12 - The Michigan Daily - Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Fans rally behind Netters
By Jamie Josephson
Daily Sports Writer
Something about the home tennis
matches this season seems different
to junior Ryan Heller.
"My freshman year, there were
only about 50 people (at the Varsity
Tennis Center) each match," Heller
said. "Now, we have a couple hun-
dred."
Thanks to several promotional
efforts this year, the No. 35 Michi-
gan men's tennis team (5-2 Big Ten,
11-8 overall) has acquired a much
larger fan base than in years past.
Working with the marketing and
promotions department, the Wolver-
ines have successfully increased crowd
numbers at their home matches.
"We're trying to create more
excitement in the community,"
Michigan coach Bruce Berque said.
"Our guys really enjoy and appreci-
ate playing in front of people. For
a while, Michigan tennis was a hot
item. We're trying to do some differ-
ent things this year to get people back
out and involved. And it's worked."
Some of the promotional events
have included clinics for children,
free pizza for the first 100 fans in
attendance, raffle contests, mer-
chandise giveaways and autograph
sessions.
The team also sponsored Greek
Night on March 17 for its match
against intrastate rival Michigan
State. Because of the event's success
in attracting members of the Greek
community, the squad plans to host
another Greek Night for the Ohio
State match this Sunday.
Members of the Ann Arbor Com-
munity Tennis Association, M-Club
members and participants from the
University's tennis camp program
have also been invited to several
home matches.
Another new event that has become
an exciting tradition this season is the
first serve promotion. Before each
home match, a pre-selected local
celebrity partakes in the activity,
similar to the ceremonial first pitch
at baseball games. Participants have
included Michigan Athletic Direc-
tor Bill Martin, WAAM 1600's Lucy
Ann Lance and writers from the Ann
Arbor News.
As the tennis team's representa-
tive on the Student Athletic Council,
Heller has encouraged other Michigan
varsity athletes to support the team.
The effort is managed by a group
called the "Blue Crew" in SAC.
Berque recognizes that taking the
initiative in creating fan support is
vital to the promotional effort.
"We all do our share," Berque said.
"We've learned to take the leadership
ourselves. But we definitely have
some support from the administra-
tion, and that's been a nice surprise
for me."
With two of its three 4-3 match
victories this season occurring at
the Varsity Tennis Center, the team
has not overlooked the role of fan
support in the successful outcome
of close matches. From parents to
alumni to children to sororities, the
team has developed an enthusiastic
home crowd that has contributed to
the Wolverines' current 6-3 home
record.
"(The promotional events) have def-
initely been successful," Heller said.
"The bigger crowds make for a better
atmosphere for us and give us much
more of a home-court advantage."
Michigan hopes to have this advan-
tage in its last home match of the
season against Ohio State. The teams
will face off on Sunday at noon at the
Varsity Tennis Center.
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Captain Ryan Heller has headed efforts to generate support for the men's tennis team.
Rough outings don't deter freshmen
By David Murray
Daily Sports Writer
In most cases, using freshmen in key situations seems illogical.
But with the Michigan baseball team's high-caliber freshmen pitch-
ing trio, the illogical is rationalized.
Last weekend against Northwestern, freshman pitcher Adam
Abraham struggled in his first career start. He allowed five runs and
failed to make it out of the first inning. It would be logical to give the
youngster a few games off after such a traumatic outing.
Instead, cue Abraham in Michigan's next game, against Central
Michigan.
Showing no signs of the struggles from his previous start, the
freshman tallied a career-high four hits and drove in two runs while
playing third base. His breakout offensive performance helped the
Wolverines rout Central Michigan, 19-4.
After the Wolverines stormed back from a six-run deficit to take
a 7-6 lead in the eighth inning of Friday night's game against Min-
nesota, one would think that Michigan coach Rich Maloney would
send in one of his veteran arms to close out the miraculous come-
back.
Instead, cue freshman Zach Putnam, who had pitched just 11
innings in his college career.
The Ann Arbor native shut the door on any hint of a Gopher rally,
allowing just two hits over the final two innings. In the process,
Putnam recorded his first career save.
"Zach is just an amazingly talented kid," senior catcher Jeff Kun-
kel said. "If he can get healthy 100-percent, he will be one of the top
pitchers in our league."
With two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning in the first game
of Saturday's doubleheader against Minnesota, freshman pitcher
Chris Fetter allowed a walk-off two-run double. In the second game
of the doubleheader, it would seem sensible to start an experienced
pitcher after such a heartbreaking defeat.
Instead, cue Fetter, who was riding the emotions of his extra-
inning loss.
"After the first game, I put a lot of the blame on myself, as I should
have," Fetter said. "I wanted to get right back out on the mound
because I didn't want to wait for my chance to get back at them. I
wanted to get right after them again. When coach put me back out
on the mound, I took it as a challenge to get the win that, I guess, I
lost."
The supposed-to-be-shaken freshman made the Gopher batters
look foolish. In the second game, he threw a four-hit shutout in what
Kunkel called the pitching performance of the year.
The resiliency these three freshmen have shown may be surpris-
ing to some, but it is consistent with their pitching statistics.
The three young guns rank near or at the top of almost every
Wolverine statistical category this season. Abraham has appeared
in the most games (nine) and is tied for the most wins (three). Fetter
sits atop of the ERA category (2.00) and has appeared in the second
most games (eight). Putnam, who has battled injuries, ranks third
on the team in ERA (3.46) and has registered 10 strikeouts in just
13 innings.
"When I look at Adam and Zach out on the mound, they don't
appear to be freshmen," Fetter said. "Everyone on the team has full
confidence in them when they go out there. They've shown that they
have great poise and character on the mound, and they never let
one thing get them down. If I am even mentioned with them, that
is great."
The freshmen's scariest attribute isn't their current pitching skills
but their potential pitching skills. If their contributions as freshmen
are any indication of what the future may hold for Michigan, it could
be a spectacular next few years in Ann Arbor.
M NOTES
Cagers elect trio of
captains for next year
The men's basketball team
announced a trio of seniors will
serve as captains for the 2006-07
season. Lester Abram, Dion Harris
and Brent Petway were selected by
their teammates before Sunday's
2006 Basketball Awards and Cel-
ebration at Crisler Arena.
Abram, who took a medical red-
shirt two years ago, will return
for his fifth season and be the
first three-time captain in the pro-
gram's history. A series of injuries
limited Abram's playing time to
just 21 games last season. In those
games, he avergaed 10 points and
3.3 rebounds.
Harris, who received All-Big Ten
honorable mention honors last sea-
son, was the team's second-leading
scorer, averaging 11.1 points per
game.
Petway rounds out the class of
captains for next year. The Georgia
native came off the bench this year
to provide a spark on the both ends
of the floor with his dunks and shot-
blocking ability.
The trio assumed the role of cap-
tain effective immediately.
TREVOR CAMPBELL/Daily
After giving up a walk-off double in Saturday's first game, Chris
Fetter rebounded, tossing a four-hit shutout in the second one.
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