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DeLucia, Howell and Stephen Named to Captain OSU Baseball Team
Teammates elect pitcher, outfielder and infielder as 2006 leaders
Dan DeLucia, who was the Friday night starter in the last six conference series in 2005, was named one of three captains of the 2006 Buckeyes. He was joined by Jacob Howell and Jedidiah Stephen.
Jan. 26, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Junior left-handed pitcher Dan DeLucia, junior outfielder Jacob Howell and senior short stop Jedidiah Stephen will serve as tri-captains for the 2006 baseball team head coach Bob Todd announced Thursday. The trio was selected by a team vote at a meeting in preparation for the start of practice next Monday.
DeLucia (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson), a third-team All-Big Ten pick last season, led the Buckeyes with a 2.92 ERA, 95.2 innings pitched and 55 strikeouts to go with a 6-5 record in 15 starts. DeLucia, the team's Friday night starter in the last six conference series in 2005, made two appearances in the Big Ten tournament allowing one run on eight hits in the opener against Michigan before getting the victory over Minnesota to win the championship and earn a spot on the all-tournament team. DeLucia also pitched a complete game in a 2-1 victory over Virginia in the NCAA tournament.
Howell (Ashland, Ohio/Ashland) was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2004 and made 31 starts in 39 games last season after missing 12 games because of a shoulder injury. Howell ended up batting .270 with 31 hits and 16 RBI in 2005 after batting .336 in 58 starts as a freshman.
Stephen (Caldwell, Ohio/Shenandoah) is one of three seniors on the squad and is one of three returning infielders. Stephen batted .305 last season with 52 hits, including 13 doubles, two triples and five home runs to go along with 46 RBI, the second best on the team.
In addition to their on-field exploits, all three captains have excelled in the classroom as well. DeLucia is a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2005, while Howell is a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Stephen has been named an Academic All-Big Ten selection and an OSU Scholar-Athlete each of the last two years.
"I've always had a belief in having the team elect its captains," Todd, who is entering his 19th season at Ohio State, said. "I have always trusted the young guys to make good decisions. Who better to elect their leaders than the teammates themselves. I think our players chose some great leaders, quality baseball players and most importantly people with character."
The Buckeyes, which finished 40-20 overall and 17-12 in the Big Ten on its way to the seventh Big Ten tournament title and 11th NCAA tournament appearance last year under Todd, open the 2006 season Feb. 24-26 at the Pepsi Baseball Classic in Gainesville, Fla. Ohio State will face Wake Forest in the season opener followed by games against national runner-up Florida and Missouri. The Buckeyes open the 10th season at Bill Davis Stadium March 29 against Toledo.
DeLucia, Howell and Stephen Named to Captain OSU Baseball Team
Teammates elect pitcher, outfielder and infielder as 2006 leaders
Dan DeLucia, who was the Friday night starter in the last six conference series in 2005, was named one of three captains of the 2006 Buckeyes. He was joined by Jacob Howell and Jedidiah Stephen.
Jan. 26, 2006
COLUMBUS, Ohio - Junior left-handed pitcher Dan DeLucia, junior outfielder Jacob Howell and senior short stop Jedidiah Stephen will serve as tri-captains for the 2006 baseball team head coach Bob Todd announced Thursday. The trio was selected by a team vote at a meeting in preparation for the start of practice next Monday.
DeLucia (Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Watterson), a third-team All-Big Ten pick last season, led the Buckeyes with a 2.92 ERA, 95.2 innings pitched and 55 strikeouts to go with a 6-5 record in 15 starts. DeLucia, the team's Friday night starter in the last six conference series in 2005, made two appearances in the Big Ten tournament allowing one run on eight hits in the opener against Michigan before getting the victory over Minnesota to win the championship and earn a spot on the all-tournament team. DeLucia also pitched a complete game in a 2-1 victory over Virginia in the NCAA tournament.
Howell (Ashland, Ohio/Ashland) was a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2004 and made 31 starts in 39 games last season after missing 12 games because of a shoulder injury. Howell ended up batting .270 with 31 hits and 16 RBI in 2005 after batting .336 in 58 starts as a freshman.
Stephen (Caldwell, Ohio/Shenandoah) is one of three seniors on the squad and is one of three returning infielders. Stephen batted .305 last season with 52 hits, including 13 doubles, two triples and five home runs to go along with 46 RBI, the second best on the team.
In addition to their on-field exploits, all three captains have excelled in the classroom as well. DeLucia is a two-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2005, while Howell is a three-time OSU Scholar-Athlete and two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Stephen has been named an Academic All-Big Ten selection and an OSU Scholar-Athlete each of the last two years.
"I've always had a belief in having the team elect its captains," Todd, who is entering his 19th season at Ohio State, said. "I have always trusted the young guys to make good decisions. Who better to elect their leaders than the teammates themselves. I think our players chose some great leaders, quality baseball players and most importantly people with character."
The Buckeyes, which finished 40-20 overall and 17-12 in the Big Ten on its way to the seventh Big Ten tournament title and 11th NCAA tournament appearance last year under Todd, open the 2006 season Feb. 24-26 at the Pepsi Baseball Classic in Gainesville, Fla. Ohio State will face Wake Forest in the season opener followed by games against national runner-up Florida and Missouri. The Buckeyes open the 10th season at Bill Davis Stadium March 29 against Toledo.