Ohio State enters the 2010 College Baseball campaign with high hopes - and for good reason. They return several key contributors from a 47-19 team that eliminated SEC power Georgia from the 2009 regional. Even though their season ended in a record-breaking, embarrassing loss to Florida State in the Regional Championship, both Ping! and Baseball America has the Buckeyes ranked in their preseason top 25.
Here's a look at the team position by position:
Pitchers:
Ohio State has one of the top pitchers in college baseball in LHP Alex Wimmers (6-2, 195 lbs, Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH). The Buckeye lefty was 9-2 last year with a 3.27 ERA. Wimmers was as dominate as any Buckeye in recent memory recording 2 shutouts including a classic no-hitter against Michigan and 4 complete games. He is receiving a boatload of preseason accolades including Big Ten pitcher of the year and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America (NCBWA) preseason All-America second team (Link). Rounding out the starting rotation will be RHP Dean Wolosiansky (6-5, 225 lbs, Jr., Green HS, Uniontown, OH) who went 11-2 a year ago with a 6.04 ERA, RHP Drew Rucinski (6-2, 175 lbs, Jr., Tulsa Union HS, Broken Arrow, OK) 12-2 with a 5.54 ERA (all in relief) and LHP Eric Best (6-4, 227 lbs, Sr., Olentangy Liberty HS, Lewis Center, OH), 7-4, 5.95 ERA.
The Buckeyes will have some big shoes to fill in their bullpen with the loss of Jake Hale. He and his 18 saves and 1.31 ERA have moved on to professional ball. Rucinski will probably be called upon in relief as well as Eric Best who appeared in 49 games as a reliever to go with his 17 starts. The staff took a big blow when RHP Ross Oltorik (6-2, 210 lbs, So., Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH) hurt his shoulder and will miss the entire 2010 season. Last year he made 11 appearances last year as a true freshman and recorded a 1-1 record. The Buckeyes will need the redshirt juniors LHP Theron Minium (6-2, 190 lbs, Jr., Cedar Cliff HS, New Cumberland, PA) and RHP Jared Strayer (6-1, 175 lbs, Jr., Worthington Kilbourne HS, Worthington, OH) to step into the void. They must be more effective than last year if the starters are to get any rest. Minium and Strayer had ERAs of 16.47 and 10.55, respectively. The heavy innings without rest was the major problem for the starters in last year's tournament. It directly lead to the embarrassing defeat by the Seminoles in the tournament that ended Ohio State's season. Also available for duty are Righties Eric Shinn (6-4, 230 lbs, Jr., Pinehurst HS, Pinecrest NC), true freshman Cole Brown ( 5-11, 200 lbs, Fr., Chiles HS. Tallahassee, FL) and three walk-ons who made the team in fall camp - Brian Bobinski (6-0, 190 lbs, Jr., Mason HS, Cincinnati, OH), Paul Geuy (6-1, 195 lbs, Jr., Benjamin Logan HS, Bellefontaine, OH), and Drew Malley (6-4, 225 lbs, Jr., Gaither HS, Tampa, FL).
Infielders:
Ohio State will boast a strong and experienced defense in 2010 starting with Second Baseman Cory Kovanda (5-10, 180 lbs, Sr., Kilbourne HS, Worthington, OH) and shortstop Tyler Engle (5-11, 180 lbs, Jr., Fort Frye HS, Beverly, OH). The slick-fielding duo have combined to make 250 starts for the Buckeyes. In addition to being excellent fielders, the two contributed on offense. Kovanda hit .341 last year with 11 doubles, 3 triples and a HR while driving in 38 runs. Engle's stat sheet in 2009 was also good: .285 avg, 8 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 2 HRs, and 15 RBIs.
First Base will be manned by Ryan Dew (6-1, 220 lbs, Sr., Kilbourne HS, Worthington, OH). Dew, a first team All Big Ten as a DH in 2009, batted an outstanding .388 with 7 HRs and 42 RBIs. Backing him up will be Matt Streng (6-2, 190 lbs, Jr., Upper Arlington HS, Upper Arlington, OH). Streng hit .308 last year with 8 HRs and 38 RBIs.
The Third Base position will be by committee - starting with Cory Rupert (6-0, 185 lbs, Sr., Madison HS, Mansfield, OH). The versatile Rupert has started 112 games for the Buckeyes at SS, 2nd and 3rd. His offensive numbers read .279, 8 2Bs, 2 Hrs and 19 RBIs. Splitting time with Rupert will be Brad Hallberg (5-10, 180 lbs, Fr., Barron HS, Barron, WI). Hallberg showed real promise at the plate last year, batting .400 before a shoulder injury ended his season after only 4 games. He took a Redshirt to preserve his 4 years of eligibility.
The Catcher position will be in the very capable hands of Dan Burkhart (5-11, 205 lbs, Jr., Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH). Burkhart, along with Wimmers, was selected as a Preseason Second Team All-American by both the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America (NCBWA) and Ping! Baseball. He was selected First Team All-American and last year?s Big Ten Player of the Year by Rivals.com. Burkhart had an excellent 2009 season behind the plate and in the field. His .985 fielding percentage was among the league leaders. At the plate he was dangerous as well and a headache for opposing pitchers. His .354 avg was second on the team, trailing only Dew. He is the top among the returning players in HRs (16) and RBIs (62). Backing up Burkhart will be Shawn Forsythe (6-0, 205 lbs, Sr., Sheridan HS, Thornville, OH). Forsythe hit .238 in limited action in 2009. Also on hand will be David Fathalikhani (6-1, 205 lbs, Fr., Madison HS, Vienna, VA), D.J. Hanlin (6-0, 195 lbs, Jr., Thomas Worthington HS, Worthington, OH) and Steel Russell (6-0, 198 lbs, Fr., Chestnut Hill Academy, Wyndmoor, PA).
Outfielders:
Ohio State fields a deep and talented squad of outfielders for the 2010 season. In fact, many describe it as the strength of the team. Leading the way is Left Fielder and team Co-Captain Zach Hurley (6-0, 205 lbs, Sr., Springboro HS, Springboro, OH). Hurley had a strong year at the plate in 2009 batting .356 with 12 2Bs, a team (and Big Ten) leading 6 3Bs, 6 HRs and 53 RBIs. His glove-work was superb as well as evidenced by his .989 fielding percentage (and only 2 errors).
Joining Hurley in the outfield is Center Fielder Michael Stephens (6-1, 205 lbs, Sr., Victorville HS, Victorville, CA). After transferring from traditional west-coast power Cal State-Fullerton, Stephens enjoyed a fine year in Columbus matching Hurley?s .346 avg and adding 10 2Bs, 5 3Bs, a team-leading 14 HRs and 63 RBIs.
Completing the talented trio of outfielders will be Right Fielder Chris Griffin (5-9, 180 lbs, Sr., Pickerington North HS, Pickerington, OH). Griffin posted fine numbers at the plate in 2009 with a .333 avg, 3 HRs and 14 RBIs in only 30 at bats.
First off the Bench will be Brian DeLucia (6-0, 200 lbs, Jr., Bishop Watterson HS, Columbus, OH). DeLucia will be moving from 3rd to the outfield after a thumb injury wiped out all but 3 games of his 2009 season. He still managed to get 6 RBIs in only 11 at bats last year and is being counted on to be a regular off the bench. 3 Freshmen with little experience but great potential will provide depth: David Corna (6-1, 180 lbs, Jr., Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH), Joe Ciamacco (6-0, 180 lbs, Fr., Davidson HS, Hilliard, OH) and Hunter Mayfield (6-0, 180 lbs, Fr., Chiles HS, Tallahassee, FL).
Coaches:
Bob Todd enters his 22nd year as coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. It is not hyperbole to state this could be considered the Golden Age of Buckeye Baseball. Coach Todd has led the Buckeyes to 14 Big Ten titles and 12 NCAA tournament appearances. He has more career wins than any coach in Ohio State history. Last year, Todd was elected to not one, but two Halls of Fame: The "Varsity O" at Ohio State and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In the most telling of facts, every 4 year class of Buckeyes to play for Coach Todd have at least 1 Big Ten title to their names.
Assisting Coach Todd will be Hitting Coach Greg Cypret, also entering his 22nd year with the Buckeyes. Coach Cypret is the driving force behind the consistent success of the Buckeye hitters and has had a hand in all 14 Big Ten title teams.
Also assisting this year are Peter Jenkins, Eric Parker and this year former Buckeye Justin Miller.
Additional Information and Links
Coaching Staff bios - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Roster - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Past Years Statistics - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
2010 Schedule - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Baseball Web Site - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Ohio State Baseball News - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Bill Davis Stadium - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Big Ten Baseball Coverage - Big Ten Network
Composite Schedule - Big Ten Network
Big Ten Network Scheduled Games - Big Ten Network
Here's a look at the team position by position:
Pitchers:
Ohio State has one of the top pitchers in college baseball in LHP Alex Wimmers (6-2, 195 lbs, Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH). The Buckeye lefty was 9-2 last year with a 3.27 ERA. Wimmers was as dominate as any Buckeye in recent memory recording 2 shutouts including a classic no-hitter against Michigan and 4 complete games. He is receiving a boatload of preseason accolades including Big Ten pitcher of the year and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America (NCBWA) preseason All-America second team (Link). Rounding out the starting rotation will be RHP Dean Wolosiansky (6-5, 225 lbs, Jr., Green HS, Uniontown, OH) who went 11-2 a year ago with a 6.04 ERA, RHP Drew Rucinski (6-2, 175 lbs, Jr., Tulsa Union HS, Broken Arrow, OK) 12-2 with a 5.54 ERA (all in relief) and LHP Eric Best (6-4, 227 lbs, Sr., Olentangy Liberty HS, Lewis Center, OH), 7-4, 5.95 ERA.
The Buckeyes will have some big shoes to fill in their bullpen with the loss of Jake Hale. He and his 18 saves and 1.31 ERA have moved on to professional ball. Rucinski will probably be called upon in relief as well as Eric Best who appeared in 49 games as a reliever to go with his 17 starts. The staff took a big blow when RHP Ross Oltorik (6-2, 210 lbs, So., Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH) hurt his shoulder and will miss the entire 2010 season. Last year he made 11 appearances last year as a true freshman and recorded a 1-1 record. The Buckeyes will need the redshirt juniors LHP Theron Minium (6-2, 190 lbs, Jr., Cedar Cliff HS, New Cumberland, PA) and RHP Jared Strayer (6-1, 175 lbs, Jr., Worthington Kilbourne HS, Worthington, OH) to step into the void. They must be more effective than last year if the starters are to get any rest. Minium and Strayer had ERAs of 16.47 and 10.55, respectively. The heavy innings without rest was the major problem for the starters in last year's tournament. It directly lead to the embarrassing defeat by the Seminoles in the tournament that ended Ohio State's season. Also available for duty are Righties Eric Shinn (6-4, 230 lbs, Jr., Pinehurst HS, Pinecrest NC), true freshman Cole Brown ( 5-11, 200 lbs, Fr., Chiles HS. Tallahassee, FL) and three walk-ons who made the team in fall camp - Brian Bobinski (6-0, 190 lbs, Jr., Mason HS, Cincinnati, OH), Paul Geuy (6-1, 195 lbs, Jr., Benjamin Logan HS, Bellefontaine, OH), and Drew Malley (6-4, 225 lbs, Jr., Gaither HS, Tampa, FL).
Infielders:
Ohio State will boast a strong and experienced defense in 2010 starting with Second Baseman Cory Kovanda (5-10, 180 lbs, Sr., Kilbourne HS, Worthington, OH) and shortstop Tyler Engle (5-11, 180 lbs, Jr., Fort Frye HS, Beverly, OH). The slick-fielding duo have combined to make 250 starts for the Buckeyes. In addition to being excellent fielders, the two contributed on offense. Kovanda hit .341 last year with 11 doubles, 3 triples and a HR while driving in 38 runs. Engle's stat sheet in 2009 was also good: .285 avg, 8 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 2 HRs, and 15 RBIs.
First Base will be manned by Ryan Dew (6-1, 220 lbs, Sr., Kilbourne HS, Worthington, OH). Dew, a first team All Big Ten as a DH in 2009, batted an outstanding .388 with 7 HRs and 42 RBIs. Backing him up will be Matt Streng (6-2, 190 lbs, Jr., Upper Arlington HS, Upper Arlington, OH). Streng hit .308 last year with 8 HRs and 38 RBIs.
The Third Base position will be by committee - starting with Cory Rupert (6-0, 185 lbs, Sr., Madison HS, Mansfield, OH). The versatile Rupert has started 112 games for the Buckeyes at SS, 2nd and 3rd. His offensive numbers read .279, 8 2Bs, 2 Hrs and 19 RBIs. Splitting time with Rupert will be Brad Hallberg (5-10, 180 lbs, Fr., Barron HS, Barron, WI). Hallberg showed real promise at the plate last year, batting .400 before a shoulder injury ended his season after only 4 games. He took a Redshirt to preserve his 4 years of eligibility.
The Catcher position will be in the very capable hands of Dan Burkhart (5-11, 205 lbs, Jr., Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH). Burkhart, along with Wimmers, was selected as a Preseason Second Team All-American by both the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association of America (NCBWA) and Ping! Baseball. He was selected First Team All-American and last year?s Big Ten Player of the Year by Rivals.com. Burkhart had an excellent 2009 season behind the plate and in the field. His .985 fielding percentage was among the league leaders. At the plate he was dangerous as well and a headache for opposing pitchers. His .354 avg was second on the team, trailing only Dew. He is the top among the returning players in HRs (16) and RBIs (62). Backing up Burkhart will be Shawn Forsythe (6-0, 205 lbs, Sr., Sheridan HS, Thornville, OH). Forsythe hit .238 in limited action in 2009. Also on hand will be David Fathalikhani (6-1, 205 lbs, Fr., Madison HS, Vienna, VA), D.J. Hanlin (6-0, 195 lbs, Jr., Thomas Worthington HS, Worthington, OH) and Steel Russell (6-0, 198 lbs, Fr., Chestnut Hill Academy, Wyndmoor, PA).
Outfielders:
Ohio State fields a deep and talented squad of outfielders for the 2010 season. In fact, many describe it as the strength of the team. Leading the way is Left Fielder and team Co-Captain Zach Hurley (6-0, 205 lbs, Sr., Springboro HS, Springboro, OH). Hurley had a strong year at the plate in 2009 batting .356 with 12 2Bs, a team (and Big Ten) leading 6 3Bs, 6 HRs and 53 RBIs. His glove-work was superb as well as evidenced by his .989 fielding percentage (and only 2 errors).
Joining Hurley in the outfield is Center Fielder Michael Stephens (6-1, 205 lbs, Sr., Victorville HS, Victorville, CA). After transferring from traditional west-coast power Cal State-Fullerton, Stephens enjoyed a fine year in Columbus matching Hurley?s .346 avg and adding 10 2Bs, 5 3Bs, a team-leading 14 HRs and 63 RBIs.
Completing the talented trio of outfielders will be Right Fielder Chris Griffin (5-9, 180 lbs, Sr., Pickerington North HS, Pickerington, OH). Griffin posted fine numbers at the plate in 2009 with a .333 avg, 3 HRs and 14 RBIs in only 30 at bats.
First off the Bench will be Brian DeLucia (6-0, 200 lbs, Jr., Bishop Watterson HS, Columbus, OH). DeLucia will be moving from 3rd to the outfield after a thumb injury wiped out all but 3 games of his 2009 season. He still managed to get 6 RBIs in only 11 at bats last year and is being counted on to be a regular off the bench. 3 Freshmen with little experience but great potential will provide depth: David Corna (6-1, 180 lbs, Jr., Moeller HS, Cincinnati, OH), Joe Ciamacco (6-0, 180 lbs, Fr., Davidson HS, Hilliard, OH) and Hunter Mayfield (6-0, 180 lbs, Fr., Chiles HS, Tallahassee, FL).
Coaches:
Bob Todd enters his 22nd year as coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes. It is not hyperbole to state this could be considered the Golden Age of Buckeye Baseball. Coach Todd has led the Buckeyes to 14 Big Ten titles and 12 NCAA tournament appearances. He has more career wins than any coach in Ohio State history. Last year, Todd was elected to not one, but two Halls of Fame: The "Varsity O" at Ohio State and the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. In the most telling of facts, every 4 year class of Buckeyes to play for Coach Todd have at least 1 Big Ten title to their names.
Assisting Coach Todd will be Hitting Coach Greg Cypret, also entering his 22nd year with the Buckeyes. Coach Cypret is the driving force behind the consistent success of the Buckeye hitters and has had a hand in all 14 Big Ten title teams.
Also assisting this year are Peter Jenkins, Eric Parker and this year former Buckeye Justin Miller.
Additional Information and Links
Coaching Staff bios - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Roster - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Past Years Statistics - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
2010 Schedule - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Baseball Web Site - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Ohio State Baseball News - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Bill Davis Stadium - Ohio State Buckeyes official Site
Big Ten Baseball Coverage - Big Ten Network
Composite Schedule - Big Ten Network
Big Ten Network Scheduled Games - Big Ten Network
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