Michigan Baseball defeats Indiana 4-3
I was just about to save a post about the game—good thing I checked first. Here's what I wrote:
After dropping the first two games of their Big Ten opening series with Indiana, the Michigan baseball team came back with a 4-3 victory today punctuated by a spectacular 8th inning catch by right fielder Jackson Lamb (embedded below). Runners were at the corners with two outs at the time, so the catch saved at least one run, if not two.
Travis Maezes was the hero on offense, hitting a bases-clearing, three-run double in the fourth to put the Wolverines up 4-2. Michigan got good relief work from a series of pitchers, including Jacob Cronenworth, who went the final two innings to pick up the save; he's now 5-for-5 in save opportunities.
This was the type of win—over the projected top conference team—that could give the team some momentum as they continue their Big Ten slate.
Baseball: Terrific catch by Jackson Lamb in the 8th preserved Michigan's one-run lead (h/t @JordanStrack) https://t.co/Sz4amSyZ83 #GoBlue
— Raoul (@Raoul_000) March 23, 2014
They've had a ton of close games—almost half of their games have been decided by one run. They're now 4-7 in such games. I hate to keep repeating myself, but: Cronenworth's return to the bullpen has been key. If he had been able to pitch in the early weeks of the season, they would have held on to some late leads and turned some of the one-run losses into wins.
Full highlights of the game are now up at mgoblue.com. Game recap is here.
Yes, he had labrum surgery. That's why he wasn't pitching the first few weeks. They obviously need some setup guys, but he's the team's closer. Lamb had been expected to be a key reliever, but he's probably been kept off the mound because of his back problems. (Hopefully, he's now fully recovered—he played all three games this weekend.)
Realistically, the team's a year away from competing for a Big Ten title.
I was jumping around reacting to that. Holy cow what a play that ultimately saved the game.
Michigan's next EIGHT games are at the new turfed Ray Fisher Stadium.
This is a great chance to at least get the overall record to .500 and gets a nice start in B1G play to make a push for a decent seeding in the B1G Tournament and maybe even a B1G Championship.
came in with men on second and third, none out in 8th
guy on 3rd picked off by catcher
then in top of 9th, Cronenworth led off with a bunt single, with one out, stole second and third, but two strikeouts stranded him
he then pitched one-two-three 9th inning
great
March 23rd, 2014 at 11:13 PM ^
Cronenworth played a great, clutch game.
And the catch in right field is Sports Center worthy.
March 23rd, 2014 at 10:34 PM ^
while switching back and forth to CBS for Tournament action, but missed that sensational catch. Thanks, Raoul, for posting that video!
The entire team played well today against the best team in the B1G. Coach Bakich has got a good thing brewing with Michigan Baseball.