BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: April 19

Uncategorized

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through nine 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 — 1.29 (62.2 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 1.95 (60.0 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 2.41 (52.1 IP)
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 2.44 (59 IP)
  • Matt Koch — UofL — 3.52 (53.2 IP)

Wins

  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 7-1
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 6-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-1
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 6-3
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 5-2
  • Taylor Haydel — WKU — 5-3

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 71
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 58
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 56
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 50
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 47

Innings Pitched

  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 64.0
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 62.2
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 62.2
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 60.0
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 59.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 9
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 4
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 4
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 4

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .183
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .212
  • Brandon Boling — Gardner Webb (Bryan Station HS) — .216
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — .224
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .230

Appearances

  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 20
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 18
  • Alex Phillips — UK — 18
  • Taylor Haydell — WKU — 18
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 17
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 17
  • Trevor Gott — UK — 17

NCAA roundup: UofL, UK lose; WKU suspended in 13th inn.

College Baseball

Alex Meyer; UK Athletics Photo

Recaps and highlights from Friday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville plated just two early runs and had a rare poor weekend start in an 8-2 loss to St. John’s. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch took the loss after surrendering eight runs, four of which were earned, on 11 hits in four innings while striking out three batters and walking two. Sophomore first baseman Zak Wasserman was 2-2 with one walk, and freshman center fielder Cole Sturgeon was 2-4 with one run scored. Freshman infielder Ty Young reached base three times, drove in one run and scored once. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University‘s series-opening game versus Arkansas St. was suspended in the top of the 13th inning with a 1-1 tie. The game had been previously delayed for 90 minutes due to rain. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins pitched well in his start, surrendering one run on six hits in six and two-third innings while striking out five batters and walking three. WKU had just three hits through 12 innings. The game will resume at 3 p.m. Saturday, and game two of the series will begin 30 minutes after the end of game one. (Live Stats)
  • The University of Kentucky dropped its tenth consecutive Southeastern Conference game with a 3-2 loss to Mississippi. The Cats carried a 1-1 tie into the eighth inning, but Ole Miss scored two runs off junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer to take 3-1 lead. The Cats scored one run in the ninth inning and put the tying run on second base, but senior shortstop Taylor Black flew out to center field to end the game. Meyer took the loss after surrendering three runs, two of which were earned, in seven-plus innings while striking out seven batters and walking three. Junior catcher Michael Williams was 3-4 with his fourth home run of the season. (Box Score)
Hitter of the day: C Michael Williams (UK)
  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R
  • Honorable Mention: Zak Wasserman (UofL)
Pitcher of the day: LHP Tanner Perkins (WKU)
  • Stats: 6.2 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Chad Green (UofL), Alex Meyer (UK)

BluGrass Baseball Week Nine Weekend Schedule

College Baseball

Check out the week nine weekend schedule below with probable starters listed when available:

Western Kentucky University (22-12, 8-4) vs. Arkansas St.
  • Friday — 6 p.m. (CT) — LHP Tanner Perkins (6-1, 2.03 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — 3 p.m. (CT) — RHP Justin Hageman (5-3, 2.65 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — RHP Brian Edelen (3-1, 4.70 ERA)

University of Louisville (20-12, 6-3) @ St. John’s

  • Friday — 3 p.m. — RHP Matt Koch (4-3, 3.08 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 1 p.m. — RHP Justin Amlung (6-0, 1.14 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Sunday — 12 p.m. — TBA — Gametracker
University of Kentucky (17-17, 2-10) @ Ole Miss
  • Friday — 7:30 p.m. — RHP Alex Meyer (3-4, 3.74 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 5 p.m. — LHP Corey Littrell (4-2, 5.56 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Sunday — 2:30 p.m. — LHP Taylor Rogers (2-4, 4.91 ERA) — Gametracker
Murray State University (13-18, 4-4) vs. SIU Edwardsville
  • Saturday — 1 p.m. (CT) — LHP Bryan Babin (2-1, 7.06 ERA)
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Jake Donze (5-1, 4.08 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — TBA
Eastern Kentucky University (11-22, 3-6) vs. Morehead State University (5-25, 1-5)
  • Saturday —  1 p.m. — RHP Matt Fyffe (0-4, 4.82 ERA) vs. RHP Trey Smith (0-7, 7.88 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Kyle McGrath (2-2, 7.02 ERA) vs. LHP Garrick Whittle (1-2, 8.46 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — RHP Stephen Hefler (3-4, 4.57 ERA) vs. LHP Noah Smallwood (0-3, 9.08 ERA)

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: UofL, WKU win; UK blows late lead in loss

College Baseball

Braden Kapteyn; Photo: UK Athletics

Recaps and highlights from Friday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Louisville rode a quality start from sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch to a 7-4 win over Cincinnati in game one of a three-game series. Koch surrendered three runs on eight hits in seven innings while striking out seven batters and walking one. Freshman outfielder Cole Sturgeon was 2-4 with three runs scored in the leadoff hole, and freshman third baseman Ty Young drove in three runs. Junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych pitched a scoreless ninth inning to record his eighth save of the season. (Box Score)
  • Western Kentucky University recorded a 5-1 win over Louisiana-Lafayette behind a complete-game effort from freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman. Senior catcher Matt Rice and junior center fielder Kes Carter were both 2-4 with one home run, one RBI and two runs scored. Hageman surrendered one run on eight hits in nine innings while striking out 10 batters and walking one. Junior second baseman Ivan Hartle scored the Hilltoppers other run, and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson, junior shortstop Logan Robbins and senior designated hitter Chris Bullard each tallied RBI. (Box Score)
  • The University of Kentucky lost its seventh consecutive Southeastern Conference game with a 12-9 loss to Auburn. Auburn entered the eighth inning down one run but scored six runs in the frame to blow the game open. Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Nick Kennedy took the loss after the only batter he faced reached base on a single and later scored the go-ahead run. Junior designated hitter Braden Kapteyn was 3-4 with one home run, four RBI and three runs scored. Freshman second baseman J. T. Riddle and sophomore catcher Luke Maile also slugged home runs in the game. Junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer surrendered six runs on 11 hits in six innings in a no decision. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: DH Braden Kapteyn (UK)

  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Rice (WKU), Kes Carter (WKU), Cole Sturgeon (UofL), J. T. Riddle (UK), Luke Maile (UK)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 10 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Koch (UofL)

BluGrass Baseball Week Eight Weekend Schedule

College Baseball

Check out the week eight weekend schedule below:

University of Louisville (18-10) vs. Cincinnati

  • Friday — 6:30 p.m. — RHP Matt Koch (3-3, 2.95 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 4 p.m. — RHP Justin Amlung (6-0, 0.92 ERA) — Gamtracker
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — RHP Mike Nastold (3-2, 1.74 ERA) — Gametracker

Western Kentucky University (17-11) vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

  • Friday — 6 p.m. (CT) — RHP Justin Hageman (4-3, 3.00 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — 3 p.m. (CT) — LHP Tanner Perkins (6-1, 2.09 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Sunday — 11 a.m. (CT) — RHP Brian Edelen (3-1, 4.86 ERA) — Live Stats

University of Kentucky (16-14) vs. Auburn

  • Friday — 6:30 p.m. — RHP Alex Meyer (3-4, 3.10 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 6:30 p.m. — LHP Corey Littrell (4-1, 4.82 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Sunday — 6:30 p.m. —  LHP Taylor Rogers (2-3, 5.50 ERA) — Gametracker

Murray State University (12-15) vs. Jacksonville St.

  • Saturday — 1 p.m. (CT) — RHP Tyler Beers (2-2, 5.23 ERA)
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Jake Donze (4-1, 3.43 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — LHP Luke Shuemaker (2-3, 6.06 ERA)

Eastern Kentucky University (9-20) @ Austin Peay

  • Saturday — 1 p.m. — RHP Matt Fyffe (0-3, 4.26 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Kyle McGrath (2-2, 6.82 ERA) Live Stats
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — RHP Stephen Hefler (3-3, 3.86 ERA) —Live Stats

Morehead State University (5-23) vs. Eastern Illinois

  • Saturday — 1 p.m. — RHP Trey Smith (0-6, 6.63 ERA)
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Garrick Whittle (1-1, 6.43 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — LHP Noah Smallwood (0-3, 8.51 ERA)

Davis, Amlung, Hageman win midseason NCAA awards

College Baseball

Yesterday we looked at the BluGrass Baseball midseason all-state team. Today it is time to examine the best individual hitting, pitching and freshmen performances through half of the NCAA season. When possible at least one honorable mention nominee is included from each team.

Taylor Davis; Morehead St. photo

Best hitter: C Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)

  • Stats: .381/.487/.732, 8 HR, 27 RBI, 24 R, 2 SBs
  • Morehead State University junior catcher Taylor Davis was behind WKU senior Matt Rice on the Kentucky catching depth chart entering the season, but he has been the state’s best college hitter through 28 games for Morehead St. Through seven weeks of the season, Davis leads Kentucky collegians in home runs and slugging percentage and ranks second in on-base percentage, fourth in batting average and fifth in RBI. Davis was named to the preseason all-Ohio Valley Conference team and will spend the summer of 2011 in the prestigious Cape Cod League.
  • Honorable Mention: Ryan Wright (UofL), Matt Rice (WKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Brandon Elliott (Murray St.), Jacob Daniel (EKU), Richie Rodriguez (EKU), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.)

Best pitcher: RHP Justin Amlung (UofL)

  • Stats: 6-0, 0.92 ERA, 33 SO/10 BB, 48.2 IP
  • The midseason best pitcher race is a highly contested battle between University of Louisville redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung and WKU sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins. Amlung wins the honor for his undefeated record and lower ERA. The St. X alum has won all but one of his starts and ranks No. 3  in the country in wins and No. 10 in ERA. Amlung leads Kentucky collegians in ERA, wins, winning percentage and batting average against and ranks second in innings pitched.
  • Honorable Mention: Mike Nastold (UofL), Matt Koch (UofL), Tanner Perkins (WKU), Justin Hageman (WKU), Alex Meyer (UK), Jake Donze (Murray St.), Stephen Hefler (EKU)

Best freshman: RHP/DH Justin Hageman (WKU)

  • Stats: 4-3, 3.00 ERA, 40 SO/17 BB, 42 IP
  • Each of the state’s top three college teams counted on freshmen in key roles during the first half of the season, but Western Kentucky University freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman stood out above the pack. Hageman, who has pitched in the Hilltoppers’ weekend rotations since the opening series of 2011, has looked like anything but a freshman. Hageman ranks fourth among Kentucky collegians in wins and strikeouts. During a brief run as the WKU designated hitter, Hageman was 6-15 (.400) with four RBI and two runs scored in five games.
  • Honorable Mention: Ryan Seiz (UofL), Chad Green (UofL), Jeff Thompson (UofL), Scott Wilcox (WKU), J. T. Riddle (UK), Corey Littrell (UK), Brandon Eggenschwiler (Murray St.), Bryan Soloman (EKU)

BluGrass Baseball 2011 Midseason All-State Team

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With seven weeks of the college baseball season, it’s time for the midseason all-state team. Check out the first- and second-team honorees below and check back tomorrow for the midseason hitter, pitcher and freshman awards.

First Team

  • C — Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .383/.482/.713, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 22 R
  • 1B — Braden Kapteyn — UK — .325/.431/.465, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 26 R
  • 2B — Ryan Wright — UofL — .303/.379/.514, 4 HR, 20 RBI, 25 R, 8/8 SBs
  • 3B — Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .369/.436/.660, 4 HR, 23 RBI, 25 R
  • SS — Brandon Elliott — Murray St. — .429/.515/.536, 12 RBI, 27 R
  • OF — Jacob Daniel — EKU — .379/.451/.621, 6 HR, 30 RBI, 16 R
  • OF — Jared Andreoli — WKU — .378/.457/.520, 2 HR, 26 RBI, 27 R, 8 SBs
  • OF — Kes Carter — WKU — .366/.471/.564, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 25 R, 4 SBs
  • DH — Matt Rice — WKU — .342/.431/.558, 6 HR, 33 RBI, 25 R
  • SP — Justin Amlung — UofL — 6-0, 0.92 ERA, 33 SO/10 BB, 48.2 IP
  • SP — Tanner Perkins — WKU — 6-1, 2.09 ERA, 43 SO/7 BB, 47.1 IP
  • SP — Alex Meyer — UK — 3-4, 3.10 ERA, 62 SO/26 BB, 49.1 IP
  • RP — Tony Zych — UofL — 0-1, 2.92 ERA, 7 saves, 12 SO/4 BB, 12.2 IP

Second team

  • C — Jacob Rhodes — Murray St. — .371/.458/.472, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 12 R
  • 1B — Ryan Seiz — UofL — .288/.372/.452, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 16 R
  • 2B — Travis Isaak — Murray St. — .324/.377/.457, 1 HR, 23 RBI, 16 R
  • 3B — Thomas McCarthy — UK — .304/.405/.491, 3 HR, 16 RBI, 20 R
  • SS — Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .398/.469/.522, 1 HR, 19 RBI, 22 R, 11 SBs
  • OF — J. T. Riddle — UK — .338/.433/.475, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 14 R, 4 SBs
  • OF — Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — .310/.371/.492, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 27 R
  • OF — Chad Wright — UK — .330/.449/.486, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 19 RBI
  • DH — Logan Robbins — WKU — .384/.481/.558, 2 HR, 18 RBI, 19 R, 9 SBs
  • SP — Mike Nastold — UofL — 3-2, 1.74 ERA, 24 SO/16 BB, 31 IP
  • SP — Matt Koch — UofL — 3-3, 2.95 ERA, 26 SO/11 BB, 42.2 IP
  • SP — Justin Hageman — WKU — 4-3, 3.00 ERA, 40 SO/17 BB, 42 IP
  • RP — Derek Self — UofL — 2-0, 0.68 ERA, 19 SO/5 BB, 26.2 IP

NCAA roundup: WKU wins; UofL, UK, Morehead St. all lose

College Baseball

Recaps and highlights from Friday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • Senior designated hitter Chris Bullard drove in five runs and sophomore left-handed pitcher Tanner Perkins pitched seven shutout innings to lead Western Kentucky University to a 14-3 win over UALR. Perkins improved to 6-1 on the season after surrendering just four hits in seven innings while striking out eight batters and walking one. Bullard was 2-4 with one home run, five RBI and two runs scored. Junior center fielder Kes Carter was 4-5 with two RBI, and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson was 3-6 with three RBI and two runs scored. (Box Score)
  • West Virginia used five unearned runs to send the University of Louisville to a 9-2 loss in game one of a three-game series. UofL sophomore right-handed pitcher Matt Koch took the loss after surrendering five runs, only one of which was earned, on seven hits in five and one-third innings while striking out two batter and walking two. Freshman third baseman Ty Young, junior second baseman Ryan Wright and senior catcher J. J. Ethel each had two hits in the game. Freshman designated hitter Ryan Seiz drove in both of the Cards’ runs with his second home run of the season. (Box Score)
  • A complete-game effort from junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer wasn’t enough for the University of Kentucky to avoid a 3-1 loss to No. 3 South Carolina in game one of its three-game series. Meyer fell to 3-4 on the season after surrendering three runs on six hits in eight innings while striking out eight batters and walking five. The Cats tallied just three hits against USC ace Michael Roth, and no UK batter had multiple hits in the game. UK scored its only run on a RBI single in the third innings from junior left fielder Chad Wright that scored junior catcher Michael Williams. (Box Score)
  • SIU Edwardsville scored eight runs through the first three innings and piled on from there to send Morehead State University to a 14-5 loss. Senior right-handed pitcher Trey Smith took the loss after surrendering seven runs, five of which were earned, on six hits in two and two-third innings. Junior third baseman Andrew Deeds was 2-2 with a double, one RBI, one run scored and two walks, and senior second baseman Travis Redmon slugged his third home run of the season. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: DH Chris Bullard (WKU)

  • Stats: 2-5, 1 HR, 1 2B, 5 RBI, 2 R, 1 BB
  • Honorable Mention: Kes Carter (WKU), Ryan Hutchinson (WKU), Matt Rice (WKU), Ryan Wright (UofL), Andrew Deeds (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the day: LHP Tanner Perkins (WKU)

  • Stats: 1-0, 7 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Alex Meyer (UK)

BluGrass Baseball Week Seven Weekend Schedule

College Baseball

Check out the week seven weekend schedule below with probable pitchers listed when available:

Western Kentucky University (16-9) @ UALR

  • Friday — 6 p.m. (CT) — LHP Tanner Perkins (5-1, 2.45 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — 4 p.m. (CT) — RHP Justin Hageman (4-3, 3.00 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — RHP Brian Edelen (3-0, 3.86 ERA) — Live Stats

University of Louisville (16-8) vs. WVU

  • Friday — 6 p.m. — RHP Matt Koch (3-2, 3.13 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 1 p.m. — RHP Justin Amlung (5-0, 0.65 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — RHP Mike Nastold (2-2, 2.10 ERA) — Gametracker

University of Kentucky (15-11) @ South Carolina (3)

  • Friday — 7 p.m. — RHP Alex Meyer (3-3, 3.05 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Saturday — 4:30 p.m. — LHP Corey Littrell (4-1, 5.17 ERA) — Gametracker
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — LHP Taylor Rogers (2-2, 5.45 ERA) — Gametracker

Murray State University (10-13) @ UT Martin

  • Saturday — 1 p.m. (CT) — RHP Tyler Beers (2-3, 5.50 ERA)
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Jake Donze (3-1, 3.15 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. (CT) — LHP Luke Shuemaker (2-3, 5.87 ERA)

Eastern Kentucky University (7-18) vs. SEMO

  • Saturday — 1 p.m. — RHP Matt Fyffe (0-3, 4.07 ERA) — Live Stats
  • Saturday — GM 2 (DH) — LHP Kyle McGrath (2-1, 5.46 ERA)
  • Sunday — 1 p.m. — RHP Stephen Hefler (2-3, 3.75 ERA)

Morehead State University @ SIU Edwardsville

  • Friday — 8 p.m.
  • Saturday — 2 p.m.
  • Sunday — 2 p.m.