# 18 Michigan Baseball beats WMU 6-3

Submitted by ThadMattasagoblin on

We are now 16-4 on the season with a big series coming this weekend at Maryland. Maryland is probably the second best big ten team and a good showing would put us in the driver's seat for the big ten title.

MGoBoard
Baseball/Softball

Wolverine Devotee

March 22nd, 2017 at 8:22 PM ^

Down 3-0 early and came back to win. This game would've gotten away last year or the year before. 

Very nice win. This weekend will be our first trip to play at Maryland in 60 years.

Joined: 06/29/2009

MGoPoints: 31528

Alton

March 22nd, 2017 at 9:16 PM ^

M Softball is #16?  It's infuriating and hard to watch.  M Baseball is #16?  It's awesome.  It just goes to show you how much "expectations" matter. 

Michigan has a true #1 pitcher, Oliver Jaskie, who can beat any team in the nation.  They have a shutdown closer in Jackson Lamb who has proven he can preserve any 8-inning lead Michigan hands him.  They have 2 power hitters in Harrison Wenson and Drew Lugbauer.  Despite only hitting .268 as a team, they have a very good .379 OBP and are 43 of 50 in stolen base attempts.  Plus, they have only committed 13 errors in 19 games.

Michigan's weaknesses moving forward will be (1) a lack of a #2 pitcher--Ryan Nutof has struggled in recent starts--and (2) a lack of hitting for average.  I think that if an opposing pitcher is throwing strikes, Michigan might struggle.  So far Michigan has really taken advantage of walks and hit batters, and they have lacked clutch hitting in their losses, especially the 1-0 UCLA loss.

Looking ahead, if Michigan ends up with 44 wins or so after the conference tournament, look for them to host a regional.  I figure that they need to go 6-1 against the MAC, 16-8 in the Big Ten, 3-2 in their major non-conference games (Oklahoma x 3, Notre Dame, MSU), and make the Big Ten tournament final.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 13277

Alton

March 22nd, 2017 at 9:07 PM ^

Friday:  6:30 p.m.

Saturday:  7:00 p.m. (BTN)

Sunday:  1:00 p.m. (BTN plus)

The forecast suggests showers are a possibility in College Park on Sunday, so there is a possibility that they play a doubleheader on Saturday instead, when it will be 75 degrees.  Maryland has a pair of pitchers with ERAs under 2.00, so Jaskie will likely have to pitch another gem on Friday.  Whomever wins this series will absolutely be in the driver's seat.

Joined: 07/05/2008

MGoPoints: 13277