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Ohio State standout Seth Lonsway is third in the Big Ten with 94 strikeouts as the Buckeyes go into their final series of the season this weekend at home against Northwestern. File photo. Photo courtesy of The Ohio State University Athletic Department.
When Major League Baseball holds its First-Year Player Draft July 11 through 13, Seth Lonsway hopes to hear his name called early.
After being drafted in the 19th round in the 2017 draft and then not getting drafted the last two seasons, the Ohio State and Celina left-hander has given scouts plenty to see this season.
The southpaw leads the Buckeyes and ranks third in the Big Ten with 94 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. Lonsway's 13.15 strikeouts per nine innings ranks in the top 20 in NCAA Division I.
Opposing batters are hitting an anemic .152 (34-for-223) this season.
There has been a bit of a struggle for Lonsway as his 37 walks is second-most in the conference in going 3-5 with a 3.64 ERA.
Last Saturday against Nebraska in a game in Bloomington, Indiana, Lonsway struck out nine and allowed just two hits before leaving after six innings and 106 pitches with the Buckeyes leading 9-2. The Cornhuskers scored nine runs over their final two turns at bat to rally for an 11-9 victory.
The Buckeyes (20-19) wrap up the season this weekend with a three-game set against Northwestern at Bill Davis Stadium. Lonsway should be set to make his final start of the season on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Without a Big Ten tournament this season, the Buckeyes' chances to reach the NCAA Division I tournament look slim.
Vonderhaar shines for Jackets
Baldwin Wallace finished its baseball season with a 23-16-1 overall record and 12-7-1 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, losing to Heidelberg in the OAC quarterfinals.
Sophomore Luke Vonderhaar (New Bremen) has been a big presence after transferring from Ohio State, where he was a walk-on.
In 36 games this season playing first base, Vonderhaar batted .342 with nine doubles, four home runs and 27 RBI.
Wenning finishes strong for Polar Bears
Ohio Northern also reached the OAC tournament, losing to John Carroll 8-3 in a game where the Polar Bears made the trip with just 22 available players due to COVID-19 protocols.
Sophomore Jacob Wenning (Coldwater) was solid as a utility infielder this season. Wenning ranked third on the team in hitting with a .351 average with nine doubles, 10 RBI and 25 runs scored.
Teammate Tim Knapschaefer (Marion Local) made nine appearances (four starts) for ONU this season, going 0-3 with a save and a 6.31 ERA.
Both Wenning and Knapschaefer are scheduled to play this summer with the Grand Lake Mariners.
Locals shine at CL Championships
The Crossroads League held its outdoor track and field championships at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana. Marian College swept the men's and women's team titles with Indiana Wesleyan taking second place in both. St. Francis finished seventh.
Indiana Wesleyan senior Paige Sutter (Celina) retained her league title in the shot put with a top effort of 13.04 meters (42 feet, 9 1/2 inches). Including indoor and outdoor competition, it's the fourth straight CL title for Sutter in the event Sutter had already reached the automatic qualifying standard to compete in the NAIA National Championships.
Sutter also finished fourth in the discus with a top effort of 39.73 meters (130-4) and placed eighth in the hammer throw at 40.71 meters (133-11).
Also helping the Wildcats was junior Celeste Kuck (New Bremen), who finished third in the pole vault after topping out at 3.40 meters (11-1 3/4).
St. Francis junior Clista Hellwarth (Parkway) dominated the javelin competition, finishing with a top throw of 40.46 meters (132-9), over 22 feet ahead of runner-up Emily Clementz of Taylor. It's the eighth straight win this spring in the event and second straight CL title. Like Sutter, Hellwarth already has a spot in the NAIA Nationals.
The NAIA National Championships begins today in Gulf Shores, Alabama.
Oilers finish fine season
The University of Findlay wrapped up its women's golf season at the NCAA Division II Championships at the TPC of Michigan in Dearborn. The Oilers, coached by St. Marys native Dominic Guarnieri, finished third in the team qualifying and lost in the quarterfinals of match play.
Junior Jill Schmitmeyer (St. Marys) capped off her season by being named the Women's Golfer of the Year by the Great Midwest Athletic Conference after helping the Oilers to a third-straight G-MAC tournament title and then was selected second team All-America by the Women's Golf Coaches Association after finishing ninth in scoring at the national championships.
Hawk earns conference honors
Muskingum junior Haley Hawk (Parkway) was selected second team All-OAC first base after helping the Muskies go 29-14 and reach the OAC championship series, losing to Ohio Northern in three games.
Hawk, a first-team selection in 2019, led the Muskies with a .396 batting average with eight doubles, two home runs and 27 runs batted in.
Miller earns All-OAC honors
Ohio Northern tight end Noah Miller (Coldwater) earned honorable mention All-OAC accolades for the truncated spring football season.
Miller ranked second on the team in receptions with 15 for 182 yards and a touchdown this season.
Thwaits getting stronger
Although he currently sports a 7.53 earned run average in 14 1/3 innings, Fort Recovery grad Nick Thwaits is coming off one of his best outings for the Low Class-A Lake Elsinore Storm.
Thwaits made his second start of the season last Friday against Rancho Cucamonga. Thwaits took the loss - dropping him to 0-2 on the season - but allowed just two hits and an run in four innings, recording five strikeouts to just two walks.
The effort lowered his ERA two points from 9.58 to 7.53. in 14 1/3 innings, Thwaits has 17 strikeouts to six walks.
The Storm started a six-game series at San Jose on Tuesday.
