4 - The Michigan Daily - SPoRTSMonday - Monday, April 4, 1994
Chapman has career
day for Wolverines
Line Drives C
*1
By BARRY SOLLENBERGER
DAILY BASEBALL WRITER
EAST LANSING - Absolutely
amazing.
That's the best way to describe
first baseman Chad Chapman's per-
formance on a windy Saturday against
Michigan State in a doubleheader at
Kobs Field.
In arguably the best performance
of any Michigan athlete this year, the
junior from Weidman, Mich. went 4-
for-5 with four home runs and seven
RBI. Of his four homers, three came in
the second game and helped the Michi-
gan baseball team pound the Spartans,
21-5.
The last Wolverine to go deep
three times in one game was Mike
Watters, who accomplished the feat at
Michigan State in a 15-14 Michigan
victory, May 4, 1985.
"I was very happy with his day,"
Wolverine coach Bill Freehan said.
"He had, a fantastic day; except, we
were kidding him a little bit about his
last at-bat when he took that third
strike."
Striking out in the seventh inning
of the second game on a 3-2 pitch was,
literally, the only mistake Chapman
made all day.
In his encore performance yester-
day at Fisher Stadium, Chapman went
2-for-2 in the doubleheader with an
RBI. His day Saturday, however, will
be difficult to match.
Chapman said that his ability to
feel comfortable at the plate was the
key.
"The last couple of weekends I
was struggling and my confidence
went way down," he said. "I got the
chance yesterday to play and I took
advantage of it."
Indeed he did.
In the seventh inning of the first
game with the Wolverines clinging to
a 7-5 lead, Chapman came to the plate
for the first time after being inserted at
first base in the sixth inning for Andy
Wade. He hit a 1-1 pitch from Spartan
reliever Pat Hachenski over the right-
field fence to give Michigan some
breathing room, 9-5.
His second homer came in the
second inning of the nightcap when he
took tloe first pitch from David
Reinfelder deep to right to give the
Wolverines an early 4-1 lead.
After walking and scoring earlier
in the third inning, Chapman hit a solo
shot to deep left-center off a 2-0 pitch
from Mark Watt. The homer was part
of the 13-run third, boosting
Michigan's lead to 17-4.
His fourth and final homer was
another solo shot to left-center field,
and came on a 0-1 offering from Dan
Garman.
Four plate appearances, four hom-
ers.
He had an opportunity to hit a fifth
homer on the day and his fourth in the
second game, but Garman caught him
looking to lead off the seventh. It didn't
matter, however, because the Wolver-
ines were comfortably ahead, 20-5.
Chapman's day impressed Michi-
gan State assistant coach Doug Cossey.
"I've never seen four home runs in
(four at-bats) and I played pro ball for
many years," Cossey said. "He had an
exceptional day, and I was pleased for
him' and sorry for us. I'm glad that we
don't have to pitch to him again."
What made Chapman's day more
amazing was that he only had four
career homers going into Saturday, and
had not played since the second game
of the Arizona State series March 19.
A career .211 hitter, Chapman was
hitting just .224 in 49 at bats going into
the contest.
After going 6-for-7 this weekend,
however, he raised his average to .304.
Chapman said that the key for him
is his mental game.
"The biggest thing for me is my
confidence level," he said. "When I get
my confidence up, I'm fine."
If Chapman remains confident,
more amazing performances could be
in store.
JUDITH PERKINS/Daily
Michigan's Chris Newton pitches against Michigan State yesterday at Fisher
Stadium. The senior southpaw allowed four runs on six hits in three-plus
innings as the Wolverines dropped a 4-3 decision to the Spartans.
Field's architecture
recalls sites o past
By BRETT JOHNSON
DAILY BASEBALL WRITER
EAST LANSING - In 1912, the Cincinnati Reds moved into a brand
new ballpark named Redland Field II. It was later renamed Crosley Field
in 1933.
While building the stadium, the architect had to use the contour of the land
within the design. That meant using a slope up to the fence in left field - the
terrace as it would soon be called.
Although it may not have been the best situation for the outfielders, it gave the
stadium a uniqueness that can only be found in the national pastime.
Unlike the setting in any other sport, the baseball park can be as much
a part of the game as a player or coach. Just ask anyone who's ever been
to Wrigley Field with its ivy-covered walls, Fenway Park with its Green
Monster or Tiger Stadium with its short right-field porch. The parks make
the teams adjust to them.
Despite growing up in Cincinnati, I never experienced Crosley in person. The
Reds entered their new cookie-cutter stadium, Riverfront, just before the All-Star
Game in 1970-- over two years before I was born.
However, this weekend I caught a glimpse of what it might have been like
when the Michigan Wolverines made a trip to old Kobs Field in East Lansing.
Kobs is another ballpark with character. Although it was renamed for former
Spartan coach John Kobs in 1969, Michigan State has played baseball at the site
since 1903. And similar to Crosley, the opposing center fielder and right
fielder have to deal with an incline up to the fence.
"The adjustment (at Kobs) is like coming into old Crosley Field in Cincin-
nati," said Michigan coach and former major leaguer Bill Freehan. "You just go
out there early and try to take as many balls as you can."
For the Wolverines, the incline posed little problem during Saturday's
doubleheader. In fact, it allowed right fielder Rodney Goble and center fielder
Brian Simmons to "throw some leather" around as they each made solid, and even
spectacular, plays.
Goble made two plays at the wall, one of which he made while falling down,
and Simmons made a diving catch late in the second game while planting his face
into the hill.
Goble says that playing the field is just a matter of practicing and learning how
to move up the hill. After three trips to East Lansing, Goble feels that the work
he did early in his career has helped him in dealing with the incline.
"I've had to get pretty used to that wall and that hill," Goble said. "My first
year, I put a lot of time into practicing going up sideways on it to get up there and
catch the ball. It paid off because there were a couple hit up that way."
For Michigan State, the hill generally gives the team an advantage. The
right fielder is used to the hill because he plays and practices on it regularly.
However, the Spartans' junior right fielder, Scott Ayotte, had one of those
days. To put it mildly, the hill caused some problems for him Saturday.
"I guess I should be used to it by now, but when you're moving so fast,
sometimes you can't help it and you lose your footing," Ayotte said.
"This is the first year I've played there. I was in left for two years. I've seen
(former Spartan right fielder Steve) Johnson handle it really well. He did a
really good job up there. You're going to take some spills, but hopefully, I'll
learn from them."
Despite the problems that the field causes for the outfielders, it makes
the game that much more exciting. It makes the players work a little harder.
It makes baseball different. It makes baseball ... baseball - the greatest
game in the world.
"Baseball is about playing with the elements and playing with the type of field
you're at and overcoming it," Goble said.
So, when I go to Riverfront Stadium this summer, I may be watching baseball,
but it won't be the same. There will not be that atmosphere.
I may have never gone to Crosley Field, but now I know the feeling.
BASEBALL,
ConJnued from page 1
baseball games, when we've shot
ourselves in the foot, our infield de-
fense has hurt us. I was happy with
our defense today."
The only downer for the Wolver-
ines was the fourth and final game of
the series. Michigan lost, 4-3, and
committed three errors.
Michigan State took a 4-1 lead
into the bottom of the seventh inning,
but the Wolverines managed to make
it interesting.
Chapman led off with a double.
He moved to third on a single by
Goble, and then scored on a sacrifice
fly by Crociata. After Weaver walked,
center fielder Brian Simmons hit a
single, scoring Goble to make the
score 4-3. The inning then ended when
Van Oeveren lined out to right field.
"If somebody had said we could
have gone into the weekend and won
three out of four, I'd have been satis-
fied with that," Freehan said. "The
things that concern me are up there
(on the scoreboard) - errors. Those
come back to hurt you."
As for the Spartans, they were
thrilled by pulling out the one victory.
"It was our best game of the four-
game series," Michigan State assis-
tant coach Doug Cossey said. "We
lost three games but managed to sal-
vage one, we're exceptionally pleased
with (the final game)."
Hollis, still enjoying his no-hit
performance, put a positive spin on
the series as a whole.
"It was a great weekend," he said.
"Especially (with) the big rivalry be-
tween Michigan and Michigan State. It
would have been nice to take the fourth
one, but three out of four is great."
Saturday - Game I
Michigan 420 000 3- 9 12 0
Mich. State 011 210 1- 6 11 2
WP - Murray, LP - Harvey; OP - UM 1, MSU 1; LOB.- UM 8, MSU 5; 28 - Simmons (UM), Weaver (UM),
Crociata (UM); HR - Veres 2 (MSU), A. Johnson (MSU), Fleury (UM), Chapman (UM), Money (MSU). A -1,573.
Game 2
Michigan 06(13) 010 1- 21 18 2
Mich. State 130 010 0- 5 9 4
WP - Ricken, LP - Reinfelder; LOB - UM 6, MSU 7; 28- Goble (UM); 38 - Weaver (UM); HR - Chapman 3 (UM),
Van Oeveren 2 (UM), Goble (UM), Niemiec (UM), Sumpter (MSU). A - 1,573.
Sunday - Game 1
Mich. State 000 000 0- 0 0 0
Michigan 013 000 X - 4 8 1
WP - Hollis, LP - Landis; LOB- MSU 7, UM 2; HR - Croclata (UM), Goble (UM). A - 800 (est.).
Game 2
Mich. State 021 100 0- 4 9 1
Michigan 001 000 2 -- 3 10 3
WP - Beitel, LP - Newton; LOB- MSU 6, UM 9; 28 - Croclata (UM), Chapman (UM). A - 800 (est.).
U
SOFTBALL NOTEBOOK
By JOSH KARP
DAILY SPORTS WRITER
Just as in any other game, when a championship team starts to lose more than
it wins, everybody is on its case. The Michigan softball team, which has garnered
two consecutive Big Ten titles, is a classic example.
After beginning its 1994 campaign with a 12-14 record, the Wolverines
proceededto losetheir first two Big Tencontests, 7-0 and2-1, to No.22 Ohio State
Friday. But rather than succumb to the pressure, Michigan stepped its game up
a notch and defeated the Buckeyes, 2-1 and 4-1, Saturday afternoon.
And if the past foretells anything about their future, the Wolverines will
continue to succeed. Following a doubleheader loss to Northwestern in early
April of last year, the squad won 27 of its next 28 games.
A v~AuLE CAIR: Third baseman Tracy Carr, last year's Big Ten Freshman
of the Year, had no collegiate starting pitching experience prior to this weekend.
But with the duo of junior Kelly Kovach and freshman Kelly Holmes not
performing up to par, coach Carol Hutchins had to do something.
That something turned out to be inserting Carr as the starting pitcher for
Michigan's first game against the Buckeyes Saturday. The results? Carr, who
pitched a complete game, yielded only three hits and allowed no earned runs in
a 2-1 Wolverine triumph.
'M' tries to use history
as inspiration for play
"(Tracy) did a very nice job of keeping us off-balance and guessing," Ohio
State coach Gail Davenport said.
HOT Hrrm: Heading into the Buckeye series, shortstop Mary Campana
was batting just .241. The senior team captain, however, feasted on Ohio State
pitching, raising her average to.261. During the four-game stretch, Campana had
five hits in 13 at-bats, including two doubles. In addition, she walked, scored two
runs and knocked in one more.
BUCKEYE BOoSTERS: The rivalry between Ohio State and Michigan is well-
documented. But does anyone know that it exists beyond football and basketball?
In addition to the Wolverine faithful, a group of Buckeye supporters showed
up for the two doubleheaders. Ohio State second baseman MarIa Pickard had
her own rooting section.
"We've travelled (to see Marla play) all over the United States," said Marla's
mother Mary, who made the trip from California. "It's worth it."
NEED A CHEERLEADER?: During Michigan at-bats, players in the dugout sang
past hits such as "Rock 'n' Roll Part II"and "The Land of 1000 Dances." The best
performances, however, were chants of those ever-so-famous classics, "It's RBI
Time," "Get A Hit," "Way To Hustle" and "Ball Four, Base Hit."
"(Cheering) gets our adrenaline going," catcher Kim Clark said. "It gets
everybody involved and makes everybody feel like they're contributing.",
SOFTBALL
Continued from page 1
In the nightcap, the Wolverines
charged out to an early 3-0 lead. Willed
by the energy of the first game, Michi-
gan scored three runs on five hits to
open the first.
Campana continued her hitting bar-
rage with an infield single. After Arvia
sacrificed Campana to second, Carr's
drive to right dropped in front of
Anthony's glove for a single.
A single by Silver loaded the bases
for designated hitter Kelly Kovach,
whose drive up the middle scored
Campana, and the Wolverines were
on the board.
The Buckeyes battled back from
the 3-0 deficit, however, in the bot-
tom half of the inning. After having
already scored one run, Ohio State
loaded the bases against pitcher Kelly
Holmes. But with two outs, Holmes
struck out Aimee Bickell to get out of
the jam.
The game remained 3-1 in
Michigan's favor until the fifth when
Smith drove in Carr for the final run
of the game. Holmes closed strong,
downing 10 of Ohio State's last 12
batters extending her record to 6-8.
"I don't think we ever showed up
for the fourth game," Davenport said.
Campana was Michigan's main
offensive contributor on the afternoon.
She was 4- for-6 with two doubles,
two runs scored and a RBI.
"Mary Campana was cleaning up
the bases today," Hutchins said. "She
swung with authority out there."
Friday, Ohio State beat Michigan
in both games, 7-0 and 3-1.
The Buckeyes pounded the Wol-
verines' ace, Kovach, in the opening
game. Ohio State scored in each of
the first four innings to open up a 5-0 0
lead. Clark's second inning, two-out,
three-run double broke the game open.
Turley tallied the win while
Kovach (7-8) inherited the loss. Michi-
gan run- production woes continued
as the team stranded seven runners in
scoring position.
"We're hitting the ball, and it's
not falling," Hutchins said. "We
haven't been getting the timely hits." *
Michigan didn't fare so well in the
second game either. After taking a
first-inning 1-0 lead when Silver
singled in Arvia, the Wolverines'
chances for a victory improved. How-
ever, Ohio State retaliated in the sec-
ond to tie the score, 1-1.
Tara Alexander's inside-the-park
home run in the third inning was the
game clincher.
Once again, the Wolverines
struggled for runs. Michigan stranded
eight runners in the contest, bringing
its doubleheader total to 15.
Michigan looks to extend its win-
ning ways into Wednesday's double-
header at Toledo. The Wolverines re-
turn home next weekend for a series of
twinbills against Northwestern.
Friday- Game 1
Ohio State 131 200 0-7 16 1
Michigan 000 000 0-0 7 0
WP - Turley, LP - Kovach; DP - OSU; LOB - OSUI4, UM 7; 28 - Clark (OSU),
SB - None CS- None SN - Frederickson (OSU), Turley (OSU); WP - Kovach (UM);
E -Turley (OSU).
.:: ~:x;: fi :i: :. ::.