The Michigan Daily - Thursday, March 27, 1997 - 13A Michigan baseball bucks Broncos Young 'M' pitchers hold off Western hitters in one-run, six-hit effort By Tracy Sandler Daily Sports Writer Yesterday the Michigan baseball team put Western Michigan in its place. Behind strong pitching and a strong defensive performance, the Wolverines (2-2 in the Big Ten, 12-9 overall) squeaked out a 3-1 win over the Broncos and their starting pitcher Eric Place at Ray Fisher Stadium. On a team that usually wins with its hit- ting, the Wolverines relied on the arms of their young pitching staff. Starting sopho- more pitcher Brian Berryman, in his first career start, went five innings, allowing four hits, one run and two walks, while fanning three batters. Freshman Bryan Cranson took over in the sixth for two innings of work and was replaced by sophomore Ryan Kelley for the eighth. Junior Tyler Steketee closed out the game, allowing one hit and earning his sec- ond consecutive save. On the whole, the pitching staff allowed one run on six hits. "What I was most pleased with were the young pitchers," Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. "They kept the ball down like they hadn't been doing, and they needed the work. They threw very well. They mixed their pitches up, and we held them down." Surprising for Michigan was the perfor- mances of its hitters. They had only three runs on nine hits, which is uncharacteristic of a team with a .435 batting average going into its game with the Broncos. Designated hitter Bobby Scales and start- ing catcher Mike Haskell replaced in the eighth inning by freshman Andrew Miller, were the only Wolverines to get extra base hits. Each hit a double, Haskell's coming in the fourth and Scales' coming in the sixth. In addition, 12 runners were left on base for Michigan. "We didn't hit the ball like we can," Zahn said. "We didn't get the clutch hits today, like we can. But it was a tough day to hit with the wind coming in from right. We hit some balls pretty well that got caught, and we hit some balls right at people." Although Zahn is not concerned about the team's hitting, or lack thereof, against the Broncos, others were. Before the bottom of the sixth inning, a team meeting was called by Michigan assistant coach Chris Harrison on the field. "Coach Harrison was talking about hit- ting," Zahn said. "We were going after too many high, outside pitches and hitting them the other way. We were ahead in the count and not waiting for a pitch that was down in the zone. We were trying to tell them to be a little bit more selective, especially when they're ahead in the count. "We need to do that. I think the Bescos (Bryan and Derek) are struggling a little bit, so they're a little bit anxious at the plate. (Mike) Cervenak's anxious at the plate, so we just want to be a little more selective." The same wind that was detrimental to the hitters was helpful to the pitchers. "(The wind) helped both sides of pitch- ers," Zahn said. "There wasn't going to be anything hit out of here today, unless it was down the left-field line. That lends itself to lower scoring games. What I was happy Penn State: 0-0 Big Ten, 11-12 Overall When: Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday 1 p.m. (DH) Sunday 1 p.m. Where: Fisher Stadium Probable starters: Brian Steinbach, JJ Putz, Luke Bonner and Pete Martay. Last season vs. Michigan: Penn State won three of four games. about was that we got a lot of ground-ball outs today." On tap for the Wolverines is defeuiding Big Ten champion Penn State. The Nittany Lions (11-10) come to Ann Arbor for a four- game series this weekend, including a 3 p.m. Friday game, a 1 p.m. doubleheader Saturday and a 1 p.m. Sunday game. "The probable starting rotation for the weekend is junior Brian Steinbach, as well as sopho- mores J.J. Putz, Luke Bonnor and -Pete Martay. "It's a big weekend for us," Zahn said. "Penn State is picked to finish first, and they came in here last year and took three out of four. We need to play very well, and this is going to tell us a lot about our team for the Big Ten." WARREN ZINN/Daily , F6r a team that was hitting as well as Michigan had been, it was a nice surprise for the Wolverines to see starting pitcher Brian Berryman help hold Western Michigan to one run on six hits. Wisconsin opens season for Blue softball By Pranay Reddy Daily Sports Writer Qver the years, the Michigan softball .teahas run roughshod through the Big Ten. The Wolverines have won four of the past five Big Ten titles, including the *t two. ,And as an infant Wisconsin program .onmes into Ann Arbor this weekend, the ;Badgers might have to learn that all- ,important lesson of learning to walk before they can run. Wisconsin and Michigan square off in three-game series this weekend at Alutnni Field, including a doubleheader a urday starting a 1 p.m., followed by a game Sunday. *This season marks only the second in yarsity competition for the Badgers - and as the new kids on the block, they could have alot to learn from Big Ten- ,bully Michigan. REMATCH Continued from Page IA "Last year we were the top scoring teamp in the country. We learned quick % ,s not the way you win champi- ons ips, Larocque said. Larocque has taken over the starting 4uties in goal from Tom Noble, who was he starting goalie on Boston's 1994-95 .,haMpionship team. SThesophomore netminder is enjoying a.six-game win streak, with a paltry 1.61 goals-against average and .935 save per- gentage in those games. He was named Mopt Valuable Player of the Hockey East ,urnament after giving up four goals in o games and stopping 47 shots. ",BU claims they're a much better defensive team at this point and a differ- ,ept kind of a team then they were last year' Michigan coach Red Berenson ,said. "They feel they're a more solid teem this year even if they're not as experienced. "This whole thing will come down to p 1eeping, special teams, and maybe a v-bit of luck" -J Although the Wolverines won last ear's contest convincingly and haven't oked back since, they aren't taking nything lightly. "Last year we played one of the best ames we've ever played against oston University, and that's what it's :oing to take again this year," Jason Sotterill said. Botterill, who was named the most tstanding player of last weekend's ~AA West Regional, has been ichigan's hottest scorer recently. He cored twice and had two assists on ichigan's first four goals Sunday. The other semifinal tomorrow pairs ~orth Dakota against the surprise team f this year's tournament, Colorado 5ollege, in a 1 p.m. faceoff. 0. Nevertheless, Wisconsin coach Karen Gallagher knows that after an inaugural record of 14-39-1, the only direction the Badgers can go is up. "Expectations for this team are much higher than they were a year ago," Gallagher said."We need to start grasp- ing what it means to get to the next level if this program is going to ever compete for a Big Ten title." Sporting a team loaded with talented freshman and sophomores, Wisconsin's potential for improvement is astounding. Leading the youthful surge for the Badgers is captain Amanda Berg. Berg led Wisconsin in virtually every offensive category last season, hitting .344 along the way - but this promises to thrust more responsibility upon her, according to Gallagher. "(Berg) is ready to take control of this team, and I think she's very capable of doing just that,' she said. The other side of the coin is Michigan, who is sitting atop the Big Ten mountain and once again are looking down at the rest of the conference as the regular sea- son begins. However, Michigan coach Carol Hutchins feels that this season's confer- ence quest will be one of the most diffi- cult in recent history. "The Big Ten is very strong this year and the race for both the regular-season and tournament titles will be tighter than ever," -she said. But if Michigan's performance in the preseason is any indication, the Wolverines are well on their way to cap- turing their third-consecutive Big Ten crown. The Wolverines dominated last week- end's Boilermaker Invitational, snatch- ing the title away from tournament-host Purdue in the championship game, 12-2. Probably most impressive in Michigan's tournament run was the per- formance of outfielder Cathy Davie. The sophomore took home Most Valuable Player honors after hitting .438 (7-for- 16) and scoring seven runs. As it stands, Davie leads the Wolverines in batting at .398. Another rising star for Michigan also impressed last weekend. Freshman shortstop Pam Kosanke was named to the All-tournament team after hitting .333 during the Invitational. But despite Michigan's success at the plate, the pitching is what has been dom- inant for the Wolverines. In five games at Purdue, Michigan pitchers Sara Griffin, Kelly Holmes and Jamie Gillies gave up a total of seven runs. Not a bad way to let the Big Ten know who's still the boss. Michigan's Sara Griffin is going to have to keep smoking her: pitches across the plate if the Wolverines are going to have a shot at winning the Big Teri for the third year in arowE MARK FRIEDMAN/ daily DISTRACTION Continued from Page 10A They say they're here to do a job, and they sound like they mean it. And they probably do mean it. But if there's a likely time for a let- down, now seems to be it. The champi- onship is within reach, the much-antici- pated Minnesota game is in the past and this Boston team isn't supposed to be nearly as good as the team Michigan beat last year in this same game. And at this stage, the Terriers are not going to play dead and let the Wolverines walk into the final game. So there's more than enough to deal with. Even without all the added hype. The Wolverines say they know what to expect. They say the extra attention won't be a problem. They say they're ready. They'd better be. W10t WIT WIT Hey Seniors!!! Since we only have 1 month left before GRADUATION why not have as much fun asp ossible! Check out some of the events Senior Days 69 has planned from April 2-22:_ p t Health F oods 1/' ,. - 10% Discount for Students oSports#Nutrition. "Herbs.Foods. *Vita mins.Books.Cosmetics. Fornna Violent Femmh1es hyp;;s0~e~Ja Into the Streets Senio ays at the Call arl ftballa& basebaall so ,r . ' d i M' 4 w j a T t u1 a 4, .a 1677 Plymouth Rd.* Ann Arbor eTel. 665-7688 Located in the Courtyard Shops at North Campus Plaza The Psychology Peer Advisors Present Focus Groups Winter Term 1997 Applying to Graduate School in Psychology Approaching the Application Process: Writing a Personal Statement, Arranging for Letters of Recommendation, and Preparing for Interviews Thursday, March 27, 1997, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., 4th Floor Terrace, East Hall All Are Welcome!! Enter East Hall by the Psychology Church St. entrance. The elevator is to the left. Go to the fourth floor and follow signs to the Terrace. Senior Ball SrE* Fire These are only a couple of the exciting events planned. So check out times & locations of all events in your Senior Days Booklet which can be picked up starting Monday, March 31 at CIC, NCIC, & the Fishbowl. * *Also-drop off all of your horrible, nasty rejection letters (grad school & job rejections) at the Student Activities & Leadership office, room 2209 in the Union to enter our PRIZE GIVE AWAY. Put your name, phone number & email address on each & drop them off ASAP!! Y,,w J!