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.