Kyle Cornett

Ijames, Perkins, Hageman win week six awards

College Baseball

Tanner Perkins; WKU photo

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

Hitter of the week: OF Stewart Ijames (UofL)

  • Stats: 7-16 (.438), 4 HR, 7 R, 11 RBI, 2 BBs, 2 2Bs, 2 SBs
  • Honorable Mention: Jared Andreoli (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), Chad Wright (UK), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.), Luke Bainer (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the week: LHP Tanner Perkins (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Justin Hageman (WKU), Justin Amlung (UofL), Matt Koch (UofL), Corey Littrell (UK), Walter Wijas (UK), Jake Donze (Murray St.), Matt Fyffe (EKU), Garrick Whittle (Morehead St.)

Freshman of the week: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Ryan Seiz (UofL), Jeff Thompson (UofL), Chad Green (UofL), Corey Littrell (UK), Wes Warren (Murray St.), Kyle Cornett (Murray St.), Ryan Conner (Morehead St.)

Mid-Continent University earns 5-1 win over Murray State

Uncategorized

Mid-Continent Univeristy became the second Kentucky NAIA school to defeat a Kentucky Ohio Valley Conference team in a week with a 5-1 win over Murray State University. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Allen Haase earned the win after surrendering one run on eight hits in nine innings while striking out three batters and walking three. Murray St.’s lone run came in the ninth inning. Four different Mid-Continent batters tallied at least two hits in the game. Senior first baseman William Ruthven led the attack with a 2-3, one-RBI, two-run-scored performance. Junior third baseman Daniel Edwards was 2-4 with two RBI and one run scored.

Murray St. freshman left-handed pitcher Kyle Cornett took the loss after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, on seven hits in five innings while striking out four batters and walking none. Freshman third baseman Wes Warren was 3-4 with one RBI to lead the Breds. Sophomore shortstop Brandon Elliott was the only other Murray St. batter with multiple hits and finished the game 2-5. (Box Score)

BluGrass Basbeall Week Six Midweek Schedule

College Baseball

It’s time for the week six midweek schedule with probable starters listed when available:

Tuesday

  • University of Louisville (12-7) vs. Kent State — RHP Jeff Thompson (0-0, 0.00 ERA) — 3 p.m. — Gametracker
  • Eastern Kentucky University (6-13) vs. Miami (OH) — RHP Matt Harris (0-0, 2.79 ERA) — 3 p.m. — Live Stats
  • Morehead State University (3-17) vs. Canisius — RHP Cody Gibson (1-3, 17.55) — 3 p.m. — Live Stats
  • Murray State University (8-11) vs. Mid-Continent University — LHP Kyle Cornett (0-1, 13.97 ERA) vs. LHP Allen Haase (2-1, 3.68 ERA) — 3 p.m. (CT)
  • University of Kentucky (12-8) vs. Cincinnati — LHP Corey Littrell (2-1, 6.75 ERA) — 6:30 p.m. — Gametracker
  • Western Kentucky University (13-6) vs. Austin Peay — RHP Taylor Haydel (1-1, 7.48 ERA) — 6 p.m. (CT)

Wednesday

  • Morehead St. vs. Pikeville College — TBA vs. TBA — 5 p.m.
  • EKU @ Miami (OH) — RHP Anthony Bazzani (0-4, 15.34 ERA) — 6 p.m.
  • UK vs. Canisius — RHP Jonathan Paquet (0-0, 5.14 ERA) — 6:30 p.m. — Gametracker

Murray St. falls to 0-4 with midweek loss; Webb has no pain after long-toss session; Edelen to start Wed. for WKU

College Baseball, Major League Baseball

Recap of Tuesday collegiate baseball action and other notes from around Kentucky baseball:

  • Murray State University dropped to 0-4 on the season with an 8-4 loss to Arkansas St. despite five solid innings of work from junior right-handed pitcher Tyler Beers. The junior-college transfer rebounded from a poor performance in his first start last Friday to surrender just two hits in five scoreless innings while striking out eight and walking none. Junior second baseman Travis Isaak was 3-5 with one run scored. Freshman left-handed pitcher Kyle Cornett took the loss after surrendering four runs on two hits without recording an out. Junior first baseman Jacob Rhodes was 2-5 with three RBI. (Box Score)
  • You can read BluGrass Baseball‘s full recap of the University of Kentucky 12-3 win over Morehead State Universityhere.
  • Senior right-handed pitcher Brian Edelen will start for Western Kentucky University Wednesday in its game versus Lipscomb.
  • Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports Ashland native and former UK right-handed pitcher Brandon Webb had no ill-effects after a long-toss session Tuesday morning.

Tuesday player of the day: OF Chad Wright (UK)

  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB, 1  2B
  • Honorable Mention: Thomas McCarthy (UK), Matt Reida (UK), Nick Duff (Morehead St.), Travis Isaak (Murray St.), Jacob Rhodes (Murray St.)

Tuesday pitcher of the day: RHP Tyler Beers (Murray St.)

  • Stats: 5 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Walter Wijas (UK) Matthew Robertson (Morehead St.)

2011 Lineup Projections: Murray St. 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 Murray State University today.

Lineup

  • C — Drew Pixley
  • 1B — Tyler Beers
  • 2B — Travis Isaak
  • 3B — Colton Moore
  • SS — Brandon Elliott
  • LF — Zach Noonan
  • CF — Elliot Frey
  • RF — Paul Ritzheimer
  • DH — Jacob Rhodes

Weekend rotation

  • LHP — Jacob Donze
  • LHP — Bryan Babin
  • LHP — Kyle Cornett

Midweek starting pitchers

  • LHP — Brock Downey
  • LHP — Mark Roberts

Closer

  • LHP — Luke Shuemaker

Offseason position battle: Murray St. closer

College Baseball

We are closing out the “offseason position battle” series with a look at the three vacant Kentucky closer positions, starting today with Murray State University.

The departed — Left-handed pitcher Matt McGaha, a 2010 senior, was Murray State’s top reliever last season, finishing the season at 5-3 with a 3.90 ERA. McGaha pitched enough innings out of the Breds’ bullpen to qualify for the ERA title and recorded three saves on the season. The right-handed pitcher struck out 52 batters and walked 13 in 67 innings pitched on the season…Right-handed pitcher Dan Huff, a 2010 senior, led Murray St. with four saves in 2010. Huff was 1-4 with an 8.35 ERA in 18 games, including six starts.

Returning candidates — No returning Murray St. reliever recorded a save in 2010, but sophomore right-handed pitcher Joe Major had the most success out of the pen of any Breds returner. Major did not record a decision and posted a 3.60 ERA in four appearances, including one start. Major struck out four batters and walked nine in 10 innings pitched…Sophomore right-handed pitcher Ben Lady is the returning reliever with the most innings pitched at 20 and one-third innings, but struggled to the tune of a 7.97 ERA in 2010…No returning Murray St. reliever other than Major posted an ERA below 6.35 in 2010.

Newcomers to watch — Junior college transfer Bryan Babin had moderate success as a reliever for Mississippi Gulf Coast College in 2010, going 5-1 with a 3.46 ERA in 39 innings pitched. Babin struck out 23 batters and walked 11 in 13 appearances…Junior college transfer Luke Shuemaker proved able to miss bats with 40 strikeouts in 50 and two-third innings pitched for Rend Lake College in 2010…Junior college transfer Mark Roberts posted a save and five wins for Lincoln Trail College in 2010 while striking out 35 batters and walking 25 in 55 innings pitched…Freshman left-handed pitcher Kyle Cornett was named first-team all state by the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association as a senior at Eastern High School and could serve as a valuable reliever if he does not start for the Breds…Freshman right-handed pitcher Tyler Saltsman was named second-team all-state by KHSBCA as a senior at Grayson County High School.

Wildcard — Freshman two-way player Brock Downey may be called on to pitch and play outfield for the Breds in 2011. As a senior left-handed pitcher at Murray High School Downey posted a 2.18 ERA and 102 strikeouts. KHSBCA named him first-team all-state and the Region 1 player of the year as a senior. Downey batted .550 and stole 52 bases as a senior at the plate. Considering no Murray St. reliever posted more than four saves in 2010 there is a good chance head coach Rob McDonald may use a revolving set of pitchers in the late innings all season.

Offseason position battle: Murray St. starting pitchers

College Baseball

In the fifth Murray State University post of the “offseason position battle series we will look at the vacant weekend starting pitching slots.

The departed — Right-handed pitcher Chris Craycraft, a 2010 senior, served as the Murray State ace for each of the last two seasons, being named second-team all-Ohio Valley Conference following the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Craycraft was 6-4 with a 5.05 ERA in 16 games, including 15 starts, for the Breds in 2010. The Lexington native struck out 72 batters and walked 35 in 92 and two-third innings pitched…Right-handed pitcher Alex Love, a 2010 senior, was 8-1 with a 5.63 ERA in 19 games, including eight starts, for the Breds last season. Love struck out 35 batters and walked 23 in 70 and one-third innings pitched…Right-handed pitchers Marc Harmon and Dan Huff, both 2010 seniors, combined to make 13 starts for Murray St. last season but neither finished the year with an ERA below 8.35.

Returning candidates — Senior left-handed pitcher Jake Donze made 16 starts for Murray St. in 2010 and finished the season at 6-6 with a 6.02 ERA. Donze struck out 71 batters and walked 56 in 83.2 innings pitched and enters 2011 as the Breds de facto ace…Sophomore right-handed pitchers Joe Major, Will Handlin, and Ben Lady each made one start for Murray St. in 2010. Major was the only returning Murray St. pitcher to finish 2010 with a sub-4.00 ERA, but he logged just 10 innings pitched on the season.

Newcomers to watch — Junior college transfer Bryan Babin pitched four shutout innings in the decisive game of the Murray St. Fall World Series. Babin, a junior left-handed pitcher, was 5-1 with a 3.46 ERA in 39 innings pitched as a sophomore at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College…Junior college transfer Luke Shuemaker, a junior left-handed pitcher, was 4-2 with a 5.15 ERA in 50 and two-third innings pitched for Rend Lake College in 2010…Junior college transfer Mark Roberts, a junior left-handed pitcher, was 5-3 with a 4.42 ERA in 55 innings pitched for Lincoln Trail College in 2010…Freshman left-handed pitchers Kyle Cornett and Brock Downey were both named first-team all-state as a seniors by the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association…Freshman right-handed pitcher Cameron Finch was named first-team all state as a senior in Collierville, Tenn., and pitched eight complete games and two no-hitters in 2010.

Wildcard — The Breds have no shortage of starting pitcher candidates as head coach Rob McDonald brought in nine new pitchers to the 2011 pitching staff. Junior Tyler Beers, a junior college transfer, may be needed to man the vacant first base position for the Breds, but he also logged experience as a right-handed pitcher at Mineral Area college. Beers was 2-7 with a 6.12 ERA as a sophomore, but proved to be an innings eater after striking out 55 in 64 and two-third innings pitched.

2011 Newcomers: Murray State University

Minor League Baseball

Murray State University has posted its 2011 roster which means we have out first look at the official list of Breds’ newcomers for the upcoming season. The roster may change slightly by the spring semester, but this list should at least give you a good idea of what the Breds will look like in 2011. You can see the full roster here, but I’ve listed the newcomers below with year and previous school:

  • INF — Wes Warren — FR — Hendersonville HS (Tenn.)
  • RHP — Cameron Finch — FR — Collier HS (Tenn.)
  • C — Clay Fuson — FR — Lipscomb HS (Tenn.)
  • INF — Chase Freeman — FR — Anderson HS (Ind.)
  • LHP/OF — Brock Downey — FR — Murray High School (Ky.)
  • LHP — Thomas McGurk — FR — Medina HS (Ohio)
  • RHP — Tyler Saltsman — FR — Grayson County High School (Ky.)
  • LHP — Kyle Cornett — FR — Eastern High School (Ky.)
  • OF — Paul Ritzheimer — SO — Kaskaskia CC (Ill.)
  • LHP — Bryan Babin — JR — Mississippi Gulf Coast CC
  • RHP/1B — Tyler Beers — JR — Mineral Area College (Mo.)
  • INF — Travis Isaak — JR — Lincoln Trail CC (Ill.)
  • OF — Corey Larson — JR — Skyline CC (Cal.)
  • C — Jacob Rhodes — JR — Wabash Valley College (Mich.)
  • LHP — Luke Shuemaker — JR — Rend Lake College (Paducah, Ky.)
  • LHP — Mark Roberts — JR — Lincoln Tail CC (Henderson, Ky.)
  • RHP — Curan McNeely — JR — Land Lake College (Ill.)

KHSBCA All-State Teams

Uncategorized

Check out the first and second Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association All-State teams:

First Team

  • Brock Downey — Murray High School
  • Justin Hageman — Hopkinsville High School
  • Kyle Gibson — Henderson County High School
  • Cole Isom — Christian County High School
  • Cole Sturgeon — Owensboro Catholic High School
  • Ty Downing – Greenwood High School
  • Shane Waldrop — Warren Central High School
  • Brandon Alphin — Bullitt East High School
  • Corey Littrell – Trinity High School
  • John Fidanza – Ballard High School
  • Kyle Cornett – Eastern High School
  • Brian Doering – Manual High School
  • Jared Martin — Harrison County High School
  • Trevor Gott — Tates Creek High School
  • J.T. Riddle — Western Hills High School
  • Lucas Witt — Lexington Christian Academy
  • Louie Helmburg — West Jessamine High School
  • Duran Elmore — Danville High School

Second Team

  • Tyler Saltsman — Grayson County High School
  • Mikey Scott — Grayson County High School
  • Matt Bowles — Bullitt East High School
  • Taylor Banks — Pleasure Ridge Park
  • Ryan Messex — Louisville Male High School
  • Matt Spalding — St. X
  • Spencer Drake — Eastern High School
  • Corey Bays — Henry Clay High School
  • Eric Standafer — Shelby County High School
  • Austin Pugh — Conner High School
  • Brice Smallwood — Dixie Heights High School
  • Logan Dailey — Harrison County High School
  • Taylor Martin — Lexington Catholic High School
  • Evan Stephens — Lexington Christian Academy
  • Aaron Watts — McCreary Central High School
  • Noah Smallwood — West Jessamine High School
  • Chandler Shepherd — Lawrence County High School
  • Gavin Miller — Pikeville High School

You can see the honorable mention team with player’s from each region here.

KHSBCA releases 2010 preseason top 50 players

High School Baseball
The Kentucky High School Baseball Coach’s Association has released its 2010 preseason top 50 players list. The honorees are listed below by first name alphabetical order with college commitments when known:
  • Aaron Schwobel (Campbellsville)
  • Andrew Bowling (Trinity)
  • Austin Clay (Daviess Co.)
  • Austin Pugh (Conner)
  • Austin Lyons (Paintsville)
  • Beau Bouthilette (Elizabethtown)
  • Brandon Alphin (Bullit East) — University of Louisville
  • Brian Hockman (Pleasure Ridge Park)
  • Brian Doering (Manual) — Western Kentucky University
  • Brock Downey (Murray) — Murray State University
  • Bud Mortin (West Jessamine) — Morehead State University
  • Chris Beymer (PLD) — Purdue University
  • Cole Isom (Christian Co.)
  • Cole Sturgeon (Owensboro Catholic) — UofL
  • Corey Littrell (Trinity) — University of Kentucky
  • Corey Sloan (Hazard)
  • Dakota Ritchie (Breathitt Co.)
  • Dalton West (Apollo)
  • Derek Stapleton (East Carter)
  • Duran Elmore (Danville) — Morehead St.
  • Eric Standafer (Shelby Co.)
  • Gus Wise (Lee Co.)
  • J. T. Riddle (Western Hills) — UK
  • Jacob Russell (Anderson Co.)
  • Jared Martin (Harrison Co.)
  • Jeff Gardner (Whitefield Academy)
  • Jimmy Conway (Eastern)
  • John Fidanza (Ballard) — Coastal Carolina
  • Jordan Cessna (Henderson Co.) — WKU
  • Justin Hageman (Hopkinsville) — WKU
  • Kyle Gibson (Henderson Co.)
  • Kyle Cornett (Eastern) — Murray St.
  • Logan Dailey (Harrison Co.)
  • Logan McQueary (George Rogers Clark)
  • Loui Helmburg (West Jessamine) — Marshall University
  • Lucas Whitt (LCA) — UK
  • Malcom Thomas (Harrison Co.)
  • Matt Bowles (Bullitt East)
  • Noah Smallwood (West Jessamine) — Morehead St.
  • Ryan Hayden (Graves Co.)
  • Sean Thompson (Franklin Co.)
  • Shane Pack (Lawrence Co.)
  • Spencer Pettet (Monroe Co.) — Belmont University
  • Spencer Drake (Eastern)
  • Tanner Smith (North Laurel) — WKU
  • Tanner Richerson (Murray)
  • Taylor Banks (PRP)
  • Trevor Gott (Tates Creek) — UK
  • Ty Downing (Greenwood) — Indiana University
  • Tyler Saltsman (Grayson Co.) — Murray St.