Michigan rolls to 11 runs in shutout win

The Michigan baseball team did what was expected of it - played a near flawless game against an overmatched Oakland University baseball team.

Yesterday, the Wolverines were once again threatened by rain, but never were threatened by Oakland. Michigan (12-15-1) defeated Oakland (4-13) 11-0 behind 14 hits, while allowing only four Pioneer hits.

The Wolverines seem to have the perfect formula for nonconference games.

Against Detroit last week and Oakland yesterday, the Wolverines put up big offensive numbers while shutting out their opponents.

"Against teams like this, the team's confidence improves," Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. "We certainly were the better team on the field today, and if we can carry over these types of performances into the Big Ten, we should be able to win a lot m

JOHN KRAFT/Daily Freshman Seth Greene pitched well in relief of Mike Hribernik yesterday and the Michigan corps allowed visiting Oakland only four hits, enroute to an 11-0 victory.

ore games."

The first five innings belonged to starting pitcher Mike Hribernik. Hribernik allowed one hit while setting the season high for strikeouts, with nine. Hribernik also struck out the last five batters he faced.

Yesterday's pitching scenario was very similar to Brian Cranson's outing against Detroit last week. Both Cranson and Hribernik faced 16 batters, and while Cranson pitched five no-hit innings, Hribernik only allowed one hit in the same span. Also, both were pulled after the fifth to rest for an important conference series.

Hribernik used yesterday's outing as a confidence builder.

Last Friday, he was shelled by Ohio State and his earned-run average ballooned to more than 10. Against Oakland, he reached the .500 mark (3-3) and took two runs off his ERA (8.29).

"Today, I really felt comfortable on the mound," Hribernik said. "I really just wanted to get my curve back and throw the way I wanted to. I enjoyed playing today, and that really helped me out."

Seth Greene pitched middle relief and allowed just two hits. J.J. Putz closed the final two innings, giving up one hit.

The run support was strong as well. Mike Cervenak followed the same formula as the pitchers. Cervenak put up exactly the same numbers as he did against Detroit. He went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a 375-foot home run - about the same distance that his longball traveled against Detroit.

"Mike is an extremely hard worker," Zahn said. "He loves to hit, and he can't get enough of it, either. If he could, he would spend 10 hours a day in the batting cage. He knows he can hit and just keeps on proving it to opposing pitchers."

Cervenak attributes his improvement at the plate to hard work, Zahn's assistance and last summer's experience in the Alaskan league.

"Last summer in Alaska, I played with some of the best college players in the country," Cervenak said. "There, I really improved my swing by learning from other players. But mainly, I gained confidence - which I would have to say is one of the main reasons for my improvement."

Every Michigan batter but one recorded a hit yesterday, and the Wolverines had a 5-0 lead by the time Hribernik was replaced by Greene.

Cervenak wasn't the only one who supplied run support. Designated hitter Dan Sanborn, who had been batting .204 for the year, finally broke out of his slump, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double and triple.

Sanborn was not the only surprise for the Wolverines.

Pinch hitters John Papp and Bill LaRosa led seventh- and eighth-inning rallies during which the Wolverines recorded six runs.

Nonconference opponents such as Detroit and Oakland are mid-week confidence boosters, and games against them provide invaluable practice for some of the more inexperienced players.

"We're a good team that has a lot of veterans," Zahn said. "Against the Big Ten our pitching has been erratic. We have had injuries and several guys have been in slumps. We just need performances like today against conference opponents, so we can put together the type of winning streak we need."

04-09-98