- Men's Sports
2009 News (Early Season-April 1)
Urbana's Game Against Otterbein Suspended in the 9th
Blue Knights trail Cardinals 16-15 entering the 9th inning
URBANA, Ohio (March 31, 2009) - Urbana and Otterbein were unable to get a 9-inning game completed before darkness settled in on Tuesday night. The team's explosive offenses are mostly to blame as the Blue Knights and Cardinals combined for 31 runs in the first 8 innings. When the two teams meet again at Otterbein on Tuesday, May 5th, they will finish the suspended game before playing their regularly scheduled doubleheader.
The Cardinals led throughout, and currently own a 16-15 advantage heading into the 9th inning. Junior Owen Donelon is 4-for-4 with a home run and 3 runs scored. Senior Jordan Baker hit his 10th home run in the game. He also scored 3 runs, and currently sits at 4-for-5. Senior Russ Chambers added 3 hits.
The Blue Knights are off until Friday when they travel to Chicago State University to play a 4-game weekend series with the Division I Cougars. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST. [Otterbein 16, Urbana 15, Top of the 9th inning]
Blue Knights Win 11-inning Thriller; Fall 3-1 in Game 2 at NKU
5 Urbana pitchers allow just 2 ER in 17 innings; Hamilton earns 2nd win
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Kentucky (March 24, 2009) - The Blue Knight baseball team has been producing runs at a record pace this season. Today, against Northern Kentucky University, the pitching stole the spotlight. Three Blue Knight pitchers teamed up to hold the Norse to 1 run and 7 hits through 11 innings in an Urbana 2-1 win. In Game 2, Urbana received another stellar pitching performance, but 2 unearned runs spoiled their effort in a 3-1 loss.
Seniors Shane Pfouts got the start for the Blue Knights in Game 1. Pfouts threw 5 innings, allowing just 5 hits and the lone NKU run in the 4th inning. The Blue Knights also scored in the 4th inning when senior Jordan Baker singled in junior Andrew Harrell. The RBI was Baker's 38th of the season after just 24 games. Senior Mike Blanton relieved Pfouts in the 6th inning of a 1-1 game. Blanton pitched 3 innings, allowing just 1 hit. With the score still tied at 1 in the 9th inning, freshman closer Brandon Hamilton entered the game.
In the top of the 11th, Harrell and Baker struck again with back-to-back singles. With 2 outs, senior Matt Netherly swung and missed on strike 3, but the NKU catcher could not corral the pitch. Netherly broke for first, and the catcher's throw sailed into the outfield. Harrell scored his second run of the game to give the Blue Knights the 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 11th.
Hamilton (pictured) shut the door in the final inning for his 2nd win of the season. Hamilton's 3 innings was his longest outing of the year. He allowed just one hit while striking out 2.
In the night cap, the Blue Knights scored first again. In the top of the 2nd inning, Netherly doubled and moved to third on freshman Tyler Rinker's bunt single. Sophomore Zach Roll scored Netherly with a sac fly to centerfield. Senior Troy Mercer made the lead stand until the bottom of the 5th inning. Two Blue Knight errors led to two unearned runs for the Norse. The home team added an insurance run in the 6th and held on for the 3-1 win.
After the split, the Blue Knights sit at 13-12 on the season. NKU moves to 15-10. The Blue Knights are back on the road this Thursday when they travel to Bexley to take on Capital University. The teams will play one 9-inning game beginning at 4:00 p.m. [Game 1 Box Score][Game 2 Box Score]
Blue Knights Bounce Back with Win Against Bears
Dustin Lacy pitches a gem in Urbana's 6-5 win
PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (March 22, 2009) - One day after dropping a doubleheader at home to Shawnee State University, the Urbana University baseball team salvaged the 3-game series with a 6-5 win in Portsmouth, Ohio. The Blue Knights pounded 13 hits and held a 6-2 lead entering the bottom of the 9th. The Bears made it interesting, scoring 3 runs to cut the lead to 1, but freshman closer Brandon Hamilton closed the door to pick up his 3rd save of the season.
All 9 Blue Knights in the starting lineup had a base hit. Jordan Baker, Brad Cockerill, Zach Roll, and Kurt Lancaster all picked up 2 hits in the win. Russ Chambers had 2 RBIs, and Dustin Lacy (pictured) picked up the win on the mound. Lacy pitched a solid 7 innings, allowing just 1 hit and 1 earned run while striking out 5 Bears.
The Blue Knights are back over .500 with the win. The team improves to 12-11. They hit the road on Tuesday to travel to Northern Kentucky University for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. [Box Score]
Bears Take First 2 Games of 3-Game Series with Blue Knights
SSU sweeps Saturday doubleheader 6-2 and 16-6 with one still to play on Sunday 
URBANA, Ohio (March 21, 2009) - The Shawnee State University baseball team took the first 2 games of a 3-game series with Urbana University this weekend. The Bears swept an afternoon doubleheader at Urbana's Blue Knight Field by the scores of 6-2 and 16-6.
In Game 1, the Bears got on the board in the top of the 1st after an RBI double by Logan Crabtree. SSU extended their lead to 3 runs after Kenta Sato's 2-run home run in the top of the 3rd. Blue Knight senior Matt Netherly started the bottom of the 4th inning with a double off the left field wall. He advanced to third on a throwing error by the left fielder, and junior Owen Donelon brought him home with an RBI groundout.
The Bears answered right back in the top of the 5th. Crabtree drove in Sato for the second time to stake the visitors to a 4-1 lead. In the bottom of the inning, the Blue Knights cut the deficit in half after back-to-back doubles by junior Andrew Harrell and senior Jordan Baker (pictured) put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Senior Russ Chambers reached on an error by the Bears' shortstop. Harrell scored to give Chambers his 26th RBI of the season, but that would be as close as the Blue Knights would get. Shawnee State tacked on a couple of insurance runs to take the first game 6-2.
In the night cap, Shawnee State struck again in the 1st inning. A lead-off double by Quentin Everman resulted in a run after DH Mike Roelker singled him home. Roelker later scored on a Crabtree sac fly. The Blue Knights responded with a run in their half of the first. Lead-off hitter Matt Murphy reached after being hit by a pitch. Harrell singled him over, and Baker brought him in with an RBI groundout.
The Bears' bats stayed hot with 2 more runs in the top of the 2nd, but the Blue Knights battled back to tie the score in the bottom half of the inning. Murphy dealt the big blow with a 3-RBI double. He later scored on Harrell's sac fly to give the home team a 5-4 lead.
The Blue Knights' lead did not last long. Shawnee State pushed across the tying run in the next inning. Then, the Bears batted around in a 6-run 4th inning to pull away for good.
The Blue Knights drop to an even 11-11 on the season, while the Bears improve to 11-6. The two teams wrap up their 3-game weekend series with a 9-inning game on Sunday afternoon at Shawnee State. First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. [Game 1 Box Score][Game 2 Box Score]
Baker Bags Student-Athlete of the Week Honors 
Jordan Baker's assault on the record books continues with red-hot week
URBANA, Ohio (March 20, 2009) - The Blue Knight Student-Athlete of the Week is Urbana University baseball player Jordan Baker (Chillicothe, Ohio/Zane Trace HS). Baker has received strong consideration for the award every week since the baseball season began. The senior first basemen is hitting an unbelievable .453 with 9 home runs and 36 RBI through the Blue Knights' first 20 games.
This week, Baker added to those totals with 6 hits and 7 RBI in 4 games. Urbana won 3 of those contests. Against Wittenberg University, Baker started the scoring with a 2-run bomb in the top of the 1st inning. Urbana went on to win the game 17-7. Baker finished 2-for-4 with 5 RBI and 2 runs. His home run was his 9th of the season, tying him for the 6th most HRs in a season in school history. Baker and the Blue Knights still have over 30 games remaining this year. Baker needs just 6 more round-trippers to become the Blue Knights single season record holder.
On the season, Baker leads the team in batting average (.453), slugging% (.984), on-base% (.554), RBIs (36), doubles (7), home runs (9), and walks (16). He currently owns a 12-game hitting streak, and he has 11 multi-hit games. He is 2nd on the team in stolen bases (6), and his 12 RBIs with 2 outs leads the team. [Click here to see past Student-Athletes of the Week]
Blue Knights' Bats Stay Hot in 17-7 Win Over WittenbergBaker, Harrell combine for 9 RBI, 4 runs in offensive outburst
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (March 17, 2009) - Urbana's offense is on fire in 2009. As a team, the Blue Knights are batting better than .330 and scoring almost 9 runs a game this season. Tonight, against Wittenberg University, the Blue Knights erupted for 17 runs on 20 base hits en route to their 11th win of the season.
Senior Jordan Baker (pictured) hit a 2-run home run in the top of the 1st inning to jumpstart the offense. The home run was Baker's 9th of the season in just 20 games. He has tied former Blue Knight John Milliron's 2005 season for the 6th most home runs in a season with more than half the seasons still remaining. Baker finished his night 2-for-4 with 5 RBI and 2 runs scored.
Junior Andrew Harrell provided plenty of protection for Baker in tonight's lineup. Harrell finished 3-for-6 with 4 RBI and 2 runs. Junior Matt Murphy had his best game of the season, setting the stage from his lead-off position for Baker and Harrell. Murphy was 4-for-5 with an incredible 5 runs scored. Senior Matt Netherly also had a big night, finishing with 4 hits, including a double, an RBI and a run scored.
Senior Nathan Stull picked up the win on the mound, pitching 2 innings of scoreless relief. Sophomore Alex Earley got the start on the mound, going 3 innings without allowing a run.
The Blue Knights return home on Saturday afternoon to take on former AMC rival Shawnee State University. The teams will play two 7-inning games beginning at 1:00 p.m. [Box Score]
Total Team Effort Helps Blue Knights Down Davenport
Donelon's 3-RBI day propels Urbana to the 7-4 win; Blanton becomes all-time saves leader 
by Chris Tuco, Sports Information Intern
URBANA, Ohio (March 15, 2009) - The Blue Knights wrapped up a busy weekend with a 9-inning affair with the Panthers from Davenport University on Sunday. Urbana split a doubleheader with John Carroll University on Saturday, and the team improved to 2-1 on the weekend with a 7-4 victory over the Panthers this afternoon.
Davenport defeated John Carroll 2-1 at Urbana's Blue Knight Field in the morning, but the Panthers ran into a hot Blue Knight lineup in the night cap. Senior Russ Chambers continued his impressive play by knocking in junior Andrew Harrell for the first Urbana run in the bottom of the 1st with a sac fly. Davenport responded by hitting a solo home run off sophomore Wes Rehmert in the top of the 2nd inning. In the bottom of the inning, junior Ian Iler entered the game as a pinch runner after a Tyler Rinker single and stole the show. The speedster swiped second and scored on an error by the Panther catcher to give the Blue Knights a 2-1 lead after 2 innings.
In the 3rd, the Blue Knights loaded the bases for junior Owen Donelon (pictured). Donelon came through with a 2-run single to score senior Jordan Baker and Harrell. Davenport added 2 runs in the 5th inning to cut the Blue Knights lead to 4-3, but Urbana answered right back in the bottom of the 5th. Rinker drove in Baker and Chambers to put Urbana out ahead by 3 runs. Donelon added his 3rd RBI of the day with a double in the 6th, and Urbana coasted the rest of the way for the 7-4 win.
Rehmert picked up his 4th win of the season, and senior Mike Blanton (pictured) picked up his first save of the season and the 7th of his career to become the all-time saves leader at Urbana University. Blanton is the only Blue Knight in the program's history in the Top 5 in career wins and career saves.
Davenport drops to 17-4 on the season, while Urbana improves to 10-9. The Blue Knights are off until next Saturday when they host the Shawnee State Bears at 1:00 p.m. [Box Score]
Blue Knights Split Doubleheader with Blue Streaks
JCU wins 5-3 in Game 1; Blue Knights' Russ Chambers knocks in another game-winner in the night cap
URBANA, Ohio (March 14, 2009) - The Blue Knight baseball team split a doubleheader today at home with the Blue Streaks from John Carroll University. JCU jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the 1st. Urbana's Zach Roll singled in Matt Netherly, who doubled, to cut the deficit in half, but the Blue Streaks tacked on 2 more runs to pull away. Back-to-back doubles by junior Matt Murphy and senior Jordan Baker brought the Blue Knights back to within 1 run at 4-3, but John Carroll scored and insurance run and held on for the 5-3 win. Junior Dustin Lacy took the loss on the mound, and senior Shane Pfouts and junior Dillon Webb pitched well in relief. Pfouts and Webb allowed just 1 run over the final 4 2/3 innings.
In Game 2, Urbana junior Cody Lawhorn pitched 6 strong innings to give the Blue Knight offense an opportunity to jump out to a 3-0 lead. With the game knotted at zero in the 4th inning, the Blue Knights got on the board first when junior Owen Donelon drove in Baker. In the 5th, Urbana scored twice more on RBIs by Murphy and Baker. The Blue Knights entered the 7th inning up 3 runs.
The Blue Streaks battled back to tie the game with 3 runs in the inning, but that just set the stage for more Blue Knight heroics from senior Russ Chambers. Chambers' clutch bat struck again with a bases loaded bunt single scoring Murphy for the walk-off win. The Blue Knights earned the split with a 4-3 victory over the Blue Streaks.
Urbana moves to 9-9 on the year, while JCU now sits at 9-2. Tomorrow at Blue Knight Field, the Blue Streaks will take on the Panthers from Davenport University at 11:00 a.m. Following that game, Urbana will play the Panthers in a 9-inning affair at approximately 2:00 p.m. Stats for all 3 Blue Knight games this weekend will be available on Monday. [Game 1 vs. JCU][Game 2 vs. JCU]
Blue Knights' Game with Cougars Suspended in the 9th Inning
Game tied at 9-9 in the 9th inning before darkness suspends the action
CINCINNATI, Ohio (March 10, 2009) - Urbana University's baseball game with the University of Cincinnati-Clermont has been suspended in the 9th inning with the score tied at 9 runs apiece. The teams will resume the suspended game when the Cougars visit Urbana University on April 10th. The Blue Knights' next game is this Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Urbana will take on John Carroll University in a doubleheader.
Blue Knights' Spring Break Results
Saturday, Feb. 28th, @ #12 North Alabama University, Doubleheader, L, 3-5; L, 1-6
Sunday, Mar. 1st, @ #12 North Alabama University, Cancelled, Snow
Tuesday, Mar. 3rd, @ #30 University of Montevallo, W, 16-13
Wednesday, Mar. 4th, @ #30 University of Montevallo, L, 5-11
Thursday, Mar. 5th, @ Rust College, Doubleheader, W, 14-1; W, 16-0
Friday, Mar. 6th @ Christian Brothers University, 12:00 p.m. Doubleheader, L, 4-12; W, 9-7
Saturday, Mar. 7th, @ Christian Brothers University, 12:00 p.m. L, 13-14
Urbana Splits First 2 with CBU; Drops 3rd Game in a Heartbreaker
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (March 7, 2009) - The Urbana University baseball team made its final stop of Spring Break 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee for a 3-game series with Christian Brothers University. The two teams split a doubleheader on Friday afternoon with the home team taking Game 1 by the score of 12-4. The Blue Knights battled back to take the night cap 9-7.
In the rubber match on Saturday, Urbana trailed 13-8 heading into the top of the ninth inning. With their backs against a wall, the Blue Knights responded once again. Just four days after scoring seven runs, all with two outs, in the ninth inning to knock off #30 Montevallo, the Blue Knights found a way to score 5 runs, again all with two outs, to tie the game at 13. Juniors David Patz and Kurt Lancaster got things started with back-to-back singles. Freshman Taylor Griebel pinch hit and drew a walk to load the bases. Junior Andrew Harrell knocked in the first run of the 9th with a bases loaded single to cut the deficit to four runs. Senior Jordan Baker's 3-run double cleared the bases and brought the Blue Knights within one. Urbana's best clutch hitter of the season stepped up with two outs and Baker on second. Once again, senior Russ Chambers came through for his team. Chambers followed Baker's double with one of his own to complete the 5-run comeback.
The Blue Knights weren't able to take the lead, but they headed into the bottom of the ninth with all of the momentum. CBU lead off the inning with a bunt single, but they weren't able to advance the runner on a sacrifice attempt. With one out and a runner on first, the Blue Knights' hopes at another incredible comeback were dashed with back-to-back singles, ending the game in walk-off fashion for CBU.
The 14-13 loss ended Urbana's Spring Break at 4-5. The team sits at 8-8 overall. The team returns to the field on Tuesday at UC-Clermont. [Game 1 vs. CBU][Game 2 vs. CBU][Game 3 vs. CBU]
Chambers Chosen as Blue Knight Student-Athlete of the Week Chambers' 9th-inning heroics at Montevallo caps hot start on Spring Break
URBANA, Ohio (March 6, 2009) - With two outs and the bases loaded in the 9th inning of a tie game against the 30th ranked team in the Division II, senior third basemen Russ Chambers came through in the clutch. Chambers' 2-run single gave his team a 14-12 lead and capped an improbable 9-run comeback in a game that Urbana trailed 11-2 in the second inning. For that alone, Chambers could have been named the Blue Knight Student-Athlete of the Week, but the senior from Walland, Tennessee probably already had the award locked up.
After that game-winning hit at Montevallo, Chambers was 6-for-11 with a home run, 7 RBI, and 3 runs scored through his first 3 games on the Blue Knights' spring break. Through the first 11 games this season, Chambers currently leads the team in batting average (.429), doubles (3), RBI (12), and sac flies (2). He's hitting a team-best .500 against right-handers, and he batting a sizzling .538 with runners in scoring position this season. [Click here to see past Student-Athletes of the Week]
Blue Knights Back on Track in Mississippi
HOLLY SPRINGS, Miss. (March 5, 2009) - The Blue Knight baseball team improved to 3-3 on their spring break trip down south with a doubleheader sweep of Rust College today. Urbana took Game 1 by the score of 14-1, and they completed the rout with a 16-0 shutout in Game 2. The Blue Knights pushed their season record above .500 at 7-6. The team is on their way to Memphis, Tennessee for the final stop on their trip. The Blue Knights will play Christian Brothers University in a 3-game series over Friday and Saturday. [Game 1 Box][Game 2 Box]
Urbana Unable to Make it Two Comebacks in a Row at #30 Montevallo
Blue Knights fall short 24 hours after epic 9-run comeback
MONTEVALLO, Alabama (March 4, 2009) - One night after scoring a signature win against nationally-ranked University of Montevallo, the Blue Knight baseball team found themselves in a similar position. Plating seven runs in the ninth inning on Tuesday for the 16-13 win was improbable, but accomplishing that on back-to-back nights proved to be impossible as Urbana fell to 5-6 on the season with the 11-5 loss.
A three-run second inning gave Urbana an early 3-1 lead. Senior Matt Netherly got the scoring started with a lead-off solo shot in the second. Junior Matt Murphy connected a few batters later for a 2-RBI double, but the Blue Knights did not keep the lead for long. Montevallo's bats awoke, scoring nine unanswered runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings.
Down 10-3, the Blue Knights showed a little life in the top of the seventh. Junior Andrew Harrell drew a leadoff walk, and senior Jordan Baker bashed his fifth home run of the season to draw Urbana within five. But three quick outs and another Montevallo run in the bottom of the seventh stopped the Blue Knights' bid for another incredible comeback.
The Blue Knights drop to 1-3 on their current Spring Break trip. Tomorrow, they travel to Holly Springs, Mississippi to take on Rust College. [Game Stats]
Blue Knights' 7-run 9th Inning Caps Amazing Comeback
Chambers' 2-out, 2-run single in final inning propels Urbana to 16-13 win against #30 Montevallo MONTEVALLO, Alabama (March 3, 2009) - The Blue Knight baseball team is in the midst of four straight contests with nationally-ranked Division II opponents. The 12th ranked team in the nation from North Alabama swept the Blue Knights with tough pitching and just enough offense. Tonight, the 30th ranked team from the University of Montevallo jumped out of the gates early and thought they were sending the Blue Knights to their third straight defeat.
The Falcons owned an 11-2 lead after just two innings, and set the dial on cruise control en route to what should have been their 14th victory of the season. Urbana utilized every one of their remaining outs to slowly chip away at the nine-run deficit, but the Blue Knights found themselves down 12-9 at the start of the ninth inning. Two quick outs later, and Urbana still trailed by three. Sophomore Zach Roll managed to score on a passed ball, and then the flood gates opened for Urbana. Juniors Matt Murphy and Andrew Harrell strung together back-to-back RBI singles to tie the game for the first time since 0-0. Montevallo decided to avoid senior Jordan Baker, who was 2-for-4 to that point with a 2-run home run, by giving him an intentional pass to load the bases. That set the stage for senior Russ Chambers' heroics. Chambers came through with his third base hit of the day, scoring both Murphy and Harrell to give Urbana their first lead of the day. The Blue Knights tacked on an insurance run thanks to back-to-back Falcon errors, and Urbana owned a 16-12 advantage.
Junior Shane Pfouts allowed a solo home run in the bottom of the ninth before shutting the door and capping the Blue Knights improbable comeback. Pfouts earned the win, his first of the season, after working 2.2 innings of solid relief. The only run he allowed was the meaningless solo shot in the bottom of the ninth. Senior Troy Mercer also worked well in relief. Mercer entered the game with Urbana trailing by nine early. He made sure Urbana had a chance to claw back by holding the Falcons' potent offense to just one run over 4.1 innings.
The Blue Knights' epic comeback was aided by a two-run second and third inning, along with a four-run fourth. Baker's two-run bomb at the end of the fourth cut Montevallo's lead to 11-8. The top four hitters in Urbana's lineup finished an impressive 11-for-21 with 10 RBI and 11 runs scored. Chambers led the way with a 3-for-5 day with 4 RBI, including the clutch two-run single in the decisive ninth inning. Baker was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI, 2 walks and 3 runs scored. Murphy and Harrell set the plate for the Blue Knight bashers, each finishing 3-for-6 with 2 RBI. Murphy scored 4 times. Harrell crossed home plate twice.
The Blue Knights are on Spring Break for the remainder of the week. They are currently on a trek through the South with two stops in Alabama (Florence and Montevallo), a stop in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and a final stop in Memphis, Tennesee. Urbana currently sits at 5-5 on the season (1-2 on this road trip). A full Spring Break schedule is above with links to follow the Blue Knights live on the web tomorrow in their second game with #30 Montevallo. Check back throughout the week for highlights and game stories. [Game Stats]
Blue Knights Drop Doubleheader at #12 North Alabama
Chambers' 3-run HR not enough in 5-3 loss in Game 1; UNA takes night cap 6-1; Snow cancels Sunday FLORENCE, Alabama (February 28, 2009) - The Blue Knight baseball team dropped their first contest of a 9-game spring break road trip through the South this week. Playing the 12th ranked team in NCAA D-II, Urbana got behind early and fell just short this afternoon against the University of North Alabama. Senior DH Russ Chambers blasted a 3-run home run to provide the Blue Knights' only offense in the first game of Saturday's scheduled doubleheader. Chambers went deep in the top of the 6th inning with the Blue Knights trailing 5-0. Junior Cody Lawhorn went the distance on the mound to take the 5-3 loss.
In the night cap, the Lions again built an early lead. North Alabama touched up the Blue Knights' Wes Rehmert for 5 runs in the first 4 innings. Senior Steve Froese knocked in Urbana's only run with an RBI-single in the top of the 6th inning, but the Blue Knights could not swing the momentum in their favor, falling 6-1. Juniors Shane Pfouts and Dillon Webb kept the Blue Knights within striking distance by shutting out the Lions over the final 2.2 innings, but the Lions' pitching was equally impressive. Seniors Jordan Baker and Chambers both finished 2-for-3 in the game. Sunday's game was cancelled due to a snow storm that passed through the Shoals overnight. The Blue Knights are now on their way to Montevallo, Alabama to take on the University of Montevallo on Tuesday afternoon. [Game 1 Stats] [Game 2 Stats]
Blue Knights Finish Bryan Invite at 2-2
Urbana takes down Taylor in Game 1; Falls to Southeastern in extra innings in Game 2; Drops heartbreaker to hosts from Bryan in Game 3; Knocks off Covenant in tourney finale 
DAYTON, Tenn. (February 20, 2009) - The Blue Knight baseball team competed in the 8-team Bryan College Invitational in Dayton, Tennessee this weekend. Urbana began pool play on Friday afternoon by taking down the eventual tournament champs from Taylor University by the score of 6-5.
Senior Mike Blanton picked up the win on the mound in his first appearance of the season. Freshman Brandon Hamilton got the save in his second career appearance. Senior Matt Netherly (pictured) sparked the offense with a 2-for-4 day, including a home run, 2 RBI and a stolen base. Fellow senior Jordan Baker also finished 2-for-4, adding his third home run in just the fourth game of the season. Senior Russ Chambers was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI, and junior Matt Murphy clubbed his second home run of the young season.
In the night cap, Urbana took on Southeastern University under the lights. The Blue Knights sent junior Cody Lawhorn to the mound for his second start of the season. Lawhorn carried a no-hitter into the 6th inning as Urbana jumped out to a 3-0 lead. Southeastern battled back to tie the game with 3 runs in the top of the 6th. The Blue Knights had the bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the 7th, but Southeastern shut the door and completed their rally with a 4-run outburst in the top of the 8th inning. Urbana was unable to swing the momentum back in their favor, as they fell to 1-1 in the tournament with the 7-3 loss.
In Saturday's opener against their hosts from Bryan College, Urbana's Dustin Lacy pitched six strong innings. With the Blue Knights up 4-2 in the bottom of the 7th with 2 outs, Bryan College stormed back with 3 runs, including the game-winner in a walk-off affair. The 5-4 loss dropped Urbana to 1-2 in pool play, while Bryan improved to 1-2.
In the tournament finale, Urbana shut out Covenant College 5-0 to finish in 7th place with a 2-2 weekend record. Sophomore Wes Rehmert (pictured) picked up his second win of the season, going the distance on the mound. Rehmert gave up just 4 hits in the complete game shut-out. Chambers had another strong game at the plate, finishing 1-for-2 with a double, 2 walks and an RBI. Senior Steve Froese finished 1-for-2 with 2 sacrifices and 2 RBI.
Urbana returns home with a 4-3 overall record. The team is off next week. They hit the road next weekend for a spring break trip through Alabama and Tennessee.
Friday, 2/20: Urbana - 6, Taylor - 5 [Game Stats]
Friday, 2/20: Urbana - 3, Southeastern - 7, 8 innings [Game Stats]
Saturday, 2/21: Urbana - 4, Bryan - 5 [Game Stats]
Saturday, 2/21: Urbana - 5, Covenant - 0 [Game Stats]
For more information, click here to visit the Tournament homepage.
Donelon Dons Top Honors This Week
Owen Donelon's hot start helps Blue Knights bag two wins
URBANA, Ohio (February 20, 2009) - The Blue Knight Student-Athlete of the Week is junior baseball player Owen Donelon. The baseball team and Donelon began 2009 with a bang this past weekend, finishing 2-1 on a road trip through Tennessee. After dropping the season opener 9-2 to Milligan, the Blue Knight bats came alive in a doubleheader sweep of Johnson Bible College. Urbana outscored JBC 43-1 in the two games. Several Blue Knights had huge offensive numbers in the 2 games, but only Donelon finished perfect in the batters' box.
In the 22-0 Game 1 rout, Donelon finished 1-for-1 with an RBI single as a 5th inning replacement for right fielder Andrew Harrell. In Game 2, Donelon started at catcher and the versatile junior stayed perfect on the day with a 5-for-5 performance at the plate. Donelon's 5 hits included 2 doubles and knocked in 4 runs. In addition to the 4 RBI, he also scored 4 times. Batting clean-up, Donelon helped score 8 of Urbana's 21 runs in the game. Donelon also recorded his first career stolen base in the game.
The 5-hit game is Urbana's first since Jason Ferguson collected 5 hits against Taylor University on February 25, 2005. Donelon is off to an amazing start in his career, picking up 11 hits in his first 14 at-bats. He's currently hitting a robust .786 with 3 doubles, a home run and 8 RBI in 16 career plate appearances over his 2008 and 2009 seasons. [Click here to see past Student-Athletes of the Week]
Blue Knights Sweep JBC in Convincing Fashion
Urbana picks up first two wins of the season by combined score of 43-1
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (February 16, 2009) - The Blue Knight baseball team rebounded from yesterday's season opening loss with a doubleheader sweep of Johnson Bible College this afternoon in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Blue Knights took the first game in a 22-0 shutout. Game two finished with the Blue Knights on top by a similar score of 21-1.
In Game 1, senior Jordan Baker finished 2-for-4 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI in his first two at-bats. Baker also picked up a walk and three runs scored. Leadoff hitter Matt Murphy had a 3-hit day with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored. Senior Steve Froese finished 2-for-3 with 2 walks, 2 RBI and 4 runs scored. Andrew Harrell, David Patz, and Tyler Rinker all finished with 2 RBI. Wes Rehmert, Shane Pfouts and Brandon Hamilton combined for the 5-inning shutout. Rehmert, a sophomore southpaw, picked up his first win as a Blue Knight.
In Game 2, sophomore center fielder Zach Roll (pictured) had a career-day. Roll picked up 4 hits and 7 RBI, including his second career home run, a 3-run shot in the first inning to stake the Blue Knights to an early 7-0 lead. Senior Matt Netherly hit a 3-run bomb of his own 3 batters later to bump the lead to 10-0. Netherly finished 2-for-3 with the 3 RBI and a stolen base. Junior catcher Owen Donelon hit clean-up and finished his day a perfect 6-for-6, including a 5-for-5 performance in the nightcap. Donelon also had 4 RBI and 4 runs scored in Game 2. Troy Mercer, Caleb Koch, Julius Storey and Alex Earley combined for 5-innings of 1-hit baseball. The senior, Mercer, picked up his first win of the season in the start.
Urbana finished their season opening road trip 2-1. The team is off until next weekend when they will compete in the Bryan College Invitational Tournament in Dayton, Tennessee. The Blue Knights play in the tournament opener against Taylor University on Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. [Game 1 Stats][Game 2 Stats]
Blue Knights Drop Season Opener in Tennessee
Milligan College scores 7 unanswered to pull away 9-2
MILLIGAN, Tenn. (February 15, 2009) - The Blue Knight baseball team opened their 2009 season on the road against Milligan College in Milligan, Tennessee tonight. Urbana fell behind 2-0 after Milligan knocked in a run apiece in the third and fifth innings. The Blue Knights battled back to tie the game with two runs in the top of the sixth inning. Senior Jordan Baker knocked in junior Matt Murphy who had advanced to third on senior Matt Netherly's single, and Baker scored on an error.
With the score knotted at 2 in the bottom of the sixth, the Buffs turned up the heat. The home team scored seven runs in the top of the 6th to run away with their fifth victory of the season. Junior Cody Lawhorn pitched five solid innings, allowing just six hits and two runs. Sophomore Alex Earley took the loss in relief. [Game Stats]
2009 Blue Knight Baseball Preview
First pitch is this Sunday against Milligan College
URBANA, Ohio (February 13, 2009) - The 2009 Urbana University baseball team will blend a unique mix of returning upperclassmen and talented newcomers in an attempt to build on the momentum the Blue Knights gathered last season. In 2008, the Blue Knights finished 28-21, and had several historic program "firsts."
The '08 baseball team became the first Urbana University athletic team to defeat an NCAA Division I opponent on April 14 when they defeated the University of Dayton by a score of 5-4. A short while later, the Blue Knights defeated Malone University for the first NAIA regional tournament win in school history. To cap a successful campaign, the program witnessed its first MLB signing when junior pitcher Jaeson Hudnall signed with the Kansas City Royals. Hudnall appeared in 4 games for the Royals' Rookie League affiliate in Burlington, North Carolina, becoming the first Blue Knight to play at that level.
The 2009 Blue Knights hope to make a little history of their own by becoming just the second team in the program's history to have four straight winning seasons. The only other teams to accomplish that feat played from 1991-1994. To add to the degree of difficulty, this year's team will play a tougher schedule composed of a hodgepodge of NAIA, and NCAA Division I, II, and III opponents. The Blue Knights embark on their first season as an NCAA Division II independent, and they are taking on a wide variety of competition. [more]