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Post by ClayLive on Aug 16, 2011 16:34:55 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball Summer League Wrap-Up
RICHMOND, Ky. – Senior infielder Dustin Dunlop highlighted a productive summer for Eastern Kentucky University baseball student-athletes playing in wooden bat leagues around the country as he was named a first-team All-Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League shortstop and helped lead the Lima Locos to a GLSCL Championship. Dunlop batted .327 and led EKU with 11 RBI over the Colonels’ final 14 games this spring, and he carried that hot, and timely, hitting into his summer ball assignment, batting .299 for the Locos with six doubles, two triples, three home runs and a team-leading 29 RBI. The Conyers, Ga. native provided a key RBI in the championship game as the Locos defeated the Southern Ohio Copperheads, 2-1, to secure their third GLSCL championship and first since 2004. Dunlop, however, was not the only Colonel to win a championship this summer. Three EKU teammates – senior shortstop Richie Rodriguez, junior outfielder Austin Grisham and sophomore catcher Sean Hagen – won the Valley Baseball League Championship as members of the Covington Lumberjacks. Rodriguez, the Colonels’ leading hitter this spring, batted .302 for the Lumberjacks with seven doubles, three triples, two home runs and a team-leading 20 stolen bases. Grisham, meanwhile, scored 25 runs, drove in 23 runs and swiped 19 bags on the summer, while Hagen batted .271 with six doubles and a home run. The following are other highlights from summer league play: Northwoods League - Junior right-hander Anthony Bazzani, who along with teammate Matt Fyffe are the only Colonels still currently playing summer ball, has produced eye-boggling numbers as the closer for the Alexandria Beetles. While reportedly touching high-90s on the radar gun, Bazzani has 12 saves, a 1.45 ERA and 70 strikeouts in only 49.2 innings of work for a Beetles team that is still alive in the Northwoods League Playoffs. Fyffe, a senior right-hander, has also had solid summer, posting a 4-4 record, a 4.82 ERA and 57 strikeouts in 65.1 innings of work. New England Collegiate Baseball League - Senior outfielder Jacob Daniel was named a NECBL All-Star this summer and he finished the season batting .271 with four doubles, two home runs and a team-best 27 RBI for the North Adams Steeplecats. Cal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League - Senior left-hander Greg Terry concluded an unblemished summer for the Baltimore Redbirds, going a perfect 5-0 with a 2.63 ERA. Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League - Senior right-hander Matt Harris ended the summer as the Lexington Hustlers’ best pitcher, posting a 3-2 record, 2.72 ERA and 32 punch-outs in 39.2 innings of work.
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Post by ClayLive on Aug 25, 2011 10:30:51 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Junior Named Top Reliever in Collegiate Summer Baseball EKU Sports press release Anthony Bazzani
RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University junior Anthony Bazzani’s staggering summer numbers are starting to garner national attention, as Perfect Game USA, baseball’s largest and most trusted scouting service, recently named the hard-throwing right-hander a first team Summer Collegiate All-American. Bazzani, a starter at EKU the past two seasons, served as the closer for the Alexandria Beetles of the respected Northwoods League this summer, going 4-2 with 12 saves, a 1.45 ERA and 70 strikeouts in only 49.2 innings of work. His dominant bullpen performances, and strong starting pitching from EKU teammate Matt Fyffe, helped the Beetles to their best regular season record in team history. The only other relief pitcher around the country named first team All-American was Kentucky’s Trevor Gott, a right-hander who led the prestigious Cape Cod League with 12 saves this summer. Bazzani was arguably the Colonels’ best pitcher two years ago as a freshman, dominating Ohio Valley Conference opponents late in that season. The Stockbridge, Ga. native labored through injuries as a sophomore, however, and finished last spring with a record of 1-9 and a 9.07 ERA. “I viewed this summer as a clean slate, a chance to start over,” Bazzani said of finding himself, and his curveball, in the wilds of the North Country this summer. “I went up there to get everything figured out, gained some confidence and just started closing the door on people in the ninth inning.” The ninth inning was ‘Baz Time’ in Alexandria, as he most notably saved three games in two days in mid-August to help the Beetles clinch a playoff berth and home field advantage during the playoffs. Northwoods League batters hit just .218 off Bazzani, who lived around 92-95 MPH on the radar gun and reportedly touched as high as 97 MPH. “I finally got some things figured out,” Bazzani said. “And I’m looking forward to redeeming myself this spring at EKU.”
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Post by ClayLive on Sept 1, 2011 20:47:24 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
Jason Stein Fall Elite Baseball Camp to be Held October 30
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Jason Stein Fall Elite Baseball Camp will be held Oct. 30 at Turkey Hughes Field on the campus of Eastern Kentucky University. The camp is for grades 9-12 only. The full cost of the camp is $125. Stein is beginning his fourth season as the head baseball coach at EKU. The Colonels have now made back-to-back trips to the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament under Stein’s guidance. Stein has also coached 15 players to All-OVC recognition in just three years (nine All-OVC players and six OVC All-Freshman players). He has seen one of his former players selected in the 16th round of 2010 MLB First Year Player Draft by the Colorado Rockies. The 2010 Fall Elite Camp was very successful in hosting players that would later play college baseball at different levels. The camp provides high school players with a great opportunity to visit the campus of Eastern Kentucky University, gain valuable instruction from the EKU coaching staff, other college coaches and current professional players, participate in a pro-style workout and showcase their skills in a controlled game. Campers will be provided with an official EKU 2011 Fall Elite Camp T-shirt and lunch. This camp provides the opportunity for the EKU coaching staff to re-evaluate you as a player, or evaluate you for the first time as a prospect. Click below for a camp brochure! www.ekusports.com/news/2011/9/1/BASEBALL_0901111208.aspx
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Post by ClayLive on Sept 6, 2011 17:05:33 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
September 6, 2011 The Colonel Insider with Jason Stein
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Post by ClayLive on Sept 7, 2011 20:15:19 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
Anthony Bazzani Named Number 3 Pro Prospect in the Northwoods League
Anthony Bazzani
RICHMOND, Ky. – The accolades keep coming for Eastern Kentucky University junior right-hander Anthony Bazzani, who was named the No. 3 professional prospect in the Northwoods League by Perfect Game USA this weekend. Bazzani, a 6-4, 200-pounder who was a starter at EKU the last two seasons, served as the closer this summer for the Alexandria Beetles of the Northwoods League, one of the most talent-heavy summer collegiate leagues in the country. The hard-throwing right-hander from Stockbridge, Ga. went 4-2 with 12 saves, a 1.45 ERA and 70 strikeouts in only 49.2 innings of work. His dominant bullpen performances, and strong starting pitching from EKU teammate Matt Fyffe, helped the Beetles to their best regular season record in team history. Bazzani, who lived around 92-95 MPH on the radar gun and reportedly touched around 97 MPH, is in good company atop the list of 75 prospects, as Arkansas right-hander Nolan Sanburn was named the No. 1 prospect in the league, followed by Vanderbilt left-hander Sam Selman (No. 2), Cal catcher Andrew Knapp (No. 4) and Purdue third baseman Cameron Perkins (No. 5). Bazzani will look to translate his summer success into EKU success as he and his Colonel teammates begin fall practice this week at Turkey Hughes Field.
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Post by ClayLive on Oct 13, 2011 19:16:24 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
Scout Day at EKU
RICHMOND, Ky. - It was a successful 2011 Scout Day at Turkey Hughes Field on Wednesday, as over 20 professional scouts from various Major League teams arrived with notepads, radar guns and stopwatches to evaluate members of the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team. "I think every college baseball player has a dream to play professionally," head coach Jason Stein said. "Yesterday's Scout Day was just another opportunity for our guys to be seen and evaluated. So, all in all, it was a great day." The scouts watched the Colonels run 60s, take batting batting practice and infield and, finally, play an inter-squad scrimmage. Each draft-eligible Colonel was evaluated in terms of baseball's five tools - speed, arm strength, defense, hitting and hitting for power. After the scrimmage, everyone was treated to barbecue and refreshments.
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Post by ClayLive on Oct 19, 2011 20:17:30 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball Releases 2012 Schedule
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team has released its 2012 schedule, head coach Jason Stein announced on Wednesday. Non-conference highlights from the schedule include trips to such foes as East Tennessee State, Louisville, Appalachian State, Wofford and Western Kentucky, home series with Indiana State and Bowling Green and a midweek home-and-home set with Big Ten opponent Indiana. “We believe that a tough non-conference schedule not only helps us compete for an Ohio Valley Conference championship, but it also gives our fall practices and all our preseason activities a sense of urgency,” Stein said. “Our practices, our scrimmages, our strength and conditioning are all better because of this schedule.” The Colonels open the 2012 campaign on the road for the third consecutive season, this time in the mountains of Johnson City, Tenn., where they will take on ETSU in a three-game series from Feb. 17-19. After a midweek game at Louisville and a three-game set at USC Upstate, EKU will play its home opener at Turkey Hughes Field from March 2-4 against ISU. The Colonels will be seeking home-field redemption in that series as the Sycamores swept them in Terre Haute last year. EKU will spend most of its spring break on the road at UNC Greensboro and Wofford before returning home to host Bowling Green from March 16-18. After that, the Colonels will play a midweek home-and home series with Indiana from March 20-21. The Hoosiers are the third Big Ten team to visit Turkey Hughes Field in as many years, as the Colonels split a two-game series with Purdue in 2009 before taking two of three from Penn State last season. Other notable non-conference dates include March 27 (vs. Marshall), April 17-18 (at Appalachian State), April 25 and May 9 (at Marshall), and May 15 (at Western Kentucky). “Our philosophy is to schedule tough,” Stein said. “And we think this year’s schedule is daunting, and will prepare our players for a tough OVC slate and a run at an OVC title." EKU’s OVC schedule begins on the weekend of March 23-25 when the Colonels host Jacksonville State. Other conference weekends at Turkey Hughes Field include March 30-April 1 vs. newcomer SIU Edwardsville, April 13-15 vs. Eastern Illinois, April 20-22 vs. defending OVC champion Austin Peay and May 11-13 vs. Tennessee Tech. EKU will wrap up the regular season from March 17-19 at in-state rival Murray State. Starting in 2012, OVC weekend series will move to a three-game series over three days (Friday-Sunday), with a single 9-inning game being played each day. Games on Friday will begin no earlier than 3 p.m. local time and no later than 6 p.m. local time. The OVC was previously one of just six Division I conferences to play a three game series over two days, with the teams playing a doubleheader on Saturday (with one of those games being a 7-inning game, the other a 9-inning affair) and a single 9-inning game on Sunday. Stein is an advocate of the change. “It’s nine innings every day, the way baseball is supposed to be played.” Stein said. “It offers a better feel for who the better team is, and it vastly improves student-athlete welfare in the sense that these kids aren’t out there for 10 hours a day anymore.” The OVC Tournament will again be held at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. EKU finished the 2011 season with a record of 21-36 (11-13 OVC) and earned its second straight bid to the OVC Tournament. The Colonels return every position starter from a year ago, including freshman All-American and the OVC Freshman of the Year in third baseman Bryan Soloman, first-team All-OVC outfielder Jacob Daniel and two-time second team All-OVC shortstop Richie Rodriguez.
Click on the link below to see the entire schedule www.ekusports.com/schedule.aspx?path=baseball&&print=true
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Post by ClayLive on Nov 2, 2011 19:14:04 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
World Series Star Holland to Speak at 2012 EKU Baseball Diamond Dinner Derek Holland
RICHMOND, Ky. – Despite the outcome of the World Series, Texas Rangers left-hander Derek Holland’s Game 4 win, in which he masterfully threw 8.2 innings of two-hit baseball, was referred to by Rangers president and CEO Nolan Ryan as “the biggest game of our organization.” On Sunday, January 29, Holland will bring that Fall Classic superstar clout to Richmond when he speaks at the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team’s 11th annual Diamond Dinner at the Keen Johnson Building. “Although he was just on the biggest stage in the baseball world, we are excited to welcome Derek to our humble stage, and we look forward to having a World Series star speak to our players at our season-opening event,” EKU head coach Jason Stein said. For the last 10 years, the EKU Baseball Diamond Dinner has kicked off the Colonels’ season in grand style. Last year, the EKU Baseball All-Century Team was unveiled and former EKU All-American Josh Anderson was the guest speaker. In 2009, it was former Colonel and veteran Major League Baseball umpire Sam Holbrook speaking at the event. The Diamond Dinner will begin at 5:00 p.m., and it is open to the public. More information on the event, including ticket prices, will be released at a later date.
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Post by Press Release on Nov 15, 2011 18:18:29 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball Signs In-State Middle Infielder Doug Teegarden in Class of 2012 EKU press release
Doug Teegarden
RICHMOND, Ky. – High school senior Doug Teegarden has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Eastern Kentucky University, head coach Jason Stein announced on Tuesday. Teegarden is a left-handed hitting shortstop from Boone County High School in Florence, Ky. “Doug is a heady, versatile middle infielder who knows how to play the game and, because of his strong glove and arm, can play on either the right or left side of the infield,” Stein said. “He will definitely fill an important void up the middle caused by this year’s graduation and draft.” The 6-1, 190-pound Teegarden, who played in this year's East-West KHSBCA All-Star Game, is carrying a .490 career batting average into his senior year at Boone County, and he was named the conference Player of the Year as a junior under head coach Wayne Huff. He also helped lead the Rebels to the Kentucky state tournament as sophomore while being named district and region Most Valuable Player. “Offensively, Doug fills an immediate need as a left-handed bat,” Stein said. “Because of his great hand-eye coordination, he is a high average guy right now. With added strength, he could be a gap hitter in the future.”
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Post by Press Release on Nov 16, 2011 18:01:12 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball Adds Right-Hander Trey Salisbury in Early Signing Period EKU Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University head baseball coach Jason Stein announced the signing of another quality in-state player in high school senior Trey Salisbury on Wednesday. Salisbury is a right-handed pitcher from Boyd County High School in Cannonsburg, Ky. “Because we expect to lose several pitchers to graduation or the draft after this season, Trey could make an immediate impact with our pitching staff, either as a starter or a back-end guy, because he can throw three pitches for strikes,” Stein said. The 6-0, 180-pound Salisbury has been a dominant force for head coach Brandon Ramsey’s Boyd County Lions the last two years. A four-year starter, he posted a 0.95 ERA as a sophomore and a 1.95 ERA and 83 strikeouts in just 53 innings of work as a junior. Salisbury was named to the all-district team and the Daily Independent All-Area team as sophomore and junior, and he was named the 64th District Most Valuable Player as a junior. He has also played in the East-West KHSBCA All-Star Game the past two seasons. “Trey is exactly the kind of player we try to recruit on the mound,” Stein said. “He is extremely athletic and he can get college hitters out not only with his fastball but his secondary pitches as well.”
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Post by Press Release on Nov 17, 2011 18:24:03 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball Inks Outfielder Kyle Nowlin in Class of 2012
RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University head baseball coach Jason Stein announced the signing of high school senior Kyle Nowlin on Thursday. Nowlin is a right-handed hitting outfielder from William Henry Harrison High School in Harrison, Ohio. Nowlin joins shortstop Doug Teegarden and right-handed pitcher Trey Salisbury in EKU’s class of 2012. “Like Doug and Trey, Kyle will fill an immediate need in the outfield following this year’s graduation,” Stein said. “He is a plus runner who can handle the bat, hit for average and power and play all three positions in the outfield.” Under the guidance of head coach Shawn Sowders, the 6-1, 195-pound Nowlin is carrying a .379 career batting average into his senior year at Harrison High. He has also flashed great speed (he clocked in at 6.7 in the 60-yard dash at this summer’s Ohio Top Prospect Showcase) with 50 career stolen bases and 12 career triples. After hitting .440 with four home runs and 37 runs scored as sophomore in 2010, Nowlin was named to the first team All-Fort Ancient Valley Buckeye League team. While playing for the Cincinnati Bulldogs this summer, Nowlin hit .476 with four home runs, 11 doubles, 38 RBI and 19 stolen bases. Nowlin is also a standout wide receiver on Harrison High’s football team. “Kyle is a very competitive kid due to the fact that he plays both baseball and football in a very competitive league in Cincinnati, and we really like that about him,” Stein said.
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Post by Press Release on Nov 19, 2011 6:21:47 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
Corbin's Trace Vorbeck Signs to Play Baseball at EKU EKU press release Trace Vorbeck
RICHMOND, Ky. – A third in-state high school senior, Trace Vorbeck, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball at Eastern Kentucky University in the spring of 2013, head coach Jason Stein announced on Friday. Vorbeck is a right-handed pitcher and utility player from Corbin High School. Vorbeck joins Boone County’s Doug Teegarden and Boyd County’s Trey Salisbury as in-state prospects who have signed with the Colonels in the early signing period. “Trace is a legitimate two-way Division I college baseball player,” Stein said. “He is an overall good athlete with a good arm, he is strong at the plate and he has the ability to one day hit for power.” The 6-1, 195-pound Vorbeck, who played in last year’s East-West KHSBCA All-Star Game, batted an astounding .587 with 12 home runs, 19 doubles and 57 RBI as a junior for head coach Robert Ledington’s Corbin Redhounds. On the mound, he went 4-2 with a 2.25 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 40 innings of work. He has posted a perfect 6-0 record on the mound in the postseason during his high school career. Vorbeck, who is Corbin High’s single-season home runs and batting average record holder, was named the Tri-County Player of the Year from 2009-10 and to the All-13th Region Team from 2008-10. He was also named an honorable mention Perfect Game Preseason All-American in 2010. “It’s getting more and more rare to have two-way guys in college baseball,” Stein said. “But I definitely think Trace can help us offensively and on the mound.”
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Post by Press Release on Nov 21, 2011 16:49:23 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball Signs Middle Infielder Kenneth Hostrander in Class of 2012
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team has signed high school senior Kenneth Hostrander in the early signing period, head coach Jason Stein announced on Monday. Hostrander is a right-handed hitting middle infielder from Endwell High School in Maine, N.Y. “Kenny is a middle infielder who shows arm strength along with soft hands,” Stein said. “He knows how to play the middle by using his speed and, while we expect him to play up the middle, he is a good enough athlete to play anywhere around the diamond.” A team captain for head coach Gary Crooks at Endwell High, the 5-10, 165-pound Hostrander batted .444 as a junior and was named third team all-state while leading the Spartans to a Section 4 Championship. He was also named a 2011 Preseason Honorable Mention Under Armour All-American, and has been named a 2012 Preseason Under Armour All-American heading into this season. Hostrander is also a soccer standout at Endwell High. “Offensively, Kenny looks to be a top-of-the-order type of hitter,” Stein said. “He knows how to handle the bat and can use his speed to put pressure on the defense. He will fit in well with our offensive philosophy.”
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Post by Press Release on Nov 23, 2011 9:29:03 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball Wraps Up Early Signing Period with JUCO Right-Hander Matt LynchEKU Press Release Matt Lynch
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team wrapped up the early signing period with the addition of junior college transfer Matt Lynch, head coach Jason Stein announced on Tuesday. Lynch is a right-handed pitcher from Heartland Community College in Normal, Ill. “Matt will bring needed experience to our pitching staff in 2013,” Stein said. “He has really showed he can pitch off his fastball and use it on both halves of the plate. He has also showed the ability to throw his off-speed pitches for strikes.” The 6-1, 185-pound Lynch attended St. Ignatius High School in Chicago, and he pitched at Maryland as a freshman this spring. He will spend his sophomore season under the tutelage of head coach Nate Metzger at junior college national power Heartland Community College, the same school that produced current EKU right-hander Andrew Wilson. Heartland has compiled a 124-35 record over the last three years and qualified for the NJCAA Division II National Tournament for the first time ever this spring. While at St. Ignatius, Lynch, who commands a curveball and changeup and whose fastball ranges anywhere from 86-89 MPH, went 7-4 with a sub-3.00 ERA as a senior and 5-4 with a 2.30 ERA as a junior. He was named second team all-conference as a junior. Lynch finished his career at St. Ignatius fifth on the school’s career wins list and third on the school’s career strikeouts list. He was also an honor roll student all four years he was there. “It looks like Matt will be used as a starter for Heartland this spring, and he should come in and compete for a starting role with us in 2013,” Stein said.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 6, 2011 18:27:47 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball - Champion's Quest Obstacle Course EKU Press Release
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Post by Press Release on Dec 9, 2011 15:07:32 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
Jason Stein Winter Hitting Camps to be Held January 15-16 EKU Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. - Head coach Jason Stein and the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team will host its 2012 Winter Hitting Camps from January 15 - 16 at the Begley indoor hitting facility on campus. The High School Winter Hitting Camp will be held on Sunday, January 15 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is for high school players. The Youth Winter Hitting Camp will be held on Monday, January 16 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and is for ages 8 - 13. The cost of the camps is $75 per camper. The 2012 Winter Hitting Camps will provide players with the opportunity to work on their baseball skills during the offseason. The camps will provide participants with instruction that they will be able to use to further their development as hitters. Inclement weather conditions will not affect the camp due to the indoor facilities that will be available for hitting. The instruction that will be taught at this camp will be some of the same drills and techniques that EKU players perform on a daily basis. Click here to register for the camps!
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Post by Press Release on Dec 12, 2011 17:54:38 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
Bazzani Named 80th-Best College Prospect for 2012 MLB Draft EKU Press Release Junior Anthony Bazzani
RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University junior right-hander Anthony Bazzanii has been ranked by Baseball America (subscription required) as the 80th-best college prospect available for the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. Bazzani is the lone Ohio Valley Conference representative on the list of 100 players. The 6-4, 200-pounder from Stockbridge, Ga. emerged on the national scene this summer while serving as the closer for the Alexandria Beetles of the Northwoods League, one of the most talent-heavy summer collegiate leagues in the country. Bazzani went 4-2 with 12 saves, a 1.45 ERA and 70 strikeouts in only 49.2 innings of work. His dominant bullpen performances helped the Beetles to their best regular season record in team history. Bazzani, who lived around 92-95 MPH on the radar gun and reportedly touched around 97 MPH, was named a summer collegiate All-American and the No. 3 professional prospect in the Northwoods League by Perfect Game USA in early September. In addition to Bazzani, EKU returns senior right-handers Matt Harris and Matt Fyffe, as well as transfers Chase Greene and Shane Grimm, to form a deep and talented pitching staff in 2012. The Colonels open the season on February 17 with a three-game set at East Tennessee State.
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Post by Press Release on Jan 29, 2012 22:23:44 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
John Wilson part of top-100 Recruiting Class according to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper EKU Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team’s 2011 recruiting haul – consisting of newcomers who will take the field for the Colonels this spring – was recognized by Collegiate Baseball newspaper as one of the top-100 incoming classes in the country. The class consists of four junior college transfers in outfielder Shaun Ball, left-handed pitcher Shane Grimm, infielder Justin Trent and right-handed pitcher Andrew Wilson and six freshmen in left-handed pitcher Nick Bozman, right-handed pitchers Cody Creamer, Ben Gullo and Cameron Langfels, outfielder Demetrius Moorer and catcher John Wilson. EKU and Eastern Illinois were the only Ohio Valley Conference teams named in the respected publication’s recruiting class evaluation. Neither class was ranked in the coveted top-40, but both were listed as other top recruiting classes in the county. South Carolina landed the No. 1 incoming class in the country, according to Collegiate Baseball. It marks the Gamecocks’ fourth national recruiting title in the 29-year history of the rankings. Other notable teams named on the rankings include Louisville (No. 11) and Kentucky (No. 25). The Colonels open the 2012 campaign the weekend of February 17-19 at East Tennessee State.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 1, 2012 6:05:28 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Derek Holland
World Series Star Derek Holland Speaks at EKU Baseball's Annual Diamond Dinner EKU Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team kicked off its 2012 season with the 11th annual Diamond Legacy Dinner on Sunday night in the Keen Johnson Ballroom. Derek Holland, a World Series hero for the Texas Rangers, served as the guest speaker at the event. Holland, an easy-going southpaw from Newark Ohio, entertained the crowd of over 200 EKU baseball supporters with humorous anecdotes from his junior college and minor league days, and then enthralled the crowd with stories from his Game 4 start in the 2011 World Series, a start in which he baffled the St. Louis Cardinals (especially slugger Albert Pujols), pitching 8.1 scorless innings and allowing just two hits while striking out seven. Holland, sporting long, curly locks and a mustache, also stessed the importance of "being yourself" and the significance of education. Select members of the EKU baseball team were recognized at the event, as junior right-hander Chase Greene and junior outfielder Shaun Ball were given Champion's Quest plaques, honoring their play and dedication to conditioning over the fall. Former Clay County player John Wilson was named as a Colonel Scholar. Attendees were also treated to a silenct auction, featuring EKU gear and coveted baseball memorabilia including a baseball bat autographed by nearly every living member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame from 1939-1989. The EKU baseball team opens the 2012 season at East Tennessee State on the weekend of February 17-19.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 8, 2012 20:51:24 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
EKU Baseball Picked to Finish Sixth in Preseason OVC Poll EKU Press Release
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team has been picked by league head coaches to finish sixth out of 10 teams in the Ohio Valley Conference this spring. The top six teams in the league advance to the OVC Tournament at the conclusion of the regular season. The overall voting in the preseason poll was close as three different teams received first-place votes and just six points separated first and second place. Austin Peay, last year’s OVC regular season and tournament champion, claimed seven of the 10 first-place votes and garnered 79 point to be picked as the favorite. Jacksonville State was second with one first-place vote and 73 points while Tennessee Tech picked up the other two first-place votes and 63 total points to be picked third. Southeast Missouri was picked fourth (52) and was followed by SIUE (48), EKU (45), Eastern Illinois (34), UT Martin (25), Murray State (21) and Morehead State (10). For the second straight year, senior outfielder Jacob Daniel was the lone Colonel named to the Preseason All-OVC Team. The right-handed hitting Daniel broke free of his pigeonholed role as a designated hitter in 2011, starting 56 games in left field, providing the Colonels with middle-of-the-lineup power and run production and, according to head coach Jason Stein, “turning himself into a quality defender in the outfield.” Daniel, a native of Russellville, Ala., hit .330 with nine home runs and a team-best 44 RBI on his way to being named first team All-OVC last season, and he will be looked upon to provide similar numbers in the heart of the Colonel lineup this season. In all, 13 players were selected to the Preseason All-OVC team. The 13 players represented six of the 10 teams who will compete for the OVC championship this season. JSU led the way with five selections while APSU had four picks. EKU, Morehead State, SEMO and UT Martin had one selection apiece. Returning players who were first-team selections at the end of last season were automatic picks for this year’s team. In additional voting, SEMO All-American senior third baseman Trenton Moses was picked to repeat as the OVC Player of the Year, while JSU senior closer Todd Hornsby was tabbed the OVC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Daniel leads an EKU offense that is bolstered by the return of all nine position starters, including senior shortstop Richie Rodriguez, a two-time second team All-OVC selection and a mainstay in the Colonels’ lineup over the last three years, and sophomore third baseman Bryan Soloman, who posted senior-like power numbers in 2011 en route to being named a Freshman All-American and the OVC Freshman of the Year. The Colonel pitching staff lost its ace, right-hander Stephen Hefler, to graduation, but senior right-hander Matt Harris should fill his shoes. Harris, who moved into the starting rotation at the end of last season and finished the year with a team-best 2.68 ERA, pitched his best against conference competition last season, recording a 0.59 ERA against OVC teams while stifiling OVC hitters to just a .168 batting average. EKU will also be strengthened by the arrival of a recruiting class that was ranked by Collegiate Baseball newspaper as one of the top-100 classes in the country (EIU was the only other OVC team named in the evaluation. Despite being picked to finish on the fringe of the OVC Tournament by league head coaches, EKU was picked to finish third in the conference in Baseball America’s recent college preview issue, an indicator that the Colonels might have the talent to be the dark horse team that surprises everyone. EKU opens the 2012 campaign with a three-game set at East Tennessee State from February 17-19. Order of Finish
1. Austin Peay 2. Jacksonville State 3. Tennessee Tech 4. Southeast Missouri 5. SIUE 6. Eastern Kentucky 7. Eastern Illinois 8. UT Martin 9. Murray State 10. Morehead State (Per league head coaches)
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Post by Press Release on Feb 15, 2012 18:09:08 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU freshman John Wilson
Wilson to start season on injured list EKU Press Release
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson will start his first season at Eastern Kentucky on the injured list after suffering a concussion during an inter-squad scrimmage. Wilson is expected to sit out at least the first two weeks of the season.
RICHMOND, Ky. - The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team is headed west from the Cumberland Gap to Johnson City, Tenn. this weekend as the Colonels open their 2012 campaign in a three-game series at East Tennessee State. The following is a preview of the of the 2012 season: The EKU baseball team might have opened the 2011 season on the sunny shores of Malibu, Calif., but that pleasant locale was not indicative of the stormy non-conference schedule that lay ahead. The Colonels took on power conference foes (Kentucky, West Virginia, Penn State), perennial mid-major contenders (Pepperdine, Western Carolina, Western Kentucky, East Tennessee State, Dayton) and one team (Oral Roberts) that was two runs away from playing in a Super Regional en route to 36 losses, the most by an EKU team since 2002. EKU, however, parlayed that brutal non-conference schedule into a semi-successful Ohio Valley Conference season, recording 11 league wins to earn the No. 5 seed in the OVC Tournament. It was the Colonels’ second consecutive trip to the OVC Tournament following a two-year hiatus from postseason play. EKU has been picked by league head coaches to finish in the middle of the pack in the OVC this season, but with a deep and revitalized pitching staff and all nine position starters returning from last season, this might be the most talented collection of players head coach Jason Stein has been able to compile during his four-year stint at his alma mater, and the Colonels certainly have their sights set on surprising people with a deep postseason run in 2012. Pitching “Baseball begins and ends with pitching,” Stein said. “And, I feel like our pitching staff has been upgraded talent-wise. But, more importantly, I feel like we have experience, and I’ll take experience over talent any day of the week.” Starters Plagued by graduation in 2009 and injuries in 2010, the Colonel pitching staff emerged as a bright spot last season, lowering its season ERA nearly two points from 7.48 in 2010 to 5.61 in 2011. EKU will have to deal with the graduation of right-hander Stephen Hefler, last year’s ace who led the staff in wins (seven), games started (15) and innings pitched (88.1) on his way to becoming just the second Colonel starting pitcher since 1990 to be named first team All-OVC. Filling that void, however, will be a slew of old and new talent, led by senior right-hander Matt Harris, who moved into the starting rotation at the end of last season and finished the year with a team-best 2.68 ERA. Harris, who Stein said will begin the year in one of the three weekend spots, pitched his best against conference competition last season, recording a 0.59 ERA against OVC teams while stifiling OVC hitters to just a .168 batting average. It is possible that a pair of newcomers will join the veteran Harris in the starting rotation at the beginning of the season, as Stein noted that junior transfers Chase Greene and Shane Grimm both looked strong in the fall. Greene is a right-hander from the University of Kentucky who “possesses two electric pitches in his fastball and slider,” Stein said. Grimm is a southpaw out of Walters State Community College who went 16-2 during his two seasons as a Senator. Stein said of Grimm: “He is a much-need left-handed starter who comes from a very good junior college and who should have an immediate impact vying for a starting job.” Also vying for a starting role at the beginning of the season will be senior right-hander Lincoln Wagner, who labored through injuries last season but looked strong in the fall, and junior right-hander Andrew Wilson, a junior college transfer who posted a perfect 9-0 record with a 2.84 ERA last season at Heartland Community College. Senior left-hander Greg Terry, a crafty, consistent southpaw who has shown the ability to start and come out of the bullpen in his career and who Stein said “can be great with lefty matchups,” could also see starts throughout the season. Bullpen “I think our biggest question mark in terms of pitching is our closer role,” Stein said. “It might be a committee, or it might be that someone steps up and takes over that role.” Two guys Stein suspects might battle over ownership of the closer role are Matt Fyffe and Anthony Bazzani, who were teammates with the Alexandria Beetles of the Northwoods League over the summer. Both right-handers “have the potential to get three to six outs and can be very good late-inning power arms out of the bullpen,” Stein said. Fyffe, a fifth-year senior with a Tommy John surgery under his belt, served as a weekend starter for most of last season and led the EKU staff with 62 strikeouts while posting a very-respectable 4.70 ERA. Bazzani, a lanky junior with a live arm, has had an up-and-down career up to this point, but he exploded while playing in the respected Northwoods League this summer, serving as the Beetles’ closer and using his mid-90s fastball to post a 1.45 ERA, 12 saves and a remarkable 70 strikeouts in only 49.2 innings of work. Because of his lights-out work over the summer, Bazzani has been tabbed one of the top 100 professional prospects in the country by Baseball America heading into the 2012 season. Three other returning right-handers, junior Austin Rexroat and sophomores Blake Bottoms and Brent Cobb, will also compete for innings this season. According to Stein, Rexroat has changed arm slots and “provides a good matchup against righties,” Bottoms is a “quality arm who projects more as middle relief but who could see spot starts” and Cobb “showed significant improvement in the offseason and his role will definitely increase if he pitches like he did in the fall.” A trio of freshmen right-handers, Cody Creamer, Ben Gullo and Cameron Langfels, will see their roles either expand or contract based on their performances. Stein said of the freshmen: “Some of them may need more time, but their futures all look bright on the mound.” Another freshman, left-hander Nick Bozman, arrived on campus with a stress fracture in his back and Stein said he has to be totally confident Bozman is healthy before he is used. “We don’t want to push the envelope with Nick,” Stein said. Offense “All nine of our position starters are returning and are accustomed to the new bats, so we have an experienced offensive team,” Stein said. “More importantly, though, we have a battle-tested senior class. Our seniors should provide leadership, accountability, consistency of performance and all the other intangibles that a senior class provides.” Stein also noted that the team’s defense looks much-improved heading into opening day. “Defense has been our Achilles’ heel in years past,” Stein said. “But, if we perform like we did in the fall, our pitchers should not have to rely on the strikeout as much this season.” Infield EKU’s unquestioned leader around the diamond is senior shortstop Richie Rodriguez, a smooth-fielding on-base machine who has started every game at his all-important position since arriving on campus in 2009 and who has led the Colonels in hitting with a .357 batting average each of the last two seasons. A two-time second team All-OVC selection, Stein said Rodriguez “provides great leadership, rarely strikes out and orchestrates our offense by getting on, stealing bases and scoring a lot of runs.” Senior A.J. Jamison will be the Colonels’ opening day starter at first base and should hit towards the top of EKU’s lineup. The right-handed hitting Jamison appeared in just two games before April 2 last year, but experienced a resurgence when he was inserted into the starting lineup at first base, batting .472 with nine RBI and eight runs scored during his first nine games at the position. Jamison finished the season batting .313 with 19 RBI and 19 runs scored and, despite being a converted catcher, committed just two errors all season. Stein said Jamison is “a very athletic first baseman who can get to a lot of balls, and out infielders will feel comfortable throwing the ball to him this season.” Junior Alex Hughes, who provided some left-handed pop off the bench last season, has made strides defensively and will spell Jamison at first base while also competing for playing time as a designated hitter. Senior Dustin Dunlop ended 2011 on a tear and he enters the 2012 season as the Colonels’ starting second baseman. The right-handed hitting Dunlop batted .327 with a team-best 11 RBI over the Colonels’ last 14 games in 2011 and Stein said he has the potential to be an offensive-minded second baseman. Juniors Matt Phipps and Justin Trent will spell Dunlop at second base. Phipps is one of the Colonels’ strongest fielding infielders and he provides speed and the ability to score runs, while Trent, a transfer from Roane State Community College, is more of a run-producing infielder. Stein said that Dunlop, Phipps and Trent are all invaluable because “all three of them are athletic enough to play all three spots in the infield if called upon.” Sophomore Bryan Soloman is EKU’s starting third baseman entering the 2012 season. The right-handed hitting Soloman was one of two Colonels (the other being Rodriguez) who started all 56 games last year and he finished the season with a team-best 17 doubles, nine home runs and 40 RBI on his way to being named the OVC Freshman of the Year and a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball. Stein said Soloman “could be a prolific run producer in the middle of our lineup this year.” Dunlop, Phipps and Trent all have the ability to spell Soloman at the hot corner if needed. Outfield EKU is led in the outfield by senior Jacob Daniel, the Colonels’ lone preseason All-OVC selection. The right-handed hitting Daniel is a four-year starter, although he started two of those years at designated hitter. He broke free of his pigeonholed role as a designated hitter last year, starting 56 games in left field, providing the Colonels with middle-of-the-lineup power and run production and, according to Stein, “turning himself into a quality defender in the outfield.” Daniel hit .337 with nine home runs and a team-best 44 RBI on his way to being named first team All-OVC last season, and he will be looked upon to provide similar numbers in the heart of the Colonel lineup this season. Fellow veterans Michael Garcia and Austin Grisham will man the other two outfield spots to open the 2012 campaign. Garcia, a weathered senior and a high school teammate of Rodriguez, has been a consistent defender and right-handed hitting bat in the Colonel lineup for four years, as he has started 132 games in his career, almost all of them in right field. Garcia labored through the early part of 2011 but changed his batting stance at the midway point and experienced a renaissance, batting .347 with three home runs and 12 RBI over the final 28 games of the season. Stein called Garcia “a quality defender in the outfield who provides consistency and stability in the bottom of our batting order.” Grisham, a junior center fielder who Stein referred to as the Colonels’ best defensive outfielder, is valuable because he provides another left-handed bat in the lineup and he can run. Grisham’s speed was specifically on display this summer when he swiped 19 bags while winning a Valley League Championship with Covington Lumberjacks. The three remaining outfielders on the roster are junior Shaun Ball, sophomore Alex Arovits and freshman Demetrius Moorer. Stein called Ball, a transfer from Walters State Community College, “an experienced left-handed hitter who had a great career at Walters State.” Ball will split time between the outfield and designated hitter, but Stein noted that he is so valuable because he can play all over the diamond, including the infield. Arovits played mostly in the infield last season, but has been permanently moved to the outfield. Stein said that Arovits has the raw tools – including, perhaps, the best outfield arm of the six – but that he just needs to find consistency at the plate. Stein said that the coaching staff is very excited about Moorer, because he has exceptional speed and, thus, could be a great defender in any of the outfield positions. “Demetrius is still learning some things at the plate,” Stein said. “But, with his speed, he could be an immediate offensive threat on the basepath.” Catchers EKU returns experience behind the plate in the sophomore duo of Sean Hagen and Steve Ferraro. Hagen was the opening day starter as a freshman last season, but he suffered a thumb injury early on and never reached his full potential. Ferraro showed some pop off the bench and proved to be a serviceable back-up to Hagen in 2011, and he will continue to compete with Hagen for a bulk of the workload early in 2012. Freshman John Wilson, a raw catcher with a powerful arm, wrapped up the fall season showing significant improvement defensively, Stein said. Stein also noted that Wilson has the ability to play all over the field and might be used as a utility man this season. Junior Johnny Pabst, the only switch hitter on the Colonels’ roster, transferred to EKU from Thomas More College and will have to sit out this spring. *** The Colonels open the season at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at ETSU. Please note that all three games this weekend have been moved up to 1:00 p.m.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 19, 2012 9:01:27 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson (#15) and his Colonel teammates mob Dustin Dunlop after his game-winning home run in the top of the 11th inning of game one Saturday. Wilson is currently on the injured list and may return to practice this week.
EKU Baseball Sweeps Doubleheader, Wins Series at ETSU EKU Press Release
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team bounced back from a disappointing Opening Day loss to sweep Saturday’s doubleheader and win the series at host East Tennessee State. The Colonels won game one, 7-6, in extra innings and then rolled to an 8-2 win in game two, which was shortened because of darkness. Senior Dustin Dunlop played the hero in EKU’s game one win, smashing a solo home run in the top of the 11th to untie it and give the Colonels their first win of the 2012 season. It was the fine hit-and-run execution of junior Austin Grisham and freshman Demetrius Moorer in the top of the ninth, however, that put Dunlop in a position to win the game. EKU (2-1) entered the ninth down by a run, 6-5. Senior Michael Garcia led off that inning with a base hit through the left side and was replaced by pinch runner Moorer. Grisham and Moorer then executed the hit-and-run, as Grisham poked a single through the left side of a drawn-up infield and Moorer dashed to third. Two batters later, senior Richie Rodriguez scored Moorer on an RBI groundout to tie the game at 6-6 and send it into extra innings. Dunlop’s home run won it two innings later. Senior right-hander Matt Fyffe (1-0) got the win, relieving senior right-hander Matt Harris in the fifth inning and going six strong innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out five batters. Junior right-hander Anthony Bazzani came on in the bottom of the 11th and closed the deal, earning his second career save. Right-hander Kerry Doane (0-1) picked up the loss for ETSU (1-2), pitching the final three innings and surrendering two runs on three hits, one of which was Dunlop’s game-winner. Senior Jacob Daniel got EKU going early in game one as he ripped a two-out double down the right field line in the top of the first and then scored on a two-run home run to left center by sophomore Bryan Soloman to give the Colonels a quick 2-0 lead. ETSU tied it with a pair of solo home runs, and then took the lead when Clinton Freeman tripled to lead off the bottom of the fourth and scored on an RBI groundout by John Long to make it 3-2. Junior Shaun Ball, however, gave EKU another lead when he blasted a three-run home run to right field in the top of the fifth. With one out in that inning, sophomore Steve Ferraro roped his first career triple into left field. The next batter, Rodriguez, walked to put runners on the corners for Ball, who hit his second home run in as many days to make the score 5-3. In the bottom of the fifth, the Buccaneers loaded the bases with no outs. Fyffe spelled Harris and immediately induced a fly out and a strike out without allowing a run; however, the third batter he faced, Alex Reynolds, laced a two-run single up the middle to tie the game at 5-5. One inning later, Derek Niesman ripped a solo home run left center that gave the Buccaneers one-run lead, setting up the Colonels’ rally in the top of the ninth. In game two, senior left-hander Greg Terry earned the complete game win, pitching all seven innings and allowing just two runs on seven hits while striking out three batters. It was Terry’s third complete game win of his career. Right-hander Jake Long (0-1) got the loss for ETSU, going four innings and allowing four runs on five hits. Rodriguez led the way at the plate in game two, batting 2-for-3 with two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Rodriguez crushed his first home run of the season to dead center field to lead off the game. The next batter, Ball, singled and then scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Dunlop that gave EKU another quick 2-0 lead. After Matthew Scruggs slugged a two-run home run in the top of the first to tie the score, EKU retook the lead in the top of the fourth as back-to-back RBI singles by Garcia and sophomore Sean Hagen plated Dunlop and junior Justin Trent. The Colonels added to that lead in the top of the fifth when Grisham doubled into the gap in left center, scoring Trent and making the score 5-2. EKU added three more runs in the top of the sixth thanks to an RBI single by Rodriguez and a two-run single by junior Matt Phipps, and the Colonels cruised the rest of the way. EKU returns to action on Wednesday, February 22, when the Colonels travel to face in-state foe Louisville. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
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Post by Press Release on Mar 14, 2012 15:50:42 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Fomer Clay County Tiger John Wilson was cleared to return to practice this week and hopes to be ready to play by next month.
EKU Baseball Begins Homestand with Bowling Green State this Weekend Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team will begin a long homestand by hosting Bowling Green State in a three-game set at Turkey Hughes Field this weekend. The Colonels play 11 of their next 12 games at home. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., while games on Saturday and Sunday are set to begin at 1:00 p.m. EKU (6-9) went 3-2 on its five-game Spring Break trip last week. The Colonels finished off the road swing by taking two of three games at Wofford. EKU has hit the ball well early in the season. Entering this week, the Colonels are ranked fourth in the nation with 23 home runs. Individually, senior Richie Rodriguez is ranked fourth in the nation and leads the Ohio Valley Conference with seven round-trippers, which is already a career high for the four-year starter. Rodriguez also leads EKU with a .393 batting average, while senior A.J. Jamison is hitting .340 and junior Austin Grisham is hitting .333. Sophomore Sean Hagen batted a team-high .429 over the Colonels’ Spring Break trip and has raised his batting average to .270 on the season. EKU has also been running well this spring, as the Colonels lead the OVC with 22 stolen bases on 28 attempts. Grisham has notched a team-high six stolen bases so far. BGSU (4-11) has lost four of its last five games, but did beat Dayton, 3-2, in its home opener on Tuesday. The Falcons are scheduled to play Malone at home on Wednesday before making the trip to Richmond. T.J. Losby leads BGSU with a .404 batting average and 12 RBI. The Falcons have only hit two home runs this season, compared to the Colonels’ 23 EKU will trot out the same rotation as last weekend: senior right-hander Matt Harris (1-2, 7.59 ERA) on Friday, senior left-hander Greg Terry (1-1, 4.26 ERA) on Saturday and junior left-hander Shane Grimm (1-3, 5.59 ERA) on Sunday. Senior right-hander Matt Fyffe (3-0, 1.06 ERA) has been the Colonels’ best arm out of the bullpen this season, as he ranks second in the OVC in ERA and fourth in opponent batting average (.200). BGSU will counter with right-hander Cody Apthorpe (0-2, 6.75 ERA) on Friday, right-hander Ethan McKenny (0-4, 7.94 ERA) on Saturday and left-hander Andrew Lacinak (0-1, 4.91 ERA) on Sunday. BGSU leads the all-time series between the two schools, 20-5, and the Falcons swept the Colonels in a three-game series at Turkey Hughes Field in 2010.
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Post by Press Release on Mar 18, 2012 19:21:01 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson made his first college appearance during this weekend series. After only two days of practice Wilson played four innings, with two at bats. He picked his first college RBI during Sunday's game.
EKU Baseball Drops Series Finale to Bowling Green State, 8-4 Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – Jeremy Shay’s two-run home run in the top of the sixth inning proved to be the difference as visiting Bowling Green State defeated the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team, 8-4, on Sunday afternoon in this weekend’s decisive series finale at Turkey Hughes Field. EKU (7-11) led 2-1 entering the top of the sixth, but Brandon Howard reached on an error to lead off the inning and then Shay blasted his first home run of the series over the wall in center field to give BGSU (7-12) a lead it would not surrender. The Falcons added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh before the Colonels attempted a comeback in the home half of the seventh. Junior Austin Grisham started the rally by reaching on an error and then advancing third on a base hit by senior Richie Rodriguez. The next batter, senior Jacob Daniel, nearly tied the game with a home run to left field that barely went foul, and instead settled for a sacrifice fly that plated Grisham and made it 5-3. After Rodriguez advanced to second on a wild pitch, sophomore Bryan Soloman ripped a double into left field that scored Rodriguez and made it a one-run game, 5-4. Following a scoreless eighth, however, BGSU plated three runs in the top of the ninth to grab some breathing room. EKU attempted another comeback in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with two outs in the inning, but junior Justin Trent missed on a potential game-tying grand slam with a fly out to deep left field that ended the game. Junior left-hander Shane Grimm (1-4) picked up the loss despite an effective start in which he went five innings and allowed just one earned run on five hits. Right-hander Jason Link (2-0) came on in relief in the bottom of the fourth for BGSU and earned the win, working the next 2.2 innings and surrendering just one earned run on one hit. Soloman paced EKU offensively, batting 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. Rodriguez, meanwhile, finished the day 2-for-5 with a run scored. Logan Walker went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored for BGSU, while Andrew Kubuski batted 3-for-4 with an RBI. EKU returns to action this week as the Colonels play a home-and-home series with Indiana. First pitch on Tuesday at Turkey Hughes Field is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
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Post by Press Release on Mar 21, 2012 5:22:46 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU Falls to Indiana, 6-4, in First Half of Midweek Home-and-Home Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team dropped the first half of a midweek home-and-home series with Indiana, 6-4, on Tuesday afternoon at Turkey Hughes Field. The second half of the series will be played on Wednesday afternoon at Sembower Field in Bloomington, Ind. With the loss, EKU drops to 7-12 on the season. The win improves IU to 7-13. Senior right-hander Blake Bottoms (0-2) started on the hill for EKU and received the loss despite pitching effectively over 4.1 innings, allowing just three earned runs on five hits while striking out a pair of batters. Left-hander Jonny Hoffman (1-1) earned the win for IU, working 2.1 innings of relief while surrendering one run on two hits. EKU grabbed an early lead in the bottom of the first inning as freshman John Wilson reached on error and then scored on a triple to left center by senior Jacob Daniel. The next batter, sophomore Bryan Soloman, reached on another error, which allowed Daniel to score and give the Colonels a quick 2-0 advantage. IU got a run back in the top of the second, another back in the top of the fourth and then took the lead in the top of the fifth when a throwing error allowed Michael Basil to score from first. The Hoosiers got one more run in that inning off an RBI base hit by Kyle Schwarber that made it 4-2. EKU threatened to retake the lead in the home half of the fifth as senior Richie Rodriguez, the Colonels’ leading hitter, came to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs; however, Rodriguez grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, scoring only freshman Demetrius Moorer, who had led off the inning with his first career hit, to make it 4-3. The next batter, Daniel, grounded out to end the threat and the inning. IU padded its lead with another run in the top of the seventh, as Sam Travis singled home Schwarber to push the lead to 5-3. The Hoosiers threatened to score more in that inning, but freshman left-hander Nick Bozman, making his first career appearance, got Justin Cureton to fly out to center with two outs, leaving a man stranded in scoring position. In the bottom of the seventh, sophomore Sean Hagen pulled EKU to within one run when he blasted his first career home run, an opposite field job that just cleared the wall in right field to make it 5-4; however, IU added a final insurance run in the top of the eighth and then right-handers Ryan Halstead and Matt Dearden combined to shut down the Colonels over the final two innings to seal the win. EKU and IU will face off tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. at Sembower Field in Bloomington, Ind. in the second half of this week’s series. Following this week’s home-and-home, EKU opens the Ohio Valley Conference schedule this weekend when the Colonels host Jacksonville State in a three-game series at Turkey Hughes Field.
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Post by Press Release on Mar 23, 2012 6:15:30 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU Baseball Opens OVC Play with Jacksonville State at Home this Weekend Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team opens Ohio Valley Conference play this weekend when the Colonels host Jacksonville State in a three-game set at Turkey Hughes Field. EKU (7-13) kicks off the conference schedule having lost three straight games. The Colonels recently dropped both ends of a midweek home-and-home series with Indiana. EKU enters the weekend seventh in the OVC in batting with a .255 team batting average. Senior Richie Rodriguez leads the way with a .338 batting average, and he is second in the conference with eight home runs and third with 22 RBI. Senior A.J. Jamison (.324) and junior Austin Grisham (.321) have also been above .300 for most of the season, while senior Jacob Daniel, the Colonels’ lone preseason All-OVC selection, is emerging from an early-season slump by hitting .500 with a team-leading eight RBI over EKU’s last five games. That hot streak has raised his season batting average to just under .300. EKU currently leads the OVC in home runs (29) and stolen bases (27), and the Colonels are second only to Southeast Missouri in slugging percentage (.443) and SIUE in fielding percentage (.967). JSU (6-14) dropped 14 of its first 16 games to open the season, but arrives at Turkey Hughes Field having won four straight games. The Gamecocks are ninth in the OVC with a .252 team batting average. Brothers Scott (.412) and Erik (.310) Underwood lead the way in batting average, while Ben Waldrip is JSU’s most prolific run producer with seven home runs and 19 RBI. EKU will run out its normal weekend rotation, as senior right-hander Matt Harris (2-2, 8.16 ERA) will start game one, senior left-hander Greg Terry (1-2, 6.86 ERA) will start game two and junior left-hander Shane Grimm (1-4, 4.81 ERA) will go in the series finale. EKU’s late-reliever duo of senior right-hander Matt Fyffe (3-0, 1.42 ERA) and junior right-hander Anthony Bazzani (3.00 ERA, three saves) has been sharp early in the season. JSU will counter with right-hander Aaron Elias (0-3, 5.13 ERA) in game one and left-hander Daniel Watts (1-3, 8.28 ERA) in game two. JSU’s game three starter has yet to be determined. The Gamecocks arrive at Turkey Hughes Field fifth in the league with a 5.99 team ERA, and their bullpen features one of the most feared closers in the conference in Todd Hornsby (4.15 ERA, three saves). JSU leads the all-time series between the two schools, 19-7, and EKU has not won a series over JSU since the Colonels took two-of-three from the Gamecocks in 2005. JSU won two-of-three games over EKU last year in Jacksonville. Rodriguez batted .357 in that series, while Harris went seven strong innings and allowed just one earned run in his game two start. EKU is 6-3 in OVC opening series games since head coach Jason Stein arrived in 2009.
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Post by Press Release on Apr 16, 2012 12:43:40 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Wilson led rally falls short Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – Visiting Eastern Illinois avoided the sweep on Sunday afternoon as the Panthers took a commanding six-run lead into the bottom of the third inning and then held on to defeat the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team, 9-7, in the finale of this weekend’s Ohio Valley Conference series at Turkey Hughes Field. With the loss, EKU drops to 16-17 (8-4 OVC) on the season. By salvaging Sunday’s game, EIU improves to 14-19 (5-6 OVC). Sophomore right-hander Blake Bottoms (0-3) picked up the loss for EKU, working just 2.1 innings and allowing five runs on three hits. Junior right-hander Anthony Bazzani came on in the top of the fourth and pitched serviceably over the next 5.1 innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out three batters. Bazzani did surrender six walks, though. Right-hander Troy Barton (5-4) earned the win for EIU, going five innings and allowing five runs (only three of them earned) on six hits. T.J. McManus got EIU going with a two-run home run in the top of the first, and the Panthers used the momentum from that long ball to grab a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, however, EKU responded as junior Austin Grisham blasted a two-out, opposite field home run to put the Colonels on the board. After senior Jacob Daniel singled, sophomore Bryan Soloman launched a two-run home run to left field to cut EIU’s lead in half, 6-3. EKU clawed even closer in the bottom of the fifth as senior Dustin Dunlop delivered with two outs, driving a triple into the gap in left center to score Daniel and Soloman and bring the Colonels to within one run, 6-5. In the top of the sixth, though, EIU put together a two-out rally of its own as Ryan Dineen drew a two-out walk and Nick Priessman followed that up with a two-run shot to right-center to give the Panthers some breathing room, 8-5. After McManus gave EIU even more breathing room with a solo shot to right-center in the top of the ninth. EKU rallied in the bottom of the ninth but fell just short. Freshman pinch-hitter John Wilson started the rally with a one-out double down the right field line. The next batter, Daniel, then ripped a triple into left-center, scoring Wilson and making the score 9-6. Soloman followed that up with a sacrifice fly to deep center field, scoring Daniel and cutting EIU’s lead to two. Dunlop, however, promptly grounded out to end the threat and the game. Soloman finished the day 2-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored to pace the EKU offense. Daniel also had a big day at the plate, batting 2-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Daniel’s batting average is now hovering just under .300 (.298). McManus led EIU offensively, going 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs, three RBI and three runs scored. EKU will now face Appalachian State in a two-game midweek series before hosting first-place Austin Peay in a pivotal OVC series next weekend at Turkey Hughes Field.
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Post by Press Release on May 8, 2012 20:56:24 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
John Wilson is perfect at the plate as EKU wins at Dayton Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
DAYTON, Ohio – Junior Austin Grisham batted 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored as the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team continued its hot play on Tuesday, dispatching host Dayton, 10-3, at Woerner Field. The Colonels have now won eight of their last nine games. EKU (25-20) leads the country in home runs, and the Colonels added to that lead on Tuesday, as Grisham pounded his third home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning and sophomore Bryan Soloman connected on his 11th home run of the season in the top of the first. On the day, EKU collected 14 hits, and the Colonels have now scored 44 runs and hit .418 as a team over their last four non-conference games. Senior Richie Rodriguez, the reigning Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Week, had another big day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and a stolen base, while seniors Michael Garcia and Dustin Dunlop and freshman John Wilson, who entered the game as the designated hitter in the top of the third, all picked up two hits apiece in the win. Wilson went 2 for 2 on the day, with a walk and two runs scored. Freshman left-hander Nick Bozman (2-0) started for EKU and earned the win, tossing two shutout innings to lower his season ERA to 2.89. Senior left-hander Greg Terry, junior right-handers Anthony Bazzani, Chase Greene and Austin Rexroat and sophomore right-hander Blake Bottoms all came on in relief and combined to stifle the Dayton offense to just three runs on eight hits. The Colonel pitching staff also did not walk a batter in the game. Right-hander Denton Sagerman (1-2) picked up the loss for Dayton (22-27), lasting just one inning and surrendering six runs on seven hits. The Colonels jumped on the Flyers early, as EKU pushed across four runs in the top of the first and then led the rest of the way. After Rodriguez opened the game with a walk, he scored on the combination of a single by Grisham and an error by Dayton center fielder Bobby Glover. Senior Jacob Daniel then went down on strikes, but Soloman followed that up by crushing an opposite field two-run homer over the wall in right-center field. Dunlop added one more run in the inning by singling home senior A.J. Jamison with two outs to make the score 4-0. EKU continued to pile it on in the following two innings. Daniel ripped a two-run double in the top of the second, and then Dunlop scored on an error and Wilson scored on a sacrifice fly by sophomore Sean Hagen in the top of the third, quickly giving the Colonels a comfortable 8-0 advantage. Dayton got a run back in the bottom of the third, but Grisham sealed the win with his two-run blast in the top of the sixth, making the score 10-1 and, effectively, putting the Flyers out of contention. EKU will now host Marshall tomorrow at 4:00 p.m. before welcoming OVC foe Tennessee Tech for a three-game set at Turkey Hughes Field over the weekend.
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Post by Press Release on May 10, 2012 12:38:29 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Wilson double, RBI helps EKU to win over Marshall Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – Junior Matt Phipps connected on a two-out, two-strike walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the surging Eastern Kentucky University baseball team past Marshall, 6-4, on Wednesday afternoon at Turkey Hughes Field. With the game tied 4-4 heading into the bottom of the ninth, junior Austin Grisham started the rally with a one-out single into left field. After senior Jacob Daniel popped up to second base for the second out of the inning, Phipps, who was inserted into the game as a defensive substitute at third base in the top of the sixth, took two consecutive strikes before blasting the third pitch he saw over the wall in left field to win the game. It was only Phipps’ second home run of the season. His first home run of the season came at Marshall on April 25. With the thrilling win, EKU (26-20) has swept Marshall in three games this season. The Colonels have now also won four straight and nine of their last 10 games as they head into this weekend’s pivotal Ohio Valley Conference series with Tennessee Tech riding a wave of momentum. The loss, meanwhile, drops Marshall to 15-32 on the season. Freshman right-hander Cody Creamer started on the mound for EKU and pitched two scoreless innings, but it was senior left-hander Greg Terry (2-3) who earned the win as he held the Thundering Herd scoreless over the final three frames to become the pitcher of record on Phipps’ home run. Right-hander Josh King (2-3) surrendered Phipps’ home run in the bottom of the ninth to receive the loss for Marshall. Grisham, again, paced the EKU offense, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored. Seniors Richie Rodriguez, A.J. Jamison and Dustin Dunlop all collected two hits apiece in the win. Eric Escobedo led Marshall at the plate, driving in a game-high three runs in the contest. EKU jumped out to a quick 4-0 in the game. Jamison delivered a two-out, two-run double in the bottom of the first, before freshman John Wilson doubled home Dunlop and Grisham singled home Wilson in the bottom of the second. With the double Wilson raised his average to .333 on the season. Marshall, however, got one run back in the top of the third, before Escobedo smashed a bases-clearing double into the gap in left center in the top of the of the fifth to tie the score at 4-4. The game remained knotted until Phipps’ heroics in the bottom of the ninth. It was EKU’s fourth walk-off win of the season. EKU returns to action this weekend when the Colonels host TTU in a three-game set at Turkey Hughes Field.
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Post by Local Sports on May 11, 2012 10:17:48 GMT -5
Freshman John Wilson is hitting .800 (4-for-5) with a home run, double, three RBI and four runs scored over EKU's last four games
Baseball Poised for OVC Showdown with Tennessee Tech this Weekend Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team will play its final games of the season at Turkey Hughes Field this weekend, as the Colonels host Ohio Valley Conference foe Tennessee Tech in a pivotal three-game series beginning Friday at 3:00 p.m. Saturday’s game two will begin at 2:00 p.m., while Sunday’s finale is set to get underway at 1:00 p.m. Senior Day activities will take place before and after Saturday’s game. EKU (26-20, 14-7 OVC) is in the midst of a pennant race. With six conference games left, the surging Colonels enter this weekend tied for second place with Jacksonville State in the OVC standings and just a half-game behind first-place Austin Peay. Momentum is also on the side of EKU. The Colonels have won four straight and nine of their last 10 games, as they took two of three at UT Martin last weekend before crushing Dayton, 10-3, on Tuesday and beating Marshall, 6-4, on walk-off home run by Matt Phipps in the bottom of the ninth inning on Wednesday. Over its last 10 games, EKU has hit .345 as a team with 14 home runs and 29 doubles. On the season, The Colonels lead the country with 62 home runs, and they lead the OVC with a .490 slugging percentage. Senior Richie Rodriguez is the catalyst of that explosive EKU offense. The shortstop from Miami, Fla. comes into the weekend batting .389 with 13 home runs, 15 doubles, 53 runs scored, 12 stolen bases and 31 walks compared to only 11 strikeouts. Four other Colonels are also hitting above .300 on the year, as junior Austin Grisham comes in at .332, senior A.J. Jamison at .313, senior Jacob Daniel at .309 and senior Dustin Dunlop at .304. TTU (19-28, 9-12 OVC) enters the weekend in seventh-place in the OVC standings and fighting for a spot in the conference tournament. The Golden Eagles, however, are always dangerous and are currently playing good baseball. TTU had lost six straight before taking two of three from Morehead State last weekend. The Golden Eagles then nearly upset Clemson on the road on Tuesday, losing to the Tigers on a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th. Like EKU, TTU features a strong offense that leads the conference with a .308 batting average. Zach Stephens is the primary force behind that offense, as he is hitting .399 and ranks fifth in the country with 17 home runs. The EKU pitching staff now ranks fourth in the conference with a 5.32 team ERA, and the Colonels seem to have found their third weekend starter in senior right-hander Matt Fyffe, who has gone 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA since being inserted into the rotation two weekends ago. The Colonels’ rotation will remain the same this weekend, as senior right-hander Matt Harris (4-5, 5.97 ERA) will start Friday, Fyffe (7-0, 1.78 ERA) will start Saturday and junior left-hander Shane Grimm will go on Sunday. TTU, which ranks ninth in the conference with a 6.59 team ERA, will counter with right-hander Tristan Archer (3-4, 4.46 ERA) on Friday, right-hander Matthew Shepherd (4-3, 5.92 ERA) on Saturday and right-hander David Hess (3-6, 6.83 ERA) on Sunday. EKU leads the all-time series between the two schools, 67-59-1, although TTU has had the upper hand lately. The Golden Eagles have gone 7-1 against the Colonels over the last three seasons, including two wins over EKU in the OVC Tournament.
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