Michigan Upended by Lawrence Tech in Home Opener

Wednesday, March 14

Ann Arbor, Mich.

4:00 PM

Michigan

4-11

Lawrence Tech

17-9

Lawrence Tech

Michigan

3/14/2018 8:29:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Katie Gwinn Hewitt

» Michigan owned a 3-2 lead through six innings but allowed six runs in the seventh.
» Ako Thomas, Harrison Salter and Jesse Franklin had multi-hit outings.
» The Wolverines will host Bowling Green Friday through Sunday (March 16-18) in their first home series of the season.

Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Wilpon Complex)
Score: Lawrence Tech 8, Michigan 3
Records: U-M (4-11), LT (17-9)
Next U-M Event: Friday, March 16 -- vs. Bowling Green (Wilpon Complex), 4 p.m.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan baseball team owned a lead through the first six innings on Wednesday afternoon (March 14) but allowed six runs in the seventh and fell, 8-3, in its home opener against Lawrence Tech at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium.

After two scoreless innings, Michigan plated a run for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on a leadoff double from junior Ako Thomas, who advanced to third on a groundout by Dominic Clementi and scored on an RBI groundout from redshirt senior Miles Lewis.

The Wolverines manufactured another run in the fourth inning to go ahead, 2-0. Redshirt freshman Harrison Salter led off the inning with a hard infield single and took second on a passed ball. A groundout then allowed him to take third, and a two-out infield single by freshman Jesse Franklin pushed Salter home for a two-run lead.

Lawrence Tech got on the board in the top of the fifth inning thanks to a walk, a sacrifice bunt, a wild pitch and an error, but Michigan got one back in the bottom of the frame to take a 3-1 lead. The two-out rally began with a walk to Lewis, who later took second on a wild pitch, and a full-count walk to junior Jonathan Engelmann that ended with a passed ball and allowed Lewis to take third. With runners on the corners, it was Salter who came up with the run-scoring single to plate Lewis and give the Wolverines a two-run cushion.

The Blue Devils added an unanswered run in the top of the sixth inning with a solo home run, then scored six runs in the top of the seventh to take a commanding 8-3 lead.

The Wolverines put a man on base in the seventh inning, but were retired in order in both the eighth and ninth innings to drop their third straight game.

Thomas, Salter and Franklin had two hits apiece in the effort, and Franklin's 2-for-4 day marked a career-high.

Junior William Tribucher started on the mound for the Wolverines and tossed five innings, but took a no-decision. He surrendered just one unearned run and scattered three hits with a walk and four strikeouts before leaving the game.

Righty pitchers Troy Miller and Jayce Vancena combined to throw the sixth and seventh innings and allowed a combined seven runs, though only three were earned. Freshman lefty Ben Dragani closed out the game with two innings of work and allowed just one walk with two strikeouts.

Wednesday's contest marked Michigan's 2018 home opener, as well as the first time the Wolverines have dropped a home opener since the 2013 season.

Michigan will play on Friday (March 16) and will host Bowling Green in its first home series of the 2018 season. First pitch for Friday's contest is set for 4 p.m. at the Wilpon Complex, home of Ray Fisher Stadium. [ Tickets ]