Weekly Release #11
5/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Upcoming Action (All times local to site)
Friday, May 12 -- at #Penn State (University Park, Pa.), 2 p.m.
Saturday, May 13 -- DH at #Penn State (University Park, Pa.), 1 p.m.
Sunday, May 14 -- at #Penn State (University Park, Pa.), 1 p.m.
Tuesday, May 16 -- vs. Notre Dame (Comstock Park, Mich.), 7 p.m.
Friday, May 19 -- #Iowa (Ray Fisher Stadium), 6:35 p.m.
Saturday, May 20 - DH #Iowa (Ray Fisher Stadium), 4:05 p.m.
Sunday, May 21 -- #Iowa (Ray Fisher Stadium), 1:05 p.m.
[#Big Ten Conference Games]
Michigan Heads to Penn State, Set For N.D. at 'Baseball Bash'
The Michigan baseball heads back on the road for another four-game Big Ten weekend series this time at Penn State (May 12-13) in the final regular season road trip for the Wolverines.
Michigan (30-17, 16-8 Big Ten) faces Penn State (18-29, 11-13 Big Ten) in single games on Friday (May 12, 2 p.m., EDT) and on Sunday (May 14, 1 p.m.) with the Saturday (May 13, 1 p.m.) doubleheader (two seven-inning games) at Beaver Field. This will be the final series ever played at Beaver Field as the new park will open for the 2007 season.
The Wolverines beat Eastern Michigan, 11-6, in a mid-week non-conference game that was played on Tuesday (May 9) after being switched from Wednesday evening (May 10) due to bad weather. The Wolverines will play Notre Dame (37-11, 17-3 Big East) in the annual 'Baseball Bash' next Tuesday (May 16) in the final regular season road game upon returning from the Penn State series.
The Wolverines enter the weekend series at Penn State tied for first place in the Big Ten with Northwestern after splitting four games at Illinois. Penn State is in a three-way tie for fifth place in the standings with Minnesota and Purdue after splitting a weekend series against the Boilermakers.
Notre Dame plays a three-game Big East series at Seton Hall this weekend (May 12-14) before meeting Michigan in Grand Rapids, Mich. The game is actually played in Comstock Park, Mich.
The Wolverines gained some national attention again collecting four votes in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll.
Big Ten Schedule
The Michigan series at Penn State is one of the five Big Ten series this weekend with the other match ups including Illinois at Indiana, Michigan State at Northwestern, Minnesota at Ohio State and Purdue at Iowa.
Big Ten Final Week (May 19-21): Iowa at Michigan, Illinois at Michigan State, Indiana at Minnesota, Northwestern at Purdue and Penn State at Ohio State.
Big Ten Standings (Through 5/8/06)
1. MICHIGAN 16-8 .667 Northwestern 16-8 .667 3. Ohio State 15-9 .625 4. Illinois 12-12 .500 5. Penn State 11-13 .458 6. Minnesota 11-13 .458 7. Purdue 11-13 .458 8. Iowa 10-14 .417 Michigan State 10-14 .417 10. Indiana 8-16 .333
Coaching Matchups
Michigan's Rich Maloney (Western Michigan '86), the 18th coach in Wolverine baseball history, is in his 11th season as a head coach. His career record at the start of the Penn state weekend is 392-233-1. His record in four seasons at Michigan is 136-89.
Maloney was 42-19 in his third season at Michigan in 2005 leading the Wolverines to NCAA regional action for the first time since 1999. Maloney has led U-M to the Big Ten Tournament three straight years.
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 11 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level and has won at least 40 games three times with a career best 42 at Ball State in 1999 and matched by the Wolverines last season. He won his 30tth this season against Eastern Michigan on Tuesday (May 9).
Maloney is now 29-8 vs. Eastern Michigan and he is 9-5 vs. Penn State and 4-2 vs. Notre Dame.
Penn State head coach Robbie Wine (Oklahoma State '02), who returned to his alma mater to earn his degree following his pro career, is in his second year as head coach. Wine's record heading into the weekend is 46-56. Wine, the son of former Philadelphia Phillies player Bobby Wine, was a two-time All-American catcher at Oklahoma State and the eighth pick in the first round by the Houston Astros in 1983. He played in the College World Series twice. He has 24 years of playing and coaching experience at the collegiate and pro levels. He was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers coaching staff and also served as a roving instructor from 1993-96.
Notre Dame head coach Paul Mainieri (Florida International '80), in his 24th season as a head coach, enters the Seton Hall series with a career coaching mark of 856-486-3. His record in 12 seasons at Notre Dame is 525-207-2 including the 37-11 start this season.
Abbott Still Featured at Baseball Banquet -- May 21
Former Wolverine baseball great Jim Abbott, winner of the Golden Spikes Award in 1987, will be the featured speaker at the annual Michigan Baseball Banquet, hosted by the Michigan Dugout Club, on Sunday, May 21 following the final regular season Big Ten home game vs. Iowa.
The banquet will be held on campus at the Junge Conference Center (between the tunnels of Michigan Stadium and Crisler Arena). Reservations can be made and more information is available from Helen Nelson in the baseball office (734-647-4550). The 'social hour' with hors d'oeuvres is slated for 5 p.m. with the dinner to follow at approximately 6 p.m. with the times being determined by the ending of the ball game which is slated to start at 1:05 p.m. at Ray Fisher Stadium.
The cost for adults is $30 and for children under 10-years of age, $15.
Recknagel Earns Big Ten Weekly Honor
University of Michigan sophomore first baseman/DH Nate Recknagel (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) was named Big Ten Player-of-the-Week for his performance in the four-game conference series at Illinois last weekend (May 5-7) as the Wolverines won two of the four games to remain in a tie for first place in the Big Ten standings.
The Wolverines have had three Players-of-the-Week in 2006 including sophomore 2B/OF Doug Pickens (West Bloomfield, Mich./Brother Rice), junior CF Eric Rose (Blissfield, Mich./Blissfield) and Recknagel. Fifth-year senior LHP Paul Hammond (Mason, Ohio/Mason) has earned Pitcher-of-the-Week honors as well.
Recknagel hit .533 in the series at Illinois (8-for-15) with a two doubles and two long home runs and four RBI. For the week in five games Recknagel hit .556 going 10-for-18 and mixing in a 2-for-3 game with three RBI against Western Michigan.
In Sunday's (May 7) getaway win Recknagel hit two home runs to help insure the win at Illinois and it was the first two-homer game for U-M since earlier this season when Mike Schmidt hit two homers in an inning at Central Michigan and it was the first time a Wolverine hit two homers n a Big Ten road game since both Jake Fox and Jordan Cantalamessa hit two in the same game at Illinois #4 on April 14, 2002.
Recknagel shares the team lead in Big Ten action with catcher Jeff Kunkel as both are hitting .398 (33-for-83). Recknagel has eight doubles, three homers, 16 RBI and a .602 slugging percentage in conference only action.
For the season Recknagel, who has made starts at 1B, DH and catcher, is hitting 365 (57-for-156) average with 13 doubles, four homers and 30 RBI. He leads the team with 20 multiple-hit games and he is second on the team with five game-winning RBI. He had his team-leading, season-high 12-game hitting streak snapped Tuesday (May 9) vs. EMU.
'U-M' Weekly Award Winners Under Rich Maloney
Big Ten Players-of-the-Week
2006 -- Nate Recknagel, 1B, at Illinois
2006 -- Eric Rose, OF, at Purdue
2006 -- Doug Pickens, OF, at Wiregrass Classic
2005 -- Matt Butler, OF, vs. Oakland University
2005 -- Matt Butler, OF, at Keith LeClair Classic
2004 -- Brandon Roberts, DH, vs. Penn State
2003 -- Nick Rudden, SS, vs. Iowa
Big Ten Pitchers-of-the-Week
2006 -- Paul Hammond, LHP, vs. Ohio State
2005 -- Clayton Richard, LHP, vs. Notre Dame, Indiana
2005 -- Jim Brauer, RHP, at Lamar Classic
2004 -- Michael Penn, RHP, at Kentucky Invitational
2004 -- Derek Feldkamp, RHP, at Iowa
Rose Seeks 50 Career Stolen Bases
Junior CF Eric Rose (Blissfield, Mich./Blissfield) heads into the Penn State weekend needing two stolen bases to reach the 50-career steal plateau as a Wolverine.
Rose hit .368 (7-for-19) in the five games last week and went 3-for-5 vs. Eastern Michigan on Tuesday. He was 5-for-14 (.357) in the series at Illinois and for the season he is leading the team with a .369 (55-for-149) average.
Rose colleted his team-leading 24th stolen base in the win over EMU on Tuesday (May 9) to double his stolen base output of his first two years as he pushed his career total of steals at Michigan to 48. He ranks fourth on U-M's all-time stolen base list with Rodney Goble (52, 1992-95) next on the list in third place. Jim Durham holds both the single season (38 in 1987) and career (74, 1986-89) stolen bases records for the Wolverines.
Hammond Eyes Fifth Straight Win
Fifth-year senior co-captain LHP Paul Hammond (Mason, Ohio/Mason) enters the Penn State series after collecting his fourth straight Big Ten win with his 1-0 gem at Illinois, his first career complete game shutout.
Hammond allowed six hits and fanned seven, one shy of his career best, while pitching his fourth complete game of the season. Hammond has won four consecutive starts beating Ohio State at home and winning three in a row on the road at Purdue, Michigan State and Illinois. Hammond leads the Wolverines with 46 strikeouts.
Hammond (5-3) dropped his overall ERA to 2.96 for the season in 11 outings while moving his Big Ten record to 4-1. The shutout was the first of Hammond's career and it came in his sixth career complete game.
Hammond has allowed just five earned runs in his last 37 Big Ten innings (1.22 ERA clip) since allowing five runs/three earned to Northwestern in the first inning on April 1.
Kunkel Continues Solid Play
Fifth-year senior catcher Jeff Kunkel (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest) enters the Penn State weekend after another solid week of play as he hit.348 (8-for-23) in the last six games vs. Western Michigan, Eastern Michigan and Illinois. He shares Michigan's team batting lead in Big Ten play and ranks in a tie for fourth in the Big Ten with Nate Recknagel as each is hitting .398 (33-for-83).
In overall action Kunkel is hitting .361 (60-for-166) and has hits in 66 of his last 83 games. Kunkel leads the Wolverines in hits (60), walks (26) and on base percentage (.454) and he is one of just two Wolverines to have started all 46 games. Kunkel is a candidate for the Johnny Bench Catcher-of-the-Year Award and he is an All-American candidate.
Wolverine Pitching Rotation
Michigan's tentative rotation for the Penn State series includes fifth-year senior co-captain LHP Paul Hammond (Mason, Ohio/Mason HS) for the series opener with freshman RHP Zach Putnam (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) and sophomore/freshman RHP Chris Fetter (Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS) slated for Saturday's (May 13) doubleheader with junior right-hander Andrew Hess (Kalamazoo, Mich./Central HS) set for the series finale.
The bullpen leaders include senior RHP Craig Murray (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South), fifth-year senior co-captain Drew Taylor (Toronto, Ont., Upper Canada College), fifth-year senior LHP Ali Husain (Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti), freshman RHP Adam Abraham (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./South HS), redshirt freshmen Ben Jenzen (Grosse Pointe, Mich./South HS), sophomore/freshman RHP Michael Powers (St. Clair Shores, Mich./South Lake HS), senior RHP Jeff Niemiec (Livonia, Mich./Catholic Central), junior/sophomore Dan Lentz (Farmington Hills, Mich./Brother Rice), true freshman RHP Jason Christian (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland), senior Alex Martin (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer/Detroit Mercy) and freshman LHP Mike Wilson (Pickering, Ont./Pine Ridge Secondary School).
Weekend Starters Profiles
'M' at Penn State (Friday) - Paul Hammond (5th/Sr., LHP, 5-3, 2.96 ERA, one save) would be making team-leading seventh Big Ten start of the season and 10th overall and 52nd career appearance. He pitched first career shutout of his U-M career beating Illinois 1-0 allowing six hits and recording seven Ks, one shy of career best. It was his team-leading fourth complete game of the season and sixth of is career and his fourth straight win this year. He beat MSU 6-2 allowing eight hits with four strikeouts. He pitched first six innings in 6-2 win at Purdue allowing 10 hits. He pitched second complete game of the season with five-hitter with five strikeouts in 7-1 vs. OSU #2. He worked four shutout innings at Minn. #2 but had to leave game with cut on pitching hand after allowing three hits and striking out six. He has allowed five runs in last 37 Big Ten innings having had scoreless streak snapped at 15 consecutive shutout innings by OSU. He allowed five runs, three earned, in the first inning of his start against Northwestern and then threw six shutout innings for his first complete game of the year with six strikeouts. He retired 12 straight batters in the NU game. He recorded save in final game of Oakland series working two innings allowing one run (unearned) and he recorded three strikeouts. He leads the team lead with 46 strikeouts in 54.2 innings of work in 2006 and notched his 100th career strikeout in loss to Louisiana Tech. He has 134 career strikeouts. He earned win vs. George Washington with 1.2 innings in 3-0 shutout win. He worked three innings allowing five hits and four runs vs. Louisiana Tech in the Baylor Tournament opener. He had career-best eight strikeouts in no-decision at Georgia Southern allowing seven hits and three runs in six innings in eventual 4-3 loss in 10 innings. Took loss vs. South Alabama in first start of season allowing six hits and five runs (three earned) in four innings of work. He enters Penn State weekend with 24 starts and 51 appearances in his Michigan career with a 14-7 record. He earned Big Ten All-Academic honors in 2005. He collected NCAA regional win out of bullpen vs. Furman in his final outing of the 2005 season and he had no decision start against Penn State in U-M win that clinched Big Ten Tournament bid on final weekend of 2005 regular season. Recorded 40 strikeouts in 50.0 innings in 2005. Earned 2005 wins vs. North Carolina, Michigan State, Purdue and Furman. Earned second team All-Big Ten honors in 2004 with 5-1 conference only record with a 2.05 'Big Ten only' ERA to rank second in league and he led the Big Ten with a .192 opponent batting average. Returned to action in 2004 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 - 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. 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. He had six appearances and two starts as a freshman with a save at UC-Irvine. His 14 career wins: Purdue (3), MSU (3), OSU (2), George Washington, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Furman and Penn State
'M' at Penn State (Saturday #1) - Zach Putnam (Fr. RHP, 4-1, 2.45 ERA, one save) will be making his fifth straight Big Ten start and seventh start of career. He pitched 6.1 innings in a 3-1 loss at Illinois allowing 11 hits and three runs. He pitched 8.1 innings and allowed 10 hits and one run with five strikeouts in 7-1 win over MSU. He pitched first complete game of career beating Purdue 4-3 in the series opener with career-best six strikeouts and he allowed just two hits and recorded five of the Ks in the last six innings. He pitched then career best 7.1 innings to beat Ohio State #1 in first Big Ten start of career allowing eight hits and one runs with two strikeouts. He pitched two shutout innings with a strikeout to record his first career save in the opener of series at Minnesota and allowed two hits in second game of Minnesota series. He pitched five innings allowing two hits and two runs (unearned) with five strikeouts in recording first career win in start vs. Oakland. He allowed one hit and had four strikeouts in first start of career in no-decision vs. George Washington in an eventual 3-0 shutout win. The highly touted first year player, projected as Big Ten Freshman of the Year by Baseball America, made his career debut vs. Pacific in Waco, Tex. (Mar. 12). He allowed six hits and five runs in 1.2 innings vs. Pacific. A high school All-American, he was a draft pick of the Detroit Tigers last June. He led Pioneer HS to the state championship game in back-to-back seasons winning the title in 2004.
'M' at Penn State (Saturday #2) - Chris Fetter (So./Fr RHP, 3-1, 2.53, one save) has made 12 appearances and would be making sixth Big Ten start of career. He allowed six hits and four runs, three earned, while suffering first loss pitching four innings at Illinois #3. He allowed four runs, two earned, and six hits in 3.1 innings of no decision start at MSU #3. He allowed two hits and one run in five innings in win at Purdue. He pitched first seven innings for no decision in 2-1 extra-inning win vs. OSU #3 allowing seven hits and first run in conference play. He was nominated for Big Ten Pitcher-of-the-Week honors for his four-hit complete game shutout at Minnesota #3 (Apr. 8) with three strikeouts. He had three 1-2-3 innings and faced just four batters in the other four innings. He worked four innings out of bullpen in the NU series and retired all 11 batters faced matching career best five strikeouts. He is fourth on team with 26 strikeouts in 46.1 innings. He recorded first win as Wolverine making first career start in fourth game of Oakland series working five innings allowing four hits and four runs (one earned). He worked final 3.1 innings to close out 3-0 shutout win over George Washington to collect first career save with career-best five strikeouts. He made career debut on spring trip working two scoreless innings vs. South Alabama and allowing three runs in 3.2 innings vs. North Carolina Asheville. He allowed two runs in two innings vs. Louisiana Tech. Was 7-2 with 0.77 ERA and 75 strikeouts as a senior at Carmel HS in Carmel, Ind., the same school that produced former Wolverine RHP Jim Brauer, the Big Ten pitcher of the year in 2005.
'M' at Penn State (Sunday) -- Andrew Hess (Jr. RHP, 2-1, 5.12 ERA) leads team with 10 starts and is third with 36 strikeouts in 51 innings. Hess enters the Penn State weekend with a 5-4 record in 40 career appearances with 14 starts. He pitched four innings of no decision at Illinois #4 allowing nine hits and four runs, three earned in an eventual 9-6 U-M win. He pitched first four innings of no decision start vs. MSU #4 allowing six hits and four runs, one earned. He pitched 2.1 innings in loss at Purdue allowing five hits and four runs with two Ks. He pitched seven innings allowing 11 hits and two runs with six Ks in win vs. OSU #4. He pitched 7.2 scoreless innings allowing just three hits in U-M's 2-0 win Sunday (Apr. 9) at Minn. He more than doubled his season strikeout total with 13 Ks in 11 innings in a week pitching 4.2-inning start against Bowling Green (Mar. 28) and 6.1 shutout innings allowing one hit out of the bullpen vs. Northwestern (Apr. 2). He fanned a career-best seven vs. BG and had six Ks vs. NU. He worked just two innings allowing seven hits and seven runs vs. Wagner. He worked 2.1 innings allowing eight hits and four runs in no decision vs. Pacific in eventual 13-9 U-M win. He earned win vs. LeMoyne allowing three hits and two runs in 5.1 innings. Pitched 5.1 innings in no decision in first start of season vs. Troy allowing five hits and two runs with six strikeouts. Hess has collected wins over Duke, LeMoyne, Minnesota, OSU and New York Tech. He has 69 strikeouts in 98 innings in career.
'M' vs. Notre Dame (Tuesday) -- TBA
Wolverine Bullpen
Craig Murray (Sr., RHP, 4-2, 5.01 ERA) with 16 appearances to lead the team. He pitched an inning vs. EMU allowing one run. He allowed three runs in .2 innings at Illinois #3. He fanned two in inning vs. WMU allowing a swinging bunt single. He took the loss at MSU #3 working three innings with three Ks while allowing three runs, two earned in 7-6 loss. He closed out both wins in doubleheader at Purdue with 1-2-3 ninth in opener and he allowed a run in two innings in second game with non-save situations in both games. He made move back to bullpen for OSU series and earned fourth win of season working eighth inning of 2-1 win vs. OSU #3. Allowed five hits and five runs in opener at Minnesota while making his second straight Friday start in Big Ten play. He pitched first career complete game in 6-2 win vs. Northwestern in Michigan's Big Ten home opener. He fanned a career-high seven batters in pitching U-M's first nine-inning complete game of the year. He had no decision in start vs. Oakland allowing five hits and five runs in three innings. He took loss at Winthrop allowing six hits and four runs in 5.1 innings in second start of the season. He enters the Penn State weekend with 45 career appearances and eight starts in four seasons. He allowed three hits in five innings of shutout relief and collected the win vs. Pacific (Mar.12). He pitched a then-career best six innings beating Central Florida in first start since 2003 allowing three hits and two runs. Retired only batter faced in opener vs. UAB and worked final 2.1 innings of spring trip closing out win over LeMoyne in non-save situation. He is third on the team in innings pitched (46.2) and he is second with 36 Ks. He has 6-6 career record with one save collecting wins vs. Central Florida, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pacific and Western Michigan after 0-4 start as a freshman.
Drew Taylor (5th/Sr., LHP, 4-4, 6.07 ERA) was 4-3, 4.05 ERA and had 17 appearances with eight starts in 2005. A co-captain for 2006, he has 31 career starts (30 at UM) and 57 career appearance (46 at U-M). An Academic All-American candidate for 2006 and listed as a 'player to watch' for 2006 by Collegiate Baseball, he earned his fourth win of the season and 17th career win, working 4.1 innings out of the bullpen at Illinois #4 allowing seven hits and two runs, one earned. He earned third win of the season with four innings out of bullpen vs. OSU #4 allowing one run on six hits. He pitched five shutout innings in start at EMU before taking loss when first four batters of sixth inning scored. He allowed four hits and three unearned runs in an inning vs. Toledo. He earned the win in the opener at Minnesota working 2.1 innings out of bullpen with two strikeouts. He took 4-2 loss in start in third game of Northwestern series. He pitched U-M's first complete game of the year with 3-2 win over Oakland allowing two hits while recording three strikeouts to reach 100 career Ks at U-M. He allowed three hits and an unearned run in 1.1 innings out of the bullpen vs. Winthrop in first non-start of the season. He allowed nine hits and six runs in 1.2 innings in loss at Baylor. He took loss in start vs. North Carolina Asheville allowing six hits and five runs with two strikeouts in 2.1 innings. He had no decision pitching eight innings in the season opener vs. UAB allowing four hits and three runs with five strikeouts to move overall career strikeout total to 100 (95 at U-M). Has 17-10 career record (all at Michigan) and earned medical red-shirt for 2004 season after pitching 4.1 innings in two spring trip outings. Led Wolverines in wins (9), starts (14), complete games (5) and innings pitched (95.1) as a sophomore in 2003 earning All-Big Ten First Team Starting Pitcher honors and was winner of the Geoff Zahn Award as Michigan's Most Valuable Pitcher in first season as Wolverine after his transfer from Georgia Tech. He collected 2005 wins vs. Georgia, Oakland, Indiana and Penn State and recorded 36 strikeouts in 66.2 innings. He has 114 career strikeouts (109 at U-M). He has 17 career wins as Wolverine with wins over Illinois (2), Indiana (2), MSU (2), Oakland (2), Bethune-Cookman, Butler, Georgia, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, OSU, Penn State and Purdue. Was 9-1 in 2003 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.
Ali Husain (Sr./5th, LHP, 0-0, 9.00, one save) was 1-0, 6.32 in 2005. He has made 12 appearances in 2006. He went third of an inning vs. EMU allowing one run on two hits. He retired only batter faced at Illinois #3. He fanned lone batter faced to close out win over WMU. He faced one batter at MSU #3 and four batters at EMU allowing HR and collecting K. He allowed two runs on two hits in 1.2 innings to close out win in opener vs. OSU. He pitched vs. CMU and Minn. #2. He recorded first save of the season in second game of Oakland series as he entered with two outs and 2-0 count on batter. He threw two strikes to even count and then got final out on infield grounder. He enters Penn State weekend with 12 appearances in 2006 and 73 career pitching appearances to rank tied for fourth on U-M's career pitching appearance list with Greg Everson (73, 1985-87). Mike Ignasiak (76 appearances, 1985-88) is third. He worked two thirds of an inning in the opener vs. UAB and allowed two runs in third of an inning vs. Troy. He made 15 appearances in 2006 after making 23 in both 2004 and 2004. He led U-M with 1.78 ERA as a junior/sophomore in 2004. He has recorded 37 strikeouts in his last 38.2 innings. Had career-best six strikeouts in 3.2 innings vs. Penn State (May 23, 2004). Has 4-1 career record with wins vs. Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, Ohio State and Penn State and three saves vs. Oakland, Winthrop and UIC.
Adam Abraham (Fr. RHP, 4-3, 4.76 ERA, one save) third on team with 14 appearances. He earned win pitching 2.2 out of bullpen vs. EMU allowing two runs on four hits. He worked twice in the MSU series collecting two outs to close out win in opener in non-save situation and he faced one batter at MSU #3. Worked 3.2 innings out of bullpen at Purdue #4 allowing one run on three hits. Had seven hits including two doubles and homer in five games last week vs. EMU and Purdue. Took the loss in extra innings working final 1.2 innings allowing two runs on four hits vs. Toledo. Earned win in relief in the series finale at Minnesota working final 1.1 innings of 2-0 win that was 0-0 after eight. He had four hits starting at third base at CMU. He took loss to Northwestern in first career start as Wolverine. He recorded win in first career appearance at Ray Fisher Stadium as he worked 5.2 innings out of the bullpen allowing five hits and two runs (one earned) in the second game of the Oakland series. He worked three shutout innings in two outings during the Winthrop weekend with one inning vs. Winthrop and two vs. Wagner. He made debut collecting win vs. Troy working 3.1 innings and retiring all 10 batters faced. Roughed up by Louisiana Tech allowing six hits and five runs in two innings and he took loss at Georgia Southern working 1.1 innings and allowing first run of career in bottom of 10th inning. Earned save at Central Florida working final three innings in 6-3 win getting inning-ending double play in bases loaded situation with 5-3 lead in the seventh. Was drafted by Florida Marlins last June despite playing Major A hockey for Mississauga in the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) the last two seasons. Pitched two seasons at Grosse Pointe South HS, the same school that produced Wolverines Chris Getz, an All-American 2B a year ago and current teammate RHP Ben Jenzen.
Ben Jenzen (So./Fr., RHP, 1-0, 3.38 ERA, two saves) has made 15 appearances after red-shirting as true freshman in 2005. He closed out win vs. EMU in non-save situation. He retired both batters faced for second save of season in series finale at Illinois. He pitched 1.2 innings in opener at Illinois. He worked 1-2-3 ninth inning in non-save situation to close out win vs. MSU #4. He pitched two thirds of an inning at Purdue #4 allowing a run and a hit. He pitched a third of an inning at EMU allowing three runs and one hit. He worked two innings to record first career save vs. OSU #4 allowing two hits and two unearned runs. He worked 2.1 innings allowing two unearned runs vs. Toledo. He worked 1.1 innings allowing one hit and one run at Minn. #2. He made two scoreless appearances with 2.1 innings in Big Ten debut vs. Northwestern after pitching three hitless innings vs. Bowling Green. He pitched two shutout innings in win over Wagner. He allowed three hits and three runs in two innings at Baylor after working a scoreless inning with a strikeout vs. North Carolina Asheville. He allowed two hits facing two batters in career debut vs. Troy.
Michael Powers (So./Fr., RHP, 2-0, 4.09 ERA) pitched 3.1 innings in no decision-start vs. EMU allowing eight hits and two runs, one earned. He allowed one run in five innings in win in start vs. WMU. He pitched 1.1 innings at Purdue #4 allowing three hits and four runs. He had three shutout, hitless innings out of bullpen vs. Toledo. Pitched 2.2 innings allowing three runs in no decision at CMU in first career start. He worked 1.2 scoreless innings in the series opener vs. Oakland. He pitched three innings vs. Wagner allowing four hits and a run to record his first career win. He retired six consecutive batters with two strikeouts in career debut vs. Louisiana Tech after throwing a bases loaded wild pitch on first pitch of career and allowing infield hit to reload bases to first batter of career.
Jeff Niemiec (Sr., RHP, 1-1, 7.27 ERA) was 3-1 with 6.32 ERA in 2005. Faced one batter vs. EMU. Worked scoreless inning at Illinois #3. Had 1-2-3 inning vs. WMU. Worked 1.1 innings including a 1-2-3 seventh inning to send second game of Minnesota series to extra innings. Notched win at CMU pitching two innings with career-best five strikeouts. Worked final two innings of Oakland series opener allowing two hits and a run cutting ERA in half. He has made eight appearances in 2006. He enters Penn State weekend with 4-2 career record in 35 appearances in four seasons and features sidewinder delivery. He took the loss in the opener vs. UAB allowing a hit and two runs without getting an out and he worked 1.1 innings allowing one hit and one run vs. LeMoyne. He was winner of the Wolverine Award for team spirit and leadership as a sophomore in 2004 and he led the team with 2.45 ERA as a freshman. He recorded first three wins as a junior vs. Oakland, Eastern Michigan and Toledo and had a save at Florida Atlantic.
Dan Lentz (Jr./So, RHP, 0-0, 7.36 ERA) was 0-2, 7.71 in 2004 and did not see action in 2005. He has made eight appearances in 2006. He faced three batters and allowed run vs. WMU . He allowed a run in 1.1 innings at EMU. He allowed two runs on three hits in inning vs. Toledo. He worked scoreless ninth inning at CMU. He worked third of an inning allowing two runs (unearned) vs. Oakland. He pitched 2.1 scoreless innings to highlight U-M staff in 16-0 loss. He had scoreless inning at Georgia Southern after allowing two runs in third of an inning vs. South Alabama in season debut. He made 12 appearances as a freshman with nine strikeouts in 14 innings of work with a save at Central Michigan.
Jason Christian (Fr., RHP, 0-1, 16.88 ERA, one save) had 1-2-3 eighth inning vs. WMU, but allowed three runs in the ninth. He took loss in extra innings at Minnesota allowing three runs in two-third of an inning while recording two strikeouts. He fanned two of four batters faced to close out win vs. Bowling Green to record first career save. He worked 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts in seventh but allowed four runs on five hits in the eighth inning in career debut at Baylor.
Alex Martin (Sr., RHP, 0-0, 13.50 ERA) has made three appearances. He moved to the mound exclusively in 2006 after making 15 starts at 3B a year ago. He faced four batters allowing two walks, one hit and HBP vs. La Tech. He worked an inning vs. North Carolina Asheville with a strikeout after allowing two runs in 1.2 innings vs. South Alabama with two strikeouts. He has played in 110 games in his career with eight pitching appearances.
Mike Wilson (Fr. LHP, 0-0, 9.00) has made seven appearances with start vs. Toledo and six out of bullpen (vs. Troy, Central Florida, Georgia Southern, Baylor, CMU and EMU). Pitched scoreless inning vs. EMU allowing hit and recording strikeout. Worked 1-2-3 first inning against Toledo and left game after allowing homer to lead off second inning. He pitched two scoreless innings allowing two hits and recording season-best four strikeouts at CMU. He recorded his first career strikeout vs. GSU. Was ranked first by Baseball America on the Canadian prospect list and was listed 213th on the North American list for 2005. Had 1.86 ERA with 127 strikeouts playing two summers with Team Ontario in more than 90 innings of work and helped lead team to runner-up slot in 2004 NABF World Series.
Schmidt Homers For Hammond Again, Still Leading Big Ten
Senior OF Mike Schmidt (Saginaw, Mich./Heritage HS) heads into the Penn State weekend as the overall Big Ten homer run leader as he smashed his team-leading ninth circuit blast for the only run in Michigan's 1-0 victory in the second game of the series.
Schmidt had just three hits during the Illinois series, but true to form two of the three were for extra bases with a double and the game-winning homer. For the season Schmidt is hitting .275 (30-for-109) with 13 (four 2Bs and nine HRs) of his 30 hits good for extra bases.
His ninth homer was Michigan's first hit in the second game of the series and provided fifth-year LHP Paul Hammond all the support he needed in the 1-0 win. It was Schmidt's fourth game-winning RBI of the season and the sixth of his career. Schmidt has three Big Ten gamers, all on homers, and all three have been in games won by Hammond (Ohio State, Michigan State and Illinois). Schmidt has 32 RBI with his 30 hits for the season. Schmidt has 15 career homers and he is Michigan's active career leader.
Wolverine Weekly 'Gamer' Update
The three game-winning RBI vs. Illinois (2) and Eastern Michigan (1) came from OF Mike Schmidt, DH Adam Abraham and catcher Jeff Kunkel.
Heading into the Penn State weekend the Wolverines have had 29 game-winning RBI in the 30 wins led by 2B/OF Pickens (6) vs. Troy, GWU, Oakland, Purdue (2) and MSU followed by 1B Recknagel (5) vs. Oakland, BG, Minnesota (2) and OSU. Schmidt (4) vs. Central Florida, OSU, MSU and Illinois is third and freshman 2B Kevin Cislo (Novi, Mich./Novi) (3) vs. Oakland, NU and CMU is fourth.
Senior catcher Jeff Kunkel vs. Purdue and EMU, senior 3B A.J. Scheidt vs. Oakland and OSU, shortstop Mahler vs. OSU and MSU and freshman DH Adam Abraham vs. LeMoyne and Illinois have two each while three Wolverines have one each including junior OF Eric Rose vs. Pacific, junior OF Brad Roblin (Wayland, Mass./Rivers School) vs. Wagner and sophomore 1B/RF Derek VanBuskirk (St. Clair, Mich./St. Clair) vs. Minnesota.
The active career total of gamers for the Wolverines includes: Jeff Kunkel with 14, A.J. Scheidt (9), Mike Schmidt (6), Brad Roblin (6), Doug Pickens (6), Nate Recknagel (5), Leif Mahler (5), Kevin Cislo (3), Eric Rose (2), Adam Abraham (2) and Derek VanBuskirk (1).
U-M Pitching, Fielding Leads Conference Action
The Michigan pitching staff enters the Penn State weekend still leading the Big Ten in league play in pitching with a 3.27 ERA and defense with a .977 fielding percentage after the split at Illinois. The Wolverines are still fifth place in the Big Ten in hitting.
Big Ten Player-of the Week Nate Recknagel and fifth-year senior catcher Jeff Kunkel are tied for fourth in the Big Ten in hitting at .398 in league play only.
The four U-M starting pitchers are listed in the top 10 in conference action with Zach Putnam (3-1, 1.69) in first, with Paul Hammond (4-1, 1.89) in second, Chris Fetter (2-1, 2.08) in fourth and Andrew Hess (1-1, 2.87) in 10th.
In overall action Michigan as a team ranks first in defense (.972), fourth in pitching (4.53 ERA) and fifth in hitting (.305).Senior Mike Schmidt leads the Big Ten in overall action with his nine home runs.
Michigan Weekly Lineup Update
After 47 games in 2006 nine Wolverines have made starts at more than one position led by senior Mike Schmidt (LF, RF, CF, DH), sophomore Doug Pickens (RF, 2B, C, DH) and freshman Adam Abraham (P, 3B, LF, DH) with starts at four different positions, while five players have starts at three positions including fifth-year senior Jeff Kunkel (C, 1B, DH), junior Brad Roblin (LF, CF, RF), sophomore Derek VanBuskirk (1B, LF, RF), sophomore Nate Recknagel (1B, DH, C) and freshman Zach Putnam (1B, P, DH). Freshman Jason Christian (2B, SS) has started at two positions.
Only two Wolverines have started in all 47 games, but no player has started at one position in all 47 games. Kunkel (C-40, DH-4, 1B-3) and Pickens (RF-22, 2B-21, C-3, DH-1) have made 47 starts and senior 3B A.J. Scheidt with 45 starts has made the most starts at one position. The most starts in one spot in the batting order are 37 in the leadoff spot by CF Eric Rose.
Catcher Kunkel and Pickens have each batted in seven of the nine places in the batting order hitting in each spot 2-8. Players that have hit in six positions are OF Schmidt (1-2-5-6-7-9) and Abraham (3-5-6-7-8-9) while players that have hit in five slots are Mahler (2-3-5-7-8), Recknagel (3-4-5-6-7) and Roblin (1-2-6-7-9). Roblin batted in eight of the nine places in the order in 2004 missing only the clean up (4) position.
'MICH'-ellaneous Notes Update
The Wolverines have done well at the start and the finish of Big Ten weekends as they have lost once on a Friday and once on the road on getaway day. The loss to Illinois on Friday (May 5) was the first Friday loss for the Wolverines in conference play as U-M is 5-1 in series openers. The win at Illinois in Sunday's getaway game gives Michigan a 6-1 record in the final game of a road weekend for overall action with wins over Troy (Feb. 26), LeMoyne (Mar. 5), Pacific (Mar. 12), Wagner (Mar. 19), Minnesota (Apr. 9) and Illinois (May 7) with the loss at Purdue (Apr. 23).
The Wolverines have shown balance in the Big Ten entering the Penn State series tied for first place with Northwestern at 16-8 record. Michigan is 7-3 at home and 9-5 on the road in Big Ten play. Michigan is at the end of a four-week span that included 14 of 16 conference games on the road and U-M went 3-1 at Purdue, 3-1 vs. MSU and 2-2 at Illinois for a 6-4 road mark and 2-0 at home during that span. U-M has four games left on the road this weekend at Penn State (May 12-14) and four at home closing out the regular season with Iowa (May 19-21).
Fifth-year senior LHP Ali Husain (Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti) made his 73rdd career appearance in the EMU game. Husain is tied for fourth place on U-M's all-time pitching appearance list with Greg Everson (73, 1985-87). Mike Ignasiak (76, 1985-88) is third and the Michigan record is 106 pitching appearances by Todd Marion (1990-93).
Michigan Starters Review
Heading into the Penn State weekend nine Wolverines have made 84 or more career starts with five having made more than 110. Senior 3B A.J. Scheidt leads the way with 179 career starts and fifth-year senior catcher Jeff Kunkel is next with 156 starts followed by juniors OF Eric Rose (128), shortstop Leif Mahler (123) and OF Brad Roblin (110). Senior infielder turned RHP Alex Martin has been stopped at 93 starts while nearing the 90-starts plateau in the PSU series are sophomore 1B/C/DH Nate Recknagel with 89 and sophomore OF Doug Pickens with 86 starts. Senior OF Mike Schmidt has 84 starts.
The 2006 lineup (starters in bold) with backups includes: (number of starts at that position this season/total career starts any position): 1B: * Nate Recknagel (25/89) or Derek VanBuskirk (18/59), Jeff Kunkel (3/156), Zach Putnam (1/7); 2B: Doug Pickens (21/86), Kevin Cislo (18/18), Jason Christian (8/16); SS: Leif Mahler (39/123), Jason Christian (8/16), Kevin Cislo (0/18); 3B: A.J. Scheidt (45/179), Adam Abraham (2/32); LF: Mike Schmidt (30/84), Brad Roblin (9/110), Derek VanBuskirk (4/59), Adam Abraham (4/32); CF: Eric Rose (38/128), Brad Roblin (8/110), Mike Schmidt (1/84); RF: Derek VanBuskirk (21/59) or Doug Pickens (22/86), Mike Schmidt (2/84), Brad Roblin (2/110); C: Jeff Kunkel (40/156), *Nate Recknagel (4/89), Doug Pickens (3/86); DH: Adam Abraham (25/32), *Nate Recknagel (15/89), Jeff Kunkel (4/156), Doug Pickens (1/86), Mike Schmidt (1/84), Zach Putnam (1/7). [*at Oakland University (45 starts in 2005)]
Contact: Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
