Justin Riddell

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

BluGrass Baseball NCAA Week 12 preview

College Baseball

Justin Riddell; BluGrass Baseball photo

Series of the week: Western Kentucky University vs. Florida Atlantic

Western Kentucky University (27-18, 12-9) welcomes Florida Atlantic to Bowling Green this weekend. The Hilltoppers sit in fifth place in the conference but are just three games out of first place. Florida Atlantic and two other teams are tied in second place, one game ahead of WKU. WKU has lost five of its last seven games but still has a chance to play its way into a NCAA tournament at-large bid. The marquee mound matchup of the series will likely come on Saturday when WKU freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman (7-4, 3.42 ERA) takes on Florida Atlantic junior right-handed pitcher Paul Davis (8-1, 2.72 ERA).

Player to watch: RHP Alex Meyer (UK)

The best pitching matchup in the nation this weekend will likely be in Lexington Friday night when University of Kentucky junior right-handed pitch Alex Meyer takes on Vanderbilt junior right-handed pitcher Sonny Gray. Both pitchers are likely to be first-round picks in the June MLB draft. Meyer has been one of the few bright spots for UK this season and is 4-5 with a 3.32 ERA on the year. Meyer and Gray rank No. 1 and No. 2 in the Southeastern Conference in strikeouts with 91 and 86 respectively. Gray leads the league in wins, ranks second in opponents’ batting average and fifth in ERA. Meyer ranks third in the conference in innings pitched.

Stat of the week: Crazy UofL Friday night game

This week’s stat is technically from week 12 baseball, but we couldn’t pass up the chance to note some more odd stats from the University of Louisville‘s 1-0, 18-inning loss to Seton Hall Thursday night. The two teams played the equivalent of just under two complete games of scoreless baseball. UofL junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self and Seton Hall pitcher Joe Dirocco each pitched at least nine scoreless innings but didn’t get a complete game or a win. Cards’ batters not named Adam Engel combined to go 1-47 in the game. Two different UofL pitchers for each team lasted long enough to qualify for a win if they were making a start. Five different batters in the game failed to record a hit in at least six at-bats.

Out-of-state Ky. collegian to watch: OF Justin Riddell (Cincinnati)

Lexington Catholic alum Justin Riddell will attempt to lead Cincinnati to what could amount to a Big East Tournament berth clinching series win versus West Virginia this weekend. Cincinnati is currently seventh in the conference but is 2.5 games up in the race for the eighth and final tournament berth. Riddell has been the best former Kentucky high school batter playing outside the state this season. He is batting .342 with six home runs, 50 RBIs and 20 runs scored on the season. His six home runs, 50 RBIs and .544 slugging percentage lead Bearcats’ hitters.

BluGrass Baseball Hitting Leaderboard: May 4

College Baseball

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 Tuesday’s games.

Batting Average

  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .406 (52-128)
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .393 (55-140)
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .376 (65-173)
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .372 (54-145)
  • Matt Rice — WKU — .368 — (68-185)

Home Runs

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 11
  • Stewart Ijames — UofL — 10
  • Bryan Soloman — EKU — 9
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 8
  • Matt Rice — WKU — 8
  • Ryan Wright — UofL — 8

RBI

  • Matt Rice — WKU — 48
  • Justin Riddell — Cincinnati (Lexington Catholic) — 48
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK – 39
  • Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — 39
  • Stewart Ijames — UofL — 38

Runs

  • Matt Rice — WKU — 42
  • Kes Carter — WKU — 40
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 39
  • Ivan Hartle — WKU — 39
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK — 38

Stolen Bases

  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 16/18
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — 15/18
  • Ryan Wright — UofL — 14/15
  • Chad Wright — UK — 14/18
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 13/17

On-Base Percentage

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .494
  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .483
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .462
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .452
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .451

Slugging Percentage

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .729
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .634
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .592
  • Ryan Wright — UofL — .579
  • Stewart Ijames — UofL — .573
  • Matt Rice — WKU — .573

BluGrass Baseball Hitting Leaderboard: April 26

College Baseball

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

  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .425 (48-113)
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .385 (60-156)
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .378 (48-127)
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .376 (53-141)
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .375 (51-136)

Home Runs

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 11
  • Stewart Ijames — UofL — 8
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 8
  • Matt Rice — WKU — 8
  • Bryan Soloman — EKU — 7

RBI

  • Matt Rice — WKU — 45
  • Justin Riddell — Cincinnati (Lexington Catholic) — 40
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK – 38
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 37
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — 35

Runs

  • Matt Rice — WKU — 40
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 37
  • Kes Carter — WKU — 37
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK — 35
  • Ivan Hartle — WKU — 35
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — 35

Stolen Bases

  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 16/18
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — 14/17
  • Chad Wright — UK — 14/18
  • Ryan Wright — UofL — 13/14
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 12/16

On-Base Percentage

  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .496
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .481
  • Kes Carter — WKU — .463
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .461
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .456
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .456

Slugging Percentage

  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .732
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .654
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — .610
  • Matt Rice — WKU — .587
  • Kes Carter — WKU — .570

Richie Rodriguez, Justin Hageman win week eight awards

College Baseball

Richie Rodriguez; EKU photo

It’s time for the week eight weekly awards. I’ve included Lexington Catholic alum Justin Riddell and Daviess Co. alum Jeremy Dobbs among the honorable mention category this week since their performances came against Kentucky schools.

Hitter of the week: SS Richie Rodriguez (EKU)

  • Stats: 12-16 (.750), 2 2Bs, 3 BB, 8 R, 1 RBI, 4 SBs
  • Honorable Mention: Jeff Gardner (UofL), Matt Rice (WKU), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), Cody Larson (Murray St.), Justin Riddell (Cincinnati, Lexington Catholic)

Pitcher of the week: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Koch (UofL), Justin Amlung (UofL), Tanner Perkins (WKU), Jordan Cooper (UK), Matt Harris (EKU), Greg Terry (EKU), Jeremy Dobbs (Austin Peay, Daviess Co. HS)

Freshman of the week: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Jeff Gardner (UofL), Dallen Reber (UK), Nick Duff (Morehead St.)

NCAA roundup: Kentucky DI schools winless on Sunday

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Sunday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville could not finish off a series sweep of Cincinnati after a 5-2 loss. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Mike Nastold took the loss after surrendering four runs on six hits in three and two-third innings. Sophomore left fielder Kyle Grieshaber was the only UofL batter with multiple hits and finished the game 2-4 with one RBI. Lexington Catholic alum Justin Riddell scored one run for Cincinnati. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University‘s bullpen imploded in an 8-6 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette, preventing a series sweep by the Hilltoppers. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Rye Davis took the loss after surrendering one run in two-thirds of an inning, and the WKU bullpen surrendered six runs in four innings of work. Junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 3-4 with one RBI, one run scored and three stolen bases. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle and senior catcher Matt Rice each had two hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky dropped its ninth consecutive Southeastern Conference game with a 8-2 loss to Auburn. The Cats’ defense fell apart with four errors in the seventh and eighth innings that allowed four unearned runs to score. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers took the loss after surrendering four runs, three of which were earned on seven hits in six and two-third innings while striking out three batters and walking none. Junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn and freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle both tallied two hits in the game. (Box Score)
  • Murray State University tallied 17 hits but still dropped its series to Jacksonville State with a 10-9 loss in the rubber game of the three-game series. Freshman right-handed pitcher Cameron Finch took the loss after surrendering one run on one hit in two and two-third innings. Sophomore shortstop Brandon Elliott was 3-6 with two runs scored, and senior right fielder Zach Noonan was 2-5 with one double, three RBI and two runs scored. Senior center fielder Elliot Frey tallied three hits in four at-bats. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University suffered an 8-6 loss to Austin Peay in the rubber match of a three-game series. Senior right-handed pitcher Stephen Hefler took the loss after surrendering six runs on five hits in three and one-third innings while striking out three batters and walking one. Junior infielder Dustin Dunlop was 2-3 with two runs scored and one walk. Junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez, senior designated hitter A. J. Jamison and freshman catcher Sean Hagen also had two hits each. (Box Score)
  • Morehead State University dropped game one of a double-header to Eastern Illinois 25-8. Senior right-handed pitcher Trey Smith took the loss after surrendering seven runs on eight hits in two innings. Senior first baseman Michael Fear was 2-3 with one RBI and one run scored, and redshirt freshman outfielder Nick Duff was 2-3 with one home run, two RBI and one run scored. Junior catcher Taylor Davis slugged his ninth home run of the season. (Box Score)
  • The Eagles continued their poor pitching in a 23-6 loss in game two. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Garrick Whittle took the loss after surrendering six runs on four hits in one and one-third innings. Junior designated hitter Eric Bainer was 2-3 with one RBI in game two, and redshirt freshman catcher Justin Messinger slugged his first collegiate home run. The Eagles have surrendered at least 15 runs eight times this season and at least 20 runs three times. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: SS Logan Robbins (WKU)

  • Stats: 3-4, 1 RBI, 1 R, 3 SBs
  • Honorable Mention: Kyle Grieshaber (UofL), Matt Rice (WKU), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Brandon Elliott (Murray St.), Zach Noonan (Murray St.), Elliot Frey (Murray St.), Dustin Dunlop (EKU), Sean Hagen (EKU), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: LHP Taylor Rogers

  • Stats: 0-1, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Brian Edelen (WKU), Derek Self (UofL), Taylor Rogers (UK)

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.

NCAA roundup: Murray St. an Morehead St. both lose

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Wednesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Murray State University could not get its offense going in a 9-0 shutout loss to Southern Illinois. Junior right-handed pitcher Curran McNeely took the loss after surrendering seven runs on five hits in three innings while striking out four batters and walking one. Just one Murray St. batter tallied multiple hits in the game: sophomore shortstop Brandon Elliott, who was 2-4. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Will Handlin was the only Breds pitcher to last multiple innings without giving up a run, and he surrendered two hits in two scoreless innings. (Box Score)
  • Morehead State University rallied to score 10 runs but could not overcome an early deficit in a 14-10 loss to Cincinnati. Bearcats senior outfielder Justin Riddell, a Lexington Catholic alum, was 3-5 with two home runs, three RBI and two runs scored. Covington Catholic alum Zach Isler earned the win for Cincinnati after surrendering one run on one hit in two and one-third innings while striking out four batters and walking none. Morehead St. sophomore right-handed pitcher Cody Gibson took the loss after surrendering nine runs on nine hits in four innings while striking out six batters and walking one. Junior center fielder and third baseman Andrew Deeds was 4-5 with two RBI and two run scored, and junior catcher Taylor Davis was 1-3 with one home run, three RBI, two runs scored and two walks. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: RF Justin Riddell (Cincinnati, Lexington Catholic)

  • Stats: 3-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R
  • Honorable Mention: Brandon Elliott (Murray St.), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.), Austin Haney (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Zach Isler (Cincinnati, Covington Catholic)

  • Stats: 1-0, 2.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Will Handlin (Murray St.), Josh Schneider (Morehead St.)

BluGrass Baseball Hitting Leaderboard: March 22

College Baseball

The college statistical leaderboard is pretty useless this early in the season, but it at least offers a glimpse at what players are off to a hot start to the 2011 season. With that in mind check out the fourth 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 for the batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage catergories. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

Batting Average

  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .442 (34-77)
  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .424 (25-59)
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — .407 (33-81)
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — .386 (27-70)
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .371 (26-70)

Home Runs

  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 4
  • Michael Williams — UK — 3
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 3
  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — 3
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK — 3
  • Zach Noonan — Murray St. — 3
  • Chad Wright — UK — 3

RBI

  • Matt Rice — WKU — 23
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 22
  • Jacob Daniel — EKU — 19
  • Justin Riddell — Cincinnati (Lexington Catholic) — 18
  • Zach Noonan — Murray St. — 18

Runs

  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 24
  • Braden Kapteyn — UK — 20
  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — 19
  • Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — 18
  • Taylor Black — UK — 18

Stolen Bases

  • Chad Wright — UK — 10/12
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — 8/9
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 8/9
  • Thomas McCarthy — UK — 7/7
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — 6/6

On-Base Percentage

  • Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .528
  • Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .500
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — .482
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — .469
  • Chad Wright — UK — .467

Slugging Percentage

  • Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .613
  • Logan Robbins — WKU — .600
  • Zach Noonan — Murray St. — .594
  • Jared Andreoli — WKU — .593
  • Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .586

Zach Noonan named OVC player of the week; UofL ranked in latest coaches’ poll; Webb to pitch to hitters on Wednesday

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Zach Noonan; BluGrass Baseball photo

Latest links from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Murray State University senior outfielder and week four BluGrass Baseball hitter of the week Zach Noonan was named the Ohio Valley Conference player of the week.
  • The University of Louisville checked in at No. 21 in the latest ESPN/USA Today Top 25 Coaches’ Poll.
  • UofL checked in at No. 4, but Western Kentucky University dropped out of the most recent College Baseball Daily mid-major top 25 poll.
  • UofL redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung and Lexington native and Cincinnati outfielder Justin Riddell were named to the Big East Conference weekly honor roll for their week four performances.
  • Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb is scheduled to throw against live batters for the first time this spring on Wednesday.
  • Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweets the Colorado Rockies were disappointed right-handed pitcher Aaron Cook, who was born in Fort Campbell, didn’t report to camp in playing shape and Cook will not start the season with the team.