Broncos Capture Slugfest, Snap U-M's Winning Streak

Wednesday, April 11

Kalamazoo, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

17-13

Western Michigan

12-17

Michigan

Western Michigan

4/11/2001 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Western Michigan gained a split in the four-game season baseball series with Michigan by taking a 12-9 win Wednesday afternoon (April 11) at Hyames Field. The loss snapped Michigan's seven-game winning streak.

Michigan (17-13) enjoyed its biggest offensive inning of the season, scoring seven times in the fourth inning to take an 8-5 lead with senior/junior C.J. Ghannam (Farmington, Mich./Harrison HS) and junior/sophomore DH Mike Sokol (Sterling Heights, Mich./DeLaSalle HS) each hitting long three-run homers in that inning.

Senior RHP Vince Pistilli (Highland, Ind./Highland HS) worked the first 4.2 innings, allowing 11 hits and nine runs, while freshman RHP Bobby Garza (Southgate, Mich./Anderson HS) took the loss, allowing three runs in 2.2 innings. Garza drops to 1-1 with both decisions vs. Western Michigan (12-17).

Sophomore 3B Brock Koman (Pueblo, Colo./South HS) went 3-for-4 with a double to lead the Wolverine offense as he pushed his season batting average over .400 (.402, 45-for-112).

Western Michigan LHP Pat Misch (3-2), the second of four Bronco pitchers, working 2.1 innings to claim the win and Keith Perez was credited with his second save of the season. OF Sam Flamont and DH Greg Graham each had three hits to lead WMU's offense and 2B Charlie Decker stroked his second homer of the year, both vs. the Wolverines.

Junior/sophomore 1B Nate Wright (Tinley Park, Ill./Andrew HS), named the Big Ten Player of the Week on Tuesday (April 10), extended his hitting streak to eight games with a pair of run-scoring singles.

Michigan heads to Minnesota for a Big Ten weekend series (April 13-15) with junior RHP Bobby Korecky (Saline, Mich./Saline HS) slated to start the opener for the Wolverines. Korecky (4-2, 1.99 ERA) has pitched five consecutive nine-inning complete games.

N O T E S

Michigan's defense turned a season-high four double plays at Western Michigan, with first baseman Nate Wright in on all four, including an unassisted line-drive DP.

Sophomore/freshman OF Eric Esper (Grand Ledge, Mich./Grand Ledge HS) made his first career start (LF) and lined a double in his first at bat as a starter. He started Michigan's seven-run, fourth-inning rally with a single, pushing his batting average to a nifty .800 at the time (4-for-5). He ended the game 2-for-4 with a walk, lowering his average to .571.

Sophomore LF Jordan Cantalamessa (Englewood, Colo./Cherry Creek HS), making his first pinch appearance of the season, lined a two-out double in the ninth inning to regain the team doubles lead with 12.

Michigan's hitting leaders (for players with at least 50 at bats) after 30 games are: sophomore OF Gino Lollio (.407, 22-for-54); sophomore 3B Brock Koman (.402, 45-for-112); sophomore LF Jordan Cantalamessa (.355, 33-for-93); junior/sophomore 1B Nate Wright (.353, 30-for-85); senior/junior CF C.J. Ghannam (.310, 18-for-58) and senior 2B Scott Tousa (.308, 32-for-104).

Contact: Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423