Wolverines Sweep Doubleheader at Western Michigan

Wednesday, May 2

Kalamazoo, Mich.

3:00 PM

Michigan

31-8

Western Michigan

15-22

Michigan

Western Michigan

5/2/2007 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Site: Kalamazoo, Mich. (Hyames Field)
Scores: #22 Michigan 4, Western Michigan 1; #22 Michigan 9, Western Michigan 4
Records: U-M (32-8); WMU (15-23)
Next U-M Event: Friday, May 4 -- vs. Illinois (Ray Fisher Stadium), 6:35 p.m.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Junior LF Derek VanBuskirk (St. Clair, Mich./St. Clair) had four hits and drove in four runs as the University of Michigan baseball team swept a doubleheader against Western Michigan 4-1 and 9-4 Wednesday afternoon (May 2) at historic Hyames Field.

The Wolverines moved their overall record to 32-8 with the sweep and moved their current winning streak to nine games. WMU dropped to 15-23.

In the opener, Western Michigan grabbed a 1-0 lead off U-M freshman LHP Eric Katzman (Harrington Park, N.J./Northern Valley Old Tappan HS) in the bottom of the first on a pair of walks, a throwing error and a sac fly by DH Chad Lewis. Katzman (3-2) earned the win in the opener.

Michigan's first base runner of the opener against Chelsea's Kyle Kendzicky (1-3) was VanBuskirk on a leadoff walk in the third inning. Freshman catcher Chris Berset (Vienna, Va./The Heights School) also drew a walk, and freshman 2B Anthony Toth (Lorain, Mich./St. Ignatius) collected the first hit with a bunt single. Senior co-captain Eric Rose (Blissfield, Mich./Blissfield) tied the game with a sac fly.

The Wolverines took the lead in the fourth on a walk by 3B Adam Abraham (Grosse Pointe Park, Mich./South HS), a double by RF Doug Pickens and a single by VanBuskirk.

Abraham opened the sixth with a double, moved to third on a fly ball by Pickens and scored on a double by VanBuskirk. The final run came in the seventh, as Rose singled to extend his hitting streak to 22 games, moved to third on a single by 1B Nate Recknagel (Lake Orion. Mich./Lake Orion) and scored on a sac fly by Abraham.

Katzman (3-2) went the first 4.2, allowing three hits and the unearned run. Junior/sophomore Michael Powers (St. Clair, Mich./St. Clair) got the third out in the fifth and worked a scoreless sixth before junior/sophomore RHP Chris Fetter (Carmel, Ind./Carmel) worked a scoreless ninth to record his first save of the season -- despite giving up three hits to load the bases.

The Wolverines took the lead in the opening inning of game two, as SS Jason Christian (Loveland, Ohio/Loveland) reached second on a two-base error and moved to third on a bunt single by Rose, extending his hit streak to 24 games. A walk to Putnam loaded the bases with one out and Abraham drove in the first run of the game with a sac fly.

Rose opened the third with a walk and -- after stealing second base -- Recknagel drew a walk. Rose and Recknagel pulled off a double steal, and DH Zach Putnam (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) followed with a sac fly. Abraham chased the starter Gus Jacobson with a run-scoring double, giving U-M a 3-0 lead.

Freshman LHP Jeff DeCarlo (Medford, Mass./St. John's Prep) made his career pitching debut, starting the second game to pitch three hitless innings. In the fourth, he walked the bases loaded with one out. WMU scored on a passed ball, and LF Matt Abro lined a two-run double for the only hit allowed by DeCarlo. He was then replaced on the mound by 3B Abraham.

Abraham (3-1) pitched 1.2 innings to earn his third win of the year, dropping his ERA to 1.95. Abraham had a pair of doubles and pair of sac flies in the twinbill.

The Wolverines scored four in the fifth inning to collect the win in game two. Putnam doubled to right to open the inning and scored the winning run on a wild pitch. VanBuskirk had a sac fly to make the score 5-3. Freshman RF Alan Oaks (White Lake, Mich./Divine Child) doubled in a run and the fourth run of the inning scored on a grounder.

The Wolverines host Illinois in the first of a four-game Big Ten series on Friday (May 4) at Ray Fisher Stadium. Sophomore RHP Zach Putnam (Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer HS) will start on the mound with his 5-3 record and 4.18 ERA.

N O T E S

Michigan senior RHP Andrew Hess (Kalamazoo, Mich./Central) made the trip for Wednesday's doubleheader and his brother Kevan Hess -- a freshman catcher for WMU -- started behind the plate in the opener.

Former Michigan MVP and assistant coach Ted Mahan, now the head coach at nearby Olivet, was at the doubleheader Wednesday. Former Wolverine Mike Haskell was on hand -- he was a member of the 1997 team honored last weekend at Fisher Stadium.

Senior Eric Rose extended his career-best hitting streak to 24 games with hits in both games against WMU. He also had three stolen bases to move his career stolen base record to 79.

Michigan's leading hitters after 40 games are: 2B Kevin Cislo (34-for-91, .374), 1B Nate Recknagel (53-for-142, .373), SS Jason Christian (57-for-152, .354), 3B/P Adam Abraham (54-for-153, .353), CF Eric Rose (48-for-137, .350), P/OF Zach Putnam (51-for-147, .347), C/2B/OF Doug Pickens (52-for-151, .344), and OF Brad Roblin (Wayland, Mass./Rivers School) at .338 (45-for-133).

Contact: Jim Schneider (734-763-4423)