The Michigan Daily - Thursday, April 15, 2004 - 11A In a slugfest, Lentz saves the day By Gabe Edelson Daily Sports Writer MT. PLEASANT - It's the bottom of the ninth. You lead by one, but your opponent has the tying and winning runs on base. Your sixth pitcher of the day - an everyday second baseman - has failed to improve the situation. If you are Michigan base- ball coach Rich Maloney, whom do you call on from the bullpen? Yesterday, the answer was freshman right-hander Dan Lentz. Lentz came through as the most unexpected hero in Michigan's three hour and 55 minute, 14-13 win over Central Michigan at Theunissen Stadium. After a wild pitch advanced runners to second and third, Lentz recovered from a 3-0 count to strike out pinch hitter Brian Lautzenheiser. Following an intentional walk to second baseman David Latour Jr. to load the bases, Lentz cemented his first career save by getting catcher Derek Schaller to pop a foul ball to Michigan third baseman A.J. Scheidt for the final out. All this from a pitcher with three career colle- giate appearances, a 9.00 ERA and an 0-2 record heading into yesterday's action. "I'm really proud to see a freshman come in there when things are hot like that," Maloney said. "That's crunch-time." "My heart was running," Lentz said. "It was beat- ing pretty quickly. I was just telling myself to throw the breaking ball as hard as I could. (Maloney) has stuck with me, and that really gives me a lot of con- fidence. Finally getting a positive spin on one of (my) games really puts my confidence at an all-time high." The man of the hour was first baseman Kyle Bohm, a transfer from Auburn who is rapidly making a name for himself in Ann Arbor. The jun- ior went 2-for-3 with three walks and two three- run home runs. Both shots were hit to left field, with the latter one - off right-hander David LeMieux in the ninth inning - putting Michigan (16-12 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) ahead for good in a slugfest that featured 36 total hits, three lead changes and 12 pitchers. "I was real happy that we could battle through some shaky play on defense and pull a win out here," said a relieved Bohm, after Michigan had committed four fielding errors in the game. "It was very good for us on the road." Bohm and Maloney were especially pleased with the team's ability to fight its way back into contention after falling behind by scores of 5-0 and 12-11. "I think (the comebacks) are a testament to our team and to how much intestinal fortitude we have," Bohm said. "It says a lot (about the team)." "We found a way to win," Maloney said. "In the rebuilding of the program, this is one of the things we have to learn to do. It was a big step for us. We're certainly not where we need to be, but we're further along today than we were yesterday, and that's a real positive." Michigan freshman Michael McCormick strug- gled in his first career start, giving up five runs on six hits in two innings. The Central Michigan sec- ond was highlighted by rightfielder J.T. Jones's inside-the-park home run. Freshman Andrew Hess relieved McCormick and calmed things down, allowing two runs while four strikeouts in three innings. Hess's solid outing made the first Michigan comeback possible. The rally came in the form of a six-run fourth inning, where Bohm and Scheidt hit back-to-back homers. Michi- gan had not hit consecutive round-trippers on the road since 1998. "When (Bohm) gets things going, it's easy to fol- low suit," Scheidt said. But the Chippewas kept things interesting with three two-run home runs, the first coming in the sixth and the final two coming in the eighth. With Central Michigan ahead 12-11 going into the final inning, Michigan's situation appeared des- perate. But Bohm's second blast of the afternoon scored second baseman Chris Getz and rightfielder Matt Butler to put Michigan in front, 14-12. "Bohm answered the bell when we needed him," Maloney said. The tense bottom of the ninth featured four Michigan pitchers: Phil Tognetti, Ali Husain, Getz and Lentz. Central Michigan closed its deficit to one on designated hitter Bryan Mitzel's RBI single to center, at which point Lentz entered. Scheidt was unhappy with his two errors on the day, but came away satisfied from the high-scor- ing affair. "I just need to be more consistent on all facets of the game," Scheidt said. "(But) it was a shootout, it was just awesome. It was fun to play that kind of ball." MIKE HULSEBUS/Daily Michigan freshman Dan Lentz finished up the game for Michigan during the Wolverines' 14-13 victory at Central Michigan. Ping' music to Rudden s ears YESTERDAY'S GAME Michigan 14, Central Michigan 13 By Gabe Edelson Daily Sports Writer MT. PLEASANT - It came in the top of the fourth inning yesterday. It was a simple sound, but one that has been hard to come by for junior Nick Rudden. It was the powerful ping of the aluminum bat that screamed "base hit." "It was a good feeling," Rudden said. "I haven't had it for a while." He hadn't had it since March 27, to be exact. With just seven hits in 49 at-bats (.143) on the season, Rud- den's performance has dropped off significantly from his 49 hit, .318 showing from a year ago. Rudden is listed as an infielder, outfielder and designated hitter on the Michigan baseball roster. Despite starting 43 games as a sophomore last season - 32 com- ing at shortstop - the Englewood, Colo., native has served as a utility player in his 12 starts this year, which have come at shortstop, sec- ond base, left field and DH. But the veteran's diminished role doesn't bother him as long as his team con- tinues to collect victories. "(The change) hasn't been tough at all," Rudden said. "Our team has been winning quite a few games. I'd like to be having a little more indi- vidual success, but as long as we keep winning, I'm going to be happy" Michigan coach Rich Maloney attributes Rudden's decreased play- ing time to an improved roster. "The program now has more depth than it did when (Rudden) started off as a freshman," Maloney said. "Quite frankly, our guys have to perform. If there isn't production, then someone else is going to be behind him." Aside from receiving fewer starts, Rudden's move to the out- field has not been quite as smooth as he had hoped. "It's a totally different approach," Rudden said of moving away from the diamond. "I've got a lot of work to do. I don't play the balls off the bat that well, yet. I just have to keep working on it, and when I get my chances I'll just do the best I can out there." In addition to his run-scoring hit off Central Michigan starter Mike Kirschenheiter, Rudden reached first when he was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning. For a player with a .184 on- base percentage, standing on the first bag twice - and scoring both times - in one game is a welcome occurrence. "It's always fun to be out there in the action," Rudden said. "Hopefully I can build off that. I'll just pitch in when I get my chance." Throughout the course of his diffi- cult season, Rudden - with his con- sistently positive attitude - has kept Maloney content with his effort. "Nick's a great kid," Maloney said. "He's a team player, and I was happy to see him get one to fall in there. His approach to the game is superb." Rudden is willing to be flexible to meet the demands of the squad, and this fact is not lost on Maloney. "He's done whatever I've asked," Maloney said. "I'm proud of him for that. H e just wants to make a contribution." Mkhmn (12) Player AB R H 81 Getz 2b/p 5 2 3 2 Butler rf 6 2 3 0 Bohmi1b 3 2 26 Scheidt 3b 5 1 3 3 Rademacher c 3 0 0 0 Kunkel ph/c 2 0 0 0 Roberts dh 4 2 2 0 Mahler ph/dh 2 0 1 0 Lentz p 0 0 0 0 Goldschm ss 4 2 1 0 Schmidt cf/If 5 1 1 1 Ruddenif 3 2 1 1 Rose cf 1 01 0 McCormick p 0 0 0 0 Hess p 0 00 0 Hammond p 0 0 0 0 Tognetti p 0 0 0 0 Husain p 0 00 0 Total 43242813 cenl Michtan (16-15) Player AB R H BI Cannon cf 5 1 0 0 Jones rf 5 5 4 1 Geldhof3b 6 4 5 3 Welsi1b 5 12 4 Mitzel dh 6 1 4 2 LaFavors If 1 0 0 0 CrumlIf 1 00 0 Griesbaum ph 1 1 1 2 Lautzenheis If1 0 0 0 Latour 2b 5 0 0 0 Campbell c 2 0 0 0 Schaller ph/c2 0 1 0 Peel ss 2 00 0 Lipski ph 1 0 0 0 Welker ss 1 0 1 0 Kirschenheit p0 0 0 0 Sutherland p 0 0 0 0 Ruhlman p 0 0 0 0 LeMieux p 0 0 0 0 Total 44 1312 LOB- Michigan 10, Central Michigan 13. E - Michigan 4 Scheidt 2 (10), Rademacher (ยง), Goldshmeding (14. D - ich an1. 28 - Michigan 2-Gt 5 Roberts (6);Cen ralMichigan 1-.Mitzel (7etzHR-Mich San 3 - Bohm 2 (4). Scheidt (4);' Central Milchigan (5), oberts (6)" Central Mich i an 4- Jones (1), Geidhof (4), Wells (s) , Griesbaum 1). HRP -Michigan 2 - Schei- dt, Rudden;Central Michigan LaFavors Campbel. SB- Michigan - none; Central Michigan - Geldhof 114). CS. Michigan - none; Central Michigan - none. Michigan Iowa Michigan McCormick Hess Hammond Tognetti Husain Getz Lentz Central Michigan Kirschenheiter Lundquist Sutherland Ruhlman LeMieux 000 630 203 320 102 041 14 18 4 13 18 0 IP 2.0 3.0 2.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 3.2 0.2 2.1 1.1 1.0 H 6 2 2 0 1 0 3 2 1 4 R 5 2 5 1 0 0 0 6 3 2 0 3 ER 4 2 5 1 0 0 0 6 3 2 0 3 BB 2 2 0 1 1 0 1 3 0 1 1 1 SO 2 4 2 1 0 0 1 2 0 2 4 0 MIKEnuLSEoU/Daily Junior Nick Rudden, who has struggled at the plate this season, had a big day against Central Michigan. Rudden scored two runs in Michigan's 1413 win. Umpires - HP: Mike Bess, 2B: Steve Linton At - Theunissen Stadium Attendance - 753 Time - 3:55 -*------ - -- - - -- ..t;B 6. This Summer in Southfield I' ; '~ Moving Ot I lRG FADIG c'nrnE TWIiNIr:~~TfC - n rn'nl: I fllflL Ant Z>JIVIt I1fh'J'.JVUZ) ..1 U ..AIVIQILLfl V 1. Don't forget - you probably can't use your security deposit for the last month's rent. 2. Have you checked your lease for the date and time by which you must vacate your unit? 3. Where are the house keys/room keys supposed to be left? . 4. Who is cleaning what? Do you need to have a quick house meeting? 5. What damaged items should you fix before you move out? (Check with your lease/ landlord to make sure of what repairs you can make, and how you can make them.) T 6. Make sure to give your landlord a forwarding address within 4 days of move-out. 7. Have a great, safe summer! 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