14 - The Michigan Daily - Wednesday, May 15, 1996 SPORTS PLAYOFFS Continued from Page 13 single to right field to push the score to 13-10. Bryan Besco didn't fare too well in his sixth appearance of the season. He failed to hang on to a three-run lead his teammates procured for him in the first inning, surrendering four runs on three hits in the top of the third, and was taken out of the game with just one out in the inning. The Spartans proceeded to tag Tyler Steketee for three more runs, and he was pulled by Michigan coach Geoff Zahn without recording an out. Michigan's Matt Herr saved the Wolverines from more chaos after striking out two to end the third after 11 Michigan State batters came to the plate. Michigan, however, kept on coming back. The Wolverines added two runs in the bottom of the third inning and one in the fourth and fifth to keep the game in reach. And then came the wild sixth - complete with the second snow shower of the day - with the fans urging Michigan on for one last rally. Michigan might have been down, but it was never out. "I'm proud of the kids, Zahn said. "They battled back really hard in that last game. When you go into a series knowing that you pretty well have to sweep to have a chance - and they do it - it shows a lot of character" TheWolverines' closerJohn Arvai (3- 2) pitched the final two and two-thirds innings to pick up the win. He surren- dered one run on Marshall's third homer of the season, but also struck out five. The Wolverines had an easier time with the Spartans in the first game on Sunday. Brian Steinbach (4-3) pitched a seven inning complete game for the vic- tory, allowing three runs on nine hits and striking out six. Dransfeldt and Derek Besco account- ed for nine of the ten runs scored by Michigan. Besco drove in four, including a two-run homer. Dransfeldt's three-run blast, his team-leading ninth dinger of the season, put the game out of reach in the sixth. The junior shortstop had five RBI on that day. In Saturday's first game at East Lansing, Michigan's Mark Temple (8-4) threw his fifth complete game of the sea- son in a 2-1 pitching duel. In the next game, Michigan capital- ized on three Spartan errors and Cervenak had three hits in a 4-1 victory. J.J. Putz pitched into the fifth inning and struck out five to even his record at 5-5. Arvai picked up his seventh save. For the seniorcloser, who contributed with a win and a save, nothing could be sweeter. "To end your (regular season) career with a win against Michigan State, I couldn't ask for anything more," Arvai said. "I couldn't be happier right now." Michigan now must refocus for Penn State, who took three out of four at Fisher Stadium April 20-21. But Zahn said he knows it's a new season and a clean slate in the playoffs. "We go into the playoffs and we' not going to he favored'" Zahn said. "But it's a great experience for our kids and you never know in a short series what could happen.' Michigan's Kelly Dransfeldt is congratulated by teammates after his three-run homer in the Wolverines' 10-3 blowout over Michigar State on Sunday. Michigan celebrated again when the Wolverines learned that they had made it into the Big Ten toumament. 'M' men's tennis upset by old nemesis Gophers in NCAA Regional semifinals By Chris Farah aged to win the Big Tens for the first winning the Big Ten title. For the Daily time since 1988. "That's the goal of all of us-t The luck of the Irish certainly was Michigan coach Brian Eisner said the Big Ten," Geatz said. "It's1 not with the Michigan men's tennis Minnesota played well, but that the after that for Michigan because th team last weekend. Wolverines still would have claimed a natural letdown." At the NCAA Regional the victory had they played up to their Senior Peter Pusztai, ranked N Championship at South Bend, the potential. nationally, faced a tough match al Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-2) "Today's match was a tremendous the Gophers' Lars Hjarrand, r came back to haunt the Wolverines (18- battle," Eisner said. "The Michigan and No. 29. Pusztai - who will cor 8) once again. Minnesota series has been a war in the individually at the N The sixth-seeded Gophers upset the last three years, [but] we have played Championships May 18-26 in A No. 2 seeded Michigan squad in the Minnesota better in the past than we did Ga. - started the match strong, semifinals to end the Wolverines' most today. We were not quite as good as we ning the first set, 6-4, but went successful season since 1988. could have been." lose the next two hard-fought sets Minnesota ousted the Wolverines by Minnesota coach David Geatz said 6-2. winning four matches to Michigan's he was not surprised by his team's upset Michigan No. 2 singles two, putting an end to the Wolverines' of the Wolverines. Costanzo also fell to his Mint 11-match win streak and avenging a 5- "We feel we don't have anything to opponent, Ben Gabler, in straigi 2 loss to Michigan earlier this season. prove," Geatz said. "We really wanted close sets, 6-4, 6-4. For the past three years, Minnesota to play Michigan again so we got our The only two singles victories has been Michigan's rival in tourna- chance. We are getting better as the sea- from No. 3 Arvid Swan and ment play, edging it out for the confer- son goes on." William Farah. ence title in the Big Ten Tournament in Geatz speculated that Michigan's Eisner said he expected the si 1994 and 1995, and now denying disappointing performance stemmed matches to be closely played. Michigan its hopes for national glory in from the emotional drain the "Both teams have such solid si the NCAAs, after the Wolverines man- Wolverines may have experienced after players that I knew it would be ha Tink You're Pyregnant?__ s Free Pregnancy Test " Information about pregnancy Kr'a rt and options W, , L c ( yi I{ - COMPLETELY CONFIDENTIAL Pregnancy Counseling Center ___ Women Helping Women v L (313) 434-3088 (24 hours) 2950 Packard, Ypsilanti, MI (1 Block East of Golfside) 320 South State St. UGS 663-4121 The place to shop for all your Summer needs! * Sunglasses * Coolers * Sun block * Frisbees - * Insect repellent * Fans (SAVE $2 ON ANY FAN IN STOCK! to* tough ere is Io. 25 gainst anked cmpete CAA thens, v on to s, 6-1, John nesota ht but came No. 6 ingles ingles rd for us to win four of six singles matches if we lost the doubles point," Eisner said. The doubles point is awarded to the team winning two of the three doubles matches. The Gophers earned the point by taking victories in No. 2 and No. 3 doubles, and used the score to pro l them to the match win. "We competed hard and I am proud of our players," said Eisner, summing up the match and the season. "We had a great year and a great match."