When the Ohio State baseball team wrapped up a 6-1 win over Cleveland State May 14, many of the Buckeyes believed they would never see the friendly confines of Davis Stadium until next year’s season.
But after nearly a month on the road and title victories at both the Big Ten Conference and Auburn Regional tournaments, OSU will bring its show back to Columbus as it faces Southwest Missouri State, which won the Lincoln, Neb. Regional, in one of 16 college baseball Super Regionals.
“We’re definitely happy to be back here,” pitcher Greg Prenger said. “It’ll be nice to have 4,000 or 5,000 fans out here cheering for us instead of the other way around.”
The weekend series against the Bears kicks off Saturday with an 8:05 p.m. contest, followed by Sunday’s game at 6:05 p.m. If a deciding third game is needed, it will be held on Monday at 1:05 p.m. The winner of the series will advance to the College World Series, which begins June 13 in Omaha.
Despite trailing in every game of the weekend in Auburn, the Buckeyes were able to battle back, beating Clemson 10-8, followed by two wins against host Auburn (6-2 and 9-7).
This weekend’s series will be the first time the Buckeyes play in a super regional since 1999. In that year, the Buckeyes hosted Cal State-Fullerton and won the first game of the series on a grand slam by Chad Ehrnsberger. However, OSU faltered in the final two games.
If the Buckeyes can get past the Bears, it would be the school’s first trip to the College World Series since 1967. The Buckeyes finished as the national runner up in 1965, and then won the title in 1966.
It’s that possibility of reaching college baseball’s elite stage which excites the Buckeye veterans.
“As an athlete, when you come to a Division I program like this, your goal is obviously to get out to Omaha and play for a national championship,” pitcher Nate Smith said. “I took step one my freshman year by getting to a super regional, had an opportunity to play here, and we were won game away. Hopefully, we can complete that step and get back out there.”
But while a trip to Omaha is the Buckeyes’ main focus, they are just happy to be back in Columbus and Davis Stadium.
“To be able to come home – I just can’t describe it,” pitcher Kyle Brown said. “This is going to be the last weekend, no matter what, that I can play here.”
Tickets on sale
Tickets for this weekend’s games are already on sale to the public. Adults will be charged $10, while children and students will have to pay $5. Buyers can purchase tickets at the OSU Athletics Ticket Office, by phone at 1-800-GO-BUCKS or online at www.hangonsloopy.com. OSU officials encourage students to buy their tickets on the Web site. If purchased online, students can simply bring their BuckIDs to the ballpark to get swiped in place of a ticket.
If fans are unable to get to the ballpark, the ESPN network is planning on airing live broadcasts. Saturday’s and Sunday’s games will be telecast on ESPN2. If Monday’s game is necessary, ESPN will carry the broadcast.
