SportsMonday - April 10, 2000 - The Michigan Daily - 5B SIj Michigan 1 Player of the Illinois series Bobby Korecky Sophomore, Pitcher Korecky pitched a complete game, allowed only four hits, one eamed run and walked only one batter for the 4-1 Michigan win Wolverines 4 Illinois 3 Fighting llini 7 a On the whole, Rutkowski would rather be in Ann Arbor ammea Team W L Pct. Overall 1. Illinois 10 2 .833 23-9-0 2. Minnesota 6 2 .875 19-13-0 3. P'enn State 5 4 .623 22-9-0 4. Ohio State 5. Purdue 4 4 .500 21-11-0 By Ryan C. Moloney Daily Sports Writer CHAMPAIGN - "No way," freshman out- fielder Blake Rutkowski said. The short and to the point answer from l ichigan's freshman centerfielder quelled all speculation of whether or not the Illinois native regretted choosing Michigan over the Fighting Illini to play college base- BASEBALL ball. Illinois had just fin- Notebook ished taking three of four games from the Wolverines, but as he scanned the Illini's celebration, Rutkowski stopped short of prediction - confident swagger ould do. "We can play a lot better than these guys," he said. "I'm looking forward to that.' Rutkowski was recruited heavily out of high school by Illinois and liked the program - but he liked Michigan more. Playing in front of his parents and friends, Rutkowski's weekend started off relatively quietly. He sat out Friday's game and went 0-for-3 in Saturday's first game. He singled in a tidy, but modest, 1- for-2 performance in Saturday's second game and cracked the starting lineup again yester- ay. Though most of the Michigan batting order would beg to differ, Rutkowski found nothing mysterious about Illini starter Mitch Walk'; curveball. going 3-for-4 including two crushed doubles for three RBI. If his bat continues, Rutkowski may find himself as the third fresh- man, along with Brock Koman and Jordan Cantalamessa. to join the every day starting ineup.r "I'm starting to see the ball a lot better now," *utkowski said. PARRISH ON A RIP-ROARIN' R:ACE: David Parrish continues to impress managers on his tenacious teur of Big Ten hitting venues. Parrish found Illini Field especially comfort- able - he batted .692, going 9 for 13 in the four-game set and extended his hit streak to 13 games. Illinois coach Itch Jones employed a number of strategies, all to no avail. "I don't know if we can pitch to David Parrish, he's hit everything we've thrown to him." Jones decided on pitching Parrish inside in the series' third game when Parrish popped-out and knocked a bloop single to right on fastballs on the handle. "We'll take our chances (with inside pitch- ing)," Jones said. "Scratch singles are a lot bet- ter than him ripping doubles down the line." In fact, on Sunday it looked as if Jones' strat- egy worked too well - Parrish was hit by a pitch in his first two at-bats. BAT CAVED: The umpiring crew of Dave Smith, Steve Partington and Don Umland con- fiscated one of Jordan Cantalamessa's bats before the start of yesterday's game. The umpires examine the bats in both dugouts before every game and found Cantalamessa's bat too flat for game play. "With the light alloy metals they use, they flatten out sometimes," coach Geoff Zahn said. The Wolverines have sentback 15 bats to their manufacturers this year because of split- ting or flattening-out. Zahn said. VARSITY BLUES: After starting the season as Michigan's red-hot No. 3 hitter, freshman Brock Koman has struggled as of late. For the series, Koman went 2-for-13 and dropped to sixth in the batting lineup. Against Big Ten competition, Koman is hitting .090. Overall, he's hitting .308. "Brock's a mature kid," Zahn said. "He's just going through a slump, a tough time. He'll hit again, he's got the temperament for it. 6. Iowaf 7. Indiana5 8. Michigan St. 2 9. Michigan 3 10. Northwestern Yesterday's B It uiois 7. Michi-an 4 lorw% 1. Purdue t. N western s, INmtANS 7 Michigan St. 2. IPiN Sr. N iNNrsm-, 13, Ohio State 5 6 6 .500 18-12-0 6 6 .500 12-19-0 5 7 .417 22-14-0 2 3 .400 9-17-0 3 7 .300 10-18-1 2 6 .000 15-14-0 [ig Ten results Gyi s Michigan =1. IiNohs I 11IANOIS 3. Michigan 2 ILLiNoIM 9. Michigan 4 st IWNOIS 7, MICHIGAN 4 MICHIGAN Player Quinn 3b Tousa ss Parrish c Bobeda If Dines rf Koman lb Dombos dh Cantala. 2b Rutkosk cf Totals AB R H BI 5 0 2 0 420 4 1 1 0 4 0 0 0 4 0 3 3 364 10 4 ILUNOIS Player AB R H BI Basak ss 42:2 0 Ballard of 4 1 2 2 Marquie 3b 5 1 4 4 Svihlik 2b 5 0 1 0 Gertz c 4 0 1 0 Parenti rf 4 0 2 0 Schutze. lb 4 2 1 0 Whitaker dh 0 1 0- 0 Simmons ph 2 0 1 0 Totals 357 146 E - Rutkowski (2). DP - Michigan 2.,Illinois 1. LOB- Michigan 9, Illinois 11. 28 - Parrish (5). Cantalamessa (8), Rutkowski 2(3), Parenti (3),. Simmons (3) HR - Marquie (2) SB- Dines (1) SH Whitaker (5). Michigan Cranson L (2-4) Lobert Tzros Illinois Walk W (2-1) IP H 3.1 6 2.1 5 2.1 3 R ER SB SO Ji 2 0 5 2 0 3 2 20Q 0 0 9.0 10 4 4 2 12 s courtesy of Jim Atwood/DAILY ILLINI Freshman firstbaseman Brock Koman is still in a slump, but his batting problems have not affected his fielding. Koman played an error free weekend at first and third base. I . . - . I I It's all in the 'clutch' for pitcher Korecky Umpires - Don Unhand (home plae). Dave Smith (first base. Steve Partington (third base). At: Illinois Field Attendance: 704 Start: 1:05 p.m. Time: 2:37 Illinois inning one: Bas-ak flied ouit to right field. Ballard singeto center ield. Marquie singled to center field, advanced to second; Ballard advanced to third, scored on error Ki Rutkowski. Fischer flied out to left field. Sviilik flied out to left field. 1 run, 2 hits. I error, I LOB. Michigan 0, Illinois 1. Michigan inning two: Dines singled to left field. Komant struck out swinging. Dombos flied out to left. Dines stole second. Cantalamessa walked. Cantalamessa advanced to second; Dines advanced to third on wild pitch. Rutkowski doubled down left field line, 2 RBI, Quinn struck out swingino. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, I LOB. Michigan 2, Illinois 1. Illinois inning two: Gert: struck out swinging. Parenti doubled to right-center field. Schutrenhofer reached(on fielder's chice; Parent i out at third'. Whitaker walked. Basak walked; bases loaded. Ballard sinolcd to center field, two RBI. Marquie struck out looking. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 2 LOB. Michigan 2, Illinois 3. Michigan inning four: Koman flied out to left field. IJombos struck out sWinng. Can talamessa doubled to left field. Rutkowski toubled dowvn left field line, Cantalamessa scored. Quinn walked. Tousa struck out swinging. I run, 2 bits, 0 errors, I LOB. Michigan 3, Illinois 3. Illinois inninPaour: Schutrenhofer singled to left. center field. W\hitaker out at first, SAC bunt. Basak sin geed to shortstop. Ballard hit pitch; s loa3d. Marqui singled to center field, 2 RBI. Fischer walked, bases loaded. Sihl ik grounded into double plat. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 2rLOB. Michigan 1, Illinois 5. Michir an inning file: Parrish singled to left field. Bobecfa grounded out to short stop. Dines ground- edout to third. Koman singled to right field, RBI, advanced to second. Donibos groundfed out to- third. I run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB. Michigan 4, Illinois 5. Illinois inning sic: Basak sing led to left-center field. Ballard flied out to right field. Basak stole second base. Marquie homered to left-center field, 2 RBI. Fischer popped up to shortstop. Svihlik singled to center field. Gert: singled to left field. Parenti r pto shortstop. 2 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 2 Michigan 4, Illinois 7. ToUsA AT THE TWO Junior infielder Scott Tousa raised his batting avera re to .276 this weeL- end after going 6- for-16. Tousa - who hits second in the lineup - was protected in the lineup this weekend by David Parrish, who bat- ted third, instead of fourthi where he usually hits. By Ryan C. Moloney Daily Sports Writer CHAMPAIGN - The time-tested "clutch player" tag is usually used in reference to play- ers who hit well with runners in scoring posi- tion or relievers who can stop the bleeding in the big innings. Starting pitchers aren't prone to the "clutch" label - if they throw a solid game. the situa- tion for a "game-saving" hit or out shouldn't theoretically occur in the first place. But on Saturday, the Michigan Nine were clutching onto hopes of a crucial conference win after a 9-4 drubbing at the hands of Illinois on Friday night. The first game of the afternoon double- header looked like a sink or swim game for the Wolverines' - the tide of the season could turn either way depending on the outcome. If the shakv Wolverine rotation was looking for the opportunity to come through, this was it. Enter Bobby Korecky. The sophomore starter has shown occasion- al moments of brilliance this season, but as his 5.26 ERA going into the contest indicated, he had yet to do it consistently. But Koreckv felt good in the bullpen beforehand and decided "not to beat myself with walks -j ust throw strikes." The result? A clutch outing. Korecky tossed possibly his best game of the season, going the distance and allowing only four hits in the Wolvcrines' 4-1 victory at Illinois Field. The complete game was Korecky's second on the season- one more than the rest of the Michigan staff combined. "Bobby was ahead in the count the whole ball game, he kept the ball low, he changed speeds and his breaking ball was moving well," Illinois coach Itch Jones said. "I'm not too sure he didn't beat us (single-handedly) in that ball game - it was a well-pitched game and he did a great job" Korecky's stuff wasn't overpowering, but methodical and meticulous. His near pinpoint control, coupled with good pitch selection. kept Illinois off-balance and resulted in ten groundball outs. "Instead of trying to throw pitches because guys couldn't hit, he was saying 'There's what I have, if you can hit this you're better than I am,"' Dan Dombos said. "But apparently they weren't better than him today." Korecky settled down after allowing a run- scoring double off the bat of Illinois super freshman Andy Schutzenhofer to fall behind 1-0. Jay Dines' three-run homer in the third inning provided Korecky with the confidence of a cushioned lead. 4-1. Though Michigan lost 3-2 in the second came of the doubleheader, the momentum of Korecky's performance carried over into Vince Pistilli's outing. The nghthander surren- dered one earned run in his complete game loss. "It does switch the momentum, especially when you're playing away," Korecky said. "Vince pitched awesome in the second game." Korccky's only trouble after the first inning occurred in the seventh when he walked the leadoff man, Schutzenhofer. Coach Geoff Zahn conferenced with Korecky on the mound and assured him, saying he "deserved the complete game" and "there was no way he was coming out. Korecky then retired the next three batters in order for the win. Clutch with Two Outs In the final three games of the Micht' n/Illinois series, two outrhitting as a decisive factor. Michigan produced most of their RBI's in all three' games with two down. GAME I SAT Michigan 5/12,4 RBI Illinois 2/9, 1 RBI GAME 3 SUNDAY Michigan /15 4 RBI Ilinois 5/11 2 RBI GAME 2 SAT Michigan 3/10, 2 RBI Illinois 2/7 3 RBI GAME TOTALS Michigan 10 runs, 10 RBI llinois 11 runs, 6 RBI Illinois gets the nine-year Itch' I SEARCHING FOR BOBBY SCALES Photo by Peter Comve Sy Dan Williams Daily Sports Writer CHAMPAIGN - For a long time, Illinois baseball was a program on the verge. As of 1990, they had spaced out 26 Big Ten championships in 90 years, the second most of any conference school behind Michigan. They had been to the NCAA tournament eight times without ever seriously making noise. But in 1991, the Fighting Illini got the "Itch." Richard "Itch" Jones left Southern Illinois University as the most suc- cessful coach in school history in 1991 to take the helm at Illinois. He hoped that he could turn the Illini from a perennial Big Ten contender to a nationally successful program. His impressive career resume, which began with MacMurray University in 1966, includes 1.077 career victories - 10th on the all time list of active division one coaches. He has coached 89 players that have matriculated into the world of profes- sional baseball, including notables such as Dave Stieb, Steve Finley and Scott Spiezo. He led the Salukis to three College World Series appear- ances, including a national runner-up finish in 1971. With Illinois, making the program "Itch" compatible was not without its growing pains. The Illini didn't make the Big Ten tournament four of the team's fir'st five years under Jones. But it didn't take long for the coaching legends to sell the players on his style. Illinois is the only school to make the Big Ten Tournament each of the last four years. During the 1998 cam- paign, the team won their first Big Ten regular season title in 35 years. The Illini then proceeded to reach the NCAA Regional Finals where they fell to Florida. It was the team's far- thest venture into the post-season in school history. This season, the Illini are at it again. After Sunday's action, Illinois found themselves on top of the Big Ten standings with a 10-2 record. Plus, Jones has made Illinois base- ball exciting for the fans. He was instrumental in bringing lights to Illinois Field. The Illini are currently enjoying their first full sea- son of regular night games. And strong section of Illinois faith- ful bore the cold, the wind and the rain that consumed the field over the weekend series with Michigan. The fans, the players and the uni- versity are all happy with "Itch." And Illinois seems to be establishing itself as the new baseball power of the Big Ten. Michigan catcher David Parrish went 2-for-3 yesterday, extending his hitting streak to a career- best thirteen games. He needs to get a hit in six more games in order to break former Michigan second baseman Bobby Scales' 18-game hit streak set in April last season. The catcher would finish the weekend 9-for-13 with four RBI and four doubles. In his last five games, the junior has 12 hits with five doubles, two homeruns and six RBI. Parrish currently leads the Wolverines with his .357 batting average, 35 hits, seven home runs and 25 RBI. ILLINOIS Continued from Page 1B /li V: - ) , w., (! Tomorrow BALL STATE, 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 at Toledo, 3 p.m. Friday, April 14 OHIO STATE, 3 p.m. Saturday, April 15 OHIO STATE (DH), 1:00 p.m. (Home games in CAPS) kf As darkness descended upon Illinois Field Friday and 's Saturday, Michigan had a chance to participate in an activity becoming more and more frequent in the Big Ten: night baseball games, The Fighting Illini became the third team in the Big Ten (along with Minnesota and Ohio State) to add lights to their field in 1999. The lights were a project of baseball coach Richard Jones and staff along with Illinois Athletic Director Ron Gunther. Illinois is now regularly drawing 1500 fans for night games, and they drew 600 in poor weather Saturday against Michigan. Should Michigan consider building lights at Fisher Stadium?, "Any time you can upgrade your facili- Lower level game Infield box Outfield box Pavilion Pepsi family section $30 $25 $14 8 season 2,430 $2,025 1,134 648 marked by good starting pitching for Michigan by lefthander Bobby Korecky and righthander Vince Pistilli. Both players threw complete I I - . , I.. - r- -- off push. "We pitched pretty well this week- end," Zahn said. "When we got in trouble, it was the same old story. Yesterday we walked guys, and got behind in the count and that makes hitters better hitters. - . 1 ~wA..~r I : t , /