By Gary R. Rasberry
grasberry@dailystandard.com While high school teams are just getting out to the field to begin baseball and softball season, college diamond play is well underway with many northern teams making treks down south to play.
Ohio State recently wrapped up eight games down in Alabama, North Carolina and Florida and head back down this weekend to Bradenton. Florida for a season-long eight-game road trip before finally having its home opener at Bill Davis Stadium on March 30 against Toledo.
While most freshmen usually wait for their chance to break into games, the Buckeyes are making good use out of Cory Luebke. The Marion Local left-hander made the first start of his college career last Saturday down in Jacksonville against Rider. Luebke allowed one run in seven innings, walking one and striking out six but did not factor in the decision as the Buckeyes took the lead with eight runs in the eighth to get a 15-9 win to even their record at 4-4.
Luebke has made four appearaces, counting the one start, this season, recording a 3.09 earned run average with no decisions. In 112ò3 innings, Luebke has struck out a team-high 10 and walked just five, allowing 13 hits.
Another former area player on the Buckeyes roster is Kris Moorman. The junior St. Henry graduate has appeared in just one game this season and did not get a hit in his only at-bat.Boley brothers seeing time for Rockets
Like OSU, the University of Toledo also started its season south, treking through Kentucky and Florida and will be in West Virginia this weekend to play the University of West Virigina. The first game in the Buckeye State for the Rockets is not until March 23 when Cincinnnati hosts the team before the Rockets open Mid-American Conference play on the 25th with three games against Kent State.
The 3-8 Rockets have a number of local players on the team that has seen time.
Freshmen Sean and Scott Boley have seen some playing time after their graduation from Celina. Scott Boley has seen the most time, making starts in four of the five games he has played, primarily at third base. Scott Boley is batting .077 with a triple and run scored this season. Twin brother Sean has seen time behind the (Continued from page 1B)
plate in two games, not getting a hit in two at-bats.
Another backstop, sophomore Dustin Sommer, has played in four games and started one, batting .143 with a home run and two runs batted in this season.
On the mound, freshman Steve Wenning is having a tough start after his 15-0 season last season for Coldwater. Wenning is 0-2 in four starts with an ERA at 10.61. In 91ò3 innings, Wenning has allowed 20 hits and 16 runs -- 11 earned -- while striking out just three compared to six walks.
Becker looks to be closer
With the graduation of closer Neil Schmitz, Bowling Green looked inside to find a suitable replacement.
Celina grad Greg Becker looks to be the one to fill the job as the Falcons have opened the season 9-2.
Becker has appeared in three games this season, going 0-0 with the team's only save and a second-best 1.80 ERA. Becker has pitched five innings this season, walking just one and striking out three along the way.
With a team ERA at 8.59, even Sommer got an appearance, pitching one scoreless inning, allowing only one walk.
Heyne spotless in relief
Ball State sophomore Kyle Heyne (Coldwater) has been solid in relief for the 6-8 Cardinals this season.
With Grand Lake manager Mike Stafford working with him in his role as pitching coach, Heyne has thrown four innings of scorless relief in four games this season. Heyne has allowed just four hits and one walk while striking out six.
The Cardinals open up their home season this weekend with three games against Oakland.
Schumm off to a hot start
After two seasons at Olney Central Junior College in Illinois, Parkway grad Galen Schumm has made his return to the Buckeye State known with style. Schumm has helped the University of Dayton start the season 9-5.
Schumm has started all 14 games this season at second base, batting .340 with a home run and eight RBI for the Flyers.
Versailles grad Craig Stammen, a key pitcher for the Lima Locos the past several seasons who may play with Grand Lake this season, is 2-2 with an 3.82 ERA for Dayton.
Bruns having slow start
Ohio Northern sophomore Phil Bruns (St. Henry) is off to a slow start for the Polar Bears this season. The first baseman-pitcher has played in six of ONU's seven games this season (4-3), batting .200 with two RBI and a double.
Bruns also has seen time on the mound, logging 12ò3 innings of scoreless baseball this season. |
