COLUMBUS, Ohio - Ohio State continues its longest homestand of the season with four games this week at Bill Davis Stadium. Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. the Buckeyes host former assistant coach Pat Bangtson and his Akron Zips. This weekend the Big Ten Conference-leading Buckeyes host Michigan in a series that will feature every game being televised by the Big Ten Network.
This Week in Ohio State Baseball
No. 27 Ohio State (31-10; 11-4 Big Ten Conference)
Game 42 vs. Akron (14-27; 8-10 MAC East)
Wednesday, April 29 - 6:35 p.m.
Buck-a- Burger Night!!
INTERNET AUDIO, STREAMING VIDEO & LIVE STATS
OhioStateBuckeyes.com
BIG TEN NETWORK
All three games of the Michigan series
FIRST THINGS FIRST
Ohio State and Akron are meeting for the 30th time in a series that was initiated in 1980. Ohio State leads the series, 19-10, including a 6-3 record for Bob Todd-coached teams. Pat Bangtson’s Akron club won the last meeting, 7-3, in the second game of a double-header last year.
A TIME TO EAT BURGER
One dollar...just $1 will get fans a hamburger at the game Wednesday vs. Akron as part of Buck-a-Burger night. Bring $5 to the game and get five burgers. Buy a bunch...only while supplies last.
BUCKEYES 1-3 ON HUMP DAY
Ohio State is only 1-3 in Wednesday games this season at Bill Davis Stadium with losses to Marshall, Kent State and Ball State (been outscored, 42-18, in those games, too) and a win over Morehead State.
A QUICK LOOK AT OHIO STATE
Ohio State is coming off a 10-6 loss to Northwestern Sunday, but has won seven of its last 10 games, including a 2-1 Big Ten series win over Northwestern. ... The team’s 11-4 record in the Big Ten is good for a tie for first place with Illinois. ... Coach Bob Todd’s teams have won 30 or more games for 24 consecutive seasons, including all 22 of his Ohio State teams. ... The team is 26-2 when leading after the sixth inning and 26-0 when leading after the seventh. Some even quicker notes:
• The team batting average of .330 and slugging pct. of .507 each lead the Big Ten Conference.
• Its 5.45 ERA is fifth in the Big Ten. The staff’s .279 opposing batting average is 2nd.
• The Buckeyes are fielding at a .965 rate, good for fifth in the Big Ten.
• In Big Ten games only, Ohio State is fielding at a .974 rate, good for second in the league.
THE AKRON ZIPS
Pat Bangtson left Ohio State after the 2005 season for Akron and his first head coaching assignment. His Zips make the short trip into Columbus having won eight of their last 12 games. Six players for the Zips currently boast a batting average of over .300 with three totaling over 50 hits on the year.
In MAC play, the Zips have played well at home, going 6-3, but the road has provided its woes with a 2-7 record. Akron is chasing a spot in the MAC Tournament, which takes the top three teams from each division. The next two with the best record, regardless of division, receive at-large bids. Akron is currently fifth in the East Division and looking for an at-large bid. A quick survey of other teams looking for at-large bids includes Bowling Green (10-7), Eastern Michigan, (7-11), Northern Illinois (6-11) and Western Michigan (6-12). Here’s more about the Zips:
• The team has won five of its last six games.
• After a home MAC series with Miami this weekend, Akron plays its final two conference weekends on the road at Kent State and at Bowling Green.
RANKINGS
Ohio State is ranked in one or more of the major polls for a tenth consecutive week, coming in this week with a high ranking of No. 27 by Collegiate Baseball.
ALL-TIME AT BILL DAVIS STADIUM
Ohio State is 215-100 all-time at Bill Davis Stadium for a fine .682 winning percentage. The team is 7-4 at home in 2009.
Click on the attached PDF for a printable version of these notes plus a bunch of excellent stats on the team. Keep up on the latest Big Ten Conference stats and standings by opening the Big Ten Release PDF.
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