A busy mailbox following the Buckeyes' sweep of Michigan has teed up the perfect pre-Big Ten Tournament column for Monday...on the Buckeyes' season, their chances in the tournament, and college baseball, itself.
Behind a sterling complete-game performance by starting pitcher Chris Domke, the Buckeyes completed their domination of rival Michigan with a three-game weekend sweep, advancing their Big Ten Tournament seed, and going to Omaha Tuesday with as much momentum as any of the twelve participants.
Pitching, defense, and timely hitting...and who'd a thunk it back in February? Gavin Kuzniewski (above) wins his sixth, the defense was perfect, and the bats were timely and big in OSU's 7-3 series win Friday over Michigan.
Highlighted by an 8-run seventh and a premium pitching performance by Pierce Herrenbruck, the Buckeyes start the final series of the regular season with a thumping of the team up North.
Twenty four hours after Justin Haire asked for focus and a series win over Michigan State, sophomore Maddix Simpson (above) delivered a game-winning hit in the bottom of the tenth to guarantee the series and nothing less than a .500 finish for the year.