U-M Bests Western Michigan in Rain-Shortened Contest

Tuesday, May 17

Ann Arbor, Mich.

6:05 PM

Michigan

16-35

Western Michigan

24-27

Western Michigan

Michigan

5/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 17, 2011

• Box Score | Notes | Highlights

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: Michigan 7, Western Michigan 4 (5 innings)
Records: U-M (16-35), Western Michigan (24-27)
Next U-M Event: Thursday, May 19 -- vs. Penn State (Wilpon Complex), 6:05 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball team scored a combined seven runs in the third and fourth innings to overcome an early four-run deficit and defeat Western Michigan, 7-4, in a rain-shortened, five-inning contest on Tuesday night (May 17) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.

Sophomore Derek Dennis (Ada, Mich./Forest Hills Central) had two hits and drove in two runs, while junior Coley Crank (Pinole, Calif./Pinole Valley) had a pair of runs batted in. Redshirt senior Matt Gerbe (Shelby Twp., Mich./Eisenhower) earned the win on the mound, striking out four and not allowing a hit in 2.2 innings of relief.

Western Michigan started the scoring with a pair of runs in the first and added two runs in the top of the third.

U-M then started the comeback in the bottom of the third. Freshman Cole Martin (Bay City, Mich./John Glenn) reached on an error to open the inning. He went to second on a walk to sophomore Patrick Biondi (Woodhaven, Mich./Divine Child). Both runners scored as Crank singled to left-center. Junior John Lorenz (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) walked and redshirt sophomore Kevin Krantz (Traverse City, Mich./Central) reached on a fielder's choice, and both runners scored on Dennis' double to left, tying the game at 4-4.

Michigan took the lead for good in the fourth. Freshman Brett Winger (Orlando, Fla./Olympia) singled and moved to second on a walk to redshirt freshman John DiLaura (Clinton Twp., Mich./Warren DeLa Salle). Martin walked to load the bases and Winger scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman Michael O'Neill (Powell, Ohio/Olentangy Liberty). DiLaura and Martin moved up on a throwing error, before Biondi brought in DiLaura on a ground ball to second and Martin scored on a wild pitch, making it 7-4 Wolverines.

Gerbe retired the side in the top of the fifth to make the game official. The umpires called for the tarp at 7:21 p.m. as water began puddling by home plate. The two teams waited for around 30 minutes, before the game was called due to the weather.

Michigan will host Penn State to start a three-game Big Ten series this Thursday (May 19) at 6:05 p.m. at the Wilpon Complex. It will be the final home series of the season for the Wolverines.

Contact: Kent Reichert (734) 763-4423