Indiana-Purdue highlights
Eric Arnett's post game comments
Indiana's Chris Hervey's post game comments
Showing posts with label Eric Arnett. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eric Arnett. Show all posts
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Columbus Dispatch: Big Ten baseball tourney: Watkins' Arnett shines for Indiana
Thursday, May 21, 2009 4:07 AM
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Every time Eric Arnett let loose with a pitch yesterday in Huntington Park, a forest of radar guns sprouted behind home plate. Down went the arm, up went the guns.
That's life right now for the Indiana right-hander, a Watkins Memorial graduate and the ace of the Hoosiers' staff.
He pitched seven innings of four-hit shutout ball yesterday, and Indiana trounced Purdue 9-1 in an opening-round game of the Big Ten tournament.
Third-seeded Indiana will play No. 2 Minnesota today. Top seed Ohio State will meet No. 4 Illinois, which pounded out 18 hits in a 16-5 win over Michigan State.
The focus, though, was on Arnett. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder was lifted after 94 pitches, at which point the sea of major-league scouts scattered.
The win raised his record to 12-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.58. He struck out 10 and walked one.
Arnett was still throwing in the low 90-mph range in his final inning.
"If you look back on how this season started, he wasn't on the radar screen of a lot of people," Indiana coach Tracy Smith said. "And as the season has progressed and he has matured as a pitcher and his velocity has crept up there, it's been interesting, because every weekend, it's like a showcase.
"I give him a lot of credit for how he has handled it."
Smith said he thought Arnett's experience playing basketball for the Hoosiers last winter helped him mature. First-year coach Tom Crean, inheriting a depleted squad because of NCAA violations, asked Arnett and fellow baseball player Kipp Schutz to walk on.
Arnett was in uniform for games but did not play. Still, Smith believes he benefited.
"Being in that environment when you're swarmed and there's 17,000 people looking over you and things like that, 30 or 40 scouts probably isn't that big a deal," Smith said. "So I really think mentality-wise, that helped him tremendously."
Arnett, a junior, did admit to some jitters pitching in front of a large group of friends and family.
"It was a blast," he said. "You kind of get extra nervous out there because you're back in front of everyone you know again. But it was good to be able to come back home and pitch in front of people you haven't seen in a while."
Illinois overcame an early 4-0 deficit after Michigan State's Eric Roof hit a grand slam -- the first in Huntington Park's short history.
The Illini scored five runs in the fourth inning and seven in the sixth to make it a runaway.
Ohio State took two of three from Illinois in Champaign two weeks ago, but the Illini are a confident-looking group.
"Ohio State is a very good team," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "But I think our team believes they are as good as anybody here."
By Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Every time Eric Arnett let loose with a pitch yesterday in Huntington Park, a forest of radar guns sprouted behind home plate. Down went the arm, up went the guns.
That's life right now for the Indiana right-hander, a Watkins Memorial graduate and the ace of the Hoosiers' staff.
He pitched seven innings of four-hit shutout ball yesterday, and Indiana trounced Purdue 9-1 in an opening-round game of the Big Ten tournament.
Third-seeded Indiana will play No. 2 Minnesota today. Top seed Ohio State will meet No. 4 Illinois, which pounded out 18 hits in a 16-5 win over Michigan State.
The focus, though, was on Arnett. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder was lifted after 94 pitches, at which point the sea of major-league scouts scattered.
The win raised his record to 12-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.58. He struck out 10 and walked one.
Arnett was still throwing in the low 90-mph range in his final inning.
"If you look back on how this season started, he wasn't on the radar screen of a lot of people," Indiana coach Tracy Smith said. "And as the season has progressed and he has matured as a pitcher and his velocity has crept up there, it's been interesting, because every weekend, it's like a showcase.
"I give him a lot of credit for how he has handled it."
Smith said he thought Arnett's experience playing basketball for the Hoosiers last winter helped him mature. First-year coach Tom Crean, inheriting a depleted squad because of NCAA violations, asked Arnett and fellow baseball player Kipp Schutz to walk on.
Arnett was in uniform for games but did not play. Still, Smith believes he benefited.
"Being in that environment when you're swarmed and there's 17,000 people looking over you and things like that, 30 or 40 scouts probably isn't that big a deal," Smith said. "So I really think mentality-wise, that helped him tremendously."
Arnett, a junior, did admit to some jitters pitching in front of a large group of friends and family.
"It was a blast," he said. "You kind of get extra nervous out there because you're back in front of everyone you know again. But it was good to be able to come back home and pitch in front of people you haven't seen in a while."
Illinois overcame an early 4-0 deficit after Michigan State's Eric Roof hit a grand slam -- the first in Huntington Park's short history.
The Illini scored five runs in the fourth inning and seven in the sixth to make it a runaway.
Ohio State took two of three from Illinois in Champaign two weeks ago, but the Illini are a confident-looking group.
"Ohio State is a very good team," Illinois coach Dan Hartleb said. "But I think our team believes they are as good as anybody here."
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Indiana dominates in-state rival Purude 9-1
So I decided that after sitting in the sun for game 1 and receiving sun burn, instead of blogging from my phone, I'd get in the shade plug in my laptop and get rolling.
Eric Arnett is on the mound for Indiana and has a quick 1-2-3 inning. Arnett in the first is already reaching 97 with the fastball.
Purdue counters with Matt Bischoff.
Appears more fans are in attendence for game 2. Both Indiana and Purdue are shorter drives to Columbus than East Lansing and Champaign. Throw in local boy returning home Arnett toeing the rubber and Indiana has a solid contingent.
Chris Hervy with a leadoff HR for Indiana. 1-0 Indiana
Sorry for 2 innings of MIA, chatting it up with a few fans, Eric Sorenson of College Baseball Today is in attendence, spoke to him, more of that later, and caught p with a few Ohio State players. Back to it
Bottom of the 4th, Bischoff in a bit of trouble.
A walk, two outs, an error, and a double scored a run. Runners on the corners 2 outs. Bischoff K ends the inning.
Top 5 Arnett is in control. Sitting hitting the high 90s, dropping it to 81/82 with the offspeed, Slider is nasty. Dominating the Boilermakers.
If you can, watch it on the Big Ten Network. Arnett is showing why he was co-Big Ten Pitcher of the year.
There are nearly 20 scouts with radar guns here to watch Arnett deal.
Bischoff is replaced in the top of the 5th. His line 4 IP 7 hits, 4 ER, 5 runs 3 K's, 2BB.
Bottom of the 5th Indiana puts 5 on the socreboard.
My covering of this game is awful I know I apologize. The stadium is incredible, the weather is perfect, kind of hard to sit in one place.
Final
Purdue 1-7-4
Indiana 9-15-1
Eric Arnett is on the mound for Indiana and has a quick 1-2-3 inning. Arnett in the first is already reaching 97 with the fastball.
Purdue counters with Matt Bischoff.
Appears more fans are in attendence for game 2. Both Indiana and Purdue are shorter drives to Columbus than East Lansing and Champaign. Throw in local boy returning home Arnett toeing the rubber and Indiana has a solid contingent.
Chris Hervy with a leadoff HR for Indiana. 1-0 Indiana
Sorry for 2 innings of MIA, chatting it up with a few fans, Eric Sorenson of College Baseball Today is in attendence, spoke to him, more of that later, and caught p with a few Ohio State players. Back to it
Bottom of the 4th, Bischoff in a bit of trouble.
A walk, two outs, an error, and a double scored a run. Runners on the corners 2 outs. Bischoff K ends the inning.
Top 5 Arnett is in control. Sitting hitting the high 90s, dropping it to 81/82 with the offspeed, Slider is nasty. Dominating the Boilermakers.
If you can, watch it on the Big Ten Network. Arnett is showing why he was co-Big Ten Pitcher of the year.
There are nearly 20 scouts with radar guns here to watch Arnett deal.
Bischoff is replaced in the top of the 5th. His line 4 IP 7 hits, 4 ER, 5 runs 3 K's, 2BB.
Bottom of the 5th Indiana puts 5 on the socreboard.
My covering of this game is awful I know I apologize. The stadium is incredible, the weather is perfect, kind of hard to sit in one place.
Final
Purdue 1-7-4
Indiana 9-15-1
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
All-Big Ten Teams, Buckeyes and Hoosiers Sweep Awards
FIRST TEAM
1B – Mike Dufek, MICH
2B – Derek McCallum, MINN#
SS – Brandon Wikoff, ILL
3B – Dominic Altobelli, ILL
OF – Kipp Schutz, IND
OF – Ryan Durant, IOWA
OF – Brandon Haveman, PUR#
C – Josh Phegley, IND*
C – Dan Burkhart, OSU*
DH – Ryan Dew, OSU
SP – Eric Arnett, IND#
SP – Chris Fetter, MICH
SP – Alex Wimmers, OSU#
RP – Jake Hale, OSU
SECOND TEAM**
1B – Jerrud Sabourin, IND
2B – Cory Kovanda, OSU
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN
3B – Justin Miller, OSU
OF – Pete Cappetta, ILL
OF – Ryan LaMarre, MICH
OF – Michael Stephens, OSU
DH – Alex Dickerson, IND
SP – Matt Bashore, IND
SP – Seth Rosin, MINN
SP – Dean Wolosiansky, OSU
RP – Scott Matyas, MINN
THIRD TEAM
1B – John Cummins, PUR
2B – Eric Charles, PUR
SS – Justin Toole, IOWA
3B – Jordan Steranka, PSU
OF – Willie Argo, ILL
OF – Mike Kvasnicka, MINN
OF – Alex Jaffee, PUR
C – Aaron Johnson, ILL
DH – Matt Nohelty, MINN
SP – Will Strack, ILL
SP – Tom Buske, MINN
SP – Matt Bischoff, PUR
RP – Chris Squires, IND*
RP – Ryan Ignas, PSU*
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
1B – Nick O’Shea, MINN
2B – Eric Charles, PUR
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN#
3B – Jordan Steranka, PSU#
OF – Willie Argo, ILL#
OF – Justin Gominsky, MINN#
OF – Tyler Spillner, PUR
C – Dallas Burke, IOWA#
DH – Alex Dickerson, IND#
SP – Will Strack, ILL
SP – Blake Monar, IND#
SP – Tony Bucciferro, MSU
RP – Austin Lubinsky, MINN
BIG TEN INDIVIDUAL HONORS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dan Burkhart, OSU
CO-PITCHERS OF THE YEAR
Eric Arnett, IND
Alex Wimmers, OSU
FRESHMAN OF THE YER
Alex Dickerson, IND
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bob Todd, OSU#
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Dominic Altobelli, ILL
Jerrud Sabourin, IND
Justin Toole, IOWA
Kenny Fellows, MICH
Nolan Moody, MSU
Matt Nohelty, MINN
Jake Wilson, NU
Cory Kovanda, OSU
Ryan Boonie, PSU
John Cummins, PUR
* Denotes ties
# Denotes unanimous choice
1B – Mike Dufek, MICH
2B – Derek McCallum, MINN#
SS – Brandon Wikoff, ILL
3B – Dominic Altobelli, ILL
OF – Kipp Schutz, IND
OF – Ryan Durant, IOWA
OF – Brandon Haveman, PUR#
C – Josh Phegley, IND*
C – Dan Burkhart, OSU*
DH – Ryan Dew, OSU
SP – Eric Arnett, IND#
SP – Chris Fetter, MICH
SP – Alex Wimmers, OSU#
RP – Jake Hale, OSU
SECOND TEAM**
1B – Jerrud Sabourin, IND
2B – Cory Kovanda, OSU
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN
3B – Justin Miller, OSU
OF – Pete Cappetta, ILL
OF – Ryan LaMarre, MICH
OF – Michael Stephens, OSU
DH – Alex Dickerson, IND
SP – Matt Bashore, IND
SP – Seth Rosin, MINN
SP – Dean Wolosiansky, OSU
RP – Scott Matyas, MINN
THIRD TEAM
1B – John Cummins, PUR
2B – Eric Charles, PUR
SS – Justin Toole, IOWA
3B – Jordan Steranka, PSU
OF – Willie Argo, ILL
OF – Mike Kvasnicka, MINN
OF – Alex Jaffee, PUR
C – Aaron Johnson, ILL
DH – Matt Nohelty, MINN
SP – Will Strack, ILL
SP – Tom Buske, MINN
SP – Matt Bischoff, PUR
RP – Chris Squires, IND*
RP – Ryan Ignas, PSU*
ALL-FRESHMAN TEAM
1B – Nick O’Shea, MINN
2B – Eric Charles, PUR
SS – AJ Pettersen, MINN#
3B – Jordan Steranka, PSU#
OF – Willie Argo, ILL#
OF – Justin Gominsky, MINN#
OF – Tyler Spillner, PUR
C – Dallas Burke, IOWA#
DH – Alex Dickerson, IND#
SP – Will Strack, ILL
SP – Blake Monar, IND#
SP – Tony Bucciferro, MSU
RP – Austin Lubinsky, MINN
BIG TEN INDIVIDUAL HONORS
PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dan Burkhart, OSU
CO-PITCHERS OF THE YEAR
Eric Arnett, IND
Alex Wimmers, OSU
FRESHMAN OF THE YER
Alex Dickerson, IND
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bob Todd, OSU#
SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD HONOREES
Dominic Altobelli, ILL
Jerrud Sabourin, IND
Justin Toole, IOWA
Kenny Fellows, MICH
Nolan Moody, MSU
Matt Nohelty, MINN
Jake Wilson, NU
Cory Kovanda, OSU
Ryan Boonie, PSU
John Cummins, PUR
* Denotes ties
# Denotes unanimous choice
Scouting the Field: Indiana
As with Illinois, I was able to catch up with another Big Ten blogger, this time Behind the Plate, an Indiana baseball blog. BtP has done an outstanding job following the Hoosiers this season and provided and excellent season recap and season preview to handle Indiana's scouting the field report. Hop over and check out Behind the Plate, and thanks to them for submitting the information.
After limping to a 7-14 record (including a stretch where they lost 8 of 10) heading into conference play, the Indiana University baseball Hoosiers did their best Mark Teixeira and Ryan Howard (notorious slow starters) impressions and finally turned things around during the Big Ten portion of the season. The Hoosiers dropped the conference opener at home to Minnesota but from there went on to win 10 of their next 13 Big Ten games, enabling the team to come out on top in four consecutive weekend series before dropping 2 of 3 at rival Purdue. That series against the Boilermakers, who were just 5-9 in conference play at the time, likely cost IU a chance at its first Big Ten title of any sort since 1996, when the Hoosiers took home the tournament championship. Nonetheless, this year’s squad finished 28-25 overall and 16-7 in Big Ten play, good for a 3rd place finish in the final regular season standings, the highest the Hoosiers have finished since the 1996 campaign when they finished 2nd.
This year’s Hoosier squad featured one of the top offensive attacks in the conference in addition to one of the league’s best 1-2 pitching combos in RHP Eric Arnett and LHP Matt Bashore. Preseason All-American catcher Josh Phegley, who tied for the Big Ten led with 17 homeruns in the regular season, built on what was already a very impressive career at IU, and freshman newcomer Alex Dickerson established himself as a force to be reckoned with given his ability to hit for both power and average from the left side. Centerfielder Evan Crawford led the Big Ten with 27 steals, while his counterpart in left, Kipp Schutz, overcame early season injuries to finish among the top 10 (8th to be exact) conference batting average leaders after a short stint with the IU basketball team this winter. Chris Squires found himself a home out of the pen as the team’s closer.
Those are just a few of the storylines out of Bloomington from the 2009 IU baseball team. Looking back on the regular season that was, there was a lot of good to go around. Namely, the Hoosiers built on last year’s 6th place Big Ten standing to finish 3rd this year and make the program’s second consecutive conference tournament appearance on the heels of four straight years (2003-2007) in which IU finished no better than 10th in the Big Ten. In addition to actually wining a lot of games in conference action, the Hoosiers finished second among all Big Ten teams in team batting average (.322), slugging percentage (.483), on-base percentage (.400), hits (605), homeruns (59), and total bases (908). The team’s trio of weekend starters (Arnett, Bashore, and FR LHP Blake Monar) went a combined 21-8 in 248.2 innings of work with a 3.73 ERA and 240 strikeouts against 95 walks while holding opposing batters to a .245 average.
All the good didn’t come without any bad, though. Poor play in the field plagued the Hoosiers all season long as the team committed the second most errors in the Big Ten (86) and were third to last in team fielding percentage (.959). Although the Hoosiers have gotten more quality innings out of key relievers of late (SO RHP Joey O’Gara, SO RHP Matt Carr, and FR LHP Matt Igel), the bullpen has also been a weakness all season. In retrospect, the 2009 campaign was somewhat of a disappointment for IU in many ways. While the Hoosiers were right in the thick of things until season’s end in terms of competing for the regular season conference title, the team struggled mightily in nonconference games, going just 12-18 against teams outside the Big Ten. In a season in which many experts predicted IU would be in a position to earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, the squad’s poor performances in midweek and early season games (many of which were against what I would consider inferior opponents) likely cost the Hoosiers a shot at landing an at-large invite.
Nevertheless, the Big Ten Tournament is an opportunity for the Hoosiers to overcome a weak non-conference tournament resume and punch a ticket to the NCAA’s field of 64 by taking care of business this weekend in Columbus. Win the whole thing and all of a sudden those poor midweek and early season defeats no longer make any difference. With wins in 6 of the last 7, IU heads into Wednesday’s opening round tilt against Purdue with as good a chance as any at taking home the title. Arnett and Bashore will be very, very tough to beat in the first two games, and while Blake Monar has struggled of late, the former Yankees draft pick is certainly more than capable of shutting down any team in the tournament when he’s got his good off speed repertoire working and is throwing all his pitches for strikes. Although having to play at least four games to win the tournament is certainly a disadvantage, I really think this IU team has what it takes to bring home the title. There is a ton of experience back from last year’s squad that made an improbable run deep into the tournament, and the team undoubtedly possesses the offensive firepower and quality starting pitching needed to make another deep run this time around.
As with any team, there are a number of questions surrounding the Hoosiers that must be answered in the affirmative in order for IU to have a shot at taking home the hardware this weekend. Will the defense make plays? Will guys like 2B Tyler Rogers, 3B Vince Gonzalez, and SS Jake Dunning (all of whom have struggled at the plate in Big Ten play) contribute at the bottom of the order? Will Blake Monar rebound from his recent struggles and return to his early season form? Will Arnett and Bashore continue to dominate on the mound? Will the lineup come through with clutch hits in key situations? If the answers to all those questions are “yes,” then I like IU’s chances at winning it all this weekend. I am confident the Hoosiers will take Game 1 against Purdue behind a well-rested Arnett (did not pitch last weekend against MSU), and then I think they can take Game 2 from Minnesota behind Bashore, who has been throwing as well as any pitcher in the conference of late. After that it is hard to predict how things will shake out. Ever the optimist, though, I will go ahead and predict the Hoosiers will take home the tournament championship. They have the hitting, pitching and intangibles to do so. Now they just need to put it all together out on the field in Columbus. It should be an exciting weekend! Go Hoosiers!
Again the Buckeye Nine thanks Behind the Plate with taking the time to do this, and further promoting Indiana and Big Ten baseball.
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