Michigan Baseball Recap: The Wolverines take two of three from Minnesota

Michigan picks up its fourth consecutive Big Ten series win.

Having won all three of its series against Big Ten opponents so far this season, the Michigan baseball team played host to another conference foe this weekend, welcoming in Minnesota for three games. Plans quickly changed for the weekend, though, as some adverse weather conditions on Friday led to a series opening double-header on Saturday.

Michigan got on the scoreboard right away in the first inning of Saturday’s first game, as Mitch Voit clubbed a two-run homer to put the Wolverines up early. Michigan kept its foot on the gas throughout the early part of the game, scoring in each of the first five innings, eventually grabbing a 7-0 lead.

Minnesota did get on the board with a solo homer in the sixth inning to make it 7-1, which ended up being the lone blemish for Kurt Barr on the mound. He pitched an excellent game, going the distance for nine innings, surrendering five hits and one earned run while striking out four batters. After another sixth inning insurance run, Michigan held on for the 8-1 victory.

Looking to secure an early series win, Michigan went back to work for Saturday’s second game with Dylan Vigue on the mound. It was a tough outing for the freshman, as Minnesota got to him early in the second inning to the tune of six runs, three of which came courtesy of a Jake Perry homer to chase Vigue from the game. He surrendered seven earned runs on six hits in just two innings.

Minnesota kept its momentum going by scoring two more runs in the third inning to grab a commanding 8-0 lead. For the Wolverines, Mitch Voit drove in two runs on a single in the bottom of the third, while Joe Longo hit an RBI double in the seventh inning. That 8-3 score held for the rest of the game, giving Minnesota a series-tying win.

With the series on the line, the Wolverines got off to a sizzling start at the plate on Sunday. Cole Caruso kicked things off with a grand slam in the first inning to give Michigan a 4-0 lead. Michigan would tack on three more runs in the second inning courtesy of a Stephen Hrustich sacrifice fly and a Collin Priest two-run single to go up 7-0.

Mitch Voit was stellar yet again on the mound, as he pitched 6.1 innings of two-run ball. After surrendering a pair of homers in the sixth inning, Jacob Denner took it the rest of the way, pitching 2.2 innings and surrendering one earned run. Michigan was able to hold on for the series win by a final score of 10-3.

With yet another series victory, Michigan advanced its record to 17-20, including an 8-4 mark in the conference. The Wolverines will go out on the road for their mid-week game against Toledo on Tuesday night. Then, they’ll return home to face Ohio State for three games next weekend.