Titans Back on Track with Wins

For Immediate Release: March 16, 2005
Contact: OSU Newark Sports Information
athletics@newark.ohio-state.edu

Newark, Ohio – The Titan baseball team got back to their winning ways on Thursday afternoon knocking off NAIA foe Myers University. The Titans swept the games by scores of 1-0 and 5-3. Pitching and solid defense lead the Titans to victory in game one as Tyler Hack worked a complete game and the Titan defense did not commit an error. With the game scoreless in the bottom of the third Miles Johnson lead of the inning, driving a fastball into the right center gap. Johnson got all the way to third and two batters later scored on a John Pawlak sacrifice fly. In the top of the final inning, the leadoff MU batter doubled to the fence and advanced on a sacrifice bunt. With one out and the tying run on third Hack fanned the final two batters of the game and record the win.

Pawlak went 1-1 with a single and an RBI, while Johnson was 1-2 with the triple. Nate Clark recorded the only other hit for the Titans, going 1-2 with a single. Hack picked up his second win of the season to move to 2-0. Hack struck out 4, and allowed 3 hits, 0 runs, while issuing 1 free pass.

Game two saw the offense come alive for one inning, but that was enough as the Titans plated 5 runs in the bottom of the third. With one out and runners on first and second, the Myers third baseman booted a ground ball. Pat Schofield singled in a run, followed by a Nate Clark single. Billy Stump followed that up with a single, giving the Titans a 3-2 advantage. Shane Mickey laced another single into left field as the Titans continued to advance one base at a time. With one out, Mike Justice squeezed in the fifth run of the inning to take a 5-2 advantage. Myers was able to add a run in the fourth, and loaded the bases with one out, but Johnson responded by striking out the next two hitters to quiet the rally.

Brandon Nagle was 2-2 on the game with 2 singles, a run scored, an RBI, 2 walks and 2 stolen bases. Mickey went 2-3 with 2 singles and an RBI, and Mike Justice was 1-1 with an RBI. Johnson took the win moving to 2-1 on the season. He pitched 4 innings striking out 6, walking 5, and allowed 3 earned runs. The Titans return to action on Monday, traveling to Motlow College in Tullahoma, Tennessee for a 12:00 p.m. doubleheader.

NC Drops Two to Rio

For Immediate Release: March 13, 2005
Contact: OSU Newark Sports Information
athletics@newark.ohio-state.edu

Rio Grande, Ohio – The Newark Campus Titans dropped a doubleheader to the Redmen of Rio Grande on Sunday, falling 11-5 and 11-1. The Titans fell to 3-3 on the season, while Rio moved to 10-3. Rio Grande jumped out to a quick lead, taking a 6-0 advantage after two innings. The Titans threatened in the third inning plating one run and leaving the bases loaded. Twice during the game NC loaded the bases but failed to break open the big inning. For the game, Newark stranded 11 runners and left runners on in 5 different innings.

The Titans banged out 10 hits, with Ben Lachowsky leading the way. Lachowsky was 3-3 at the plate with 2 singles, a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI. Miles Johnson and John Pawlak both went 2-3. Johnson recorded 2 singles, while Pawlak had a single, double, and 2 RBIs. Jarrod Justice took the loss on the mound working 4 innings, allowing 7 runs, 6 earned, on 6 hits. Justice walked 6 and struck out three, moving his record to 0-1 on the season.

Game two did not see the same offensive production from the Titans as they only recorded 4 hits. The Titans failed to take advantage of 5 walks, while Rio did take advantage of 3 Titan errors. Lachowsky went 1-1 at the plate while drawing 2 walks. Justice went 1-2 with a single and a run scored. Miles Johnson fell to 1-1 on the year, working 4.33 innings allowing 8 runs, 5 earned, on 11 hits.

Series Sweep Stopped By Late Inning Rally

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2005
Contact: OSU Newark Sports Information
athletics@newark.ohio-state.edu

Danville, Va – The Newark Campus Titans could not complete a four game sweep of the Knights of Danville College on Sunday afternoon. Trailing 8-6, Danville scored the last three runs of the ball game to dash the Titans’ hopes. The Titan (3-1, 0-0) bats continued to smoke as NC recorded 28 hits on the day, including 6 doubles. The Titans continued to showcase their speed as they stole 8 bases on the day.

In game one, Tom Casasanta was a perfect 3-3 at the plate recording 3 singles, walking once, and scoring 2 runs. John Pawlak went 2-4 with 2 doubles and 4 RBIs. Scott Devoll was 3-4 with 3 singles and 2 RBIs. Miles Johnson picked up his first win of the year throwing a complete game. Johnson walked 1, hit 1, struck out 4, and allowed 2 runs, both earned.

Game two saw the offense explode for 17 hits as all ten players that recorded an at-bat had a hit. Jarrod Justice was 3-4 with 2 singles, a double, and a stolen base. Brandon Nagle went 2-4 with a single, a double, an RBI and 2 stolen bases. Casasanta was 2-4 on the game with a single, double, and 2 RBIs. Pawlak suffered the loss in relief, working 3.33 innings allowing 3 runs on 3 hits.

The Titans had opportunities in the seventh to complete the sweep as Justice led off the inning with a single. He stole second base on the first pitch to Johnson. Johnson flied out to left on the next pitch, but was followed by Ben Lachowsky with a pinch hit infield single. With one out and runners on the corners Pawlak came to the plate having already gone 3-7 on the day with 5 RBIs. Pawlak drilled a fastball to the right side, but the Danville second baseman fielded the ball and turned the double play to end the Titan rally.

NC will return to the field, weather permitting, on March 7th for a 2:00 doubleheader with Notre Dame College. The Titans are now scheduled for 6 consecutive games against American Mideast Conference opponents with NDC, Mount Vernon Nazarene and the University of Rio Grande all slated for the upcoming week.

Titans Open With Sweep

For Immediate Release: February 26, 2005
Contact: OSU Newark Sports Information
athletics@newark.ohio-state.edu

Danville, Va - The 2005 Ohio State Newark Titan baseball team opened their season with a doubleheader sweep, knocking off Danville College 9-6 and 12-5 Saturday afternoon at Dan Daniel Stadium. Pat Schofield (Newark) picked up the win in game one, throwing 3.2 innnings, striking out 5 and surrendering 5 hits. The Titans (2-0) took advantage of untimely Danville errors and strung together 7 hits to take the victory. Miles Johnson (Heath) was 1-2 at the plate with 3 runs scored and 1 RBI while Tom Casasanta (Grandview Heights) went 2-4 with 2 RBIs.

Danville jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in game two, but Tyler Hack (Sparta Highland) calmed his nerves after the rocky start and was able to take home a win. Hack worked 6.1 innings, striking out 5 and walking 2. He allowed 4 runs, 3 earned, on 8 hits. Ben Lachowsky (Northridge) was 2-4 at the plate with a single, double, run scored and an RBI. Schofield went 2-4 with a single, double, and 3 RBIs. The Titans return to action tomorrow to face Danville in another doubleheader, set for a 12:00 noon start.


High Expecatations for 2005

Newark, Ohio – Second place is not good enough. It seemed to be a common theme during the fall and winter workouts of the Newark Campus Titans. The Titans finished the 2004 season in second place, one game back of champion Miami University Hamilton. They followed that up with a late inning loss to the Harriers in the conference tournament championship later in the spring. While the Ohio Regional Campus Conference should be fairly balanced in 2005, the Titans and Harriers are no doubt set to battle for the top spot again. The Harriers and Titans have a healthy rivalry as of late, with the Titans taking 3 of the last 5 games played.

The 2005 Titan Baseball team promises to be an exciting one to watch. Loaded with the most talent since the 1998 team that went 27-4, the Titans bring a blend of seasoned veterans and talented newcomers to the field. Seniors Jeremy Field and Tyler Hack lead a group of pitchers that any college in Ohio would want. Every member of the staff will be vital as the Titans face their toughest and largest schedule ever with 49 regular season games in addition to the Ohio Regional Campus Tournament.

The Titans will be tested early and often as they open in February against a talented Danville (Va.) squad before coming home and facing several American Mideast Conference opponents. In one weeks time the Titans will face Notre Dame of Ohio, #9 Mount Vernon Nazarene University, and the University of Rio Grande. A rigorous non-conference schedule including two southern trips will prepare the Titans for their ORCC opener against the Barons of OSU-Lima on April 2nd.

Head Coach Jeremy Blubaugh will begin his fourth campaign as the head coach of the Titans. Coach Blubaugh is a graduate of The Ohio State University and a former Titan second baseman. A member of the Titans from 1994-1997, he garnered the team's Most Improved Player award in 1995, the '96 and '97 Spirit and Pride Awards, and named second team All-ORCC in his senior season. In his three seasons as coach, Jeremy has clinched one Ohio Regional Campus Conference Championship, one ORCC Runner-Up finish, and one ORCC Tournament Runner-up finish. His overall record stands at 48-47, while his ORCC record stands at 29-7. Coach Blubaugh has produced several All-ORCC selections and many ORCC-All Academic team members.

Senior pitchers Jeremy Field and Tyler Hack return for their last seasons as Titans, bringing to a close their years of accomplishments and awards. Jeremy Field, a graduate of Sheridan High School, brings a career record of 13-12 in 143 innings pitched. In his 3 years, Field has registered a 3.24 ERA, 102 batters struck out, and 83 walked. He was a first team ORCC selection in 2003 and 2004, and given Academic All-ORCC recognition in 02, 03 and 04. He was selected his team’s Most Valuable Player in 2003 and named the Pitcher of the Year in 2004.

Tyler Hack, a former Fighting Scot at Highland High School and Ohio Valley College, has turned in a career record of 11-8 with 1 save in his three seasons of college baseball. Hack owns a 2.34 ERA, with 117 strikeouts and 52 walks. He was a 2003 and 2004 second team All-ORCC selection and was given Academic All-ORCC honors in 2003 and 2004.

Junior John Pawlak (Hendersonville, TN) returns to the lineup to lead the team from behind the plate. Pawlak was selected first team All-ORCC in 2004 after batting .391 with a .580 slugging percentage. Pawlak banged out 5 doubles, 1 triple and 2 home runs on his way to being named the team’s Most Valuable Player.

Sophomores compose the majority of the roster, a fact that does not bother Coach Blubaugh at all. While they are fairly young, they have logged many hours on the field together. Miles Johnson (Heath HS) returns to the starting rotation and centerfield after turning in a 4-1 performance last spring, throwing 37.67 innings, compiling a 1.30 ERA. Johnson fanned 30 batters while walking 16. At the plate, he was just as dangerous leading the team with a .400 BA. For his efforts Johnson was named the 2004 Rookie of the Year and given honorable mention All-ORCC honors.

Brandon Nagle returns to play shortstop for NC, after being selected second team All-ORCC in 2004. Nagle batted .237 for the Titans in 2004, and .333 in the fall season. He was named the Most Improved player in 2004.

Scotty Devoll (Newark) returns to the line-up to start at third base. Devoll batted .343 in 2004, with 14 RBIs and 9 extra base hits. He was awarded the team’s Offensive Player of the Year award in 2004.

Hack, Field, Pawlak, Johnson, Nagle, Devoll, and newcomers Pat Schofield and Jarrod Justice were all members of the 2004 Moundbuilder Mavericks baseball club, a team that placed 3rd at the 2004 Continental Amateur Baseball Association’s 22U World Series in Chicago, Illinois. Nagle was named the tournament’s Gold Glove Recipient as the defensive player of the series.

Rounding out the starting line-up is sophomore transfer Justice (Newark HS) who will see time at first base, starting pitcher, and outfield, Schofield (Newark) a southpaw pitcher and first baseman, Jason Jeffries (Newark HS) at second base, and freshmen Tom Casasanta (Grandview Heights HS) and Ben Lachowsky (Northridge HS), both in the outfield.

Incoming freshman back-up catcher Shane Mickey (Bexley HS) should immediately contribute, giving Pawlak some much needed rest, after catching nearly every game of the 2004 season. Ten other freshmen players will look to contribute to the squad in situational playing time.

There is no doubt in Coach Blubaugh’s mind that the 2005 season will be tough, but he is very confident in his team’s ability. “We have a great group of guys that know the game of baseball inside and out. Between last spring, this summer, and the fall, they have spent a lot of time on the diamond together, getting better and learning each other’s abilities.