Jordan Cooper

Meyer, Deeds and Hageman win week 12 NCAA awards

College Baseball

Alex Meyer pitches versus Vanderbilt; BluGrass Baseball photo

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

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

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

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

College Baseball

Brian Edelen; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky MiLB action:

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

Bryan Soloman and Brian Edelen win week 11 awards

College Baseball

Bryan Soloman; BluGrass Baseball photo

It’s time for the weekly college baseball awards. Check out the best hitting, pitching and freshman performances from week 11 below:

Hitter of the week: 3B Bryan Soloman (EKU)

  • Stats: 9-17 (.529), 2 HR, 3 2Bs, 6 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Jared Andreoli (WKU), Ryan Huck (WKU), Stewart Ijames (UofL), Ryan Wright (UofL), Chad Wright (UK), Brandon Elliott (Murray St.), Eric Bainer (Morehead St.), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the week: RHP Brian Edelen (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 1 SV, 2 G, 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Tanner Perkins (WKU), Justin Hageman (WKU), Derek Self (UofL), Justin Amlung (UofL), Alex Meyer (UK), Jordan Cooper (UK), Tyler Beers (Murray St.), Stephen Hefler (EKU)
Freshman of the week: 3B Bryan Soloman (EKU)
  • Stats: 9-17 (.529), 2 HR, 3 2Bs, 6 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Chad Green (UofL), Justin Hageman (WKU)

Corey Hart returns to Brewers; Scott Downs hopes to be back Friday; Jordan Cooper continues dominance over UofL

College Baseball, High School Baseball, Major League Baseball

Corey Hart; Photo by manning999 via Flickr

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports Bowling Green native Corey Hart was not expected to be activated from the Milwaukee Brewers’ disabled list until Wednesday, but a batting-practice injury to Erick Almonte forced Hart off the DL on Tuesday. He grounded out in a pinch-hit appearance in his season debut.
  • Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times reports Louisville native and former UK left-handed pitcher Scott Downs, who is on the Angels’ disabled list with a gastrointestinal disorder, will throw a bullpen session Wednesday before being activated in time for Friday’s game.
  • Chuck Jones of The News-Enterprise in Elizabethtown reports the 2011 high school season has been the “year of the hitter” in the greater Elizabethtown area, with 19 players still batting over .400.
  • Brett Dawson of the Courier-Journal focuses on University of Kentucky sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper‘s career success against the University of Louisville in his recap of the Cats’ 7-1 win over the Cards.
  • University of Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell told Mark Maloney of the Lexington Herald-Leader he was “kind of getting tired of seeing that guy [Cooper].”
  • The College Baseball Blog has no Kentucky teams in its latest NCAA field of 64 projection.

UK earns first season sweep of UofL since 2006 with 7-1 win

College Baseball

Braden Kapteyn; Photo: UK Athletics

The University of Kentucky scored three runs in the first inning and rode a strong start from sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper to a 7-1 win over the University of Louisville. Cooper earned his third win of the season after surrendering one unearned run on five hits in six and two-third innings while striking out five batters and walking three. The Cats batted around in the first inning with senior shortstop Taylor Black, freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle and junior catcher Michael Williams tallying RBI in the inning.

UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold took the loss in his first start since being demoted from the weekend rotation. Nastold surrendered four runs on five hits in two innings while walking two batters and striking out none. The UofL offense did not tally a hit until the fifth inning and plated its only run in the seventh inning after tallying three infield hits in the frame. UofL freshman first baseman Ryan Seiz was the only UofL batter with multiple hits and finished the game 2-3 with one walk and one run scored.

UK junior designated hitter Braden Kapteyn was 3-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore first baseman Luke Maile slugged his team-high seventh home run of the season in the sixth inning. Junior left fielder Chad Wright was 3-5 with two runs scored and one RBI. Cooper was making his fourth career start against UofL and has surrendered just one earned run in 19 and two-third innings against the Cards. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball Midweek Schedule: April 26

College Baseball

With strong storms predicted for much of the state over the next two days, weather figures to play a major role in midweek college baseball action. Two schools have already postponed or canceled Tuesday games. Check out the midweek schedule as it stands for now below with probable starters listed when available:

Tuesday

  • 4 p.m. — Eastern Kentucky University (14-26) vs. East Tennessee State — RHP Blake Bottoms (0-0 5.68 ERA) — Live Stats
  • 7 p.m. — University of Louisville (22-17) @ University of Kentucky (19-22) — RHP Mike Nastold (3-4, 3.53 ERA) vs. RHP Jordan Cooper (2-1, 4.96 ERA) — Gametracker
Wednesday
  • 2 p.m. — EKU vs. East Tennessee St. — LHP Paul Duncan (0-2, 9.45 ERA) — Live Stats
  • 3 p.m. (CT) — Murray State University (14-23) vs. Mid-Continent University (24-26)
  • 4 p.m. (CT) — Western Kentucky University (25-16) vs.  N0. 4 Vanderbilt — RHP Taylor Haydel (5-3, 6.99 ERA) — Live Stats
  • 6:30 p.m. — Morehead State University (7-30) vs. Kentucky Wesleyan College (12-19) — Live Stats

Ryan Wright, Alex Meyer, Corey Littrell win week 10 awards

College Baseball

Alex Meyer; UK Athletics photo

It’s time for the week 10 college baseball awards. Check out a rundown of the week’s best hitting, pitching and freshmen performances below:

Hitter of the week: INF Ryan Wright (UofL)

  • Stats: 8-15 (.533), 2 HR, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 4 SBs
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Rice (WKU), Ryan Huck (WKU), Thomas McCarthy (UK), Luke Maile (UK), Jacob Rhodes (Murray St.), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the week: RHP Alex Meyer (UK)
  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 10 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Derek Self (UofL), Justin Amlung (UofL), Jordan Cooper (UK), Corey Littrell (UK), Jake Donze (Murray St.), Stephen Hefler (EKU), Garrick Whittle (Morehead St.), Josh Schneider (Morehead St.)
Freshman of the week: LHP Corey Littrell (UK)
  • Stats: 1-0, 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Scott Wilcox (WKU), Kyle Gibson (UofL), Ryan Seiz (UofL), Matt Reida (UK), Brandon Eggenschwiler (Murray St.), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Blake Bottoms (EKU), Noah Smallwood (Morehead St.)

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)

BluGrass Baseball Midweek Schedule: April 19

College Baseball

Check out the Week 10 midweek schedule, highlighted by the WKU/UK matchup, below with probable pitchers listed when available:

Tuesday

  • 3 p.m. — Eastern Kentucky University @ Marshall — RHP Blake Bottoms (0-0, 10.80 ERA) — Live Stats
  • 6 p.m. — University of Louisville (20-15) vs. Indiana — RHP Jeff Thompson (1-0, 2.82 ERA) — Gametracker
  • 6 p.m. (CT) — Western Kentucky University (24-13) vs. University of Kentucky (17-20) — RHP Taylor Haydel (5-3, 6.77 ERA) vs. RHP Jordan Cooper (2-1, 5.23 ERA)
  • 6 p.m. (CT) — Murray State University (13-21) @ Evansville — TBA — Live Stats

Wednesday

  • 3:05 p.m. — Morehead State University @ Indiana — BigTenNetwork.com

Carter, Hefler and Hageman win Week Nine NCAA awards

College Baseball

Kes Carter; WKU photo

During a week when Kentucky DI teams went just 8-15 and accumulated just three wins against teams outside the state, there were still plenty of standout individual performances. Check out the week nine award winners below:

Hitter of the week: OF Kes Carter (WKU)

  • Stats: 10-22 (.455), 2 HR, 11 RBI, 6 R, 2 BB, 1 SB
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Rice (WKU), Stewart Ijames (UofL), Taylor Black (UK), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), A. J. Jamison (EKU), Jacob Daniel (EKU), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)
Pitcher of the week: RHP Stephen Hefler (EKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 8.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Tanner Perkins (WKU), Justin Hageman (WKU), Brian Edelen (WKU), Justin Amlung (UofL), Jordan Cooper (UK), Alex Meyer (UK), Jake Donze (Murray St.), Kyle McGrath (EKU), Matt Harris (EKU), Trey Smith (Morehead St.)
Freshman of the week: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)
  • Stats: 1-0, 8 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Ty Young (UofL), Trevor Gott (UK), Ty Stetson (Murray St.), Bryan Soloman (EKU), Kyle McGrath (EKU), Noah Smallwood (EKU)