Michigan picked up a big series win last weekend over Michigan State and added a win over Toledo in its midweek game. This past weekend, the Wolverines had the chance to keep the good times rolling with a series against a reeling Northwestern squad in Ann Arbor.
Here’s a look at how all three games went down.
Game 1 – Friday
While Michigan was entering the weekend on a hot streak, it was Northwestern that came out with the great start in the series opener. Facing Michigan’s ace Kurt Barr, the Wildcats plated two runs
in the top of the first with a single from Owen McElfatrick with the bases loaded. Michigan responded in the bottom of the inning with a solo homer from Colby Turner, but it was clear it wouldn’t be an easy fight.
Michigan did itself a big favor in the bottom of the second, loading the bases before Brayden Jefferis hit a double to center field that was aided by a misplay from Northwestern’s center fielder. It would clear off the bases and give the Wolverines a 4-2 lead.
The teams each scored a run in the third inning to make it a 5-3 game, but Michigan gained more separation in the bottom of the fifth. With no outs and runners on second and third, Cade Ladehoff popped a sacrifice fly to score a run. Josh Campbell did the same in the next at-bat, giving Michigan a seemingly comfortable 7-3 lead heading into the later innings.
Northwestern wouldn’t go away, though, scoring three runs in the top of the ninth courtesy of a two-run homer and solo homer off reliever Grant Bradley. Gavin DeVooght came in to generate the final out and Michigan held on for a 7-6 win.
Game 2 – Saturday
With a chance to claim the series on Saturday, the Wolverines wasted no time showing they meant business. After Shane Brinham struck out the side in the top of the first, the Michigan offense scored five runs off Northwestern starter Matt Kouser in the bottom of the frame. The Wolverines scored their runs courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Brendan Stressler and two-run doubles from both Joonsung Park and Josh Campbell.
Nortwestern would start to chip away in the top of the third with an RBI single from Owen McElfatrick to make it 5-1, but Michigan’s offense wasn’t done. The Wolverines tacked on one run in the bottom of the fifth courtesy of a throwing error from Logan deGroot, which allowed Ladehoff to score. The Wolverines added another on an RBI double from Park to make it 7-1, essentially icing the game.
Northwestern chipped away late, scoring runs in the eight and ninth, but Michigan still won easily, 8-3. Although the offense was the star of the show, Brinham did some heavy lifting himself with five innings of one-run ball.
Game 3 – Sunday
Unlike the first two games of the series, the finale was a bit more of a pitcher’s duel. David Lally took the bump for Michigan and held the Wildcats in check through the early innings. Michigan finally gave him some run support in the fourth inning by playing some small ball. With runners on second and third, Cade Ladehoff put down a bunt to score Colby Turner and give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead. Shortly thereafter, Joonsung Park got in on the action with an infield single that scored Brayden Jefferis to make it 2-0.
Northwestern would do its only damage of the game in the top of the fifth inning, taking advantage of a wild pitch from Lally to score and make it 2-1.
That would be all for the Wildcats on Sunday, as Lally mowed them down, allowing just the one run and one hit while striking out six. His performance certainly payed dividends in securing the sweep for the Wolverines, as their bats just weren’t able to stay as hot as they’d been the last two days.
With the win on Sunday, the Wolverines pushed their record to 24-15, including a 10-8 mark in the conference. Michigan will play two midweek games this week — one at Miami University and one vs Bowling Green — before hosting Washington in next weekend’s series.
