Weekly Release #14
5/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Upcoming Action (All times local to site)
Friday-Monday, June 2-5 -- at NCAA Regional (Atlanta, Ga.)
(Hosted by Georgia Tech at Russ Chandler Stadium)
June 2 -- Michigan vs. Vanderbilt, 3 p.m.
June 3 -- Michigan vs. Georgia Tech or Stetson, 1 p.m. or 5 p.m.
June 4 -- TBD, 1 p.m. and/or 5 p.m.
June 5 -- TBD, 3 p.m.
Wolverines Make 19th Big Ten Tourney Appearance
The University of Michigan Big Ten champion baseball team heads back to Georgia for the 2006 Atlanta Baseball Regional hosted by Georgia Tech this weekend (June 2-4).
The Wolverines (42-19) won both the Big Ten regular season and post-season tournament championships earning the Big Ten's automatic NCAA bid. The 64-team field was announced Monday (May 30) as Michigan was sent to Georgia Tech for the second straight year.
The Wolverines are the No. 3 seed in the Atlanta, Ga., regional and will face No. 2 seed Vanderbilt (36-25) at 3 p.m. Friday (June 2) at Georgia Tech's Russ Chandler Stadium. The fourth-ranked (USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches Poll) host Yellow Jackets (45-16) of the ACC, seeded No. 1 in the regional and No. 8 nationally, will meet Stetson (38-22) from the Atlantic Sun Conference at 7 p.m. Friday in the other first-round contest.
The four-team, double-elimination regional schedule has two games each day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with an "if necessary" game scheduled for Monday (June 5). The Saturday and Sunday start times are 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. with the Monday starting time list at 3 p.m.
Making its 19th NCAA Tournament appearance, Michigan returns to the national tournament for the second year in a row. It marks the first back-to-back NCAA appearances since U-M reached seven straight years from 1983-1989. This is Michigan's third regional appearance in Atlanta (1987, 2005 & 2006).
U-M has played all three teams in the Atlanta regional and holds a 19-14 lead over first round opponent Vanderbilt. Michigan is 3-11 vs. Stetson and holds a 3-2 edge over regional host Georgia Tech.
Michigan was 2-3 this season against teams in the NCAA field, going 1-0 vs. Notre Dame and Troy University and 0-1 vs. South Alabama, UNC-Asheville and Winthrop.
The 16 regional champions advance to the best-of-three super regional. The Atlanta Regional is matched with the Lexington, Ky. Regional with the winners meeting in Super Regional action June 10-12 or 11-13 at a campus site to be determined.
The eight super regional winners advance to the College World Series, scheduled for June 16-26 in Omaha, Neb. The Wolverines have advanced to the College World Series seven times, most recently in 1984, and won national titles in 1953 and 1962.
The Wolverines gained some national attention finishing the regular season with 10 wins in the last 11 games as Michigan remained 23rd in Collegiate Baseball's weekly poll, but in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll U-M dropped from a season-high 47 votes that ranked '28th' in the top 25 last week to 28 points by winning the Big Ten Tournament and falling to 31st, one spot behind Friday opponent Vanderbilt (30 votes).
Wolverines Capture Seventh Big Ten Tourney Title
ANN ARBOR C Rich Maloney's University of Michigan Big Ten champion baseball team came out of the loser's bracket to capture the Big Ten Tournament championship for the first time since 1999 and gained the automatic NCAA bid.
The Wolverines dropped their first game to Minnesota 6-2 then came back to beat Northwestern 8-3, Ohio State 3-2 and Minnesota twice 11-9 and 9-4.
It is the first time that Michigan has won both the regular season championship and the tournament championship in the same season. The first five times the Wolverines won Big Ten Tournament titles (1981, 1983, 1984, 1986 and 1987) it came during the "Divisional Era" of Big Ten play when U-M had captured the East title, but the tournament winner was considered the official Big Ten champ.
The sixth Big Ten Tournament win for Michigan was 1999 when the fourth place Wolverines won the tournament in Columbus beat host OSU, Illinois and split two games with Minnesota for the championship and the automatic NCAA bid.
That 1999 tournament was the last of the four-team championships. This was Michigan's first title in the current six-team format.
The Wolverines are now 17-8 against the Big Ten Tournament field as U-M went 5-0 vs. Ohio State, 5-2 against Minnesota, 3-1 Purdue, 2-2 vs. Illinois and 2-3 against Northwestern.
Maloney Seeks 150th Wolverine Win
Michigan's Rich Maloney (Western Michigan '86), the 18th coach in Wolverine baseball history, is in his 11th season as a head coach and he captured his first Big Ten overall and tournament championships.
Maloney is making his second NCAA tournament appearance in the NCAA Atlanta Regional and he owns a career record of 404-235-1 (.632) in 11 years as a college head coach. He is 148-91 (.619) at Michigan. Maloney earned his 400th career win during the sweep of Iowa to win the Big Ten regular season title and he is two wins shy of 150 wins at Michigan.
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 led U-M to the Big Ten Tournament in each of his four years as head coach.
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 30th game this season against Eastern Michigan on May 9 and his 40th win came in Big Ten Tournament action vs. Ohio State on May 27.
Against the Atlanta Regional field Maloney is 0-1 vs. both Georgia Tech and Stetson and he will be facing Vanderbilt for the first time.
Regional "Links"
Regional host Georgia Tech's head coach Danny Hall served as an assistant coach for the Wolverines for eight seasons (1980-87) with his last games as a Wolverine assistant in the 1987 Northeast Regional hosted by Georgia Tech ... Michigan fifth-year senior co-captain LHP Drew Taylor (Toronto, Ont./Upper Canada College) appeared in 11 games as a freshman at Georgia Tech before transferring before the 2003 season. Taylor is 19-10 as a Wolverine and ranks 15th on U-M's all-time win list ... Michigan's second-year pitching coach Bob Keller served as pitching coach at Georgia State in Atlanta for seven seasons (1995-2001) before moving to Birmingham Southern (2002-2004) ... Michigan has a 3-2 edge in the series vs. Georgia Tech with the last meeting a 7-6 Wolverine loss in a tournament at Armstrong Atlantic State in Savannah, Ga., in 2003 in Rich Maloney's third game as head coach and in Taylor's (no decision) first start as a Wolverine ... UM took two of three in a visit to Chandler Stadium in 1995 when former Michigan and Detroit Tiger great Bill Freehan was the head coach ... Michigan went 1-2 in the 1987 regional at Georgia Tech with Jim Abbott earning the win with a shutout over Rider when Bud Middaugh was head coach Michigan was 1-2 in regional action at Georgia Tech with the win vs. Furman sandwiched by two one-run losses to South Carolina in the first regional for U-M head coach Rich Maloney.
Abraham Pitches & Hits Way to Tournament 'MOP' Award
University of Michigan freshman OF/RHP Adam Abraham (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./South), the third team All-Big Ten Designated Hitter for the regular season, was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten Tournament.
Abraham was also named to the Big Ten all-tournament team as the DH and was also named as an all-tournament pitcher. Abraham hit .412 (7-for-17) with two doubles, a homer and five RBI and he had a win and a save pitching seven innings in three pitching appearances with a 1.29 ERA.
For the season Abraham is hitting .306 (49-for-160) with six homers and 31 RBI and he is 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA and three saves in 19 appearances.
Recknagel Adds Big Ten Tournament Honors
University of Michigan sophomore first baseman/DH Nate Recknagel (Lake Orion, Mich./Lake Orion) enters the NCAA Atlanta Regional as Michigan's leading hitter at .372 (77-for-207) after collecting 10 hits in the Big Ten Tournament.
Recknagel, a second team All-Big Ten selection, hit .476 (10-for-21) in tournament play to earn the all-tournament selection at first base. Recknagel had a double and two homers in the tournament and had 47 putouts and two assists and made several sparkling fielding plays.
Recknagel leads the Wolverines with 17 doubles, shares the team lead with seven game-winning RBI, ranks second with seven homers and third with 37 RBI. He had his first four-hit game as a Wolverine vs. Northwestern and he had a three-hit game vs. Minnesota. He had a homer in each of those games. He leads the team with 25 multi-hit games.
In Big Ten only action Recknagel led the Wolverines with a .402 (39-for-97) batting average.
Rose Earns All-Big Ten Accolades
Junior CF Eric Rose (Blissfield, Mich./Blissfield) heads into the NCAA Regional Tournament after hitting .400 (8-for-20) to earn Big Ten All-Tournament honors as the Wolverines captured the title.
Rose, an All-Big Ten first team outfielder, collected one stolen base in the tournament to push his season total to 31, the second best U-M season total. Rose has 56 career steals to rank third on U-M's all-time list. Jim Durham (1986-89) holds both the single season (38 in 1987) and career (74) stolen bases records for the Wolverines.
For the season Rose is hitting .337 (67-for-199) and has driven in 41 runs from his leadoff position as he has already surpassed his RBI total of his first two seasons combined (32). Rose has made 134 putouts in centerfield and added two assists without making an error.
Kunkel Collects More Hits, Assists & Awards
Fifth-year senior catcher Jeff Kunkel (Oak Forest, Ill./Oak Forest), who named one of the 10 semi-finalists for the Johnny Bench Award awarded to the top catcher in the nation, enters the NCAA Atlanta Regional after having earned a pair of Big Ten honors as the first all-league catcher and the all-tournament catcher.
Kunkel is hitting .333 (72-for-216) for the season. Kunkel had six hits in the tournament to move his career it total to 206 as he passed Barry Larkin (203 hits, 1983-85) for 11th place on U-M's all-time it list. On defense Kunkel is fielding .995 with two errors in 359 chances (320 putouts, 57 assists).
Kunkel is second on the team lead with 72 hits and has at least one hit in 76 of his last 97 games. He leads the team with 30 walks and is second with a .420 on base percentage.
Wolverine Pitching Rotation
Michigan's starters for the NCAA Atlanta Regional Tournament hosted by Georgia Tech are unknown at this time with four pitchers in the running for weekend starts in Russ Chandler Stadium including fifth-year senior co-captain LHP Paul Hammond (Mason, Ohio/Mason HS), sophomore/freshman RHP Chris Fetter (Carmel, Ind./Carmel HS), freshman RHP Zach Putnam (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) and fifth-year senior co-captain Drew Taylor (Toronto, Ontario/Upper Canada College).
The bullpen leaders include sophomore/freshman closer Ben Jenzen (Grosse Pointe, Mich./South HS) along with senior RHP Craig Murray (Park Ridge, Ill./Maine South), fifth-year senior LHP Ali Husain (Ypsilanti, Mich./Ypsilanti), freshman RHP Adam Abraham (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./South HS), sophomore/freshman RHP Michael Powers (St. Clair Shores, Mich./South Lake HS), junior right-hander Andrew Hess (Kalamazoo, Mich./Central 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).
NCAA Regional Starters Profiles
Paul Hammond (5th/Sr., LHP, 7-4, 2.52 ERA, one save) would be making team-leading 13th overall start and 55th career appearance. He pitched 3.2 innings allowing seven hits and five runs against Minn. #5 in the Big Ten Tournament opener. He had not allowed an earned run in 30.2 innings before allowing three in the fourth inning vs. the Golden Gophers. He pitched a nine-inning complete game with 12 strikeouts to beat Iowa 2-1. He pitched 7.2 shutout innings allowing four hits in 7-0 win at Penn State in his first Friday start to collect his fifth straight win. 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 the sixth of his career. 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 allowed five runs in last 44 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 62 strikeouts in 75 innings of work in 2006 and notched his 100th career strikeout in loss to Louisiana Tech. He has 150 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 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 Big Tens with 26 starts and 53 appearances in his Michigan career with a 16-7 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 16 career wins: Purdue (3), MSU (3), OSU (2), Penn State (2), George Washington, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, North Carolina and Furman.
Chris Fetter (So./Fr RHP, 5-1, 1.89, one save) has made 15 appearances and would be making 10th career start. He pitched 6.2 innings allowing one earned run in Big Ten Tournament win vs. Northwestern. He pitched seven shutout innings in no decision start with career best eight strikeouts vs. Iowa in eventual 1-0 extra inning win. He pitched 6.2 innings allowing four hits in 2-0 win at Penn State. 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 29 strikeouts in 53.0 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.
Zach Putnam (Fr. RHP, 6-1, 2.10 ERA, one save) would be making his ninth start of career in 12th appearance. He beat Ohio State working 6.2 innings allowing three hits and an unearned run for his sixth win. He beat Iowa #3 to clinch outright Big Ten title working five innings and allowing one run in a 4-1 win. He served as the DH for two games vs. Iowa and during the Penn State series. 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.
Drew Taylor (5th/Sr., LHP, 6-4, 5.17 ERA) was 4-3, 4.05 ERA and had 17 appearances with eight starts in 2005. A co-captain for 2006, he has 33 career starts (32 at UM) and 59 career appearance (48 at U-M). An Academic All-American candidate for 2006 and listed as a 'player to watch' for 2006 by Collegiate Baseball, he was roughed up in tournament action vs. Minnesota after he beat Iowa #4 for his fourth straight Sunday win to close out regular season. He earned his fifth win of the season and 18th win of is U-M career with a 4-0 shutout at Penn State #4 in his first Big Ten start since the opening series vs. Northwestern. He allowed seven hits and had three Ks in the shutout, the second of his career and first nine-inning shutout. He earned his fourth win of the season working 4.1 innings out of the bullpen at Illinois #4 allowing seven hits and two runs, one earned. He earned win 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 19-10 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 117 career strikeouts (112 at U-M). He has 19 career wins as Wolverine with wins over Illinois (2), Indiana (2), MSU (2), Penn State (2), Oakland (2), Bethune-Cookman, Butler, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame, OSU 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.
Wolverine Bullpen Leaders
Ben Jenzen (So./Fr., RHP, 2-0, 3.00 ERA, six saves) has made 21 appearances to lead the team after red-shirting as true freshman in 2005. He had a save against Northwestern in Big Ten Tournament play and collected his first career hit for a 1.000 (1-for-1) batting average. He had a win and a save in the doubleheader sweep of Iowa that clinched Big Ten crown for the Wolverines as e worked he worked one inning in the opener and got the win and retired the final two batters of the nightcap for the save. He earned team-leading fourth save with scoreless inning vs. Notre Dame. He recorded bases loaded strikeout out to end 2-0 win at Penn State #2 for third save. 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.
Craig Murray (Sr., RHP, 4-2, 5.13 ERA) with 20 appearances. He made start going 4.2 innings in Big Ten championship game allowing seven hits and two runs and fell just short of collecting the victory in an eventual 9-4 Wolverine win. He worked 1.1 innings vs. Iowa #3. He allowed four hits and four runs in an inning at Penn State #3. 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 Atlanta Regional weekend with 47 career appearances and nine 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 fifth on the team in innings pitched (49.0) and he is second with 39 Ks. He has 6-6 career record with one save collecting wins vs. Central Florida, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Pacific and Western Michigan.
Ali Husain (Sr./5th, LHP, 0-0, 7.36, one save) was 1-0, 6.32 in 2005. He has made 14 appearances in 2006. He worked twice in Big Ten Tournament going 1.1 scoreless innings vs. Minnesota and one third with a strikeout fanning Northwestern's all-tournament OF Antonio Mule'. 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 Atlanta Regional with 14 appearances in 2006 and 75 career pitching appearances to rank fourth on U-M's career pitching appearance list. 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 38 strikeouts in his last 40 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, 5-3, 3.86 ERA, three saves) third on team with 19 appearances. He pitched three times in Big Ten Tournament getting win over Minnesota and a save vs. Ohio State as he was named to the all-tournament team as a pitcher, the DH and was named Most Outstanding Player. He worked 1-2-3 ninth for save vs. Iowa #4. Worked 1-2-3 eighth inning vs. Notre Dame getting three fly balls to center. 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. 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. He 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.
Michael Powers (So./Fr., RHP, 4-0, 3.05 ERA) pitched 4.1 innings out of bullpen to beat Minnesota #7 in championship game of Big Ten Tournament. He pitched twice vs. Minnesota in the post-season. He fanned season best six batters in three innings vs. Iowa #4. He pitched season-best seven innings allowing five hits and one run with four strikeouts in win over Notre Dame. Worked 1.1 innings to close out 7-0 win in opener at Penn State in non-save situation. 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.
Andrew Hess (Jr. RHP, 2-2, 6.38 ERA) is second on team with 11 starts and is fourth with 38 strikeouts in 55 innings. He pitched two innings out of bullpen vs. Minn. #6 allowing three hits and four runs in eventual 11-9 Mich. Win. Hess enters the Atlanta Regional weekend with a 5-5 record in 42 career appearances with 15 starts. He took loss at Penn State #3 allowing five hits and six runs in two innings. 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 70 strikeouts in 100 innings in 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 Atlanta Regional with 4-2 career record in 35 appearances in four seasons. 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 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 Ks in 14 innings of work with a save at CMU.
Jason Christian (Fr., RHP, 0-1, 14.21 ERA, one save) pitched scoreless inning at PSU #3. 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 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, 7.71) has made eight appearances with start vs. Toledo and seven out of bullpen (vs. Troy, Central Florida, Georgia Southern, Baylor, CMU, EMU and PSU #3). Allowed three runs, one earned in two inning of Big Ten debut at Penn State #3. 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.
Wolverine Weekly 'Gamer' Update
The Wolverines had three game-winning RBI during Big Ten Tournament action last weekend and they came off the bats of fifth-year senior catcher Jeff Kunkel vs. Northwestern, senior OF Eric Rose vs. Minnesota in the first championship game and sophomore 2B Doug Pickens (West Bloomfield, Mich./Brother Rice) vs. Minnesota in the true championship game. The gamer vs. Ohio State was scored on a wild pitch.
Heading into the NCAA Atlanta Regional Tournament the Wolverines have had 40 game-winning RBI in the 42 wins led by 1B Nate Recknagel (7) vs. Oakland, BG, Minnesota (2), OSU , Notre Dame and Iowa and 2B/OF Pickens (7) vs. Troy, GWU, Oakland, Purdue (2), MSU and Minnesota. OF Mike Schmidt (5) vs. Central Florida, OSU, MSU, Illinois and Iowa is tied for third with OF/RHP Abraham (5) vs. Penn State (2), LeMoyne, Illinois and Iowa.
Senior catcher Jeff Kunkel vs. Purdue, EMU and Northwestern #5, junior OF Eric Rose vs. OSU, Iowa #4 and Minn. #6 and freshman 2B Kevin Cislo (Novi, Mich./Novi) vs. Oakland, NU and CMU are tied for fifth with three each. Senior 3B A.J. Scheidt vs. Oakland and OSU #1 and junior shortstop Leif Mahler (Columbus, Ohio/St. Charles Prep) vs. OSU and MSU are tied for eighth with two each.
Three Wolverines have one each including junior OF Brad Roblin (Wayland, Mass./Rivers School) vs. Wagner, sophomore 1B/RF Derek VanBuskirk (St. Clair, Mich./St. Clair) vs. Minnesota and freshman P/DH Zach Putnam at Penn State.
The active career total of gamers for the Wolverines includes: Jeff Kunkel with 15, A.J. Scheidt (9), Mike Schmidt (7), Nate Recknagel (7), Doug Pickens (7), Brad Roblin (6), Leif Mahler (5), Adam Abraham (5), Eric Rose (4), Kevin Cislo (3), Derek VanBuskirk (1) and Zach Putnam (1).
More 'MICH'-ellaneous Notes Updates
Michigan has won 10 of 11 games (.909) the past two weekends to win the Big Ten regular season and tournament crowns. The Wolverines are 14-3 (.824) in the last 17 games, 28-8 (.778) in the last 36 games and 39-13 (.750) after starting the season 3-6 with a 16-0 loss at Baylor.
Michigan has gone 10-2 against baseball arch-rivals Ohio State (5-0) and Minnesota (5-2) in 2006 and had to play and win the last three games of the Big Ten Tournament beating OSU 3-2 and Minnesota twice 11-9 and 9-4 to win the championship.
By winning the 2006 Big Ten baseball championship the Wolverines have earned their conference-leading 33rd conference baseball title, the first since 1997. Michigan has won Big Ten baseball titles in three centuries and in 12 consecutive decades starting in 1899, 31 titles from 1901 to 1997 and now 2006. U-M won six titles in the 1920s, 1940s and 1980s with single decade wins in 1899, 1936, 1961, 1997 and 2006.
Michigan's Big Ten Tournament win last weekend marks the first time the Wolverines have captured an overall Big Ten title and the tournament title in the same year. Michigan has won seven Big Ten Tournament championships and it was the first for the Wolverines since 1999. The first five tournament titles were won after winning the Big Ten Eastern Division and in 1999 Michigan was a fourth seed. U-M's tournament win last weekend was the first for the Wolverines in a six-team Big Ten tournament format. Michigan won the first Big Ten Tournament title in 1981 and U-M has won four Big Ten Tournaments in U-M's Ray Fisher Stadium in 1981, 1983, 1987 and 2006 while winning twice at Minnesota (1984 & 1986) and once in Columbus (1999).
The Wolverines have continued to show balance in the Big Ten entering the Atlanta Tournament. Michigan went 11-3 (.786) at home and 12-6 (.667) on the road in Big Ten play. Michigan finished its last five weeks of the schedule that included 14 of 20 conference games on the road with a mark of 15-5 as U-M went 3-1 at Purdue, 3-1 vs. MSU, 2-2 at Illinois and 3-1 at Penn State for a 9-5 road mark and 6-0 record at home vs. MSU and Iowa. For the season Michigan was 22-5 (.815) in Fisher Stadium, 14-10 (.583) in true road games and 6-4 (.600) in neutral site games.
Fifth-year senior LHP Drew Taylor enters the Atlanta Regional Tournament looking for career win 20 as a Wolverine Fifth-year senior LHP Ali Husain needs one pitching appearance to move into a tie with Mike Ignasiak (76, 1985-88) for third on U-M's all-time pitching appearance list. Senior 3B A.J. Scheidt (Bloomfield Hills, Mich./Lahser HS), who enters the Atlanta Regional with 193 career starts needs four hits to reach 200 for his career Senior OF Mike Schmidt (Saginaw, Mich./Heritage HS) enters the Atlanta weekend with 98 career starts and 88 career hits and he needs two hits to give him 45 for the year to match his total for his first three seasons Sophomore/freshman closer Ben Jenzen (Grosse Pointe, Mich./South HS) earned his sixth save and collected his first career hit, a single, against Northwestern in Big Ten Tournament play.
Five Wolverines Earn Big Ten Tournament Honors
Freshman Adam Abraham, who was named the Big Ten Tournament's Most Outstanding Player while making the all-tournament team as both a pitcher and as designated hitter was joined on the all-tournament squad by first baseman Nate Recknagel, third baseman A.J. Scheidt, outfielder Eric Rose and catcher Jeff Kunkel. It was the fifth time that Michigan had earned six positions (although with five players) on Big Ten All-Tournament teams with the other years 1981, 1983, 1984 and 1987.
Eight Wolverines Earn All-Big Ten Season Honors
Four members of Michigan's Big Ten championship baseball team earned All-Big Ten first team honors including catcher Jeff Kunkel, outfielder Eric Rose and starting pitchers Paul Hammond and Chris Fetter.
Sophomore 1B Nate Recknagel and true freshman starting pitcher Zach Putnam were named to the All-Big Ten second team while senior 3B A.J. Scheidt and true freshman DH Adam Abraham were named to the third team.
The four Wolverines named to the first team marked the most for Michigan since gaining four in back-to-back seasons in 1985 and 1986.
Michigan Weekly Starters Review
Heading into the Atlanta Regional Tournament seven Wolverines have made 100 or more career starts. Senior 3B A.J. Scheidt leads the way with 193 career starts and fifth-year senior catcher Jeff Kunkel is next with 170 starts followed by juniors OF Eric Rose (142), shortstop Leif Mahler (137), OF Brad Roblin (110), sophomore 1B Nate Recknagel (103) and sophomore OF Doug Pickens (100 starts). Senior OF Mike Schmidt has 98 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 (39/103), Derek VanBuskirk (18/66), Jeff Kunkel (3/170), Zach Putnam (1/17); 2B: Doug Pickens (35/100), Kevin Cislo (18/18), Jason Christian (8/16); SS: Leif Mahler (53/137), Jason Christian (8/16), Kevin Cislo (0/18); 3B: A.J. Scheidt (59/193), Adam Abraham (2/45); LF: Mike Schmidt (35/98), Adam Abraham (13/45), Brad Roblin (9/110), Derek VanBuskirk (4/66); CF: Eric Rose (52/142), Brad Roblin (8/110), Mike Schmidt (1/98); RF: Derek VanBuskirk (28/66), Doug Pickens (22/100), Mike Schmidt (9/98), Brad Roblin (2/110); C: Jeff Kunkel (54/170), *Nate Recknagel (4/103), Doug Pickens (3/100); DH: Adam Abraham (29/45), *Nate Recknagel (15/103), Zach Putnam (9/17), Jeff Kunkel (4/170), Mike Schmidt (3/98), Doug Pickens (1/100). [*at Oakland University (45 starts in 2005)]
Contact: Jim Schneider (734) 763-4423
