12 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, May 25, 1994 LDs Freehan puts 1989 probation behind Michigan baseball sqi iuiuI By Scott Burton DAILY BASEBALL WRITER BA'ITLE CREEK - Michigan baseball coach Bill Freehan had quite an act to follow when he took over the Wolverines in 1990 - and one to avoid as well. His predecessor, Bud Middaugh, established Michigan baseball as a perennial national power. He also used illegal recruiting tactics to do so. Middaugh resigned amid allega- tions of misconduct following a Big Ten title in 1989. Just after Freehan took over, the program was placed on a two-year probation by the Big Ten, which re- stricted where Michigan could re- cruit and how many players could be offered scholarships. The penalty was the first ever handed to a sports pro- gram at Michigan. ItwasonehellofamessthatFreehan inherited, and a mess that was hard to dispose of. Unlike many newcoaches, he didn't come in with a clean slate or a fresh direction - he came to right a program with tainted breath. But, amazingly, after several years of struggles and second-division fin- ishes, it can now be said that the trash is out on the curb, the slate is sanitized, the breath is minty clean and the direction for Michigan baseball is up --way up. This year, the Wolverines finished third in the Big Ten, completed the season with a .500 record and quali- fied for their first playoffs since Middaugh resigned. Last weekend, Michigan nearly pulled off one of the biggest upsets in conference tournament history, knock- ing off Minnesota before nearly doing the same to No. 4 Ohio State. And the prospects for next year are even more promising. The team gradu- ates just two players and carries the confidence of being a gritty, resilient and extremely competitive ball club. "We've been working hard to get this program back to where it should be," Freehan said after his team's 9-7 loss to the Buckeyes Sunday. "What we've accomplished in the tourna- ment represents a move in the right direction ... The things that the team has done here can do nothing but help the future of our program." How did Michigan baseball turn from a program tainted by violationsto one that is on the brink of greatness? The answer, funny enough, is re- cruiting. Despite being just two years removed from NCAA restrictions, Freehan and his staff have attracted a roster deep with talent. To lure top players to Michigan, hardly the most luxurious climate to play ball, Freehan sells the value of a Michigan education first and fore- most. When the Miamis and the Ari- zona States promise plush playing conditions,Freehan promises a highly valued degree. And if you scan the resumes of the Wolverines,you'llrealizehehasfound an effective recruiting strategy: He's got BaseballAmerica'stophigh-school player fromlast year in infielder Kelly Dransfeldt; one of the Big Ten's top two prospects in the upcoming profes- sional draft in pitcher Ray Ricken; a 1994SmithCandidateanda1993fresh- man All-American in outfielder Scott Weaver, and the list goes on. "I think we've had the talent in this program for a year or two, but it takes Michigan coach Bill Freehan (No. 11) guided the Wolverines back to the Big Ten playoffs for the first time since 1989 this season. Doing the Wing Thing AGAIN AT 2c...........a wing $3.25........pitcher Coors Light $5.00........pitcher Long Island Ice Tea NO COVER 1220 S. University Call 665-7777 for deliveries Men's track rallies at Big Ten meet By Eugene Bowen DAILY SPORTS WRITER The 94th annual Big Ten Outdoor Championships, held last week at Wis- consin, have come and gone, and the members of the Michigan men's track Of team have begun to reflect upon their That was my whole strategy," Sullivan performances. With the NCAA cham- said. pionships less than two weeks away, Junior Tyrone Wheatley shocked they haven't much time. many when he won his first Big Ten After its dismal ninth place show- track and field title ever, winning the ing Saturday, the Michigan men ral- 110-meter hurdles with a time of lied Sunday to finish fourth overall 14.12, barely defeating the 1994 with a score of 94.5, a dramatic im- door 110-meter hurdle champion, provement over its eighth-place show- Reggie Torian of Wisconsin. This is ing last year. Illinois won the meet with no small feat for Wheatley as this was a score of 134.5, defeating defending only his third race of the year. champion Ohio State, which had to Freshman Neil Gardner scored in settle for second place and a score of three separate events, the most for 127. any Wolverine. He came in seventh in Freshman Kevin Sullivan was the 10,000 meter with a time of 14.31, crowned 1500-meter champion for the and he won 8th in the triple jump and second time this year with a time of 5th in the long jump with distances* 3:43.16. He also captured second place 49' 1.75" and 24' 4.25", respectively. in the 800 meter with a time of 1:50.90. Junior Stan Johanning captured SophomoreteammateScott MacDonald fourth place in the javelin throw with a wonthirdinbothevents,running3:45.55 distance of 196' 8". Senior Toby and 1:51.02, respectively. VanPelt snared sixth in the pole vault "I wanted to be first into the turn. with a height of 16' 2.5". Also, sopho- more decathlete Sean Clancy came in third in his event with a total of 7,132 Newsletters points. Members of the Michigan men's Newsletters team are competing today at East4 Michigan in the their last chance to Newsletters qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Cham- Newsletters pionships to be held in Boise, Idaho Big savings on newsletters for June 1-4. all clubs, businesses, and organizations. Welcome Students DISTINCTIVE COLLEGIATE HAIRSTYLING for men & women -'6 HAIRSTYLISTS DASCOLA STYLISTS _ I s F 615 E. Liberty 668-9329 * T ch self defense at your finger * Kee safe anywhere, day or nigt - Instant c down power. * Works faster l chemical spray of tear gas. " Disables assai tir1lss than 1/2 ofasa on4 - Effects last over 3 0,oes to ensure S'ffici nt time to escape and seeks, Made naturally from cayeh .p ppers - Void where prohibited by law addres THE WEEK