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Post by Press Release on May 16, 2012 14:49:26 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU Baseball in Search of OVC Regular Season Title this Weekend at Murray State Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team will play for its first Ohio Valley Conference regular season title since 2000 this weekend, as the Colonels travel to Murray State for a decisive three-game series at Reagan Field. EKU (28-21, 16-7 OVC) currently sits in second place in the OVC standings, one game behind first-place Austin Peay (32-20, 17-6 OVC), which plays at eighth-place Tennessee Tech (20-30, 9-14 OVC) this weekend. Jacksonville State (24-27, 15-9 OVC) and Eastern Illinois (25-25, 14-9 OVC) are looming behind EKU and could also factor into a championship during this final weekend of regular season play. The surging Colonels had won six straight and 11 of their last 12 games before losing to in-state rival Western Kentucky, 11-7, on Tuesday night. EKU, which leads the country with 64 home runs, was hitting .338 and slugging .533 as a team during that stretch. Senior Richie Rodriguez powers an explosive EKU offense that leads the OVC in slugging percentage (.484) and total bases (856). Rodriguez ranks third in the OVC in batting average (.387), second in runs scored (55), second in doubles (17), fourth in home runs (13), third in total bases (136), third in on-base percentage (.481) and third in slugging percentage (.712). Junior Austin Grisham (.324) and seniors Dustin Dunlop (.317), A.J. Jamison (.308) and Jacob Daniel (.302) are also batting above .300 in a balanced and veteran EKU lineup. MSU (23-30, 8-16 OVC) currently sits in ninth place in the OVC after dropping two-of-three at Southeast Missouri last weekend. MSU, however, did top No. 2 Kentucky, 7-3, in a neutral-site, midweek contest on Tuesday, so the Thoroughbreds will carry some momentum into this weekend. MSU ranks fifth in the OVC in hitting (.288) and sixth in pitching (5.93). Brandon Eggenschwiler (.374 batting average) paces a balanced MSU lineup that features six players batting at or above .300 on the spring. EKU will run out the same rotation it has used the past three weekends. Senior right-hander Matt Harris (4-5, 5.98 ERA) will start game one, senior right-hander Matt Fyffe (8-0, 1.51 ERA) will start game two and junior left-hander Shane Grimm (5-4, 3.37 ERA) will go in the finale on Saturday. Fyffe is the reigning OVC Co-Pitcher of the Week after he tossed a complete game shutout last Saturday against TTU. MSU will counter with right-hander Tyler Beers (3-6, 6.14 ERA) in game one and left-hander Bryan Babin (5-4, 5.35 ERA) in game two. The Breds’ game three starter has yet to be determined. Beers and Babin both saw action in MSU’s win over Kentucky on Tuesday. EKU leads the all-time series between the two schools, 52-45, and the Colonels swept the Breds in a three game set at Turkey Hughes Field last year. Jamison batted 6-for-13 with four RBI in that series, while junior right-hander Austin Rexroat earned the win in game two and senior left-hander Greg Terry picked up the win in game three. This weekend’s series gets underway at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, continues at 3:00 p.m. on Friday and wraps up at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.
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Post by Press Release on May 19, 2012 17:37:29 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
OVC Champs! Grimm Pitches EKU to a Share of First Conference Crown Since 2000 Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson went 1-2 with a walk to help his EKU baseball team win a share of the OVC regular season championship. After missing most of the season with a concussion Wilson finished the regular season with a .316 average. Junior left-hander Shane Grimm pitched eight superb innings as the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team finished off the sweep of host Murray State on Saturday, 7-1, to earn a share of its first Ohio Valley Conference regular season title since 2000. EKU (31-21, 19-7 OVC) won its final seven and 10 of its final 11 conference games to earn a share of the OVC crown. The Colonels’ 19 conference wins are the most in school history. EKU will share this season’s OVC title with Austin Peay (34-21, 19-7 OVC), which defeated Tennessee Tech, 10-4, on Saturday to remain tied with the Colonels atop the conference standings. APSU owns the tiebreaker over EKU and will enter next week’s OVC Tournament as the No. 1 seed. EKU will be the No. 2 seed and will receive a coveted first-round bye. The Colonels will open postseason play on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Their opponent will be determined on Wednesday. Grimm (6-4) was sharp all afternoon, going eight innings and allowing just one run on four hits while striking out three batters to deliver the championship. With the win, Grimm improved to a perfect 5-0 during conference play. Junior right-hander Anthony Bazzani came on in the bottom of the ninth inning and sealed the win, striking out Noah Zipko swinging to end the game and ignite the celebration in the infield. Grimm was on top of his game, but he also received help from his defense, particularly senior second baseman Dustin Dunlop. After an RBI base hit by senior Jacob Daniel in the top of the fifth broke a scoreless tie and spurred the Colonels to a 2-0 lead, MSU threatened in the bottom of the sixth as Ty Stetson ripped a two-out double and scored when Travis Isaak laced a single through the left side and advanced to second on the throw. The next batter, senior Jacob Rhodes, then ripped a ball to the right side that would have scored Isaak from second and tied the game, but Dunlop made a diving stop on the ball and threw Rhodes out at first to end the inning. Two frames later, EKU blew the game open as the Colonels loaded the bases with one out in the top of the eighth. The next batter, junior pinch hitter Alex Hughes, was hit by the first pitch he saw, scoring senior A.J. Jamison from third and making the score 3-1. Sophomore Sean Hagen then delivered a two-run single through the right side of the infield, plating Dunlop and fellow senior Michael Garcia. Junior Matt Phipps, who replaced an injured Bryan Soloman in the starting lineup an hour before first pitch, concluded the scoring in the inning when he laid down a perfect squeeze bunt that scored Hughes and made it 6-1. EKU added one more run in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Jamison, before Bazzani came on and sealed the victory with a dominant performance in the bottom of the ninth. Visit www.ekusports.com next week for more information on EKU’s trip to Jackson, Tenn. The Colonels will be seeking their first OVC Tournament title since 1989.
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Post by Press Release on May 23, 2012 7:12:19 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
OVC co-champion EKU baseball team honored at OVC Awards Banquet Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Former Clay County John Wilson and his OVC co-champion EKU baseball team was honored at the annual conference Awards Banquet held on the eve of the 2012 OVC Baseball Tournament on Tuesday night. Eastern Kentucky University senior right-hander Matt Fyffe was voted the Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Year, head coach Jason Stein was voted the OVC Coach of the Year and five Colonels were named to All-OVC teams. The awards were voted on by league head coaches and sports information directors. EKU, the OVC regular season co-champion, had the most first team All-OVC selections (three) of any school. Fyffe, who was one of those first team All-OVC selections, was a dominant force on the EKU pitching staff all spring, finishing the regular season with a 9-0 record and a 1.51 ERA in 65.2 innings pitched. He stifled opposing hitters to a .209 batting average. His nine wins led the OVC and his 1.51 ERA led the OVC and ranked seventh in the country. The hard-throwing right-hander from Paintsville, Ky. started the season in the bullpen, going 5-0 with a 2.02 ERA and two saves during the first two months of the season. Midway through the conference schedule, however, he was moved to the weekend rotation and was even more dominant, compiling a record of 4-0 and an ERA of 0.90 over his final four starts to lead EKU to a share of its first OVC regular season title since 2000. Fyffe’s finest moment of the season came when he tossed a three-hit complete game shutout against conference foe Tennessee Tech on Senior Day at Turkey Hughes Field. It was EKU’s first nine-inning complete game shutout since Christian Friedrich’s no-hitter against Morehead State in 2006, and it earned Fyffe OVC Pitcher of the Week honors. Fyffe is the first Colonel to be named OVC Pitcher of the Year since Friedrich in 2008. Friedrich went on to be a first round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies. In just his fourth year as the head coach at his alma mater, Stein led EKU to seven straight conference wins down the stretch to capture a share of the OVC regular season championship, the program’s 16th all-time title (an OVC record) and first since 2000. Picked sixth in the OVC preseason poll, the Colonels got off to a slow start as the team was just 7-15 after a loss to Jacksonville State on March 24. Behind Stein’s steady guidance, however, EKU won 24 of its final 30 games and 10 of its final 11 OVC games, finishing 19-7 in league play and claiming a share of the regular season crown with Austin Peay. EKU finished the regular season with a record of 31-21, marking the second 30-win season during Stein’s four years in Richmond. Under Stein, the Colonels led the nation in home runs per game (1.25) this season and led the OVC in slugging percentage (.482), doubles (12), triples (21), home runs (65) and total bases (902). During the year, Stein, a former Colonel middle infielder and an assistant coach on the last EKU team to win an OVC championship in 2000, reached the 100-win plateau during a victory over Morehead State on April 28. Overall, Stein is the third different EKU skipper to be named the OVC Coach of the Year and first since Stein’s college coach Jim Ward won the final of his five awards in 2000. Charles “Turkey” Hughes, the namesake of the Colonels’ baseball field, is the other EKU coach to win the award, doing so in 1962 and 1967. Senior outfielder Jacob Daniel joined Southeast Missouri’s two-time OVC Player of the Year Trenton Moses as the only repeat first-team All-OVC selections from last year. Daniel started 51 games in left field for the Colonels, batting .307 with six home runs, 14 doubles and an OVC-best seven triples. He also led EKU and ranked seventh in the OVC with 48 RBI. Daniel, a native of Russellville, Ala., broke EKU’s career hit-by-pitch record this season (42), and he enters the postseason with 17 career triples, one shy of tying the OVC career record (held by former Colonel Jayson Langfels). For the first time in his decorated career, senior shortstop Richie Rodriguez joined Fyffe and Daniel as a first team All-OVC selection. Rodriguez, a two-time second team All-OVC performer, has started 214 consecutive games at shortstop, meaning every game of his EKU career. The native of Miami, Fla. is the engine of EKU’s prolific offense, leading the Colonels in almost every major offensive category, including batting average (.379), hits (77), runs (58), doubles (18), total bases (140), slugging percentage (.690) and on-base percentage (.472). He ranks in the top-20 in the country in runs, slugging percentage, total bases and strikeouts per nine innings. Rodriguez, who was one of 25 players named to the prestigious Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award Watch List this week, currently owns the all-time EKU hits (300), runs (208) and at-bats (856) records. Senior second baseman Dustin Dunlop and junior left-hander Shane Grimm were named second team All-OVC. Dunlop, a native of Conyers, Ga., started 45 games at second base and was third on the team with a .312 batting average. He also scored 36 runs to go along with three home runs, four triples, 11 doubles, 21 walks and nine stolen bases. Dunlop also played brilliant defense for EKU all season, as he was part of a Colonel middle infield that ranks fourth in the country with 1.13 double plays turned per game. Grimm, a native of Paintsville, Ky., finished the season with a 6-4 record, two complete games and a 3.14 ERA, good enough for fourth-best in the conference. More importantly, however, Grimm compiled a perfect record of 5-0 and an ERA of 2.38 during conference play, including going eight superb innings in the Colonels’ title-clinching win over Murray State last Saturday. The No. 2 seed EKU opens play in the OVC Tournament on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. The Colonels’ opponent in that game will be determined on Wednesday.
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Post by Press Release on May 23, 2012 16:21:33 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU Opens Play in the OVC Tournament on Thursday Afternoon Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
JACKSON, Tenn. – The No. 2 seed Eastern Kentucky University baseball team opens play in the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament on Thursday at 4:00 p.m at Pringles Park. The red-hot Colonels are seeking their first OVC Tournament title since 1989. Tournament play begins on Wednesday afternoon, as No. 4 seed Eastern Illinois and No. 5 seed Morehead State meet in the opener at 4:00 p.m., followed by No. 3 seed Jacksonville State and No. 6 seed Southeast Missouri in the nightcap at 8:00 p.m. The Colonels, who are making their third consecutive appearance in the OVC Tournament, will play the highest-seeded team of the winners of those two games on Thursday. EKU (31-21, 19-7 OVC) won its final seven conference games of the season to share its first OVC regular season title since 2000 with Austin Peay (34-21, 19-7 OVC). The Govs received the top seed in the tournament because they took two-of-three games from the Colonels during the regular season. EKU brings an explosive offense into postseason play, as the Colonels lead the nation in home runs per game (1.25) and they lead the OVC in slugging percentage (.482), doubles (12), triples (21), home runs (65) and total bases (902). First team All-OVC shortstop Richie Rodriguez is the engine of that offense. The senior lead-off man is tops on the team in almost every major offensive category, including batting average (.379), hits (77), runs (58), doubles (18), total bases (140), slugging percentage (.690) and on-base percentage (.472). First-team All-OVC outfielder Jacob Daniel (.307 batting average, seven triples, 48 RBI) and second team All-OVC second baseman Dustin Dunlop (.312 batting average, 36 runs scored, 21 walks) are also key hitters in a balanced and veteran Colonel lineup. OVC Pitcher of the Year Matt Fyffe (9-0, 1.51 ERA), second team All-OVC left-hander Shane Grimm (6-4, 3.14 ERA) and senior right-hander Matt Harris (5-5, 5.68 ERA) lead an EKU pitching staff that has posted a league-best 3.78 ERA during conference play. The Colonels’ pitching rotation for the tournament has yet to be determined. TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE Wednesday, May 23 Game 1 - #4 Eastern Illinois vs. #5 Morehead State, 4:00 p.m. Game 2 - #3 Jacksonville State vs. #6 Southeast Missouri, 8:00 p.m. Thursday, May 24 Game 3 - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, 12:00 p.m. Game 4 - #2 Eastern Kentucky vs. Highest Seed of Games 1/2 Winners, 4:00 p.m. Game 5 - #1 Austin Peay vs. Lowest Seed of Games 1/2 Winners, 8:00 p.m. Friday, May 25 Game 6 - Winner Game 3 vs. Lowest Seed of Games 4/5 Losers, 12:00 p.m. Game 7 - Winner Game 6 vs. Highest Seed of Games 4/5 Losers, 4:00 p.m. Game 8 - Winner game 4 vs. Winner Game 5, 8:00 p.m. Saturday, May 26 Game 9 - Winner Game 7 vs. Loser Game 8, 1:00 p.m. Game 10 - Winner Game 8 vs. Winner Game 9, 4:30 p.m. Sunday, May 27 (if necessary) Game 11 - Winner Game 10 vs. Loser Game 10, 1:00 p.m. (all times EST) Click on the link below for live stats and video: alturl.com/fn7ck
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Post by Press Release on May 24, 2012 22:12:44 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Colonels face Jacksonville State Friday in elimination game Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
JACKSON, Tenn. – Eastern Kentucky University, the OVC regular season co-champion, will face the No. 3 seed Jacksonville State on Friday at 12:00 p.m. ET in an elimination game. If the Colonels win that game, they will play immediately afterwards at 4:00 p.m. ET against an opponent yet to be determined. EKU fell to the No. 4 seed Eastern Illinois, 11-2, on Thursday afternoon in the Colonels’ opening game of the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament at Pringles Park. Senior right-hander Matt Fyffe (9-1), the recently-announced OVC Pitcher of the Year, did not deliver the type of quality outing he had delivered so frequently during the regular season, going five innings and allowing nine runs on 11 hits while striking out six to pick up his first loss of the 2012 season.
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Post by Press Release on May 25, 2012 14:48:22 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
JACKSONVILLE STATE 9 EASTERN KENTUCKY 4 OVC Press Release
JACKSON, Tenn. - Jacksonville State scored three times in the sixth inning and five times in the seventh on its way to a 9-4 victory over Eastern Kentucky in an elimination game on Day Three of the 2012 OVC Baseball Championship on Friday at Pringles Park. With its second elimination game victory in as many days, Jacksonville State advances to play No. 1 seed Austin Peay in another elimination game at 3:00 p.m. today. Eastern Kentucky (31-22) started the game with a solo home run by senior shortstop Richie Rodriguez before adding an unearned run in the second inning and a third run in the fourth to grab the 3-0 advantage. In the sixth inning Scott Underwood doubled home a pair of runs to put Jacksonville State (27-29) on the board and Ben Waldrip added a sacrifice fly to tie the game. An inning later the Gamecocks got to the Eastern Kentucky bullpen, scoring five times (including three off Colonel closer Anthony Bazzani) with the big hit coming off Waldrip's bat, as he doubled high off the leftfield wall to drive in three runs. Senior Hunter Rivers (6-3) went eight innings, allowing eight hits and three runs (two earned) while striking out seven in picking up the victory. Reliever Greg Terry (2-4) took the loss, as he was charged with two runs from the JSU's five-run sixth. Eastern Kentucky entered the tournament having won 24 of its last 30 games, the Colonels dropped both of its games at the OVC Tournament, losing back-to-back games for the first time since mid-April.
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Post by ClayLive on Jun 14, 2012 8:34:22 GMT -5
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson is congratulated by his sister Jenna Lawson after his Covington Lumberjacks defeated Rockbridge 17-1 Wednesday. Wilson was three for four on the game with three RBIs, which raised his average to .474 on the season which places him in the top ten hitters in the Valley Baseball League, a collegiate wooden bat league in Virginia. Wilson will be a sophomore at Eastern Kentucky University this coming season. www.valleyleaguebaseball.com/teams/covington/index
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Post by Press Release on Jun 20, 2012 17:09:37 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU Baseball Summer League Update Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
RICHMOND, Ky. - Sixteen Eastern Kentucky University baseball players are competing in seven different wooden bat summer leagues around the nation. The following are highlights through June 20: Valley Baseball League
- Sophomore John Wilson has played in 11 games for the Covington Lumberjacks. In Wilson’s 11 games he has generated a .394 batting average with two doubles and six RBI. Sophomore right-hander Cody Creamer has appeared in five games for the Lumberjacks, starting two of those games. Creamer has thrown 11 innings and posted a 3.27 ERA to go along with 10 strikeouts and a .255 opponent batting average. Great Lakes League
- Junior Steve Ferraro is hitting .333 with two doubles for the Lexington Hustlers. Senior Matt Phipps, meanwhile, is tied for the team lead with four stolen bases for the Hustlers. Junior right-hander Brent Cobb has emerged as the closer for the Hustlers. Cobb has thrown 2.2 innings while racking up three strikeouts, two saves and a .000 ERA. Senior right-hander Austin Rexroat has also posted a 0.00 ERA in limited work. California Collegiate League
- Senior right-hander Chase Greene has appeared in three games for the San Luis Obispo Blues. Greene has put up good numbers for the Blues with one win, one save, nine strikeouts and a 1.17 ERA in 7.2 innings pitched. Senior Austin Grisham has also posted good numbers for the Blues, hitting .255 and ranking second on the team with 12 RBI and eight stolen bases. Northwoods League
- Senior right-hander Anthony Bazzani has returned to the Alexandria Beetles where he has picked back up where he left off last summer. Bazzani has appeared in four games posting a 1.59 ERA while throwing 5.2 innings, racking up 11 strikeouts and compiling three saves. Midwest Collegiate League
- Sophomore right-hander Ben Gullo has appeared in four games for the Will County CrackerJacks, starting three of them. In Gullo’s four appearances he has posted a 1.19 ERA while throwing 22.2 innings and racking up 16 strikeouts, two wins and one complete game. New York Collegiate Baseball League
- Sophomore right-hander Cameron Langfels has started two games for the Wellsville Nitros. Langfels has posted a 0.93 ERA with one win while recording eight strikeouts over 9.2 innings of work.
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Post by ClayLive on Jun 28, 2012 8:09:16 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Wilson will not return to action until after All-Star break
Former Clay County Tiger and current EKU Sophomore John Wilson will not return to the lineup for the Covington Lumberjacks of the Valley Baseball League until after the All-Star break. That means the earliest he could return will be Wednesday July 11. Wilson was hit with a stray throw during warm ups June 19 before a game at New Market and showed signs of a concussion. In Wilson’s 11 games he has generated a .394 batting average with two doubles and six RBI. www.valleyleaguebaseball.com/teams/covington/index
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Post by Press Release on Jun 30, 2012 8:15:17 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Offical EKU baseball OVC championship video Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team won a share of the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference regular season title. This is how it went down.
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Post by ClayLive on Jul 10, 2012 8:50:09 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Wilson returns to Covington Lumberjack lineup
Former Clay County Tiger and current EKU Sophomore John Wilson returned to the lineup for the Covington Lumberjacks of the Valley Baseball League as a DH in the two games before the All-Star break. Wilson was hit with a stray throw during warm ups June 19 before a game at New Market and showed signs of a concussion. Wilson entered the lineup with only one day of practice and went 3 for 10 in two games. He is now hitting .351 on the season. The Lumberjacks will return to action Tuesday with a home game against Rockbridge. Covington will be on the road Wednesday at Haymarket for a double-header. Wilson's EKU teammate Sean Hagen plays for Haymarket. Another EKU teammate, left handed pitcher, Shane Grimm is expected to make his first appearance for Covington this week. www.valleyleaguebaseball.com/teams/covington/index
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Post by Press Release on Jul 20, 2012 8:31:43 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Wilson having a good summer for the Covington Lumberjacks Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
The following are highlights from Eastern Kentucky University players in summer leagues around the country: Valley League - Senior left-hander Shane Grimm arrived in Covington and has made an immediate impact for the Covington Lumberjacks. Grimm has started two games, thrown 13 innings posting a 1.38 ERA while striking out 10 and only allowing two earned runs. - Sophomore John Wilson is also having a good summer for the Covington Lumberjacks. Wilson has posted a .338 batting average and racked up 13 RBI in 21 games despite spending two weeks on the injured list. California Collegiate League - Senior Austin Grisham, for the San Luis Obispo Blues, has continued on his hitting spree and has brought his batting average up to .294. Grisham has racked up a team leading 40 hits and also has 18 stolen bases. - Senior right-hander Chase Greene has thrown really well for the San Luis Obispo Blues. Greene has compiled a 2-0 record and two saves in 18.2 innings of work while posting a 2.89 ERA and a .217 opponent batting average while racking up 23 strikeouts. Northwoods League - Senior right-hander Anthony Bazzani has had another strong summer as the closer for the Alexandria Beetles. Bazzani has compiled nine saves in 17 innings of work while posting a 2.65 ERA and racking up 28 strikeouts. Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League - Junior right-hander Brent Cobb has posted good numbers for the Lexington Hustlers. Cobb has compiled 5 saves in 10 innings of work while posting a 3.60 ERA and racking up 10 strikeouts. - Junior right-hander Blake Bottoms is also having a good summer for the Southern Ohio Copperheads. Bottoms has racked up 15 strikeouts in 16 innings of work and has compiled a 1-0 record on a 2.25 ERA. Midwest Collegiate League - Ben Gullo has had an All-Star type summer for the Will County CrackerJacks. Gullo, a sophomore right-hander from Lake Zurich, Ill., started in the Midwest Collegiate League All-Star Game for the South Division All-Stars. Gullo threw one inning without allowing a hit or an earned run while striking out one to pick up the win. Gullo has had a great summer season, compiling a 3-1 record in 50.1 innings of work while posting a 2.16 ERA and racking up 33 strikeouts.
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Post by Press Release on Jul 22, 2012 7:37:07 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU NCAA Statistical Champion For Home Runs Per Game Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Eastern Kentucky University’s baseball team is 2012 NCAA Division I statistical champion for home runs per game. EKU, along with Arkansas-Little Rock, hit 66 home runs in 54 games for an average of 1.22 per contest. Florida was third overall with 1.12 home runs per game. Eastern’s total of 66 home runs tied Arkansas-Little Rock and Samford for second most in the nation. Florida led the country with 75 dingers. Senior All-American Richie Rodriguez and sophomore Bryan Solomon led the team with 14 home runs each. The Colonels were last declared statistical champions in 2004 when they led the nation in average and doubles. In addition to leading Division I college baseball in home runs per game, Eastern also ranked high in a number of other categories. EKU finished fourth in slugging (.477), fifth in double plays turned (1.11/gm), sixth in doubles (2.26/gm) and 23rd in scoring (6.7 rpg). Individually, Rodriguez finished the season ranked eighth in slugging (.689), 15th in runs (1.09/gm), 24th in total bases (146) and 25th in home runs (14). Soloman also ranked 25th in home runs. Jacob Daniel finished 18th in triples (7). EKU finished the season with a 31-23 record and captured a league-best 16th Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship. The Colonels finished in a first place tie with Austin Peay with identical 19-7 records. Head coach Jason Stein and senior right-hander Matt Fyffe garnered OVC Coach and Pitcher of the Year awards at the end of the season. Rodriguez, Daniel, Fyffe, Dustin Dunlop and Shane Grimm earned all-conference recognition.
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Post by Press Release on Jul 27, 2012 15:33:42 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Wilson finishes Wooden Bat League season
Former Clay County Tiger and current Eastern Kentucky University sophomore, John Wilson has returned home after playing this summer in the Valley Collegiate Wooden Bat Baseball League with the Covington Lumberjacks. The league consists of 12 teams in Eastern Virginia. Wilson finished the season with a .307 batting average and a .419 on base percentage. Despite missing 13 games while injured Wilson finished in the top 20 in the league in triples and sacrifice bunts. Wilson proved to be a valuable member of the Lumberjacks lineup. In the 24 games Wilson started Covington was 12-12 but finished the regular season at 16-27 and out of the playoffs. John will now take the next three weeks off before joined his EKU teammates for fall practice as the Colonels will be looking to defend their regular season OVC championship.
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Post by Press Release on Aug 24, 2012 17:58:06 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Back On Campus, EKU Baseball Begins Individual Workouts Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
The Major League Baseball season might be winding down, but the Colonels are already getting ready for the 2013 season and preparing for Ohio Valley Conference Championship No. 17. Eastern Kentucky’s baseball team is back on campus and currently conducting individual workouts. The team is allowed to work with the coaches in small groups over the next couple of weeks. On Sept. 24, the Colonels will begin full team practices as part of their fall practice season. EKU finished the 2012 season with a 31-23 record and captured a league-best 16th Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship. The Colonels finished in a first place tie with a 19-7 league record.
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Post by ClayLive on Sept 17, 2012 10:19:34 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Colonels For Education
Former Clay County Middle School Raider, John Wilson signs autographs during the 3rd Annual "Colonels For Education" event at the EKU Manchester campus. The current 8th graders at CCMS were in attendance. Wilson is currently a sophomore at EKU where he is a member of the baseball team. Also shown is Colette Cole from Breathitt County, who is now EKU director of basketball operations.
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Post by Press Release on Oct 9, 2012 18:05:51 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Baseball Adds Two Assistant Coaches Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Eastern Kentucky University head baseball coach Jason Stein announced two additions to his coaching staff today. Steven Brown joins the program as the pitching coach and Dan Scott will serve as the volunteer assistant coach. “We are excited to have Steven and Dan join the Colonel baseball family,” Stein said. “I think both of them will help us continue to take the baseball program to new heights. They bring a wealth of baseball knowledge to our program and will impart that knowledge onto our players with excitement and passion. I look forward to working with them this season.” The Colonels are the reigning Ohio Valley Conference champions and Stein was the 2012 OVC Coach of the Year. Brown came to EKU after one year as the pitching coach at Jackson State Community College in Jackson, Tenn. He helped the Generals to a 34-16 record in 2012. At JSCC he was responsible for all phases of recruiting and pitching management – including instruction and strategy. Freshman pitcher Wesley Parsons signed with the Atlanta Braves after the season. The past two summers, Brown served as an assistant coach in a pair of collegiate summer leagues. In 2011 he was an assistant for the Brainerd Lakes Lunkers in the Northwoods League. Brainerd posted the lowest ERA and lowest opponent batting average in the league under Brown’s guidance. Six of the players earned a spot in the all-star game and one singed a pro contract with the San Francisco Giants. In 2012, Brown served as an assistant for the Brewster White Caps in the Cape Cod League. Austin Voth finished third in the league in strike outs and Tom Windle placed fifth in ERA while playing for Brown. The Huntington Beach, Calif., native was the head coach of the Nashville Panthers of the Tennessee Summer Collegiate League in 2010. The Panthers went 29-8 and won the league championship. Brown was chosen as the TSCL Coach of the Year. Brown was an assistant coach at Centennial High School in Franklin, Tenn. during the 2010 season. While at CHS, he coached future Vanderbilt standout Tony Kemp. Since 2010 Brown played a key role in the Vanderbilt University Prospect Camps. He was responsible for everyday operations of pitchers, outfielders, catchers and conditioning programs while assisting with hitting drills. Brown earned an associate of science degree in 2006 from Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa, Calif. In 2010, Brown earned a bachelor of business administration at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. As a freshman Brown had the lowest ERA on the Orange Coast College pitching staff. He concluded his collegiate career at Trevecca Nazarene in 2007 and 2008. Brown was a two-time all-conference and all-region selection in addition to being chosen as the 2007 Transouth Conference Newcomer of the Year. He set school records for saves in a season and career saves. He helped TNU to a pair of Transouth regular season titles. In June 2008, Brown signed a professional contract to play for the Rockford River Hawks of the Frontier League. Scott spent the 2012 season as an assistant at Belmont Abbey College, a NCAA Division II school in North Carolina. He helped the Crusaders to a 30-win season. Scott assisted with travel, equipment and recruiting while also serving as the head coach of the junior varsity team. The Miami, Fla., native spent two summers, 2011 and 2012, as the head coach of the Covington Lumberjacks, a collegiate summer league team. He led the Lumberjacks to the 2011 Valley League Championship. This summer he had three EKU players on his team: John Wilson, Cody Creamer and Shawn Ball. Before spending the fall 2011 semester as an assistant coach at Campbellsville University, Scott was the varsity pitching coach and head junior varsity coach for two seasons (2010-11) at Chaminade-Madonna Preparatory school in Hollywood, Fla. Scott graduated from Florida State University in August 2009 with a bachelor of science degree in interdisciplinary social sciences. He spent the 2009 fall semester as a volunteer assistant at the University of Central Florida before taking the position at Chaminade-Madonna. While a student at Florida State, Scott spent two years as a student manager (2004-06) and two years as a student assistant coach (2007-09). As a student assistant, Scott helped with coordinating practice, he organized and maintained hitting charts and assisted with team travel and equipment. The Seminoles advanced to the College World Series in 2008. As a high school player, Scott was a member of the 2003 FHSAA 4A State Championship team at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
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Post by Press Release on Oct 11, 2012 21:57:43 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Ohio Valley Conference baseball championship returns to Pringles Park Ohio Valley Conference Press Release
The Ohio Valley Conference announced on Friday a one-year extension to its deal to hold its annual baseball championship at Pringles Park in Jackson, Tenn. The 2013 OVC Baseball Championship will be held May 22-26 at the venue which serves as the home of the Jackson Generals, the AA affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. It marks the fourth-straight season the event will be played at Pringles Park. “We appreciate the leadership and commitment the City of Jackson and the Jackson Generals have made to the OVC for making this an outstanding event for our student-athletes,” said OVC Commissioner Beth DeBauche. “We are extremely happy to continue our relationship with the OVC in hosting its baseball championship,” said Jason Compton, General Manager of the Jackson Generals. “It is great for us to be able to bring a NCAA Division I Baseball Championship to Jackson and we are already looking forward to the event in May.” Pringles Park opened in 1998 and has a seating capacity of 6,000. The venue hosted the 1999 and 2011 Southern League All-Star Games. Pringles Park also has luxury suites, a video board and merchandise shop that will be used for the championship. Jackson, Tenn. is located 130 miles from Nashville and 77.2 miles from Memphis on Interstate 40.
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Post by Press Release on Oct 20, 2012 21:26:20 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU Baseball Hosts Another Successful Professional Scout Day Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
It was a successful 2012 Scout Day at Turkey Hughes Field on Friday, as more than 10 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 Press Release on Oct 29, 2012 18:00:22 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Defending OVC Champions Announce 2013 Schedule Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Eastern Kentucky University, the defending Ohio Valley Conference baseball champions, announced its 2012 schedule today. EKU finished the 2012 season with a 31-23 record and captured a league-best 16th OVC regular season championship. The Colonels finished in a first place tie with a 19-7 league record. “Each year we want our schedule to meet three goals,” said 2012 OVC Coach of the Year and fifth-year EKU head coach Jason Stein. “First, improve player development; second prepare us for the OVC schedule; third positively affect recruiting. Our 2013 schedule does all three and our team is preparing accordingly.” The Colonels are scheduled to play 56 games in 2013, 24 of which will be played in the friendly confines of Turkey Hughes Field. The schedule includes 15 games against eight teams that played in the 2012 NCAA tournament – Louisville, Army, Kentucky, Indiana State, Belmont, Appalachian State, Austin Peay and Dayton. The 2013 slate also has 23 games against 13 teams that won 30 or more games a year ago, including 12 games against seven teams that surpassed the 40-win plateau. Of the 56 games, 25 will be against teams that finished with a winning record within their conference. The season will get underway on Feb. 15 with a three-game series at Charleston Southern. The Colonels will play the first game of a home-and-home series against Louisville on Feb. 20. The first game is in Louisville, the rematch will be in Richmond on March 6. Eastern will play three games at the Coca-Cola Classic hosted by Winthrop on Feb. 23-25. Opponents include Army, Winthrop and Delaware State. Army and Delaware State each won 40-plus games in 2012. After a game on Feb. 27 at Kentucky, the Colonels will make their first appearance at Turkey Hughes Field with a three-game series against Indiana State on March 1-3. Ohio Valley Conference play gets underway a week later with a three-game series at home against Tennessee Tech. EKU will face Tech, Belmont, Tennessee-Martin, Austin Peay and Jacksonville State at home. Road conference series include Southeast Missouri, Morehead State, SIU Edwardsville, Eastern Illinois and Murray State. Other highlights include a three-game series at Missouri Valley Conference member Southern Illinois March 28-30, home-and-home games against Miami (Ohio) on April 16-17, and a game at Big Ten member Indiana on April 23. The 2013 OVC tournament is scheduled for May 22-26 in Jackson, Tenn. The 2013 NCAA regionals get underway on May 31.
Click on the link below for the 2013 Schedule www.ekusports.com/documents/2012/10/29/2013_EKU_Baseball_Schedule.pdf?id=4115
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Post by Press Release on Nov 27, 2012 17:53:26 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Defending OVC Champs Announce Additions To 2014 Roster Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Eastern Kentucky University, the defending Ohio Valley Conference baseball champions, announced seven additions to the team’s 2014 roster.
Taylor Blair Blair is a 6-foot-3 outfielder/pitcher from Lexington, Ky. He earned All “A” Classic MVP and first team all-city honors as a junior at Lexington Christian High School where he plays for head coach Keith Galloway. His father William played with eight teams over 12 seasons of Major League baseball. In 1997 he won 16 games with the Detroit Tigers. “Taylor obviously comes from great bloodlines,” Stein said. “He is a prospect on the mound and as a position player. His ceiling is high on both ends. I think he will add immediate power to our line-up.”
Ben Fisher Fisher is a 6-foot-1 left-handed hitting first baseman from Richmond, Ky. He hit .357 with 28 RBIs and 25 runs scored as a junior at Madison Central High School under the tutelage of head coach Steve Roof. He also posted a 4-1 record on the mound and a .975 fielding percentage. Fisher was selected as a 2012 Kentucky East All-Star. “Ben fills an immediate need at first base and adds a quality left-handed hitter to our roster,” said Stein. “He looks to be a potential middle of the line-up hitter.”
Alex Hamilton Hamilton, a 6-foot-1 left-handed pitcher from Jackson, Ky., earned honorable mention all-state honors last season. He had a 5-3 record and a 1.76 ERA as a junior at Breathitt County High School where he plays for head coach Gwinn Cox. Hamilton struck out 114 batters in 56 and one-third innings of work last season, breaking the state record with 14.2 strikeouts per game. At the plate he hit .467 with 22 RBIs. “Alex has a good arm with good secondary pitches,” Stein said. “He fills an immediate need because of the upcoming graduation of left-handed pitchers from our staff. Alex is a two-sport athlete and very athletic on the mound. His athleticism will aid in his development on the mound.”
Tyson Lautanen Lautanen is a 6-foot-2 left-handed hitting infielder from Painesville, Ohio. He batted .475 with 33 RBIs last season on his way to earning all-state honors at Fairport Harding High School. He plays for head coach Jerry Hites. Lautanen posted an 8-1 record on the mound. “Tyson is a very good three-sport athlete,” Stein said. “Being a left-handed hitter, he fills one of our most immediate needs for 2014. Defensively, he could be a great addition because he has the ability to play anywhere on the diamond.”
Brian Mroz Mroz is a 6-foot right-handed pitcher/outfielder from Centerville, Ohio. He posted a 4-0 record with a 0.55 ERA as a junior at Centerville High School. Mroz struck out 46 batters in 38 and one-third innings and had a 0.68 WHIP while playing for head coach Terry Dickten. “Brian is a guy that will have the opportunity to be a two-way player,” Stein said. “Recently he has developed more on the mound with arm strength and good secondary pitches. His future on the mound looks very bright.”
Shea Sullivan Sullivan is a 6-foot outfielder from Gibsonia, Pa. He plays at Pine-Richland High School for head coach Kurt Wolfe. He was named a Western Pennsylvania Elite Baseball League All-Star last season. “Shea is a big, strong and athletic outfielder that runs very well,” Stein said. “I think he has the potential to hit for power in the future.”
Cole Warrenfeltz Warrenfeltz is a 6-foot left-handed hitting middle infielder from Waynesboro, Pa. As a sophomore he led Waynesboro Area Senior High School in hits, RBIs, doubles and triples. As a junior he led the Indians in all but two offensive categories and broke the school record with seven triples. Under the guidance of head coach Greg Chandler, Warrenfeltz was chosen first team All-Mid-Penn Colonial Division as a junior. He’s also a three-year starter on the Waynesboro basketball team. He led the squad in scoring, assists and steals his sophomore and junior seasons. “Cole fills our need for left-handed bats,” said Stein. “Defensively, he can play all infield positions and he will definitely make us stronger up the middle.”
EKU finished the 2012 season with a 31-23 record and captured a league-best 16th OVC regular season championship. The Colonels finished in a first place tie with a 19-7 league record. The 2013 season begins on Feb. 15 with a three-game series at Charleston Southern.
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Post by Press Release on Dec 4, 2012 6:32:08 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Marty Brennaman
Marty Brennaman To Be Featured Speaker At 2013 EKU Baseball Diamond Dinner Eastern Kentucky University Press Release Cincinnati Reds radio announcer Marty Brennaman will be the featured speaker at the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team’s 12th annual Diamond Dinner at the Keen Johnson Building on Feb. 1, 2013. A reception will begin at 6 p.m. and The Diamond Dinner will start at 6:30 p.m. in the Keen Johnson ballroom. The dinner is open to the public. Individual dinner tickets are $50 each, while a table of eight is $350. Please contact head coach Jason Stein, at (859) 622-2128 or jason.stein@eku.edu, to purchase tickets or for more information. The 2013 season will be Brennaman's 49th as a broadcaster, his 40th in Cincinnati. He joined the Reds radio team in 1974 and for 31 seasons (1974-2004) shared the 700 WLW Radio booth with Reds Hall of Fame pitcher Joe Nuxhall. Brennaman has been named Ohio Sportscaster of the Year 16 times, most recently in 2009. “To have Marty speak at our annual Diamond Dinner is such an honor,” said Stein. “Not only is Marty known around the world for his broadcasting talent, he is a huge part of the life of many baseball fans in this region of the country. Marty’s voice has brought baseball into lives of baseball fans, including myself, for 40 years. Brennaman received the Ford C. Frick Award on July 23, 2000, in ceremonies at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. The award is presented each year by the Hall of Fame to a broadcaster "for major contributions to the game of baseball." Brennaman, Red Barber (WSAI, 1934-38) and Russ Hodges (WFBE, 1932) are the only Reds announcers ever to receive the Hall of Fame's prestigious broadcasting award. On May 2, 2005 Brennaman was inducted into the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Hall of Fame in Salisbury, NC. On November 5, 2005 he was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in Chicago. In 1999 he was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. In 2009 he was selected by the American Sportscasters Association as one of the Top 50 broadcasters of all time. “Speaking for the entire EKU baseball family, we can’t wait to hear Marty speak on all of his experiences in Major League Baseball,” Stein said. EKU finished the 2012 season with a 31-23 record and captured a league-best 16th OVC regular season championship. The Colonels finished in a first place tie with a 19-7 league record. The 2013 season begins on Feb. 15 with a three-game series at Charleston Southern.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 4, 2013 17:57:40 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
EKU sophomore John Wilson, Marty Brennaman and Jim Wilson
Marty Brennaman Speaks at EKU Baseball's Annual Diamond Dinner Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team kicked off its 2013 season with the 12th annual Diamond Legacy Dinner on Friday night in the Keen Johnson Ballroom. Marty Brennaman, the long-time radio voice of the Cincinnati Reds, served as the guest speaker at the event. Brennaman, who is entering his 40th year calling Reds baseball, reminisced about his days working with his friend and co-worker, Joe Nuxall. Brennaman also touched on subjects ranging from the best hitter he has ever seen (Ted Williams) to working under Marge Schott and to calling a game with his son Thom Brennaman. One of Brennaman’s most touching recollections was how shaving his head in 2012 due to a Reds’ winning streak turned out to be a wonderful fundraiser for the Dragonfly Foundation, which is a non-profit organization in Cincinnati dedicated to bringing joy and comfort to kids and adults with cancer and blood diseases. Before Brennaman engaged the audience, select members of the EKU baseball team were recognized. Freshman pitcher Chris Cervantes and fellow freshman Doug Teegarden were given Champion's Quest plaques, honoring their play and dedication to conditioning over the fall. Attendees could also enter for a chance to win one of four EKU baseball prize packages, featuring tickets to a Cincinnati Reds game, hotel accommodations at the OVC baseball tournament, plenty of EKU gear and other coveted baseball memorabilia. The EKU baseball team opens the 2013 season at Charleston Southern on the weekend of February 15-17.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 8, 2013 19:04:38 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Defending OVC Champs Picked Fourth In 2013 Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Eastern Kentucky, the 2012 Ohio Valley Conference regular season champion, was picked to place fourth in the league in 2013. EKU finished the 2012 season with a 31-23 record and captured a league-best 16th OVC regular season championship. Eastern was picked sixth in last year’s poll, but finished in a first place tie with a 19-7 league record. Two Colonels earned a spot on the 2013 Preseason All-OVC team. Junior Bryan Soloman earned a spot at third base. Senior Shane Grimm was one of three starting pitchers selected to the all-conference team. Soloman, a native of Monroe, Conn., hit .271 with 14 home runs, 46 RBIs and 30 runs scored last season. Grimm, a left-hander from Paintsville, Ky., went 6-4 in 2012 with a 3.14 ERA. Eastern Kentucky earned 139 points in the voting, six more than fifth place Eastern Illinois (133) and 17 points behind third place Jacksonville State (156). Austin Peay earned 14 of a possible 20 first-place votes and 193 points to garner the top spot. OVC newcomer Belmont (182) was picked first on eight ballots and placed second. Tennessee Tech (107) was sixth, followed by SIU Edwardsville (91) and Southeast Missouri (73). Morehead State (70) was picked ninth. Murray State (45) and Tennessee-Martin (21) rounded out the poll in 10th and 11th respectively. The 2013 season begins for EKU on Feb. 15 with a three-game series at Charleston Southern.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 14, 2013 16:57:39 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Change Is In The Air For EKU Baseball In 2013 Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
As the Colonels marched to their league-leading 16th Ohio Valley Conference regular season championship and a 31-win campaign in 2012, EKU led the nation in home runs per game, was second in total home runs, fourth in slugging and sixth in doubles. Eastern went 31-23 overall in 2012 and tied Austin Peay for first place with a 19-7 OVC mark. The 2013 season begins on Friday with a three-game series at Charleston Southern. The 2013 squad likely won’t display that kind of power. Fifth-year head coach, and Eastern Kentucky alumnus, Jason Stein predicts this year’s team may hit half as many homers as last season’s total of 66. That is due in large part to the loss of five senior starters from the 2012 championship team. “Offensively this is going to be a different team than last year,” Stein said. “We’re going to have to manufacture more runs. Overall we have more team speed. We’ll need to be balanced throughout our line-up. We need to be tough outs one through nine.” Numerically, the loss of 12 letter winners, both at the plate and on the mound, adds up to 59 percent of the runs scored, 57 percent of the runs driven in, 58 percent of the home runs hit, 52 percent of the wins and 48 percent of the strikeouts from the 2012 team. Among the players lost to graduation was shortstop Richie Rodriguez. The Miami, Fla., native put together one of the best seasons in program history. Rodriguez earned All-America honors from Collegiate Baseball, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA), the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and CollegeBaseballInsider.com after batting .377 with 14 home runs, 18 doubles, 46 RBIs and 59 runs scored. He was also named one of three finalists from across the nation for the Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award. In July, Rodriguez was drafted in the ninth round by the New York Mets. “You can’t replace a Richie Rodriguez, I don’t care how you slice it you can’t do it,” said Stein. “You can’t replace an All-American with the snap of your fingers. That’s why we have to have balance, one through nine, in the line-up.” Other losses include first baseman #A.J. Jamison# (.302, 7 HR, 39 RBIs, 41 R), second team All-OVC second baseman Dustin Dunlop (.316, 3 HR, 21 RBIs, 36 R), first team All-OVC left fielder Jacob Daniel (.311, 6 HR, 48 RBIs, 42 R) and right fielder Michael Garcia (.270, 7 HR, 26 RBIs, 24 R). Pitching losses include first team All-OVC Matt Fyffe (9-1, 2.54 ERA) and Matt Harris (5-5, 5.65 ERA). The cupboard is far from empty. Returning starters include catcher Sean Hagen (.252, 1 HR, 19 RBIs, 25 R), third baseman Bryan Soloman (.266, 14 HR, 46 RBI, 30 R), center fielder Austin Grisham (.320, 3 HR, 31 RBIs, 38 R) and designated hitter Alex Hughes (.270, 4 HRs, 17 RBIs, 13 R). On the mound, second team All-OVC pick left-hander Shane Grimm (6-4, 3.14 ERA) is back. Anthony Bazzani (1-1, 3.40 ERA, 8 SV), who was drafted in the 31st round by Baltimore, is also back. Bazzani will move to a starting role in 2013. The following is a position-by-position breakdown of the 2013 Colonels. PITCHING Despite losing two weekend starters, Stein believes this year’s staff still carries a lot of experience. Bazzani is penciled in as the Friday starter. Grimm will get the ball on Saturdays. Junior right-hander Brent Cobb will start on Sundays. Cobb had a 4-1 record and a 4.50 ERA working out of the bullpen a year ago. “We’ve got two seniors and a junior in our weekend rotation,” Stein said. “That’s why I feel comfortable with our level of experience returning. Bazzani has the stuff to be a Friday night guy, he just needs to go out and do it. Being an all-conference pitcher, Grimm is already proven. Cobb is a strike thrower and knows how to pitch.” Potential mid-week starters include Chris Cervantes, Ben Gullo and Cameron Langfels. Cervantes, a freshman right-hander, had a great fall and preseason. Gullo, a right-handed sophomore, excelled last summer in the Midwest Collegiate League where he was picked to start the all-star game. Langfels, also a right-handed sophomore, has pitched well in the fall and preseason as well. Three others could see action out of the bullpen or as mid-week starters. They include right-handers Cody Creamer, Eric Nerl and Trey Salisbury. Creamer is a sophomore with 14 appearances under his belt. Nerl and Salisbury are freshmen. Stein will look to right-handers Austin Rexroat, Adam Neidlinger and Blake Bottoms, along with lefties Nick Bozman and Jake Hall as match-up specialists out of the bullpen. No clear closer has emerged, but the eighth and ninth inning options include junior college transfers Matt Lynch and Myles Scott, and senior Chase Greene. CATCHERS “This is the best group of catchers I’ve coached,” Stein said. “We literally could start any of the three guys, that’s not usually the case.” Those three are Sean Hagen, Steve Ferraro and John Wilson. Hagen has had the bulk of the work. He handles the staff very well. Ferraro, a junior, had a great fall but is recovering from a late-fall injury. Wilson, a sophomore, is athletic and may have the best arm on the team. INFIELD Hughes will move from the designated hitter role to the starter at first base. The senior has power and experience. Soloman will anchor the left side of the infield at third base. He’s a middle of the order hitter and a solid defender. Matt Phipps is set to start at shortstop. The senior had a great fall, committing only one error. There’s a battle brewing at second base between a pair of freshmen. Doug Teagarden, a two-time all-state selection, hits from the left side. Kenny Hostrander, a right-hander, is also a two-time all-state honoree. “Doug had a great fall, but Kenny has had a great preseason,” said Stein. “We’re going to let them continue to battle it out even after the season starts” Freshman Luke Wurzelbacher can play throughout the infield and will see time as a defensive replacement late in games. OUTFIELD “This is the best outfield, defensively, that I’ve coached during my time at Eastern,” Stein said. “It’s anchored by senior center fielder Austin Grisham, probably the best center fielder in our conference.” Grisham led the squad last season with 16 stolen bases. He was second with a .320 average and 23 multi-hit games. Freshman Kyle Nowlin will start in right field. He can run, hit for power and is a great defender. Demetrius Moorer will start in left field. The sophomore can hit at the top of the order. He can create with his speed both offensively and defensively. Senior Shaun Ball hits from the left side and can play all three outfield spots. Freshman TJ Alas had a great preseason and has put pressure on the corner outfielders because of what he can do at the plate. “We could be a better defensive team than last year,” said Stein. “We had a good fall defensively. The freshmen who will play are absolutely not defensive liabilities. We’re really strong up the middle with three solid catchers, Phipps at short and Grisham the best center fielder in the league. It might be the best we’ve had in my time at EKU.”
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Post by Press Release on Feb 18, 2013 13:41:25 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson was on base twice on a walk and after beating a throw from shortstop on a bang, bang play at first in the EKU win over Charleston Southern. In game two Wilson was on second with the tying run in the last inning, but was not able to score.
Colonels Pick Up First Win Of 2013, But Drop Series Finale Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Eastern Kentucky picked up its first win of the season, beating Charleston Southern 5-1 in game two of the series. The Buccaneers held off a Colonel rally to take the series finale 6-5. Before game two of the series was postponed on Saturday after five innings, the Colonels had a 2-1 lead. With one out in the third inning, Austin Grisham singled to left. The senior then stole second base, and after a walk by Demetrius Moorer, Grisham swiped third. Shaun Ball struck out swinging for the second out, but the ball got away, allowing Grisham to score the game’s first run. Bryan Soloman followed with a single up the middle to score Moorer from second and give the Colonels a 2-0 advantage. Charleston Southern got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. After a one-out double, Drew Woodall singled to center to make it a 2-1 game. Before the game was stopped, Eastern starter Shane Grimm (1-0) tossed five innings in his season debut. The senior allowed one earned run on five hits and struck out two. When play resumed on Sunday, the Colonels added to their lead in the eighth. Freshman Kyle Nowlin walked and stole second to lead off the inning. Two batters later Doug Teegarden drew a walk and Nowlin stole third. Teegarden stole second before pinch hitter Luke Wurzelbacher made his second appearance of the season. The freshman drove a pitch down the left field line for a two-run double, his first collegiate hit. With two outs, Moorer singled through the left side to cap the three-run inning and give Eastern a 5-1 lead. Sophomore Ben Gullo pitched four innings of scoreless relief. He allowed one hit and struck out two on his way to earning his first career save. Seven different Colonels finished with one hit each. In the series finale, Eastern grabbed the lead in the top of the second. After a lead-off double by Nowlin, Alex Hughes drove him in with a single up the middle. Two batters later, a sacrifice fly by Wurzelbacher made it 2-0. Charleston Southern answered in the bottom half of the inning with four runs. Back-to-back RBI singles by Bobby Ison and Jaren Sustar capped the big inning for the home team. The Buccaneers added two more in the fifth. John Faircloth drove in a run with a single to center and then later scored on a wild pitch. The Colonels attempted to rally in the sixth. The first three batters each drew walks to load the bases. Moorer’s infield single scored one. Soloman’s ground out pushed across another. Ball got EKU to within a run, 6-5, with an RBI single through the left side. Eastern got the tying run to second base with one out in the seventh, but could not get the runner home. Ball went 2-for-3 with a run driven in. Moorer finished 2-for-4 with an RBI. Sean Hagen also had two hits. Brent Cobb (0-1) started and allowed five earned runs on six hits in four and one-third innings. He walked one and struck out three. Ison finished 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI for Charleston Southern. The Colonels will be back in action on Wednesday at No. 4 Louisville. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
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Post by Press Release on Feb 25, 2013 13:11:05 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson scored the go ahead run in the Colonels come from behind win at Winthrop.
Colonels Come From Behind To Beat Winthrop Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Eastern Kentucky overcame a 4-2 deficit to beat host Winthrop 7-6 on Sunday at the Coca-Cola Classic. The Colonels (3-3) started their rally in the fifth. With runners at second and third, Doug Teegarden’s ground out was enough to bring Austin Grisham home and make it a one-run game. EKU took the lead in the sixth. With two outs and two on, a single by Grisham tied the game. Moments later John Wilson scored the go-ahead run on a Winthrop error. Eastern added to its lead in the top of the ninth. Demetrius Moorer led off with a walk and then stole second base. Luke Wurzelbacher followed with a RBI single. A sacrifice fly by Alex Hughes brought Wurzelbacher home and pushed the lead to 7-4. The Colonels would need every one of those runs as the Eagles (2-4) attempted to rally in the bottom of the ninth. After a ground ball retired the first batter of the inning, five straight batters reached base for Winthrop. With two on, Matt Lobacz singled to center to score Leighton Daniels. Two batters later, TJ Olesczuk’s single cut the deficit to a single run with only one out and the bases still loaded. Myles Scott came on to pitch and struck out the first batter he faced. He then got a ground ball from Jace Whitley to end the game. Grisham was the only Colonel to finish with more than one hit, going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI. Six others had one hit. Hughes drove in a pair. Moorer was 0-for-3 but drew two walks, had two steals and scored twice. Brent Cobb (1-1) earned the win. He came on in the fifth and tossed four and one-third innings. He allowed two runs, only one earned, on five hits. He walked one and struck out one. Scott earned his second save of the season after getting the final two outs. Shane Grimm started for Eastern. He allowed four earned runs on eight hits in four innings. The senior walked three and struck out five. Cody Dolan went 3-for-5 with two runs scored for Winthrop. Clay Altman also had three hits. The Colonels will play at No. 8 Kentucky on Wednesday. The game is scheduled to start at 4 p.m.
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Post by Press Release on Mar 8, 2013 19:05:20 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson ended the shutout in the ninth inning with an RBI double to straight-away center field.
John Wilson ends shutout with a two out ninth innning double as EKU falls 5-1 Mike Clark, Director of Athletic Public Relations
Tennessee Tech pitcher Tristan Archer went the distance and allowed just one run as the visiting Golden Eagles defeated the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team Friday afternoon, 5-1. This was both the home opener and Ohio Valley Conference opener for the Colonels. With the win, Tennessee Tech moves to 7-5 overall and 1-0 in conference play. Eastern is now 3-6 and 0-1. Archer (2-1) struck out 10 EKU hitters over nine innings while scattering six hits. The righty gave up his only run with two outs in the ninth inning. Tennessee Tech got on the board with one run in the fifth and sixth innings. A Jordan Parris two-out RBI double in the fifth opened the scoring. In the sixth, TTU capitalized on two early walks to add another run. James Abraham’s RBI single to left center extended Tennessee Tech’s lead to 2-0. The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the seventh, including a Daniel Miles home run, and another run in the eighth to push the lead to 5-0. For EKU John Wilson ended the shutout in the ninth inning with an RBI double to straight-away center field. Parris finished 3-of-4 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored for Tennessee Tech. Shaun Ball and Bryan Soloman each posted two hits for the Colonels. Pitcher Anthony Bazzani (1-2) took the loss as he allowed two runs in five-plus innings of work. The Colonels and Golden Eagles will play game two of the series tomorrow, March 9 beginning at 2 p.m.
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Post by Press Release on Mar 9, 2013 22:35:29 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson was 1-2 with a walk, a sacrifice bunt and scored two runs in the EKU win over Tennessee Tech Saturday.
Colonels Use the Long Ball to Defeat Tennessee Tech, 18-7 Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
The Eastern Kentucky University baseball team exploded for 18 runs to earn a convincing victory over Tennessee Tech Saturday afternoon at Turkey Hughes field. Four Colonels hit their first home runs of the season in the 18-7 win. Austin Grisham, Alex Hughes, Matt Phipps and Steve Ferraro were the home run bashers which helped Eastern Kentucky (4-6, 1-1 OVC) put up season highs in both runs and hits (16). Hughes and Phipps went back-to-back in the fifth inning while Ferraro homered in his first at-bat of the season. Three of the four home runs were three-run shots. Hughes, Phipps and Grisham, the bottom three in the EKU line-up, combined to go 7-of-12 at the plate with 11 RBIs and seven runs scored. Phipps and Bryan Soloman each tallied three hits to lead the Colonels in that category while Hughes and Soloman both crossed home plate four times. The last time Eastern scored more runs in an OVC game was March 29, 2009 when the Colonels racked up 25 runs in a win over Morehead State. EKU broke open the game with four runs in the fourth to take a 6-1 lead. Tennessee Tech (7-6, 1-1) responded with three runs in the following frame, but the Colonels struck right back with five more runs in the bottom of the fifth to pull away for good. Shane Grimm (2-0) earned the win on the mound for the Colonels as the lefty went 5.0 innings and allowed four runs. Eastern and Tennessee Tech will wrap up their three-game series tomorrow, March 10. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
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Post by Press Release on Mar 23, 2013 21:28:03 GMT -5
Eastern Kentucky University Baseball
Former Clay County Tiger John Wilson was 2 for 4 against Belmont Saturday to raise his batting average to .300 on the season.
Belmont Finishes Off Weekend Sweep of EKU Baseball Eastern Kentucky University Press Release
Visiting Belmont finished off a weekend sweep of the Eastern Kentucky University baseball team on Saturday, winning both ends of a doubleheader at Turkey Hughes Field. The Bruins edged the Colonels, 1-0, in game one before defeating them decisively in the series finale, 13-6. With the losses, EKU drops to 5-14 (2-7 OVC) on the year. Belmont, meanwhile, returns to Nashville with a record of 17-6 (5-1 OVC). Sophomore right-hander Ben Gullo (0-2) made his first start of the season in game one and delivered an impressive outing, going 6.1 innings while scattering four hits and allowing just one run. He also struck out six batters. The one run Gullo surrendered, however, proved to be the game-winner, as Dom Veltri plated Matt Beaty on an RBI groundout in the top of the fourth to provide the Bruins with the all the offense they would need. EKU threatened in the bottom of the ninth, as freshman Doug Teegarden walked to lead off the frame and then went to third on a single by junior Shaun Ball, putting Colonels on the corners with no outs. The next batter, junior Bryan Soloman, went down on strikes, however, and senior Austin Grisham followed that up by lining out to third base. Senior Matt Phipps then ended the rally and the game with a groundout to shortstop. Junior right-hander Matt Lynch was also impressive in relief of Gullo, hurling 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit. Belmont right-hander Austin Coley (4-0) got the win in the pitcher’s duel, tossing 7.0 shutout innings while surrendering six hits and striking out 10 batters. Josh Davis, meanwhile, picked up his fifth save of the season for the Bruins, as he held EKU scoreless over the final two frames. Ball collected a team-best three hits in the game for EKU. In game two, Belmont scored two runs in the top of the second before exploding for 10 runs in the top of the fourth to make the score 12-0. EKU, however, did not surrender, as the Colonels attempted to piece together a rally in the bottom half of the fourth. Sophomore John Wilson started the inning with a base hit and went to second on a single by freshman Kyle Nowlin. After freshman Luke Wurzelbacher was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Phipps delivered a big single through the left side of the infield that scored two. Sophomore Demetrius Moorer then legged out an infield to single to advance all runners and, again, load the bases for Teegarden, who grounded out to second base, scoring Wurzelbacher. Soloman rounded out the scoring in the inning by driving a two-run single up the middle that scored Phipps and Moorer and made the score 12-5. Belmont pitching, though, would hold EKU to just one run over the next five innings, as the Bruins held on for the victory in the finale. Senior left-hander Shane Grimm (2-2) picked up the loss for EKU, going three innings and allowing five earned runs on six hits. Freshman right-hander Eric Nerl and junior right-hander Myles Scott combined to hold Belmont to just one run over the final six innings of play. Left-hander Dan Ludwig (5-1) earned the win for Belmont, pitching 4.1 innings and surrendering only one run on one hit. Phipps finished the game 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI and a run scored, while Soloman went 2-for-3 with two RBI. EKU returns to action with a midweek game against West Virginia at Turkey Hughes Field on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.
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