• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

UNC-Wilmington Series @ Wilmington, NC

BULLPEN GUIDES BUCKEYES TO 8-3 WIN AT UNCW

Griffan Smith claims first career win, Buckeye bats knock 11 hits on eight runs in Tuesday victory against Seahawks

WILMINGTON, N.C.
- The Ohio State baseball team won, 8-3, at UNCW Tuesday afternoon at Brooks Field. Freshman left-handed pitcher Griffan Smith picked up his first career win, while sophomore Conner Pohl drove in three runs and senior Noah McGowan had three hits on the afternoon. With the win the Buckeyes improve to 10-6 overall and the Seahawks drop to 11-5 in 2018.

QUOTE FROM COACH
"It's a great midweek win against a quality opponent at their place," head coach Greg Beals said. "The thing I liked the most is the way we used our bullpen tonight. We talked about early on the strengths of this ball club is the depth that we have out there that bullpen and how we can mix and match with those guys. Our bullpen won the game today. I'm pleased how they pitched from start to finish."

STARTER TALK
Under a controlled start in his first collegiate nod, Smith was solid on the mound for the Scarlet and Gray. He scattered six hits on two runs, one earned, with two strikeouts and one walk to claim the victory. After allowing a RBI single, he rolled the Seahawks into a double play to end the first. Smith left two on base following a big time catch by Dominic Canzone in the second. The native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Smith limited the UNCW bats to one run in the third when he struck out Doug Angeli and induced a ground out to leave two more runners. He was relieved by right-handed reliever Austin Woodby with one out in the top of the fourth.

STRONG BULLPEN
Woodby tossed 2.1 scoreless innings and scattered three hits with three strikeouts and no walks. Right-handed reliever Kyle Michalik threw a scoreless seventh with one walk. Left-handed pitcher Connor Curlis made his first relief appearance in the bottom of the eighth. He got the called strike three to leave two on base. Right-handed reliever Curtiss Irving pitched the ninth and gave up one run on two hits.

WEB GEM BY DOM
Canzone made an incredible catch in windy conditions at Brooks Field to record the final out of the second inning. On a 2-0 pitch, lead-off hitter Greg Jones was robbed extra-bases when Canzone sprinted to his left in the gap in right center and extended out at the last second to make the acrobatic grab, while dealing with the chilly 15 mph gusts. Two runners were left stranded on the highlight-reel play by the OSU sophomore.

FOUR RUNS IN THE FIRST THREE
The Buckeyes scored four times in the opening three innings vs. the Seahawks. McGowan singled to left field to drive in Brady Cherry. A RBI ground out by Pohl made it a 2-0 game before Cowles knocked a base hit to center field push the lead to three runs. In the top of the third, Pohl singled through the right side to plate Cherry for the second time on the afternoon.

UNCW RUNS
The Seahawks found a run in the first and third innings. Mason Berne hit a single through the left side and David Sheaffer doubled down the right field line for the second run.



SCORE, SCORE, SCORE
Ohio State moved its lead to five with a run in the sixth and seventh and two runs in the eighth inning, respectively. Jacob Barnwell singled to second base to allow Nate Romans to score from second base. Romans reached safely on a dropped fly ball in center field. In the seventh, Pohl singled to right center to drive in his third run of the game. In the eighth, Romans had a lead-off triple down the right field line and touched home plate on a wild pitch. Pinch-hitter Malik Jones walked and scored later in the frame on a second wild pitch.

UP NEXT
Ohio State concludes its two-game series at UNCW at 4 p.m. ET Wednesday at Brooks Field. Free stream and audio will be available at uncwsports.com. Links can also be found on the Ohio State baseball schedule page on OhioStateBuckeyes.com.

GAME NOTES



  • Ohio State improves to 2-1 all-time vs. the Seahawks. Today marked the first meeting between the two programs in 40 years.
  • The Buckeyes knocked 11 hits on the afternoon. Ohio State has had four games with double-digit hits this year.
  • Ohio State came into the contest leading the Big Ten in scoring (7.5).
  • The team turned its 19th double play of the season, which leads the conference.
  • Cowles extended his team-high hit streak to career-high 12 games. He's reached base in all 16 games in 2018 (career-high).
  • McGowan now has 25 RBI, which leads the Big Ten.
  • Other Reached base streaks extended: Pohl (13).
  • Multi-hit games: McGowan (10) and Pohl (7).

RANDOM NOTES FROM AROUND THE BALL PARK



  • From one beach to the next. The beach boys. It was an hour and 25 minute drive up Interstate 17 from Myrtle Beach to Wilmington, N.C., this morning. Most of the boys got some extra Z's in. Andrew Fishel stayed awake on the ride up the coast. He was returning to his home state. #KeepPounding
  • The boys had a delicious pregame meal once arriving at the hotel. Really tasty pasta. The vodka sauce was superb. It was OK to get lost in the sauce.
  • Arriving to the ball park, the Ohio State SID headed up to press box at Brooks Field. UNCW SID Tom Riordan was very hospitable, saying food from either the concession stand or the two food trucks located down the left field line were on the house. Time was not wasted to walk back downstairs. The Seahawk food wagon was the first stop. They had everything. From burgers to wings to loaded fries. Like Guy Fieri says, "Food is not just eating energy. It's an experience." And what better way to experience a ball game than with juicy fresh beef grilled to perfection between two slices of an everything bun, freshly baked. Lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup and mustard too.
  • The BP playlist by UNCW was legit. One of the best the Buckeyes have heard this year. A great variety of tunes. You can listen to the playlist on Spotify by searching, UNCW Baseball 2018 Season.
  • There was déjà vu at the ball park. Looking out on the grassy hill behind the left field fence, there were teal Adirondack chairs, just like the ones sitting around the park at Coastal. And you guessed it, Kyle Michalik, Seth Kinker and Austin Woodbywere putting them to use again. Just chilling. Waiting for that breezy Carolina wind to carry the baseball out of the park. Home run duty is a tough gig, but someone has to do it. And yes, all chairs at Springs Brooks Stadium in Conway should be accounted for.
  • Coaches are there for you, especially when you're on the base paths dealing with a uniform malfunction. Head Coach Greg Beals, who does the signaling from third base coaches' box, gave his black belt to McGowan in the top of the fourth after his belt broke while diving back to the bag on a pick-off attempt. That's a first. Baseball is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're gonna get.
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/031318aaa.html
 
Upvote 0
Great road series sweep that really boosted our RPI. Up from mid 80’s to mid 40’s.

Wilmington gifted us a lot of runs. It was nice to see an opponent have a clown show on the infield for a change.

Overall I think we pitched pretty well and it was encouraging to see Austin Wooby finally have an effective relief appearance. Also good to see Jake Vance get a win finally. Vance is a very intriguing prospect...the velocity difference in his pitches makes him tough when he has command

Heavy hitting CSUN up next...hopefully we can keep it going.
 
Upvote 0
Off topic and I apologize but Meatchicken just dropped their home opener to NAIA Lawrence Tech. It was not an exhibition.

We gripe about Beals and rightfully so, but Bakich hasn’t done much with some pretty epic recruiting classes. The class he just brought in is widely considered the best in B1G history on paper.


Lawrence Tech you guys:yay2:

www.ltuathletics.com/article/2346.php#.WqnmzRopCf0
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0
Great road series sweep that really boosted our RPI. Up from mid 80’s to mid 40’s.

Wilmington gifted us a lot of runs. It was nice to see an opponent have a clown show on the infield for a change.

Overall I think we pitched pretty well and it was encouraging to see Austin Wooby finally have an effective relief appearance. Also good to see Jake Vance get a win finally. Vance is a very intriguing prospect...the velocity difference in his pitches makes him tough when he has command

Heavy hitting CSUN up next...hopefully we can keep it going.

Good call on the opponent finally giving us some unearned runs.

This weekend should be interesting. Can we expand this winning streak or do we continue our start and stop (win 1 lose 1 win 2 lose 2)
 
Upvote 0
Off topic and I apologize but Meatchicken just dropped their home opener to NAIA Lawrence Tech. It was not an exhibition.

We gripe about Beals and rightfully so, but Bakich hasn’t done much with some pretty epic recruiting classes. The class he just brought in is widely considered the best in B1G history on paper.


Lawrence Tech you guys:yay2:


Umm holy shit
 
Upvote 0
BUCKEYES CLAIM MIDWEEK SWEEP AT UNCW WEDNESDAY

Ohio State finishes 4-2 on spring break trip and improve to 11-6 overall in 2018

WILMINGTON, N.C.
- The Ohio State baseball team finished off its spring break trip with an 8-1 win at UNC Wilmington Wednesday at Brooks Field. With the midweek series sweep, the Buckeyes improve to 11-6 overall, while the Seahawks drop to 11-6 in 2018. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jake Vance claimed his first collegiate win in a controlled start, while sophomore Dominic Canzone had his eighth multi-hit game of the year.

SOLID CONTROLLED START, FIRST CAREER WIN
Vance was efficient on the bump in his first start of 2018. In four innings of work, the native of Canton, Ohio, limited the Seahawk bats to one run on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

IN THE BOX SCORE
Dominic Canzone
was 3-for-5 with two runs scored, double, home run and two RBI. Noah West, Conner Pohl and Malik Jones also had base hits in the road win.

BUCKEYES PLATE FIVE IN THE OPENING FRAMES
Just like yesterday the Buckeyes got off to a strong start, scoring three times in the top of the first against right-hander Nick Bruno. Canzone doubled down the left field line on a 1-2 pitch to open the game before West knocked an 0-2 count for a base hit. With runners on the corners, Noah McGowan lifted a fly ball to center field for the first run. Pohl drove in West on a RBI single to make it 3-0. In the second, Canzone launched his third home run of the year for a two-run shot over the wall in center.

JONES WINS IN THE WIND
Jones made two diving plays in centerfield early in the game to take away hits from the Seahawks. He chased down a ball in the left center gap to retire the first out in the second. In the third, Jones battled the wind straight on with a diving grab in shallow center field.

MORE RUNS
Ohio State continued to put pressure on the Seahawk pitching staff as the Buckeyes got the lead-off man aboard for the third time in the top of the fourth when Jones walked. The Scarlet and Gray had runners on the corners with one down and Brady Cherry hustled down the line to beat out a potential ground ball double play, allowing Jones to score the sixth run of the game.

The bats kept attacking, taking advantage of free passes by the UNCW arms. In the fifth, Jones knocked a two-out base hit up the middle for the seventh run. Following an infield single by Canzone to load the bases, a fielding error at third base allowed Dillon Dingler to score to make it 8-1.

UNCW SCORING PLAYS
The OSU defense gave the Seahawks their first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth. Miss communication between the OSU outfielders in the gap in left center allowed a fly ball to drop to plate a run. It went in the books as a RBI double for Cole Weiss.

BULLPEN PUTS UP ZEROS
Once again it was a collected effort by the pitching staff tonight. Left-handed reliever Andrew Magno tossed a scoreless fifth with a pair of strikeouts on one hit. Right-handed pitcher Yianni Pavlopoulos made his second relief appearance of the season and walked two and struck out a pair. Right-handed relievers Kyle Michalik and Thomas Waning put up bagels in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Right-handed reliever Seth Kinker closed the door on the Seahawks with a scoreless ninth.

UP NEXT
Ohio State opens the 2018 home schedule with a three-game series against Cal State Northridge Friday-Sunday at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium. The home opener is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Friday against the Matadors. The opening series will be streamed on BTN Plus ($).

GAME NOTES



  • The game today concludes the Buckeyes' 17-game road swing to start the 2018 campaign. Ohio State goes 4-2 during it spring break trip.
  • Ohio State improves to 3-1 all-time vs. the Seahawks. The Buckeyes claim their first midweek series sweep of the season.
  • Cowles' career-high 12-game hit streak was snapped today. He's reached base in all 17 games in 2018 (career-high).
  • McGowan now has 26 RBI, which leads the Big Ten.
  • Canzone has eight multi-hit games in 2018.
RANDOM NOTES FROM AROUND THE BALL PARK



  • Last day of the six-game road trip for the boys. It's felt like a month since we've last seen Columbus. Thankfully, the beds at our hotel in Wilmington were heavenly last night. Just the right amount of softness and firmness. Plenty of pillows. Everyone got some healthy REM sleep time before getaway day.
  • It felt more like a chilly day in the Midwest on the campus of Wilmington today. Pretty brutal conditions to play baseball. Windy. Super, super windy. Like you're at a Cleveland Browns game in December. Or Buffalo. Or Chicago. Gusts were up to 35 miles per hour blowing from right to left field. That didn't stop volunteer coach Dan DeLucia from getting his routine long toss in. The only three-time captain in OSU history, and the Buckeye Baseball Eating Champion of the World, was seen firing missiles from the left field foul line to warning track in right center. Into the wind? No big deal. Some people are just blessed with handsome smiles and laser-rocket arms.
  • Coach Stafford had some fun in front of the camera with his staff before the game today. Check it out on our twitter page @OhioState_BASE. Or just keep scrolling down on the web.
  • The Ohio State SID once again got the hookup with the food truck this afternoon. He was looking forward to the BBQ truck, but it never showed up. Sad. But not to worry. He went right back to the Seahawk Food Wagon and got one of the most popular items on the menu, loaded tots. And boy, were they loaded. Tasty sweet chili covered with a spicy chipotle ranch sauce. Underneath those delicious layers were the jalapenos along with some green onion to enhance the overall flavor. Somewhere underneath it all were the tots. They were lost in the sauce.
  • Ice cream on a cold and windy day? Why not. Free ice cream was passed out behind the press box. The people at the stand were basically begging people to take some or two, or three. You can't waste good ice cream, but tough afternoon for fans to enjoy. Unless you're in the media. It was a pleasant and comfortable 72 degrees in the press box. No breeze. Perfect typing conditions. And a great environment to consume some savory treats.
  • Charter flight for the boys tonight to the `Bus, so that's all our random notes on the road for now. UNCW is a great place to visit. Friendly and welcoming. The UNCW SID even gave the leftover pastries in the press box from a local bakery to the boys. Best of luck the rest of the way, Seahawks.
http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-basebl/recaps/031418aab.html
 
Upvote 0
Back
Top