Casey Dykes

NCAA roundup: Meyer, UK take down No. 4 Vanderbilt; WKU loses; UofL shutout in second consecutive game

College Baseball

Alex Meyer; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer out dueled fellow first-round draft pick Sonny Gray to lead the Cats to a 2-0 win over No. 4 Vanderbilt. Meyer posted a complete-game shutout, surrendering five hits and striking out five batters while walking one. Junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy put UK on the board with a solo home run to lead off the second inning. The Cats added an insurance run in the seventh inning while junior designated hitter Braden Kapteyn singled to lead off the inning then moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from McCarthy, moved to third on a ground out and scored on a wild pitch. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University suffered a serious setback in its push for a Sun Belt Conference championship with a 4-2 loss to Florida Atlantic in game one of a three-game series. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins took the loss after surrendering four runs on nine hits in six and one-third innings while striking out four batters and walking two. Senior third baseman Casey Dykes was 3-4 with one run scored. No other WKU batter tallied multiple hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville offense extended its scoreless innings streak to 33 in a 1-0 loss to Seton Hall. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering one run on four hits in eight and two-third innings while striking out three batters and walking four. The UofL offense tallied just two hits in the game. Seton Hall put two runners on base with two outs in the ninth inning against Amlung before UofL head coach Dan McDonnell brought closer Tony Zych in the game. Zych allowed the runners to advance on a wild pitch before giving up the game-winning single. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: 3B Thomas McCarthy (UK)
  • Stats: 1-2, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 SB
  • Honorable Mention: Casey Dykes (WKU)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Alex Meyer (UK)
  • Stats: 1-0. 9 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Tanner Perkins (WKU), Justin Amlung (UofL)

NCAA roundup: UK splits double-header; WKU loses finale

College Baseball

Corey Littrell; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky college baseball:

  • Western Kentucky University could not avoid a series sweep by Sun Belt Conference-leading Troy after a 12-9 loss in the series finale. Junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell took the loss after surrendering six runs on eight hits in three and one-third innings. Sophomore first baseman Ryan Huck was 3-4 with one home run, three RBI and two runs scored, and junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 2-4 with one home run, three RBI, one run scored and one walk. Senior third baseman Casey Dykes tallied three hits and two RBI in the game. (Box Score)
  • In the conclusion of a game suspended in the third inning on Saturday, the University of Kentucky clinched a series victory over Arkansas with a 3-1 win. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell returned to the mound at the resumption of the game on Sunday and earned the win after surrendering one run on three hits in five and two-third innings while striking out four and walking two. Sophomore catcher Luke Maile slugged his team-high sixth home run of the season and drove in two runs. Freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott struck out the final two Arkansas batters to earn his second save. (Box Score)
  • UK could not finish the sweep of Arkansas after a 4-1 loss in game two of the double-header in a five-inning game that was shortened due to Southeastern Conference travel rules. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers took the loss after surrendering four runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out two batters and walking none. Freshman second baseman Matt Reida was 2-2 with one RBI. (Box Score) On April 25 UK, Arkansas and the NCAA decided the statistics from the incomplete sixth inning would count in the game, meaning the final score was 5-1 and Matt Reida was 3-3.
Hitter of the day: 1B Ryan Huck (WKU)
  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
  • Honorable Mention: Jared Andreoli (WKU), Casey Dykes (WKU), Thomas McCarthy (UK), Luke Maile (UK)
Pitcher of the day: LHP Corey Littrell (UK)
  • Stats: 1-0, 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Trevor Gott (UK)

WKU rallies from six-run deficit to earn 11-8 win over UK

College Baseball

Matt Rice bats for WKU: BluGrass Baseball photo

Western Kentucky University rallied from an 8-2 deficit with an eight-run seventh inning to earn an 11-8 win over the University of Kentucky. The Hilltoppers appeared on their way to a loss in the in-state rivalry game until the seventh when senior catcher Matt Rice tripled to to start the rally. Junior center fielder Kes Carter singled to drive in the first run in the frame then scored on senior designated hitter Chris Bullard‘s triple. Senior third baseman Casey Dykes doubled home Bullard then scored on a single from junior shortstop Logan Robbins to tie the game.

Carter gave WKU the lead with a two-run single that scored Robbins and junior left fielder Jared Andreoli. Junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson finished the rally with a RBI-single that scored Rice for the second time in the inning. Rice finished the game 4-5 with one home run, one RBI and four runs scored. His third-inning infield single made him the WKU career hits leader, and his fifth-inning home run tied the WKU career RBI record. Carter was 3-4 with three RBI and one run scored. Bullard also slugged a home run.

UK had its own eight-run inning in the fourth to take an 8-2 lead, but its bullpen could not hold the lead. Senior shortstop Taylor Black and sophomore catcher Luke Maile were both 2-5 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored. Junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy and sophomore center fielder Brian Adams each tallied three hits. UK loaded the bases in the ninth inning, but junior catcher Michael Williams grounded out to end the game.

WKU junior right-handed pitcher Ross Hammonds earned the win after surrendering three hits over three scoreless innings to close out the game. UK freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott took the loss after surrendering four runs on two hits in one-third of an inning. UK wasted a quality start from sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper, who surrendered three runs on eight hits in six innings while striking out eight batters and walking two. (Box Score)

NCAA roundup: WKU wins two; UofL, UK lose; Murray St. swept in DH; EKU sweeps DH from Morehead St.

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Saturday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Western Kentucky University and Arkansas St. combined for just two runs in the first 12 innings of their series opener played Friday, but the two teams each scored in the first inning after the game resumed Saturday. WKU scored two runs in the bottom of the 13th inning to earn a 3-2 win. Senior third baseman Casey Dykes, sophomore first baseman Ryan Huck and junior left fielder Jared Andreoli singled to load the bases, and then junior second baseman Ivan Hartle gave WKU the win with a two-run single. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Taylor Haydel was credited with the win. (Box Score)
  • WKU had no trouble scored in the second game of its three-game series versus Arkansas St. with a 13-2 win to clinch the series victory. Junior center fielder Kes Carter was 4-5 with one home run, and two runs scored. Andreoli, senior catcher Matt Rice and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson each had three hits in five at-bats. Freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman earned the win after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on four hits in eight innings while striking out eight batters and walking one. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville suffered its first series loss in Big East Conference play with a 6-5 walk-off loss to St. Johns. The Cards blew a three-run lead late in the game but appeared on their way to a win after scoring two runs in the top of the ninth inning. St. Johns rallied for three runs in the bottom of the inning off UofL junior closer Tony Zych to clinch the series victory. Zych fell to 0-2 on the season, and UofL wasted a strong start from redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung, who did not surrender a hit through the first six innings. Junior shortstop Ryan Wright was 3-4 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky scored seven unanswered runs and loaded the bases in the ninth inning but could not finish the comeback in a 12-10 loss to Ole Miss, the Cats’ 11th consecutive Southeastern Conference loss. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell took the loss after surrendering nine runs, five of which were earned, on eight hits in three and one-third innings. Senior shortstop Taylor Black and junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn both tallied two hits and three RBI in the game, and sophomore center fielder Brian Adams was 2-3 with one home run, one RBI and three runs scored. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University was blown out 17-7 by SIU Edwardsville in game one of a double-header. Junior left-handed pitcher Bryan Babin took the loss after surrendering eight runs on 10 hits in four innings while striking out two batters and walking two. Senior center fielder Elliot Frey was 2-4 with three RBI and two runs scored, and junior second baseman Travis Isaak was 2-4 with three RBI. (Box Score)
  • Murray St. dropped a 4-2 decision in game two after SIU Edwardsville scored two runs in the eighth inning of a game that was scheduled to last just seven innings. Senior left-handed pitcher Jake Donze took the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out two batters and walking none. No Murray St. batter had multiple hits in game two, but freshman left fielder Ty Stetson tallied the team’s only RBI. (Box Score)
  • You can read the BluGrass Baseball recap of Eastern Kentucky University‘s double-header sweep of Morehead State University here.
Hitter of the day: 3B Bryan Soloman (EKU)
  • Stats: 3-7, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Kes Carter (WKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Matt Rice (WKU), Ryan Hutchinson (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), Brian Adams (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Travis Isaak (Murray St.) Jacob Daniel (EKU), A. J. Jamison (EKU), Taylor Davis (Morehead St)
Pitcher of the day: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0. 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Justin Amlung (UofL), Jake Donze (Murray St.) Matt Harris (EKU), Kyle McGrath (EKU), Trey Smith (Morehead St.)

WKU loses to Belmont; Ellis to open season with Dodgers

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

A. J. Ellis; Photo by frankat1stbase3 via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball with a recap from Wednesday’s lone college baseball game:

  • Western Kentucky University surrendered two runs in the top of the 10th inning and the team’s rally in the bottom of the inning fell just short in a 9-8 loss to Belmont. Freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman took the loss after surrendering two unearned runs in one inning. Senior third baseman Casey Dykes was 3-4 with three RBI and one run scored, and senior designated hitter Matt Rice slugged his third home run of the season. Junior center fielder Kes Carter was 2-4 with three runs scored. (Box Score)
  • Quinn Roberts of MLB.com reports PLD alum A. J. Ellis won the last spot on the Dodgers roster after Jay Gibbons was forced to start the season on the disabled list.
  • Chuck Jones of The News-Enterprise reports Elizabethtown native Nathan Adcock is “on top of the world” after being selected to open the season in the Kansas City Royals’ bullpen.
  • Nick Jones of the Northerner, the student newspaper of Northern Kentucky University, reports Bill Aker, the first baseball coach at NKU, died Saturday.

Tuesday roundup: UofL, WKU, UK win; OVC teams all lose

College Baseball

Corey Littrell; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville’s offense busted out of its early season slump to tall 15 hits in an 11-2 win over Kent State. Junior second baseman Ryan Wright was 3-3 with two RBI, three runs scored and one walk, and freshman first baseman Ryan Seiz was 3-3 with one home run, three RBI, two runs scored and one walk. Sophomore designated hitter Kyle Grieshaber and redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames also homered in the game. Freshman right-handed pitcher Jeff Thompson earned his first win after surrendering one unearned run in three innings. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University took the lead with three runs in third inning and added two insurance runs in the fourth inning to earn a 5-2 win over Austin Peay. Three WKU batters, junior shortstop Logan Robbins, senior third baseman Casey Dykes and sophomore catcher Ryan Huck, tallied two hits in the game. Dykes drove in three runs and Huck drove in two. Robbins and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson each scored two runs. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Taylor Haydel earned the win after pitching three scoreless innings, and junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell picked up asave with a scoreless ninth inning. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky scored just two runs through seven innings but added two in the eighth inning to secure a 4-2 win over Cincinnati. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell earned his third win of the season after surrendering one run on eight hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking two. Freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle was 3-4 with a double and one run scored, and junior catcher Michael Williams was 3-4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. Junior designated hitter and right-handed pitcher Braden Kapteyn came on with men on second and third with no outs in the ninth inning but struck out the side to earn his second save. (Box Score)
  • You can see the BluGrass Baseball recap of the Mid-Continent University 5-1 win over Murray State University here.
  • Eastern Kentucky University’s losing streak reached six games with a 6-3 loss to Miami (OH). Junior right-handed pitcher Matt Harris took the loss after surrendering three runs in one inning in his first start of the season. The Colonels used the midweek game to get its bullpen some work with nine different pitchers going one inning. Sophomore left fielder Austin Grisham and junior designated hitter Jacob Daniel were both 2-5 in the game. (Box Score)
  • If last week’s loss to Georgetown College wasn’t the low point of the 2011 season, Morehead State University hit that point Tuesday with a 32-17 loss to Canisius. Three different Eagles pitchers surrendered at least six runs in the game with the loss going to sophomore right-handed pitcher Cody Gibson, who surrendered seven runs on eight hits in two and two-third innings. Canisius tallied 28 hits and scored in every inning except the first and fourth. Three different Morehead St. batters had three hits in the game, led by Luke Bainer, who was 3-5 with two home runs, four RBI and two runs scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: RF Luke Bainer (Morehead St.)

  • Stats: 3-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
  • Honorable Mention: Ryan Wright (UofL), Ryan Seiz (UofL), Travis Redmon (Morehead St.), Daniel Pugh (Morehead St.), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.), J. T. Riddle (UK), Michael Williams (UK), Casey Dykes (WKU)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Allen Hasse (Mid-Continent)

  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Jeff Thompson (UofL), Chad Green (UofL), Tyler Saltsman (Murray St.), Corey Littrell (UK), Taylor Haydel (WKU)

Wednesday roundup: WKU wins; UK, Morehead St. lose

College Baseball

Logan Robbins bats vs. UK in 2010; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Wednesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Western Kentucky University jumped out to an early 3-0 lead after two innings and never looked back in a 7-3 win over Mississippi. Junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 3-5 with a home run, one RBI and three runs scored, and junior third baseman Casey Dykes was 3-3 with one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle drove in three runs, and senior right-handed starting pitcher Brian Edelen struck out five batters and surrendered one run in two and two-third innings. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Rye Davis, freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman, junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell and junior right-handed pitcher Ross Hammonds each posted scoreless appearances. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to tie its Wednesday game, but Middle Tennessee retook the lead with a six-run eighth inning and sent UK to a 9-4 loss. Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Phillips took the loss despite surrendering just one of the six runs in the eighth inning. The other five runs were charged to freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott, who surrendered three hits and two walks and hit a batter while recording just two outs. Junior left fielder Chad Wright was 2-4 with one RBI and freshman designated hitter Paul McConkey was 1-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Freshman right-handed pitcher Jonathan Paquet surrendered two runs on four hits in four innings while striking out five batters and walking three. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University‘s game versus Belmont was postponed due to wet field conditions and will be made up as part of a double-header in Nashville on May 3.
  • Morehead State University continued its poor start to the 2011 season with a 12-2 loss to Lipscomb Wednesday. Eagles redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Josh Schneider took the loss after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits in three and one-third innings while striking out one batter and walking none. Junior right fielder Luke Bainer was the only Morehead St. batter with multiple hits and finished the game 2-3 with one walk and one run scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: SS Logan Robbins (WKU)

  • Stats: 3-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Casey Dykes (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Chad Wright (UK), Paul McConkey (UK), Luke Bainer (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: Jonathan Paquet (UK)

  • Stats: 4 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Alex Phillips (UK), Brian Edelen (WKU), Justin Hageman (WKU)

Wednesday roundup: WKU, UK both win midweek matchups

College Baseball

Corey Littrell; UK photo by Chet White

Recaps from Wednesday Kentucky baseball action:

  • Normal Saturday starting pitcher Taylor Haydel and first Ryan Huck launched Western Kentucky University‘s first home run of the season in the Hilltoppers’ 6-3 win over Lipscomb. WKU scored two runs in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Jared Andreoli and a single from senior catcher Matt Rice to break open a 3-3 tie. Haydel, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, surrendered one hit in two scoreless innings while striking out one to earn the win. Huck, a sophomore first baseman, was 2-5 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored in the game, and senior infielder Casey Dykes was 3-4 with one run scored. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Rye Davis picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. (Box Score)
  • Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell did not surrender a hit through the first six innings of his first collegiate start, and the avoided a late Eastern Michigan rally in a 5-2 win. Littrell picked up his first career win after surrendering two runs on two hits in six and one-third innings. He struck out three batters and walked two. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper, UK’s normal Friday night starting pitcher, earned the save with a perfect ninth inning. Senior shortstop Taylor Black was 2-2 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in the game. Junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn and sophomore catcher Luke Maile each tallied two hits in four at-bats. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: Matt Rice (WKU)

  • Stats: 2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Ryan Huck (WKU), Casey Dykes (WKU), Taylor Black (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Luke Maile (UK)

Pitcher of the day: Corey Littrell (UK)

  • Stats: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Phil Wetherell (WKU), Taylor Haydel (WKU), Rye Davis (WKU), Jordan Cooper (UK)

WKU opens season with 12-1 win over Bowling Green St.

College Baseball

Western Kentucky University recorded the first 2011 win of any Kentucky Division I school with a 12-1 victory over Bowling Green State University in its season opener Friday. The Hilltoppers were led to victory by an excellent pitching performance from sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins, who surrendered just two hits in six shutout innings. Perkins struck out five batters and walked two. WKU junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell surrendered one run in three innings out of the bullpen.

At the plate WKU was led by strong performances from junior left fielder Jared Andreoli, junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson and senior catcher Matt Rice. Andreoli finished the game 3-5 with two RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base. Hutchinson was 2-4 with a walk, three RBI and a run scored. Rice finished the game 2-4 with a walk, four RBI and two runs scored. WKU junior center fielder Kes Carter scored two runs. The Hilltoppers scored single runs in the second and third innings then blew the game open with a six-run fourth inning. Andreoli tallied a two-run double and Hutchinson tallied a two-run triple in the inning. Every WKU starter except senior third baseman Casey Dykes tallied a hit, though Dykes walked three times. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball player of the game: Ryan Hutchinson — 2-4, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB

2011 Lineup Projections: Western Kentucky University

College Baseball

Following the completion of the “offseason position battle” series we will post a lineup project for each of the five division one schools this week. The lineups are based on the position battle posts and are my projection with a little background research of what the Opening Day lineup might look like. Note that while some positions were not included in the offseason battle series because they had an incumbent starter those starters can still change. We will also include weekend rotations, midweek starters and closers for good measure. We are moving in reverse order of 2010 records and will look at Western Kentucky University today.

Lineup

  • C — Matt Rice
  • 1B — Ryan Huck
  • 2B — Ivan Hartle
  • 3B — Casey Dykes
  • SS — Logan Robbins
  • LF — Jared Andreoli
  • CF — Kes Carter
  • RF — Ryan Hutchinson
  • DH — Chris Bullard

Weekend rotation

  • RHP Brian Edelen
  • LHP Tanner Perkins
  • RHP Taylor Haydel

Midweek starting pitchers

  • RHP Justin Hageman
  • RHP Phil Whetherell

Closer

  • RHP Rye Davis