We don't normally cover the Buckeye baseball team, but with the Big Ten Baseball Tournament held at brand-spanking-new Huntington Park, home of the Clippers, we decided to stop by for some yardwork.
The double-elimination tournament started Wednesday night, but #1 seeded Ohio State did not play until tonight, as they received a first round bye. The Buckeye Bombers took on the #4 seeded Illinois squad, who had defeated Michigan State yesterday and they threw their first game hopes on the arm of sophomore Alex Wimmers. Wimmers was the Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Year, and the Cincinnati Moeller product came into the game with a 9-1 record and 2.58 ERA, including a no-hitter against Michigan. He has shown the ability to use three pitches effectively all season long and nothing changed tonight as he continually hit 92-94 mph with his fastball and worked in his breaking ball and changeup for strikes.
Wimmers was not all glamour tonight, even giving up a mamouth shot to Illinois' Eric Johnson, but it seemed to be the right move putting him on the hill as the Buckeyes strung some hits together, rallying from behind to snatch a 7-4 victory from the Fightin Illini. The Buckeyes will play once again tomorrow at 7:05 pm against #3 seed Indiana, who defeated #2 seed Minnesota 12-3 earlier in the afternoon.
Some other notes from the tournament so far:
- The Buckeyes' game vs. Illinois had the largest crowd out of any of the games thus far with over 4,000 fans in attendance.
- Huntington Park marks the first neutral location for the Big Ten Tournament
- Michigan State was eliminated by Purdue earlier in the day; The Boilermakers now take on the Gophers, with the winner playing the Illini.
- An O-H-I-O chant was started around the stadium in the 3rd inning.
- Buckeyes catcher Dan Burkhart was named Big Ten Player of the Year and 3B Justin Miller entered the game as the Big Ten Player of the Week for the second week in a row.
- If you haven't been out to Huntington Park, get there ASAP! It's gorgeous and located right downtown behind Nationwide Arena. Great atmosphere, a City BBQ, Rooster's, bars in the club section behind home plate and in the left field building, lawn seating, and a sprinkler fountain for kids to play in. Tickets for the game are only $10 tomorrow so come support the Buckeyes or catch a Clippers game if you can.
Comments
You hyperlinked the whole article . . .
Whoops! You mean you don't like seeing a wall of red when reading?
Thanks!
It's do or die for the Buckeyes softball team. If they beat Georgia, they will have to play another game against UGA 20 minutes later. Let's hope they can advance to the WCWS. GO BUCKS!!
wimmers chang-up was out of hound last night.
Actually, the Big Ten baseball tournament was previously at a neutral site in 1993 and 1994, when it was played in Battle Creek, MI.
Did they have the bars open for the college games?
I'm worried about the lack of updates regarding Chekwa and his hammy.......
definitely going to make it to the game tonight. Ballpark looks awesome and it will be a great night for baseball.
I wouldn't worry too much, it is still over 70 days until practice starts and you know we aren't going to hear any updates until then, unless it was severe enough to require surgery, but from what I have heard it wasn't. If Chekwa has time off, it will allow the youngsters to step up this summer during 7 on 7 drills.
Went to yesterdays game...the osu coeds could spark some interest if they could throw on the sunny afternoon get-ups and saunter on down from the oval
Always coming through with that silver lining Corey. Thanks bud.
I just wanted you to enjoy the holiday weekend and not worry too much!
LOL I was having trouble selling cars because I was worried sick haha
While I bleed Scarlet, it does tend to detract from my reading experience. :-)
King James!!!!
That was icey
WITNESS
That shot will be replayed over and over until humans stop playing basketball. Unbelievable. Go Cavs!
LBJ-FREAK
iball+8 jaeger bombs = genius
The King has left the building on a 23 footer. Yes!!!! I still cry about the Jordan over Ehlo shot. Needed this after Buckeye women and men went down, Tribe lost to Reds and my Wings lost in OT.
Ladys and Gentlemen (mostly Men i think) I present...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
WHERE AMAZING HAPPENS THE GAME WINNER.
The Hall of Fame Bar and Grill on the 2nd level of the building out in left field serves alcohol during the college games. The only rule - you can't take alcohol out into the ballpark because these are college games.