2006 Baseball Season Outlook
Head coach Bob Todd is entering his 19th season at the helm of the Buckeyes
Jedidiah Stephen ended last season batting .305 with 46 RBI.
Jan. 24, 2006
In 2005, the Ohio State baseball team won its third Big Ten tournament title in four years and made its 11th trip to the NCAA tournament under head coach Bob Todd, who enters his 19th season with the Buckeyes.
Those endeavors are among the goals each and every year. All of Todd's four-year recruits at Ohio State have been a part of a conference championship team. Todd's program has become the winningest program in the Big Ten since he arrived in Columbus in time for the 1988 season. The program also boasts recent success with the most wins by a Big Ten team since 2000 to go with four NCAA tournament berths, including the super regional appearance in 2003. In addition to Big Ten tournament championships and NCAA appearances, his teams have won six Big Ten regular season titles.
This year should be no different than the past. The team has goals of winning the Big Ten regular season title, winning the Big Ten tournament title, hosting and/or playing in an NCAA regional and taking this program where it has not gone since 1967 - the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. The Big Ten's last national championship was won by the Buckeyes in 1966.
Reaching Rosenblatt Stadium will be somewhat of a tall order considering the losses of outfielders Steve Caravati and Mike Rabin, first baseman Paul Farinacci and pitchers Mike Madsen and Trent Luyster. But the team will build around second baseman Jason Zoeller, shortstop Jedidiah Stephen, third baseman Ronnie Bourquin, catcher Eric Fryer, outfielder Matt Angle and pitchers Dan DeLucia, Cory Luebke, Trey Fausnaugh and Rory Meister
The Buckeyes, though, have faced tough odds before. Look no further than last season.
Ohio State started the year as one of the surprise teams in college baseball, but opened Big Ten play 0-5, a first since 1936, and then, because of injuries, fell to last place in the league standings as late in the season as April 29. The Buckeyes responded, though, to win 15 of their next 17 games to tie for fourth. The Scarlet and Gray swept its way to the championship round of the Big Ten tournament. Minnesota took game one in walk-off fashion, but Ohio State cruised to a 14-6 victory in game two to win the league's automatic berth into the NCAA tournament for the third time in the last four seasons and were sent to Corvallis, Ore., where it met No. 2 Oregon State in the opening round. The Buckeyes beat Virginia before ending their season against St. John's.
Now, in 2006, Ohio State has a schedule that could work to its advantage. Despite having to go back to Michigan for the second year in a row, the Buckeyes get Illinois, the 2005 Big Ten champion, Purdue, which finished as the league runner-up a season ago, and Minnesota all at Bill Davis Stadium, which this year celebrates its 10th season. The season, which also features road trips to Iowa, Indiana and Michigan State, closes May 17-20 at home against Penn State.
THE INFIELD
All but one of the starting infielders returns in 2006. Paul Farinacci, a three-year starter at first base, is the lone departure. Back are Zoeller at second, Stephen at short and Bourquin at third.
"Any time you have your returning starters back, you like to think that is a positive," Todd said. "You like to be able to rely on their experience to help lead this ball club. All of our starting infielders were in double-digits in errors and I would like to think we are going to become much more stable defensively."
Offensively, Stephen, a senior, hit .305 with 20 extra-base hits, including 13 doubles and five home runs. Zoeller, a junior, hit .302 and led the team with 49 runs scored to go with six home runs and 65 hits, the second-highest figure on the squad a season ago, just off Rabin's team-best 66 hits. Bourquin, a junior, batted .268, but missed 11 games after breaking a bone in his thumb the opening weekend of Big Ten play.
Several Buckeyes could figure into the equation at first base since no one has significant experience. Kris Moorman, J.B. Shuck or Justin Miller likely will vie for the spot on the right corner early in the season. Moorman is in his fourth year in the program, but has seen limited action as a backup at third base with an occasional late-inning sub at first. Shuck and Miller are true freshmen, but both bring a strong prep resume. Shuck is a two-time first team All-Ohio selection, while Miller was mentioned for all-state honors in Virginia. Fryer could potentially figure in the mix as well.
Backing up the infield will be sophomores Chris Macke and Tony Kennedy, red-shirt freshman Michael Arp and true freshmen Matt Curran, Seth Sanders and Ben Toussant.
THE OUTFIELD
Gone from the outfield are Caravati, the 2004 Big Ten Player of the Year and 2005 Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and Rabin, a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 2005. The only returning starter is Angle, a sophomore who started 40 games, mostly in right field. Angle batted .307 with 51 hits and added four outfield assists.
The speedy Angle likely will slide over to play center field allowing Jacob Howell and Wes Schirtzinger to play left and right, respectively. Howell, a 2004 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and Big Ten Freshman of the Year, played only 39 games in 2005 after a shoulder injury in the sixth game of the season. He finished with a .270 batting average with 31 hits and 16 RBI to go with 13 stolen bases. In 2004, he hit .336 with 81 hits in 58 starts. Last season, Schirtzinger made 19 starts in the outfield and another nine as the designated hitter after playing in 56 games as a freshman. He was sidelined for most of the 2004 season with a wrist injury. In 47 games in 2005, he batted .313 with 42 hits, 12 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
Beyond those three players, fifth-year senior Cody Caughenbaugh and sophomore Jonathan Zizzo could see playing time. Caughenbaugh, who has started 38 games during the last two seasons as the Buckeyes' designated hitter, batted .274 with 26 hits and 24 RBI in 2005. Zizzo, one of the fastest players on the team, played in only seven games last year as a freshman, but could make valuable contributions as a reserve. Also bolstering the outfield will be freshmen Chris Griffin and Zach Hurley.
BEHIND THE PLATE
Fryer made an immediate impact last year as a freshman, making 51 starts behind the plate. While he solidified his position last year, he could share time with redshirt freshman Josh Hula and Miller, a true freshman. Fryer is the leading returning hitter from a season ago when he sported a .323 batting average thanks to an average that swelled to a team-leading .400 in Big Ten games. That average was the second best in the league. He had 43 hits and 24 RBI. Hula gained valuable experience as a bullpen catcher last season and has a quick release. Junior Adam Schneider, also a DH, and freshmen Nick Steponovich and Shawn Forsythe fill out the roster at catcher.
ON THE MOUND
Despite the losses of Madsen and Luyster, who combined to win 38 career games, the Buckeyes will be sound on the mound. DeLucia and Luebke are back as starters. DeLucia, a third-team All-Big Ten pick as a sophomore, was 6-5 with a team-best 2.92 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 95.2 innings while Luebke, a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, was 4-2 with a 3.55 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 71.0 innings. DeLucia pitched three complete games and was the Friday night starter in the final six conference series. Luebke also pitched three complete games with the team's only shutout.
Fausnaugh, a junior, likely will make the switch to starter after making 56 relief appearances without a start during his first two years as a Buckeye. He owns a 5-3 career record with 12 saves, nine of which came as a freshman. Meister developed into the team's closer last year as a redshirt freshman. He finished 8-2 with four saves and a 2.11 ERA and limited opposing batters to a .181 batting average. During a span of eight days, he won six games, including four wins in a row.
"With the experience Dan and Cory gained last year, along with the emergence of Dan Barker, and I think the most improved player this fall, Trey Fausnaugh, we should have some stability on the mound," Todd said. "We feel like there are a couple of freshmen who have the potential to make some immediate and positive contributions to this year's team."
Barker, Shuck and Matthew Selhorst could contend for the fourth starting slot, but both should be pushed by freshmen Tyler Barnes, Josh Barrera, Eric Best, Jake Hale, Brad Hays and Jake Weber. Barker started three of his 11 appearances and was 1-0 last year with a 1.76 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. Three of the freshmen - Barnes, Best and Hale - earned all-state honors and Hale was a 24th-round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians.
Time will tell where fifth-year senior Chris Hanners will fit in the mix. Injuries have sidelined him for most of the last two seasons.
BILL DAVIS STADIUM TURNS 10
This year marks the 10th season of Ohio State baseball at Bill Davis Stadium. One of the best college baseball stadiums has been quite an advantage for the Buckeyes, who have a 169-67 (.716) overall record there. The venue has played host to two Big Ten tournament championships (1999 and 2001), two regional championships (1999 and 2001) and two super regional championships (1999 and 2003).
"Bill Davis Stadium has been ranked as one of the best college baseball stadiums in the country and I think Ohio State fans have done a great job creating an extremely positive atmosphere," Todd said. "I can't believe it is the 10th season."
THE SCHEDULE
While the season begins Feb. 24-26 at the Pepsi Baseball Classic in Gainesville, Fla., the Buckeyes do not play a home game until the 17th game of the season March 29 against Toledo. The Buckeyes tour Florida during the preseason, going to Jacksonville, Clearwater and Bradenton after leaving Gainesville. Joining the Rockets in non-conference action at Bill Davis Stadium will be Miami (Ohio), Central Michigan, Oakland, Cleveland State, Eastern Michigan and Pittsburgh. Big Ten play opens March 31 at Iowa. Other conference road trips are to Michigan, Indiana and Michigan State, while Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota and Penn State all visit Columbus. The Big Ten tournament will be played May 24-28 in the home stadium of the regular season champion.
Head coach Bob Todd is entering his 19th season at the helm of the Buckeyes
Jedidiah Stephen ended last season batting .305 with 46 RBI.
Jan. 24, 2006
In 2005, the Ohio State baseball team won its third Big Ten tournament title in four years and made its 11th trip to the NCAA tournament under head coach Bob Todd, who enters his 19th season with the Buckeyes.
Those endeavors are among the goals each and every year. All of Todd's four-year recruits at Ohio State have been a part of a conference championship team. Todd's program has become the winningest program in the Big Ten since he arrived in Columbus in time for the 1988 season. The program also boasts recent success with the most wins by a Big Ten team since 2000 to go with four NCAA tournament berths, including the super regional appearance in 2003. In addition to Big Ten tournament championships and NCAA appearances, his teams have won six Big Ten regular season titles.
This year should be no different than the past. The team has goals of winning the Big Ten regular season title, winning the Big Ten tournament title, hosting and/or playing in an NCAA regional and taking this program where it has not gone since 1967 - the College World Series in Omaha, Neb. The Big Ten's last national championship was won by the Buckeyes in 1966.
Reaching Rosenblatt Stadium will be somewhat of a tall order considering the losses of outfielders Steve Caravati and Mike Rabin, first baseman Paul Farinacci and pitchers Mike Madsen and Trent Luyster. But the team will build around second baseman Jason Zoeller, shortstop Jedidiah Stephen, third baseman Ronnie Bourquin, catcher Eric Fryer, outfielder Matt Angle and pitchers Dan DeLucia, Cory Luebke, Trey Fausnaugh and Rory Meister
The Buckeyes, though, have faced tough odds before. Look no further than last season.
Ohio State started the year as one of the surprise teams in college baseball, but opened Big Ten play 0-5, a first since 1936, and then, because of injuries, fell to last place in the league standings as late in the season as April 29. The Buckeyes responded, though, to win 15 of their next 17 games to tie for fourth. The Scarlet and Gray swept its way to the championship round of the Big Ten tournament. Minnesota took game one in walk-off fashion, but Ohio State cruised to a 14-6 victory in game two to win the league's automatic berth into the NCAA tournament for the third time in the last four seasons and were sent to Corvallis, Ore., where it met No. 2 Oregon State in the opening round. The Buckeyes beat Virginia before ending their season against St. John's.
Now, in 2006, Ohio State has a schedule that could work to its advantage. Despite having to go back to Michigan for the second year in a row, the Buckeyes get Illinois, the 2005 Big Ten champion, Purdue, which finished as the league runner-up a season ago, and Minnesota all at Bill Davis Stadium, which this year celebrates its 10th season. The season, which also features road trips to Iowa, Indiana and Michigan State, closes May 17-20 at home against Penn State.
THE INFIELD
All but one of the starting infielders returns in 2006. Paul Farinacci, a three-year starter at first base, is the lone departure. Back are Zoeller at second, Stephen at short and Bourquin at third.
"Any time you have your returning starters back, you like to think that is a positive," Todd said. "You like to be able to rely on their experience to help lead this ball club. All of our starting infielders were in double-digits in errors and I would like to think we are going to become much more stable defensively."
Offensively, Stephen, a senior, hit .305 with 20 extra-base hits, including 13 doubles and five home runs. Zoeller, a junior, hit .302 and led the team with 49 runs scored to go with six home runs and 65 hits, the second-highest figure on the squad a season ago, just off Rabin's team-best 66 hits. Bourquin, a junior, batted .268, but missed 11 games after breaking a bone in his thumb the opening weekend of Big Ten play.
Several Buckeyes could figure into the equation at first base since no one has significant experience. Kris Moorman, J.B. Shuck or Justin Miller likely will vie for the spot on the right corner early in the season. Moorman is in his fourth year in the program, but has seen limited action as a backup at third base with an occasional late-inning sub at first. Shuck and Miller are true freshmen, but both bring a strong prep resume. Shuck is a two-time first team All-Ohio selection, while Miller was mentioned for all-state honors in Virginia. Fryer could potentially figure in the mix as well.
Backing up the infield will be sophomores Chris Macke and Tony Kennedy, red-shirt freshman Michael Arp and true freshmen Matt Curran, Seth Sanders and Ben Toussant.
THE OUTFIELD
Gone from the outfield are Caravati, the 2004 Big Ten Player of the Year and 2005 Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and Rabin, a first-team All-Big Ten pick in 2005. The only returning starter is Angle, a sophomore who started 40 games, mostly in right field. Angle batted .307 with 51 hits and added four outfield assists.
The speedy Angle likely will slide over to play center field allowing Jacob Howell and Wes Schirtzinger to play left and right, respectively. Howell, a 2004 Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American and Big Ten Freshman of the Year, played only 39 games in 2005 after a shoulder injury in the sixth game of the season. He finished with a .270 batting average with 31 hits and 16 RBI to go with 13 stolen bases. In 2004, he hit .336 with 81 hits in 58 starts. Last season, Schirtzinger made 19 starts in the outfield and another nine as the designated hitter after playing in 56 games as a freshman. He was sidelined for most of the 2004 season with a wrist injury. In 47 games in 2005, he batted .313 with 42 hits, 12 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
Beyond those three players, fifth-year senior Cody Caughenbaugh and sophomore Jonathan Zizzo could see playing time. Caughenbaugh, who has started 38 games during the last two seasons as the Buckeyes' designated hitter, batted .274 with 26 hits and 24 RBI in 2005. Zizzo, one of the fastest players on the team, played in only seven games last year as a freshman, but could make valuable contributions as a reserve. Also bolstering the outfield will be freshmen Chris Griffin and Zach Hurley.
BEHIND THE PLATE
Fryer made an immediate impact last year as a freshman, making 51 starts behind the plate. While he solidified his position last year, he could share time with redshirt freshman Josh Hula and Miller, a true freshman. Fryer is the leading returning hitter from a season ago when he sported a .323 batting average thanks to an average that swelled to a team-leading .400 in Big Ten games. That average was the second best in the league. He had 43 hits and 24 RBI. Hula gained valuable experience as a bullpen catcher last season and has a quick release. Junior Adam Schneider, also a DH, and freshmen Nick Steponovich and Shawn Forsythe fill out the roster at catcher.
ON THE MOUND
Despite the losses of Madsen and Luyster, who combined to win 38 career games, the Buckeyes will be sound on the mound. DeLucia and Luebke are back as starters. DeLucia, a third-team All-Big Ten pick as a sophomore, was 6-5 with a team-best 2.92 ERA and 55 strikeouts in 95.2 innings while Luebke, a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American, was 4-2 with a 3.55 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 71.0 innings. DeLucia pitched three complete games and was the Friday night starter in the final six conference series. Luebke also pitched three complete games with the team's only shutout.
Fausnaugh, a junior, likely will make the switch to starter after making 56 relief appearances without a start during his first two years as a Buckeye. He owns a 5-3 career record with 12 saves, nine of which came as a freshman. Meister developed into the team's closer last year as a redshirt freshman. He finished 8-2 with four saves and a 2.11 ERA and limited opposing batters to a .181 batting average. During a span of eight days, he won six games, including four wins in a row.
"With the experience Dan and Cory gained last year, along with the emergence of Dan Barker, and I think the most improved player this fall, Trey Fausnaugh, we should have some stability on the mound," Todd said. "We feel like there are a couple of freshmen who have the potential to make some immediate and positive contributions to this year's team."
Barker, Shuck and Matthew Selhorst could contend for the fourth starting slot, but both should be pushed by freshmen Tyler Barnes, Josh Barrera, Eric Best, Jake Hale, Brad Hays and Jake Weber. Barker started three of his 11 appearances and was 1-0 last year with a 1.76 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 30.2 innings. Three of the freshmen - Barnes, Best and Hale - earned all-state honors and Hale was a 24th-round draft pick of the Cleveland Indians.
Time will tell where fifth-year senior Chris Hanners will fit in the mix. Injuries have sidelined him for most of the last two seasons.
BILL DAVIS STADIUM TURNS 10
This year marks the 10th season of Ohio State baseball at Bill Davis Stadium. One of the best college baseball stadiums has been quite an advantage for the Buckeyes, who have a 169-67 (.716) overall record there. The venue has played host to two Big Ten tournament championships (1999 and 2001), two regional championships (1999 and 2001) and two super regional championships (1999 and 2003).
"Bill Davis Stadium has been ranked as one of the best college baseball stadiums in the country and I think Ohio State fans have done a great job creating an extremely positive atmosphere," Todd said. "I can't believe it is the 10th season."
THE SCHEDULE
While the season begins Feb. 24-26 at the Pepsi Baseball Classic in Gainesville, Fla., the Buckeyes do not play a home game until the 17th game of the season March 29 against Toledo. The Buckeyes tour Florida during the preseason, going to Jacksonville, Clearwater and Bradenton after leaving Gainesville. Joining the Rockets in non-conference action at Bill Davis Stadium will be Miami (Ohio), Central Michigan, Oakland, Cleveland State, Eastern Michigan and Pittsburgh. Big Ten play opens March 31 at Iowa. Other conference road trips are to Michigan, Indiana and Michigan State, while Illinois, Purdue, Minnesota and Penn State all visit Columbus. The Big Ten tournament will be played May 24-28 in the home stadium of the regular season champion.
