COLUMBUS, Ohio – Head coach Greg Beals announced the addition of former Buckeyes Kirby Pellant and Ryan Riga to the Ohio State baseball staff Wednesday. Pellant, who played two seasons for the Buckeyes from 2012-13, will serve as the quality control coordinator. Riga, who played from 2013-15, will be the student assistant coach for the 2018-19 campaign.
“I am very excited to have Kirby and Ryan back with the program,” Beals said. “They were great competitors as Buckeyes, went on to play professionally where they gained a great deal of experience. I look forward to their competitive nature and experience making an impact on Ohio State baseball once again.”
Pellant returns to the program after being the team’s student assistant coach during the 2015 campaign. A 2013 first team All-Big Ten selection, Pellant batted .301 during his senior season with 20 runs scored, five doubles, three triples, two home runs, 15 RBI and 11 walks. He also had a. 991 fielding percentage in the Buckeye infield. In two seasons, Pellant swiped 43 stolen bases, which ranks 11th in program history. His 31 stolen bases during the 2012 season ranks sixth in the OSU record book. Pellant was drafted in the 26th round of the 2013 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and played in 46 professional games. Pellant, a native of Chandler, Ariz., graduated from Ohio State in 2015 with a degree in criminology.
“I’m excited to be back home at my alma mater,” Pellant said. “I can’t thank Coach Beals enough for giving me the opportunity to get my foot in the door with this program and elite level of competition.”
Riga, a Buckeye pitcher from 2013-15, returns to campus as a student assistant coach, while finishing his degree in sociology. Riga made 55 appearances on the mound with 26 starts for the Buckeyes. He posted a 12-8 record with a 3.39 career ERA and struck out 164 hitters in 212.2 innings of work. As a senior, Riga collected a 3.32 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 97.2 innings of work. Riga, from Fairfield, Ohio, is the record holder for the program’s scoreless innings streak set during his senior season (30.2 IP). He was drafted in the 13th round by the Chicago White Sox and made 94 appearances in three professional seasons.
“I’m excited and thankful to be back wearing the Scarlet and Gray again,” Riga said. “I jumped on this opportunity to become part of the staff while finishing up my degree the moment it was offered. To be a part of the development of this team and pitching staff on a daily basis is incredible.”
