Coming into Wednesday’s game against Central Michigan, the Michigan baseball team’s offense was simmering. Over the previous three games, the Wolverines had averaged more than seven runs per game. In Tuesday’s win over Toledo, Michigan blasted nine hits — two of them going over the wall.
The offensive production continued Wednesday, as the Wolverines welcomed in April with a 5-3 win over Central Michigan. On what felt like the first day of spring, Michigan (2-4 Big Ten, 16-12 overall) won its fourth game in a row to cap a six-game homestand.
After neither team recorded a hit in the first three innings, the Wolverines broke it open in the fourth inning. Senior outfielder Jackson Glines began the frame with a leadoff walk before the Chippewas (5-1 MAC, 18-11 overall) brought in Braxton Markle in relief. But Michigan gave the new pitcher no time to get comfortable.
Sophomore outfielder Carmen Benedetti, the first batter Markle faced, knocked a first-pitch single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior outfielder Cody Bruder. Finally, junior infielder Travis Maezes put the Wolverines on the board with a two-run single. Wednesday’s game was Maezes’ first time playing since March 13, when he suffered a strained oblique.
“It feels great to get back there,” Maezes said. “No problems, no pain, no setbacks. It’s a good feeling to be in the lineup.”
And the damage wasn’t done there. Freshman catcher Drew Lugbauer drove Maezes in with a single of his own, giving Michigan a 3-0 lead to end the inning.
The Wolverines continued to pour it on in the fifth inning, as junior infielder Jacob Cronenworth blasted a solo home run to open the frame. It was Cronenworth’s third home run in as many games.
In the seventh, Benedetti, one of the most feared hitters in Michigan’s vaunted lineup, drew an intentional walk as he came up to bat with a runner on third base. But even from the base paths, Benedetti did his due damage: He stole second base and forced a throw from Central Michigan catcher Tyler Huntey. The runner on third, freshman shortstop Jake Bivens, stole home to give the Wolverines a 5-0 lead.
On the defensive side of the ball, Michigan pieced together a platoon of talented underclassmen to tame the Chippewa offense. Freshman pitcher Jayce Vancena started for the Wolverines, pitching three shutout innings. He was relieved by freshman Oliver Jaskie, who recorded 2.2 shutout innings.
“We knew we were up against a tough opponent,” Michigan coach Erik Bakich said. “And we knew we were going to have to call on a bunch of people, but we trust those guys and we can count on those guys.”
In the sixth inning, Jaskie allowed a leadoff double and walk. Suddenly, Central Michigan threatened to cut into the Wolverines’ lead. But Jaskie struck Huntey out looking, and forced right fielder Logan Regnier to line out softly. Jaskie was then relieved by sophomore right-hander Mac Lozer, who threw an inning-ending strikeout.
In the eighth inning, Benedetti relieved Hendrickson, who had gotten himself into trouble once again. Central Michigan had runners on first and second with nobody out. This time, the Chippewas did slice Michigan’s lead. After Benedetti forced his first batter to pop out and struck out the next, designated hitter Daniel Jipping drove in both runs with a two-out single. After eight, the Wolverines led 5-2.
Freshman pitcher Bryan Pall came in to close out the ninth inning. Central Michigan shortstop Zach McKinstry scored on infielder Cody Leichman’s RBI groundout, but no further damage was done. After chipping into the lead, the Chippewas ultimately could not break the dam.
Michigan went 5-1 on its first homestand of the season. After being swept by Nebraska last weekend, the Wolverines look to be hitting their stride.
“After Nebraska, our backs were up against the ropes,” Bakich said. “But we’re not going to back down. We’re going to keep throwing punches and keep fighting.”