Month: May 2011

The future of BluGrass Baseball

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

I’m proud to announce BluGrass Baseball is joining a new central Kentucky-focused news website called KyForward, which launched yesterday. I will be working full-time for KyForward as the website’s sports editor and will be bringing BluGrass Baseball with me. What does this mean for BluGrass Baseball readers? Your favorite BluGrass Baseball features, including the “Ky in the Minors” and “Ky in the Majors” databases, are moving to KyForward as well. I will still post daily baseball updates on the KyForward “Our Sports” page. That page will have a special category for BluGrass Baseball content, which can be accessed here. The BluGrass Baseball archive of posts published before May 1, 2011, will remain at http://www.bluegrassbaseball.wordpress.com. The BluGrass Baseball Twitter page will remain the place for up-to-the-minute breaking baseball news, but I encourage you to also follow my KyForward Twitter account, @jonkyforward, for other sports updates.

When I launched BluGrass Baseball almost two years ago, my goal was to fill a gaping hole in the media coverage of Kentucky baseball. It is that motivation that attracted me to KyForward, which hopes to fill the gaps in media coverage of all issues in central Kentucky. By moving to KyForward I will be able to devote my full effort to sports coverage. That means, in addition to the features you have become accustomed to from Bluegrass Baseball, I will be publishing in-depth stories about your favorite Kentucky baseball players and teams, including this one about Mount Sterling native Drew Lee. Baseball is not the only sport I will cover for KyForward, but you can expect to see the same level of baseball coverage there that BluGrass Baseball has made a name for.

I encourage you to become not just a regular reader of the KyForward sports coverage, but also the website’s coverage of all things Lexington and Central Kentucky. We boast an extremely talented staff that will cover the region in a way that has been lacking in the past. The KyForward team is committed to being your number one cyberspace stop for local news and information, interesting – even offbeat – stories well told, and overt “community-building.” You can see the early examples of the work you can come to expect from the website at http://www.KyForward.com. Beginning later this week, BluGrassBaseball.com will automatically re-direct you to the BluGrass Baseball posts on KyForward.

Jon Hale

BluGrass Baseball Founder

KyForward Sports Editor/Reporter

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: May 10

College Baseball

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through 10 weeks of the college baseball season. To be eligible for the ERA and batting average against categories, pitchers must have at least one inning per team game. Eligible players attend a Kentucky college or graduated from a Kentucky high school. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

ERA

  • Derek Self — UofL — 1.25 (57.2)
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 1.58 (85.1 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2.24 (80.1 IP)
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 2.98 (87.2 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 3.23 (64 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 8-1
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 8-2
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 8-4
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-3
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 6-4
  • Stephen Hefler — EKU — 6-4

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 96
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 75
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 73
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 67
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 63

Innings Pitched

  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 88.0
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 87.2
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 85.1
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 80.1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 80.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 11
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 4
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Derek Self — UofL — .186
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .187
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — .215
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .220
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .232

Appearances

  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 25
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 24
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 23
  • Taylor Haydel — WKU — 22
  • Tony Zych — UofL — 22

BluGrass Baseball Hitting Leaderboard: May 10

Uncategorized

Check out the weekly edition of the college baseball leaderboard below. We’ll look at batting statistics today, remembering that players must have 2.5 at-bats per team game to be eligible for the batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage catergories. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

Batting Average

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .399 (61-153)
  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .394 (54-137)
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .390 (62-159)
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .367 (69-188)
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .364 (60-165)

Home Runs

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 12
  • Stewart Ijames — UofL — 10
  • Bryan Soloman — EKU — 9
  • Ryan Wright — UofL — 9
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 9

RBI

  • Justin Riddell — Cincinnati (Lexington Catholic) — 53
  • Matt Rice — WKU — 50
  • Andrew Deeds — Morhead St. — 43
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 39
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK – 39
  • Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — 39
  • Stewart Ijames — UofL — 39
  • Ryan Wright — UofL — 39
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 39

Runs

  • Matt Rice — WKU — 43
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 43
  • Kes Carter — WKU — 42
  • Ivan Hartle — WKU — 42
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — 41
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 41

Stolen Bases

  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 18/20
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — 15/18
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 15/19
  • Ryan Wright — UofL — 14/16
  • Chad Wright — UK — 14/18

On-Base Percentage

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .497
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .473
  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .472
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .452
  • Kes Carter — WKU — .452

Slugging Percentage

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .732
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .660
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .594
  • Ryan Wright — UofL — .577
  • Kes Cater — WKU — .553

MiLB roundup: Bats, Legends, Hot Rods lose; Duvall homers; Lee has big night versus hometown team again

Minor League Baseball

Adam Duvall; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Monday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats scored six runs through eight innings but did not score again in a 7-6, 18-inning loss to Rochester. Left Fielder Yonder Alonso, batting leadoff, was 3-8 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods left 10 men on base in a 2-1 loss to Great Lakes. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser took the loss after surrendering two runs on four hits in four innings while striking out seven batters and walking two.
  • The Lexington Legends at one point trailed Kannapolis by seven runs but could not finish the comeback in a 9-6 loss. Right fielder Adam Bailey was 3-3 with two doubles, two walks and two runs scored.
  • Mount Sterling native and former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee was 2-4 with one triple, one RBI and one run scored in the game for Kannapolis.
  • Louisville native and former UofL infielder Adam Duvall was 2-4 with one home run, two RBI and two runs scored for low A Augusta.
  • Former UK outfielder Lance Ray was 2-5 with two runs scored for low A Beloit.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb took a loss after surrendering seven runs on 10 hits in five and two-third innings in a start for low A Lansing.
  • Former Madisonville resident Matt Klinker took a no decision after surrendering five runs on eight hits in five innings in a start for AA Carolina.

Kelley cuts simulated game short; Hart struggling since return from DL; Webb remains confident he will return to MLB

Major League Baseball, Minor League Baseball

Shawn Kelley; Photo by mwlguide via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Greg Johns of MLB.com reports Louisville native Shawn Kelley, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, had to cut his simulated game short on Sunday due to tightness in his throwing elbow.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports there is nothing physically wrong with Bowling Green native Corey Hart contributing to his offensive struggles since returning from the disabled list.
  • Jack Magruder of Fox Sports Arizona reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb remains confident he will be a productive major leaguer again despite one scout’s proclamation that he is “done” following a rehabilitation appearance last week.
  • Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader profiles Lexington Legends catcher Chris Wallace, who Legends manager Rodney Linares says probably deserves a promotion after his early-season performance.
  • Cash Kuth of MLB.com runs down some of the Kentucky major leaguers Kentucky Derby picks. Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere, North Hardin alum Nathan Adcock and St. X alum Trever Miller all missed on the winner, but Ballard alum Kelley appears to have picked the winner according to his Twitter account.

Meyer, Deeds and Hageman win week 12 NCAA awards

College Baseball

Alex Meyer pitches versus Vanderbilt; BluGrass Baseball photo

It’s time for the weekly BluGrass Baseball college awards. Check out the best hitting, pitching and freshman performances below:

Hitter of the week: INF/OF Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.)

  • Stats: 8-14 (.571), 3 2Bs, 1 3B, 5 R, 3 RBI, 2 BBs, 1 SB
  • Honorable Mention: Kes Carter (WKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Adam Engel (UofL), Thomas McCarthy (UK), Dustin Dunlop (EKU), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the week: RHP Alex Meyer (UK)
  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Justin Hageman (WKU), Brian Edelen (WKU), Justin Amlung (UofL), Derek Self (UofL), Chad Green (UofL), Travis Tingle (UofL), Jordan Cooper (UK), Stephen Hefler (EKU), Greg Terry (EKU), Bryan Babin (Murray St.), Matthew Robertson (Morehead St.)
Freshman of the week: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Jordan Cessna (WKU), Adam Engel (UofL), Chad Green (UofL), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Tyler Saltsman (Murray St.), Bud Morton (Morehead St.)

MiLB roundup: Bats win; Legends, Hot Rods lose; Carroll has three hits; Glad, Dominguez homer; Ross earns win

Minor League Baseball

Delino Deshields Jr.; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Offseason Louisville resident Matt Maloney earned his first AAA win of the season in leading the Louisville Bats to an 8-0 victory over Buffalo. Maloney surrendered four hits in seven shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking two. Third baseman Todd Frazier was 3-4 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored.
  • The Lexington Legends slugged three home runs and tallied 13 hits but still couldn’t avoid a 12-11 loss to Hagerstown. Second baseman Delino DeShields Jr. was 3-4 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. Right fielder Adam Bailey and left fielder Emilio King also homered. King has two home runs in two games for Lexington.
  • Louisville native Jason Chowning surrendered one run, his first of the season, on two hits in three innings of relief while striking out four batters and walking two for the Legends.
  • Great Lakes scored a single run in the bottom of the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 3-2 loss. Right-handed pitcher George Jensen took a no decision after surrendering two runs on three hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking two.
  • Lexington native Robbie Ross earned his fourth win of the season after surrendering one run on four hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking two.
  • Former UK outfielder Sawyer Carroll was 3-4 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored for AA San Antonio.
  • Former UofL left-handed pitcher Justin Marks took a no decision after surrendering two runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out one batter and walking four.
  • Making his second start in affiliated ball, former UK left-handed pitcher James Paxton took a no decision after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking four for low A Clinton.
  • Former EKU left-handed pitcher Christian Friedrich took a no decision after surrendering three runs on six hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking one.
  • Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez slugged his seventh home run of the season for high A San Jose.
  • Former UK infielder Gunner Glad slugged his second home run of the season for low A Beloit.
  • Former UK left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell took a loss after surrendering five runs on six hits in four and two-third innings in a start for low A Beloit.
  • Former UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St. before the draft, was 3-4 with one double, one RBI and one run scored for AAA Columbus.

NCAA roundup: WKU, EKU win; UK, Morehead St. lose

College Baseball

Brian Edelen; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Western Kentucky University held off a late rally from Florida Atlantic to preserve a 5-4 win and clinch the series victory. Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Brian Edelen earned the win after surrendering two runs on four hits in five innings of relief while striking out seven batters and walking none. Freshman first baseman Jordan Cessna was 2-3 with one walk and two runs scored in a rare start, and junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 2-3 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky bullpen fell apart again, surrendering three runs with two outs in the ninth inning in a 6-3 loss to Vanderbilt. The loss officially eliminated UK from Southeastern Conference tournament contention. Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Phillips took the loss after surrendering two runs on two hits in two-thirds of an inning. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper surrendered three runs on five hits in six innings while striking out five batters and walking six in his return to the weekend rotation. Junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy was 3-4 with one RBI and one run scored, and junior catcher Michael Williams slugged his sixth home run of the season. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University finished a three-game sweep of Murray State University with a 5-1 win Sunday. Junior left-handed pitcher Greg Terry earned the win after surrendering one run on four hits in five and two-third innings while striking out two batters and walking one. Junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez was 3-5 with one run scored, and sophomore center fielder Austin Grisham slugged his second home run of the season. Junior right-handed pitcher Matt Fyffe earned his first save with three and one-third scoreless innings of relief. No Murray St. batter recorded multiple hits in the game. Junior left-handed pitcher Luke Shuemaker took the loss after surrendering four runs in three innings. (Box Score)
  • UT Martin scored four runs after the sixth inning to send Morehead State University to a 9-8 loss. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Matt Cartwright took the loss after surrendering one run without recording an out. Junior center fielder Andrew Deeds was 3-4 with one double, one triple, three RBI and one run scored while setting the school single-season and career triples records. Junior catcher Taylor Davis was 2-5 with two runs scored, and junior catcher Eric Bainer was 2-5 with one RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: CF Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.)
  • Stats: 3-4, 1 2B, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 1 SB
  • Honorable Mention: Jordan Cessna (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Thomas McCarthy (UK), Michael Williams (UK), Richie Rodriguez (EKU), Austin Grisham (EKU), Ty Stetson (Murray St.), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Brian Edelen (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 5 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 7 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Jordan Cooper (UK), Greg Terry (EKU), Matt Fyffe (EKU), Tyler Saltsman (Murray St.)

MiLB roundup: Bats, Legends win; Hot Rods lose; Keenan Wiley and Jonathan Roof have three hits; Townsend homers

Minor League Baseball

Chris Wallace; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats scored two runs in the first inning and rode a strong pitching performance from left-handed pitcher Tom Cochran to a 3-1 win over Buffalo. Cochran improved to 4-0 on the season after surrendering three hits in six shutout innings while striking out four batters and walking three.
  • The Lexington Legends held off a late rally in an 8-6 win over Hagerstown. Designated hitter Chris Wallace was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored, and center fielder Emilio King was 3-5 with one home run, two RBI and two runs scored in his Legends debut.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods outhit Great Lakes 6-4 but could not avoid a 3-2 loss. Third baseman Robby Price was 2-3 with one RBI and one run scored.
  • Richmond native and former UK outfielder Keenan Wiley was 3-3 with one RBI for high A Lynchburg.
  • Paducah native Jonathan Roof was 3-4 with one double and one RBI for low A Hickory.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 2-4 with one double and two runs scored for AA Jackson.
  • Hawesville native and former WKU infielder Wade Gaynor was 2-4 with one double and one RBI for high A Lakeland.
  • London native Jon Townsend homered and drove in two runs in his return from the disabled list for high A Inland Empire.
  • Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke earned his second save since his demotion to AAA after recording the final two outs of AAA Tacoma’s win.
  • Former Murray St. right-handed pitcher Mike Perconte earned his third win of the season after recording one out for AA Frisco.

NCAA Roundup: WKU evens series with win; EKU sweeps DH from Murray St.; UofL, UK lose; Morehead St. splits DH

College Baseball

Taylor Davis; Morehead St. photo

Recaps and highlights from Saturday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman posted a complete game to lead Western Kentucky University to a 6-2 win over Florida Atlantic. Hageman improved to 8-4 on the season after surrendering two runs on nine hits in nine innings while striking out four batters and walking one. Junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 4-5 with two runs scored and one stolen base. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 2-5 with one triple, one RBI and one run scored, and junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 2-4 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • Vanderbilt scored six runs in the first inning to put the game out of reach early and send the University of Kentucky to a 10-3 loss. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell took the loss after surrendering seven runs on nine hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking three. Junior left fielder Chad Wright was 3-5 with two RBI and one run scored. UK loaded the bases on three walks in the ninth inning and plated two runs before senior shortstop Taylor Black flew out to center field to end the game. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville finally scored in its series versus Seton Hall but still could not avoid the series sweep after a 4-3 loss in game three. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cole Sturgeon took the loss after surrendering three runs on three hits in two innings. Senior catcher J. J. Ethel was 3-4 with one RBI, and junior shortstop Ryan Wright was 2-5 with one triple, one home run, two RBI and one run scored. Junior right-handed pitcher Travis Tingle pitched five scoreless innings in a start. (Box Score)
  • You can read the BluGrass Baseball recap of the doubleheader split between Eastern Kentucky University and Murray State University here.
  • Despite trailing 8-1 after three innings, Morehead State University rallied for a 10-9 win in game one of a doubleheader versus UT Martin. Junior right-handed pitcher Matthew Robertson earned the win after surrendering two runs on four hits in five innings of relief while striking out four batters and walking one. Junior catcher Taylor Davis was 3-4 with one home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Freshman third baseman Bud Morton was 2-4 with his first home run, three RBI and two runs scored. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Josh Schneider pitched two scoreless innings for his first save. (Box Score)
  • In game two of its double-header Morehead St. suffered a 7-6 loss after UT Martin scored a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to end the game, which was scheduled to last seven innings. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Schneider took the loss after surrendering two runs on four hits in two innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Junior center fielder Andrew Deeds was 3-5 with two doubles, three RBI and one run scored, and junior right fielder Luke Bainer was 2-3 with one solo home run. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: C Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
  • Stats: 4-8, 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Jared Andreoli (WKU), Logan Robbins (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), J. J. Ethel (UofL), Chad Wright (UofL), Dustin Dunlop (EKU), A. J. Jamison (EKU), Cody Larson (Murray St.), Bud Morton (Morehead St.), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.), Luke Bainer (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Travis Tingle (UofL), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Stephen Hefler (EKU), Tyler Beers (Murray St.), Matthew Robertson (Morehead St.)