UofL surrenders just four hits in 3-1 win over WKU

College Baseball

The University of Louisville scored single runs in the seventh an eighth innings to break open a 1-1 tie en route to a 3-1 win over Western Kentucky University. UofL took the lead in the seventh inning when freshman shortstop Alex Chittenden singled home freshman pinch runner Adam Engel. The Cards added an insurance run in the eighth inning when freshman center fielder Cole Sturgeon scored on a sacrifice fly from junior second baseman Ryan Wright. UofL junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self earned the win after pitching one and one-third scoreless innings, and junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych earned his seventh save after pitching a scoreless ninth inning.

WKU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the second inning when sophomore first baseman Ryan Huck singled home junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson. WKU Sophomore right-handed pitcher Taylor Haydel took the loss after surrendering two runs in two innings of relief. Junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell surrendered one run on two hits in four innings while striking out five batters and walking none in his first start of the season. WKU junior left fielder Jared Andreoli was the only Hilltopper with multiple hits and finished the game 2-5. UofL freshman third baseman Ty Young was 2-4 with a run scored, and Chittenden was 2-3 with one RBI. (Box Score)

Player of the game: RHP Jeff Thompson (UofL) — 5.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO

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.)

College roundup: UofL, WKU clinch series wins; EKU earns first road win; UK drops second straight to Alabama

College Baseball

Ryan Wright; UofL photo

Recaps and highlights from Saturday Kentucky college baseball action:

Western Kentucky University remained undefeated in Sun Belt Conference play and won its eighth game in a row with a 6-4 win over FIU. Freshman right-handed pitcher Justin Hageman earned the win after surrendering one run on seven hits in six and two-third innings while striking out eight batters and walking four. Junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 3-4 with one RBI, and junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 2-4 with one RBI and two runs scored. Sophomore first baseman Ryan Huck slugged his second home run of the season. (Box Score)
The University of Louisville clinched a series victory in its first Big East Conference series with a 9-2 win over Rutgers. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung improved to 5-0 on the season after surrendering two runs, one of which was earned, on seven hits in six innings while striking out seven batters and walking three. Junior second baseman Ryan Wright finish the game a double shy of the cycle and was 4-5 with a home run, triple, five RBI and three runs scored. Redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames slugged his fifth home run of the season, and junior right-handed pitcher Derek Self held Rutgers scoreless over the final three innings for the save. (Box Score)
The University of Kentucky surrendered an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth inning in a 6-5 loss to Alabama, clinching a series win for the Crimson Tide. Freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott took the loss after surrendering one unearned run on two hits in two and one-third innings. Freshman center fielder Lucas Witt was 2-2 with one walk and one run scored in his return from injury. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper had his second consecutive poor start after surrendering five runs on six hits in two and two-third innings. (Box Score)
Murray State University‘s double-header versus Austin Peay was rained out. The two teams will play a double-header on Sunday.
Eastern Kentucky University earned its first road win of the season with a 9-7 victory over Eastern Illinois. Senior right-handed pitcher Ryne Purcell was credited with the win after surrendering two runs on three hits in one inning. Senior center fielder Ryan Faidley and sophomore first baseman Alex Hughes each homered in the game, and junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez was 2-4 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored. Senior right-handed pitcher Chris Hord pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first save, and redshirt junior right-handed starting pitcher Matt Fyffe surrendered two runs in five innings. (Box Score)
Morehead State University‘s double-header versus Southeast Missouri was rained out. The two teams will play a double-header on Sunday.

Hitter of the day: 2B Ryan Wright (UofL)

Stats: 4-5, 1 HR, 1 3B, 5 RBI, 3 R
Honorable Mention: Richie Rodriguez (EKU), Ryan Faidley (EKU), Lucas Witt (UK), Stewart Ijames (UofL), Kyle Grieshaber (UofL), Logan Robbins (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Justin Hageman (WKU)

Stats: 1-0, 6.2 IP, 7 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 8 SO
Honorable Mention: Justin Amlung (UofL), Derek Self (UofL), Walter Wijas (UK), Matt Fyffe (EKU)

Tuesday roundup: UofL, WKU, UK win; OVC teams all lose

College Baseball

Corey Littrell; BluGrass Baseball photo

Recaps and highlights from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball action:

The University of Louisville’s offense busted out of its early season slump to tall 15 hits in an 11-2 win over Kent State. Junior second baseman Ryan Wright was 3-3 with two RBI, three runs scored and one walk, and freshman first baseman Ryan Seiz was 3-3 with one home run, three RBI, two runs scored and one walk. Sophomore designated hitter Kyle Grieshaber and redshirt junior right fielder Stewart Ijames also homered in the game. Freshman right-handed pitcher Jeff Thompson earned his first win after surrendering one unearned run in three innings. (Box Score)
Western Kentucky University took the lead with three runs in third inning and added two insurance runs in the fourth inning to earn a 5-2 win over Austin Peay. Three WKU batters, junior shortstop Logan Robbins, senior third baseman Casey Dykes and sophomore catcher Ryan Huck, tallied two hits in the game. Dykes drove in three runs and Huck drove in two. Robbins and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson each scored two runs. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Taylor Haydel earned the win after pitching three scoreless innings, and junior right-handed pitcher Phil Wetherell picked up asave with a scoreless ninth inning. (Box Score)
The University of Kentucky scored just two runs through seven innings but added two in the eighth inning to secure a 4-2 win over Cincinnati. Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell earned his third win of the season after surrendering one run on eight hits in six innings while striking out four batters and walking two. Freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle was 3-4 with a double and one run scored, and junior catcher Michael Williams was 3-4 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored. Junior designated hitter and right-handed pitcher Braden Kapteyn came on with men on second and third with no outs in the ninth inning but struck out the side to earn his second save. (Box Score)
You can see the BluGrass Baseball recap of the Mid-Continent University 5-1 win over Murray State University here.
Eastern Kentucky University’s losing streak reached six games with a 6-3 loss to Miami (OH). Junior right-handed pitcher Matt Harris took the loss after surrendering three runs in one inning in his first start of the season. The Colonels used the midweek game to get its bullpen some work with nine different pitchers going one inning. Sophomore left fielder Austin Grisham and junior designated hitter Jacob Daniel were both 2-5 in the game. (Box Score)
If last week’s loss to Georgetown College wasn’t the low point of the 2011 season, Morehead State University hit that point Tuesday with a 32-17 loss to Canisius. Three different Eagles pitchers surrendered at least six runs in the game with the loss going to sophomore right-handed pitcher Cody Gibson, who surrendered seven runs on eight hits in two and two-third innings. Canisius tallied 28 hits and scored in every inning except the first and fourth. Three different Morehead St. batters had three hits in the game, led by Luke Bainer, who was 3-5 with two home runs, four RBI and two runs scored. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: RF Luke Bainer (Morehead St.)

Stats: 3-5, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 2 R
Honorable Mention: Ryan Wright (UofL), Ryan Seiz (UofL), Travis Redmon (Morehead St.), Daniel Pugh (Morehead St.), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.), J. T. Riddle (UK), Michael Williams (UK), Casey Dykes (WKU)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Allen Hasse (Mid-Continent)

Stats: 1-0, 9 IP, 8 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO
Honorable Mention: Jeff Thompson (UofL), Chad Green (UofL), Tyler Saltsman (Murray St.), Corey Littrell (UK), Taylor Haydel (WKU)

BluGrass Baseball Hitting Leaderboard: March 8

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 third 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. Stats are current through Sunday’s games.

Batting Average

Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .514 (19-37)
Matt Rice — WKU — .408 (20-49)
Elliot Frey — Murray St. — .393 (11-28)
Zach Osborne — Tennessee (PRP) — .393 (11-28)
Ryan Huck — WKU — .379 (11-29)

Home Runs

Michael Williams — UK — 2
Braden Kapteyn — UK — 2
Jacob Daniel — EKU — 2
Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — 2
Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 2
Zach Noonan — Murray St. — 2

RBI

Matt Rice — WKU — 14
Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 12
Jared Andreoli — WKU — 12
Jacob Daniel — EKU — 11
Zach Noonan — Murray St. — 11

Runs

Braden Kapteyn — UK — 12
Travis Redmon — Morehead St. — 12
Kes Carter — WKU — 12
Taylor Black — UK — 11
Jared Andreoli — WKU — 11
Rich Witten — Coastal Carolina (Danville HS) — 11

Stolen Bases

Chad Wright — UK — 5/5
Logan Robbins — WKU — 5/6
Jared Andreoli — WKU — 3/3
Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 3/3
Kes Carter — WKU — 3/3

On-Base Percentage

Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .581
Elliot Frey — Murray St. — .538
Braden Kapteyn — UK — .520
Paul Ritzheimer — Murray St. — .500
Zach Osborne — Tennessee (PRP) — .485

Slugging Percentage

Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .676
Zach Noonan — Murray St. — .650
Braden Kapteyn — UK — .622
Andrew Deeds — Morehead St. — .600
Ryan Huck — WKU — .586

Wednesday roundup: WKU, UK both win midweek matchups

College Baseball

Corey Littrell; UK photo by Chet White

Recaps from Wednesday Kentucky baseball action:

Normal Saturday starting pitcher Taylor Haydel and first Ryan Huck launched Western Kentucky University‘s first home run of the season in the Hilltoppers’ 6-3 win over Lipscomb. WKU scored two runs in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly from junior outfielder Jared Andreoli and a single from senior catcher Matt Rice to break open a 3-3 tie. Haydel, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, surrendered one hit in two scoreless innings while striking out one to earn the win. Huck, a sophomore first baseman, was 2-5 with a home run, one RBI and one run scored in the game, and senior infielder Casey Dykes was 3-4 with one run scored. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Rye Davis picked up his first save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. (Box Score)
Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell did not surrender a hit through the first six innings of his first collegiate start, and the avoided a late Eastern Michigan rally in a 5-2 win. Littrell picked up his first career win after surrendering two runs on two hits in six and one-third innings. He struck out three batters and walked two. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Jordan Cooper, UK’s normal Friday night starting pitcher, earned the save with a perfect ninth inning. Senior shortstop Taylor Black was 2-2 with two doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in the game. Junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn and sophomore catcher Luke Maile each tallied two hits in four at-bats. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: Matt Rice (WKU)

Stats: 2-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB
Honorable Mention: Ryan Huck (WKU), Casey Dykes (WKU), Taylor Black (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Luke Maile (UK)

Pitcher of the day: Corey Littrell (UK)

Stats: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
Honorable Mention: Phil Wetherell (WKU), Taylor Haydel (WKU), Rye Davis (WKU), Jordan Cooper (UK)

BluGrass Baseball Hitting Leaderboard: February 21

College Baseball

The college statistical leaderboard is pretty useless this early in the season, but it at least offers a glimpse at what players had the best opening weekends. With that in mind check out the first 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.

Batting Average

Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .692 (9-13)
Matt Rice — WKU — .538 (7-13)
Jared Andreoli — WKU — .500 (7-14)
Drew Haynes — UofL — .500 (4-8)
Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — .417 (5-12)

Home Runs

Braden Kapteyn — UK — 1
Jacob Daniel — EKU — 1
Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — 1
Zach Noonan — Murray St. — 1

RBI

Matt Rice — WKU — 7
Jacob Daniel — EKU — 6
Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — 5
Logan Robbins — WKU — 5
Travis Isaak — Murray St. — 5

Runs

Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — 5
Kes Carter — WKU — 5
Braden Kapteyn — UK — 4
Jared Andreoli — WKU — 4
Logan Robbins — WKU — 4

Stolen Bases

Jared Andreoli — WKU — 2/2
Richie Rodriguez — EKU — 2/2
Chad Wright — UK — 2/2
Logan Robbins — WKU — 1/1
Matt Bracken — WKU — 1/1
Ty Young — UofL — 1/1
Thomas McCarthy — UK — 1/1
Neiko Johnson — UK — 1/1

On-Base Percentage

Richie Rodriguez — EKU — .714
Drew Haynes — UofL — .600
Matt Rice — WKU — .563
Zach Noonan — Murray St. — .545
Jared Andreoli — WKU — .529

Slugging Percentage

Ryan Hutchinson — WKU — .750
Taylor Davis — Morehead St. — .667
Jared Andreoli — WKU — .643
Ryan Huck — WKU — .625
Drew Haynes — UofL — .625

UofL suspends Stewart Ijames for violation of team rules; UK equipment bags stolen from bullpen during Saturday loss

College Baseball, Minor League Baseball, Youth Baseball

Ryan Strieby; Photo via Flickr by mwlguide

Latest links and notes from around Kentucky baseball:

The University of Louisville confirmed to BluGrass Baseball that redshirt junior outfielder Stewart Ijames is not playing this weekend due to a violation of team rules.
According to University of Kentucky baseball SID Brent Ingram several UK players, including Sunday starting pitcher Alex Meyer, had their equipment bags stolen from the bullpen during Saturday’s loss to Marshall.
Sheldon S. Shafer of the Courier-Journal reports the Nations Park project, which would have built a state-of-the-art youth baseball complex in Louisville, appears dead after the lead developer dropped an option on a parcel of land in southeast Jefferson County.
Jason Beck of MLB.com reports that so far this spring former UK first baseman Ryan Strieby has been hitting without any sign of the wrist problems that have plagued him in recent seasons.
Nick Baumgardner of the Bowling Green Daily News recaps Western Kentucky University’s walk-off win over BGSU, noting WKU head coach Chris Finwood was surprised BGSU intentionally walked Kes Carter and Ryan Hutchinson to face Matt Rice.
Brad Stephens of the College Heights Herald notes WKU sophomore first baseman said of BGSU’s decision to face Rice, “He’s an All-American catcher. I don’t know what they were thinking pitching to him.”
In a rare out-of-state matchup between two Kentucky starting pitchers, Valparaiso senior right-handed pitcher Damon McCormick, a St. X alum, and Austin Peay redshirt senior left-handed pitcher Jack Snodgrass, a Bowling Green High School alum, both pitched well though neither pitcher ended up with a win. McCormick surrendered four runs on 11 hits in seven innings while Snodgrass surrendered one run on two hits in four innings. Austin Peay won the game in extra innings.

Saturday NCAA Roundup: UofL, WKU win; EKU suspended

College Baseball

Justin Amlung; UofL photo

Recaps from day two of the Kentucky college baseball season:

University of Louisville redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Justin Amlung was nearly unhittable in leading the Cards to a 2-0 win over Ohio State in game two of the Big East/Big Ten Challenge. Amlung allowed just four hits in seven and two-third shutout innings while striking out four and walking one to earn the win. Junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych allowed the potential tying run to reach base in the ninth but finished the game without allowing a run to record his second save in two games. Junior second baseman Ryan Wright and sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings tallied the two RBI for UofL in the game. (Box Score)
Bowling Green St. intentionally walked two batters to load the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Western Kentucky University senior catcher Matt Rice made them pay with a game-winning RBI single in the Hilltoppers’ 8-7 win. The Hilltoppers led 7-5 entering the ninth inning but redshirt junior closer Rye Davis surrendered two runs in a blown save. Junior left fielder Jared Andreoli led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. BGSU then intentionally walked junior outfielders Kes Carter and Ryan Hutchinson, setting up the Rice game-winning hit. Hutchinson was 2-3 with one RBI and two runs scored in the game, and Andreoli tallied three hits in four at-bats. (Box Score)
The University of Kentucky surrendered four unearned runs in the bottom of the eighth inning after a throwing error from redshirt senior second baseman Neiko Johnson prolonged the inning in a 6-4 loss to Marshall. The loss dropped UK to 0-2 for the first time since 1999. Freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott took the loss after surrendering four unearned runs in two innings. UK scored twice and brought the tying run to the plate with no outs in the top of the ninth inning but the rally fell just short. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers pitched will in his first start of the season, surrendering two runs on seven hits in seven innings while striking out seven and walking none. Junior first baseman Braden Kapteyn was 2-4 with two runs scored in the game. (Box Score)
Eastern Kentucky University‘s game with Pepperdine was postponed due to inclement weather with the Colonels up 8-7 and a man on third base with one out in the ninth inning. EKU junior shortstop Richie Rodriguez was 4-4 with two RBI and a run scored, and junior designated hitter Jacob Daniel was 1-2 with a home run, four RBI and one run scored. EKU senior closer Ryne Purcell was on the mound when the game was postponed. The game will be resumed at 2 p.m. on Sunday. (Live Stats)
Murray State University never overcame a five-run first inning from UNC Asheville in a 15-5 loss in game two of a three-game series. Junior-college transfer and Murray St. starting pitcher Luke Shuemaker settled down after the first inning but still took the loss after surrendering five runs on nine hits in four innings pitched. At the plate the Breds were led by senior left fielder Drew Pixley, who was 2-4 with a run scored. (Box Score)
Nothing went right for Morehead State University in its second game of the 2011 season as the Eagles tallied just five hits and were blown out 18-0 after an abysmal pitching performance. Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher Josh Schneider took the loss after surrendering six runs on six hits in three innings pitched. Freshman left-handed pitcher Noah Smallwood struggled in his collegiate debut, giving up six runs on six hits in just one inning of work. One of the few bright spots for the Eagles came from freshman left-handed pitcher Brice Smallwood, who struck out the side in a scoreless inning in his collegiate debut. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: Richie Rodriguez (EKU)

Stats: 4-4, 1 2B, 2 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB
Honorable Mention: Jacob Daniel (EKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), Ryan Hutchinson (WKU), Ryan Huck (WKU), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Drew Pixley (Murray St.)

Pitcher of the day: Justin Amlung (UofL)

Stats: 1-0, 7.2 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO
Honorable Mention: Taylor Rogers (UK), Matt Harris (EKU), Brice Smallwood (Morehead St.), Ross Hammonds (WKU)

Top 2011 Ky. Collegians: Those who just missed the list

College Baseball

Over the past few weeks BluGrass Baseball has been counting down the top 25 Kentucky collegians in advance of the 2011 college baseball season. As with any list of this kind there are plenty of arguments to be made about players who you think were too high, too low, incorrectly left off the list or incorrectly included on it. I’m sure you have plenty of arguments of your own but I’ve included some of the arguments I think could be made below:

Nick Maronde; Florida photo

Most glaring omission — Lexington Catholic High School alum Nick Maronde is undoubtedly one of the top 2011 draft prospects among Kentucky collegians, but his undefined role on the University of Florida pitching staff and mixed performance during his first two seasons on campus kept him off the list. Maronde, a left-handed pitcher, is 5-1 with a 4.93 ERA in his collegiate career but will likely pitch in middle relief for the No. 1 Gators this season. If Maronde pitched on any of other team he might be an important weekend starting pitcher or closer, but as a middle reliever I didn’t find room for him on the list.

Biggest stretch — If we were hosting a fantasy draft of Kentucky collegians Georgetown College outfielder Tyler Fisher most likely goes nowhere near the top 25, but his summer league performance led me to included him as the last player in the top 25 if for no other reason than to give some notoriety to a small-college player.

Players most likely to jump onto the list following the season — In addition to Maronde, one could easily envision University of Louisville senior right-handed pitcher Gabriel Shaw, UofL sophomore first baseman Zak Wasserman, University of Kentucky sophomore left-handed pitcher Taylor Rogers, UK outfielder Brian Adams, Western Kentucky University sophomore catcher and first baseman Ryan Huck, Morehead State University second baseman Travis Redmon and Eastern Kentucky University senior outfielder Ryan Faidley as having 2011 seasons that might propel them into consideration for this list following the season.

Performance versus talent — This list tended to value college performance over talent, but in a few cases I did give a players MLB draft prospect status added weight. The two most obvious cases of this dilemma came with UK junior right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer and UofL junior right-handed pitcher Tony Zych. Neither player’s 2010 statistics warrant inclusion in the top six players, but Meyer and Zych rank as the top two draft prospects in the state. If either player lives up to his potential in 2011, the duo could climb to the top of this list.