After an improbable comeback in Friday’s game in Norman, Okla., the Michigan baseball team appeared all out of rally magic yesterday and failed to convert on a bases-loaded situation in the top of the ninth inning, handing Oklahoma a 5-4 victory and the weekend series.
Oklahoma relief pitcher Jarod McAuliff struck out the first two batters he faced in the ninth, but then proceeded to walk senior second baseman Jordan Cantalamessa and hit junior designated hitter Jake Fox, sandwiching senior third baseman Brock Koman’s single in between.
Senior outfielder Mike Sokol stepped up to the plate, but struck out to end the game, dropping the Wolverines’ record to 4-6 on the season.
“This was a good game for us to win,” Oklahoma head coach Larry Cochell said. “They played us tight all game, and it’s good for us to play in tight games and learn how to win them.”
The difference in the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning when freshman pitcher Craig Murray loaded the bases. Oklahoma’s Jay Yaconetti drove in Matt Arkinson on a slow ground ball.
Murray earned the loss, although Arkinson’s run was unearned after he reached base on a dropped fly ball.
The Wolverines had the bats working on Friday, when they scored 12 unanswered runs, including an eight-run seventh, to wipe away an eight-run deficit and come away with the 16-12 victory.
Cantalamessa drove in seven runs on 4-for-6 hitting for the Wolverines while Fox added four RBIs on two home runs.
“Michigan did an outstanding job of swinging the bats (Friday) and staying in the game,” Cochell said. “We did everything we had to do to win the game today. We hit well, and we played good defense, we just didn’t pitch well.”
Senior outfielder Gino Lollio ended up driving in the game-winning RBI with the score tied at 12-12 in the eighth inning.
In Saturday’s game, Sooner’s pitcher Buddy Blair quieted the Wolverine lineup, striking out nine in the complete game, 5-2 victory.