Baseball braves cold, lights fire against Western

KALAMAZOO - Braving freezing temperatures and a tundra-like field, the Michigan baseball team built a fire under its hitters that fueled three multiple-run innings for the Wolverines en route to a 9-5 victory over Western Michigan.

Heading into the eighth inning, the Wolverines (8-10) led 7-2 and looked to be cruising to an easy victory. But a three run eighth for Western, thanks to an RBI triple by right-fielder Kris Gundrum and a two-run homer by left-fielder John Toner, brought the Broncos within two going into the final inning.

But in the ninth, Michigan scored twice to put the game away for good.

Michigan preseason All-America candidate Bryan Besco has struggled so far this season. But the first baseman's RBI double in the ninth was the key to the two-run inning that helped ensure victory.

"He's got the potential," Zahn said. "He's got to realize that you take it one bat at a time and not worry about his not hitting up until this time because now is when we need him."

All ten of Michigan's hitters managed to reach base at least once, keying a pair of three-run innings in the first and fifth. Four different players had multiple hit games for the Wolverines, led by left-fielder Rob Bobeda who had three singles, drove in two runs, and scored.

"We're starting to swing the bats better," Zahn said. "It was good to see Besco swing the bat well, there at the end."

Though Michigan's hitters were unaffected by the cold, the pitchers were able to use it to their advantage.

"The pitching is at an advantage when it is cold like this because the hitters don't want to hit," Zahn said. "(The pitchers) don't get too bothered by the cold. It's more the wind, and it wasn't too bad out there today."

Starting pitcher Bryan Cranson turned in his best performance of the season, pitching six innings and giving up just two runs. Cranson struck out and walked two, scattering eight hits. "I struggled earlier in the season but I put everything together today," Cranson said. "My curveball and my changeup were working. I got ahead with those pitches, and it made me more effective."

Cranson got in trouble in the second and fifth innings but managed to work his way out of it with the help of some timely fielding.

"I was fortunate to get some double plays when I really needed them," Cranson said. "There were some ground balls, and the way our infielders are, they did a great job by turning two, a couple of different times. That helps a lot."

Providing relief for the Wolverines were freshman right-hander Nick Bellows and senior Robbie Reid.

In Bellows' first appearance for the Wolverines, he gave up three runs on three hits, striking out one and walking one in two and one third innings.

Reid also made his first post-basketball season appearance for Michigan, pitching the final two thirds of the ninth. He was perfect, allowing no hits or runss.

Next up for the Wolverines will be four games this weekend against Iowa to open the Big Ten season.

"The Big Ten is a good conference and they'll be tough games for us," Zahn said. "But we're ready for the Big Ten season."

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