April flurries bring cancellation for 'M' Nine

By Ryan C. Moloney

Daily Sports Writer

If it wasn't obvious by the periodic snowflakes and chilling northern wind yesterday, it became apparent after stepping into the parking lot at Ray Fisher Stadium.

Instead of P.A. announcer Jim Schneider's far-reaching player introductions and the occasional windshield-bound foul ball, the stadium stood in hulking silence, reflecting its cross-tracks neighbor, Michigan Stadium.

On account of the winter-like conditions, the Michigan baseball did not take the field yesterday against Toledo. A make-up game is scheduled in Toledo on April 12.

The cancellation marked the second cancelled home game in as many weeks for the Wolverines, the first being their opening day contest against Eastern Michigan on March 22.

"It was 12 degrees on the field with the wind chill," outfielder C.J. Ghannam said.

"The chances of pulling (a muscle) are too great, it's just not worth it to go out there."

Michigan coach Geoff Zahn and Toledo coach Joe Kruzel made the decision to cancel the game late yesterday morning before the Rockets were scheduled to leave Toledo for Ann Arbor.

A native of Farmington, Ghannam said the cancellation was not due to the reluctance of the team to play.

"Being from Michigan, we're used to playing in this weather," Ghannam said. "It's the coach's call - it's mainly injury prevention."

Senior lefthander Bryan Cranson echoed Ghannam's sentiments, but he also viewed the cancellation as an opportunity to work on fundamentals before the Wolverines' four-game tilt with Illinois this weekend.

"Our tools are pretty sharp," Ghannam said. "But a day off like this might not be too bad for us. We'll have a long practice tomorrow outside."

For the Wolverines, Toledo looked like a good opportunity to advance in its steep climb back to .500. The lowly Rockets are 8-13 overall, 0-4 in the MAC.

But with a weekend of crucial Big Ten play ahead of them, the Wolverines opted to play it safe and limit possibility for injury.

Sophomore Kirk Taylor was scheduled to start on the hill. Though he's only seen five and one-third innings of action this season, the southpaw currently sports the team's second-lowest ERA at 3.38. All three of Taylor's appearances were in relief.

The game was Taylor's opportunity to stake his claim for the 25-man weekend traveling roster.

"A lot of pitchers in the bullpen don't get a chance to throw," Cranson said. "We like to start them in some of these midweek games to see what they can do to earn a weekend spot."

The Wolverines' scheduled home opener with Eastern Michigan was cancelled on account of bad field conditions.

The two teams are scheduled to play in Ypsilanti on May 3.

PETER CORNUE/Daily

The Wolverines were hoping to start their climb back to .500 yesterday, after splitting the series with Indiana last weekend. Unfortunately yesterday's game was canceled due to the cold weather.

Upcoming games

at Illinois, 6:35 p.m.

Saturday, April 8

at Illinois (DH), 4:05 p.m.

Sunday, April 9

at Illinois, 1:05 p.m.

Tuesday, April 11

Ball State, 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday, April 12

at Toledo, 3:00 p.m.