Drew Haynes

NCAA roundup: UofL opens confence play with win; WKU stays undefeated in Sun Belt; UK shutout by Alabama

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Friday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Western Kentucky University improved to 4-0 in Sun Belt Conference play and earned its seventh consecutive win with a 3-2 victory over FIU. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins earned the win after surrendering two runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out seven batters and walking two. Junior center fielder Kes Carter was 2-4 with a home run, one RBI and two runs scored to lead the Hilltoppers offensive attack, and junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 3-4. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Ross Hammonds held FIU scoreless over the final two innings to earn a save. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville opened its defense of back-to-back Big East Conference titles with an 11-2 win over Rutgers. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch earned the win after surrendering one run on six hits in seven and one-third innings while striking out three batters and walking one. Redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames was 3-5 with a home run, two doubles, five RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore designated hitter Kyle Grieshaber and senior catcher J. J. Ethel were each 2-4 with two runs scored. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky was shutout for the first time this season and fell to 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play with a 4-0 loss to Alabama. Junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer took the loss after surrendering four runs on seven hits in six and two-third innings while striking out eight batters and walking six. Just one UK batter recorded multiple hits in the game, junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy, who was 3-4 with a double. Alabama plates two runs in the first inning to take an early lead then added two insurance runs in the seventh inning, chasing Meyer from the game. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: RF Stewart Ijames (UofL)

  • Stats: 3-5, 1 HR, 2 2Bs, 5 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Drew Haynes (UofL), Kes Carter (WKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Thomas McCarthy (UK)

Pitcher of the day: LHP Tanner Perkins (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Koch (UofL), Ross Hammonds (WKU), Alex Meyer (UK)

Friday roundup: UK, WKU win; UofL, EKU, Murray St. lose

College Baseball

Braden Kapteyn; UK Athletics photo

Recaps and highlights from Friday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville suffered its first poor outing of the season from a weekend starting pitcher in an 11-9 loss to Xavier. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch took the loss after surrendering eight runs, six of which were earned, on seven hits in three innings while striking out one batter and walking three. The Cards offense scored multiple runs in the third, sixth, seventh and ninth innings but could never pull closer than two runs of Xavier. UofL redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames was 2-5 with one double, one triple, two RBI and one run scored. Bishop Brossart alum and Xavier redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Nate Mutsch surrendered two hits in a scoreless inning of relief. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University used another strong start from sophomore ace Tanner Perkins to earn a 5-2 win over Middle Tennessee in its Sun Belt Conference opener. Perkins improved to 4-1 on the season after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on five hits in eight innings while striking out a career-high 10 batters and walking none. Both junior shortstop Logan Robbins and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson tallied three hits in the game, and junior center fielder Kes Carter drove in two runs. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Ross Hammonds picked up the save with a scoreless ninth inning. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky scored five unanswered runs to rally from a 3-0 deficit for a 5-3 win over Tennessee in its Southeastern Conference opener. The rally was highlighted by a two-run home run from junior designated hitter Braden Kapteyn in the 7th inning that proved to be the winning run. Junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer earned the win after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on seven hits in seven innings while striking out seven batters and walking two. Kapteyn was 2-3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored at the plate and struck out three batters in two perfect innings of relief to earn his first save of the season. Junior shortstop Taylor Black was 3-4 with two runs scored. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University surrendered multiple runs in each of the first three innings and could not climb out of its early hole in a 17-6 loss to Georgia State. Murray St. senior left-handed pitcher Jake Donze took the loss after surrendering eight runs on nine hits in three innings while striking out three batters and walking one. Junior outfielder Cody Larson was 3-4 with two doubles, one triple, three RBI and three runs scored, and senior center fielder Elliot Frey was 2-3 with two RBI. (Box Score)
  • A five-run sixth inning by Indiana St. broke open what had been a scoreless tie and sent Eastern Kentucky University to a 10-3 loss in game one of a three-game series. EKU redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Matt Fyffe took the loss after surrendering seven runs, four of which were earned, on seven hits in six and two-third innings while striking out six batters and walking three. EKU senior center fielder Ryan Faidley was 2-3 with one walk and one run scored, and sophomore second baseman Matt Phipps was 2-3 with one walk. Faidley and Phipps were the only EKU batters with multiple hits in the game. The loss dropped EKU to 0-7 on the road this season. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: OF/1B Cody Larson (Murray St.)

  • Stats: 3-4, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 2Bs, 1 3B
  • Honorable Mention: Stewart Ijames (UofL), Alex Chittenden (UofL), Elliot Frey (Murray St.), Logan Robbins (WKU), Ryan Hutchinson (WKU), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Taylor Black (UK), Ryan Faidley (EKU), Matt Phipps (EKU)

Pitcher of the day: LHP Tanner Perkins (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 8 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Travis Tingle (UofL), Alex Meyer (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK)

Sunday roundup: UK, UofL, EKU finish series sweeps; WKU, Murray St. win rubber matches; Morehead St. falls to 2-14

College Baseball

On a day when three Kentucky basketball teams discovered their NCAA tournament seedings, here are recaps of Sunday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville finished off a three-game sweep of Pepperdine during which the pitching staff surrendered just two runs with a 7-0 win on Sunday. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold improved to 2-0 on the season after surrendering one hit in five shutout innings while striking out two batters and walking three. Six different UofL batters tallied two hits in the game, and senior left fielder Drew Haynes was 2-3 with three RBI. Sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings was 2-5 with two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University secured a series win versus Illinois with a 13-5 win in the rubber match of the three-game series on Sunday. Senior catcher Matt Rice was 2-2 with three walks and four RBI, and junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 3-5 with three RBI. Junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 3-3 with two RBI, three runs scored, one walk and one stolen base. Six different WKU batters recorded multiple hits in the game, including freshman Justin Hageman who made his first collegiate start as a designated hitter. Hageman is WKU’s Saturday starting pitcher. Senior right-handed reliever Brian Edelen earned the win after surrendering one run on three hits in three innings. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky scored two runs in the seventh inning to secure a series sweep of Niagara with a 2-1 win on Sunday. Sophomore center fielder Brian Adams scored the eventual winning run and finished the game 2-3. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper took a no decision despite surrendering just one run on six hits in six and two-third innings while striking out three batters and walking four. Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Phillips earned his first career win after recording the final out in the top of the seventh inning, and senior left-handed pitcher Mike Kaczmarek earned his second save after recording the final six outs of the game without surrendering a baserunner. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University scored three runs in the fifth inning to earn a 4-1 win and series victory over IPFW on Sunday. Junior left-handed pitcher Bryan Babin earned the win after surrendering one run on five hits in six innings while striking out three batters and walking four. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cameron Finch did not surrender a run over the final three innings to record his third save of the season. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak had the big blow for the Breds in the fifth inning and finished the game 2-3 with a double and three RBI. Sophomore shortstop Brandon Elliott scored two runs in the game. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University finished a series sweep of UNC Asheville with a 13-6 win on Sunday. Senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler earned his second win of the season after surrendering five runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits in seven and two-third innings while striking out seven batters and walking two. Sophomore designated hitter Alex Hughes was 1-5 with one home run, three RBI and two runs scored, and freshman third baseman Bryan Soloman was 2-4 with two RBI and two runs scored. Six different EKU batters recorded multiple hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • The Morehead State University pitching staff continued its poor performance during the early portion of the 2011 season in a 9-6 loss to La Salle. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Cody Gibson took the loss after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits in three and one-third innings. Junior third baseman Andrew Deeds was 2-4 with two doubles, two stolen bases and two runs scored, and junior catcher Eric Bainer was 2-4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: LF Jared Andreoli (WKU)

  • Stats: 3-3, 1 BB, 2 RBI, 3 R, 1 SB, 1 3B
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Rice (WKU), Logan Robbins (WKU), Drew Haynes (UofL), Cade Stallings (UofL), Brian Adams (UK), Travis Isaak (Murray St.), Matt Phipps (EKU), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.), Eric Bainer (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Mike Nastold (UofL)

  • Stats: 1-0, 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Jordan Cooper (UK), Bryan Babin (Murray St.), Stephen Hefler (EKU)

Friday Roundup: UofL, Murray State win; Morehead State, UK, WKU lose in tournament openers; EKU rained out

College Baseball

Former UK baseball player Patrick Patterson throws out the first pitch at the Houston College Classic; UK Athletics photo by Aaron M. Sprecher

Highlights and recaps from Friday Kentucky collegiate baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville appeared to be on its way to its third loss in four games but scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra innings before senior catcher J. J. Ethel drove home the winning run with a RBI-double in the 11th inning. Freshman infielder Ty Young singled with one out in the ninth inning then moved to second base when Ethel was hit by a pitch. Freshman pinch hitter Ryan Seiz drove home the first run of the inning on a single, and senior left fielder Drew Haynes drove home the tying run with a ground out. In the 11th inning Ethel doubled home Young to give UofL the win. Junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self earned the win after surrendering one run in three innings, and sophomore starting pitcher Matt Koch took a no decision despite surrendering just one run on five hits in eight innings. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University dropped its fourth straight game after starting the season 5-0 with a 7-5 loss to College of Charleston in the first game of the school’s invitational tournament. WKU sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering seven runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits in four and one-third innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Five different Hilltoppers’ batters tallied two hits in the game with sophomore shortstop Logan Robbins leading the offensive attack. Robbins was 2-3 with one run scored, one RBI, one walk and one stolen base. (Box Score)
  • A late rally from the University of Kentucky fell just short in an 8-7 loss to No. 21 Rice in the opening game of the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park. The Cats trailed by three runs entering the eighth inning but scored twice in the frame on a wild pitch and sacrifice fly from sophomore catcher Luke Maile. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers took the loss after surrendering six runs on 10 hits in five and two-third innings while striking out three batters and walking one. At the plate junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy led UK with a 3-5 performance. Junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn slugged his second home run of the season and drove in two runs. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University‘s opening game in the Memphis Baseball Classic was rained out.
  • Highlighted by a six-hit, seven-RBI game from senior left fielder Zach Noonan, the Murray State University offense exploded for a 17-7 blowout win over North Dakota State. Noonan finished the game 6-6 with one home run, seven RBI and four runs scored. Junior left-handed pitcher Luke Shuemaker was credited with the win after surrendering six runs on 12 hits in six innings. Shuemaker struck out seven batters and walked one. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak homered and both redshirt freshman designated hitter Ty Stetson and senior center fielder Elliot Frey each drove in three runs. Stetson finished the game 3-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. (Box Score)
  • Behind Lexington native Chad Martin Indiana sent Morehead State University to a 6-5 loss in 13 innings. Martin, a PLD alum, took a no decision but surrendered just three unearned runs on five hits in six innings while striking out six batters and walking three. Morehead St. redshirt junior starting pitcher Josh Schneider also pitched well in a no decision, surrendering three runs, one of which was earned, on four hits in seven innings while striking out four batters and walking one. At the plate junior center fielder Andrew Deeds was 2-4 with one double, one triple and one run scored to lead the Eagles. Morehead St. junior right-handed pitcher Matthew Robertson took the loss after surrendering one run in two-plus innings of work. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: LF Zach Noonan (Murray St.)

  • Stats: 6-6, 1 HR, 3 2Bs, 7 RBI, 4 R
  • Honorable Mention: Ty Stetson (Murray St.), Travis Isaak (Murray St.), Elliot Frey (Murray St.), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.), Ty Young (UofL), Thomas McCarthy (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Matt Koch (UofL)

  • Stats: 8 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Chad Martin (Indiana, PLD), Derek Self (UofL), Josh Schneider (Morehead St.), Ross Hammonds (WKU)

Kime’s stellar debut leads UofL to 6-1 win over Morehead St.

College Baseball

Freshman right-handed pitcher Dace Kime surrendered just one hit in five scoreless innings in his collegiate debut to lead the University of Louisville to a 6-1 win over Morehead State University in the second intrastate matchup of the season. Kime struck out seven batters and walked none to earn his first collegiate win. At the plate UofL redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames was 2-4 with a triple and two RBI. UofL junior second baseman Ryan Wright scored two runs in the game. Senior left fielder Drew Haynes was 2-3 with one run scored.

Morehead St. freshman left-handed pitcher Noah Smallwood took the loss after surrendering four runs, three of which were earned, on three hits in four and one-third innings. Smallwood struck out one batter and walked two. Morehead St. junior designated hitter Eric Bainer was 2-4 in the game. Morehead St. senior second baseman Travis Redmon recorded the lone RBI for the Eagles, and junior right fielder Luke Bainer scored the team’s only run. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball player of the game: RHP Dace Kime (UofL)

  • Stats — 5 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 SO

BluGrass Baseball Hitting Leaderboard: February 21

College Baseball

The college statistical leaderboard is pretty useless this early in the season, but it at least offers a glimpse at what players had the best opening weekends. With that in mind check out the first in-season edition of the 2011 leaderboard. We’ll look at batting statistics today, remembering that players must have 2.5 at-bats per team game to be eligible.

Batting Average

  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .692 (9-13)
  • Matt Rice — WKU — .538 (7-13)
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — .500 (7-14)
  • Drew Haynes — UofL — .500 (4-8)
  • Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — .417 (5-12)

Home Runs

  • Braden Kapteyn — UK — 1
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 1
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 1
  • Zach Noonan — Murray St. — 1

RBI

  • Matt Rice — WKU — 7
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 6
  • Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — 5
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — 5
  • Travis Isaak — Murray St. — 5

Runs

  • Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — 5
  • Kes Carter — WKU — 5
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK — 4
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 4
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — 4

Stolen Bases

  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 2/2
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 2/2
  • Chad Wright — UK — 2/2
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — 1/1
  • Matt Bracken — WKU — 1/1
  • Ty Young — UofL — 1/1
  • Thomas McCarthy — UK — 1/1
  • Neiko Johnson — UK — 1/1

On-Base Percentage

  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .714
  • Drew Haynes — UofL — .600
  • Matt Rice — WKU — .563
  • Zach Noonan — Murray St. — .545
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — .529

Slugging Percentage

  • Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — .750
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .667
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — .643
  • Ryan Huck — WKU — .625
  • Drew Haynes — UofL — .625

Rice, Amlung, Hageman receive Week 1 college awards

Uncategorized

Matt Rice bats for WKU: BluGrass Baseball photo

In our first weekly awards post of the 2011 season we will look at the best performances from the college opening weekend:

BluGrass Baseball Hitter of the Week: C Matt Rice (WKU)

  • Stats: 7-13 (.538), 1 2B, 7 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Richie Rodriguez (EKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Ryan Hutchinson (WKU), Drew Haynes (UofL), Cade Stallings (UofL)

BluGrass Baseball Pitcher of the Week: RHP Justin Amlung (UofL)

  • Stats: 1-0, 7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Tanner Perkins (WKU), Jeremy Dobbs (Austin Peay, Daviess Co. HS), Stephen Hefler (EKU), Chad Green (UofL), Derek Self (UofL), Mike Nastold (UofL), Alex Meyer (UK), Taylor Rogers (UK), Garrick Whittle (Morehead St.)

BluGrass Baseball Freshman of the Week: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Bryan Soloman (EKU), Sean Hagen (EKU), Brice Smallwood (Morehead St.), Ty Young (UofL)

    College Opening Day recap and awards

    College Baseball

    BluGrass Baseball graphic

    During most of the regular-season weekends we will publish a summary post of each day’s Kentucky baseball action instead of recapping each individual game. Since Friday was Opening Day I posted a recap of each game but still owe you a pitcher and player of the day. Check out some of the state’s top Opening Day performances below:

    Player of the Day: OF Ryan Hutchinson (WKU)

    • Stats: 2-4, 1 3B, 3 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB
    • Honorable Mention: Jared Andreoli (WKU), Matt Rice (WKU), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Brandon Elliott (Murray St.), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), Drew Haynes (UofL), Braden Kapteyn (UK)

    Pitcher of the Day: LHP Tanner Perkins (WKU)

    • Stats: 1-0, 6 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 SO
    • Honorable Mention: Matt Koch (UofL), Derek Self (UofL), Trey Smith (Morehead St.), Macon Smith (EKU), Phil Wetherell (WKU)

    Box Scores

    UofL opens season with 6-3 win over Michigan

    College Baseball

    The University of Louisville opened its quest for a third-straight Big East Conference championship on the right foot with a 6-3 win over Michigan in the 2011 season opener. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch earned the win after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on four hits in five innings pitched. Koch struck out a career-high eight batters and walked just one. Junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self pitched three scoreless innings out of the pen, and junior preseason All-American Tony Zych pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save of the season.

    At the plate senior right fielder Drew Haynes was 3-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Junior second baseman Ryan Wright, a preseason All-American, was 2-4 with two doubles, one RBI and one run scored. Sophomore first baseman Zak Wasserman and senior catcher J. J. Ethel were each 2-4 in the game. The Cards started three freshmen: center fielder Adam Engel, designated hitter Ryan Seiz and shortstop Alex Chittenden. Both Engel and Seiz tallied hits in their collegiate debuts. Freshman left fielder Cole Sturgeon also recorded his first collegiate hit in a pinch-hitting appearance. (Box Score)

    BluGrass Baseball player of the game: Drew Haynes — 3-3, 1 RBI, 2 R, 1 2B

    BluGrass Baseball Preseason Hitting Leaderboard

    College Baseball

    Throughout the college baseball season BluGrass Baseball publishes a weekly statistics leaderboard for Kentucky collegians. As part of the 2011 college baseball preview we’ll begin the weekly leaderboard series with a look at the top five returning players in each 2010 statistical category. To be eligible for the percentage categories (batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage) a player must have at least 2.5 at-bats per team game.

    Batting Categories

    Batting Average

    • Matt Rice — WKU — .369
    • Ryan Wright — UofL — .366
    • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .357
    • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .350
    • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .347

    Home Runs

    • Ryan Wright — UofL — 16
    • Cameron Flynn — UK — 15 *
    • Stewart Ijames — UofL — 14
    • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — 13
    • Ryan Faidley — EKU — 12
    • Taylor Black — UK — 11
    • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 11

    RBI

    • Ryan Wright — UofL — 80
    • Matt Rice — WKU — 65
    • Stewart Ijames — UofL — 63
    • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 57
    • Kes Carter — WKU — 53

    Runs

    • Ryan Wright — UofL — 61
    • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 61
    • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 55
    • Zach Noonan — Murray St. — 52
    • Matt Rice — WKU — 51

    Stolen Bases

    • Neiko Johnson — UK — 24/25
    • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 21/28
    • Logan Robbins — WKU — 18/20
    • Drew Haynes — UofL — 15/22
    • Kes Carter — WKU — 14/17
    • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 14/20

    On-Base Percentage

    • Michael Fear — Morehead St. — .439
    • Daniel Pugh — Morehead St. — .438
    • Ryan Faidley — EKU — .420
    • Kes Carter — WKU — .418
    • Jared Andreoli — WKU — .415

    Slugging Percentage

    • Cameron Flynn — UK — .658 *
    • Ryan Wright — UofL — .638
    • Ryan Faidley — EKU — .605
    • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .603
    • Matt Rice — WKU — .585
    • Stewart Ijames — UofL — .570

    * — Cameron Flynn will sit out the 2011 season as a transfer from Morehead St. to UK.