0 Women'sTennis Football vs. Minnesota Blue-White Game Tomorrow, 11 a.m. Tomorrow, 1:30 p.m. Liberty Sports Complex Michigan Stadium The Michigan Daily Friday, April 9,1993 Page 10 0 Things come together for Blue Pitching and 1mely hfitng help Wdverines end10-game losing sfreak F a h 5 by Brett Johnson Daily Baseball Writer It's been 18 days, but the baseball gods finally shined on Michigan baseball yesterday. The Wolverines (0-8 Big Ten, 6-23 overall) finally put another mark in the win column, defeating Saginaw Valley (10-6 overall), 4-1. "I don't know if I know what to say," Michigan coach Bill Freehan said. "I don't know what you do talking with a smile on your face to the opposing coach. It's been a while." Outstanding pitching perfor- mances from starter and winner Chris Newton and relievers Matt Humbles, Bryan Santo and Todd Marion paced the Wolverines. Newton came in with a 14.73 ERA in six appearances but was able to pitch an outstanding four innings. Although he walked four batters, Newton did not allow a hit and struck out seven Cardinals. Humbles entered the game in the top of the fifth and proceeded to pitch three scoreless innings. Santo, following Humbles, gave up the Cardinals' lone run. Saginaw Valley's Mitch Willis led off the top of the eighth with a single and, after a fielder's choice moved him to second, Cory Sturges hit a rocket up the middle that clipped Santo in his side and rico- cheted into the hole between first and second. By the time Wolverine second baseman Matt Copp retrieved the ball, Willis had reached third, and Sturges was safe at first. Mike Bloomfield followed the single up with a fielder's choice to score Willis, cutting the lead to 2-1. After Santos surrendered the run, stopper Todd Marion closed out the game. He fanned four of the five batters he faced to earn his fourth save of the year. "We pitched some guys today that did a better job than they've been doing," Freehan said. "It was not the quality of competition that we've been playing against, but it's nice to get a win anytime." Offensively, the Wolverines pounded nine hits and lit up the scoreboard almost immediately. In the first inning, lead-off hitter Rod- ney Goble singled and then stole second base off starter and losing pitcher, Mark Bladecki. Two outs later, Scott Winterlee continued his excellent hitting by doubling to score Goble. It was Winterlee's sixth consecutive hit spanning the last three games. Brian Simmons then singled to score Winterlee, and Michigan took the early lead, 2-1. "It's the type of thing where we just had to pull together as a team," Goble said of the victory. "We just had to keep working and sooner or later things were going to come to- gether. We finally got things to- gether and got the win." After the Cardinals scored in the top of the eighth, the Wolverines came back with two more in the bot- tom of the inning. After Bladecki allowed a lead-off double to Kevin Crociata, Saginaw Valley brought in one of its top relievers, Mickey Kimsell. Kimsell, however, had trouble with his control. After an- other single, an error and two wild pitches, the Wolverines had added two insurance runs to complete the 4-1 victory. Michigan now jumps back into Big Ten play as it takes on Penn State (1-7, 9-12). This series marks the return of DH Nate Holdren whq has been recovering from a footba- related knee injury. "I just want to get the feel of baseball back," Holdren said. "I haven't played in a game since summer. I just want to get some at- bats." 01 DUGL~LAS IKANITE/LDaI~y Pitcher Matt Humbles follows through in the Wolverines' victory over Saginaw Valley yesterday. Humbles tossed three innings of shutout ball. BASEBALL NOTEBOOK by Antoine Pitts Daily Baseball Writer Injuries continue to be a problem for the Michigan baseball team. Although the Wolverines will get junior power hitter Nate Holdren back for this weekend's two doubleheaders at Penn State, several other players remain out indefinitely. Second baseman Scott Timmerman continues to be sidelined with a broken thumb on his throwing hand, and shortstop Ryan Van Oeveren is put with a seperated shoulder. Both injuries occurred last week against ,Eastern Michigan. In yesterday's game at Fisher Stadium, first baseman Scott Weaver left the game early because of a collision on the base paths, and shortstop Scott Winterlee played with a sore shoulder. Weaver left because of a sore leg ;stiffening up. "Injuries are part of any game," Michigan coach Bill Freehan said. "(Van Oeveren) was out here today and he's undergoing therapy." Freehan has to be excited with the return of Holdren. The 6-foot-5, 240 pound designated hitter led the team last year with seven homers. A knee injury suffered during football season has kept him out of the lineup all season. Injuries plague hitters, but Holdren returns "I'm just happy that he's healthy and he can help us," Freehan said. IS HE SAFE OR IS HE OUT?: The play that Weaver was injured on occured in the bottom of the third and was surrounded by controversy. Weaver hit a grounder to Saginaw Valley second baseman Cory Sturges. The throw from Sturges was errant but Weaver collided with the first baseman after touching the bag. After a momentary pause, pitcher Mark Bladecki retrieved the ball and tagged Weaver who was still on the ground writhing in pain. The umpire ruled that Weaver had attempted to advance to second, and thus could be tagged out. LOOK OUT, TED WILLIAMS: Senior Scott Winterlee continues to rip the cover off the ball. His first-inning single was his sixth consecutive hit. Playing injured, Winterlee has improved his average to .300. The 2-for-4 day gave Winterlee eight hits in his last 11 at bats. STRIKEOUT CITY: The four Michigan pitchers, Chris Newton, Matt Humbles, Brian Santo and Todd Marion accumulated 12 strikeouts, a new season high. Newton got things rolling by striking out seven in four innings, setting a career high in the process. Humbles came on to fan one, and Marion retired four on strikes. 0 4 " No security deposits " Language programs " Programs for children good reasons why o Free University bus service " Rental rates include utilities UM students, faculty, and staff " Beautiful community center " All near classes, work, shopping should. choose a family housing " Academic and international community " On-site Day Care in the Child Development Center apartment or townhouse. " Some units near the North Campus Recreation Building Interested? Here's what to do: If you are eligible and want to move in Before July 1, 1993......Apply Now After July 1, 1993 Apply April 14 You can apply at... The Housing Information Office at 01 1 Student Activities Building Monday through Friday from 8am until 4pm. A ... U I A A--- I.a Tigers wM first game of young season, 3-2 OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - After bobbling one double-play ball for an error earlier in the ninth inning, De- troit shortstop Travis Fryman got some help the second time around. With the bases loaded, Fryman hung on to Jerry Browne's grounder and second baseman Lou Whitaker made a brilliant move in eluding Rickey Henderson to turn the game- ending double play Thursday. That gave the Tigers their first win of the season, 3-2 over the Oakland Athlet- ics. Fryman, whose error on a hit- and-run play put runners on first and second with nobody out, shrugged off the miscue, saying, "If you win the game, it has no bearing." Whitaker, who also started a double play with runners on first and third in the seventh, was happy to bail out his teammate after Mike Bordick reached base on what should have been a double play. "We all make errors," he said. "We were expecting a bunt, not a hit-and-run play." After the error, a sacrifice by Eric Fox and an intentional walk to Hen- derson loaded the bases. Reliever Mike Henneman buckled down to preserve the win for the beleaguered Tigers pitching staff, who gave up 21 runs in losing the first two games of the season. "I'm going to make my pitches, 0 Former third baseman Tina Martin has left the team for personal reasons.; Softball aims to defeat preseason choice 'Cats by Scott Burton Daily Sports Writer After sweeping Minnesota last weekend, the No. 15 Michigan softball team (2-0 Big Ten, 16-6 overall) heads into this weekend's series of doubleheaders with Northwestern looking to maintain its position on top of the Big Ten standings. Although the Wildcats (0-0, 13- 14) have struggled somewhat this year, none of the Wolverines are taking them lightly. Northwestern was a preseason Big Ten favorite, along with Michigan and Iowa, and should give the Wolverines all they can handle. "Northwestern is the team to beat this year (in the Big Ten) along with Iowa," said pitcher Kelly Forbis (10-2, 1.39 ERA) who was named Big Ten Pitcher of the week for her performances against the Gophers. "But I think we are up to the challenge and we can do it." "This weekend is going to be re- ally important," said pitcher Kelly Kovach (6-4, 1.25) who, along with Forbis, makes up one of the Big Ten's most lethal pitching duos. "Considering that it is at North- western - they have their home- field advantage - that's why I strates. "We just have to hit Hawkins to get her out of the game the first day, so when she comes back the second day she's not as confident," Kovach said. "She pitched really well against us last year - so as long as we hit her, we'll do fine against their second pitcher. "I don't think our hitters have any major weaknesses, and I think they will be fine," Kovach added, "They have hit some really quality hitters this spring." Michigan this weekend -- and for the rest of the season - will have to do without junior third baseman Tina Martin. Martin left the team for personal reasons after starting nine games at the corner this year with a .167 batting aver- age. Martin has been a solid contrib- utor to the Wolverines the last tw4 seasons. In her freshman year, she played in 49 games, hitting .191 with four RBI. She added 14 RBI and a .238 average in 53 games he- sophomore year. "She's a good ball player, an) we will miss her a lot," Forbis said, "But I think we'll pick up from it. I think everyone understands why she left the team, and we'll miss her 0