Michigan is looking to make the most of its final home series of the year.
After a series loss on the road last weekend against Michigan State , the Michigan baseball team was back in action for its mid-week game against Central Michigan. Although the game took place a day later than expected due to a rainout on Tuesday, the Wolverines got the job done to grab some momentum before their weekend series.
Central Michigan got on the board in the first inning courtesy of some pitching miscues from Michigan. Alexander Ogg loaded up the bases early and proceeded to hit a batter, giving Central Michigan a 1-0 lead. Despite Michigan tying the game on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the first, the Chippewas scored two more runs in the second inning to go up 3-1.
Michigan came out swinging in the third to turn the tide of the game. After Jonathan Kim and Mitch Voit led off the inning with hits, Stephen Hrustich brought Kim in on a sacrifice fly. Cole Caruso would then hit a two-run double to give Michigan the 4-3 lead. The Wolverines extended the lead all the way to 8-3 after scoring seven runs in the inning.
Freshman Collin Priest would continue to add to the onslaught in the fourth inning, hitting a towering blast to left field to give Michigan a 9-3 lead. Central Michigan scored two more runs in the ninth inning, but it was all for naught as Michigan would go on to win, 9-5.
NO DOUBTER!
395 feet over the wall in left!
Priest with his seventh of the season! #GoBlue pic.twitter.com/VIeeQPjMFJ— Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) May 8, 2024
With the win, Michigan heads into the weekend with a 26-23 record. The Wolverines sit at sixth in the Big Ten, but have a chance to improve their positioning by taking on second placed Purdue (32-17 overall, 12-6 conference) at Ray Fisher Stadium this weekend.
Offense is the name of the game for the Boilermakers, and they’ve got some thump in their lineup. Purdue is led by Luke Gaffney, who leads the team in OPS and batting average with marks of 1.174 and .391, respectively. He’s also tied for the team-lead in homers with Connor Caskenette, as both have 12 currently.
Additionally, junior infielder Logan Sutter has been great for Purdue all year, sporting a 1.115 OPS and a .333 batting average with eight homers. Mike Bolton Jr. and Camden Gasser are Purdue’s two biggest threats on the bases, as they lead the team with 21 and 17 stolen bases, respectively.
On the mound, lefty Jordan Morales leads the Boilermakers in innings pitched so far with 67.2. In those innings, he sports a respectable 4.39 ERA, but a 1.42 WHIP. Senior Luke Wagner is Purdue’s other bulk starter. He’s pitched 61.2 innings on the year and is currently sporting a 4.82 ERA and 1.54 WHIP.
Purdue has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten, so it’ll be a challenge for Michigan to get back on track after losing its first series in Big Ten play last weekend. However, Michigan has the advantage of playing from home one last time, where it’s 16-7 on the year.
Weekend Schedule
Game 1: Friday May 10, 6 p.m. @ Ray Fisher Stadium
Game 2: Saturday May 11, 2 p.m. @ Ray Fisher Stadium
Game 3: Sunday May 12, 1 p.m. @ Ray Fisher Stadium (Senior Day)