Pitching problems? Not an issue yet this season

KALAMAZOO - The biggest question facing the Michigan baseball team heading into this season was the pitching. But now, 18 games into the 1999 season, Michigan coach Geoff Zahn and his Wolverines (8-10 overall) aren't too worried.

"I was unsure of our pitching at the beginning of the season, Zahn said. "But I think our pitching has been pretty good so far."

DANA LINNANE/Daily Scott Tousa turns a double play during the Michigan baseball team's 9-5 victory over Western Michigan yesterday.

o Yesterday afternoon Michigan starter Bryan Cranson threw six solid innings, giving up two runs while scattering eight hits. The effort was enough to allow the Michigan bats to take a commanding, 7-2 lead before Cranson's departure. The win was Cranson's first of the season.

The Wolverines also got a pitching boost Wednesday afternoon from two hurlers making their first appearance of the season. Freshman Nick Bellows threw two and two-thirds innings and allowed three runs on three hits to keep the Wolverines in a positi n to win the game.

Senior Robbie Reid, who was last seen trying to guard Scoonie Penn and his Final Four-bound Ohio State Buckeyes, saw his first action of the season, closing out the game by throwing two-thirds of an inning of perfect baseball.

"I was really happy with the way Cranson threw and we had two guys who hadn't pitched at all who did well," Zahn said.

The early season success of his pitching has Zahn sold on this year's staff.

"I think our pitching is going to be better than it has been in the past," Zahn said. "The pitching we have here right now is the best we've had since I've been here."

03-25-99