By
Just as the pros head south to get ready for the baseball season, the college teams around here head to warmer climates to get some games in before heading back to campus for games.
Ohio State is currently 6-4 on its Florida road trip after beating Bethune-Cookman 9-1 over the wekeend. The Buckeyes have won four straight games.
Leading the way on the mound is sophomore Cory Luebke. The Marion Local southpaw was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Week last week and has been building on a solid rookie season for coach Bob Todd.
Luebke is 2-1 on the season with an earned run average of 2.12. In 17 innings, Luebke has struck out 12 and walked nine in helping the Buckeyes bounce back.
Offensively, senior Kris Moorman has been looking for his spot in the lineup. The St. Henry grad has played three games this season, finding time at first base. Moorman is batting .167 with a run scored this season. The Buckeyes are in Florida on Sunday to play UMass. The Buckeyes return to Bill Davis Stadium in Columbus on March 29 when Toledo comes to town for a 2 p.m. first pitch.
Scott Boley slamming for Rockets
Speaking of the Rockets, Toledo also is down south, currently 7-3 on the season after beating Penn State 6-5 in Clearwater over the weekend. The Rockets had a three-game winning streak last week, beating Big East teams Villanova and Connecticut.
Sophomore Scott Boley has been tearing up on the Southern Swing. The Celina grad is batting .313 with a pair of homers and four RBI for the Rockets this season. The UT Web site had statistics through just five games.
Twin brother Sean has seen limited time, going 0-for-6 so far this season.
Heyne solid closer for Cardinals
Ball State has started the season 5-8, but picked up a big win at the Metrodome Tournament in Minnesota, beating Vermont 4-1 on Sunday.
The bull-pen for the Cardinals has been solid all season, led by redshirt sophomore Kyle Heyne. The Coldwater grad already has a Mid-American Conference West Pitcher of the Week award after a solid performance.
Heyne is 1-3 but with an ERA of 1.93 with two saves. In 91Ú3 innings, Heyne has struck out 11 without walking a single batter.
The Cardinals face another set of Cardinals -- The University of Louis-ville -- in a four-game series starting Friday down in Kentucky. The first home game for Ball State is March 28 against Wright State.
Schumm hitting for Flyers
Dayton senior Galen Schumm continues to be a heavy hitter for the Flyers this season. The Parkway product was named the Atlantic 10 Player of the Week last week for a 10-of-20 performance.
The move raised his batting average. Through 13 starts, Schumm is batting .264 with six doubles and two RBI to go with a .377 slugging percentage.
Becker off to fine start
Bowling Green has jumped out to a 6-1 start on the season after completing its spring break trip.
Senior Greg Becker has been solid on the mound. The Celina grad is 2-0 on the season with a 5.59 ERA. Becker has struck out five batters in two appearances this season with just one walk.
SOFTBALL
Carder hitting the ball for Buckeyes
Ohio State has started its softball season 9-10, making trips to California, New Mexico, Florida and Alabama. The Buckeyes open play at home on Friday against Robert Morris.
Senior Billie Jo Carder continues to be a solid player for the Buckeyes at third base and shortstop. The Celina grad has started all 19 games, batting .273 with a pair of triples and eight runs batted in.
Adams knocking ball around
Dayton freshman Shay Adams has already made an impact. The Celina alum is batting .304 with three doubles and two RBI for the 3-4 Flyers.
The Flyers open home play today with cross-town rival Wright State for a 2 p.m. twinbill. Atlantic-10 play opens Friday with the La Salle Explorers coming to Dayton for a doubleheader.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
LWC in NAIA
Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky earned a berth in the NAIA Division I championships.
The Blue Raiders (19-11) play Houston Baptist on Thursday at 10 a.m. in Jackson, Tennessee.
Sophomore Kara Osterfeld has been a solid player off the bench this season. The Celina grad has played in all 30 games this season, averaging 3.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 14.5 minutes of action per game. |
