2009-05-21 • Former Cincy Flames Players Danny Burkhart & Alex Wimmers - Honors for 2009 Season
Ohio State standout sophomore catcher Dan Burkhart has been named today one of 13 semifinalists for the Coleman Company-Johnny Bench Award, given annually to the nations top collegiate catcher and delivered by Papa Johns Pizza. Burkhart, who leads all Big Ten Conference catchers in overall hitting (.360) as well as in Big Ten games only (.343), is in the midst of a breakout season. He ranks fourth overall (among all players) in the Big Ten in RBI (55) and sixth in slugging (.617). He enters the Iowa series starting today with 47 runs scored, 63 hits and a .429 on-base percentage, in addition to his high average, slugging and RBI totals. Defensively Burkhart, who is from Cincinnati and Archbishop Moeller High School, has thrown out 16 potential base stealers – fourth-most in the Big Ten – despite having the fourth-fewest attempts against him (42). He is fielding at a .984 rate and has started 47 games behind the plate. Alex Wimmers was named today one of 15 national semifinalists for the College Baseball Foundation’s National Pitcher of the Year Award. The sophomore ace of Ohio State’s staff, from Cincinnati and Archbishop Moeller High School, is 8-1 this season with a 2.75 earned run average and an opponents’ batting average of just .194. He leads the Big Ten in ERA, opponents’ batting average and strikeouts with 110. Wimmers has produced a season full of gems on the mound so far. Two weeks ago he threw the first nine-inning no-hitter in Ohio State history while striking out 14 Michigan Wolverines in a 6-0 Ohio State win. The effort was his sixth game of 10-or-more strikeouts and it earned him every weekly award – six total – including “Louisville Slugger” National Player of the Week (for the second time this season), College Baseball Foundation & Hall of Fame’s National All-Star Lineup (for the third time), National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Pro-Line Athletic Pitcher of the Week and USA Baseball’s Golden Spikes Spotlight Player of the Week. (Articles and pictures courtesy of Ohio State University Baseball)
The Cincy Flames Baseball Program is recognized as one of the premier youth baseball
organizations in the country. Founded in 1994 by Jay Basil, it has consistently delivered
on its Mission Statement:
To instill the integrity of the game of baseball into each player while helping them understand
the greatness of the game. To allow each player to learn the many life lessons associated with
the game of baseball. To guide and enhance the development needed to advance to the college or
professional level. To provide the best learning environment, the best competition, and the most
fun the game of baseball has to offer to its participants.
|
