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Zahn to tinker with lineup vs. Chargers

In a team game, one of the keys to success is chemistry. And for the Michigan baseball team to find that elusive element, it needs to play some non-conference games that give coach Geoff Zahn the opportunity to experiment.

The extended winter has played havoc with the Wolverines' schedule, forcing the cancellation of three of the five scheduled non-conference matchups so far.

With this in mind, Michigan (9-3 Big Ten, 12-16 overall) hopes -- if indeed Mother Nature chooses to smile upon them -- to face Hillsdale at 4 p.m. today on the frozen tundra of Ray Fisher Stadium.

Not that the Wolverines need to recover from the tough conference schedule they've been playing -- Michigan is in the Big Ten driver's seat -- but Zahn wants to try out different combinations in the field, at the plate and on the mound against the Chargers (12-8-1 overall).

As it is, the defensive situation has been fairly stable for the Wolverines, without much variation in the infield and little platooning in the outfield and behind the plate.

Although hitting hasn't been a problem for the Wolverines of late, the leadoff spot has not exactly been a source of runs. A handful of hitters have filled that slot, with only minimal success.

"We've been trying to get somebody to produce in that spot," Michigan assistant coach Chris Harrison said.

The meat of the order -- shortstop Kelly Dransfeldt, third baseman Mike Cervenak and rightfielder Derek Besco -- has kept the wheels of the Michigan offense greased.

Harrison said the lack of output from the first spot in the order has put extra pressure on the middle of the order to perform at the plate.

"They've handled the pressure well," the first-year assistant said. "What's been nice, though, is having Cervenak swinging the bat well. It gets (Dransfeldt) better pitches."

The top of the pitching rotation is firmly established, with senior Mark Temple and freshman J.J. Putz leading the way. Each has three wins in conference, with overall marks of 4-3 and 3-2, respectively. Putz is second on the team in ERA at 3.58, with that mark narrowing to 0.98 in Big Ten games.

However, the team is still looking for a strong performer to step up behind the top starters. Sophomore Mike Hribernik fared poorly last weekend against Minnesota, while freshman southpaw Pete Martay came out flat against Michigan State a week ago.

Redshirt freshman Bryan Besco put up a good showing in relief of Hribernik against the Gophers, and the closing spot is firmly occupied by senior John Arvai.

Today's encounter with Hillsdale should be pitched by committee, as different pitchers will shuttle in and out after an inning or two of work.

Senior Aaron Peterson leads the Charger attack, hitting .319 with 12 RBI. Junior outfielder Ryan Soldan is also a threat, batting .279 while playing in all 21 of Hillsdale's games.

The junior pitching tandem of Andy Adams and Erich Mullin has been solid for Hillsdale. The two have combined for seven of the team's 12 wins, and both have individual ERAs considerably lower than the team's 3.95 average.

The Wolverines and the Chargers have faced only one common opponent this season, Oakland University. Hillsdale won two of the four meetings, while Michigan charged to a 7-0 home victory over the Pioneers.