The Michigan baseball team won't hang its head.

Michigan's unexpected, overachieving season came to a close Thursday after a 3-2 loss to Illinois (14-10 Big Ten, 34-17 overall) in the Big Ten Tournament.

The Wolverines (14-10, 29-27) were immediately plagued by their inability to knock in timely RBI with runners in scoring position. In the first inning, Michigan loaded the bases with no outs, but failed to score even one run.

“That really, unfortunately, was probably the difference, Bakich said. “That’s just not acceptable, and we’re better than that. It’s unfortunate that happened.”

The golden opportunity the Wolverines had — to break the game open early on — was a familiar situation, but like many times earlier in the season, the Michigan batters simply couldn’t convert. It was a punch to the mouth for Michigan coach Erik Bakich and his young squad, while Illinois savored the momentum.

“We really didn’t take advantage of what we had, which is disappointing,” Bakich said.

“We’re better than that. … When you play with a lead, everyone is able to relax a little bit more instead of having to play catch up.”

Unfortunately for Bakich’s squad, it was Illinois who settled in quickly after Michigan failed to score. In the first and second innings, Illinois tacked on a run in each frame to take early control of the game. But similarly to the Wolverines, the Illini stranded their fair share of runners throughout the afternoon as each side left nine on the base paths.

But where Illinois captured an edge was on the mound, where Michigan junior left-hander Logan McAnallen was outdueled by Illinois right-hander John Kravetz. McAnallen, who has been the Wolverines’ most consistent starter all season, lasted just 4.1 innings and scattered seven hits en route to allowing three earned runs.

Kravetz surely gained momentum and a load of confidence after pitching his way out of the bases-loaded jam in the first inning. He went on to give up just two earned runs off eight hits in 7.1 innings.

Michigan managed to get to Kravetz briefly in the third inning, when senior second baseman Patrick Biondi’s superb base-running abilities were put on display. He stretched a single to a double, and then utilized two sacrifice flies to eventually cut the deficit to one.

Illinois extended its lead to two in the fifth inning off a triple by designated hitter Michael Hurwitz, before Michigan would attempt to mount its final comeback attempt. In the eighth inning, O’Neill opened up with a triple and soon scored, thanks to a single by freshman shortstop Travis Maezes.

But after the Maezes single, the Wolverines met their Achilles’ heel yet again. With freshman third baseman Jacob Cronenworth on third, Michigan failed to get the tying run home.

And within fifteen minutes, the season was over. The Wolverines exceeded many expectations, though, by reaching the tournament, and it marks a successful first year for Bakich and company.

“It was a big deal to get here,” Bakich said. “It was great senior leadership that led us here. Just getting here is a huge step for this program in year one.”

And now, Michigan is out of the rebuilding stage and another year of growth for 21 underclassmen will pay dividends leading into next season. Bakich will continue to allow for this ending to resonate with his youngsters and the rest of the returning staff.

“Hopefully they’ll remember what this tastes like, what it feels like, so that we have a better showing because we’re certainly going to be back,” Bakich said.

Bakich has the Wolverines back on the map after just his first season at the helm, though. Next year should be a bigger leap forward, and the future of Michigan baseball is in good hands with the likes of Cronenworth, Maezes and fellow freshman left-handed pitcher Evan Hill running the infield.

The Wolverines weren’t projected to make it to Minneapolis for the conference tournament. But Bakich sold his baseball philosophy and coaching abilities to the seniors while he helped budding freshmen grow into top talents in the lineup.

It was a successful year for Michigan, despite the early tournament exit. In the coming years, Michigan will be there battling for conference titles. Bakich wouldn't have it any other way.