The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com
Friday, March 28, 2014 - 7
In Maezes, Wolverines have new leader
sho
ft
Sophomore
rtstop the spark
or Wolverines
By ZACH SHAW
Daily Sports Writer
ndiana pitcher Christian
Morris stepped up to the
mound and gazed at his
opponent strolling to the plate.
The 6-foot, 190-pound figure
60 feet away was as cool as the
March Midwestern air around
them.
Travis Maezes swung his bat
around himlike a toy, hisstill face
treating every movement with
the same precision and care as the
last. A calm confidence sets in as
Maezes digs into the left-handed
batter's box. For the sophomore,
the confidence has always come
easily. No matter what sport he
tried growingup, he couldn't lose.
Today, that sport is baseball,
and as Michigan's man, it was on
his shoulders to prevent Michigan
from losing a third straight game
and falling to 0-3 in the Big Ten.
The 0-1 pitch by Morris came
in low and away. But Maezes
made solid contact and shot the
ball into the Hoosiers' bright
new turf at Bart Kaufman Field.
As the ball bounced high into
the air, Maezes took off. The
former hockey
player glided
down the line,
touching the "He's'
bag before
the ball even been a c
reached the
shortstop. kid. F
Within
seconds, alwan
Maezes' job as
leadoff man the rig]
was done.
Energizing his hab
teammates and
getting on base,
the sophomore
helped pave
the way for other Wolverines.
After mustering just five hits the
previous game, Michigan posted
three in the first inning, allowing
Maezes to score the opening run.
Like with many leaders, the
progressofthe Michiganbaseball
team mirrors the progress of
Maezes.
Using the momentum of a
freshman year full of potential,
the sophomore is looking to take
the reins from former outfielder
PatrickBiondiastheteam'sleader
and sparkplug. Michigan's latest
leader is looking to use natural
ability and a lifetime of athletic
intensity to deliver the program's
36th Big Ten Championship. And
possibly beyond.
"He's going to play this game
for a long time," Bakich said. "But
for him, the best thing he can do
now is be in our leadoff spot and
be our sparkplug and our catalyst
and get on base. When he can
get on base, he can get things in
motion and make things happen."
Kids who grow up in Ann
Arbor often dream of
one day competing for
Michigan.
Whether it's high-stepping
into the end zone at Michigan
Stadium or stopping a slap shot
beneath the cathedral lighting
of Yost Ice Arena, the allure of
donning maize and blue can be as
strong as any.
Livinglessthantwomilesfrom
Michigan Stadium, Maezes was
one of those
children. But
as a member of
always the Michigan
baseball team,
'onfident his fate strayed
from the initial
le has goal.
"I can
ys had honestly say
that baseball
;ht work was definitely
second
)its. growing up,"
Maezes said.
"I was into
hockey. I
played baseball
over the summer, but I felt like
hockey was my sport and always
came first."
As the years went on, it looked
like Maezes' commitment to
hockey would pay off. Playing
for elite Triple-A youth hockey
team Compuware and for Ann
Arbor Pioneer High School,
Maezes began drawing attention
from colleges for his play on the
ice. After a promising freshman
season, Maezes' name began
popping online as' a potential
candidate for the U.S. National
Team Development Program.
But in the fall of his sophomore
year, an ankle injury wiped out
his season. Unable to sit still,
Maezes turned to a different
sport to keep busy.
"I started hearing from schools
for hockey and baseball," Maezes
said. "I had to pick which route I
wanted to take. Sophomore year, I
needed surgery on my ankle that
took me out of the entire hockey
season. I couldn't go skate, but
I was able to go hit, so I did that
and baseball kind of took over
from there."
Once focused solely on ALLISON FARRAND/Daily
baseball, Maezes began to Sophomore shortstop Travis Maezes could have been a hockey player, but his path to baseball led him to Michigan.
shine brighter on the diamond.
The Pioneers won the state last year. A summer in Ann Arbor dispute that hand in hand. Now ***
championship in Maezes' first spent rehabbing and training has he's become more of a voice,
year as captain. put Maezes in position to change whereas he didn't have to be the s Indiana pitcher Chris-
The following two seasons, that. voice last year. Now he's one of tian Morris stepped up
Maezes was named first-team the guys who's speaking up and to the mound again,
all-state while his potential made *** talking on the field and directing and once more gazed at his
him the consensus No. 1 prospect traffic and showing others how opponent strolling to the plate.
in Michigan, drawing attention n paper, the young to do it." Again, Maezes swung his bat
as far east as Maryland, where 2014 season doesn't As the team enters Big Ten around him like a toy, his face
Bakich was then coaching. look much different play seeking its 36th title, with the same precision, same
"Everyone recruited Travis," from 2013. Maezes' average has Maezes will have to be at his focus and care as the last.
Bakich said. "He was a national climbed to .322, but the rest best each day. Already lauded Michigan was down 2-1to the
recruit and a great player. He's of his numbers are consistent by scouts for his abilities to Hoosiers with two outs in the
one of the fiercest competitors with this point last year. Yet, throw, run, hit and field at a fourth this time. A bloop single,
I've ever coached, and he's an since moving to the leadoff spot, professional level, Maezes will Indiana throwing error and hit-
extremely aggressive kid - a Maezes has only further estab- one day eye the big leagues. But by-pitch had loaded the bases,
hockey player with a hockey lished himself as the leader of for now, Maezes - ineligible and Maezes was looking to come
player's mindset. He is full-speed, the team. for the draft until the end of his through for his team with a 2-0
full-tilt, 100 percent all of the "He's always been a confident junior year - is focusing instead pitch on the way.
time, every day. Practice, games kid," Bakich said. "He has on leading his teammates and With the same smooth,
- doesn't matter." always been an aggressive kid, being a sparkplug for success to confident swing, he did just that.
During his first year at he has always had the right work come. This time, he pulled a careful
Michigan, Maezes refused to habits, but where he has turned "He's staying in the moment, pitch on the inside corner down
slow down. Starting at shortstop the corner is not just his ability focusing on the process of, how the right-field line, sailing past
for all 56 games, Maezes hit .313 to lead by example and play is he going to get better today?" the right fielder for a bases-
with 44 RBI and stole 16 bases in hard, but to inspire other people Bakich said. "What is he going to clearing double.
2013, good enough to be named to play better than they are. His do to get better today? Because With two celebratory
to the Big Ten and Louisville work ethic is contagious. he'snevergoingtogettodayback. claps and a hand signal to the
Slugger All-American freshman "The younger guys feed off And by doing that and getting Michigan dugout, Maezes made
teams. that, and even the older guys better everyday, championships, one thing clear: This is his team
But the number that sticks out see it. Anytime you see a guy getting All-American, getting now, and after a lifetime of
most to Maezes is 0-2, Michigan's work extremely hard and have drafted and getting into the big athletics, Travis Maezes is more
record in the BigTen Tournament positive results, it's hard to leagues, that stuff will happen." than ready to take control.
RUBINSTEIN
From Page 6 pressure on the defense when
you strike out and don't put the
ball in play. We know it's a prob-
from off-season labrum sur- lem; it's not going to continue to
gery? How would the outfield bea problem."
rebound after losing Michael Bakich consistently points
O'Neill and Patrick Biondi to the out that he doesn't look at bat-
MLB minor leagues? ting average as an indicator
Early on, the concerns were of his players' hitting ability.
justified. The team struggled to Rather, he looks to quality at-bat
definitively answer any of the percentage, which gives players
above questions and lost virtu- credit for hard-hit balls, seeing
ally every close game. Now, just more than eight pitches with
short of the season's midpoint, two strikes and a bunt for a hit,
Michigan has played in 12 one- among other things.
run games and lost nine. Quality at-bat percentages
The mar- above 50 per-
gins have been cent tend to
close, sure, lead to wins.
and this record "These guys are Right now,
could be vastly Michigan's
different. ready to start quality at-bat
In their percentage is
opening playing a really between 45
weekend, the and 46 per-
Wolverines good style of cent, which
blew early is just below
leads against baseball here." where Bakich
Texas State, wants to be.
Washington But the stat
and Houston. doesn't mat-
Blame for those losses landed on ter when an opposing pitcher
the bullpen, which wasn't at full racks up 15 strikeouts, while
strength and relied heavily on conceding just two hits. Regard-
freshmen. less, Michigan needs an answer
"Figuring out the roles in the on offense, and the batting-
bullpen was certainly a process average cover-up isn't doing it
that we didn't have nailed down any good.
going into the season," said To its credit, Michigan has
Michigan coach Erik Bakich. squeaked out a few tough victo-
Cronenworth was sorely ries against solid opponents. To
missed, but now has five saves, begin, look back no further than
a win and a 0.96 ERA in six the Wolverines' win against
appearances since his return. Indiana.
But as the pitching strength- The Hoosiers are a favorite to
ened, the bats became anemic. win the Big Ten, and this could
After a strong start to the season be the win Michigan has been
offensively, the Wolverines are looking for all season: It showed
currently batting .242, good for that the Wolverines can compete
second to last in the Big Ten. with anyone.
Even so, Bakich is still primar- And even though Indiana
ily concerned with the team's edged the Wolverines, 5-3, Fri-
strikeout rate, rather than bat- day night, the Wolverines tallied
ting average. three runs against the Big Ten's
"We lead the Big Ten in best pitcher, Joey DeNato, who
strikeouts; well that's not shock- held a three-year ERA of 2.90
ing," Bakich said. "We're going before the season.
to have to make an adjustment "I think some guys who have
because it's just too many easy really been struggling offensive-
outs for the defense. That's no ly probably look at conference
play as a new beginning," Bakich
said. "But if they weren't really
struggling offensively, then they
wouldn't say that. I think that's
pretty normal."
In the Indiana series, Michi-
gan showed it has what it needs
to contend. It's all about piec-
ing the puzzle together, which
for the Wolverines may finally
be solved after all. Maybe all it
needed was a fresh start, or the
Big Ten season.
Michigan's freshmen have
gotten valuable road-playing
experience, with 24 of 25 games
being away - the youth jitters
are gone. The bats have shown
to be effective against the best of
the best.
And with the heart of Big Ten
season looming, there's no time
for excuses. After all, Bakich
defines success asa Big Ten title.
Anything less is a mere improve-
ment. The Wolverines can't play
sloppy baseball anymore.
"We know that we haven't
caught any breaks," Bakich said.
"I think these guys are ready to
start playing a really good style
of baseball here, and hopefully
we can make it last as long as we
possibly can."
It's time to show it.
STAFF PICKS
The Daily baseball beat
writers do their best to
predict what will happen in
the world of college
baseball this season.
MICHIGAN
From Page 6
rounded player on the
Michigan roster is sophomore
shortstop Travis Maezes, whose
average has been sitting in the
low .300s for much of the year but
has undergone a recent uptick.
The lefty showed power when he
pounded two home runs in the
same day against the College of
Charleston.
With a tremendously young
infield, senior catcher Cole Mar-
tin provides a breath of leadership
where it's most desperately need-
ed. Perhaps his greatest strength
this season has been durability.
Multiple times, Martin has held
his post behind the plate for three
or four games in a weekend - a
physical toughness that not all
catchers can offer. Though he is
putting up a miserable .176 batting
average, his worth is well-covered
by his defense and leadership.
Two other offensive forces
reside at first base in Jusick and
junior Kendall Patrick. The duo
usually fills the four and five holes
in the batting order, with one or
the other at designated hitter.
Patrick has two home runs on the
season - one of just three players
on the team to hit a single dinger
this year.
Starting Pitching
The starting rotation has given
a mixed bag of results so far this
season. Many expected more
stability from a rotation that
returned every arm that started a
game in the 2013 season, but that
dependability is hit or miss. The
group is led by fifth-year senior
right-hander Ben Ballantine, who
carries a 2.81 earned-run average
through six starts this season
and has tentatively been named
the team's ace. Ballantine's ERA
was among the best in the Big Ten
until his start Friday against the
Hoosiers, when he was roughed
up for three runs in 1.2 innings
pitched.
The combination of sophomore
left-hander Evan Hill and junior
left-hander Trent Szkutnik have
combined for a shaky tail-end to
the weekend rotation. Though
they only have one combined
win, their strikeout numbers are
among the best in the Big Ten.
Power pitching is one of the staff's
goals, and these pitchers perfectly
fill that role.
Bullpen
The story of the season so far
has been the young bullpen's
highs and lows. It's the area that
the team lives and dies with -
when playing in so many close
games, having reliable arms in the
late innings is key.
Junior right-hander Donnie
Eaton, senior right-hander Alex
Lakatos, freshman right-hander
Mac Lozer and freshman right-
hander Keith Lehmann are
pitchers who have emerged as
being most dependable.
Cronenworth acts as the closer
and is considered one of the best
in the country. Offseason labrum
surgery kept him off the mound
through the first few weeks of the
season, but he has rebounded well
enough to maintain an 0.96 ERA
while racking up a Big Ten-best
five saves.
The veterans and the newcom-
ers have a sense of optimism about
the team and its future. Bakich's
methods and style have meshed
well with the Wolverines, by all
accounts. Bakich is focused not
only on this teams success but on
the program's future.
"The players are buying into
the enthusiasm and the style that
we bring," Bakich concluded.
"Our program will have an
identity, we don'thave an identity
right now, but I think all great
organizations know exactly what
they stand for."
Ben Fidelman Brad Whipple Jason Rubinstein
Zach Shaw
Michigan regular-season record 29-26-1 32-23-1 30-25-1 29-25-2
Big Ten record 13-1i 15-9 16-B 14-10
Big Ten Champion Indiana Indiana Indiana Nebraska
Big TenTournament champion Ohio State Indiana Nebraska Nebraska
Big Ten MVP Jake Mangler, Iowa Pat Kelly, Nebraska Kyle Schwarber, Indiana Schwarber
Michigan Freshman of the Year Jackson Lamb, OF/RHP Lamb Lamb Lamb
Big Ten sarprise team Ohio State Ohio State Iowa Iowa
Michigan MVP Travis Maezes, SS Jacob Cronenworth, RH? Cronenwort aezes
Michigan Offensive POY Kyle Jusick, O/DH Jackson Glines, OF Maezes Gines
Michigan's season ends here Big Ten Tournament Final B1G Tournament 2nd Rd. B1G Tournament 2nd Rd. 81G Tournament 2nd Rd.