No. 16 U-M Drops Series Finale to Michigan State

Sunday, May 1

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

29-12, 9-5

Michigan State

30-11, 10-5

Michigan State

Michigan

5/1/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 1, 2016

Baseball
Michael Brdar

» The 2,500-person sellout crowd was Michigan's biggest crowd since May 31, 2002, when the Wolverines hosted Arizona in an NCAA Regional contest.
» Michigan State's series victory is just the second series loss that Michigan has suffered this season.
» Nearly every Wolverine recorded a hit or in the 12-hit effort on Sunday.

• Box Score | Photo Gallery

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: Michigan State 7, #16 Michigan 4
Records: U-M (29-12, 9-5 Big Ten), MSU (30-11, 10-5 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Tuesday, May 3 -- vs. Eastern Michigan (Wilpon Complex), 6 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Despite out-hitting the opponent and scoring first, the No. 16-ranked University of Michigan baseball team dropped its series finale contest against the Michigan State Spartans, 7-4, on Sunday (May 1) at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. The loss snapped a six-game home win streak for the Wolverines.

Michigan was the first to score in both games of the series, and Sunday was no different. After both teams went scoreless in the first, the Wolverines rallied for a run in the bottom of the second to take a 1-0 lead. Junior Michael Brdar led off the inning with a one-out line shot through the left side, and senior Dominic Jamett followed by legging out a single up the middle. One out later, sophomore Jake Bivens beat out an infield single, and Brdar went second to home to score the first run for a 1-0 lead.

Michigan State responded in the top of the third inning, plating a run on a two singles and a sacrifice bunt, but it was the top of the fifth that was the most productive for the Spartans, as they claimed three runs on four hits for a 4-1 lead.

The visiting Spartans also tacked on a run in the top of the sixth and seventh innings, extending their lead to five.

After six scoreless Michigan frames, the Wolverines added two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, bringing the score within three. Senior Matt Ramsay led off the inning with a walk -- his third of the game -- and junior Carmen Benedetti followed suit with a single to left field. One out later, senior Cody Bruder blasted a single through the left side of the infield, allowing Ramsay to score from second. After a pitching change, sophomore Drew Lugbauer reached on a fielding error, which loaded the bases for Michigan. An RBI single from Brdar then scored Benedetti, ending the rally for the Wolverines.

Despite the surge by the Wolverines, Michigan State answered back in the top of the ninth inning with a run on three walks and a sacrifice fly, forcing a 7-3 lead.

Michigan added a run in the bottom of the ninth on a walk to Bivens and an RBI double from Ramsay, but three quick outs ended the scoring for Michigan and closed out the game in a 7-4 loss.

Senior lefty Evan Hill got the start for Michigan in the Sunday contest, tossing five complete innings with an appearance in the sixth. He allowed five runs on nine hits, walking just one and striking out four before sophomore Ryan Nutof came in for two innings of relief. The righty reliever surrendered just one run on one hit, fanning two batters.

Juniors Benedetti and Jackson Lamb then combined to pitched the eighth and ninth innings, holding Michigan State hitless. Hill went on to earn the loss.

Postgame Audio

After a day off on Monday, No. 16 Michigan will return to action with a Tuesday night (May 3) contest against Eastern Michigan. First pitch for the midweek game is set for 6 p.m. at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. [ Tickets ]

Communications Contact: Katie Gwinn Hewitt