Game notes
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – The Northern Kentucky University baseball team travels to Columbus, Ohio, for a doubleheader against Ohio State University on Wednesday at Nick Swisher Field at Bill Davis Stadium.
First pitch for the opening game is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. with the nightcap following approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Live stats and broadcast information will be available at NKUNorse.com. A live video stream will be available for a fee as well.
The doubleheader will mark the first meeting between the two programs.
NKU holds an 8-35 overall record after dropping a three-game series to Florida Gulf Coast University in Atlantic Sun Conference action over the weekend. The Eagles used a 6-1 victory on Friday to start the series, and an RBI single by Brooks Beisner gave FGCU a 3-2 win in 10 innings on Saturday. The Eagles completed the sweep on Sunday, as FGCU defeated NKU, 12-2. The Norse are 3-15 in the A-Sun.
NKU returns home this weekend for a three-game series against A-Sun foe Lipscomb at the Bill Aker Baseball Complex.
ABOUT OHIO STATE: Ohio State brings a 28-13 overall record and a 12-4 mark in the Big Ten Conference into Wednesday's action. The Buckeyes have won their last five games, including a three-game sweep of Penn State over the weekend, and are fourth in the conference.
Kirby Pellant leads the way offensively for the Buckeyes. He is batting .345 on the year and has collected three doubles, three triples, one home run and 10 RBIs. His triples total ranks third in the Big Ten, while Patrick Porter leads the conference with four triples. Porter is the frontrunner on the team in runs (33), doubles (11) and RBIs (28).
The Norse are expected to face right-handed pitchers Jake Post and Tyler Giannonatti on the mound on Wednesday. Post holds a 2-0 record and 4.15 earned run average this season. He has recorded 19 strikeouts while only walking six in 21 2/3 innings of work.
Giannonatti will be making his first start of the year after making 13 appearances in relief. He has a 4.05 ERA and is 0-2 this season. Giannonatti has struck out nine batters and has only allowed nine earned runs over 20 innings on the mound.
SIMILAR FOES: NKU and Ohio State have faced three similar opponents this season: Ball State, Cincinnati and Marshall. Both teams earned come-from-behind victories over Ball State, with the Norse defeating the Cardinals, 10-9, on April 9, and Ohio State held on for a 5-3 win on March 9.
The Buckeyes also defeated Marshall, 5-0, while the Norse dropped a four-game home series to the Thundering Herd. NKU and Ohio State both lost to Cincinnati by scores of 4-3 and 5-3, respectively.
Both teams also have faced conference opponents earlier this season as well. On Feb. 23, the Norse dropped a 4-3 decision to Northwestern, who the Buckeyes face this weekend. Stetson defeated Ohio State, 3-2, in 12 innings on March 2. The Norse travel to DeLand, Fla., to take on Stetson May 10-12.
COLLECTING 100: In the bottom of the fourth on Saturday, Alex Diaz struck out swinging for
Matt Jefferson's 100th career strikeout. The left-handed pitcher from Indianapolis entered the series with 97 strikeouts and collected four more on the day for 101 total. Jefferson recorded 19 in 10 appearances as a freshman and added 40 to his total during the 2012 season. This year, he has struck out a team-high 42 batters.
Earlier this season,
Brett Loeding also recorded his 100th strikeout in an NKU uniform when he struck out Saint Louis' Alex Kelly in the ninth inning on Feb. 24. He has now compiled 130 as a Norse.
CLEMENT CHASING: Brad Clement only needs four more RBIs for 123 in his career as a Norse to move into a tie for ninth place on NKU's all-time list. Over his career at NKU, he has batted in 119 runs, including 20 this season. He recorded 29 as a sophomore and 50 last season. Clement is looking to tie the mark held by Dan Logan (1984-87) and Gary Flowerdew (1985-88). He needs just five more RBIs to catch Mike Pitzer (1994-98) in eighth place with 124.
