Streaking Blue eyes Big Ten king Illinois

Bobby Scales knows what he wants.

Both he and the Michigan baseball team know Illinois is standing in their path to the Big Ten lead, and that this weekend's four-game series will provide the early edge.

"This is a big series," Scales said. "They've got something we want. They won the Big Ten last year, and we're going to go after them hard."

Riding a streak that has seen seven Michigan wins in eight of its last outings, the Wolverines are hoping their good fortune continues as they look to upend the defending conference champions.

On the strength of a 24-hit onslaught two days ago against Detroit-Mercy, Scales and company managed their highest run total since 1995 in dismantling the Titans 23-2.

DANA LINNANE/Daily Bryan Cranson and the Michigan baseball team look to spoil Illinois' dominance in the Big Ten as the conference's two top teams square off in a four-game series this weekend.

The second baseman extended his hit streak to nine games as he drove in a pair of runs on 3-4 hitting.

But Scales knows this weekend's matchup will likely prove a bit more challenging as the Wolverines look to avenge a trio of losses last season, in which the Illini outscored Michigan by a total of 45-22.

"Last year we had something they wanted," Scales, a co-captain said. "We were the defending Big Ten champions and we went down there and they pretty much laid the wood to us. We know what we have to do this year."

And that, Scales says, includes continuing an offensive charge that has allowed the Wolverines to put teams away with relative ease.

Led by the dominant hitting of Jason Alcaraz, Michigan has rolled into an offensive rhythm that has supplied an unthinkable 42 runs in the team's last four contests.

Failing to go unnoticed amidst the glare of their offensive brilliance, Michigan's mound-minders have surprised Michigan coach Geoff Zahn with an equally strong showing.

"I've been very pleased with our pitching," Zahn said. "We've got a number of guys throwing very well."

And that potent combination has Michigan hopeful in the promise that this season holds while they position themselves for a run at the conference title.

"Our aim is to win the Big Ten. It's that simple," Zahn said. "I think if you have any other aim in mind then it's the wrong one. We've got a veteran squad with guys who remember when we won it in 1997."

Yet despite their recent success, Zahn says he's taking nothing for granted this weekend, as the Wolverines' most formidable conference foe visits Ann Arbor.

"They're going to be tough games," Zahn said. "They took three of four from us down there last year. We know that we just have to be ready to play our best games of the year and hopefully we can keep swinging the bats."

Today

Illinois at Michigan

Where:

Ray Fisher Stadium

When: 3 p.m.

Notable: Wolverines are looking for eighth win in nine attempts.

04-02-99