The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 11, 1989 - Page 9 '89 Michigan baseball season is in full swing Blue takes on Ferris today BY JAY MOSES Yeah, I know, it's been ridiculously cold outside. I But with the Michigan baseball team, things are start- ing to heat up. The team made it over its biggest early-season hump by taking two of three from Big Ten rival Min- nesota. The Wolverines are likely to be at a season- high level of confidence after getting the best of the defending conference champs. Today, the Wolverines (20-8) return home to take on cross-state foe Ferris State University, weather permitting. Michigan may not need that confidence. The Bull- dogs, who are the third Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference team that Michigan has faced this year, sport a 2-13 record. "We're struggling," assistant coach Tom Baldwin admitted, "but the last few eight or ten games we've been right there." Ferris State's main troubles have come at the plate, where they have not lived up to potential. "We're still not hitting the ball like we're capable of," Baldwin said. What offensive production the Bulldogs have had has come primarily from a few individuals, led by ju- nior third baseman Larry Martin. On the mound, Ferris State is paced by senior Matt Malczewski and Rob VanWormer, who was 7-1 last year and had a perfect conference record. Last year, the Wolverines swept the doubleheader between the two teams, but the games were closer than would be expected. Michigan won the first game, 5-4 in 8 innings, and the nightcap, 4-3. "We're always in the game with them," Baldwin said. The one thing the Wolverines can bet on is that no matter how great the disparity in talent, Ferris State will be giving it all they have. "Our guys get up for them," Baldwin said. "They almost feel like they have nothing to lose.When we play a team of that caliber, we step up our game a lit- tle bit." 'M' takes two of three from Minnesota BY DAVID HYMAN Pitching was one thing Michigan baseball coach Bud Middaugh was concerned with entering this season, but he need not worry after this weekend's performance. On Sunday, Michigan defeated defending Big Ten champions Minnesota, 3-0, 5-1, but yesterday, it was the Gophers day to turn in the solid pitching. The Wolverines (20-8) received back-to-back two-hitters from junior righthander Mike Grimes (2-0, 0.00 ERA in Big Ten play) and lefty junior Ross Powell (2-0, 0.64 ERA) in Sunday's sweep of the Gophers (11-9-1). In the first game, Grimes registered four strikeouts, pitching one-two- three innings in five of the seven innings, retiring 20 of the last 21 batters (one over the minimum)-in a row after allowing a leadoff infield single which was questionable, as was the second infield hit. Designated hitter Kourtney Thompson provided all the runs the Wolverines needed in the first game when he hit a led off the second inning with a home run, his third career roundtripper in the friendly confines of the Metro(Homer)dome. In Sunday's nightcap, Powell threw seven strikeouts and received all the runs he needed for the victory in the seventh when the score was tied 1-1. Thompson hit a one out double with a rocket off the top of the wall in right field, missing his second home run of the day by inches. Gopher bullpen ace John Lowery then relieved starter Shane Kangas and intentionally walked pinch-hitter Doug Kaiser. Second baseman Matt Morse hit a roller to third and a poor throw pulled John Monson off first base and Morse collided with Monson. This allowed Thompson to score as the ball ended up in right field. Catcher Mike Matheny then singled to score Kaiser and centerfielder Jim Durham tripled to score Morse and Matheny to push the Wolverines to a 5-1 lead. However, Michigan did not receive the pitching it received on Sunday, Monday afternoon. Tim Lata took his first career loss (9-1) in Minnesota's 6-3 victory. What did the Wolverines in was the third inning with Michigan leading 1-0, Gopher leadoff hitter Vince Palyan tripled and scored on shortstop Brent Gates single. Lata was relieved by Russ Brock who gave up consecutive singles to Jay Anderson and Monson. Brock then drew the count to 3-2 on Greg Johnson and was relieved by Jason Pfaff. Pfaff threw a strike but gave up a double to Steve Clavert and a single to Brian Hartman as the Gophers took a 6-1 lead which they would never relinquish for starter Eric Porter (2-2). ROBIN LOZNAK/Daily Michigan pitcher Eric Persinger got the win against Wayne State on Tuesday. He pitched 4 2/3 innings, gining up only one hit and one walk while striking out four. ng .w the sporting views* the sport g views * I *n 'g ~Ranger GM Esposito