Ben Ballantine Suffers "Gruesome" Ankle Injury in Michigan Baseball Win

Submitted by Raoul on

The Michigan baseball team beat Bowling Green today 2-0, but the bigger news was the "ugly" injury suffered by senior starting pitcher Ben Ballantine.

Ballantine went down with a gruesome ankle injury in the third inning today while trying to cover first. His status is unknown at this time

— Block 'M' Baseball (@blockmbaseball) April 2, 2013

Last word was he was being treated at U-M hospital. And here's an update:

@bballantine23 our thoughts are with you tonight. We wish you a speedy recovery from surgery.

— Michigan Baseball (@umichbaseball) April 3, 2013

Losing Ballantine would be a tough blow for the team to absorb, as it's already been dealing with an injured Pat Biondi, who has yet to make a full return from a sprained thumb (he has been doing some late-inning pinch-running and fielding).

EDIT: As I noted in a reply below, Erik Bakich on WTKA this morning has confirmed that Ballantine broke two bones in his ankle, and he's facing 3 to 4 months of rehab. An unfortunate way for his Michigan career to end, for sure. He tweeted this last night:

i want to say thank you as sincerely as i possibly can for the prayers and support.. all of them mean a lot.. michigan has built me strong

— Ben Ballantine (@bBallantine23) April 3, 2013

Raoul

April 3rd, 2013 at 8:03 AM ^

Leaving out the gruesome details, can you explain better exactly what happened? All I've seen on Twitter is that it occurred while he was covering first base.

EDIT: I guess I can answer my own question, based on what Erik Bakich said this morning on his weekly WTKA appearance. There was a grounder to the right side of the infield, and Ballantine ran over to first base to cover. But the second baseman ended up fielding the ball, so the first baseman was also moving to first to cover, so Ballantine tried to put the brakes on, and that's when the injury occurred.

Bakich said he broke two bones in his ankle. A tough kid—even as he was leaving the field, he was exhorting his teammates to get the victory. He's facing 3 to 4 months of rehab, so that basically means his Michigan career is over. Best wishes on his recovery.

Wolverine Devotee

April 2nd, 2013 at 8:45 PM ^

Ugh. Program just can't catch a break. 

Hopefully B2 gets better and the team can pull together and qualify for the B1G Tournament. Would be a huge step in the right direction.

UofM626

April 2nd, 2013 at 9:38 PM ^

CALIFORNIA BOYS!!! There are tons of great players here playing D3 and NAIA and community college that are better then most of the BIG TEN Conference.

philclar

April 2nd, 2013 at 9:47 PM ^

the hall from ben in south quad his freshman year. those baseball guys are crazy. one player lost at a game of halo to ben, so he had to streak to the elevator and back. cool story, i know. i wish ben a speedy recovery