COLUMBUS, Ohio – Bethune-Cookman travels to Ohio State this weekend for the final non-conference series of the 2016 slate, traveling to Columbus, Ohio to begin the three-game stretch at Bill Davis Stadium on Friday, April 1, at 6:35 p.m. This will be the first-ever trip to a Big Ten opponent for a weekend series in school history for the Wildcats.
Bethune-Cookman comes into the contest having dropped its only midweek game, a 21-8 decision at the hands in in-state foe FIU at home on Tuesday evening inside Radiology Associates Park at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
However, the Wildcats have won their last two weekend series, both Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) contests against North Carolina A&T and North Carolina Central, respectfully. The Cats took two-of-three games from each opponent of the Old North State.
AT A GLANCE
Records: Bethune-Cookman 11-15 (4-5 MEAC) | Ohio State 16-7-1 (2-1 Big Ten)
Rankings: Bethune-Cookman is unranked. Ohio State is unranked.
On The Web: BCUathletics.com • Twitter: @BCUDiamondCats, @JasonBeverlin
ON THE AIR
Live Video: Live video of Friday's game will be available through Buckeye Vision ($). Saturday and Sunday will be available through BTN Plus ($).
Live Stats: Live stats for each game will be available through OhioStateBuckeyes.com (click here)
BETHUNE-COOKMAN VS. OHIO STATE PROBABLE STARTERS
FRIDAY, APRIL 1 (6:35 p.m.)
Bethune-Cookman
RHP German Hernandez (3-1, 4.50 ERA)
Ohio State
LHP Tanner Tully (3-1, 2.60 ERA)
SATURDAY, APRIL 2 (3:05 p.m.)
Bethune-Cookman
RHP Tyler Norris (3-1, 5.53 ERA)
Ohio State
RHP Adam Niemeyer (2-1, 3.41 ERA)
SUNDAY, APRIL 3 (1:05 p.m.)
Bethune-Cookman
RHP Alex Seibold (1-3, 5.83 ERA)
Ohio State
LHP John Havird (1-1, 3.89 ERA)
Bethune-Cookman-Ohio State Series History
• This will be the third meeting between Bethune-Cookman and Ohio State.
• The Wildcats took a 5-3 win over the Buckeyes at home on March 22, 2010. But it was the Buckeyes taking a 9-1 decision over the Wildcats on March 12, 2006, in Clearwater, Florida.
• Bethune-Cookman last faced a team from the Big Ten in 2011, when the Wildcats claimed a 4-3 win over Michigan State at home in Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
• In the last three meetings against Big Ten Schools, B-CU is 3-0. The Cats took down Penn State, 10-9 in 2008, in West Palm Beach, Florida.
• This is Bethune-Cookman's first-ever trip to the state of Ohio in baseball.
• In 2007, the Cats fell in three games to Michigan in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
Noting the Wildcats
• Junior Michael Cruz was named as this week's Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week (catcher), announced by Collegiate Baseball News.
• Cruz was also named MEAC Player of the Week, as he batted .583 (7-for-12), with five home runs, eight RBIs, eight runs scored and seven walks against North Florida, Miami (Fla.) and North Carolina A&T State. He powered the Wildcats with a game-winning home run, in a 4-2 win over North Carolina A&T State. Also, he did not commit an error in 15 chances last week, recording 13 putouts and two assists.
• Redshirt junior Clay Middleton finished one hit shy of tying the school record for consecutive games with a hit, collecting a hit in 18 straight games until Tuesday's defeat to FIU.
• Starting pitchers German Hernandez and Tyler Norris have each collected MEAC Pitcher of the Week accolades thus far in the season.
Notes from the Buckeyes
• Nick Sergakis leads the Buckeyes in batting average, using a .418 clip with a team-high 38 hits and nine doubles.
• The Buckeyes enter the weekend with an impressive 7-1 mark at home on the season.
• Jacob Bosiokovic (.339) and Troy Montgomery (.303) also hit above a .300 average for the Buckeyes.
• Starting pitcher Tanner Tully owns a 3-1 record in six starts on the slate, using a 2.60 earned run average with a team second-best 31 strikeouts.
• Adam Niemeyer is 2-1 with a 3.41 ERA, leading the team with 35 strikeouts.
Up Next for B-CU
Bethune-Cookman travels to North Florida on Tuesday, April 5, in Jacksonville, Florida at 6 p.m.
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– @BCUDiamondCats –
