Michigan
Ohio State
Ninth-Inning Push Falls Short in Heartbreaker at OSU
5/13/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 13, 2016
» Junior lefty Brett Adcock and junior righty reliever Mac Lozer combined for 10 strikeouts through eight innings pitched.
» The loss is Michigan's second straight, though the Wolverines have won eight of 12 series played this season.
Site: Columbus, Ohio (Davis Stadium)
Score: Ohio State 3, Michigan 1
Records: U-M (34-14, 12-6 Big Ten), OSU (33-16, 11-8 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Saturday, May 14 -- at Ohio State (Columbus, Ohio), 3 p.m.
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A three-spot in the bottom of the fifth was the defining go-ahead inning on Friday night (May 13), as the No. 19-ranked University of Michigan baseball team dropped a 3-2 contest in the series opener at Ohio State at Davis Stadium. A ninth-inning rally fell short in heart-breaking fashion, as a diving catch ended the play with Michigan's go-ahead run on base.
After a scoreless first inning, the Wolverines got things going offensively in the top of the second inning to force a one-run lead. Freshman Jonathan Engelmann jumpstarted the momentum with a one-out double, taking third on the following outfield flyout from senior Dominic Jamett. An Ohio State wild pitch then scored Engelmann, pushing the Wolverines ahead, 1-0.
Neither team scored in the third or fourth innings, but a three-spot in the bottom of the fifth pushed the Buckeyes up by two. The at-bat featured a solo homer, a double, a walk and a two-RBI single.
Down 3-1, the Wolverines were unable to record another hit until junior Michael Brdar picked up an outfield single in the top of the eighth. He was unable to score, however, and Ohio State continued its 3-1 lead heading into the ninth and final inning.
Still trailing by two runs in the top of the ninth, senior Cody Bruder led off the Wolverines' final at-bat with a one-out double to the right-field wall, and an RBI single from sophomore Drew Lugbauer drove him in to come within one of the Buckeyes. A stolen base from pinch runner Johnny Slater and a walk to Engelmann then continued the inning, but a diving catch from the Ohio State centerfielder ended the game, signaling Michigan's second straight loss.
Junior lefty Brett Adcock started the contest for the Michigan pitching staff on Friday night, tossing 6.2 innings and recording nine strikeouts. The junior allowed just six hits on the day, including a solo home run -- his first through 63.1 innings pitched this season.
After striking out the side the sixth, Adcock came out of the game in the seventh with a runner on base and two outs. Junior reliever Mac Lozer took his place on the mound, recording a routine groundout to end the inning. Lozer also tossed the bottom of the eighth, striking out one and recording two groundouts. On the day, the pair surrendered just eight hits with 10 strikeouts.
No. 19 Michigan and the Buckeyes will continue Big Ten play on Saturday (May 14), with first pitch scheduled for 3 p.m. at Davis Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
Communications Contact: Katie Gwinn Hewitt
