2012 OVC Baseball Weekly Report - Final (PDF)
Team Notes
Austin Peay (40-24, 19-7 OVC): Austin Peay capped the regular season by taking the final two games at Tennessee Tech to finish the OVC season 19-7, tied for first place with Eastern Kentucky. It marked the eighth all-time regular season title for the Governors who have also won the title in 1971, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2011. APSU won the tiebreaker with Eastern Kentucky and was the No. 1 seed for the OVC Tournament. In that event the Governors lost their opening game to Southeast Missouri, but rebounded by winning four-straight elimination games to claim its fifth tournament championship and second-straight. With the win the Govs capped the “repeat squared” winning back-to-back regular season and tournament championships, the first time that has ever happened in OVC history. The Govs earned the No. 4 seed in the Eugene Regional and traveled to face the No. 1 seed and host Oregon Ducks. Austin Peay lost the first game, allowing two runs in the ninth inning to fall 6-5, but rebounded to eliminate Indiana State (1-0) and Cal State Fullerton (3-0) and reach the Regional Final against Oregon. There the Govs lost 8-1 in that game but by winning two games in the Regional became the first OVC team since 2000 (Middle Tennessee) to win two games in the same NCAA Tournament. Greg Bachman, who became APSU’s all-time hits and runs scored leader in the postseason, was named MVP of the OVC Tournament and to the All-Regional Team as well. Bachman finished the season with an OVC-best 67 RBI and hit .351 with 93 hits, 45 runs, 14 doubles and 16 home runs. Pitcher Casey Delgado tossed a shutout in the Regional win over Indiana State and finished the season 9-4 overall. Closer Tyler Rogers had 12 saves on the season (tied for 3rd most in OVC single-season history) and made 38 appearances, which along with teammate Mike Hebert and EIU reliever Darin Worman, set a new OVC single-season record. The Govs finished the season with 40 wins, the first OVC team to win 40 games since the Govs did it in 2007, and just the ninth-team in OVC history to accomplish the feat.
Eastern Illinois (29-29, 15-11 OVC): Despite losing two of three at Jacksonville State to wrap-up the regular season, Eastern Illinois finished the OVC season 15-11 and secured the No. 4 seed for the OVC Tournament after failing to make the field a season ago. It was the 12th OVC Tournament appearance for the Panthers who won their first three games at the event to advance to the Championship Round. But in the finals the Panthers were shutout in back-to-back games with Austin Peay and finished as the event’s runner-up. The Panthers closed the regular season by winning 11 of its final 15 games and capped the year with wins in 14 of its final 20 games to finish 29-29 overall. The team finished the season leading the OVC in E.R.A. (4.14). Senior Darin Worman made his 38th appearance during the OVC Tournament, establishing a new OVC single-season record for appearances (he shares the record with Austin Peay’s Tyler Rogers and Mike Hebert who also had 38 appearances this season) Individually senior Mike Hoekstra is first in the league in E.R.A. (2.53) having fanned 83 batters in 110.1 innings of work this season. He was brilliant in the OVC Tournament, opening the event with a complete game two-hitter (where he allowed one unearned run) and coming back for the Championship Game on three days rest where he allowed two unearned runs over 6.2 innings. Hoekstra ranks second in school history in career games started (46) and innings pitched (293) and ninth in strikeouts (193). Freshman Brant Valach (.314, 28 RBI) was named OVC Freshman of the Year (and a Freshman All-American) while outfielder Caleb Howell (.316, 20 RBI) was an All-Freshman Team selection as well. All-OVC pick T.J. McManus led Eastern Illinois in hitting on the year, batting .358 with nine home runs and 49 RBI. Designated hitter Ben Thoma established a new EIU career record for home runs during the OVC Tournament (40).
Eastern Kentucky (31-23, 19-7 OVC): Entering the OVC Tournament Eastern Kentucky was the hottest team in the OVC having won 24 of its last 30 games to earn a share of the OVC regular season championship with Austin Peay. In the process the squad went over the 30-win plateau for the first time since winning 34 games in 2004. Overall it marked the record 16th OVC Championship for the team and first since the 2000 season. EKU has also won regular season titles in 1951, 1954, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 2000. The team’s hot streak would come to an end in the OVC Tournament (where the squad made its record 28th appearance), losing both of its games to be eliminated. OVC Pitcher of the Year Matt Fyffe entered the postseason 9-0 with a 1.51 E.R.A. (seventh-best nationally), but allowed nine earned runs in 5.1 innings against Eastern Illinois in the OVC Tournament to end the year 9-1 with a 2.54 E.R.A. Senior shortstop Richie Rodriguez was named a first-team All-OVC selection and later went on to earn All-American honors. Rodriguez finished the year hitting .377 with 80 hits, 59 runs, 18 doubles, 3 triples, 14 home runs, 46 RBI and 12 stolen bases. Senior outfielder Jacob Daniel finished his career with 17 career triples which was just one away from tying the OVC career record held by fellow Colonel Jayson Langfels (2008-10).
Jacksonville State (28-30, 17-10 OVC): Jacksonville State won three of its final four games the final week of the regular season, including topping SEC foe Auburn and winning two of three from Eastern Illinois. The Gamecocks finished the OVC season with a 17-10 record which earned the team the No. 3 seed for the OVC Tournament. JSU lost its first game of the tournament to Southeast Missouri but rebounded to eliminate Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky before falling to eventual champion Austin Peay. The Gamecocks finished the season 28-30, ending a streak of nine-straight seasons with 30 or more wins. In the victory over Auburn to begin the final week of the regular season, senior Todd Hornsby recorded his 32nd career save, moving him out of a tie and into sole possession of the OVC record for career saves (besting the mark previously held by EKU’s Joe Witten). Hornsby finished the year with 12 saves (second-most in the OVC), which was just three away from the single-season record he set last year. Senior first baseman Ben Waldrip finished the year with 18 home runs and 61 RBI while hitting .330 in 53 games overall. Senior Sam Eberle finished the season leading the team in hitting (.359), runs (49) and doubles (18); he finished his career with 62 doubles, just three away from the OVC career record. Head coach Jim Case picked up his 350th career win in the team’s victory over EIU the final weekend of the regular season.
Morehead State (28-27, 13-14 OVC): Morehead State closed out the regular season by sweeping UT Martin to finish 13-14 in OVC play and earn the No. 5 seed for the OVC Tournament. It marked the first time since the 2009 season the Eagles have qualified for the tournament; overall it was the 18th tournament appearance for the program who has won two tournament crowns (1983, 1993). Overall MSU finished the year with 28 victories, the most for the team since winning 29 games in the 2005 season. In OVC Tournament play the Eagles lost in the bottom of the ninth inning to Eastern Illinois to start the event and were eliminated by Jacksonville State the following day. Junior closer Matt Duncan finished his first season with MSU with 13 saves, the second-most in OVC single-season history, just two away from the record. In 26 appearances this year Duncan allowed nine earned runs and compiled a 2-1 record and 2.45 E.R.A. Fellow reliever Morgan Cirbo set the MSU program record for appearances in a season with 29. Senior third baseman Andrew Deeds finished the season with 87 hits, breaking the Morehead State single-season record; for the year Deeds hit .394 with 42 runs, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 7 home runs, 42 RBI and 12 stolen bases. As a team Morehead State finished the year ranked second in the OVC in batting average (.295).
Murray State (23-33, 8-19 OVC): Murray State failed to make the OVC Tournament after being swept at home to league co-champion Eastern Kentucky to finish the season. The last week of the season was not all bad for the Thoroughbreds, however, as MSU topped No. 2 ranked Kentucky 7-3 n a game played at Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky. Senior catcher Jacob Rhodes delivered a bases-clearing double in the bottom of the eighth inning to give MSU the win in front of 1,379 fans. The victory over second-ranked Wildcats marked the highest-ranked opponent Murray State had beaten in school history. The ’Breds used a pitcher by committee approach to the game as seven different players took to the mound; Will Handlin picked up his fifth victory of the season by pitching the final two innings. Handlin’s five wins on the year were tied for the most on the team.
Southeast Missouri (23-36, 12-15 OVC): Southeast Missouri State was last in the OVC standings after four weeks of Conference play this year and it appeared the team would not be making the OVC Tournament field. The Redhawks, however, rebounded to win four of its final five series of the season and lock up its 18th-straight OVC Tournament appearance, which is an OVC all-time record. The team has made the tournament field in every season that Mark Hogan has been the team’s head coach. In the OVC Tournament the Redhawks topped Jacksonville State in its first game and then upset No. 1 seed Austin Peay to reach the winner’s bracket championship game. Southeast came up one run short to Eastern Illinois (7-6) in that game and was eliminated by Austin Peay the following day. The team has been led all season by All-American Trenton Moses, who was named OVC Player of the Year for the second-straight season, making him just the third person in league history to win the award more than once. Moses came up just one RBI short of winning the OVC’s Regular Season Triple Crown and finished the year leading the OVC in batting average (.408) and home runs (19) while being tied for third overall in RBI (61). Moses led the nation in slugging percentage (.761) and on-base percentage (.531). Senior shortstop Kenton Parmley finished the year with a .363 average, which ranked fifth in the league. During the season he had a 47-game hitting streak (which included the final 8 games of the 2011 season), which is tied for the third-longest in NCAA history. In fact the four longest hitting streaks in the OVC during 2012 were all held by Redhawk players - Parmley (47), Derek Gibson (29), Moses (22 and 18 games).
SIUE (27-28, 13-14 OVC): SIUE capped its season by topping Southeast Missouri State 24-7 finale, capping its reclassification to Division I with a 27-28 overall record and 13-14 mark (sixth place) in the OVC. This year marked the final of reclassification for the Cougars, who will be a full Division I team next season and eligible for OVC and NCAA postseason play. Had the team been eligible for OVC postseason this year they would have been the No. 6 seed for this year’s tournament. After 29 total wins in its first two years of reclassification, SIUE had a 55-52 record of its final two years of the process. In the final game of the season catcher Brett Keeler drove in eight runs, including a pair of bases clearing doubles and a two-run home run. Closer Dustin Quattrocchi finished the season with an impressive 0.66 E.R.A. in 25 appearances (41.0 innings). The senior had 12 saves (which tied for second in the OVC) and was 5-1 overall; he allowed just three earned runs all season and struck out 47 while walking only five.
Tennessee Tech (21-32, 10-16 OVC): Tennessee Tech closed out the 2012 season by winning a non-conference game at Lipscomb and the opener in the Austin Peay series, but lost the final two games to the Governors to just miss out on the OVC Tournament field (by 1.5 games). In the team’s win over APSU to begin the series, junior Tristan Archer was lights out, striking out a career-high 13 batters, the most by an OVC player in a game this season. Archer scattered four hits on 8.2 innings of work and at one stretch in the middle of the game struck out seven of eight batters. The performance earned him OVC Pitcher of the Week honors for the second time this season. Archer finished the season with a 4-4 record and 4.04 E.R.A. in 89.0 innings of work. Sophomore first baseman Zach Stephens finished the season with a .368 batting average, 75 hits, 13 doubles, 18 home runs and 52 RBI. He was also named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Award, given to the nation’s top player. During the regular season his .696 slugging percentage ranked sixth nationally while his 18 home runs were second most in the OVC and fourth-most nationally.
UT Martin (13-41, 7-20 OVC): UT Martin ended the season with four losses, losing a non-conference game at Memphis and then being swept in its Conference finale at Morehead State. The Skyhawks finished the season by losing six-straight and nine of 10. Alec Mills fanned seven batters in his final start of the season, the seventh time in 14 starts this year he had six or more strikeouts in a game. For the season he compiled a 4-6 record and 3.94 E.R.A. in 14 appearances. Junior closer Dan Tobik finished the year as the team’s E.R.A. leader, posting a 2.78 mark in 27 appearances; Tobik had five saves on the year. Senior Jordan Owen finished the season as the team’s leading batter, hitting .332 with eight home runs and 28 RBI. Owen finished his career with 35 home runs, second-most in UT Martin history. Grant Glasser was second on the team in hitting (.291) and capped the season with three doubles and four RBI in the final week of the season.
Notes From Around the League
Govs Win Two Games in NCAA Regional: After Austin Peay lost its NCAA Regional opener by one run to host Oregon, the Governors bounced back to eliminate Indiana State and Cal State Fullerton and reach the Regional Championship where the team lost 8-1 to Oregon. It marked the first time an OVC team had won two games in the same NCAA Tournament since the 2000 season (Middle Tennessee). Austin Peay won a game in the NCAA Tournament for the third-straight appearance, as the team topped Memphis in 2007 and Georgia Tech a year ago. The Govs are now 4-10 all-time in NCAA Tournament play.
Three Govs Named to NCAA All-Regional Team: Three Austin Peay players were named to the Eugene All-Regional Team following the NCAA Tournament. Jordan Hankins, Greg Bachman and Casey Delgado were each on the team after APSU won two games and advanced to the Regional Final before falling to host Oregon.
40-Win Plateau: Austin Peay finished the 2012 season with 40 victories, becoming the first OVC team since 2007 (Austin Peay) to achieve that feat. Overall it was just the ninth time in OVC history that a team had reached the 40-win plateau.
Austin Peay Wins Fifth OVC Tournament Crown: Austin Peay repeated as OVC Tournament champions this season, winning its fifth all-time championship (1996, 2005, 2007, 2011). The Governors are the first team to repeat as OVC Tournament Champions since Middle Tennessee won back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. The No. 1 seed this season, Austin Peay lost its first game in the tournament before winning four-straight elimination games to capture the title. It marked the first time under the current tournament format (since 2005) that a team had lost its first game in the event and came through the loser’s bracket to win the title.
OVC Tournament History: This season marked the 34th OVC Baseball Tournament, as the first event was held in 1979. Prior to the 1979 event, the winner of each division matched up in a three-game series to determine who the OVC champion was in that season. Since 2001 the tournament has been played at a neutral site (prior to that, the event was held at the No. 1 seed and regular season champion). From 2001-09 that neutral site was Brooks Stadium in Paducah, Ky.; the 2010 event was the first at Pringles Park in and this year was the 12th time the event has been held at a neutral site.
Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky Share OVC Regular Season Championship: Austin Peay and Eastern Kentucky finished the season with identical 19-7 Conference records, becoming the first OVC co-champions since the 1997 season. It marked the eighth regular season title for the Governors (and second-straight) as the team has also won crowns in 1971, 1994, 1996, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2011. Eastern Kentucky claimed its record 16th OVC regular season crown and first since the 2000 season. EKU has also won titles in 1950, 1951, 1954, 1959, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 2000. The Colonels appeared in their 28th OVC Tournament, the most in Conference history, while Austin Peay appeared in its 22nd tournament, the second-most in league history.
Southeast Missouri Makes Record 18th-Straight OVC Tournament Appearance: Southeast Missouri State appeared in its 18th-straight OVC Baseball Tournament in 2012, which is an all-time OVC record for consecutive appearances. The Redhawks set the record four years ago, passing Eastern Kentucky’s mark of 13-straight appearances from 1981-93. Southeast Missouri has made the tournament field in every season under head coach Mark Hogan. The Redhawks were in last place in the OVC standings after week four of the Conference season, but rebounded to win four of its final five series to lock up the final spot in the field.
Moses, Fyffe Earn Top OVC Awards: For the second-straight year Southeast Missouri third baseman Trenton Moses was named OVC Player of the Year. It marked only the third time in OVC history that a player has won multiple Player of the Year awards in a career. Eastern Kentucky senior Matt Fyffe was named OVC Pitcher of the Year while Colonels head coach Jason Stein was named OVC Coach of the Year. Eastern Illinois third baseman Brant Valach was voted the OVC Rookie of the Year. The awards are voted on by league head coaches and sports information directors and were awarded along with first and second-team All-OVC and All-Freshman honors. Regular-season co-champion Eastern Kentucky had the most first-team selections (3), while co-champion Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Jacksonville State and Southeast Missouri had two selections each. Austin Peay and Morehead State led the way with three second-team selections apiece while Southeast Missouri and Tennessee Tech each had three All-Freshman picks. Overall Southeast Missouri’s seven selections across the three teams were the most of any school.
12 Selected in MLB First-Year Player Draft: Twelve OVC players were selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Overall seven of the 10 OVC baseball-playing institutions had at least one player selected and Jacksonville State led the way with three selections. The 12 selections were just one off the record of 13 selections in 2010. The top pick was Eastern Kentucky’s Richie Rodriguez, who was selected in the 9th round (No. 290 overall) by the New York Mets.
Richie Rodriguez, 2B (Eastern Kentucky) - New York Mets, 9th Round (No. 290)
Ben Waldrip, 1B (Jacksonville State) - Colorado Rockies, 10th Round (No. 318)
Alec Mills, RHP (UT Martin) - Kansas City Royals, 22nd Round (No. 673)
Shae Simmons, RHP (Southeast Missouri) - Atlanta Braves, 22nd Round (No. 689)
Ryan Dineen, SS (Eastern Illinois) - Houston Astros, 25th Round (No. 759)
Sam Eberle, C (Jacksonville State) - San Francisco Giants, 25th Round (No. 778)
Zach Toney, LHP (Austin Peay) - Chicago White Sox, 26th Round (No. 801)
Trenton Moses, 3B (Southeast Missouri), Atlanta Braves, 26th Round (No. 809)
Michael Blanchard, OF (Austin Peay), San Francisco Giants, 30th Round (No. 928)
Anthony Bazzani, RHP (Eastern Kentucky), Baltimore Orioles, 31st Round (No. 942)
Matthew Shepherd, RHP (Tennessee Tech), San Diego Padres, 31st Round (No. 945)
Daniels Watts, LHP (Jacksonville State), Arizona Diamondbacks, 32nd Round (No. 993)
Three Players Set OVC Single-Season Appearances Mark: This season Austin Peay’s Tyler Rogers and Mike Hebert and Eastern Illinois’ Darin Worman each appeared in 38 games, setting the OVC single-season record previously held by Austin Peay’s Zach Gerler (2010).
Hornsby Sets OVC Career Saves Record: Jacksonville State senior Todd Hornsby set the OVC career saves mark with his 32nd career save on May 15 at Auburn. It was the 12th save of the season for Hornsby, who set the OVC single-season saves record (15) a season ago. Hornsby broke the career record previously held by Eastern Kentucky’s Joe Witten (1995-98).
Year of the Closer in the OVC: This season four different OVC closers than 12 or more saves. Morehead State junior Matt Duncan led the way with 13, the second-most in OVC single-season history and just two off the OVC single-season record. SIUE’s Dustin Quattrocchi, Jacksonville State’s Todd Hornsby and Austin Peay’s Tyler Rogers had 12 saves apiece, which is tied for the third-most in OVC single-season history.
OVC Teams Dig the Long Ball: In the final set of NCAA rankings, six of the 10 OVC baseball playing schools ranked in the Top 18 nationally in home runs/game; that included Eastern Kentucky leading the nation in that category (1.25/game). Individually six OVC players ranked among the Top 25 home run hitters nationally.
Moses, Rodriguez Named Louisville Slugger All-Americans: Southeast Missouri third baseman Trenton Moses and Eastern Kentucky shortstop Richie Rodriguez were each named to the Louisville Slugger All-American Team as selected by Collegiate Baseball newspaper. Moses was a second-team pick while Rodriguez was a third-team selection.
Moses Named Third-Team All-American by Baseball America: Southeast Missouri State third baseman Trenton Moses was named a third-team All-American by Baseball America. Moses led Division I in slugging (.761) and on-base percentage (.531) during the season.
Moses, Rodriguez and Quattrocchi Named to ABCA All-American Team: Southeast Missouri third baseman Trenton Moses, Eastern Kentucky shortstop Richie Rodriguez and SIUE pitcher Dustin Quattrocchi were each named to the 2012 ABCA/Rawlings All-American Team. Moses was a second-team selection while Rodriguez and Quattrocchi were third-team picks.
EIU’s Valach Named Freshman All-American: Eastern Illinois third baseman Brant Valach was named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball newspaper. Valach played in 57 games in 2012 and hit .314.
Triple Crown Contention: Southeast Missouri State senior Trenton Moses came up just short in his attempt to become the first OVC player to win the league’s Triple Crown since Western Kentucky’s Ralph Antone achieved the honor in 1982. During the regular season Moses led the OVC in batting average (.426) and home runs (19) but was one RBI short of Austin Peay’s Greg Bachman (60), who passed Moses on the final day of the regular season. Following the postseason Moses still led the league in average (.408) and home runs (19) but finished tied for third in RBI (61). Antone’s crown in 1982 actually marked the third time in four years that an OVC player won the award (Morehead State’s Jody Hamilton achieved the feat in 1979 and WKU’s Mike Williams did in 1980) but the league has now gone the past 30 years without a player leading the league in batting average, home runs and RBI in the same season.
Hankins Named to Collegiate National Team: Austin Peay’s Jordan Hankins was one of 22 players named to USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team.
Rodriguez One of Three Finalists for Brooks Wallace Award Watch List: Eastern Kentucky’s Richie Rodriguez was named one of three finalists for the 2012 Brooks Wallace Shortstop of the Year Award Watch List by the College Baseball Hall of Fame. The Wallace Award, sponsored by Mizuno, recognizes the nation’s top shortstop. The All-American Rodriguez hit .377 with 59 runs, 80 hits, 18 doubles, 14 home runs and a .689 slugging percentage during his senior season. When the initial watch list of 50 shortstops was released Austin Peay’s Reed Harper, and Southeast Missouri’s Kenton Parmley were on the list.
OVC in NCAA Statistical Leaders: In the final set of NCAA Division I statistical leaders for 2012, Eastern Kentucky led the country in home runs/game (1.22), while also ranking fourth in slugging (.477), fifth in double plays/game (1.11) and sixth in doubles/game (2.26). Austin Peay ranks third in base on balls (312) while Tennessee Tech was 11th in hit by pitch (94). Southeast Missouri was eighth in home runs (1.03/game). Individually Southeast Missouri’s Trenton Moses led the nation in both slugging (.761) and on-base percentage (.531), while also ranking, seventh in home runs (0.32/game), seventh in total bases (162) and 10th in batting average (.408). EKU’s Richie Rodriguez ranked eighth in slugging (.689), while Tennessee Tech’s Zach Stephens was fourth in home runs (0.34/game) and fifth in slugging (.696). JSU’s Ben Waldrip also tied fourth in home runs (0.34/game), while ranking 10th in RBI (1.15/game). Murray State’s Travis Isaak was fourth in doubles (0.44/game).
Murray State Earns OVC Team Sportsmanship Award: Murray State University was the recipient of the 2011-12 Team Sportsmanship Award for baseball. Voted on by the student-athletes and coaches of the respective sports, the team awards are bestowed upon the Conference squads deemed to have best exhibited the standards of sportsmanship and ethical behavior as outlined by the OVC and NCAA. Included in the areas for evaluation are the conduct of student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators and fans. The 2011-12 school year marks the seventh year the team sportsmanship honors have been awarded. This marks the third award for the Thoroughbreds program who also earned the honor in 2006 and 2009.
Moses and Stephens Named Semifinalists for NCBWA’s Dick Howser Trophy: Southeast Missouri’s Trenton Moses and Tennessee Tech’s Zach Stephens were two of 35 players named semifinalists for the 2012 Dick Howser Trophy. The award, presented by Easton Foundations, is given to the top player in collegiate baseball and voted on by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA). This is the 26th year the award has been presented.
Moses Named Semifinalist for Golden Spikes Award Watch List: Southeast Missouri State senior third baseman Trenton Moses was one of 30 semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award Watch List, bringing the organization one step closer to naming the top amateur baseball player in the country. During the season Moses led Division I in slugging and on-base percentage and finished the year hitting .408 with 19 home runs and 61 RBI. Earlier in the season Tennessee Tech sophomore first baseman Zach Stephens was named one of 60 players on the Golden Spikes List, but did not make the semifinal round.
SEMO’s Parmley Sets OVC All-Time Hitting Streak Record, Finishes 3rd in NCAA History: From the end of last year until April 22 of this season Southeast Missouri senior Kenton Parmley put together a 47-game hitting streak which not only set the OVC mark but also tied for the third-longest in NCAA history. The streak included the last eight games of the 2011 season and the first 39 games of the 2012 season; it came to an end on April 22 when the senior failed to get a hit (going 0-for-3) against Tennessee Tech. Parmley broke the previous OVC record of 42 games held by Austin Peay’s Chuck Abbott (1996 season). His streak ended up tied with Wichita State’s Phil Stephenson (1981) in the all-time NCAA ranks. Below are the longest hitting streaks in NCAA Division I history.
58 - Robin Ventura, Oklahoma State (1987)
56 - Garrett Wittels, FIU (2010)
47 - Kenton Parmley, Southeast Missouri (2011-12)
47 - Phil Stephenson, Wichita State (1981)
45 - Roger Schmuck, Arizona State (1996)
42 - Chuck Abbott, Austin Peay (1996)
41 - Jarod Berggren, Northern Colorado (2010)
41 - Michael Campo, Penn State (2000)
41 - Todd Nace, Southern Miss (1989-90)
41 - Rusty Adkins, Clemson (1965-66)
40 - Shane Robinson, Florida State (2004-05)
40 - Brandon Caraway, Houston (1998-99)
Although a full list of all-time OVC hitting streaks are not available, below are a list of streaks of 25 or more games over the last 10 years (2003-present).
47 - Kenton Parmley, Southeast Missouri (2011-12)
36 - Ryan Kane, Austin Peay (2006)
32 - Miles Hartsfield, UT Martin (2009)
31 - Scott Gladstone, UT Martin (2009)
30 - Chris King, Tennessee Tech (2009)
30 - Michael Marseco, Samford (2009)
29 - Derek Gibson, Southeast Missouri (2012)
29 - Reed Harper, Austin Peay (2011)
28 - Nick Cleckler, Jacksonville State (2006)
28 - Clay Whittemore, Jacksonville State (2008)
26 - Rafael Hill, Austin Peay (2008)
26 - Eric Horstman, Southeast Missouri (2005)
25 - Jim Klocke, Southeast Missouri (2010)
Three OVC Student-Athletes Earn CoSIDA Academic All-American Honors: Three OVC baseball student-athletes earned Capital One Academic All-American honors as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Murray State’s Paul Ritzheimer (4.00 GPA) was a first-team selection, Murray State’s Travis Isaak (3.96 GPA) was a second-team selection and Austin Peay’s Reed Harper (3.48 GPA) was a third-team selection. Overall the trio are the 31st, 32nd and 33rd OVC baseball players named Academic All-Americans all-time, while Ritzheimer is the 11th first-team baseball selection all-time from the OVC. To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution, be nominated by his/her sports information director and be a first-team selection at the district level. Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.
Five OVC Baseball Student-Athletes Named to CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Team: Five Ohio Valley Conference baseball student-athletes were named to the Capital One Academic All-District ® baseball teams as selected by CoSIDA. The selections included two student-athletes from District II, one from District III and one from District VI. The selections were Austin Peay’s Reed Harper, Morehead State’s Nick Duff, Murray State’s Travis Isaak and Paul Ritzheimer and Southeast Missouri’s Kody Campbell.
Duncan and Quattrocchi on Midseason NCBWA Stopper of the Year Award Watch List: Morehead State junior Matt Duncan and SIUE senior Dustin Quattrocchi were each on the midseason Stopper of the Year Award Watch List released by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) on April 19. The award is given to the top relief pitcher in Division I baseball. Jacksonville State senior Todd Hornsby was on the preseason list but did not appear on the midseason update.
McClure Becomes First in League-History to Reach 300 Career OVC Victories: Austin Peay head coach Gary McClure reached his 300 OVC victory in an 8-7 17-inning victory over Eastern Illinois in a game that started on April 6 and was concluded on April 7. He is the first-ever coach to reach 300 wins in OVC play. McClure, now in his 25th year at his alma mater, has 752 overall victories which is just 24 wins away from the all-time OVC record of 776 held by Murray State’s Johnny Reagan (1958-93).
Three Murray State Players Set OVC Single-Game At-Bats Record; APSU’s Bachman Equals Record: In Murray State’s 6-5 17-inning victory over Central Arkansas on March 2, three Thoroughbreds set the OVC record for at-bats in a game. Travis Isaak, Mike Kozlowski and Jacob Rhodes each had nine official at-bats in the game, breaking the record of eight that had been accomplished nine times (most recently by Jacksonville State’s Kyle Bluestein in the 2011 season). The nine at-bats was one shy of the NCAA single-game record. The trio was joined by Austin Peay senior third baseman Greg Bachman who had nine official at-bats in the team’s 17-inning victory over Eastern Illinois on April 6.
Gibson Named National Player of the Week (5/1): Southeast Missouri State sophomore outfielder Derek Gibson was named the National College Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) National Hitter of the Week on May 1. He earned the honor after extending his hitting streak to 29 games and hitting .571 (12-for-21) with seven runs scored, three doubles, three home runs, 13 RBI, a .591 on-base percentage and a 1.143 slugging percentage in four games the week prior. Gibson tied the Southeast Missouri single-game record with three doubles in the opener of the UT Martin series and closed the series with a pair of three-run home runs as he drove in seven total RBI.
Stephens Named National Player of the Week (3/19): Tennessee Tech sophomore Zach Stephens was named National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball newspaper on March 19 after hitting .588 (10-for-17) with seven runs scored, two doubles, four home runs, eight RBI, a 1.412 slugging percentage and a .650 on-base percentage. Stephens homered in all four games during the week, including the game-winner in a 7-4 victory over Central Michigan.
College Baseball Foundation National All-Star Lineup: Each week the College Baseball Foundation and Diamond Sports releases a “National All-Star Lineup” which gives accolades to the past week’s top performers around the country. The “National All-Star Lineup” is nominated by college coaches, staff, and baseball media contacts. Below is a list of OVC players who have been honored by the CBF this season.
March 5 - Richie Rodriguez, Eastern Kentucky
April 23 - Kenton Parmley & Head Coach Mark Hogan, Southeast Missouri
April 30 - Derek Gibson, Southeast Missouri
CollegeBaseball360.com Primetime Performers Weekly Honor Roll: Each week during the season CollegeBaseball360.com (CB360) picks a Primetime Performer award and honor roll. Below is a list of OVC players selected to the honor roll during the season.
Week 4 - Travis Felax, SIUE
Week 10 - Sam Eberle, Jacksonville State
Hornsby Named Finalist for Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award: Jacksonville State’s Todd Hornsby has been named one of 10 finalists for the 2012 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award. To be eligible a student-athlete must be classified as a Division I senior and have notable achievement in four areas of excellence - community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School®, the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. Lowe’s, an official Corporate Partner of the NCAA, will announce the Senior CLASS Award® winner during the 2012 NCAA College World Series, which will be held June 15-26 in Omaha. Prior to the season 30 candidates were announced and the list then also included Southeast Missouri’s Trenton Moses (but he did not appear on the finalists lists). Ballots will be distributed through a nationwide voting system to media, Division I head coaches and fans who will select one finalist who best exemplifies excellence in the four Cs of community, classroom, character and competition. ?
2012 OVC Schedule Features Switch to Friday-Saturday-Sunday Format: In February 2011 the OVC announced a change in its Conference series format for the 2012 season. Previously the OVC played a three-game series spread over two days, with the teams playing a doubleheader on Saturday (with one of those games being a 7-inning game, the other a 9-inning affair) and a single 9-inning game on Sunday. Starting this year the series schedule moves to a three-game series over three days (Friday-Saturday-Sunday), with a single 9-inning game being played each day. The item was unanimously approved by the OVC Board of Presidents at its meeting in February 2011. The OVC was previously one of just six Division I Conferences that consistently played a three-game series over just two days. One of the biggest advantages of the new schedule is the improvement of student-athlete welfare. The new format will lessen the burden of long Saturday doubleheaders (that in the past could last up to 9-10 hours) and help protect the teams from an increased risk of injury. It will also give OVC programs a competitive advantage as it will allow them to use their ace pitchers (who will normally pitch during the Friday contest) during important mid-week contests with the appropriate amount of rest, thus improving the league’s performance in those key matchups. Another advantage is the flexibility in playing the three-game series when weather becomes an issue. Previously when the Saturday doubleheader was rained out, the teams played a doubleheader on Sunday if possible and missed at least an entire game in the series. Should weather be a factor with the new schedule, teams could play a doubleheader on either Saturday or Sunday and avoid missing as many key Conference games.
OVC Players in the Pros: Entering the 2012 season, there were five players from OVC schools on Major League Baseball Opening Day rosters. Austin Peay had the distinction of having four former players on teams including 2008 All-Star reliever George Sherrill (Seattle), pitcher Matt Reynolds (Colorado), catcher A.J. Ellis (Los Angeles Dodgers) and relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (Seattle). Former Morehead State pitcher Jon Rauch is now a setup man with the New York Mets. Former Eastern Kentucky pitcher Christian Friedrich started the year at AAA but was called up by the Colorado Rockies on May 8 while former Tennessee Tech pitcher Stephen Pryor, who started the year in AA, was called up by the Seattle Mariners on June 1. One OVC school - Eastern Illinois - has two alumni who are coaching at the highest level of professional baseball. Former Panther Kevin Seitzer is the Kansas City Royals hitting coach with Tim Bogar is the Boston Red Sox bench coach.
Six OVC Coaches Coaching at Their Alma Mater: This season six of the 10 OVC head baseball coaches are currently coaching at their alma maters. That lists includes fourth-year head coach Jason Stein who played at Eastern Kentucky from 1992-95 and graduated in 1997. He played against Morehead State head coach Jay Sorg who was at MSU from 1992-94. Ironically in the 1994 season, Sorg was named OVC Player of the Week on April 11 while Stein earned the same honor on May 2. The other coaches currently at their alma mater are Austin Peay’s Gary McClure (1987), Murray State Rob McDonald (1984), Southeast Missouri’s Mark Hogan (1977) and SIUE’s Gary Collins (1970).
Austin Peay Picked as Preseason Favorite: After winning the OVC regular season and tournament championships a year ago, Austin Peay has been tabbed the 2012 preseason favorite for the 10-team league in a vote of OVC head baseball coaches. The overall voting in the preseason poll was close as three different teams received first-place votes and just six points separated first and second place. Austin Peay claimed seven of the 10 first-place votes and garnered 79 total points to be picked as the favorites. Jacksonville State was second with one first-place vote and 73 points while Tennessee Tech picked up the other two first-place votes and 63 total points to be picked third. Southeast Missouri was picked fourth (52) and was followed by SIUE (48), Eastern Kentucky (45), Eastern Illinois (34), UT Martin (25), Murray State (21) and Morehead State (10).
SEMO’s Moses, JSU’s Hornsby Earn Preseason OVC Player/Pitcher of the Year Honors: Southeast Missouri State All-American senior third baseman Trenton Moses was named OVC Preseason Player of the Year while Jacksonville State senior closer Todd Hornsby was tabbed OVC Preseason Pitcher of the Year. Moses, who was named OVC Player of the Year at the end of the season, was named an All-American by each Louisville Slugger and College Baseball Lineup following his outstanding junior season. Moses hit .395 with 70 hits, 44 runs, 14 doubles, 11 home runs and 53 RBI. He hit .405 during the regular season, becoming the first Southeast Missouri player to do that since 2003. A season ago Hornsby saved 15 games, establishing a new OVC single-season record (breaking the old mark of 12). Overall he appeared in 30 games a season ago, winning five games and compiling a 2.16 E.R.A.
SIUE Ready for Full OVC Schedule This Season: On July 1, 2008 Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) became the 11th member of the Ohio Valley Conference. This season marks the first for the Cougars playing a full OVC schedule. SIUE is eligible for the OVC Regular Season Championship but since they have one year left in the reclassification process to Division I, are ineligible for the OVC and NCAA Tournaments until next season.
Addition of Belmont Gives OVC Record 12 Schools in 2012-13: On May 13, 2011, Belmont University accepted an invitation to join the Ohio Valley Conference on July 1, 2012. Belmont, located just nine miles north of the OVC headquarters, will play its final year in the Atlantic Sun Conference this season. The Bruins men’s basketball team has made four NCAA Tournament appearances in the past six season, including finishing 30-5 (one of nine Division I teams with at least 30 wins) and earning a No. 13 seed in 2010-11. The addition of Belmont (and SIUE’s eligibility for postseason play next year) will give the OVC a record 12 schools for the 2012-13 season.