Late Runs Doom Michigan in Series Finale Loss to Illinois

Sunday, April 12

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:05 PM

Michigan

19-13, 0

Illinois

21-8, 0

Illinois

Michigan

Late Runs Doom Michigan in Series Finale Loss to Illinois

4/12/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Baseball Complex)
Result: Illinois 11, Michigan 5
Records: U-M (19-13, 4-5), Illinois (21-8, 6-3)
Next U-M Event: Tuesday, April 14 -- vs. Toledo (Wilpon Baseball Complex), 6:05 p.m.

Boxscore | Postgame Notes | Photo Gallery | Video Report

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Junior first baseman Mike Dufek(Scottsdale, Ariz./Desert Mountain) went 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBI, but it was not enough as the University of Michigan baseball team dropped the rubber game of its three-game set to Illinois, 11-5, on Sunday afternoon (April 12) at the Wilpon Baseball Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. Michigan opened the scoring but saw the Fighting Illini score the final six runs of the contest, breaking a 5-5 tie at the end of six innings. Fifth-year senior leftfielder Kenny Fellows(Holt, Mich./Holt) and sophomore centerfielder Ryan LaMarre(Jackson, Mich./Lumen Christi) each had a pair of hits for the Maize and Blue.

The Wolverines opened the scoring in the bottom of the first as Fellows and LaMarre reached base on a walk and single, respectively, and were driven home on a double to the left-centerfield gap by Dufek to take a 2-0 early lead.

Illinois answered with three in the second and two in the fourth, sandwiched around a run by U-M in the third, to take a 5-3 lead. Senior second baseman Kevin Cislo(Novi, Mich./Novi) scored the third Michigan run after leading off the third inning with a single and coming home on a double-play groundout by Dufek.

With the Illini clinging to a 5-3 lead in the fifth, the Maize and Blue knotted the game when Dufek drove in his third and fourth runs of the day with a two-out, two-run homer deep over the centerfield batters eye. LaMarre had reached with a single before Dufeks 10th round-tripper of the season, which pulled U-M back even, 5-5.

The score remained even until the seventh inning when Illinois pulled ahead thanks to a run in the seventh and another four in the eighth to claim the victory.

Junior Alan Oaks (White Lake, Mich./Divine Child) made the longest pitching appearance of his collegiate career, throwing four innings of relief, surrendering five runs, four earned, to take the loss. Sophomore Travis Smith(Austin, Texas/Stephen F. Austin) started on the mound for the Maize and Blue, lasting three innings while striking out two and allowing four earned runs.

The Maize and Blue will be back in action at the Wilpon Baseball Complex on Tuesday (April 14) when it hosts Toledo. First pitch between the Wolverines and Rockets is scheduled for 6:05 p.m.

Contact: Matt Fancett (734) 763-4423