A Big Ten championship is highly unlikely the Michigan baseball team. The squad has not come close to living up to its preseason top 10 ranking, but it is struggling just to get out of the Big Ten cellar.
The Wolverines (2-6 Big Ten, 12-15-1 overall) have lost their credibility as a top team in the Big Ten. In the past two weekends, Michigan has lost three out of four games to both Illinois and Ohio State. This weekend, Michigan will try to mend an erratic season as Minnesota comes to Ann Arbor. Michigan has followed the same pattern the last couple of weeks - beat up on small non-conference opponents during the week and then get shelled against Big Ten opponents on the weekends.
"We use our midweek games to prepare for the weekends," Zahn said. "Our offense has been there for us the last couple of weekends. Our pitching just needs to be more consistent."
This weekend's series against Minnesota (6-2, 22-6) will open Michigan's Big Ten home schedule. The Wolverines original Big Ten home opener was against Iowa, but it was snowed out March 20-22.
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| JOHN KRAFT/Daily The Michigan baseball team has put itself in a hole in the Big Ten standings, as it has stumbled to a 2-6 conference start. A four-game series against Minnesota could be the cure when the Golden Gophers come to Fisher Stadium this weekend. |
Additionally, Minnesota has won 12 out of its past 15 games, including six straight.
"We realize that Minnesota is a very good team," second baseman Bobby Scales said. "But we have to treat them like any other opponent and stay focused. We are a good team and need to put everything together."
In fact, it seems Michigan has the potential to be a very good team. The Wolverines came into this season with three All-Big Ten players (Jason Alcaraz, Derek Besco, and Mike Cervenak), and a preseason All-America pitcher in J.J. Putz.
But until last weekend, the four and five spot - Bryan and Derek Besco - were mired in a 1 for 39 batting slump. This past weekend, however, both Bescos connected on three-run homers.
But the offense is hardly the problem.
The Besco brothers are hitting again, while Mike Cervenak has hit 10 home runs and is bating .404.
Also, Bobby Scales has emerged as a leader, batting just under .400. The offensive firepower does not end with Scales, as four other Wolverines are hitting over .320.
"To win a string of games, our pitching has to be there," Zahn said. "Steinbach is a guy we are depending on, and we need him to pitch a lot better if we are to win."
The Wolverines will play four games this weekend - one today, a doubleheader tomorrow, and a single game on Sunday.
The potential starters this weekend against Minnesota are Brian Berryman, Bryan Cranson, Steinbach and Putz.
Berryman (2-2, 5.40 ERA), who has the lowest ERA of the four, will start the first game. Cranson (2-3 10.27 ERA) pitched five innings of no-hit baseball against Detroit last week and will pitch game two.
Steinbach (1-5 8.71 ERA) will attempt to rebound from a poor relief effort at Ohio State, and start in game three. Putz (0-0 10.22 ERA), who lately has been utilized in relief, will try to earn his first win in the fourth game.
Michigan hockey player and relief pitcher Matt Herr started practicing this past week.
"Matt is still a little banged up from hockey," Zahn said. "He has thrown the last two days, but we don't plan to rush him. We hope he will start playing next week some time."
The Wolverines currently share the last spot in the Big Ten with Michigan State and Northwestern, and if the Wolverines fail to capture at least two games this weekend, their hopes of capturing a Big Ten crown may be over.
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