Tuesday (3/17) News Links
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LJS: What we've learned after 18 games
What we've learned so far about the NU baseball team:
First base: Five home games, five wins. Huskers are 10-0 when leading after six, seven and eight innings because the bullpen has given up just 12 runs all year and lately nothing but a couple of hits.
Second base: Starting pitching has been phenomenal, with 16 quality starts in 18 games. Chance Sinclair, Kyle Kubat and Derek Burkamper sparkled over the last two weekends, and Jake Hohensee is set to return to the rotation soon.
Third base: Blake Headley has five triples and NU eight for the season. Add 26 doubles and three home runs, plus a team batting average that went up almost 20 points since opening the homestand last Tuesday, and the offense is on a roll.
Home: The weather has been stunning, helping NU draw 24,271 fans for five home games. The three-game nonconference attendance record was shattered with 17,083 over the weekend during NU's sweep of Florida Gulf Coast.
On the field: Freshman left-fielder Luis Alvarado made a spectacular grab of a short hop and fired a strike to catcher Tanner Lubach on Saturday for the best play of the year. Wes Edrington is 1A with his diving stab and throw to third base to save a run Sunday.
In the dugout: Leading hitters Blake Headley and Ryan Boldt, who missed Sunday's game because of sickness, are expected back, and infielder Jake Placzek's middle fingers have healed enough that he started Sunday.
LJS: What we've learned after 18 games
What we've learned so far about the NU baseball team:
First base: Five home games, five wins. Huskers are 10-0 when leading after six, seven and eight innings because the bullpen has given up just 12 runs all year and lately nothing but a couple of hits.
Second base: Starting pitching has been phenomenal, with 16 quality starts in 18 games. Chance Sinclair, Kyle Kubat and Derek Burkamper sparkled over the last two weekends, and Jake Hohensee is set to return to the rotation soon.
Third base: Blake Headley has five triples and NU eight for the season. Add 26 doubles and three home runs, plus a team batting average that went up almost 20 points since opening the homestand last Tuesday, and the offense is on a roll.
Home: The weather has been stunning, helping NU draw 24,271 fans for five home games. The three-game nonconference attendance record was shattered with 17,083 over the weekend during NU's sweep of Florida Gulf Coast.
On the field: Freshman left-fielder Luis Alvarado made a spectacular grab of a short hop and fired a strike to catcher Tanner Lubach on Saturday for the best play of the year. Wes Edrington is 1A with his diving stab and throw to third base to save a run Sunday.
In the dugout: Leading hitters Blake Headley and Ryan Boldt, who missed Sunday's game because of sickness, are expected back, and infielder Jake Placzek's middle fingers have healed enough that he started Sunday.
LJS: What we've learned after 18 games
LJS: Placzek glad to be back
Jake Placzek filled in so well at shortstop for the Nebraska baseball team early last year and at third base the rest of the season, it was a surprise when the junior from Papillion-La Vista didn't get his first start until the 18th game this season.
But consider that he shattered a fingertip on his left hand in a car door and still sports a dark-blue fingernail, then ripped a fingernail and broke the little bone on a fingertip of his right hand last week.
"Just no luck, but I'm ready to play anywhere, anytime now," Placzek said. "I had to do nothing for too long - no BP (batting practice), no grounders, nothing, and I didn't even get to go to Las Vegas with the team because my finger was such a mess.
"I'm pretty excited about what I have seen from this team so far," he said.
The Huskers (12-6) continue a 16-game homestand with games Tuesday (4 p.m.) and Wednesday (1:30 p.m.) against Indiana State at Haymarket Park. Next weekend, NU plays host to Michigan in a Big Ten Conference opening series, then powerful Cal State Fullerton, followed by a three-game series against Texas.
With all those games, the Huskers need the depth.
Nebraska has been solid in the infield with Steven Reveles starting 15 games before being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Wes Edrington, the starter at shortstop two years ago and out all of last year with an injury, filled in last weekend.
Briefly
* Outfielder Elijah Dilday, who was injured in the offseason, is expected back in April, and pitcher Jake Hohensee may return soon after throwing a bullpen session over the weekend.
* Nebraska will start freshmen Garret King on Tuesday and Zack Engelken on Wednesday against the 8-7 Sycamores.
* Nebraska is 6-0 when producing double-digit hits and 8-1 when outhitting opponents this season. NU freshman pitchers have thrown 30 2/3 innings and have an ERA of 1.79.
LJS: Placzek glad to be back
Jake Placzek filled in so well at shortstop for the Nebraska baseball team early last year and at third base the rest of the season, it was a surprise when the junior from Papillion-La Vista didn't get his first start until the 18th game this season.
But consider that he shattered a fingertip on his left hand in a car door and still sports a dark-blue fingernail, then ripped a fingernail and broke the little bone on a fingertip of his right hand last week.
"Just no luck, but I'm ready to play anywhere, anytime now," Placzek said. "I had to do nothing for too long - no BP (batting practice), no grounders, nothing, and I didn't even get to go to Las Vegas with the team because my finger was such a mess.
"I'm pretty excited about what I have seen from this team so far," he said.
The Huskers (12-6) continue a 16-game homestand with games Tuesday (4 p.m.) and Wednesday (1:30 p.m.) against Indiana State at Haymarket Park. Next weekend, NU plays host to Michigan in a Big Ten Conference opening series, then powerful Cal State Fullerton, followed by a three-game series against Texas.
With all those games, the Huskers need the depth.
Nebraska has been solid in the infield with Steven Reveles starting 15 games before being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Wes Edrington, the starter at shortstop two years ago and out all of last year with an injury, filled in last weekend.
Briefly
* Outfielder Elijah Dilday, who was injured in the offseason, is expected back in April, and pitcher Jake Hohensee may return soon after throwing a bullpen session over the weekend.
* Nebraska will start freshmen Garret King on Tuesday and Zack Engelken on Wednesday against the 8-7 Sycamores.
* Nebraska is 6-0 when producing double-digit hits and 8-1 when outhitting opponents this season. NU freshman pitchers have thrown 30 2/3 innings and have an ERA of 1.79.
LJS: Placzek glad to be back
NU: Huskers Continue Homestand with Visit from Sycamores
Tuesday, March 17 (4:05 p.m.)
Probable Starters: RHP King (1-0) vs. LHP Staff (1-2)
TV: None
Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: BTN Plus
Radio: Husker Sports Network
Wednesday, March 18 (1:35 p.m.)
Probable Starters: RHP Engelken (1-0) vs. LHP Lunsford (0-0)
TV: None
Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: HuskersNSide
Radio: Husker Sports Network
With five games of its 16-game homestand in the books, the Nebraska baseball team (12-6, 0-0 Big Ten) welcomes the Indiana State Sycamores (8-7, 0-0 Missouri Valley) for a two-game series starting on Tuesday, March 17 at 4:05 p.m. The teams will also meet on Wednesday, March 18 at 1:35 p.m.
Tuesday's meeting will be the first-ever game between the two teams, and the Huskers will look to add to their five-game winning streak.
The Eagles are 4-7 in games away from Bob Warn Field, including an 1-3 record in true road games. The Sycamores started the year with a 11-6 win at Louisiana-Monroe, while their three road losses came in Atlanta when they were swept by Georgia Tech.
The Huskers will start a pair of freshmen right handers for the second straight week during the midweek, with Garett King set to start on Tuesday and Zack Engelken scheduled to go on Wednesday.
The Sycamores are scheduled to start a pair of left handers, staring with senior David Stagg on Tuesday. The 6-3 Stagg is 0-1 on the year with a 9.20 ERA over four starts. He has struck out 16, but walked 17, in 14.2 innings of work.
Sophomore Trent Lunsford is scheduled to start on Wednesday, and will be making his first start of the season after seeing six appearances out of the bullpen. Lunsford has a 5.14 ERA over 7.0 innings of work.
On the Radio
Fans across Nebraska and around the world can listen to Greg Sharpe and Lane Grindle call all of the action on the Husker Sports Network - including KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln - and live on Huskers.com, the Official Husker App or the TuneIn Radio App.
TV Coverage
No TV coverage for games between Nebraska and Indiana State.
Web Streams
Tuesday's game will be streamed on BTN Plus (subscription required and more info at BTN2Go.com). Wednesday's game will be carried on HuskersNSide (subscription required).
Husker Nation Packs the Park
Husker fans posted a three-day attendance of 17,083 last weekend during NU's series with Florida Gulf Coast, which easily broke the previous facility record of 14,885 for a non-conference series at Hawks Field.
The previous mark was set in 2006, when the Huskers opened their home schedule with a three-game series against Alabama.
During five home games last week fans posted an attendance mark of 24,271 (Avg. 4,854). Last season over 25 dates the Huskers posted a home attendance of 81,044 (Avg. 3,241).
Double Digits
Last season the Huskers produced double-digit hits in 30 of their 62 games, including 14 of their 27 home games.
The Huskers were 25-5 when notching double-digit hits last season.
Through 18 games this season, the Huskers have notched double-digit hits six times and are a perfect 6-0 in those games.
The Huskers are 8-1 this year when out-hitting their opponent. The only loss came against LSU, when the Huskers out hit the Tigers, 9-8, but lost 4-2.
Last season, Nebraska was 32-3 when they out hit their opponent, with losses coming against Oregon State, as well as both of NU's losses to Cal State Fullerton in the NCAA Tournament.
15 Hits to Go
After Michael Pritchard and Pat Kelly each joined Nebraska 200-hit club last season, senior Austin Darby is 15 hits away from becoming the program's 23rd member.
If he joins the club, Darby would be the fourth Husker to join over the past three seasons, as Chad Christensen ended his career with 247 hits in 2013.
Prior to Christensen, Jake Opitz was the last Husker to join the club in 2008.
Matt Hopper holds the school record with 338 career hits and is one of just two players in school history to have topped 300 hits.
NU 200-Career Hit Club
1. 338 Matt Hopper 2000-03
2. 305 Jeff Leise 2000-03
3. 281 Will Bolt 1999-02
4. 261 Darin Erstad 1993-95
5. 251 Michael Pritchard 2011-14
6. 250 Paul Meyers 1984-86
7. 249 Joe Simokaitis 2002-05
8. 248 Jed Dalton 1992-95
9. 247 Chad Christensen 2010-13
10. 246 Darin Petersen 1992-95
11. 242 Mark Kister 1985-87
12. 240 Alex Gordon 2003-05
13. 238 DJ Belfonte 2007-10
14. 234 Todd Sears 1995-97
15. 231 Daniel Bruce 2002-05
16. 229 Ken Ramos 1987-89
17. 227 Jake Opitz 2005-08
18. 223 Curtis Ledbetter 2003-05
19. 222 John Cole 1999-01
20. 212 Pat Kelly 2012-14
21. 203 Ken Harvey 1997-99
22. 201 Francis Collins 1995-97
Confidence in the Pen
During Darin Erstad's tenure at Nebraska, the Husker bullpen has done its job when it has a lead.
Led by pitching coach Ted Silva, the Huskers are 87-11 since 2012 when they lead after the sixth inning. The Huskers are 89-6 when leading after seven innings and nearly perfect when leading after eight innings with a 98-4 record.
This season the Huskers are 10-0 when leading after six, seven and eight innings.
Miller's Time
Sophomore Ben Miller has been a key cog in NU's offense this season. The left-handed hitter from Clive, Iowa, Miller ranks second on the team with 17 RBIs, four more than the 13 RBIs he totaled in 29 starts last season.
Pitcher's Best Friend
Since 2012, the Huskers rank 13th in the nation with 183 double plays turned, including 19 this season though 18 games. Mississippi State leads the nation since 2012 with 222 double plays, while Notre Dame leads the nation this season with 28 double plays.
Rk. Team Since 2012 In 2015
1. Mississippi State 227 26
2. Georgia Tech 207 14
Southern Miss 207 21
4. Washington State 201 22
Oregon State 201 23
Arkansas 201 20
7. Notre Dame 199 28
8. Florida State 191 17
9. Tulane 188 21
10. New Mexico 189 20
11. East Carolina 187 22
12. Fresno State 185 20
13. Nebraska 183 19
14th Season at Hawks Field
The Nebraska baseball program is celebrating its 14th year at Hawks Field. Entering Tuesday's series opener with Indiana State, the Huskers are 285-103-1 (.734) since opening the park on March 5, 2002 with a 23-1 win over Nebraska-Kearney.
Tanner Turning the Corner
Tanner Lubach didn't get off to the start he wanted in his senior year, going 0-for-18 to start to the season.
Lubach broke the dry spell with a double that nearly left the park against BYU on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Since the double against the Cougars, Lubach is hitting .350 (14-for-40) with a two home runs and five multi-hit performances over his past 10 games.
More importantly, Lubach has struck out just three over the past 11 games, after notching nine strikeouts through his first six games of the season.
Not Nice to Steal
Senior catcher Tanner Lubach enters Tuesday with 36 runners caught stealing, which ranks third all-time at Nebraska.
Cory Burleson (2009-12) holds the school record with 46 runners caught stealing, while current volunteer assistant Jeff Christy ranks second with 38 runners caught stealing in just two years behind the plate in 2005 and 2006.
90 Yards
Senior Blake Headley nearly ran the length of a football field on four different occasions over two games against the Northern Colorado Bears, as Headley roped a pair of triples against the Bears on both Tuesday and Wednesday last week. The senior now has five triples this year after hitting two triples over his first three seasons at Nebraska, both came last season.
Through Sunday, Headley is tied with North Florida's Donnie Dewees and LSU's Andrew Stevenson for the NCAA lead in triples this season.
Headley achieved the feat in back-to-back games after it only happened once for the Huskers last season when Michael Pritchard notched two triples in NU's season-opening win against Pacific on Feb. 13, 2014.
Since 1998, Headley is only the fifth Husker to record two triples in a game and the only player to do it twice. The other four include, Pritchard (2014), Will Bolt (1999), Jeff Leise (2002) and Adam Shabala (2000).
Only two players in school history have ever hit three triples in a game. Dan Boever did it first in 1983 against Benedictine and Shawn Buchanan became the second player to do it against Wayne State in 1990.
Young Guns
Through 18 games this season the Huskers have seen six freshmen pitchers take the mound. The six newcomers have combined for 30.2 innings of work over two starts and 16 relief appearances.
The six freshmen have shown early success as well, as three of them have yet to allow a run, while the group holds an ERA of 1.79.
Over the past three seasons combined the Huskers had a total of nine freshmen see time on the mound, including three in 2012, two in 2013 and four in 2014.
NU: Huskers Continue Homestand
Tuesday, March 17 (4:05 p.m.)
Probable Starters: RHP King (1-0) vs. LHP Staff (1-2)
TV: None
Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: BTN Plus
Radio: Husker Sports Network
Wednesday, March 18 (1:35 p.m.)
Probable Starters: RHP Engelken (1-0) vs. LHP Lunsford (0-0)
TV: None
Audio Stream: Huskers.com | Video Stream: HuskersNSide
Radio: Husker Sports Network
With five games of its 16-game homestand in the books, the Nebraska baseball team (12-6, 0-0 Big Ten) welcomes the Indiana State Sycamores (8-7, 0-0 Missouri Valley) for a two-game series starting on Tuesday, March 17 at 4:05 p.m. The teams will also meet on Wednesday, March 18 at 1:35 p.m.
Tuesday's meeting will be the first-ever game between the two teams, and the Huskers will look to add to their five-game winning streak.
The Eagles are 4-7 in games away from Bob Warn Field, including an 1-3 record in true road games. The Sycamores started the year with a 11-6 win at Louisiana-Monroe, while their three road losses came in Atlanta when they were swept by Georgia Tech.
The Huskers will start a pair of freshmen right handers for the second straight week during the midweek, with Garett King set to start on Tuesday and Zack Engelken scheduled to go on Wednesday.
The Sycamores are scheduled to start a pair of left handers, staring with senior David Stagg on Tuesday. The 6-3 Stagg is 0-1 on the year with a 9.20 ERA over four starts. He has struck out 16, but walked 17, in 14.2 innings of work.
Sophomore Trent Lunsford is scheduled to start on Wednesday, and will be making his first start of the season after seeing six appearances out of the bullpen. Lunsford has a 5.14 ERA over 7.0 innings of work.
On the Radio
Fans across Nebraska and around the world can listen to Greg Sharpe and Lane Grindle call all of the action on the Husker Sports Network - including KLIN 1400 AM in Lincoln - and live on Huskers.com, the Official Husker App or the TuneIn Radio App.
TV Coverage
No TV coverage for games between Nebraska and Indiana State.
Web Streams
Tuesday's game will be streamed on BTN Plus (subscription required and more info at BTN2Go.com). Wednesday's game will be carried on HuskersNSide (subscription required).
Husker Nation Packs the Park
Husker fans posted a three-day attendance of 17,083 last weekend during NU's series with Florida Gulf Coast, which easily broke the previous facility record of 14,885 for a non-conference series at Hawks Field.
The previous mark was set in 2006, when the Huskers opened their home schedule with a three-game series against Alabama.
During five home games last week fans posted an attendance mark of 24,271 (Avg. 4,854). Last season over 25 dates the Huskers posted a home attendance of 81,044 (Avg. 3,241).
Double Digits
Last season the Huskers produced double-digit hits in 30 of their 62 games, including 14 of their 27 home games.
The Huskers were 25-5 when notching double-digit hits last season.
Through 18 games this season, the Huskers have notched double-digit hits six times and are a perfect 6-0 in those games.
The Huskers are 8-1 this year when out-hitting their opponent. The only loss came against LSU, when the Huskers out hit the Tigers, 9-8, but lost 4-2.
Last season, Nebraska was 32-3 when they out hit their opponent, with losses coming against Oregon State, as well as both of NU's losses to Cal State Fullerton in the NCAA Tournament.
15 Hits to Go
After Michael Pritchard and Pat Kelly each joined Nebraska 200-hit club last season, senior Austin Darby is 15 hits away from becoming the program's 23rd member.
If he joins the club, Darby would be the fourth Husker to join over the past three seasons, as Chad Christensen ended his career with 247 hits in 2013.
Prior to Christensen, Jake Opitz was the last Husker to join the club in 2008.
Matt Hopper holds the school record with 338 career hits and is one of just two players in school history to have topped 300 hits.
NU 200-Career Hit Club
1. 338 Matt Hopper 2000-03
2. 305 Jeff Leise 2000-03
3. 281 Will Bolt 1999-02
4. 261 Darin Erstad 1993-95
5. 251 Michael Pritchard 2011-14
6. 250 Paul Meyers 1984-86
7. 249 Joe Simokaitis 2002-05
8. 248 Jed Dalton 1992-95
9. 247 Chad Christensen 2010-13
10. 246 Darin Petersen 1992-95
11. 242 Mark Kister 1985-87
12. 240 Alex Gordon 2003-05
13. 238 DJ Belfonte 2007-10
14. 234 Todd Sears 1995-97
15. 231 Daniel Bruce 2002-05
16. 229 Ken Ramos 1987-89
17. 227 Jake Opitz 2005-08
18. 223 Curtis Ledbetter 2003-05
19. 222 John Cole 1999-01
20. 212 Pat Kelly 2012-14
21. 203 Ken Harvey 1997-99
22. 201 Francis Collins 1995-97
Confidence in the Pen
During Darin Erstad's tenure at Nebraska, the Husker bullpen has done its job when it has a lead.
Led by pitching coach Ted Silva, the Huskers are 87-11 since 2012 when they lead after the sixth inning. The Huskers are 89-6 when leading after seven innings and nearly perfect when leading after eight innings with a 98-4 record.
This season the Huskers are 10-0 when leading after six, seven and eight innings.
Miller's Time
Sophomore Ben Miller has been a key cog in NU's offense this season. The left-handed hitter from Clive, Iowa, Miller ranks second on the team with 17 RBIs, four more than the 13 RBIs he totaled in 29 starts last season.
Pitcher's Best Friend
Since 2012, the Huskers rank 13th in the nation with 183 double plays turned, including 19 this season though 18 games. Mississippi State leads the nation since 2012 with 222 double plays, while Notre Dame leads the nation this season with 28 double plays.
Rk. Team Since 2012 In 2015
1. Mississippi State 227 26
2. Georgia Tech 207 14
Southern Miss 207 21
4. Washington State 201 22
Oregon State 201 23
Arkansas 201 20
7. Notre Dame 199 28
8. Florida State 191 17
9. Tulane 188 21
10. New Mexico 189 20
11. East Carolina 187 22
12. Fresno State 185 20
13. Nebraska 183 19
14th Season at Hawks Field
The Nebraska baseball program is celebrating its 14th year at Hawks Field. Entering Tuesday's series opener with Indiana State, the Huskers are 285-103-1 (.734) since opening the park on March 5, 2002 with a 23-1 win over Nebraska-Kearney.
Tanner Turning the Corner
Tanner Lubach didn't get off to the start he wanted in his senior year, going 0-for-18 to start to the season.
Lubach broke the dry spell with a double that nearly left the park against BYU on Saturday, Feb. 21.
Since the double against the Cougars, Lubach is hitting .350 (14-for-40) with a two home runs and five multi-hit performances over his past 10 games.
More importantly, Lubach has struck out just three over the past 11 games, after notching nine strikeouts through his first six games of the season.
Not Nice to Steal
Senior catcher Tanner Lubach enters Tuesday with 36 runners caught stealing, which ranks third all-time at Nebraska.
Cory Burleson (2009-12) holds the school record with 46 runners caught stealing, while current volunteer assistant Jeff Christy ranks second with 38 runners caught stealing in just two years behind the plate in 2005 and 2006.
90 Yards
Senior Blake Headley nearly ran the length of a football field on four different occasions over two games against the Northern Colorado Bears, as Headley roped a pair of triples against the Bears on both Tuesday and Wednesday last week. The senior now has five triples this year after hitting two triples over his first three seasons at Nebraska, both came last season.
Through Sunday, Headley is tied with North Florida's Donnie Dewees and LSU's Andrew Stevenson for the NCAA lead in triples this season.
Headley achieved the feat in back-to-back games after it only happened once for the Huskers last season when Michael Pritchard notched two triples in NU's season-opening win against Pacific on Feb. 13, 2014.
Since 1998, Headley is only the fifth Husker to record two triples in a game and the only player to do it twice. The other four include, Pritchard (2014), Will Bolt (1999), Jeff Leise (2002) and Adam Shabala (2000).
Only two players in school history have ever hit three triples in a game. Dan Boever did it first in 1983 against Benedictine and Shawn Buchanan became the second player to do it against Wayne State in 1990.
Young Guns
Through 18 games this season the Huskers have seen six freshmen pitchers take the mound. The six newcomers have combined for 30.2 innings of work over two starts and 16 relief appearances.
The six freshmen have shown early success as well, as three of them have yet to allow a run, while the group holds an ERA of 1.79.
Over the past three seasons combined the Huskers had a total of nine freshmen see time on the mound, including three in 2012, two in 2013 and four in 2014.
NU: Huskers Continue Homestand
Sycamores Look to Stay Hot on Road Trip to Nebraska and Missouri State
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - After coming off of an undefeated weekend at Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium, Indiana State baseball hits the road again for contests against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and open the Missouri Valley Conference schedule against the Bears of Missouri State.
Week Schedule vs. Nebraska and Missouri State
Tuesday: at Nebraska, 5:05 p.m. (ET)
Wednesday: at Nebraska, 2:35 p.m. (ET)
Friday: at Missouri State, 7:35 p.m. (ET)
Saturday: at Missouri State, 3:05 p.m. (ET)
Sunday: at Missouri State, 2:05 p.m. (ET)
Probable Pitching Rotation
David Stagg - LHP (0-1, 9.20 ERA, 16 K)
Jeff Degano - LHP (4-1, 1.91 ERA, 38 K)
Jeremy McKinney - RHP (1-2, 6.62 ERA, 20 K)
A Little History -- Nebraska
The Sycamores and the Cornhuskers have never met on the baseball diamond. Nebraska and Indiana State have played in three other sports on the women's side. Nebraska won the 2002 women's soccer meeting along with picking up a win on the softball diamond. On the hardwood, the Sycamore women earned a victory over the Cornhuskers.
Scouting the Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers enter the series against the Sycamores with a 12-6 record, including 5-0 at Hawks Field. Last week, the Cornhuskers took their first five games at home with two against Northern Colorado, and swept Florida Gulf Coast over the weekend. The games marked a stretch of 16-straight home games for Nebraska. At the plate, the Huskers are led by Ryan Boldt who has a .381 average (24-for-63) through 17 games this season. Boldt has added three extra base hits with two doubles and a triple while scoring 18 runs. The RBI leader for the Huskers is Blake Headley. Headley currently has a .349 average (22-for-63) in 17 games played, and has knocked in 19 runs. Headley leads the team with five triples on the year. Ben Miller has been a sold contributor with a .348 average (23-for-66) with 17 RBI. On the mound, ISU will face Garrett King and Zack Engleken. King has a 2.08 ERA in four appearances this season, with one start. He has logged 8.2 innings, allowing nine hits and surrendering just two runs. Engleken is 1-0, with two appearances, including a start. Engleken has tossed in 6.0 innings, giving up four hits, two runs, both earned, walked four and struck out four. Josh Roeder holds down the bullpen for Nebraska, with five saves on the season. In his 5.2 innings, he has allowed three runs, all earned walked seven and struck out three.
A Little History -- Missouri State
The Bears and the Sycamores have met 102 times since 1972. Missouri State leads the all-time series by a 62-40 margin. In 2014, the Bears and the Sycamores met up four times, all in Terre Haute. During the regular season, ISU swept Missouri State in the three game series. The Sycamores won the Friday matchup 10-7, Saturday 6-5 and Sunday 4-3. In the single elimination playoff game during the MVC tournament, ISU lost 9-1. Over the last 10 years, the Sycamores have a 12-19 record in head-to-head competition with Missouri State. The 2014 regular season sweep was the first time ISU swept the Bears since 2005.
Scouting the Bears
The Missouri State Bears are coming off of a weekend which saw them drop two of three to the Kansas State Wildcats. The Bears lost the first two games before winning the series finale in Manhattan, Kan. This week, the Bears host UALR and North Dakota State before welcoming in the Sycamores. Spencer Johnson leads the Bears with a .333 average (17-for-51), has knocked in 14 runs and scored 12. Joey Hawkins has been a consistent contributor for the Bears, earning a .317 (20-for-63) average, with 14 RBI and has scored 12 runs. Tate Matheney, a member of the MVC Preseason All-Conference team, is hitting .258 (16-for-62) with eight RBI and has scored 11 runs. Another member of the MVC Preseason squad is starting pitcher Jon Harris. In four starts this season, Harris has amassed a 1.90 ERA and a 1-0 record. Harris has logged 23.2 innings allowing 19 hits, seven runs, with five earned. Harris has managed to strike out 31 hitters and walked 15. Opponents are hitting .221 against him. Matt Hall has had an impressive start to his 2015 campaign. In five starts, Hall has a 3-1 record with a 2.73 ERA in 33.0 innings pitched. Hall has allowed 31 hits, while giving up 14 runs, 10 earned, walked 11 and has fanned 36.
#Fearless
Fearless has been the attitude of the 2015 Sycamore Baseball program. This attitude was personified in the second week of the year when a schedule change saw the Sycamores travel to Port Charlotte, Fla. to take on the defending National Champion Vanderbilt Commodores. Vanderbilt took the series 2-1 but the stats during the games were comparable. Runs were tied at 10, the Commodores managed just two more hits than the Sycamores, and ISU issued 12 walks compared to 19 from Vanderbilt. Other opponents for the 2015 season include two teams that ISU saw in the NCAA Bloomington Regional, Indiana and Youngstown State. Dallas Baptist is also on the schedule who are now a Top 25 team, as well as this upcoming series against Georgia Tech, in which the Yellow Jackets are receiving votes in the NCBWA poll, as well as the USA Today Coaches' Poll, and Collegiate Baseball. The Sycamores have won four games in a row, the longest winning streak of the season.
Degano's Dominance
Starting pitcher Jeff Degano took over the Friday night starter's role in the series against Georgia Tech. This season Degano has pitched a combined 33.0 innings, allowing nine runs, 22 hits, and struck out 38, including a career-high 10 in back-to-back appearances against Youngstown State and Canisius. Degano has also recorded four quality starts in a row. A quality start is 6.0 innings pitched, allowing three or fewer runs.
Game Experience
In the Georgia Tech series, the Sycamores subbed 14 times. This allowed members of the team that haven't seen the field some more extended playing time. Off the bench, the Sycamores notched three hits and scored two runs during the series.
Extra Credit
Last week, the Sycamores found their power stroke, belting 20 extra base hits. Five different Sycamores hit two doubles, as well as four hitting triples. Andy Young and Taylor Steen hit their first career home runs as Sycamores. Jacob Hayes showed his speed with two triples, making his season total three. In 2014, he hit four all season.
Speed Kills
ISU showed off their team speed during the Indiana State Tournament, hitting five triples, by four different players. The Sycamores also stole six bases in eight attempts. ISU's running game causes issues for pitchers, as Indiana State base runners constantly require attention from opposing pitchers. The Sycamores also took advantage of six opponent errors to score four unearned runs.
Early Season Recognition
The Sycamores placed four players on the Warhawk Classic All-Classic team during the weekend of Feb. 13-15 at the Warhawk Classic hosted by UL-Monroe. Position players Derek Hannahs, Kaden Moore and Andy Young earned a spot, along with pitcher Michael Eberle. ISU went 2-1 in games in Louisiana, placing second at the Classic.
Brothers in Arms
Redshirt juniors, Jeff Degano and Greg Kuhlman made their first appearances since 2013, on Opening Weekend. Both are coming off of arm injuries which didn't allow them to appear on the diamond for ISU in 2014. Kuhlman, prior to 2015, had a 3-3 career record and a 5.38 ERA after appearing in 27 games and making five starts. Degano, a transfer from Marshalltown CC, started in three games in 2013, posting an 0-1 record in 8.2 innings pitched. The pair of southpaws started Saturday and Sunday of Opening Weekend. The Sycamores featured an all-lefty rotation in the first weekend of the year at the Warhawk Classic in Monroe, La with senior David Stagg getting the ball on Friday night.
Preseason Poll
ISU placed fourth in the MVC preseason poll with 42 points. Dallas Baptist is the preseason favorite to win the conference, earning seven of the eight possible first place votes and 62 points overall. Missouri State picked up the one other and placed second on the list with 53 total points. Wichita State finished a spot ahead of the Sycamores with 43 points. Rounding out the bottom of the conference was Evansville with 28 points, Illinois State with 26, Bradley with 18, and Southern Illinois with 15.
Preseason All-MVC
Ryan Keaffaber was the lone Sycamore to place on the preseason all-MVC team. Keaffaber is a relief pitcher that finished 2014 with a 3-2 record and a 3.26 ERA. He also was named to the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. Other members of the preseason all-conference team are as follows: Paul DeJong of Illinois State; Spencer Gaa and Tyler Leffler of Bradley; Daniel Salters, Justin Wall, David Martinelli, and Brandon Koch of Dallas Baptist; Dylan Becker, Tate Matheny, and Jon Harris of Missouri State; and Daniel Kihle and Sam Tewes of Wichita State.
2-for-3
Over the past three seasons, the Sycamores have earned at-large bids into the NCAA Regionals. In 2012, ISU earned a spot in the NCAA Regional in Eugene, Oregon. ISU also earned an at-large bid last season when the Sycamores competed in the NCAA Regional in Bloomington, Indiana.
Stellar Sophomore
Sophomore pitcher Ryan Keaffaber had a freshman season that saw him etch his name into the Indiana State Record Book. Ryan earned a place on the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American Team and was the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. Ryan appeared in 24 games with three earning a 3.26 ERA and a 3-2 record. Ryan served mostly as the closer for the Sycamores during the season. His 11 saves are the third-best total in school history while holding opponents to a .212 average against him. The only other Sycamore to earn Freshman of the Year honors was Mitch Stetter, a former major leaguer with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Sycamores against the Big 10
Indiana State showed its strength against Rutgers, the first of four Big Ten teams ISU will square off with during the regular season. The Sycamores won the first contest by a 14-4 tally. ISU will see more of the Power 5 conference this week as they travel to Lincoln, Neb. to take on the Cornhuskers.
Lucky Number Seven
ISU is looking to make it seven winning season in a row. The Sycamores earned their sixth-straight winning season in 2014 after going 35-18 and earning an at-large bid into the NCAA Regionals in Bloomington, Ind. The six winnings seasons are the longest such streak since the 17-season streak from 1977-1993.
Look at Me, I Can Be Centerfield
Landon Curry has started in 161 and played in 162 of the 164 games for the Sycamores since arriving in the 2012 season. Entering 2015, Curry had a career .290 batting average and 53 stolen bases. With the four stolen bases this season, Curry needs 11 more to tie for sixth-place all-time at ISU. Curry has hit in the lead-off spot 168 times of his 177 games played, and every game since April 24, 2013, a string of 84 straight entering 2015. Curry made the most of his one career home run, belting a grand slam against Ball State in 2012.
Powerful Pitching
The Sycamore pitching staff led the MVC with a 3.34 ERA and placed second with 17 saves in 2014. The pitchers also controlled the running game from the mound, picking off 18 runners. Continuing the pitching prowess, the Sycamores were first in runs allowed (222) and tied for first in the MVC in hits allowed (417) during the 2014 season .
Return to Action
The Sycamores are scheduled to return to action on Mar. 24th at SIU Edwardsville in Edwardsville, Ill. The Sycamores then host their first MVC opponent of 2015 Mar. 27-29 against Evansville.
For the latest information on the Sycamore Men's Baseball team, make sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.
Sycamores Look to Stay Hot on Road Trip to NU
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - After coming off of an undefeated weekend at Bob Warn Field at Sycamore Stadium, Indiana State baseball hits the road again for contests against the Nebraska Cornhuskers and open the Missouri Valley Conference schedule against the Bears of Missouri State.
Week Schedule vs. Nebraska and Missouri State
Tuesday: at Nebraska, 5:05 p.m. (ET)
Wednesday: at Nebraska, 2:35 p.m. (ET)
Friday: at Missouri State, 7:35 p.m. (ET)
Saturday: at Missouri State, 3:05 p.m. (ET)
Sunday: at Missouri State, 2:05 p.m. (ET)
Probable Pitching Rotation
David Stagg - LHP (0-1, 9.20 ERA, 16 K)
Jeff Degano - LHP (4-1, 1.91 ERA, 38 K)
Jeremy McKinney - RHP (1-2, 6.62 ERA, 20 K)
A Little History -- Nebraska
The Sycamores and the Cornhuskers have never met on the baseball diamond. Nebraska and Indiana State have played in three other sports on the women's side. Nebraska won the 2002 women's soccer meeting along with picking up a win on the softball diamond. On the hardwood, the Sycamore women earned a victory over the Cornhuskers.
Scouting the Cornhuskers
The Nebraska Cornhuskers enter the series against the Sycamores with a 12-6 record, including 5-0 at Hawks Field. Last week, the Cornhuskers took their first five games at home with two against Northern Colorado, and swept Florida Gulf Coast over the weekend. The games marked a stretch of 16-straight home games for Nebraska. At the plate, the Huskers are led by Ryan Boldt who has a .381 average (24-for-63) through 17 games this season. Boldt has added three extra base hits with two doubles and a triple while scoring 18 runs. The RBI leader for the Huskers is Blake Headley. Headley currently has a .349 average (22-for-63) in 17 games played, and has knocked in 19 runs. Headley leads the team with five triples on the year. Ben Miller has been a sold contributor with a .348 average (23-for-66) with 17 RBI. On the mound, ISU will face Garrett King and Zack Engleken. King has a 2.08 ERA in four appearances this season, with one start. He has logged 8.2 innings, allowing nine hits and surrendering just two runs. Engleken is 1-0, with two appearances, including a start. Engleken has tossed in 6.0 innings, giving up four hits, two runs, both earned, walked four and struck out four. Josh Roeder holds down the bullpen for Nebraska, with five saves on the season. In his 5.2 innings, he has allowed three runs, all earned walked seven and struck out three.
A Little History -- Missouri State
The Bears and the Sycamores have met 102 times since 1972. Missouri State leads the all-time series by a 62-40 margin. In 2014, the Bears and the Sycamores met up four times, all in Terre Haute. During the regular season, ISU swept Missouri State in the three game series. The Sycamores won the Friday matchup 10-7, Saturday 6-5 and Sunday 4-3. In the single elimination playoff game during the MVC tournament, ISU lost 9-1. Over the last 10 years, the Sycamores have a 12-19 record in head-to-head competition with Missouri State. The 2014 regular season sweep was the first time ISU swept the Bears since 2005.
Scouting the Bears
The Missouri State Bears are coming off of a weekend which saw them drop two of three to the Kansas State Wildcats. The Bears lost the first two games before winning the series finale in Manhattan, Kan. This week, the Bears host UALR and North Dakota State before welcoming in the Sycamores. Spencer Johnson leads the Bears with a .333 average (17-for-51), has knocked in 14 runs and scored 12. Joey Hawkins has been a consistent contributor for the Bears, earning a .317 (20-for-63) average, with 14 RBI and has scored 12 runs. Tate Matheney, a member of the MVC Preseason All-Conference team, is hitting .258 (16-for-62) with eight RBI and has scored 11 runs. Another member of the MVC Preseason squad is starting pitcher Jon Harris. In four starts this season, Harris has amassed a 1.90 ERA and a 1-0 record. Harris has logged 23.2 innings allowing 19 hits, seven runs, with five earned. Harris has managed to strike out 31 hitters and walked 15. Opponents are hitting .221 against him. Matt Hall has had an impressive start to his 2015 campaign. In five starts, Hall has a 3-1 record with a 2.73 ERA in 33.0 innings pitched. Hall has allowed 31 hits, while giving up 14 runs, 10 earned, walked 11 and has fanned 36.
#Fearless
Fearless has been the attitude of the 2015 Sycamore Baseball program. This attitude was personified in the second week of the year when a schedule change saw the Sycamores travel to Port Charlotte, Fla. to take on the defending National Champion Vanderbilt Commodores. Vanderbilt took the series 2-1 but the stats during the games were comparable. Runs were tied at 10, the Commodores managed just two more hits than the Sycamores, and ISU issued 12 walks compared to 19 from Vanderbilt. Other opponents for the 2015 season include two teams that ISU saw in the NCAA Bloomington Regional, Indiana and Youngstown State. Dallas Baptist is also on the schedule who are now a Top 25 team, as well as this upcoming series against Georgia Tech, in which the Yellow Jackets are receiving votes in the NCBWA poll, as well as the USA Today Coaches' Poll, and Collegiate Baseball. The Sycamores have won four games in a row, the longest winning streak of the season.
Degano's Dominance
Starting pitcher Jeff Degano took over the Friday night starter's role in the series against Georgia Tech. This season Degano has pitched a combined 33.0 innings, allowing nine runs, 22 hits, and struck out 38, including a career-high 10 in back-to-back appearances against Youngstown State and Canisius. Degano has also recorded four quality starts in a row. A quality start is 6.0 innings pitched, allowing three or fewer runs.
Game Experience
In the Georgia Tech series, the Sycamores subbed 14 times. This allowed members of the team that haven't seen the field some more extended playing time. Off the bench, the Sycamores notched three hits and scored two runs during the series.
Extra Credit
Last week, the Sycamores found their power stroke, belting 20 extra base hits. Five different Sycamores hit two doubles, as well as four hitting triples. Andy Young and Taylor Steen hit their first career home runs as Sycamores. Jacob Hayes showed his speed with two triples, making his season total three. In 2014, he hit four all season.
Speed Kills
ISU showed off their team speed during the Indiana State Tournament, hitting five triples, by four different players. The Sycamores also stole six bases in eight attempts. ISU's running game causes issues for pitchers, as Indiana State base runners constantly require attention from opposing pitchers. The Sycamores also took advantage of six opponent errors to score four unearned runs.
Early Season Recognition
The Sycamores placed four players on the Warhawk Classic All-Classic team during the weekend of Feb. 13-15 at the Warhawk Classic hosted by UL-Monroe. Position players Derek Hannahs, Kaden Moore and Andy Young earned a spot, along with pitcher Michael Eberle. ISU went 2-1 in games in Louisiana, placing second at the Classic.
Brothers in Arms
Redshirt juniors, Jeff Degano and Greg Kuhlman made their first appearances since 2013, on Opening Weekend. Both are coming off of arm injuries which didn't allow them to appear on the diamond for ISU in 2014. Kuhlman, prior to 2015, had a 3-3 career record and a 5.38 ERA after appearing in 27 games and making five starts. Degano, a transfer from Marshalltown CC, started in three games in 2013, posting an 0-1 record in 8.2 innings pitched. The pair of southpaws started Saturday and Sunday of Opening Weekend. The Sycamores featured an all-lefty rotation in the first weekend of the year at the Warhawk Classic in Monroe, La with senior David Stagg getting the ball on Friday night.
Preseason Poll
ISU placed fourth in the MVC preseason poll with 42 points. Dallas Baptist is the preseason favorite to win the conference, earning seven of the eight possible first place votes and 62 points overall. Missouri State picked up the one other and placed second on the list with 53 total points. Wichita State finished a spot ahead of the Sycamores with 43 points. Rounding out the bottom of the conference was Evansville with 28 points, Illinois State with 26, Bradley with 18, and Southern Illinois with 15.
Preseason All-MVC
Ryan Keaffaber was the lone Sycamore to place on the preseason all-MVC team. Keaffaber is a relief pitcher that finished 2014 with a 3-2 record and a 3.26 ERA. He also was named to the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. Other members of the preseason all-conference team are as follows: Paul DeJong of Illinois State; Spencer Gaa and Tyler Leffler of Bradley; Daniel Salters, Justin Wall, David Martinelli, and Brandon Koch of Dallas Baptist; Dylan Becker, Tate Matheny, and Jon Harris of Missouri State; and Daniel Kihle and Sam Tewes of Wichita State.
2-for-3
Over the past three seasons, the Sycamores have earned at-large bids into the NCAA Regionals. In 2012, ISU earned a spot in the NCAA Regional in Eugene, Oregon. ISU also earned an at-large bid last season when the Sycamores competed in the NCAA Regional in Bloomington, Indiana.
Stellar Sophomore
Sophomore pitcher Ryan Keaffaber had a freshman season that saw him etch his name into the Indiana State Record Book. Ryan earned a place on the Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American Team and was the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. Ryan appeared in 24 games with three earning a 3.26 ERA and a 3-2 record. Ryan served mostly as the closer for the Sycamores during the season. His 11 saves are the third-best total in school history while holding opponents to a .212 average against him. The only other Sycamore to earn Freshman of the Year honors was Mitch Stetter, a former major leaguer with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Sycamores against the Big 10
Indiana State showed its strength against Rutgers, the first of four Big Ten teams ISU will square off with during the regular season. The Sycamores won the first contest by a 14-4 tally. ISU will see more of the Power 5 conference this week as they travel to Lincoln, Neb. to take on the Cornhuskers.
Lucky Number Seven
ISU is looking to make it seven winning season in a row. The Sycamores earned their sixth-straight winning season in 2014 after going 35-18 and earning an at-large bid into the NCAA Regionals in Bloomington, Ind. The six winnings seasons are the longest such streak since the 17-season streak from 1977-1993.
Look at Me, I Can Be Centerfield
Landon Curry has started in 161 and played in 162 of the 164 games for the Sycamores since arriving in the 2012 season. Entering 2015, Curry had a career .290 batting average and 53 stolen bases. With the four stolen bases this season, Curry needs 11 more to tie for sixth-place all-time at ISU. Curry has hit in the lead-off spot 168 times of his 177 games played, and every game since April 24, 2013, a string of 84 straight entering 2015. Curry made the most of his one career home run, belting a grand slam against Ball State in 2012.
Powerful Pitching
The Sycamore pitching staff led the MVC with a 3.34 ERA and placed second with 17 saves in 2014. The pitchers also controlled the running game from the mound, picking off 18 runners. Continuing the pitching prowess, the Sycamores were first in runs allowed (222) and tied for first in the MVC in hits allowed (417) during the 2014 season .
Return to Action
The Sycamores are scheduled to return to action on Mar. 24th at SIU Edwardsville in Edwardsville, Ill. The Sycamores then host their first MVC opponent of 2015 Mar. 27-29 against Evansville.
For the latest information on the Sycamore Men's Baseball team, make sure to visit GoSycamores.com. You can also find the team on social media including Facebook and Twitter.
Sycamores Look to Stay Hot on Road Trip to NU
B1G: Weekly Baseball Honors
Player of the Week
Austin Cangelosi, Indiana
So., IF, Orland Park, Ill. - Carl Sandburg
•Helped the Hoosiers to a 5-0 week with a sweep of Eastern Michigan and No. 12 Cal State Fullerton
•Batted .500 (7-for-14) with four RBI, four runs, a home run, a pair of triples and a double in four games
•Drove in two runs with a home run in the eighth inning, helping the Hoosiers to a 2-0 win over Cal State Fullerton in game two
•Earns his first career Big Ten Player of the Week award
•Last Indiana Big Ten Player of the Week: Nick Ramos (Feb. 16, 2015)
Pitcher of the Week
Mike Shawaryn, Maryland
So., RHP, Carneys Point, N.J. - Gloucester Catholic
•Picked up the win over Princeton, striking out 11 batters in 7.0 innings of work and improving to 4-0 this season
•Allowed six hits without a run
•Leads all Big Ten pitchers with 41 strikeouts
•Records his second Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honor
•Last Maryland Big Ten Pitcher of the Week: Mike Shawaryn (Feb. 23, 2015)
Freshman of the Week
Brian Hobbie, Indiana
RHP, Springfield, Ill. - Glenwood
•Earned two consecutive wins with no runs allowed, topping Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, followed by a win over No. 12 Cal State Fullerton on Saturday
•Struck out a career-high seven batters, allowing only one hit in 4.0 innings pitched against Eastern Michigan in his first career start
•Tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in IU's 2-0 win over Cal State Fullerton, allowing just one hit and striking out one
•Wins his first Big Ten Freshman of the Week award
•Last Indiana Big Ten Freshman of the Week: Logan Sowers (March 9, 2015)
2015 Big Ten Baseball Players of the Week
Feb. 16
PL: Nick Ramos, Jr., IND
P: Rob McDonnell, Sr., ILL
F: Austin Guzzo, IOWA
Feb. 23
PL: Ryan Boldt, So., NEB
P: Mike Shawaryn, So., MD
F: Kevin Smith, MD
March 3
PL: Jackson Glines, Sr., MICH
P: Brett Adcock, So., MICH
F: Logan Sowers, IND
March 9
PL: Kyle Wood, Jr., PUR
P: Tyler Jay, Jr., ILL
F: Logan Sowers, IND
F: Alex Troop, MSU
March 16
PL: Austin Cangelosi, So., IND
P: Mike Shawaryn, So., MD
F: Brian Hobbie, IND
PL: Player of the Week
P: Pitcher of the Week
F: Freshman of the Week
B1G: Weekly Baseball Honors
Player of the Week
Austin Cangelosi, Indiana
So., IF, Orland Park, Ill. - Carl Sandburg
•Helped the Hoosiers to a 5-0 week with a sweep of Eastern Michigan and No. 12 Cal State Fullerton
•Batted .500 (7-for-14) with four RBI, four runs, a home run, a pair of triples and a double in four games
•Drove in two runs with a home run in the eighth inning, helping the Hoosiers to a 2-0 win over Cal State Fullerton in game two
•Earns his first career Big Ten Player of the Week award
•Last Indiana Big Ten Player of the Week: Nick Ramos (Feb. 16, 2015)
Pitcher of the Week
Mike Shawaryn, Maryland
So., RHP, Carneys Point, N.J. - Gloucester Catholic
•Picked up the win over Princeton, striking out 11 batters in 7.0 innings of work and improving to 4-0 this season
•Allowed six hits without a run
•Leads all Big Ten pitchers with 41 strikeouts
•Records his second Big Ten Pitcher of the Week honor
•Last Maryland Big Ten Pitcher of the Week: Mike Shawaryn (Feb. 23, 2015)
Freshman of the Week
Brian Hobbie, Indiana
RHP, Springfield, Ill. - Glenwood
•Earned two consecutive wins with no runs allowed, topping Eastern Michigan on Tuesday, followed by a win over No. 12 Cal State Fullerton on Saturday
•Struck out a career-high seven batters, allowing only one hit in 4.0 innings pitched against Eastern Michigan in his first career start
•Tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in IU's 2-0 win over Cal State Fullerton, allowing just one hit and striking out one
•Wins his first Big Ten Freshman of the Week award
•Last Indiana Big Ten Freshman of the Week: Logan Sowers (March 9, 2015)
2015 Big Ten Baseball Players of the Week
Feb. 16
PL: Nick Ramos, Jr., IND
P: Rob McDonnell, Sr., ILL
F: Austin Guzzo, IOWA
Feb. 23
PL: Ryan Boldt, So., NEB
P: Mike Shawaryn, So., MD
F: Kevin Smith, MD
March 3
PL: Jackson Glines, Sr., MICH
P: Brett Adcock, So., MICH
F: Logan Sowers, IND
March 9
PL: Kyle Wood, Jr., PUR
P: Tyler Jay, Jr., ILL
F: Logan Sowers, IND
F: Alex Troop, MSU
March 16
PL: Austin Cangelosi, So., IND
P: Mike Shawaryn, So., MD
F: Brian Hobbie, IND
PL: Player of the Week
P: Pitcher of the Week
F: Freshman of the Week
B1G: Weekly Baseball Honors
BA: College Top 25 Chat (March 16)
Frank (Reno): Is Nevada close to breaking into the Top 25 ? They haven't lost a series yet, and they have a decent midweek win at Texas Tech. What's it going to take?
Jim Shonerd: They've been knocking on the door for a few weeks now. Just haven't had the right opportunity to bring them in. Their going 2-2 last week falls into that category. New Mexico's probably the best team they'll play a weekend series against, so having that win to their credit from this weekend will help them later. Go 4-1 or 5-0, which they should, this week against Sac State and Cincinnati, and they'll have a good case next week.
Matt (Buffalo, NY): Cal if off to a hot start, including taking a couple from Oregon. How close are they to be ranked?
Jim Shonerd: They're getting in the conversation. Cal's body of work wasn't really anything to write home about until this week. They lost a home series to Duke on opening weekend and their most notable wins before Oregon were a midweek win at Stanford and a sweep of Kansas State, which is fine but expected to be one of the bottom teams in the Big 12. Looking at Cal's next three series (at Washington, at Utah, home to Wazzu) there's definitely a chance for them to keep this run going, so you'll probably see them ranked sooner than later.
Moondoggy (PB, California): I know it's tough to be in the top 25 discussion when you are hovering around .500, but what are your thoughts on USD? Sweep Texas in Austin, take 2 of 3 at Miss St, and beat Fullerton at their place. Do you still see them as the third best team in the WCC?
Michael Lananna: I saw the Toreros at Cal State Fullerton last week, and I liked what I saw. They're obviously on an impressive roll right now and probably would be in the Top 25 if not for a dreadful 2-6 start. It's a different type of San Diego team than we're used to seeing-no Kris Bryant types on this year's team. But they're getting by with pitching and defense and timely hitting. The addition of juco twin pitchers David and Jacob Hill-both previously drafted-makes the staff deeper. And scouts are very high on shortstop Kyle Holder. They're a team to watch, and they'll be in the Top 25 discussion soon if they continue to win.
Brett (North Carolina): Who are your top 3 freshmen arms out of the SEC thus far?
Jim Shonerd: Alex Lange and Jordan Sheffield are easy calls (if you allow me Sheffield as a redshirt-Fr). Jake Godfrey and Turner Larkins are probably next.
Randy (Clemson, SC): Are you surprised how average clemson is? The team continues to fall year after year recently, may finally be time for a change?
Michael Lananna: I am surprised, yes. I liked Clemson in the preseason, and the Tigers almost looked like the better team against South Carolina a couple of weekends ago. They look good on paper-good balance in the lineup with youth and experience. And I thought Brody Koerner turned a corner this year after his shutout against the Gamecocks, but he's taken a step back in recent outings. Hard to put a finger on why the Tigers aren't winning consistently. Leggett obviously has a strong resume, but you have to wonder what's holding this team back.
Jennie (Palo Alto, CA): How will the loss of Quantrill affect Stanford's postseason chances?
Jim Shonerd: It's not a death blow. Marc Brakeman's a good arm and Brett Hanewich has been throwing well. But yeah, it's going to hurt. They do have a good road series win in the bank against Fullerton and have played a very tough schedule, so as long as they finish .500 or better in the Pac, they should be ok. The most challenging part of their Pac 12 schedule doesn't begin until the late April (consecutive series against UCLA, Oregon, USC and Oregon State), so they'll have to have things figured out by then or it could go South in a hurry.
Will King (Texas): Although it is just March, do you think Rice has what it takes to finally get back to Omaha?
Michael Lananna: I think the Owls have a shot, certainly. They've hit much better this year than expected with John Clay Reeves and Kirby Taylor putting together great senior years, Ryan Chandler having a strong freshman campaign and shortstop Leon Byrd coming into his own as a junior. I think a key for Rice will be health on the mound. The Owls are deep in that regard, but Jordan Stephens and Josh Pettitte are post-Tommy John, and they've been without Jon Duplantier this year, who could be a difference-maker in the rotation. Still, with how they've played so far, I like their chances to make a deep run.
Miles (Monroe, CT): Kind of surprised UCF only dropped one spot after watching their pitching get absolutely walloped by FSU. Is the weekend sweep over Fairfield really enough to keep them in the Top 10?
Jim Shonerd: Body of work. I was of a mind to keep them over South Carolina. UCF's gone 4-4 against Top 25 opponents as opposed to South Carolina's 0-0. UCF has also won a weekend series against an SEC team (Ole Miss) better than the one South Carolina just beat (Kentucky). And all four of UCF's losses were to ranked teams, while South Carolina lost a series to Clemson.
Patrick (Dallas): After watching Dallas Baptist this weekend I couldn't believe the arms that team has. Do you think their rotation ranks up there with the best in college baseball?
Jim Shonerd: Wouldn't go that far, but I do like their rotation quite a bit. Joe Shaw's a big-time arm, and Cory Taylor hasn't pitched that well yet but has loads of potential. Makes them a dangerous team in regionals, since they can always hit.
Vlad (Washington, DC): How concerned should Wahoo fans be about Virginia's recent struggles?
Michael Lananna: Concerned. Maybe not super concerned. But concerned. Losing three games at home to Virginia Tech is not at all encouraging. The Cavaliers are talented, but they're also very young and expecting quite a bit out of their youth. Some have been up to the task (Pavin Smith is raking), but there are going to be some growing pains in that lineup. I still think the pitching's too good for Virginia to not be there in the end. But the Cavaliers need to produce with the bats, too-definitely more than they are now. This weekend against a surging Florida State team should be a good test.
Jason (Fort Mill SC): SEC has 5 of the top 6 teams in the country- maybe a new level of dominance for even this conference. Are all 5 legitimate Omaha threats or will some fall? Who has the highest ceiling other than Vandy (defending champ)?
Jim Shonerd: Oh, they're all threats. May sound crazy since they're 21-0, but A&M feels the most vulnernable. Losing 2/3rds of your rotation is tough to survive, even though Long, Kent and Larkins have all stepped up so far. Would pick LSU as highest ceiling, given what their freshman arms have shown so far.
Andrew (College Station): In future polls, what will Texas A&M have to do to garner the #1 spot in the polls?
Jim Shonerd: Keep winning? And wait for the teams ahead of them to lose. If they keep the streak going through this week, they'll move up another spot or two at least, since sweeping Alabama on the road would be impressive (personally, I think the streak ends in Tuscaloosa). But get past that one, and their next two series are against Missouri and Kentucky, certainly winnable and probably sweepable. Get to 30-0 or something and, yeah, they'd probably have to be No. 1, questionable non-conference schedule or not.
Francisco (Atlanta, GA): Do you see Peter Solomon as a future starter for Notre Dame or just as a reliever ?
Jim Shonerd: He's got the physicality and deep enough repertoire to be able to start down the road. But he's been so effective at the back of the bullpen (1.46 ERA, 4 saves), I'm sure they'd be loath to move him right now.
Kavi (Virginia): Georgia Tech has an intimidating lineup and a defense to match. Pitching was the biggest question mark coming into the season, but that seem to have found their footing the last 3 weekends - coinciding with the emergence of Brandon Gold as a dominant starter. Thoughts on the club in Atlanta?
Jim Shonerd: Still think they'll have to sort out the other slot. Cole Pitts had a tough time Saturday. But yeah, pitching was the big question about them and they're on their way to figuring it out. Still not sure I'd bet on them having enough arms to run up a gaudy-enough ACC record to be more than a 2-seed again, but the lineup has a lot to like - good mix of experience, youth, power, guys that just hit, etc.
BA: College Top 25 Chat (March 16)
Frank (Reno): Is Nevada close to breaking into the Top 25 ? They haven't lost a series yet, and they have a decent midweek win at Texas Tech. What's it going to take?
Jim Shonerd: They've been knocking on the door for a few weeks now. Just haven't had the right opportunity to bring them in. Their going 2-2 last week falls into that category. New Mexico's probably the best team they'll play a weekend series against, so having that win to their credit from this weekend will help them later. Go 4-1 or 5-0, which they should, this week against Sac State and Cincinnati, and they'll have a good case next week.
Matt (Buffalo, NY): Cal if off to a hot start, including taking a couple from Oregon. How close are they to be ranked?
Jim Shonerd: They're getting in the conversation. Cal's body of work wasn't really anything to write home about until this week. They lost a home series to Duke on opening weekend and their most notable wins before Oregon were a midweek win at Stanford and a sweep of Kansas State, which is fine but expected to be one of the bottom teams in the Big 12. Looking at Cal's next three series (at Washington, at Utah, home to Wazzu) there's definitely a chance for them to keep this run going, so you'll probably see them ranked sooner than later.
Moondoggy (PB, California): I know it's tough to be in the top 25 discussion when you are hovering around .500, but what are your thoughts on USD? Sweep Texas in Austin, take 2 of 3 at Miss St, and beat Fullerton at their place. Do you still see them as the third best team in the WCC?
Michael Lananna: I saw the Toreros at Cal State Fullerton last week, and I liked what I saw. They're obviously on an impressive roll right now and probably would be in the Top 25 if not for a dreadful 2-6 start. It's a different type of San Diego team than we're used to seeing-no Kris Bryant types on this year's team. But they're getting by with pitching and defense and timely hitting. The addition of juco twin pitchers David and Jacob Hill-both previously drafted-makes the staff deeper. And scouts are very high on shortstop Kyle Holder. They're a team to watch, and they'll be in the Top 25 discussion soon if they continue to win.
Brett (North Carolina): Who are your top 3 freshmen arms out of the SEC thus far?
Jim Shonerd: Alex Lange and Jordan Sheffield are easy calls (if you allow me Sheffield as a redshirt-Fr). Jake Godfrey and Turner Larkins are probably next.
Randy (Clemson, SC): Are you surprised how average clemson is? The team continues to fall year after year recently, may finally be time for a change?
Michael Lananna: I am surprised, yes. I liked Clemson in the preseason, and the Tigers almost looked like the better team against South Carolina a couple of weekends ago. They look good on paper-good balance in the lineup with youth and experience. And I thought Brody Koerner turned a corner this year after his shutout against the Gamecocks, but he's taken a step back in recent outings. Hard to put a finger on why the Tigers aren't winning consistently. Leggett obviously has a strong resume, but you have to wonder what's holding this team back.
Jennie (Palo Alto, CA): How will the loss of Quantrill affect Stanford's postseason chances?
Jim Shonerd: It's not a death blow. Marc Brakeman's a good arm and Brett Hanewich has been throwing well. But yeah, it's going to hurt. They do have a good road series win in the bank against Fullerton and have played a very tough schedule, so as long as they finish .500 or better in the Pac, they should be ok. The most challenging part of their Pac 12 schedule doesn't begin until the late April (consecutive series against UCLA, Oregon, USC and Oregon State), so they'll have to have things figured out by then or it could go South in a hurry.
Will King (Texas): Although it is just March, do you think Rice has what it takes to finally get back to Omaha?
Michael Lananna: I think the Owls have a shot, certainly. They've hit much better this year than expected with John Clay Reeves and Kirby Taylor putting together great senior years, Ryan Chandler having a strong freshman campaign and shortstop Leon Byrd coming into his own as a junior. I think a key for Rice will be health on the mound. The Owls are deep in that regard, but Jordan Stephens and Josh Pettitte are post-Tommy John, and they've been without Jon Duplantier this year, who could be a difference-maker in the rotation. Still, with how they've played so far, I like their chances to make a deep run.
Miles (Monroe, CT): Kind of surprised UCF only dropped one spot after watching their pitching get absolutely walloped by FSU. Is the weekend sweep over Fairfield really enough to keep them in the Top 10?
Jim Shonerd: Body of work. I was of a mind to keep them over South Carolina. UCF's gone 4-4 against Top 25 opponents as opposed to South Carolina's 0-0. UCF has also won a weekend series against an SEC team (Ole Miss) better than the one South Carolina just beat (Kentucky). And all four of UCF's losses were to ranked teams, while South Carolina lost a series to Clemson.
Patrick (Dallas): After watching Dallas Baptist this weekend I couldn't believe the arms that team has. Do you think their rotation ranks up there with the best in college baseball?
Jim Shonerd: Wouldn't go that far, but I do like their rotation quite a bit. Joe Shaw's a big-time arm, and Cory Taylor hasn't pitched that well yet but has loads of potential. Makes them a dangerous team in regionals, since they can always hit.
Vlad (Washington, DC): How concerned should Wahoo fans be about Virginia's recent struggles?
Michael Lananna: Concerned. Maybe not super concerned. But concerned. Losing three games at home to Virginia Tech is not at all encouraging. The Cavaliers are talented, but they're also very young and expecting quite a bit out of their youth. Some have been up to the task (Pavin Smith is raking), but there are going to be some growing pains in that lineup. I still think the pitching's too good for Virginia to not be there in the end. But the Cavaliers need to produce with the bats, too-definitely more than they are now. This weekend against a surging Florida State team should be a good test.
Jason (Fort Mill SC): SEC has 5 of the top 6 teams in the country- maybe a new level of dominance for even this conference. Are all 5 legitimate Omaha threats or will some fall? Who has the highest ceiling other than Vandy (defending champ)?
Jim Shonerd: Oh, they're all threats. May sound crazy since they're 21-0, but A&M feels the most vulnernable. Losing 2/3rds of your rotation is tough to survive, even though Long, Kent and Larkins have all stepped up so far. Would pick LSU as highest ceiling, given what their freshman arms have shown so far.
Andrew (College Station): In future polls, what will Texas A&M have to do to garner the #1 spot in the polls?
Jim Shonerd: Keep winning? And wait for the teams ahead of them to lose. If they keep the streak going through this week, they'll move up another spot or two at least, since sweeping Alabama on the road would be impressive (personally, I think the streak ends in Tuscaloosa). But get past that one, and their next two series are against Missouri and Kentucky, certainly winnable and probably sweepable. Get to 30-0 or something and, yeah, they'd probably have to be No. 1, questionable non-conference schedule or not.
Francisco (Atlanta, GA): Do you see Peter Solomon as a future starter for Notre Dame or just as a reliever ?
Jim Shonerd: He's got the physicality and deep enough repertoire to be able to start down the road. But he's been so effective at the back of the bullpen (1.46 ERA, 4 saves), I'm sure they'd be loath to move him right now.
Kavi (Virginia): Georgia Tech has an intimidating lineup and a defense to match. Pitching was the biggest question mark coming into the season, but that seem to have found their footing the last 3 weekends - coinciding with the emergence of Brandon Gold as a dominant starter. Thoughts on the club in Atlanta?
Jim Shonerd: Still think they'll have to sort out the other slot. Cole Pitts had a tough time Saturday. But yeah, pitching was the big question about them and they're on their way to figuring it out. Still not sure I'd bet on them having enough arms to run up a gaudy-enough ACC record to be more than a 2-seed again, but the lineup has a lot to like - good mix of experience, youth, power, guys that just hit, etc.
BA: College Top 25 Chat (March 16)
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