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: Legends, Hot Rods win; Bats lose; Lee homers again; Cowgill on fire for Reno; Shelby, Kipnis homer

Uncategorized

Delino Deshields Jr; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • Despite another excellent performance from Mt. Sterling native Drew Lee the Lexington Legends earned a 10-9 win over Kannapolis on a walk-off home run from catcher Roberto Pena. Right fielder Adam Bailey, first baseman Telvin Nash and second baseman Delino Deshields Jr. also homered for the Legends.
  • Former Morehead St. infielder Drew Lee was 3-5 with one home run, two RBI and three runs scored for Kannapolis. He is batting .591 in six games this season and was 8-15 with two home runs, five RBI and six runs scored during the Lexington series.
  • The Bowling Green Hot Rods tallied 12 hits in a 5-2 win over Great Lakes. Catcher Lucas Bailey was 3-4 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored. Left-handed pitcher C. J. Riefenhauser earned the win after surrendering one run on four hits in six innings while striking out 11 batters and walking one. Former UofL infielder Phil Wunderlich was 2-4 with one double and two RBI.
  • The Louisville Bats scored two runs in the second inning but could not muster any more offense in a 3-2 loss to Durham. Right-handed pitcher Chad Reineke took a no decision after surrendering two runs on nine hits in five innings.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder Collin Cowgill extended his hitting streak to eight games with a 3-3 performance for AAA Reno. Cowgill is 19-34 (.559) with four home runs, nine RBI and 11 runs scored during the streak.
  • Lexington Catholic alum Ben Revere was 2-4 with one run scored and one stolen base for AAA Rochester.
  • Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby was 2-4 with one home run, four RBI and one run scored for AA Montgomery.
  • One-time UK infielder turned outfielder Jason Kipnis, who transferred to Arizona St., was 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored for AAA Columbus.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer extended his hitting streak to 13 games with a 1-5 performance for AA Jackson.
  • Paducah native Daniel Webb earned his second consecutive win despite surrendering six runs on 10 hits in five and two-third innings in a start for low A Lansing.

NCAA roundup: UK beats UofL; EKU blown out

Uncategorized

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • You can read the BluGrass Baseball recap of the University of Kentucky‘s 7-1 win over the University of Louisville here.
  • Eastern Kentucky University surrendered 11 runs in the first two innings of its Tuesday game and never overcame the early deficit in an 18-7 loss to East Tennessee St. Freshman right-handed pitcher Blake Bottoms took the loss after surrendering six runs on eight hits in two-thirds of an inning in his second start of the season. Freshman third baseman Bryan Soloman was 3-5 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored. Sophomore designated hitter Alex Hughes slugged his third home run of the season. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: 3B Bryan Soloman (EKU)
  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 2 2Bs, 3 RBI, 1 R
  • Honorable Mention: Ryan Seiz (UofL), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Luke Maile (UK), Chad Wright (UK), Austin Grisham (EKU),
Pitcher of the day: RHP Jordan Cooper (UK)
  • Stats: 1-0, 6.2 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: RHP Chad Green (UofL), Alex Phillips (UK)

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: April 19

Uncategorized

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through nine 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

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 1.29 (62.2 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 1.95 (60.0 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 2.41 (52.1 IP)
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 2.44 (59 IP)
  • Matt Koch — UofL — 3.52 (53.2 IP)

Wins

  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 7-1
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 6-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 6-3
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 5-2
  • Taylor Haydel — WKU — 5-3

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 71
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 58
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 56
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 50
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 47

Innings Pitched

  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 64.0
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 62.2
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 62.2
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 60.0
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 59.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 9
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 4
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .183
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .212
  • Brandon Boling — Gardner Webb (Bryan Station HS) — .216
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — .224
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .230

Appearances

  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 20
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 18
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 18
  • Taylor Haydell — WKU — 18
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 17
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 17
  • Trevor Gott — UK — 17

MiLB roundup: Legends win; Bats, Hot Rods lose; Jeff Arnold, Chris Dominguez, Jason Kipnis each have three hits

Uncategorized

Jeff Arnold; UofL Sports wallpaper

Highlights from Saturday Kentucky MiLB action:

  • The Louisville Bats snapped its seven-game winning streak with a 7-1 loss to Indianapolis. Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Johnny Cueto surrendered two runs on two hits in three and one-third innings in a rehab start.
  • Lake County scored four runs in the ninth inning to send the Bowling Green Hot Rods to a 10-7 loss. Right-handed pitcher Omar Bencomo surrendered three hits in four scoreless innings of relief while striking out five batters and walking none.
  • The Lexington Legends slugged four home runs en route to a 13-7 win over Asheville. Center fielder Adam Bailey was 3-5 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored. Shortstop Jiovanni Mier and designated hitter Chris Wallace also homered. Eastern High School alum Jason Chowning pitched one and two-third hitless innings of relief.
  • Former UofL third baseman Chris Dominguez was 3-4 with one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base for high A San Jose.
  • Louisville native and former UofL catcher Jeff Arnold was 3-4 with one double and one run scored for low A Augusta.
  • Former WKU third baseman Wade Gaynor was 3-4 with two doubles and three runs scored.
  • One-time UK outfielder turned second baseman Jason Kipnis, who transferred from UK to Arizona St., posted his second consecutive three-hit game and scored twice for AAA Columbus.
  • Walton native and former NKU outfielder Jake Shaffer was 4-9 with one triple, one RBI and two runs scored in a double-header for AA Jackson.
  • Louisville native Zack Cox was 2-4 with two RBI for high A Palm Beach.
  • AA Mississippi Braves right-handed pitcher Michael Broadway, who was born in Paducah, earned his first win of the season with a scoreless inning of relief.

UK scores one run in 9th inning to earn 3-2 win over UofL

Uncategorized

Jordan Cooper; UK Athletics photo

The University of Kentucky scored a single run in the ninth inning on a RBI single from senior shortstop Taylor Black to earn a 3-2 win over the University of Louisville. UK junior left fielder Chad Wright doubled with one out in the top of the ninth inning then moved to third on a wild pitch from UofL junior closer Tony Zych. Black then lined the first pitch he saw into right field to put UK ahead. UK freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott was credited with the win after recording the final out of the eighth inning prior to the Cats’ rally.

UK jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the top of the first inning. Wright reached on an error by UofL freshman right-handed pitcher Jeff Gardner to start the game then moved to second on a single from Black. Gardner hit UK junior designated hitter Braden Kapteyn with a pitch to load the bases before UK freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle drove Wright home with a single. Black then scored on a double-play from UK junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy.

UofL got on the board in the sixth inning when sophomore designated hitter Kyle Grieshaber doubled with one out and then scored on a single from redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames. The Cards tied the game in the seventh inning when sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings led off the inning with a single and later scored on a groundout from freshman shortstop Alex Chittenden.

UK sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper took a no decision despite surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in six and one-third innings while striking out two batters and walking three. Thompson surrendered two unearned runs on seven hits in three and two-third innings in the start for UofL. Cards junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self took the loss after surrendering one run in one and two-third innings. Wright and Black were both 3-4 in the game for UK. (Box Score)

Player of the game — SS Taylor Black (UK) — 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 R

Angels activate Scott Downs; Josh Lueke earns first MLB win

Uncategorized

Scott Downs; Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Lyle Spencer of MLB.com reports the Los Angeles Angels have activated Louisville native and former UK left-handed pitcher Scott Downs from the disabled-list.
  • Downs pitched a scoreless inning in his season-debut on Monday.
  • Highland Heights native and former NKU right-handed pitcher Josh Lueke earned his first career win on Monday after pitching a scoreless inning in the Seattle Mariners comeback.
  • Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA lists the University of Louisville among the 25 teams to watch outside of the website’s top 25.
  • UofL checks in at No. 7 and Western Kentucky University ranks No. 22 in College Baseball Daily‘s most recent mid-major top 25.

BluGrass Baseball 2011 Midseason All-State Team

Uncategorized

With seven weeks of the college baseball season, it’s time for the midseason all-state team. Check out the first- and second-team honorees below and check back tomorrow for the midseason hitter, pitcher and freshman awards.

First Team

  • C — Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .383/.482/.713, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R
  • 1B — Braden Kapteyn — UK — .325/.431/.465, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 26 R
  • 2B — Ryan Wright — UofL — .303/.379/.514, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 25 R, 8/8 SBs
  • 3B — Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .369/.436/.660, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 25 R
  • SS — Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .429/.515/.536, 12 RBI, 27 R
  • OF — Jacob Daniel — EKU — .379/.451/.621, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 16 R
  • OF — Jared Andreoli — WKU — .378/.457/.520, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 27 R, 8 SBs
  • OF — Kes Carter — WKU — .366/.471/.564, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 25 R, 4 SBs
  • DH — Matt Rice — WKU — .342/.431/.558, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 25 R
  • SP — Justin Amlung — UofL — 6-0, 0.92 ERA, 33 SO/10 BB, 48.2 IP
  • SP — Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-1, 2.09 ERA, 43 SO/7 BB, 47.1 IP
  • SP — Alex Meyer — UK — 3-4, 3.10 ERA, 62 SO/26 BB, 49.1 IP
  • RP — Tony Zych — UofL — 0-1, 2.92 ERA, 7 saves, 12 SO/4 BB, 12.2 IP

Second team

  • C — Jacob Rhodes — Murray St. — .371/.458/.472, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 12 R
  • 1B — Ryan Seiz — UofL — .288/.372/.452, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 16 R
  • 2B — Travis Isaak — Murray St. — .324/.377/.457, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 16 R
  • 3B — Thomas McCarthy — UK — .304/.405/.491, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 20 R
  • SS — Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .398/.469/.522, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 22 R, 11 SBs
  • OF — J. T. Riddle — UK — .338/.433/.475, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 14 R, 4 SBs
  • OF — Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — .310/.371/.492, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 27 R
  • OF — Chad Wright — UK — .330/.449/.486, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 19 RBI
  • DH — Logan Robbins — WKU — .384/.481/.558, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R, 9 SBs
  • SP — Mike Nastold — UofL — 3-2, 1.74 ERA, 24 SO/16 BB, 31 IP
  • SP — Matt Koch — UofL — 3-3, 2.95 ERA, 26 SO/11 BB, 42.2 IP
  • SP — Justin Hageman — WKU — 4-3, 3.00 ERA, 40 SO/17 BB, 42 IP
  • RP — Derek Self — UofL — 2-0, 0.68 ERA, 19 SO/5 BB, 26.2 IP

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: March 29

Uncategorized

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through six 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

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 0.65 (41.2 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 2.05 (30.2 IP)
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — 2.10 (25.2 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2.45 (40.1 IP)
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 3.05 (41.1 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 5-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 5-1
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 5-0
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 4-2
  • Seven players tied with three wins.

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 54
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 35
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 34
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 33
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 30
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 30

Innings Pitched

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 41.2
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 41.1
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 40.1
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 39.2
  • Tyler Beers — Murray St. — 36.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 6
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 3
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 3
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 3

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .168
  • Brandon Boling — Gardner Webb (Bryan Station HS) — .180
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .204
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .214
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .221

Appearances

  • Tyler Hieneman — Morehead St. — 12
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 12
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 12
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 11
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 11
  • Matthew Robertson — Morehead St. — 11
  • Matt Cartwright — Morehead St. — 11

John Shelby, Marcus Nidiffer change MLB organizations

Uncategorized

John Shelby; Photo: UK Athletics

The Chicago White Sox today traded Lexington native and former UK outfielder John Shelby Jr. to the Tampa Bay Rays for future considerations, Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune reports via Twitter. Shelby batted .249 with 11 home runs, 43 RBI and 63 runs scored in 111 games for AA Birmingham in 2010. He stole 15 bases on the season. The White Sox selected Shelby in the fifth round of the 2006 MLB draft.

Meanwhile, former UK catcher Marcus Nidiffer was released by the Houston Astros and signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels, according to Brent Ingram of the UK media relations department. Nidiffer, who spend most of his time at first base during his professional debut, signed with the Astros as a non-drafted free agent following his senior season at UK in 2010. He batted .286 with 14 home runs, 36 RBI and 40 runs scored in 69 games between rookie-level Greeneville and short-season Tri-City. Nidiffer was poised to become the first UK alum to play for the Lexington Legends before his release.