball in the snowbelt, but at a time when equity is the buzzword around college athletics, I'm confused as to how anyone views college baseball's caste system as equal?
Strength Of Schedule Rankings
Boyd Nation, college baseball numbers guru and proprietor of Boyd's World.com, has ranked every school's 2006 strength of schedule. Here is a link to his analysis. What are you still doing here? Go read it.
Big Ten Notes From B.A. Preview
Baseball America has started to release it's college baseball preview. Now, in light of any possible plagerism/copyright lawsuit and because I actually pay to read this stuff, I'm only going to share some tidbits of information from their website. If you desire more, I strongly encourage you to subscribe or find a copy of their annual preview (which has apparently already come and gone of my bookstores' shelves).
Ohio State was BA's choice to claim the Big Ten title. Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has the Buckeyes selected to win the Big Ten, as well. Just as it appears Texas will be a consensus number one team heading into the season, Ohio State is clearly everyone's choice to grab the Big Ten.
Only one Big Ten athlete made Baseball America's Top 50 freshman. Much heralded Zach Putnam of Michigan was considered the fourth best freshman baseball player in the land. Obviously, a great deal is going to be expected from this first year phenom.
Conversely, not a single Big Ten player managed to get on Baseball America's Top 50 sophomore list. I thought Cory Luebke, Ohio State, might merit a selection, but he didn't make it. I also found it odd that Collegiate Baseball left Luebke off their "Others To Watch" list for the Big Ten. Must have been an oversight, the kid's pretty good.
Just as he did with Collegiate Baseball, Mitch Hilligoss was BA's pre-season choice as Player of the Year in the Big Ten. While Collegiate Baseball named Iowa's Tim Gudex as it's Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Baseball America went with Minnesota's John Gaub. BA also considers Gaub the best MLB prospect in the conference.
Ohio State was BA's choice to claim the Big Ten title. Collegiate Baseball Newspaper has the Buckeyes selected to win the Big Ten, as well. Just as it appears Texas will be a consensus number one team heading into the season, Ohio State is clearly everyone's choice to grab the Big Ten.
Only one Big Ten athlete made Baseball America's Top 50 freshman. Much heralded Zach Putnam of Michigan was considered the fourth best freshman baseball player in the land. Obviously, a great deal is going to be expected from this first year phenom.
Conversely, not a single Big Ten player managed to get on Baseball America's Top 50 sophomore list. I thought Cory Luebke, Ohio State, might merit a selection, but he didn't make it. I also found it odd that Collegiate Baseball left Luebke off their "Others To Watch" list for the Big Ten. Must have been an oversight, the kid's pretty good.
Just as he did with Collegiate Baseball, Mitch Hilligoss was BA's pre-season choice as Player of the Year in the Big Ten. While Collegiate Baseball named Iowa's Tim Gudex as it's Big Ten Pitcher of the Year, Baseball America went with Minnesota's John Gaub. BA also considers Gaub the best MLB prospect in the conference.
NCBWA Releases Pre-Season Poll
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has joined in with everyone else and named Texas as its pre-season number one team. The NCBWA top five also contains Florida, Oregon State, Rice and Nebraska.
No Big Ten institution made the NCBWA's top thirty, although Ohio State and Minnesota did garner some votes. I'm a bit surprised Purdue didn't get an honorable mention, but only a tiny bit. The Boilermakers and the rest of the Big Ten will have to win their way into national recognition during the season.
No Big Ten institution made the NCBWA's top thirty, although Ohio State and Minnesota did garner some votes. I'm a bit surprised Purdue didn't get an honorable mention, but only a tiny bit. The Boilermakers and the rest of the Big Ten will have to win their way into national recognition during the season.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
More Big Ten OPS Numbers
Yes, I've been using the old calculator, again. I've got an slightly expanded list of 2005 OPS numbers for some returning Big Ten players. I'm not even pretending this is a complete list of returnees. Nor am I claiming the numbers are 100% accurate. Remember, I had to use a calculator. If you note an error or two, in math, spelling or eligibility, please let me know.
Pat McMahon, Northwestern 1.028
Ryan Basham, Michigan State .997
Zach Boswell, Indiana .992
Jeff Kunkel, Michigan .978
Mitch Hilligoss, Purdue .964
Jay Brant, Indiana .955
Andy Hunter, Minnesota .917
Neal Gorka, Purdue .909
Matt Lewis, Penn State .907
Ryan Parker, Indiana .897
Mike Rohde, Illinois .890
Troy Krider, Michigan State .882
A.J. Scheidt, Michigan .874
Reggie Watson, Indiana .867
Jedidiah Stephen, Ohio State .804
Nate Price, Iowa .795
Matt Angle, Ohio State .754
Ronnie Bourquin, Ohio State .717
Pat McMahon, Northwestern 1.028
Ryan Basham, Michigan State .997
Zach Boswell, Indiana .992
Jeff Kunkel, Michigan .978
Mitch Hilligoss, Purdue .964
Jay Brant, Indiana .955
Andy Hunter, Minnesota .917
Neal Gorka, Purdue .909
Matt Lewis, Penn State .907
Ryan Parker, Indiana .897
Mike Rohde, Illinois .890
Troy Krider, Michigan State .882
A.J. Scheidt, Michigan .874
Reggie Watson, Indiana .867
Jedidiah Stephen, Ohio State .804
Nate Price, Iowa .795
Matt Angle, Ohio State .754
Ronnie Bourquin, Ohio State .717
Collegiate Baseball Conference Predictions
My Collegiate Baseball pre-season preview has arrived. It's up to its usual standard-tons of information. I'm still waiting for Baseball America to update its online site with all their college material. As I subscribe to their online content, I was hoping to avoid having to pick-up a hard copy of their preview edition. Yet, I see a picture of their '06 preview on their site which leads me to believe it's available now.
Does this mean the preview was already published and I probably cannot get it at the local bookstore because it's previous edition? (I've had no luck so far.) Is their website not going to have their complete college preview? Are they that slow in uploading the data to their site? What gives?
Anyway, back to Collegiate Baseball. Amongst all the national previews, CB has predicted Ohio State will capture the Big Ten Conference title. The Buckeyes are followed by Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa. If you want to know the bottom half of their Big Ten predictions, email me. For now, I'll attempt to get a few more of you to give the nice folks at Collegiate Baseball the three dollars necessary to get your own copy.
CB goes on to name project Iowa lefty Tim Gedux as the conference's Pitcher of the Year. Gedux was second in the conference with a 2.55 ERA. He also notched nine wins and six saves in the 2005 season.
Mitch Hilligoss, Purdue's shortstop and pre-season All-America candidate, was named the Player of the Year. As I've stated here before, Hilligoss is the conference's defending batting champion with a .404 mark. Hilligoss also slugged at a .535 clip and stole 25 bases.
Does this mean the preview was already published and I probably cannot get it at the local bookstore because it's previous edition? (I've had no luck so far.) Is their website not going to have their complete college preview? Are they that slow in uploading the data to their site? What gives?
Anyway, back to Collegiate Baseball. Amongst all the national previews, CB has predicted Ohio State will capture the Big Ten Conference title. The Buckeyes are followed by Purdue, Minnesota, Michigan and Iowa. If you want to know the bottom half of their Big Ten predictions, email me. For now, I'll attempt to get a few more of you to give the nice folks at Collegiate Baseball the three dollars necessary to get your own copy.
CB goes on to name project Iowa lefty Tim Gedux as the conference's Pitcher of the Year. Gedux was second in the conference with a 2.55 ERA. He also notched nine wins and six saves in the 2005 season.
Mitch Hilligoss, Purdue's shortstop and pre-season All-America candidate, was named the Player of the Year. As I've stated here before, Hilligoss is the conference's defending batting champion with a .404 mark. Hilligoss also slugged at a .535 clip and stole 25 bases.
Thursday, January 05, 2006
'Horns Hook Another Honor
Texas, fresh off it's college football title, sits atop Baseball America's pre-season baseball poll. The Longhorns, who are also the defending baseball champs, are followed by Clemson, Florida, Georgia Tech and Cal State Fullerton.
Not surprisingly, no Big Ten school merited a top twenty-five nod from B.A. On the bright side, two Big Ten programs were projected into the sixty-four team College World Series field--Ohio State and Purdue.
Not surprisingly, no Big Ten school merited a top twenty-five nod from B.A. On the bright side, two Big Ten programs were projected into the sixty-four team College World Series field--Ohio State and Purdue.
Wednesday, December 28, 2005
Longhorns Still # 1
The Rosenblatt Report has selected Texas as its pre-season # 1. The defending champions appear ready to sweep the initial polls.
Kunkel, Hilligoss Earn All-America Selection
Michigan catcher Jeff Kunkel and Purdue shortstop Mitch Hilligoss were selected to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's pre-season All-America Team. Kunkel (.384/.462/.516) was named to the second team while Hilligoss, the Big Ten's batting average (.404) and hits (92) leader in 2005, garnered third team recognition.
Friday, December 23, 2005
Happy Holidays
I want to thank all of you who stop in and wish you and yours a happy and safe holiday season.
Texas Tops Poll
Defending national champion, Texas tops Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's initial college baseball poll. The Longhorns are followed by Florida, Oregon State, Nebraska and Rice. No Big Ten school claimed a spot in the Top 40. Ohio State was the only squad from the conference that received votes in the pre-season poll.
While I am discouraged to see only the Buckeyes get any pre-season love from the voters, I was happy to see the Beavers (ranked third) and Notre Dame (#22), two programs in less than ideal climates, make the top 40. In addition, it was very good to see both Central Michigan and Maine on the list of others getting votes. Clearly, I am hoping the cold weather schools can improve on their rankings, or lack thereof, as the season progresses.
While I am discouraged to see only the Buckeyes get any pre-season love from the voters, I was happy to see the Beavers (ranked third) and Notre Dame (#22), two programs in less than ideal climates, make the top 40. In addition, it was very good to see both Central Michigan and Maine on the list of others getting votes. Clearly, I am hoping the cold weather schools can improve on their rankings, or lack thereof, as the season progresses.
Tuesday, December 13, 2005
Hilligoss, Kunkel, Wycklendt Named All-Americans
The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association has selected three Big Ten players to it's pre-season All-America squads. Purdue's Mitch Hilligoss is the second team All-American shortstop. Kunkel, Michigan's catcher, was tabbed as a third team selection. Northwestern outfielder Anthony Wycklendt was also selected to the NCBWA third team.
Iowa Pitcher Has Cancer
The University of Iowa announced that pitcher Casey O'Rourke has cancer. The junior underwent surgery yesterday and will miss the upcoming season. Our thoughts and prayers are with O'Rourke and his family.
Monday, December 12, 2005
OPS: '05 And '06
As some of you might be aware, during the season I try to tabulate OPS numbers for the Big Ten. I attempt to give you a list of those players managing to stay above 1.000. As my blogging declined as the season progressed, I never got a final look at the leaders. However, I've recently had the chance to glance through the 2005 stats and here's what I've come up with.
According to my math, and please feel free to correct me, five Big Ten hitters finished above 1.000 in OPS this past season. Drew Davidson of Illinois was first at 1.041. Pat McMahon, Northwestern's catcher, came in second at 1.028. Steve Caravati of Ohio State, who missed a good portion of the campaign, jumped all the way up to third at 1.026. After the Buckeye star was Dusty Bensko, another Illini member, at 1.023. Yet another member of Illinois' baseball squad rounded out the top five. Catcher Chris Robinson came in at 1.011. (Note to my Detroit readers: Robinson is in the Tigers system now.)
I've also begun a very cursory search of returning leaders. In checking on the Wallace Award nominees out of the Big Ten, McMahon has the highest OPS mark. Jeff Kunkel, Michigan's backstop, would be second at .978. Purdue's Mitch Hilligoss had a very good .964 OPS in '05. Matt Lewis, Penn State, was above 1.000 for much of last year, but finished at .907. Finally, Michigan State's Troy Krider had an .882 OPS.
According to my math, and please feel free to correct me, five Big Ten hitters finished above 1.000 in OPS this past season. Drew Davidson of Illinois was first at 1.041. Pat McMahon, Northwestern's catcher, came in second at 1.028. Steve Caravati of Ohio State, who missed a good portion of the campaign, jumped all the way up to third at 1.026. After the Buckeye star was Dusty Bensko, another Illini member, at 1.023. Yet another member of Illinois' baseball squad rounded out the top five. Catcher Chris Robinson came in at 1.011. (Note to my Detroit readers: Robinson is in the Tigers system now.)
I've also begun a very cursory search of returning leaders. In checking on the Wallace Award nominees out of the Big Ten, McMahon has the highest OPS mark. Jeff Kunkel, Michigan's backstop, would be second at .978. Purdue's Mitch Hilligoss had a very good .964 OPS in '05. Matt Lewis, Penn State, was above 1.000 for much of last year, but finished at .907. Finally, Michigan State's Troy Krider had an .882 OPS.
National Recruiting News
Baseball America has this list of the top 100 high schoolers and where they have committed to play their collegiate ball. To this point, unfortunately, not a single one has opted for a Big Ten institution. In fact, not one of the top 100 players in the land have committed to a school in a cold weather state.
I wonder why some of the financial powerhouse institutions--like Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State--don't put more heat on the NCAA to correct this glaring inequity? We can debate the success of such equality programs as Title IX, but shouldn't this geographic bias stop, as well? I have a difficult time believing that Michigan, OSU and PSU wouldn't be more successful in the recruiting wars if they were being played on a level surface.
I'll save more whining about this subject for a later post. I know you are looking forward to it.
I wonder why some of the financial powerhouse institutions--like Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State--don't put more heat on the NCAA to correct this glaring inequity? We can debate the success of such equality programs as Title IX, but shouldn't this geographic bias stop, as well? I have a difficult time believing that Michigan, OSU and PSU wouldn't be more successful in the recruiting wars if they were being played on a level surface.
I'll save more whining about this subject for a later post. I know you are looking forward to it.
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Wallace Award Watch List
The College Baseball Foundation has released its 2006 Brooks Wallace Award watchlist. A number of Big Ten players have made the pre-season list for the Wallace Award, given annually to the top player in college baseball. Jeff Kunkel, Michigan (C), Matt Lewis, Penn State (OF), Pat McMahon, Northwestern (C), Troy Krider, Michigan State (DH/ATH), Brian Blomquist, Illinois (P), Mitch Hilligoss, Purdue (SS), John Gaub, Minnesota (P) and Cory Luebke, Ohio State (P) all garnered nominations.
College Baseball Video Game
Much to my surprise, I stumbled across this article on the 2006 release of a college baseball video game. (Thanks to the Rosenblatt Report and Section B, Florida State's fan site.) EA Sports, a big name in the industry, is behind the project. I'm confident that the game will have some shortcomings, as it's an initial effort, however I am encouraged to see college baseball get more recognition.
Update: Here is press release about the game.
Update: Here is press release about the game.
Friday, November 18, 2005
More 2006 Schedules Announced
Michigan State and Illinois have released their 2006 baseball schedules. The '06 season will be the first for head coaches David Grewe with the Spartans and Dan Hartleb at Illinois.
Recruiting News
Here are some press releases about the latest recruiting class at the respective university: Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota.
Courtney Linehan, of the Daily Illini, offers this overview of Illinois recruiting class.
Courtney Linehan, of the Daily Illini, offers this overview of Illinois recruiting class.
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Michigan Names Captains
The University of Michigan baseball team announced it's 2006 captains. Click here to see the press release naming seniors Paul Hammond, Drew Taylor, Jeff Kunkel and A.J. Scheidt captains.
MSU Extends Olds Park Deal Thru 2010
Good news for Spartan baseball. Well, it's good news from my prespective anyway. Michigan State University and the city of Lansing have extended their agreement for the Spartans to play in Oldsmobile Park through the 2010 season.
This is the kind of deal struggling cold weather climate schools need. It's nearly impossible for a northern institution to build this type of facility for baseball, nor could they justify it at many schools, as baseball isn't a revenue producer. However, making this kind of arrangement with the local minor league franchise creates an opportunity for all.
The city gets more use out of their investment and the university's baseball squad plays in a tremendous park which almost has to help recruiting to some degree. Better recruits translates into better teams, which translates into better attendance, which creates more revenue, which makes me sound like President Reagan talking about "Trickle Down Economics", but you get the idea.
This is the kind of deal struggling cold weather climate schools need. It's nearly impossible for a northern institution to build this type of facility for baseball, nor could they justify it at many schools, as baseball isn't a revenue producer. However, making this kind of arrangement with the local minor league franchise creates an opportunity for all.
The city gets more use out of their investment and the university's baseball squad plays in a tremendous park which almost has to help recruiting to some degree. Better recruits translates into better teams, which translates into better attendance, which creates more revenue, which makes me sound like President Reagan talking about "Trickle Down Economics", but you get the idea.
Friday, October 21, 2005
2006 Schedules
Three schools have already posted their 2006 schedules. Northwestern, Ohio State and Purdue are looking ahead to the upcoming season. The links are to each university's press release.
Big 10 Draft Results
Courtesy of the Big Ten's official site, here are the conference's players that were selected in the Major League draft.
Future CWS Dates
Got any plans to visit Omaha? Here is a list of future College World Series dates.
The CWS is still high on my list of "Things To Do". I've knocked off attending an All-Star Game and visiting the Hall of Fame, again. I doubt '06 is possible, but I had doubts about the ASG and HOF, too. You just never know.
The CWS is still high on my list of "Things To Do". I've knocked off attending an All-Star Game and visiting the Hall of Fame, again. I doubt '06 is possible, but I had doubts about the ASG and HOF, too. You just never know.
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Michigan vs. Notre Dame
I saw the last several innings of the Michigan vs. Notre Dame contest on Comcast Local last night. Michigan prevailed, 7-6. The Wolverines are going to end up with a pretty good RPI number, in light of wins against North Carolina, Georgia and Notre Dame, but if they don't win the conference tourney, they are staying home.
It was great to see yet another college baseball game on television this year. My thanks to the NHL for the lockout which has given ESPN and others time to broadcast more college baseball.
It was great to see yet another college baseball game on television this year. My thanks to the NHL for the lockout which has given ESPN and others time to broadcast more college baseball.
Friday, May 06, 2005
Long Overdue Post
Okay, I've been missing. Well, more like Jennifer Wilbanks, I wasn't really missing, but you didn't know where I was. Just as in the case of the runaway bride, I'm fine, but didn't have much to say. Honestly, it's difficult to produce, or find someone else producing, information on Big Ten Baseball, so I didn't have much to boost the site with. However, I am obviously back and it's time to play catch-up.
Not much has changed since my attention was distracted from this site. Illinois still sits atop the conference standings. According to Boyd Nation, the college baseball stat guru, the Illini have a pseudo-RPI ranking of fifty-two. Not surprisingly, that's the highest number amongst B-10 teams. Of course, the Illini can't get any love from the nation's Top 25 poll voters.
What is surprising about Nation's rankings is that Michigan, with a sub-.500 conference record, is the second highest seed in the Big Ten. Those early non-conference wins versus North Carolina and Georgia have certainly helped Michigan's RPI, pseudo as it may be. However, I still believe that the Wolverines will need to win the conference tournament to get into the regionals.
Minnesota remains in second place in the Big Ten, but is joined there by Iowa. The Gophers have a lowly pseudo-RPI mark of 129, while Iowa chimes in at 155. Like Michigan, the only way the Gophers or Hawkeyes advance to the NCAA's is to win the Big Ten Tourney.
The only way for the Big Ten to land more than one team into the Regionals is to have Illinois capture the regular season title convincingly and have another team win the conference tournament and automatic berth that comes along with that honor.
Of course, the downside of that is that the rest of the country will not be happy to see a bubble school from a power conference get left out because a Big Ten upstart, with an RPI in the 100's, crashes the party by winning the conference tournament. I say "Tough", but I can see the argument against having such low seeds make the regionals.
For those of you who have had sleepless nights awaiting my Big Ten OPS report, here it is. Seven conference players have managed to keep an OPS above 1.000. Dusty Bensko of Illinois has an OPS of 1.084. Indiana's Zach Boswell follows at 1.049. Third belongs to Pat McMahon, who I don't think has spent a single week off this list. The NU catcher is at 1.044. Jeff Kunkel of Michigan makes his first appearance in the club at 1.028. Kunkel's teammate, Matt Butler is next at 1.013. Jay Brant, Indiana, is in sixth place at 1.009. Michigan State's Ryan Basham closes out the field at 1.006.
This weekend's conference schedule looks like this. The first place Illini host Northwestern. Purdue visits Michigan. Ohio State is at Penn State. Indiana plays host to Michigan State. The big tilt is in Iowa City where the Hawkeyes host Minnesota with second place in the conference at stake.
Here are some links to prepare for your college baseball weekend. Yahoo! provides three links to Big Ten school newspaper reports from Indiana, Minnesota and Illinois. Will Kimmey's Weekend Preview is here. If you scroll way down, you can find a tidbit on ex-Gopher Glen Perkins here. Boyd Nation's weekly feature, Breadcrumbs Back To Omaha is here.
Enjoy the weekend.
Not much has changed since my attention was distracted from this site. Illinois still sits atop the conference standings. According to Boyd Nation, the college baseball stat guru, the Illini have a pseudo-RPI ranking of fifty-two. Not surprisingly, that's the highest number amongst B-10 teams. Of course, the Illini can't get any love from the nation's Top 25 poll voters.
What is surprising about Nation's rankings is that Michigan, with a sub-.500 conference record, is the second highest seed in the Big Ten. Those early non-conference wins versus North Carolina and Georgia have certainly helped Michigan's RPI, pseudo as it may be. However, I still believe that the Wolverines will need to win the conference tournament to get into the regionals.
Minnesota remains in second place in the Big Ten, but is joined there by Iowa. The Gophers have a lowly pseudo-RPI mark of 129, while Iowa chimes in at 155. Like Michigan, the only way the Gophers or Hawkeyes advance to the NCAA's is to win the Big Ten Tourney.
The only way for the Big Ten to land more than one team into the Regionals is to have Illinois capture the regular season title convincingly and have another team win the conference tournament and automatic berth that comes along with that honor.
Of course, the downside of that is that the rest of the country will not be happy to see a bubble school from a power conference get left out because a Big Ten upstart, with an RPI in the 100's, crashes the party by winning the conference tournament. I say "Tough", but I can see the argument against having such low seeds make the regionals.
For those of you who have had sleepless nights awaiting my Big Ten OPS report, here it is. Seven conference players have managed to keep an OPS above 1.000. Dusty Bensko of Illinois has an OPS of 1.084. Indiana's Zach Boswell follows at 1.049. Third belongs to Pat McMahon, who I don't think has spent a single week off this list. The NU catcher is at 1.044. Jeff Kunkel of Michigan makes his first appearance in the club at 1.028. Kunkel's teammate, Matt Butler is next at 1.013. Jay Brant, Indiana, is in sixth place at 1.009. Michigan State's Ryan Basham closes out the field at 1.006.
This weekend's conference schedule looks like this. The first place Illini host Northwestern. Purdue visits Michigan. Ohio State is at Penn State. Indiana plays host to Michigan State. The big tilt is in Iowa City where the Hawkeyes host Minnesota with second place in the conference at stake.
Here are some links to prepare for your college baseball weekend. Yahoo! provides three links to Big Ten school newspaper reports from Indiana, Minnesota and Illinois. Will Kimmey's Weekend Preview is here. If you scroll way down, you can find a tidbit on ex-Gopher Glen Perkins here. Boyd Nation's weekly feature, Breadcrumbs Back To Omaha is here.
Enjoy the weekend.
Tuesday, April 19, 2005
TV Time
While watching this evening's contest between Tulane and LSU, I learned that the first night game in the history of Michigan's Ray Fisher Stadium is going to be televised by ESPN. Friday night's game between the Wolverines and arch-rival Ohio State is being covered by ESPNU and broadcast on ESPN. The national television coverage has pushed the start time back to 7:00pm. Here is the Michigan press release.
ESPN is already running promos for the game on their "Bottom Line" feature at ESPN2. I know the university was hoping for a record crowd and they are pre-selling tickets at their website. I encourage all Michigan, Ohio State and baseball fans to attend. (I, unfortunately, had to cancel my plans on attending due to a surprise party.)
It's great to see college baseball make a return to ESPN and cable television in general. It's even better to see the Big Ten get some airtime. Hopefully, the schools will put on a good show.
ESPN is already running promos for the game on their "Bottom Line" feature at ESPN2. I know the university was hoping for a record crowd and they are pre-selling tickets at their website. I encourage all Michigan, Ohio State and baseball fans to attend. (I, unfortunately, had to cancel my plans on attending due to a surprise party.)
It's great to see college baseball make a return to ESPN and cable television in general. It's even better to see the Big Ten get some airtime. Hopefully, the schools will put on a good show.
Gassner Gets Win
Former Purdue standout Dave Gassner posted a win in his big league debut Saturday. The lefthander helped the Minnesota Twins defeated the Cleveland Indians, 6-4. Here is the game story from the Twins' website. Here is the boxscore.
Gassner is a BTH favorite and we congratulate him on his first win in The Show. We hope he has many, many more.
Gassner is a BTH favorite and we congratulate him on his first win in The Show. We hope he has many, many more.
And Then There Were Six
The number of Big Ten regulars with an OPS of 1.000 or higher is now six. Illinois' Dusty Bensko maintains the top spot at 1.190. Zach Boswell of Indiana follows at 1.111. Third is Boswell's teammate, Jay Brant at 1.084. Pat McMahon, Northwestern, is next at 1.063. Drew Davidson, Bensko's Illini teammate, is fifth at 1.050. Matt Butler of Michigan holds down the final spot at 1.005.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Friday Recap
Illinois 4 Michigan 3
Iowa 6 Indiana 0
Michigan State 2 Ohio State 0
Penn State 13 Minnesota 5
Tim Day (MSU) and Luke O'Loughlin (Iowa) were the pitching stars Friday. Day shutout the Buckeyes and O'Loughlin shutdown a potent Hoosier lineup. Day, a redshirt junior, hurled a complete game allowing eight hits. Hawkeyes' righthander O'Loughlin pitched eight scoreless innings walking only two. IU managed just five hits in those eight frames. Iowa is tied for third in conference play at 6-3.
Illinois rallied behind an eighth inning bases loaded single from Chris Robinson to beat Michigan in front of the Illini's biggest crowd since 1998. The Illini (8-1) are now alone in first place as Penn State (6-3) pounded Minnesota (7-2) ace Matt Loberg. The Nittany Lions banged out twenty hits and inched closer to the top of the Big Ten themselves.
I continued to be surprised. I never would have imagined OSU getting blanked on a Friday night at home versus MSU. Nor did I envision Iowa keeping pace with Indiana's bats. Penn State's victory only avoids the surprising tag because I cannot figure out Minnesota this year. Illinois' triumph was expected here, as the Illini are starting to look like the class of the Big Ten, but Michigan's continuing slide is far beyond baffling.
Iowa 6 Indiana 0
Michigan State 2 Ohio State 0
Penn State 13 Minnesota 5
Tim Day (MSU) and Luke O'Loughlin (Iowa) were the pitching stars Friday. Day shutout the Buckeyes and O'Loughlin shutdown a potent Hoosier lineup. Day, a redshirt junior, hurled a complete game allowing eight hits. Hawkeyes' righthander O'Loughlin pitched eight scoreless innings walking only two. IU managed just five hits in those eight frames. Iowa is tied for third in conference play at 6-3.
Illinois rallied behind an eighth inning bases loaded single from Chris Robinson to beat Michigan in front of the Illini's biggest crowd since 1998. The Illini (8-1) are now alone in first place as Penn State (6-3) pounded Minnesota (7-2) ace Matt Loberg. The Nittany Lions banged out twenty hits and inched closer to the top of the Big Ten themselves.
I continued to be surprised. I never would have imagined OSU getting blanked on a Friday night at home versus MSU. Nor did I envision Iowa keeping pace with Indiana's bats. Penn State's victory only avoids the surprising tag because I cannot figure out Minnesota this year. Illinois' triumph was expected here, as the Illini are starting to look like the class of the Big Ten, but Michigan's continuing slide is far beyond baffling.
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Weekend Preview
Let's start with the conference match-ups this weekend.
Michigan State (3-5, 12-17) @ Ohio State (3-5, 17-10)
Minnesota (7-1, 15-13) @ Penn State (5-3, 17-10)
Michigan (1-7, 18-10) @ Illinois (7-1, 18-8-1)
Indiana (2-6, 18-12) @ Iowa (5-3, 11-15)
Northwestern (4-4, 14-12) @ Purdue (3-5, 9-19)
A couple of projections still have the Big Ten getting two schools into the NCAA Tournament field. I'm a bit surprised by that idea, but embrace the concept nonetheless. If forced to pick which two schools, right now, I would take the conference leaders-Illinois and Minnesota.
However, that opinion can change pretty rapidly. Two weeks ago, I would have thought Ohio State and Michigan were locks for post-season play. Now, both need to compile both quantity and quality victories to regain their pre-conference stature.
In the end, I'll guess that the conference's regular season champion as well as the conference tourney champ will get in. Based on the unexpected outcomes thus far, I cannot believe that regular season winner will claim the conference tournament title as well.
Allow me to suggest some other reading to prepare for the weekend's action. Boyd Nation's Breadcrumbs Back to Omaha, his weekly column, can be found here. Will Kimmey, of Baseball America, offers his weekly preview here. Sports Weekly's Dana Heiss Grodin's weekly college baseball feature is here.
Michigan State (3-5, 12-17) @ Ohio State (3-5, 17-10)
Minnesota (7-1, 15-13) @ Penn State (5-3, 17-10)
Michigan (1-7, 18-10) @ Illinois (7-1, 18-8-1)
Indiana (2-6, 18-12) @ Iowa (5-3, 11-15)
Northwestern (4-4, 14-12) @ Purdue (3-5, 9-19)
A couple of projections still have the Big Ten getting two schools into the NCAA Tournament field. I'm a bit surprised by that idea, but embrace the concept nonetheless. If forced to pick which two schools, right now, I would take the conference leaders-Illinois and Minnesota.
However, that opinion can change pretty rapidly. Two weeks ago, I would have thought Ohio State and Michigan were locks for post-season play. Now, both need to compile both quantity and quality victories to regain their pre-conference stature.
In the end, I'll guess that the conference's regular season champion as well as the conference tourney champ will get in. Based on the unexpected outcomes thus far, I cannot believe that regular season winner will claim the conference tournament title as well.
Allow me to suggest some other reading to prepare for the weekend's action. Boyd Nation's Breadcrumbs Back to Omaha, his weekly column, can be found here. Will Kimmey, of Baseball America, offers his weekly preview here. Sports Weekly's Dana Heiss Grodin's weekly college baseball feature is here.
Top Ten In Big Ten OPS
This week only ten conference regulars have an OPS above 1.000. The list is headed by Illinois' Dusty Bensko at 1.178. In second place is Zach Boswell of Indiana at 1.158. Third and fourth are held down by two more members of the Fightin' Illini. Drew Davidson is third at 1.136 and J.R. Kyes makes his first appearance on the list in the fourth slot with a 1.133 OPS. Indiana secondbaseman Jay Brant completes the first five at 1.109.
The final group is led by Matt Butler of Michigan at 1.074. Seventh place belongs to Northwestern catcher Pat McMahon at 1.070. Another backstop, Iowa's Kris Welker is right behind at 1.053. Michigan State's Ryan Basham is ninth at 1.025. Joe Kemp of Indiana closes out the field at 1.011.
The final group is led by Matt Butler of Michigan at 1.074. Seventh place belongs to Northwestern catcher Pat McMahon at 1.070. Another backstop, Iowa's Kris Welker is right behind at 1.053. Michigan State's Ryan Basham is ninth at 1.025. Joe Kemp of Indiana closes out the field at 1.011.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Polls
Here are this week's polls:
Baseball America
NCBWA
Collegiate Baseball
Sports Weekly/ESPN
I have a cold, so I may have missed something, but did anyone notice Illinois receiving a single vote in any of the polls? I expected Baseball America to give the Illini a snub. Even the Sports Weekly/ESPN poll omission doesn't surprise me much, but neither Collegiate Baseball or the NCBWA have the Illini ranked?
If Minnesota and Michigan were both ranked reasonably high at the beginning of the season, how can Illinois get stiffed when they lead the conference? I know people complain about the college football polls, in large part as they help determine a championship match-up, but college baseball polls are definitely an interpretative art form.
Baseball America
NCBWA
Collegiate Baseball
Sports Weekly/ESPN
I have a cold, so I may have missed something, but did anyone notice Illinois receiving a single vote in any of the polls? I expected Baseball America to give the Illini a snub. Even the Sports Weekly/ESPN poll omission doesn't surprise me much, but neither Collegiate Baseball or the NCBWA have the Illini ranked?
If Minnesota and Michigan were both ranked reasonably high at the beginning of the season, how can Illinois get stiffed when they lead the conference? I know people complain about the college football polls, in large part as they help determine a championship match-up, but college baseball polls are definitely an interpretative art form.
Saturday, April 09, 2005
Scores
Friday
Illinois 12 Michigan State 3
Minnesota 5 Indiana 0
Iowa 13 Michigan 12
Northwestern 3 Penn State 2
Purdue 7 Ohio State 1
Saturday
Illinois 9 Michigan State 2
Illinois 6 Michigan State 5
Minnesota 7 Indiana 1
Minnesota 5 Indiana 4
Michigan 4 Iowa 2
Iowa 5 Michigan 3
Penn State 4 Northwestern 2
Penn State 2 Northwestern 1, 14 innings
Ohio State 6 Purdue 4
Ohio State 5 Purdue 1
Illinois and Minnesota may lap the rest of the field. The Illini and Gophers are now 7-0, three games clear of Penn State and Northwestern. Regardless of Sunday's results Illinois should start to merit some votes in the polls come Monday. I don't expect the Fightin' Illini to be ranked, but they do deserve to be included amongst the schools garnering votes.
Illinois 12 Michigan State 3
Minnesota 5 Indiana 0
Iowa 13 Michigan 12
Northwestern 3 Penn State 2
Purdue 7 Ohio State 1
Saturday
Illinois 9 Michigan State 2
Illinois 6 Michigan State 5
Minnesota 7 Indiana 1
Minnesota 5 Indiana 4
Michigan 4 Iowa 2
Iowa 5 Michigan 3
Penn State 4 Northwestern 2
Penn State 2 Northwestern 1, 14 innings
Ohio State 6 Purdue 4
Ohio State 5 Purdue 1
Illinois and Minnesota may lap the rest of the field. The Illini and Gophers are now 7-0, three games clear of Penn State and Northwestern. Regardless of Sunday's results Illinois should start to merit some votes in the polls come Monday. I don't expect the Fightin' Illini to be ranked, but they do deserve to be included amongst the schools garnering votes.
Friday, April 08, 2005
Up To The Minute
Friday's Big Ten contests have begun. Illinois, behind another solid outing from Brian Blomquist(6-1), beat Michigan State 12-3. Dusty Bensko had five RBI for the Illini.
Penn State and Northwestern are tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth. Sean Stidfole struck out eight Wildcats in six and two-thirds innings. Jon Mikrut has both NU runs batted in.
Iowa just posted a ten run eighth inning to take the lead over Michigan, 13-11. Andy Cox has three hits and three RBI for the Hawkeyes. Kyle Bohm has five RBI for Michigan.
Ohio State and Purdue get underway at 6:30 pm EST.
Matt Loberg is having another Pitcher of the Week type performance. The Gophers starter has pitched eight innings of shutout baseball. Loberg hasn't walked a batter and has fanned four Hoosiers while yielding only six hits. Jeremy Chlan has two hits and two RBI for Minnesota.
Penn State and Northwestern are tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the eighth. Sean Stidfole struck out eight Wildcats in six and two-thirds innings. Jon Mikrut has both NU runs batted in.
Iowa just posted a ten run eighth inning to take the lead over Michigan, 13-11. Andy Cox has three hits and three RBI for the Hawkeyes. Kyle Bohm has five RBI for Michigan.
Ohio State and Purdue get underway at 6:30 pm EST.
Matt Loberg is having another Pitcher of the Week type performance. The Gophers starter has pitched eight innings of shutout baseball. Loberg hasn't walked a batter and has fanned four Hoosiers while yielding only six hits. Jeremy Chlan has two hits and two RBI for Minnesota.
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
Swisher Goes Yard Twice
Ex-Ohio State star Nick Swisher hit two homeruns in Oakland's 9-0 win over Baltimore. Swisher, who became famous (infamous?) in the book Moneyball, had a so-so spring training. A couple of A's fan sites were kind of down on Swisher fearing he was more hype than substance. However, BTH hopes that this is a sign the former Buckeye can live up to the hype.
Upsets And More Upsets
What in the wide world of sports is going on? Illinois just lost it's second consecutive game to Western Michigan, this time to the tune of 22-15, and Oakland just beat Ohio State, 6-5, in Columbus by scoring three runs in the top of the ninth. If that wasn't enough, and it is, Northern Iowa shutout Minnesota, 2-0.
Losing games to WMU, OU and NIU isn't going to boost the schools' respective RPI numbers or help the conferences' image one tiny bit. (In the interest of honesty, I should point out that I am a former Oakland University student and I do root for the Golden Grizzlies. They have the ability to become a baseball power in the Mid-Con, but that's a post for another day.)
Every time I start to get the sense Big Ten baseball is turning the corner, these are the kind of scores that pop-up. These results will not help the conference's chances of landing more than a single bid, the conference tournament winner, to the NCAA tournament field.
In other Big Ten scores, Indiana dropped Indiana State, 6-4. Penn State beat Pittsburgh, 9-0. Michigan beat Central Michigan, 7-2. Iowa is playing Nebraska on CSTV tonight. Good luck to the Hawkeyes.
Losing games to WMU, OU and NIU isn't going to boost the schools' respective RPI numbers or help the conferences' image one tiny bit. (In the interest of honesty, I should point out that I am a former Oakland University student and I do root for the Golden Grizzlies. They have the ability to become a baseball power in the Mid-Con, but that's a post for another day.)
Every time I start to get the sense Big Ten baseball is turning the corner, these are the kind of scores that pop-up. These results will not help the conference's chances of landing more than a single bid, the conference tournament winner, to the NCAA tournament field.
In other Big Ten scores, Indiana dropped Indiana State, 6-4. Penn State beat Pittsburgh, 9-0. Michigan beat Central Michigan, 7-2. Iowa is playing Nebraska on CSTV tonight. Good luck to the Hawkeyes.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005
Stidfole Streak Continues
Penn State's Alan Stidfole extended his scoreless inning streak Sunday. In blanking the Boilermakers, Stidfole has pitched twenty-one consecutive scoreless innings. The mark has garnered the PSU hurler some national attention including a note in Will Kimmey's wrap-up at Baseball America.
Players Of The Week
Drew Davidson, Illinois, and Matt Loberg, Minnesota, are the Big Ten's Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. Both players helped power their schools to sweeps this weekend. Davidson's Illinois team took four games from Ohio State, while Loberg's Gophers won every game from Michigan. It was the second week in a row that Loberg earned the POTW honor.
Big 16 In OPS
This week finds sixteen members of the Big Ten Conference carrying an OPS mark above 1.000. The top dog is Indiana's Zach Boswell with an OPS of 1.232. In second place is Michigan outfielder Matt Butler at 1.215. Butler is followed by Jay Brant, Indiana (1.188), Brant's IU teammate Corby Heckman (1.166) and Matt Lewis of Penn State (1.162).
The next five spots go to Joe Kemp of IU (1.149), another Hoosier, Ryan Parker at 1.140, Ryan Basham of Michigan State (1.133), Illinois' Dusty Bensko (1.130) and two players tied for tenth in on base plus slugging percentage. Neal Gorka of Purdue and Jason Zoeller of Ohio State have identical 1.078 OPS figures.
Trevor Huisinga of Illinois leads the final wave at 1.051. The Illini outfielder is followed by Iowa's Andy Lytle at 1.050, the Fightin' Illini's Ryan Rogowski at 1.041, Pat McMahon of Northwestern records a 1.039 mark while Michigan's Kyle Bohm closes out the group with a 1.013 OPS.
As is standard around here, the numbers are not guaranteed to be exact. They are mostly done, as is much of the blog, solely for my entertainment purposes.
The next five spots go to Joe Kemp of IU (1.149), another Hoosier, Ryan Parker at 1.140, Ryan Basham of Michigan State (1.133), Illinois' Dusty Bensko (1.130) and two players tied for tenth in on base plus slugging percentage. Neal Gorka of Purdue and Jason Zoeller of Ohio State have identical 1.078 OPS figures.
Trevor Huisinga of Illinois leads the final wave at 1.051. The Illini outfielder is followed by Iowa's Andy Lytle at 1.050, the Fightin' Illini's Ryan Rogowski at 1.041, Pat McMahon of Northwestern records a 1.039 mark while Michigan's Kyle Bohm closes out the group with a 1.013 OPS.
As is standard around here, the numbers are not guaranteed to be exact. They are mostly done, as is much of the blog, solely for my entertainment purposes.
Monday, April 04, 2005
So Much For Multiple Bids
I've finally got some of my side interests taken care of, plus I've dismissed the technical difficulties that plagued my sidebar link section (notice it has returned to it's rightful place at the top of the page), so it's time to get back to Big Ten Hardball.
Heading into to the opening weekend of conference play, I would have guessed that Michigan and Ohio State were heading for NCAA tournament play. After this weekend, I'm not sure either can get it without winning the conference tournament. In fact, I don't know if the Big Ten can land more than the single bid the conference tournament winner claims.
Michigan, who headed to Minnesota nationally ranked and on a winning streak, got stomped on by the Gophers. The defending conference champions played like it this weekend taking all four games from the boys from Ann Arbor.
The Buckeyes appeared to have all kinds of momentum heading into their conference tilt with the Illini. So much for momentum. Itch Jones' squad dispatched OSU in four straight contests. Now, the Gophers (4-0) and Illini (4-0) sit atop the Big Ten while Michigan and Ohio State, arguably the conference favorites five days ago, are in the cellar and winless (0-4) in conference play.
While a tip of the hat is in order for both Illinois and Minnesota, on the surface, this doesn't bode well for the conference's NCAA tournament bids. I suppose Illinois or Minnesota could go on to dominate conference play, but if neither wins the conference tournament, would the other get a nod from the committee?
The same holds true for Michigan and Ohio State. Their remaining schedules feature games of note mostly against Big Ten opposition. Games versus Central Michigan and Oakland are not going to help your RPI. Even if they both dominate their remaining schedules', I'm not sure either would merit an at-large berth. A conference tournament victory would seem like a must now.
Still, I should not jump to conclusions. There is quite a bit of time remaining. The conference could still pull off more than a single entry into the NCAA field. However, with Minnesota and Illinois having either played poorly against tough competition (the Gophers) or not having any victories of significance (the Illini), and Michigan and Ohio State getting swept right out of the gate in conference play, it's hard to imagine how two of these four teams can make the NCAA tournament field.
I should mention there are six other schools still vying for a Big Ten championship. Northwestern, Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue and Iowa all have two wins. All but NU (2-1), have two losses, as well. Indiana is the only one not mentioned and they sit at 1-2 in conference play.
Heading into to the opening weekend of conference play, I would have guessed that Michigan and Ohio State were heading for NCAA tournament play. After this weekend, I'm not sure either can get it without winning the conference tournament. In fact, I don't know if the Big Ten can land more than the single bid the conference tournament winner claims.
Michigan, who headed to Minnesota nationally ranked and on a winning streak, got stomped on by the Gophers. The defending conference champions played like it this weekend taking all four games from the boys from Ann Arbor.
The Buckeyes appeared to have all kinds of momentum heading into their conference tilt with the Illini. So much for momentum. Itch Jones' squad dispatched OSU in four straight contests. Now, the Gophers (4-0) and Illini (4-0) sit atop the Big Ten while Michigan and Ohio State, arguably the conference favorites five days ago, are in the cellar and winless (0-4) in conference play.
While a tip of the hat is in order for both Illinois and Minnesota, on the surface, this doesn't bode well for the conference's NCAA tournament bids. I suppose Illinois or Minnesota could go on to dominate conference play, but if neither wins the conference tournament, would the other get a nod from the committee?
The same holds true for Michigan and Ohio State. Their remaining schedules feature games of note mostly against Big Ten opposition. Games versus Central Michigan and Oakland are not going to help your RPI. Even if they both dominate their remaining schedules', I'm not sure either would merit an at-large berth. A conference tournament victory would seem like a must now.
Still, I should not jump to conclusions. There is quite a bit of time remaining. The conference could still pull off more than a single entry into the NCAA field. However, with Minnesota and Illinois having either played poorly against tough competition (the Gophers) or not having any victories of significance (the Illini), and Michigan and Ohio State getting swept right out of the gate in conference play, it's hard to imagine how two of these four teams can make the NCAA tournament field.
I should mention there are six other schools still vying for a Big Ten championship. Northwestern, Penn State, Michigan State, Purdue and Iowa all have two wins. All but NU (2-1), have two losses, as well. Indiana is the only one not mentioned and they sit at 1-2 in conference play.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
Conference Action Opens
Illinois and Minnesota posted big wins on Friday. The Illini dropped Ohio State, 7-1, while the Gophers dispatched the #18 Wolverines, 1-0. Pitching was the story in both games. Brian Blomquist continued his fine season by posting a complete game triumph over the Buckeyes. Blomquist is now 5-1.
The red-hot Wolverines got cooled down by the Gophers' combination of Matt Loberg and John Gaub. Loberg (4-2) went eight innings, Gaub the final stanza. Jim Brauer went eight innings for Michigan, but took his first loss of the year (4-1). Fox Sports Net North is televising Sunday's final game of the Michigan-Minnesota series.
In the other Big Ten games yesterday, Michigan State beat Iowa, 3-1 and Penn State was three better than Purdue, 6-3. The Northwestern/Indiana series begins Saturday afternoon.
As I mentioned earlier in the week, this is a hectic week, so I haven't posted as much as I would have liked. Hopefully, in a few more days most of the craziness will have passed.
The red-hot Wolverines got cooled down by the Gophers' combination of Matt Loberg and John Gaub. Loberg (4-2) went eight innings, Gaub the final stanza. Jim Brauer went eight innings for Michigan, but took his first loss of the year (4-1). Fox Sports Net North is televising Sunday's final game of the Michigan-Minnesota series.
In the other Big Ten games yesterday, Michigan State beat Iowa, 3-1 and Penn State was three better than Purdue, 6-3. The Northwestern/Indiana series begins Saturday afternoon.
As I mentioned earlier in the week, this is a hectic week, so I haven't posted as much as I would have liked. Hopefully, in a few more days most of the craziness will have passed.
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