For the second year in a row, a Luray Wrangler tops the top starters list. In 2007, Liberty's Dustin Umberger topped the list, and this year it's an Ohio State pitcher, Drew Rucinski.
Drew had an incredible year on the mound for the Wranglers. He finished 5-1, 1.13, with 1 save, a 0.916 WHIP, 2.3 BB/9, and 9.5 K/9 in 55 2/3 innings. He finished 1st in the league in ERA, tied for 7th in strikeouts, and 3rd in opponent's batting average. He was named second team All-League for his exploits.
Drew had a stretch of games in the middle of the season that would make the 1968 Bob Gibson sit up and take notice. From June 20 through August 2nd, Drew threw 44 innings and allowed 20 hits, 9 walks, and only 2 earned runs. Add in his 49 strikeouts, and this string of games is about as good as I've seen this side of Orel Hershiser's ridiculous 1988 season. (Yes, I'm aware that Hershiser was pitching at a slightly higher level- just let me use the metaphor, ok?)
Let's take a look at his games: like with the last two posts, the row is: date, opponent, innings pitched, hits, runs, earned runs, walks, strikeouts, decision (record), final score, and any applicable notes.
June 13, at Winchester: 6-10-4-3-0-7: L (0-1), L, 4-2
June 20, at Front Royal: 7.1-3-1-1-2-6: No decision, W, 5-4 (Left with 2-1 lead)
June 28, Wwoodstock: 7-3-0-0-1-8: No decision, W, 3-2 (Left with 2-0 lead)
July 3, at Haymarket: 2-2-0-0-0-4: No decision, W, 16-1 (Relief outing)
July 9, Covington: 6-1-0-0-2-4: W (1-1), W, 16-1
July 17, Staunton: 6-3-0-0-2-10: W (2-1), W, 19-5
July 25, at Woodstock: 8-3-1-0-2-9: W (3-1), W, 4-1
July 30, at Harrisonburg: 7-4-1-1-0-6: W (4-1), W, 8-1 (Playoffs- Elimination game!)
August 2, at Staunton: 1-1-0-0-0-2: Save (1), W, 6-5 (Playoffs- relief outing)
August 4, at Covington: 5.1-7-3-2-5-3: W (5-1), W, 10-5 (Playoffs- Game 2 of the Finals)
In the playoffs, Rucinski went 2-0, 2.03, with 1 save, a 1.28 WHIP, 3.4 BB/9, and 7.4 K/9 in 13 1/3 innings.
As a freshman at OSU last season, Drew went 1-4, 5.52, with 1 save, a 1.84 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9, and 6.5 K/9 in 29 1/3 innings. His coach had this to say about Drew: "Boomer - his nickname since he’s from Oklahoma - is in a group of pitchers who will be vying for one of the top three starting pitching positions." I can't help but think that OSU pitching is in good hands with both Alex Wimmers and Rucinski on staff.
Time will tell, obviously, but I think that Drew has a good shot at pro ball in two years. Congratulations on the great year, Drew! (Picture below taken by ATVL after the final game of the Championship Series last August)
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