Michigan baseball coach Rich Maloney knew weeks ago that this year's Big Ten title hunt would be “a contested race until the end.” And in six conference games, the Wolverines hold a 3-3 record, just one game behind conference leader Illinois.

But Big Ten opponents haven't been Michigan's toughest competition this season.

The Mid-American Conference – a 12-team league that features just three squads with winning records – has handed the Wolverines three losses so far this season. And all three came against sub-.500 teams, including a 10-2 rout at the hands of Central Michigan Wednesday.

It was Michigan's worst loss to a MAC team since Central Michigan beat the Wolverines 14-0 in 2002.

“We’re being outplayed by the MAC conference right now, which I think is embarrassing for us,” senior tri-captain Kevin Cislo said. “We’re the Big Ten. We’re Michigan. ... I think that by the time we lose three games (against MAC opponents) like we have, (we) definitely shouldn’t be overlooking them.”

Michigan’s only loss to a MAC squad last season was also to Central Michigan. The Wolverines blew a 3-0 lead and allowed seven unanswered runs in the process.

The Chippewas outdid last year's performance, notching 10 unanswered runs in seven innings before Michigan managed a run in the bottom of the seventh.

After the loss to Eastern Michigan on Mar. 17, junior first baseman Mike Dufek said the Wolverines “knew (they) were supposed to win” and overlooked the Eagles. The next week, Cislo said the Wolverines “weren’t prepared” when they were downed by Bowling Green 8-3. On Wednesday, it was the same story.

“We weren’t playing with fire in our bellies,” senior catcher and tri-captain Tim Kalczynski said. “Any team we play is a threat, and we just haven’t been playing crisp like that.”

Michigan will play in five more games against MAC teams this season.

STAFF DAY DEBUT: It had been a while since freshman pitcher Kevin Vangheluwe stood on the mound, staring down another team’s leadoff batter to open a contest.

His last start was in the state finals during his junior year of high school.

As a junior, the St. Clair Shores native went 11-2 with an ERA of 0.79 and was named to the Detroit News All-Metro team.

But before his senior season, Vangheluwe had to have a blood clot removed from his right arm, a procedure that included removing one of his ribs.

Vangheluwe came to Ann Arbor last fall with something to prove after spending the entire 2008 season on the sidelines. Maloney expressed confidence in the Wolverines' top recruit from the beginning..

“He’s been throwing really well,” Maloney said at the team’s Meet the Wolverines night in February. “I’m holding him back ... I don’t want to rush him. But don’t be surprised when you hear the name Kevin Vangheluwe.

“He’s going to be something really good.”

The freshman didn't live up to Maloney's praise in his first start back, allowing four runs in just 1.2 innings.

But with a struggling pitching staff that has allowed five runs or more in Michigan’s last six games, Vangheluwe may be forced to step up more often than Maloney may have originally hoped.

INJURY REPORT: Sophomore relief pitcher Tyler Burgoon threw Wednesday for the first time after injuring his shoulder against Oakland on Mar. 31st. Junior catcher Chris Berset, who started in 37 games last season, played catch before the game. He suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand against Jacksonville in February. Maloney said both players should be ready for action next weekend against intrastate rival Michigan State.