Monday, May 18, 1998 -- The Michigan Daily - 15 .What happened? By Jacob Wheeler Daily Sports Writer The front cover of the 1998 Michigan baseball media guide presented this year's Wolverines with a daunting task from the very beginning. It shows a group of celebrating, upstart victors who had just clinched Michigan's first regular-season Big Ten championship in eight year. It was supposed to serve as a bench- mark for Zahn's '98 club - viewed as one of the most talented of this decade. This year's Wolverines were the defend- ing champs, and they were expected to celebrate even further into May this sea- son. A postseason Big Ten Tournament championship and a berth in the College World Series were realistic goals. Michigan even cracked the preseason national top 10 rankings. But as sports fans know, high rankings and championship expectations can ruin good teams. What set the Wolverines reeling all season long was the rain and snow in mid-March that postponed seven con- secutive games,. including a four game series against conference foe Iowa. The results were devastating. Michigan got to play only one non-con- ference tune-up game before opening the Big Ten season. When Zahn's pitchers began the conference season at Illinois, the Wolverines were rocked for 45 runs in just four games. Michigan never really recovered from the three losses to the Illini. The Wolverines spiraling toward a 9-15 con- ference record by season's end. They narrowly avoided last place a week ago with three victories at Indiana. Of course, there are other reasons for Michigan's worst Big Ten season since 1951. Injuries - which last year's cham- pionship team avoided almost complete- ly - played their toll, most notably sit- ting down team captain and returning MVP Brian Kalczynski for the season's second half. Zahn also lost his hvetiest pitching arm for part of the season in fireballerJ.J. Putz, leaving Michigan without a domi- nant fourth starter. But the biggest characteristic these underachieving Wolverines missed from last year's team was muscle power from the Besco brothers. The same identical twins who combined for 26 home runs and 124 RBI last season didn't look the same in this go-round, collecting just 10 homers and 56 runs combined. Harris ignites Blue golfers By Jon Zemke Daily Sports Writer Golf is a tranquil sport, relaxing and serene. Michael Harris doesn't like tranquil, relaxing or serene sports. Harris is a competitor. He works hard, plays hard and is one ofthe best in the Big Ten. Rules are not his thing. Harris is a golf rebel without a cause, breaking putters and opponents like none other. This man is not Tiger Woods. When the Michigan's men golf team started the season, not much was expected out of the young team withn gIy one returning player - Harris. This was supposed to be a rebuild- ing year for the Wolverines, and it appeared to be just that when Michigan finished in the back of the pack at its first two invitationals. Then Harris decided he had enough, and he broke through at the Kroger Intercollegiate, taking the title. Harris finished first again at the Persimmon Ridge Intercollegiate the next week. His performance propelled the team to a second place finish overall, its best showing all year Harris went on to lead the Wolverines in scoring for the rest of the season, racking up another first place finish at the Marshall Invitational April 10-11. But when Harris gets mad, he isn't afraid to show it. At the Keppler Intercollegiate, Harris missed a putt on the final hole, losing first place in the tournament. He also lost Iis cool. Harris went on a rampage which led to his disqualification. Harris led Michigan to a strong finishing at the Big Ten Championships to end the season in fifth place in the confer- ence. He kept himself composed on the third day and shot an unbelievable 67, cementing the Wolverines in the top five. "He was a shoe-in," coach Jim Carras said of Harris mak- ing the all-Big Ten squad. Michigan should return as a more experienced team next year with Harris leading the way for his senior year. "We are looking forward to next year," said Carras. T BAch KFW 402M a 1300 Brian Alexander and theMich' plth staff were mcked often this season, conbibuting to a disappeieth-9 season. B01ILERMAKERS Continued from Page 16 tage. Michigan was only able to take two points, as Matt Wright defeated Cris James in a singles match, 7-6, 6-1. John Long also won his match against Steve Brizendine in convincing fashion 7-5, 6-2. But those were the only points Michigan would receive. Senior's David Paradzik and Brook Blain ended their careers at Michigan falling in their singles matches. Paradzik lost to Jamie Gordon 7-6, 6-2, and Blain lost to Dan Swan 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. "We were just inconsistent," Michigan assistant coach Dan Goldberg said. BADGERS ContInued from Page 16 more Brooke Hart said. "They wanted revenge." The Badgers jumped out to an early lead, winning the second through fifth singles matches in straight sets. The Wolverines were flat fromthe outset, and did not win a game in the first set of any of these matches. "On my court, I started off a little slow," Moon said."But even if I hit a really good shot, she would hit a better one. The match could have ended before doubles play, but Michigan's Brooke Hart and Jen Boylan pulled off victories at No. I and No. 6 singles, respectively. Winning 4-2, Wisconsin needed only one point to finish off the Wolverines. Dena Baritot and partner April Gabler defeated Michigan's Erryn Weggenman and Tumeka Harris at No. 3 doubles to clinch the match for the Badgers. The losstook the Wolverines to an I1I- 13 overall record, with 10 losses coming to opponents ranked in the top 50 nation- ally. 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