KALAMAZOO - Another mid-week, non-conference game, and another loss for the Michigan baseball team.
Yesterday, Western Michigan handed the Wolverines their fifth mid-week loss, 7-1. Ironically, the Broncos are one of only two teams that Michigan (22-14) has beaten in weekday games.
Usually, the Wolverines point to poor pitching as their biggest concern, but it looks like the Big Ten leaders might have a whole new problem on their hands. Normally heavy-hitters, the Wolverines have managed just eight hits in their past two games, which has resulted in a total of four runs and two losses.
"We're used to getting a lot of hits a game," third baseman Mike Cervenak said. "These last two games, we've gotten eight hits in two games. We're just not swinging the bats well. It's not really so much pitching or anything. It's the fact that we're not swinging the bat. We're not seeing the ball. We're just cold right now at the plate."
Michigan's only run came off a Bryan Besco home run in the seventh inning, when it looked like the Wolverines might start a rally.
After Besco hit his 11th round-tripper of the season, shortstop Brian Kalczynski flew out to center, bringing team captain and second baseman Kirk Beermann to plate. He hit a double, but catcher Mick Kalahar grounded out. Center fielder Brian Bush was hit by a pitch, but Cervenak grounded out to end the inning.
Since the Wolverines are accustomed to big innings, the dry spell has been clouding the team's confidence.
"I think our guys are frustrated," Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. "They're trying real hard, and they're getting themselves out more than the pitchers are. We'll have to make that adjustment, and they can. They're good hitters."
Sophomore Brian Berryman started yesterday's game and lasted four innings. He surrendered six runs on six hits.
Pitcher Ryan Kelley relieved him in the fifth, allowing one run on three hits in two innings. In the seventh, sophomore Alex Wozniak held the Broncos to only one hit before giving junior Mike Hribernik a crack at Western. Neither pitcher allowed a run.
"I think in the first inning we gave them six outs," Zahn said. "You don't hold guys scoreless by doing that. Berryman got one other pitch up in the air. With the wind blowing the way it is, it's going to go out."
Although his team was not perfect yesterday, Zahn was happy with what he saw. It was a big change from Tuesday, when the Wolverines lost, 16-3.
"I thought Wozniak threw the ball real well," Zahn said. "He kept it down. He changed speeds. Hribernik was throwing the ball over the plate. I thought all the guys threw better today. When I get back to the office, we'll see who's going to make the trip this weekend."
The Wolverines begin a four-game conference series with Indiana tomorrow in Bloomington, knowing that if they want to stay atop the Big Ten, they are going to have to find their collective swing again.
"I think, if anything, it taught our hitters that they can't take anything for granted," Zahn said. "If you stop working, or you stop doing the things that allowed you to hit in the first place, you're not going to hit. I'd much rather stop hitting in these games than I would on the weekends. We just have to regroup and put some things together, and then go from there."
Knowing that the last two games are probably not going to determine Michigan's fate for the rest of the season, the Wolverines are not worried about a lack of confidence this weekend.
"I think we'll go out there, and we'll play more aggressive," Cervenak said. "We'll play a lot looser. We're at the top of the Big Ten right now. We've got nothing really to lose. I think the guys we'll be focused for this weekend. They know what it's all about."