Walter Wijas

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: March 29

Uncategorized

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics through six 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 — 0.65 (41.2 IP)
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — 2.05 (30.2 IP)
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — 2.10 (25.2 IP)
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2.45 (40.1 IP)
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 3.05 (41.1 IP)

Wins

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 5-0
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 5-1
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 5-0
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 4-2
  • Seven players tied with three wins.

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 54
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 35
  • Jeremy Dobbs — Austin Peay (Daviess Co. HS) — 34
  • Justin Hageman — WKU — 33
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 30
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X) — 30

Innings Pitched

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 41.2
  • Alex Meyer — UK — 41.1
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 40.1
  • Damon McCormick — Valpo (St. X HS) — 39.2
  • Tyler Beers — Murray St. — 36.0

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 6
  • Mike Kaczmarek — UK — 4
  • Rye Davis — WKU — 3
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 3
  • Cameron Finch — Murray St. — 3

Batting Average Against

  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .168
  • Brandon Boling — Gardner Webb (Bryan Station HS) — .180
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .204
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .214
  • Chad Martin — Indiana (PLD) — .221

Appearances

  • Tyler Hieneman — Morehead St. — 12
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 12
  • Phil Wetherell — WKU — 12
  • Nick Maronde — Florida (Lexington Catholic) — 11
  • Matt Harris — EKU — 11
  • Matthew Robertson — Morehead St. — 11
  • Matt Cartwright — Morehead St. — 11

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.)

Wednesday roundup: UK wins big; EKU loses 7th straight

College Baseball

Taylor Black; UK Athletics photo

Recaps and highlights from Wednesday Kentucky college baseball action:

  • The University of Kentucky scored nine runs over two consecutive innings to earn its eighth win in the last nine games with a 12-4 victory over Canisius. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Walter Wijas earned the win after surrendering two unearned runs in one and two-third innings of work. Senior shortstop Taylor Black was 3-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, and junior left fielder Chad Wright was 3-4 with two runs scored. Senior designated hitter Mike Kaczmarek slugged his first collegiate home run, and sophomore center fielder Brian Adams was 2-2 with two runs scored. Freshman right-handed pitcher Jonathan Paquet surrendered two runs on five hits in four and one-third innings while striking out five batters and walking one in the start. (Box Score)
  • Eastern Kentucky University‘s losing streak hit seven games and the Colonels fell to 0-10 on the road this season with a 6-3 loss to Miami (OH). Sophomore right-handed pitcher Anthony Bazzani took the loss after surrendering four runs on seven hits in six and two-third innings while striking out five batters and walking three. Junior designated hitter Jacob Daniel and freshman third baseman Bryan Soloman were both 2-4 in the game. EKU jumped out to a 3-1 lead after six innings, but Miami (OH) scored four runs in the seventh inning and one run in the eighth inning to blow the game open. (Box Score)
  • Morehead State University‘s game versus Pikeville College was postponed due to rain and will be made up at a later date.

Hitter of the day: SS Taylor Black (UK)

  • Stats: 3-5, 4 RBI, 2 R
  • Honorable Mention: Chad Wright (UK), Braden Kapteyn (UK), Mike Kaczmarek (UK), Brian Adams (UK), Jacob Daniel (EKU), Bryan Soloman (EKU)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Jonathan Paquet (UK)

  • Stats: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Anthony Bazzani (EKU), Walter Wijas (UK)

Tuesday roundup: UK, WKU win; UofL, Murray St. lose

College Baseball

Paul Ritzheimer bats vs. UK; BluGrass Baseball photo

Highlights and recaps from Tuesday Kentucky college baseball:

  • The University of Louisville scored three unanswered runs from the sixth inning on but could not overcome an early 4-0 deficit in a 4-3 loss to Southern California. Senior right-handed pitcher Gabriel Shaw, making his first start of the season, took the loss after surrendering four runs on five hits in three innings while striking out one batter and walking two. Sophomore third baseman Cade Stallings was 2-3 with two doubles, two RBI and one run scored. Freshman right-handed pitcher Jeff Thompson struck out four batters and walked one in four scoreless innings of relief. (Box Score)
  • You can see the BluGrass Baseball recap of the University of Kentucky 7-6 win over Murray State University here.
  • Western Kentucky University scored five runs in the first inning then held on for an 11-6 win over Belmont. Eight WKU batters recorded multiple hits in the game, including three batters who recorded three hits. Junior shortstop Logan Robbins was 3-5 with a home run, one RBI and two runs scored, junior second baseman Ivan Hartle was 3-5 with two runs scored and junior right fielder Ryan Hutchinson was 3-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Freshman right-handed pitcher G. J. Strauss earned his first collegiate win after surrendering two runs in two innings. (Box Score)

Hitter of the day: 3B Paul Ritzheimer (Murray St.)

  • Stats: 3-4, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R
  • Honorable Mention: SS Logan Robbins (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Ryan Hutchinson (WKU), Jared Andreoli (WKU), J. T. Riddle (UK), Brian Adams (UK), Cade Stallings (UofL)

Pitcher of the day: RHP Jeff Thompson (UofL)

  • Stats: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 4 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Phil Wetherell (WKU), Walter Wijas (UK), Tyler Saltsman (Murray St.)

Freshmen lead UK rally in a 7-6 win over Murray State

College Baseball

Dallen_Reber bats vs. Murray St.; BluGrass Baseball photo

The University of Kentucky rallied from an early 5-0 deficit to post a 7-6 win over Murray State University. The Cats tied the game with two outs in the sixth inning on a two-run single from freshman right fielder J. T. Riddle and then took the lead on a RBI single from freshman designated hitter Dallen Reber. UK sophomore right-handed pitcher Walter Wijas earned the win after striking out two batters in a scoreless inning. Senior left-handed pitcher Mike Kaczmarek earned his third save of the season after coming on to pitch in the ninth inning with one out and two men on base and inducing a double-play to end the game. Riddle, Reber, sophomore center fielder Brian Adams and sophomore catcher Luke Maile each tallied two hits in the game for UK. Riddle entered the game as a defensive replacement for freshman outfielder Lucas Witt, who left with an apparent leg injury.

Murray St. junior left-handed pitcher Mark Roberts took the loss after surrendering three runs in on four hits in one inning of work. At the plate sophomore third baseman Paul Ritzheimer was 3-4 with one home run, three RBI and one run scored. Sophomore shortstop Brandon Elliott was 3-5 with one RBI and one run scored, and junior catcher Jacob Rhodes was 2-4 with one double and one run scored. Freshman right-handed pitcher Tyler Saltsman started the game for Murray St. and surrendered one hit in two scoreless innings. (Box Score)

BluGrass Baseball player of the game: RF J. T. Riddle — 2-2, 1 BB, 3 RBI, 2 R, 1 SB

BluGrass Baseball Pitching Leaderboard: March 1

College Baseball

In the second weekly leaderboard post we’ll look at the top pitching statistics from the first weekend of the season. To be eligible for the ERA and batting average against categories, pitchers must have at least one inning per team game.

ERA

  • Walter Wijas — UK — 0.00 (8.2 IP)
  • Derek Self — UofL — 0.00 (6 IP)
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 0.66 (13.2 IP)
  • Ross Hammonds — WKU — 1.22 (7.1 IP)
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — 1.29 (7 IP)

Wins

  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — 2-0
  • 16 players tied with one win.

Strikeouts

  • Alex Meyer — UK — 20
  • Tyler Beers — Murray St. — 14
  • Taylor Rogers — UK — 13
  • Josh Schneider — Morehead St. — 12
  • Matt Koch — UofL — 11

Innings Pitched

  • Tyler Beers — Murray St. — 14
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — 13.2
  • Taylor Rogers — UK — 12.2
  • Jake Donze — Murray St. — 12.1
  • Taylor Haydel — WKU — 12.1

Saves

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 3
  • Ryne Purcell — EKU — 2
  • Six players tied with one save.

Batting Average Against

  • Derek Self — UofL — .056
  • Alex Meyer — UK — .158
  • Mike Nastold — UofL — .174
  • Justin Amlung — UofL — .180
  • Stephen Hefler — EKU — .184
  • Tanner Perkins — WKU — .184

Appearances

  • Tony Zych — UofL — 4
  • Walter Wijas — UK — 4
  • Tyler Hieneman — Morehead St. — 4
  • Matt Cartwright — Morehead St. — 4
  • Noah Smallwood — Morehead St. — 4

Black, Amlung, Littrell earn week 2 BluGrass Baseball awards

College Baseball

Taylor Black; UK Athletics photo

It’s time for the weekly BluGrass Baseball awards. Check out the best hitting, pitching and freshmen performances from week two of the 2011 season:

Hitter of the week: SS Taylor Black (UK)

  • Stats: 9-17 (.529), 1 HR, 9 R, 9 RBI, 5 BB, 3 doubles, 1 stolen base
  • Honorable Mention: Matt Rice (WKU), Ivan Hartle (WKU), Luke Maile (UK), Ryan Wright (UofL), Jacob Daniel (EKU), Austin Grisham (EKU), Jacob Rhodes (Murray St.), Taylor Davis (Morehead St.)

Pitcher of the week: RHP Justin Amlung (UofL)

  • Stats: 0-0, 6 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Tanner Perkins (WKU), Taylor Haydel (WKU), Walter Wijas (UK), Corey Littrell (UK), Matt Koch (UofL), Stephen Hefler (EKU), Kyle McGrath (EKU), Tyler Beers (Murray St.), Jake Donze (Murray St.)

Freshman of the week: LHP Corey Littrell (UK)

  • Stats: 1-0, 6.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 SO
  • Honorable Mention: Scott Wilcox (WKU), Trevor Gott (UK), Matt Reida (UK), Cody Edge (UofL), Kyle McGrath (EKU), Cameron Finch (Murray St.), Noah Smallwood (Morehead St.)

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.)

UK blows out Morehead St. 12-3 in first in-state game of 2011

College Baseball

Chad Wright; Photo: UK Athletics

In the first intrastate matchup of the 2011 season the University of Kentucky had no trouble with the Morehead State University pitching staff in a 12-3 win. Six different UK batters tallied multiple hits in the game. UK junior outfielder Chad Wright was 3-4 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored. UK Sophomore right-handed pitcher Walter Wijas was credited with the win after pitching three and two-third scoreless innings in relief. Wijas struck out three batters and walked two. UK freshman second baseman Matt Reida was 3-5 with one RBI and two runs scored in the game, and junior third baseman Thomas McCarthy was 3-5 with one RBI and two runs scored. UK freshman right-handed pitcher Jonathan Paquet surrendered two runs in three innings in his first collegiate start.

The Morehead St. pitching staff was able to work out of trouble early in the game, preventing UK from scoring a run after loading the bases in three consecutive innings, but a three-run seventh inning and four-run eighth inning from UK put the game out of reach. At the plate Morehead St. junior catcher Taylor Davis was 2-5 with one RBI. Junior outfielder Luke Bainer, sophomore shortstop Austin Haney and redshirt freshman outfielder Nick Duff each tallied two hits in the game. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Cody Gibson was credited with the loss after surrendering four runs on seven hits in three innings. The Eagles used seven different pitchers in the game, including weekend starting pitchers Trey Smith and Josh Schneider. (Box Sc0re)

Offseason position battle: UK closer

College Baseball

Braden Kapteyn; Photo: UK Athletics

In the next-to-last post in the “offseason position battle” series we will look at the vacant University of Kentucky closer position.

The departed — Right-handed pitcher Matt Little posted a strong season as UK’s closer in 2010 during his only season with the Cats. Little, who was a junior-college transfer, was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the 31st round of the 2010 draft. The Virginia native was 2-2 with a 4.93 ERA and seven saves in 2010. Little struck out 52 batters and walked 24 in 42 innings. He led the Cats with 24 appearances in 2010…Left-handed pitcher Logan Darnell, a 2010 junior and Minnesota Twins draftee, was UK’s primary closer in 2009 but served as a starter for most of the 2010 season. After returning to the bullpen late in conference play last season, Darnell saved one game in three relief appearances.

Returning candidates — The 2011 closer job is likely junior right-handed pitcher and first baseman Braden Kapteyn‘s job to lose after serving as one of UK’s top relievers last season. Kapteyn was 2-0 with a 4.09 ERA and 22 strikeouts to go with 15 walks in 22 innings last season. He saved two games last season. The slugger will also likely serve as UK’s primary designated hitter, giving him the flexibility to warm up in the bullpen during the late innings. During the summer 2010 Kapteyn was 3-1 with a 0.69 ERA in 15 relief appearances for the Harwich Mariners en route to being named a Cape Cod League all-star…Redshirt senior right-handed pitcher Nick Kennedy has struggled to stay healthy during his UK career but offers the Cats a deceptive submarine look out of the pen. In his UK career Kennedy is 4-1 with a 4.21 ERA and two saves. He has struck out 42 and walked just 15 in 40 career innings.

Newcomers to watch — Freshman left-handed pitcher Corey Littrell, freshman right-handed pitcher Trevor Gott and freshman infielder and right-handed pitcher J. T. Riddle were all named first-team all-state by the Kentucky High School Baseball Coaches Association as seniors in high school and could serve as valuable relievers for UK in 2011…Freshman right-handed pitcher Jonathan Paquet was the 22nd round pick of the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010 and was highlighted by Gary Henderson in a recent interview with College Baseball Daily as a freshman who could be an earlier contributor for the Cats…Junior left-handed pitcher Alex Phillips struck out 83 and walked just seven batters in 71 innings for Lower Columbia College in 2010.

Wildcard — Returning middle relievers Walter Wijas and Mike Kaczmarek were both valuable weapons out of the UK bullpen in 2010. Wijas, a sophomore right-handed pitcher, was 0-0 with a 3.60 ERA in 14 games, including one start, last season. Kaczmarek, a senior left-handed pitcher, was 1-0 with a 5.32 ERA last season. Kaczmarek will likely see some time in the outfield for UK in 2011, but will be a left-handed specialist out of the pen. Either Wijas or Kaczmarek could work their way into a more pressurized role in 2011.