Weekly Release #11
5/8/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Tuesday, May 9 -- vs. Bowling Green (Ray Fisher Stadium), 3 p.m.
Wednesday, May 10 -- vs. Central Michigan (Ray Fisher Stadium), 3 p.m.
Friday, May 12 -- vs. Iowa (Ray Fisher Stadium), 3 p.m.
Saturday, May 13 -- DH vs. Iowa (Ray Fisher Stadium), 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 14 -- vs. Iowa (Ray Fisher Stadium), 1 p.m.
U-M Hosts Bowling Green, Central Michigan and Iowa
The University of Michigan baseball team closes out the regular season with a six-game homestand that features a four-game Big Ten Conference series with Iowa (May 12-14). Michigan (18-28-1, 8-16 Big Ten) will host Iowa (17-33, 9-15) with single games on Friday (May 12, 3 p.m.) and Sunday (Mother's Day, May 14, 1 p.m.). Saturday's (May 13, 1 p.m.) doubleheader will be highlighted by the retirement of legendary coach Ray Fisher's uniform.
Before facing Iowa, Michigan plays a pair of non-conference games, vs. Bowling Green on Tuesday (May 9, 3 p.m.) and vs. Central Michigan on Wednesday (May 10, 3 p.m.).
Wolverines on WTKA Radio
WTKA Radio in Ann Arbor (1050 AM) plans to carry all four games of the Iowa series (May 12-14). Sports director Doug Karsch or assistant sports director Dennis Fithian will handle the play-by-play duties, while former Wolverine pitcher Ryan Kelley handles the color commentary. Broadcasts of games done by WTKA are available via the Internet on the MGoBlue.com baseball front page.
Fisher's #44 Set for Retirement
The late great Michigan baseball coach Ray Fisher will be honored as his uniform number 44 will be retired between games of the Saturday (May 13) doubleheader vs. Iowa. Michigan baseball numbers that are currently retired are #1 Moby Benedict (U-M player/U-M coach), #11 Bill Freehan (U-M player/Major League player/U-M coach) and #33 Don Lund (U-M player/Major League player/U-M coach/U-M administrator).
Fisher, who pitched in the Major Leagues for the New York Highlanders (now N.Y. Yankees) and Cincinnati Reds from 1910-20, coached the Wolverines from 1921 until 1958, collecting a school-record 637 wins. Fisher's record in 38 seasons at Michigan was 637-294-8 (.687) and his Wolverine teams captured 15 Big Ten championships and the 1953 national championship, beating Texas in the finals of the College World Series.
Former Michigan baseball coach and Baseball Hall of Fame member Branch Rickey, U-M coach from 1910-13, recommended Fisher for the Michigan coaching job when it became available in 1920. Fisher has been previously honored with the re-dedication of the baseball stadium (named Ray Fisher Stadium in 1967). He was inducted into the State of Michigan Hall of Fame (1959) and into the University of Michigan Hall of Honor (1979). Michigan's Most Valuable Player Award is named the Ray Fisher Award.
When Fisher died in Ann Arbor on Nov. 3, 1982, he had been the oldest living player for both the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds franchises.
Home Sweet Home Part 2
Michigan has six games scheduled at Fisher Stadium this week vs. Bowling Green (May 9), Central Michigan (May 10) and Iowa (May 12-14). The Wolverines have played 15 of their 47 games at home. Michigan is 9-6 in Fisher Stadium, but 9-1 since starting out 0-5. The only loss since March was to defending Big Ten champion Ohio State in a series that Michigan won three of the four games.
Michigan vs. Bowling Green
Michigan owns a 33-11-1 edge in the series with Bowling Green that started with a 3-1 Wolverine win in 1963. Michigan won the 1999 contest at BGSU by an 8-7 margin with Robbie Reid, noted more for his three-point shooting touch on the basketball court, slugging his lone career homer for the game-winning hit. Earlier this season Michigan beat the Falcons 6-2 to earn its first Ray Fisher Stadium win in 2000 behind the pitching of sophomore RHP Bobby Korecky (Saline, Mich./Saline HS). Korecky pitched the first six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, and recorded the win. The Wolverines scored four times in the first inning and senior OF Rob Bobeda (DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt HS) had a double and a triple.
Michigan vs. Central Michigan
Michigan holds the series edge over Central Michigan 27-21-1, including an 11-6 win for the Chippewas in spring trip action at North Florida in Jacksonville, Fla. Junior LF Bryan Scheurer paced the 14-hit CMU attack by going 3-for-5 with a double, triple and a home run while senior RHP Mike Fawcett pitched a complete game, allowing 13 hits in his nine-inning outing in CMU's season opener. Six Wolverines had two hits vs. CMU with Rob Bodeba leading the way with a homer and three RBI.
Michigan vs. Iowa
Michigan holds a 72-33 edge in the series with Iowa that started with a 9-4 Wolverine win in 1893. Last season Michigan took three of the four games at Iowa to open the season. Current WTKA broadcaster Ryan Kelley was the winning pitcher in the wild 13-12 win in the series finale in which current junior RHP Vince Pistilli (Highland, Ind./Highland HS) collected the save. The last time Iowa played in Ann Arbor was 1994 when the teams split a pair of Big Ten doubleheaders. The last scheduled appearance for Iowa at Fisher Stadium was snowed out on March 20-22, 1998.
Coaching Matchups
Michigan's Geoff Zahn, with a career record of 133-137-2, is in his fifth season at the helm for the Wolverines. Zahn has led Michigan to Big Ten Conference championships in 1997 (regular season) and 1999 (tournament). The Wolverines have made the Big Ten playoffs three times in his four seasons (1996, 1997 and 1999) and advanced to the NCAA playoffs in 1999. Zahn is 3-3 vs. Bowling Green, 3-2 vs. CMU and 3-1 vs. Iowa.
Danny Schmitz, in his 10th year as a head coach at Bowling Green, enters the week with a career record of 259-255-4. The Falcons (25-22-1), enter Tuesday's (May 9) rematch with a seven-game losing streak. BGSU had won 18 of 22 games following the loss at Michigan (March 29), but lost the final three games at Kent and got swept at Ohio University last weekend (May 6-7).
Judd Folske, in his second year as head coach at Central Michigan, started the week with a 60-45 mark with the Chippewas, including the 36-13 mark this season. Folske's 12-year career coaching record is 297-350-5.
Scott Broghamer, in his third season at Iowa, enters the Michigan series with a career record of 58-94, including the 17-33 start this season. He has been on the Iowa coaching staff since 1987 when he started as a graduate assistant, and he was named pitching coach prior to the 1989 season.
Tentative Pitching Rotation
The probable starting pitcher for Michigan on Tuesday (May 9) vs. Bowling Green is sophomore Bobby Wood (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek HS), while sophomore Kirk Taylor (Farmington Hills, Mich./North Farmington HS) is the probable for the Wednesday (May 10) game vs. Central Michigan.
The tentative Wolverine starting rotation for the Iowa series (May 12-14) includes junior Nick Alexander (Alpena, Mich./Alpena HS) in Friday's (May 12) series opener followed by sophomore Bobby Korecky and junior Vince Pistilli starting in Saturday's (May 13) doubleheader. Sunday's (May 14) series finale on Mother's Day would feature either senior Bryan Cranson (Bronson, Mich./Bronson HS) or freshman Rich Hill (Milton, Mass./Milton HS). Potential matchups:
- Tuesday vs. Bowling Green -- Wood (RHP, 0-4, 9.49) is slated to make his fifth start of the season. Worked 3.2 innings in no-decision in last start at Penn State #4. Suffered loses to Jacksonville, Minnesota, Ohio State and Eastern Michigan. Had five strikeouts in four innings at Illinois.
- Wednesday vs. Central Michigan -- Taylor (LHP, 2-0, 3.26) is making his third start of the season. He is 2-0 in his two starts and his 3.26 ERA in seven appearances leads the team. He went a career-best seven innings in his last outing, a 3-2 win over Oakland. He beat Siena Heights in his first start, working 4.1 innings and allowing nine hits.
- Friday #1 vs. Iowa -- Alexander (LHP, 3-2, 3.29 ERA) worked 10 innings last week and collected a win and a save. Pitched a complete-game win vs. Michigan State in the series opener, winning 3-2 with both runs unearned. He worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning vs. Oakland to record his first save of the season (third career save). He has wins over Indiana, Ohio State and MSU. He will make his seventh start of the season (12th career) in the Iowa opener. His losses were at Illinois and at Penn State. He retired 10 straight at Miami (Fla.) #3, working the final 3.1 innings of a 6-6 tie. Alexander has 33 strikeouts and seven walks in 52 innings.
- Saturday #2 vs. Iowa -- Korecky (RHP, 4-3, 3.83 ERA) was roughed up as Michigan State collected 13 hits in 5.1 innings to snap his streak of Big Ten complete games at three. He has complete-game wins in the Big Ten vs. Illinois (4-1, April 8) and Ohio State (2-1, April 15). He pitched a complete-game, six-hit shutout vs. Duquesne in his final start of the spring trip. He lost a complete game at Penn State, 4-1 (two earned runs). He leads the team with four complete games and is second with 54 innings. Korecky was Michigan's closer in 1999 and led the staff in appearances (25) and saves (5).
- Saturday #3 vs. Iowa -- Pistilli (RHP, 4-5, 3.79 ERA) will make his team-leading 12th start of the season (24th career start) vs. Iowa. He allowed one run in six innings in a no-decision in his last start, vs. MSU. He pitched three innings and allowed one unearned run at Eastern Michigan on Wednesday night (May 3). He has beaten Indiana and Ohio State in Big Ten play while losing to Minnesota, Illinois and Penn State. He has beaten Xavier and Siena Heights and lost to Jacksonville State and defending NCAA champ Miami (Fla.). He has worked a team-leading 57 innings.
- Sunday #4 vs. Iowa -- Hill (LHP, 1-3, 7.98 ERA) looks to make his fifth start of the season. He leads the team in strikeouts (49) in 38.1 innings after five-inning stint in no-decision start at Michigan State #3. He earned his first career win out of the bullpen vs. Kent State University and has lost to Central Michigan, Toledo and Penn State. He worked seven innings last week vs. Eastern Michigan and MSU. He retired six of the seven EMU batters he faced with three strikeouts on Wednesday (May 3).
- Or Sunday #4 vs. Iowa -- Cranson (LHP, 3-4, 7.86 ERA) is looking to make his eighth start of the season (35th career start). He earned his third win out of the bullpen with three scoreless innings vs. Michigan State #4. He earned the first Michigan win of 2000 vs. Xavier on the spring trip and also beat Charleston Southern. Has suffered loses to St. John's, Minnesota, Indiana and Illinois. Owns 15-17 career record.
Final Week Finds Wolverines Hosting Iowa
Michigan (8-16) split four games with Michigan State last week. The Wolverines were in 10th place after losing twice at MSU, but moved up to eighth place after Sunday's (May 7) 4-1 win. The final weekend features Michigan needing four wins vs. seventh place Iowa to have a chance to make the six-team playoff field.
The other four weekend series feature Illinois at Indiana, Michigan State at Ohio State, Penn State at Northwestern and Purdue at Minnesota. The Penn State series at Northwestern is crucial for the Wolverines as the host Wildcats open the weekend holding the sixth and final playoff position. This season, for the first time ever, the Big Ten baseball playoffs will include six teams (May 17-21) at the site of the regular-season champion.
The Big Ten standings heading into the final weekend (through 5/7/00):
Place, Team W-L Pct. 1. Minnesota 19-5 .792 2. Penn State 16-7 .696 3. Illinois 15-9 .625 4. Purdue 14-10 .583 5. Ohio State 13-11 .542 6. Northwestern 11-13 .458 7. Iowa 9-15 .375 8. MICHIGAN 8-16 .333 9. Michigan State 7-16 .304 10. Indiana 7-17 .292
Sokol Delivers in Pinch
Sophomore/freshman Mike Sokol (Sterling Heights, Mich./DeLaSalle HS) has seen action at first base and in the outfield for the Wolverines in 2000, but he has been a pinch hitter 10 times, tops on the club. Sokol's first career hit was a pinch single vs. St. John's and he added another pinch single against defending national champ Miami (Fla.). His biggest pinch hit wasn't even "official" as he drew a bases-loaded walk on a 3-2 pitch in the eighth inning Sunday (May 7) to tie the game vs. Michigan State at 1-1. He scored the fourth and final run moments later.
Cranson Cracks 200-Inning Plateau
Senior LHP Bryan Cranson worked three innings against Michigan State to earn his 15th career win. He also reached a milestone as the three innings pushed his career total of innings pitched to 200.1. He could make his 35th career start in the Iowa series, and in four years he has racked up 32 decision, including 15 wins. Cranson is tied with LHP Ross Powell (1987-89) for seventh in career pitching appearances for the Wolverines with 57. He and Powell would be tied for third on the list of pitchers used mostly as starters.
U-M Career Pitching Appearances Leaders
| 1. | Todd Marion* (1990-93) | 106 |
| 2. | John Arvai* (1993-96) | 86 |
| 3. | Mike Ignasiak (1985-88) | 76 |
| 4. | Greg Everson* (1985-87) | 73 |
| 5. | Tyler Steketee* (1995-98) | 66 |
| 6. | Mark Temple (1993-96) | 60 |
| 7. | Bryan Cranson (1997-00) | 57 |
| | Ross Powell (1987-89) | 57 |
* indicates pitchers who were primarily "closers"
Koman's Hits Mean Runs
Wolverine Brock Koman (Pueblo, Colo./South HS) collected his third game-winning RBI in his first Michigan-Michigan State game when he snapped a 2-2 tie with a bases-loaded single in the eighth inning. Koman, who is hitting .296 for the season, has struggled with his batting average in Big Ten play, but his key stat in conference action is the fact that with 15 hits, he is second on the team with 11 RBI. Overall, Koman continues to lead the Wolverines with 14 doubles and he ranks third with 26 RBI.
Torrid Tousa Fuels Offense
Junior infielder Scott Tousa (Dallas, Texas/Lake Highlands HS) went 9-for-16 in the Michigan State series to continue his offensive push that includes an 11-game hitting streak, the second longest for a Wolverine in 2000. Tousa, who has hits in 19 of his last 20 games, went 3-for-5 in the finale of the MSU series and drove in the final run of the 4-1 win. He has a 14-game hitting streak in Big Ten play.
Tousa continues to flash leather in the middle infield as he leads the team with 133 assists. After he made his 100th career start at shortstop on Saturday (May 6), he moved to second base on Sunday (May 7) and turned a double play on the second batter of the game. He has participated in 41 of Michigan's 57 double plays this season.
In the Michigan State series opener Tousa scored twice, including the winning run in the eighth inning, and in game two he hit his first career Big Ten homer (third overall) to put the Wolverines on the scoreboard in a 4-1 loss. Tousa leads the Wolverines in runs scored with 34.
Parrish "Watch" Update
Junior All-America candidate catcher David Parrish, who leads Michigan with a .359 overall batting average and in Big Ten-only hitting with a .432 average (35-for-81), is on a pair of "watch lists." Parrish was named to the initial watch list for the inaugural Johnny Bench National Collegiate Catcher of the Year Award, to be presented at the Third Annual Greater Wichita Sports Banquet (June, 20) and he is also on the watch list for the Robert Smith Rotary Player of the Year.
Parrish, who was the April 17 Big Ten Player of the Week, hit .417 for the weekend series vs. Michigan State, going 5-for-12 with a double, a homer and four RBI. The homer was the 23rd career blast for Parrish and it moved him into ninth place on Michigan's all-time home run list, breaking the tie at 22 career homers with former teammate Derek Besco (1995-98) and Steve Finken (1986-88). Next up on the U-M homer list is two-time All-America shortstop Barry Larkin (1983-85) at 26 homers.
Five Seniors Finish Fisher Careers
Five seniors, including tri-captains OF Rob Bobeda (DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt HS) and 3B Kevin Quinn (Midland, Mich./Midland HS), will close out their home careers in Ray Fisher Stadium this weekend (May 12-14) vs. Iowa. Should the Wolverines make the playoffs all added games would be played on the road.
LHP Bryan Cranson (Bronson, Mich./Bronson HS), OF Jay Dines (Albuquerque, N.M./Sandia HS) and catcher Stephen Lenick (Pittsburgh, Pa./Mt. Lebanon HS) also close out their final season.
Bobeda, Quinn and Cranson -- all four-year seniors -- made the most of their most recent game at home, a 4-1 win vs. Michigan State. Cranson pitched the final three innings to earn the win when the Wolverines scored all four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning. Bobeda doubled and later scored the winning run when Quinn was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to collect his 11th RBI of the season.
Wolverine Lineup Update
The players with the most starts at each position include (number of 2000 starts at position/total career starts): 1B -- Jeff Trzos (15/16); 2B -- Jordan Cantalamessa (30/42); SS -- Scott Tousa (28/135); 3B -- Kevin Quinn (29/57); LF -- Rob Bobeda (28/128); CF -- Blake Rutkowski (32/32); RF -- Jay Dines (26/55); C -- David Parrish (41/113); and DH Brock Koman (20/45). Koman, Cantalamessa and Rutkowski are true freshmen.
Contact: Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
