Baseball takes down MSU in home finale
After yesterday's game got away after a disaster 4 run inning that began on an outfield error, Michigan took on MSU tonight at Ray Fisher Stadium looking for revenge.
Michigan beat MSU back on April 18th at Ray Fisher Stadium 12-4, but that was in a non-conference game.
Tonight's game counted towards the standings.
We wasted no time tonight.
Michigan jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the 1st inning on a bases loaded walk, a 2 RBI single by Miles Lewis and a sac fly by Nick Poirier.
After a quick inning by Oliver Jaskie, Michigan began pounding some more.
The Wolverines once again had bases loaded with none out. Michael Brdar hit an RBI single and then Drew Slugbauer Lugbauer hit a 2-run double to make it 7-0 Michigan.
MSU got a run back in the top of the 3rd, but Harrison Wenson hit a 2-run bomb to LF to put Michigan up 9-1 after 3 innings.
MSU found a way to scrape together another 4 run inning that once again started on an outfield error by Michigan. The lead was cut to 9-5.
Michigan added some insurance runs in the 7th and 8th innings with RBI singles to go up 11-5.
MSU pushed across one more run, but with bases loaded the door was slammed in their face by Michigan closer Jackson Lamb.
Michigan beats MSU for the 199th time all-time and the 2nd time this season by a final score of 11-6. The Wolverines outscored MSU 23-10 in two meetings this season in Ann Arbor.
Michigan is now 41-13 and 15-8 in the B1G.
It all comes down to tomorrow. Minnesota lost twice today in an ultra rare tripleheader against Purdue.
Nebraska lost to PSU yesterday.
If Michigan beats MSU tomorrow out at East Lansing and Penn State beats Nebraska, Michigan is the B1G Champion for the first time since 2008.
Tonight was likely the final game of the 2016-17 Michigan Athletics season in Ann Arbor. A great way to end it.
Since Michigan plays Wednesday & Thursday next week, my assumption was that they wanted Rennard to pitch the Wednesday game and Jaskie to pitch on Thursday. I could be wrong, but that was the only thing that made sense to me.
\The only other possible explanation--pitching the righty in East Lansing and pitching the lefty at Fisher Stadium--doesn't make any sense to me.
If we win, we don't play on thursday but friday. I would think you could have Jaskie pitch on both Wednesday and then sunday. Your starters are probably Nutoff, Rennard, Jaskie, Hendrickson, and Vancena. Past that I don't know.
Last year only two games were played on thursday. Maybe they changed the format. I think Nutof is better than Rennard. Hendrickson seems like a solid # 3 pitcher.
Okay, I see where the confusion is. Last year it rained on Thursday so they were only able to play 2 of the 4 scheduled games. Here's your tournament bracket:
http://iuhoosiers.com/documents/2017/5/18//2017_tournament_bracket_New…
Rennard & Nutof are pretty even in my opinion. Nutof lost his weekend starting role to Rennard about 3 weeks ago, but I guess I won't claim to know what Bakich is planning for the next couple of weeks.
1. Nebraska (15-7-1)
2t. Michigan (15-8)
2t. Minnesota (15-8)
4t. Maryland (15-9)
4t. Iowa (15-9)
6. Indiana (13-9-1)
7. Northwestern (13-11)
8. Purdue (12-12)
9. Michigan State (10-13)
10. Illinois (9-15)
11. Ohio State (8-15)
12. Rutgers (7-16)
13. Penn State (4-19)
The only 3 games tomorrow are NE-PS, IN-OS and MI-MS.
Michigan can end up seeded anywhere from 1st to 4th. Michigan loses a tiebreaker to Maryland, but beats Iowa. A win puts Michigan in either 1st or 2nd, depending on the Nebraska result, playing Northwestern or Purdue on Wednesday. A loss puts Michigan in 4th place, with a Wednesday matchup against Iowa.
Really unfortunate Nebraska is playing the worst team in the league, but hey, it is PSU's Senior Day. You never know.
No doubt about it, Bakich is going to hear from some top schools during this off-season. Hopefully Michigan shows its appreciation and can convince him to stay, but I wouldn't be surprised if what you say is true.
Hopefully Warde Manuel can show Michigan's appreciation for the job he has done here, and at least match anything SC offers him...and Michigan can certainly offer better job security, as long as he keeps producing seasons like this one every few years. At South Carolina, he will have an all-time baseball coaching great in Ray Tanner looking over his shoulder as Athletic Director.
could lose out on a regular season title solely based upon Nebraska having a tie..I hate it when these titles in BB or SB or any other sport is determined because one team played one less game due to weather or a tie due to travel restrictions, If that game desides a league title they should have to make it up at seasons end...Its just not fair to whatever team gets 2nd whethers its Michigan or any other team...
FYI, if anybody reading this is going to the game. Today's game at Michigan State has been moved to noon because the forecast shows a chance of thunderstorms after 2 pm in East Lansing.
is some Gooood news