Weekly Release #13
5/24/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Upcoming Action (All times local to site)
Wednesday, May 25 C vs. Ohio State (12:05 p.m. CDT
Thursday, May 26 - TBA
*Big Ten Playoffs, May 25-29 Champaign, Ill.
Wolverines Make 17th Big Ten Tourney Appearance
ANN ARBOR C Rich Maloney's University of Michigan baseball team took three of four games at Penn State last weekend (May 20-22) to earn the fourth seed in the 2005 Big Ten Baseball Tournament starting Wednesday (May 25) at Illinois Field in Champaign, Ill.
Michigan's first opponent will be Ohio State (35-17) as the Wolverines (40-15) will be facing the Buckeyes for only the second time this season as bad weather limited the two teams to one game in Ann Arbor (Apr. 22-24). Michigan won that game 11-3 and that win is the difference in the seeding as UM and OSU tied for fourth place with identical 17-12 records. In fact both teams lost the series opener last weekend and then won three straight.
The Wolverines are in the Big Ten Tournament for the third straight season under Maloney and it marks the first time that UM has been in the tournament three years in a row since Michigan was the only team to play in the first nine (1981-89).
Wednesday's second game of the tournament features No. 3 seed Iowa (27-28) playing No. 6 seed Minnesota (29-27) at 3:35 p.m. (CDT).
No. 1 seed and host Illinois (33-22-1) and No. 2 seed Purdue (25-28) will open play Thursday (May. 26) facing the day one winners. Top seeded Illinois will play the lowest seeded winner from Wednesday's action.
Thursday's first game will feature the losing teams from the first day of action in an elimination game.
The Wolverines were 6-11 against the tournament field as the teams that Michigan faced early in the season are in the tournament. UM started the season 3-9 going 0-4 at Minnesota, 1-3 vs. Iowa and 2-2 at Illinois in the first three weekends. The Wolverines finished Big Ten play with a rush going 16-4 after a 1-8 start. Michigan was 1-0 vs. OSU and 2-2 with Purdue.
Maloney Collects 40th Victory
Michigan's Rich Maloney (Western Michigan '86), the 18th coach in Wolverine baseball history, enters the Big Ten Tournament week (May 25-29) after recording his 104th win in three years as the head coach in Ann Arbor.
In his 10th season as a head coach, Maloney has a career record of 360-212-1. He is 104-68 in three seasons and has led the UM to the Big Ten playoffs for the third straight year.
A native of Roseville, Mich., Maloney, spent seven years as head coach at Ball State where he was named Mid-American Conference coach-of-the-year twice (1998 and 2001) and he led the Cardinals to MAC championships in 1999 and 2001. Ball State won the MAC West title four consecutive years (1998-2001).
Maloney has won at least 30 games in each of his 10 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level as career win 350 was also the 30th win of this season. This is Maloney's third season with at least 40 wins. Maloney is 8-4 vs. Ohio State.
Catcher Kunkel Holds UM Hitting Lead
Senior/junior catcher Jeff Kunkel (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest HS) heads into the Big Ten Tournament as one of the hottest hitters on the Wolverine squad as he leads the team with his .399 average (65-for-163). He closed out Big Ten play with a .384 average.
Kunkel, who was named one of the 10 semi-finalists for the Johnny Bench Award presented to the top catcher in the nation, hit .364 for the six games last week (8-for-22) with two doubles and six RBI including his fifth game-winning RBI this season. Kunkel has 12 career game-winners.
Kunkel handled all 21 fielding chances including six assists that included throwing out three base-stealers, picking off two runners at first base and throwing out another runner trying to advance to second base after a tag play at the plate. Kunkel is fielding .989 with just three errors in 269 chances and he has thrown out 19 potential base stealers.
Wolverine Pitching Rotation
The starting pitcher for the Wolverines scheduled for the Big Ten Tournament opener vs. Ohio this week (May 25) is fifth-year senior RHP Jim Brauer (Carmel, Ind., Carmel HS).
The rest of the regular rotation will be available as needed with senior RHP Michael Penn (Columbus, Ohio, Worthington Christian HS) along with senior/junior LHPs Paul Hammond (Mason, Ohio/Mason HS) and Drew Taylor (Toronto, Ont./Upper Canada College).
Michigan Starting Pitcher Profiles
'M' vs. Ohio State (Wednesday) - Jim Brauer (Sr., RHP, 7-2, 2.59 ERA) would be making his team-leading 14th start of the season and his 45th career start and making his 56th career appearance. He pitched 8.1 innings with no decision last weekend at Penn State. He pitched the first nine-inning complete game of the season, his seventh career complete game, for the Wolverines in beating Indiana by a 6-2 score while allowing eight hits and striking our six Hoosiers while walking none. He took the loss to Purdue 7-3 in the series opener allowing eight hits and five runs while striking out seven. He allowed nine hits and two runs while striking out four in eight innings of work at MSU while recording his sixth win of the season. He fanned a season-high 10 Buckeyes and allowed five hits and just one earned run in the 11-3 win on ESPN in the first night game at Ray Fisher Stadium. He allowed eight hits and three runs in a no decision in a 4-3 loss at Illinois. He allowed 10 hits and three runs in the Big Ten home opener vs. Iowa and left the game after seven innings with an 11-3 lead in an eventual 13-12 loss and a no decision. He pitched the sixth complete game of his UM career with a four-hitter in the 1-0 loss at Minnesota in the Big Ten opener with seven strikeouts and season-high five walks He earned fourth win of the season working first six innings of 10-0 shutout win over Oakland #1. He beat Ohio #1 pitching eight shutout innings and allowing three hits and recording nine strikeouts for the second straight start and third time in career. He collected win at Lamar #2 with nine strikeouts allowing one run and five hits in eventual 11-1 win. Had win vs. UIC #2 with seven strikeouts in five innings. He has a career-best 76 Ks to rank second in the Big Ten and he has 17 walks in a career-best 93.2 innings this season. He became the eighth Wolverine to record 200 career strikeouts and he ranks fifth on UM's all-time strikeout list (227). He has pitched 286.1 innings in his Wolverine career to rank third on the all-time UM list. He had no decision in UM win vs. Georgia. He has 14-3 record in his last 17 decisions since starting 2004 season 0-2. He was an All-Big Ten first team selection and winner of the Geoff Zahn Award as Michigan's Most Valuable Pitcher in 2004. He became the 14th Wolverine to record 20 career wins and the win vs. Indiana was his 21st making him Michigan's active career win leader and he is in a five-way tie for eighth on the all-time UM list. Drafted by the New York Mets late in the Major League First-Year Player Draft (June 8), Brauer led the Wolverines with 86.1 innings pitched and he led the team while ranking ninth in the Big Ten with 69 strikeouts. He had a career-high 13 strikeouts vs. Detroit Mercy (Mar. 27, 2004) and his second best total is 10 (vs. OSU, Apr. 22) and he has fanned nine three times vs. MSU in 2002 and matched this year vs. Lamar (Mar. 12) and Ohio #1 (Mar. 19). Brauer was 5-1 in Big Ten play in 2004 with a 3.00 ERA and wins over Illinois, Ohio State, Michigan State, Indiana and Penn State with the loss at Purdue. Has 21 career wins (21) vs. Ohio State (4), Michigan State (3), Bowling Green (2), Illinois (2), Indiana (2), Detroit, UIC, Lamar, Oakland, Ohio University, Penn State, Purdue and Siena Heights.
Michael Penn (Sr., RHP, 6-2, 2.67 ERA) would be making his 13th start of the season and his 42nd career start and 64th career appearance. It would be his 40th start and 47th appearance in three seasons at Michigan. He went three innings in a game three start at Penn State. He pitched his third consecutive complete game, eighth career complete game, while beating Indiana 5-2 allowing five hits with three strikeouts and no walks. His second straight complete game was a 2-1 loss to Purdue allowing nine hits and one earned run while striking out six. He pitched his sixth career complete game, and first of the 2005 season allowing eight hits and one run in an 8-1 win over Michigan State his third straight win in Big Ten play. He pitched 6.1 innings allowing five hits and one run in a 6-1 win at Illinois, his second conference win this season. He pitched 6.1 innings allowing four hits and left with 4-0 lead while collecting a 4-2 win over Iowa. He pitched five plus innings in no decision at Minnesota #2 (3-2 extra inning Gopher win) allowing three hits and one earned run. He fanned career-high 11 batters, retired 15 straight and allowed just two first-inning hits in no decision against Oakland #2. He pitched five innings in win in season opener vs. UIC and he took loss despite allowing just two hits in season-high 7.2 innings vs. East Carolina. He had a no decision in the opener at Lamar (Mar. 12) allowing nine hits and four earned runs in five innings. He pitched five innings for the win at Ohio #2 allowing three unearned runs before storm suspended game. He shared the team lead a year ago in wins (7) and was second in complete games (3) and innings pitched (80.2). He pitched complete games against Youngstown State, Iowa and Penn State. He earned three wins in six games over eight days in the final two weekends of the regular season beating Indiana, Western Michigan and Penn State. He has pitched three complete game shutouts in career, all four-hitters, including two at Iowa. He was named Big Ten Co-Pitcher-of-the-Week as he pitched first complete game of the season firing a 4-hit shutout to beat Youngstown State in Kentucky (Mar. 14). Penn's career mark is 16-17, 15-16 at Michigan after transfer from Ball State. His 16 career wins have been against Iowa (3), Indiana (2), Western Michigan (2), Illinois, UIC, MSU, Northwestern, Oakland, Ohio State, Ohio University, Penn State and Youngstown State.
Paul Hammond (Sr./Jr., LHP, 3-3, 4.27 ERA) enters the tournament with 15 starts and 39 appearances in his Michigan career with an 8-4 record. He pitched .2 innings out of the bullpen vs. Bowling Green last week before pitching two innings in a game two start at Penn State in the game UM won to clinch a playoff position. He pitched 2.2 innings in no decision start vs. Indiana allowing two hits and two runs with two strikeouts and the first three walks to the Hoosiers in the first three games of the series. He pitched 5.1 innings allowing eight hits and two runs with four Ks to beat Purdue. He pitched 5.1 innings in relief allowing four hits and an unearned run with four strikeouts while collecting win vs. MSU #3. He worked 2.1 scoreless innings vs. Toledo. He worked 2.2 innings allowing five hits and four runs in 4-1 loss in start at Illinois #3. He pitched twice in the Iowa series taking the loss in the opener allowing the final three runs of the 10-run eighth inning and he retired 11 of 13 batters he faced in the series finale. He allowed eight hits and five runs in 6-3 loss at Minnesota #3 working four innings plus two batters in the fifth. He worked four innings allowing two unearned runs in start vs. Oakland #3. He retired 12 straight after walking the first batter he faced for win vs. North Carolina to earn win with five strikeouts. He worked 1.1 scoreless innings in 9-0 shutout over Central Connecticut State in action at the Lamar Classic. He pitched three scoreless innings with three strikeouts at Ohio #2. He earned second team All-Big Ten honors with 5-1 conference only record with a 2.05 Big Ten only ERA to rank second. He led the Big Ten with a .192 opponent batting average. Returned to action in 2005 after 'Tommy John surgery' during freshman campaign in 2002 and collected first five wins of career with one each over the five other 2004 Big Ten Tournament teams C MSU, Minnesota, OSU, Penn State and Purdue. Pitched back-to-back Big Ten complete games vs. MSU and Purdue and only loss came at Indiana allowing two earned runs in 6.1 innings of 4-1 loss. He pitched career-best eight innings allowing five hits and two runs in 13-2 win at OSU #4 (Apr. 25) in his first start since 2002 before missing year and a half following 'Tommy John surgery.' He had six appearances and two starts as a freshman with a save at UC-Irvine. His eight wins -: Purdue (2), MSU (2), Minnesota, UNC, OSU and PSU.
Drew Taylor (Sr./Jr., LHP, 4-2, 3.83) has made 15 appearances with six starts this season. He would be making 24th career start (23rd at UM) and 45th career appearance (33rd at UM). He went seven innings at Penn State for his second straight starting win. He went 7.2 innings allowing seven hits and three earned runs in win over Indiana. He went 6.2 innings in no decision vs. Purdue #4 allowing seven hits and three runs with 5 strikeouts. He allowed two hits in three scoreless innings in the second game Wednesday vs. EMU. He allowed four runs on just one hit with four walks and a HBP in no decision start at MSU. He collected wins with two innings vs. Georgia and three hitless and scoreless innings in relief vs. Oakland #3. Took loss vs. Iowa #3 in first start of the season, allowing three earned runs, in 5.2 innings of 5-3 loss and he took a loss at Lamar #1. Has recorded 31 strikeouts in 54.0 innings and leads the pitching staff with two pick offs. He worked 1.1 scoreless innings vs. CMU (Apr. 6). He worked final two innings at Minnesota #3 allowing pop fly double. He struck out the side at Ohio #3 and retired six of the seven batters he faced in two shutout innings. He has 13 career wins as Wolverine. He made just two appearances in 2004 before missing season due to injury after going 9-1 with 3.97 ERA in 2003 with five straight winning starts over Indiana, Purdue, Northwestern, Ohio State and Notre Dame. He was All-Big Ten first team selection in 2003when he led the team in innings pitched (95.1) and became just the 15th Wolverine pitcher to win nine games in a season and was the first lefty since Jim Abbott did it in 1988. He fanned career best eight in 2003 Big Ten tournament opener vs. Indiana. He has 13-5 career record with wins over Indiana (2), Bethune-Cookman, Butler, Georgia, Illinois, MSU, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Oakland, OSU, Penn State and Purdue.
Long Relief
Phil Tognetti (Sr., RHP, 3-0, 5.46), tied for fifth on team with 15 appearances this season, would be making 19th career start and 68th career appearance. Went 6.2 to beat Bowling Green and then worked three innings for win at Penn state #2 to clinch playoff berth for UM. He pitched to four batters for first save of season vs. OSU #4. He pitched 1.2 innings vs. Notre Dame. He worked one inning in opener vs. Purdue. He pitched five innings in winning his firsts start of the year in the opener vs. EMU. He is fifth on UM's all-time career appearances (67) He led team and ranked second in the Big Ten in 2004 with 27 appearances, and tied for the third best single-season total appearance total at Michigan. He accounted for eight of Michigan's 32 wins in 2004 with four wins and four saves. He has 13 career wins: vs. Iowa (2), Penn State (2), BG, Central Michigan, Cleveland State, Duke, EMU, Hillsdale, Michigan State, Northwestern and Ohio State.
Andrew Hess (Soph. RHP, 1-1, 9.72 ERA) enters the tournament game after scoreless 1.1-inning outing at WMU. He had been roughed up in no decision start vs. EMU allowing five runs and three hits in two innings plus two batters. He has made 10 appearances and three starts. He has made 29 career appearances and four starts. He pitched 2.1 innings vs. Toledo allowing three hits and one earned run. He collected his first win of the season vs. New York Tech working five innings allowing seven hits and four runs, but only one run after the first inning. He pitched a 1-2-3 inning vs. Oakland. He made 19 appearances in 2004, most on team by a freshman. He has wins over Duke, Minnesota and New York Tech. and pitched five scoreless innings vs. Western Michigan for a non-decision in his lone start as a freshman.
Brad Seddon (Sophomore/Freshman, LHP, 1-0, 5.00 ERA) worked 2.1 in no decision start at WMU. He struck out career-best eight in no decision in four-inning stint vs. Notre Dame in first career start allowing eight hits and five runs. He collected his first career win with six innings out of bullpen allowing four hits and a run at MSU #4. He enters the tournament week having made seven career appearances with two starts and pitching 18 innings. He allowed two hits and a run in his debut in two innings vs. St. John's. He pitched a scoreless ninth at EMU and had a 1-2-3 eighth at Minnesota #4. He worked 1.2 scoreless innings against Central Michigan.
Bullpen/Short Relief
Derek Feldkamp (Jr., RHP, 9-3, 3.62 ERA, five saves) had team-leading ninth win out of bullpen at Penn State #3 after recording saves vs. BG, WMU and PSU #2. Pitched 2.2 innings vs. Indiana #3 allowing five hits and three runs. Had win and save in Purdue series earning second save of the year vs. Purdue #3 working 1.2 innings and allowing one hit. He win vs. Purdue #4 working 1.2 innings and allowing run in top of ninth and getting benefit of run for win in bottom of the ninth. He recorded sixth win with three scoreless innings in second game of doubleheader vs. EMU. Worked third of an inning in non-save situation at MSU #1 and ended game with a strikeout after allowing pair of hits and one run. He returned to the bullpen in the Illinois series and he recorded first save of the season with scoreless ninth in 10-9 win over Toledo. Worked 1.2 shutout innings vs. Ohio State to close out the 11-3 win on ESPN. Was 1-1 on the weekend at Illinois despite allowing just one unearned run in five innings taking the loss in the opener. Collected fifth win in Illinois series finale with four shutout innings in 8-5 win. He has 16 career starts and 58 career appearances as he heads into tournament week on the edge of the career appearance top ten.. Took second loss of season working 5.1 innings and allowing seven runs and seven hits vs. Iowa #4. Led Big Ten in ERA (1.29) and opponent batting average (.179) until allowing five hits and eight runs in just two innings in an eventual 13-3 loss in the series finale at Minnesota. Allowed one run and one hit in six innings of win over Oakland #4. Pitched six innings allowing four hits and two earned runs at Ohio #3. He pitched five shutout innings in a no decision start vs. North Carolina. Led team with four complete games in 2004 and shared lead in saves (4). He accounted for 10 of Michigan's 32 wins in 2004 with six wins and four saves and has accounted for 14 of 40 wins this season. Collected fourth save of the season working four innings vs. Penn State (May 22) to clinch tournament berth for Wolverines. Earned Big Ten Co-Pitcher-of-the-Week honors with four-hit shutout at Iowa #2 (Apr. 10) with five Ks for first career complete game. Has 16-9 career record with the 16 wins vs. Illinois (2), Indiana (2), Oakland (2), Bethune-Cookman, Central Connecticut State, Duke, Eastern Michigan, Florida Atlantic, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, Penn State and Purdue. Has saved playoff clincher vs. PSU two years in a row.
Clayton Richard (So./Fr., LHP, 0-1, 2.05, five saves) took loss in opener at PSU in 11 innings giving up three singles after two outs. Earned Big Ten Pitcher of the Week Award with three saves in three attempts vs. Notre Dame and two in a doubleheader vs. Indiana #3 & #4. He retired all nine batters he faced in the twinbill and became first Wolverine with two saves on same day since Tyler Steketee had two vs. Northwestern in 1997. The five saves puts him in tie for eighth place in saves at Michigan and the most since Bobby Korecky had five in 1999. He worked 1.2 innings vs. IU #3 and 1.1 innings vs. IU #4. He pitched 2.1 innings vs. Notre Dame allowing one hit to record his third save. He has made two starts and would be making 19th career appearance for the Wolverines in the tournament. He worked .2 innings vs. Purdue team protecting 4-3 lead in eventual 5-4 win. He worked 1-2-3 sixth inning in opener vs. EMU on Wednesday (May 4). He worked 1.2 innings allowing six hits and five runs despite record four strikeouts in a no decision vs. MSU in his first Big Ten start. He was rained out of start vs. Ohio State. He made two appearances in the Illinois series pitching total of four shutout innings as he closed out 6-1 win in the second game of the series in a non-save situation and he pitched 3.1 shutout innings in game three. He made two appearances in the Iowa series recording second career save in the second game of the series. He worked three scoreless innings in a non decision while making first career start vs. CMU (Apr. 6). He has made team-leading total of 17 appearances working 28.1 innings and has 22 strikeouts. He has allowed 26 hits in 111 at bats (.234 opponent average). He is playing baseball at Michigan for the first time after two seasons and two Big Ten championships on the UM football team. He worked season/career best three innings to close out shutout over Oakland and earn his first career save walking one but facing minimum nine batters. He allowed a run on three hits with one strikeout at EMU and worked three scoreless innings allowing two hits in his Big Ten debut at Minnesota #2. He made his career debut with scoreless inning with two strikeouts vs. Georgia.
Jeff Niemiec (Jr., RHP, 3-1, 6.32, one save) enters the tournament week 17 appearances for the season and he has 27 appearances in three seasons. He has an opponent batting average of .270 (17-for-63). He worked two thirds of an inning vs. Purdue #1. He pitched two thirds of an inning at MSU #1 allowing four runs on three hits in a non-save situation. He worked one inning vs. Toledo and collected third win of season. He faced five batters allowing two walks and three hits in the opening loss to Iowa. He pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the win over CMU. He took loss on his own throwing error in extra innings at Minnesota #2. He earned win with two shutouts innings at Eastern Michigan in 18-12 win. He collected first win in second game of Oakland series recording two outs and getting benefit of four-run rally for last-at bat win. He allowed a run on three hits in the series finale vs. Oakland, but struck out the side in a non-save situation. He made one appearance in the series at Ohio and threw one pitch to record a game-ending double play. He was the winner of the Wolverine Award for spirit and leadership in 2004, he led the team with 2.45 ERA as a freshman.
Ali Husain (Sr./Jr., LHP, 1-0, 6.75 with one save) enters the tournament week with 11 appearances. He faced one batter at WMU. He faced one batter pitching third of an inning in opener vs. Purdue. He faced three batters in non-save situation in ninth inning of win at MSU #4 allowing a hit, recording a strikeout and getting double play grounder. He retired two batters on three pitches vs. Toledo. He pitched scoreless fourth inning with two strikeouts vs. Central Michigan and was credited with the win. He has one save in 2005 and has made 57 career pitching appearances. He has made 23 appearances to rank second on the team in each of the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He led Wolverines with 1.78 ERA as a junior/sophomore in 2004 and recorded 25 strikeouts in 25.1 innings. He has seven strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Has career wins vs. CMU, EMU, Ohio State and Penn State and saves at Winthrop and vs. UIC.
Brauer Continues Milestone March
Senior co-captain RHP Jim Brauer (Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS) heads into Wednesday's (May 25) Big Ten Tournament opener vs. Ohio State looking to continue on his way through some of the Wolverine career pitching records..
Brauer (7-2, 2.67 ERA), who ranks second in the Big Ten in strikeouts (76), has pitched a personal best 93.2 innings.
With 14 wins in his last 17 decisions in the past two seasons, Brauer is in a five-way tie for eighth place on UM's career win list with 21 wins. Brauer fanned three in a no decision start at Penn State last weekend and he ranks fifth in career strikeouts (227) and he trails former teammate Rich Hill (229, 2000-02) by two for fourth place on the K list.
Brauer moved his career totals to 286.1innings pitched good for third place on the Michigan career chart. Former teammate Bobby Korecky (295.2, 1999-2002) is next.
UM's Getz Eyes Stolen Base Lists
Junior 2B Chris Getz (Grosse Pointe, Mich./South HS) heads into the Big Ten Tournament (May 25-29) leading the Wolverines with 28 stolen bases as he moved into second on the single season Wolverine stolen base list and he nears 50 career stolen bases.
Getz had five stolen bases as a freshman at Wake Forest, so his career totals at Michigan included 43 stolen bases, one shy of tying Barry Larkin and Mike Watters, teammates that both collected 44 stolen bases from 1983-85.
Getz is hitting .378 (76-for-201) for the season and he hit .410 against the rest of the tournament field in 17 games. Getz leads the Wolverines in runs (53) and walks (30) and his on base percentage is second on the team at .458.
"Gamer" Totals Updated Again
The Wolverines have had 32 game-winning RBI thus far in their 40 wins this season with senior 1B Kyle Bohm (Stevens Point, Wis./Area HS) leading the way with seven. Senior OF Matt Butler (Lombard, Ill./Driscoll Catholic) is second with six, senior/junior catcher Jeff Kunkel has five while senior 3B A.J. Scheidt (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Lahser HS), Getz and sophomore shortstop Leif Mahler (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) have three.
Junior LF Mike Schmidt (Saginaw, Mich./Heritage HS) and sophomore OF Brad Roblin (Wayland, Mass./River School) have two each and sophomore OF Eric Rose (Blissfield, Mich./Blissfield) has one.
The active career total of gamers for the Wolverines includes: Butler (16), Bohm (13), Kunkel (12), Scheidt (7), Getz (6), Roblin (4), Mahler (3), Schmidt (2) and Rose (1).
Michigan Lineup Note
After 55 games in 2005 10 Wolverines have made starts at more than one position led by senior co-captain Matt Butler (RF, CF, LF & DH) and sophomore Brad Roblin (LF, CF, RF & DH) at four positions with junior Chris Getz (2B, SS & DH), junior A.J. Scheidt (2B, 3B & DH), junior Mike Schmidt (LF, CF & DH), and freshman Doug Pickens (LF, RF & 2B) at three positions. Players with starts at two positions include catcher Jeff Kunkel (C & DH) and infielders Leif Mahler (SS & 2B), Alex Martin (3B & DH) and Derek VanBuskirk (3B & DH).
The only player to have started all 55 games at the same position is senior 1B Kyle Bohm and he hit fourth in the first 43 games before hitting third the last 12 games.
The most versatile players in the batting order are senior OF Matt Butler (1, 2, 3, 4, 5), sophomore OF Brad Roblin (2, 5, 6, 7, 9) and freshman OF Doug Pickens (2, 5, 7, 8, 9) with starts in five different positions in the lineup followed by Kunkel (4, 5, 6 & 7), Scheidt (5, 6, 7, 9), Schmidt (2, 6, 7 & 9) and VanBuskirk (6, 7, 8 & 9) in four spots, while 2B Chris Getz (1, 2, & 3), CF Eric Rose (1, 2 & 9), SS Leif Mahler (7, 8 & 9) and 3B/DH, Alex Martin (6, 7 & 9) have started in three batting order slots.
In 2004 Roblin hit in eight of the nine positions missing only the clean up (4) spot. Roblin has hit fourth as a sub this year but not as a starter. UM has had nine different players bat seventh, eight bat ninth while six different batters have hit second and sixth.
Routine UM Starters Update
Heading into the Big Ten Tournament five Wolverines have reached 100 or more career starts and four have at least 78 starts.
Senior OF Matt Butler has 166 career starts, junior 2B Chris Getz is next with 163 starts, junior 3B/DH A.J. Scheidt is third at 128, senior 1B Kyle Bohm is fourth with 124 overall and senior/junior catcher Jeff Kunkel is fifth at 103.
Wolverines with 78 or more starts include transfer 3B Alex Martin (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) at 93 starts with three sophomores next in line including outfielders Brad Roblin (85) and CF Eric Rose (84) while shortstop Leif Mahler has 78 starts.
The 2005 UM lineup (starters bold) with backups includes: (starts at that position this season/total career starts any position):1B: +Kyle Bohm (55/124), Derek VanBuskirk (0/16); 2B: *Chris Getz (46/163), Doug Pickens (7/35), Leif Mahler (1/78); A.J. Scheidt (1/128); SS: Leif Mahler (48/78), Chris Getz (7/163); 3B: A.J. Scheidt (34/128), Alex Martin& (15/93), Derek VanBuskirk (6/16); LF: Mike Schmidt (25/48), Brad Roblin (22/85), Doug Pickens (4/35), Matt Butler (4/166); CF: Eric Rose (35/84); Matt Butler (16/166), Mike Schmidt (2/48), Brad Roblin (2/85); RF: Doug Pickens (24/35), Matt Butler (23/166), Brad Roblin (8/85); C: Jeff Kunkel (39/103), Matt Rademacher (16/32); DH: Derek VanBuskirk (10/16); Brad Roblin (9/85), Matt Butler (7/166), Mike Schmidt (3/48), Jeff Kunkel (8/103), Alex Martin& (2/93), Chris Getz (1/163), A.J. Scheidt (15/128). [* at Wake Forest (51); + at Auburn (10), & at Detroit (76).]
Contact: Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
