Jack Snodgrass

BluGrass Baseball Week 11 Weekend Schedule

College Baseball

Kentucky kicked off the Week 11 weekend schedule with its Thursday game versus LSU. Check out the rest week 11 weekend schedule below with probable starters listed when available.

Western Kentucky University (25-16, 10-8) @ Louisiana-Monroe

  • Friday — 6 p.m. (CT) — LHP Tanner Perkins (6-2, 1.88 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — 6 p.m. (CT) — RHP Justin Hageman (6-4, 3.23 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — TBA — Live Stats

University of Louisville (22-18, 8-7) vs. Georgetown

  • Friday — 6 p.m. (CT) — RHP Derek Self (2-1, 1.55 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 1 p.m. (CT) — RHP Justin Amlung (7-0, 1.42 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — RHP Jeff Thompson (1-0, 2.67 ERA) — Gametracker
University of Kentucky (20-23, 4-15) @ LSU
  • Friday — 7:30 p.m. — RHP Alex Meyer (4-5, 3.32 ERA) — 9-5 L — Box Score
  • Saturday — 8 p.m. — LHP Corey Littrell (5-3, 5.64 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Sunday — 2 p.m. — LHP Taylor Rogers (2-5, 5.16 ERA) — Live Stats

Murray State University (14-23, 5-5) vs. Southeast Missouri

  • Saturday — 12 p.m. (CT) — RHP Tyler Beers (3-5, 6.19 ERA)
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Jake Donze (6-2, 3.69 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — TBA

Eastern Kentucky University (14-27, 6-9) @ Tennessee Tech

  • Saturday — 1 p.m. — RHP Chris Hord (1-1, 5.40 ERA)
  • Saturday — Gm 2 (DH) — LHP Kyle McGrath (3-3, 6.65 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — RHP Stephen Hefler (4-4, 3.73 ERA)
Morehead State University (7-30, 3-7) vs. Austin Peay
  • Saturday — 1 p.m. — RHP Trey Smith (0-8, 7.62 ERA) vs. LHP Jeremy Dobbs (7-2, 4.05 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Garrick Whittle (2-3, 8.54 ERA) vs. LHP Jack Snodgrass (1-5, 3.57 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — LHP Noah Smallwood (1-4, 8.19 ERA)

BluGrass Baseball Week 11 Weekend Preview

College Baseball

Alex Meyer; UK Athletics Photo

Check out the storylines to watch in week 11 below:

Series of the week: Murray State University vs. Southeast Missouri St.

Murray State University welcomes second-place Southeast Missouri St. to town this weekend in a series that is bound to have big implications in the Ohio Valley Conference race. SEMO is in second place in the OVC race with an 8-5 conference record, and Murray St. sits in sixth place with a 5-5 conference record. The Breds are just two games out of first place but must jump over five teams to take the conference title. That goal may be a long shot, but a series win versus SEMO this weekend would be a step in the right direction.

Player to watch: RHP Alex Meyer (UK)

University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer steps onto the national stage tonight with a start in the Thursday night Southeastern Conference game of the week versus LSU. Meyer, the reigning SEC pitcher of the week, is 4-5 with a 3.27 ERA to go with 81 strikeouts and 36 walks in 71 and two-third innings this season. If UK has any postseason aspirations it needs Meyer to continue to pitch like he did last week in a complete-game shutout. A strong start on ESPNU tonight would also boost his national reputation in advance of the draft this summer.

Statistic of the week: Dire NCAA tournament projections

After both Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville were included in national college baseball writers’ NCAA tournament projections at various points this season, neither school was included in the latest projections. UofL may have played its way out of any hope of an at-large bid with a 2-8 stretch in its last 10 games. WKU could still earn an at-large with a strong finish to the season, but a sweep by Sun Belt Conference-leader Troy last weekend was a major blow to the Hilltoppers’ at-large hopes. WKU sits in a three-way tie for third-place in the Sun Belt but would likely need to finish in the top two for an at-large bid.

Out of state Ky. collegians playing Ky. schools: Jeremy Dobbs, Jack Snodgrass

Austin Peay weekend starting pitchers Jeremy Dobbs, a Daviess County High School alum, and Jack Snodgrass, a Bowling Green High School alum, return to the Bluegrass State for a weekend series versus Morehead State University. Snodgrass ranks second in the OVC with a 3.57 ERA but has just one win on the season. Dobbs ranks sixth in the OVC with a 4.05 ERA and boasts a 7-2 record in 11 games. Dobbs leads the conference with 52 strikeouts. Snodgrass has yet to surrender a home run in 45 and one-third innings this season.

NCAA roundup: UofL, WKU clinch series wins; Murray St., EKU split double-headers; UK loses 8th straight SEC game

College Baseball

Richie Rodriguez; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Saturday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville scored two runs in the eighth inning to break open a 3-3 tie en route to a 5-3 win over Cincinnati. Junior right-handed pitcher Travis Tingle earned the win after striking out three of the four batters he faced. Redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames was 1-2 with one home run, two walks, one RBI and one run scored, and sophomore first baseman Zak Wasserman was 2-4 with one RBI and one run scored. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung took a no decision after surrendering three runs on six hits in six and two-third innings while striking out six batters and walking two. Junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the save. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University clinched a series win versus Louisiana-Lafayette with a 2-1 victory. The Hilltoppers scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning on a RBI single from senior catcher Matt Rice. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Ross Hammonds was credited with the win after pitching two scoreless innings out of the bullpen, and junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell pitched a scoreless ninth for his third save. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was the only WKU batter with multiple hits in the game. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins took a no decision after surrendering one run on six hits in six innings. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky dropped its eighth consecutive Southeastern Conference game with a 15-8 loss to Auburn. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell took the loss after surrendering seven runs on 11 hits in six and one-third innings while striking out five batters and walking none. Junior left fielder Chad Wright was 2-4 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored. Junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy and freshman designated hitter Dallen Reber both had two hits and one home run. UK led Auburn 6-3 after five innings, but the Tigers scored 12 runs over the final four innings to blow the game open. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University‘s pitching was no match for the Jacksonville State offense in a 20-7 loss in game one of a double-header. Junior right-handed pitcher Tyler Beers took the loss after surrendering six runs on eight hits in two and two-third innings. Freshman catcher Clay Fuson and senior center fielder Elliot Frey both homered in the game. Junior first baseman Cody Larson was 3-3 with three RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • In game two of the double-header Murray St. rebounded for a 12-6 win over Jacksonville State. Senior left-handed pitcher Jake Donze earned the win after surrendering six runs on 12 hits in seven innings. Senior right fielder Zach Noonan was 3-4 with one home run, six RBI and two runs scored. Larson was 3-4 in game two, and junior second baseman Travis Isaak was 2-3 with one RBI and three runs scored. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University dropped game one of a double-header 7-4 Daviess County High School alum Jeremy Dobbs and Austin Peay. Dobbs surrendered three runs on six hits in six and two-thirds innings while striking out seven batters and walking one to earn the win. EKU redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Matt Fyffe took the loss after surrendering five runs on nine hits in five and two-third innings. EKU junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez was 4-5, and junior right fielder Michael Garcia was 3-4. Freshman third baseman Bryan Soloman slugged his fifth home run of the season. (Box Score)
  • EKU earned a split in the double-header versus Austin Peay with a 8-5 win in game two. Junior right-handed pitcher Matt Harris earned the win after surrendering one run in four innings of relief. Rodriguez was 3-3 with three runs scored, and junior catcher A. J. Jamison was 2-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Junior left fielder Jacob Daniel drove in three runs, and Soloman was 2-4 with two RBI. Bowling Green High School alum Jack Snodgrass took the loss for Austin Peay after surrendering seven runs, four of which were earned, on nine hits in four innings. (Box Score)
  • Morehead State University‘s double-header versus Eastern Illinois was rained out and will be rescheduled for Sunday.

Hitter of the day: SS Richie Rodriguez (EKU)

  • Stats: 7-8, 4 R, 2 SBs
  • Honorable Mention: Stewart Ijames (UofL), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Chad Wright (UK), Thomas McCarthy (UK), Dallen Reber (UK), Cody Larson (Murray St.), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), A. J. Jamison (EKU), Bryan Soloman (EKU)

Pitcher of the day: LHP Jeremy Dobbs (Austin Peay, Daviess Co. HS)

  • Stats: 1-0, 6.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Justin Amlung (UofL), Tanner Perkins (WKU), Travis Tingle (UofL), Ross Hammonds (WKU), Matt Harris (EKU)

BluGrass Baseball Week Eight Weekend Preview

College Baseball

Justin Riddell; BluGrass Baseball photo

It’s time for the week eight college baseball weekend preview. Check out the storylines to watch in week eight Kentucky college baseball games below:

Series of the week: Western Kentucky University vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Western Kentucky University (18-11, 6-3) welcomes Sun Belt Conference foe Louisiana-Lafayette (17-11, 6-3) to Bowling Green this weekend. The two teams are essentially tied for second place in conference play, so the series should play a major role in the conference title race. WKU head coach Chris Finwood has made a minor change in the weekend starting rotation, sending freshman Justin Hageman to the mound on Friday and sophomore Tanner Perkins to the mound on Saturday. WKU ranked No. 79 in the first RPI standings released by the NCAA and Louisiana-Lafayette ranked No. 68, so a series win would help WKU’s NCAA at-large chances as well.

Player to watch: RHP Alex Meyer (UK)

The University of Kentucky needs a series win in the worst way versus Auburn this weekend. The Cats have lost their last six Southeastern Conference games and are in danger of falling out of the Southeastern Conference tournament race before it even reaches the halfway point. Junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer will take the mound on Friday in his usual starting spot and needs to post a strong performance to get UK off on the right foot. Meyer has excellent secondary numbers this season with a 3.10 ERA, 62 strikeouts and a .214 batting average against but has just a 3-4 record. He needs offensive support, but UK has no shot at the postseason if its ace has a sub-.500 record.

Stat of the week: Cards’ pitchers grow stronger late in games.

The University of Louisville pitching staff has been among the best in college baseball this season, but it has been particularly strong as games progress. The team has surrendered over half of its runs, 54 of 94, in the first three innings. After the third innings UofL is outscoring its opponents 99-43 on the season. The UofL bullpen has been particularly strong, led by junior closer Tony Zych, who has a 2.92 ERA and seven saves in 12 appearances, and junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self, who has a 0.68 ERA in 26 and two-third relief innings. Freshman right-handed pitcher Chad Green boasts a 1.62 ERA in nine games, including eight relief appearances.

Out of state Kentucky collegians playing Kentucky colleges: OF Justin Riddell (Cincinnati, Lexington Catholic), RHP Zach Isler (Cincinnati, Covington Catholic), INF Kiley Jones (Cincinnati, Eastern), OF Ronald Cotton (Cincinnati, Boone Co.), LHP Joe Sullivan (Cincinnati, Villa Hills), LHP Jeremy Dobbs (Austin Peay, Daviess Co.), LHP Jack Snodgrass (Austin Peay, Bowling Green)

A host of Kentucky high school alumni will return to the Bluegrass State this weekend, led by Cincinnati’s five Kentucky natives. Senior outfielder Justin Riddell is among the Bearcats best hitters and had two home runs against Morehead St. in a midweek game this week, and freshman right-handed pitcher Zach Isler is a valuable bullpen arm. Austin Peay will send Daviess Co. alum Jeremy Dobbs and Bowling Green alum Jack Snodgrass to the mound for starts against Eastern Kentucky University this weekend.

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: April 5

College Baseball

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through seven 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 — 0.92 (48.2 IP)
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — 1.74 (31.0 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2.09 (47.1 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 2.09 (38.2 IP)
  • Jack Snodgrass (Austin Peay, Bowling Green HS) — 2.88 (34.1 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 6-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-1
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 5-1
  • Corey Littrell — UK — 4-1
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 4-1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 4-3

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 62
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 43
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 42
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 40
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 37

Innings Pitched

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 49.1
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 48.2
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 47.1
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 46.2
  • Tyler Beers — Murray St. — 43.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 7
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 3
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 3

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .182
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .200
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — .211
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .214
  • Brandon Boling — Gardner Webb (Bryan Station HS) — .220
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .220

Appearances

  • Matt Cartwright — Morehead St. — 14
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 14
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 14
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 13
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 13
  • Tyler Hieneman — Morehead St. — 13
  • Taylor Haydel — WKU — 13
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 13

College roundup: UofL, WKU, UK all lose; EKU swept in DH; Murray St., Morehead St. split double-headers

College Baseball

Taylor Davis; Morehead St. photo

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Western Kentucky University suffered its first Sun Belt Conference loss and snapped an eight-game winning streak with a 9-8 loss to FIU in 10 innings. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Rye Davis took the loss after surrendering two runs in the tenth inning while recording two outs. Junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was 3-6, and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson was 3-6 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle and senior designated hitter Chris Bullard also homered in the game. (Box Score)
  • The University of Louisville suffered its first Big East Conference loss with a 4-2 loss to Rutgers in the finale of its three-game series. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold took the loss after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on six hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking two. No UofL batter tallied multiple hits in the game, but redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames did slug his sixth home run of the season. (Box Score)
  • Alabama finished a three-game sweep of the University of Kentucky by sending the Cats to an 8-3 loss on Sunday. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers took the loss after surrendering six runs on nine hits in four and one-third innings. Alabama scored four runs in the first innings, putting the Cats in an early hole. Freshman second baseman J. T. Riddle was 2-4 with a home run. Freshman right fielder Lucas Witt and junior left fielder Chad Wright also had two hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • In game one of a double-header, Murray State University dropped a 5-2 decision to Austin Peay in its Ohio Valley Conference opener. Daviess County High School alum Jeremy Dobbs earned the win for Austin Peay after surrendering two runs on seven hits in five and one-third innings while striking out three batters and walking one. Murray St. junior right-handed pitcher Tyler Beers took the loss after surrendering five runs on five hits in three and one-third innings. Junior catcher Jacob Rhodes and senior center fielder Elliot Frey both tallied two hits for the Breds. (Box Score)
  • In game two of the double-header Murray St. earned its first OVC win with a 3-2 victory over Austin Peay. Senior left-handed pitcher Jake Donze earned the win after surrendering two runs on six hits in seven innings while striking out two batters and walking one. Redshirt freshman right fielder Ty Stetson and junior second baseman Travis Isaak were both 2-3 for the Breds. Bowling Green High School alum Jack Snodgrass took the loss for Austin Peay after surrendering three runs on eight hits in three and one-third innings. (Box Score)
  • In game one of a double-header Eastern Kentucky University dropped an 8-1 decision to Eastern Illinois. Freshman left-handed pitcher Kyle McGrath took the loss after surrendering four runs on eight hits in five innings while striking out three batters and walking one. No EKU batter tallied multiple hits in the game, but senior designated hitter Bryce Labhart slugged his first home run of season. (Box Score)
  • EKU dropped a 5-4 decision in game two of the double-header to give Eastern Illinois the series win. Senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler took the loss after surrendering five runs on 11 hits in four and one-third innings. Sophomore second baseman Matt Phipps was 2-2 with one run scored, and senior center fielder Ryan Faidley tallied two RBI and one run scored. (Box Score)
  • In game one of a double-header Morehead State University dropped its OVC opener with a 3-2 loss to Southeast Missouri. Senior right-handed pitcher Trey Smith took the loss after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on eight hits in five and two-third innings while striking out no batters and walking four. Junior third baseman Andrew Deeds was 2-3 with one RBI. (Box Score)
  • In game two of the double-header Morehead St. earned its first OVC win with a 14-4 victory over Southeast Missouri. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Garrick Whittle earned the win after surrendering two runs on four hits in five and one-third innings while striking out three batters and walking six. Junior catcher Taylor Davis was 3-4 with two home runs, three RBI and three runs scored, and senior second baseman Travis Redmon slugged a home run. Center fielder Nick Duff was 3-4 with three RBI and sophomore shortstop Austin Haney was 3-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: C Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)

  • Stats: 4-6, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 4 R
  • Honorable Mention: Ryan Hutchinson (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Ryan Huck (WKU), Stewart Ijames (UofL), J. T. Riddle (UK), Elliot Frey (Murray St.), Nick Duff (Morehead St.), Austin Haney (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: LHP Jake Donze (Murray St.)

  • Stats: 1-0, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB 2 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Mike Nastold (UofL), Brian Edelen (WKU), Jeremy Dobbs (Austin Peay, Daviess Co. HS), Trey Smith (Morehead St.), Garrick Whittle (Morehead St.)

BluGrass Baseball Week Six Weekend Schedule

College Baseball

Check out the week six college baseball schedule below with probable pitchers listed where available:

Western Kentucky University (14-6) @ FIU

  • Friday — 6 p.m (CT) — LHP Tanner Perkins (4-1, 2.43 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — 5 p.m. (CT) — RHP Justin Hageman (3-2, 3.49 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Sunday — 10 a.m. (CT) — RHP Brian Edelen (3-0, 3.55 ERA) — Live Stats

University of Louisville (13-7) @ Rutgers

  • Friday — 3 p.m. — RHP Matt Koch (2-2, 3.60 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 1 p.m. — RHP Justin Amlung (4-0, 0.50 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — RHP Mike Nastold (2-1, 1.74 ERA) — Gametracker

University of Kentucky (14-8) @ Alabama

  • Friday — 7:35 p.m. — RHP Alex Meyer (3-2, 2.60 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 3:05 p.m. — RHP Jordan Cooper (1-1, 5.40 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Sunday — 2:05 p.m. — LHP Taylor Rogers (2-1, 4.45 ERA) — Gametracker

Murray State University (8-12) vs. Austin Peay

  • Saturday — 1 p.m. (CT) — RHP Tyler Beers (2-2, 4.96 ERA) vs. LHP Jeremy Dobbs (4-0, 3.18 ERA)
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Jake Donze (0-2, 2.92 ERA) vs LHP Jack Snodgrass (0-2, 2.92 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — LHP Luke Shuemaker (2-3, 6.67 ERA)

Eastern Kentucky University (6-15) @ Eastern Illinois

  • Saturday — 2 p.m. — RHP Matt Fyffe (0-3, 4.34 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Kyle McGrath (2-0, 5.09 ERA)
  • Sunday — 2 p.m. — RHP Stephen Hefler (2-2, 2.84 ERA)

Morehead State University (3-18) @ Southeast Missouri

  • Saturday — 2 p.m.
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH)
  • Sunday — 2 p.m.

BluGrass Baseball Week Six Weekend Preview

College Baseball

It’s time for the week six weekend preview. Check out storylines to watch in week six games for Kentucky DI colleges and players:

Matchup of the week: University of Kentucky @ Alabama

The Cats continue Southeastern Conference play this weekend with a road trip to Tuscaloosa to face an Alabama team with one more win on the season and an identical 2-1 conference record. The Crimson Tide was projected to finish next-to last in the SEC West by the conference coaches prior to the season, so the matchup could have big implications for the conference tournament picture. If Kentucky finishes where it has in the last two seasons, fighting for the final berth in the conference tournament in the final weeks of the season, Alabama is likely to be one of the teams it is competing against. Senior catcher Brock Bennett leads the Tide with a .406 batting average, and senior right-handed pitcher Nathan Kilcrease has anchored the pitching staff with a 2-1 record and 2.30 ERA.

Player to watch: RHP Matt Koch (UofL)

The University of Louisville pitching staff has been outstanding through the early weeks of the 2011 season but hit a speed bump last week dropping two of three games to Xavier. Koch started things off poorly for the Cards last weekend by surrendering eight runs in three innings. Until the UofL offense begins to carry its weight against quality competition, the Cards cannot afford any poor outings from its weekend starters. Koch needs to rebound this weekend when the Cards open Big East Conference play versus Rutgers.

Stat of the week: EKU still winless on the road

Eastern Kentucky University opens Ohio Valley Conference play at Eastern Illinois on Saturday, and if the Colonels win a game this weekend it will be the team’s first road win of the season. EKU has dropped its last seven games and each of its 10 road games this season. The Colonels’ road games have not been particularly close either as the team has been outscored 93-33 on the road this season.

Out of state Ky. collegians playing Ky. schools: LHP Jeremy Dobbs (Austin Peay), LHP Jack Snodgrass (Austin Peay)

You will have to forgive Murray State University if it thinks it is facing an in-state opponent this weekend with two Kentucky high school alumni likely getting weekend starts for Austin Peay. The Governors feature Daviess Co. High School alum Jeremy Dobbs and Bowling Green High School alum Jack Snodgrass in its weekend rotation. Dobbs is 4-0 with a 3.18 ERA in five games, including two starts this season, and struck out 11 batters in his start last weekend. Snodgrass is 0-2 but boasts a 2.92 ERA on the season in four starts.

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: March 8

College Baseball

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

  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 0.71 (12.2 IP)
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — 0.75 (12 IP)
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 0.87 (20.2 IP)
  • Stephen Hefler — EKU — 1.00 (18 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 1.26 (14.1 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 2-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2-1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 2-1
  • Luke Shuemaker — Murray St. — 2-1
  • 22 players tied with one win.

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 26
  • Luke Shuemaker — Murray St. — 17
  • Tyler Beers — Murray St. — 16
  • Taylor Rogers — UK — 16
  • Josh Schneider — Morehead St. — 16
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 16

Innings Pitched

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 20.2
  • Tyler Beers — Murray St. — 20.1
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 19.1
  • Matt Koch — UofL — 19.0
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 18.2

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 4
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 2
  • 10 players tied with one save

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .137
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — .159
  • Jack Snodgrass — Austin Peay (Bowling Green HS) — .167
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .184
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .186
  • Stephen Hefler — EKU — .186

Appearances

  • Brian Edelen — WKU — 6
  • Noah Smallwood — Morehead St. — 6
  • Tyler Hieneman — Morehead St. — 6
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 5
  • 12 players tied with four apperances.

Draft Preview: Ky. Alumni

Major League Baseball

Zack Cox; University of Arkansas photo

The Major League Baseball amateur player’s draft kicks off tonight with the first round in primetime so we’ll spend the day preview Kentucky players that might hear their names called at some point in the 50-round draft. First we’ll look at alumni of Kentucky high schools playing elsewhere in college baseball and players that have spent some time at a Kentucky college who figure to be drafted:

First Round Talent

  • The crown jewel of the Kentucky draft class is without a doubt Pleasure Ridge Park alumni Zack Cox, currently a third baseman for the University of Arkansas. Cox is ranked by many as the best college bat in the entire draft and should last no longer than the first 10 picks. Several mock drafts have him going to the Mets at No. 7 overall. Since Cox is a draft-eligible sophomore he is considered a tougher sign than your average top-ten pick and could be pushed back to college if a team isn’t willing to meet his reportedly high contract demands.
  • Since former University of Kentucky senior left-handed pitcher James Paxton was drafted in the supplemental first round by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2010, Paxton has been busy. First he shocked the baseball world by returning to UK for his senior season, then he became the subject of an NCAA investigation after comments from a Blue Jays official in a Canadian newspaper implicated him of violating the NCAA’s no-agent rule, sued UK for holding him out of competition and finally left school to prepare for this year’s draft in the independent American Association. After all that, Paxton appears likely to end up where he started as a supplemental-round pick. He could slide to the second round after missing so much time and would need to grant his home-country Blue Jays permission to draft him for a second consecutive year.

Other prospects of note:

  • Danville native and former Eastern Kentucky University pitcher Patrick Cooper was selected in the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 34th round in 2009, but opted to follow through with his commitment to Bradley University, where he struggled at times as a junior. Cooper was a Cape Cod League All-Star last summer and could improve his draft status to the first 10 rounds after improving down the stretch for Bradley. In his last three starts Cooper, a right-handed pitcher who touched 93 mph with his fastball in the Cape, surrendered just four earned runs in his last three starts.
  • Paducah native and Michigan St. junior shortstop Jonathan Roof will look to follow his two brothers, Eric and Shawn, into professional baseball. Roof was an All-Big Ten shortstop for Michigan St. in 2010 and profiles as an excellent defender. Baseball America projects Roof to go somewhere around the 10th round.

Eligible Juniors

  • RHP/INF Damon McCormick — St. X — Valparaiso
  • C Wes Wilson — Bryan Station — Indiana

Eligible Seniors

  • LHP David Vicini — Lexington Catholic — Austin Peay
  • LHP Jack Snodgrass — Bowling Green HS — Austin Peay
  • RHP Tyler Gatrell — Boyd County — Marshall
  • RHP Chad Edwards — Reidland — Middle Tennessee