WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Former Otterbein pitcher Dan Remenowsky has been selected to participate in the South Atlantic League All-Star Game on June 23 in Charleston, West Virginia. He will be a part of the bullpen for the Northern Division squad.

Remenowsky, who plays for the Kannapolis Intimidators (the Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox), has been a reliable right-hander in the team’s bullpen this season and recently took over the closer role.

This season, the Cincinnati native has compiled a 3-3 record with a 2.78 ERA (earned run average) to go along with eight saves. In addition, he has tallied 40 strikeouts and just six walks in 22 and 2/3 innings pitched.

While at Otterbein, Remenowsky set the school record for ERA (2.44) and shutouts (10). He sits second on the Cardinal victory list with 31 wins, and also ranks second in career strikeouts with 296.

During his time in Westerville, he was named OAC “Pitcher of the Year” three straight seasons, a feat that had never been done before. He was also chosen as the 2008 Mideast Region Pitcher of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

Remenowsky will be joined in the all-star game by teammate Tyler Kuehn, who was selected as the Northern Division’s starting left fielder.
 

Hiscox Earns All-America Honors in Both Athletics and Academics
Written May 27, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein junior third baseman Brian Hiscox has been named to the 2009 Rawlings NCAA Division III All-America Third Team, as decided upon by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). In addition, he has also been selected to the ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America First Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (COSIDA).

With the accolades, Hiscox becomes the first Otterbein baseball player in school history to earn both athletic All-America honors and academic All-America honors in the same season.

Brian Hiscox

This past season, Hiscox ranked third nationally in home runs (18), 17th in slugging-percentage (.818), and 28^th in total bases (121). The slugger finished the year with a .378 batting-average and sat in the top five in the conference in RBI’s (50) and walks (32). His 18 home runs this spring set the school’s single-season record and gave him 33 for his career, allowing him to pass Jim Allen atop the Otterbein all-time career home run list. In addition, he set an NCAA Division III record and tied the all-divisions record by hitting a home run in eight consecutive games.

If you ask his head coach, the success Hiscox had this season was no surprise.

“We saw glimpses of it last year, and I think he has just gotten better,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell. “He was a dominating player last season as a sophomore and has improved as a junior. In my opinion, he was the best hitter and most imposing player in the conference without question. There were some other good players within the OAC, but I was able to see Brian play everyday.”

“He is a guy that the opposition can’t afford to make mistakes with,” added Powell. “He is a pure power hitter, and, when he squares up and hits the ball hard, it’s a home run. It’s not a double or anything else, just a home run, and that’s not the case with 95% of players. Offensively, everything we did was around him, whether that was him driving in runs or being walked and giving other guys opportunities”

Hiscox, who was named first team All-Ohio Athletic Conference and first team All-Mideast Region for the second year in a row earlier this month, reflected on what it means to garner All-America honors.

“It means a lot to be named an All-American,” Hiscox said. “It’s an honor that every kid strives for as they are growing up an athlete. To me, it’s a lifelong dream that has finally happened, but I know there is still room for improvement.”

The Burton, Ohio native’s biggest contribution to the team this season may have had nothing to do with his presence at the plate, however. During their annual Florida trip, the Cards struggled with making plays in the field, as the club committed six errors in each of their final three games. In the airport before the plane ride home, Powell approached Hiscox with the idea of moving him from first to third base. Hiscox, who had played some third base in high school and throughout his summer league experiences, told his coach that he was willing to do whatever it took to help the team win.

When the team returned home to Westerville, Hiscox started his first game at third base and remained at the position for every game over the duration of the season.

“Brian playing third base had an equal or even more of an impact than whatever he did hitting wise, and the selflessness to make the move to third was just a credit to him,” Powell explained. “He hit all of these home runs, broke all kinds of records, and was the main guy offensively, but his best contribution to the team might have been his willingness to switch positions. He plays first base as well as anyone that I’ve been around, and that move showed he was a complete team player. It might have been the biggest impact any one player had on our team.”

One should also not forget the special recognition of being chosen as a first team academic All-American. A public relations and broadcasting major, Hiscox holds a 3.81 grade-point average and has made the Dean’s List every term since arriving on campus nearly three years ago.

“Growing up, my parents always told me that grades came first and sports came second, and I’ve carried that with me to Otterbein,” said Hiscox. “By coming to a Division III school, you don’t expect to move on and play a sport professionally, so your goal is to get good grades and get a job in the marketplace.”

“I’m a very competitive guy, and I carry that attitude into the classroom as well,” added Hiscox. “I want to be the best at everything, so I work to get all A’s. I hate getting B’s…. they just drive me nuts; so it’s really more of an honor to be named an academic All-American than just a baseball All-American. I put in the time on the field, but at the same time I devote an equal amount of hours, if not more, to my studies.”

Often times, coaches in any sport at any level have developed the tendency of focusing more on winning than developing their players into solid human beings. Powell understands the importance of what his slugger has achieved in his academic life and the example it can set.

“He’ll go down in Otterbein history for what he’s been doing on the field, but to do what he’s done in the classroom is equally impressive,” Powell said. “It’s exactly what a coach should want from a player.”

This summer, Hiscox will take a break from his school life and participate in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League as a member of the Southern Ohio Copperheads. The organization, which has produced 34 professional players in the last nine years, will be based out of Athens, Ohio and feature nearly all Division I players. Hiscox will be the only NCAA Division III player on the roster.

“This is going to be a very important summer for me,” he said. “Depending on how I play, it could affect my chances of playing professionally. I’m going to be facing some of the best pitching I’ve ever seen, with guys consistently throwing 90+ miles per hour. I’m going there coming from a Division III college, so I have to establish myself and show them I belong. I’m really excited and looking forward to it.”

It is very easy for many successful athletes, regardless of their level of competition, to develop an ego and begin to think they are bigger than what they are. Having the ability to stay grounded and not develop a cocky personality that shrugs people off is an attribute that many athletic superstars should strive to obtain. Those who know and surround Hiscox are quite aware that he values his relationships with people and doesn’t view himself as higher than anyone else.

“You have to credit his parents, and if you spend time around them it’s easy to see they are good people,” said Powell. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and he is just a product of great parenting and support. He has really grown up over the past few years as well. He understands what you’re saying and absorbs it, and you don’t have to say something to him more than once.”

“Brian is sensitive to how he treats people and really cares how he affects someone,” added Powell. “That’s an unbelievable quality to have, and there aren’t too many people anymore on this planet that really think like that. He could easily tell people to look at him and what he’s accomplished, but it’s not like that with him at all. He is a very humble kid and wants to genuinely help people. I’m very fortunate to have an opportunity to be around him, let alone coach him.”

Hiscox has been no stranger to assisting at other athletic events around campus, whether it is working the concession stands, keeping the official scorebook during basketball games, occasionally substituting as the P.A. announcer for soccer games, or calling events as part of the WOBN radio play-by-play and color commentary team. It would be beneficial for many student-athletes to take a good look at the way Hiscox carries himself, regardless of the amount of success that accompanies him.

“My parents have always told me to treat people the way I would like to be treated,” Hiscox said. "I just try to put my best foot forward all of the time and not judge people. I try not to hold grudges, because life is too short to be upset with people for long periods of time. When people do become stuck up and can’t check their ego, then that’s when you are set up for disaster. Everyone can always get better and improve, but what many fail to realize is that you can also get worse.”

Only a junior, Hiscox still has another year remaining at Otterbein before moving on to whatever path he chooses to pursue. Until then, the people at Otterbein and the Cardinal supporters will continue to enjoy the company of an All-America athlete and person.

Click here to view the entire ABCA Rawlings All-America team.

Click here to view the CoSIDA Academic All-America team.
 

Three Players Named to All-Region Team
Written May 19, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Senior Alex Hayes and juniors Brian Hiscox and Brandon Gessner have been named to the 2009 All-Mideast Region baseball team by the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA). 

Hiscox and Gessner earned spots on the first team while Hayes was selected to the second team.

Hiscox, a junior from Burton, garnered first team honors for the second year in a row after hitting 18 home runs, tallying 121 total bases, and slugging .818 at the plate. The third-baseman finished the year with a .378 batting-average and sat in the top five in the Ohio Athletic Conference in RBI’s (50) and walks (32). With his performance at the dish this season, Hiscox became the school’s single-season and all-time home run leader, blasting his 33^rd career home run in the last game of the season against Marietta. In addition, he set an NCAA Division III record and tied the all-divisions record by hitting a home run in eight consecutive games.

The team’s right-fielder, Gessner earns his first all-region selection after finishing a season where he hit .414. The Westerville native ranked fifth in the OAC with nine home runs and led all Cardinals with 16 doubles and 65 hits. He also finished the season second on the club in RBI’s (45) and at-bats (157). Gessner turned in a solid performance in the conference tournament by going 8-for-13 with seven RBI’s and five runs. Gessner ended the season on an 18-game hitting streak.

Hayes, a right-handed pitcher from Caldwell, earned second team honors after compiling a 5-3 record over 60 innings pitched this spring. In 25 total appearances, he posted a 2.70 E.R.A. and struck out 68 batters, including an impressive 11 strikeouts in seven innings against Wisconsin-Whitewater while on the Florida trip. He ended the year ranked in the top five in the conference in opposing batting average (.226), walks allowed (8), strikeouts, saves (6), appearances (25), and games finished (18). He ends his career with the third-best E.R.A in school history (2.95), and held nearly a 7 to 1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

First team selections advance to the ABCA All-American ballot which will be selected and announced this week at the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship in Grand Chute, Wisconsin.
 

Eight Cardinals Earn All-Conference Selections
Written May 11, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein was well represented on the All-Ohio Athletic Conference team, as the club had eight players earn selections, the conference office announced Sunday evening.

Third baseman Brian Hiscox, right fielder Brandon Gessner, and pitcher Alex Hayes were named to the first team.

Second baseman Tyler Rudman and shortstop John Quimby were chosen for the second team.

First baseman Dan Lassak and pitchers Jeremy Williams and Zach McGrain earned honorable mention.

Overall, Otterbein had the second-most players earn an honor of any team in the conference, sitting only behind Heidelberg’s 11 selections. The Berg’ finished the season ranked fifth in the nation and won both the OAC regular season and tournament championships.

Hiscox, a junior from Burton, garnered first team honors for the second year in a row after leading the conference in home runs (18), total bases (121), and slugging-percentage (.818). The slugger finished the year with a .378 batting-average and sat in the top five in the league in RBI’s (50) and walks (32). With his performance this season, Hiscox became the school’s single-season and all-time home run leader. In addition, he set an NCAA Division III record and tied the all-divisions record by hitting a home run in eight consecutive games.

Gessner, a junior from Westerville, finished with one of the top batting-averages in the league this season by hitting .414. He ranked fifth in the OAC with nine home runs and led all Cardinals with 16 doubles and 65 hits. He also finished the season second on the club in RBI’s (45) and at-bats (157). Gessner turned in a solid performance in the conference tournament by going 8-for-13 with seven RBI’s and five runs. His impressive display at the plate allowed him to raise his final batting-average from .396 to .414. Gessner ended the season on an 18-game hitting streak.

Hayes, a senior from Caldwell, was one of four pitchers that earned first-team honors after compiling a 5-3 record over 60 innings pitched this spring. In 25 total appearances, he posted a 2.70 E.R.A. and struck out 68 batters, including an impressive 11 strikeouts in seven innings against Wisconsin-Whitewater while on the Florida trip. He ended the year ranked in the top five in the league in opposing batting average (.226), walks allowed (8), strikeouts, saves (6), appearances (25), and games finished (18). He ends his career with the third-best E.R.A in school history (2.95).

Rudman, a senior from Grove City, earned a spot on the second team after batting .360 from the plate this season and tallying 24 RBI’s on 62 total hits. He was one of three players to starts all 40 games (Hiscox, Gessner), and he led the team with 172 at-bats. After 121 career games and 401 at-bats, Rudman hit his first home run as a Cardinal in the opening game of the OAC Tournament against Marietta. He hit safely in every game but three this season.

Quimby, a junior from Pittsburgh, also earned a second team spot by finishing the season with a .391 batting average after spending nearly the entire season over .400. A first-year player at Otterbein, he led the OAC with five triples and ranked in the top five in slugging-percentage (.703) and on-base percentage (.482). He sat second amongst all Cardinals in doubles and runs scored, and third in total bases (97).

Lassak, a senior from Sunbury, hit .352 this spring while recording 23 RBI’s on 45 hits. He posted seven home runs and 11 doubles to go along with 31 runs scored. Lassak was named the OAC hitter of the week during the final week of the regular season after blasting three home runs during a double-header at Mount Union to help the team clinch a spot in the postseason tournament. He was named first-team all-conference last season.

Williams, a senior from Grove City, compiled a 5-3 record this season over nine starts and 12 total appearances. He registered a team-best four complete games and tied for the league lead in pickoffs. Williams ended the season with a 6.10 E.R.A. and ranked second on the team with 59 innings pitched.

McGrain, a junior from Valley City, held a 5-0 record this season over eight starts and 12 total appearances on the hill. He sat in the top five in the OAC in opposing batting average (.249) and hits allowed (46), and carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning on two different occasions. For his career, he is 10-0 with ten starts and 24 total appearances, having earned seven of those wins in a starting role.

Marietta's Cameron Cimino was the Jack Rafeld award recipient, recognizing the OAC's top player, while Heidelberg's Andy Lowe was named the Pitcher of the Year.

This spring, Otterbein recorded its ninth-straight 20+ win season and also held a winning record in conference play for the ninth season in a row. Six players earned All-OAC honors for the first time.
 

Hiscox Earns ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Honors
Written May 11, 2009 by Ed Syguda

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Third baseman Brian Hiscox was named to the 2009 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV Baseball first team as selected by the College Sports Information Director’s of America (CoSIDA).

Hiscox, a junior from Burton (Berkshire High School), is now eligible for Academic All-America consideration.

The junior, batting .378, leads the Ohio Athletic Conference in home runs (18), slugging percentage (.818), and total bases (121). Hiscox set the Otterbein single-season record for home runs this season and is the school’s all-time leader with 33 home runs in his career.

Majoring in broadcasting, Hiscox has made the Otterbein Dean’s List all eight quarters.

Academic All-District IV team members are selected through voting by CoSIDA, a 2,000-member organization consisting of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. District IV encompasses the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.

Otterbein Eliminated from OAC Tournament by Marietta
Written May 9, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein (23-17) fell to Marietta by a score of 10-9 in the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Saturday afternoon at Peaceful Valley Field in Tiffin, Ohio.

The Cardinals took an early 2-0 lead in the upper half of the first inning on RBI single’s from juniors John Quimby and Brandon Gessner.

After sophomore John LaCorte got out of a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the first, Otterbein tacked on two more runs in the second courtesy of junior Brian Hiscox’s 18^th home run of the season and second of the tournament. The shot was also Hiscox’s 33^rd of his career, making him the school’s all-time home run leader after breaking Jim Allen’s 20-year old record of 32 career blasts.

The Pioneers scored three runs in the bottom of the third to cut the Otterbein lead to 4-3, but the Cards responded with two more runs of their own in the top half of the fourth inning to push the lead to 6-3.

Marietta then countered by tying the game at 6-6 with three more runs in the bottom of the inning, the last two coming off a Cameron Cimino two-run homer to right-field.

With the game still even in the top of the sixth frame, OC took the lead again when senior Dan Lassak recorded an RBI groundout, giving his team a 7-6 advantage.

Trailing 7-6, Marietta scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning to take their first lead of the ball game at 8-7.

Down to their final three outs, the Cardinals began to rally in the ninth when Gessner led off the inning with a stand-up double down the right field line. After senior John Sansbury walked and sophomore Kyle Stoughton sacrificed the runners to second and third, junior A.J. Barnes stepped to the dish with just one out and both the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.

Barnes then singled to right-center field to bring home both runs and vault Otterbein back on top, at 9-8.

However, with two outs and a runner on third-base, Marietta catcher Chris Beatty took a full-count pitch and sent it over the right-field fence for a walk-off two-run homer. The blast sent Marietta to the championship round against Heidelberg while the Cards were eliminated from the tournament.

Gessner recorded a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate while Barnes went 3-for-4 with two RBI’s and two runs scored.

The team will now wait until Monday morning to see if they will receive an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.
 

Otterbein Defeats Marietta, Loses Heartbreaker to Heidelberg
Written May 8, 2009 by Adam Prescott

TIFFIN, OHIO – #2 seed Otterbein (23-15) defeated third-seeded Marietta (27-14) by a score of 18-10 in the first round of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament Friday afternoon at Peaceful Valley Field.

After allowing two runs in the top of the first inning, Otterbein countered with four runs in the bottom half to take a 4-2 lead.

With two outs in the bottom of the third, Otterbein strung together a two-out rally that ended with the Cardinals putting five runs on the board.

After Brandon Gessner was hit by a pitch to start the rally, John Sansbury, Kyle Stoughton, and A.J. Barnes all recorded hits, with the last two resulting in RBI’s.

With two runners on base and still two outs, senior second-baseman Tyler Rudman hit his first career home run to left-center field to complete the five-run inning and give OC a 9-2 advantage. Rudman, who hit just one home run during high school, has played in 119 career games and has recorded over 450 at-bats.

After adding one run in the next inning, Otterbein allowed the Pioneers to score seven runs in the top half of the fifth, bringing the deficit to 10-9.

In the bottom of the fifth, junior third baseman Brian Hiscox hit his 17^th home-run of the season and 32^nd of his career as part of a three run inning, giving the squad a little breathing room at 13-9. The shot makes Hiscox the single-season record holder and also ties him atop the Otterbein all-time home run list.

Marietta was able to tack on one more run in the top of the sixth, but Otterbein responded with five consecutive runs in the next two innings to take an 18-10 lead entering the top of the eighth.

Senior right-hander Alex Hayes limited the Pioneers’ opportunities the remainder of the way en route to the Cards earning the 18-10 victory.

Rudman led the Cards by going 3-for-5 with four RBI’s and three runs scored, while Gessner tallied three RBI’s on a 2-for-4 performance.

Hiscox, Sansbury, and Stoughton all drove in two runs a piece.

Game #2

In game two of the afternoon, Otterbein fell to host and #1 seed Heidelberg (35-7) by a score of 13-12.

Heidelberg, ranked fifth in the nation, jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead after Willie Brechun launched a three-run homer to left field to conclude the scoring in the top of the first inning.

The Cardinals countered with five runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning, with the last three coming when senior left-fielder John Sansbury took a pitch and shot it over the right-field fence for his second long-ball of the season.

However, the Student Princes then scored seven runs over the course of the next four innings to take a 12-5 after five innings of play.

Refusing to quit, OC drove in four more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to bring the gap to 12-9. After the Cards scored the first run of the inning, Sansbury managed to squeeze a ground ball down the left-field line to drive in the second and third runs and bring his RBI total on the day to five.

After junior Kyle Stull shut down the Berg’ in the top of the eighth, OC’s Brian Hiscox drove in shortstop John Quimby, who had hit a leadoff double, to open the scoring in the bottom of the inning.

Sansbury struck again two batters later by doubling to the wall in left-center and bringing home two runs to even the game at 12-12.

After an Otterbein error to open the ninth inning, senior right-hander Alex Hayes found a way to get a one-out ground ball to second base. After the flip to second, the relay toss to first base was ruled late as the umpire felt the Heidelberg runner beat the throw. The Student Princes then found a way to drive in the go-ahead run with a bloop single to right field.

Trailing 13-12 in the bottom of the ninth with the tying run on first base, Otterbein was unable to advance the runner any further en route to suffering a tough one-run loss.

Sansbury turned in an impressive day at the plate by going 3-for-4 with seven RBI’s, the most of any Otterbein player in a single game this season.

Otterbein is scheduled to play tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 p.m. against the winner of the Marietta/John Carroll matchup, with the winner moving on to play Heidelberg in the championship game.

Cards Prepare For Tenth Straight OAC Tournament, Open With Marietta
Written May 6, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein (22-15, 12-6 OAC) enters the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament as the #2 seed and will open against third-seeded Marietta (26-12, 12-6 OAC) Thursday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. from Heidelberg’s Peaceful Valley Field.

Otterbein, winners of three out of their last four games, swept Ohio Northern Sunday to end the regular season and secure the number two seed. Both Otterbein and Marietta own identical 12-6 conference records, but OC is credited with the second seed by virtue of their sweep over the Pioneers back on April 18 in Westerville.

Senior right-hander Jeremy Williams (5-3), pitched all seven innings while scattering just six hits and allowing no earned runs in Otterbein’s 12-1 victory in the first game against the Pioneers. Junior shortstop John Quimby and sophomore designated-hitter Adam Becker each tallied three RBI’s in the contest.

The second matchup saw Cardinal right-hander Zach McGrain (5-0) pick up his fourth victory of the season on the hill after carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning of OC’s 7-3 win. Junior right fielder Brandon Gessner drove in three runs in the game while junior third baseman Brian Hiscox hit his second home-run of the afternoon.

Quimby leads the team and finished the regular season ranked sixth in the conference with a .407 batting-average. The Wooster transfer enters the tournament sitting second in the league in triples (5), third in slugging-percentage (.748), and fifth in on-base percentage (.493). He has scored a team-high 37 runs this season and leads the club with 15 doubles.

Hiscox ended the regular season leading the OAC in home runs (16), total bases (111), and slugging-percentage (.810). In addition, the 6’2” slugger sits third in walks (27) and fourth in RBI’s (45) while holding a batting-average of .380. On a national scale, he is positioned in the top 10 in home runs and the top 15 in slugging-percentage. Hiscox is currently one home-run shy of becoming the sole single-season record holder, while his next round-tripper will also tie him with Jim Allen atop the Otterbein all-time career home run list.

Gessner ranks eighth in the conference with a .396 batting-average and ranks second on the team in home runs (9), RBI’s (38), doubles (13), hits (57), and at-bats (144). His home run output has him tied for fourth in the OAC while his 99 total bases puts him third. Gessner has recorded at least one hit in each of the last 15 outings.

Senior second baseman Tyler Rudman leads the Cards in hits (58) and has hit safely in every game but two this spring. With his current ten-game hitting streak, he has recorded hit streaks of 10, 10, and 15 games this season.

As a team, Otterbein ranks eighth in NCAA Division III in home runs/game and in the top 15 in slugging-percentage. The Cards have compiled 48 home runs this season, 15 more than Marietta, who sits second in the conference with 33. The club also ranks second in the OAC in hits (427) and total bases (676). The squad has jumped ahead of teams early in games this season and has also been no stranger to rallying from behind. Regardless if the team is leading or trailing, OC seems well equipped to have success at the plate in this year’s tournament. 

“Our team is really laid back and likes to have fun, so I think that really helps us at the plate,” said senior first baseman Dan Lassak. “We’ve put up 12 runs in an inning this season, so everybody has a good mindset and knows we’re capable. It’s not a problem or a big panic if we’re behind, because we know we have the bats in the lineup.”

Lassak, the reigning OAC hitter of the week, enters the tournament with some individual momentum after completing a week where he hit nearly .450 and launched three home-runs in a crucial doubleheader at Mount Union.

“I’m just getting hot at the right time,” he said. “Being named hitter of the week is a great honor, but contributing to three big wins this past weekend to lock us into the #2 seed in the tournament was the biggest thing for me. I’m feeling really good at the plate and seeing the ball well.”

Senior right-hander Alex Hayes (4-2) ranks in the top five in the OAC in E.R.A (2.55), opposing batting-average (.203), walks allowed (8), strikeouts (59), saves (6), hits allowed (40), and appearances (22). The Caldwell native, who has made 20 relief appearances and two starts this spring, has struck-out 59 batters in just 53 innings pitched.

McGrain, who has made seven starts and 11 total appearances this season, sits in the top five in the league in opposing batting-average (.230) and hits allowed (41). He is 7-0  in nine career starts and has never been credited with a loss in 23 career appearances on the mound.

Marietta infielder Cameron Cimino leads the conference with a .538 on-base percentage, and sits right behind Hiscox in total bases (102) and slugging percentage (.756). In addition, he sits second in batting average (.430) and leads all OAC hitters with 30 walks. Junior catcher Josh Beatty sits tenth in the league in batting average (.388) in addition to holding a .709 slugging percentage. He has hit nine home runs and nine doubles this spring.

With the Pioneers being just one of three dangerous opponents at the plate, the pitching staff realizes the importance of delivering quality innings throughout the tournament.

“Everybody in the tournament can really hit the ball well, so these games are going to be nine-inning battles,” explained senior right-hander Rob Rosner. “Our pitchers have to keep the scores low, and if we do surrender some runs our staff just has to try and throw some zeros up on the scoreboard and let our hitters get us back in the game.”

Having those bats at the plate has proven to be a luxury for any Cardinal pitcher who has taken the mound this season.

“It’s nice, because a lot of times we find ourselves pitching with the lead,” Rosner said. “It makes things easier for us, because we’re then able to go attack hitters knowing they are probably going to press a little more.”

Attacking hitters and keeping them off balance has been a frequent occurrence for Hayes this season. In his 20 relief appearances, he has allowed just five runs in 43 innings pitched for an E.R.A. of 1.05 out of the bullpen.

“He has been ridiculous this season, especially in relief,” said Rosner. “If any of our pitchers leave the game with guys on base, we feel confident he can come in and get big outs. We’ve seen him do it all year.”

Top seeded Heidelberg, who enters the week ranked fifth in the nation by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) will play host to #4 seed John Carroll in the first game of the day. The winners of both contests will meet Friday morning at 9:30 am with the losing teams squaring off in an elimination game at 12:30. Regardless of their opponent on day two, Otterbein understands that any of the four teams can easily vie for the title and no team should be taken lightly.

“The biggest thing is to just stay focused throughout the tournament,” Lassak said. “Most of the guys have been in this situation and have played in big games, which is beneficial. The other three teams are going to step their play up to the next level because we are playing for something big, so we have to as well. This is do or die for us, and there’s no better time than now to shine.”

The Cardinals return to the conference tournament for the 19th time and have come away with five titles and six runner-up finishes. Otterbein has played in the last nine-consecutive tournaments and will look to win its fifth title in the last seven years.
 

Lassak Earns OAC Hitter of the Week Honors
Written May 4, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Senior first baseman Dan Lassak has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) “Hitter of the Week,” announced the conference office this morning.

In six games this past week, Lassak batted .444 (8 of 18) with eight RBI’s, six runs scored, four home runs, and one double.

With the Cardinals needing one win Saturday at Mount Union to clinch a spot in the OAC Tournament, Lassak’s bat helped them do just that. After hitting just three home runs the entire season, the Sunbury native blasted three home runs in the double-header, with two coming in the 7-2 victory.

On the day in Alliance, Lassak was 4-for-6 with five runs scored, four RBI’s, three home runs, and a double.

With Otterbein looking to improve their tournament seed Sunday at Ohio Northern, Lassak launched a shot over the left-field fence in his first at-bat as the Cards put three runs on the board in the first inning and never looked back.

The 6’0” slugger improved his season batting-average to .348 over the course of the week, and his slugging-percentage now stands at .626.

The Cards next travel to participate in the OAC Tournament, slated to begin Thursday at Heidelberg. Otterbein, the second seed, will open against the third-seeded Pioneers of Marietta.
 

Cards Enter Week Looking to Clinch Berth in OAC Tournament
Written April 27, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein (19-12, 9-5 OAC) will play their final four Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) games this week, and seven overall, as the team looks to close in on a berth in the upcoming OAC Tournament.

The Cardinals currently hold down the fourth spot in the league with a 9-5 record, as just the top four teams will earn a spot in the postseason tournament. Both Muskingum and Mount Union currently hold 8-8 records in league play and are positioned directly behind the Cards in the standings.

After defeating Ohio Wesleyan on Friday, the team swung their way to a 16-9 victory over Capital in game one of a double-header Saturday afternoon at Fishbaugh Field. Trailing 5-4 in the fourth inning, Otterbein put ten runs on the board over the next two innings and wound up taking a 14-7 lead into the sixth frame.

Both teams scored two runs in the sixth before the Cards shut down the Crusaders in the top of the seventh to earn a 16-9 victory.

Junior third baseman Brian Hiscox, who hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning with shortstop John Quimby, went 3-for-4 with three RBI’s and four runs scored to open the day. Senior second baseman Tyler Rudman, sophomore catcher Charlie Cahill, and sophomore designated hitter Adam Becker all tallied two RBI’s a piece for a Cardinal lineup that tallied 14 hits and drew nine walks.

Senior Jeremy Williams pitched a complete game on the mound for the Tan and Cardinal en route to his team-best fifth victory of the season.

With Otterbein leading 2-1 in the early stages of game two, the Crusaders scored seven runs in the top of the third inning to take an 8-2 lead. Trailing 9-4 entering the bottom portion of the sixth inning, Otterbein got their hot bats going and recorded a seven-run inning of their own to take an 11-9 advantage. The seventh inning scoring was capped off when junior right-fielder Brandon Gessner hit his ninth home run of the season over the left-field fence.

Ahead 12-10 in the ninth, Otterbein surrendered two runs to Capital and headed to the bottom of the last inning knotted at 12-12.

With one out, junior centerfielder A.J. Barnes beat out a bunt for a single and stood on first base as the winning run. Two batters later, Quimby shot a pitch to deep left-center field for a game-winning double that helped complete the sweep.

“It was very important that we won both games Saturday,” said head coach George Powell. “At this time of year, you have to beat those teams that may not be factored into the OAC tournament picture.”

Rudman, Quimby, Hiscox, and Gessner all drove in two runs in the come-from-behind win while senior Alex Hayes notched his fourth win of the season after pitching the final three innings.

The team will now travel to play Ohio Northern on Tuesday in search of a berth in the conference postseason tournament. The Cards will clinch a spot in the tournament if they are able to win both games against the Polar Bears. Ohio Northern currently sits last in the conference with a 3-11 record (14-20 overall), but has recorded wins over Mount Union, John Carroll, and 23^rd ranked Adrian College earlier this season.

“If we sweep then we are in the tournament, and if not then we will need to head to Mount Union and take care of business there,” Powell said. “We’ll have our hands full at Northern and need to play fundamentally sound baseball, but we’ll be ready. It’s not going to be easy, just like it wasn’t easy Saturday with Capital.”

After Tuesday’s games, the club will travel to play Ohio University on Wednesday before returning home to host Ohio Northern Thursday for senior day. A trip to Mount Union Saturday will round out the week’s contests.  
 

Hiscox Selected as OAC Hitter of the Week
Written April 20, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein junior third baseman Brian Hiscox (Burton, Berkshire) has been named the Ohio Athletic Conference hitter of the week, announced the conference office Monday morning.

This past week, Hiscox helped lead the Cardinals to a 2-2 record, including a sweep of first-place and nationally ranked Marietta. He was 6-for-13 on the week with six RBI’s, four home runs, and four runs scored.

Last Thursday, the 6’2” slugger went 4-for-7 with four RBI’s and two runs scored in a double-header at John Carroll. Three of the runs batted in came off of one swing, when he launched a shot over the outfield fence in the fifth inning of game one.

Saturday, Hiscox was one of many Otterbein hitters that had a productive day at the plate, as the Cards swept Marietta by scores of 12-1 and 7-3. He went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in each contest.

On the afternoon, the team recorded seven home runs from five different players.

A returning first team All-OAC pick, he currently leads the conference in home runs (13), slugging percentage (.856), and total bases (83).

In addition, he currently ranks second in the NCAA in home runs per game and sits in a tie for sixth in home runs. He is also in the top 20 in the nation in slugging percentage.

Hiscox is currently four home runs shy of passing Howard Chambers for the Otterbein single-season home run record. Chambers launched 16 long-balls during the 1987 season.

With 28 career home runs, Hiscox is just five home runs shy of surpassing Jim Allen as the school’s all-time career home run leader. Allen tallied 32 round trippers during his career from 1986-1989.

After driving in just four runs in the team’s first ten games, Hiscox has recorded 33 RBI’s in the last 16 games. He has hit a home run in each of the last eight outings, and has also hit safely in his last ten contests.
 

Otterbein Takes Both Games from First-Place Marietta
Written April 18, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein (15-10, 7-5 OAC) swept first-place and 17th ranked Marietta (18-10, 9-5 OAC) by scores of 12-1 and 7-3 Saturday afternoon in a key conference double-header at Fishbaugh Field.

Game 1

Already ahead 1-0, the Cards took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning when junior shortstop John Quimby hit a 410 foot blast over the center-field fence for a three-run homer.

Leading 5-1, Otterbein put four more runs on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning with the scoring capped by a three-run blast from sophomore Adam Becker.

The Cardinals added three more late runs en route to a 12-1 victory.

Senior right-hander Jeremy Williams was near dominant on the hill, allowing just one run on six hits while pitching all seven innings. He struck out six Pioneer batters and walked just two.

Game 2

Holding a 1-0 advantage entering the bottom of the fourth inning, Otterbein got three more runs off the bat of Brandon Gessner when the junior right-fielder tallied the Cards’ third three-run homer of the afternoon.

After Marietta scored three runs in the top half of the fifth inning to cut the lead to 5-3, Otterbein responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning to take a 7-3 advantage.

Senior Alex Hayes did not allow a hit in the final three innings of relief as the Cards became the first team this season to sweep Marietta.

Junior right-hander Zach McGrain, who took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, improved his season record to 4-0 by allowing just three runs and four hits in his six innings of work.

“It gave me a lot of confidence heading out to the mound knowing what my offense had been doing at the plate all day,” said McGrain.

With the sweep, Otterbein vaults right back into the thick of the things in the Ohio Athletic Conference, as the squad will end the week sitting in either third or fourth place, depending on the outcome of the second contest between John Carroll and Wilmington.

“It really gives a team a boost anytime you can beat the first-place team in the league,” added McGrain. “If we go out and play how we feel we’re capable of playing, the results are going to end up a lot like today.”

The team will play three non-conference games next week against Wooster and Wittenberg (two games) before resuming league-play next Saturday against cross-town rival Capital at Fishbaugh Field.
 

Cards Prepare for Critical Games Against John Carroll and Marietta
Written April 13, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein (13-8, 5-3 OAC) enters a critical week of play after sweeping visiting Muskingum Saturday afternoon by scores of 12-8 and 7-3.

Currently sitting third in the conference, the Cards are scheduled to travel to John Carroll (17-7, 6-4 OAC) Tuesday afternoon and then host Marietta (17-7, 8-2 OAC) Saturday at Fishbaugh Field. JCU is positioned right behind Otterbein in fourth place in the league while Marietta is tied with Heidelberg atop the standings. The Pioneers entered last week ranked 19^th in the national poll while the Blue Streaks were one of a handful of teams that received votes.  

Saturday against Muskingum, the Cards earned a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the first game as junior third baseman Brian Hiscox hit a walk-off grand slam in extra innings. The shot capped a five run inning that started with the Muskies holding an 8-7 advantage.

The Cards then took the second game 7-3 as Hiscox and senior first baseman/designated hitter Dan Lassak both homered.

Otterbein will be looking to carry their positive momentum into the upcoming set of games after compiling a 4-1 record last week.

“John Carroll and Marietta are both good teams, so we could definitely use some quality wins this week,” said Hiscox. “We felt we should have swept Carroll last year, so now it’s time to just go out and take care of business on the field.”

Over the past week, Hiscox has gone 9-for-19 (.474) with four home runs, 15 RBI’s, and six runs scored. He now leads the OAC in home runs (9) ranks second in slugging percentage (.774), and fifth in total bases (65).  

“I’m one of those hitters that takes a little bit of time to get into a groove, and hopefully I’ve hit that groove,” he said. “I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help the team out.”

Juniors Brandon Gessner and John Quimby continue to swing hot bats, as the two have combined for 17 runs and 11 RBI’s on 18-of-36 hitting over the last five outings.

Gessner is hitting .420 this season and sits second on the club in both home runs (5) and RBI’s (23). He has hit safely in 13 of his last 16 games.

Quimby currently leads the conference in batting average (.465), slugging percentage (.814), and triples (5). He also ranks second in both doubles (11) and total bases (70).

After beginning the season hitting .143 (4 for 28), senior John Sansbury has gone 7 for his last 17 with seven RBI’s, including a two-run homer against Baldwin-Wallace last Wednesday and a timely single in extra innings against Muskingum.

Sophomore catcher Charlie Cahill, who hit a go-ahead two-run shot against BW, and senior second baseman Tyler Rudman have both drove in and scored multiple runs throughout the past week.

“We have a lot of guys who are swinging hot bats right now,” said Hiscox. “Hopefully we are all starting to peak at the right time.”

Last season, Otterbein split with John Carroll in Westerville. Four days later, the team swept Marietta as Hiscox and Lassak combined for 10 RBI’s on the day. The Pioneers then eliminated Otterbein from the OAC Tournament a few weeks later.
 

Otterbein Splits Double-Header With Baldwin-Wallace
Written April 9, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein (10-8, 3-3 OAC) split a pair of games with Baldwin-Wallace (11-11, 3-5 OAC) Wednesday afternoon at Fishbaugh Field.

Trailing 5-3 entering the bottom of the fourth inning, the Cards evened the game back at 5-5 after RBI’s from third baseman Brian Hiscox and first baseman Adam Becker.

With the game tied in the bottom of the fifth, catcher Charlie Cahill launched a BW pitch over the left-field fence for a two-run homer, giving Otterbein a 7-5 lead.

After a solo home run from right fielder Brandon Gessner in the next inning, Alex Hayes hung on in the 9^th to record a complete game and help the Cards earn an 8-7 victory.

Shortstop John Quimby went 4-for-4 with two runs scored in the game while Cahill and Hiscox combined to drive in five runs.

Hayes struck out ten batters and allowed just three earned runs in his first career start on the hill.

Already ahead 2-1 going into the fourth inning, the Yellow Jackets tacked three more runs on the boards and pushed their lead to 5-1.

Down 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth, Quimby got ahold of a pitch from BW’s Jim Jaskowak and hit it long enough for it to be a solo home-run, cutting the deficit to 6-2.

Behind by four with one out in the bottom of the ninth, senior left-fielder John Sansbury homered to right field to cut the Baldwin-Wallace lead in half at 6-4.

The Cards found a way to get the tying run to the plate a few batters later, but were unable to deliver en route to suffering a 6-4 defeat.

BW held a 15-6 hit advantage at the plate, only two of which were extra-base hits.

Otterbein next travels to play Bluffton this afternoon before returning home to host Muskingum in a league double-header on Saturday. First-pitch from Fishbaugh Field is set for 1:00 pm.
 

Quimby Travels Long Road Before Arriving at Otterbein
Written April 6, 2009 by Adam Prescott

Three years ago, John Quimby was hitting over .400 as a freshman on The College of Wooster baseball team. Two years ago, he took a seventh-inning pitch from current Otterbein assistant coach Bobby Wright and sent it over the fence for a home run in the NCAA Mideast Regional. The two-run shot proved to be the difference maker in Wooster’s 3-2 victory that eliminated the Cards from postseason play. Last year at this time, the Pittsburgh native was out of school, back in his hometown, and playing in a recreational softball league.

Currently, the 5’10” shortstop is leading the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in slugging percentage (.779) and triples (4) as a new addition to the Otterbein baseball program. He also sits in the top five in the league in batting average (.441), doubles (9), and on-base percentage (.519).

“He’s as talented as any player that I’ve been around, and he does everything the way a coach would want it to be done,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell. “He leads by example with his consistent attitude, and you know what you’re going to get from him day in and day out.”

Keeping a positive attitude is important for many athletes, but according to his head coach, Quimby’s approach to the game may define the reasons for his early success this season.

“Baseball is a roller-coaster sport individually at times,” Powell explained. “Sometimes you’re playing well and sometimes you’re not, but throughout my experiences I feel the key for players is to keep a solid attitude so you don’t get too high or too low, and John exemplifies that.”

Quimby settles into the batters box earlier this season vs. Denison

Many college athletes transfer every year, but few have traveled the road and have a story quite like Quimby. During the summer after his freshman year at Wooster, he suffered a serious back injury that led to a rough sophomore season. Frustrations with the school combined with his inability to bend over without feeling pain in his back led Quimby to his decision to move on and leave behind the top ranked Divison III baseball team in the country.

With his playing days appearing to be over, he departed Wooster and enrolled at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). There, Quimby was just one of 11,928 students looking to figure out a direction for the future. After one semester of not feeling comfortable with his surroundings, he picked up and moved back home to Pittsburgh.

The North Allegheny high school graduate then spent the next eight months working full-time for his father’s construction business and participating in a recreational softball league. It was now that the once heralded infielder began to realize how much he missed the game of competitive collegiate baseball. One day in early August, Quimby was working outside in his driveway when he received a phone call from close friend and former College of Wooster teammate Brandon Gessner.

Gessner, who had transferred to Otterbein at the same time Quimby left Wooster, was now part of a Cardinal team that had just lost starting shortstop Ben Titus to graduation and was in need of someone to fill the position.

“I called him up the first time just to see what he was up to and if he was still interested in playing,” said Gessner. “I knew he had a bad back and was at home working, so it was more of a joking matter. We talked a week later and he asked me if I was serious about him coming to Otterbein to play. I said yes, so he called Coach Powell and it turned into a last minute thing.”

Quimby, who had only been to Westerville one other time in his life, arranged to take a visit just five days before classes were slated to begin. After enjoying his tour, he moved in with Gessner, scheduled his classes Sunday evening, and was there sitting in class Monday morning.

“Instead of taking classes I was working and making money, so it seemed hard to go back,” Quimby said. “But my dad really wanted me to go back to school, and it was a chance to play again.”

He was now one of the “new guys” entering a baseball program going for its ninth straight 20+ win season and one that consisted of a very cohesive group of players.

“I couldn’t have asked for the transition to go any better,” said Quimby. “All of the guys are great and they have welcomed me with open arms. Brandon being here has really helped a lot, and everyone still teases us for originally coming from Wooster. But it’s been really fun so far and I really like it here.”

It is no surprise the club graciously welcomed a player who now leads the team in hits (30), runs (21), and fielding assists (73). In addition to sitting in a tie for second on the team with 16 RBI’s, he has recorded 11 multi-hit games this season and has hit safely in every game but one.

Referred to as “Q” by his teammates, Quimby also leads the team in another statistical category, although this one may not necessarily garner any accolades. Through 17 games this spring, Quimby has committed 13 errors, the most of any player in the conference. However, both he and his coach know that it’s not a mark to get overly worried about.

“John has the ability to get to balls and make plays that a lot of other shortstops can’t,” explained Powell. “The talent and instincts are there so he’s always going to be aggressive and try to make plays. The times where he has made errors this season have resulted from his aggressive approach. He never lets an error affect the next play, however, and that’s something you can’t really coach.”

“I’d say 90% of baseball is mental, and I feel that’s the reason for a lot of peoples’ struggles with the game,” Quimby added. “If I make an error, I try to do the best I can to brush it off and maybe laugh about it. It’s nice to have the support of my teammates and coaches because they don’t get on me and yell about it. They know things happen and that I’ll get the next one.”

With a baseball career that once seemed at its end now flourishing, it leads some to wonder how long the road may last. Many have pondered whether an organization could potentially be interested in Quimby after his final year of college eligibility in 2010. 

“I feel he can definitely get paid to play at the next level if that opportunity presents itself,” said Powell. “He has another year to go, but after that I think he’ll get a shot somewhere.”

While keeping things in perspective, Quimby was also not shy about the possibility of his childhood dream becoming a reality at some point.

“It runs through my mind every now and then,” he said of signing a contract someday. “Making it to that professional level was my ultimate goal coming out of high school, but leaving Wooster and not playing for a while obviously had me believing it would never happen. If I’m able to sustain the success I’ve had here at Otterbein so far, then it’s something I would love to do if things fall into the right place.”

A lot has fallen into place so far for Quimby in 2009. Now, his followers and the avid faithful of the Cardinal baseball program have the luxury of witnessing the continued paving of an already long and traveled road for number 22.

Questions and/or comments on this story can be directed to APrescott@Otterbein.edu

Game at Urbana Suspended Due to Darkness
Written March 31, 2009 by Adam Prescott

URBANA, OHIO - Otterbein and Urbana were forced to suspend their contest due to darkness Tuesday evening. The Cardinals currently hold a 16-15 lead in the ninth inning.

The final inning of the suspended contest is set to be completed before Otterbein's scheduled game with Urbana in Westerville on May 5.

If the game is unable to be finished for any reason, OC will be credited with a victory.

Brian Hiscox and Adam Becker hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the first inning while Becker and Dan Lassak recorded back-to-back round trippers in the fourth.

Otterbein Sweeps Wilmington in OAC Season Opener
Written March 31, 2009 by Adam Prescott

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – Otterbein (8-5, 2-0 OAC) swept visiting Wilmington (3-11, 0-4 OAC) by scores of 7-3 and 9-1 in their Ohio Athletic Conference opener Monday afternoon at Fishbaugh Field.

Already leading 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning, junior Brian Hiscox launched a towering shot over the left-field fence to push the Cardinal lead to 3-0.

With starting pitcher Jeremy Williams cruising through the first four innings of work, Otterbein broke the game open behind a Charlie Edwards two-run homer to right-center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. The round-tripper was Edwards’ first of his career and helped extend the lead to 6-0.  

The Quakers were able to score in each of the next two innings, but the damage was already done as Otterbein earned a 7-3 victory in the opening game of the afternoon.

Williams picked up the victory on the mound to improve his season record to 3-1.

In addition to the two RBI’s a piece for Hiscox and Edwards, senior Tyler Rudman and sophomores Adam Becker and Charlie Cahill also drove in a run.

Leading 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth during game two, the Cards tacked two runs on the board as junior Brandon Gessner drove in Dan Lassak and Cahill hit his first home-run of the season.

Gessner then brought home two runs with his third home run of the season in the sixth inning and Otterbein tallied four runs in the eighth en route to a 9-1 victory.

Sophomore John LaCorte notched his first victory on the hill this season by going seven strong innings while allowing just two hits and no runs. He also struck out six Wilmington batters.

Gessner turned in an all-around performance by going 3-for-4 with five RBI’s and two runs scored.

“When Brandon gets going and gets quality at-bats, he has the ability to do some damage,” said head coach George Powell said. “He struggled with runners in scoring position on the Florida trip, but when he plays consistently he is dangerous. He proved that yesterday and was able to break the game open.”

In addition, the Cards were able to clean up their play in the field after committing six errors in each of the last three games.

“I was happy with how we played defensively,” Powell said. “We practiced well leading up to the game and decided to move Brian (Hiscox) to third base, where he did a solid job. Tyler Rudman and John Quimby played very consistent up the middle and turned some outstanding double plays.”

The Cards will play at Urbana tonight before hosting Denison on Wednesday and traveling to Heidelberg this weekend.  
 

Cards Play to a 3-5 Mark over Spring Break
Written March 27, 2009 by Adam Prescott

March 24th

Otterbein vs. Hamilton (NY) – After taking a day off on Monday, the Cards made the near two hour trip to Auburndale to take on the Hamilton Continentals from Clinton, New York.

Otterbein did not have the start they hoped for as they allowed three unearned runs in the first inning after committing four errors.

Junior Brandon Gessner then homered to left field in the top of the second to get the Cards on the scoreboard. OC then grabbed a 4-3 lead when John Quimby sent a shot over the left field fence in the top of the third.

After allowing two runs in the bottom of the inning and falling behind 5-4, the game progressed into the fifth inning with Otterbein slugger Brian Hiscox set to lead off.

Hiscox jumped on the first Hamilton pitch and sent a towering shot over the left field fence to even the game back up, this time at 5-5. The round-tripper marked the third time the team led off an inning with a home run. The Hiscox shot started a rally that saw the Cards bat-around in each of the next two innings and eventually wind up putting 11 runs on the board.

After the sixth inning, Otterbein held a commanding 15-5 lead as the Continentals were forced to use four different pitchers.

Otterbein did not allow a run the remainder of the ball game and their reserves added five more runs en route to a 20-5 victory. The win brought the Cards record to 3-3 on the trip.

In the contest, 16 different Otterbein players recorded a hit with 12 driving in at least one run.

Jeremy Williams, who was one of five Otterbein pitchers to throw in the game, was credited with the victory. Pitching coach Dave Ewing allowed five different Cards to toss at least one inning, with no pitcher throwing more than three.

Gessner turned in a career day by going 3-for-4 with two home runs, two RBI’s, and four runs scored. Quimby led the team with three RBI’s while catcher Charlie Cahill went 3-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

March 25th

Otterbein vs. #10 Whitewater (Game 3) – The Cardinals picked up right where they left off against Hamilton as the team gave starting pitcher Seth Winegar a 2-0 lead after the first two innings. Brandon Gessner continued his hot streak by singling in a run in the first and second baseman Tyler Rudman brought home a run in the second.

Whitewater then responded to tie the game at 2-2 with a run in both the third and fourth inning.

After the Warhawks added two more runs, the Cards found themselves with two runners on base and no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

However, Whitewater’s Aaron Dott picked off the Otterbein runner on first base and proceeded to retire the next two hitters on his way to escaping with a 4-2 lead.

The Warhawks tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning and shut down the Cards the remainder of the way en route to defeating OC for the third time in six days.

Winegar allowed just one earned run on six hits over six innings pitched. The Cards committed six errors for the second game in a row and had just seven hits in 33 at-bats.

Dott, the Warhawks number one pitcher, scattered eight hits and struck out 13 batters over his eight innings of work. Neither Otterbein run was earned.

March 26th

Otterbein vs. St. Olaf (MN) – With the game tied 2-2 in the bottom of the third inning, first baseman Brian Hiscox launched a two-run homer over the left field fence that put the Cards up 4-2. The round-tripper was Hiscox’s second in the last three games and was hit to the same part of the ballpark as his other home run on the Florida trip.

However, St. Olaf then proceeded to score six runs in a fourth inning that saw two Cardinal errors. Every run was unearned and came with two outs.

Trailing 11-6 entering the bottom of the eighth inning, Otterbein rallied to score five runs and even the game at 11-11. The spurt was capped by a two RBI single from sophomore Adam Becker.

Olaf then put six more runs on the board in the top of the ninth inning, four of which came on a grand slam, to take a 17-11 lead.

Refusing to quit, OC managed to score two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but had their rally fall short en route to a 17-13 defeat. Only eight of the 17 runs allowed by Otterbein were earned.

Becker  turned in a solid 3-for-4 performance with two RBI’s while shortstop John Quimby was also 3-for 4 in addition to one RBI and three runs scored. He finished just a home run away from hitting for the cycle as he tallied a single, double, and triple during the course of the contest.

The Cards, who committed six errors for the third game in a row, finish the Florida trip with a 3-5 record.

The team will return home Friday and prepare to host Wilmington Sunday, 1 p.m., at Fishbaugh Field.

Cards Tally 2-3 Mark to Open Florida Play
Written March 23, 2009 by Adam Prescott

March 20th

Otterbein vs. #10 Wisconsin-Whitewater (Game 1) – Down 1-0, the Cards took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning after a Whitewater error and a John Quimby single that scored  Brandon Gessner.

The score remained the same through the seventh inning as Otterbein’s Jeremy Williams and Warhawk pitcher Doug Hanson settled in and allowed just five hits combined, with no runner finding their way past second base.

Whitewater’s Sam Patrasko then delivered a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to even the game at two.

After the Cardinals were unable to score in the bottom half of the inning, the Cards took the field in the top of the ninth with senior Alex Hayes replacing Williams on the hill.

Hayes struck out the first two Warhawk hitters before an Otterbein error on a ground ball allowed Whitewater leftfielder Travis Wong to reach base. Wong then stole second before Kevin Wessels singled to left-center to bring home the go-ahead run.

Gessner tallied his second hit of the contest in the bottom of the ninth, but the Cards were unable to take advantage of the opportunity and suffered a disappointing 3-2 defeat.

Williams allowed five hits and one run while walking just one batter in eight innings pitched. The senior also added six strikeouts to his performance.

Otterbein vs. #25 Carthage (Game 1) – Eager to get back on the field after the devastating loss, the Cards put two runs on the board in the top of the first inning as corner infielders Dan Lassak and Brian Hiscox recorded RBI’s.

The two runs proved to be all that was necessary as Zach McGrain turned in an impressive performance on the mound by allowing just one unearned run and two hits in eight innings of work. In addition, the big right-hander struck out four batters while only walking two.

Otterbein added two runs in the sixth inning and a two-run single from John Quimby in the eighth capped off the scoring as the Cards earned a 6-1 victory.

March 21st

Otterbein vs. #25 Carthage (Game 2) – Looking to avenge their previous loss to OC, Carthage struck first in the morning session and took a 1-0 lead on a John Lequia RBI single in the top of the opening inning.

Trailing 2-0 in the bottom of the third, the Cards cut the Redmen deficit to 2-1 when first baseman Brian Hiscox drove in shortstop John Quimby.

After Carthage extended their lead to 3-1 in the seventh, Otterbein looked to have momentum in the bottom half of the seventh inning when they managed to load the bases with just one out and the heart of their order coming up.

However, two consecutive pop-outs from Quimby and Hiscox allowed the Redmen to escape the inning with their 3-1 lead still in tact.

Carthage added an insurance run in the top of the ninth inning before shutting down OC in the latter half to earn a 4-1 victory.

Seth Winegar went 5.2 innings on the hill for Otterbein while picking up the loss. The 6’3” senior allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out two.

Otterbein left 14 runners on base in the game and had just eight hits in 33 at-bats.

Otterbein vs. #10 Wisconsin-Whitewater (Game 2) – After a three hour game in the morning against Carthage, the Cardinals took a quick half hour break and returned to the field looking to avenge the previous days’ loss to the Warhawks.

The contest opened up moving at a quick pace as Otterbein sophomore John LaCorte and Whitewater’s CJ Herrforth pitched four scoreless innings a piece, leading to a 0-0 game entering the fifth inning.

The Warhakws then scored once in the fifth and again in the sixth to take a 2-0 advantage.

The score would remain the same until the bottom of the eighth inning, when Otterbein’s Adam Becker shot a laser to right-center field that brought home two runs and evened the game at 2-2.

A.J. Barnes then tripled with two outs in the bottom of the ninth for the Cards, but was stranded on third base as the game headed to extra innings.

With LaCorte (6.0 IP) and relief pitcher Aaron Eckert (2.0 IP) done for the day, OC sent senior Alex Hayes back to the mound to begin the tenth inning after the side-armer threw a scoreless ninth.

Hayes and Whitewater’s Ben Hersnik then put on a pitching clinic for all in attendance as the two began sitting down opposing batters left and right as the game progressed into the 16^th inning still locked at two runs a piece.

Hayes, who had already made relief appearances in all three of the Cards previous contests, threw 90 pitches and struck out 11 Warhawk batters in his seven innings of work. He surrendered just two hits and two walks in the span.

Whitewater then managed to score two runs in the top half of the 17^th inning off of OC’s Matt Hopkins, with both runs coming after a Cardinal throwing error.

After Charlie Edwards recorded a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the 17^th to cut the deficit to 4-3, Tyler Rudman stepped to the dish with the tying run 90 feet away and the winning run (Edwards) on second. However, a shot into right-center field that initially looked like it would find grass was tracked down by Whitewater right-fielder Kevin Zalnis, thus allowing the Warhawks to escape with a 4-3 victory.

Hersnik pitched 8.1 innings of relief for Whitewater and allowed just one run on four hits. He struck out four and at one point retired 15 Otterbein hitters in a row.

The Warhawks also managed to steal eight bases in as many attempts over the course of the contest.

The game lasted four hours and eighteen minutes.

March  22nd

Otterbein vs. Bethel (MN)

With the game tied entering the fourth inning, junior leftfielder A.J. Barnes put the Cards ahead 2-1 with a single that scored Charlie Cahill.

Otterbein then pushed their lead to 5-1 in the top of the 6^th on RBI’s by Barnes and shortstop John Quimby.

However, trailing 6-2 in the bottom of the eighth, Bethel mounted a comeback and cut the Cardinal lead to 6-5 entering the ninth inning.

That was as much damage as the Royals would end up doing as junior reliever Aaron Eckert sat down the side in the 9^th inning en route to a five-out save and his first of the year.

Rob Rosner picked up the win for the Cards by going six innings and allowing one earned run while striking out four.

Barnes went 2-for-3 with two RBI’s and a run scored while John Sansbury busted out of a 1-for-18 slump to go 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Quimby also recorded a productive day at the plate, as he went 3-for-5 with an RBI in addition to crossing the plate once.

WESTERVILLE, OHIO – The Otterbein men’s baseball team used two late rallies to sweep Calvin in their first home double-header of the season Saturday in Westerville.

The first game saw Calvin pitcher Ben Sietsema and Otterbein’s Jeremy Williams throw five shutout innings a piece en route to a scoreless tie heading into the sixth inning.

Calvin then took a 1-0 lead after an Otterbein error in the top of the sixth inning.

Down 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh and last inning, Otterbein’s first two batters walked to get both the tying and winning runs aboard. After a Charlie Edwards single, senior second baseman Tyler Rudman stepped to the dish with the bases loaded. Rudman singled to drive home two runs and give the Cards a 2-1 come-from-behind victory to open the afternoon.

Williams earned his first victory of the season by allowing just three hits and no runs over seven innings. In addition, he walked just two Calvin batters.

Holding a 3-1 lead after four innings in game two, the Cards allowed the Knights to score six runs over the next three innings and take a 7-3 advantage into the bottom of the seventh.

After consecutive hits by junior shortstop John Quimby and junior first baseman Brian Hiscox, pinch hitter Adam Becker doubled to drive in a run and bring the deficit to 7-4.

With two runners in scoring position and still no outs, designated hitter Elliot Greenhill stepped to the plate and launched the game-tying home run over the right field fence.

“I just told the team to try and get the tying run to the plate and let’s see what can happen” head coach George Powell said. “We are able to do that and Elliot hit a big home run.”

The game then headed into extra innings after the next three Cardinal hitters were unable to reach base.

After senior Alex Hayes sat down Calvin in order in the top of the eighth, Quimby capped an impressive day by hitting a triple to right-center field that allowed Rudman to score from first base and give Otterbein an 8-7 victory.

On the afternoon, Quimby went 5-for-6 with two RBI’s and three runs scored, one of which was the game-winner in the first contest. Hiscox went 4-for-6 with an RBI and scored two runs while Rudman was 2-for-5 with two RBI’s in addition to crossing the plate twice.

In addition to his home run, Greenhill also recorded an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the first inning of game two that led to a 2-for-3 performance with four RBI’s and a run scored.

The team moved its record to 3-0 after refusing to quit in the late innings of both games.

“It’s so early in the year that there really wasn’t a sense of panic, and to some extent this team plays loose,” Powell explained. “I think they are still trying to find their identity, but when push came to shove Saturday they showed resiliency.”

The Cards will now play their next eight games down south as they embark on their annual Florida trip Thursday. Two of the contests will be played against Wisconsin-Whitewater, who is currently ranked tenth nationally.
 

Otterbein Looks to Continue Success in 2009
Written March 2, 2008 by Adam Prescott


WESTERVILLE, OHIO - The Otterbein baseball team will be looking for their ninth-straight 20-plus win season in 2009 despite losing 13 lettermen from last season’s club that went 26-15 overall and 12-6 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC). This spring, the Cards will also be looking to achieve their ninth-straight winning season in OAC play.

While a 2008 senior class that made history has now departed from Westerville, the Cardinals seem well equipped to achieve success in 2009 with 19 lettermen returning to the team.

“We’ll be more offensive than what we’ve been in the past, and I expect us to hit better than we’ve ever hit here in my ten seasons,” said Cardinal head coach George Powell. “We have guys who aren’t young, but inexperienced, and have waited for their opportunity. Their opportunity is here now and they’re eager to get started because they feel they have a lot to prove.”

Headlining the returnees is junior first baseman Brian Hiscox, who earned All-OAC and All-Mideast Region first team honors in 2008. Hiscox led the conference and ranked 11th nationally with 14 home runs and sat second in the league in slugging percentage (.772). He finished fourth in the OAC in both RBI’s (42) and total bases (95) in addition to sitting 21st in batting average (.358). His 38 runs scored last season was a team-best and his nine doubles ranked second among Cardinal hitters.

“The most important thing for Brian is to just take what pitchers give him,” Powell explained. “If teams choose to pitch around him, then he’ll need to get on base and let someone else drive him in.”

Also returning will be senior infielder Dan Lassak, who rotated with Hiscox at first base and as a designated hitter last season. The three-year letterman ranked fourth on the team and ninth in the conference with a .382 batting average and will be counted on this season for his leadership. The first team All-OAC pick tied with Hiscox for second on the club with nine doubles and ranked third in RBI’s (25) in 2008.

“Dan is a vocal leader for us and works very hard,” Powell said. “He’s very versatile and could play a few different positions for us, but, most importantly, he’s a player that needs to be in the lineup because of his consistency. He comes to play hard day in and day out, and he’s there to beat you.”

Other key upperclassmen returnees include senior second baseman Tyler Rudman, senior outfielder Charlie Edwards, senior infielder John Sansbury, junior outfielder/pitcher Brandon Gessner, and sophomore catcher Charlie Cahill. However, Hiscox will most certainly remain the focus of the opposition when it comes to facing the Cardinals lineup.

“We hope to have a couple of players in front of Brian and behind him so other teams can’t afford to avoid him,” Powell continued. “Dan Lassak, Charlie Cahill, Brandon Gessner, and John Sansbury are all big threats at the plate, and, if we can hit throughout our lineup, we’ll prevent the opposition from picking and choosing.”

Sansbury, who batted .310 last season while earning 21 starts, will now assume a larger role on the club this spring than in previous years.

“I think John is going to have a big year offensively,” said Powell. “He looks good hitting right now and knows he’s going to be an every-day player, so he’s ready for it.”

The club will also seek production from junior infielder John Quimby, who will be spending his first season with Otterbein after transferring from The College of Wooster.

After losing four key pitchers, including three-time OAC Pitcher of the Year Dan Remenowsky, who was signed by the Chicago White Sox, the club will turn to senior right-hander Jeremy Williams to head the pitching rotation in 2009. Last season, Williams held a 3-2 record while making seven starts and ten total appearances on the hill. He ranked tenth in the conference in ERA (3.48) and fifth in runs allowed (20). In addition, he tossed three complete games last spring and ranked fourth on the team in both strikeouts (19) and innings pitched (41.1).

“We’re going to miss those pitchers because those were guys you could run out any given day and feel pretty good about your chances to win,” Powell explained. “It’s going to be more of a collective staff this season. Jeremy has been with us for a few years now and he’ll lead our rotation, but we also feel good about some of the other guys who have stayed in the program and have improved over the years.”

One of those pitchers is junior right-hander Zach McGrain, who compiled a 5-0 record in 11 appearances last season. In addition to his 3.42 ERA, he struck out 13 batters and allowed just nine runs in 23.2 innings pitched.

Otterbein will be looking to get back to the NCAA Tournament in 2009 after missing the tournament last season for the first time in four years.

The Cards will open the season by playing Ohio Wesleyan and Calvin (MI) before heading south to take part in their annual Florida trip.
 

Remenowsky Signs with the Chicago White Sox
Written July 14, 2008 by Ed Syguda

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Right-hander Dan Remenowsky, who recently concluded his career as the Otterbein all-time leader in ERA, signed Monday with the Chicago White Sox and was expected to report to Bristol (VA), a member of the Appalachian League.

“Dan has worked hard and deserves everything that is being put in front of him,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell. “As good as Dan has been for Otterbein baseball, his best baseball is still ahead of him.”

Remenowsky, a native of Cincinnati (Moeller High School), holds the Otterbein career record for ERA (2.44) and shutouts (10), and sits second in career wins (31) and strikeouts (296). The school record for career wins is 32, and 321 for career strikeouts.

The righty, a three-time “pitcher of the year” in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC), helped lead his team to three straight OAC Tournament titles and appearances in the NCAA Tournament from 2005-07. He earned third team All-America honors as a sophomore in 2006, posting a 9-2 mark and 1.94 ERA while striking out 94 batters.

Remenowsky Named Mideast Pitcher of the Year
Written May 29, 2008 by Ed Syguda

WESTERVILLE, OHIO— Dan Remenowsky, a senior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), was selected 2008 Mideast Region Pitcher of the Year by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA).

The right-hander made 12 appearances, starting eight, on his way to a 2.23 ERA and 5-2 record over 60 2/3 innings of work this season. He struck out 57 while walking 20. Remenowsky ranks 39th in ERA and 146th in strikeouts/game among players in NCAA Division III this season.

In addition, for the third consecutive season, Remenowsky was named pitcher of the year in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) on his way to a third straight first team All-OAC selection in 2008.

Remenowsky concludes his career ranked high on several Otterbein all-time lists. He finishes as Otterbein’s all-time leader in career ERA (2.44) and shutouts (10), and second in career wins (31) and strikeouts (296). The school record for career wins is 32, and 321 for career strikeouts.

Mauck Named Academic All-America
Written May 27, 2008 by Ed Syguda

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Otterbein infielder Brandon Mauck was named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America second team in baseball as selected by the College Sports Information Director’s of America (CoSIDA).

Mauck, a senior third baseman from Reynoldsburg, is majoring in accounting and has made the Otterbein dean’s list all 11 quarters. He started all 40 games—some at second base—for the Cardinals this season, batting .329. Mauck collected 47 hits, second best on the team, along with 25 runs, 24 RBI’s, nine doubles, two home runs, six stolen bases, and six sacrifice bunts. He fielded .957, committing seven errors in 163 total chances.

A four-year starter, Mauck finishes with a .305 career batting average, playing in 162 games. He has been a part of three Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) tournament championships and three NCAA tournament appearances. His senior class is the winningest in school history, compiling a 123-61 record over four seasons.

In addition to Academic All-America honors this season, Mauck received the Clyde A. Lamb award, presented to 20 of the top senior student-athletes in the OAC, who excel both academically and athletically. He was named to the Academic All-OAC baseball team for the second straight year, and was a second team All-OAC selection.

Senior Class Makes School History
Written May 27, 2008 by Zach Manoogian

Ben Titus

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—The Cardinals class of 2008 has enjoyed much success throughout their four-year careers at Otterbein.

The class leaves Otterbein having made three NCAA Tournament appearances, capturing three Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament championships, and winning more games than any other class in Otterbein history, compiling a record of 123-61 over four years.

As freshmen, the class helped Otterbein to a 31-17 record and regular-season OAC title.  In the NCAA Tournament that year, the Cards advanced to the regional final.

In their sophomore year, Otterbein would produce a record of 34-16, earning both the OAC regular-season and tournament titles.  Once again, the Cards fell just short of advancing to the College World Series, losing to eventual national champion Marietta in the regional final.

The Cardinals entered the 2007 season ranked No. 1 in the country.  Once again, Otterbein won the OAC Tournament, finishing the year with a record of 32-15.  That year’s NCAA Tournament saw the Cards fall to Wooster in the Mideast Regional.

Aaron Hutchison

As seniors, the class led Otterbein to a 26-15 record, but came up short in the OAC Tournament to close the book on their highly successful four-year run.

In addition to their great team success, the class has earned many individual honors and broke several Otterbein records.

“They’ve epitomized what I want in players,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell about the seniors.  “They’ve helped us to do great things and have been consistent winners.”

Pitcher Dan Remenowsky, from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), earned four All-OAC selections during his career, including three first team selections. Additionally, Remenowsky was named the OAC Pitcher-of-the-Year three consecutive years (2006-08).  He finishes as Otterbein’s all-time leader in career ERA (2.44) and second in career wins (31) and strikeouts (296).

Remenowsky earned third team All-America honors in 2006 when he posted a 9-2 record with a 1.94 ERA.

Shortstop Ben Titus, from Bowling Green, was a four-time All-OAC selection, earning first team honors in 2006 and 2007.  Titus leaves Otterbein as the career leader in runs scored (141), and second in career hits (207).

“We were fortunate to have so many quality players show up at the same time,” Titus said about the success of the 2008 class.  “The amount of talent that showed up in the same year is unprecedented.  There are many talented teams, but not many can sustain success over four seasons. Coming in, there were lots of opportunities to play right away and we were expected to contribute.  We weren’t afforded the luxury of developing slowly.

“There was a quality of character throughout this class on and off the field,” Titus continued.  “We never had to deal with distractions and we were able to focus on playing baseball. We enjoyed being around each other and had more camaraderie than any group of guys I’ve ever been around.”

Doug Stevens

Catcher Aaron Hutchison, from Whitehall, was a two-time All-OAC selection, earning first team honors in 2008.  Hutchison was named the Dick Fishbaugh MVP of the 2007 OAC Tournament.

Third basemen Brandon Mauck, from Reynoldsberg, earned All-OAC second team honors in 2008.  He is also the 2008 Clyde Lamb Award winner, given annually to the top 20 student-athletes in the OAC.  Additionally, Mauck earned 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America second team honors.

Outfielder Pat Connor, from Columbus (Bishop Watterson), twice earned All-OAC selections.  Connor played in 167 games, placing him third in Otterbein history.

Picher Doug Stevens, from Newark (Newark Catholic), earned All-OAC honors three times during his career, including first team honors in 2006. His 52 career appearances are good for third in Otterbein history.  He also ranks third with 26 career victories.

“The class of 2008 is one that will definitely be remembered,” Stevens said.  “Through hard work and perseverance, this was a class that won both on the field and in the classroom."

Outfielder Chris Kovanda, from Worthington (Kilbourne), earned All-OAC honors three times in his career, including first team honors in 2008.  Kovanda led the Cards in hits in both his junior (64) and senior (59) years.

The senior class also consists of second baseman Ian Rodenberger from Marysville; outfielder Bret Bilhardt from Perry; infielder Paul Seiter from Cincinnati (Moeller); catcher Ryan Mocarski from North Royalton, and pitcher J.J. Mathews from Hilliard (Darby).

The Cards now look forward to the 2009 season and hope to continue building upon the success of this year’s senior class.

"I'm going to miss each and every one of my teammates, especially the guys who I have grown with over the past four years," Hutchison said. "We've been through a lot and have memories for a lifetime. We had a great career at Otterbein and helped put this program on the map."
 

Hiscox, Remenowsky and Kovanda Earn All-Region Honors
Written May 22, 2008 by Zach Manoogian

WESTERVILLE, OHIO— First basemen Brian Hiscox, a sophomore from Burton (Berkshire High School), pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a senior from Cincinnati (Moeller), and outfielder Chris Kovanda, a senior from Worthington (Kilbourne), earned Rawlings Baseball All-Mideast Region honors, the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) announced Thursday. 

Hiscox earned first-team honors, leading the Cardinals and Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) in home runs.  His 14 homers rank 11th in NCAA Division III through May 18th.  Additionally, Hiscox led the Cardinals in RBIs (45) and runs scored (38). 

Remenowsky, the three-time OAC Pitcher-of-the-Year, received second team all-region honors.  The Otterbein career leader in strikeouts, with 296, was 5-2 on the year for the Cards with a team best 2.22 ERA, which ranked 39th in D-III.  This is the fourth all-region selection for Remenowsky. 

Receiving honorable-mention was Kovanda, who led the Cards in hits the past two seasons.  Kovanda started every game in 2008, hitting .381 with 24 RBIs on the year.  Additionally, Kovanda proved to be an extremely tough out, ranking as the third toughest hitter to strike out in D-III. 

Otterbein finished the year 26-15, finishing third in the OAC with a 12-6 record.
 

Seven Cards Earn All-OAC Honors
Written May 16, 2008 by Zach Manoogian

WESTERVILLE, OHIO— Seven Cardinals received All-Ohio Athletic Conference honors for the 2008 baseball season, the OAC announced Monday.

Catcher Aaron Hutchison, a senior from Whitehall; first basemen Brian Hiscox, a sophomore from Burton (Berkshire High School); outfielder Chris Kovanda, a senior from Worthington (Kilbourne); designated hitter Dan Lassak, a junior from Sunbury (Big Walnut); and pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a senior from Cincinnati (Moeller), all earned first team honors for the Cards.

Hutchison started all but one game at catcher for Otterbein this season.  He placed second on the team with 47 hits on the year while providing excellent defense behind the plate.  “Hutch is a sparkplug for us,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell. 

Hiscox led the OAC in home runs with 14, and was the Otterbein leader in RBIs with 42.  “He should be the most feared hitter in the OAC the next two years,” Powell said. 

Kovanda led the Cardinals in hits (57) and stolen bases (9).  This is Kovanda’s third All-OAC honor after earning second team honors the previous two seasons.  “He’s the most consistent hitter I’ve ever coached,” Powell said.  “He embodies what I want out of a hitter.”

Lassak hit .382 on the year for the Cards, while driving in 25.  “Dan brings an energy to the team and is a real leader,” Powell said. “I look forward to coaching Dan another year.”

Remenowsky, who was named OAC Pitcher-of-the-Year for the third straight time, led the Cards in ERA (2.23), wins (5), and strikeouts (57).  He is second in Otterbein history in career wins (31) and strikeouts (296).  “Dan will go down as the best pitcher in Otterbein history and one of the best pitchers in this conference’s history,” Powell said.    

Third baseman Ben Mauck earned second team honors for the Cards.  “Ben is known in the league for his great defense,” Powell said.  In addition to his defense Mauck hit .329 on the year with nine doubles. 

Receiving honorable mention from the OAC was shortstop Ben Titus.  A two-time All-OAC first team member, this is the fourth All-OAC honor for Titus.  “Ben has had a great career here and was an amazingly productive team member,” Powell said. 

Remenowsky Named OAC Pitcher-of-the-Year
Written May 16, 2008 by Zach Manoogian

WESTERVILLE, OHIO— Dan Remenowsky, a senior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), was named the 2008 Kent Tekulve Pitcher-of-the-Year, the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) announced Monday.  This marks the third straight year Remenowsky has earned the award, given annually to the OAC’s best pitcher. 

“He’ll go down as one of the all-time greats here,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell. 

The right-hander was 5-2 on the season for the Cardinals, helping Otterbein to their 13th OAC Tournament appearance.  He led the team with 57 strikeouts in 60.2 innings of work while compiling a 2.23 earned-run average. 

“I think he’ll have the opportunity to play beyond here.  He is an unbelievable competitor and has a great drive,” said Powell. 

Remenowsky leaves Otterbein as the career leader in ERA, and is second in career wins and strikeouts.  This is the fourth time Remenowsky has earned All-OAC honors. 

Pat Connor, a senior rightfielder from Columbus (Bishop Watterson) went 2-for-3 in the game while Dan Lassak, a junior designated hitter from Sunbury (Big Walnut), added a solo home run for the Cards.

Cards Fall in OAC Tournament
Written May 9, 2008 by Brett Rybak

TIFFIN, OHIO—The Otterbein baseball team falls in an elimination game of the OAC Tournament against Heidelberg, 9-4, Friday afternoon in Tiffin. The Cards advanced to the game by defeating Mount Union, 5-3, earlier in the day.

In the first game of the day against Mount Union, Doug Stevens, a senior right-hander from Newark (Newark Catholic High School), earned the complete game win giving up only one earned run on nine hits.

Pat Connor, a senior rightfielder from Columbus (Bishop Watterson) went 2-for-3 in the game while Dan Lassak, a junior designated hitter from Sunbury (Big Walnut), added a solo home run for the Cards.

Andy Warner, a senior outfielder from North Canton (Hoover), and Craig Knott, a freshman shortstop from Canton (Glen Oak), each added two hits for the Purple Raiders.

In game two, Otterbein took a 4-2 lead into the eighth inning but gave up three in the eighth and four in the ninth to be eliminated from the tournament.

Chris Kovanda, a senior leftfielder from Worthington (Kilbourne), had three hits for the Cards while Aaron Hutchison, a senior catcher from Whitehall, chipped in with two hits of his own.

Andy Lowe, a freshman right-hander from Fort Wayne, Indiana (Carroll), picked up the win in relief for Heidelberg, shutting out the Cards over the final 2 1/3 innings. Willie Brechun, a freshman third baseman from Clinton (Canton Central Catholic), tallied three hits and two RBI for the ‘Berg.

Cards Drop Game One of OAC Tournament
Written May 8, 2008 by Brett Rybak

TIFFIN, OHIO—#2 seed Marietta defeated #3 seed Otterbein, 5-2, in the first game of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament Thursday in Tiffin.

The Cards fell behind 2-0 early on a two-run double by Justin Merryman, a junior centerfielder from New Philadelphia, but scored a run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by Aaron Hutchison, a senior catcher from Whitehall, to make it a 2-1 ballgame. Marietta would then answer back with two runs in the seventh to take a commanding 4-1 lead. Both teams would score a run in the eighth before Otterbein went down in order in the ninth to end the game.

T.J. Knowlton, a junior right-hander from Greenwich (Mapleton), picked up his ninth win of the season while shutting down the Cardinal offense over 7 1/3 innings pitched. Knowlton gave up two unearned runs on eight hits while striking out four.

Britt Meador, a freshman leftfielder from Columbus (Worthington Kilbourne), led the Pioneer attack with three hits and two runs scored while Merryman added two hits and two RBI.

Dan Remenowsky, a senior right-hander from Cincinnati (Moeller), dropped to 5-2 on the season, giving up five runs on thirteen hits in eight innings. Charlie Edwards, a junior centerfielder from Springfield (South), and Dan Lassak, a junior designated hitter from Sunbury (Big Walnut), each had two hits for the Cards.

With the loss, the Cards will now have to play an elimination game on Friday against the loser of the Mount Union/Heidelberg game. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m.

Cards Prep for OAC Tournament
Written May 7, 2008 by Zach Manoogian

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Three-time defending Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament champion Otterbein takes on Marietta in the first round of the 2008 OAC Tournament Thursday at 1 p.m. in Tiffin. 

“Our goal every year is to win the OAC Tournament,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell.  “It’s going to be a challenge against some good teams, but our guys are focused and ready to play.”

The Cards enter the tournament as the three seed following some early season conference losses.  “We started slow and didn’t really show what we were capable of early in the conference schedule.  The tournament is a chance to make up for that and prove we are a better team,” Powell said. 

The Cards swept the regular season double-header against Marietta on April 19.  The 8-5 and 19-15 wins were key in helping Otterbein secure a spot in the OAC Tournament and in helping them build some winning momentum.

“We’ve played better in the later conference schedule and now need to use that momentum as a platform to build off of,” Powell said.

Otterbein traveled to Athens Tuesday to take on Ohio University in a final tune-up before the OAC Tournament.  The Cards fell, 13-9, despite two home runs by first basemen Brian Hiscox, a sophomore from Burton (Berkshire High School).  The two home runs give Hiscox 14 on the year, just two short of the Otterbein season record.

Following The Otterbein-Marietta game Thursday, top-seeded Heidelberg plays host to fourth-seeded Mount Union at 4 p.m.  The winner of the double-elimination tournament earns an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

OAC Names Remenowsky Pitcher of the Week
Written May 5, 2008 by Zach Manoogian

WESTERVILLE, OHIO— Dan Remenowsky, a senior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), was selected Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) pitcher of the week, the OAC released Monday. 

The right-hander pitched seven shutout innings, striking out four to help the Cards defeat Mount Union, 12-0, Saturday in Westerville.  Remenowsky improves to 5-1 with a 1.71 ERA on the season for the Cardinals, who are 25-12 overall, 12-6 in OAC play. 

Cards Close Out OAC Play, Earn Spot in OAC Tournament
Written May 2, 2008 by Zach Manoogian

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Otterbein split a double-header with Mount Union Saturday at Fishbaugh Field. 

The Cardinals dominated the first game, winning 12-0 and claiming a spot in the four-team Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament, which is scheduled to begin Thursday.  After having the start delayed by two hours due to rain, the Cards took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on a RBI-double by Dan Lassak, a junior from Sunbury (Big Walnut High School). 

The Cardinals put up four more runs in the fourth, including a two-run double by Charlie Edwards, a junior from Springfield (South). 

In the fifth, the Cards blew the game open, scoring seven runs. Brian Hiscox, a sophomore from Burton (Berkshire), continued to have a hot bat, blasting a grand slam home run to deep left field.  The homer was the 11th of the season for Hiscox and his second grand slam.

Dan Remenowsky, a senior from Cincinnati (Archbishop Moeller), got the win for the Cards and improved to 5-1 on the season. Mount Union ended with five hits and committed three errors.

Game two saw the Cards fall behind early, but tie it up at 2-2 in the third off another Hiscox home run. 

Mount Union broke the deadlock in the fourth with a two-run single by catcher Connor Nell, a sophomore from Delaware (Olentangy). A three-run homer by Adam Warner, a senior from North Canton (Hoover), put Mount Union up 8-3.

Otterbein rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to tighten the score to 8-6.  Mount Union responded in the top of the ninth with three more runs, making the score 11-6, where the game finished.

The split leaves the Cards with an overall record of 25-12 and 12-6 in the OAC. 
 

Cards Sweep Capital and Move into Third Place in the OAC
Written April 27, 2008 by Brett Rybak

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—The Otterbein baseball team swept cross-town rival Capital, 4-1 and 9-1, Saturday afternoon in Bexley.

The Cards took game one, 4-1, behind a complete-game gem from Dan Remenowsky, a senior right-hander from Cincinnati (Moeller High School). Five of Otterbein’s eight hits went for extra bases, including a solo home run from both Brian Hiscox, a sophomore first baseman from Berkshire, and Dan Lassak, a junior designated hitter from Sunbury (Big Walnut).

In game two, Otterbein pounded out 13 hits and Doug Stevens, a senior right-hander from Newark (Newark Catholic), threw a complete game four-hitter. Pat Connor, a senior right fielder from Columbus (Bishop Watterson), led the offensive attack, going 2-for-3 with three RBI’s and two runs scored.

“Anytime you sweep in a conference doubleheader it's a great day, especially against a cross-town rival that you have some history with,” Stevens said. “We know that we have unfinished business, but we need to keep taking it one game at a time and things will all take care of themselves.”

With the doubleheader sweep and John Carroll losing twice to Mount Union, the Cardinals move into sole possession of third place in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) heading into the final week of the season.

Otterbein will travel to Denison Monday before heading home to face Ohio Wesleyan Thursday in a pair of nonconference games. The Cards will wrap up the conference slate Saturday when they host Mount Union for a doubleheader at 1 p.m.

Brian Hiscox Earns OAC Hitter of the Week Honors
Written April 21, 2008 by Brett Rybak

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Brian Hiscox, a sophomore from Burton, Ohio (Berkshire High School), was selected Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) baseball hitter of the week, the OAC released Monday.

The first baseman was 14-for-28 (.500), including five home runs, 17 RBI’s, and 11 runs scored over seven games last week. He was 4-for-5 with three home runs and nine RBI’s in a 19-1 win over Wittenberg in game one of a doubleheader last Thursday. Hiscox was also 4-for-6 with a home run, a double, and three RBI’s in a 19-15 win over rival Marietta on Saturday.

Cards Jump Back into the OAC Race
Written April 20, 2008 by Brett Rybak

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—The Otterbein baseball team took two from rival Marietta by scores of 8-5 and 19-15 Saturday in Marietta. The Pioneers came into the twinbill at the top of the OAC standings at 10-2.

In game one, Otterbein scored five runs in the seventh to pick up the victory. Chris Kovanda, a senior left fielder from Worthington (Kilbourne High School), paced the Cardinal offense going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Brian Hiscox, a sophomore first baseman from Berkshire, went 1-for-3 with a home run and three RBI and Dan Remenowsky, a senior right-hander from Cincinnati (Moeller), pitched a complete game to move to 3-1 on the season. Aaron Hutchison, a senior catcher from Whitehall, went 2-for-2 including a home run and three RBI for the Cards.  

In game two, the Cards jumped out to a 15-0 lead after three innings and held on to pick up the 19-15 win. Kovanda and Charlie Edwards, a junior center fielder from Springfield (South), jump-started the offense, combining to go 6-for-11 with six runs scored and two RBI. Hiscox, going 4-for-6 in the nightcap, added his second home run of the day and fifth in four games. Doug Stevens, a senior right-hander from Newark (Newark Catholic), picked up the win to improve his record to 3-1. 

The 22 hits in game two were the most in a game since the Cards pounded out 22 against Mount Union in the 2006 OAC Tournament. Game two also marked the second time Otterbein scored 19 runs in the past four games. “I thought that our team has really started to come together in terms of offense,” Kovanda said. “It takes some pressure off of the pitching staff when they know we can come out and give them some run support.”

Cardinal Offense Comes Alive at Wittenberg
Written April 18, 2008 by Brett Rybak

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—The Otterbein baseball team swept Wittenberg in a doubleheader by scores of 19-1 and 4-3 Thursday in Springfield.

Brian Hiscox, a sophomore first baseman from Burton (Berkshire High School), led the offensive attack, going 4-for-5 in game one with three home runs and eight RBI’s. The Cardinal offense pounded out eighteen hits in the victory while limiting the Tigers to one run on five hits.

In game two, Otterbein came back from a 3-2 deficit behind a brilliant outing in relief by Brandon Gessner, a sophomore from Westerville (St. Francis DeSales), to win the game 4-3.

“We’re playing a lot better and, hopefully, we can keep this momentum heading into the weekend and the rest of the season,” said head coach George Powell.
 

Cards Sweep Muskingum to Even OAC Record at 4-4
Written April 12, 2008 by Brett Rybak

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—The Otterbein baseball team swept Muskingum in an Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) doubleheader, 13-1 and 7-4, Saturday afternoon in New Concord.

Otterbein, who had lost six straight, including four conference games, coming into Saturday’s twinbill, improved to 12-9 overall and 4-4 in OAC play.

In game one, Dan Remenowsky, a senior right-hander from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), tossed a complete-game seven-hitter to improve his record to 2-1 on the season. The Cardinal offense pounded out ten hits including three for extra bases in the win.

In the nightcap, Doug Stevens, a senior right-hander from Newark (Newark Catholic), bounced back from allowing a four-run first inning, shutting out the Muskies over the final eight frames to pick up his second victory of the year.

Brandon Mauck, a senior third baseman from Reynoldsburg, finished 5-for-10 on the day with five RBI and three runs scored to pace the Otterbein offensive attack. Charlie Edwards, a junior outfielder from Springfield (South), and Ian Rodenberger, a senior second baseman from Marysville, each added four hits on the day.

Wooster Edges Cards 7-6
Written April 3, 2008 by Zach Manoogian

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—The 15th-ranked Otterbein baseball team took on second-ranked College of Wooster Thursday at home.  In a back-and-forth game, the Cardinals came up one run short, falling 7-6. 

The Cards fell behind 1-0 early, but rallied for three runs in the bottom of the second.  Wooster came back with four runs in the top of the fourth to reclaim the 5-3 advantage.

Brian Hiscox, a sophomore from Burton (Berkshire High School), blasted a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to the tie the game at five for the Cards. 

Wooster then responded with two runs in the top of the eighth to take a two-run lead.  The Cards added one in the bottom of the ninth on a RBI-single by Dan Lassak, a junior from Bloomingburg (Miami Trace), but stranded runners at first and third to close the game.

Otterbein finished the game with six runs on six hits, committing one error.  J.J. Mathews, a senior from Hillard (Darby), took the loss for the Cards, falling to 1-2 on the year.  Wooster finished with 12 hits while committing three errors.  The winning pitcher was Anthony Trapuzzano, a junior from Pittsburg, Pa. (Canevin Catholic), improving his record to 5-0.  Mark Miller, a sophomore from Convoy (Crestview), picked up his 10th save of the season. 

In game one, Jeremy Williams, a junior right-hander from Grove City, tossed a complete game shutout in the 8-0 win. Pat Connor, a senior from Columbus (Bishop Watterson High School), went 3-for-4 including a three-run home run.

In the second game of the twinbill, Michael Taylor, a sophomore from Newark (Newark Catholic), pitched seven solid innings to pick up the victory while Doug Stevens, a senior from Newark (Newark Catholic), earned his first save of the season.

The Cards out-hit the Quakers 19-6 on the day while Otterbein pitchers struck out 14 Wilmington hitters.

Otterbein (9-3, 2-0 OAC) opens their home schedule on Tuesday against #2 Wooster. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

Cards Close Strong in Florida
Written March 29, 2008 by Brett Rybak

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—The 22nd-ranked Otterbein baseball team concluded their trip to Port Charlotte, Florida on Thursday. The Cardinals finished with a 7-3 record in the Sunshine State.

After a rocky 1-2 start to the trip which included a 2-1 loss to Washington & Jefferson and a split with 11th-ranked Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Otterbein ended the trip winning six of their last seven games.

All-American Dan Remenowsky, a senior right-hander from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), has paced the Cardinal pitching staff, giving up just six hits without giving up a run in 13 innings pitched. “I was happy with the start I've been able to get off to, it's a start I knew I was fully capable of and I can't wait to see what's in store for us the rest of the year,” said Remenowsky.  “It's going to be a memorable season.”

The offensive attack has been lead by Brandon Mauck, a senior third baseman from Reynoldsburg, hitting .429 with nine RBI and Brandon Gessner, a sophomore right fielder from Westerville (St. Francis DeSales), hitting .378 including three doubles.

Cards Open Season with 2-1 Loss
Written March 20, 2008 by Brett Rybak

SARASOTA, FL—The 15th-ranked Otterbein baseball team dropped their first game of the season, 2-1, to Washington & Jefferson Thursday at Twin Lakes Park.

Jeremy Williams, a junior right-hander from Grove City, tossed eight solid innings, giving up two runs on 10 hits in the loss. Mitch McClay, a sophomore right-hander from Washington, Pa. (Trinity High School), earned the win for the Presidents, tossing seven innings of four-hit ball.

Washington and Jefferson got on the board in the third inning on an RBI- single by Jim Pasquine, a sophomore infielder from Poland (Seminary), and added another on a single by Ryan Gregg, a senior outfielder from Pittsburgh (Baldwin). The Cardinals scored their lone run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth by Aaron Hutchison, a senior catcher from Whitehall, scoring Paul Seiter, a senior infielder from Cincinnati (Moeller).

Pat Connor, a senior from Columbus (Bishop Watterson), went 2-for-3 with a double in the loss. Wooster transfer Brandon Gessner, a sophomore outfielder from Westerville (St. Francis Desales), and Tyler Rudman, a junior second baseman from Grove City (Bishop Ready), each added a hit for the Cards.

Joe Bogdewiecz, a freshman shortstop from Medina (Akron Hoban), went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Presidents. Pasquine, and Sean Boone, a junior catcher from Pickerington (North), also chipped in with two hits each.

2008 Season Preview
Written by Ed Syguda

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Otterbein heads into the 2008 season with pretty much the same set of goals it has adopted over the last five seasons.

“They really haven’t changed,” said head coach George Powell, who begins his ninth season at the head of the Otterbein baseball program.

“We have established ourselves in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) over the last five years,” Powell continued,  “and our goals remain the same. We want to win an OAC championship, and win in the regional—something (regional championship) we haven’t been able to do yet.”

The Cardinals seem well equipped to meet the challenge, returning 28 lettermen from last season’s squad that finished 32-13 overall and advanced into the NCAA Division III Tournament for the third straight season by winning their third straight OAC Tournament championship. Otterbein finished regular-season play third in the OAC last season, one game out of first place at 12-6.

Otterbein enters the new season ranked 22nd in the nation by Collegiate Baseball and 20th by D3baseball.com.

Powell cites “pitching” and “experience” as the strengths of the 2008 ball club. “We have experience all over the field, and a number of four-year starters.”

Two-time OAC pitcher of the year Dan Remenowsky, a senior, returns to anchor a pitching staff that threw for a combined 4.08 ERA, second best in the OAC last season. The right-hander, a three-time All-OAC performer, pitched his way to a perfect 9-0 in 2007 and led the league with 76 strikeouts while finishing second with a 2.71 ERA.

Other starters returning to the pitching staff include Doug Stevens, a two-time All-OAC pick, and Jeremy Williams. Stevens, a senior right-hander, finished 5-6 last season, compiling a 3.33 ERA while striking out 46. Williams, a junior right-hander, finished with a 5-1 record and a 3.31 ERA.

Other returning pitchers include J.J. Mathews, a senior right-hander, who made three starts in nine appearances and ended with a 3-0 record; and junior right-hander Alex Hayes, who made seven appearances and compiled a 2.25 ERA over eight innings.

Senior shortstop Ben Titus, a three-time all-conference performer, anchors the infield, which also includes returning starters Tyler Rudman, a junior second baseman, and Brandon Mauck, a senior third baseman.

Titus, who batted .364 last season, finished among the top five in the OAC in hits (63), total bases (85), total plate appearances (201) and at-bats (173). Rudman batted .327 while Mauck hit .305 a year ago.

All three outfielders, all seniors, return to the starting lineup and include left fielder Chris Kovanda, center fielder Pat Connor and right fielder Aaron Hutchison, who will, most likely, catch for the Cardinals in 2008.

Kovanda, a two-time All-OAC selection, batted .356 and knocked in 30 runs last season. He ranked among the top five in the OAC in runs scored (40), hits (64), triples (4), total bases (87) and at-bats (180). Connor, a two-time All-OAC pick, batted .346 while Hutchison, an honorable mention All-OAC selection in 2007, batted .375. Connor led the OAC with seven sacrifice flies, and led the Cardinals with six sacrifice bunts and 10 stolen bases last season.

Three Cardinals Earn All-Region Honors
Written May 24, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School); shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green; and first baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland); received All-Mideast Region honors, the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) announced Wednesday.

For the second-straight season, Dan Remenowsky earns first-team all-region honors.

Remenowsky earned first-team honors, Titus was a second-team selection and Wright was named to the third team. All three earned all-region honors for the second time in their careers.

Remenowsky finished the year a perfect 9-0 with five complete games, two saves, two shutouts, and a 2.71 ERA in 15 appearances. The junior was named first-team all-Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) for the second-consecutive year and led the team with 76 1/3 innings pitched and 76 strikeouts. Remenowsky ranks in the top ten in five Otterbein career pitching categories: first in shutouts (8), second in wins (26), fourth in strikeouts (239), fifth in innings pitched (223) and tied for eighth in complete games (16).

Titus started all 45 games, batting .364 with 38 runs scored, 31 RBIs, 11 doubles, a team-best three home runs and was second on the team with 63 hits. Defensively, Titus posted a .945 fielding-percentage with a team-best 147 assists. The junior finished second on the Otterbein single-season at-bats list with 173 this season.

Wright started every game this year, leading the team in RBIs (37), doubles (19), slugging percentage (.528), putouts (366) and home runs (3). The first baseman recorded a .342 batting average with 55 hits, 33 runs scored and 85 total bases. In addition, Wright became the all-time Otterbein leader in single-season doubles and career doubles (39).

Otterbein closed the regular season 32-13, winning its third-consecutive OAC tournament championship. The Cardinals won their first game in the NCAA Regional, but fell to defending national champion Marietta and top-seeded Wooster. As a team, the Cardinals cracked the top five in seven all-time single-season team categories: first in doubles (101), second in hits (485), third in at-bats (1472) and triples (16), fourth in total bases (654) and RBIs (279), and fifth in batting average (.329).

 

STRONGSVILLE, OHIO--Otterbein suffered a 3-2 setback to top-ranked Wooster today in an elimination game in the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional.

Otterbein seniors (front l-r) Matt Wilson, Andrew Harrison, Trevor Horn, Bobby Wright, (back l-r) Chris Martin, Joe Snider, Ryne Ratliff and Jerry Tulga tallied 121 wins, three OAC Tournament titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances over their four years in an Otterbein Cardinal uniform.

“I can’t say enough about the seniors, in terms of what they have meant for this program,” said eighth-year head coach George Powell shortly after the season- ending loss. “It’s just hard to go out the way we played. We had chances. We had two great pitching performances the last two days, but we just didn’t do enough.”

The Fighting Scots went up 1-0 in the top of the first when Sheldon Steiner knocked in Shaun Swearingen on an RBI single through the right side.

The Cardinals took the lead in the bottom of the sixth when first baseman Brian Hiscox, a freshman from Burton (Berkshire High School), hit a two-RBI double down the left line that scored pitcher/designated hitter Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland), from third base and right fielder Jerry Tulga, a senior from Reynoldsburg, from second base.

Wooster took the final lead of the game on a two-run homer by John Quimby in the top of the seventh.

Right-handed hurler J.J. Mathews, a junior from Hilliard (Darby), relieved starting pitcher Wright in the seventh with the bases loaded and only one out. Mathews struck out the next two batters to get out of the jam and keep the Cards within one run of the Fighting Scots.

Otterbein had a scoring chance in the ninth. With two outs, center fielder Pat Connor, a junior from Columbus (Bishop Watterson), drew a walk to put the game-tying run on base. Connor stole second, but was stranded on base when pinch hitter, Kyle Dyar, a sophomore from Newark, grounded out to Wooster shortstop Quimby to end the game.

Wright pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up 12 hits and striking out three in the loss. Mathews struck out three in the final 2 2/3 innings.

Written May 17, 2007 by Jason Miller

STRONGSVILLE, OHIO--Otterbein dropped a 4-0 decision to 18th-ranked Marietta today in the second round of the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional.

With the loss, second-seeded Otterbein falls into the loser's bracket and will take on top-seeded Wooster, 12 p.m., in an elimination game Friday at Mills Field in Strongsville, Ohio. If the Cardinals win, they will return and face Marietta again at 7 p.m.

"This team has had its back up against the wall before and has responded," said eighth-year head coach George Powell. "We have to have a short memory, get a little rest tonight and try to win two games tomorrow."

Scoreless through 4 1/3 innings, the Pioneers scored three in the bottom half of the fifth to gain the advantage. Marietta added to an insurance run in the seventh.

Otterbein had an opportunity to score first in the game, leaving two on in the third inning.

Center fielder Pat Connor, a junior from Columbus (Bishop Watterson High School), led off with a single to left field. Connor advanced to second on a ground out by second baseman Tyler Rudman, a sophomore from Grove City (Bishop Ready). Left fielder Chris Kovanda, a junior from Worthington (Kilbourne), reached first base via a throwing error by Marietta shortstop Ryan Eschbaugh, and Connor advanced to third base. Connor, trying to steal home, was thrown out by second baseman Brennan Cribbins for the second out of the inning. First baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland), grounded out to Eschbaugh for the third out.

Right-handed pitcher Doug Stevens, a junior from Newark (Newark Catholic), pitched a complete game, allowing six hits and striking out three in the loss.

Marietta pitcher T.J. Knowlton scattered three hits over nine innings en route to earning his eighth win of the season.

Third baseman Brandon Mauck, a junior from Reynoldsburg, did not play due to an injury suffered in pre-game infield warm-ups.

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Wright's Blast Lifts Cards to Win in Mideast Regional
Written May 16, 2007 by Jason Miller

STRONGSVILLE, OHIO--First baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland High School), kicked off a five-run eighth inning with a solo bomb to left center field in a 9-4 win over Ohio Wesleyan Wednesday in the first round of the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional.

The Cards took a 4-2 lead into the eighth inning after scoring two runs in the first and seventh innings. With the bases loaded and one out in the eighth, Ohio Wesleyan's Donnie Paul hit a two-RBI single to tie the game 4-4. Starting pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller), got out of the jam when second baseman Tyler Rudman, a sophomore from Grove City (Bishop Ready), and shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green, turned a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.

Remenowsky went eight innings, giving up 10 hits and striking out eight to improve to 9-0 on the season. Right-handed pitcher Trevor Horn, a senior from Groveport (Groveport-Madison), tossed the final inning, giving up one hit and striking out one.

Third baseman Brandon Mauck, a junior from Reynoldsburg, led the Cardinal offense, going 3 for 4 with three RBIs and a stolen base. Rudman went 1 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored.

With the win, Otterbein advances into the winner’s bracket and will face 18th-ranked Marietta, 7 p.m., Thursday at Mills Field in Strongsville.

 

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Eight Earn All-OAC Honors; Remenowsky OAC Pitcher of the Year
Written May 16, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), was named Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Pitcher-of-the-Year, joining seven other members of the Otterbein baseball team, who earned All-OAC honors this season, the OAC released Wednesday.

Remenowsky; shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green; first baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland); and catcher Chris Martin, a senior from Worthington (Thomas Worthington); were named to the first team.

Remenowsky leads the Otterbein pitching staff in wins (9), starts (11), innings pitched (76.1) and strikeouts (76). The All-America carries a 2.71 ERA in 15 appearances this season and was named to the 2007 OAC all-tournament team.

Titus started every game for the Cards at shortstop and leads the team in home runs (3) and assists (142). He is second on the team in batting average (.365), runs scored (38), hits (61), RBIs (31), at-bats (167), walks (19) and stolen bases (8). Titus has 20 multi-hit games this season and has earned all-OAC honors all three years.

Wright leads the team in slugging percentage (.535), RBIs (37), doubles (18), walks (25) and putouts (350). He logged a .603 slugging percentage in OAC play and was named to the 2007 OAC all-tournament team. Additionally, Wright set the Otterbein school record for single-season doubles and is tied for the Otterbein all-time career doubles mark (37).

Martin carries a .996 fielding percentage and is second on the team in chances (235) and putouts (212). The catcher is a three-time all-OAC selection (2004, 2006 and 2007).

Left fielder Chris Kovanda, a junior from Worthington (Kilbourne), and right-handed pitcher Doug Stevens, a junior from Newark (Newark Catholic), were named to the second team, and center fielder Pat Connor, a junior from Columbus (Bishop Watterson), and right fielder Aaron Hutchison, a junior from Whitehall, received honorable mention honors.

Kovanda leads the Cardinals in runs scored (40), hits (62), triples (4), total bases (85) and at-bats (172). He has tallied 12 doubles on the season, knocked in 30 RBIs and registered 21 multi-hit games on the year. Stevens ranks second on the pitching staff in innings pitched (67.2) and strikeouts (43) and has a .287 batting average against.

Connor leads the team in sacrifice bunts (6), sacrifice flies (7) and stolen bases (9). He ranks second in slugging percentage (.508) and walks (19). Hutchison leads the Cardinals in batting average (.400) and on-base percentage (.462). Connor and Hutchison were both named to the 2007 OAC all-tournament team, and Hutchison was selected the Dick Fishbaugh tournament MVP.

 

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Cards Take On Ohio Wesleyan
Written May 15, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Otterbein battles Ohio Wesleyan in the opening round of the 2007 NCAA Division III Baseball Mideast Regional, 3:30 p.m., Wednesday in Strongsville, Ohio.

“They are hot right now,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell about Ohio Wesleyan. “Obviously, beating Wooster, they are going to be playing with confidence. The thing I have always stated with this team is to focus on ourselves.

“The only advantage that we might have,” Powell continued, “is that we have seen their top pitchers and they haven’t seen ours.”

The Cardinals enter the tournament as the second seed with a 31-11 overall record.

Otterbein has faced off with fifth-seeded Ohio Wesleyan twice this year pulling off two come-from-behind victories, 10-9, April 4 and, 10-8, May 2.

In addition, the Cards have played and hold a win over every team in this year’s regional.

“These are nine-inning wars,” Powell said. “If you have the belief and the trust in your teammates, you can win games even when it doesn’t look favorable. We aren’t going to go into a situation wondering what we are getting ourselves into because we are familiar with all the teams.”

Otterbein earned the automatic qualifier to the NCAA Tournament after sweeping Capital, 11-9, and, 12-4, in the championship round of the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament Saturday in Tiffin.

“With Capital getting us twice this year, I thought it was nice to be able to get them when everything was on the line,” Powell said. “It was the first time we have ever come out of the loser’s bracket and beat a team twice. I would have liked to have done it a lot easier, but that is not how it works out a lot of the times in baseball.”

 

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Cards Seeded 2nd at Mideast Regional
Written May 14, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Otterbein, fresh off its third-straight Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament championship, heads to the NCAA Division III Baseball Championship as the two seed in the six-team Mideast Regional.

The Cardinals face fifth-seeded Ohio Wesleyan, 3:30 p.m., Wednesday at Mills Field in Strongsville, Ohio. The Cardinals finished second to Marietta in this regional last season.

Otterbein, making its 10th appearance in NCAA Tournament play, has compiled a 20-19 record. The Cardinals finished second in 1983.

2007 MIDEAST REGIONAL SCHEDULE (All times Eastern)

Wednesday, May 16
Game 1 - #1 Wooster vs. #6 Mount St. Joseph, Noon
Game 2 - #2 Otterbein vs. #5 Ohio Wesleyan, 3:30 p.m.
Game 3 - #3 Hope vs. #4 Marietta, 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 17
Game 4 - Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, Noon
Game 5 - Winner Game 1 vs. Loser Game 3, 3:30 p.m.
Game 6 - Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 3, 7 p.m.

Friday, May 18 and Saturday, May 19
Schedule Procedures

 

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Cards Sweep Capital to Earn Third-Straight NCAA Tournament Berth
Written May 12, 2006 by Jason Miller

All-Tournament team members (l-r) Pat Connor, Dan Remenowsky, Tyler Rudman, Bobby Wright, and Dick Fishbaugh MVP Aaron Hutchison (kneeling).

TIFFIN, OHIO--The Otterbein Cardinals claimed their third-consecutive Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament championship and earned the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament after taking a pair from Capital, 11-9, and, 12-4, Saturday in Tiffin.

In the first game, the Cards entered the bottom of the fifth down 5-4. Center fielder Pat Connor, a junior from Columbus (Bishop Watterson High School), hit a three-RBI triple to right field to give Otterbein a 7-5 lead, which they would not relinquish. Otterbein added one more in the fifth and two in the sixth to increase its lead to 10-5. The Crusaders plated three runs in the seventh and one in the eighth to cut the Cardinal lead to one, 10-9. Otterbein added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth to secure the win and force a second championship game.

Otterbein dominated the second game, pounding out 19 hits and scoring in every inning except the first, en route to the 12-4 victory.

On the day, Connor went 5 for 7 with a triple, six RBIs, three runs and two stolen bases, while right fielder Aaron Hutchison went 6 for 9 with a double, five runs and two RBIs. Shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green, and second baseman Tyler Rudman, a sophomore from Columbus (Bishop Ready), each went 5 for 10 with a double. Rudman logged in three RBIs and two stolen bases and Titus had two RBIs and two runs.

On the mound, right-handed pitcher/first baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland), and right-handed pitcher Jeremy Williams, a sophomore from Grove City, each earned wins. Wright tossed six innings in the first game, scattering five hits and striking out three, while Williams went eight innings in game two, giving up eight hits and striking out five. In addition, Wright hit his 18th double of the year, setting a new Otterbein single-season record.

Connor, Rudman, Wright, Hutchison and right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller), were named to the 2007 OAC All-Tournament team. Hutchison, who tallied 13 hits over the five games, was named the Dick Fishbaugh Tournament MVP.

 

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Cards Advance to OAC Tournament Championship Round
Written May 11, 2006 by Jason Miller

Kyle Dyar scores the game-winning run.

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Third-seeded Otterbein will take on fourth-seeded Capital for the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament title after defeating top-seeded Heidelberg in a 10-inning thriller, 12-11, Friday in Tiffin.

The Cards, coming out of the loser’s bracket, must win two games against the Crusaders to claim their third-consecutive OAC Tournament championship and earn the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Entering the bottom of the ninth down 10-6, the Cards rallied to tie the game on a two-RBI single by shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green. After the Student Princes scored a run in the top of the 10th, the Cards loaded the bases and catcher Chris Martin, a senior from Worthington (Thomas Worthington High School), crossed the dish on a wild pitch. Designated hitter Kyle Dyar, a sophomore from Newark, scored the game-winner from third base off a fielder’s choice by center fielder Pat Connor, a junior from Columbus (Bishop Watterson).

Right fielder Aaron Hutchison, a junior from Whitehall, went 3 for 4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored. Right-handed pitcher Ryne Ratliff, a senior from Plain City (Jonathan Alder), picked up the win in relief, tossing the final inning. Right-handed pitcher J.J. Mathews, a junior from Hilliard (Darby), started the contest but had to leave in the middle of the fifth innings after being hit in the back of the leg by a line drive.

In Otterbein’s first game of the day gainst Capital, the Crusaders scored two runs in the bottom of the first. Otterbein scored its lone run in the top of the second when second baseman Tyler Rudman, a sophomore from Grove City (Bishop Ready), drove in Martin from third on a ground out. Capital added an insurance run in the fifth to secure the 3-1 victory. With the win, the Crusaders advanced to their first OAC baseball championship game in school history.

Otterbein right-handed pitcher Doug Stevens tossed a complete game, giving up eight hits and striking out four.

Saturday’s championship round will mark the first time, since the tournament became a four-team playoff in 1985, that a three and a four seed will vie for the title.

 

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Cards Advances in OAC Tournament with 7-3 Nod Over Marietta
Written May 10, 2006 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Defending Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament champion Otterbein advances in the winners bracket after knocking off defending national champion and 18th-ranked Marietta, 7-3, Thursday at Peaceful Valley in Tiffin.

Otterbein took an early 4-0 lead in the top of the first that started when first baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland High School), drove in shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green, on an RBI single. The Pioneers tallied a run in the bottom of the seventh, before the Cards added three more insurance runs in the eighth. Marietta plated two in the ninth, but fell short of the victory.

Right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller), tossed eight innings, scattering six hits and striking out five to improve to 8-0 on the year. Wright went 3 for 5 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored to pace Otterbein.

With the win, the third-seeded Cardinals will take on cross-town rival and fourth-seeded Capital, 9:30 a.m., Friday at Peaceful Valley in Tiffin. The Pioneers will face top-ranked Heidelberg in the first elimination game, 12:30 p.m., Friday.

 

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Mauck and Martin Earn Academic All-District Honors
Written May 10, 2006 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO—Two members of the Otterbein baseball team were named to the 2007 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District IV teams as selected by the College Sports Information Director’s of America (CoSIDA), released Thursday by CoSIDA.

Third baseman Brandon Mauck, a junior from Reynoldsburg, was selected to the first team, and catcher Chris Martin, a senior from Worthington (Thomas Worthington High School), earned second team honors.

Mauck, majoring in accounting, has made the Otterbein dean’s list all eight quarters. The three-year starter is fourth on the team in doubles (9) and fifth in runs scored (26), hits (32), RBIs (21) and total bases (43). He is batting .299.

Martin, majoring in sport management, leads the team with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage, converting on all 199 chances this season. The four-year starter is also second on the team in triples (2) and fourth in RBIs (22). He is batting .284.

Academic All-District IV team members are selected through voting by CoSIDA, a 2,000-member organization consisting of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. District IV encompasses the states of Alabama, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.

To be eligible, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standing at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

The pair helped lead Otterbein to a 27-10 overall record and a third-place finish in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) with a 12-6 mark. The Cardinals will enter the OAC Tournament as the third-seed and will take on defending national champion and second-seeded Marietta, 1 p.m., today in Tiffin. The Cardinals are two-time defending OAC Tournament champions.

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Cards Take on Conference-Rival Marietta in OAC Tournament Opener
Written May 09, 2006 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Two-time defending Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament champion Otterbein will battle defending national champion Marietta in the opening game of the 2007 OAC Tournament, 1 p.m., Thursday at Peaceful Valley in Tiffin.

“It’s going to be a war,” said Otterbein head coach George Powell. “Marietta is a team that is going to come to play. They are going to try to give themselves the best chance to win the game, as we will.”

The Cards split the regular-season doubleheader against Marietta April 7 in Westerville. Otterbein scored 13 runs in the first three innings to earn a convincing 16-4 win in game one. Five Cardinal players tallied three or more hits in the game. In game two, the Pioneers were able to jump out to an early 6-0 lead en route to an 8-5 win in the nightcap.

“We need to do the little things that it takes to win,” Powell said about Thursday’s game against 18th-ranked Marietta. “We need to successfully execute on the offensive, defensive and pitching stand points.”

The Cardinals will throw right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), in the first game of the tournament. Remenowsky threw six innings, scattering seven hits and striking out seven in the win over Marietta April 7.

“I feel really good about our pitching depth heading into the tournament,” said Powell. “I think our guys believe they have a pretty good opportunity to win when Dan or Doug (Stevens) has the ball.”

Following game one, top-seeded Heidelberg plays host to fourth-seeded Capital, 4 p.m., Thursday. The winner of the double-elimination tournament earns an automatic bid into NCAA Division III Tournament.

 

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Otterbein Splits Twinbill with JCU to Earn OAC Tournament Berth
Written May 5, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--17th-ranked Otterbein earns a berth in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) Tournament splitting doubleheader with John Carroll, taking game one, 6-2, and dropping the nightcap, 4-3, Saturday at Schweickert Field in University Heights.

Otterbein broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the sixth when designated hitter Jerry Tulga, a senior from Reynoldsburg, knocked in the go-ahead run on an RBI groundout to the second baseman. The Cardinals added three more insurance runs in the inning to solidify the game-one win. Right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), tossed a complete-game, scattering five hits and striking out a season-high nine batters to improve to 7-0 on the year.

In game two, John Carroll took an early 3-0 lead before the Cardinals plated a run in the fifth and two in the six to tie the game at 3-3. The Blue Streaks tallied the game winner on a two-out single through the left side in the bottom of the seventh. Right fielder Aaron Hutchison, a junior from Whitehall, went 1 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored in the loss. Doug Stevens falls to 5-4 on the season, going the distance, giving up four runs on nine hits.

The Cards enter the tournament as the three seed and will take on defending national champion and second-seeded Marietta in game one, 1 p.m., Thursday in Tiffin. Game two will feature top-seeded Heidelberg playing host to fourth-seeded Capital.

 

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Otterbein Battles John Carroll in Do or Die OAC Contest
Written May 3, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--The 17th-ranked Cardinals end the regular season at John Carroll, 1 p.m., Saturday in University Heights. The Cards are seeking a second-straight Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular-season title and earning the top seed and the right to host the OAC Tournament.

“Saturday means everything,” said head coach George Powell. “I think we need to worry about ourselves and how we play, and get back to doing the things we do. We need to focus and play the game we are capable of playing.”

Otterbein enters the doubleheader 26-9 overall and sits in a three-way tie for first in the conference with 30th-ranked Marietta and Heidelberg, each team with 11-5 OAC records. The Cardinals will throw right-handed pitchers Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller), and Doug Stevens, a junior from Newark (Newark Catholic), in the doubleheader against the Blue Streaks.

“I couldn’t want anything more then what Dan and Doug bring in this situation,” Powell said. “If I’m going into a tough game with our season on the line, those are the two guys I would want to go. Having our backs against the wall, I think we have the right two guys to help us fight out of it.”

The Cards enter the weekend off a 10-8 win over Ohio Wesleyan Wednesday at Fishbaugh Field in Westerville. Shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green, hit a three-run bomb in the bottom of the eighth to lift Otterbein to the win. Right-handed pitcher Trevor Horn, a senior from Groveport (Groveport-Madison High School), scattered three hits in the final two innings to earn his second win of the season.

John Carroll, under eighth-year head coach Marc Thibeault, enters the contest 20-13 overall and fourth in the league with a record of 9-6. The Blue Streaks are trying to fend off Capital and Baldwin-Wallace in the race for a spot in the four-team OAC Tournament.

The Cardinals entered the week on a roll, defeating top-ranked Wooster in 12 innings, 5-3, April 24 in Wooster and sweeping conference opponent Mount Union by scores of 5-1 and 5-3 last Saturday in Westerville.

At Wooster, Horn struck out five and gave up only two hits in relief over the final 5 1/3 innings. Titus drove in catcher Aaron Hutchison, a junior from Whitehall, on a double to left center for the game-winning run.

Second baseman Tyler Rudman, a sophomore from Grove City (Bishop Ready), went 4 for 6 with an RBI and three runs scored in the twinbill sweep of Mount Union. Remenowsky struck out five in a complete-game three-hitter in game one to improve to 6-0 on the season. Stevens moved to 5-3 on the year, pitching six innings and striking out four in the game-two win.

Otterbein, however, lost its two-game lead in the OAC Monday, losing a pair of one-run games at Ohio Northern by scores of 4-3 and 6-5.

“We had a two-game lead, and I think we took a deep breath and relaxed for a day, and it cost us dearly against a team that just out-competed, out-played and out-coached us,” Powell said.

 

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Wright Named OAC Hitter of the Week
Written April 24, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--First baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland High School), was named the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) “hitter of the week” in baseball for the second time this year, the OAC released Monday.

Wright batted .636 on the week, knocking out 14 hits in 22 at-bats, including five doubles and a triple. He drove in eight runs and scored seven runs.

Wright, who also pitches, picked up his second win of the year in a 16-4 decision over Baldwin-Wallace last Tuesday at Fishbaugh Field in Westerville. The multi-talented player gave up four runs, three of them earned, scattered five hits and struck out five in five innings of work.

Wright has helped lead the 17th-ranked Cardinals, 21-7 overall, to a share of first place in the OAC with a 9-3 mark.

Otterbein travels to Wooster, 4 p.m., today for a nonconference matchup before taking on Ohio Northern, 1 p.m., Wednesday in Ada. Wooster is ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division III.

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Otterbein Battles Heidelberg in Crucial OAC Contest
Written April 20, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--The 21st-ranked Cardinals take on Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) co-leader Heidelberg in doubleheader action, 1 p.m., Saturday in Tiffin.

Otterbein, under eighth-year head coach George Powell, enters the doubleheader 20-6 overall and tied for first in the conference with an 8-2 mark following a twinbill sweep from Baldwin-Wallace Tuesday in Westerville.

Down 4-1 after four innings against Baldwin-Wallace, the Cardinals rallied to tally six runs in the fifth and nine in the sixth to take game one, 16-4. Second baseman/left fielder Chris Kovanda, a junior from Worthington (Kilbourne), went 3 for 5 with three RBIs and a run scored. Right-handed pitcher Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland High School), improved to 2-0 on the season tossing five innings scattering four hits, giving up four runs, three of them earned, and striking out five.

In game two, the Cards broke a 2-2 tie in the fifth when third baseman Brandon Mauck, a junior from Reynoldsburg, scored on a triple by Kovanda. The Cards added two more in the fifth and two in the sixth to capture a 7-3 win. Mauck and right fielder Jerry Tulga, a senior from Reynoldsburg, both went a perfect 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI. Right-handed pitcher Jeremy Williams, a sophomore from Grove City, earned his fourth win of the year pitching 5 1/3 innings giving up three runs and striking out four. Right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller), picked up his second career save, striking out four in 1 2/3 innings of work.

Heidelberg, under eighth-year head coach Matt Palm, enters the contest 21-9 overall and tied for first in the league with a record of 8-2 following a doubleheader sweep of John Carroll, 11-5 and 4-2, Tuesday in Tiffin.

Left-handed pitcher Dan Machovina, a senior from Elyria (Midview), garnered his second win of the year in the game-one win. Machovina threw 1 2/3 innings, allowed three hits, one run and struck out two batters. First baseman Alex Rutter, a senior from Bowling Green, went 1 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs and catcher Tyler Tocco, a senior from Dublin (Coffman), went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs.

In game two, shortstop Matt Decker, a senior from Maumee (Springfield), went a perfect 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored to pace Heidelberg offensively. Right-handed pitcher Kyle Hintze, a junior from Fremont (Fremont Ross), improved to 2-0 tossing a complete-game two hitter.

Following Heidelberg, the Cards travel to nationally-ranked Wooster, 4 p.m., Tuesday before taking on Ohio Northern, 1 p.m., Wednesday in an OAC doubleheader at Wander Field in Ada.

 

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OAC Names Stevens and Titus Players of the Week
Written April 17, 2007 by Jason Miller


WESTERVILLE, OHIO— Right-handed pitcher Doug Stevens, a junior from Newark (Newark Catholic High School), and shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green, were named Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) pitcher of the week and hitter of the week, respectively, the OAC released Monday.
            
The pair helped lead Otterbein to three wins last week. The Cardinals defeated Denison, 5-0, in Granville, last Tuesday and swept a twinbill from Wilmington, 4-0 and 6-0, in Westerville Friday.
            
Stevens tossed a one-hitter, striking out five, in seven complete innings of work in the 6-0 win over Wilmington.
            
Titus batted .875 on the week, tallying seven hits in eight at-bats. He blasted two home runs, knocked in six RBIs and scored five runs.
            
21st-ranked Otterbein, 18-6 overall, sits tied for first in the OAC with a 6-2 mark. The Cardinals host OAC foe Baldwin-Wallace, 1 p.m., Tuesday before traveling to Tiffin to take on conference co-leader Heidelberg, 1 p.m., Saturday.

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Otterbein Hosts Wilmington in OAC Contest
Written April 12, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--The 21st-ranked Cardinals take on Wilmington in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) doubleheader action, 1 p.m., Friday at Fishbaugh Field in Westerville.

Otterbein, under eighth-year head coach George Powell, enters the doubleheader 15-5 overall and 3-1 in conference play. The Cards knocked off Denison, 5-0, in nonconference play Tuesday in Granville.

After plating a run in the second against Denison, the Cardinals took a 4-0 lead in the top of the fifth on a three-run bomb by shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green, which scored second baseman Tyler Rudman, a sophomore from Grove City (Bishop Ready High School), and left fielder Chris Kovanda, a junior from Worthington (Kilbourne). Otterbein scored a run in the top of the ninth so seal the victory.

Titus went 2 for 3 on the day with three RBIs and two runs to pace the Cards. Kovanda and first baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland), each tallied three hits in the win. Right-handed pitcher Jeremy Williams, a sophomore from Grove City, pitched seven scoreless innings, scattering four hits and striking out two.

Wilmington, under eighth-year head coach Tony Haley, enters the contest 11-6 overall and 1-2 in the OAC after dropping game one of a scheduled twinbill, 5-2, against John Carroll. Game two was cancelled due to inclimate weather.

Right-handed pitcher Bryce DeWeese, a freshman from Jeffersonville (Miami Trace), fell to 2-2 on the season. DeWeese pitched 6 1/3 innings, giving up seven hits, five runs, walking four and striking out two. The Quakers were led at the plate by shortstop Greg Krieger, a senior from Bellefontaine, who went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

Following Wilmington, the Cards travel to cross-town rival Capital, 1 p.m., Saturday for an OAC doubleheader at Clowson Field in Bexley.
 

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Remenowsky Named OAC Pitcher of the Week
Written April 10, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), was named the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) “pitcher of the week” in baseball for the second consecutive week, the OAC released Monday.

Remenowsky pitched six innings, scattering seven hits and striking out seven batters, in a 16-3 win over defending national champion Marietta in Westerville.

Remenowsky (3-0) has a 3.64 ERA on the year, striking out 33 batters and walking only four in 29 2/3 innings of work.

The All-America has helped lead the 27th-ranked Cardinals to a 14-5 overall record and a 3-1 conference mark.

Otterbein travels to Denison, 5 p.m., Tuesday in a nonconference matchup before returning home to host Wilmington, 1 p.m., Wednesday at Fishbaugh Field.

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Otterbein Hosts Marietta in Key OAC Contest
Written April 6, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--The 27th-ranked Cardinals take on defending national champion and 25th-ranked Marietta in Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) doubleheader action, 1 p.m., Saturday at Fishbaugh Field in Westerville.

“You know what to expect when you play Marietta,” said head coach George Powell. “Marietta is going to be a great challenge for us, and we have to be ready to go. We already know what they are going to bring to the table, its making sure we are focused on what we can bring to the table.”

Otterbein enters the doubleheader with Marietta 13-4 overall and 2-0 in conference action. The Cards knocked off Ohio Wesleyan, 10-9, in nonconference play at Littick Field Wednesday in Delaware.

Ohio Wesleyan took a 9-8 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning when shortstop Logan Hronis, a sophomore from Rocky River (St. Edwards High School), scored on a double by center fielder Brent Wilkins, a junior from Fairview Park (Fairview). The Cards won the game when designated hitter Dan Lassak, a sophomore from Sunbury (Big Walnut), hit a two-run double in the top of the ninth. Right-handed pitcher Trevor Horn, a senior from Groveport (Groveport-Madison), retired Ohio Wesleyan in order, striking out two, in the bottom of the ninth to pick up his third save of the season.

Pat Connor led the offensive charge going a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate, with a home run, two doubles, an RBI and four runs, including the game-winner. Right-handed pitcher J.J. Mathews, a junior from Hilliard (Darby), struck out three batters in the seventh and eighth innings to earn the win and improve to 2-0 on the season.

Marietta, under fourth-year head coach Brian Brewer, enters the contest 13-5 overall and 1-1 in league play after splitting an OAC twinbill with Wilmington last Monday at Don Schaly Stadium in Marietta.

Right-handed pitcher Jason Baumler, a sophomore from Crownsville, Md. (Old Mill), picked up his fourth win of the year in game one, 7-5. The Pioneers plated three runs in the fifth to secure the win. Right fielder Don Pugliese, a sophomore from Coraopolis, Pa. (West Allegheny), went a perfect 2 for 2, along with two walks and three runs.

In game two, first baseman Joe Litke, a senior from Windsor, Conn., had two hits, including a double, and an RBI to pace Marietta. Left-handed pitcher Justin Merryman, a sophomore from New Philadelphia, suffered his first lost of the season, giving up four hits and three runs in the first inning in the 10-4 loss.

Following Marietta, the Cards travel to Denison, 7 p.m., Tuesday before returning home to host Wilmington, 1 p.m., Wednesday in an OAC doubleheader at Fishbaugh Field in Westerville.
 

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Otterbein Takes On Ohio Wesleyan
Written April 4, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--The 27th-ranked Cardinals travel to Ohio Wesleyan for a nonconference contest, 3:30 p.m., Wednesday at Littick Field in Delaware.

Otterbein, under eighth-year head coach George Powell, enters the game 12-4 overall after sweeping Muskingum, 6-0 and 5-1, in its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) opener Saturday at Mose Morehead Field in New Concord.

“You always want to start off league play in a positive direction,” said head coach George Powell. “We are happy with where we stand in the league right now. We know there is a lot of work ahead of us and we just have to keep working to get better.”

Right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), earned a complete-game shutout victory in game one to improve to a perfect 2-0 on the season. In the third inning, left fielder Chris Kovanda, a junior from Worthington (Kilbourne), drove in three runs, including the game-winner, on a bases-clearing double down the right field line.

In game two, right-handed pitcher Doug Stevens, a junior from Newark (Newark Catholic), scattered six hits and struck out three en route to picking up his third win of the year. Otterbein scored four runs in the seventh to close the door on the Muskies.

Ohio Wesleyan, under second-year head coach Tome Durant, enters the contest 12-7 after defeating Earlham, 17-7 and 28-3, Sunday in Richmond, Ind.

“Ohio Wesleyan has traditionally been a solid baseball program,” Powell said. “They are going to be ready to play us and we have to be ready to play. Also, they are an in-region team that you have to beat, especially when you think about the regional rankings.”

Second baseman Kyle Sherman, a senior from Plain City (Dublin Scioto), went a 5 for 6 in the twinbill sweep of Earlham. He tallied two triples, three home runs, seven RBIs and five runs on the day. Right-handed pitcher Sean Speed, a junior from Cincinnati (St. Xavier), and right-handed pitcher Xander Jones, a junior from Pomfret, CT (Pomfert School), each picked up a win. Speed gave up seven runs, six earned, and struck out four in six innings of work. Jones pitched a complete game, allowing three runs and striking out seven batters.

Following Ohio Wesleyan, the Cards host defending national champion and 25th-ranked Marietta Saturday, 1 p.m., in OAC doubleheader action at Fishbaugh Field in Westerville.
 

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Remenowsky Named OAC Pitcher of the Week
Written April 2, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Right-handed pitcher Dan Remenowsky, a junior from Cincinnati (Moeller High School), was named the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) “pitcher of the week” in baseball, the OAC released today.

Remenowsky pitched a complete game, scattering six hits and striking out four batters, in a 6-0 win over Muskingum in New Concord.

Remenowsky (2-0) has a 3.42 ERA on the year, striking out 26 batters and walking only four in 23 2/3 innings of work

The All-America has helped lead the 27th-ranked Cardinals to a 12-4 overall record and a 2-0 conference mark.

Otterbein travels to Ohio Wesleyan, 3:30 p.m., Wednesday in a nonconference matchup before returning home to host defending national champion and 25th-ranked Marietta, 1 p.m., Saturday.

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Cards Open 2007 OAC Campaign at Muskingum
Written Mar. 30, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--The 27th-ranked Cardinals quest for a second straight Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular season title begins against Muskingum Saturday, 1 p.m., at Mose Morehead Field in New Concord.

Otterbein, under eighth-year head coach George Powell, enters the weekend 10-4 after knocking off Wittenberg, 7-6, Wednesday at Carleton Davidson Stadium in Springfield.

Wittenberg scored five runs in the fourth inning to erase a four-run deficit. Otterbein scored twice in the fifth inning to regain the lead for good. Third baseman Brandon Mauck, a junior from Reynoldsburg, scored what proved to be the game-winning run off a sacrifice fly by shortstop Ben Titus, a junior from Bowling Green, in the seventh inning.

First baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland High School), blasted a two-run home run in the first inning to lead the Cards with two RBIs. Right-handed pitcher Jeremy Williams, a sophomore from Grove City, picked up his second win of the season. Right-handed pitcher J.J. Mathews, a junior from Hilliard (Darby), earned the first save of his career.

The Cardinals posted an 8-2 mark on their spring trip to Port Charlotte, Florida, outscoring opponents a combined 76-55.  As a team, the Cards recorded a .326 batting average on the trip. Otterbein notched 30 doubles on 118 hits and tallied 61 RBIs. The pitching staff registered a 3.84 ERA allowing 38 earned runs, walking 33 and striking out 80 batters.

Muskingum, under 12th-year head coach Gregg Thompson, enters OAC action 15-1 and riding a 15-game winning streak after defeating Wittenberg, 8-7, Thursday in New Concord.

Muskingum jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two innings, but Wittenberg was able to narrow the deficit to two after posting five runs in the top of the third. The Tigers were able to plate the game-tying run in the seventh when center fielder Sam Stough, freshman from Dublin (Coffman), scored on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Josh Bunnell, a freshman from Cleves (Harrison), in the top of the eighth. The Muskies scored the game-winner in the bottom of that inning when first baseman Seth Sibert, a junior from Massillon (Washington), scored on a single by designated hitter Ryan Burkhart, a senior from Woodsfield (Monroe Central).

Catcher Brock Whiteman, a freshman from New Concord (John Glenn), went 4-for-5 on the day, knocking in two RBIs and scoring a run. Left-handed pitcher Nathan VanMeter, a freshman from Crooksville, improved to 2-0 on the season, scattering four hits in five innings of work. Right-handed pitcher Ryan McCallister, a freshman from Salem, garnered his fourth save of the year.

Following Muskingum, the Cards travel to Ohio Wesleyan Wednesday, 3:30 p.m., before returning home to host Marietta Saturday, 1 p.m., in OAC doubleheader action.
 

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Wright Named OAC Hitter of the Week
Written Mar. 26, 2007 by Jason Miller

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--First baseman Bobby Wright, a senior from Grove City (Westland High School), was named the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) “hitter of the week” in baseball, the OAC released today.

Wright batted .400 on the week, knocking out 10 hits in 25 at-bats, including six doubles and a home run. He scored eight runs and drove in four runs.

Wright, who also pitches, got the win in relief in an 8-7 win over Hope last Friday in Port Charlotte, Florida. The multi-talented player knocked in the game-winning run on a two-out double to pick up his first win of the season.

Wright helped lead the top-ranked Cardinals, 9-4 overall, to an 8-2 record at the Port Charlotte Invitational.

Otterbein travels to Wittenberg, 5 p.m., Wednesday in a nonconference matchup before opening OAC play at Muskingum, 1 p.m., Saturday.

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Cards Open '07 at No. 1
Written Feb. 12, 2007 by Ed Syguda

All-American Dan Remenowsky

WESTERVILLE, OHIO--Otterbein, defending Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) regular-season and two-time OAC Tournament champion, heads into 2007 with a big No. 1 on its back.

The Cardinals, just one win away from making the 2006 NCAA Division III World Series, open the new season ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division III, according to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Collegiate Baseball preseason poll.

“If somebody has to bear the burden of being the preseason No. 1, let it be us,” said eighth-year head coach George Powell. “We were always fighting to get the respect and now that we've gotten it, it's a motivating source. Our players know the target is on us.”

Otterbein returns 31 of 32 lettermen, including the entire starting lineup, from last season’s squad that produced a school record 34 wins.

The squad finished at 34-16 overall and won the OAC regular-season title with a 16-2 mark. The Cardinals advanced into the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second straight year, reaching the championship game of the Rose-Hulman Mideast Regional. Otterbein lost to eventual national champion Marietta, 8-7, in 11 innings in the regional final.

Juniors Dan Remenowsky and Doug Stevens, both right-handers, headline the group of five returning starters to the Cardinal pitching staff.

Remenowsky compiled a 9-2 record and 1.94 ERA (second best in the OAC) on his way to third team All-America honors last season. A first team All-OAC and All-Mideast selection, Remenowsky was named the Kent Tekulve OAC Pitcher of the Year. He finished second in the OAC with 94 strikeouts.

Stevens, a first team All-OAC and All-Mideast Region pick, led the pitching staff with a perfect 10-0 record. He recorded a 2.47 ERA and struck out 64 while walking only 13 batters.

First baseman Bobby Wright, a senior, right fielder Jerry Tulga, a senior, and shortstop Ben Titus, a junior, form the heart of the Cardinal starting lineup.

Wright, a .275 hitter, collected six home runs and 33 RBI last season. He also made eight appearances on the mound, compiling a 2-3 record, which included a 4-1 win over Marietta in the first game of the Mideast Regional final 

Tulga, an honorable mention All-OAC selection, ranked among the top six in the OAC for batting average (.420), slugging percentage (.580), and on-base percentage (.480).

Titus, named to the first team All-OAC and All-Mideast Region, batted .373 and ranked among the top seven in the OAC for hits (63), total bases (85), sacrifice bunts (7), sacrifice flies (5), at-bats (169) and total plate appearances ( 200).

Also returning to the starting lineup are second team All-OAC performers Chris Kovanda (.331), a junior left fielder, Chris Martin (.328), a senior catcher, and Pat Connor (.301), a junior center fielder.

Rounding out the list of returning starters are Tyler Rudman (.304), a sophomore, and Mike Griffin (.349), a junior, who split time at second baseman; Brandon Mauck (.280), a junior third baseman; and Kyle Dyer (.272), a junior designated hitter and first baseman.

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