It's all in the 'clutch' for pitcher Korecky

By Ryan C. Moloney

Daily Sports Writer

CHAMPAIGN - The time-tested "clutch player" tag is usually used in reference to players who hit well with runners in scoring position or relievers who can stop the bleeding in the big innings.

Starting pitchers aren't prone to the "clutch" label - if they throw a solid game, the situation for a "game-saving" hit or out shouldn't theoretically occur in the first place.

But on Saturday, the Michigan Nine were clutching onto hopes of a crucial conference win after a 9-4 drubbing at the hands of Illinois on Friday night.

The first game of the afternoon double-header looked like a sink or swim game for the Wolverines - the tide of the season could turn either way depending on the outcome. If the shaky Wolverine rotation was looking for the opportunity to come through, this was it.

Enter Bobby Korecky.

The sophomore starter has shown occasional moments of brilliance this season, but as his 5.26 ERA going into the contest indicated, he had yet to do it consistently.

But Korecky felt good in the bullpen beforehand and decided "not to beat myself with walks - just throw strikes."

The result? A clutch outing.

Korecky tossed possibly his best game of the season, going the distance and allowing only four hits in the Wolverines' 4-1 victory at Illinois Field.

The complete game was Korecky's second on the season - one more than the rest of the Michigan staff combined.

"Bobby was ahead in the count the whole ball game, he kept the ball low, he changed speeds and his breaking ball was moving well," Illinois coach Itch Jones said. "I'm not too sure he didn't beat us (single-handedly) in that ball game - it was a well-pitched game and he did a great job."

Korecky's stuff wasn't overpowering, but methodical and meticulous. His near pinpoint control, coupled with good pitch selection, kept Illinois off-balance and resulted in ten groundball outs.

"Instead of trying to throw pitches because guys couldn't hit, he was saying 'There's what I have, if you can hit this you're better than I am,'" Dan Dombos said. "But apparently they weren't better than him today."

Korecky settled down after allowing a run-scoring double off the bat of Illinois super freshman Andy Schutzenhofer to fall behind 1-0. Jay Dines' three-run homer in the third inning provided Korecky with the confidence of a cushioned lead, 4-1.

Though Michigan lost 3-2 in the second game of the doubleheader, the momentum of Korecky's performance carried over into Vince Pistilli's outing. The righthander surrendered one earned run in his complete game loss.

"It does switch the momentum, especially when you're playing away," Korecky said. "Vince pitched awesome in the second game."

Korecky's only trouble after the first inning occurred in the seventh when he walked the leadoff man, Schutzenhofer. Coach Geoff Zahn conferenced with Korecky on the mound and assured him, saying he "deserved the complete game" and "there was no way he was coming out." Korecky then retired the next three batters in order for the win.

Tousa at the two

Junior infielder Scott Tousa raised his batting average to .276 this weekend after going 6-for-16. Tousa - who hits second in the lineup - was protected in the lineup this weekend by David Parrish, who batted third, instead of fourth where he usually hits.