BASEBALL: Michigan Splits Pair of Games with No. 19 Texas Tech, Stetson

LUBBOCK, Texas — The No. 24-ranked University of Michigan baseball team split a pair of games at Dan Law Field on Saturday (March 23), losing to No. 19 Texas Tech, 8-5, before pounding out 18 hits in a 16-6 victory against Stetson in the nightcap.

Texas Tech (15-5) completed a three-game sweep of the Wolverines in the day’s first game as a pair of seventh-inning sacrifice flies were the difference. Despite being outhit on the day, Texas Tech twice came back from deficits, including a 4-1 deficit in the third inning, to win the game.

Trailing 1-0 in the third inning, Michigan’s offense finally got on track after a frustrating first two games in the series. The Wolverines loaded the bases with one out with junior Jordan Brewer and redshirt senior Miles Lewis delivering consecutive two-run doubles to give the visitors a 4-3 lead.

Texas Tech again used the long ball to edge closer as All-American Josh Jung connected on a two-run homer in the bottom of the third. The Red Raiders tied the game in the fourth thanks to a leadoff walk, stolen base and a sacrifice fly.

Michigan loaded the bases with three singles in the fifth and senior Blake Nelson earned a full-count walk to retake the lead, 5-4. The Raiders again tied the game in the bottom of the frame with a familiar sequence of base on balls, stolen base, wild pitch and two-out hit.

U-M again loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh on a double from Lewis and two walks. Texas Tech went to the bullpen and Caleb Freeman induced an inning-ending grounder to keep it tied.

A leadoff double, stolen base and walk by Texas Tech with one out in the bottom of the seventh forced U-M to the bullpen in favor of freshman closer Willie Weiss, who suppressed the damage but allowed a pair of sacrifice flies as the home side took a 7-5 lead. U-M would not threaten again.

Brewer had four hits, Lewis three and sophomore Joe Donovan was 2-for-4.

In game two, every Michigan (15-7) starter had at least one hit while six different players recorded at least one knock in an 18-hit barrage that was aided by eight walks issued by five Stetson pitchers.

Stetson (8-13) jumped on top, 2-0, in the top of the first only to have U-M tie the game in the bottom of the frame on a monster two-run homer by Brewer. U-M took its first lead the next inning and upped the advantage to 7-2 in the third on an RBI double from Nelson, an RBI single from senior Ako Thomas and an RBI groundout.

Stetson answered in the fourth with a two-run homer but U-M scored four more times in the bottom of the frame on three hits for a commanding 11-4 lead. Working deep into Stetson’s bullpen, Michigan poured it on, scoring four times in the sixth on an RBI triple from sophomore Jordan Nwogu, a two-run blast from sophomore Jesse Franklin (his third homer of the weekend) and Brewer’s second homer of the night, a solo shot.

Michigan’s final run was scored in the eighth on a pinch-hit RBI single from freshman Riley Bertram – his first career hit. The Wolverines scored runs in six innings, including the first four frames.

Brewer finished his impressive day with three hits (seven on the day), while Franklin also had three this. Nelson, senior Jimmy Kerr, Thomas and sophomore Jack Blomgren all had two hits while redshirt sophomore Harrison Salter and Nwogu each got on base three times.

Redshirt freshman Isaiah Paige (2-0) earned the win with four innings of four-hit relief in which he allowed two runs.

Michigan will return to action early this week with home games on Tuesday and Wednesday (March 26-27) against San Jose State at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. Both games are scheduled for 4 p.m., and fans 18 and under will be admitted free.

 

Release by MGoBlue.Com