Buckeyes compete at state track and field meet - Athens Messenger
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes compete at state track and field meet
Athens Messenger
COLUMBUS — The Nelsonville-York track and field season extended to the final weekend of the season, but the Buckeyes weren't able to make it to the final day. The Buckeyes competed in three events on Friday in the 2018 OHSAA Division III State Track ...


Continue reading...

Baseball: Buckeyes fall 8-3 to South Carolina in NCAA Tournament - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Baseball: Buckeyes fall 8-3 to South Carolina in NCAA Tournament
247Sports
However, in the bottom of the seventh, the wheels fell off for the Buckeyes. Starting pitcher Connor Curlis threw six scoreless frames for Ohio State. But due to Curlis throwing over 100 pitches, All-Big Ten closer Seth Kinker entered the game to begin ...
Live from Clark-LeClair Stadium: Carolina vs. Ohio State247Sports
Pirates welcome Gamecocks, Buckeyes and Seahawks to Thursday practice dayWNCT
What Ohio State baseball can expect in the NCAA tournamentLand-Grant Holy Land
The State -Garnet And Black Attack -Get More Sports (blog)
all 61 news articles »

Continue reading...

Knox, Buckeyes set to get together again - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Knox, Buckeyes set to get together again
247Sports
The Buckeyes' Sept. 1 season and home opener against Oregon State at Ohio Stadium will kick off at 12 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC. Ohio State's Week 2 game against Rutgers on Sept. 8, the program's Big Ten opener, at Ohio Stadium will kick off ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State basketball holds 70-to-1 odds of winning national championship
Geoff Hammersley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Those odds were 60-to-1 on April 3.

Bovada, a popular online sportsbook, released a new batch of odds for who they think will take home the 2019 college basketball national championship. For the Ohio State Buckeyes, their odds took a slight tumble.

Right after Villanova won the title in April, early odds had the Buckeyes sitting at a respectable 60-to-1 odds of winning the title next season. Those odds, as of June 1, now sit at 70-to-1.

Believe it or not, the Scarlet and Gray are tied for the fifth best odds among Big Ten schools to bring home the whole enchilada next season. For the Big Ten, the location of next year’s Final Four falls within their territory: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

Michigan and Michigan State hold the best odds as representatives of the conference, both coming in at 25-to-1. The Wolverines—reigning national runner-ups—have held at 25-to-1 since April, but the Spartans have dipped a bit; MSU was at 20-to-1 odds just a couple months ago.

Indiana is the biggest surprise among all programs. They were previously off the board in April, but now have surged to 40-to-1 odds to haul in next season’s title. A solid recruiting class, on top of a big commitment from five-star Romeo Langford, and you have a recipe for believers in the Hoosiers program. Right behind the Archie Miller coached program is another in-state team in Purdue. The Boilermakers hold 50-to-1 odds.

Maryland, like Ohio State, falls into place with 70-to-1 odds.

Below are the top 10 schools, regardless of conference, with the best odds to win the championship.

Continue reading...

Ohio State men's basketball | Buckeyes will play Syracuse in Big Ten/ACC Challenge - The Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State men's basketball | Buckeyes will play Syracuse in Big Ten/ACC Challenge
The Columbus Dispatch
Times and television information for the challenge, which will be in its 20th year, will be announced later. Ohio State has participated in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge for the last 16 years and has a 6-10 record. The Buckeyes are 5-1 all-time against ...
Syracuse will play Ohio State in 2018 ACC/Big Ten ChallengeThe Daily Orange
Ohio State To Host Syracuse In 2018 ACC/Big Ten ChallengeEleven Warriors
Ohio State to Face Syracuse in ACC/Big Ten ChallengeThe Ozone
Land-Grant Holy Land -Syracuse.com -Troy Nunes is an Absolute Magician
all 107 news articles »

Continue reading...

Live from Clark-LeClair Stadium: Carolina vs. Ohio State - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Live from Clark-LeClair Stadium: Carolina vs. Ohio State
247Sports
2 seed Gamecocks will send right handed pitcher Adam Hill to the mound while the No. 3 seed Buckeyes will counter with junior left handed pitcher Connor Curlis. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN2. The game will also be live streamed on the Watch ...
Pirates welcome Gamecocks, Buckeyes and Seahawks to Thursday practice dayWNCT
What Ohio State baseball can expect in the NCAA tournamentLand-Grant Holy Land
What Ohio State is saying about South Carolina baseballThe State
Garnet And Black Attack -Get More Sports (blog)
all 51 news articles »

Continue reading...

The 2018 ACC/B1G Challenge matchups are set
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

Matchups for the 2018 ACC/B1G Challenge were released Friday, with the annual conference clash set to take place Nov. 26-28, 2018.

Continue reading...

Early BH: Eastern promises? | Recruits talk LeBron James - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Early BH: Eastern promises? | Recruits talk LeBron James
247Sports
One of our team sources gave us his thoughts about the Buckeyes' offensive line post spring ball and heading into summer workouts. In particular, our source wanted to talk about Malcolm Pridgeon. “Coming off last season you just didn't hear much about ...


Continue reading...

What Ohio State baseball can expect in the NCAA tournament - Land-Grant Holy Land
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


What Ohio State baseball can expect in the NCAA tournament
Land-Grant Holy Land
The Ohio State baseball team will make the 21st NCAA tournament appearance in program history when it takes the field in Greenville, North Carolina on Friday afternoon. The Buckeyes, who have posted a 36-22 record to this point and made it to the ...
What Ohio State is saying about South Carolina baseballThe State
2018 College Baseball World Series Odds: Ohio State vs. South Carolina Preview and PickGet More Sports (blog)

all 26 news articles »

Continue reading...

Orange to battle with Buckeyes - Spectrum News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Orange to battle with Buckeyes
Spectrum News
SPECTRUM NEWS VIDEO: According to a report by Jon Rothstein, SU will take on OSU as part of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge this season. Syracuse has a 2-5 all-time record against the Buckeyes. READ MORE ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State makes top 5 for star defensive tackle
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Could the Buckeyes be landing yet another interior defensive lineman?

If you’re keeping track, we’re officially under 100 days until Ohio State kicks off their 2018 season. With 94 days to be exact, Buckeye football cannot seem to come soon enough. As the summer months approach, camp season will be in full swing for the Buckeyes. Set to host multiple camp dates and also be in attendance at more, the summer will see plenty of recruiting efforts. Currently though, while the Buckeyes haven’t gained a commitment or pledge from a 2019 kid in a few weeks, the future is still very bright. As we await the next pledge, it’s important to keep in mind that this Buckeye football staff has everything mapped out and are currently working hard on the trail to keep the 2019 class much like the previous Meyer classes—which are top notch to say the least.

Buckeyes make the short list


Ever since defensive line coach Larry Johnson got on campus, he’s been a wrecking ball on the recruiting trail. If it seems like each and every cycle he hits a home run with a top stud defensive line prospect, it’s because he has. Whether it’s in or out of state, Johnson has been basically able to call his shot and land his guys. Thankfully, what was once a little bit of a worry at the interior defensive tackle spots, now, thanks to that recruiting ability by Johnson, the Buckeyes have not only depth, but more than enough talent to be one of the strengths of the team and country. His coaching speaks for itself, but when considering his relentless pursuit of the next great Buckeye defensive lineman, there’s a reason Johnson is considered by many to be the best in the business. Buckeye fans are hoping 2019’s class continues with that same trend.

Yesterday, North Carolina native Joshua Harris, a 6-foot-2, 315-pound four-star defensive tackle took to Twitter to announce his top five schools list—and the Buckeyes were able to make the cut. Joining Ohio State are NC State, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. Interesting of note, though, Harris has yet to make it up to Columbus for an Ohio State visit. In other words, the Buckeyes are the lone school to not have a visit in his top five schools he’s still considering before making the final call. For the Buckeyes to still be in the mix for this four-star prospect, it speaks to not only the caliber of team they are, but also the amount of respect they have earned on the recruiting front. For a prospect to not even yet visit but still seriously have interest in your program, that speaks for itself right there.


While that is impressive in and of itself, the scoop is that Harris does have an official visit locked in for the Buckeyes and will change the “yet to visit” status before all is said and done. As many have said time and time again too, when the Buckeyes are able to get a prospect on campus, anything is possible. With the red carpet treatment they are able to lay out and not to mention every other aspect that goes into a visit, you have to like where Ohio State already stands, but also what could be after Joshua does indeed see campus for the first time.

Currently, Harris is considered to be the 15th best defensive tackle prospect in the country for the 2019 class and is also the ninth best prospect in North Carolina for the current cycle. While the Tar Heels and Wolfpack are hoping to keep this stud within the state lines, Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson may have other plans. Time will tell, but the Buckeyes are at least still in it even before his first visit.

The QB situation never stays the same


If it feels like the only subjects talked about recently within Ohio State football is the quarterback spot, you’re not wrong. Whether it be the actual QB of the upcoming season or the recruitment of 2019 QBs which is ever changing, the signal caller spot is truly seeing most of if not all the attention in the world. At a place like Ohio State though, that is and should be expected. A position of fame and scrutiny, finding the right guy for the job each and every season is never an easy task.

As heard several times before, the recruitment of 2019 QBs seems to never be anything but certain. With the impression that the class itself is lacking of a depth of solid guys at the position, Ohio State is being ever so careful to say the least. While a leader has thought to have been in the fold with Grant Gunnell, he’s still not in the class and the coaching staff certainly seems to still be looking. If you fast forward though to the 2020 class, the long thought to be leader and maybe even “shoe-in” for the Buckeyes is Arizona native Jack Miller. The fifth best pro-style QB in the 2020 class is a heavy favorite to Ohio State on the 247sports crystal ball predictions, and that follows the trend of everyone else’s thinking as well, which is Miller being the guy for the Buckeyes in 2020.

News surfaced late last week that Miller would be making a return trip to Columbus to see the Buckeyes. This time, in attendance would be Miller’s mom who has yet to see what Ohio State has to offer, at least on sight. However, more trips are now included in that news. Yesterday, via Jeremy Birmingham’s Twitter account, we learned that Jack will not only be seeing Ohio State, but will also be making trips to both Michigan, Michigan State and Alabama the same week. A busy time for Miller and his family, it’s not out of the ordinary to see a prospect making multiple trips to “closer” distant locations while away from home.


Fortunately, the Buckeye football staff has already made Jack a high priority and maybe even their top priority at the position for their 2020 class. Their relationships seem to be very strong even with two full seasons still to be played at the prep level. It can never hurt to make a great first impression and Meyer and the rest of the staff and program have seemed to do just that. If all goes according to plan, Jack may be the next great Miller to suit up in the Scarlet and Gray.

Continue reading...

Updated Big Ten football schedule; Best Guesses for OSU games - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Updated Big Ten football schedule; Best Guesses for OSU games
247Sports
The Buckeyes' Sept. 1 season and home opener against Oregon State at Ohio Stadium will kick off at 12 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC. Ohio State's Week 2 game against Rutgers on Sept. 8, the program's Big Ten opener, at Ohio Stadium will kick off ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Greenville Regional Preview: Ohio State Buckeyes - Garnet And Black Attack
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Greenville Regional Preview: Ohio State Buckeyes
Garnet And Black Attack
The Buckeyes are the #3 seed in the Greenville Regional and enter the tournament with a 36-22 (14-10 B1G) record. They made a run to the semifinals last weekend in the Big Ten Tournament. After several years without an NCAA Tournament appearance, ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State to host Syracuse in 2018 ACC-Big Ten Challenge, per report
Geoff Hammersley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


This is the first meeting between the two since the Buckeyes bounced the Orange in the 2012 Elite Eight.

As the football schedule for 2022 was being pieced together, the 2018 schedule for the Ohio State Buckeyes basketball team also saw an addition. Per CBS Sports college basketball insider Jon Rothstein, the Buckeyes will host the Syracuse Orange in the 2018 edition of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge.


For the Buckeyes, their non-conference slate of games on the hardwood includes some tough opponents. Creighton, Cincinnati, UCLA and ‘Cuse are NCAA Tournament -worthy teams that will get their chance at Chris Holtmann’s squad in the fall.

Last season, the Jim Boeheim coached program danced all the way to the Sweet 16 after defeating Arizona State, TCU, and upsetting Michigan State before falling to Duke. The Buckeyes’ season ended in the Round of 32 after a tough loss to Gonzaga.

Boeheim has experience going up against OSU—although he lost the last time they met. In 2012, Thad Matta’s Buckeyes tipped off with the Orange in the Elite Eight. Behind a 19-point effort from Jared Sullinger, the Scarlet and Gray prevailed, 77-70, and advanced to the Final Four.

Continue reading...

Kurelic: Buckeyes get one more shot with LB; OSU heat up soon - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Kurelic: Buckeyes get one more shot with LB; OSU heat up soon
247Sports
Good evening Bucknuts subscribers! There is plenty going on with Ohio State football recruiting so let's get started! I will of course have plenty more throughout the night and tomorrow. 1) The Buckeyes extended a scholarship offer early to Nashville ...
Ohio State's “Rushmen” look to find their next crop of stars in 2018Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State in Top 5 for 4-Star DT Joshua HarrisThe Ozone

all 4 news articles »

Continue reading...

Elite QB confirms Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan trip - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Elite QB confirms Ohio State, Alabama, Michigan trip
247Sports
The Buckeyes' Sept. 1 season and home opener against Oregon State at Ohio Stadium will kick off at 12 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC. Ohio State's Week 2 game against Rutgers on Sept. 8, the program's Big Ten opener, at Ohio Stadium will kick off ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State recruiting: Buckeyes' wide receiver board gaining clarity - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State recruiting: Buckeyes' wide receiver board gaining clarity
Landof10.com
Round Rock (Texas) Cedar Ridge wide receiver Jaylen Ellis, a Baylor commit, became the latest 2019 prospect to pick up an offer from the Buckeyes on Wednesday evening. The 6-foot, 180-pound prospect plays and lives in the Austin area, where 5-star ...
Watch: Buckeyes' DL still deadly, despite losing 3 draft picks247Sports
Ohio State to host Toledo in 2022: Buckeyes football news ...cleveland.com
Ohio State To Host Toledo In 2022Eleven Warriors
The Columbus Dispatch -HERO Sports (blog) -Land-Grant Holy Land
all 67 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State’s “Rushmen” look to find their next crop of stars in 2018
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes will have to replace five key players on the defensive line from last year, but Ohio State has plenty of talent ready to step up.

“While there are a bunch of returning players from the defensive line rotation that return for Larry Johnson in 2018, there is no doubt that the upcoming season marks the beginning of the new era for the group that the coach calls the “Rushmen”.”

Alex Gleitman, Bucknuts


All Ohio State has to do in the 2018 season is find a way to replace 207 games played, 368 tackles, 88.5 tackles for loss, and 47.5 sacks on the defensive line. Gone from the Buckeyes defensive line are Sam Hubbard, Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes, Tracy Sprinkle, and Michael Hill, but if there is any defensive line coach in the country who can minimize those losses, it is Ohio State’s Larry Johnson.

Two established names who will be able to offset some of the lost production are juniors Nick Bosa and Dre’Mont Jones, who have combined for 135 tackles, 32 tackles for loss, and 14.5 sacks in 52 games. Robert Landers and DaVon Hamilton have show glimpses of being able to make plays in limited time on the field at defensive tackle, but they’ll need to be more consistent with their play as they see more snaps this season.

The most intriguing Buckeye prospects who could make a big name for themselves at defensive end this year are Chase Young and Jonathon Cooper. During his freshman campaign, Young got better as the year went on, and looks like he should be able to live up to the hype of being one of the most sought-after defensive end recruits in the country. Cooper hasn’t had many opportunities to show his skills yet, but the coaching staff knows the talent is there.

With a number of other underclassmen to go along with the defensive linemen already mentioned, Ohio State has plenty of talent to try and replace what the Buckeyes lost, but there will likely be a few growing pains early on with this new group of “Rushmen”, as players settle into their expanded roles. Luckily the defensive linemen have coach Larry Johnson to lead them and prepare them for what lies ahead.


Ohio State was one of just two teams with two running backs in the Top 15 of Athlon Sports’ Top 50 running backs for the 2018, with the other being defending national champion Alabama. Athlon Sports ranked Stanford’s Bryce Love, Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor, and Boston College’s AJ Dillon in the first three spots before Ohio State’s J.K. Dobbins entered the list at number four.

Dobbins burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2017, rushing for 181 yards in the season opener against Indiana after Mike Weber was sidelined due to injury. The running back from Texas didn’t slow down as the year progressed, finishing with 1,364 yards and seven touchdowns. Dobbins saved a couple of his best performances for Ohio State’s biggest games of the season, rushing for 101 yards and a touchdown in the win over Michigan, followed by 174 yards in the Big Ten Championship Game against Wisconsin.

Speaking of Weber, the junior running back was slotted in the 14th spot in the Athlon Sports list after a 2017 season that was slowed by injury early on. There were high expectations for Weber heading into his sophomore season after rushing for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns in 2016, but Weber saw just seven carries in the first four games as he dealt with injury. Even though he saw just 96 carries in 2017, Weber was still able to crack 600 yards on the ground, and showed some big play ability in November, rushing for 270 yards on 20 carries against Michigan State and Illinois.

With Ohio State likely to see less running from their quarterback this season, there should be plenty of carries for both Dobbins and Weber this year, which should make them one of the most dangerous running back duos in the country. The Buckeyes will likely lean on Dobbins and Weber early on in the season as they ease Dwayne Haskins into the starting quarterback role.

“This is such a tremendous honor for Lilli and our entire program. Day n and day out, she competes and impacts the game in so many ways. It’s so much more than her clutch offensive moments and defensive gems. She absolutely loves the game of softball and that passion impacts our team as much as her stellar skills. We are extremely proud she is representing our program as an All-American.”

Ohio State softball head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly via Ohio State Athletics


On Wednesday, junior shortstop Lilli Piper earned second team All-American honors, becoming the 12th All-American in program history. This isn’t Piper’s first time being named an All-American though, as she was named to the third team in 2017. Piper became the first Buckeye to be named a second team All-American since 2009, when Sam Marder earned second team honors.

After crushing 18 home runs and recording 53 RBIs in 2017, Piper upped her game in 2018 with 20 homers and 58 RBIs this year. The 20 home runs were best in the Big Ten, along with Piper’s .876 slugging percentage and 141 total bases. Piper’s numbers this year were even more impressive considering opposing pitchers were more careful with her this year, as evidenced by the 20 more walks Piper recorded in 2018 than she did in 2017.

Behind the impressive play of Piper, Ohio State posted their highest win total since 2010, winning 36 games. The Buckeyes earned their third straight NCAA Tournament at-large bid and was able to make it to the Gainesville Regional Final before falling to Florida. With another year of eligibility left, Piper still has some time to add to her legacy, and hopefully be able to push the Buckeyes even farther in the NCAA Softball Tournament in 2019.

STICK TO SPORTS

• Katzinger’s Delicatessen is adding a Dublin location this fall.
• C-Pass, the free bus pass program from COTA for downtown workers, debuts on Friday.
• Ohio State’s 18th annual Community Health Day takes place on Saturday.
• If health isn’t your thing, check out the Chicken & Beer Festival on Saturday in Franklinton.
• James Marsden has been tabbed to star in the Sonic the Hedgehog movie.

Continue reading...

There's 'a good chance' Jared Sullinger will play in the TBT - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


There's 'a good chance' Jared Sullinger will play in the TBT
247Sports
When it was officially announced that Team Scarlet and Gray would return for a second straight year in The Basketball Tournament in mid-May, the roster looked similar to the team that made a deep run a year ago. Once again former Buckeye hoops legends ...


Continue reading...

Pirates welcome Gamecocks, Buckeyes and Seahawks to Thursday practice day - WNCT
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Pirates welcome Gamecocks, Buckeyes and Seahawks to Thursday practice day
WNCT
GREENVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) - East Carolina hit the field bright and early this morning at 10am to open this Thursday day of practices for the upcoming NCAA Greenville Regional. The Pirates worked out for just over an hour under sunny skies and with lots ...
Key storylines to watch for the Greenville Regional247Sports

all 13 news articles »

Continue reading...

What Ohio State baseball can expect in the NCAA tournament
Ben Martens via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes road to advancing will be tough.

The Ohio State baseball team will make the 21st NCAA tournament appearance in program history when it takes the field in Greenville, North Carolina on Friday afternoon. The Buckeyes, who have posted a 36-22 record to this point and made it to the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament, received an at-large bid when the field of 64 was announced on Monday.

Ohio State is the No. 3 seed in the region, and will take on second-seeded South Carolina in its opening game. That matchup will be followed by top seed and host East Carolina playing the four seed, UNC Wilmington.


”Well, I’m happy with the location and Clark-LeClair Stadium is a really cool place for college baseball,” head coach Greg Beals said. “We’ve been there, four or five years ago, we played in a tournament there in the preseason. Great college baseball atmosphere.”

The Buckeyes went 11-9 against tournament teams during the regular season, and received what many feel was a favorable draw. While there are no easy matchups at this point in the season, the club avoided the top 11 national seeds, and finds itself with the second-best RPI in the region.

“When I think about being selected in general, just really happy for our guys and a validation of the work that’s been put in, from recovering from a 2016 championship, a battling season last year to back in the NCAA tournament here in 2018,” Beals said. “This makes two out of the last three years for our program. It’s a trend that we certainly want and expect to keep rolling in that direction.”

South Carolina will prove a formidable opening opponent. The Gamecocks are battle-tested after navigating the SEC, which received 10 bids to the tourney. An early exit from the conference tournament had the positive side effect of leaving their pitching staff well-rested.

“You’re playing the University of South Carolina,” Beals said. “Obviously a very good historical program. You’re not going to play [any team] at this time of year that’s not a formidable opponent. So we’re going to dig in, put a game plan together, and get ready to go Friday at 2 o’clock.”

Let’s take a look at what the baseball Bucks will be facing in the Tar Heel State.

Greenville Regional Preview

No. 1 seed East Carolina Pirates (43-16, 14-10 in the AAC, AAC tournament champions)


ECU has qualified for a regional in 15 of the last 20 seasons, and three of the last four, and has a very balanced team. Offensively, the Pirates slashed .287/.379/.443 as a team and outscored opponents by an average of 2.5 runs per game. The pitching staff boasts a 3.28 earned run average, 1.23 WHIP, and .247 batting average against.

Head coach Cliff Godwin has the AAC’s Player of the Year in Bryant Packard anchoring his lineup, as well as three other first-team all-conference performers. Packard, a sophomore who plays primarily left field and bats leadoff, put up a .403/.460/.680 slash line with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs. This is an offense that can put on a power display, but also play small ball, as evidenced by the amount of stolen bases and sacrifices that have been tallied.

On the mound, the Pirates have a diverse set of arms, led by junior right-handed starter Chris Holba (9-1, 2.45 ERA) and a quintet of bullpen arms and swingmen who have silenced bats in every conceivable situation this season. The back end of the bullpen, patrolled by Davis Kirkpatrick, Gavin Williams, and Ryan Ross, has been particularly effective in snuffing out comebacks.

No. 2 seed South Carolina Gamecocks (33-24, 17-13 in the SEC East)


Ohio State’s first opponent in the region, South Carolina comes into tournament play as one of the hottest teams in the country. After a shaky start to the season, that was exacerbated by injuries, the Gamecocks won five straight SEC series to end the regular season, including road wins at top-notch national programs Vanderbilt and Texas A&M, and home wins over LSU, Ole Miss, and Missouri. That makes for a club with some momentum.

Offensively, South Carolina has the best power numbers of the four teams in Greenville, slugging at a .446 rate as a team and hitting 70 home runs. That power, however, didn’t translate into a run-scoring onslaught, as the Gamecocks actually put up fewer runs (355) than both ECU (368) and the Buckeyes (379). Senior Madison Stokes, who has fought a hamstring injury, paces the attack with a .342/.424/.609 slash line, 10 homers, and 40 RBIs. Sophomore Carlos Cortes was fifth in the SEC with 15 longballs.

If first-year head coach Mark Kingston’s squad has a weakness, it’s in the consistency of its pitching staff. USC hurlers logged a collective 4.31 ERA, on pace to be the program’s worst since 2009, and gave up 50 home runs.

“I won’t call it a concern because I have faith in our players, but going into this region, if we want to win this regional or the next game we play, we really need to pitch well,” Kingston said. “It all starts on the mound ... it all starts with our pitching. When we pitch well, we win. When we’re inconsistent, when we don’t throw strikes, that’s when we struggle. On some of those days our offense has been able to bail us out and some they have not.”

Kingston has four starters at his disposal, led by sophomore Cody Morris (7-3, 3.80) and junior Adam Hill (7-5, 4.08). Starters have tossed 13 quality starts for the Gamecocks this season, and the team’s record in those games is 11-2. The team is likely to go only as far as its pitching can take it.

No. 4 seed UNC Wilmington Seahawks (37-21, 14-9 in the CAA, CAA tournament champions)


The only potential opponent in the region that Ohio State played in 2018 was UNC Wilmington, a team the Buckeyes went on the road to sweep in a two-game midweek series back in March. The Seahawks have come a long way since then, though, and have a case for being considered the toughest 4-seed in the entire NCAA tournament.

At the plate, UNCW is the lightest hitting team in the region collectively, but has some big bats in its lineup. Junior catcher Ryan Jeffers, a first-team All-CAA performer, put up a .320/.472/.660 line, mashing 16 homers and 20 doubles while driving in 54 runs, all of which led the team. Senior Mason Berne, also a first-team all-conference selection, provides additional pop, slashing .335/.425/.561 with 12 dingers, 14 doubles, and 52 RBIs.

What makes the Seahawks so formidable, though, is their pitching, and in particular, their bullpen. The starting rotation of Landen Roupp, Alex Royalty, and Gage Herring have been solid, if unspectacular, but the relief corps is what skipper Mark Scalf, coaching the school for his 27th season, leans on. Junior closer Clark Cota is one of the best in the country at shutting the door, going 4-0 with 13 saves, a 1.95 ERA, a .148 batting average against, and more than 12 strikeouts per nine innings. Senior Austin Warren, who went 8-0 with a 1.75 ERA in 26 appearances, gives UNCW a reliable arm for a variety of situations.

Greenville is probably not the region of death in this year’s NCAA tournament, but it’s one that should be highly competitive. All four teams have proven they can beat anyone they step on the field against. For this season’s scrappy Ohio State ballclub, the opportunity is all it needs.

“I love the character and the fight in this group,″ Beals said. “I have no worries about this team having a feeling of momentum and being ready to play Friday afternoon.″

Game time, pitching probables, and broadcast information

Ohio State vs. South Carolina


Pitching Matchup: Connor Curlis (7-4, 3.81 ERA) vs. Adam Hill (7-5, 4.08 ERA)

Location: Lewis Field at Clark-LeClair Stadium

Time: 2 p.m. ET Friday, June 1, 2018

TV: ESPN2

Streaming: WatchESPN

Audio: Buckeye Vision

Live Stats: NCAA.com

Continue reading...

BTN Announces First Three Weeks of College Football Schedule
BTN Communications via Big Ten Network

Today, in conjunction with FOX Sports, BTN announced the first three weeks of its 2018 college football schedule. The slate features 20 games, including a conference match-up between Ohio State and Rutgers, a week two showdown with the ACC as Indiana hosts Virginia and a week three primetime clash when Missouri visits Purdue. The complete schedule is below: Week 1 Game Date Time (ET) New Mexico State at Minnesota Thursday, Aug. 30 7 p.m. Utah State at Michigan State Friday, Aug. 31 7 p.m. Kent State at Illinois Saturday, Sept. 1 Noon Texas State at Rutgers Saturday, Sept. 1 Noon

Continue reading...

Linebackers could be key to success of Silver Bullets - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Linebackers could be key to success of Silver Bullets
247Sports
Ohio State lost seven starters from last year's defense, including three from the line, two linebackers, and two defensive backs. While some serious talent left the front unit, there's not too much concern that the new group will pick up the slack, as ...


Continue reading...

Notes from Ohio State: Gamecocks take on the Buckeyes - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Notes from Ohio State: Gamecocks take on the Buckeyes
247Sports
The Ohio State baseball team will compete in its 21st NCAA Tournament in school history this weekend as the No. 3 seed in the Greenville Regional. The 36-22 Buckeyes meet the No. 2 seed South Carolina Gamecocks, 33-24, at 2 p.m. at Clark-LeClair ...
Ohio State to host Toledo in 2022: Buckeyes football newscleveland.com
Ohio State To Host Toledo In 2022Eleven Warriors
Ohio State football | Mark your calendar: Ohio State vs. Toledo in 2022The Columbus Dispatch
Dayton Daily News -Land-Grant Holy Land -Toledo Blade
all 23 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State adds Toledo to 2022 non-conference schedule - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State adds Toledo to 2022 non-conference schedule
247Sports
Ohio State has added the University of Toledo to the 2022 non-conference schedule. The two programs came to the deal and announced the meeting on Thursday. The Buckeyes and the Rockets will play at Ohio Stadium on Sept. 17, 2022. This will be the ...
Ohio State to host Toledo in 2022: Buckeyes football newscleveland.com
Ohio State To Host Toledo In 2022Eleven Warriors
Ohio State football schedules Toledo for 2022 seasonLand-Grant Holy Land
Toledo Blade -The Spun (blog) -The Ozone
all 19 news articles »

Continue reading...