4B - The Michigan Daily - SportsMonday - April 1, 2002
41
If only for a year, Harrison ready to lead blue nine
By Jim Weber m Daily Sports Writer
nterim coach Chris Harrison knows about job
security: "We all are on an interim basis. Just
some of us are interim longer than others."
But not all of us are quite like Harrison. We
don't have an "interim" tag dangling over our
head and our bosses didn't start a search for a
replacement as soon as we were hired.
Harrison honestly doesn't think about these
distractions that much though - he's dealt with
harder situations in the last couple months.
Last October, former coach Geoff Zahn
resigned after a tumultuous six-year stint with
the Wolverines that included a suspension by the
Michigan athletic department in 2000 after com-
plaints from the players about his coaching style.
Zahn's resignation was especially difficult for
Harrison. The two were good friends and Zahn
hired Harrison as Michigan's hitting instructor.
The resignation came shortly after even more
devastating news.
"(Harrison's) mother died in the fall, and he
had to make a trip all the way out to California.
So he wasn't with us for two or three weeks," left
fielder Brandon Roberts said. "And then to come
back and find that Coach Zahn is gone, that was
a lot of stress on him."
Zahn's resignation and Harrison's promotion
to interim coach were announced on Oct. 9.
Since then, Associate Athletic Director Megan
McCallister has openly conducted a search for
another coach while Harrison has been preparing
C 1 ai
The Mich
Daiy's Topps
Michigan for the season. The only assurance
Harrison received from the athletic department
was a promise from McCallister that he would be
a finalist for the permanent position.
Because Harrison became the interim head
coach so .late, Roberts considers the team a
month behind their opponents in preparation. It
showed: The Wolverines limped into the Big Ten
season with a 3-12 record - their worst through
15 games since 1996. But Harrison didn't panic.
"I think he has done an amazing job," Roberts
said. "Shoot, showing the kind of patience he has
so far with the way we've played. We have
played brutal at times, and he has shown great
patience, not letting us get down."
Despite a 6-13 record, the Wolverines played
well this weekend in the Big Ten opener against
Iowa, which they all insist is much more impor-
tant than their nonconference games. Fortunately
for Harrison, he and his Wolverines have a sec-
ond chance to make a good impression on the
athletic department. McCallister said the athletic
department places special emphasis performance
in the Big Ten.
This weekend's opener is a hint to what the
players already knew: This guy can coach.
Roberts, who is currently second on the team in
batting average (.344) and first in home runs (3)
and RBIs (16), attributes his success to the work
he did with Harrison during the fall and winter.
After batting .207 his freshman year, Harrison
helped Roberts "see the pitch well out of the
pitcher's hand, get into a good hitting position
early and use my legs a lot more."
Junior shortstop Brock Koman also attributes
his success to Harrison, which includes a place
on the 2002 preseason All-America third team
and last year's team MVP with a team-high .383
bating average. Harrison constantly works with
Koman on using his lower body better, even giv-
ing the slugger advice before every at-bat.
Roberts said that Harrison's interim status pro-
vides the team with extra motivation to achieve
in the conference and eventually remove the
interim status from his name.
"Guys want him to stay here, so we are going
to play our butt off for him, win the Big Ten for
him, for ourselves and for Michigan," Roberts
said.
MANHATTAN TO ANN ARBOR
If Harrison is replaced at the end of the season,
history indicates he will be able to land on his
feet somewhere - even if that happens to be
another continent.
After starting his coaching career as an assis-
tant at Kansas State and as head coach of the
Athletes in Action, Harrison went to Holland in
1987 to coach a youth club team for six months.
Harrison tried to adapt to his new surroundings
by learning the Dutch language, but failed.
"I thought I would (speak Dutch) when I first
got over there and they kind of laughed at me
when I tried. They said, 'Forget it, speak English
to us,' " Harrison said.
Four years later, Harrison got another opportu-
nity to be a head coach at the Master's College in
BRELNDAN O'DONNELL/Daily
Santa Clarita, Cal. But that wasn't the onlyrole
he filled for the Mustangs. He also dealt with the
media as sports information director, two roles
that sometimes didn't go well together.
"That was the toughest part," Harrison said,
"because after a loss, not only did I have to talk
to the reporters at the game, but then I had to call
up all the papers and rehash the whole thing."
While there, Harrison also got the opportunity
to coach current Detroit .Tigers pitcher Mark
Redman. To further his progress, Harrison sent
Redman to a baseball school in the area run by a
former Michigan player named Geoff Zahn. Har-
rison and Zahn struck up a friendship through
baseball, and when Zahn became Michigan's
head coach in 1995, he invited Harrison to join
his staff.
GAME BOY
Zahn isn't the only person close to Harrison. He
is married to the former Jennifer Aoki and they
have two children, Steven (10) and Sarah (8).
Despite Harrison's love for baseball, the only
glove Steven likes to wear is the Nintendo Power
Glove.
"He doesn't like baseball very much," Harri-
son said, laughing. "He is into science and ani-
mals and all kinds of stuff like that, and we try
and get him off the Nintendo as much as we can.
They are great kids, but as far as (Steven) being a
future Michigan second baseman, I don't think
that is going to happen."
Steven won't play for his dad at The Fish when
he gets to college, but maybe there will be at
least one Harrison in the dugout.
YESTERDAY GAME 2
Iowa :, Michigan 4
Iowa (1.3 Big Ten, 7-11) Michigan (2-0, 5-12)
Player AB R H BIPlayer AB R H BI
Gremley ss 3 0 1 1 Cantalamessa 2b 4 0 1 0
BucklinlIf 3 0 0 0 Sokol dh 2 1 2 0
Mattiace 3b 3 0 2 0 Koman ss 4 1 2 1
Jansen dh 2 0 1 0 RobertslIf 3 1 0 0
Carlson 1b 3 0 0 0 Lollio rf 2 1 0 0
Thousand cf 3 0 0 0 Wrightib 2 0 0 1
Bucklin if 2 0 0 0 Coleman c 3 0 1 2
Andy Cox ph 1 0 0 0 Jominy 3b 3 0 3 0
Bruckner c 3 1 1 0 Butler 3 0 0 0
Cappellano rf 2 0 0 0 Trzos p 0 0 0 0
Sharpe p 0 0 0 0
Miguel p 0 0 0 0
Total 251 51 Total 264 9 4
LOB- Iowa 4; Michigan 9. 2B- Iowa 2: Mattiace
(7), Bruckner (1); Michigan 2: Koman (4), Jominy
(2), BB- Iowa: Jansen; Michigan 3: Sokol 2, Lollio 1.
SB - Iowa: Jansen (5). CS - Michigan: Cantalamessa
(1).
R H E
Iowa 001 000 0 1 5 0
Michigan 100 030 x 4 9 0
iP H R ER BBSO
Iowa
Sharpe L (1-3) 4.2 6 4 4 3 2
Miguel 1.1 3 0 0 0 0
Michigan
Trzos W (1-3) 7.0 5 1 1 1 5
Umpires - HP: Dave Buck, 18: Mike Conlin, 2B: Mike
Duffy, 3B: Bruce Doane Jr.
At - Ray Fisher Stadium
Attendance - 283 Time -1:34
YESTERDAY GAME 1
Iowa 7, Michigan 4
Iowa (1-3 Big Ten, 711) Michigan (4-0, 6.13)
Player AB R H BlPlayer AR R H BI
Gremley ss 3 0 1 0 Catalaessa2b2 1 0 0
Groth 2b 2 1 1 2 Sokol dh 2 1 1 1
Mattiace 3b 3 1 0 1 Koman ss 3 0 1 0
Jansen dh 3 1 0 0 RobertsIf 3 0 0 1
Carlsoni1b 3 1 1 1 Lolio rf 3 00 0
Thousandcf 3 1 1 2 Wright lb 3 1 1 0
BucklinlIf 3 0 1 1 Fox c 2 1 1 0
Husz c 3 1 2 0 Jominy 3b 2 0 0 0
Cappellano rf t2 1 1 0 Rutkoski cf 1 0 0 0
Hasz p 0 0 0 0 Korecky ph 1 0 0 0
Nensen p 0 000 Butlercf 0 000
Wuerful ph 1 0 0 0
Burhans cf 0 0 0 0
Brauer p 0 00 0
Leveque p 0 0 0 0
Total 257 8 7 Total 234 4 2
E - Iowa 3: Gremley (12).Mattiace (4), Thousand
(2); Michigan 4: Fox (6), Jominy (6), Rutkowski (1),
Brauer (1). DP- Iowa 2; Michigan 2. LOB- Iowa 3;
Michigan 6. 3B - Iowa 1L Thousand (4); Michigan 1:
Sokol (1). BB- Iowa 2: Groth, Jansen; Michigan 6:
Sokol 2, Cantalamessa, Koman, Fox, Jominy. SN -
Iowa 3: Gremley (1), G oth (1), Mattiace (2); Michi-
gan 1: Roberts (1). SB- Iowa 2: Mattiace (7), Thou-
sand (3). CS - Iowa: Bucklin (2).
Iowa 331 000 0 7 8 3
Michigan 200 200 0 4 4 4
IP H R ER BB SO
Iowa
Hasz W (1-1) 4.0 2 4 2 5 2
Jensen S 3.0 2 0 0 1 1
Michigan
BrauerL(1-3) 2.1 6 7 5 2 1
Leveque 4.2 2 0 0 0 0
Umpires- HP: Bruce Doane Jr., 1B: Dave Buck, 2B
Mine Conlin, 3B: Dave Duffy
At - RayFisher Stadium, Ann Arbor
Attendance -283 Time -'2:08
SATURDAY GAME 2
Iowa 0, Michigan 6
Iowa (0-2 Big Ten, 6-10) Michigan (2-0, 5.12)
Player AR R H BI Player AR R H BI
Gremley ss 3 0 0 0 Cantalamessa2b4 11 1
Bucklinlif 3 0 00 Sokol dh 3 03 1
Mattiace 3b 3 0 2 0 Augistine ph 1 0 0 0
Jansen dh 3 0 0 0 Koman ss 4 0 2 1
Thousandof 3 0 0 0 RobertslIf 3 0 0 0
Carlson 1b 2 0 1 0 Lollio rf 4 1 2 1
Cox 2b 3 0 1 0 Wright 1b 2 2 1 1
Huszc 1 0 0 0 Colemanc 3 1 1 0
Cappellano rf 2 0 0 0 Jominy 3b 3 0 1 1
Mentowski p 0 0 0 0 Rutkowski of 3 1 1 0
Maliszewki po0 00 0 Hill p 0 00 0
0
6
0
0
Brandon Roberts
Surprise Slugger
Throws: Right
Bats: Left
Height: 6-foot-4
LF Weight: 210 lbs.
#16 Born:hAugust 8, 1981
Soph.
Arlington,Texas
Avg. H AB HR RBI R
.382 21 55 3 15 10
Coach Harrison: "Brandon's come into his own this
year. He's a hitter first off, with tremendous potential.
He's come a long way in the field, and we're just real
pleased with where he is right now."
Brock Koman
Mr. All-American
Throws: Right
Bats: Right
Height: 6-foot
3B/SS Weight: 200 lbs.
#10 Born: Oct. 11, 1980
Junior Pueblo, Col.
Avg. H AB HR RBI R
.343 23 67 2 10 14
Coach Harrison: "He's a leader of this team. (Brock)
can have an 0-4 day and because of the way he plays
and the way he is on the bench, he's going to help
you win."
Rich Hill
The intimidator
Throws: Left
Bats: Left
Height: 6-foot-5
P Weight: 200 lbs.
#23 Born: Nov. 16, 1981
Junior Milton, Mass.
ERA W-L !P BB SO H
4.03 1-2 29.0 20 40 27
Coach Harrison: "Rich has come into his ovn too,
similar to Brarndon. He's a third-year guy, but he's just
really pitched well -with composure. And he's just
competed from the time he gets on the mound until
he's done."
Bobby Korecky
The ace
Throws: Right
M E '60.0-J- n;IL
Michigan Batting Leaders
(Through March 31)
Player AVG. AB R H HR RBI BB
1. Brock Koman .351 74 15 26 2 11 7
2. Brandon Roberts .344 61 11 21 3 16 9
3. Jason Wuerfel .316 19 2 6 0 4 0
4. Mike Sokol .314 70 12 22 1 12 10
5. Gino Lollio .290 69 6 20 2 12 5
6. Nate Wright .279 43 5 12 1 5 1
7. Jake Fox .267 45 7 12 1 7 6
8. Alex Coleman .250 32 3 8 0 6 2
9. Brandon Jominy .250 32 6 8 0 1 6
10. Bobby Korecky .250 28 5 7 0 0 0
Michigan Pitching Leaders
(Through March 31)
Player ERA W-L IP H BB SO
1. Joe Young 0.00 0-0 3.1 5 1 4
2. Matt Collins 3.68 0-0 7.1 7 3 6
3. Rich Hill 4.03 1-2 29 27 20 40
4. Paul Hammond 4.50 0-0 4 8 1 4
5. Chad Garson 4.50 0-0 4 6 1 1
6. Jeff Trzos 5.71 1-3 17.1 23 9 11
7. Bobby Korecky 5.89 2-2 36.2 41 11 22
8. Tim Leveque 5.94 1-0 16.2 20 11 12
9. Jim Brauer 7.71 1-3 23.1 31 10 17
10. Phil Tognetti 7.71 0-2 4.2 10 5 3
Totai
23 0 4 0 Total
E - Iowa 2: Mattiace 2 (2) DP - Iowa 1. LOB - Iowa 6;
Michigan 8.. 285- Michigan 1: Sokol (5), 3B- Michi-
gan 1: Cox (1). MR -Michigan 2: Lollio (2); Wright
(1). RB Iowa: husz 2, Carlson 1;Michigan 1:
Roberts. SN- Iowa: Cappellano (3); Michigan: wright
(1). SR-Michigan: Jominy (3). CS-Iowa: Jansen
(4).
30 6126
Iowa
Michigan
Iowa
Mentowski l (2-3)
Maliszewki
Michigan
Hill W (1-2)
R H E
0 000 0 0 4 2
000 50x 6120
IP H R ER BBRS
3.2
2.1
11 5 5 0 1
1 1 0 1,0
7.0 4 0 0 3 7
Pitchers lead M' into Big Ten season
Blue's bats warm up while Koman, Jominy adjust to new positions in the infield
By Charles Paradis
Daily Sports Writer
"Better" may be an appropriate way to describe Michigan base-
ball this past weekend.
Michigan found itself struggling as it crawled to a dismal 3-12
record to start the season. The Wolverines occupied the lowest spot
in the Big Ten statistics in hitting, pitching and fielding.
But now, Roberts and the Wolverines have righted their ship
with three wins against Iowa over the weekend, wins that featured
much-improved play in all three phases of the game.
HITTING: The Wolverines struggled considerably from the plate
to start the season. The team had a .259 batting average through
the first 15 games of the season. Not only was Michigan's batting
average the lowest in the conference, but the Wolverines also held
the lowest on-base percentage (.344) in the Big Ten.
But this weekend, Michigan turned around its performance at the
plate. Spearheading this offensive output were back-to-back home
runs by Gino Lollio and Nate Wright. In the fourth inning of the
second game of Saturday's doubleheader, Lollio cranked a solo
shot deep over the leftfield wall. Wright then belted the first pitch
he saw into the same spot as Lollio. Michigan finally began to
exhibit the offensive prowess it was capable of with the sweep of
Iowa on Saturday.
"We felt that what we had been doing offensively, with the bats,
wasn't equivalent to the talent that we have up at the plate," Lollio
said.
Interim head coach Chris Harrison served as the hitting coach
for Michigan for the last six seasons, so the lack of offense was
especially disappointing. But now the team is performing to its
expected standards. The Wolverines' offense thrived this weekend
versus the Hawkeyes, scoring 17 runs.
"We're starting to show the talent and the potential we have,"
Roberts said. "Once a guy gets a hit, the next guy gets a hit, anoth-
er guy gets a hit, it's contagious."
PITCHING: The beginning of the season was also a big disappoint-
ment for Michigan's pitching staff. The Wolverines' early-season
struggles translated into poor pitching statistics for the Michigan
hurlers, despite good performances.
"Both (senior Bobby) Korecky and (Rich) Hill have been throw-
ing much better than their stats have been showing," Harrison said.
But this weekend, Michigan's pitching staff did the job, throwing
back-to-back shutouts against Iowa on Saturday. Korecky started
the first game of the weekend, and set the tone for the Wolverines
with a 65-pitch complete-game shutout in which the right-handed
hurler allowed just two Hawkeyes to reach base. The two runners
did give Korecky the opportunity to show off his pickoff move,
Umpires - HP: Mike Conlin, 18: Mike Duffy, 38: Dave
Buck
At - Ray Fisher Stadium, Ann Arbor
Attendance -537 Time - 2:35
SATURDAY GAME 1
Iowa 0, Michigan 3
Iowa (0-1 Big Ten, 6.10) Michigan (1-0, 412)
Player AB R H 8I Player AB R H I
Gremley ss 3 0 1 0 Cantalamrssa2b 3 02 0
Bucklinlf 3 0 0 0 Fox dh 3 10 0
Mattiace 3b 3 0 0 0 Koman ss 3 00 0
Jansen dh 2 0 0 0 RobertslIf 3 23 1
Thousand cf 2 0 0 0 Lollio rf 3 02 2
Carlsonib 2 0 1 0 Wrightb 3 01 0
Gorth 2b 2 0 0 0 Colenmanc 2 00 0
Huszc 2 0 0 0 Jominy3b 2000
Cappellano rf 2 0 0 0 Rutkowski cf 2 0 0 0
Pawelk p 0 0 0 0 Korecky p 000 0
Total 21 0 2 0 Total 24383
E - Iowa 1: J. Gremley (11); Michigan 1: Koman (7). OP.-
Iowa 2. LOB - Michigan 3.. 2B - Iowa: Gremley (3). Michigan:
Carlson (7), Roberts (7)38 - Michigan 1: Roberts (2). sB-
Michigan 1: Lollic (3)
R H E
Iowa 000 000 0 02 1
Michigan 010 002 x 3 8 1
IP H R ER 88 SO
Iowa
Pawelk L(2-1) 6.0 8 3 1 0 4
Michigan
Korecky W (2-2) 7.0 2 0 0 0 3
Umpires- HP: Mike Conlin, 1B: Mike Duffy, 38: Dave
Buck
At - Ray Fisher Stadium, Ann Arbor
Attendance - 537 Time-1:13
BIG TEN
Team
Indiana
Ohio State
Purdue
Michigan
Michigan State
Minnesota
Illinois
Penn State
Iowa
Northwestern
STANDINGS
Conference overall
W L W L
3 1 20 4
3 1 15 5
3 1 9 13
3 1 6 13
2 2 17 5
2 2 10 14
1 3 11 4
1 3 9 11
1 3 7 11
1 3 7 12
,0
DAVID KALZ/Daly
Jeff Trzos celebrates after fanning five batters in a 4-1 win over Iowa.
The Wolverines won three out of four games on the weekend.
FIELDING: One of the reasons Michigan's pitchers struggled early
this season was the lackluster defense behind them. Throughout
the beginning of the campaign, Michigan was plagued by errors.
A large factor in the defensive woes was that several players
were forced to make position changes. For example, junior Brock
Koman moved from third base to shortstop this year and is still
learning the position and the intricacies involved.
HAWKEYES
Continued from Page 1B
Wednesday may have contributed to
his success yesterday.
"It helped me get prepared the way I
wanted to," Trzos said. "My arm felt
great today."
On Saturday, the Wolverines used
complete game shutouts from junior
Rich Hill and senior Bobby Korecky to
dominate the doubleheader. In game
r1