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. 40 6 6 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. a The Finger thinks the smell test is an acceptable alternative to laundry. ) r"7-_' ff -,T , ihe Finger thinks are acceptable attire w to an 8:00 am class. The Finger thinks fifth-year seniors should be considered grad students too. The Finger believes doodling iS a legitimate form of taking notes. i